Searcy Living Issue 2 2018 by Searcy Living

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2 Your Hometown Magazine

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4 Your Hometown Magazine

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issue 2 2018

76 Protecting Your Healthcare Options

Rotary Golf Challenge 22 Friends For Life 38 Opening Children’s Lives Into Safety & Healing

Team Hometown Shopping

A Firm Foundation 62 Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball Photos

Publisher’s Note 10 Fashion Fun 18 We The People 24 Out & About 36 Financial Focus 40

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

Imagine & Believe 64

~Aesop

Dinner & A Magazine 78 Crossword & Riddles 80

On the Cover

Standing: Emily Hays, Taylor Wolfe, Jenna Harlan Sitting: Stacy Shirley

Photo by

George Dillin 501-268-9304 SearcyLiving.com 9

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They tell us the trends they see, the charities that are close to their hearts, the things they love about living here and the great things they see and hear from shoppers coming here from other areas. They don’t just study and discuss what is going on in the county. They don’t try to imitate others. They just live it and invest in it. So we ask you, our awesome Searcy Living readers, to continue to get to know your favorite hometown businesses. Help make this county an even better place to live, and become a dedicated Team Shop Hometown citizen. Lets celebrate our unique atmosphere and remember that we can all work as a team to make it even better. I don’t normally do this, but I repeated this publishers note on page 46. We all need to occassionally go to other places for services or other things, but I hope this issue helps bring awareness of the great offers we have right here. As always, thank you for reading Searcy Living.

Remember The Extras Online

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Publisher Christine Walker

Art Director & Webmaster Garrett Johnson

Editorial Assistant Cherie Sewell

Makeover Coordinator Evelyn Moss Contributing Independent Photographers Kimberly Brackins (501)279-1515 George Dillin (501)268-9304 Taylor Howard Photography (870)917-8012

Feature Writer Cecelia Wilson

Searcy Living Locally Owned and Operated 812 South Main Street Searcy, AR 72143 searcyliving@yahoo.com (501) 368-0095 SearcyLiving.com 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.

Searcy Living Magazine is a subsidiary of Shark Promotions LLC.

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P rotect Y our H ealthcare O ptions By Peyton Harvey, Pharm D.

Access To Care D

o you like to have direct access to your local Pharmacist? Pharmacists are often considered the most accessible healthcare professional. Your local pharmacists are consulted on a daily basis for anything from a minor ailment to serious life threatening health questions. Patients depend on their pharmacist to protect them from harmful drug interactions, to make sure medications are dosed appropriately and correctly, and to counsel them on how to take their medications appropriately. The Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) are threatening your access to use the pharmacy and pharmacist of your choice. If the PBMs (CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, Cigna, Optum Rx, etc.) continue their unfair and unregulated practices, local pharmacies will be forced to close. No matter what the size of your town or community is, if your pharmacy closes, your access to that trusted, knowledgeable, pharmacist will be limited. Patients will be thrown into using one of the big guys (some of whom are owned by a PBM) to pick up their medications. What will happen in rural Arkansas when small town pharmacies close? Will patients in these communities be able to drive to a pharmacy when the nearest pharmacy may be 30 or more miles away? Even if you live in a community where one of these large pharmacies are, do you want to become a number and not a name where you will have long wait times and not have easy, quick access to a pharmacist? Do you think these patients’ “Access” to life saving medications and professional knowledge should be taken away by the PBMs? Access to your local pharmacy is important in making sure patients, no matter where they live, have dependable healthcare. If legislation and regulation is not imposed on CVS Caremark and other PBMs, PBMs will continue to play by no rules and will put local pharmacies out of business. You can take whatever state of healthcare you feel like we have in Arkansas or across the country and if you lose your “Access” then the friend you have in your local pharmacist, and the state of healthcare will suffer. Lots of people can’t or simply won’t travel further to a pharmacy they don’t know. For those that make that trip, and are forced to change their pharmacy,

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their experiences will not be what they want or need them to be. The trusted pharmacist/ patient relationship will be damaged and the patient’s health may suffer. There will be patients that will quit taking their medication or won’t take their medications appropriately. The quality of healthcare in the state will suffer. Healthcare costs will increase if PBMs take away a patient’s first-line accessible healthcare professional, your pharmacist. Hospitals and doctor’s offices will thus be overburdened because PBMs took away the patient’s “Access” to their local pharmacies.

“Pharmacists are often considered the most accessible healthcare professional.”

