®
RISEN
April 2019 DoSouthMagazine.com
02
april
Contents 04 06 08 52
Publisher’s Letter Pet Adoption: Almost Home April Events The Thing About Flowers
{HEALTH}
10
A Heart for Rehab
{COMMUNITY}
12 14 16
Children’s Emergency Shelter
{ FA I T H }
20 24 28
Becoming a Mother FCA Camp: Let’s Go! Risen: Life of Christ Drive-Thru
{LIFESTYLE}
30 Simply Egg-dorable 32 Outdoor Living Room
{ T R AV E L }
42 44 45 46
Ozark Folk Center Spring in the Gardens NWA Vintage Market Days SoundWaves, Gaylord Opryland Resort
{SPECIAL FEATURE}
56
Medical Specialties
{TASTE}
Shop Local
34
When Art Moves Like Music
38 41
Arkansas Food: The A to Z of
OUR COVER
Eating in The Natural State
Annie Spratt
Aww Crumbs
- UnSplash
Citrus Sangria
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publisher's letter
Beautiful Arkansas Being an Arkansas native, it never escapes me how lucky we are to live in one of nature’s most beautiful places. Crowned as The Natural State, Arkansas never fails to live up to its name, especially this time of year. Did you know our great state boasts three national forests covering more than 2.9 million acres, fifty-two Arkansas state parks, seven national park sites, and more than 200 camping sites and recreational areas? Arkansas’s natural beauty and its history are just waiting to be explored! This month, we’re taking you to Ozark Folk Center State Park, offering tips to create a cozy outdoor living room, and giving you a sneak peek inside Gaylord Opryland Resort’s latest addition, SoundWaves, in Nashville, Tennessee, where you’ll be dripping in fun. And, don’t miss our look inside the unique partnership forged among the Fort Smith Symphony, a renowned Unexpected artist, and UA Fort Smith, which is bringing music and art together in our community
APRIL 2019 PUBLISHER - EDITOR Catherine Frederick COPY EDITING Charity Chambers GRAPHIC DESIGN Artifex 323 – Jessica Meadors CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Jade Graves CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alicia Agent, Kara Allen, Marla Cantrell, Catherine Frederick, Dwain Hebda, Meg Matthews, Kat Robinson, Jessica Sowards ADVERTISING INFORMATION Catherine Frederick I 479.782.1500 catherine@dosouthmagazine.com
like never before. All this plus delicious recipes, festivals and events, health tips, a must-go camp for kids, and much more! I am forever grateful to each of you who make our region great. I hope the stories in these pages invoke a feeling of gratitude, not only for the world we live in, but for the amazing people in our community who strive to sustain it. Never hesitate to reach out with a local event or hero deserving of our recognition. I welcome your input. Thank you for reading this issue of Do South®, see you in May!
Catherine Frederick
Publisher/Editor
catherine@dosouthmagazine.com
©2019 Read Chair Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. The 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 Do South® or Read Chair Publishing, LLC., 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.
FOLLOW US To reserve this free space for your charitable non-profit organization, email: catherine@dosouthmagazine.com
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06
pets
Open Your Hearts & Homes F
M
F
Harrison
Hula
M
F
Faith
M
Sarge
Diane
Levi
Almost Home Shelter and Rescue 3390 Pointer Trail East - Van Buren, AR | Tom Hill 479.414.3781 | Almost Home Shelter and Rescue is a 501C-3 Non-Profit all volunteer staffed facility. They work in partnership with Van Buren Animal Control to find loving, forever homes for the dogs in their care. All dogs will be spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccines when adopted. Please consider adopting or fostering one of their sweet pets. Each month, Do SouthÂŽ donates this page to local and regional non-profit animal shelters. If you work with a shelter and would like to reserve this space, please email catherine@dosouthmagazine.com DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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calendar
Fan Mail
The Calendar April 2019
Send comments and suggestions to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.
Saved.
Ever wonder what
April 27 Girl’s Inc. Crawfish Boil Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center Fort Smith, Arkansas
happens to your print from past months? The animals all get homes. She saves them. ~ B. Gallaher
Contests (Deadline is April 15) Go to dosouthmagazine.com, click on our “Contests” button at the top of the page. All who enter will be subscribed to our mailing list. Please see rules and policies on our Contests page! JOHN MAYS JEWELERS
Win a complete refinishing of your wedding ring or wedding set. Includes checking and tightening of all stones, full polish and refinish as well as rhodium plating (if white gold). Maximum value of this package is one hundred dollars, repairs or work requested over the value is the responsibility of the winner. CODE: JEWELS DR. STEVEN B. STILES EYE GROUP
Win a free Lids by Design eyelid correcting variety pack by Contours Rx®! Lids by Design gives instant relief from excess skin covering the natural fold of your lid, droopy or sagging skin hanging over eyelashes, puffy eyelids, or asymmetry. CODE: EYES
CONGRATULATIONS
Congrats to our contest winners from March! In Good Spirits: Karen Hollenbeck Arkansas Vein Clinic and Skincare: Rebecca McCall
April 1-22 Men of Steel Women of Wonder Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Bentonville, Arkansas April 2-3 Tyler Perry's Madea's Farewell Play Tour Robinson Center Little Rock, Arkansas April 4 2019 Ram Invitational: The Heart of a Nation Opening Reception Fort Smith Regional Art Museum Fort Smith, Arkansas April 5-7 Western Arkansas Ballet Presents Cinderella ArcBest Performing Arts Center Fort Smith, Arkansas April 6-7 Monster Jam Verizon Arena North Little Rock, Arkansas April 13 Arkansas Derby Oaklawn Racing and Gaming Hot Springs, Arkansas
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April 27
Pop Up Spring Fling Belle Starr Antiques Fort Smith, Arkansas
April 18-21 Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream Verizon Arena North Little Rock, Arkansas April 26 Harvest Time Mystery Dinner: Diamonds are Forever Harvest Time Academy Fort Smith, Arkansas
Submit your events to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com
L ive ! 5
calendar
Don’t-Miss April Concerts
1
APRIL 13
Fort Smith Symphony: It’s Time for Piano Don’t miss Tony DeSare and his jazz ensemble perform hits by Irving Berlin, Billy Joel, Elton John, John Lennon, Ray Charles, and more! The Symphony will also perform classical greatest hits by Offenbach, Tchaikovsky, and Liszt. ArcBest Performing Arts Center Fort Smith, Arkansas
3
APRIL 22
Gov’t Mule American southern rock jam band, Gov’t Mule formed in 1994 as a side project of The Allman Brothers Band by guitarist Warren Haynes and bassist Allen Woody. The debut album, Gov't Mule, released in 1995. Since that time there have been nine additional studio albums, numerous EPs and live releases. Temple Live! Fort Smith, Arkansas
2
APRIL 17
Chris Tomlin: The Holy Roar Tour Changing the Way We Worship Tauren Wells, Pat Barrett, Nicole Serrano and pastor & author Darren Whitehead join Chris Tomlin on the Holy Roar tour, for an evening of worship. More than just a night of songs, Tomlin prays the message will impact lives long after the curtain falls. Walmart AMP Rogers, Arkansas
4
APRIL 23
Celtic Woman: Ancient Land Tour Transcending national and cultural boundaries, Celtic Woman celebrates the timeless emotion of Ireland’s centuries-old heritage. This one-of-a-kind live act combines the country’s finest musical talents with an epic stage production to present a uniquely inspired experience. ArcBest Performing Arts Center Fort Smith, Arkansas
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APRIL 28
Santana: Global Consciousness Tour Carlos Santana has embarked on his North American Global Consciousness tour to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of Supernatural and the fiftieth anniversary of his performance at Woodstock. Walmart AMP Rogers, Arkansas
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health
A HEART for Rehab WORds and images courtesy Alicia Agent, Director Marketing Communications, Baptist Health – Fort Smith
fatigue. Over the years, he underwent multiple surgeries, including one in May, to place stents in his coronary arteries, as well as a quintuple bypass in 2016. It wasn’t until his physician with the Veterans Affairs office referred him to the Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Program offered at Baptist Health – Fort Smith that he found relief. “It was a turning point for me; I was in such a rut physically and emotionally, but I knew I didn’t want to die,” Matthew said. “I made a commitment to do this hard, every single session – one through thirty-six.” Patients who experience cardiovascular disease are at risk for psychological symptoms such as depression, loneliness and anxiety and these symptoms can slow recovery time and lead to Matthew Sorrell
O
greater health issues. However, patients who participate in cardiac rehab are less likely to
On a cold morning that might have made anyone else want
experience depression and other symptoms, according to the
to stay in bed, Matthew Sorrell is buzzing with a contagious
American College of Cardiology.
energy at Marvin Altman Fitness Center inside Baptist Health “It’s normal to feel sad or angry after a heart attack or
– Fort Smith.
diagnosis of heart disease,” said Nasser Adjei, Interventional
The sixty-one-year-old veteran can’t help but brag about his
Cardiologist with Baptist Health Cardiology Center – Fort
newfound vitality. He doesn’t look like a man who just last
Smith. “Taking a patient’s mental health into consideration
spring was in an emergency room experiencing symptoms of
and making sure they have a support system in place is very
a heart attack.
important to a patient’s recovery.”
