TRANSITION - SEPTEMBER 2021 by Do South Magazine

TRANSITION

september 2021 DoSouthMagazine.com

september

Contents 04 06 22 56

Boutique Profiles

September Recommendations

Special Feature:

The Thrill is Back

Mental Health Guide

Letter from Catherine What's New - Contests

{ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT}

Get Bookish:

{OUTDOORS}

Float and Fish

{ T R AV E L }

Autumn Getaways

{PEOPLE} {COMMUNITY}

08 11 12 14 16

Medicine Ball Shop Local

18 32 36

For the “G” Ella Enchanted

Food for Thought

Love and Lyrics

Higher Power

OUR COVER

Nonprofit Spotlight: The Call Project Zero

{FICTION}

{TASTE}

Apple Bourbon Pecan

Bread Pudding

Get Poppin’

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Image Credit: Jeremy Thomas

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Letter from Catherine

ELEVEN

Eleven years ago this month, Do South ® made its debut! My mission remains the same as it was all those years ago; shine the light on the extraordinary people and places in our great state, help small businesses grow, and pack every issue full of heartfelt stories and ensure beauty in the design.

To our phenomenal family of advertisers - thank you for your support - without which Do South® would not be possible. To our readers for picking up each issue,

for the sweet calls and letters, and for supporting the businesses that grace our pages, we adore you. I am blessed to say we are stronger than ever and excited to see what the next eleven years hold! I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to share the countless stories of so many amazing people and places. We have always dedicated ourselves to stellar storytelling, and this month is no different. I am honored to share the story and celebrate the lives of Aaron and Landry Gamble from Greenwood, Arkansas, and I am proud to introduce you to two incredible teenagers who don’t allow their limitations to stop them – or define them.

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

I am also featuring organizations whose missions are close to my heart. Please find out how you can help the Fort Smith River Valley Food Bank and The Call. You’ll also meet a fantastic sibling group searching for their forever family with the help

of our friends at Project Zero. If you love the outdoors, you don’t want to miss our features on autumn getaways, kayaking and fishing, and a blues festival that’s been rocking along since the mid 80’s. There’s even an opportunity to enjoy an elegant evening in support of research with our friends at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education. I hope you enjoy this issue as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it. Enjoy the last snippets of summer before it fades into my favorite season – fall! I’ll see you in October.

Catherine Frederick

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

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

Owner/Publisher/Editor

catherine@dosouthmagazine.com

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

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what's new

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DOSOUTHMAG

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EVENTS Ron White: September 2, Temple Live Fort Smith Teal Stampede 5 & 10K Run/5K Walk: Walk September 4, Fort Smith Downtown Junk Fest: Fest September 4-5, Downtown Van Buren Jason Aldean: September 9, Walmart AMP, Rogers Fort Smith Symphony Orchestral Brilliance: Brilliance September 11, Fort Smith Convention Center Second Saturday on Main Salute to Service Edition: Edition September 11, Downtown Van Buren Girl’s Inc. Fest of Ale: Ale September 16, Uncork’d, Fort Smith Counting Crows: September 18, Walmart AMP, Rogers Manes & Miracles All That Jazz: Jazz September 18, The Bakery District, Fort Smith On Call, An Elegant Evening for Research: Research September 23, ACHE Arkansas Oklahoma State Fair: Fair September 24-Oct 2, Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith

CONTESTS (Deadline is September 30) Go to dosouthmagazine.com, click on “Contests.” All entries will be subscribed to our mailing list. Winner must pick up prize from participating business. See rules on our Contests page.

CALICO COUNTY

What’s your favorite? The mouthwatering cinnamon rolls, the amazing cheeseburger or crispy chicken fried steak? Win a $50 gift card and treat yourself to delicious home cookin’! CODE: CALICO JEFF’S CLUBHOUSE

Win a $25 gift card to Jeff’s Clubhouse! Choose from delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, or daily lunch special. Don’t miss their incredible Saturday brunch – full bar available! CODE: JEFFS Send comments, suggestions and advertising inquiries to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.

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18 08

community community

MEDICINE BALL

An Elegant Evening in Support of Research WORDS Dwain Hebda

Looking for an excuse to dust off your best duds and have a

in both private and federal research funding growth,” Susan

good time? Make plans to attend the black-tie gala On Call:

says. “It also increases the overall body of research and funding

An Elegant Evening in Support of Research, a great night for

brought into Arkansas and the River Valley.”

a great cause. Transforming the medical landscape, both physically in Fort Smith

“This

and experientially statewide, is the ongoing

environment of creativity and exploration

proposed

facility

will

create

mission of the Arkansas Colleges of Health

for faculty, students, researchers, and the

Education. Since the campus opened it has

community. The value of medical research

been a beacon for students around the

cannot be overstated, and its impact ripples

state, and throughout the region, seeking to

outward into each of our lives. Just imagine;

become health care professionals.

the cure for a disease could one day be discovered right here, by an ACHE researcher.”

As part of this effort, ACHE made the decision last fall to substantially expand its footprint,

The gala will be held at the ACHE Research

purchasing a 318,000-square-foot facility

Institute Health and Wellness Center. Guests

that, upon renovation and outfitting with the

to this elegant dinner event will experience

latest cutting-edge medical technology, will be home to ACHE

the unique fusion of science and the arts from the moment

Research Institute Health and Wellness Center. Proceeds from

they arrive. Expertly crafted beverages, dynamic musical

the inaugural On Call event will help pay for equipping this

entertainment and a robust culinary experience are all on

transformative medical facility.

the docket, topped off by exquisite desserts, wonderful wines, and conversations with friends.

“All proceeds of the gala will go toward the new biomedical research laboratory at the ACHE Research Institute Health and

Highlights of the live auction include a Dallas Cowboys game

Wellness Center,” says Susan Devero, ACHE’s Executive Director

package, fly-fishing trip, Napa wine adventure, a Maui vacation

of Marketing, Communications and Community Relations. “It

and bear hunting in Canada. In addition to live auction items, a

is important that the facility’s renowned researchers have the

$19,000 Rolex donated by Newton Jewelers will be raffled.

most innovative equipment to perform their research at the “The On Call gala will be an interactive experience that brings

highest level.”

research to life. We know our guests will create wonderful Proceeds from On Call, presented by Choctaw Casino and Resort

memories,” Susan says.

in Pocola, OK, will help support the game-changing health and wellness research, education and community outreach programs that will be offered through the new center.

On Call: An Elegant Evening in Support of Research “A fully-equipped, state-of-the-art research facility positions ACHE as a leader in innovations for better health and will result

Supporting the ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness Center Saturday, September 25 | 1000 Fianna Way, Fort Smith 479.308.2243 | Find it on Facebook

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18 10

community entertainment

Get BOOKISH

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

The Comfort Book

The Turnout

If the Shoe Fits

by Matt Haig

by Megan Abbott

by Julie Murphy

Matt Haig is a renowned novelist, but in his newest book he shares his secrets for overcoming anxiety and depression. In vignettes that are sometimes only a sentence long, Haig offers insight and wisdom that will uplift and encourage. He often borrows from other writers throughout, and shares the lessons he learned from books, films, and music. This is the perfect book to keep on your nightstand.

Abbott’s newest thriller is set in the Durant School of Dance, a family-owned ballet studio run by sisters in a small town. Marie is soft and sweet, Dara is precise, and together they have kept the school running for over a dozen years. However, when an out-of-towner arrives and a suspicious accident occurs, secrets are uncovered. Abbott’s ability to weave in the strain that ballet dancers endure given the tension of familial ties and secrets is mesmerizing.

We adore Julie Murphy. She is witty and smart and we love the messages her books bring! In her latest, Cindy is a modern-day Cinderella (complete with a shoe infatuation and a degree in fashion from a fancy NYC school) who isn’t necessarily looking for her prince charming, but he keeps showing up anyway. With the backdrop of reality shows like The Bachelor, you’ll feel all the warm fuzzies with this rom-com.

September Recommendations courtesy Sara Putman, Bookish

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Killers of the Flower Moon

by David Grann This is a backlist book that continues to fly off our shelves. Grann is a leader in the field of investigative journalism, and his work in this book exposes one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history. In the 1920s, the richest people per capita were members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma after oil was discovered beneath their land. Then, one by one, the Osage were killed off. Read this book before you see the movie starring Leo DiCaprio!

shop

Fall in Love with Shopping Local words Catherine Frederick imageS Jade Graves Photography and courtesy vendors

Shop local for fall treasures! We’re sharing a few of our favorite things, available from local businesses in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Angry Orchard Peach Mango Hard Fruit Cider, Redd’s Wicked Apple Ale, Cayman Jack Margarita, Hogshead Whisky, Pig’s Nose Whisky, Arkansas Razorback Tempered Glass Cutting Board

Sunglasses by Tom Ford

DR. STEVEN B. STILES OPTOMETRY 479.452.2020

IN GOOD SPIRITS 479.434.6604

Hunters and Firearm Enthusiasts Can Suppress Loud Gun Shots and Enhance Environmental Sounds with SoundGear™ Phantom Hearing Protection.

CENTER FOR HEARING 479.785.3277

Goose Island Ale, Old Scout Whiskey, Three Finger Jack Chardonnay, Juggernaut Russian River Pinot Noir, Lost Forty Oktoberfest The Hunter, New Holland Ichabod Pumpkin Ale

Hayley Paige Harley Wrap Power Band with Sapphires by Hearts On Fire, Set with Pink Sapphires and Diamonds .45cts., Available in Platinum, 18kt Rose, Yellow and White Gold

SODIE’S WINE & SPIRITS

JOHN MAYS JEWELERS

479.783.8013

479.452.2140

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18 12

community

Nonprofit Spotlight

DS: How did The CALL come to be?

words Catherine Frederick with Emily Treadaway, County Coordinator, The CALL in Crawford & Sebastian Counties

the state. Affiliates in Crawford & Sebastian Counties were established in 2009 and

The CALL launched in Pulaski County in 2007 as a nonprofit ministry. As we began working with DCFS to move newly recruited foster and adoptive homes through the certification process, more volunteers stepped forward and The CALL spread across currently serve over 50 foster and adoptive homes. The CALL is now in 53 counties with more than 3,300 families completing training, caring for over 18,000 children and youth in foster care. Currently, families recruited by The CALL represent 67% of the open traditional (non-relative) foster families in Arkansas. We are not a licensed agency or a paid contractor for DCFS and do not receive government funding. There is no cost to families for assistance with the certification process or support offered.

