®
SCREAM
July 2017 DoSouthMagazine.com
CONTENTS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / OWNER Catherine Frederick CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Scott Frederick MANAGING EDITOR Marla Cantrell CONTRIBUTING WRITERS / PHOTOGRAPHERS Marla Cantrell Catherine Frederick Jade Graves Dwain Hebda Trenton Mann Carrie Sorrells Jessica Sowards Stoney Stamper James Stefiuk GRAPHIC DESIGNER Artifex 323 - Jessica Mays
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PROOFREADER Charity Chambers PUBLISHER Read Chair Publishing, LLC
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INSIDE 16 24
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DOWNTOWN IS ALIVE The Unexpected, Peacemaker Music and Arts Festival, and Art on the Border take place this month and it’s all happening in downtown Fort Smith!
ADVERTISING INFORMATION Catherine Frederick - 479.782.1500 Catherine@DoSouthMagazine.com
EDITORIAL INFORMATION Marla Cantrell - 479.831.9116 Marla@DoSouthMagazine.com
BOYS IN THE HOOD Step inside Subiaco Abbey to meet the fifty-one monks who live there, the history they hold, and the work they do in this majestic spot atop an emerald hill.
HOMEMADE ICE DREAMS It wouldn’t be summer without homemade ice cream. This recipe will leave you begging for more!
©2017 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 Cover Image: Ekaterina Glazova
FOLLOW US
BEAT THE HEAT Looking for a vacation destination close to home? From caverns, to state parks, to rivers and lakes, there’s plenty to enjoy in The Natural State!
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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.
letter from the editor
O
“On the road again...” We should
at places they can’t find anywhere
have those words painted on our
else. That’s exciting for us. We love
vehicle. It’s travel basketball season,
promoting local businesses. In fact,
our son is playing, and it’s a rare
this month we have an entire section
weekend that we’re home. So far
called Locally Owned that lets you
this summer, we’ve been to Dallas,
get to know the people who are
Memphis, Houston, and Little Rock.
devoted to serving you.
Next up Virginia and Kansas. But, as much as we love the gym, we’re all
But there’s so much more! Like
eager to get our toes in the sand.
Stoney
We’ve missed out on our annual
story on page 34 about growing
beach vacation for the past couple
up in a small-town church and
of years, but this year, nothing will
the nostalgia he feels each time
stop us! We’re going to do our best
he returns. There’s also Jessica
to eat our way through a portion
Sowards’ gorgeous feature on page
of the gulf coast and play on the
30 about how her longtime dream
beach as much as we can.
for a garden that would do more
Stamper’s
heartwarming
than provide a light snack finally If you’re looking for a vacation desti-
came true. And our youngest writer
nation closer to home this summer, we’ve found plenty! Arkansas
this month, Trenton Mann, shares a family recipe and the story
is filled with so many natural wonders, not the least of which is
of how it came to be on page 38.
the Buffalo River. But that’s just the beginning. Check out our story on page 48 for details. Looking for a day trip? You have to
We may not have a cherry for the top of this month’s beau-
see the Abbey at Subiaco. Writer Dwain Hebda takes us inside for
tiful issue, but we do have three delicious homemade ice cream
a visit with the monks who make everything from Monk Sauce
recipes that bring me back to my childhood. Time to get out the
(hot habanero sauce) to Abbey Brittle (peanut brittle).
rock salt and let the ice cream maker do the work. While you wait, plan your next great getaway – then don’t forget to drop
Before you go, make sure your plans don’t interfere with Fort
me a line and tell me all about it. I hope you squeeze every drop
Smith’s Bordertown Brew Fest, The Unexpected, Peacemaker
of fun out of summer this year and make tons of memories. See
Music and Arts Festival, and Art on the Border, which are all
you next month as we feature Back to School!
taking place later this month. We’ll tell you everything you need to know starting on page 16. Thousands of visitors will show up for these festivals. While they’re in town, they’ll eat at our local restaurants and shop
~Catherine
Follow Do South® Magazine
To reserve this free space for your charitable non-profit organization, email: Editors@DoSouthMagazine.com.
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Want Results? Choose Do South® Magazine! images Jade Graves Photography
Kelley Linton, AuD
Do South® is the kind of magazine that after you read the first publication, you want to pick up the next month’s issue just to see what kind of fun or interesting articles they might have written. The articles and features are relevant to the lifestyles of the people in the River Valley.
~Kelley Linton, AuD, Owner, Center for Hearing, LTD.
479.782.1500 | dosouthmagazine.com catherine@dosouthmagazine.com
Center for Hearing trusts Do South® Magazine to promote their business and meet their advertising goals. We are proud to support businesses like Center for Hearing, that work every day to make our community a healthier, better place to live and work. At Do South® Magazine, our goal is to promote businesses like yours, making sure our readers know what you have to offer. Call Do South® today to see how we can help grow your business through effective, targeted advertising. DDOOSSOOUUTTHHMMAAGGAAZZI N I NEE. C . COOMM
&
advertiserSPOTLIGHT
QA
KELLEY LINTON, AUD CENTER FOR HEARING, LTD.
4300 Rogers Avenue, Suite 15 Fort Smith, AR 72903 479.785.3277 centerforhearing.net
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN PRACTICE?
We began Center for Hearing in 1998.
WHAT SERVICES ARE OFFERED AT CENTER FOR HEARING?
We are a private practice audiology clinic offering hearing evaluations for all ages including newborn to geriatric. We fit hearing aids on all ages of hearing impaired patients and offer a large variety of models and brands of hearing aid technology. We fit and dispense many forms of hearing protection and ear protection including custom molded swim plugs and musician plugs. WHAT ARE SOME PRIMARY COMPLAINTS FROM PATIENTS WITH HEARING ISSUES?
Everyone mumbles; I can hear just fine, I just can’t understand; I hear in quiet but I can’t hear in noise; my family says I have selective hearing; I need the TV louder than others in the room.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE STEPS PEOPLE CAN TAKE TO PROTECT THEIR HEARING?
When exposed to any sound that is so loud that you must shout to be heard at arm’s length, then you should be wearing some type of hearing protection. This includes obvious sounds such as lawn equipment or a chain saw but also some not so obvious sounds such as music or concerts. When using earbuds or earphones, it is best to leave the volume at approximately 60% of the maximum. WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST FULFILLING ABOUT YOUR LINE OF WORK?
The ability to restore and/or improve a person’s or family’s quality of life by allowing them to communicate and actively engage in life activities through better hearing is extremely rewarding. Hearing keeps us involved in the world around us and with the people we love. DOES HEARING LOSS ONLY AFFECT A PERSON AFTER A CERTAIN AGE?
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE VARIOUS TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR HEARING LOSS?
There are a few hearing losses that can be treated medically, either with surgery or medication. Nearly all other hearing losses are treatable with hearing aids. Hearing aids are typically the best option for permanent nerve type hearing loss and can give the person their quality of life back. Dr. Kelley Linton, AuD, Major United States Army Reserve
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LATEST ADVANCES FOR THOSE SUFFERING FROM HEARING LOSS?
Today’s hearing aids offer high fidelity sound quality in nearly all listening situations. Many have Bluetooth connectivity allowing the user to stream phone calls, TV and music directly to the hearing aids therefore providing the best clarity and understanding ability. There are several models that are Apple/Android compatible which allow for wireless connectivity to those devices and/or tablets. All hearing aids that we currently dispense are fully digital and are specifically programmed to each person’s hearing prescription. DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
Absolutely not. It is true that our hearing nerve will “age” and we will develop hearing loss as we get older. However, hearing loss is one of the most common disabilities a baby is born with. My youngest daughter was born deaf in one ear. Hearing loss is very genetic and can be passed down generation to generation. Noise exposure is a very common reason for permanent hearing loss and we live in a very noisy world. Teenagers and young adults are one of our fastest growing populations with permanent hearing loss due to their exposure to loud noise. There are also diseases and medications which can trigger progressive hearing loss such as diabetes, hypertension and chemo therapy just to name a few. DO YOU HAVE INTERESTS OR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF THE CLINIC?
My husband and I have 5 children so we enjoy keeping up with them. We love anything outdoors; hunting, fishing, hiking, kayaking and spending time in the mountains.
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calendar
JULY
Submit your events to editors@dosouthmagazine.com
some images courtesy Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
6 TH
Bordertown Brew Fest Fort Smith brewfestfs.com More than 200 unique brews, a Baggo tournament, and a Beer Fun Run. Live music, good food, and lots of activities for families, at Harry E. Kelley Park. See website for pricing.
8, 15, 22, 29
TH
Anita Paddock Book Signing Fort Smith fortsmithlibrary.org
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Wetlands Day Camp Mountainburg 479.369.2469 For just $20, kids ages 10 - 14 can spend a day at Lake Fort Smith kayaking to see aquatic birds and animals. They’ll learn lessons on conservation and ecology by exploring habitats in the forests, streams, and lake. Call for details.
15 T H
Fort Smith’s own Anita Paddock recently released her second true crime novel, Closing Time, which tells the story of a 1980 double murder in Van Buren. She’ll be talking about her book and the writing process at the Miller Branch Library beginning at 6pm on July 6.
TH
10 T H
Super Summer Saturdays at Clinton Presidential Center Little Rock clintonfoundation.org In conjunction with the Center’s current temporary exhibit, Xtreme Bugs, kids will get a hands-on learning experience with live insects, and the Little Rock Zoo will show Madagascar hissing cockroaches, stick bugs and tarantulas. See website for times and cost.