Update of Legislative Action Pharmacy Benefit Manager Licensure Act Governor Hutchinson signed the PBM Licensure Act into law on Thursday, March 15. The new law requires licensure and oversight of PBMs in Arkansas. The Arkansas Insurance Commissioner will now regulate PBMs by making sure their networks are adequate. In order for a network to be adequate, the network must provide fair and reasonable reimbursements to pharmacies. This is a huge win for independent pharmacy in Arkansas, but also for our patients. Without this law PBMs would have continued their unfair business practices, which could have driven your local pharmacies out of business. This law can protect pharmacies from being bullied by PBMs and thus can protect your access to the personal care and the expertise your pharmacists and pharmacies provide. There has been tremendous support by our patients and the local community in this effort to regulate PBMs. I would like to personally thank everyone who contacted their legislators. I

would also like to thank our local legislators, Senator Dismang, Representative Eaves, and Representative Gillam in supporting this bill. This was truly a combined effort from communities all over our state who talked with their legislators about the importance of maintaining their local pharmacies. The fight is not over with the PBMs, but for the first time our state (which is the first in the nation) will provide regulation to the Pharmacy Benefit Manager industry who until this point has had zero oversite. Reach out to your Senator and Representative and thank them for standing up against the PBMs, and thank them for standing up for quality healthcare in our state.

â&#x20AC;&#x153; There has been tremendous support by our patients and the local community in this effort to regulate PBMs. I would like to personally thank everyone...â&#x20AC;? ~ Peyton Harvey, Pharm D.

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Cow e l l Before

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Evelyn Moss Makeover Coordinator

701 W. Race, Searcy 501-388-0086 www.shopdalesclothing.com

By Mary Bailey at

Charlestown Village 2305 W. Beebe Capps Searcy (501) 268-4540

Susie Dubose Independent Beauty Consultant

Turn the page for more fashion & beauty retailers. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

501-827-8932 www.marykay.com/sdubose SearcyLiving.com 19

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seventeenth Annual

2-Person Challenge Friday, May 18, 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ Searcy Country Club Shotgun Start at 1:00 p.m.

Format: 6 Hole Scramble, 6 Hole Best Ball - 6 Hole Alternate

Lunch Provided at 12:00 p.m.

Gold:

$400.00 Cash Donation Recognition on advertising signs Entry fee for one team

Blue:

$275.00 Sponsorship and advertising on signs

Team Only: $220.00 includes 4 mulligans

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Make check payable to: Searcy Rotary Club 1550 W. Beebe-Capps Expwy. â&#x20AC;˘ Searcy For more information, please call: Blake Hendrix, Tournament Director 501-268-8638

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Giving Thanks To Our

Local Heroes

The Brothers of PHA King Solomon Lodge #473 of Searcy give thanks to our local heroes - our first responders.

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he White County Single Parent Scholarship Fund, Inc. recently held its 2018 Spring Scholar/Donor Reception. The event was held in the Technology East Building of ASU Searcy. 16 T scholarships with a combined value of $13,500 were awarded. Since its beginning in 1999, WCSPSF,

Inc. has awarded 598 scholarships with a combined value of $348,999. For more information, contact Executive Director Dan Newsom at 501-230-2414 or www.wcspsf.inc@gmail.com.

Arkansas Department of Higher Education Scholars Pictured from left to right: Tania Fleming and child, Larissa Fritts, Lisa Smith (ADHE), Melissa Myers, Tanya Roberts, and Kelli Williams and child.

Hawley Family Foundation Scholars Pictured from left: Julie Foust, Abby Eddleman Myers, Sha’Kayra Hall, Colbie Harrell, Sarah Siler, and Dan Newsom (WCSPSF, Inc.)

Kirk Manor Memorial Scholar Pictured from left: Dale Manor and Brandi Sterling and child.

First Electric Cooperative Scholars Pictured from left: Don Boyd, Kay Price (WCSPSF, Inc.), and Ariel Lackey and children.

White County Community Foundation Scholar Pictured from left: Dana Stewart (WCCF), and Myia Dandredge and child.

Colton’s Scholars Pictured from left: Ashley Harrington and child, Ty Venable (Colton’s), and Tanya Higgs.

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Smoke On The Mountain

he Other Side Ministries is hosting the Red Curtain Theatre Group as they perform “Smoke On The Mountain,” a hilarious musical tale based on the account of the church in the 1930s. The setting is in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, and it revolves around the singing Saunders family who perform their traditional and bluegrass gospel songs for the members of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Pastor Oglethorpe welcomes the family to the church, where the individuals’ stories and beliefs are shared during the concert. The audience serves as members of the congregation! May 11, 2018 @ 7PM • Donation Dinner @ 5 PM Whitney Lane Family Worship Center 1215 Whitney Lane • Kensett, AR 72082 Proceeds go to The Other Side - Searcy, The Other Side - Wilburn, Daughters of the Other Side - Kensett Tickets: $20 Call Lexi Holcomb (501) 505-6117 or Bob Rork (501) 206-1784 to purchase tickets for you, your church group, organization, business, etc!

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All-State Band Congratulations to Searcy High School band members Margaret Lim and Victoria Brown for being selected as All-State Band members. Lim (2nd Band, 2nd chair) and Brown (1st band, 3rd chair) participated in the Arkansas All-State Music Conference at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

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L to R, row 1: Amber Moody, Ladonna Johnston, Peggy Turner, Brandi Hasley, Kristian Ray, Patricia Ashby, Angel Vinson, and Jessie Bechdoldt. Row 2: Madeline Bridgeman, Sarah Wright, Cyanne Hamill, Wilma Payne, and Ray Montgomery.