DS: Who does The CALL serve, and in what ways? Our local affiliate serves over 640 children and youth in foster care in Crawford

The CALL is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes local churches to serve

& Sebastian Counties. When children are separated from their families, they need a loving and safe home to go to. The CALL raises awareness in our community and through local churches about the need for more homes. Once a family is

local children and youth placed in foster

interested, we offer training and help navigate paperwork and processes. Finally,

care. They provide a way for Christians

once children are placed with a family, we offer tangible, emotional and spiritual

to invite the mission field into their

support, often through local churches and businesses. We feel the best way to

homes, to serve those most vulnerable

help children and youth in foster care is to ensure they have a safe and stable home

in their communities. The CALL partners

to care for them until they can return to their original family.

with the Division of Children and Family Services to recruit, train and support

DS: Tell us how The CALL impacts our community.

foster and adoptive families for children

We know poverty, abuse, and neglect are generational issues that can eventually

and teens in foster care. Do South® reached out to Emily Treadaway, County Coordinator, to learn more.

lead to foster care, homelessness, and incarceration. By stepping into this cycle, we hope to end it and provide a new path for families. This not only affects the family involved with DCFS but our community. We see families start to heal. We partner with over 30 local churches to recruit, train and support foster and adoptive families. This provides an opportunity for local mission work where the

The CALL in Crawford & Sebastian Counties 479.353.0767

congregation can support us financially, volunteer or even become a foster or adoptive home. Working with local businesses is also important. Whether it is a family support event, a fundraiser or volunteer appreciation, we seek to work with locally owned, small businesses.

thecallinarkansas.org

DS: How can our community get involved and support The CALL? One of the easiest ways is to donate, whether monetarily or items such as diapers or paper towels. Please reach out for a complete list of needs. Our work is primarily Next month, we’ll showcase another worthy non-profit in our area free of charge. We will begin accepting requests for this free page beginning in October,2021. Send requests to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com

through churches, so if your church is not currently partnered with us, we’d love to meet with you. We have several volunteer opportunities available! Our biggest need is truly more foster homes. Our counties consistently have the highest number of children in care and not enough families to care for them. If you’ve ever considered opening your home, we’d love to have you at our next monthly meeting which you can find on our Facebook page or website.

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community

SCIPLE, SEREN, SAVEN, SAIDIN, SZORIAH Ages: 15, 10, 7, 5, 3

Alright foster families with some room in your homes, we’re looking at you! Meet a group of kiddos with some of the coolest names – Sciple, Seren, Saven, Saidin, and Szoriah. Big brother Sciple is a funny, cooperative, loving young man. He adores his siblings and gets along well with all of them. (In fact, all the siblings get along.) Sciple’s grades at school are excellent, and like any kiddo his age, he loves his video games when his schoolwork and chores are done. Seren is the “mother hen” of the group as the oldest sister. Like her brother, she is a great student and loves her siblings, but at times she can try a little too hard to take care of them. She has a remarkable memory, is a talented sketch artist, loves being outdoors and riding her bike. The middle child is Saven, and as you might imagine a middle child would be, she has an independent streak! In many ways, this serves her well, but it also leads her into a little trouble at times. She can get a little defiant and pushes boundaries as she tries to establish her own role in the group. Nothing major, though…just being a middle child! Her interests are a blend of her siblings’ interests. She loves reading, drawing, and watching her favorite YouTube personalities. Next in line is Saidin. He is the quiet one in the group. He’s shy, reserved, and is a deep thinker, but he is the most tender-hearted kiddo. Like his older sister Seren, he loves being outdoors and he really enjoys Paw Patrol! Saidin cherishes one-on-one time with his foster parents, especially his foster dad. Finally, the baby of the family is Szoriah. She is a typical toddler in every way. She is sweet and happy, and she loves her cuddle time and playing with babies. She can also throw a fit now and then and get out of bed and into mischief. Like her older brother Saidin, she also enjoys and needs one-on-one time with her caregivers. This is a great sibling group of kiddos who love each other, get along well, and very much want and need to be adopted together. They’ll do best in a two-parent home with no other kids so they can get all the attention they deserve. If you have extra room in your home and want to fill it with love, laughter, sibling chatter, and a bunch of snacks and toys, this is the sibling IMAGE courtesy Leslie Murray

group for you!

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

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community

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Hunger is an increasing concern in this country, as more and more

WORDS Liesel Schmidt images courtesy River Valley Regional Food Bank

economic crisis, when unmet needs become even more of an issue.

families face financial hardship and struggle to put food on the table. Fortunately, we as a nation are becoming more aware of this issue; and many programs have been set up to provide assistance to those in need. Particularly hard times for those less fortunate are times of national These are also the times when mercy is at its height: food pantries redouble their efforts to collect and distribute food items and meals, soup kitchens beef-up their volunteer staff in preparation for extra mouths to feed, and community-wide initiatives are set in motion to address the problem. The battle could not be so well-fought without organizations like the River Valley Regional Food Bank, whose mission of feeding the hungry began in 1986. Begun as a small operation, the food bank now provides service to 166 member pantry agencies throughout eight counties in the Arkansas River Valley. The River Valley Regional Food Bank is a member of the Feeding America network as well as a member of the United Way of Fort Smith Area. As one of six Feeding America food banks in the state of Arkansas, River Valley Regional Food Bank, like its five counterparts, works in conjunction with Feeding America and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance in Little Rock. “We are a not-for-profit agency whose mission is specifically to alleviate hunger in Arkansas’s River Valley,” says Director Tracy Engel. “We are responsible for the acquisition and distribution of nutritious food and other items to the public through a broad network of private not-for-profit member agencies, and we provide this service to those in need. Our programs enable improved service to 166 member agencies and the residents they serve.” To put it in perspective, River Valley Regional Food Bank estimates that it serves approximately 88,000 residents monthly, which roughly translates to 1,056,000 people a year. That’s more than a million people who depend on them annually, more than a million mouths to feed and hungry bellies to fill. The numbers are staggering, but the food bank has been facing the crisis head-on for thirty-five years. In fact, they’ve served more than 12 million people over the course of those three decades—and the numbers seem to rise rather than fall. That rise in need is a challenge, as it is for food banks around the country—particularly over the past eighteen months. “The primary

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community challenge we seem to face is keeping up with demand for

a typical year,” Tracy explains. “As a result, the pandemic has

service,” says Marketing and Development Director Justin

seen an increase in expenses on things like freight charges,

Bates. “In 2020, we saw nearly a sixty percent increase in the

oil changes, fuel expenses, insurance, tag renewals, inspec-

demand for our services, due to the pandemic. That demand

tions, and maintenance charges.”

has carried over into 2021, and we have not really seen any changes in demand going into 2022.”

All the expenses, all the costs that keep the inner workings of the organization running and the pantries filled with food

In fact, COVID has caused multiple complications to life: loss

to give to those who so desperately need it, are reliant on the

of jobs, decreases in income…all of which have the trickle-

donations of corporations and individuals as well as grants.

down effect of making food insecurity even more of an

“We aren’t federally funded, so we rely on the generosity of

issue in homes throughout America. “COVID-19 has caused

our donors,” says Tracy. “Every dollar donated to the River

a huge surge in the need for food assistance, particularly

Valley Regional Food Bank helps us secure and distribute ten

in children,” says Justin. “Due to COVID-19, one in six

meals to people facing hunger. Through our partnerships and

Americans, and one in four children are in need of food—

donation programs, we’re able to stretch your dollar to make

and this is an increase of nearly fifty percent from 2019.”

the biggest impact on hungry families in the River Valley.”

Unfortunately, the challenge doesn’t stop there. “The

For those in need the food bank makes their services readily

pandemic has also caused us to limit or pause volunteer

available by providing food and other essential items to

opportunities with the food bank,” Engel notes. “We rely

member pantry agencies in their network. Residents in need

heavily on volunteers to help us sort product, pack boxes,

of assistance may visit the pantry locator at rvrfoodbank.org.

and help us distribute food, but many of those activities

The food bank also provides pop-up pantries as well as special

are now having to be done by our staff, at least until the

events like veterans’ giveaways. They also distribute USDA

pandemic resolves.”

commodities at their South Zero Street location in Fort Smith on the third Tuesday of every month.

Those faithful staff have been crucial in keeping the food bank running, as have the member pantry agencies that River

Day after day, week after week, year after year, food banks

Valley Regional Food Bank works with. “We all work very

like River Valley Regional keep charging ahead, steadfastly

hard to distribute as much food as we can to our community.

carrying out the mission they know is so important. “We,

Our small staff of ten employees has worked on site every

and others like us, help address food disparities in the

day during the pandemic, on the front lines, while working

community and provide food assistance to hungry families

long hours to serve those in need,” Tracy says.

in the River Valley,” says Tracy. “Without the food bank and

our partnering agencies, food would be out of reach for the

More need translates to other things—namely, greater

people who need it the most.”

operating costs. “As we continue to acquire food and other necessary items, we're distributing more food and picking up

At the end of the day, it is the people that matter—the

more food than a typical year,” Tracy explains. “As a result

people they serve, the people who would be lost in a struggle

of the pandemic, we’ve seen an increase in expenses on

that should never be. For these people, River Valley Regional

things like freight charges, oil changes, fuel, insurance, tag

makes all the difference in the world. They’re living proof

renewals, inspections, and maintenance charges.”

that lives can be changed, one meal at a time.

More service needs also translates to other things—namely, greater operating costs. “As we continue to acquire food and other necessary items during this increased time of need, we're distributing more food and picking up more food than

For more information about volunteer opportunities and donations, call 479.785.0582 or visit rvrFoodBank.org.

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community people

Dacie and Tara Gamble

FOR THE

"G"

WORDS Dwain Hebda IMAGES courtesy Jade Graves

In many ways, the 2021-2022 school year dawned the same way it always had in Greenwood, Arkansas. Moms and dads took first-day-of-school photos on front porches of grinning kids in bright new school clothes clutching as-yet-unopened books. High schoolers shuffled off to greet their huddle of pals, sharing gossip before the bell sent them scattering to their classrooms. Talk around this close-knit town is about the prospects of the powerhouse football team, the defending state champion, and their chances to repeat. Everywhere you look, Bulldog Pride bursts the school and the town at the seams. For Josh Ray, there’s nothing routine about this year, even after fifteen years in education, five of them at the administrative level. He’s the new principal at the high school, an opportunity that doesn’t feel like

Just because we don’t understand it doesn’t mean that we don’t trust and that it’s not the

it should. It’s something that thrills him one minute then takes the heart right out of his chest the next.

right thing... For whatever reason, June 18 was

“I’d be lying if I told you it hasn’t been painful, that I

the day that was written for them. You can

wasn’t very intentional in how we scheduled my first

play the what-if game. What-if a thousand things, but in the end, it would have been the same because that was the day the Lord had appointed for them.

day, because I didn’t want to be sitting in there with nothing to do,” Josh says. “I knew how emotional it would be.” Of all the new challenges and unknowns that lie ahead for the new principal, the most daunting is

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people

the simple act of entering his office. Not that there’s anything

****

structurally wrong with or that it’s particularly hard to find, but it’s a hard threshold to cross nonetheless.

