CRUISE september DoSouthMagazine.com2022 ®
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM 04 Letter from Catherine 24 Boutique/Shop Profiles 54 Special Feature: Mental Health Guide {ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT} 06 Sept ember Calendar 12 Sept ember RecommendationsBook 14 Legendary 18 Director’s Cut 20 A Show of Hands {COMMUNITY} 08 Nonprofit Spotlight: Mis sion Possible 09 Shop 10 Project Zero {HEALTH} 22 Making the Grade {TASTE} 36 P unked Out Banana Bread 38 C ozy Pumpkin Butter 40 Gettin’ Figgy with It {PEOPLE} 32 E veryday Hero {TRAVEL} 42 T he Great Pumpkin 44 Picture Perfect: Ark ansas Fall Getaways {FICTION} 50 T his is Where We Start OUR COVER Image Credit: Leena ShutterstockRobinson/ Contents 02 september
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©2022 Read Chair Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner. Opinions contained in Do South® are exclusively those of the writers and do not represent those of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. as a whole or its affiliates. Any correspondence, including photography, becomes the property of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. Do South® reserves the right to edit content and images. Printed in the U.S.A. | ISSN 2373-1893
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In this issue, we are honored to share a glimpse into the life of an everyday hero, the late Clay Roper. An incredible man with a kind heart, whose unyielding love and endless patience influenced the lives of countless kids and families in our region.
You’ll also find there’s a lot happening around town this month. For starters, we checked in with Tina Dale, and she shared what led to her directorial debut of Fort Smith Little Theatre’s A Philadelphia Story. Then, our friends at Fort Smith Symphony have an incredible season planned and we’ve got all the details. Next, the Belle Point Quilters Guild will feature over 200 quilts at their annual show this month. Some of my most-loved family heirlooms are the quilts my Mamaw made, love sewn into every stitch. You’ll find even more events on our calendar, starting on page six.
Finally, please join us this month as we celebrate twelve amazing years of Do South® Magazine. We truly love bringing it to you every month. Special thanks to our family of advertisers, Do South® is possible because of you. It’s true what they say, time does fly when you’re having fun – see you in October! Owner/Publisher/Editor catherine@dosouthmagazine.com
Arkansas is famous for its displays of fall color and this month we are sharing picture perfect places for you to snap a selfie or stop and stay a while. Hiking, mountain biking, and discovering our beautiful Arkansas State Parks are must-do activities this fall! Whether you camp in a tent or cozy up in a lodge – the choice is yours.
Savory foods go hand in hand with the beginning of fall and my sweet tooth is in overdrive – so we’ve got a delicious cocktail recipe prepared with figs and two recipes featuring pumpkin that you’ll find yourself making over and over again.
OWNER - PUBLISHER - EDITOR Catherine Frederick COPY EDITING Charity Chambers GRAPHIC DESIGN Artifex 323 – Jessica Meadors CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jade Graves CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Catherine Frederick, Dwain Hebda, Sara Putman, Liesel Schmidt ADVERTISING INFORMATION Catherine Frederick I catherine@dosouthmagazine.com479.782.1500
FOLLOW US Catherine Frederick
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Who’s ready for cool weather and crispy leaves, for fan-filled tailgates and spirited ballgames? This girl! I can’t get enough of this time of year. The scenery seemingly changes overnight both inside and out of my home as deep shades of green, rust, and gold takeover.
SEPTEMBER 2022
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DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM SEPTEMBER EVENTS 06 entertainment September 1 - Sept. 25 FORT SMITH REGIONAL ART MUSEUM EXHIBITS: FENG ZIKAI, SHABANA KAUSER, DOYLE YOUNG - PAINTED STORIES Fort Smith, Arkansas September 3 & 24 RIDE THE TRAIN FROM VAN BUREN TO WINSLOW Main Street, Van Buren Se ptember 4 CRAWFORD COUNTY SPEEDWAY LABOR DAY RACE Crawford County Speedway, Van Buren Se ptember 9 'RON JUDE: 12 HZ' OPENING RECEPTION AND TALK UAFS Gallery of Art and Design, Fort Smith Se ptember 10 FORT SMITH SYMPHONY PRESENTS FROM THE NEW WORLD ArcBest PAC, Fort Smith Se ptember 10 & 11 DOWNTOWN JUNK FEST Van Buren Historic District, Van Buren Se ptember 17 ON CALL: AN ELEGANT EVENING FOR RESEARCH ACHE Research Institute Health and Wellness Center, Fort Smith Se ptember 17 MONSTER TRUCK INSANITY Crawford County Speedway, Van Buren Se ptember 17 EARTH, WIND & FIRE LIVE IN CONCERT Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock Se ptember 22 JASON ALDEAN LIVE IN CONCERT Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock Se ptember 18 GOO GOO DOLLS LIVE IN CONCERT Walmart AMP, Rogers Se ptember 20-25 PRETTY WOMAN THE MUSICAL Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville Se ptember 10 FARMERS AND ARTISANS MARKET AT CHAFFEE CROSSING PRESENTS ROCKIN' GOOD TIME Chaffee Crossing, Fort Smith Se ptember 11 RON ORBISON TRIBUTE King Opera House, Van Buren Se ptember 15 FEST OF ALE IN THE FALL BENEFITTING GIRLS INC. Uncork’d, Fort Smith Se ptember 16 & 17 MICHAEL CARBONARO: LIES ON STAGE Temple Live, Fort Smith Se ptember 17 FORT SMITH COLORFUL RUN Ben Geren Regional Park, Fort Smith Se ptember 17 TEAL STAMPEDE: 5/10K RACE & FUN WALK 7000 Taylor Avenue, Fort Smith
FOLLOW US DOSOUTHMAGAZINE DOSOUTHMAG DOSOUTHMAGAZINE DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM entertainment 07 Se ptember 25 DENIM & BENEFITTINGDIAMONDSMANES & MIRACLES AT CHAFFEE CROSSING The Bakery District, Fort Smith Se ptember 26 15TH ANNUAL VAN BUREN CHAMBER GOLF CLASSIC Eagle Crest Golf Course, Fort Smith Se ptember 28 WRITERS WORKSHOP: WRITING FOR CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL Chapters on Main, Van Buren Se ptember 30 & October 1 BELLE POINT QUILTERS GUILD 2022 QUILT SHOW Fort Smith Convention Center, Fort Smith Se ptember 30 PAINT DOWNTOWN PINK 5K RACE Downtown, Fort Smith Se ptember 22, 23-24, 25 (Matine e), 28-30, October 1 FORT SMITH LITTLE THEATRE PRESENTS A PHILADELPHIA STORY Fort Smith Little Theatre, Fort Smith Se ptember 24 2022 WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'SARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY University of Arkansas, Fort Smith Se ptember 24 - October 2 ARKANSAS OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith Se ptember 25 FORT SMITH MARATHON Riverfront Pavilion, Fort SubmitSmithevents online at dosouthmagazine.com or email catherine@dosouthmagazine.com. Se ptember 30 ELVIS IN CONCERT King Opera House, Van Buren SEPTEMBERSeptemberLIBRARY EVENTS (FORT SMITH, VAN BUREN & ALMA) Complete Listing DoSouthMagazine.comat We dnesdays and Saturdays (7a-12p) in Se ptember FORT SMITH FARMERS MARKET Downtown, Fort Smith Octo ber 1 LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS, THE REDNECK TENORS Skokos Performing Arts Center, Alma
• T here are 74,174 food insecure children and 54,940 f ood insecure persons in the River Valley.
How to Help Food shouldn’t be an impossible choice, especially among families with children, rural communities, and communities of color, who already faced hunger at higher rates pre-pandemic.
• N early 50 percent of households in Arkansas that r eceive SNAP benefits have children in the home.
For more information call 479.785.0582 or visit rvfoodbank.org. words and Image courtesy River Valley Food Bank
• Host a food or fundraising drive and volunteer
Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger-relief organization, and its member food banks, like the River Valley Regional Food Bank in Fort Smith, consider September the busiest fundraising month of the year, as the push for shelfstocking increases as the holiday season draws near.
*Statistics according to the River Valley Food Bank and data from Feeding America
This year’s theme, “Food shouldn’t be an impossible choice,” reflects the difficult reality for many families as they struggle to keep the lights on and stomachs fed. During Hunger Action Month, Feeding America network food banks, food pantries and community members all work together to address food insecurity through fundraisers, food drives and volunteering.
Here are two ways you can join the fight to end hunger:
• I n the Arkansas River Valley, 1 in 6 people is at risk o f hunger — including 1 in 4 children.
Fighting hunger isn’t just about food, it’s about improving the quality of life for those facing food insecurity. “All of us have been hungry at some point in a day, but to actually experience hunger, the not knowing when or where your next meal will be, what it will be, not only affects your stomach, but your mind,” River Valley Regional Food Bank Director Tracy Engel said. “Food insecurity causes more than just a loss of a meal, it can lead to depression, domestic violence, and hopelessness. Knowing we have a network of partner agencies we can assure our communities that we are doing our best to fulfill the mission of addressing food insecurity in Arkansas.”