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
Firefly Fling Fayetteville bgozarks.org The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks will be filled with musicians, storytellers, glow-in-the-dark performances, and games, starting at 6pm. Guests may bring blankets and picnics. See website for pricing.
calendar
THETOPTENTHETOPTEN 20-22 N D
Kids ages 9-13 who sign up for SWAT camp will hike, fish, swim, kayak, and campfire cook for 3 nights and 4 days. Cost is $100 and includes a gift bag, meals, daily snacks, gear rental, and transportation. Call 870.479.6927.
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The Peacemaker Festival in downtown Fort Smith features Andy Frasco & The U.N., Natalie Stovall, North Mississippi Allstars, Split Lip Rayfield, Greyhounds, Hayes Carll, Gov't Mule, and Jamey Johnson. See website for pricing.
Johnson County Peach Festival Clarksville Find them on Facebook Locally grown peaches, cobbler, jams, a scavenger hunt, inflatables, 4-mile run, fishing derby, greased pig race, music, food and tons of fun all in downtown Clarksville. See Facebook page for details.
28-29
The Unexpected Fort Smith 646downtown.com
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You’ll get the chance to watch worldrenowned artists create one-of-a-kind murals and sculptures in downtown Fort Smith. See website for details.
24-27
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Overnight SWAT Camp Mena queenwilhelmina.com
28-29
TH
Peacemaker Festival Fort Smith peacemakerfest.com
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
Art on the Border Fort Smith Find them on Facebook Forty regional artists and artisans will have original art, pottery, glassware, baskets, jewelry, ceramics, wood pieces, and sculptures for sale at the Blue Lion in downtown Fort Smith.
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poetry
A Soft Wind in a Cottonwood Tree LINEs Carrie Sorrells
Wind in the cottonwood tree— sounding like a soft summer rain. A murmur of contentment lasting only a moment as I pass by… …stopping to gaze up into the branches, the leaves dancing and bobbing. I wonder why I never noticed such a small, but pleasing thing. Too busy? Running here and there— My mind absorbed with many thoughts. Fast the days are passing by, one upon the other into weeks, months, years. What other wondrous “moments” have I missed? I recall cold wind whistling around my house; the pine trees softly bending with sighs—the hot winds of summertime—curtains dancing in the window, letting in a welcome breeze. Little things, heartfelt things, God’s gift to us in the name of “a soft wind in a cottonwood tree.” Have you heard it?
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shop
Get it while it’s HOT! words Catherine Frederick imageS Jade Graves Photography and courtesy vendors
Summertime Home Décor
JENNIFER’S GIFT SHOP AT SPARKS HEALTH
Opn Hearing Aid with Wireless Connectivity by Oticon
CENTER FOR HEARING
479.441.4221
479.785.3277
Stainless Steel Containers & Coravin Model One Wine System
SkinMedica Sunscreen and Skincare Products
SODIE’S WINE & SPIRITS
FORT SMITH MEDICAL / BEINEMAN AESTHETICS
479.783.8013
479.434.3131
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
shop
Take a break from the heat and shop our local favorites for all your summer needs.
Woodbridge, Simi, Mark West Single Serve, Four-Pack Wine Stacks
IN GOOD SPIRITS 479.434.6604
Patriotic Home Décor
SUNSHINE SHOP AT MERCY FORT SMITH 479.314.6079
Alain Mikli Sunglasses & Frames
DR. STEVEN B. STILES OPTOMETRY
Hearts on Fire Stackable Rings in Rose, White, and Yellow Gold
479.452.2020
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
JOHN MAYS JEWELERS 479.452.2140
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entertainment
Option B By Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant | Knopf, 226 pages | $26 review Marla Cantrell
The hope of Option
“respect our feelings.” Whenever they felt overwhelmed, it was
B: Facing Adversity,
OK to cry, even if that meant leaving their classes to do so. At
Building Resilience,
night, when they sat down to eat, they talked about things they
and
were grateful for, even in the midst of so much sorrow.
Finding
Joy
rests in these sentences: “But just as grief crashes into us like a wave, it also rolls
Sheryl returned to work as soon as she could. She was shrouded
back like the tide. We are left not just standing, but in some ways
in grief, and sometimes in meetings she would cry, or feel as if
stronger. Option B still gives us options. We can still love … and
her contributions were off. But then she’d hear something posi-
we can still find joy.”
tive, like Mark Zuckerberg telling her that her input mattered.
These words were written by Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook,
During this time, journaling helped sort out her feelings. Some-
two years after her husband died while they were on vacation
times it was as simple as writing down a few things she’d done
in Mexico. Dave Goldberg was on the treadmill when his heart
well that day. In the beginning, that was something as simple as
failed. Sheryl was knocked to her knees by the loss. But as a
making a cup of tea. There is psychology behind the practice.
mother of two, her grief was only part of the battle. She had to
People who acknowledge even small wins build confidence.
fly home and tell her young son and daughter, ages seven and She found that most of us are not equipped for either side of
eleven, that they’d lost their father.
grief. Those experiencing it are in a complicated maze. Those What she wanted more than anything was for Dave to come
wanting to help don’t know what to do. Goodhearted people
back, to roll back time until everything was normal again. That
ask, “What can I do?” which puts the burden on the one
was her Option A. But a friend told her that even though that
grieving. Sheryl says you should just show up. Bring food. Call.
wasn’t a possibility, there was Option B, an alternate life that
Do something to show you care.
would be heartbreaking to navigate, but with help from family In a recent talk, she said that not only is there post-traumatic
and friends, possible.
stress, there’s also post-traumatic growth, a truth that is amazing One of the people Sheryl reached out to was her friend, Adam
to consider. It’s something you don’t hear a lot about, the lessons
Grant, who is also a psychologist. She needed advice, fearing for
learned through the universal experience of love and loss. It may
her children, wondering if such a great loss at such an early age
be one of the most important lessons we’ll ever learn, even
would devastate them. With his help, she worked on strategies.
though we all hope we’ll never get called to that classroom.
She posted family rules above her kids’ cubbies that included
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
lifestyle
does it work?
Do South® Magazine Reviews Simply Straight Pro™ words Catherine Frederick images courtesy Simply Straight™
Are we the only ones that are drawn into those As Seen on TV products? We didn’t think so! This month, Do South® reviews Simply Straight™ Pro, the ceramic straightening hair brush that claims to give perfectly straight, salon quality results in minutes. Summertime is the perfect time to show our locks some love, so, let’s check it out!
What’s the deal? Simply Straight™ Pro has several features that interested us, and it sounded like a great tool to tame frizz during the humid days of summer and time at the lake! It heats up quickly – ready in thirty seconds – up to 450°, and the temperature is displayed on an LCD screen. Not only does it claim to straighten your hair, but also lift at the roots for perfect volume and amazing shine. There’s even a sixty-minute auto shut-off feature, which offers peace of mind.
What’s the claim? Simply Straight™ Pro claims their secret to straightening hair lies in the ceramic wrapped bristles that lift hair at the roots. All you do is brush your hair, and Simply Straight™ Pro delivers gentle, even heat around each strand. They claim the device will not flatten or fry your hair and that it will tame frizz and provide brilliant shine and volume — perfect for straightening curly or frizzy hair.
What’s the cost? Have a product you’d like us to review? Send your ideas to editors@ dosouthmagazine.com.
Simply Straight™ Pro is sold locally as well as online. We found them at a variety of price points (prices based at the time of writing): $49.88 at Walmart, $59.99 at Bed, Bath & Beyond, and $79.99 at simplystraightpro.com.
What’s the verdict? Our managing editor, Marla Cantrell, has really curly hair, and couldn’t wait to see if it would work for her. She clipped the top layer of her hair up, and then straightened the bottom layer one section at a time. While you can easily just brush your hair, sectioning it gave Marla similar results to those you receive at hair salons. Once the bottom layer was straightened, Marla repeated the process with the top layer. Her hair was straight but still had volume, and it stayed straight all day. It was also shiny, a big bonus for anyone who has super curly hair. The following morning, her hair was a bit curly/frizzy but better than usual. Instead of washing/drying/straightening, which was her normal daily routine, she used Simply Straight™ Pro, brushing it through her hair without worrying about sectioning it. Perfect! She would recommend this product to anyone who, like her, has spent a gazillion hours and nearly as much money trying to straighten their hair. DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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entertainment
123
EASY AS ONE, TWO, THREE words Marla Cantrell images courtesy venues
July, the month of independence, of hand-cranked ice cream and trips to the waterpark, to the nearest pool, or to the snow cone stand. But it’s also when three festivals rock downtown Fort Smith, Arkansas.
THE UNEXPECTED July 23-30 Various locations in downtown Fort Smith 646downtown.com
ment build since the festival’s inception in 2015. “There have been several occasions where I’ve been around downtown and chatted up someone taking a photo of a mural to learn they came to Fort Smith from out of state specifically to check out
The excitement starts July 23, when The Unexpected mural
The Unexpected,” Claire says. “That’s real impact.”
festival gets underway. This is the event’s third year, and already it’s become the hallmark of downtown. A select number of
The Arkansas Tourism Department agrees. This year, it awarded
mural artists from the U.S. and beyond will come to Fort Smith
the Henry Community Tourism Development Award to The
and spend a week adding art to some of our oldest buildings.
Unexpected. Because of the festival, those who live and work
Visitors use a map, either picked up at the festival’s pop-up
in Fort Smith, get to see world-class art every day. “The most
shop on Tenth Street, or online, and go to the sites where the
photographed title is held strong by D*Face’s 2015 ‘Trail of
artists are working. Day by day, these murals grow, some as
Tears’ on Fifth and Garrison, and followed closely by Guido
bright as rainbows, others as subtle as a sepia photograph.