Aaron Gamble was Bulldog to the bone. One look at the towering hometown product with the buzz cut and you knew

A few months ago, this was Aaron Gamble’s office, his best

who was in charge, a leadership trait he honed all the way

friend and mentor, the man who brought him aboard, the gentle

back in his playing days for the Greenwood football team. But

giant for whom few had a bad word. Aaron also dreamed of

even then, there was more to him than met the eye – folks

being a principal and earlier this year had reached that goal, to

still talk about the year he shifted from center to quarterback

the surprise of none and the delight of all, especially his wife

in high school and led the team to one of the biggest seasons

Tara and children, Dacie, nineteen, and Landry, fifteen.

in school history.

In June, Landry and Aaron were on a father-son road trip to see

It was the same with him and the classroom, where his

a Major League baseball game when an oncoming driver crossed

hulking size belied the soft heart that beat within. And

the center line of Oklahoma blacktop, hitting them head-on,

anyone who wrote him off as just another dumb jock had

killing five people, including both Gamble men.

another thing coming, too.

And that’s why Josh, the understudy administrator for whom

“Number one, he just had a heart for kids,” said John Ciesla,

Aaron was less a boss than a big brother, still feels like a

superintendent, who attends church with the Gambles.

trespasser on sacred ground every time he sits at his desk.

“Without a doubt, that was his number-one goal; just to love kids and give them the very best education that he could as a

“A high school principal job would have been an incredible

teacher, as an administrator.

opportunity for me in any other circumstance,” he says. “But every day I walk through that door, I’m reminded of my friend

“And, from a pure intelligence standpoint, I don’t know if

and what that job meant to him.

I’ve ever been around anybody as intelligent as Aaron was. You did not want to play Trivial Pursuit or anything like that

“It was something I struggled with emotionally, especially in the

with Mr. Gamble, because he was going to win. He was well-

beginning. It was his job, and I just didn’t feel worthy of that.”

versed in everything.” Landry shared his father’s intelligence and love for Greenwood school where he had just completed his freshman year and played on the golf team. Though not the natural athlete his father was, Landry was every bit the servant leader, from teaching younger kids at church to serving as team manager for the high school basketball team. “I’ll tell you a story about Landry,” John says. “We played in a golf scramble about a year ago and it was my son’s first golf tournament ever. He was twelve years old and had just picked up the game. And you know how that goes; just nervous. “Landry, being on the high school golf team, was just such an encourager to him. Every time he would hit a good shot, he’d brag on him, just little things that make such a difference. He made that such a fun day for a twelve-year-old kid out there

Josh Ray

hitting a golf ball. DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

18 20

community people Landry and Aaron Gamble

“That’s just how I think Landry was with everybody, just a kind young man. He loved people, just like his dad.” Among his home life, responsibilities to kids at school and commitments to his staff, Aaron was constantly managing a delicate balance with his time. Still, he was somehow always available to whoever asked. “When I interviewed with Aaron, we were supposed to meet for twenty minutes and suddenly it’s two and a half hours later,” Josh says. “I called my wife on the way home, and I said, ‘I wish I hadn’t gone to talk to him. If I don’t get that job, I’ll never be satisfied with anything else.’” Josh did get the job and the instant friendship ripened. They started a Saturday breakfast tradition where all topics were on the table, such as their shared faith and committed attitude toward marriage and family life. Even areas where they were different – Aaron the strident T-crosser, Josh the left field spit “I kept telling him, ‘If this is the most rebellious thing we get out

baller – only reinforced what a great team they made.

of our teenage son, I’m going to take it with a smile and run.’ “Every

single

kid

encountered,

regardless

the

circumstances, he was consistent,” Josh said. “I mean, if

So, Landry was a rule bender, but the worst we ever had to deal with was some long hair.”

you’re coming to the office, you know you’re in trouble, but he didn’t get overly upset with them. He’d tell them this doesn’t

Tara and Aaron met in high school and after moving in

make you a bad kid, we just made a bone-headed decision.

concentric circles for a bit, attended prom together. Aaron, a

Let’s move forward and get back to who I know you can be.

senior, would’ve married the sophomore brunette on the spot had she let him. She wasn’t having that, especially with him

“And for me, I knew I could trust his character and I knew he

going off to college, so they broke up as a couple but stayed

could help me navigate in a way that would reflect integrity

friends. A few years later she warmed to the idea of dating

and honesty. Anytime I had those kind of circumstances or

him again and things moved fast; they were engaged within a

questions, he would be my call.”

month and married within a year.

*****

“I always said he pursued me, and he pursued me well,” she says. “Even throughout twenty-two years of marriage he was

Landry Gamble spent covid-19 growing his hair. His father hated

always very romantic. He was always finding ways to make me

it, which made growing it all the more important for a youngster

feel special, always planning the vacations, always planning

learning how to be his own man. Tara Gamble chuckles softly at

weekend getaways. It was just who he was. He was a romantic

the memory.

at heart.”

“Landry wasn’t a bad kid. He didn’t break a lot of rules, but he

Tara knew her husband impacted the kids he taught,

was definitely more of a gray area person, like me,” she says.

coached, and mentored, but she didn’t know the scope

“Aaron’s hair was always shaved pretty much the majority of

of it until she walked into the Greenwood High gym for

his life and even in high school it was always pretty short. He

the memorial service, one of thousands who attended to

couldn’t understand why a kid would want long hair, he hated it.

celebrate her husband’s and son’s lives.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

people

“It definitely did take my breath away when I walked in,” she says. “When we pulled in, there were so many vehicles I knew it was going to be full. But when I actually stepped onto the arena floor coming into the funeral, literally my breath caught in my throat because the turnout was so huge. “It meant everything to me. Our town, our community, our surrounding areas loved them. Maybe not loved them like I loved them, but loved them.” The quandary all Christians face is remembering how consistently present God is; easy to see in good times, elusive and shadowy in moments of pain. Life with her true love and beloved children made God so plain Tara could practically take Him by the hand. In the weeks since the crash, the Lord’s presence is just as close – she feels her Savior holding her up some days, in fact – but His master plan is harder to fathom. “Just because we don’t understand it doesn’t mean that we don’t trust and that it’s not the right thing,” she says. “For whatever reason, June 18 was the day that was written for them. You can play the

One phrase for which Aaron was famous came out to anyone

what-if game. What-if a thousand things, but in the end, it

who tried to give him sole credit for something. “It’s not about

would have been the same because that was the day the Lord

me, it’s about The G,” he’d say and while he generally meant

had appointed for them.

Greenwood, it’s a phrase that pulls double duty in the minds of the loved ones he and Landry left behind.

“We have to take our time to grieve. We have times of deep crying, deep mourning. We give ourselves permission to feel how

“When somebody said, ‘You’re a good man,’ he’d say, ‘No,

we want to feel, but it is a process you’re walking through. If you

there are no good men, only a good God,’” says Tara. “Also,

stay stagnant, in my opinion, you will not get through it. You

and we believed this as a family, something he would always

don’t get over it, ever; I mean, I’m never going to get over losing

bring up was ‘Anything for God’s glory. Anything for His glory.’

them. But I need to get through it. Dacie and I, our lives weren’t

That’s hard right now, but that’s still what we live by. If this will

taken. We still have lives to live. It looks different now than what

bring Him glory, this is the path we walk. Not necessarily happily

we imagined, but God gave us more days. So, we are going to

to do so, but joyful to do so.”

need to figure out how to use those.” DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

2021

BOUTIQUE PROFILES SPECIAL FEATURE PRESENTED BY

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

Do South® is proud to recognize the expertise and contributions of select boutique owners in our community. They are trendsetters, setting the bar for excellence and are committed to providing their clientele the very best. Join us as we salute the passion they share for their profession!

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

Michelle & Hailey Hadley Hummingbird Boutique

Every small business is personal to the owner, but in Hummingbird Boutique’s case, especially so. For mother-daughter ownership tandem Michelle and Hailey Hadley, the idea behind the store was born out of faith. “Hailey was a driving force in the concept of Hummingbird Boutique,” Michelle says. “As many teenagers do, she felt lost and frustrated with social challenges during the transition from junior high to high school. She was searching for deeper meaning, wanted to do good things and share her spirituality with others. The Hummingbird Boutique grew out of that.”

The journey from concept to opening turned into a labor of love for the whole family. “Hailey and I were determined to do everything ourselves, even if it meant long days and nights covered in plaster, dust, paint and stain,” Michelle says. The store reflects the owners’ faith and the simple joys of life that uplift and bless with an eclectic inventory of faith-based merchandise, clothing, gifts, jewelry, and home décor. Hummingbird also carries devotionals and bibles as well as unique gift items. You can even browse live plants, flowers, and local honey. Not to mention experiencing some of the friendliest and most courteous service anywhere. “We both feel passionate about being able to share our time, talents and energy by doing something we enjoy and something that’s meaningful,” Michelle says. “We try to treat each person who walks through our door as family or a dear friend. Treating others with love and respect is very important to us because we believe that kindness is contagious.”

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Jordan Geoates Ohsoboho Boutique Built on the belief that size is just a number, Ohsoboho Boutique seeks to highlight the beauty that every woman has. “I have always been a strong believer that you don’t have to be a Size 2 to be beautiful,” says owner and founder Jordan Geoates, who opened the Fort Smith store last October. “I wanted to give women of all shapes and sizes a judge-free zone by carrying size small through 3X. And, I pretty much have something for everyone’s style.” The boutique is a dream come true for Jordan, who has wanted to become an entrepreneur for as long as she can remember. “I have grown up in the boutique world, going to market since I was in a stroller and helping every spring break and summer with my parents’ business, Keep it Gypsy,” she says. “Growing up in this world has given me the opportunity to see the trends before they hit Fort Smith.” Despite this extensive background, it’s still a surprise to meet Ohsoboho’s owner, who just graduated from high school in May. But talk to her for a few minutes and you quickly realize Jordan is no ordinary teenager, so thoroughly does she understand her business. “I don’t have a specific audience; I have clothes for every age group no matter what size they are,” she says. “The most unique item in Ohsoboho is our custom graphic tees. I invested in a T-shirt printer that can print on pretty much anything cotton, from jean pockets to Converse. I personally love to pair T-shirts with a good pair of bell bottoms, but being 5’3” that can be difficult to find. So, I made sure to carry the perfect ‘short girl bell bottoms’ for girls like me.” The boutique has already grown by two employees – the so-called Boho Babes – including Jordan’s grandmother who adds her seal of approval to her granddaughter’s fashion sense that brings out every customer’s inner bohemian. “I really enjoy going to market to find the new looks and stay on top of trends. I’ve been around this long enough to know how to get high quality at an affordable price,” Jordan says. "I love seeing women come out of the dressing room with a huge smile on their face and the instant turnaround in their self-confidence when they have on something from Ohsoboho. We invite everyone to please come check us out!”