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“Should I pick up my medicine, pay my electric bill, my mortgage, my rent, or buy groceries?” These are the impossible choices many hungry residents in our community face each day. September is Hunger Action Month, an annual Feeding America campaign dedicated to driving awareness and inspiring action to help end hunger in America.
HUNGER FACTS
MISSION POSSIBLE
• Donate—every dollar provides 10 meals to a needy family Hunger Action Month is a time for community engagement and to come together to end hunger. While many in our community face impossible choices daily, you can choose to improve your community by donating, advocating, volunteering, or raising awareness.
• T he average cost of a meal in Arkansas is $2.80.
• T he child food insecurity rate in the River Valley is mor e than 22 percent.
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM Tailgate Ready with Bota’rita Ready-to-Drink Margarita Cocktails, Arkansas Razorback Shot Glasses and Tumbler, Lil Wheezy IPA, Fallen Queen Belgian Style Wheat Ale, Hard Mtn Dew Watermelon Seltzer IN GOOD 479.434.6604SPIRITS DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM Hearts On Fire Aerial Sunburst Pendant, .64cts., 18kt White Gold JOHN JEWELERSMAYS479.452.2140 words Catherine Frederick imageS Jade Graves Photography and courtesy vendors Summer is winding down and local shops are gearing up for fall! We’re sharing some of our favorite finds from around town. Hunters Can Suppress Loud Gun Shots and Enhance Environmental Sounds with SoundGear™ Phantom Hearing Protection CENTER FOR 479.785.3277HEARING Prairie Wolf Vodka, King’s Family Distillery Honey Ryeconic Whiskey, Deep Eddy Grapefruit Vodka & Soda, Mother’s Wild Cobra Sour, 450 North Dexter’s Daboratory, Wyldewood Peach Mead, Invivo X SJP Sauvignon blanc SODIE’S WINE & 479.783.8013SPIRITS Colorful Sunglasses and Eyeglasses by Kirk & Kirk STILES EYE 479.452.2020GROUP Down, Set, Shop! community 09
IMAGE courtesy Jon Yoder Photography
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CHARLES AGE 14
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.
Meet Charles, a teenage boy looking for his forever home! Charles is a very smart, kind, and outgoing teenager. He loves to make new friends, and like most teenage boys, Charles enjoys playing video games. Charles is also quite the foodie! He’s not picky and is willing to try just about anything! Some of his favorite things are Star Wars, Marvel superheroes (The Avengers to be exact) and reading. If you can’t tell by now, Charles is a very cool kid! But even the coolest kids have challenges. Charles struggles to control his emotions and has a hard time regulating himself; however, he is currently receiving medication and participates in therapy where he is making considerable progress, which he will need to continue both individually and with his family once he is adopted. For these reasons, it is important Charles is adopted by a two-parent family with a strong father figure. He would do best in a home with no other children, strong structure, and a routine. Could your family be the right fit for Charles? Submit an inquiry at theprojectzero.org to learn more!
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Even if you’re not the kind of person who plays video games regularly, you’ll love this story of friendship, intimacy, and collaboration. Sam and Sadie are childhood friends who reconnect in college only to spend a summer making their own video game. The summer they spent together changes their lives and as they continue to make space for their shared hobby, they find an intimacy in the digital world that the real world could never offer them. Enjoy these four must-read books from our friends at Bookish, Fort Smith, Arkansas’s only independently owned bookstore.
12 entertainment Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
September Recommendations courtesy Sara Putman, Bookish Ithaca by Claire North Ithaca, a novel full of political intrigue and cunning characters, is the first in a series and begins in Ithaca eighteen years into Odysseus’ disappearance. While no man is strong enough to take Odysseus’ throne, Penelope’s wit and trusted circle of handmaids work to maintain peace. Ancient Greece is typically a man’s world, but on the shores of Ithaca, it’s the choices of abandoned women –and their goddesses – that will change the course of the world.
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Mid/South Anthology by Belle Point Press Our area of the country is both a space of its own and part of a larger, complicated Southern world: the “Mid/South.” In this collection, poetry, short stories, and essays offer glimpses into this in-between place as they explore the complexities of our relationships to each other as well as to the natural world. Whether through vivid landscapes, family dramas, or bittersweet love stories, each piece brings more insight into what it means to be from around here.
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford Dorothy Moy seeks radical help to overcome her depression. She connects with past generations of women in her family – all the way back to Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman to set foot in America. While her recollections are sometimes painful, she is also haunted by a stranger who is searching for her in each time period. As Dorothy works to break the cycle of pain, she must also find the strength to accept long-awaited love.
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When people look at quality of life issues, reasons to move somewhere, having vibrant arts is very important. So, we play a role as the community continues to try and attract new professionals to Fort Smith. “A symphony also brings a lot of educational components to a community; it gets young people interested in being involved in something creative which pays dividends for the rest of their lives, whether they do music or not. There’s every indication to show that an involvement in the arts does everything to help kids not only academically, but also later in life.”
WORDs Dwain Hebda images courtesy Fort Smith Symphony John Jeter John Jeter, music director and conductor of the Fort Smith Symphony, has seen a lot in his career as he heads into his twenty-sixth season with the organization. But one thing has remained consistent over all that time and all those performances – he is as convinced as ever about the importance of the arts and as committed to integrating the power of music into the community.
Fort Smith Symphony Blends Culture with
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“The presentation of live music by an orchestra is an artistic element that is really important,” he says. “There are a lot of people who simply like orchestral music, but there are also a lot of correlations between that and other things going on in a community that contribute to the overall quality of life.
The upcoming season for the symphony, its ninety-ninth, fulfills all of these roles and more. In addition to a slate of engaging concert performances, beginning September 10 and running through April 22, the organization continues its close connection with youth through various music education
The second concert, Symphonic Superheroes , features film music from contemporary superhero movies including Black Panther and Iron Man “I love doing film music,” John says. “If you think about the symphony orchestra and if you think about the general public, where do the two intersect in 2022? In movies. Besides that, it's a lot of fun and people can really relate to it.”
Those challenges largely behind them, the orchestra is diving head-first into the new season. Themed Legends , it offers diverse music to suit a variety of tastes allowing traditionalist and contemporary audiences to both find something to love.
The third concert is the orchestra's much-anticipated annual Christmas performance, followed by the first concert in 2023, entitled What a Rush , which will focus on American works. “We’re an American orchestra and if you think about classical music, it’s mostly the European guys, right?” John says. “So, we like to perform, as much as we can, American works. The nice thing about the March concert is they’re all twentieth or twenty-first century American pieces. It’s really terrific.”
The season starts with what John described as “a very traditional season opener” with Antonín Dvorák’s "From the New “DvorákWorld."was a Czech composer who lived in America for a little while,” John says. “He’s one of the famous, great European composers and he was very influential on all American composers who came after him. He once said, ‘American composers, you need to focus on your American heritage. Don’t just copy the Europeans.’”
John’s bone-deep belief in the importance of the arts, specifically orchestral music, in the overall health of the community was never more resolute than during the pandemic.
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM entertainment 15 programs and with the community at large with a free outdoor concert on April 1.
Where most entertainment options such as concerts, cinema and festivals were canceled, the symphony soldiered on, working out the logistics that enabled it to deliver its live performances as scheduled.
“Nowadays, a lot of young people will talk about someone as, ‘That guy is legendary,’” John says. “It’s like anything that’s sort of cool, anything that’s got a history, and it just seemed like the way we were approaching our season this year. It’s a little unconventional, but I think the cool factor and the relevancy factor are pretty high for what we’re doing.”
“Performances remain the main focus of what we do, but our purpose, ultimately, is about how we can help the community," John says. “If you just do music just for music and that’s the end of the discussion, that’s cool, but there are a lot bigger issues there.”
“The symphony is actually housed in the Arkansas College of Health Education’s Health and Wellness Research Center,” he says. “Another big component of what we’re planning is being involved in health and wellness research that is specific to music. We’re still working through the specifics and we’re hoping to start sometime later this season. That’s a new emphasis for our work and it’s very exciting.
“We obtained permission to have some of those songs be used in the elementary school music curriculum for the Fort Smith Public Schools and we’re hoping to attract other schools in our area. It will add to the diversity component of music education for these elementary school kids.”
“Louis Ballard was a composer, but he was also very interested in music education,” John says. “He wrote a number of books on music education; he also wrote a collection of Native American folk songs to be used to teach kids about music.
The symphony has even begun to explore the link between music and health, through unique partnerships with the Arkansas Colleges of Heath Education.
The season closes with a unique and important concert, Native American Legends , showcasing the work of Louis Ballard, recognized as the first Native American composer. In addition to the April concert, the orchestra has built an entire curriculum around the event to augment music education in local schools, starting this fall.
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The project is one way the Fort Smith Symphony connects with students. Others include Earquake, a special multimedia concert program that provides an immersive audio-visual experience. In addition, the organization offers Kool Cats, a jazz quartet that gives presentations to fourth graders on the history of the American musical art form and Symphony in the Schools, which has brought music education to thousands of third-grade students throughout the River Valley.
