SNUGGLY - JANUARY 2023

A SERVE

Another year behind us, time to dust off those resolutions and start anew! Our annual Health and Wellness Guide is a great place to find local experts ready to help you and your family live your healthiest, best life!

In putting together this beautiful issue, filled with people I admire, I realized the common thread was their willingness and passion for serving others. Their desire to create a stronger community and empower our youth leaves me in awe.

Stacey Jones was one such force and his passing last October left a massive void in our community. I'll miss his deep laughs, warm smile, and his passion and dedication to the arts. I am proud to share his story and remember him always.

Another champion is Beth Presley, the new CEO of Fort Smith Boys and Girls Clubs. Beth is the first woman to hold that position in the organization's history. Her passion to continue existing programs and create new opportunities for our youth is inspiring.

For years Shelli Henehan dreamed of creating an onsite child development center at UAFS to serve students and faculty. After she spearheaded writing a grant, UAFS was awarded $1.08 million to bring that dream to reality.

I’m also proud to feature Profiles in Education, as we recognize the contributions of school systems and educational organizations that set the bar for excellence and provide the best opportunities for our students. Enjoy our feature on the insanely popular new sport, pickleball, delicious recipes, book reviews, local shopping finds, and our calendar of events.

May you find a way you can serve others this year, there are many ways to get involved and so many organizations that need our help. Happy New Year!

Catherine

Catherine Frederick Owner/Publisher/Editor catherine@dosouthmagazine.com

JANUARY 2023

OWNER - PUBLISHER - EDITOR

Catherine Frederick

COPY EDITING Charity Chambers GRAPHIC DESIGN Artifex 323 – Jessica Meadors

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Jade Graves

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jeanni Brosius, Catherine Frederick, Dwain Hebda, Sara Putman, Bob Robinson, Liesel Schmidt

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Catherine Frederick I 479.782.1500 catherine@dosouthmagazine.com

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©2023 Read Chair Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner. Opinions contained in Do South® are exclusively those of the writers and do not represent those of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. as a whole or its affiliates. Any correspondence, including photography, becomes the property of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. Do South® reserves the right to edit content and images. Printed in the U.S.A. | ISSN 2373-1893

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JANUARY EVENTS

January 1

UAFS BASKETBALL V. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT TYLER

UAFS Stubblefield Center Fort Smith, Arkansas

January 5

CHRISTMAS HONORS WREATH PICK UP & STORAGE

Fort Smith Convention Center

January 6

ACCA LIVE PRESENTS SAD DADDY

5 Star Productions

Fort Smith, Arkansas

January 7

MISS RODEO ARKANSAS 2023

CORONATION GALA

Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith, Arkansas

January 10

MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL®

Walton Arts Center Fayetteville, Arkansas

January 11

JUSTICE DIVIDED; A JUDICIAL HISTORY OF SEBASTIAN COUNTY BOOK-SIGNING & PROGRAM

Fort Smith Museum of History

January 12

UAFS BASKETBALL V. ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY

UAFS Stubblefield Center Fort Smith, Arkansas

January 14

UAFS BASKETBALL V. ST. EDWARD'S UNIVERSITY

UAFS Stubblefield Center Fort Smith, Arkansas

January 17-22

TOOTSIE®

Walton Arts Center Fayetteville, Arkansas

January 19

TRIBUTE TO BUDDY HOLLY, ROY ORBISON & JERRY LEE LEWIS

King Opera House Van Buren, Arkansas

January 19-22

OZARK MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL Eureka Springs, Arkansas

January 21

WESTERN ARKANSAS BALLET TUTU RUN 5K & QUARTER MARATHON Riverfront Drive, Fort Smith, Arkansas

January 22 - April 9

ART CENTER TO MUSEUM, THE LAST 75 YEARS

Fort Smith Regional Art Museum

January 22 - April 9

75 YEARS: THE RAM PERMANENT COLLECTION

Fort Smith Regional Art Museum

January 22 - April 9

STUDENT EXHIBITION - SOUTHSIDE ART: CREATIONS FROM EVERY LEVEL

Fort Smith Regional Art Museum

January 22 - April 23

PABLO PICASSO 25 YEARS OF EDITION CERAMICS FROM THE ROSENBAUM COLLECTION

Fort Smith Regional Art Museum,

January 27

CHICK COREA AFRO-CARIBBEAN EXPERIENCE

Walton Arts Center Fayetteville, Arkansas

January 27-29

ARKANSAS OPEN PICKLEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Fort Smith Athletic Club

REGIONAL LIBRARY EVENTS AT DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

January 27-28

BATTLE OF THE FORT VOLLEYBALL

Fort Smith Convention Center

January 30

THE MUSIC OF SAM COOKE-THE KING OF SOUL Walton Arts Center Fayetteville, Arkansas

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Saturdays in January RAM SATURDAYS

Fort Smith Regional Art Museum

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

Do South ® Cares

words Catherine Frederick with Allen Wright, Mentoring Coordinator, Comprehensive Juvenile Services, Inc.

DS: Tell us about the primary services Comprehensive Juvenile Services, Inc. extends to our community.

CJS programs impact our community by offering a multitude of programs that bring a wide range of benefits to our youth and families. Many in our community know and are affected by programs that directly affect the juvenile at-risk or at-promise youth we serve. These programs include Casework, Girls Circle and Boys Council support groups, Active Parenting classes, After-Hours Supervision, Community Service, Electronic Monitoring and our Western Arkansas Youth Shelter, (WAYS) located in Cecil, Arkansas, which provides emergency shelter care available 24 hours a day for up to sixty days. We also have new programs that are impacting our community in many more ways each day! In our Workforce Readiness Program, Aaron Richardson, Program Coordinator, provides youth with job readiness training and academic assistance to receive their diploma or GED and transition to technical, vocational, or a two- or four-year college or university. We also offer Support Groups and Life Skill Classes to educate older teenagers on basic skills to help them transition into the adult world. Finally, our Strengthening Families Program (SFP) consists of parenting skills, children’s life skills and family skills training courses.

Comprehensive Juvenile Services, Inc. is a private, nonprofit, communitybased youth services agency, dedicated to providing needed services to youth ages eight through seventeen, and their families in western Arkansas. Do South® reached out to Allen Wright, Mentoring Coordinator, to learn more.

1606 South J Street Fort Smith, AR 72901 479.785.4031 cjsinc.org

Next month, we’ll showcase another worthy nonprofit in our area free of charge. Requests for this free page accepted beginning October, 2023. Send inquiries to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com, or call 479.782.1500.

DS: What is the greatest hurdle Comprehensive Juvenile Services, Inc. is facing currently?

One is finding adult mentors in today’s busy world who are willing to spend time with youth one on one. Exceptions to face-to-face contact can even be made, such as telephone or Zoom calls or FaceTime connections, while allowing our youth the opportunity to develop a relationship with a positive role model. Today’s teens are fully capable and willing to relate to others through technology, and mentors can provide the positive encouragement they may not receive through their normal social media contacts. We also seek to raise additional funds to begin construction on the new Clay Roper Western Arkansas Youth Shelter in Mulberry, Arkansas. We are over halfway to our goal of $1.7 million!

DS: How can members of our community who would like to volunteer or make a financial donation do so?

January is National Mentoring Month, so it’s the perfect time to join our CJS Operation Positive Direction mentoring program! The purpose is to provide adult volunteers the opportunity to experience one-on-one mentoring and role modeling for a young person. Mentors help our youth ages ten to seventeen by guiding them to make good choices, work hard, and care for their neighbors in need. Mentors play an important role in a young person’s life, particularly if a parent is absent. A mentor’s involvement in the life of a youth can brighten their future, help maintain healthy families, and promote more vibrant communities. If you are ready to become a CJS mentor, please contact Allen Wright, Marketing Manager and Mentoring Coordinator, at 479-785-4031 or email, awright@cjsinc.org. Remember, every youth is just one caring adult away from being a success story.

Dear Allen,

Now that Shane Smith is completely off probation and has continued to do well, I wanted to share my heartfelt thanks with you and his mentor, David Israel.

I was looking back at my February 2021 assessment with Shane. When I asked him to tell me some bad things about his life his only answer was, “I don’t have a dad!” He was also distraught because his girlfriend’s parents were not allowing her to see him. He mainly talked about missing being around her father and talked a lot about his career and the way her father did things.

Shane was raised by a single mom, and at the time of our interview he had met his father for the first and last time at the age of five. His father would call his mom three to four times a year, but mostly just to talk to her. Mom was more than overwhelmed when I met her, and with Shane’s high energy personality, she had lost control. Shane had some of the worst drug-related charges of any juvenile I’ve supervised in years. He was immediately likeable, but I knew he was going to give us a run for our money! Of course, Judge Zuerker was more than happy to order mentoring for him after she read over the assessment report.

On the surface, you might not think Shane and David would be a good match. Their “likes” appeared very different, but they both loved fishing, cars, etc. It’s funny remembering the first time they met. David wearing regular styled adult male clothing and Shane with his wild mix of style, including lots of rings, nail polish, sometimes a headband… I do remember David saying to him, in a teasing way, that he might need to lose the nail polish! Shane didn’t seem to mind. Over the next few months Shane became completely attached to David and counted on him for advice on every subject imaginable. David was always willing to talk to him and encouraged him with fixing up an old car, things that would keep Shane away from drugs and certainly people that would have harmed him. Shane continued to go to outpatient treatment and therapy, and every month he became more mature and more self -confident. He had been expelled from school for a year, so he needed all the attention David provided.