Matthew has suffered from chest pain since the late nineties.
During the three-month program, Matthew lost nearly thirty
He also struggled with diabetes, fibromyalgia, chronic pain and
pounds and lowered his blood sugar through a customized
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health
exercise and nutrition program. He’s become an active member
can lead to a better quality of life. Medication education and
of the fitness center and has made great friends that inspire
management is also part of the program to ensure patients are
him to exercise, eat well and reach his goals each day.
taking the appropriate medications for their condition.
“God put me in this program and surrounded me with a
“After cardiac rehab, patients are often able to increase their
team that motivates and inspires me here at Baptist Health,”
ability to do things like carry groceries, walk to the mailbox,
Matthew said. “I feel brand new.”
and maintain self-care which is critical for their independence and improved health,” according to Dr. Adjei.
Proper exercise becomes increasingly important as we age and can help reduce dependence on medications and future
Once monitoring is no longer necessary, patients continue
hospitalizations. With that in mind, cardiac rehab is a team
with a customized exercise program and learn how
effort that begins in the hospital following a heart attack or
to incorporate activity into their lifestyle. During the
other heart-related illness or procedure. The program at Baptist
maintenance phase of rehabilitation, continuing education
Health – Fort Smith combines expert education and supervised
helps reinforce healthy habits long-term. Through his
exercise therapy in the comfort of Marvin Altman Fitness Center.
insurance provider, Matthew is also taking advantage of the
Each program is tailored to the patient’s needs and abilities.
SilverSneakers program for seniors at the fitness center and
They learn how to incorporate heart-healthy habits such as a
using the facility’s workout equipment and indoor pool.
proper diet, exercise and stress management techniques that Now that his health has improved, Matthew says he plans to Dr. Nasser Adjei
return to the workforce and his renewed health has given him the opportunity and energy to volunteer in the River Valley. “I was existing, not living. Cardiac rehab was a springboard that got me back in shape and able to enjoy life.” For more information about cardiac rehabilitation, talk to your cardiologist or visit BaptistHealthFortSmith.com.
Are You Eligible for Cardiac Rehab? According to the American Heart Association, you may benefit from cardiac rehab if you have experienced the following: • Heart attack • Heart condition such as heart failure or coronary artery disease • Heart procedure or surgery including bypass, valve replacement, a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator
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community
Our Community Cares words Catherine Frederick with Ashley Fitzhugh
The Fort Smith Children’s Emergency Shelter provides shelter and care, in a safe and structured home-like environment, for children and young adults, ages 6 and older, who have been removed from their home by the Department of Human Services due to neglect and/or abuse. Do South® reached out to Ashley Fitzhugh, Development Director of Fort Smith Children’s Emergency Shelter, to learn more. DS: How did the Children’s Emergency Shelter come to be?
CES: The CES was founded in the mid-1990’s when the Junior League of Fort Smith asked the initial question, What is happening to our children in crisis? With the help of Chuck Fawcett, Philip Merry, and this great community, we opened our doors in 1997 to homeless foster care children of Arkansas. DS: Who does the shelter serve and in what ways?
CES: We serve children and young adults, ages 6 and older, who have been removed from their homes by the Arkansas Department of Human Services due to neglect and/or abuse. Every child is a victim and has done nothing wrong. Each child that 3015 South 14th Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 childrensemergencyshelter.org 479.783.0018 / info@fsces.org Facebook & Instagram: childrensemergencyshelter
comes to us, or enters GetREAL24, receives everything they need to live – new shoes and clothes, support with schooling (or career choices), life-skills training, medical care and therapy services, food, and most importantly a safe, stable home. DS: What has been one of the most memorable moments for CES?
CES: In 2017, we not only celebrated our 20th anniversary, but we were awarded with “Non-Profit of the Year” for the state of Arkansas by Arkansas Business. This award followed our mission expansion of serving foster youth ages 18 and older. GetREAL24 is an independent living program that provides a safe and stable home for foster youth “aging out” of care. It’s the only program of its kind in Arkansas
Next month, we’ll showcase another worthy charity in our area free of charge. If you have a non-profit you’d like to see recognized, email us at catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.
that gives young adults the opportunity to live independently while receiving the guidance needed to become successful, contributing members of society. DS: How can our community get involved and support CES?
CES: Our greatest need is always monetary support. We go through approximately 2,000 rolls of toilet paper per year, wash almost 90 loads of laundry per week, and can go through 4 gallons of milk each day! A few years ago we stopped accepting donated clothing and shoes, and created a fund for these items. Having the funds to take our kids shopping for items that fit their bodies and style helps them fit in at school and has a tremendous impact on their self-esteem and self-worth. Also, we are tax exempt and receive additional discounts, so a donor’s dollar goes even further. DS: Are there any special events coming up that we should know about?
CES: Grab your flip flops and fedora! Friday, May 31 will be the 7th annual Havana Nights fundraiser. This Cuban-themed fundraiser raises over one-third of our budget! DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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shop
words Catherine Frederick imageS Jade Graves Photography and courtesy vendors
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SODIE’S WINE & SPIRITS 479.783.8013
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shop
Take a peek at some of the latest products from our favorite local shops. Stop in and tell them Do South® sent you. We’ve got you covered, from products for your health and home, to gorgeous eyewear and jewelry.
Sunfood Chlorella Tablets, Vibrant Health Field of Greens Dietary Supplement and Probiotics, Whole Earth & Sea Organic Vegan Greens Protein Bar Em’s Hearing Protection for Kids
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community
When Art Moves like Music FINE ART LEADS FORT SMITH DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE Yakita Fields and UAFS Art Student
Y
WORDS Dwain Hebda images courtesy Rachel Rodman Putnam, Grant Thomas, and Fort Smith Symphony
Yakita Starr Fields paints with the intensity of the sudden
the public art and murals entity which is transforming the city’s
summer storms over the Oklahoma plains from hence he came.
downtown district one wall at a time. This year, he returned to
Bold color flashes onto the canvas like lightning splitting the
be part of an ambitious collaboration between The Unexpected
sky; forms and shapes roil and coalesce like July thunderclouds,
and the Fort Smith Symphony which utilized art students from
powerful and fluid. Fields’ Creek name, "Yvtekv," means
the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.
Interpreter and so he is, translating color and line into a language all its own.
“I thought [the project] was pretty cool because my process really relates to instinctual feelings,” he says. “My process is
“When I make art I don’t do sketches. Usually if I do paintings,
a lot different than any other artist’s and it works well with
I have two colors maybe and I really rely on just the beauty of
music, I think. It’s about tuning into intuition and about
the brush stroke. I make gestural forms. I’m spontaneous about
feeling from the heart and moving like music moves, just as a
it, I create compositions quickly on the canvas,” he says. “It’s
composer composes his music through intuition and another
like a song, almost. A good painting just sounds good. It looks
plane of thinking and feeling.”
good. You know it when it’s done.” The project brings together visual and musical art forms, with Yakita’s work is viewed all over the world and first came to
each inspiring the other to explore unique forms of expression.
Fort Smith in a big way as part of last year’s The Unexpected,
John Jeter, Conductor of the Fort Smith Symphony, approached
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community
The Unexpected organization with the notion of replicating an
parameters for the project were basically, whatever vision you
1874 piece by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky, titled
have, listen to this piece of music and you can create whatever
Pictures in an Exhibition.
vision you see. And I loved that, it was a chance for me to show what I could do.
Mussorgsky was inspired to write the piece – originally for solo piano, later arranged as an orchestral piece – after viewing
“I’d never painted with oils before and I didn’t even know
a retrospective of his late friend and artist, Viktor Hartmann.
how to make the colors I wanted. Yakita helped answer some
Mussorgsky’s
questions about that as well. He was excited about my vision. It
suite
included
musical
depictions
of
ten
Hartmann paintings, interspersed with a recurring intermezzo,
was just a fun opportunity.”
representing a visitor strolling through the exhibition. The project, which will display (and make available for purchase) John turned the tables on the process by having Yakita and
the UAFS art students’ paintings at a symphony performance
the UA-Fort Smith art students listen to the music and paint
entitled It’s Time for Pictures, in May, is the latest effort by the
what they heard.
city to reinvent and revitalize itself. Where other communities leverage professional sports or cycling trails, Fort Smith views a
“The students here in Fort Smith are eager to learn,” Yakita
growing arts community as an important page in the city’s next
says. “There was no curriculum to it. I came in, I set the pace
and brightest chapter.
on it and talked about my work and what it looks like and they listened. We really had a good time together, all of us. By the
“The symphony has been talking about the importance of the
end of it we were laughing, and they didn’t want me to leave.”
arts for economic development for over two decades,” John
Jody Barbaree, one of the student artists who participated,
says. “I’ve noticed in that time, for small and medium sized
considers the experience an artistic awakening. His work,
communities throughout the country, this idea of let’s have an
“Cattle Painting, with Cream and Late Evening Blue,” was a
arts sector, an arts neighborhood, has really become one of
tremendous learning experience.
the main ideas to bump up a community’s status. You see it happening all over the place.”