Van Helten’s triptych, at OK Foods, in 2016.” Claire says,
There are no barriers between the artists and the fans who
“The artworks are all so different that it’s hard to pinpoint the
watch them, making it an intimate experience. The artists paint,
favorite – it’s like comparing apples to oranges.”
they sandblast, they work magic. There are sculptures as well. Some have asked if the city chips in to bring The Unexpected to The Unexpected is curated by JUSTKIDS and organized by 64.6
town. The answer is no. All the money raised is through dona-
Downtown. Co-founder Claire Kolberg has watched excite-
tions and fundraising.
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
entertainment
PEACEMAKER MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL July 28-29 Riverfront Park, 121 Riverfront Drive, Fort Smith peacemakerfest.com
Singer-songwriter Hayes Carll says his music isn’t about getting on the radio. Instead, he plays from the heart, using the lessons he’s learned to tell a story his audiences love. Natalie Stovall and her band, The Drive, spend a lot of time on
Last year, the Peacemaker Fest drew in 8,000 music and
the road. She’s a Tennessee native who’s played everywhere
art lovers. Attend this year and you’ll find everything from
from the White House to The Oprah Winfrey Show.
artwork to sculpture to jewelry, as well as live music spanning several genres. (See website for pricing.) Headliners are Gov’t
Andy Frasco & the U.N., from California, have been described
Mule, and Jamey Johnson.
as infectious, entertaining, and feel-good.
Gov’t Mule has a new album, The Tel-Star Sessions, remixed
Anthony Farrell and Andrew Trube make up the Austin duo,
from demos made in 1994, in Florida. At that time, the group
The Greyhounds. Their newest album is blues and R&B-laced
was a side project for Warren Haynes and Allen Woody, who
rock and roll.
were on a break from their work with the Allman Brothers Band. They’ve recorded fifteen albums, performed thousands
Split Lip Rayfield, from Kansas, have been around for two
of times, and have a devoted following.
decades, playing music that mixes acoustic bluegrass, country vocals, metal, and punk.
The Washington Post calls Jamey Johnson “one of the greatest country singers of our time.” He’s earned two Song of the Year
After two nights of music, the Peacemaker Fest will end with
Awards from the CMA and ACMs.
their signature “Praise God and Pass the Biscuits” event at the Riverfront Pavilion on Sunday, July 30. Beginning at 10am,
North Mississippi Allstars began in 1996 with brothers Luther
local churches and community leaders will feed anyone who
and Cody Dickinson. Their blues-rock album Prayer for Peace
shows up. The brunch includes live gospel choirs and inspira-
shares a message of positivity, family, and hope.
tional speakers.
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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entertainment
ART ON THE BORDER July 28-29 Blue Lion, 101 North Second Street, Fort Smith
ster, Jeanne Rorex Bridges, Lorrie Bridges, Elisa Cossey Brock, Theresa Cates, Lisa Jan-Bohne’ Clay, Rebecca Dunn, Linda Faber, Josephine Fugett, Sara Galbach, David Gates, Angela Green, Jane Hartfield, Stephen Holmes, Helen Howerton,
Art on the Border features more than thirty artists and artisans
Ed Importante, Just For Pearls, Suzanne King, Jimmy Leach,
from across the region. They’ll be at the Blue Lion Gallery, with
Maggie Malloy, Marsha Martin, Julie Mayser, Ling Ling
their paintings, pottery, hand-blown glass, baskets, jewelry,
Moorman, Rhee Reamy, Sherrell Rodgers, Teresa Schlabach,
ceramics and more. The show is free to attend, and all artwork
Mac Werthmuller, Anna Sue Wilcox, Saber Woodard, and Bob
will be for sale.
and Virginia Wright.
The list is impressive and includes artists Do South® has profiled
Funds raised from the show will benefit the Donald W. Reyn-
in the past, including Dell Eddins, Sydney Clayton, and to our
olds Cancer Support House, U.S. Marshals Museum, and The
great joy, Dr. Kris Gast. The remaining roster is: Steve Brew-
Center for Arts and Education Van Buren.
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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pets
Give a Loving Dog a New Loving Life The shelter is open every Saturday from 9 to noon. Call for an adoption appointment.
M
F
F
Duke
Jade
F
F
Aspen
F
Louise
Greta
Suri
Booneville Animal Shelter Donations are always needed and greatly appreciated. Booneville Animal Shelter | Hwy 10 East | Booneville, AR | 479.849.6188 | Find us on Petfinder.com | 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 editors@dosouthmagazine.com. DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
garden
Words Megan Lankford, Botanical Garden of the Ozarks Left image Cole Fennel Photography
July in the Garden THE DIRT:
The dog days of summer are upon us. Many an avid gardener find themselves inside during these hot months, yet the garden beckons you to come outside. It’s times like these that I find myself in the garden at dawn, as the mid-day sun is too intense for pleasurable gardening, and the evenings are filled with mosquitoes. Morning is also the ideal time to water your garden. TIPS: Proper watering techniques can prevent disease from starting, and spreading. The first technique is mulch. Regardless of the type of mulch you choose, hardwood, pine bark, straw and so forth, they all do the same thing. They keep moisture in the ground, the root zone temperature steady, prevent weeds from sprouting, and prevent splash up from the soil and thus soil diseases. It is important to water deeply. Once a week or so is often sufficient, unless it rains at least an inch. Watering deeply once a week forces your plants to push their roots deeper into the ground, thus finding water on their own. This allows for less watering on your part, and healthier plants in the long run. Watering early morning allows the water to settle into the soil, and not evaporate before the plants can access it. It allows the foliage to dry before nightfall, thus decreasing the likelihood of some diseases. Drip irrigation is ideal as it delivers water directly to the root zone while not getting on the foliage. If you do plant in the middle of summer, be sure to puddle the hole. Puddling consists of digging a hole, filling it up with water two to three times, and allowing the water to drain before planting. Leave the root ball of the plant in the hole while doing this to allow it to become saturated. Your plant now has a pillow of moisture around its root ball. Plant and mulch as usual. Be sure to check twice a week for water needs throughout the summer.
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
YOU CAN PLANT: Corn Carrots Beets Beans Hold off on trees, shrubs, and perennials until late fall or early winter.
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community health
DO SOUTH CARES
®
July is UV Safety Awareness Month, and as part of our Do South® Cares initiative, we’re bringing you advice from the CDC designed to protect you from the damaging effects of UV rays.
PROTECT ALL THE SKIN YOU’RE IN.
ENJOY THE OUTDOORS!
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United
prevent conditions like obesity. But it’s important to be
States, but most skin cancers can be prevented!
sun smart when playing and working outdoors.
Every year—
USE A LAYERED APPROACH FOR SUN PROTECTION.
Being physically active outside is healthy and can help
• Nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer
at a cost of more than $8 billion.
• Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
• There are 72,000 new cases of and 9,000 deaths
• Wear a hat, sunglasses and other clothes to
from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
protect skin.
• Use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15+ Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays—from the sun or from
artificial sources like tanning beds—is the most common
• Sunscreen works best when used with shade
cause of skin cancer.
or clothes, and it must be re-applied every two
hours and after swimming, sweating, and
toweling off.
Anyone, no matter the skin tone, can get skin cancer.
to protect any exposed skin.
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
health
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR SKIN CANCER?
the skin. It moves toward the outer layers of the skin and
People with certain risk factors are more likely than others
becomes visible as a tan.
to develop skin cancer. Risk factors vary for different types of skin cancer, but some general risk factors are having:
A tan does not indicate good health. A tan is a response
• A lighter natural skin color.
to injury, because skin cells signal that they have been
• Family history of skin cancer.
hurt by UV rays by producing more pigment.
• A personal history of skin cancer. • Exposure to the sun through work and play.
People burn or tan depending on their skin type, the
• A history of sunburns, especially early in life.
time of year, and how long they are exposed to UV rays.
• A history of indoor tanning.
The six types of skin, based on how likely it is to tan or
• Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily,
burn, are —
or becomes painful in the sun.
1. Always burns, never tans.
• Blue or green eyes.
2. Burns easily, tans minimally.
• Blond or red hair.
3. Burns moderately, tans gradually to light brown.
• Certain types and a large number of moles.
4. Burns minimally, always tans well to
moderately brown.
TANNING AND BURNING
5. Rarely burns, tans profusely to dark.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays come from the sun or from indoor
6. Never burns, deeply pigmented, least sensitive.
tanning (using a tanning bed, booth, or sunlamp to get tan). When UV rays reach the skin’s inner layer, the skin
Although everyone’s skin can be damaged by UV exposure,
makes more melanin. Melanin is the pigment that colors
people with skin types 1 and 2 are at the highest risk.
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Boys in the Hood words Dwain Hebda images Subiaco Abbey and Dwain Hebda
The abbey bell sang its hearty summons shortly before mid-day,
from which the abbey church eventually arose. “When we turned
each peal beckoning, cajoling, compelling.
100, we turned him back around so he could face the church.”
“You want to join us for noon prayer?” asked Brother Ephrem
Subiaco Abbey, a Benedictine community in rural Logan County,
O’Bryan, OSB, brightly. His invitation accepted, Brother Ephrem
Arkansas, is full of such wonderful details curated in the lives of
shuffled out of his office for the short walk to the church sanc-
the monks who live, work and pray here. Across its roughly 1,500
tuary. The stroll winds through a meticulously kept courtyard of
acres the abbey serves a variety of purposes: Catholic worship, a
riotous floral color set against the stately stone abbey walls, a
working farm and ranch, timber and sawmill, a retreat center, and
somber statue of St. Benedict at its center.
a prestigious boarding school for boys.