Unity Health Announces Associate of the Quarter, Kristian Ray Unity Health associates recently selected Kristian Ray, RN, as the Associate of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2018. Ray has served with Unity Health for nearly a decade and works as the Clinical Nurse Director of Observation at Unity Health – White County Medical Center. Attributes of the Associate of the Quarter include high values, a positive attitude and sense of professionalism. Ray reflects the core values of the hospital: integrity, teamwork, compassion, excellence, stewardship, innovation and a heart of service. “Unity Health is definitely a hometown hospital,” Ray

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said. “We are all family and bring our own families here. I was born in this hospital so my roots are deep. I am also very blessed to work with a team that gives and shows so much support. It was definitely a surprise to receive the honor. I am overjoyed at the recognition but I am only as good as the team that I work with. I have an amazing group of associates that I have the privilege to lead. I also have an amazing group of leaders that I have the privilege to follow. I am humbled by the recognition, as I know there are so many deserving associates in this organization. I truly do appreciate the honor.”

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Admire without jealousy, praise without flattery, follow without imitating and lead without manipulating.â&#x20AC;?

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Favorite Facebook Quotes

We live in an oddly tenuous culture. It seems so many are on the edge of insecurity and so easily offended. I think there are even some who feel like it’s hardly safe to speak for fear of offending someone. My thought is that being offended is not a proper response to much of anything. It doesn’t help improve dialogue or encourage respect. It only calls attention to self. We live in a society of victims, but one can move forward from being victimized, because there’s no better way to respond than to keep climbing, keep pushing forward, keep forgiving, keep seeking answers, keep learning, keep discovering, keep changing the world by changing from within, keep knowing that God will rescue us from evil. Keep praying, keep trusting… and feel the Spirit of God leading. Hold tightly to the Way, the Truth and the Light… and there will be no time for harboring offenses… none.

~Chuck Hicks

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;The most desired gift of love is not diamonds or roses or chocolate. It is focused attention.â&#x20AC;?

Find yourself on 36 Your Hometown Magazine

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By Judy Wallace

t was birthed in the heart of one woman who had for six months asked her Sunday School class to pray for an unspoken request. But Deanne Moore soon found that others’ hearts were also being stirred in the same direction. It happened at a conference at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN that was attended by about thirty young women from their church. After piling up in one of the attendee’s rooms after services, they began to share what they had learned in their breakout sessions. From this interaction, it became obvious that many in this group felt the need to help ladies deal with decisions that had been made concerning an unwanted pregnancy. The unspoken request was now openly shared, and God was ready to continue unfolding His plan. One of the women in the room that night was Kim Richards. God had been preparing her heart through a Bible study to help anyone who might be going through this type of struggle. Kim and Deanne began to pray separately and seek God’s face as to who might come alongside them to help begin this type of ministry. When they met together to discuss names for a possible steering committee, they had both written down the exact same ones. They then knew for certain that this was a ‘God thing.’ At the first meeting, each person on the list was asked why they might want to be a part of a resource pregnancy center. After sharing their hearts, this group then became the first board of directors.

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It took two years to become incorporated, but Friends for Life was able to open its doors in 1998. From the beginning, Kim felt the need to be involved in the day-to-day operations of the ministry, and served from the first as the director and as the only paid staff member at the time. She has served in the same position for the entire 20 years. Just as the ministry itself fell into place, the location for it became obvious as well. As they began to pray about where to house the non-profit, the current property at 914 East Race Street became available. They leased it with an option to buy and soon received their first donation of $50,000 to be put toward building. The need for an ultrasound machine soon became obvious and, with the help of Focus on the Family, the ministry received its first machine and, in 2007, became a pregnancy medical center under the oversight of Dr. Jim Citty. The second paid staff member at the pregnancy center now is Carolyn Hunter-Layne who has served as nurse manager at the facility since March of 2016. Having the capability for at risk women and girls to see into their womb was a definite game changer. Many that were at risk for obtaining an abortion were able to see life, to see the heartbeat of their baby and, as a result, choose life. In fact, over the twenty years of operation, there have been over 5,600 clients to walk through the door of the pregnancy center. Of those, 814 clients have been abortion vulnerable when they arrived but 763 of those had chosen life by the time they left.

Friends for Life has been blessed by a total of sixty different volunteers. One of the very first volunteers was Paula Hill, who still comes weekly to assist with the ultrasounds. During the span of twenty years, various leaders from all walks of life have served on the board of directors. There have been doctors, lawyers, firefighters, educators, ministers, stay-at-home moms, retired military and people from various careers to serve in this capacity. FFL Medical: 914 E. Race, These people donate their time and money to make Searcy • (501) 305-4500 sure the mission of Friends for Life is shared with Parenting Center: 405 N. Walnut, our community. Searcy • (501) 279-1550 Shanna Jones, a current board member who has also served as a volunteer, shared this: “I have witnessed women who are vulnerable and often scared walk in to the safe, welcoming, accepting environment of Friends for Life. The team there walks with these women as they persevere through the pregnancy and motherhood, providing support and hope along the way. Serving on the board gives me an opportunity to be a small part of a ministry that is doing BIG things.” The Mission Statement of Friends for Life states: “Friends for Life exists to evangelize, educate, and encourage women in making life affirming choices.” The fulfillment of the evangelism part is seen in the fact that through the years, forty-three clients have made professions of faith. Most times when volunteers are counseling clients they have the opportunity to share the gospel, but not all times are the clients receptive. However, seeds of truth and compassion are planted with each interaction.