“When I first heard about the project, I was excited because it was a chance for me to have the opportunity to get a huge
In its fifth Arts & Economic Prosperity report, the nonprofit
canvas that was yours, here, you could have it,” he says. “The
Americans for the Arts showed the financial impact of such
John Jeter and the Fort Smith Symphony
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community
Yakita Fields
community amenities. The organization reported the nation’s nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences generated $166.3 billion of economic activity during 2015. This activity supported 4.6 million jobs and generated $27.5 billion in revenue to local, state, and federal governments, a handsome payback on the collective $5 billion the arts received in public monies. The report also looked at selected communities and studied regions coast to coast, including the Northwest Arkansas corridor. There, organizations and their audiences spent a combined $131 million, supported nearly 5,000 jobs and generated more than $14.3 million in local and state taxes. “From coast to coast and from our smallest rural towns to our largest urban cities, America’s 100,000 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations make their communities more desirable places to live and work every day of the year,” wrote the project leads. “The arts provide inspiration and joy to residents, beautify public spaces and strengthen the social fabric of our communities.” John says the impact of arts is so profound in creating quality of place, it plays a major role in companies choosing to relocate to a community or to keep looking. “Even for businesses and professionals who maybe don’t even take advantage of [art] as much, knowing that a community has a strong arts component says a lot for the stability and quality of the community,” he says. “I’ve come across heads of companies who will admit, ‘I’m not a super big arts person, but I absolutely know that a vibrant community has this.’ So, I think there’s been enough proven track record of arts making a huge difference.” Claire Kolberg, Director of The Unexpected, has seen these concepts at work since the organization produced its first public art in 2015.
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community
In the years that followed, both the organization and the community honed a partnership that has become the model
UAFS Art Student
for other cities to follow. “What’s unique about Fort Smith is, we were able to capture art space in a way that didn’t duplicate what existing organizations were already doing,” she says. “The history of Fort Smith is based on rule-breakers, outlaws and innovators, and we want to bring that same character to Fort Smith and The Unexpected, while challenging perceptions on what it means, and meant historically, to live on the western frontier. “That’s what makes The Unexpected so unique for Fort Smith; it forces us to challenge ourselves to look to other ways to develop economically, especially as a city that once relied on heavy manufacturing. But it also challenges perceptions nationally and globally about what it means to participate in
UAFS Art Student
the arts in Arkansas.” The collaboration is likely not the last between the symphony and The Unexpected and Claire says she hopes these works inspire a wave of other artistic collaboration as well. “We need to continue to introduce new artists and audiences to each other. That includes musical art, performing arts, visual arts, all the arts,” she says. “As far as I’m concerned, any artform that you introduce to an audience will support and build a vibrant community.” UAFS Art Student
Fort Smith Symphony It’s Time for Pictures Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 7:30pm ArcBest Performing Arts Center 479.452.7575 fortsmithsymphony.org The Unexpected unexpectedfs.com University of Arkansas Fort Smith - Windgate Art & Design 5210 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.788.7530
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faith
becoming a Words and image Jessica Sowards
mother
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
I
faith
I became a mom when I was nineteen. Shortly before midnight on a Wednesday in November, my son came fast. It was harder than I thought it would be. I remember screaming out, “I can’t. I can’t,” then in a moment, a beautiful, messy boy was flailing on my chest and I realized I could. I whispered, “Oh, my little love,” and I was a mother. In the wee hours of that morning, when the room was dark and quiet, with a clean and swaddled baby sleeping in a clear plastic bassinet next to my bed, I let my hair down. It was long back then, curling down to a couple of inches above my hips. A nurse came and paused at the door, realizing maybe she had stepped into something intimate. I smiled at her, welcoming her in. I hadn’t worn my hair down in months. We were too broke to afford things like haircuts, and I was too swollen and miserable to do much more than shower every day. My long, brown hair had spent the better part of my pregnancy in a tight knot on the back of my head. Then, at three in the morning right after I first met my son, I sat in that hospital bed, brushing tangles out of my hair and staring at my baby like it was my job to memorize every feature of him. The nurse, I wish I knew her name, checked my vitals and said she needed to take the baby to the nursery. I nodded my approval, and she said, “You’d do good to sleep.” I nodded again and began gathering my hair to tie it back up. The nurse, slightly sheepish again, said, “You should leave it down. You’re a beautiful woman with all that hair.”
“Then, at three in the morning right after I first met my son, I sat in that hospital bed, brushing tangles out of my hair and staring at my baby like it was my job to memorize every feature of him.” DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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faith
Now, I can’t be certain, but that is the first time I remember
most. I worried over them as if my worry would prove my
anyone ever calling me “woman." I’ve thought a lot about it,
love. I criticized my husband, as if maybe I could make him
and I assume at some point before then, someone must have
good enough to make up for my own flaws.
thrown that word at me and maybe I just didn’t pick it up and put it on. I was a girl, comfortable maybe with the title
Then, somewhere along the way, I stopped all of that. I
young lady. But woman? I had never been a woman before.
traded in my fighting gloves and the coat I’d been wearing
Then all of a sudden, there I was, a woman and a mother,
called “mom-guilt,” and I decided to rest in grace. I looked
sitting in a hospital bed sometime between midnight and
at how God has been a Father to me and decided to try His
morning with a cloud of hair surrounding my shoulders and
way instead. It is a way without fear, but rather one lavished
a baby to raise.
in peace, and patience, and kindness. I decided to choose my babies every day, and to model to them how He has chosen
He’ll turn fourteen this year. In the mornings, he comes into
me. It has made all the difference.
my room and waits for me to take him to school. Sometimes, in the groggy time of just-barely-awake, when he leans
I’ve learned enough in parenting now to understand I still
casually against the door jam with the hall light shining
have so much left to learn. I’m sure those lessons will come,
behind him, I am struck by the breadth of his shoulders. I
some gently with time and the organic growth of realization,
can hear the promise in his voice that manhood is nearing. I
and some hard and mean, with the rude reminder of failure.
watch him all the time. Him, and his younger brothers. They
I’ll be a student to both kinds. I’ll be a student studying their
can’t possibly know the way I study them.
hearts like I might be handed a quiz at any moment.
Mother and woman are comfortable coats to wear now.
In just a handful of years, Jack will be the same age I was
I’ve broken them in, worn them out, patched them up a bit.
when he made me a mother. I suppose around that time the
They are mine. But there have been seasons where I put other
word “man” will find him. It will wrap itself around him like
coats on top of them. Seasons that I chased other things.
a coat. I wonder if it will be baggy at first. I wonder if it will
There were seasons of my life that I stopped studying them
surprise him the way the word “woman” surprised me.
but rather became overwhelmed by simply keeping them alive and cared for. In those times, I always took them for granted.
I don’t know who he will be then. I don’t know what kind of change he may have on this world. I do know one thing
I’ve never been a bad mom, but I’ve been a distant and
though. I’ll be there studying him and loving him the best
distracted one. More than that, I’ve been a fearful one. For
I know how, just as I have since a Wednesday night in
a long time, I lived with a certainty that I would fail my sons.
November all those years ago, since the night I became a
It’s a terrible thing to live in fear of failing what you love
woman and a mother.
To watch Jessica’s garden tours, visit her YouTube channel, Roots and Refuge.
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faith
Let’s Go!
FCA Camps – The Time is Now
WORDS Dwain Hebda images courtesy Arkansas Fellowship of Christian Athletes
I
t was a Sunday morning, seven years ago. Brandin Natzke
Relief and release seemed close at hand, he thought, just give
opened his eyes and scanned the intersecting lines of his life
in and it’s over.
from flat on his back. What’s next? he thought. And yet, Brandin’s eyes still opened, day after day, just like they The worst day of his life was now two months old, a blur
had this Sunday. But today felt different somehow. He couldn’t
of pain and sorrow that smeared one day into the next. Two
continue to live this suffocating life anymore. One way or
months since his father told him his mother wouldn’t be coming
another, something would change today.
home, that the two-week search had yielded her body in a pond “God, give me some motivation to go to church this morning,”
where her killer had left her, that she was gone.
he remembers praying. The echo of his amen still hung in the Two months through which the then seventeen-year-old had
air as a shrill tone sliced through the room. A pal was calling to
tried every day to claw his way back into the light.
invite him to church. Brandin had his answer.
