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Publisher s
N ote
On the Cover: Dane Westfall Reece Hays Nayvie Grace Hays
Thank you for continuing to be a part of our Searcy Living readership family. Have a Merry CHRISTmas!
Publisher Christine Walker Customer Service Dorjeanne Bechhoefer Art Director & Webmaster Garrett Johnson Editorial Assistant Cherie Sewell Locally Owned and Operated
812 South Main Street Searcy, AR 72143 searcyliving@yahoo.com (501) 368-0095
For subscription information go to SearcyLiving.com
Copyright 2018 Shark Promotions LLC. Searcy Living, Cabot Living, and Your Hometown Magazine are trademarks of Shark Promotions. All rights reserved. Ownership, rights, and logos are property of their respected businesses. No part may be reproduced without written permission. Shark Promotions LLC is not responsible for claims, misprints, discrepancies, advice of any kind, or content in advertisements or editorials, but will rectify errors in forthcoming issues.
Copyright Š 2018 Shark Promotions LLC Searcy Living Magazine is a subsidiary of Shark Promotions LLC.
Still my favorite No Bake recipe: 1 Cup Oatmeal 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/3 cup honey 1 cup coconut flakes 1 cup flaxseed (optional) 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips 1 tsp. vanilla 1/4 cup craisins Mix together. Mold into small balls. Refrigerate. Enjoy!
Merry CHRISTmas! from your friends at Searcy Living Magazine
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“He
who has no Christmas
in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.” — UNKNOWN
“The
Son of God
became a man to enable men to become the sons of God.” — C. S. Lewis
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The
Christmas House By Ashley E. Hannagan
T
he transformation begins each year around September. That’s when the home of Jerry and Arvella Taylor becomes “The Christmas House.” Arvella has collected things from just about every imaginable source over the last forty years. Nothing is ever arranged the same way; in fact, according to their grandson Jax, the arrangement is subject to change multiple times before it suffices the eye of his grandmother. Jerry says all motivation and inspiration for anything in their home are that of his wife; she conveys to him what she wants, and with a little thought and artistic ability, they make their home “The Christmas House.” They certainly make a great pair. When asked how she got her inspiration, Arvella replied “I don’t really know, I mean it just kind of started when the kids were little, and we just kept it going from there.” The Taylors know they have it right when it feels good; Arvella says she looks at it in different angles and in various lighting until she feels satisfied. Speaking of lights, something interesting is that many of the special lights in their home are “Taylor” made. On any given year at this time, a wide array of beautiful things can be found here, and they add There are a multitude of hand-made and re-purposed items, such as the living room’s main table.
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new things almost yearly. Perhaps some of those things were pre-destined to belong to the Taylors. For example, the door which leads outside from the dining area was a gift to Arvella from their daughters. When they went to retrieve it and bring it home for installation, they noticed a sticker on the back of the door’s glass with the name “Taylor” written on it. The seller, of course, had no idea where the door was going. Other things are much older than the forty-year old tradition. The tin, which serves as the backing of a hallway table and was a gift from Arvella’s brother, is just one example. He dug up the 150-year-old tin from the site of her late grandparent’s home, which has long been buried on their property, to make the table as well as a few other things. Still other things are sentimental in value, like the Santa Claus that was given to her by her
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“Each year the Taylors say they won’t do so much the next Christmas – but, of course, that is forgotten by the time the next season arrives.”
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brother-in-law, who has since passed on. There are even a multitude of hand-made and re-purposed items, such as the living room’s main table. Made from “things in the yard,” Arvella says the table top originates from a log they had pressure washed the bark from and used as a place to set the cake for her mother’s eightyfifth birthday. The legs came later, when another one of Arvella’s brothers found them in the yard. Looking at it now, it is a completely different masterpiece. Each year the Taylors say they won’t do so much the next Christmas – but, of course, that is forgotten by the time the next season arrives. The family likes it when Mrs. Taylor begins decorating each year. There are so many wonderful things in the Taylor home, and many of them have an amazing story to tell. It is important also for us to remember the real story-the reason for the season. We hope you have enjoyed the Taylor’s Christmas House as much as we have. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
“There are so many wonderful things in the Taylor home, and many of them have an amazing story to tell.�
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We Invite You To Join In Giving With Your Tax-Deductible Donation
f o u ndation
Imagine a world where every child has a safe loving home.