Last summer when Shane’s dad passed away, he went to the funeral in Paragould with his mom. He called me on the way there because he was struggling with all the feelings about his father. David gave him some advice, which was to talk to his dad privately when he was at the funeral home viewing. He gave Shane the therapeutic tool he absolutely needed. Shane told me many times that he never plans to lose contact with David, no matter where life takes him as an adult. Shane has successfully worked a full-time job and walked away from the lifestyle that would have ended with an overdose or prison. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you his mentor, David, saved his life.

Please share this with David because I want him to know how much we appreciate him, and I need at least a dozen more just like him—today! Thank you, Allen, for putting these two together.

Kelly Hammond Associate Director of Juvenile Services Sebastian County, Arkansas

MADIX AGE 14

Madix is a young man with a full life ahead of him. He has big dreams and he’s ready to do everything he can to pursue them! Madix is a family man; he’s loyal and loving. Some of his fondest memories are living with his younger cousins and getting to teach them new things and read books to them. He hopes to have a family with younger siblings so that he can continue to do those things and help them grow! Madix has a protective energy and is very loyal to those he loves. Although this mentality can get him into trouble, Madix is working on not leaning into the negativity of peers and making impulsive decisions. He longs to go to college to play football, but in the meantime, Madix is working on getting his permit so he can start working and saving money. Madix looks forward to being in a family so that he can have people to love and protect and that offer the same to him. He would do well in a home with plenty of siblings, loving parents, and plenty of space for all his dreams and aspirations. If you know you could support Madix in all his dreams, please reach out to us!

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

IMAGE courtesy Jon Yoder Photography

Trespasses by Louise Kennedy

Cushla is a teacher by day and works at the family’s pub at night. Set in Northern Ireland during the troubles, Cushla is used to the daily reports of violence and often puts herself in harm’s way to protect her students, but she finds herself in love with an older, married man – who also happens to spend his days defending IRA members in court. This is a book of passion, turmoil, place, and how sometimes, where we are from matters more than the things we hold dear.

Don’t Cry for Me by Daniel Black

The Arkansas Center for the Book made this epistolary novel an Arkansas Gem in 2022. It is the story of Jacob, a father who is dying and writing letters to his only son, Isaac. Through the letters, we discover their Arkansas ancestors that extended into slavery, the relationship with Isaac’s mother, and other tragedies that formed their tumultuous relationship. However, Jacob is finding peace with himself and his son, and Black’s book becomes one of acceptance and healing.

Learning to Talk by Hilary Mantel

This is a collection of short stories by the late Hilary Mantel that is loosely autobiographical. They are mostly centered on her childhood in England in the 1950s and the young narrators allow Mantel to create a lighter touch while carving out childhood experiences most readers will be able to connect to. Through the tales, Mantel covers heritage, grief, identity, and language. It is warm and hopeful, and each story is a sweet morsel of truth.

We Are the Light by Matthew Quick

Fiction is putting regular people in impossible situations, and that’s exactly what Quick does in his newest book. While Lucas Goodgame grieves the loss of his wife, he finds a young man – who has been ostracized by the community –camping out in his backyard. Rather than calling the police, the two join forces and embark on a journey that will change lives in their community and heal their own hearts. This is an uplifting read and perfect for the last leg of winter.

Enjoy these four must-read books from our friends at Bookish, Fort Smith, Arkansas’s only independently owned bookstore.

January Recommendations courtesy Sara Putman, Bookish

Happy New Year

LET’S TALK ABOUT… Headaches Headaches

WORDS Dr. Kendall Wagner, Chaffee Crossing Clinic Image Krakenimages.com/Shutterstock

AAs we wind down celebrations, set resolutions, and look to the opportunities and challenges of the new year, many of us will refocus on aspects of our health we may have overlooked during the holiday season. Changes in our diet and holiday travel may have exacerbated certain health conditions. One such condition is headaches. Headaches are one of the most common pain syndromes and can be classified as either primary or secondary. Secondary headaches have an underlying disease or medical condition as the root cause, whereas primary headaches are not caused by an underlying illness, disease, or anatomical abnormality. Primary headaches can be broken down into four categories: migraine headaches, tension-type headaches, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TAC), and other headaches that do not have a specific cause. This month, we will focus on primary headaches as they comprise ninety percent of headaches and are likely to impact up to eighty percent of the population at some point in life.

TENSION HEADACHE

Tension headaches are by far the most common of all headache syndromes. Tension headaches tend to occur most often between the ages of thirty and thirty-nine years of age, and are the common result of poor posturing, dehydration, or even stress. Tension headaches most often affect the bilateral temporal region and are described as “band-like” in nature. Symptoms are usually mild to moderate in intensity and usually

not associated with nausea or vomiting. While sensitivity to light or sound may occur, it is unusual to experience both. Treatment of tension headaches should focus on identifying possible triggers: i.e. poor posture, eye strain, or excessive stress. Symptomatic treatment with over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) is considered first-line and usually adequate for symptom relief. Combination treatment of caffeine with pain relievers may be employed if those medications alone do not provide adequate relief. However, overuse of over-the-counter medications for tension-type headaches may increase the incidence of Medication Overuse Headache associated with excessive medication use. Opioid pain relievers should not be used in the treatment of tension headaches due to the risk of opioid dependency. Relaxation, massaging the temples, and frequent breaks during prolonged screen time may help recurrent tensiontype headaches.

CLUSTER HEADACHE (TRIGEMINAL AUTONOMIC CEPHALALGIAS)

Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias is commonly referred to as a cluster headache. Symptoms include severe pain occurring on one side, often around the eye or temporal region. The pain is usually associated with tearing, redness of the eye, or nasal drainage on the same side of the face as the pain. Additionally, sweating and swelling on the same side of the face may occur,

as well as abnormal sensations of the ear and constriction of the pupil occurring on the same side. Cluster headaches occur in attacks that may last from minutes to hours and occur up to eight times per day during a flare-up. Those affected are usually restless or anxious during the episodes. Interestingly, flares may be cyclical in nature, occurring most commonly in the spring and fall around the time of the equinox. It is also common to see the pain begin as a person is entering the REM cycle of sleep. This points to a relation between cluster headaches and disruption of the normal sleep cycle. The acute pain of a cluster headache is treated with high flow oxygen therapy, subcutaneous injection of a triptan class of medication, and high dose corticosteroids. Preventative treatment usually involves the use of a special group of medications known as calcium channel blockers.

MIGRAINE SYNDROME

Migraine syndrome may affect up to twenty percent of the population resulting in an estimated 1 billion people affected worldwide. The mechanism behind migraines involves a complex relationship between a specific group of brain cells and nearby blood vessels. Symptoms of migraine onset include moderate to severe pain, with throbbing affecting one side of the head. Pain is usually associated with nausea or vomiting as well as the presence of both light and sound sensitivity. Migraine syndromes may last hours to days. Some patients experience visual auras prior to the onset of migraine. Auras may occur as visual disturbances, sensory changes, inability to speak, or less commonly, motor weakness.

Treatment of migraine syndrome is the focus of many therapeutic interventions. However, prevention through the avoidance of migraine triggers should be the foundation of care. Utilizing a headache diary is most helpful in identifying triggers. By recording the headache symptoms as well as recent food intake or activities, the affected individual may be able to identify specific foods or activities associated with migraine onset

for future avoidance. After the onset of migraine symptoms, acute therapy should be used to stop migraine progression as soon as possible before the inflammatory process becomes well established. This has historically been accomplished with a class of medications known as triptans. However, triptans may be associated with adverse gastrointestinal and cardiovascular events in some patients. Recently, a new class of medications known as calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibitors has been used for both acute and preventative therapy with less adverse gastrointestinal and cardiovascular events.

In a select group of patients, the frequency of migraines may affect their quality of life to the point that preventative therapy is necessary. Likewise, in patients whose migraines result in temporary motor weakness, preventative therapy is used to avoid debilitating symptoms. A wide range of medications have been historically prescribed for migraine treatments including anticonvulsants, antihypertensives, and natural supplements. Most recently, the calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibitors in the form of injectable agents (Aimovig/Ajovy/Emgality) or oral agents (Nurtec/Ubrelvy/Qulipta) have been prescribed for preventative treatment.

PREVENTION

While headache syndromes can be a source of discomfort and dysfunction, as with many health care concerns, avoidance of triggering factors goes a long way in prevention of illness. Adequate sleep, hydration, and a healthy diet can decrease the incidence of primary headache syndromes. Attention to posture and body ergonomics may reduce incidence of tension headaches from muscle strain. While over-the-counter medications may provide relief for the occasional headache, overuse of medication can increase the frequency of headaches. Finally, there are exciting new treatments for those who suffer from migraine syndrome. These treatments should be discussed with your physician to determine the best treatment for your unique healthcare needs.

READY TO ROAR

WORDs Dwain Hebda images courtesy University of Arkansas Fort Smith

Dr. Shelli Henehan

For Dr. Shelli Henehan, the University of Arkansas Fort Smith has always represented family. Her mother was a member of the very first graduating class of the school’s nursing program and her sister also attended class here, as did she, during its days as Westark Community College.