Two months of feeling himself sinking into despair, the weighty
“That’s how God works, man,” says Brandin, now twenty-four
lure of alcohol, drugs and worse tugging at cuff and hem.
and a graduate football coach at Ouachita Baptist University in
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faith
Arkadelphia. “You put your pride aside, you put your pain aside
talk to all these people who understood exactly where I’m at and
and just be dependent on the Lord. He answered immediately.”
what situation I’m in, it really comforted me and spoke to me. It let me know I’m not alone and I was able to worship the Lord
God didn’t just kick Brandin out of bed that day, He put him
with people my age and people who understand me. That was
to work. At that very church service, Micah May was giving a
definitely a changing point in my life.”
talk about Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) summer camp. Recognizing Brandin as a past attendee, Micah called him up
Fellowship of Christian Athletes is an international organization
front to tell of his experiences.
founded in 1954 to leverage the power of sports for something greater in its players and coaches. Based in Kansas City, Missouri,
“I got in front of all those people and I just started bawling,”
and present in sixty-two countries, it's one of the most recognized
Brandin says. “I was just trying to talk about camp and I was
organizations of its kind in the world. In Arkansas, FCA is well-
hurting so much I just started crying. That’s exactly when
represented in middle and high schools where it operates in
everybody knew I needed help and that’s when my coach
student-run organizations called huddles. It can also be found at
started pouring into me, Micah started pouring into me. All
the collegiate level.
these godly people just swarmed me and from there the rest is history, from what God did in my life just that one morning.”
Micah, FCA multi-area director, says even as the organization has grown to massive proportions, its effectiveness still lies in
As Brandin’s experience shows, FCA’s summer camps can have
the simple premise of providing peer-to-peer support to each
a powerful effect on attendees. For some, the seeds of faith are
member as they forge their personal relationship with Christ.
being sown for the very first time and those seeds may lay fallow until the moment they are needed most. For others, like Anna
“There’s no one that can reach a student quite like another
Ledbetter, FCA camp had an immediate reenergizing effect on a
student, for the good or the bad,” Micah says. “In some of the
lifetime of church-going.
schools, we’ll do an FCA before school, maybe an FCA during lunch with the high schoolers. Some even do FCA after school.
“Going to church your whole life, you kind of get into a routine,” she says. “You know, ‘OK, I’m going to get my
“Then we do sport-specific FCA too, where the football team
Sunday clothes on, I’m going to go to Sunday school and then
may want to do something after football practice during the
listen to the sermon in the big church.’ You just start getting
season to grow their leadership and things like that. It’s always a
into that routine and that’s not how it’s supposed to be, but
choice, always a student-led leadership team.”
that’s just how it happens. Adults like Brandin who came up through the ranks as a “So, going into that first camp, I was really nervous. And I know
camper, then as a huddle leader at summer camp and who
the Devil was trying to get me before I went because I was like,
continue to support the program today, often lend critical moral
I don’t even want to go anymore, I don’t think people will like
and spiritual support to local huddles.
me. I was really scared when I first got there. But when I got to
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faith
Many campers who return in their college years as huddle leaders find the camp experience hasn’t diminished. In fact, being able to provide direction and support to others opens a whole new level of understanding of how to put faith into action. “Being old enough to realize you can see yourself in someone else is really life-changing,” Anna says. “You start to think, ‘OK, now I can help someone else because I’ve been through it.’ It might not be the exact same situation you’re in, but with Christ you are always OK. “When you start realizing that other people can see through your shield and see your flaws, you start thinking, ‘OK, what am I going to do now? The camouflage isn’t working! I don't have any other protection.’ That’s where the Lord comes in; He is our protection “A great influencer is a coach; Billy Graham said a coach will
and He's gonna take care of us and that’s the beauty in it.”
influence more people in a year than most people do in a lifetime,” Micah says. “So, we focus on those coaches as well as athletes because we believe they are the influencers in the schools. So goes them, so goes the school.”
FCA Summer Camp Fast Facts When: June 2-5 (Junior High); June 6-9 (Senior High) Junior or Senior based on the grade student is entering in
FCA summer camp takes this same formula and blows it up to include hundreds of middle and high schoolers from across Arkansas. Every morning starts with a brief Bible study and worship followed by a range of sports activities, such as flag football, basketball and camp-specific games dreamed up by organizers. Leadership training and more Bible study break up the competitive activities with a lot of small group discussion led by the college-age huddle leaders. The evening is spent at chapel featuring a guest speaker and of which the worship band is a particular highlight.
2019-2020 Where: Spring Lake Baptist Assembly 145 AR-171, Lonsdale, Arkansas Who: Students entering grades 7 – 12 (including graduating seniors) Cost: $250 per camper, including a $25 non-refundable deposit upon registration. Scholarships are available! Learn more at scafca.org/camp. Devin Dickinson Registration Coordinator & Office Manager
“We operate with the strategy of E3 – engage, equip and
ddickinson@fca.org
empower,” says Micah. “We want to engage them where they
501.802.0439
are and equip them to go back to their campuses and lead.” The camps are coed and nondenominational; in fact, a camper isn’t
Angie Heaton, Assistant Director
required to have a faith life at all to attend.
aheaton@fca.org
“With me not having a church background, I got to experience what it was like to be part of God’s presence and what that Christian community was all about at that FCA camp that week,” Brandin says. “I got to see what it was like to have somebody else help you with your struggles and to know that Christ is there for you. I got to experience that heavily for those
Arkansas Fellowship of Christian Athletes 479.649.8815 arkansasfca.org
three or four days.” DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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faith
Risen
words Catherine Frederick IMAGEs courtesy Bethlehem Freewill Baptist Church
L
ive animals, handmade costumes and a bevy of props are being utilized in one local church’s depiction of the life of Christ. Bethlehem Freewill Baptist Church in Van Buren
will present “RISEN: Life of Christ” drive-thru from 7:00pm to 9:00pm, April 18-20. Admission is free and all are welcome. The 19th annual event, covering sixteen acres, features a cast of more than sixty volunteers who will present sixteen scenes depicting the life of Jesus. “It starts in the town of Bethlehem and moves throughout key events in the life of Jesus, including His crucifixion and ultimately, His ascension into heaven. “Once guests arrive, they are given a handout explaining each scene. The path is lit so there isn’t a need for car lights,” says Freda Dickens, church member and production coordinator. “We’ve been doing this for years and years and we’re a small church and don’t have a large budget, but we do the best we can with what we have. This is our way of reaching out to our community.” The church begins working on the event in January, but it’s in the two weeks prior to opening night when things get really busy. According to Freda, the event would be impossible without her fellow church members. “We all pitch in. Everyone has a talent and steps up to help in some way. We make all the costumes as biblically close as we can based on research. One thing that touches me is that our whole church comes together to participate in some way, even if it’s cooking the meal each night - we feed all our volunteers before the event begins. It’s just a great time. “We’ve only been rained out once in nineteen years. One year we had to bring down the people from the cross because of lightning, but it’s never rained until after the last car left. I’d like to think God has done that for us.” Each year the production changes a bit and it’s grown from only a few scenes at its inception to now sixteen. “I’m sure everyone
Bethlehem Freewill Baptist Church Thursday – Saturday, April 18-20 7:00 pm-9:00 pm 3130 Pointer Trail East Van Buren, Arkansas
gets something different from helping, but I think it’s special to
For more information, contact Freda Dickens at 479.652.2011.
hope is that this will touch someone, and they might come to
them because even though they are not pastors or Sunday school teachers, this is one way they can present the gospel. We want anyone and everyone to come and see what Jesus’ life was like, in the best way we can present it. It’s a free event and you can even stop at the inn and have refreshments and cookies. Our know Him. It’s not perfect, but it sure is special.”
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lifestyle
Simply EGG-dorable! words Catherine Frederick DIY AND IMAGEs Kara Allen, KarasPartyIdeas.com
I fell instantly in love when I happened across these adorable creations on Pinterest®! With a quick click, I found myself immersed in a party-world styled with cuteness at KarasPartyIdeas.com. Kara Allen is the creative genius behind these whimsical creations, and I’m thrilled to share just a few of her amazing masterpieces with you, just in time for Easter! Easy to create in no time at all, these are for decoration only - we do not recommend consuming the eggs as it ’s possible they would come in contact with the paint or markers when peeled. Sad? Don’t be. They ’re much too cute to eat!
Materials Boiled eggs, cooled • Craft paint in choice of colors Colored permanent markers • Paint brushes, small
Ice Cream Cone Easter Eggs METHOD Step 1: Paint the entire egg with a light tan color. Let dry. Step 2: Paint the top of the egg in a color of your choice, creating little rounded scallops where the paint reaches the cone part of the egg. Let dry. Step 3: With a light pink marker, draw cone lines on the cone part of the egg. Step 4: Use a black Sharpie to draw a face, if desired. Let dry. Step 5: Add final touches to the face with small dabs of white paint for the eyes and pink paint for the cute little cheeks. Let dry.
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lifestyle
Pineapple Easter Eggs METHOD Step 1: Paint your eggs with yellow craft paint. Let dry. Step 2: With an orange permanent marker, draw diagonal lines going both directions across your egg, adding a little dot to the center of each diamond you create with the diagonal lines. Don’t worry if your lines don’t look perfect, you will be smoothing them out in the next step. Step 3: Using yellow craft paint again, paint another light coat over your marker lines. This will smooth out the lines. Let dry. Step 4: Paint the top of your egg with green craft paint, using the paint brush to create triangular points for the pineapple leaves. Let dry.