“We keep busy, and we like to get our fingers in a lot of different pies. It goes back to that whole community thing; we do what we can do in ways that are best for everybody.” Visit Fort Smith Symphony online at fortsmithsymphony.org for details and ticketing information.
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“I’ve been volunteering at FSLT for more than a decade and first became involved in the summer of 2011,” says Tina. “My daughter wanted to audition for The Sound of Music but was nervous. I told her I would audition, too, and got a role as an extra. The experience was great fun, but I felt very much out of my league. There were so many incredibly talented people, and I couldn’t imagine what I could bring to the table. Still, Rham Cunningham suggested I audition for Other People's Money the following February. I did, and I was cast as Kate Sullivan. It was a small cast and crew, and I found a new home. The people at the theatre truly are a giant family. It's an amazing place to be and group in which to be included.”
When Tina Dale started walking the boards in 2011, she was a newbie to the stage—but she was hardly new to the spotlight. As a reporter her name has been a familiar one in the River Valley for years; and as a long-time supporter of the Fort Smith Little Theatre, her ties to the community run deep. Over the years, she has served in both a behind-the-scenes capacity as well as one on-stage—and then came the time for her to shine her brightest.
Over the past eleven years, Tina has been on stage in twenty productions and served as a costume assistant, seamstress,
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DIRECTOR’S
WORDs Liesel Schmidt images courtesy Fort Smith Little Theatre
"When the production committee sent out an email in 2021 asking for season submissions for the coming year, they wanted to include some FSLT fan favorites from years past to celebrate the 75th anniversary. A Philadelphia Story was on that list. My dad had passed away a few months earlier, and I knew I had to at least try to get the play approved, as a tribute to him. Of course, I was thrilled when it was chosen for the season. I was also a little terrified that I might absolutely fail as director. When I admitted this to my friend Judi, she said to me, ‘But who else loves it as much? You will do it justice.’ I just wish my dad could come watch it.”
“A Philadelphia Story is a classic and one of my favorites of all time,” says Tina, who submitted the play to the committee for their consideration during their planning of the 2022 season. When her submission was selected, Tina was also named as director.
“My dad was a big classic movie buff. When I was young, he and I would watch dozens of old films he’d bring home, and that practice continued when I grew older,” she goes on. “I can vividly remember sitting in the chair beside him, watching A Philadelphia Story with Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart. I had seen Jimmy Stewart in a few movies by then and had a huge crush on him. I think I had seen Cary Grant, too. But it was the first time I’d seen Katherine Hepburn, and I was in awe. From that moment, I was a huge fan. I don't know that I can explain why. I've seen the movie and the play at least a dozen times—both of which were written specifically for Katherine Hepburn.
FSLT’s production of A Philadelphia Story will be performed September 22 through October 1. Tickets go on sale September 15. “The cast calls for nine men and six females,” says Tina. “During auditions, you just know who will be the right fit. Every director has an idea of what they would like. For some, it's a family that looks like a family. For others, it's how they sound together. For me, it's a feeling. The actors need to feel right for the role and feel right together. A lot of that is chemistry and how they react to each other. But a big part of that is purely that feeling they create in me. When you feel it, you know. And I know that the most important thing you can do as a director is to have a great cast and crew.” For more information on showtimes and ticket sales, visit fslt.org.
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“In this, our 75th Anniversary Season, the slate of shows includes popular classics, shows that are new to FSLT, and one production to be performed in November that will mark its on-stage premier,” says Nancy Blochberger, a member of the Publicity Committee as well as the 75th Anniversary Committee. “A Philadelphia Story is one of the classics—and special to us. It was performed at FSLT in 1957 and again in 1981.”
costumer, prop mistress and assistant director. She has also volunteered at the box office, been an usher, worked hospitality at intermissions, and is serving her second term on the theatre's board of directors. Now, she’s stepping into her first directorship of a “full-run” FSLT production with A Philadelphia Story.
A Show of Hands
words Liesel Schmidt Images courtesy Belle Point Quilters Guild Connie Bailey Leola Curtis DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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Over the years, there has been a return to artisanal goods, to items made by hand that bear the imprint of their maker—a human with a story and a name, rather than a heartless machine. It’s authentic and real. Quilts have long been a part of the tapestry of Americana, handiwork displaying hour after hour of effort and attention, sometimes the work of one, sometimes many. Filled with color and pattern and intricacies that only reveal themselves after careful study, quilts are a masterpiece painted in fabric, and their appeal has outlasted the constantly changing tides of Buttrendiness.thepreservation of the craft is crucial to the continuing presence of the authentic quilt—which is where guilds like Belle Point Quilters Guild find their greatest importance.
"Our first year was themed ‘Share a Cup of Friendship,’ and along with the blocks, we included photos and brief letters of introduction. We shipped our coffee and tea themed blocks off and anxiously awaited the blocks from Adelaide.
"Attendees can view over 200 quilts, enter our quilt raffle, and enjoy silent auction and vendor items. Our greatest mission is to 'raise awareness of the creative, amazing art of quilting and of our local guild, allow quilters to display their unique individual works of art, and raise money to invest in the guild for ongoing education of our members.'"
“People love hobbies, being creative, and beautiful fabrics,” she says. “Most do not make quilts anymore just to keep warm, like our grandmothers did. However, very similar to days gone by, many quilters still gather to sew and quilt—not to hand-quilt so much, but to take classes together, learn new techniques, eat, and just be social.
“Our second round robin was a bit more ambitious,” Dianne goes on. “Twenty-eight members signed on and once again the results were stunning. Of note, our connection with the Adelaide quilters occurred during the 2019-2020 fire season that devastated the region. It was an opportunity to share our support and prayers for a safe recovery.”
As part of the show, the guild will display some very special quilts that carry a unique story and the works of hands across many miles. “A former guild member suggested we reach out to another guild internationally to see if they would like to participate in a ‘round robin’ quilt block exchange, and an internet search led us to Heather Ford and the talented members of the South Australia Guild in Adelaide, South Australia,” says guild member Dianne O’Donnell. “Sixteen of our members formed up in teams of four and pieced a 12-inch block. Meanwhile, sixteen counterparts in Adelaide did the same.
September 30, 9am-5pm / October 1, 9am – 3pm
"Everyone is invited to attend this year’s show," says Connie.
O
Connie believes quilting’s appeal is tied to several factors.
Belle Point Quilters Guild 2022 Show
“As many as three quilts can be entered per person, and participants may choose to have their work judged by a nationally certified judge, from whom they will receive a constructive score and remarks. However, they may also enter a quilt and choose not to have it judged.”
Begun in 1984 with just twelve individuals passionate about quilting, the guild now boasts more than 200 active members from across the River Valley area.
Fort Smith Convention Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas bellepointquiltersguild.org
Since 1990, the guild has been hosting the Belle Point Quilters Guild Quilt Show, offering local quilters of all ages and skill levels the chance to showcase their work and compete for recognition of their talent. Ribbons are given for quilts within many different categories, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, in addition to awards including Fort Smith Mayor's Award and Best Quilted.
Once received, each Fort Smith team of four set about adding borders to the original block. The final outcome was the product of four individuals’ unique creativity. We sent back our work to Adelaide, and our original blocks were returned to us. The results were beautiful, colorful, and treasured.
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“Our local guild has more than 200 members, and, while not everyone will enter a quilt, many will, and non-members may enter quilts, as well,” says guild member Connie Bailey.
Individuals may find it hard to complete a task, especially if it requires multiple steps, sustained attention, or has many details. Conversation may be affected, especially in an environment with other distracting stimuli. Difficulty in completing and maintaining daily routines may also be observed.
POTENTIAL CAUSES
While the exact cause of ADHD is not fully understood, it is felt to be an interplay of genetics, birth history/trauma, environment, and sometimes traumatic brain injury related to sports or recreational activities. It is clear from family studies that the diagnosis of ADHD occurs more frequently in some families.
WHAT IS ADHD ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood and will often last into adulthood. It is characterized by difficulty paying attention, poor control of impulsive behaviors (acting without considering consequences) and being excessively active. This spectrum disorder comprises three subtypes: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive/impulsive, and combined presentation.
Older children, adolescents, and adults may fidget or get restless during periods of waiting. Examples of impulsive behaviors include interrupting others, grabbing a desired object from another without asking, and difficulty waiting in line. Impulsivity may result in poor decisions; leading to accidents or injuries when consequences are not considered.
However, it has also been demonstrated that ADHD increases among student athletes who have had a concussion, premature infants, and with exposure to neurotoxins both prenatal and postnatal. While likely not a cause of ADHD, environmental factors such as poor sleeping habits, excessive screen time, and increased sugar intake may exacerbate underlying symptoms.
HYPERACTIVE/IMPULSIVEPREDOMINANTLY
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Young children may run, jump, or climb at inappropriate times.