Shelli not only earned an associate degree from the school, but she’s also taught a combined fourteen years here, from 2004 to 2010, then returning in 2014 to today where she holds the multifaceted role of professor of education, coordinator of assessment and director of early childhood.

Now, she’s upped the ante on the family atmosphere at her alma mater, having spearheaded an effort to bring a licensed daycare back to campus, set to open next year.

“It's going to be beautiful,” she says. “It is so exciting.”

As alums of a certain age might recall, this isn't the first time the campus has offered daycare facilities. In fact, when Shelli’s sister was a student here, she had two small daughters and took advantage of the amenity.

“At that time, it was in a little yellow house over where the intramural fields are now,” Shelli says. “That was really invaluable to my sister as an adult learner, trying to go back and increase the income for her family.”

At some point since, the daycare facility closed and was gone by the time Shelli did her first teaching tour of duty in 2004. The lack of on-campus childcare stood out to her as a glaring roadblock for women who might otherwise pursue

or finish a degree. Not to mention a hole in the curriculum for certain majors.

“I was manager of the early childhood grant program which provides professional development for childcare workers,” she says. “I would hear over and over again people saying, ‘Do we have any childcare options?’ I myself had two children in my forties, and I would have loved to have had a childcare here, too, but the climate was not right at that time.”

It would be a dozen years before the climate would turn in favor of the idea, which gave Shelli lots of time to map out details informally. By the time she found a receptive ear in 2016, she had a well-conceived vision for where the center should go.

“I always wanted the Echols Building, but at that time it was filled with industrial maintenance-type machinery, part of their center for business and professional development where they would do training,” Shelli says.

“By 2016, however, the climate was getting better, and the administration was realizing the need for childcare for our adult workers. One of our honor students even did a whole needs assessment and found that it really was something that people wanted.”

Former Chancellor Paul Beran agreed to devote two houses on 49th Street to the cause, and Shelli negotiated a contract with a local childcare center to provide all the employees. Everything was full steam ahead … until it wasn’t.

“Both of those houses tested positive for lead and asbestos and have now been demolished,” Shelli says. “You talk about tears. My dean at the time was Ron Darbo and he was so upset. We had been awarded a small planning grant and we hired an architect to draw up some plans, but [university] leadership at that time did not want to go into a new-build situation.”

The arrival of current chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley in 2019 provided a spark of hope that the project could be revisited. But it would take a worldwide pandemic, ironically enough, to finally put the project over the finish line.

“In April, when money came available with the Arkansas Build Back Better, I went to Dr. Riley and told her this money was available,” Shelli says. “Everywhere she had been apparently had had childcare on campus, so she was really familiar with the administration piece of it and also the need. She was like, ‘If you can get the funding, you can have Echols.’”

Shelli spearheaded writing the ARPA Child Care Supply Building Grant and was notified in June the project had been awarded $1.08 million to refurbish the one-story building and create a large, fenced playground. Work got underway in early fall with the hopes of completing by year’s end. Shelli’s targeting August and the start of the new school year to welcome the center’s first group of youngsters.

The new center, dubbed UAFS Little Lions Child Development Center, will accept children ages six weeks through three years. The infant room will accommodate eight babies, staffed by two caregivers while the toddler classroom will have fourteen toddlers and two caregivers. Another classroom, designated for threeyear-olds, will accommodate twenty children and be overseen by two caregivers.

In addition to the six full-time workers, the center will have a full-time director as well. Shelli also anticipates using a fair amount of part-time help from students in the early childhood program as well as dovetailing with academic programs within UAFS’ College of Health and Education in Human Services.

“We have a unique opportunity to have our dental hygienist students work with the children and also our nursing students who will practice wellness checks on the children,” Shelli says. “We’re even looking at using our social work students for perhaps some parent outreach. That’s really exciting because we’re getting all of our programs together in that one college and trying to meet some needs.”

The only element of the project that had to be amended from its original plan was who would be able to access the services.

“Originally, I wanted it just for students, but the Division of Childcare asked us to include faculty and staff because they are considered essential workers,” Shelli says. “If we still have openings after that, then we would have slots for the community. We want to have a full childcare center.”

Talking about the project brings a joyful tone into Shelli’s voice. Having been in the works so long, she sees the new center as a fitting way to mark her and her family’s long affiliation with the school.

“You know, it won’t be long until I retire, and it makes me feel good to know that when the time comes for me to go, I’ll leave something lasting behind,” she says. “I can’t wait to get the first group of children here. That’s going to be so wonderful.”

Follow University of Arkansas Fort Smith on social media for updates. Facebook: Facebook.com/uafortsmith Instagram: Instagram.com/uafslions

2023 PROFILES in EDUCATION

PRESENTED BY

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

Do South® is proud to recognize the contributions of school systems and educational organizations in our community.

They set the bar for excellence and are committed to providing the best opportunities for our students. Join us as we salute the passion they share for education.

Community School of the Arts

Founded in 2006 at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and established as its own nonprofit in 2016, Community School of the Arts has grown tenfold, today educating more than one thousand students. The school, currently located in the former St. Boniface School in Fort Smith, continues to innovate, and grow, with new programs and on the cusp of a new campus.

“We’re building a new facility, the Center for the Creative Arts, on our river front,” says Dr. Rosilee Russell, founder, and executive director. “It’s a 40,000-square-foot facility housing all our arts programs. We’re also opening the Institute for the Creative Arts, the first in the state, which is a program for high school kids entering grades nine through twelve.”

The Institute provides arts education through various programs. High schoolers attend classes at the new Institute for half the school day, receiving three credits at their respective high school. The program, which offers courses in musical theatre, dance, and commercial music, welcomes its first class of students in the fall.

The new offering comes on the heels of the organization’s brand-new Preschool for the Creative Arts, serving students ages three through five. It’s the first-ever arts-based preschool program in Arkansas, according to Rosilee.

The school’s curriculum also includes the Susan Burrell Hutchinson Community Arts Connection after-school program for children and teens, which continues the school’s mission to make arts education available at each stage of children’s lives through high school.

“The philosophy behind our programs is very much like athletics and that is to start a child as young as you can in the arts,” Rosilee says. “From preschool age through high school, we train them and prepare them to either go on to college in the arts or to do what they want to do with their artistic talent.”

Future School of Fort Smith

As an open enrollment public charter high school, Future School of Fort Smith requires no application or tuition. It stresses the same academic rigor and achievement as its peer schools and works every day to prepare its students for success after graduation. But the relatively recent addition to Fort Smith’s education offerings achieves these goals in ways that are different than its peer institutions. In addition to a challenging in-class curriculum, Future School also employs a robust network of community partners to provide internships and training in various career fields.

“We’re called Future School because our goal is to prepare our students for their future after high school,” says Kristan Mosely, community outreach director. “There’s a lot of students who come here because they really like our internship program. They really like the idea of graduating and actually being prepared for a career.”

Each student’s education is guided by Big Picture Learning, a pedagogy that puts students directly in the center of their own learning. The first BPL school in Arkansas, Future School programs are highly flexible to help define and meet individual goals and needs. “We really focus a lot on hands-on learning,” Kristan says. “Our size, and the fact that we’re a charter, gives us a little bit of flexibility that some students need. It’s not one-size-fits-all model. Our goal is to help students succeed and if we can do that by tweaking things or changing things a little bit, then we are more than happy to do so.”

The school maintains relationships with local businesses and organizations that provide literally hundreds of internship opportunities in a variety of job fields. And, through an arrangement with Western Arkansas Technical Center, provides an opportunity for free college classes in technical and non-technical fields of study.

“Our internship program is one of the biggest things we do,” Kristan said. “We have kids doing internships right now in everything from being a barber to working in dental offices and with veterinary clinics. We have one student interning with EMS, and at the same time she is getting her certification. She will have a job waiting for her when she graduates.”

Another unique feature of Future School is each student is assigned a faculty adviser who provides guidance and mentorship through the high school experience. “This advisor serves much like a school parent,” Kristan says. “They’re the one guiding the student through high school, helping them to determine what they want to do after high school, and making sure their work and their grades are where they need to be. They also move up with the student; at graduation, the adviser even hands them their diploma.”

River Valley Virtual Academy

The River Valley Virtual Academy (RVVA) recognizes that the traditional school model is not necessarily the ideal fit for every child. Whether students are seeking more time to live life outside the classroom or desiring a more self-paced learning program, RVVA provides flexible and portable education options that can be tailored to meet the needs of individual families.

Established in 2017 as a charter academy of the Van Buren School District, RVVA is a fully accredited K-12 institution that offers students online curriculum conveniences, but with public school perks. Tuition is free and courses are provided at no cost to families. Classes are taught by passionate, experienced, certified teachers who can be accessed online or in-person at the RVVA campus. Students from all grade levels can attend support sessions and receive help from teachers.

Parents also play an active role in their children’s education at RVVA. “The parent is a partner in this,” noted RVVA Director Dr. Jennifer Feeny. “They serve as the learning coach at home. Parents are very involved for the younger students and as students move into the higher grades, they become more independent.”