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Samantha Mathews Shop Persnickety During the five years Samantha Mathews spent working at Shop Persnickety, she told herself if the shop ever came open, she’d be first in line to buy it. It was a promise she made good on this spring. “I had my Grand Opening in May and I haven't looked back since. I'm loving every minute of it,” she says. “My love for fashion and customer relationships is what helped my business launch into what it is today. I'm so thankful for the response I've had, and I can't wait to see what the future holds.” Samantha’s eye for the unique and her passion for customer service is one big reason Shop Persnickety hasn’t missed a step in the transition. “It's Shop Persnickety's job to make sure our customers feel welcomed every time they walk in the doors,” she says. “I want every customer to leave our store having a better day than when they walked in." A native of Greenwood, Arkansas, Samantha graduated from the University of ArkansasFort Smith with degrees in accounting and finance in 2018. But her dream has always been to open a women's clothing boutique. She says she loves everything that involves fashion, shopping, and helping others in her community. "My target audience is women of all ages. When customers walk in my store, they are looking for clothing and accessories for everything from an event coming up to everyday wear," she says. "I try to have clothing for all shapes, sizes, and ages because it's important to me to make all women feel confident in themselves." “Something I love more than getting to pick out clothes for my customers is building a relationship with them. It's important to me to get to know my customers’ style and what they want most in their everyday wardrobe.” Samantha hand-selects nearly everything the store carries and she’s always looking to trends to spot what’s new in women’s clothing. She stocks a wide range of styles from which she curates outfits for women of all ages, sizes and shapes. “My favorite part about owning a boutique is the joy and confidence I can bring to other women just by helping them pick out an outfit,” she says. “I get to help women get out of their comfort zone and express their true personality just by what they are wearing.”

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

Alicia Knox Firefly Boutique & Gifts Van Buren’s downtown district is known for many charming and eclectic shops. But none stand out as clearly as Firefly Boutique & Gifts, nestled into a quaint, welcoming storefront in a century-plus-year-old building. “One of the most common statements from customers walking in is about the flooring in our shop; they love the flooring,” said Alicia Knox who bought the business from its founders in January. “It is real cedar flooring from a local mill in town. I can’t take credit for that, but I have been putting my own spin and style on the store and clothing since the purchase.” Alicia, a native of Van Buren, came to the boutique business after some time spent figuring out what she wanted to do as an empty nester. She said the vitality of the neighborhood inspired her to become an entrepreneur. “With some praying and guidance from my family and friends, I decided to pursue my dreams,” she says. “I was introduced to so many wonderful people in our transition. I truly appreciate the continued support of the community and our customers. I am super grateful.” “Unique” is the name of the game in the boutique business and Firefly doesn’t disappoint. “We carry a lot of animal print items; we have a variety of other patterns as well, but we are known for leopard print clothing,” Alicia says. “We also carry shoes, home décor, purses, jewelry, local handmade jewelry, dog items and gifts. Our inventory is definitely not something you would see in a big box retailer; some of our items are from other entrepreneurs as well, which makes them unique.” “I really listen to the customers and get a feel of what they are looking for. I strive to provide amazing customer service in an inviting atmosphere. I want everyone to leave feeling happy and beautiful and I invite everyone to come see me in the heart of historic downtown Van Buren. Look for the red arrow at 613 Main Street!” BRING IN THIS ARTICLE TO RECEIVE 10 PERCENT OFF!

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

Christina Catsavis

that turn a house into a warm, inviting home. Surprises lie around

The Smith

“My store truly cannot be defined by one category. Someone

every corner of the store to suit any taste and price range.

can come in and find a $30 candle or a $30,000 piece of jewelry Looking for something new and

and anything in between,” she says. “I imagined The Smith as a

exciting in local retail? Do you fancy

modern-day general store for tastemakers.”

quality décor and jewelry that is anything but ordinary? The Smith

Christina’s contemporary merchandise come with a dose of

Jewelry & Living is playing your song.

old-fashioned customer service. Gift wrap and bridal registry is complimentary, as is curbside pickup and local delivery. She

“My customers are looking for quality products that will last and

even accommodates customers who prefer private shopping or

they also like to see what's new and exciting,” says owner Christina

shopping by Facetime or text.

Catsavis who opened in 2019. “My inventory is unique because I travel all over the country to find new and upcoming designers

“My motto has always been, ‘easier than Amazon,’" she says. “When

and search endlessly for quality handcrafted pieces.”

I first started talking about opening a store, everyone thought I was crazy. But I knew if I provided good customer service and

In addition to jewelry, Christina stocks an array of décor items

made the experience easy and fun, I would succeed.”

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

people

Ella Thompson

Ella Enchanted words Dwain Hebda images courtesy Kevin and Jenny Thompson

Find something you’re passionate about and others will see your passion.

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people

E L L A Thompson isn’t your average teenager. Your average teenager doesn’t have their own YouTube channel, their own blog, or their own website, let alone all three. The average teenager doesn’t get fan mail, praising her original videos posted to social media, or get interviewed for newspaper and magazine profiles. Your average teenager also doesn’t have to cope with being different to the degree that Ella has learned to do, with grace. They may not have to work as hard to make friends or wear hearing aids or explain over and over what Down syndrome is and what it is not. And what it is not is something to hold back the precocious teenager with the mammoth personality from doing anything to which she sets her mind and considerable talents. In a word, Ella is extra, in the best sense of the word.

Jenny and Ella Thompson

“Find something you’re passionate about and others will see and we brainstorm lots of ideas before bedtime. But the time

your passion,” she says to explain her life view.

it takes to film with working parents and trying to keep up Ever since elementary school, Ella has been making videos

with all of the normal activities of day-to-day life prevent us

that capture some of her favorite things, videos she shares

from posting as often as we’d like.”

with the world through The Ella Life website and YouTube channel. The videos, sometimes featuring a friend from

Anyone can construct a recipe, but it’s Ella’s own easygoing

school, her brother Silas or other guest sidekicks, capture her

style in front of the camera that truly sets her cooking videos

doing some of the things she loves most, such as traveling

apart. Nothing is overly scripted, and her natural banter makes

and reading mail from her fans. But the main focus is cooking

the watcher feel like they are a guest in the family kitchen.

and here is where the teen really shines. “I like researching ideas on Pinterest and YouTube and then “I wanted my own YouTube channel and I love food and

putting my own spin on it,” Ella says. “It makes me feel

cooking food,” she says. “My mom’s cousin is a videographer

important and I can help others learn to cook, too.”

and she had him film the first one for my tenth birthday Besides getting to enjoy good food, Jenny also said she’s received

present. That kicked off The Ella Life.

gratifying messages from audience members who consider Ella “The chocolate gravy and biscuits video is one of my favorites

an inspiration for their own families.

because it’s an old family recipe that my mom, grandma and great-grandmother made. I also love all the pasta-related videos.”

“We’ve gotten feedback from several families about how much hope it gives them to watch Ella following her passion

Ella’s mother, Jenny Thompson, helps with the production.

and how good she is at speaking in front of the camera while

She said the episodes get great feedback, including requests

cooking,” she says. “Some have even said that they look

that Ella post more frequently which they would if there

at Ella as a role model for their own children. I hope other

were more hours in the day. “The most challenging part is

families with children with special needs walk away with a

finding time to record, edit and upload,” Jenny says. “Ella

sense of hope, that their child can have a fulfilling life and

and I cook together several nights a week in the kitchen,

make a positive impact in their community and beyond.”

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

people

Kevin and Ella Thompson

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by abnormal

to value people like her, we are actually learning to value

cell division that produces an extra full or partial copy of

ourselves as well.

chromosome 21. The condition is the most common genetic disorder and cause of learning disabilities in children and

“Yet, across the globe, Down syndrome is being eradicated

can carry with it other medical maladies. Ella has weathered

not because we have found a cure, but because prenatal

the challenges of her condition exceptionally well, but that

testing is improving, and people are choosing to terminate

hasn’t happened without some work. The videos, says her

the pregnancy. This is sad to me. While I understand people

mom, help in that regard.

are afraid, what they fail to realize is they don’t always know what’s best. Having a child with special needs isn’t the easiest

“Ella has a deep understanding about her Down syndrome

road, but it often is the most rewarding. Ella teaches me things

and how it affects the way she looks, her height, her hearing

that someone without special needs could never teach me.”

loss, her struggles to find friends and be included,” she says. “She can sometimes feel sad about her circumstances. But

The family recently took on its latest adventure – a move

when she posts new videos and shares her food and recipes

to California and a new ministry position for Kevin – which

with others, she gets a better sense of purpose and pride.

carries its own challenges. Even though she’d often talked about being in California with other famous stars, having to

“She beams when people ask to come cook with her or try

start over making friends and leaving her old ones behind

her food. It’s so encouraging for me to see her take her place

will take some getting used to. Fortunately, social media

in the spotlight and enjoy it, even if it’s for just a bit. She

makes the world a much smaller place, where she’s always

truly shines.”

just a few mouse clicks away, spreading her message of good food and acceptance for all.

Ella’s father Kevin, a pastor, blogger and author, often writes about the joys and challenges of having a daughter with

“I hope that people learn from my videos that people with

Down syndrome. He said he’s gained a perspective on love

Down syndrome matter and have value and they should care

he wouldn’t have found otherwise.

about them,” Ella said. “I think you have to surround yourself with positive people in life. I have a great support group who

“We tend to define value based on production; the more

loves me and pushes me towards all my goals.”

one produces the more valuable they are,” he says. “Ella reminds us there is a base level of human dignity which simply comes from being human. In part, as she lives her life, she is reminding us how to live ours. As society learns

Keep up with Ella at theellalife.com, Pinterest and YouTube.

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18 36

community people

HIGHER POWER WORDS and images Dwain Hebda

Nick and Christopher Watson

Nick and Coach Rybiski

D DO OS SO OU UT TH HM MA AG GA AZ Z II N NE E .. C CO OM M

people

Nick Watson spins the basketball lightly in his

at your beautiful child that God made in His image, you want

oversized hands as he sizes up his opponent. On this day, like

to prove them wrong. Our lives have been about proving these

countless other times in the gym and driveway, he’s matched

people wrong.”

against his younger brother, Christopher. Nick has some height on his sibling, but Christopher doesn’t back down, his

Like everything else in his path from then to now, Nick has

feet a blur moving to block his older brother’s advance.

run around, over and through his learning challenges. This spring he graduated as class valedictorian with a 4.8 GPA, the

It’s an impressive athletic dance, balletic even, to watch the

highest in the history of Arkansas High School, which he got

Watson brothers compete. Nick has spent the majority of

to by stacking up enough AP classes to earn him sixty-four

his basketball life on the post, banging with bigger bodies,

college credits. It’s a story that made headlines and put Nick

hustling for rebounds. But handling the ball, it sticks to him as

on multiple media channels including ESPN, to say nothing of

if attached by magnets until he steps into a smooth, effortless

the forty-five colleges who offered more than $1.5 million in

jumper from the outside. The net snaps with approval.

collective scholarship money to land the Texarkana phenom.