INATTENTIVE
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Individuals may find it difficult to sit still for a long period (attending a lecture, sitting for a meal, or completing homework).
School is officially back in session, for many families this presents challenges as they navigate learning, multitasking, and organizational skills. Attention deficit/hyperactive disorder is a prevalent diagnosis among school-aged children and teens. Data obtained from health surveys conducted in 2016 demonstrated 6.1 million children are being treated for ADHD, an increase of 2 million from 2003. Over time, this has led to an increase in adult residual ADHD among college students and adults in the workforce.
PREDOMINANTLY
WORDS Dr. Kendall Wagner, Chaffee Crossing Clinic Image /Shutterstock
Another growing concern is the effect of artificial food dyes
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis is completed by a doctor or a mental health specialist.
While there is no cure, the goal is to reduce symptoms and increase functionality. Treatment may begin with improving sleep schedules, ensuring a healthy balanced diet, and evaluating the need to remove excess sugar or artificial food dyes. Establishing a healthy routine, especially concerning bedtime and the use of electronic devices, has demonstrated improvement in sleep and ADHD symptoms. Checklists, organizational folders, and electronic reminders may help complete detailed or multistep tasks in personal care, interpersonal relationships, and the workplace.
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM on behavior. In 2011, the FDA stated that synthetic food dyes had no adverse effects, however a growing number of studies suggested that red dye 40 and other synthetic food dye additives may increase symptoms in some children. While the effect appears small, certain individuals may react more strongly to these exposures. A trial of avoidance may be helpful if exposure is felt to be worsening ADHD symptoms.
TREATMENT
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While there is no single test for ADHD, a combination of medical history and physical examination may be combined with Conner’s Index or Vanderbilt Assessment rating scales. It is important to rule out factors such as hearing and vision problems as well as specific learning disabilities, mental health challenges such as anxiety or depression, and sleep disorders. Additionally, blood tests to assess heavy metal toxicity or vitamin deficiencies may be evaluated.
Treatment includes screening and treating other underlying mental health concerns. Anxiety and depression occur very frequently in patients with ADHD. Substance abuse and selftreatment with stimulants may occur in patients not adequately treated for ADHD and associated mental health concerns.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, a mental health therapy focused on strengthening wanted behaviors, such as increased focus, and eliminating unwanted behaviors, such as impulsivity, may be considered. In addition to a healthy, well-balanced diet, vitamin supplements such as vitamin D, magnesium, theanine, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and natural caffeine extract (coffee or green tea) may also be helpful in symptom management of ADHD. Some supplements may not be appropriate for young children or certain patients with cardiac concerns. All supplements should be discussed with your physician prior to administration. For some patients, treatment with prescription medications is required. These medications work by increasing the “alertness” of the brain while decreasing hyperactivity and impulsivity. Non-stimulant medications allow the brain to react less impulsively and decrease “background noise” of thoughts or stimuli that might otherwise impede focus and attention.
If you feel you or your child may be experiencing symptoms of ADHD, the first step is a conversation with your physician or a mental health professional. Your child’s teacher or counselor may also provide input or screening. Additionally, many colleges have mental health services available to students. When it comes to ADHD, making the grade begins with a conversation – help is available! Kendall Wagner, M.D. is a regular healthcare contributor to Do South® Magazine. Chaffee Crossing Clinic 11300 Roberts Boulevard, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.242.5910 | chaffeecrossingclinic.com
WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity
BOUTIQUE2022PROFILES
SPECIAL FEATURE PRESENTED BY
Do South® Magazine is proud to recognize the expertise and contributions of select boutique and shop owners in our community. They set the bar for excellence and are committed to providing their clientele the very best in home décor, apparel and unique gift items. Join us as we salute the passion they share for their profession!
“There is also some significance to the name in that science has never been able to explain the hummingbird and it has been described as God's tiny miracle. Who doesn't smile when one of these beautiful birds zooms by them? Being a faith-based business, we thought the name just fit."
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Hummingbird Boutique carries an eclectic mix of home décor, jewelry, gifts, candles, faith items, and women’s fashions. Merchandise changes regularly, so there’s always something new to discover in the bright, cheery retail store. “We are always adding new items,” Michelle says. “In the last few months, we’ve added a more upscale clothing line for the more ‘mature’ lady, called Sympli. It’s always flawless, very high quality, and doesn’t wear out. It’s something we're known for now; we’ve even had ladies from Northwest Arkansas and Oklahoma find us because we’re the only ones in the region that carries it.”
Making customers feel like family is second nature to Michelle and Hailey Hadley, the mother-daughter tandem behind Hummingbird Boutique. It’s a unique brand of customer service that’s helped the store build a loyal, repeat clientele.
“We love working at Hummingbird and love our customers,” Michelle says. “Our customers are amazing. I think many come here because they like the positive and peaceful environment. In fact, we believe most customers that come here do so intentionally because they appreciate how we listen to them, what they want, and they know that we will do our best to take care of them."
Another element on ready display is the owners’ faith, reflected in their inventory, how the owners relate to and respect their clientele and even in the name of the store itself. “We love hummingbirds; we have hummingbird feeders all around our home,” Michelle says. “When we were coming up with a name, we wanted a simple, one-word name. We were all sitting around the kitchen table watching the hummingbirds and my husband said, ‘Why not Hummingbird?’ and we thought it was perfect.
HUMMINGBIRD BOUTIQUE
BLACK COFFEEBISONCOMPANY
When Josh Palmer’s friend suggested he buy his barn, he shook it off with a laugh. Little did Josh know the barn would soon become home to his and his partner Carey Thompson’s dream business. The couple always had a taste for good java, so the idea of a coffee roaster quickly sprang to life. The couple quickly added gift merchandise and Black Bison Coffee Company was born. “ We laugh about it because when we first opened, everyone who walked through the door was a family member or a close personal friend,” Josh says. “When we started seeing people we didn’t know, we got excited.” Black Bison opened in 2019 and Carey admits the pandemic provided some faith-shaking moments. But thanks to the loyalty of their clientele, committed to supporting home-grown local companies, the company is thriving. “ We opened in 2019 just for the holiday season and then we closed until March 1. Who knew?” she says with a chuckle. “We were both born and raised here, so we reached out to family, friends, companies and that is really what got us through the year.”
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Today, coffee (their signature Buffalo Blend comes highly recommended) resides next to a treasure trove of carefully curated gift items ranging from artisan jewelry, kitchen items, bath products and home décor to name just a few. It’s a labor of love and it shows in every detail. “It’s definitely a team effort,” Josh says. “When we go to market together, we walk around and sometimes I like something more than Carey and vice versa. But we trust each other's decisions and it’s worked out really well. We get a variety of merchandise that's a good blend of our personalities.”
“We also do a lot of customized gifts,” Kaci says. “We can personalize items right here in town so even at the last minute, customers can find that perfect gift item. "Our customers are everybody from the thirteen-year-old who’s going into junior high up to plus-size ladies up to my eightyyear-old grandmother who shops here. We really do have something for everybody.”
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A lifestyle boutique, Card & Cloth features fashionable women’s clothing in sizes from extra small to 3X, with styles that appeal to a wide range of ages and tastes. Also featured are a wide range of gifts and baby items up to twelve months. New merchandise arrives at the warehouse weekly, bound for the shelves of Card & Cloth’s two area locations.
CARD & CLOTH
It’s no accident that Kaci Collins and Natalie Hedrick, owners of Card & Cloth, have a well-honed grasp of what their clientele wants. Not only are they two longtime, savvy entrepreneurs (they joined their respective stores into Card & Cloth almost five years ago) but growing up locally has given them an understanding of customer tastes better than any big box store ever could. Add to that the personal service they and their friendly staff deliver with every interaction, and you’ve got an individualized shopping experience like no other. “When a customer comes into our store, the staff remembers them, what they like, what their dog’s name is, what brands they bought last time,” Natalie says. “When something new comes in and they know a customer might like it, they’ll even text that customer about it. They’re really great that way, going above and beyond.”
“ I was looking for a unique name, something that would make me stand out,” said Jami Davis, owner. “When Grunge House came to me, I thought, there’s not really anybody else that has a name like that.
“ I was born in the 1980s and I’m very much a product of the 1990s. There’s so much fashion that came out of that era and grunge music was a huge influence on my life as well. S o, the name felt really authentic.”
Authenticity is a big deal for Jami, and it shows in her merchandise. You won’t find any faux retro stuff in her store; she scours garage sales, thrift stores and other sources to find the unique, funky and one-of-a-kind for her customers.
“ When it comes to blouses and dresses and things of that nature, I really look for patterns that are eye-catching,” she says. “A lot of stuff from the 1990s and 2000s is a really big influence on today’s fashion trends and that’s something that I look for as well. “One of the things I’ve evolved into is vintage t-shirts. Everybody loves the v intage t-shirt, the feel of it, the softness, what’s printed on it. If you have a vintage Rolling Stones t-shirt, that’s the epitome, you know?” G runge House has been around in one form or another sinc e 2017 when Jami started selling her wares on Instagram. The following year she rented a booth in another boutique as a side hustle. Even with half of her attention the business did so well, it steadily moved her toward her own standalone retail store.