“St. Benedict used to face the other way,” said Brother Ephrem,
But it’s in the hearts and hands of the fifty-one men here that
poking a thumb to the abbey’s patriarch. The statue, which origi-
Subiaco Abbey and its guiding principle, the 1,500-year-old Rule
nally faced a north entrance to greet visitors, was turned south
of St. Benedict, are most clearly expressed. For many of them, the
after a devastating fire in the 1920s left him staring at only rubble
charism has unfolded over the bulk of their lifetime, for others, it’s
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just beginning. “What attracted me here was the community life,” said Prior, Brother Edward Fischesser. “I think that community is a big draw for some of the younger people, too. They’re looking for that. They come, and they want to dedicate themselves to something. It’s not just, ‘I want to have a room here,’ you know?” Subiaco Abbey is at once everything you envision and nothing you expect about a monastery. Perched on a hilltop near Paris, the imposing abbey building with its red rooftop shimmers in the Arkansas sun. Set against the emerald fertile valleys and heavily timbered foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, one’s first sight of the medieval-looking abbey is a dramatic experience. Every monk here has a story about greeting wide-eyed visitors who aren’t completely sure what they’ve just discovered. “People that go out on the weekends for a drive around beautiful Arkansas stumble across us,” said Brother Matthias Haggie, OSB. “My absolute favorite question I get is, ‘What is this place? Is this a prison?’ “There is a mindset that monasteries don't exist anymore, and there’re a lot of non-Catholics that are not aware of the religious order side of the Catholic Church. I love giving tours of this place, giving our history. People are just fascinated at the idea that a monastery still exists in the United States, let alone Arkansas.” The original abbey sat across the road at a ragged spot in the woods to which three pioneering Benedictine monks were
Georgetown University reported in 2015, the number of men in
dispatched from their Indiana home community in 1878. There,
religious communities has decreased sharply, from nearly 42,000
they laid the foundation for what was to stand for 139 years
in 1970 to fewer than 18,000 a couple of years ago.
and counting. In time the crude log structures gave way to more refined buildings while the surrounding land was tilled for every-
As an order the Benedictines fared better than most during
thing from corn to vegetable gardens to vineyards to fuel the
this time, ranking second among the ten largest men’s reli-
monks’ pastoral work throughout the area.
gious institutions in the U.S. with 1,324 members and having decreased “only” forty-seven percent. Still, there were many
In 1901 a fire started in the cookhouse adjoining the abbey,
years where new crosses in the abbey cemetery outnumbered
burning the original structure to the ground. By good fortune,
new faces at the table.
a new stone abbey and academy were nearing completion, and the present-day facility was dedicated June 15, 1904. In 1927
Most of the forty-seven professed monks who live here now have
the new structure also burned and, hampered by the economic
seen the lean days up close – noontime devotion is permeated
malaise of the Great Depression, full recovery would not be real-
by bowed gray heads and folded weathered hands – but recently
ized for forty years.
there’s been an uptick in new members, who spend more than four years in formation before taking their final vows as a full
Fire and finances haven’t been the only threats the community
member of the community.
has faced over the decades. As the Center for Applied Research at DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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Brother Raban Heyer, OSB, is one of the newcomers. At twenty-
While not for everyone, the appeal of monastic existence isn’t
seven, he’s not the youngest one here, but he’s close. He said
hard to understand, nor is it irrelevant in the modern world.
he chose a monastic life after years of searching other paths,
St. Benedict wrote his treatise for a righteous, fulfilling life
including working as a parochial school teacher in Little Rock. “I
after becoming convinced that society was going to hell in
think it's the balance for me, coupled with the stability,” he said.
a handbasket and that was just under the Romans. Imagine
“The balance between having a prayer life, having a work life
what he’d think today.
and part of my work involves coaching track and cross country, so that helps me take care of myself physically. It's very fulfilling
Of course, Subiaco Abbey is still of this world which means
to my whole person.”
having bills to pay. The community survives on donations, tuition for academy students seventh through twelfth grade
“People who come here see we’re not that strange or weird, but
and hosting various retreats. Also, many of the monks’ daily
in one sense, I guess we are,” said Brother Edward. “We’re pretty
labors support the abbey’s various cottage industries. Its
stable here. I mean, when you make your solemn vows, you
Monk Sauce (hot habanero sauce that is not to be taken
can almost pick out your cemetery plot because you’re not
lightly) and Abbey Brittle peanut brittle headline the commu-
supposed to be going anyplace. And that’s unusual today,
nity’s catalogue alongside calligraphy, handmade soaps,
that stability. People are so mobile.”
candles and carved items.
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Brother Jude Schmitt, OSB, works every day in the wood shop, a skill he’s shown since childhood and his Ora et Labora here since the 1970s. The shop churns out a dizzying variety of plaques, clocks and other wooden items by special order or to sell in the abbey gift shop and online. He’s done altars and other sacramental furniture for churches down to hand-turned chess pieces. A recent donation of computer-driven equipment opened the door to a wide range of new products, including incredibly detailed etchings that, combined with his artist’s eye for
Brother Edward Fischesser, OSB
color and finish, leap off the surface. It’s quiet in the workshop except for the rhythmic trill of the bit on the face of the wood. Commingled sawdust yields its incense into the air. A man of few words, this is how Brother Jude likes it. “My favorite time to be in the workshop is on a rainy morning,” he said. “When I’m working, it clears my head of all other thoughts. I can just concentrate.” There’s a tile in the floor of the abbey church, the Mary Marble, which features veining that outlines the Virgin Mary cradling a swaddled baby Jesus. It looks like any of the other hundreds of tiles, except when viewed from the particular angle of one’s head bowed in prayer from a spot in a front pew. Catholics hold a specific devotion to the Blessed Mother and her presence in the marble is comforting for the men who have planted their lives here, men who radiate their vocation to visitors from all walks of life. “Many of our visitors come looking for some peace and quiet,
Brother Jude Schmitt, OSB
to get away,” said Abbot Leonard Wangler, OSB. “They come to get someplace where they can just think. They’re looking for someplace they can get away and be by themselves and in their association with God. “We’re providing for them a place where they can come and wind down for a few days. Oftentimes, we don't realize we’re projecting an image for people. We’re not purposely projecting that image; we’re just doing what feels right to us and letting people see God at work in us.”
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Abbey Facts Visitors are welcome at Subiaco, in groups or individually. Join the monks for Mass, one of three daily prayer times or just walk the grounds. First-timers should start at Coury House to get a self-guided walking tour map which leads the visitors to the various points of interest. The abbey credo “Ora et Labora” is Latin for “pray and work.” Subiaco monks do observe periods of silence as part of their day, but this only happens at breakfast and at night. During “working hours” visitors may approach and talk to the monks. Single Catholic men ages twenty to forty-five seeking a life in vocations are eligible to apply to become a brother. There’s also an affiliation for lay people, called oblates, which is connected to the Benedictines but they do not take vows or live in the monastery. Both men and women can become oblates. Benedictines are traditionally associated with ravens.
Subiaco Academy
St. Benedict kept one as a pet and St. Meinrad, another
405 North Subiaco Avenue
key figure in Benedictine history, had two. Subiaco
Subiaco, Arkansas
thus features a pair of the birds in its coat of arms.
479.934.1000 countrymonks.org Subiaco Academy, located on the Abbey’s 1,800 acres, is one of the premier international boarding and day schools for young men in grades seven through twelve. The school maintains a 100% college and military acceptance rate amongst its graduates. Every school day, you can see young men from Fort Smith and the surrounding area boarding the school’s bus for a day of learning at the Academy. Often, this tradition is passed down through generations, so that all the men in the family have the Subiaco Academy experience. To find out more, visit subiacoacademy.us.
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The Growth Words Jessica Sowards Image Jeremiah Sowards
My mother has a green thumb. She can grow anything. When I
My granddaddy, he was a tomato man. With a penchant for
was a kid, she would do things like buy me purple rose bushes as
beefsteaks, his kitchen counter was lined with fresh, red fruit
gifts and then grow them outside my bedroom window. When
all the summers of my childhood. He would pick me up and
I made the mistake of stepping on a plant, she turned it into
set me next to them, hand me a cherry tomato and take one
a lesson in root propagation. She sprouted avocado pits and
for himself. Then we would pop them in our mouths and grin
the seeds from all sorts of things. She would take my siblings
as juice and seeds burst through our teeth to the inside of our
and me to markets and nurseries, exclaiming over unusual plant
smiling cheeks.
varieties. And when she took odd jobs planting flower beds for
people, we would tag along, helping a little and complaining a
You could say I am ingrained with an appreciation for the
lot about the Arkansas heat.
garden. Naturally, as I transitioned into adulthood, it seemed DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
people
Busy as I was with my sons, I couldn’t shake the desire to garden. So, I began to read and learn.
fitting to try out my own green thumb. I quickly learned that
houses, I grew what I could in containers, planting tomatoes in
the ability to grow things was not hereditary. Many plants died
five-gallon buckets and sweet peas in flower beds.
at my negligent hands. Many. I did, however, learn to be a
mother in that season. And all the small boys my hands were
My resources were limited. Not enough space, not enough
raising grew at a record pace.
money, not enough time, not enough help. The disappoint-
ments were probably the only abundant part of my early
Busy as I was with my sons, I couldn’t shake the desire to
gardening experiences. I mostly resolved to support other local
garden. So, I began to read and learn. I checked out books from
growers through farmers’ markets. Sometimes the desire to
the library, and as the age of Pinterest and the blog world grew,
cultivate just got to be too much though, and I’d try again.