Online learning is best suited for students who are self-motivated and able to responsibly manage their coursework. RVVA leaders work closely with parents to help ensure that participants complete their assignments in an appropriate amount of time. In addition to required conferences each semester, parents can also request to meet with RVVA teachers, as needed. RVVA offers progress reports that make it easy to track improvement, and upon graduation, students receive the same diploma as their VBSD peers at the district’s commencement ceremony.

Self-paced learning provides great flexibility for families wanting to weave in unique experiences throughout the school year. Many RVVA students devote additional time to taking trips and pursuing outside interests or career endeavors. Families who must accommodate for frequent work travel, medical appointments, or other needs also benefit from RVVA’s adaptable structure.

Those enrolled in the virtual academy are recognized as VBSD students, qualifying them to participate in the district’s various arts, athletics, and academic programs. RVVA students have the option to attend electives such as band, basketball, and theatre on-site at VBSD campuses, as well as other extra-curriculars which meet during or after school hours. The unique setting of RVVA also allows for peer engagement through educational field trips, college campus visits, and community service opportunities.

RVVA is open to K-12 students throughout Arkansas. Students residing outside the Van Buren School District zone are eligible to enroll but must complete a school choice application. Submission deadline for the 2023-2024 school year is May 1, 2023.

Union Christian Academy

While many private schools in Arkansas still struggle to rebuild enrollment to pre-pandemic levels, Union Christian Academy has been in full-on growth mode. The K-12 school has seen a leaps-and-bounds increase in enrollment thanks to its academic rigor and Christian environment.

“We have grown by sixty-four percent over the last five years,” says Ricky Massengale, superintendent. “Parents are seeing things in the culture today and they understand culture is not something that’s just out there, but something going on within school systems, too. It’s really kind of alarming what kids are being exposed to. Parents look at what’s going on in the world and a Christian education is an attractive thing.”

Ricky says these external factors have led more people to Union Christian Academy’s door, where they like what they see in academic achievement, extracurriculars and affordability.

“The first misconception we always have to tackle is people think they can’t afford private school,” he says. “Several years ago, we introduced an income-based tuition model where families who earn $100,000 or less can apply for a tuition discount. Our desire is that there is equal sacrifice not necessarily equal cost. We know not every family earns the same money, and we want as many students as possible to have access to a Christian education.”

Another misconception is that small private schools can’t offer as many perks or provide the quality of education of the public school system. Here again, Union Christian Academy defies expectations. “We have a very competitive academic program,” Ricky says. “We offer AP courses, foreign language, and we partner with the University of Arkansas Fort Smith to offer concurrent classes. We have sports programs, and we have fine arts programs.

“Our students do well on standardized tests, especially when compared to national and state averages. We have a 100 percent graduation rate and a 100 percent college acceptance rate.”

But above all else, Ricky says, what sets Union Christian Academy apart is a deep and abiding focus on providing these amenities on a foundation of Christian morals and principles.

“We care about the whole student, not just the academic side,” he says. “As superintendent, I care about the culture of the school. I want us to be a distinctly Christian school where students are immersed and surrounded by those who are all on track and all on mission for the same thing, which is to receive that Christ-centered education.

“That happens in academics, yes, but it also happens in the culture and the life of the school. We care about their character. We care about their hearts.”

Van Buren School District

“Pointer Pride” extends to every aspect of the Van Buren School District (VBSD). Home to nearly 6,000 students, VBSD is recognized as a leader in academics, athletics, arts, and beyond. VBSD’s mission is to serve the community by providing a learning environment that enables students to attain their full potential and that promotes lifelong learning. This is accomplished through diverse course offerings, and by giving students access to programs that help meet their individual needs.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education is incorporated at all grade levels. Teachers integrate hands-on learning through agriculture, technology, and entrepreneurship. Multiple campuses have thriving gardens and take part in FoodCorps, a national initiative aimed at connecting kids to healthy food and practices. Van Buren High School (VBHS) students can learn business and design through involvement with the school’s spirit store, Pointer Place.

VBSD also offers a wealth of Advanced Placement and concurrent credit classes. Through strategic partnerships with regional universities, VBSD enables secondary students to earn college hours, complete technical certifications, and earn associate degrees before graduating. Courses are provided at little or no cost to families. This saves students time and tuition dollars and gives them a workforce advantage.

The commitment to excellence also extends to VBSD’s extracurricular programs. The 2022 State Champion Pointer Marching Band won five of the last six years. The Boys Wrestling team captured two state titles in 2022, while the Boys Soccer, Boys Golf, Baseball, and Co-ed Cheer teams were state runners-up. Recent years have also included state champion bowling wins and countless other honors.

VBSD is also a leader in school safety. It was one of the first districts in Arkansas to employ a full-time School Resource Officer at every campus. The district also utilizes modern safety technologies including surveillance and check-in systems at every school.

High-quality education is impossible without highly qualified personnel. VBSD is proud to be among the top-paying districts for both new and veteran teachers. It also offers competitive benefits packages for both certified and non-certified employees.

The district is also home to beautiful campuses and state-of-the-art venues. Recent years have included the construction of a new elementary school, trail installations, additions to Citizens Bank Stadium, and transformation of the VBHS track into one of the state’s finest athletic complexes.

VBSD is committed to helping its students succeed and to serving the community which offers its schools tremendous support year-round. “We are fortunate to be part of an amazing community that values education and understands the importance of investing in our schools,” said Superintendent Harold Jeffcoat. “It is because of our local leaders, partners, and families that we are able to provide a premier educational experience to our students at every level.”

Greenwood Public Schools

Boasting excellent academics, engaged faculty and staff, and a wide range of extracurricular programs, Greenwood Public Schools is perennially atop the rankings of the best school systems in Arkansas. Suzy Wilson, assistant superintendent, said the secret to the district’s success lies within the wider community.

“Businesses and parents work together so well with our school district,” she said. “I think that’s the advantage of being in what we consider a somewhat smaller town. Education in Greenwood is a product of the whole community.”

Together, the various stakeholders have created something truly special within the district’s seven accredited schools serving nearly four thousand students. Accolades include being rated first in the state for best place to teach and best place for athletic success; ranking second in Arkansas for best public school district and

among the top three percent nationwide. Greenwood is also a Purple Star District, ranking fifth in Arkansas in military student enrollment and a partner with Ebbing Air Force Base in Fort Smith.

The district sets the tone for success early with its two elementary schools, East Pointe and Westwood, both ranking in the top five percent in Arkansas for academic achievement and academic growth. Challenging curriculum, small class size and innovating teaching sustains this excellence all the way through high school where the district enjoys a ninety-nine percent graduation rate. Last year’s graduating class collectively won nearly ten million dollars in scholarships. Academics are focused on continuous improvement and teacher efficacy, helping to ensure that the excellence of today is shaped and improved for the future.

“From pre-k to twelfth grade districtwide, we practice professional learning community strategies. These strategies translate to the belief that ‘all means all,’ and that all students at Greenwood Schools will receive a quality education,” says Superintendent John Ciesla. “Our vision is excellence in education, and we believe we provide that excellence each and every day.”

A True Original

REMEMBERING STACEY JONES

Wesley Hooks has a favorite Stacey Jones story, one that comes to mind with ease when asked to describe his late friend and mentor.

“Before I joined the university in 2000, Stacey was doing shows here in Fort Smith at the convention center,” Wesley says. “They began to renovate that space in late 1999 and it reopened in 2001. One of my first meetings with Stacey was when I worked for the convention center. He brought in the show Chicago and it was the first show after the renovation.

“That show was about to go off and we weren’t ready. They were still putting chairs in, dust was still in the air, it was cold. And Stacey Jones came in and he and I had a kind of discourse, if you will, because we weren’t ready, and he’s upset. So, later, when it’s time for the show, he comes back with all of the ambassadors and ushers, and they had on hard hats.“

At this Wesley laughs heartily, as if hearing the story for the first time.

“He was trying to make a statement, Stacey Jones fashion,” he says. “His sense of humor was one that you had to acquire a taste for. But he was a good guy all around.”

words Dwain Hebda images courtesy of University of ArkansasFort Smith and the Jones family

Stacey Jones

There’s probably no better tribute to Fort Smith’s fallen master showman than to be the subject of stories that make people smile and laugh, even after he’s gone. Where Stacey Jones is concerned, such stories are many. Stacey, who died October 8, 2022, delivered enjoyment to audiences through the many Broadway shows, entertainers, and other performances he brought to Fort Smith via the University of Arkansas Fort Smith’s Season of Entertainment that enriched the community he called home, leaving an indelible mark along the way.

To the people who knew him best, this is especially true.

“We were married in ’76,” says Sheila Jones. “We dated for exactly six weeks to the day. Stacey knew I was Catholic, and we went to see the priest the Saturday after Thanksgiving. He told the priest, ‘Padre, we have to get married.’

“I’m going, ‘No, Father, we don’t have to get married.’ And he gives me that look of his like, shut up, you’re ruining my story. He looked at the priest again and said, ‘We have to get married. I’ve got my first real job and I need her for a tax deduction.’ You couldn’t get back at him. Even if you had a good one-liner, he’d one-up you every time.”

Born in Fort Smith, Stacey Allen Jones would serve the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, his alma mater, for nearly fifty years, ultimately retiring in September 2022, as associate vice chancellor of campus and community events.