GRUNGE HOUSE
" The pandemic really changed a lot of things for me,” she says. “I’d finally got to the point that was like, ‘What am I waiting on? Just do this!’ So, I took a leap of faith and I’m so glad that I did, because I’m having so much fun.
“ It’s just so cool when people come to my store and find that one piece that they really love and is really unique. Everybody wants that opportunity to stand out, and what better way to do it than with your clothes?”
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If you didn’t know better, you’d think Grunge House was a new alternative band or a gritty music venue, not a bright, stylish retail space. But that’s exactly what you find in the Fort Smith clothing store, which opened this summer carrying authentic vintage clothing that’s long on cool and short on cost.
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F or everything her first year of business taught her, when it comes to customer service, Samantha has always known how to provide a fun and relaxed shopping experience offering the utmost in personal attention. She said getting to know her clients, their likes and preferences, is one big thing that sets Shop Persnickety apart.
“ My goal the first year was to grow the clientele and we have done that,” she says. “We really try to create a place that any woman could come in and feel comfortable picking out something for their wardrobe. We have a lot of customers tell us how much they enjoy their shopping experience and that’s what we strive for.”
SHOP PERSNICKETY
With a year under her belt as owner of Shop Persnickety, Samantha Mathews has learned a lot about her target clientele and what they’re looking for as they build their wardrobe for work or leisure time. She’s put this knowledge to work in Shop Persnickety’s inventory, stocking items that work as well in the office as they do on the weekend. “ I think it’s important that we target a number of age groups and not just one,” she said. “We carry items that appeal to the working woman as well as teenagers, in styles that can be worn to the office as well as to school or on days off.” S amantha draws from her in-house panel of experts – her mom and sisters – to keep clothing styles on point. She then handselects every item in the fashionable boutique, including jewelry and handbags, ensuring the highest quality and latest styles for teens through mature adults. Her game day line and printed tees are particularly strong sellers, she said. "People are loving our graphic tees; those are very tough to keep in stock right now,” she says. “People are leaning toward clothes you can dress up or down.”
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“He loved what he did,” says Clay’s wife Tammy. “I’d say he had a gift. He really had a gift and a calling for it. Because of how he was able to interact, and I always joke about this, he was the child whisperer. He had the gift of de-escalation. He knew how to be calm.” words Dwain Hebda images courtesy Tammy Roper
Since 2013, Clay has been the face of the shelter and of the Fort Smith Emergency Children’s Shelter for more than a decade before that. He was a natural for doing the work many people couldn’t fathom doing, serving with unyielding love and endless patience the kids who passed through, connecting where they would let him, treating all with respect and doing whatever was within his means to help.
The youth who find their way to the Comprehensive Juvenile Services Western Arkansas Youth Shelter arrive in all shapes, sizes, and backstories. They are the headstrong kids from “good” families who bristle under house rules and streetsmart kids from “bad” homes who can’t take it anymore. They are all different, these kids, yet all fundamentally the same – hungry, hurt, searching. They aren’t lost in the physical sense but adrift all the same, hoping to fix a heading toward whatever comes next while avoiding the rocks that lurk just beneath life’s surface. For these, the WAYS shelter is a lighthouse, and for the past nine years the keeper of the beam has been Clay Roper.
T
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His work was his mission and his mission was his life, which probably explains how he found the strength to work right up to the last month before his five-year battle with cancer ended on June 1.
An Everyday Hero
The Roper Family
“I think probably the driving factor in Clay ending up in the profession he did is our dad died when Paul and Clay were eleven and I was fourteen,” she says. “We were really fortunate to have a mom and grandparents who stepped in, but there were so many other people who kind of came into our lives like family, lots of coaches and teachers. I think the impact that had on all of our lives, on Clay and Paul in particular, just made a big difference.
“He was very good, I think, at being sympathetic and imagining what our lives might have been like if those people weren’t there for us. He kind of saw himself as being the person who would step in and help when kids were in bad circumstances.” Clay gravitated toward sports in a big way; playing whatever was in season. Starting with tee ball and pee wee basketball at what is now Jeffrey Boys and Girls Club, he played quarterback on the Kimmons Junior High squad and distinguished himself as a two-sport athlete in basketball and baseball for Fort Smith Northside. A member of the inaugural Grizzlies baseball team, he and his teammates even brought home the conference championship in 1990.
“He had a real love for the kids. He had such a heart for them,” said Janice Justice, executive director of Comprehensive Juvenile Services. “He was so empathetic to the kids; they normally struggle with a lot of issues in their lives, and he just loved them all so much. He loved working in the shelter. He loved the idea that we were able to give them a place to stay.” Clay Roper was born December 29, 1972, in Fort Smith and was immediately gifted with someone to take care of in his twin brother Paul, who followed him into the world. His sense of responsibility for others would be amplified in his youth according to his older sister, Autumn Minnick.
Seventeen years ago Clay formed a family of his own, marrying Tammy who was working with the state as a children and family services worker. She brought with her two daughters, Chauntel and Dachelle, just in time for the teenage years during which Tammy saw the diplomacy skills that made her husband so good at his job. “He was the only male in our family, and he was always de-escalating things,” she says with a laugh. “He always had the right words to say, and he just knew how to keep you calm. He tried to have empathy and put himself in their place at all times. The girls loved him; they called him Claydy instead of calling him Daddy.”
There was never any doubt the love Clay had for his family – including his mother Sheila, who he looked after and who he’d call every night to say, “Goodnight” – but his was not a typical 9-to-5 job, and the family knew it. Tammy recalled Clay and TammyClay, Chauntel, and DachellePaul and Clay Roper
Sports also fed into his mentor mentality; as an adult he volunteered to coach youth baseball teams from American Legion to the Mountainburg High School squad. His rooting interest in the Razorbacks, Dallas Cowboys and New York Mets burned as brightly as his spirit until the end of his life.
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“Coming from that professional background, I knew going in about the hours, being on-call,” Tammy says. “He would be on-call with his staff or maybe pick up a shift if someone called in sick or if the kids were not on their best behavior. It was a give and take for both of us.”
many nights when family time came to an abrupt end as he excused himself to go tend to a kid in need.
Clay and
“One of the most tragic things you see is a kid that has lost hope, that doesn’t think anybody cares about them,” he says. “That is so hard for a kid to get through. And what I want our kids to know is, OK, you’re at a shelter now, but this is a minute point in your life. You’ve got seventy, eighty years of your life left to live. Do not let your circumstance determine what your future is going to be.
It’s difficult to sum up the impact Clay had in his life and career, so much so even his family and closest friends and colleagues struggle to find suitable words. Instead, they point to a video he made for work a while back, where he was asked to describe his philosophy toward his work and the kids he was born to serve.
Clay battled cancer with customary drive, not letting it get the best of him as he did his daily duties or stumped to raise money for a new shelter in Mulberry. Once again, people took notice and in the wake of his passing, donations in his name have poured in to help finish the project. And, during his memorial service, the organization also expressed to the family just how much he’d meant, with the surprise announcement that the forthcoming shelter would bear his name.
“It was fantastic,” Autumn said of the gesture. “Having something tangible like that makes a big difference. It feels significant to us.”
“He changed the culture at our shelter, and he improved the way that we deal with children when they misbehaved,” Janice says. “The fact that he always gave second chances taught the staff a lot. A child’s behavior might have been a result of parents who didn’t call that day or didn’t show up for a visit or whatever. He helped the staff to see that in an empathetic way, that they didn’t know what the kid had been through.”
Help finish the Clay Roper Emergency Shelter! Visit Comprehensive Juvenile Services at cjsinc.org and click “Keepin’ it Cool for Clay” to make your donation.
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“Our kids are normal kids; they just need a chance. They just need somebody to push them along the way.”
Clay’s steady influence was not only felt by the kids he cared for but the entire organization. His actions shaped the kind of environment he wanted the shelter to provide and gave a ready example of how to interact and care in ways that spoke much louder than words.