Doughnut Easter Eggs METHOD Step 1: Paint a round thick ring around the top of your egg to form the doughnut shape. Let dry. Step 2: Draw little straight lines on the painted doughnut with colored permanent markers, creating sprinkles.
Kara is regularly featured on numerous morning talk shows, magazines, and publications including The Today Show, HGTV, SheKnows.com, TLC, Parenting Magazine, Michaels.com, Parents Magazine, Brides Magazine, FamilyFun Magazine, PEOPLE, All You Magazine, Baby Talk Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Disney Baby, Celebrate Magazine, The Rachael Ray Show and more. Visit Kara at KarasPartyIdeas.com.
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lifestyle
complement one another and utilize
THE OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM
similar colors, materials and styles, both
words and image courtesy Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI)
Create easy traffic flow throughout the
inside and out. 3.
CREATE COZY AREAS
outdoor living room, while offering a number of places for people to sit – at a table, around a fire pit, or in a cozy chair configuration. Also, offer some shade by utilizing umbrellas, pergolas, or outdoor curtains to minimize sun glare and maximize enjoyment in the outdoor living room. 4.
SOFTEN THE SPACE
Introduce a few soft design features into the outdoor area to create an throw
inviting pillows
atmosphere. and
Rugs,
upholstered
patio furniture are a few ways to
As we begin to thaw from winter weather, we begin to think about our lawn and landscaping. One of the most coveted home features is an outdoor living space. Bring the comfort of the indoors outside this spring with some of these great tips! It ’s an affordable renovation which provides a relaxing respite from daily stress, a great spot to entertain guests, and a safe place for kids and pets to play.
accomplish a cozy feel. Ensure these items are looking fresh and clean and not worn and dated. It’s relatively inexpensive to swap out new pillows and rugs. Create outdoor ambiance by hanging string lighting, introducing a fire pit in the center of a patio, setting up a zen-like water feature, or adding candles, small plants and freshly-cut flowers to tabletops. 5. UTILIZE LIVING LANDSCAPES
Top 5 Ways to Create an Outdoor Living Room
Nothing says, Welcome home, quite like a beautiful living landscape, complete with flowering shrubs, trees, flowers,
1. DECLUTTER & CLEAN
and other vegetation. Freshen up the family yard by weeding,
The first step to spruce up the outdoor living room is to
mulching and planting flower beds and pots with colorful
clear dirt and clutter from the space. Store lawn equipment,
flowers and plants. Vases of flowers can also help bring life
children’s toys, and pet items in a shed or garage. Give the
– and a pop of color – to outdoor tablescapes.
entire area a good scrub down, sweeping away dust and debris to create a fresh, clean canvas. 2. INVITE THE OUTDOORS IN Blending interior and outdoor living spaces helps the exterior area
For more information and tips, visit Outdoor Power Equipment Institute at www.opei.org and check out www.savelivinglandscapes.com.
feel like an extension of the home, not an afterthought. Ensure blinds and curtains are open to the family yard, highlighting the outdoor oasis. Make certain the indoor and outdoor décor
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taste
Fort Smith Ed Walker's five pound cheeseburger
Little Rock Juanita's Mex Cantina cheese dip, salsa and chips
ARKANSAS FOOD:
The A to Z of Eating in The Natural State words and IMAGEs courtesy Kat Robinson
What is Arkansas food? Kat Robinson has intensely studied the cuisine of the region for more than a decade. Her latest book, Arkansas Food: The A to Z of Eating in the Natural State, is the culmination of that research laid out in a handy glossary including everything from apple butter to zucchini bread.
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A
A region, a city, a state can all be defined by food. Mentions of Georgia conjure juicy peaches. One knows what it means to
Fort Smith Calico County chocolate gravy on biscuit
miss New Orleans when gumbo or shrimp Creole is conjured. Texas has its brisket, Chicago its pizza, Kansas City its ribs, Memphis its barbecue. But what of The Natural State? Is there a singular dish that stands out amongst all the rest? Writers and editors on the coasts have saddled us with chocolate gravy as our contribution; one in particular attempted to pin red velvet cake on us, erroneously. To this point, few dishes in our state have renown, and fewer still can be recognized as a whole state item. That’s because we’re a land of regional cuisines. Yes, that’s plural. There are foods that are celebrated strongly in one corner of the state, or a county, or even a single burg.
Alma Catfish Hole hush puppies
There are items we produce that have gained wide appeal throughout the state, and traditions we still practice that sets us aside from areas outside our borders. I started working on the answer to the question back in 2007, after a chef posed the question to me and I could not give a single answer. I’ve made it a quest ever since to distill the many things we eat into a singular answer. The short of it – there’s no quick answer, none at all. Northwest Arkansas’s ties to the pairing of fried chicken and spaghetti is quite different from Little Rock’s obsession with cheese dip, or the dedication Searcy County reserves for the chocolate roll. From our Delta’s famed duck and rice to lower Arkansas’s plates of country fried venison at family gatherings, what we eat really depends on
Little Rock Doe’s Eat Place tamale plate with chili
where we eat, who we break bread with, and what we crave. The answers begin with our culinary resources – wild game for certain, but also our native pecans and squash. We produce more rice than all other American states put together. Deep traditions in farming and agriculture are marked by our most lauded festivals – fruit such as our Bradley County Pink tomatoes, Hope and Cave City watermelons, Johnson County peaches and Cabot strawberries. These events also celebrate the foodstuffs from our kitchens: Little Rock’s Cornbread Festival and World Cheese Dip Championship; Bikes, Blues and BBQ in Fayetteville and its surrounds; pots of beans at Mountain View’s BeanFest, even the upcoming Arkansas Pie Festival in Cherokee Village. DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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It expands with our unique contributions to the culinary
People don’t eat like we do elsewhere. That’s something to not
landscape – Bernell Austin’s fried pickles created at the
only take pride in, but to brag about and share with others,
Duchess Drive-In in Atkins, William Tyndle Fooks’ Grapette
to bring them here for fellowship and friendship, and to put
and Orangette, Spike Cavender and his legacy of Cavender’s
a few more dollars in the local kitty to boot. It’s important
Greek Seasoning. Our Arkansas Delta tamales differ from
we recognize these remarkable culinary contributions and
their Mississippi counterparts in their heritage – Italian meets
traditions, to enjoy them with each other and to preserve
Mexican meets soul food – bringing more spice to every husk-
them for generations to come.
wrapped cylinder. Yarnell’s paired our native black walnuts with cold creamy ice cream. And the Donnelly family creation of cheese dip in the mid-1930s not only pre-dates nachos by more than a decade, but even caused a debate in our nation’s Senate between us and Texas. We messed with Texas, stated the facts, put up our cheese dip against its queso, and we won. It’s also in the way we eat. Outsiders might consider us Philistines for our ten different sorts of gravy (cream/ milk, sausage, brown, red, red-eye, chicken, giblet, ham, mushroom, and chocolate), but how many have a heritage of the meat-less midday meal we call the Summer Plate? To this day, there are those of us who delight in dropping chunks of cornbread into our “sweet milk” or buttermilk, who butter our crackers while waiting on dinner, who sop potlikker with biscuits. We understand the importance of sorghum molasses in a good barbecue sauce and know how to pronounce the word “crappie” correctly (it’s CROP-ee, for heaven’s sake). We’ve been practicing farm to table for centuries before that term became hot, and we’ve dined on fusion fare from ethnic restaurants in Fort Smith long before it was fashionable. And we have so many types of pie, it’ll blow your mind. Yes, our pizza, with the exception of a few originators such as Rod’s Pizza Cellar in Hot Springs, has come to us from out of state – Tommy Miller fusing Chicago sauce and Detroit crust in Mountain View when he retired from being Elvis Presley’s bodyguard; the Steffey family relocating from Pennsylvania to Lavaca and bringing on the Uncle Roman; Anthony Valinoti dropping out of the jetset to throw dough while listening to Bruce Springsteen at DeLuca’s in Hot Springs. They’re all part of the Arkansas food story. So are our myriad of burgers, from the largest in Arkansas at Ed Walker’s to the famed Feltner’s Whattta-Burger in Russellville – that isn’t and never will be part of a chain – as are the dozens of different purveyors of barbecue, beef or pork or chicken or all three, who bring thousands to Blytheville, DeVall’s Bluff and even Ozark each year.
Kat Robinson is Arkansas’s food historian and most enthusiastic road warrior. The Little Rock-based travel writer is the host of AETN’s "Make Room for Pie: A Delicious Slice of The Natural State" and a committee member for the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame. The author of Arkansas Food: The A to Z of Eating in The Natural State, Kat has also compiled the comprehensive travel guide for pie lovers, Another Slice of Arkansas Pie: A Guide to the Best Restaurants, Bakeries, Truck Stops and Food Trucks for Delectable Bites in The Natural State (2018). Her other books are Arkansas Pie: A Delicious Slice of the Natural State (2012), Classic Eateries of the Ozarks and Arkansas River Valley (2013), and Classic Eateries of the Arkansas Delta (2014). She is the Arkansas fellow and curator to the National Food and Beverage Foundation, and the 2011 Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Henry Award winner for Media Support. She lives with daughter Hunter and partner Grav Weldon in Little Rock. Her latest book, Arkansas Food: The A to Z of Eating in The Natural State, can be found at Bookish in Fort Smith and Chapters on Main in Van Buren, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
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taste
w w A rumbs! C words Catherine Frederick
My family loves muffins and in our house, they ’re not just for breakfast! I’m sharing three of our favorite fruit-muffin recipes, each with a delicious crumb topping. Enjoy!