Believe it can happen!
My/Our tax-deductible contribution to the Imagine And Believe Foundation in the amount of $_______________is enclosed. Name: ___________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________ City: _________________________ State: __________ Zip: _______________ E-mail: __________________________________________________________ Please make check payable to: Imagine & Believe Foundation PO Box 2042 Searcy, AR 72145-2042
Imagine And Believe Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
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Thank you for your generosity. We appreciate you!
What is the Purpose of the Imagine & Believe Foundation We provide the Foster Care Boutique, which is where your donations of clothing and diapers are connected to foster parents.
We connect
seasoned mentors (former foster parents) to new foster and adoptive parents, giving them a resource to ask questions and glean wisdom from someone who truly understands their journey.
We help new foster homes get set up with things such as play
pens and child safety gates. We help fill in the gaps. There are so many things to get and do to prepare to be a new parent of a child or children of varying ages.
We know
the journey of fostering and adopting is very rewarding, but it can also have great times of discouragement and loss. We try to be an encouragement system and reminder that this community really does care about the orphans and the caretakers of the orphan ministry.
If a foster family does not have the time to come by the
Foster Care Boutique, we deliver the clothing and diapers to them. This service is needed, for instance, when a foster family takes in a foster child at 3am and has to be at work by 8am the next morning.
We need your financial support to keep this ministry going. SearcyLiving.com 31
On the Cover: Dane Westfall Reece Hays Nayvie Grace Hays
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White County Christmas 4 Kids Saturday, December 8th 10am- 3pm Sunrise Motorsports Complex, Searcy Featured events are: Monster Truck Rides Hot Chocolate Autocross Races Face Painting Door Prizes Music Helicopters Side By Side Rides and Races Motorcross Race Bounce Houses BBQ and Hotdogs Door Prizes And much more to be added.
Admission to get in is 1 toy per person! That’s all!! Come out and help our community provide a nice Christmas for children in White County. 34 Your Hometown Magazine
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2017 Pictured on Cover: Eleanor Claire Hightower & Wyatt Duke Hightower Parents: Jacob & Jordan Hightower Photography By: George Dillin 501-268-9304 Background Photo By: Al Fowler
2016 Pictured on Cover: Harper Fultz Parents: Jeremy & Autumn Fultz Stella & Charlotte Pryor Parents: Grant and Brooke Pryor Cover Photographer: Kimberly Brackins 501-279-1515
2015 Pictured on Cover: Eli, Evie, and Elissa McCumpsey Parents: Josh & Jessica McCumpsey Photography By: George Dillin 501-268-9304
2014 Pictured on Cover: Lena Grady, Ian Grady (Center), and Jack Bashaw Cover Photographer: Taylor Howard (870) 917-8012
2013 Pictured on Cover: Maitland Gann Parents: Taylor Gann Chris Gann Cover Photographer: Kimberly Brackins 501-279-1515
2012 Pictured on Cover: Caden, Olivia, & Carver Higginbotham Parents: Josh & Lesley Higginbotham Riley & Lena Beth Smith Parents: Chad Smith Elizabeth Smith Cover Photographer: Taylor Howard (870) 917-8012
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2011 Pictured on Cover: Paxton Crum & Olivia Crum Parents: Parker & Amanda Crum Sloan Mercer Parents: Justin & Marcy Mercer Anna Claire Showalter Parents: Roy & Nancy Showalter Cover Photographer: Kimberly Brackins 501-279-1515
2010 Pictured on Cover: Kristen Tranum Avery Tranum Parents: Lynn & Carrie Tranum Cover Photographer: George Dillin 501-268-9304
2008 Pictured on Cover: Whitney Hays Parents:Monte&TammyHays Cooper McLeod • Lindey McLeod Parents: Todd & Casey McLeod Avery Lutrell Parents: David Lutrell Casey McLeod Cover Photographer: Maggie Hendrix 501-388-3256
2007 Pictured on Cover: Christian Cox Parents: Jared & Casey Cox Cover Photographer: George Dillin 501-268-9304