During his tenure, he was a force in improving the local arts scene, spending the majority of his career connecting the educational institution to the wider community by bringing in concerts and other performances. The Season of Entertainment series that came to pass on his watch brought a long and distinguished list of Broadway productions and national touring acts to town.

Residents may be used to seeing such performances visit Fort Smith today, but when Stacey started, the idea of the National Opera Company, National Shakespeare Company or Broadway stalwarts playing the community – let alone at the behest of a community college – was seen by many as a pipe dream. And it probably was, except for Stacey’s unshakable determination to make it happen.

“He was able to not only envision what he wanted to accomplish, but he could communicate it well with others who would also buy into it and do the work behind the scenes to make this dream

happen,” says Terisa Riley, UAFS chancellor. “Many leaders have a vision for something but can’t communicate it in a way that resonates with other people and it just doesn’t get off the ground. Stacey had a way of very passionately communicating what he wanted to accomplish so that other people wanted to be part of that accomplishment.”

At the same time, Sheila said, Stacey was pragmatic enough to know he couldn’t jam something down the community’s throat in the name of good taste. Whenever he was negotiating a show with edgy content, she says, his well-worn line was, “Do you have a Bible Belt version of that?”

“He had letters to the editor,” she says. “He brought in Hair and they wore body suits with underwear on and there were letters to the editor. So, he had to be reeeeeeally careful.

“Before Rent came, we had another show, and it was sold as a Russian opera. It was Rent , but it was in Russian! He brought in Jesus Christ Superstar and the next year he brought in The Rock , which is the history of rock and roll. Everybody thought it was going to be about St. Peter. People got up and walked out.”

Ashley Goodson, UAFS director of campus and community engagement, said in addition to a keen eye for entertainment, one of Stacey’s biggest gifts was his ability to connect with the people who supported his vision.

“I worked for him for nine years. Prior to that I was a student here from 2005 to 2009 so I knew him then,” she says. “He had a larger-than-life personality, never met a stranger, was very helpful to anyone and everyone who came by our office. His helpful nature is what drove his life’s work.”

Season of Entertainment alone would be enough to warrant a permanent memorial on campus – which, Terisa hinted cryptically, is likely coming soon – but it’s only one thing for which Stacey will be remembered. He was also widely regarded for his work in pageants, founding the Miss Westark program, a preliminary competition for the Miss Arkansas event and by extension, the Miss America system.

“Many UAFS students would not have been able to be in college but for the scholarships that come with these pageants,” Terisa says. “It’s much less about beauty, although they’re all beautiful. It’s also the talent they have, it’s the intelligence they have that gets to shine.

“I think many of the women who competed in the pageant would tell you they are better and stronger leaders as a result of starting right here and hearing Stacey Jones tell them ‘You can do this, you are worthy of competing against the top talents and minds for anything that you want to accomplish.’”

If there was anything Stacey loved more than the stage, it was his family – wife Sheila, daughters Stacie Kohles and Amanda

Shelia and Stacey Jones

Stacey with his daughters

Stacey’s daughter Amanda’s Wedding

Echols, son-in-law Aubrey Echols and four grandchildren. In them he leaves the most cherished and lasting legacy of all.

“There was a lot of growing up that took place at Westark, we felt like little ‘Westark rats,’” says younger daughter Amanda. “Dad did so much in the community. It was beautiful to sit back and see all these people that Dad touched. He had so many conversations that left an impact on so many people’s lives. He was in a position where that happened a lot.

“At the same time, I always knew I had Dad. Dad had my back; I had his support. I knew I had his attention fully. I find it amazing that he can have that impact on his family just as much as the people he met and had relationships with outside the house. I think that’s going to come to fruition one day through my children’s eyes, how he raised me on my morals and how he taught me to deal with the world. I’m trying to raise my boys how Dad would, and I hope my boys see all that he was in me.”

“The sacrifices he made for my sister and I are things I don’t think people know a lot about,” says Stacie. “He put me in private school from kindergarten all the way through ninth grade and I was really involved in competitive gymnastics as well. All that stuff was very expensive so there for a while, Dad was working at UAFS but he also worked third shift at a paper company, which I never knew until I was much older.

“If my sister and I were ever really upset or frustrated he would call us angel. He’d be like, ‘It’s OK, angel.’ That word wouldn’t come out a lot, but he knew when we needed to hear it. He was just very supportive in every aspect of our life. I think the biggest thing with him was, if you see something that needs to be done and you’re physically able to do it, you should do it. Those words have stuck with me. Every time I see something, and I really don’t feel like doing it, I hear Dad’s voice, ‘Just do it. ’”

A memorial concert is being planned for spring 2023, details to be announced. If you wish to donate in Stacey’s memory, visit giving.uafs.edu, select Give Now, then More Giving Opportunities, and select Season of Entertainment Endowment. For a lineup of productions in this year’s Season of Entertainment, visit uafs.edu.

A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS

Beth Presley Set to Lead Boys & Girls Clubs

WORDs Dwain Hebda images courtesy Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs

BBeth Presley is a groundbreaker in more ways than one. Taking over as CEO of Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs, she’s not only the first new face in that role in forty-three years, she’s also the first woman to hold that position in the history of the local organization. And while there’s many things that brought the former fact to reality — such as her fundraising experience, her time leading nonprofits focused on youth athletics and her stint in the business world — the significance of the latter is something still being driven home.

“As I made my rounds to the units during the introduction process, I talk to the young ladies and introduce myself and they ask, ‘Are you new here?’” she says. “I say, ‘Yes, I’ve taken Mr. Jerry’s position.’ They’re like, ‘You’re the boss of everyone?’ I say, ‘Well, yes, but we all work together as a team. Do you know that you could be me one day?’ And they say, ‘No, I couldn’t do that.’

“I just sit there and encourage them and say yes, you can. I think that is what I love most about talking to these young girls, giving them options. There’s one particular girl who I see playing with a basketball all the time. I asked her, ‘Are you going to sign up for basketball?’ She said, ‘No, my mom won’t sign me up because I’m a girl.’ That stuff just breaks my heart.”

Beth inherits an organization that has benefited mightily from consistency at the helm. There have been only five executive directors before her in the organization’s history, the most recent being Jerry Glidewell, who served for more than four decades before stepping into retirement last fall. Upon this rock-solid foundation she’s eager to continue to move the organization forward into new programs, services, and capital improvements.

“There’s so many opportunities we offer our kids and I want the community and the kids to know that we are just not a babysitting service,” she says. “We are here for leadership opportunities, college scholarship opportunities, and to help them become better citizens so that they can improve their lives and give back in the future.

“Fort Smith is such a great community. If we can just harness this energy that we have and start young with these kids and their families, I think we can be the conduit for children to make the most of these amazing opportunities.”

The mission and programming of Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs, founded in 1928 as Fort Smith Boys Club, are well known on at least some level throughout the city, with after-school care and youth sports arguably the most easily brought to mind. But as Beth points out, there's far more happening at the group’s four locations than most people realize.

The Boys & Girls Clubs serves 2,200 children each year through programs that include mentoring, tutoring, music, and arts in addition to the familiar football, basketball and other sports leagues. In 2021, the organization served more than 109,410 meals and snacks and in 2022, awarded more than $32,000 in scholarships to members.

“I’ve found out the community knows a lot, but not everything about what we do at the Boys & Girls Clubs,” Beth says. “When I was visiting civic organizations, I talked about how large our after-school program is, that we provide transportation, that we provide meals for free at clubs. A lot of community members don’t know about that and once they hear it, their eyes get really big, and they say, ‘That’s incredible.’”

A self-described Army brat, Beth Presley’s family eventually settled in Springfield, Missouri. She attended William Woods

Beth Presley

University in Fulton, Missouri, where she was a two-sport athlete, playing volleyball and basketball. She graduated from Missouri State in Springfield and completed her graduate work at the University of Illinois in Champagne-Urbana, earning a master’s degree in marketing and athletics promotion.

Following her former high school sweetheart and husband Darryl’s career, the couple settled in Greenwood with their two daughters, Camryn and MaKenzie, now grown. Beth’s professional career began by helping launch and then lead First Tee of Fort Smith for nine years. After that, she served almost four years as assistant athletic director for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. She comes to the Boys & Girls Clubs after a decade in marketing and community outreach with Arvest Bank.

“I was approached by a couple of [Boys & Girls Clubs] board members to see if I’d be interested in the position,” she says. “We were talking in general, and I basically said I really missed working with youth. I loved what I did for the First Tee and the youth of the community, and I missed the nonprofit work. And I have a passion for raising money.”

Beth said the one piece of advice her predecessor gave her as she stepped into her new role was to honor the heritage of the organization’s past, and she can see no better way to do that than to keep it moving forward into new areas of relevance. That means addressing the changing needs of members from the current capital campaign to renovate the Jeffrey-Glidewell Unit to new programming and services.

“What I am most excited about with the new Jeffrey-Glidewell Unit is we are going to have a STEAM area dedicated to science, technology, engineering, arts and math,” she says. “We’re going to have a dance studio, a music area. We have a great music program right now with volunteers who come in and teach piano and guitar, but I’d love to expand that. Health and wellness, we’re working with the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, expanding our research opportunities and grant opportunities with them to provide health and wellness.