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PunkedBananaOutBread
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM Recipe adapted thekitchn image Diana Lange/Shutterstock
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taste 37 DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM ingredientsmethod Set oven to 350˚F and prepare two 8X4 or 9X5 loaf pans with baking spray. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and all spices. In a separate bowl, combine both sugars, sour cream, oil, and eggs. To this bowl, add pumpkin puree and mashed bananas; stir to combine. Slowly combine the flour mixture with the pumpkin mixture, then fold in nuts. Divide the batter between the pans and bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean with minimal crumbs. Tent the tops with foil if they begin to overbrown while baking. Cool for 5-6 minutes, remove from pans to cool. Serve warm with our Cozy Pumpkin Butter! • baking spray • 3 cups all-purpose flour • 2 teaspoons baking soda • 1 teaspoon salt • ½ teaspoon baking powder • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon • ¾ teaspoon ground ginger • ½ teaspoon ground cloves • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg • 1 cup white sugar • ½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed • cup vegetable oil • 3 • ¼eggscupsour cream • 1 cup pumpk in puree (not pie filling) • 1 cup ripe bananas, mashed • 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (more or less to taste)
Recipe adapted skinnytaste.com Image Tatiana Bralnina /Shutterstock DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM ingredients method • 1 – 29-ounce can pumpkin puree ( not pie filling) • 1 cup packed brown sugar • ¾ cup apple cider • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract • 2 teaspoons ground ginger • ½ teaspoon ground cloves • 2 teaspoons ground cinnam on • 1 teaspoon ground nutm eg Combine pumpkin, vanilla, apple cider, sugar, and spices in a large saucepan. Stir well to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 30 minutes, or until thick, stirring occasionally. Adjust spices and sweetness to taste. ButterPumpkinCozy 38 taste
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with It DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM Recipe adapted yuzubakes Image Dina Photo Stories/Shutterstock 40 taste
INGREDIENTS METHOD for the cocktail • ½ oz. thyme simple syrup 3 large mission figs • 1 oz. gin or vodka • 2 oz. dry hard cider • ½ oz. lemon juice, fresh • club soda • fig slices for garnish for the thyme simple syrup • 6-8 thym e sprigs ½ cup granulated sugar • ½ cup water Bring sugar and water to a boil, stir frequently. Reduce heat, let simmer for 5 minutes. Remove and add thyme sprigs. Steep for 5 minutes. Remove sprigs and discard, strain syrup to remove stems. Let cool completely. In a mixing tin, combine gin (or vodka), lemon juice, simple syrup, and figs. Muddle well! Strain into separate tin. Add ice, cider and a splash of club soda. Strain mixture into martini glass and garnish with a fig slice.
Gettin' Figgy
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42 travel DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM ARKANSAS FRONTIER Quitman • arkansasfrontier.com / 501.589.3122 BOBROOK FARMS Roland • bobrookfarms.com / 501.519.5666 COX BERRY FARM & NURSERY Clarksville • coxberryfarm.com / 479.754.3707 FALL FESTIVAL AT MOUNTAIN HOME BERRY FARM Mountain Home • mountainhomeberryfarm.com / 870.425.7028 FAMILY FARM FALL HARVEST AND PUMPKIN PATCH Malvern • familyfarm.org / 501.337.4171 FARMLAND ADVENTURES Springdale • farmlandadventures.com / 479.799.5033 GARNER HOMESTEAD FAMILY FARM Lonsdale • garnerhomesteadfamilyfarm.com / 501.463.0510 HICKS FAMILY FARMS Lonoke • hicksfamilyfarms.com / 501.941.2703 MCGARRAH FARMS Pea Ridge • mcgarrahfarms.com / 479.640.3257 MOTLEY'S PUMPKIN PATCH Little Rock • motleyspumpkinpatch / 501.888.1129 PEEBLES FARM PUMPKIN PATCH AND CORN MAZE Augusta • peeblesfarm.com / 870.919.6162 PUMPKIN HOLLOW Piggott • pumpkinhollow.com / 870.598.3568 ROSEBERRY FARMS PUMPKIN PATCH Benton • roseberry-farms.com / 501.722.8545 SCHAEFERS AND COLLINS PUMPKIN PATCH Mayflower • schaeferspumpkinpatch.com / 501.470.3127
The PumpkinGreat words
Frederick IMAGE Alyssa Stothart
There’s so much to love about the arrival of my favorite season, but pumpkin everything tops the list! Arkansas boasts several u-pick pumpkin farms hailing from all corners of the state. Some charge a small admission fee and sell pumpkins based on weight. Opening dates, times, and activities such as corn and grass mazes, wagon rides, zip lines and more vary so call ahead and check their websites for details! Catherine
The Belinga Clinic NEUROLOGYKrystelHuddlestonAPRN,Neurology Crystal Ollie APRN, www.belclin.comNeurology office : 479.250.1562 fax : 479.250.1581 Electric Cell Treatment Safely and effectively treats neuropathy, fibromyalgia, most pains and circulatory conditions. Call today to schedule your consultation. Same/Next Appointments!DaySteve-FelixBelingaMD,FAAN The Belinga Clinic NEUROLOGY Dr. Stella PharmacistKouemo FORT SMITH • BROKEN BOW • CLARKSVILLE POTEAU • SALLISAW • STIGLER • WAGNER DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
Hop on a scenic road, kick up some golden leaves and make your way to a fresh-out-of-your-favorite-fall-movie getaway. Whether you prefer a cabin or a lodge, or camping underneath the stars, Arkansas State Parks has something for everyone. Book your stay now because fall is in season. We’re sharing lodging options, fall camping and activities and fall foliage details!
PERFECTPICTURE FALL GETAWAYS IN ARKANSAS words and IMAGEs courtesy Arkansas State DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COMParks
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LAKE CHICOT STATE PARK
The largest natural lake in Arkansas and the largest oxbow lake in North America’s waters will beckon you for an autumn stay. While you can choose a lake view, we recommend a woods-view lodging for the colorful leaf season. From your bedroom window, you’ll be able to spot sunflower-yellow leaves fluttering to the ground.
Thirty-three miles of trails lead you to two lakes that reflect honey-colored trees in harvestseason glory. Book one of the luxurious cabins that feel more like a resort than your scoutingdays campsites — think exposed-wooden-beam ceilings, flatscreen televisions, fireplaces, opulent linens and cozy couches. Pro-tip: Bring your horse because the equestrian trails are some of the best in the state.
CABINS CROWLEY’S RIDGE STATE PARK
Off-the-beaten-path is the first description that comes to mind when thinking of Moro Bay. These uber private cabins with screened decks (ideal for turkey dinners and early-morning coffee sipping) and access to year-round fishing are just perfect for family vacations. Leave the wood-walled interior of your lodgings to go spot bald eagles and insane pumpkin-spice season colors.
MORO BAY STATE PARK
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VILLAGE CREEK STATE PARK
The 1930s-built, stone-and-wood cabins scream Instagramable fall! Snuggle up near the fireplace in your coziest sweater with a cup of hot apple cider after a long leaf-peeping hike. Don’t forget to see the Wishing Well Flume Waterfall surrounded by red and orange foliage.
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QUEEN WILHELMINA STATE PARK
Pack your well-worn “Harry Potter” book and sit on a comfy, brown-leather couch next to a roaring fire in the massive graystone fireplace for the ultimate autumn night inside at The Lodge at Mount Magazine. This 60-room experience has a heated indoor swimming pool and offers jaw-dropping views of the Petit Jean River Valley.
Petit Jean Mountain inspired the creation of Arkansas’s first state park, and during reaping time, this park might inspire you to hike a bit longer, stay up a little later or eat a few more s’mores with your crew. The lodge’s big windows look out onto incredible mountain vistas, rich with fall colors. Be sure to snap a group photo on the stone Davies Bridge that overlooks a veillike waterfall.
The second-highest peak in Arkansas beckons you with a fully renovated lodge that has in-room fireplaces for those long, sweater-weather nights where you just want to watch a good movie cuddled up. Grab a chair on the balcony for sunrise views over the valley swathed in garnets, burnt oranges and golds. Make sure you have breakfast at the Queen’s Restaurant to feel just like visitors in the 1800s felt when visiting the “Castle in the Sky.”
OZARK FOLK CENTER STATE PARK
PETIT JEAN STATE PARK
MOUNT MAGAZINE STATE PARK
Situated on the shores of DeGray Lake, just 72 miles from Little Rock, this is truly a resort. The 96-room dwelling can be a jumping-off point for sunset cruises, guided hikes, birding tours, fall color walks and more. Pro-tip: If it gets too cold outside, check out the on-site escape room for a brain-teasing riot of a time.
Open until late-October, this park celebrates music, crafts and the culture of the Ozarks. Your family can delight in pottery classes, strolls through the Heritage Herb Garden and live music on the Blacksmith Stage on your next getaway. Looking to get ahead on your holiday shopping? The Craft Village offers artisanal items like flame-painted jewelry, candles, pottery, stained glass and wood carvings. This area kind of feels like Stars Hollow in “Gilmore Girls” — there’s always something happenin’.
LODGES DEGRAY LAKE RESORT STATE PARK
This state park is a true getaway tucked into southern Arkansas. Twenty-three campsites can be your jumping-off point for autumn hikes, fishing, and boating. The area is also home to bald eagles, so bring your binoculars to try to spot these majestic birds.
WITHROW SPRINGS STATE PARK
Perched on the shores of the 335-acre Lake Frierson, the seven campsites are ideal for fishing for bream, catfish, crappie, saugeye, and bass. Or rent a pedal boat to explore the rustling trees that surround the lake. The best part? This oasis is just 15 minutes north of Jonesboro.
WHITE OAK LAKE STATE PARK
MORO BAY STATE PARK
Located in the southwestern part of the state, this park is nestled on the shores of White Oak Lake. Come fall, the trees turn beautiful shades of orange and red. Snap up one of the 45 campsites for a fishing (or birding) weekend of solitude.