I utilized every resource I could. From apartments to rental
And again. And again. I’d buckle on the seemingly relentless
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winter months and optimistically spend my birthday money on
my years-old seed collection, that beautiful, tangible souvenir
heirloom seeds from glossy, colored catalogs. Then when the
of my garden dreaming. They grew and grew, and though it
spring came, I would be faced with the reality that I simply did
looked a little questionable for a moment, God came through
not have the space and capacity to plant them all.
with unexpected income, unforeseen jobs, unsolicited gifts in
the name of “God told me to give this to you.” He does seem
Then we found our house. And I thought, surely, my time has
to like to do things in the last minute, doesn’t He? I think maybe
come. For many things, it had. My time to be a homeowner had
He enjoys watching our faith grow like I enjoyed watching my
come. My time to lay down my camera, close my photography
little greenhouse plants. Maybe.
business and focus on the farm of my dreams had come. My time
to own chickens and goats, turkeys and ducks had surely come.
So this year, after over a decade of desire, after uncountable
But from the moment I first dug a shovel into the ground, I real-
disappointments, and after an incredible amount of backbreaking
ized the perfect-foreclosure-on-an-Arkansas-ridge I was calling
work, I finally got my garden. Multiple forty-eight-foot raised
home sat directly on four acres of packed red clay. My time to
beds run in parallel lines with arched trellises standing between
be the gardener I’d always hoped to be would have to wait. It
them. Shorter beds line the outer edges, filled with carrots and
wasn’t going to be the simple matter of tilling a few rows.
radishes, kale and lettuces. My peppers sit in the bed closest to
the compost pile, bejeweled with orange and yellow and deep
We do things big. I knew that when I finally got to have my
green fruit. They glisten in the sun just like I knew they would.
garden, I wanted it to be one that supplied all our needs. I didn’t
There are two long rows of my precious tomato plants, a bril-
want it to just be big enough for fresh eating, but big enough
liant array of heirloom varieties climbing cattle panels towards
for canning and sharing and selling a little at the market. In
the sun. Herbs intermixed with eggplants, marigolds, and nastur-
short, it was going to be a very costly endeavor to build the
tiums throughout. It is far lovelier than I ever imagined.
garden I wanted, considering we’d have to do it in raised beds
by bringing in outside soil. So, I settled on using a few small
In the morning, I wake up and walk through it. In the evening,
raised beds in the front yard, and I waited.
black soil swirls around my feet in the shower. I have never been
so satisfied to be filthy. It’s harder than I thought it would be.
Three years went by. Three years of being a farmer without a
I’ve gotten stronger. To be honest, had I been given this garden
garden of my own. Then this spring, though it looked improb-
when I first asked for it, I would have never been able to with-
able that we’d be able to afford the garden, my husband
stand the work it requires. I guess that’s how it works though.
Jeremiah told me to start the seeds in my greenhouse. I’ll be
Sometimes the waiting grows something in us. A resolve born
honest, I was afraid. I didn’t want to be disappointed. I didn’t
of desperation. A dream cultivated in hope. And a determina-
want to put in hours and hours of work starting plants that I’d,
tion to steward it well when finally given the shot.
again, have nowhere to plant. But I’m a sucker for hope. And
though the risk of a great let-down lurked, I took the leap. Day
Maybe it’s ingrained, or maybe it was hard-earned. It could
after day, through March and April, I visited the greenhouse
simply be a mix of both. However it came about, I am undeni-
and nurtured hundreds of plants.
ably a gardener. A grower, a green thumb like my mom and a
tomato-lover like my granddaddy.
They grew. Lovely and lush. Sweet, purple peppers and hot, green ones. Black tomatoes and streaked eggplants, sunflower
It was worth the wait.
starts and tomatillos, all sorts of varieties carefully selected from
Follow Jessica @thehodgepodgedarling.blogspot.com.
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This BIG Little Church Words Stoney Stamper images courtesy April Stamper
“May the Lord richly bless you and keep you safely in his arms.
eight citizens, although as hard as I try, I cannot come up with
Shake hands and be friendly. You’re dismissed.” How many
more than half of that. Maybe if we included dogs, cats, sheep,
times have I heard these words in my life? Thousands of times,
and horses, but still, that’s pushing it.
no doubt. These were the words that my grandfather, Brother Eugene Grace, used at the end of every sermon that he preached.
The attendance on a Sunday morning at our little church was
He was the pastor of Murphy Church of God, in Murphy, Okla-
generally more than the population on the sign. In fact, when
homa, for the better part of fifty years. He moved to a few
I was younger, I remember the congregation being so big that
different churches across the state during that half-century of
you’d have a hard time finding an open spot on a pew. Church
work in the service of the Lord, but most of my life he stood at
isn’t normally considered a fun place for a child, but I admit that
the pulpit in that little country church in our tiny community of
a Sunday morning service at our church had a certain amount
Murphy that consisted of no more than half a dozen families.
of excitement to it. It was like a huge family reunion every single
The “Welcome to Murphy” sign boasted a population of ninety-
Sunday. Both sides of my family, the Stampers, and the Graces
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attended Murphy Church of God. My Uncle Rick was the leader
wife Dorothy, whom he married after my great grandmother
of the youth group, a group that both me and my future wife
died, would get up in front of the church and sing the old
April attended together as kids. My cousin Terry played the piano
gospel song, “Come and Dine.” “Come and dine, the Master
and led the music along with my mom and my Aunt Marilyn. And
calleth, come and dine. You may feast at Jesus’ table all the
my other grandpa, Papa Stamper, was the Sunday school super-
time!” They never sang a different song, that I recall, but they
intendent. At the end of Sunday school every week, he would
didn’t need to. The funny thing about it was, neither one of
jerk the door open on each classroom, undoubtedly wearing one
them could sing worth a quarter. They were both off-key, and
of his eternally cool and colorful blazers, and he’d say, “TIME!”
neither of them in the same key. My cousin Terry would keep
letting us know that it was time to move to the auditorium for
playing that piano as if he were playing for the Gaithers, and if
the sermon. My brother, sister, cousins, and friends would talk
one of them would hit an unusually flat note, which they would
and laugh as we made our way out into the sanctuary to find
inevitably do, you could hear him giggle over the microphone,
our seats as the old folks shook hands and chit-chatted in the
but never miss a beat on the piano.
lobby. Inevitably, my grandmother, Sister Grace, would hunt me down to give me hugs and kisses, no matter how big or old I had gotten. She’d then take her place on the second row on the left side of pews, with her arms spread out on the back of the bench and her eyes pointed to the heavens, and she’d sing every word to every song. All through the sermon, she’d keep her eyes closed and repeat over and over again, “Praise God, praise God, praise God. Thank you, Jesus, thank you, Jesus, thank you, Jesus.” She’d never stop saying it, and more importantly, you didn’t want her to, because you knew that she meant it. I always felt like maybe God listened to her just a little bit better than he did anyone else. I always felt like that if she was praying for me, that nothing could ever go wrong. On the other side of the sanctuary sat R.L. Stamper, my great grandfather. Born in 1896 and hard as nails, he was a semifamous evangelist in northeast Oklahoma and western Arkansas. His silver hair combed straight back, a starched white shirt with the initials R.L.S. stitched on the cuffs and collar, and either a blue or red sport coat and a tie to match. His cowboy hat was left on the hat rack by the front door. He was the definition of the fire-and-brimstone preacher that you see on television. He
Brother Eugene Grace
was generous to a fault, always kind to everyone he met, but he could definitely scare you to death with his stories of the End of Days that he was certain were upon us. He would often
And then back to the pulpit stood my Papa Grace. Small in stature,
have his own sermon, all by himself in the corner. His voice was
quiet in person, but behind the pulpit he was, and still is, a warrior.
loud and hoarse, and if you listened closely, you would often
A warrior for God. I can honestly say that in my nearly forty years
hear your own name in his prayers. Between his prayers and my
on this earth, there is not a preacher that I’d rather hear deliver
granny’s, there was no doubt in any of our minds that we were
the word of God than my papa. Sure, I know I am biased. But I
covered in God’s blessings and protection. Oftentimes, during
also know good preaching when I hear it. And I have heard a lot
testimony, his testimony would turn into the sermon. Once the
of it. Twice on Sunday and every Wednesday night for eighteen
old man got rolling, he was like a freight train, and it took a
years. Less often than that as an adult, but I still go and “get fed,”
while to slow him down. On extra special Sundays, he and his
as the old folks like to call it, every chance I get. In fact, we made
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the six-hour trip back to Murphy not too long ago. The church is
best to spread goodness and kindness and generosity to all
smaller now. The building is the same size, of course, but it seems
those we come in contact with. We take them to church, but
smaller. And the congregation isn’t nearly what it once was, but
I have never been able to find a church that I’ve felt the fond-
that doesn’t mean that they won’t get the same message deliv-
ness for that I have for Murphy Church of God. That church has
ered to them as they would have if the crowd were bigger. It’s
been a part of my family for more than ninety years. Our fami-
funny how certain things, no matter how much time passes, never
lies were built there, many of us were married there, a few of
change though. The distinct smell of the lobby and sanctuary, a
us have nursed ourselves back from divorce there. And many,
mixture of cleaning supplies and thirty-year-old carpet. My cousin
more than I care to remember, have said goodbye there after
Terry’s loud and flamboyant laugh echoing through the audito-
they passed from this life into the next. And sadly, that number
rium. The sound the doors make when my papa would lock them
is growing. But no matter how many of the older generations
as everyone was leaving to go have lunch with the family. Those
we lose, still she stands. Murphy Church of God. It makes me
little details seem pretty inconsequential, but it’s pretty crazy just
sad that Murphy church is not a part of my weekly routine any
exactly how important they are to me.
longer, but one thing is for certain, just as my grandfather prayed over me each week from its pulpit and promised me
April and I raise our kids to believe just as we were taught to
that he would, the Lord has richly blessed me.
believe. We read the Bible, we say our prayers, and we do our
Claude Stamper service
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120 years of
Gumbo Essay/recipe Trenton Mann image courtesy Kathy Ewing
A few months ago, Kathy Ewing, an English teacher at Belle Point Center: A New Tech Academy, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, came up with a creative writing project. She’d been thinking about her grandmother’s cooking, of the time she spent in her kitchen when she was a child. Kathy understood the impact food has on our memories, our families, and on the traditions we hold dear. From that reminiscing, Kathy came up with an assignment. Students in the ninth through twelfth grades were asked to think of a food that had a strong memory for them, and then write an essay about it. Before the students began this project, she asked our managing editor, Marla Cantrell, to visit her classes to talk about writing, specifically about how to take something as technical as a recipe and turn it into a story. Do South® was also asked to help judge the students’ essays, and select the winner. What a difficult job! The work was so good, and these stories were glimpses into the students’ lives, the people they loved, and the food that they’ll remember for a lifetime. Trenton Mann, who will be a junior in high school when school starts in August, wrote the winning essay. He’s an outdoorsman who loves mudding, fishing, hunting, and camping.