“I have also had meetings with The Guidance Center. A lot of our children experience trauma in their lives and we would like to have social workers to come in on a weekly basis and meet with our kids.”

All of that takes work, expertise and of course, more funding, none of which are challenges Beth hasn’t seen before. She said the tenured staff represents a tremendous resource, one that, when combined with community involvement, is capable of accomplishing remarkable things.

“The average tenure of my full-time staff is fifteen years,” she says. “It is amazing how dedicated and passionate they are about the mission, because let me tell you, they are not paid a lot. I want to take their energy and their passion and move it into some different areas of service that we can provide the community.

“At the same time, we need all levels of community involvement. We need advocates out here. We need boots on the ground. We need kids in the clubs. We need parents involved. The one thing I’d want someone reading this to take away from it is to just get involved. We need you!”

FSBGC Fast Facts

• Serving the Community Since 1928 • 4 Unit Locations: Stephens, Evans, Goldtrap, Jeffrey-Glidewell Unit (Under Renovations) • Hunts Park: New Lighted Turf Soccer, Baseball, Football Complex • 27 Board of Directors Members • After-School Shuttle Program: 7 Vans Servicing 15 Schools & 250 Kids Daily • Mentor & Tutoring Programs • Athletic & Activity Programs: Soccer, Flag Football, Basketball, Cheer & Pom, Fishing • Cox Innovation Technology Lab in Each Unit, Esports Coming Soon • TJ Guitar & Music Programs • Photography & Art Programs • Summer Programs • 2021 – 109,410 Meals & Snacks Served to Members • Over $32,000 College Scholarship Awarded In 2022 • Over 2,200 Children Served Annually

Mission Possible

As humans, we have incredibly short-sighted vision. We only see what’s in the limited scope of our imagination and only imagine what’s feasible. But, looking back at our journeys, it’s easy to see how God, in His infinitely limitless vision, places people and things in our path to change something, to nudge us in a particular direction, and make incredible things happen that we could never have imagined.

Community Rescue Mission was established in the Fort Smith area in 1980. Created by two families, the Millers and the Grimms, the Mission was the answer to prayer for men, women, and children in need whose lives were in a desperate place, searching for help to get back on their feet and have a chance at a future. And as easy as seems forty-odd years later to see how God set the two families on a path of convergence to find one another, it wasn’t always so evident where the plan was leading.

Coming off the heels of WWII, the fifties were a time of economic boom in the United States. Still, not everything was prosperous—especially for Robert E. Miller, who was intent on breaking into the oil business in Abilene, Texas. With many obstacles in the way, the Miller family was barely making it—and feeling desperation. After attending a religious retreat, they found their hearts and lives transformed, and later when Robert decided to go into business for himself, he leaned on the faith he had gained. Even in their darkest days, the Millers remained faithful and relied on God to keep them on the right path and guide them. Over the years, Robert’s faith was tested and rewarded, and he received clear

words Liesel Schmidt IMAGEs courtesy Community Rescue Mission

affirmation of God’s blessing. Robert retired at fifty, having found prosperity and looked forward to following God’s plan for the next stage of his life.

Robert received what he felt was a glimpse into God’s plan through a flash of insight, a fleeting thought that seemed nothing at first. A winter blizzard hit, and as Robert realized how fortunate he was to have warmth and shelter, he knew others were not as blessed. Robert and his wife began working with and volunteering at a homeless shelter for single men in the Fort Smith area, and Robert joined the board. The entire Miller family helped serve wherever and however they could, and soon the desire to do even more would be placed on their hearts.

Much like God was guiding the Miller family, He was also whispering to Jon and Sam Grimm, who had previously owned Twin City Ambulance. Through their work, and Jon serving on the board of the men’s shelter, they witnessed firsthand the hopelessness many living in the area faced. One evening they received a call from the outreach program at Immaculate Conception Church about a family living under a picnic table in Creekmore Park. When they arrived, they discovered two families instead of one. Determined to help, the Grimms housed the two families in the unused Twin City Ambulance hub during the three months it took for the families to get back on their feet.

Through their work to help those two families and serving at the men’s shelter, the Grimms quickly learned that the Fort Smith area was without any place that assisted families in need. Jon and Sam worked at the shelter for eighteen months learning how it functioned and finding ways to help families and women

with children. The Grimms toured other facilities in the tristate area to observe their successes and challenges when working with families and women with children.

During this time at the shelter, the Grimms’ and the Millers’ paths intersected, and their desire to serve families and women with children led them to combine forces to create Community Rescue Mission (CRM). What they have achieved in their four decades of operation is something they could never have imagined when they opened their doors.

“The work we do instills hope and empowers the lives of families and children in crisis due to homelessness,” says Executive Director Heather Sanders. “We provide safe shelter, meals, case management, and spiritual enrichment to prepare families to acquire jobs and live successful, independent, productive lives.”

For families who come to CRM, they find it’s more than just a meal and a place to stay. It is a place to find your footing, someone willing to take your hand in support, and a network of people invested in your future. On average, 500 individuals live at CRM. For many, CRM is a haven, a safe place to lay the foundation for a better life. Over the past five years, nearly 4,000 men, women, and children have benefitted from the mission’s efforts, providing families in Fort Smith and surrounding areas with expert case management, life skills programs, and transitional housing.

Independence means they are no longer facing hunger or homelessness and that the hopelessness of their old life is in the past. CRM equips them with the tools they need for a new life—including spiritual enrichment as they navigate future

challenges. Any family in need of shelter and case management with children under eighteen living with them, single fathers with children, single mothers with children, or married families with children are eligible to receive assistance at CRM.

As important as their work is, CRM is not funded by the city, state, or government. Instead, they depend on the generosity of private donors, local foundations, and churches to keep their operations running. They also rely on the support of individuals who feel the call to serve the community with their time and talents by getting directly involved. “Relationships make the difference, and we need our community to not only support our work financially but also to become mentors, employers, and support teams for our families,” says Heather. “It takes a holistic approach and long-term commitments.”

Sometimes, we have to wait for the big picture to come into view to see just how far we’ve come and how greatly we all have impacted one another. Sometimes we don’t know how our work at the moment will impact someone’s life later down the road. Sometimes we only see what’s in front of us. But God is always working, moving the pieces to create something we’d never have imagined. And along the way, we are all moved, and we are all changed.

For more information, call 479.782.1443 or visit fscrm.org.

Community Rescue Mission | 310 North F Street, Fort Smith

Tom Chandler A DECORATED LIFE

icon in the interior design field, Tom has not only decorated spaces for highprofile clients, but he began his company with what is still a mainstay: the one-day makeover. He and his team can go into any home, take what the client has, and make it look fabulous.

TTom Chandler loves it when his students arrive early. He’s a stickler for promptness. Sporting his signature round glasses and his white hair neatly combed back, Tom greets each of his new students at the door, one by one.

Tom, eighty-two, stood before the class, his crisp white shirt untucked from his black slacks which matched his black socks and black Birkenstocks. He had no trouble quickly earning the admiration of his students with his quick wit, positivity, and encouragement. And thus, this was the beginning of his ten-week class.

“We stopped counting at 12,000 students,” Tom says of the interior decorating class he’s been teaching for forty years. As a boy, Tom would rearrange the furniture in his parents’

home, and, for fun, pull every item from a bookshelf in his bedroom and redesign it on a regular basis. Ironically, Tom didn’t grow up in the interior design business, but rather, the shoe business. His family owned 350 stores through HeuerWilliams Shoe Associates, Inc. based in Springfield, Missouri.

“My grandmother’s dad was a German shoe cobbler who ended up in Missouri,” Tom said. “My grandmother was one of thirteen children, and they were all in the shoe business.”

Tom joined the family business and by the time he was twenty-seven years old he owned and operated five stores in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. After eighteen years, Tom longed for a different direction. So, he sold his stores and enrolled in cosmetology school.

words Jeanni Brosius images courtesy Jeanni Brosius and Tom Chandler

Tom Chandler

An

A short time later, Tom had opened his own salon and one day a client began telling him how much she dreaded decorating her home for Christmas, so he offered to do it for her. Not only did Tom create a festive holiday home for her, but he also returned to take it all down after the holidays, rearranging her furnishings in the process. She was thrilled, and the very next day he got a call to go to her best friend’s home.

And so, it began. Tom Chandler and Associates, Inc. opened in 1980, and today, Tom and his team provide their services in homes all over the country.

It’s been forty years since Tom was first asked by a client to teach an interior decorating class at South Central Career College in Little Rock. “It was four hours every Tuesday night for sixteen weeks, and that first semester, I had one student,” Tom says, smiling.

Eventually, the number of students grew. Later, his entrepreneurial spirit called again, leading Tom to open his own school, Chandler School of Interior Decorating, an accredited school with thousands of students passing through its doors.

Some students simply want to make their homes beautiful, but some are there to learn the business of interior design and this is where several well-known designers got their start. “Some students have already graduated with interior design degrees, but they come here to learn how to transition between a formal education and the real world,” Tom says. “I never think about why the students are there. I am there to share my life and my talents. I try to teach my students everything I know.”