The competitive fire is palpable. Nick, the college prospect

“I definitely couldn’t have done all this by myself,” Nick says.

who will play basketball for Harding University in Searcy

“I had a lot of extra help and support from my teachers. I

next season, doesn’t give an inch nor any quarter to his little

couldn’t understand how to write notes and listen to the

brother. Christopher, a rising high school star in his own right,

lecture at the same time. I couldn’t do it.

gets the best out of his celebrated big brother. But despite the sibling rivalry, both boys grin broadly throughout the contest.

“My teachers let me record the lectures and take pictures of

As much as each wants to beat the other, they cling to the

everything on the board. If there were forty slides, I would

fun and freedom of just playing. In the all-eyes-on-me world

take forty pictures. I would take all that home and listen to the

many elite athletes inhabit, it’s refreshing to see such pure joy.

recordings and study the pictures. I needed to look at everything differently, because that’s just how my brain was wired.”

“That’s game,” Nick says, as the last jumper splashes through the net.

****

Hayden Rybiski, Nick’s soccer coach, isn’t surprised by his goalie’s success in the least. “The first time you have a

Only about one in thirteen high school athletes advance to

conversation with this kid, it’s clear he’s going to give you

the college ranks, per scholarship.com. In Nick’s case, the

absolutely everything he has,” he says. “There’s no doubt

starting blocks on his run to the next level were dragged back

in my mind if he had picked soccer over basketball that he

several paces behind his peers. As a young child, he missed

would play at the next level. He’s tall, athletic, coachable; he’s

most of his developmental milestones, especially in speech,

a great teammate and leader. If soccer was his thing, then

not forming complete sentences until the age of six. At that

I have no doubt I would’ve been on the phone with I don’t

time, the family had him tested and was told he had a range

know how many college coaches.”

of learning disabilities, including ADHD, central auditory processing disorder and was even suspected to be autistic.

Basketball may have been Nick’s first love, but soccer revealed

The list of ramifications from this diagnosis was sobering.

an entirely different side of the young athlete’s character. The Razorback soccer team took its lumps in Rybiski’s first

“When a doctor or administrator tells you, ‘He’s not going

year, a season that would have driven many athletes away to

to make it being one of thirty students. He’s going to be in a

avoid losing, especially one with a collegiate basketball career

smaller classroom, have aids, therapy, he’ll never be able to

ahead of him. Nick, however, responded to the adversity in

comprehend math and English,’” says his mother Marian with

an altogether surprising way, something Marian attributes

steel in her voice. “When someone tells you that and you look

directly to coaching.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

18 38

community people

“What this coach did was he built players up and kept them wanting to fight for another day,” she says. “We are a very young team, and in a very competitive conference. Even though they were losing, the kids were ready to go again. Nick would come home, and he was ready to go defend his school. The team, the camaraderie, the guys were so close, and they believed they could win every game and that’s a direct reflection of great coaching.” Nick himself credited Rybiski by name in his valedictorian

The Watsons

address, so close were the coach and star athlete. But not even the Watsons knew how symbiotic the relationship was, The grace and support of his inner circle soaks Nick to the

until the interview for this story.

bone. In an era where many young athletes are too absorbed “I had severe ADHD growing up,” Rybiski said to audible

in their own headlines to pay more than lip service to family

gasps by Nick and Marian. “I had the 504 Plan, I went the

and faith, Nick’s the genuine article, well aware of how

special education route, I made it out of high school with a

shallow accolades are, even the All-Conference and All-State

nineteen on the ACT. I went to college and played football

designations that crowd for space on his résumé. Being the

and now I have a very good job at a high school, something

best, most celebrated player didn’t always translate into

I’m extremely proud of. Nick has taken the same situation

acceptance or popularity. Only the love of his Savior ran deep

and advanced and excelled in a way that I never would have

enough to never betray him, the family circle the only thing

dreamed of at his age.

solid enough to withstand the storm. These alone got him here and he’s not about to forget it.

“Seeing his mother and him react with each other is just like me and my mother, because that’s exactly what they told

“A majority of people in high school weren’t coming up and

her about me when I was little, I wouldn’t be able to do this

praising how academically smart I was and how good I was at

and that, I wouldn’t go to college. She reacted the same way

basketball,” Nick says with a shrug. “That’s why I’m so humble;

Nick’s mom has. I don’t have children, but I imagine I’d react

no one ever said I was great other than my parents. So, I always

the same way. Being around them has taught me to look past

just thought I would keep to myself, I’ll work hard and see if

what other people tell you about certain people and find the

I can play collegiate basketball. That’s just how it happened.”

golden nuggets inside them.” So, when people scratch their heads over his picking Harding University over Harvard, Duke and defending NCAA basketball

****

champion Baylor, Nick just smiles. The Bison checked all his As they have done ever since the boys started playing sports,

boxes – faith-based school, good academic programs, not too

Marian and Andre Watson watch their sons from the sidelines

far from home and a chance to play right away – in a way the

and take everything in. In both victory and defeat they have

name-brand institutions couldn’t match. He didn’t get this far

been there, with youngest son Joshua, now seven, in tow. That

being someone he’s not, after all, no reason to start now.

presence, as well as an abiding faith in God, has never escaped the boys’ view even as their accomplishments piled up.

“You can’t let anyone else define who you are. Whatever you want to do, do it,” he says. “It doesn’t matter what’s going

“We’re definitely a family of faith,” Marian says. “We have

on in your life, family situations, traumatic things or mental

this joke: my father was a pastor and my husband’s father was

limitations like what happened to me. They might hinder you,

a pastor, so someone is bound to get into heaven on some

but don’t let that faze you. Pull through and do what you

good credit. We’re definitely covered by God’s good grace.”

want to do so you have no regrets in life.”

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

travel

Autumn Getaways

tee and the fairway along the lake. The resort’s Hawkeye Bar & Grill features a diverse menu of seasonal favorite dishes and overlooks the tranquil lake. Cooperstown is also home to craft

WORDS Catherine Frederick and Mindy Bianca, Public Relations images Wilmington Western Railroad, Winchester Frederick County CVB, Allegany County Tourism, Ian Curcio, The Otesaga Resort Hotel, Branson CVB, Ed Crawford

breweries, a renowned art museum and the National Baseball

The most beautiful fall foliage is found in Arkansas, and as such, we’ve covered it extensively over the years. A quick search on our website will lead you to many destinations across our state that are must-see when it comes to the brilliant hues of fall in Arkansas. This September, we’re excited to share with you how other regions showcase their fall foliage and autumnal festivities. So, whether you are already traveling or planning to hit the road soon, we hope you’ll enjoy these leaf-peeping destinations!

42nd Annual Harvest Festival on September 18-19 from 10

Hall of Fame & Museum. Museum

SEASONAL EVENT: The Farmers’ Museum is hosting its a.m. to 5 p.m. This family-friendly event celebrates the bounty of the fall season and brings together performers, artisans, and vendors at the museum, which is a cultural treasure featuring a 19th-century country village and farmstead. Kayaking at Croft State Park

Leatherstocking Golf Course

S PA RTA N B U R G , S O U TH C A R OL I N A Autumn in the South means cooler temperatures that are perfect for outdoor exploration, which makes Spartanburg an ideal destination to experience the season. Home to more than 20 miles of walking, cycling and horseback trails, Croft State Park allows guests to get up-close-and-personal when it comes

C O OP E R STO W N , N E W YO R K

to leaf peeping. Arguably the best way to see the season’s

Offering one of the earliest and most spectacular seasonal

changing colors at the park is by renting a kayak and paddling

displays in the country, the village of Cooperstown in

around Lake Craig. With so much to see, another way to

upstate New York is a perfect destination for leaf-peeping.

experience the fall foliage in this Upstate destination is by taking

Affectionately nicknamed “America’s Most Perfect Village,”

the roads less traveled… specifically the scenic back roads in

Cooperstown gives visitors the opportunity to take in the

such charming small towns as Landrum, which is located in the

gorgeous views of the changing seasons while enjoying a

shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains off Interstate 26.

Course Situated on the round of golf at Leatherstocking Golf Course. southern shore of Otsego Lake on the grounds of the historic

SEASONAL EVENT: Strawberry Hill USA in Chesnee offers

Hotel the par-72 course is open to and elegant Otesaga Resort Hotel,

a variety of nostalgic experiences this fall, including a corn

resort and day guests alike. Considered one of the most scenic

maze, a pumpkin patch hayride and a U-Pick Sunflower Event.

and challenging courses on the East Coast, Leatherstocking

The corn maze and pumpkin patch hayrides will operate

features a natural contour terrain that sweeps along the lake’s

September 18 – October 31 (the U-Pick Sunflower Event dates

western shoreline. The most popular holes are #17, which plays

are TBA). The corn maze incorporates three separate mazes in

up to 195 yards over water, and #18, which features an island

a single giant one, making it the region’s largest corn maze.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

travel

Great Allegheny Passage

Wilmington & Western Railroad

The mountains are calling! This year, among the many ways

G R E ATE R W I L M I N GTON A N D TH E B R A N DY W I N E VA L L E Y, D E L AWA R E

to experience Allegany County, Maryland’s spectacular fall

Located in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic region, Greater

A L L E G A N Y C O U NT Y, M A RY L A N D

season is a brand-new offering: Tracks and Yaks takes riders

Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley is conveniently located

through the scenic Western Maryland Railway and Great

minutes from the Interstate 95 corridor but prides itself on

Allegheny Passage corridor on the state’s first and only rail

the countless beautiful and authentic experiences visitors can

biking excursion. Other ways to “ride” through the leaves

enjoy here. Filled with historic charm, a vibrant riverfront and

include driving tours, a train excursion, or a bike ride. The

beauty hidden in plain sight, visitors can “make hay” of the

Green Ridge State Forest Scenic Overlook Driving Tour is a

fall season with a variety of festive activities. Wilmington &

44-mile driving route through Maryland’s largest contiguous

Western Railroad offers a Hayride Express evening experience

piece of public land. This excursion includes five stunning

each Friday in October. The one-hour roundtrip on a historic

overlooks to take in the majesty of the fall season and takes

first-generation diesel locomotive takes riders through the

about three hours, so packing a picnic lunch to enjoy along

Red Clay Valley on an original railroad flatcar converted

the way is encouraged. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad

especially for hayrides. Families can also take a ride along the

takes passengers through the colorful mountains of changing

Hagley Located on 235 acres, Brandywine with Hayrides at Hagley.

leaves on a 3½-hour round trip. Starting and ending at

Hagley is the site of the gunpowder works founded by E.I. du

the historic depot in downtown Cumberland, passengers

Pont in 1802. During seasonal event weekends (October 9-10,

will enjoy a 90-minute layover to explore the neighboring

16-17, 23-24), visitors can enjoy hayrides, create fall-themed

mountain town of Frostburg. Finally, the 150-mile-long Great

crafts, see a gunpowder explosion, witness a roll mill in action

Allegheny Passage (GAP) features spectacular views of this

and check out working 19th-century machines.

part of the country for much of the year but bicycling through the brightest bursts of color in mid-October is arguably the

SEASONAL EVENTS: Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin is

best time to ride.

a botanical garden unlike any other. An inspiring place for gardeners to learn about what will work best in their own

SEASONAL EVENT: Just as peak leaf-peeping kicks off in

garden, Mt. Cuba is home to living collections of plants native

mid-September, the beloved DelFest Bluegrass Music Festival

to the eastern temperate forests of the United States. On

returns. Taking place this year on the weekend of September

September 18 and 25 and October 2 and 9, Mt. Cuba Center

23-26, the family-friendly, four-day bluegrass festival celebrates

offers two events: a Sunset and S’mores scenic hayride geared

the rich legacy of Del McCoury’s music set against the scenic

toward families and a Hay Bales and Brews event for those

backdrop of Knobley Mountain and the Potomac River.

ages 21 and older.