MILLWOOD STATE PARK
Forty-five campsites mean you can have multiple days of epic fishing, just 35 minutes north of Texarkana. The 29,260-acre lake is home to largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie. Plus, the area is an Audubon-designated Important Bird Area, so you can spot 300 of The Natural State’s 400 on-record species.
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CANE CREEK STATE PARK
The banks of War Eagle Creek turn incredible shades of red, gold, orange, and green as fall makes its way through the park. With 39 campsites, this park is located 40 minutes east of Fayetteville, has three trails, a beautiful waterfall, and plenty of activity options for the whole family.
CAMPING
LAKE FRIERSON STATE PARK
Forty minutes south of Pine Bluff, the Coastal Plains join the Mississippi Delta in forest-meets-lake splendor. Put up camp at one of the 29 sites and explore Bayou Bartholomew, the world’s longest. The rolling terrain provides excellent trail running, riding, and backpacking when the weather cools down.
5. Stay on the Trail Fall is an important time for lots of animals, including snakes. Many reptiles will be getting ready to den up for the winter. This means it is important to stay on trails and out of restricted areas. By doing this, it will limit your exposure to den locations.
3. Have a Plan for the Darkness
While there are times and places for flip-flops, a rugged trail is not one of them. They are a real trip hazard, even on not-sorugged terrain. A better option is some kind of high-top shoe or boot with good tread on its soles.
It is one of the most consistently suggested hiking tips. And sharing your hiking adventure with friends or family is a great way to make lifetime memories.
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It is hiking season in Arkansas and that brings some unique and beautiful opportunities. With autumn colors gearing up to show off in jaw-dropping ways, it’s time to lace up your hiking boots and get out on a trail. Cross suspension bridges, climb to the top of ridges or find insane geologic wonders — all surrounded by fall foliage — on one of the many hikes available in Arkansas’s park system. Here are a few tips to help everyone have safe and fun adventures.
1. Dress Appropriately Fall mornings can be very cool, but as the day progresses temperatures rise. If you grab a big parka in the morning you may find yourself carrying a hot heavy coat by the afternoon. Several thinner layers will make it easier to regulate your temperature out on the trail.
Each passing day of fall will bring a little less daylight. Please keep this in mind before you hit the trails and make sure you line up enough time to complete your hike before sunset. Bring a headlamp or flashlight with you just in case as a safety precaution.
2. Wear the Right Shoes
4. Don't Hike Alone
HIKING TIPS
EXPERIENCE ARKANSAS’S FALL COLORS
Every autumn, nature paints the mountains and valleys of Arkansas State Parks with gorgeous hues of gold, red, and orange. Our state parks showcase autumn's finest colors while allowing you to explore the state's varied landscapes and even wildlife on a fun-filled road trip.
MOUNTAIN BIKING & MONUMENT TRAILS
Arkansas:Southern and Eastern Arkansas: Foliage usually begins changing during mid-October. Peak color is early to Arkansas'smid-November.autumn attractions aren't just limited to beautiful fall foliage, camping, hiking, wildlife watching, and mountain biking! You'll also find art and history attractions and fun, familyoriented fall festivals and events all over the state. Whether you plan to stay for a night or a week, fall foliage vacations and adventures in Arkansas’s state parks have a lot to offer.
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM Visit ArkansasStateParks.com for details and to book your next Arkansas getaway! travel
Northern Arkansas, Ozarks: Notable color change starts in late September or early October. Peak color is in late CentralOctober.Arkansas and West-Central Arkansas, OuachitaCentral Arkansas
TRADITIONAL PEAK COLOR TIMES IN ARKANSAS
Thunder down miles of singletrack, with fallen maple leaves whipping up behind you in the upcoming months. The cool weather means you can bike at pretty much any time of the day — just don’t forget your SPF or water bottle! Monument Trails are a collection of world-class shared-use trails crafted to show off the iconic beauty of the state through sustainable design. There’s no better time to ride them than in the harvest season when nature is showing off its best palette. Find options at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, Mount Nebo State Park, Pinnacle Mountain State Park, and Devil’s Den State Park.
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Mountain Range: Trees are changing noticeably by early to mid-October. Peak color is typically late October or early SouthernNovember.andEastern
Standing with his arms wrapped tightly around her, she could feel a sense of home she hadn’t felt since the last time he’d held her. It was like time and space and distance fell away, and all that was left was their two beating hearts, finding each other again. As much as I had hoped to downplay my excitement at seeing him, nothing could have stopped the ridiculous grin that broke out on my face as I walked up the sidewalk to the restaurant. There he was, after fifteen years. Still him; still Elliot. Still that same handsome face and lopsided smile, those same shoulders that looked as though they could carry the weight of worlds.
This WeWhereisStart
words Liesel Schmidt image 4PM Production/Shutterstock
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It was the kiss that finally undid me.
When*************we’dmet seventeen years ago, there’d been an instant connection, something that drew us to each other like we’d known one another for years. It seemed we could talk about anything, never lacking for conversation, never encountering an awkward silence that needed to be filled. We were comfortable in each other’s space, and the falling happened fast and hard. But Elliot wasn’t ready. I wanted and needed more than he was prepared to give. Still, I waited, and hoped. Over the next two years, I held onto that hope, even as I watched him with other women who weren’t me, women whose presence in his life seemed to last the blink of an eye before he was on to the next. Even through the parade of women, I stayed hopeful that one day, someday , he would finally see me
A kiss that came after two years of waiting, two years of a dance that I never truly felt I knew the steps to, as he would seem to lead one way and then change course with dizzying speed. It was everything I had imagined it would be, passionate and breathless and as though the world stopped spinning on its axis.
He laughed, almost a relieved sound, and sighed. “It’s good to see you, too.” He tightened his grip around me and lifted me off the ground, rocking side to side. I laughed at his words and pulled my face away to look at him. “I’ve missed you.” His grey-blue eyes searched mine. “It’s been too long, Lily,” he said at last. I could feel the weight of the sentiment, filled with so much that neither of us could quite put into words. There was so much I wanted to say, so much I wanted to tell him…So much I was feeling. And apparently, he was, too.
“It’s so good to see you,” I said, my voice muffled into his shoulder as I held onto him.
It was like a shadow of a memory, something just out of reach that finally landed in my conscious mind.
There was an easy banter that we shared, a lack of any kind of pretense of propriety with one another that sometimes edged dangerously close to the line. Ours was a relationship of remarkable transparency; and no matter how confessional I was to him about my own feelings, he still never ran screaming for the hills. Despite all that, despite all the confidences we shared and the time we spent together, even the emails that seemed to fly between us with comforting regularity, I was still left waiting for him to say what I so wanted to hear.
The flirting didn’t help unblur the lines, either.
“Hey, you,” he said, his smile widening as I neared. Elliot opened his arms wide and enfolded me into an embrace that seemed to hold fifteen years of waiting, of release from something unspoken, like I had given him permission to finally breathe. I held tightly to him, feeling his strong arms around me, and buried my face in his shoulder. I breathed in and smelled that familiar smell, lost to me more than a decade ago.
“Shall we?” he asked, nodding his head in the direction of the door and releasing me. We were seated at a tiny booth in the bar area, a cozy spot that lent itself well to conversation without too many ears. We gave the waitress our drink orders, letting her walk away before turning our attention back to each other. I shifted in my seat and rested my hands on the menu in front of me. He was here I was here. After fifteen years.
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All it took was a motorcycle ride on the back of his bright blue Yamaha, speeding down the abandoned streets of a city shrouded in the darkness of midnight. Pressed tightly against him, I had my arms wrapped around his waist as we rode, a thousand thoughts running through my helmeted head with a speed that outpaced the road under us. I knew he could feel my heartbeat against his back, and I could only wonder if he felt as I did. And then, things between us changed. In blazing contradiction to what seemed to be happening between us, Elliot sent me a clear message that I was not what he was looking for—and what he was looking for was a shallow distraction that came with no strings. Then one day, a woman had answered the door when I knocked, and I was left to drive home with a devastated heart and a mind filled with utter confusion. He had broken our plans…and replaced me with her, instead. His explanation, when it finally came, was that he was keeping a safe distance, that she had been an alternative to what he believed would be a mistake with me. His honesty, coupled with his declaration that he didn’t feel anything more for me than friendship, left me reeling, but unwilling to walk away. I loved him too much, even if he would never return my feelings. And then, it was over. His feelings hadn’t changed. Or so he said. And I was left forever with the memory of that kiss indelibly printed on my mind and my heart. A few months later, he was gone from my world like something I had merely We**********imagined.werewellinto dinner, having finally ordered after an hour of sitting there. Neither of us had really touched our plates, so busy were we catching up on the last fifteen years of each other’s lives. All the struggles; all the growth. All the changes.
I nodded again. “I’ve done a lot of growing up since then,” he said with a rueful smile. “Life is a harsh teacher sometimes. We’ve both been through a lot over these past fifteen years. And the fact that we’ve found each other, at the same place in life, after all this time, is not lost on me.”