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taste
Raspberry Crumb Muffins
BATTER
CRUMB TOPPING
2 tsp. baking powder
½ cup flour
½ tsp. kosher salt
½ cup sugar
2 cups, plus 2 tsp. flour
½ tsp. lemon zest
1 stick unsalted butter,
¼ tsp. cinnamon
room temperature
¼ tsp. nutmeg
1 cup sugar
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, chopped
½ tsp. lemon zest 1 large egg ¾ cup whole milk 1 tsp. vanilla 1 ½ cups fresh raspberries
method
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line tin with paper liners. In small bowl, combine ingredients for crumb topping, mix well, set aside. In large bowl, whisk 2 cups flour, salt and baking powder, set aside. In separate bowl, beat butter, sugar, and lemon zest using a hand mixer on medium speed until creamy. Slowly alternate adding dry mixture and milk to creamy mixture with mixer on low. Add egg and vanilla, mix well. In small bowl, combine raspberries with 2 tsp. of flour. Fold raspberries into mixture. Fill muffin liners ¾ full. Sprinkle crumb mixture over each muffin. Bake 25-30 minutes until golden and toothpick comes out clean.
Banana Crumb Muffins
BATTER
CRUMB TOPPING
1 egg
¼ cup flour
½ cup salted butter, softened
¼ cup brown sugar
2 ripe bananas
¼ tsp. vanilla
¾ cup sugar
¼ tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
¼ cup oats
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. melted butter
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp. pecans or walnuts, chopped finely
¼ cup whole milk
method
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line tin with paper liners. In small bowl, combine ingredients for crumb topping, mix well, set aside. In large bowl, combine egg, bananas, milk, vanilla, butter and sugar with hand mixer. Add flour and baking powder until just combined. Fill muffin liners ¾ full. Sprinkle crumb mixture over each muffin. Bake 30 minutes until golden and toothpick comes out clean.
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taste
Apple Crumb Muffins
BATTER
CRUMB TOPPING
½ cup vegetable oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar, packed
¾ cup brown sugar, packed
¼ cup sugar
2 Tbsp. sugar
½ cup buttermilk
1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
2 eggs, lightly beaten
6 Tbsp. salted butter, melted
1 ½ tsp. vanilla 2 cups flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. cinnamon ½ tsp. salt 1 ½ cups apples, peeled and chopped
method
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line tin with paper liners. In small bowl, combine ingredients for crumb topping, mix well, set aside. In medium bowl, combine oil, brown sugar, sugar, and buttermilk, stir well. Next, add eggs and vanilla, stir to combine. In another bowl, combine dry ingredients. Slowly add flour mixture to wet mixture until just combined. Fold in apples. Fill muffin liners ¾ full. Sprinkle crumb mixture over each muffin. Bake for 25 minutes until golden and toothpick comes out clean.
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taste
Citrus Sangria Recipe adapted from thespruceeats.com image Rimma Bondarenko/shutterstock
ingredients 1 bottle white wine
•
(Riesling, Pinot Grigio, or Moscato)
½ cup granulated sugar,
•
more or less to taste
1 Granny Smith apple,
•
sliced into wedges
¼ cup raspberries
•
3 oranges, sliced into rounds,
•
or substitute 1 cup orange juice
1 lemon, sliced into wedges
•
1 lime, sliced into wedges
•
3 cans Fresca (citrus soda)
•
2 oz. brandy
•
Mint sprigs (optional for garnish)
•
method
In a pitcher, squeeze juice from lemon, lime and oranges. Remove any seeds and add squeezed citrus wedges to pitcher. Pour in the wine, brandy (and orange juice if using). Stir. Add sugar, stir until dissolved. Add apple slices. Chill overnight. Add raspberries and Fresca immediately prior to serving. Garnish with mint sprig if desired. Tip: Keep your sangria cold and not watered down by substituting ice for frozen fruit. Please drink responsibly. Never drink and drive. DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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travel
Arts, Music & Culture
John McEuen
OZARK FOLK CENTER STATE PARK words and images courtesy Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
Clap to the music, watch an artisan create handmade items
Taj Mahal
and enjoy delicious food at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. This unique park begins its annual season on April 16, 2019. A stroll through the Craft Village provides an authentic look into the rich culture of this part of the Natural State. Music fans can attend concerts in the 1,000seat theater every Thursday through Saturday. Also, special events featuring legendary artists like John McEuen and Taj Mahal make Ozark Folk Center State Park a destination that will provide memories to last a lifetime. For more information about Ozark Folk Center State Park and the other fifty-one state parks, visit arkansasstateparks.com. Ozark Folk Center State Park
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travel
S p r i ng in the Ga rd en s words Catherine Frederick IMAGEs courtesy Garvan Woodland Gardens
T
his April, Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas, comes alive with color! Hundreds of thousands of tulips, dogwoods, and azaleas will burst
forth from their winter hibernation to create the largest display of color between Dallas and Memphis. The Tulip Extravaganza, which began in March, continues through April, and if we’re lucky, thousands of crocus, daffodils, and hyacinths will still be on display. The changing of the seasons is nowhere more evident than at the Gardens. Everything which was once dark and dreary is overcome with new life, dripping in vibrant color. Once you enter the garden, life takes on a slower pace. The tall pines that seemingly reach beyond the clouds provide endless protection for the delicate blooms and waters below. You’ll discover a koi pond, a waterfall, and panoramic views that are as bright and colorful as a box of new crayons. It’s hard not to move at a snail’s pace as you take in the wonder of nature on the 4 ½ miles of wooded shoreline. Photo opportunities abound at the Gardens, especially at Anthony Chapel. This architectural wonder is open to the public and free to view, as long as it is not reserved for a private event. Much like fall foliage in Arkansas, determining exactly when the blooms will be at their peak is heavily weather-dependent. For updates and special events, be sure to visit Garvan Woodland Gardens’ website or Facebook page.
Garvan Woodland Gardens 550 Arkridge Road, Hot Springs, Arkansas 800.366.4664 For hours of operation and admission information, visit garvangardens.org.
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Freshly Picked V i n ta g e M a r k e t Day s o f N o r t h w e s t A r k a n sas words and images courtesy Vintage Market Days
M
akers, creators, and stylists will arrive from all over the
“Vintage Market Days is more than a show,” said Tammy. “We
U.S. to display the best selection of all things chippy
love adding special touches to make it an event. The atmosphere
and vintage, April 12-14, during the Northwest Arkansas
and charm of the fairgrounds help to set the tone for what this
Vintage Market Days event, “Freshly Picked,” taking place at
event is all about—a vintage experience, not just a sale. We
the Benton County Fairgrounds in Bentonville, Arkansas.
want our customers to walk away feeling like they were a part of something really special.”
Owners Tammy Edwards and Megan Allen are quick to point out that they are not a flea market. You’ll find elaborate
Grab your family, your fur babies, or your best girlfriends for
displays and products such as vintage home décor &
a weekend of upscale shopping and farmhouse fun! For more
decorating ideas, farmhouse style & original art, upcycled &
information, visit nwarkansas.vintagemarketdays.com, or find
refurbished finds, outdoor furnishings & garden inspiration,
them on Facebook at nwarkansasvintagemarketdays.
shabby chic & antique treasures, architectural salvage & reclaimed collections, and vintage-inspired jewelry & clothing. There’s also live music, delicious food, as well as
April 12-14, 2019
paint and DIY demonstrations.
$10 Friday / $5 Saturday or Sunday More than just a fabulous shopping experience, you’ll also
Tickets available at the gate and valid for
help those in need. Tammy and Megan are donating a portion
unlimited re-entry all weekend
of the proceeds to Saving Grace NWA, a Christ-centered, safe
Kids 12 and under free
harbor offering acceptance, restoration and hope to young
Benton County Fairgrounds
women of Northwest Arkansas. “We are excited to help support the local area and we’re excited to bring the vintage experience to the Northwest Arkansas Community.”
7640 Southwest Regional Airport Boulevard Bentonville, Arkansas
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travel
Where It’s Summer
All Year Long words Marla Cantrell images courtesy Nashville Guru
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travel
N
Nashville, Tennessee, just 500 miles from Fort Smith, is a
material that lets the sunshine in, which means you can
delight. This city is home to the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman
sunbathe year-round.