2009 Pictured on Cover: Jordan, Reagan, & Morgan Feltrop Parents: Frank & Cassandra Feltrop Cover Photographer: Kimberly Brackins 501-279-1515
2006 Pictured On Cover: Jadyn Ramsey Parents: Johnny & Betina Ramsey Landon & Keaton Hambrick Parents: John & Vicki Bates Photographer: KevinTaylor SearcyLiving.com 47
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Last Call Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house not a creature was praying not one in the house
And though I possess worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him, in spite of myself
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care In hopes that Jesus Christ would not come there
In the Book of Life which was held in His hand, Was written the name of every saved man
The children were dressing to crawl into bed, Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head
He spoke not a word as he searched for my name; When He said "it's not there" my head hung down in shame
And mom in her rocker with baby on her lap, Was watching the late show while I took a nap
The people whose names had been written with love, He gathered to take, to His Father above
When out of the East there arose such a clatter I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter
With those who were ready He rose without a sound, While all the rest of us were left standing around
Away to the window I flew like a flash Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
I fell to my knees but it was too late I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate
When what to my wondering eyes should appear But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here!
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight Oh, if only I had been ready tonight
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray, I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear The coming of Jesus is now drawing near
The light of His face made me cover my head, It was Jesus returning just like He had said
Theres only one life and when comes the last call We'll find that the Bible was true after all.
reprinted with permission from www.jjjasper.com • Twas the Night Before Jesus Came 44
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"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you about these things for the churches, I am the the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." -Revelation 22:16 (ESV)
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White County Courthouse in Searcy Photo by Al Fowler
Searcy Attractions & Events Check Facebook page for updated information: Searcy Holiday of Lights Thursday-Saturday, November 8-10, 4-9 pm on Thurs, 1-9 pm on Fri, 9 am-4 pm on Sat Merry Marketplace Unity Health Shopping ‘She’nanigans Robbins Sanford Grand Hall Visit unity-health.org for Ticket Info Saturday, November 10, 8 am-5 pm Santa’s Snow Day Shopping Event White County Fairgrounds Free Saturday, November 10, 9 am-3 pm Prelude to the Holiday Craft Fair Carmichael Community Center Free
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Saturday, November 10, 6 pm Main Street Searcy’s Holiday of Lights Pageant Harding University Heritage Auditorium Adults-$5, Children 4-12-$2, Children 3 & Under-Free Tuesday, November 13, 5:30-7:30 pm Chamber of Commerce Cash Mob Location to Be Announced Free Thursday, November 15-Wednesday, January 2 Deck the Halls with Santa Claus - Santa Collection on Display Carmichael Community Center Free
Tuesday, November 20, 5-7 pm Home for the Holidays Open House - Searcy Arts Council Exhibit Searcy Art Gallery at The Black House Free Tuesday, November 20, 6 pm Downtown Lighting Ceremony Courthouse Square Free, $6.50 per Rider for Carriage Rides (No Charge for Babies in Laps)
Saturday, December 1, 6 pm Searcy Christmas Parade Spring Park to Berryhill Park Free Saturday, December 1, 8 pm Community Christmas Concert - Harding University Concert Choir First United Methodist Church Free
Monday, November 26, 6 pm Harding Lighting Ceremony Harding University Campus Free