“I have witnessed women who are vulnerable and often scared walk in to the safe, welcoming, accepting environment of Friends for Life.” We also educate each client that enters our door on various topics, such as healthy pregnancies, stages of pregnancy, the importance of abstinence, the harm of smoking, etc. Our ability to extend our influence in this increased exponentially with the addition of the Friends for Life Parenting Center, which opened in 2014 and is now under the direction of Jeanette Wallace. Patricia Yingling also helps staff that center, and works with the many Hispanic clients that come through the doors. Parents, both moms and dads, can attend group sessions on important aspects of positive parenting or take-home lessons and in return earn ‘Baby Bucks’ that can then be used to obtain clothing, diapers, wipes etc. Many of these parents have been court mandated through DHS to attend parenting classes and have been referred to those offered at the parenting center. Mostly, what they gain is solid teaching for the important job of parenting, and encouragement to stay strong and work to be the best parent possible. Being a non-profit necessitates the raising of funds through various means. The ministry has been supported by the Calvary Baptist Association from its inception. Throughout the twenty years, numerous churches and businesses have lent support, and much of what is accomplished is also through the donation of generous individuals. The only fundraising done at Friends for Life is their spring Walk for Life, held yearly in April, and a banquet held each year in the fall. One upcoming financial need for the ministry includes a new ultrasound machine, which will cost approximately $20,000. Funds are always needed. Volunteers are always needed. Prayers are always needed. But the greatest need of all is for these lives to be changed through the sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and for women to be educated and encouraged through their pregnancy, and even into their parenting, through the services provided by Friends for Life. The little white house on Race Street has served a mighty purpose for twenty years. May God bless the ministry housed there for many years to come.

“...763 of those had chosen life by the time they left.”

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Financial Focus:

Time for Financial

“Spring Cleaning”

The days are longer and the temperatures are warmer – so it must be

spring. For many of us, that means it’s time for some spring cleaning. But why stop with sprucing up your living space? This year, consider extending the “spring cleaning” concept to your financial environment, too. How can you tidy your finances? Here are some suggestions: •

•

“De-clutter” your portfolio. As you go through your home during your spring cleaning rounds, you may notice that you’ve acquired a lot of duplicate objects – do you really need five mops? – or at least some things you can no longer use, like a computer that hasn’t worked since 2010. You can create some valuable space by getting rid of these items. And the same principle can apply to your investment portfolio, because over the years you may well have acquired duplicate investments that aren’t really helping you move toward your goals. You may also own some investments, which, while initially fitting in to your overall strategy, no longer do so. You could be better off by selling your “redundant” investments and using the proceeds to purchase new ones that will provide more value. Get organized. During your spring cleaning, one of your key goals may be to get organized. So you might want to rearrange the tools in your garage or establish a new filing system in your home office. Proper organization is also important to investors – and it goes beyond having your brokerage and 401(k) statements in nice neat piles. For example, you may have established IRAs with different financial services companies. By moving them to one provider, you may save some fees and reduce your paperwork, but, more important, you may find

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that such a move actually helps you better manage your investments. You’ll know exactly where your money is going, and it could be easier to follow a single investment strategy. Also, with all your IRAs in one place, it will be much easier for you to manage the required minimum distributions you must start taking when you turn 70-1/2. (These distributions are not required for Roth IRAs.) •

Protect your family’s financial future. When cleaning up this spring, you may notice areas of concern around protecting your home – perhaps there’s a crack in your window, or your fence is damaged or part of your chimney is crumbling. Your financial independence – and that of your family – also needs protection. Is your life insurance sufficient to pay for your mortgage, college for your kids and perhaps some retirement funds for your spouse? Do you have disability insurance that can provide you with some income if you become ill or injured and can’t work for a while? Have you considered the high costs of long-term care, such as an extended nursing home stay? A financial professional can help you determine if your insurance coverage is adequate for all these needs.