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Famous Gumbo INGREDIENTS > > > > > > > > >
Trenton Mann
> > > > > > >
4 pounds unpeeled, large fresh shrimp 4 (32-ounce) containers chicken broth 2 pounds sliced andouille sausage 2 pounds sliced Italian sausage vegetable oil 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 chopped medium onions 2 chopped green bell peppers 6 sliced celery stalks 6 minced garlic cloves 4 bay leaves 4 teaspoons Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning 1 teaspoon dried thyme 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 5 to 6 teaspoons hot sauce 1 cup chopped green onions
Every year my family and I go to Louisiana for Thanksmas. We cannot all get together for Thanksgiving and Christmas, so we combine them. We have Thanksmas in a cabin in the woods. We drive four wheelers and just have a good time.
METHOD
For years, my family and I went to Chemin-A-Haut State Park. My whole family loves being outdoors, and this park was in the woods in Northern Louisiana. There were tons of trails, and the biggest cypress tree in the world was there. You could paddle an entire canoe under it. Sometimes you could wake up in the morning and see alligators.
2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, add shrimp shells and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes. Pour mixture through a strainer to discard shells. Set broth aside, and keep warm.
A while back, some of the cabins were damaged in a flood. Now we go to my great-grandma’s cabin. It’s kind of falling apart and old. Last year we brought our camper and parked it behind her house, and other family members set up tents. We still got to hang out outside and had a great time. Everyone brings food, but the highlight is the gumbo. The gumbo is a special family recipe, and every year a different family member makes it. The recipe is 120 years old and has been passed down through cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, etc. This meal is so special to me because I don’t get to eat it very often, and it reminds me of Chemin-A-Haut State Park and family gatherings.
1. Peel shrimp and de-vein. Don’t throw away the shells.
3.
Cook both sausages until browned. Put sausages on a plate. Pour the drippings into a measuring cup and add enough vegetable oil to measure 1 cup. Cook oil mixture and flour in a big pot over medium-low heat about 35 to 40 minutes, whisking constantly, until roux is chocolate colored.
4.
Stir in onions, bell peppers, celery and garlic, and cook for about 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Gradually stir in warm broth; bring mixture to a boil. Stir in bay leaves, Creole seasoning, thyme, Worcestershire, and hot sauce; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 50 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Stir in all the meat and cook 5 to 7 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Throw out bay leaves. Serve over white rice.
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Homemade Ice Dreams words Catherine Frederick
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recipe taste
The sound of an ice cream machine churning away sends me straight back to my childhood. My favorite was a simple recipe combining soda pop and sweetened condensed milk, churned for what seemed like an eternity in an old ice cream maker, packed with rock salt and ice, surrounded by towels to keep in the cold. My cousins and I would sit around with great anticipation, just waiting for the ice cream maker to stop. We’ve gathered up three recipes for you to enjoy with friends and family, all summer long.
Soda Ice Cream
Strawberry Ice Cream
INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENTS
•
(1) 2-liter bottle favorite soda
(Orange Crush, Big Red, Nu-Grape)
• 1 pound strawberries, trimmed, halved if large • 3/4 cup sugar • 3/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice • 1/8 teaspoon salt • 2 cups heavy cream
•
14 oz. sweetened condensed milk (you can use fat-free)
METHOD
METHOD
Start with cold ingredients! Add soda to the freezer canister of your ice cream maker first, then sweetened condensed
Using a potato masher, coarsely mash berries, sugar, lemon
milk, stir gently to combine.
juice, and salt in a large bowl.
Freeze in accordance with ice cream maker’s directions. If
Let stand, stirring and mashing occasionally, 10 minutes.
you have trouble getting the mixture to freeze, try these tips: Transfer half of strawberry mixture to a blender and purée
— Run your ice cream maker in a cold environment, not
outside in the hot sun.
— Replace at least a portion of the ice and re-salt if the
with cream until smooth.
ice/rock salt mixture becomes too melted.
Return strawberry cream to bowl with remaining strawberries and chill, stirring occasionally, until very cold, 3 to 6 hours. Freeze mixture in ice cream maker then transfer to an airtight container and place in freezer to firm up.
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recipe
Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream INGREDIENTS • • • • • • •
3 cups heavy cream 3 cups whole milk 1 cup white sugar (1) 10 oz. jar maraschino cherries, with juice 8 egg yolks 2 teaspoons almond extract 12 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
METHOD In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine cream, milk, sugar, and juice from the jar of cherries. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat. Add egg yolks to a large bowl, then whisk in hot cream mixture, about 2 tablespoons at a time, until you have added a total of 2 cups. Whisk the yolk mixture into the saucepan of hot cream, then cook on low, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a metal spoon, about 170° F. Pour mixture into a container, cover, and refrigerate 4-6 hours. Chop reserved maraschino cherries. Add cherries, almond extract and chocolate to the cold mixture. Pour into ice cream maker, freeze in accordance with ice cream maker’s directions.
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taste
INGREDIENTS Serves one
Blackberry Bliss
image James Stefiuk
> 3 blackberries > 1 lime wedge > 1 cup ice > 1 ½ oz. 1800 Reposado tequila > ¾ oz. fresh lime juice > ¾ oz. simple syrup > ¾ oz. Chambord > 1 oz. chilled club soda
METHOD Muddle 2 blackberries in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, lime juice, simple syrup, tequila and Chambord. Shake, then pour into a low-ball glass filled with ice. Gently stir in cold club soda and garnish with 1 blackberry and lime wedge. Please drink responsibly. Never drink and drive.
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travel
BEAT THE HEAT IN THE
NATURAL
STATE words Jill Rohrbach, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism images courtesy Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
S
Summer is in full swing, and we're all trying to find ways to beat the July heat. We're fortunate to live in Arkansas, where there are caverns, lakes, and springs galore. Jill Rohrbach, travel writer with Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, has gathered all the information you need to plan a trip to some of the coolest places in the state.
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travel
BLANCHARD SPRINGS CAVERNS
MAMMOTH SPRING STATE PARK
Ranked among the most beautiful underground discoveries of
One of the great natural wonders of mid-America, Mammoth
the twentieth century, this limestone cavern is located deep in
Spring flows at an average hourly rate of some nine million gallons.
the Ozark National Forest, fifteen miles north of Mountain View.
The fifty-eight degree Fahrenheit water flow creates a 10-acre
It is the only developed cave system operated by the U.S. Forest
lake that then becomes Spring River, a popular year-round canoe
Service and is open throughout the year. Lighted walkways lead to
and fishing stream. The park, located at the big spring, includes a
stunning formations and massive rooms, one as large as six foot-
restored 1886 Frisco Depot with engaging exhibits and a "crew"
ball fields. In addition to the lighted walking tours, the wild cave
of workmen and waiting passengers from the early 1900s. Other
tour lets adventure seekers don kneepads, helmets and lights for
features include walking trails, picnic sites, playgrounds, an early
an off the path spelunking experience. Nearby Blanchard Springs
hydroelectric power plant and an official Arkansas Tourist Informa-
Recreational Use Area provides scenic campgrounds, picnic areas,
tion Center. Along U.S. 63 at Mammoth Spring.
hiking trails, a massive natural spring and a trout lake. Off Ark.14
870.625.7364, ArkansasStateParks.com/MammothSpring
near the town of Fifty-Six. 888.757.2246, BlanchardSprings.org; tour reservations: Recreation.gov DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
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travel
GREERS FERRY LAKE LITTLE RED RIVER
BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER
Nestled in the hardwood forests and foothills between Clinton and
The country’s first national river (1972), the Buffalo River flows roughly
Heber Springs, Greers Ferry is the third-largest lake in Arkansas'
135 miles and includes nearly 95,000 acres of public land along its
Ozark Mountains (31,500 surface acres). The U.S. Army Corps of
corridor. It has been the topic of a full-length book, the subject of a
Engineers reservoir has served as a national model for environmental
National Geographic feature article, and the cornerstone for the state's
cleanliness. Commercial and public use campgrounds, first-class
environmental movement. The stream descends nearly 2,000 feet
lodging, resorts and championship golf courses are trademarks.
through layers of sandstone, limestone and chert. Its many bluffs are the
The Little Red River emerges icy-cold from Greers Ferry Dam and
highest in all the Ozark Mountains. Hidden away, ready for discovery
provides excellent trout fishing waters for miles downstream. An
are other geologic marvels—springs, caves, waterfalls, natural bridges,
International Game Fish Association (IGFA) and National Fresh Water
and box-like canyons where trails are abundant. Numerous outfitters
Fishing Hall of Fame all-tackle world-record German brown trout
service the river, and there are several campgrounds, cabins, motels
was caught here in 1992. The big brown weighed in at 40lbs., 4ozs.