Depending on what the student brings to the class determines where the class takes them. Tom’s goal is to give every student confidence in their own homes, and to take on clients if they choose. “He is so encouraging of everyone in his class,” says Julie Cox of J. Cox Designs in Benton, who first took Tom’s class sixteen years ago. “He made it seem like it was possible for other people to do what he does.”

That’s exactly what Julie did. She began decorating for family and friends and ultimately launched her own business, still relying on Tom’s encouragement and advice. She even recently took his class for a second time. “Tom has one of the kindest and giving hearts, and he is an open book. He shares his knowledge freely, and he is so fun to work with.”

Tom and Martin Potter

Tom and Julie Cox

An icon in the interior design field, Tom has not only decorated spaces for high-profile clients, but he began his company with what is still a mainstay: the one-day makeover. He and his team can go into any home, take what the client has, and make it look fabulous.

Tom says he doesn’t have a “style,” because his clients have their own styles. However, he does like to incorporate a little humor into his decorating. Some of his clients are more adventuresome than others, but in his own home, there is a little family of turtle sculptures visible under his bed, as if they just wandered in.

says he probably couldn’t have followed his passion had it not been for him. “He is so generous with sharing his knowledge, work ethic and business acumen,” Martin continues. “Everything [in my career] has stemmed from him.”

“We charge everyone the same, and we have many clients where money is no object, and we have clients where we’re only there to work with what they already have,” Tom says. “It’s all about never leaving a client unhappy. The customer is always right – that’s how we run Chandler’s.”

One thing that is unique to Chandler’s is the client is not allowed to be home while the team is working. “There are no exceptions,” Tom says. “It takes all the fun out of it. We love to have a reveal. They’re happy and surprised and they cry – we love it when they cry.”

Not many design firms have been around for forty years. Those on the Chandler’s team are long-term employees for a reason, some having worked with him for more than twenty years. “He had worked for family and friends,” says Martin Potter, who has been with Tom for twelve years. “After I graduated college, I went to work for a landscape design firm in Northwest Arkansas. Tom had a designer leave in 2011, and he called to offer me a job.” Martin shares the same passion for design as Tom, and he

Martin appreciates that Tom allows his designers to be creative and make mistakes. “He gives me freedom to make mistakes and not be in fear, and that’s so comforting,” Martin says. “Things can go wrong, but Tom is so honorable. I enjoy working with him so much. It’s been a blessing all the way around,” Martin says. “Sometimes when I think I’ve seen it all, he does something so creative and surprising. He’s always teaching me things.”

It’s not unusual for the Chandler team to hop on a private plane or to drive a U-Haul truck across the country. “This is not a glamorous profession,” Tom says with a laugh. “God takes care of old decorators.” Tom says his Birkenstocks have served him well over the years. He wears them every day, no matter the weather, and he still works around seventy hours a week. “I noticed that I had taken over 11,000 steps the other day,” Tom chuckles. “I have no intention of retiring. My goal is to die at work.” And so, Tom follows the same advice he gives his students at the end of every class, get up early, and be the best you can be.

Pickleball for All

P“People can be divided into two categories,” I was once told. “Those who are playing pickleball and those who will be playing pickleball.”

While this may be a bit of an exaggeration, in 2022 the Sports and Fitness Industry Association rated pickleball as the fastestgrowing sport in America for a second consecutive year. Over the past two years, the sport has exploded over forty percent to 4.8 million players nationwide. Dozens of pros earn a living from the sport.

The Fort Smith area is riding the crest of pickleball’s growing wave of interest. In 2017, Western Arkansas Pickleball Advocates (WAPA) was organized to serve as a unified voice to help grow the sport in the River Valley. Since 2019, WAPA membership has increased from thirty to over 200.

The popularity pickleball is experiencing can be traced to the resourceful ingenuity of Congressman Joel Pritchard and

returned to Pritchard’s Bainbridge Island, Washington, home to find their families bored, with nothing to do. They suggested everyone play a game together. An old badminton court at Pritchard’s house became the obvious choice. Equipment for the sport could not be found, so they improvised using pingpong paddles and perforated plastic balls.

To make the sport fair and competitive for all the family members, they tailored rules to eliminate the advantages of height and strength. One such rule was they designated the seven-foot area on each side of the net, known as the kitchen, a no-play area. This eliminates a tall player standing at the net, dominating play. Another rule was a server’s arm must be moving in an upward arc at the time the ball is struck. This eliminates the high-reaching overhand smash seen in tennis. They continued to refine the rules with the goal of making the sport fun and enjoyable for players of all ages and physical abilities. Thus, pickleball was born.

words and IMAGEs Bob Robinson

Note: I’m sure Pritchard and Bell had a chuckle naming the game after a “pickle boat,” the term describing the last boat of a flotilla to return to port.

LET’S PLAY!

When I picked up a paddle and walked onto a court for my first pickleball experience, I began to understand the game’s increasing numbers. As I stepped through the gate at the Chaffee Crossing Pickleball Complex, someone called out, “There’s our fourth player.”

I explained this was my first time and I did not even know the rules. One of the players responded they were just hitting the ball around for now. They would explain the rules as we warmed up. He then lobbed a neon green ball in my direction.

Wham bam, within minutes, I had the basics down, and I was “competing” in a game.

As other players arrived to play on nearby courts, I noticed the elitist attitude in some other sports was nowhere to be found. Even when I was paired with advanced partners in a round-robin rotation, they were very understanding of this newbie. They patiently explained the somewhat quirky rules and provided tips to help improve my game.

Newcomers who have played other racket sports often excel in pickleball. The athletic abilities in tennis and racquetball are similar, making for a quick transition to pickleball. This was one reason Rob Ratley of Fort Smith enjoys pickleball. Rob played tennis in high school and college. He switched to pickleball for the faster-paced competition and better cardio workout. Witnessing many tennis players leaving the game in their thirties and forties due to injuries also influenced his decision.

Pickleball is an easy game to learn. Anyone with minimal handand-eye coordination should be able to pick up a paddle and enjoy a social game of pickleball on their first outing. Cultivating new friendships in the process is a bonus.

It can become a fast-paced competition for those so inclined. When skilled players are lined up some fourteen feet apart at the kitchen, smacking a ball at each other across the net, the reaction time of the exchange is .24 seconds. Compared to a baseball batter’s .50-second reaction time facing a ninety-mileper-hour fastball, you understand how fast the action can be.

There are a variety of shots and angles players use to improve their game. Master the “dink” and baseline volleys, and the sport is even more fun and challenging.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Pickleball is not only easy to learn but also requires minimal equipment. A paddle, ball, net, and court are all that’s needed. First the paddle. As with most sports, you can spend a lot on your equipment, but you can purchase a decent paddle for around fifty dollars. Next, we have the balls which come in two types, indoor and outdoor. A pack of three for either style is about fifteen dollars. Then you’ll need a net. Portable pickleball nets sell for under one hundred dollars.

And finally, the court! Any level, hard surface twenty feet wide and forty-four feet long will suffice. You will need open space beyond the court boundary for when momentum carries a player off the court. Having your own portable pickleball net is not a great expense and is a convenient way for players to hold their own friendly competitions.

Basketball courts, badminton courts, and parking garages are all places you can adapt with your new, handy net. Lower the center of a tennis court net two inches, and game on. Vint Allison, owner at Allison Sales Co. Flooring & Glass, even set up a pickleball court in their warehouse! He and his son, Chase, invite friends over regularly for friendly competition, a bite to eat, and comradery.

However, for those wanting to try out the sport before making an investment, there are many established courts throughout the River Valley. Depending on where you choose to play, equipment may be rented or included with your facility membership.

FUTURE OF PICKLEBALL

Fort Smith’s city and county departments are aware of pickleball’s growth and are working on plans to accommodate area citizens. “Although the quorum court has yet to approve it,” states Jay Randolph, Sebastian County Park Administrator. “Conversation is happening now for installing pickleball courts at Ben Geren Park where the former go-kart track was located.”

Doug Reinert, Fort Smith’s Director of Parks & Recreation, says the Parks Department realizes Chaffee Crossing courts are out of the way for many citizens. Plans are underway to remedy this by constructing fourteen pickleball courts at John Bell Jr. Park, located on Riverfront Drive. “This will provide Fort Smith’s pickleball players residing in North, Central, or South locations to play with very little drive time. The strategy is in place,” explains Doug. “We just need to have funding.”

The future looks bright for River Valley picklers, so “Pickle on!”

PICKLEBALL LOCATIONS

Chaffee Crossing Pickleball Complex, Barling Open to the public on a first come, first served basis. Members receive access to paddles and balls stored at the courts.

Fort Smith Athletic Club, Fort Smith Indoor and outdoor courts available for members.

River Valley Fitness & Training Center, Fort Smith

Three indoor pickleball courts available for members.

Van Zandt City Park, Van Buren

Two pickleball courts. No reservations are needed.

Alma Tennis Courts

Pickleball boundaries are painted on two of their newly resurfaced tennis courts. Open to the public, free of charge.

Craig Park, Greenwood

Five dedicated pickleball courts, free of charge.

Download the USA Pickleball Places2Play app to locate courts in your area.