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travel

Eagle Rock

Runaway Mountain Coaster in Fall

B R A N S ON , M I S S O U R I Nestled in the lakeside beauty of the Ozark Mountains,

W I N C H E STE R , V I R G I N I A

Branson’s bold colors of fall are in full view from mid-September

Situated at the top of Virginia in the beautiful Shenandoah

through November. For those who want to elevate their leaf-

Valley, Winchester is conveniently located where seven major

peeping experience, Branson offers a variety of ways to enjoy

roadways converge (Routes 11, 522, 50, 340, and 7, along with

fall foliage from a bird’s-eye view. With a view that stretches

Interstates 66 and 81), making it within a day’s drive of 70% of

for miles, the Branson Ferris Wheel offers incredible vistas –

the U.S. population. It also happens to be a pretty spectacular

especially at sunset – of Branson’s Entertainment District from

place to experience fall foliage. The Tuscarora Trail – part of

150 feet in the air! Runaway Mountain Coaster is Branson’s

the Appalachian Trail system – is a hidden gem that offers

first and largest mountain coaster. This family-friendly thrill ride

magnificent views of the Shenandoah Valley, including those

is located at Branson Mountain Adventure Park and features

from the Eagle Rock and Pinnacle Rock overlooks. There are

more than 5,000 feet of track with speeds of up to 30 mph. From

also plenty of mountain biking trails in the George Washington

fast-paced thrills on the Vigilante Extreme ZipRider to scenic

National Forest, which the Tuscarora Trail runs through. After

Mountain mountain views on the Branson Zipline at Wolfe Mountain,

hitting the trails, be sure to experience the legendary apple

ziplining among the treetops in the Ozark Mountains is a bold

harvest season by visiting a pick-your-own orchard or stopping

and unforgettable way to experience the changing seasons.

by one of the region’s many harvest events.

SEASONAL EVENT: The Harvest Festival at Silver Dollar SEASONAL EVENTS: The folks behind the annual

City is set to shine even brighter this year with more pumpkins

Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival are cohosting a brand-new

than ever before, new larger-than-life pumpkin sculptures

Festival which event this fall: The Core of the Community Festival,

and glowing carved masterpieces. “Pumpkins in the City” is

includes a BBQ and Brews Festival that takes place September

a glowing event featuring thousands of illuminated pumpkins

2-4 at the Frederick County Fairgrounds. The Shenandoah

in the evenings at Silver Dollar City. This celebration of fall in

Valley Apple Harvest Festival takes place at the same

the Ozark Mountains at Silver Dollar City runs September 24

fairgrounds on September 18-19 and includes such activities

through October 30.

as an apple pie eating contest, apple pie baking contest, hard apple cider tastings and more. Finally, visitors can experience an authentic farm experience at the Marker-Miller Orchards Apple Harvest Festival, Festival taking place October 9-10.

Find more photos and ideas on where to stay at DoSouthMagazine.com.

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entertainment

the thrill is back

words Dwain Hebda images courtesy Allan Hammons

Ask Munnie Jordan what she thinks about the return of the

all the blues singers came from. We have kept King Biscuit

state’s premiere blues event – King Biscuit Blues Festival in

Blues Festival full of authentic blues and I think that’s why our

Helena – and she fairly squeals with delight.

visitors keep coming back.”

“It feels great!” she says, her voice reaching a pitch one part

Like many things last year, King Biscuit Blues Festival fell

howl and two parts purr. “I think if I had to pick one word

silent and with it, the spirits and fortunes of its hometown

that would be the most emphatic about the sustainability of

Helena, Arkansas. For the first time since its founding in the

this festival, it’s authenticity. We are sitting right here on the

mid-1980s, visitors and artists alike stayed home while the

Mississippi River and the Arkansas Mississippi Delta where

locals hunkered down and dreamed of next year.

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entertainment

If there was ever any doubt the seminal music festival would be back at some point, all were dashed when organizers started polling musical acts about returning in 2021. “In 2019, that was great and then we did our lineup for 2020 and we ran into that hitch,” says Munnie, referring to the pandemic with genteel Southern grace. “We told every single artist, ‘We would like for you to keep your deposit. Keep it. Just tell us that you’ll be there for 2021.’ “Then, with the generosity of some of our grantors, were able to pay every one of the artists that did not have a deposit ten percent of whatever we were going to pay them for the 2020 festival. We said again, ‘Here’s ten percent of what we were going to pay you, but we want to make sure you will be with us in 2021.’ And, one hundred percent, everybody’s going to be back. Except one guy who passed away.” That means from October 6-9, six stages will again host an all-star lineup of performers, each wailin’ proclaimin’ or confessin’ hard times, bad luck and no-good, two-timin' lovers in one of the most uniquely American art forms. “When we started right here on the Mississippi River, with the levee as the amphitheater of our stage, people feel like they’re coming back to where it all started,” Munnie says. “The scenario is so typical – it’s on the river, it’s not downtown like in some big city. It’s in the fields of where it happened. It’s just the authenticity of it, I do think.” Music doesn’t get more raw than the blues, a musical taproot from which sprang jazz, R&B, rock and roll and hip-hop; crosspollinating country and western, gospel and bluegrass along the way. According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, the origins of the blues are hard to pinpoint save for one thing – Arkansas has been a pivotal player in the birth and development of the soulstirring, heart-rending, foot-stomping genre. “Blues and its offspring have long since crossed the globe, but its standard-bearers are largely confined to the Mississippi River

Delta,

especially

eastern

Arkansas

and

western

Mississippi,” writes Stephen Koch in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. “Though other popular musical strains have caught on over the decades, at their core is blues.”

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entertainment

Here in Helena, the blues seep out of the very Delta dirt upon

“We have Tent City that’s right on the river, one street

which the town is built. In the 1920s and 1930s, as the music

east of where our stage is. It’s like a homecoming for these

was taking off, the city was a well-known spot for traveling

people who have been coming here for thirty-five years,” she

musicians who made their way to the wild, freewheeling city

says. “Those people, they elect a mayor, and they pitch their

to entertain in the saloons, juke joints, nightclubs and other

tents. It’s like a sacred place and all the same people come

hotspots to be found.

back, like, a week or two before the festival and camp out. I was never invited to go over there until about six years ago.”

The late Pinetop Perkins, a Helena regular, gave the Daily World a summary view of the city. Reminiscing the scene in the 1940s

Quirky though that is, first-timers can expect a warm Helena

and 1950s, he was quoted as saying, “1940s Helena ain’t nothin’

welcome during the festival. Munny says one thing to remember

like it is now. I used to play all night long at a club called the Hole

is to bring your own seating with which to stake out a spot.

in the Wall. We got paid $3 a night plus all the whiskey we could

Once planted, the space is yours, a claim enforced overnight by

drink. We’d play all night and then go home and sleep until it

security. She also says long-timers know to circulate from the

was time to play again. Those were the days.”

main stage to check out the action at the other performance venues to get the full experience. And, she said, what separates

Also in the 1940s, King Biscuit Time debuted on KFFA in

the rookie from the true aficionado is snagging a cherished

Helena, an event which blues historians consider integral to

souvenir that proves you were there, especially the limited-

the development of the musical art form in the Mississippi

edition poster that changes with each festival.

Delta. King Biscuit would go on to be the longest-running radio program in broadcast history and serve as a beacon for

“Make sure you bring plenty of money, because you’re

the music’s all-time greats.

definitely going to want merchandise,” Munnie says with a twinkle in her eye. “All the money we take in goes to support

“I can tell you verbatim from visiting with B.B. King before he

the Sonny Boy Blues Society and keeping the money rolling

died,” Munnie says. “He wanted to play King Biscuit forever.

in so that we can afford the good artists in the future is one

When he was a little boy living in Indianola, Mississippi, he

of the best things about this event. I just love it.”

would ride his bicycle home so he could listen to King Biscuit Time live on his radio. King Biscuit was just something that all of the blues artists always referenced.”

Can’t make the blues fest? Check this out!

But by the 1970s and 1980s, the town and the genre had fallen out of popular favor. Desperate to resuscitate its birthright, city fathers conceived of an idea for a music event and the first King Biscuit Blues Festival came off in 1986. In time, it would grow to an event hosting several thousand music fans. “When we had B.B. King here, we had 30,000 people,” Munnie says. “But the attendance on average, from way back in 1986 through 2019, I would say is closer to 15,000 people, if you

Building on the concept of native musicians, Helena organizers launched the Delta Roots Music Festival, a one-day event to celebrate the rich musical histor y of Arkansas. The event debuted in 2019 with a tribute to Conway Twitty and in 2021 will salute another musical giant, Levon Helm. Tickets for the September 25 event are just $20 for 12 hours of musical performers, food and fun. For more information, visit the Delta Roots Music Festival Facebook page.

want to average the lowest and the highest together.” The event has been around so long, it developed its own tribes and traditions. Wander into the tent city that’s set up riverside and you’ll quickly learn just how deep the rules run around here. Even Munnie, who’s been the executive director of the event for twenty

The festival will follow CDC and state guidelines. Visit kingbiscuitfestival.com or Facebook for updates.

years, on and off, has had to earn her ticket in. DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

outdoors

FLOAT & FISH words Scott Faldon images courtesy Scott Faldon and Holly Morgan

Once school starts, a lot of people put their kayaks away. But for those who don’t, there are plenty of great floating and fishing opportunities.

FISHING This time of the year is prime topwater season for fly fishing. Tie on a hopper or popper and you’ll find willing bites from just about everything swimming – from smallmouth in mountain streams to brown trout in tailwaters.