and other lodging options nearby. While spring and early summer are
Resorts and outfitters are available. The lake and river visitor center is
the prime floating times, the lower section of the Buffalo can be floated
located on Ark. 25 at the western end of the dam. 501.362.9067,
year-round. 870.741.5443, NPS.gov/buff
GreersFerryLake.org DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
travel
There you have it, a trove of places to escape the summer heat, and fall a bit more in love with the great state of Arkansas. Start planning, and be sure to snap a bunch of photos. Send your best to editors@ dosouthmagazine.com. They might just end up in a future issue of Do SouthÂŽ Magazine. WHITE RIVER AND BULL SHOALS LAKE Internationally famous for its beauty and great fishing, the White River flows through the Ozark Mountains and across the Delta (over 700 miles) before joining the Mississippi River. Trout fishing below U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-built dams is a major draw. A rainbow trout estimated at 24.7 pounds was caught and released on North Fork River, a major tributary of the White River, in the fall of 2002. Resorts and full-service marinas are available. Bull Shoals Lake, with more than 45,000 surface acres of water and a 1,000mile shoreline, is a popular destination for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. Largemouth bass and big stripers (in the fifty-pound class) are on the fishing menu. Many accommodations and guide services are available. 870.425.2700
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southern fiction
Julie feels it, the pulsing heat that rises above the blacktop road, shimmers through the leaves of the maple tree in her front yard. She holds onto the feeling even as the day ends, as the sun droops and the moon lifts and the air cools. The sun has hands, a body, a mouth. The sun is her lover Wyeth, she is sure, although she doesn’t say it aloud. She knows how that sounds. When Wyeth shows up at her door after midnight, his skin is always warm. Julie wonders if he drives his pickup with the windows down in summer. With his heater on high in winter. He drives across the hayfield behind her house. Cuts off the lights, feels his way to her bright white house. She is not the kind of woman who typically entertains men in secret. But for the past six months, she has. “We ought to go out, see a movie, go dancing,” she said, early on, two weeks after that first night when they’d met at the bonfire. Christmas lights had been strung in the oak trees around them. Tinsel hanging like moss. “I work a lot,” Wyeth had said, and something about the way he’d said it made whatever she was going to say next die in her throat.
Here Comes the Sun FICTION Marla Cantrell
Julie works more than he does. Six days a week. But her job is at home, making sales calls for a siding company, asking people to cover the skin of their houses with vinyl made to look like real wood. She’s surprised at how many of her friends think she doesn’t work at all because she doesn’t punch a time clock or work the register at Walmart. Tonight, when Wyeth shows up, he’s so quiet she doesn’t hear the purr of his pickup’s motor. He taps her front door, the sound like summer rain just starting. Sometime last month, she quit turning the porch light on, and now as she looks at him through the living room window, she sees how he holds his own glow. He never needed the light at all. His jeans are worn at the knee, raveled at the hem. He wears a tight T-shirt, a wide leather band on his left wrist. The twine around his neck holds an eagle’s feather. When he lifts her up, she feels airy, perfect.
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southern fiction
“I thought about you all day,” he says, his mouth so near her
“I have no idea.”
ear she feels the words as much as hears them. Wyeth smells like Mrs. Caine exhales so loud it’s a whistle. “If your mama left y’all
cotton sheets dried on the clothesline.
sitting at the table alone, I’ll bet there’d be hell to pay. But a man, Julie thinks about him non-stop every day but doesn’t say so. “It’s
that’s a whole different thing.”
hot tonight,” she says, and he groans. She thinks suddenly of her mother who stands outside jewelry stores, dreaming, who takes
Julie can almost see her mother rising to scrape her father’s plate
pills for her nerves. She thinks of her sister who teaches Sunday
into the trash. “I never thought about it.”
school and believes the world is ending. Of her father who wishes “My husband died a few years back,” Mrs. Caine says. “COPD
he’d had a son.
and about a hundred other things. That first stretch of time was Wyeth kisses her, says, “Isn’t it always hot?” This is flirting, the
like getting thrown onto a stage and told to act without a script,
kind of intimate banter Julie was unused to not so long ago. He is
but bit by bit I got my life back. Found things I liked to do, cross-
almost smiling. She takes his hand and kisses his palm. By the time
words and such. I took a trip by myself on the bus all the way to
he leaves, the sun is rising. He stands in the doorway, blocking
New Orleans. Scared me to death, but I did it.”
every bit of its light, or maybe soaking it in. “My condolences, Mrs. Caine.” On the phone the next day, she’s talking to a Mrs. Caine, who sounds ancient and lives in a wooden house that will be wrapped
“Honey, we’re all going to die. Had a friend pass just last week.
in vinyl siding in a week if her credit goes through. The woman
Well, a former friend. We’d had a falling out years ago. That’s a
says, “My daddy built this house,” and when Julie doesn’t reply,
situation, I’ll tell you that. How do you mourn a former friend?”
she says, “with his own two hands.” “I have no idea.” “The siding will only improve it,” Julie says, and Mrs. Caine says, “I sent flowers, but nothing too gaudy. The next morning, I got
“I’ve done the best I could.”
up and made eggs and toast like I have nearly every day of my Julie knows not to offend a potential customer. “I’m sure you’ve
adult life.”
done a wonderful job with your family home,” she says. “What was her name?” “I have not,” Mrs. Caine says. “If I had, I wouldn’t be talking Mrs. Caine grows quiet, as if she’s considering. “Wasn’t a her,
to you.”
hon. It was a man named Walker.” Julie has a mutt named Happy that lays at her feet. She rubs him with her bare foot, feeling his fur. “My parents live in a manufac-
Happy lifts his head at the same time Julie sits straighter in her chair.
tured home,” Julie says. “It’ll crumble to the ground someday.” “I was a telephone operator back when there were such things,” Mrs. Caine says. “Walker was a lineman for the same company.
“Where do you live?” Mrs. Caine asks.
He was good looking. Got everything he wanted. The last time we “I rent a place just down the road from them. I have dinner there
were together, we’d got in his truck to chase the total eclipse of
two or three times a week. Sometimes my father gets up halfway
the sun. This was back in the 1970s. There were places you could
through the meal and heads to his shed.”
go to see the sun go dark for just a minute. But for us to see it, we had to travel to Oregon. And because we had to travel, we had to
“What’s he do there?”
spend nights in motels.”
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southern fiction
Julie could hear the faucet running as Mrs. Caine talked. “I knew
That night, when Wyeth shows up, he has a newspaper with
Mama and Daddy would have a fit, so I didn’t tell them.”
him. A total eclipse of the sun, running from coast to coast, but visible in only certain parts of the United States, is happening on
“What happened on the trip?”
August 21. “Nothing this big since 1918,” he says, and Julie starts to mention what happened to Mrs. Caine in the seventies, but
“The moon covered the sun, and the world was never the same,”
decides against it, suddenly protective of the story.
Mrs. Caine says. He spreads a map on Julie’s kitchen counter and shows her the Julie can feel her heart pump. “How could the moon crossing the
route they’ll take from Arkansas to Jefferson City, Missouri to see
sun change it all?”
it. It will require an overnight stay, and already he’s booked a room for them at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Outside Julie’s house, the daylilies are blooming, row after row of orange. Mrs. Caine says, “Well, for one thing, Walker cried while
“You’ve never even taken me to dinner,” Julie says, and Wyeth
he watched it. I like my men strong. I had a daddy who had lived
shrugs as if to shake off the complaint. She hopes to protest more,
through a war and made it sound like a picnic. I had a mother who
but he leans down to kiss her and she feels the heat of him, sees
lived through the Great Depression and told funny stories about it.
the way light bounces off the golden hairs of his arms, off the sun-
I guess I expected more. And of course, then I came home sullied
streaked hair that falls across his neck.
if you know what I mean.” She laughed, “I was the biggest story in this small town of Natural Dam for years. I was the girl mamas
In Missouri, night will cover day. “We’ll have to take precautions,”
warned their daughters not to become.”
he says. “There are ways to see an eclipse, but you can’t look directly at it.”
Mrs. Caine’s voice breaks. “I learned that a man who can cry is better than one who can’t. I learned it, but by then it was too late
Julie thinks of her own precautions and involuntarily covers her
to do anything about it.”
heart with both hands. The sun can save you, or it can destroy you. She holds both these truths together, weighing them. Once, she
The air conditioning in Julie’s house kicks on. “I see a man
stayed too long at the public pool and her skin blistered. Once, she
who comes to my house late at night. I don’t know what we’re
lay on the wide branch of a pecan tree in her grandma’s yard and
doing exactly.”
felt the sun cradle her through the leaves. “Sometimes I think you are the sun,” she says.
“Walker later moved to Tennessee and married a woman who looked a lot like me,” Mrs. Caine says. “When my husband took
Wyeth touches Julie’s cheek, kisses her forehead. If he’s listening
me to Dollywood, I spent half an hour holed up in the bathroom
at all, he doesn’t say anything back. Instead, he puts his hands
with the phone book, looking for his number.”
on her waist, and she feels that familiar wobble that threatens to topple her. The sun has that kind of pull, so strong it holds itself
“What would you have done if you’d found it?”
in space without a thought, orbiting the Milky Way the way she walks the circular trail at the city park, the path so familiar her feet
“Not a dang thing. Despite evidence to the contrary, I was a
seem to navigate it automatically. Sometimes she feels as if she’s
good woman.”
hovering above the trail instead of walking on it. This is what she’s thinking as her lips meet his.
Julie has been walking through her house, her phone to her ear, and now she’s in the kitchen, looking out the window at the hayfield where Wyeth’s truck has made a path over the past half year.
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LOCALLY OWNED
Do South® is excited to bring you our Locally-Owned special feature.