Consider putting these spring cleaning suggestions to work. They may help you keep your financial house in good shape for all the seasons yet to arrive. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

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By Ann Robertson

Opening Children’s Lives Into Safety & Healing: Ten Years and Growing Do you remember what you were doing ten or so years ago? In 2007, without fanfare, Kim Smith and Larry Melville began searching for a way to strengthen their role in helping children who had been violated. Kim, a DHS social worker with the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and Larry, an investigator with the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division (CACD), decided it was time for solutions. How could they improve the difficult and numerous interview processes abused children had to endure, interviews essential for the various agencies to work forward with each case? They gathered a group of area professionals who also wanted to help, forming a board of directors and implementation committee. It was about this time Robin and Patrick Connell became foster parents and developed a relationship with Kim. Asked to join as a board member, Robin became actively involved. She soon resigned 44 Your Hometown Magazine

as a board member, however, to work as the volunteer director. Her education and experience had provided practical wisdom for dealing with the business side of the agency. That was only half of it though. Kim introduced Robin to Kathy Helpenstill. Kathy had both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Social Work. Since 1999, Kathy had worked with DHS and Harding as a teacher, trainer and field trainer. Through Kathy’s role with Harding and DHS, her 2007 fall semester senior class helped Robin gather resources and information on starting a non-profit and child advocacy center. Once the semester was over, Kathy remained as a consultant.

A Two-Woman Team “We found a model through the child advocacy centers based in Huntsville, Alabama,” Robin says. “The first center was started in 1985 with Robert Cramer, a district attorney in Madison County, Alabama. He witnessed the emotional distress children underwent

when they had to tell their stories several times to various officers of the court and social workers. The constant retelling only heightened their trauma.” Kathy and Robin attended a session at Child First Arkansas—the national training center for forensic interviewers. Then, in April 2008, the Child Safety Center officially opened its doors with a shoe-string budget. Along with their education and experience, they had great passion. What they lacked, they sought to learn, determined to overcome the many barriers before them.

“Through the state CAC Chapter, I got to know Janice Beavers,” Robin says. “Janice was serving as executive director at CooperAnthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center in Hot Springs. Her guidance was invaluable to me as I learned how to apply for grants, foundations and state funds provided for beginning agencies and then with continuing funding for established ones.”

CSC’s First Building For the first three years, the Child Safety Center served children from a white-frame house they rented at a nominal fee from Harding University. The big stuff, like furniture and equipment, down to the small stuff, staplers and paper clips, were all donated. One generous donor bought them a central heat and air unit. For two years, Robin and Kathy weren’t paid a salary, but that was never why they were there.

CSC’s Second Building In 2011, needing more space and now with start-up grant money in the bank, the Child Safety Center moved to the yellow brick house on E. Race Street. Juli Lane, a nurse and teacher in Harding’s nursing program, wanted to contribute her services. She attained the training needed to be a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE). Before Juli came, the victims of molestations had to travel to Little Rock for medical examinations. This helped to simplify the process for each child, one of their ultimate goals. With more funding, the staff grew to include a therapist and advocate.  The staff photo includes (front row) Juli Lane, Robin Connell and Kathy Helpenstill (second row) Felicia Patten, Jenny Citty, Kinsey Curtis, Beth Light, Caitlin Forcier, Jenny Hawes and Elizabeth Rose

“Once children enter, they stop and enjoy a wall with a fish aquarium. Large pinwheels hang overhead. All around them are words of affirmation, colorful paintings and shelves of puzzles and games.”

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 The Child Safety Center of White County  Kathy Helpenstill and Robin Connell “Early on, Kathy and I were becoming aware of the impact trauma has on children,” Robin says in retrospect. “We had a child who was in special ed classes, whose father was her offender and still living in the home. I remember Kathy saying, ‘This is not an autistic child. This is a traumatized child.’ Years later, after the child was treated and living in a safe environment, she graduated from middle school on the Honor Roll. She is one of many children who inspire and encourage us to press forward, to see each child, each circumstance, and how we can help them thrive.”

CSC’s Third Building Since August of 2016, their new building looks more like a lovely home with its blue exterior and welcoming bright yellow door. From the previous buildings improvised to suit their needs, Robin detailed the best floor plan needed to provide the children private access to the interview room and counseling offices. Sensitive to how difficult it is for children to talk about an abusive experience, the staff are always learning effective ways to reduce as much apprehension as possible. Once children enter, they stop and enjoy a wall with a fish aquarium. Large pinwheels hang overhead. All around them are words of affirmation, colorful paintings and shelves of puzzles and games. Even the seating is bright and cushy. Children and their parents, guardians, or foster parents are greeted by one of two advocates—Caitlin Forcier and Kinsey Curtis. The staff at the center also includes two forensic interviewers— Felicia Patten and Elizabeth Rose; two sexual assault nurse examiners—Juli Lane and Jenny Citty; one full-time therapist and a part-time therapist—Jenny Hawes and Beth Light, respectively; and executive director Robin Connell. Kathy is available as needed. She is presently pursuing her doctorate and teaching classes at Harding. Kathy reflects, “It’s a gift and honor to have a child trust me—a stranger—with their most sacred fears and secrets. When that happens, it takes a bit of the burden off of the child.” 46 Your Hometown Magazine