Sunday, December 2, 1-5 pm Women for Harding Tour of Homes Searcy $20 in Advance, $25 Day of Tour
Tuesday, November 27, 7 pm Winter Chorus Concert Harding University Administration Auditorium Free
Sunday, December 2, 2 pm SHS Christmas Band Concert Searcy High School Performing Arts Center Free
Thursday, November 29, 7 pm String Orchestra Concert Harding University Administration Auditorium Free
Sunday, December 2, 7 pm Chamber Singers Concert Harding University Reynolds Recital Hall Free
Friday, November 30; SaturdaySunday, December 1-2; Friday-Sunday, December 7-9 6:30-9:30 pm on Fridays, 5:30-9:30 pm on Saturdays, 5:30-8:30 pm on Sundays Living Nativity First Assembly of God Free (Donations Accepted) Saturday, December 1, 10 am-3 pm An Old Fashioned Christmas Pioneer Village Open House Free (Donations Accepted) Saturday, December 1, 9 am-3 pm Holiday Craft Fair Carmichael Community Center Free
Tuesday, December 4, 6:30 pm “Christmas in Comfort” CrossPointe Prepatory School Program Cloverdale Church of Christ Free Thursday, December 6, 7 pm Holiday Spectacular Concert - Belle Canto, Jazz Band & Percussion Ensemble Harding University Administration Auditorium Free Thursday-Saturday, December 6-8 “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” Harding University Ulrey Performing Arts Center $10 SearcyLiving.com 59
Friday, December 7, 4-7 pm A CommUnity Christmas Encounter Courthouse Square Free-Check Facebook the Night of December 6 for Announcement Friday, December 7, 7 pm Ring & Sing - Choir & Bells Christmas Program First United Methodist Church Free Friday, December 7, 7 pm; Saturday, December 8, 2 pm; Sunday, December 9, 6 pm “A Searcy Celebration, Christmas at KORD” Trinity Baptist Church Free Friday-Sunday, December 7-9; FridaySunday, December 14-16 “Miracle on 34th Street” Center on the Square Go to centeronthesquare.org or Call 368-0111 for Ticket Info Saturday, December 8, 9:30 am It’s a Wonderful KLIFE Fun Run Downtown Searcy $30 Registration Fee for Participants Saturday, December 8, 11 am Pied Pipers Christmas Show Ulrey Performing Arts Center Free Saturday, December 8 Singing in Spring ParkCrossPointe Preparatory School Spring Park Free
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Sunday, December 9, 10:50 am Christmas Cantata First United Methodist Church Free Monday, December 10, 7 pm SWMS Christmas Choir Concert Searcy High School Performing Arts Center Free Tuesday, December 11, 6 pm Searcy Orchestra Christmas Concert Searcy High School Performing Arts Center Free Thursday, December 13, 6 pm SHS Winter Choir Concert Searcy High School Performing Arts Center Free Sunday, December 16, 5 pm Community Christmas Dinner First United Methodist Church Free Sunday, December 16, 6 pm “This is Love. This is Jesus” First Baptist Church Free Monday, December 17, 7 pm Ahlf Junior High School Christmas Choir Concert Searcy High School Performing Arts Center Free Monday, December 31 Beats & Eats NYE Bash Downtown Searcy/Main Street Lot Free to Public from 8:30 pm-12:15 am
2018 Skating Rink at Spring Park Days & Hours of Operation: Skating begins Tuesday, November 20 Last day to skate TBA Closed November 22 and December 24-25 Monday-Friday 5 pm-10 pm Saturday 1 pm-10 pm Sunday Private Parties Only 1:00 pm-2:00 pm 2:30 pm-3:30 pm 4:00 pm-5:00 pm 5:30 pm-6:30 pm Call Barbara at 501-279-1010 to book a private party. Prices: -$5 per person for 45 minutes -$100 for 1 hour private party (up to 20 skaters on the rink at one time) -Cash and cards only. No checks -No refunds 2018 Searcy Christmas Parade Information • • • • • • •
Saturday, December 1, at 6 pm Parade line-up begins at 4 pm-Spring Park to Mulberry Avenue Route is Spring Park to Berryhill Park via Courthouse Square and Race Street Floats must play Christmas music and display Christmas lights No Santa Claus’s except for the City’s Santa For the safety of children in dark conditions, participants must walk to hand out candy-do not throw candy from vehicles No registration required; participation is free
Carriage rides scheduled for Nov. 20 Lighting Ceremony; additional seasonal dates to be announced.