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In the following pages, you'll meet the people who own and operate businesses right where you live. The shopkeepers and professionals might go to church with you, or have kids on the same Little League teams as yours, or work out at the same gym. These are our neighbors, folks who are invested in our community, and they’re working hard to make it even better. The effects of shopping local are monumental. Statistics have shown that if every family in the United States spent $10 a month at locally-owned, independent businesses, more than $9 billion* would be directly returned to local economies. We hope that as you look at what these local businesses offer and read a little about them, you’ll
get to know them even better. At Do South®, our business is all about helping you feel connected. We tell you stories that show what’s great about this area, and about people doing amazing things out of the kindness of their hearts. And every month, we are grateful for our sponsors who advertise with us so that we can continue to thrive. Thank you all for shopping local! It means so much to us, to our local economy, and to the community we love so much. Source: IndependentWeStand.org. Based on Civic Economics Andersonville Study of Retail Economics: When you spend $100 at an independent business, $68 returns to the local economy versus $43 when spent with a national chain. Based on U.S. Census projection of 115 million households.
LOCALLY OWNED
7101 US-271, Fort Smith, AR allisonsalesonline.com / 479.649.9989 Owner - Vincent Allison
Locally Owned Since 1925 The best part about being a locally-owned business is being
3720 S. 87th St., Fort Smith, AR / 479.434.6737 thebarnbytwobrothers.com / LDesignsbyLisa.com Owner - Lisa Neumeier Bobel Hearn
Locally Owned Since 2015 / 2008
able to see our work throughout town and being able to give
Having been brought up at a local family business (Neumeier
back locally as well.
Nursery & Florist), I learned quickly about hard work! A locallyowned business is able to connect with customers giving them a custom, creative product and full service. L Designs studio is located next to The Barn by Two Brothers event venue and is ready to help you create a one-of-a-kind event!
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LOCALLY OWNED
Beauty through Health 3500 S. 36th Terrace, Fort Smith, AR Facebook / 479.648.1800 Owner – Dr. Kris Gast
Locally Owned Since 1949
6121 South Zero, Fort Smith, AR burtonpools.com / 479.648.3483 Founders – Dan and David Burton
Locally Owned Since 1978
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Our goal is to guide you to a "healthier you." A complete history and physical exam is followed by lab work, all of which
What other product can bring the family together, turn special
is carefully explained by the physician. We review your lab
moments into lasting memories, offer good, clean fun for years
and medicines to determine if you are being sabotaged in
to come, and improve your health, all without leaving the
your quest for health. We review why you eat, what you eat,
comfort of your own backyard? We’ve all spent thousands of
and your life stressors. The next step is to customize a weight
dollars on wonderful vacations that require months of sched-
loss plan, not just for the pounds you want to lose now, but
uling, but then they’re over in the blink of an eye. However,
a plan for life. My staff teaches label reading (another place
when you decide to invest in a swimming pool to provide those
of sabotage), cooking gluten free and reviews appropriate
treasured moments, you will be asking yourself, ‘Why would
supplements. Let's get you started on the right path today!
we ever want to go anywhere else?’ Call today and let us help plan your backyard getaway!
LOCALLY OWNED
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LOCALLY OWNED
Locally Owned Since 1998 To me, local ownership of a private practice clinic ensures that I have control over important decisions that directly affect my employees and our patients. For our patients, it allows us to choose only cutting-edge technology in the hearing industry based on the person's specific needs, not based on a national sales average. For my employees, it allows us to sit together, pray together and resolve problems with collaborative input
Dr. James E. Kelly III, Western Arkansas Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery Center 3501 W E Knight Dr., Fort Smith, AR jameskelly3md.com / 478.709.8300 Owner - James E. Kelly III, M.D.
LOCALLY OWNED
4300 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith, AR centerforhearing.net / 479.785.3277 Owner - Kelley Linton, AuD
Locally Owned Since 1999 As an independently-owned surgical practice, I am afforded the ability to provide the highest quality of care to my clients, while at the same time servicing all area hospitals and insurance panels. Thus, patients are not limited in their choice of care.
where everyone feels valued.
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LOCALLY OWNED
112 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith, AR Expressionsflowers.com / 479.783.3210 Owners - Robert & David Robertson
Locally Owned Since 1993 We love to be a part of your family's celebrations of life, love and being there for your loved ones’ last wishes. We consider our staff part of our family, and our customers are some of our best friends. We love what we do and haven't worked a day since we opened!
17 locations in the River Valley, NWA & OK todayscoop.com / 479.474.8051
Locally Owned Since 1944 Our code, mission, and purpose is to provide quality supplies and services, and be the leading agricultural supply, lawn and garden, pet supply, and animal feed store in the community! We carry a full line of farm, pet, and animal health supplies, fertilizer, agricultural chemicals, lawn and garden supplies, and wildlife feed and supplies. Our friendly staff is happy to answer your questions. We have an agronomist on staff, as well as other qualified personnel to handle any of your farming needs. We also have bulk feed and
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bulk fuel deliveries. Visit us at any of our 17 locations!
LOCALLY OWNED
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LOCALLY OWNED
Health Spa
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3811 Rogers Ave # A, Fort Smith, AR 2801 Old Greenwood Rd #2, Fort Smith, AR 479.434.3131 / 479.434.5680 fortsmithmedicalcenter.com / Facebook Owners – Steve and Tonya Beineman
Locally Owned Since 2011/2015
5008 South U Street, Fort Smith, AR thefriddlesmile.com / 479.452.8800 Owners – Dr. Cody and Dr. Carl R. Friddle
Locally Owned Since 1976 We love this town and the people in it. Our entire team is
The best part about being a locally owned is the relation-
committed to the complete comfort and wellbeing of every
ships and trust we build with our clients! We are committed
patient we see. People know that they can trust that we’ll be
to delivering state-of-the-art healthcare and skin care services.
there for them and their dental needs!
Whether you visit us at Fort Smith Medical Center for your healthcare needs, at Beineman Aesthetics for non-invasive solutions to help you look your best, or Brow Bar Health Spa for the very best in hair and skin care, we’ve got you covered.
LOCALLY OWNED
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LOCALLY OWNED
m&m FARMS 1414 Fayetteville Rd., Van Buren, AR Facebook / 479.474.4505 Owners – Tom and Sue Moore
Locally Owned Since 1988 Go beyond organic – go for Animal Welfare Approved - Certified grass-fed beef! At M&M Farms in Rudy, we raise the cattle from birth to slaughter: they stay on our farm their entire life. We provide an all-forage based diet for them. Farm to Table from M&M Farms ensures high-quality nutrition at the table, certified grass-fed since 2015. A complete selection of M&M Farms Certified Grass-fed beef products, recipes, and helpful hints are available daily at The Paint Store, 1414 Fayetteville
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Road, in Van Buren. Call 479.474.4505.
5401 Phoenix Ave., Fort Smith, AR sodiesliquor.com / 479.783.8013 Owners – Scott and Deborah Clark
Locally Owned Since 2012 Having a locally-owned business affords us the opportunity to reciprocate with those that have done business with our other local family ventures for many years. A sense of community where one might drive that extra mile to buy locally is what creates a vibrant community by keeping tax dollars here in Fort Smith.
LOCALLY OWNED
YOU
for loving WE
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LO C A L
LOCALLY OWNED
6123 Hwy. 271 S., Fort Smith, AR tglascodesigns.com / 479.646.3949 Owners – Chris & Terri Glasco, Allied ASID Interior Designer
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Locally Owned Since 1995
6515 Zero Street, Fort Smith, AR trinitymultifamily.com / 479.452.1817 Owners – John Baxter, Cliff Cabaness, Doug Dedmon, Dave Pinson, Zac Smithson
Locally Owned Since 2004 We are a professional property management company providing
The best decision we ever made, for our business and our
focus, attention to detail and the proper care for our owners
family, was to move to Fort Smith. The people in this area have
and investors financial objectives while bringing over 20 years of
graciously supported us through our retail store and design
experience. We also take pride in providing the highest quality
business for the past twenty years. We are thankful for our
apartment homes and communities and bring the highest
customers and love every design challenge we have ever been
quality living experience for our valued residents. We LOVE
given and hope to continue to do so for many years to come.
being a locally owned company in the Fort Smith area because it provides us with a feeling of a small family owned company while being able to give back to our community through partnerships with places like Children’s Emergency Services. #teamtrinity
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LOCALLY OWNED
2101 Dallas St., Fort Smith, AR / 479.782.3021 808 S. Broadway, Poteau, OK / 918.647.7272 udoujorthodontics.com Owners – Dr. Henry Udouj Jr., and Dr. Henry Udouj III
3117 Waco St., Fort Smith, AR westarkplumbing.com / 479.646.5151 Owner – Michelle Cernak
Locally Owned Since 1988
Why choose Westark? We’ve been in business for more than
We love our hometown and have four generations of the Udouj family rooted in Fort Smith! Our patients love that we have often treated their parents and even their grandparents, so we've established trusting relationships. As a locally-owned business, we are deeply involved in the success of our community and strive to offer our time, treasure and talents to see
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that "Life IS worth living in Fort Smith, Arkansas!"
Locally Owned Since 1993 twenty-five years, we stand behind our work, and our vendors stand behind us with their products. We are organized and productive, honest and available, and have an excellent work ethic with the licensing and the right equipment to get the job done. We are here to take care of your needs, and we answer the phone every time! We can unclog anything in addition to pumping out septic tanks and cleaning grease pits. Trust is our main asset. Depend on our team for all plumbing installations, repairs and replacement needs!
Read Chair Publishing, LLC 4300 Rogers Avenue, Suite 20-110 Fort Smith, AR 72903