Hot Cocoa Souffle

ingredients method

° 5 large eggs

° 4 teaspoons plus ¾ cup sugar, divided

° ½ cup quality cocoa powder

° 6 Tablespoons flour

° ¼ teaspoon salt

° 1 ½ cups fat-free milk

° 2 Tablespoons butter, melted

° 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

° chocolate syrup, chocolate shavings (optional garnish)

Preheat oven to 350°. Separate eggs and set aside. Coat oven safe mugs with non-stick spray, add a pinch of sugar to the bottom. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine cocoa, flour, salt, and sugar. Whisk in milk, bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in butter, transfer mixture to a large bowl. Stir a small amount of hot cocoa mixture into egg yolks then pour into cocoa mixture, stirring constantly. Add vanilla, let cool slightly.

In a large bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold a quarter of the egg whites into the chocolate until combined. Fold in remaining egg whites. Spoon batter into mugs, bake until tops are puffed, and center is almost set, 15-20 minutes. Garnish, serve immediately!

RECIPE adapted frenchwomendontgetfat.com image Goskova Tatiana/Shutterstock

Naughty Hot Cocoa

ingredients method

° 1 cup milk

° 2 ounces milk chocolate

° 1 ounce semi-sweet chocolate

° 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar

° ¾ teaspoon cinnamon

° ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

° ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

° pinch of cayenne pepper

° pinch of salt

° 1 ½ ounces spiced rum

° Whipped cream (garnish)

Combine milk, sugar, and chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until well combined.

Stir in spices, remove from heat, stir in rum. Pour into mugs and garnish as desired. Serve hot!

ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY. NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.

2023 Health & Wellness Guide

Do South® wants to help you create a healthier life and improve your overall wellness. In this year’s guide, you’ll discover some of the best and brightest professionals in our community who are committed to helping you feel better and live longer. Let’s resolve to making 2023 our best year yet!

7000 Chad Colley Boulevard Fort Smith, Arkansas achehealth.edu 479.308.2243

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fort Smith. Situated on over 500 acres, ACHE is committed to creating state-ofthe-art, graduate-level educational facilities and preparing compassionate healthcare professionals to be outstanding in their fields of practice. The ACHE campus has seen the development of four programs including: the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM), School of Physical Therapy (ACHE PT), School of Occupational Therapy (ACHE OT), and Master of Science in Biomedicine (MSB). Developing programs include Physician Assistant Studies (ACHE PA), and Master of Public Health (MPH). These programs are slated to begin Fall 2024. ACHE students receive instruction from renowned faculty and participate in hands-on learning in our specialized labs.

7200 Cameron Park Drive Fort Smith, Arkansas centerforhearing.net 479.785.3277

Hearing loss can be exhausting when trying to hear and understand conversation with our friends and family. Untreated hearing loss often leads to social isolation and depression, but it doesn’t have to! Center for Hearing and Balance offers a wide range of services for most ear-related issues. We offer diagnostic hearing tests for all ages, prescriptive hearing aids for patients with hearing loss, professional ear cleaning services and balance/ fall assessments. We offer customized ear protection for use in various sporting activities or other times when noise can be a problem – like trying to get a good night’s sleep. Let’s work together to keep your hearing health at its best, call today!

stephaniefitfourfive@gmail.com fitfourfive.co

The fit.four.five app is more than just a fitness app! There is simply no other health and wellness app where you can communicate with a professional 24/7 about your workouts, nutrition, and supplements. I designed the app based on what I wish I had when I started my lifestyle journey! With the fit.four.five app, everything is in the palm of your hands, no searching social media, YouTube or lost emails. Want to know more? Find me on all social media platforms, online at fitfourfive.co or email at stephaniefitfourfive@gmail.com and let's connect! Make 2023 all about you! Don't Tell People Your Plans, Show Them Your Results. ~ Stephanie Rofkahr, Founder & Co-owner, fit.four.five

6119 Hwy. 271 South, Fort Smith, Arkansas farmersmarketdirect.com 479.406.7333

Farmers Market Direct offers a wide selection of nutrientdense, wholesome foods, and all-natural skincare and cleaning products for you and your family. By sourcing most of our products from local and regional ranchers, farmers, and artisans, we can ensure they are grown or produced according to the highest standards. Shop in person or online at FarmersMarketDirect.com to see our selection of pastureraised proteins, local produce, hand-gathered eggs, freshly harvested microgreens and mushrooms, fresh baked goods with no preservatives, all-natural soaps and detergents, and much more! Your family deserves the best—shop at Farmers Market Direct today! Now offering free delivery to Fort Smith, Van Buren, Alma, and Greenwood!

4701 Phoenix Ave, Fort Smith, Arkansas fortsmithhospital.com 479.974.9403

Fort Smith ER & Hospital will be opening in early 2023, providing the community with concierge-level emergency care, available 24/7, 365 days a year. Our team of licensed physicians are on a mission to bring accessible and compassionate care to the community, without the wait. Experience the difference at Fort Smith ER & Hospital, conveniently located at 4701 Phoenix Avenue, next to Academy and Home Depot. Opening Soon! All commercial insurance is accepted for emergency services. For more information, visit our website at fortsmithhospital.com or give us a call 479.974.9403.

3205 Jenny Lind Road, Fort Smith, Arkansas fortsmithschools.org 479.785.2501

Healthy meals contribute to student health, behavior, and academic success. Fort Smith Public Schools Child Nutrition Department is proud to provide healthy meals in all our schools! Fort Smith Public School meals provide a healthy and affordable way to ensure your child receives the nutrients that are essential for success in school. Our school meals are based on USDA guidelines that are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and thanks to the Healthy HungerFree Kids Act, the meals now include more whole grains, larger fruit servings, and a wider variety of vegetables. We are thankful for our nearly 200 employees serving 26 public schools. Your child’s health and well-being are our priority!

5004 South U Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas healingtreetherapy.com

479.349.3220

Our clinic works to help clients heal emotional wounds created by life’s most difficult circumstances. These types of emotional wounds, if left untreated, will create an inner selfcritic that constantly whispers, “You’re not good enough.” We help women develop self-compassion and resiliency. Together we practice healing techniques to quiet the inner self-critic and help you accept yourself wherever you are in life. We provide the tools you need to uncover and nurture your true potential. Our role, as therapists, is to help you see, feel, and love who you are, where you are. Please let us know how we may best support you on your life’s journey.

2913 South 74th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas mooredentalcare.com 479.484.5050

Even the most proactive dental patients can experience jaw pain. Our MooreRelied™ Method, a 3-step process, helps identify the problem, correct it, and provide soft-tissue repair on a cellular level. By using state-of-the-art technology, we discover and diagnose the issue. More importantly, we create a treatment plan for recovery. During alignment we physically reshape and contour any topographical issues. Think of a chair with uneven legs. Your jaw is a bit like that. Dr. Wes Moore, DDS corrects areas that are causing instability. This final step involves the use of our MLS Laser Therapy machine. This in-office, non-invasive therapy reduces swelling and inflammation–increasing healing time by 30%! Call today for your consultation.

Ann K. Passmore, M.D., F.A.C.S. 7805 Phoenix Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas passmoreplasticsurgery.com 479.242.2442

Twenty twenty-two is behind us. It’s time to celebrate a new you! Whether your goal is to maintain your youthful appearance or turn back the hands of time, Passmore Plastic Surgery can help you achieve your new look. Surgical and non-surgical procedures are available including Morpheus8. This is a non-invasive advanced micro-needling treatment with radio frequency developed to stimulate collagen synthesis and remodel skin. A Board-Certified cosmetic surgeon voted Best of the Best for the past eight years as well as Best of the River Valley, Dr. Passmore can help you achieve the best possible results with services customized for your needs and your budget. Schedule online or call for a consultation today.

2613 Market Trace, Fort Smith, Arkansas priceinsuranceservices.com 479.431.5632

Medicare gives us many options. We would encourage you to investigate those options with a local, trusted resource that you can meet in person and that will be available to you throughout your Medicare years. Our focus is education, not only for you, but also the family you want to involve for those inevitable times when someone needs to help you through a crisis. Let us be your mentor in finding the correct solution for you. We will be the same people you talk to when you sign up and when you need to review your choices or have problems. Contact us at Kendall Price Medicare Insurance Services, 479.431.5632, and visit us online at priceinsuranceservices.com.

renee@resetwithrenee.com resetwithrenee.com 314.276.1680

Reflect on your WHOLE health: body, mind, heart, spirit, soul & connections. What would wellness look like & feel like for you? To live, love, & lead with a whole heart requires all parts of you to be connected. Let’s assess your capacity & identify intentions & practices to expand your growth. Support for your “level up” is invaluable. Invest in your life & health. Mention this ad for $50 off your first session (coaching only) during January. Not ready to reach out? You’re invited to join the mailing list, read the blog, and find the podcast links, all free, at resetwithrenee.com.

rvpcs.org 479.785.5700

The Mission of River Valley Primary Care Services is to provide quality comprehensive and preventative health care to all community residents regardless of their ability to pay. We are a non-profit Federally Funded Health Center organization with 12 clinic locations to serve you! We are committed to affordable, comprehensive, and preventative health care to all people in Arkansas, including those with insurance, those without, and those that are underinsured. We help our patients connect with services such as the Prescription Assistance Program and our Sliding Fee Scale Program. Our of excellent doctors, dentists, and healthcare professionals who respect the health and well-being of all individuals that we serve.