Robin praises the different agencies they work with: law enforcement officers—on the local, county and state level; DHS-DCFS social workers; and the prosecuting attorney’s office. Representatives of the group gather in a screening room to watch the original taped interview of the forensic interviewer with the child giving his or her testimony. “It’s certainly a collaborative effort,” Robin says. “We have the greatest respect for them.” “None of us could do this without team support,” Kathy notes. “We share the burden, grief and triumphs.” There is no charge to the family for any of the services. In 2017, the staff at the CSC served 381 children, ages 2-18. Over the past ten years, they have worked with approximately 3,000 children and teenagers.  Jake

The CSC Now Has a Dog with a Special Job Since October 2017, Jake joined the staff. Jake is a magnificent black English Labrador who has earned his degree to serve as a Facility/Courthouse dog. His degree distinguishes him as a

graduate from an assistance organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International, which sets the highest standards for the dog’s training and their handlers. Jake is now the second courthouse dog in Arkansas. Providing quiet strength and companionship, Jake sits by the child’s side during the forensic interview. His ability to soothe an abused child is foremost, especially since even a consoling person’s touch could feel threatening. If a courtroom testimony is required, Jake can sit in the witness box to support the child. Scientific research proves a calm and gentle dog reduces fears and anxieties. When not paralyzed with fear, children are better able to recall more details about the abuse and how they did or did not occur.

Happy Tenth Birthday to the Child Safety Center! For the past ten years the Child Safety Center’s mission has been to empower, protect and restore children. This Child Safety Center proves to be an expression of what can happen when a community and state work together. Many times it begins with one or two people. The Child Safety Center of White County is on 414 Rodgers in Searcy and serves White, Cleburne, Independence, Stone, Jackson, Woodruff and Izard Counties. Arkansas has 15 regional child advocacy centers. More information about the CSC, its mission, along with signs of abuse, are found at their website www.childsafetycenter.org. Event updates are on their Facebook page—Child Safety Center, Searcy, AR. Ways to help are also listed on their website and Facebook page. Donations to the CSC are tax-deductible. The CSC offers a place for healing, especially an inner healing meant for a child’s lifetime.

Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline 1-844-SAVE-A-CHILD

 Robin Connell, Jake, Felicia Patten

“It’s a gift and honor to have a child trust me—a stranger—with their most sacred fears and secrets. When that happens, it takes a bit of the burden off of the child.” ~ Kathy Helpenstill

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Words Worth Repeating Team Hometown Shopping is a theme Searcy Living wants to encourage: shopping in our hometown. This issue we are spot lighting a few of our friends in the clothing/apparel industry. Searcy Living would like to thank them, as well as ALL of the locally owned businesses we know that contribute so much to this community. There are so many things that local businesses do for the community of which you may not be aware - from donating to and supporting local charities, to bringing in shoppers from other communities. OTHER COMMUNITIES COMING HERE TO SHOP? Yes. At Searcy Living we have contact with businesses all over town, and the feedback we are getting is that people from just outside of Little Rock, Heber Springs and various other areas are traveling to this community to shop. Why, you may ask? Why, when they have more of a selection in larger communities that are closer to their communities? Because in this county we have unique businesses with unique personalities. We have less traffic, a small hometown feel, less crime than a lot of larger areas, and again a unique selection of merchandise which is often hand picked and thought about with you in mind. The local businesses in your community are invested in this community. We know this because we communicate with them. They tell us the trends they see, the charities that are close to their hearts, the things they love about living here and the great things they see and hear from shoppers coming here from other areas. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just study and discuss what is going on in Searcy. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t try to imitate others. They just live it and invest in it. So we ask you, our awesome Searcy Living readers, to get to know your favorite hometown businesses. Help make this county an even better place to live, and become a dedicated Team Shop Hometown citizen. Lets celebrate our unique atmosphere and remember that we can all work as a team to make it even better.

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Fashion Tip... Embrace new trends. You are never going to know what you like until you try it on! ~Emily Hays, Owner Hays 2

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Fashion Tip... Own Something Leopard: Make the print a staple in your accessories and/or wardrobe. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s timeless and just edgy enough, and always glamorous. ~Stacy Shirley, Owner Soul Mates Boutique

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Fashion Tip... I always encourage customers to go toward pieces they can mix and match to get more versatility out of their outfits. Dare to be different with your outfits. ~Jenna Harlan, Clothing

photo by

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Owner

Daleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

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Fashion Tip... Always take one “it’s cute but so not me” thing into the dressing room. You never know! ~ Taylor Wolfe, Blackbird Boutique

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Owner

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This?

The Choice Is Or hopefully this...

Produced by

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A Click Away.

Help Your Community Thrive.