I smiled at him, this man I had waited so long for, who had stolen my heart so completely that no one else had ever claimed it back. What I saw looking back at me was what I had hoped so long to see. It was possibility, openness… and a new beginning. Want more fiction? Visit DoSouthMagazine.com/Fiction.
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“I understand,” I allowed. “And I knew some of the things that you were struggling with at the time, Elliot. But then…” I didn’t finish. He did it for me. “Then we kissed.”
“Can I tell you something?” I asked tentatively, looking down at my hands and trying to gather my courage to speak words I never thought I’d get to say, and now here he was. “Of course,” Elliot said, reaching for his glass of sweet tea. “I’ve never met anyone who was as confusing as you,” I said, finally meeting his gaze. “I never knew what you wanted. You knew what I wanted. That was never a secret.” I shook my head and could feel the sting of tears threatening. “But what happened between us…I never understood.” Elliot leaned forward in his seat, looking at me intently. “I’m sorry for that, Lily. I didn’t know what I wanted. I knew I didn’t want a relationship. But I also didn’t want to be alone. I knew that starting something with you would be a mistake for both of us. My head just wasn’t in the right place for Ithat.”nodded.
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Caring for our mental health is vital to our overall health and wellness, including our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. 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. Do South ® is proud to partner with local mental health experts who are here to help you through whatever challenges life throws your way.
MENTAL HEALTH GUIDE SPECIAL FEATURE
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EMDR is a structured trauma focused psychotherapy that was developed to alleviate symptoms of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and can be used to address symptoms that are a result of trauma, grief/loss, eating disorders, anxiety, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing experiences. Using EMDR, the client briefly focuses on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories.
Anchored Hope Counseling welcomes clients with a broad range of situations. We believe healing takes place within relationships and our goal is to create strong therapeutic relationships to support our clients’ healing process. We provide a safe, confiden tial environment for our clients to get help, hope, and healing. Some of our counselors are trained in different counseling practice s including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), play therapy, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and grief/trauma therapy. We have MFTs (Marital/Family Therapists), LPCs (Licensed Professional Counselors), LCSWs (Licensed Clinical Social Workers), and APRN on staff.
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Discovering with Dr. Deb is a bi-monthly podcast and is available on all platforms. This season was Discovering the Enneagram –super fun and interesting; and, starting in January 2023, we will have a new season on Discovering Trauma with Dr. Deb and co-host psychologist Dr. Christie Sprowls covering topics such as the body and trauma, vicarious trauma, and neuroscience and trauma.
1501 South Waldron, Suite 100, Fort Smith, Arkansas anchoredhopecounseling.net479.561.7600
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7200 Cameron Park Drive, Fort Smith, Arkansas centerforhearing.net479.785.3277
Hearing is a brain activity, your ears hear the sounds, but your brain is what makes sense of them. If your hearing loss is untreated and you’re not hearing the number of noises you once did, your brain is not processing those noises. This can lead to under-stimulation and loss of the brain staying sharp. Hearing health and brain health, call 479-785-3277 to schedule an appointment today!
Center for Hearing and Balance is proud to be the first clinic in the area to offer Cognivue screenings to patients. The results gathered from this new technology help our audiologists have a greater understanding of your cognitive health while ensuring a hearing-correction solution that is right for you.
baptist-health.com479.441.5603
Your senior years can be some of the best of your life, and at Baptist Health, we want to help you make them as healthy and happy as possible. We help seniors pursue complete physical and mental wellness by not only treating illness, but also helping them to prevent sickness and diseases. Family involvement plays a key role in maintaining mental health for seniors, and our providers work closely with families to provide individualized care. Our inpatient geriatric psychiatry program offers a safe, comfortable environment, supported by group activities, recreational therapy, spiritual enrichment and more led by professional staff. For details, visit BaptistHealth.com or call 479-441-5603.
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1001 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas
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With two board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners on staff, our focus is to provide women with hope and understanding in a nonjudgmental environment. Our targeted counseling for teen girls brings together creativity, life skills, and emotional healing to create a space where teens feel safe and connected. Girls today have it much harder than we did growing up. When we were kids, there weren’t completely unrealistic reality shows on every channel and unattainable expectations for appearances on social media. Our bullies stayed at school— they couldn’t follow us home on social media. Healing Tree therapists help teen girls develop the wisdom, strength, and confidence to handle the non-stop barrage of social media and peer pressure.
We all need a place to throw out the thoughts and feelings in our heads, sort through them, and uncover the reasons our lives are not where we want them to be so that we discover the path we were meant to follow. Our services include counseling and where appropriate, we also provide medication management to help reduce the symptoms of emotional overwhelm many women feel.
While medication is not suitable for everyone, it can play a key role in treating certain mental health issues. Discovering the right medication can reduce or even eliminate symptoms and greatly improve daily life. It’s vital to understand that the effectiveness of medication varies from person to person and it’s critically important to work with a professional with a keen understanding of the patient’s medical history so they can customize a medication plan. After medication is determined, our focus shifts to monitoring the medication’s safety, reconciling other medications, and ensuring the medication is producing the desired effect. It’s important to not only understand when medications should be taken and in what dosage, but also to understand the medication’s purpose, safety, side effects, effectiveness, as well as any potential risks from mixing medications with certain foods or other supplements. We can even provide medication management to our patients in Arkansas and Minnesota via telehealth for convenience.
At Healing Tree, we believe in a holistic approach to mental health and work hard to ensure all our patients receive the highest quality care. We specialize in helping women find calm amongst the chaos so that they learn to feel more in control of their thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Our mission is to provide healing, expertise, and knowledge so that women gain the inner resources they need to live healthier and happier lives.
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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. Our therapists help women address difficulties including struggles with anxiety, perfectionism, childhood trauma, PTSD, mood disorders, and post-partum depression. All Healing Tree clinicians are trained in multiple trauma therapies including EMDR, hypnotherapy, brainspotting, and trauma conscious yoga.
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Friends Counseling and Consulting, led by Crystal Lougin, MS, LPC, caters to those with a busy work-schoolfamily-life schedule, seeing clients on evenings & weekends, by appointment only. As a licensed professional counselor, Crystal began providing therapy services after-hours and on the weekends, due to the added stress the pandemic has put on residents of western Arkansas. She has been licensed in the state since 2003, and in 2021, Crystal was appointed to the Arkansas Governor’s Board of Examiners in Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy. She is passionate about providing educational opportunities on recognizing and destigmatizing mental health. Crystal also sits on several boards and volunteers at a variety of local agencies and nonprofits. She also works full time at Baptist Health-Fort Smith, where she serves as the Director of Behavioral Health.
Therapy Friends Counseling and Consulting
Therapy
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Fort Smith, 479.461.7767Arkansas
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The Vaping/Smoking Cessation program is specifically tailored for the adolescent population grades 7th-12th. Its mission is to inform, educate, and bring awareness to the harmful effects of smoking and vaping; and to promote a healthier lifestyle.
EMERGENCY after-hours CRISIS LINE: 1.800.542.1031
The Guidance Center (formerly known as the Western Arkansas Counseling & Guidance Center) opened its doors 50 years ago in the River Valley as a nonprofit community behavioral health clinic. This organization serves communities in Crawford, Franklin, Logan, Polk, Sebastian, and Scott counties in Arkansas. Their unique mission is to provide a comprehensive network of quality behavioral healthcare services that are consumer sensitive, outcomes oriented, and cost effective. The range of their services treats mental, emotional, behavioral and substance abuse disorders.
Western Arkansas Therapeutic Children’s Homes (WATCH) offers temporary substitute family care for children when their own families are unable or unwilling to care for them.
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the new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). Reaching out can save lives. SAMHSA is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. We can help. We will help. Visit our new website to learn more, wacgc.org or call, 479-452-6650.
Non-Emergency Warm Line: 479.452.6655 (non-emergent) wacgc.org
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, addiction services, chronic behavioral health issues, crisis services, and psychological testing. All services provided are designed to enhance quality of life, reduce symptoms, improve functioning, and support paths of integration into the community. All clients of The Guidance Center have access to Genoa Healthcare Pharmacy located at our primary service center in Fort Smith. Children and youth get help through several services.
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Adult services also include the 5 West Crisis Stabilization Unit in Fort Smith. This is a 16-bed unit serving individuals 18 and older experiencing a psychiatric and/or substance abuserelated crisis. With their new Here2Help service, a Mobile Crisis Team is available Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 11:00 pm throughout Sebastian County to help stabilize behavioral distress. The Drug Alcohol Safety Education Program (DASEP) is a mandatory court-ordered education program for adults and adolescents who have received DUI, DWI, and/or minor in possession violations. In March of 2021, The Guidance Center’s Primary Care Clinic opened and began providing full service physical healthcare including the management of chronic and acute health conditions. They can treat urgent needs like colds, coughs, allergies, annual physicals, well-woman exams, diabetes management, and provide care for high blood pressure and cholesterol. The clinic has its own lab, so clients can have their blood drawn on-site. In their first year, the clinic served 563 Takeclients.noteof
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