Auditorium, Music Row, and the Country Music Hall of Fame. At the end of January, a new attraction opened at the
Many of the walls are constructed of plant beds that make
Gaylord Opryland Resort, offering guests an indoor, upscale
you feel as if you’re in nature, which mimics the feeling of
water attraction called SoundWaves.
the hotel, where gardens spring up in common areas. In every part of SoundWaves, lifeguards work, moving often to
The resort alone is worth the trip. There is a spa, eighteen
make sure they can see all the guests.
restaurants (dinner at Ravello, an Italian eatery is highly recommended), an award-winning golf course, and several
There are areas for adults-only, making this a perfect place
shops. This mammoth hotel boasts 2,888 rooms, most of
for girls’ trips, bachelor and bachelorette parties, or couple
which are inside an atrium where the temperature remains
time. An indoor pool, bar, plush towels and chaise lounges
constantly cozy.
complete the experience.
One of the first things you may notice is the quality of the
The rest of the park is perfect for all ages. A kids’ area
air. There is not a hint of the odor of chlorine that can be
with water slides sits on its own level. There, parents and
overwhelming in places with so much water. Sunbeams
grandparents can play with the kids or lounge on the chaises
stream through the roof, which is constructed of a special
in full view of their little ones.
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In other areas, there is an activity pool with rock climbing, an obstacle course, and water basketball. One of the most challenging and entertaining spots is the FlowRider ® Double indoor surfing pool. Guests ranging in age from grammar school kids to older adults can take turns surfing, much to the delight of everyone watching. The lazy river runs through a realistic looking cave, and the rapid river offers bigger thrills. Private luxury cabanas and not one, but three, party rooms are available to rent, which can be customized for everything from a bachelorette party to birthday celebration. For those who want to get out of the water for a bit, there is a massive game room that offers virtual reality, an arcade, table games, and rock climbing. Thinking that it might not be too much fun to play games in wet swimsuits? The designers solved that problem. There’s a step-in air dryer, about the size of a dressing room in a clothing store. Once inside, switch on the power. It feels as if you’re being dried off by a giant blow dryer, the kind you use to dry your hair. There are also two restaurants, Status Cymbal, located near the adults-only bar and infinity pool; and Decibels, open to all ages, on the second floor.
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Set to open in May is the outdoor portion of SoundWaves,
If you’re looking for a vacation not far from home, or if
which will have a 315,000-gallon wave pool with a giant
you’re planning a girls’ weekend, SoundWaves at Opryland
LED movie screen, a multi-slide tower, a kids’ pool, and
Resort is a great option. The service is remarkable, the
an adults-only outdoor pool, bars, food trucks, a lounging
food impeccable, and you’ll have the chance to experience
area, as well as private cabana rentals. When this addition
a state-of-the-art water experience. The best part of
to SoundWaves opens, the indoor/outdoor resort will cover
SoundWaves is that you don’t even have to wait for
more than four acres.
summer. Here, it’s summer all-year long.
One of the biggest perks of SoundWaves is that it is never overbooked, so you won’t find yourself waiting in long lines or feeling crowded. Opryland Resort sets aside a block of rooms that include tickets to SoundWaves, and you request that package when you make reservations. Check in, get settled, and head to the attraction, without ever leaving the property.
To book tickets to SoundWaves, visit SoundWavesGo.com. To learn more about Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, check out GaylordOpryland.com.
(There is also an option for outside visitors who just want to book one of the three SoundWaves’ party rooms for four hours, which includes all-day access, and a parking pass.)
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southern fiction
The Thing About Flowers FICTION Marla Cantrell Image Joseph Chan
T
N
Nadine feels tired all the time. She tries not to worry; it happens
But right now, she has to get out of bed. She has twenty
every year, usually in May. But it’s barely April, and already she’s
minutes to get ready for work. After that, she has a thirty-five-
dragging. She’s just like her grandma who used to hibernate
minute drive to the debt collection agency where she sits at a
during May, blaming her lethargy on hay fever. Outside the
mauve-colored Formica desk and calls people and begs them
old woman’s bedroom window lay a bed of petunias. Beside a
for money.
gigantic pine tree near the mailbox stood a formidable forsythia Some of the bills she calls to collect are so big, they make
bush, as yellow as a school bus.
Nadine’s heart race. She thinks about her small life, how
Nadine remembers telling her grandma to cut down the bush,
many years it’s been since she’s been on vacation. She doesn’t
to stop planting petunias. Her grandma said, “Honey, you don’t
have one credit card, and even her bank debit card makes her
understand a thing about flowers.” Nadine was nine years old
nervous.
at the time. Back then she didn’t like her grandma too much. Nadine pulls her hair into a ponytail. She splashes water on her
Now, though, thirty-two years later, she misses the old woman,
face, and then she puts on makeup. A year ago, she had to use
God rest her soul. Nadine wishes she could spend one more
soap every morning to wash away the oil, but now her skin is
day kneeling next to her in her flower bed, kneeling next to her
dry. Well, she thinks, time marches on. Everybody gets older.
in church on an Easter morning where the oak pews smelled
In the kitchen, she brews coffee, adds coconut milk, feeds her
like lemon oil.
little rescue dog, Henry.
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southern fiction
“I’ll be back before you know it, buddy,” she says to the dog,
At lunch in the cafeteria, she sits with her friend Billie, who
and he lifts his brown head for a moment, away from his food,
says, “You look tired.”
but he doesn’t look at her. Henry has a grasp of time, and he knows she’s lying. Henry is a lot smarter than people think.
Nadine sighs. “It’s hay fever.”
At work, she starts making her calls. Most of the people don’t
“Is that all?” Billie asks.
pick up; they’re way too smart for that. But she finally gets through to a woman, and after she states her case, the woman
“Well, I don’t know. Sometimes this job can kick your butt.”
says, “Aren’t you a piece of work, calling me! I’d like to know what you’d do if your kid got sick and your car broke down.
“Don’t I know it,” Billie says.
Yeah, I maxed out my credit card, but it still wasn’t enough to fix my piece of junk car. You know what happens when you
“Before this job, I cleaned houses. The money wasn’t great. But
don’t have a way to get to work? You get fired.”
it was honest work for an honest dollar.”
Nadine squeezes her eyes shut. She has made thousands of
“Cleaning houses can break your back,” Billie says, and Nadine
these calls, has been called names she’d never heard until she
says, “Debt collection can break your heart.”
got this job. She used to be able to brush it off, to tell herself it was the debtor’s fault. She certainly didn’t run up their debt.
At five o’clock, Nadine logs out of the computer system that
But today, she only feels the pain of this awful situation, and so
tracks her progress every day. When she gets to her car, she
instead of responding, she starts to cry.
realizes she’s forgotten her purse. She feels the weariness in her body, the slow drag of time, that makes a trek back inside
The caller hears her, and says, “Lady, are you okay?” Nadine
feel impossible. She doesn’t have her keys, but her cell phone
doesn’t answer, can’t answer, and so the woman says, “Look,
is in her jacket pocket, and she finds it, clicking on the app for
I’m sorry. I’m really a nice person. If you were to meet me on
the local ride-sharing service. She types in her address, orders
the street, I’d be the one smiling at you. I used to smile at
a car and waits.
everybody. But life’s gotten really hard, and I feel like a truck’s been parked on my chest. I don’t have any money to pay you
The driver, in an old Camry, looks to be about sixty years old.
or I would.”
She has salt and pepper hair, a t-shirt that reads ‘I’m too sexy for this car,’ a dozen bracelets on her arm, and giant sunglasses.
Nadine snuffles. “I’m sorry. That’s so unprofessional of me.
“Hop in,” she says, and Nadine starts to open the back door.
It’s just that if I don’t collect a certain amount of money every
“You can sit up here,” the driver says. “We can talk.”
week, I could lose my job.” Nadine obeys, and the two take off. “My name’s Marilyn,” the “Sounds like a job that could eat your soul out.”
driver says, and Nadine introduces herself.
“I’ve been really tired lately,” Nadine says.
“Hard day?” Marilyn asks.
Nadine’s supervisor, a silver-haired man she’s seen smile exactly
“I can’t figure my life out,” Nadine says. “I’ve got a job that
once in the seven years she’s worked here, walks by her desk,
pays better than most. I got a dog I love to death. I got a grown
his hands behind his back. He looks like someone who should
daughter who hasn’t made a wreck out of her life. But I wake
wear a monocle, a bow tie, a tweed coat, but he’s always
up every morning tired, and I slog through the day.”
dressed in khaki pants and a knit shirt with the company logo. “I hope that’s not a personal call,” he says, and Nadine quickly
Marilyn reaches into an insulated bag that’s sitting on the
hangs up.
center console. “Water?” she asks as she pulls a bottle out for Nadine. After Nadine takes it, Marilyn says, “Yesterday, I took a DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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southern fiction
guy to the airport. He was flying to Dallas because his mama
“I called a woman today who had a sick kid and then car
just died. I had him sit up here right next to me, and I held his
trouble. Without a car, she couldn’t get to work, so she lost
hand all the way there. When he got out of the car, I got out
her job. A year ago, life was probably rosy. Now, she’s living
with him and hugged him for a long time. I said, 'Get some
on the edge.”
whiskey on the plane. Just one little bottle. Ask for a blanket and a pillow. Then close your eyes so nobody will talk to
“What is it that you’ve lost, Nadine?”
you.' I gave him my number. I said, 'All you got to do is get through the next couple of hours. Don’t think about tonight
Nadine laughs. “My youth, for one.” She changes her tone
or tomorrow or next week.
and says, “My grandma, but that was years ago. She was a tough bird, but I felt safe with her. My mama was a teenager
“So, he calls me when he lands. ‘I made it,’ he said, and he
when she had me, so she kind of came and went. I lived
didn’t sound like a grown man. He sounded like a little kid.
mostly with Grandma.”