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By Shianna Cowell

a very young age, I believed the lies of the enemy, for family off of them; blessing a new momma as she welcomes not knowing who my identity was in. I was lost in the a precious baby into this world; and blessing some that are just world, working for the wrong guy (the devil and self) for many simply overwhelmed, by helping them get organized and back years. The enemy said I would never be free from the things on track. We also clean the Foster Care Boutique and The Call, that bound me. Faith and obedience will remove mountains. weekly as a blessing. I am extremely involved in my home church, The River. Not Mountains of evil, mountains of difficulty. But they must go only do I make sure our church is cleaned with excellence, I also hand in hand. oversee baptism preparations, Not only has God set me free, handle getting food set up for He has also delivered me from funerals, coordinate the Fall myself and my insecurities! Fellowship each year, help with He has blessed me with a Godcamp, and any other fearing husband, Josh; four “Faith and obedience will remove mountains. children’s needs that may arise. I love my amazing children, Cesilee (Colby), Drew, Jessica and Mountains of evil, mountains of difficulty. But they church family! I have begun a meal ministry Jasmine; and one precious must go hand in hand.” outreach on Mondays to feed the granddaughter, Lakynn. He has broken, elderly and sick. This blessed me with a business that is blesses me beyond measure to built on a Christian foundation. I be able to provide a meal so they have the privilege of employing do not have to worry about what 30 plus women that I get to pour they will eat at least one night a the love of Christ into. We do a week and to be able to visit with Bible study every Wednesday them and show them the love of morning for anyone who wants Jesus. to attend. Telling my employees I also serve at DOTS (Daughter about the love of Jesus and them of the Other Side). This is a receiving the Word is hands women’s Christian based rehab down the most rewarding thing! facility where I am given the To hear them say, “You help me stay on the right path, and I’ve been working on my relationship opportunity to pray for and teach them that we do not have to live with God since I started working with you,” ~ “You helped me in our lives in bondage! I also get to watch 30 plus young girls every other Friday night my time of need trying to bury my grandma with no insurance, and you also stepped up and helped me get the things my son needed grow and learn their identity in Christ. God has truly blessed me and my company and I am grateful to be brought into the world. You never judged me,” ~ “Blessing those who need the help. Not judging anyone for anything. Always that I can give back to our community. Seeking Jesus, serving the being there, praying in your moo moo, at the drop of a hat you broken and leading the lost to Christ is my life. I never could have come running,” ~ “You make sure everyone in your company done any of these things without the leading of the Holy Spirit and knows who Jesus is.” This is what I love about our work family; Jesus making it happen. I am very honored to have been asked to we are just that - family! We are able to bless families that have write this article and hope that it blesses someone. lost a loved one by taking the burden of getting the house ready 62 Your Hometown Magazine

Shianna Cowell Owner of Shianna’s Cleaning Radical Jesus Follower “He brought me up out of a horrible pit [of tumult and of destruction] out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock, steadying my footsteps and establishing my path. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear [with great reverence] And will trust confidently in the Lord.” Psalms 42:2-3 AMP We were created to serve God. Everything we do must glorify Him!

“I am grateful that I can give back to our community! Seeking Jesus, serving the broken and leading the lost to Christ is my life!”

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What Foster Parents Are Saying

How You Can Help

Amazing Donors

Imagine a world where every child has a safe and loving home. Believe it can happen! Your Hometown Magazine

Only a few are willing to give their time, their home and their life to serve orphans. But the rest of us can be an amazing support team! The Imagine & Believe Foundation has office space, utilities and Foster Care Boutique space that is 100% donated by a local business. Your donations are put to great use in the serving of foster children.

Find Us On

f o u n dat i on

imaginebelieve123.com

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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. An example of why this service is needed: Is them taking in a foster child at 3am and having to be at work by 8am the next morning.

The Imagine & Believe Foster Care Boutique is located at

812 S. Main St. • Searcy, AR

Please send donations to:

Imagine & Believe Foundation • P.O. Box 2042 • Searcy, AR 72145 Phone (501) 593-5263 My check is enclosed to help wherever needed.

 $5

 $20

 Other: ______________

 I want to donate my time. My talent is: ___________________________________

Imagine & Believe is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) • Donations are Tax Deductible 501.593.5263 66 Your Hometown Magazine

Thank you Rhea Lanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for your kind donation to the Imagine & Believe Foster Care Boutique.

Brandon Gray

A big thank you to Brandon Gray with McCoyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Building Supply for donating shelving supplies for our diaper closet. We also appreciate Brian Teddy with Everything Construction for taking time out of his busy schedule to assemble the shelves for us. This is truly a blessing to the community.

Brian Teddy

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What Is The

H ope Believe

Foster Care & Adoption Boutique? * The Imagine and Believe Foster Care and Adoption Boutique is simply a room in the Searcy Living business office that we have dedicated for use in helping foster & adoptive families, and sometimes emergency situations. Our awesome Searcy Living readers bring in donations, enabling foster parents to be able to ‘shop’ for what they need for foster, adopted and disadvantaged children, at no cost. Our office is located at 812 S. Main Street in Searcy. We welcome gently used or new items. Thank you, Searcy, for your generosity and time spent to support the Foster Care Boutique!

L ocated I n

Thank You Dale’s Clothing Thank you to White County Sheriff’s Mounted

Imagine a world where every child has a safe loving home. Believe it can happen!

Patrol - Cookie Jackson, President - for the toy donation.