FLOATING

There are several ways to fish hoppers. The first one is to think

Thanks to lower temperatures in September, fewer people,

about how a real grasshopper reacts when it accidentally

and a bit more rain, late summer and early fall floating can be

jumps into the water. They scramble frantically for dry land,

better than summertime trips.

so short constant strips of your fly line are a great way to draw a strike. But that won’t work every time. Sometimes, you’ve

Of course, the first step in planning a trip this time of the

got to dead drift the hopper and make just the subtlest of

year is checking the water levels if you’re wanting to run a

movements with your rod tip to entice a bite.

river. AmericanWhitewater.org and WaterData.usgs.gov have updated information from river gauges around the region.

Vary your retrieve until the fish begin to tell you what will work. And they will tell you. Look for heavily vegetated

Be honest about the kayaking abilities of each individual in

riverbanks with tall grass or overhanging trees. Cast as close

your group. Don’t try to run a Class III stretch if your least-

to the bank as possible and begin your retrieve. Be ready,

experienced boater has trouble with Class II water. Also, be

because topwater strikes can range from explosions to slight

sure to check the gauges the morning of your intended float

sips that suction the fly off the surface. The famous hopper-

trip – especially if a significant rain fell the night before.

dropper combo of a grasshopper fly paired with a nymph or San Juan worm is a classic later summer tandem rig.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

outdoors

WHAT TO TAKE While we often have ninety-plus degree days in September, the days can start and end much cooler. More important than the air temperature is the water temperature. Dress as if you’ll wind up in the water. Avoid cotton and instead wear a moisture-wicking clothing layer so you can shed clothes as the temperature warms up. Keep a full set of spare clothes in a dry bag on cooler days just in case they are needed. A high-quality personal floatation device is always your mostimportant safety item. Unlike life jackets used for boating, PFDs designed for kayaking are more comfortable and less restrictive while paddling thanks to their low-profile designs. A whistle attached to your PFD for signaling and a throw bag of rope for pulling other boats round out a basic safety kit. Don’t forget the sunscreen.

WHERE TO GO The Mulberry, Big Piney, Frog Bayou, Lee Creek, upper Illinois River and, of course, the iconic Buffalo River are great options for late summer floats. As the leaves start to change deeper into the fall, the Buffalo might be the best place to be in Arkansas for leaf peeping. Those same streams work well for fishing trips as well. Add in the King’s or Crooked Creek for smallmouth fishing and the Little Red or White Rivers for trout. You’ll either need two vehicles to shuttle between the start

While sandals from Chaco and Teva can be the right footwear choice for summer floating, closed-toe water shoes like those by Astral or Keen or insulated options by NRS are better for cooler water. Quality dry bags such as Sea to Summit’s Big River Dry Bag which will protect your phone, spare clothes and vehicle key fobs are needed. A small cooler like an IceMule will strap in behind the seat to hold drinks, snacks, and lunch.

and end points of your float, or you can arrange a shuttle through various outfitters on some of the rivers. Guidebooks like A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to the Ozarks by Tom Kennon and Paddling the Ozarks by Mike Bezemek are great starting points for research. If the water isn’t flowing enough to run a river, the abundant lakes around the Fort Smith region make nice backups. From Wells Lake at Chaffee Crossing to Lee Creek Reservoir in Van Buren to Lake Hinkle west of Waldron to Wister Lake or Cedar Lake in Oklahoma, there are dozens of smaller bodies of water perfect for paddling trips.

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

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taste

APPLE BOURBON PECAN BREAD PUDDING RECIPE ADAPTED itsakeeper image Katarzyna Hurova/Shutterstock

I N G R E D I E N T S

M E T H O D

FOR THE BOURBON GLAZE

FOR THE BREAD PUDDING

» 1 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350°. Cube bread. In a large bowl combine milk, heavy

» ¼ cup butter, melted

cream, and vanilla. Add bread and gently toss until well coated. Set aside.

» 2 Tablespoons bourbon » ½ cup heavy cream

FOR THE BREAD PUDDING » 1 challah loaf, cubed, 20 ounces » 2 cups milk » 2 cups heavy cream » 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Melt butter in a 12-inch cast iron skillet. Add brown and white sugars and stir until combined. Remove from heat. Add eggs, bourbon and stir until combined. Add in apples, salt, cinnamon, and ½ cup pecans, stir to mix. Fold in bread mixture until combined. Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup pecans and turbinado sugar over the top, then cover with foil. Bake covered for 55 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes. Insert a toothpick and ensure it comes out clean.

» ¾ cup butter, unsalted » 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

FOR THE BOURBON GLAZE

» ½ teaspoon salt

In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, melted butter, bourbon, stir

» ½ cup white sugar » 4 large eggs, lightly beaten » ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon » 4 Tablespoons bourbon » 1 large apple, chopped (I like Honeycrisp) » ¾ cup pecans, chopped, divided

until creamy. Stir in heavy cream until smooth. Drizzle glaze on top of warm bread pudding. Serve immediately. *If you have any salted caramel sauce left from the cocktail recipe, it’s delicious drizzled over this bread pudding! Find our salted caramel recipe at dosouthmagazine.com/apple-of-my-eye.

» 2 Tablespoons turbinado sugar

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taste

Get Poppin' INGREDIENTS

» » » » » » »

1 to 1 ½ cups vanilla bean ice cream ½ cup whole milk 1 cup caramel corn, plus more for garnish 4 ounces bourbon ¼ teaspoon vanilla cinnamon, ground (optional) 2 Tablespoons salted caramel sauce, plus more for garnish (store bought or try our recipe) Find our delicious, salted caramel recipe at dosouthmagazine.com/apple-of-my-eye.

Please drink responsibly. Never drink and drive.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

Recipe foodnetwork.com images olga_arisphoto/Shutterstock

METHOD

Combine ice cream, milk, vanilla, caramel corn, bourbon, and caramel s a u c e i n a b l e n d e r. B l e n d until smooth. Pour evenly into glasses, topping with additional caramel corn and a drizzle of salted caramel. Garnish with a light dusting of cinnamon if desired.

fiction

s c i r y L Love & ck ki/Shuttersto Piotr Piatrous e ag im t id hm words Liesel Sc

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fiction

“Am I a passionate person?”

She took a deep breath, said a silent prayer, and started

Carly realized the minute the words were out of her mouth that they were a mistake. Especially now, in this moment. She closed her eyes and braced for an answer that she knew she didn’t want to hear.

the audience exploded to life, as though someone had lit a spark on a fuse. The energy was electrifying, but Carly still felt as though none of it was for her. They weren’t her words anymore; they weren’t her stories. And he was never here.

“Passionate?” There was a pause, and she could almost hear the corners of Pete’s mouth turn up in amusement. “No, Carly. I’ve known you ten years, and I haven’t seen passion in you. You just don’t have fire. Not over anything.” She could feel the sting of tears in her eyes, tears that threatened to escape through her tightly-clamped eyelids and trace the lines of her cheeks. They burned her skin, and she felt the heat of shame sear through her. When she finally opened her eyes, she could see him staring at her, his eyes measuring her, analyzing her.

********************** Carly’s rise to stardom had come unexpectedly, a fame that had come from one song she’d written as a heartbroken twenty something and sung one ill-advised night at an open mic on a dare. She’d sung out her pain to a room full of halfsober people who had nothing better to do, and one face in the crowd took notice. The man had been a Nashville exec, in the wrong place at the right time—serendipity, some would call it. He’d had a busted carburetor and come in to call a tow truck. From the payphone in the corner, he’d heard

“You’re like a wind-up toy, Carly. We wind you up, send you out there, and you do what you do. But passion is something we can’t teach you. And someday soon, all those people out there are going to figure it out,” he said, taking off the fedora he’d worn as long as she’d known him. He ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it in an almost frustrated gesture before setting the hat back in its rightful place. He shook his head and smiled wanly at her. Pete was beginning to show his age, all the time on the road. All the stresses of this life. You could see it in his eyes, in the lines of his face, in the sag of broad shoulders that used to sit so squarely and so confidently. She could see it in her own reflection, too. She was showing her wear. Or maybe it was just the strain of doing something she felt so disconnected from. It wasn’t her anymore— hadn’t been in a long time. And no one had even noticed. That was the problem with life in the spotlight. As much as it shined on you, it made you so bright people couldn’t see you anymore. Not the real you.

Carly’s song. And the rest was history. Or was it? Sometimes she wondered if life wouldn’t have been better if he’d never been there. Or if she’d never been in that bar, never taken that dare, never sang that song. If. It was a weighty word, and there were so many of them for her. If and never. At thirty-eight, her life seemed full of regrets, of heartbreak that seemed to follow her around like a shadow. And so many words of songs that needed to pour out, but she couldn’t seem to grasp them before they slipped through her fingers. Writer’s block, Pete called it, but it wasn’t that. It was something more, something that she didn’t quite understand herself. Maybe she never would. Maybe she would never be more than the puppet out there on the stage, the wind-up toy, singing songs that were written for her—not by her. That had stopped years ago, after her first album had hit platinum and then the second just couldn’t seem to climb the charts the way her producers wanted. “Write from life.” That’s what her mama had always

The sounds of the crowd were growing more agitated, more impatient, waiting for their star to come. Carly offered a weak smile and cocked her head. “Don’t worry, Pete,” she said. “I got this. I’ll be a good wind-up toy, and nobody will know the difference.”

walking out onto the stage. The second she was in view,

encouraged. And she had. It was what had gotten her noticed in the first place, what had sold her first album. But people only wanted so much of the truth. After that, they wanted the illusion and whatever rose-colored expectation they had of you. They wanted you to make them feel good— not feel your pain. So, Carly’s pain became her Achille’s heel, and now she was just along for the ride.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

fiction

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

wasn’t going to cry. He wasn’t hers anymore. He hadn’t been for a long time, and this only made it more real. She rinsed the

Carly dropped her luggage in the front hallway with a sigh, glad

glass in her hand and placed it carefully in the dishrack to dry.

to be back in her own space, with no one there to ask her to sign something, sing something, smile for the camera. It was almost

Two hours.

painfully quiet, but she was glad for the silence. She kicked off her shoes and padded barefoot to the kitchen. She needed a

The doorbell buzzed, letting her know someone wanted to

glass of wine. That, and a year-long nap with no disruptions.

come up. Carly dried her hands and crossed the room to press the button on the intercom.

A stack of mail seemed ready to topple off the kitchen counter, about three months’ worth of mail that her neighbor had

“I didn’t order anything,” she said. She could hear the

brought in for her while she’d been on tour. She paid all her

irritation in her own voice.

own bills, handled all those things so many people in her position pawned off onto other people. She just couldn’t. She

“Carly,” a voice crackled from the other end. “Let me up.”

liked having control of her life—as much as she could, anyway. There were a lot of other things she had no say in, but the

“Who is this?” she asked, suddenly suspicious. This was a

bills…they were all hers, as absurd as it may have been.

quiet building, in a little nothing town outside of the bright lights of the big cities. It was homey and safe, and no one

She flipped through the envelopes and stopped cold when

really bothered her.

she came to a thick, square envelope with fancy calligraphy. She immediately recognized the return address. It was his.