I said, ‘I knew you could, honey. Now all you’ve got to do is get through tonight.’”
Marilyn pats Nadine’s knee. “I’m not sure either of those families truly owned Nigel the parrot. But while he was with
The story makes Nadine weep, and Marilyn squeezes Nadine’s
them, he brought each joy. Sometimes we’re only meant to stay
hand. “We’ve all got troubles,” Marilyn says. “Deep as the
in one place for so long.”
ocean sometimes. I couldn’t sail on the ocean myself. It’s way too big. But if somebody got me on a rowboat and
“My grandma loved flowers,” Nadine says. “And me, I suppose.
offered to take me across a pond, I’d go in a minute. It’s all
She once told me I didn’t know a thing about flowers. I was just
about perspective.”
a kid then.”
Nadine wipes her eyes with her jacket sleeve. “Last night I saw
“But you know more now.”
a news report about an African grey parrot named Nigel that spoke with a British accent. He disappeared for four years,
Just then, they were driving by a city park alive with flowers.
and when he got home—get this—he no longer had a British
A wave of tulips was blooming. Nearby, a bed of white roses
accent. Now he spoke Spanish.”
grew, the old kind of roses with small blossoms. Marilyn pulled over. “Let’s walk,” she says.
“What a story,” Marilyn says, and Nadine tells her that’s not all. “After four years with the Spanish-speaking family, Nigel flew
The park was nearly empty at this time of day. Marilyn matched
out an open window and was found by a kind soul who took
Nadine’s pace, never going faster or slower. They stopped
him to a vet, who discovered he had a microchip with contact
when they reached the wildflower garden. She’d seen these
information that led the vet to the original owners. The owners
same flowers in meadows and deserts, on roadsides and in
were delighted, of course, but over time, they realized Nigel
cracks in the sidewalk. No one tended those wayward flowers,
really belonged with the other family, who had seen Nigel’s
no one fed them or watered them, but still, they grew. You
story on TV and had contacted the British owners.”
couldn’t own a wildflower that had set its seed where it wanted, but you could still love it.
“Sounds like a special bird.” Tomorrow she had some choices to make. She’d probably “It made me realize nothing’s ever really yours. I work in
quit her job. She’d spend the rest of the day with her dog,
collections, trying to get money from people who are about
Henry. But right now, she stood in the glow of the sinking
to lose their house, for example. They pay me. Everybody’s
sun. She was transfixed by the moment, by the joy of loving
happy. But nine times out of ten, those same people are evicted
things you could never own.
somewhere down the line.
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MEDICAL SPECIALTIES New Treatments. New Technologies. New Discoveries. DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE
Healthcare is an amazing field. New research has discovered more than we ever thought possible about the human body thanks to new technologies and therapies. The first step is finding the right physicians and specialists who can guide you and your family on your path to living your healthiest life. That’s where Do South® comes in. On the following pages of our Medical Specialties guide, you’ll find information from some of the best doctors and facilities around so you can narrow your search and get the expert care you deserve.
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Dr. Norma Smith, Therese Jenkins, PA-C, Janet Newman, RN 8101 McClure Drive, Ste. 101 Fort Smith, Arkansas arveinandskincare.com 479.484.7100
1500 Dodson Avenue, Ste. 230 Fort Smith, Arkansas baptist-health.com 479.709.7490 Stay Happy, Healthy and Active During Pregnancy! Staying active during pregnancy is important. But how much should you exercise? Typically, if you were physically active before
physician Dr. Norma Smith. Her Fort Smith practice began in
you were pregnant, it is likely safe to remain active during
1998 and expanded to include varicose veins in 2006. In 2009
pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider about any risk
Dr. Smith became Arkansas’s first Diplomat of the American
factors and before you begin a new workout regimen. Simple
College of Phlebology (now the American Board of Venous and
exercises like stretching or walking, as well as modified yoga
Lymphatic Medicine). She and her specially trained ultrasound
or aerobics, are great ways for pregnant women to improve
staff are IAC accredited in peripheral vascular lab. Joining Dr.
flexibility and stay active. For more tips, pregnancy resources
Smith in practice are Fort Smith natives Therese Jenkins, PA-C
and inspiring stories so you can continue to be amazing,
and Janet Newman, RN. Together our professional team provides
visit the BHealthy Blog at baptist-health.com.
varicose vein and ulcer care, intimate wellness, aesthetics and Medical Marijuana Certification.
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Arkansas Vein Clinic and Skin Care is owned and led by local
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breastcenternwa.com 479.442.6266 While all women are at risk for breast cancer some are at higher risk than others. A Risk Assessment is a comprehensive
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consultation with a registered nurse who is specially trained to determine your risk for developing breast cancer. The nurse will evaluate several risk factors and price a customized breast care plan for you. A Risk Assessment provides crucial information about how often and what type of screenings you need such as Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound, Breast MRI, or optional genetic testing. Take our short Breast Cancer Risk Quiz at breastcenternwa.com to learn more.
4300 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas centerforhearing.net 479.785.3277 Untreated hearing loss can impact our lives in many different ways. Dr. Kelley Linton, Dr. Lori Boyd, and Dr. Trace Cash, understand the struggles of keeping up with busy families as well as helping those with hearing loss enjoy their lives through better hearing. The newest hearing aid technology helps bring focus to otherwise complex listening situations and ultimately helps us feel less fatigued. If you’re not hearing as well as you used to, or if you just want to establish a baseline for your hearing, call for an appointment. Do it for your health, your happiness and your relationships.
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When you hear the word, “cancer,” your world is turned upside down. You view the world through the lens of your own mortality. As a cancer specialist of thirty years, I've cared for nearly 10,000 cancer patients. My job is to support, treat, and care for my patients with dignity and respect, providing care that goes above and beyond, because that's how we'd want to be treated. So, ask yourself if you are getting the care you deserve. If you aren't, I encourage you to visit us. We'd be honored to accompany you on your journey.
7425 Euper Lane, Fort Smith, Arkansas methodistvillage.com 479.452.1611
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Dr. Kris Gast 8500 S. 36th Terrace Fort Smith, Arkansas fsro.net 479.648.1800
Methodist Senior Living offers comfort and variety, with a range of living options and services. We are the area’s only Life Plan Community offering a complete continuum of care. Level-2 Assisted Living helps residents with routines, daily activities, and assistance with medications while Care Center provides 24-hour nursing care in a home-like environment for longterm residents. Independent Living combines the freedom of an active independent lifestyle with the security of a supportive environment. Memory Care is a home for individuals who no longer live independently as a result of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or a related disorder.
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Ann K. Passmore, M.D. / F.A.C.S. 2717 South 74th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas passmoreplasticsurgery.com 479.573.3799 Cosmetic procedures and affordable, high-quality skin care products can provide you with the confidence boost you need to face life’s challenges and changes. With affordable pricing and the expertise of Dr. Ann Passmore, you’ll be ready to confront the job market, your next blind date, or whatever is on your horizon. Call for an appointment and learn about surgical and non-surgical options for every face,
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body, and budget.
PO BOX 11133, Fort Smith, Arkansas rivervalleyoca.com 479.883.3379 Celebrating their 12th anniversary this summer, RVOCA invites women AND men to “Laugh and Learn” with comedian Karen Mills on Tuesday, April 23, 6:00 p.m. at Choctaw Casino, 3400 Choctaw Rd., Pocola, OK, while enjoying a free meal. Karen Mills, a standup comic, has been in the humor business for over 21 years. When diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she determined to take on the disease with hope and humor. Now cancer free, she has been hailed for her ability to bring humor to difficult topics. Laugh, learn, and be inspired at this free educational dinner event. Reserve your free seat by emailing Contact@RiverValleyOCA.com or calling 479.651.9810. Deadline: April 16, 2019.
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Supervising Physician: Dr. Thomas Wood Physician Assistant: Amanda Spahn, PA-C 8101 McClure Drive, Suite 100 Fort Smith, Arkansas wchwfs.com 479.459.6528 Dr. Thomas R. Wood, D.O., a partner of Eastside OB/GYN, and a leader in women’s health in the River Valley, has expanded his practice by adding a new location! Our new clinic is now offering same day & same week appointments as well as urgent gynecological care. As a gynecology-only clinic, we offer wellness exams, pap smears, minimally invasive surgeries, total laparoscopic hysterectomy, endometrial ablations, pelvic reconstruction surgery, incontinence treatment, as well as menopause, infertility, and bioidentical hormone treatments.
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Call and schedule your appointment today!
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