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Photo by Kimberly Brackins
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36th Annual Searcy
of Homes
sponsored by Women for Harding
Sunday, December 2nd 1-5 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Tickets are available at www.hardingtickets.com, Artistic Florist & Gifts, The Bee’s Knees, The Boutique, Carren’s Florist & Gifts, First Security Bank (Searcy locations), Siloe and the Harding University Alumni Office. Founded in 1965 as a Christian service organization, Women for Harding has a rich heritage in providing need-based scholarships for men and women at Harding. Each year, volunteers throughout the country work together on numerous projects to fund these scholarships. For more information, call the Harding Alumni Relations Office at 501.279.4276.
Featuring The Homes Of Tour of Homes #1: pickle home
Durwood & Louise Pickle • 600 E. Pleasure • Searcy 70 Your Hometown Magazine
Tour of Homes #2: williams home Buddy & Amy Williams • 113 Club Creek Drive • Searcy
Tour of Homes #3: Procell home Brandon & Christy Procell • 101 Summerview Drive • Searcy
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Tour of Homes #4: webb home
Kent & Teresa Webb • 500 E. Pleasure • Searcy
Tour of Homes #5: Rose home
Jim & Ava Rose • The River House Bed and Breakfast 259 Riverview Road • Searcy
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“It
is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.” – Charles Dickens
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D inner &
a
Magazine
By Tanya Leckie
Honey Fudge This fudge uses honey instead of sugar and the velvety smoothness makes it obvious there is a difference. And lest you are thinking that maybe you don’t really like honey that much, this might very well change your mind. You are welcome to leave the pecans out (I thought the pecans were the REAL reason to eat fudge, but if you have a nut allergy I recommend you avoid them.) and you might substitute another crunchy topping if you like. You might also choose to use a lighter cocoa, making it a little more red in color and not as intense a cocoa flavor. You’re just not gonna believe how yummy this turns out! Enjoy! ingredients 8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted real butter 1/2 c. unsweetened dark cocoa powder 1/2 tsp real vanilla 1/2 c. good quality honey 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 c. toasted pecan pieces (optional)
Butter
Butter the inside of a loaf pan or one of similar size or line it with parchment paper and set aside.
Mix
In a glass medium saucepan heat butter just enough to soften it (but try not to melt it completely) and add to it the cocoa, vanilla, honey, and salt and mix well. Pour mixture into the pan and top with toasted pecans, pressing them down lightly into the fudge.
Refrigerate
Refrigerate for about an hour to allow it to firm up then remove from pan and cut into small pieces. (Who are we kidding; you’re gonna eat the entire pan and be required to make another!)
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D inner &
a
Magazine
By Tanya Leckie
Dijon Honey Chicken (Prep & Bake In The Same Dish!)
This dish is not only simple, with relatively quick prep time, but it is also very versatile in that you can substitute real maple syrup for the honey and you can substitute rice wine vinegar for the red wine vinegar. You can also easily substitute different parts of the chicken but just remember they need to be uniform in size so they will cook evenly (no perfectly baked pieces alongside a half raw piece). Something else to keep in mind too is that the larger (thicker) the piece of chicken, the longer it needs to cook. This is perfect served with mashed potatoes or rice (refer to the baked rice recipe that accompanied Barbacoa a few issues ago) because it makes a little bit of SAUCE in the bottom of the pan as the chicken bakes. Kids really like this so if you have a hungry group you might want to consider doubling the recipe; I speak from experience. Enjoy! ingredients 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (organic if possible) 1/2 c Dijon mustard 1/4 c good quality honey 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar 1/2 tsp each salt and fresh ground pepper 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary (dried is fine but fresh is noticeably better)
Combine
In a 2 quart glass baking dish combine the mustard, honey, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper and mix well right in the dish. Add chicken pieces and slosh it around, coating each piece well.
Bake
Bake in a 450° preheated oven for about 40 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh rosemary then allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. 84 Your Hometown Magazine
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“All
the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ.” — David Jeremiah
“Thanks
be to God for His unspeakable gift.” — 2 Corinthians 9:15
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