“It’s Paul.”

She ran a finger under the flap and freed the thick cardstock

Her heart felt as though it had stopped.

from its envelope. Paul Christian Jameson and Alison Rose White Invite You to Celebrate Their Marriage

“Paul?” It was all she could manage.

She read the words over and over, feeling as though someone

“Carly, please. Let me come up.” Even over the bad line, she

had knocked the wind out of her. He was getting married.

could hear the urgency in his voice.

He was getting married to someone who wasn’t her. “You’re getting married today. Why are you here?” Carly *************

asked, almost feeling angry. Why was he doing this?

The new song had been out for weeks now, something that

“No, Carly, I’m not. Please let me come up.”

had come from her soul and—for reasons she couldn’t quite understand—it had been a song that her producers wanted

“Why?” It covered so many things.

tracks laid for as soon as possible. It had happened so fast, but Carly was just happy that it was her material again. It

“Because I love you. I still do. And she’s not you.”

was really and truly hers. Carly could hardly see through the tears to press the button on the “All those years of bad road are paved with heartbreak and tears.

buzzer. It seemed like only seconds before he knocked, and she

But I still love you like I always did, even after all these years.”

opened the door to see him. He stood there, in his tux, with the untied bowtie slung haphazardly around his neck. His hair disheveled,

Carly looked at the clock on the microwave as she washed her

as though he had run his hands through it a thousand times.

dishes from breakfast. He was getting married in two hours. She could feel the sting of tears forming, and she blinked. No. She

“Carly,” he said simply.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

MENTAL HEALTH

MENTAL HEALTH GUIDE Special Feature

Caring for our mental health is vital to our overall health and wellness,

including our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Our mental health affects how we feel, think, and act. It determines how we handle stressors, how we relate to those around us and assists in making healthy life choices. Positive mental health is essential at every stage of our life, from childhood into adolescence and throughout adulthood. That’s why Do South® has partnered with local mental health experts, who are here to help through whatever challenges life may throw your way. From individual and relationship counseling to trauma and grief counseling to counseling specific to women and teens, these local professionals want to help. All you need

DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE

to do is ask – let’s start today! Additional mental health resources can be found online at DoSouthMagazine.com.

MENTAL HEALTH

1501 South Waldron, Suite 100 Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.561.7600 anchoredhopecounseling.net Anchored Hope is a counseling practice helping people cope

2408 S. 51st Ct. Suite G, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.323.2424 fortsmiththerapy.com

with a broad range of issues and challenges, providing a safe Helping clients deal with the pressures of daily life is the goal

and experienced staff is available for both in-person and

of the caring therapists at Fort Smith Therapy, Health and

Technology Assisted Counseling (TAC) for individuals who

Wellness. Whether recovering from a traumatic event, working

can’t visit our offices. Services include individual counseling,

through grief issues, or just wanting to feel better, clients are

providing one-on-one therapy addressing a wide variety of

respected as they work through issues getting in the way of

issues in a safe, caring, and confidential environment as

living life. Fort Smith Therapy, Health and Wellness offers

well as life coaching. Our Relationship Counseling helps

counseling services for individuals, couples, children, and

to overcome roadblocks to deeper intimacy. Several of

families in Fort Smith, both in-person and online for Arkansas

our therapists are also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement

residents. The practice’s roster of experienced, compassionate

Desensitization and Repression), a unique trauma-focused

professionals helps clients become more comfortable in

psychotherapy designed to alleviate the stress associated with

their own skin whereby they gain more confidence, improve

traumatic memories.

relationships, and regain an excitement for living life.

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place for our clients to get help, hope and healing. Our trained

MENTAL HEALTH

9201 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.452.9201 communitychurch.com Celebrate Recovery is a network of highly imperfect people helping other highly imperfect people learn the skills to navigate a world that is very often toxic and painful. We do this by providing a safe place for all people to give and receive support dealing

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with the hurts, habits, and hang-ups we all face. The goal of Celebrate Recovery is complete transformation where both the mind and the body benefit from learning new and effective ways to cope with our past, our present and our future, redemptively. The program pairs the traditional twelve steps of recovery with eight recovery principles drawn from the New Testament. Authentic transformation occurs over time; it's rarely quick and never perfect. By diligent application of new skills, individuals slowly begin to discover the presence and reality of a forgiving and an empowering God that is active on our behalf and the reason we celebrate. Celebrate Recovery meets every Tuesday night at 6 pm, including holidays, in the Worship Center on the Community Bible Church campus in Fort Smith. You don’t need to be a church member or regular attendee to attend. The gathering is open to people eighteen and older and childcare is available for those with younger children. Celebration Place and the Landing are fifty-two-week programs that mirror the Celebrate Recovery curriculum, discovering the same truths in age-appropriate ways.

MENTAL HEALTH

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MENTAL HEALTH

ALZHEIMER’S & DEMENTIA

• Emergency/nurse call system

Helping a loved one deal with the ravages of Alzheimer’s

• Security cameras in common areas

disease or dementia is one of the most difficult situations a

• Sprinkler system, fire pulls, fire extinguishers and

person and their family can face. At Memory Lane, we believe

smoke detectors

no one has to walk this path alone. We serve those suffering

• Handicap-accessible showers and bathrooms

with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia by providing a

• Secure outdoor courtyard with safety surface

MENTAL HEALTH

1012 Fayetteville Road, Van Buren, Arkansas 479.474.7233 memorylanevb.com

secure living environment and promoting individual dignity and optimum health for the persons in our care.

We also support a robust therapeutic program, designed to maintain health and wellness to whatever extent possible.

An Arkansas state licensed assisted living facility, Memory Lane is comprised of three separate care units with a total capacity

THERAPEUTICS INCLUDE

to serve seventy-four residents in a certified Alzheimer’s Special

Care Unit environment. Established in 2009, we serve families

dancing, gardening, and cooking.

• Gross Motor Activities some of which include exercising,

in the River Valley as well as from more than twenty states and

several foreign countries.

and grooming.

• Self-Care Activities such as dressing, personal hygiene • Social Activities including games, music, and other

Our trained and experienced staff strives to create an

forms of socialization.

environment that embraces independence, nurtures, promotes

structure and safety, accommodates challenging behavior and

reminiscing or scent/tactile stimulation.

• Sensory Enhancement Activities in the form of

balances meaningful life with appropriate stimulation.

DIGNITY & RESPECT Understanding life is an activity of being and doing, we partner

Most of all, we uphold individual dignity, honoring the

with the resident, their family, associates, professionals, and

uniqueness of each resident as he or she navigates the often-

the community as part of a continuity of care and supportive

difficult journey of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and its

services. We strive to eliminate as many factors as possible

effect on quality of life. We believe the life of the person with

that cause excess disability and confusion, thereby creating an

dementia can be enriched by building on individual strengths,

environment that fosters feelings of belonging and purpose.

interpreting the language of behavior, and enabling freedom of movement, expression, and experience. In addition, we also offer upscale, private, independent

Safety is our number-one concern at Memory Lane, and

living apartments for seniors at Legacy Heights. Here, our

we have deployed a number of features to help protect our

compassionate staff helps maintain quality of life for our residents

residents in all stages of life.

and responds to each person as they age. Meals, active social and recreation programs, housekeeping, on-site beauty shop,

These features include:

all utilities, 24-hour security and more make Legacy Heights a

convenient, popular option for independent seniors.

• Controlled access with on-site security during

evening hours

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SAFETY & PROTECTION

MENTAL HEALTH

5004 South U Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.883.2223 healingtreetherapy.com Women live healthier, happier lives when they feel confident about who they are. Healing Tree provides women the tools they need to uncover their true potential and embrace the life each was meant to live. Healing Tree therapists help women address difficulties including struggles with anxiety, perfectionism, childhood trauma and post-partum depression. All our therapists are trained in multiple trauma therapies including EMDR, hypnotherapy and trauma conscious yoga. Our targeted counseling for teen girls helps individuals cope with an increasingly difficult world and the non-stop barrage of social media, body issues and peer pressure in society. Where appropriate, we also provide medication management to help patients reduce the symptoms of emotional overwhelm

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many women feel.

5004 South U Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.345.8336 teentherapyservices.com River Valley Teen Center supports tweens’ and teens’ emotional development, so they learn healthy ways of interacting with family, friends and peers. We help heal any hurts and work to repair misguided beliefs such as “I have to be perfect to be accepted.” Our therapists teach healthy ways to navigate this important time through individual counseling, group therapy, and peer resources, helping to make sense of this challenging, confusing, and often-overwhelming phase of life. River Valley Teen Center also gives moms and dads a hand in providing guidance and empathy to a teen who’s struggling. Our caring and skilled therapists teach parents how to support and nurture their teenager while leaving the chaos behind.

MENTAL HEALTH

EMERGENCY after hours CRISIS LINE: 1.800.542.1031 / Non-Emergency Warm Line: 479.452.6655 Fort Smith, Van Buren, Ozark, Booneville, Paris, Waldron, Mena wacgc.org The Guidance Center is a nonprofit community behavioral health care provider. This organization serves communities in Crawford, Franklin, Logan, Polk, Sebastian, and Scott counties in Arkansas. They provide a wide range of coordinated health care services to treat mental, emotional, behavioral and substance abuse disorders via a variety of services. Outpatient Counseling is available for children, teens, and adults at all seven clinic locations across the six counties and via telehealth. Services include but are not limited to general stress/anxiety, depression, family therapy, substance use, chronic behavioral health issues, and psychological testing. All services provided

Children and youth get help through several programs. Western Arkansas Therapeutic Children’s Homes (WATCH) provides therapeutic foster care for children. Learning Enrichment and Appropriate Play (LEAP) focuses on preschool age children dealing with behavioral concerns, peer interaction and compliance within a structured classroom environment. Five West Crisis Stabilization Unit in Fort Smith, a 16-bed unit serving individuals 18 and older experiencing a psychiatric and/or substance abuse-related crisis, is a program of The Guidance Center. Did you know a first experience of having a psychotic episode may occur between the ages of 15 and 30? If you or a loved one are experiencing feelings of hurting yourself or others, we are available to help 24/7/365 days a year.

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are designed to enhance quality of life, reduce symptoms, improve functioning, and support paths of integration into the community.

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MENTAL HEALTH

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

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TRANSITION - SEPTEMBER 2021

Articles inside

Special Feature Mental Health Guide

The Thrill is Back

Apple Bourbon Pecan Bread Pudding

Love and Lyrics

Float and Fish

Autumn Getaways

Higher Power

Get Bookish

Nonprofit Spotlight: The Call

Ella Enchanted

For the “G”

Medicine Ball

Letter from Catherine

Food for Thought

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