Many Thanks

Oasis Car Wash 68 Your Hometown Magazine

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Valley Baptist 2018 Dnow Service Project

a special thank you to

West Race Baptist Church

Thank You Liberty Christian 70 Your Hometown Magazine

Thank You Hopkins Braces

ASUB Searcy Practical Nursing Community Service

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Thanks to

Bisons For Christ

Thank you DCFS for helping us distribute the bedtime bags and bags of caring that were so lovingly made by West Race Baptist Church and Unique Home Extension.

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Whitney Lane Family Worship Center Donation Pastor David Overstreet and Associate Pastor Jason Davis delivering supplies from Whitney Lane Family Worship Center to bless foster families in White County. Our church has such a heart to give and be a blessing. My wife and I fostered for nearly 2 years and have adopted 2 children through fostering. So, we greatly appreciate all these families are doing to take care of our children. We pray God richly blesses each of you! Keep up the good work!

~ Pastor Dave Whitney Lane Family Worship Center Kensett SearcyLiving.com 73

EAST Students At Ahlf Junior High School

Foster Care Drive We are EAST students at Ahlf Junior High School

Kaitlyn Hull and Karlen Isom

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named Kaitlyn Hull and Karlen Isom. Our project is collecting clothes and other items for foster children in need. We chose this project because we saw that not very many foster children get a lot of things including clothes, diapers, wipes, and even toys. We would like to help fix this problem by making a drive that would gather objects to put in the Imagine & Believe Foster Care Boutique. We want to make the project bigger by making our little project an annual drive for our schools, Westside Elementary, McRae Elementary, Sidney Deener Elementary, Southwest Middle School, Ahlf Junior High School, and Searcy High School. Currently, we have made our project a one month drive that will hopefully become larger. So far we have collected a couple bags of clothes. We are hoping that we can collect more items so foster parents can be prepared when children join them. If you would like to donate to this project visit the Imagine & Believe Foster Care Boutique at 812 S. Main St. in Searcy, Arkansas. They are always needing clothes so make sure to check www.searcyliving.net/boutique/ for insight on what they are needing. If you have a child that currently goes to Ahlf Junior High School, you can send items to school with your child if you would like to donate. Students can drop off donations in the EAST classroom.

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Junior Auxiliary of Searcy

Presents The Roaring 20s Charity Ball

Find yourself on

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Chicken Breakfast Sausage For those of you, like myself, who were raised on plenty of bacon and sausage (DRIPPING with grease) for breakfast, being asked to try something different is almost unthinkable. Using ground chicken is not something I would normally consider appealing, but when I searched for sausage in the supermarket which didn’t contain MSG or sugar, I was out of luck. I could have used ground pork, but even that was a little difficult to locate AND the ingredients were a little sketchy. This sausage produces virtually NO grease, contains NO sugar, contains NO MSG or even an ingredient you don’t recognize AND it tastes fabulous! It shrinks much less than pork sausage, so you actually wind up with more sausage since much of it is not lost in the grease. I heartily recommend using a good quality ceramic, non-stick skillet so they do not stick to the pan. Enjoy (and be surprised!)!

Combine

1 pound ground chicken 3/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp ground thyme 1 tsp ground sage Pinch of cayenne pepper (more if you like it spicy) Pinch of black pepper 2 tsp water (plus more to wet fingers when flattening patties in skillet)

In a large bowl combine ingredients and mix well. Using a spoon or cookie dough scoop, drop ping pong ball sized scoops of mixture onto the surface of a non-stick (ceramic is safe) skillet that has been preheated. Dip your fingers into water and flatten the mixture as it begins to scoop, forming patties.

Cook

Cook over medium heat for a few minutes, until the bottom side browns a bit, then flip the patties to cook the other side. Transfer to serving platter when cooked through and slightly browned on both sides. I cook the entire batch of meat mixture and store these in a container with a tight fitting lid in the fridge, just using patties as we need them.

Tanya Turner Leckie’s cookbook, Cartwheels In The Kitchen, is available at Midnight Oil Coffee House, as well as through Tanya by e-mailing her at lazydaygourmet@sbcglobal.net. Partial proceeds through sales benefit the Makonde Team mission work in Tanzania, Africa. 78 Your Hometown Magazine

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Across

Down

4. Our state, which is the first in the ________, will provide regulation to the Pharmacy Benefit Manager industry. 6. The CSC offers a place of healing, especially an ________ healing. 7. Shiannaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most rewarding thing is telling her employees the ________ of Jesus.

1. Having the capability for women and girls to see into their womb was a game ________.

How many sandwiches can you eat on an empty stomach?

2. ________ provides quiet strength and companionship. 3. A home should be as ________ as the family or individual living in it.

What should you keep after you give it to someone else?

Find The Answers On

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Keep your head up. God gives His hardest battles to His strongest soldiers. Show your support for life and help raise money at the same time! Purchase an official Choose Life Arkansas License Plate for the rear of your car. You can obtain one through direct purchase from the Department of Finance and Administration. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s make the readership of Searcy Living the BIGGEST supporters for life in the state! SearcyLiving.com 81

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