June 2024

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PUBLISHER/ ART DIRECTOR

Jeremy L. Higginbotham

EDITOR

Stefanie W. Brazile

FOUNDERS

Donna Spears, Sonja Keith and Tracy Ferrell

BRAND AMBASSADOR

Lisa Hutchison

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Paulette Higginbotham

ADVERTISING SALES

Donna Spears and Donald Brazile

DIGITAL DIRECTOR

Levi Gilbert

PHOTO DIRECTOR

Mike Kemp

COPY EDITORS

Andrea Lively and Andrea Miller

FINANCE DIRECTOR

Debbie Flowers

SOCIAL MEDIA

Morgan Zimmerman

CONTRIBUTORS

A lighthouse in the storm E

ach month, I’m invited to share information about our latest issue on KARK 4 News Today, a statewide broadcast with studios in Little Rock. While there, I witness the behind-the-scenes conversations and concerns of professionals who report daily news and weather. When a crisis hits, communities count on local reporters for up-to-the-minute information, especially when it comes to weather. I have seen firsthand how the KARK staff takes that to heart.

Last year, beloved Arkansas meteorologist Todd Yakoubian spoke to the Kiwanis Club of Conway. At the noon meeting, I noticed that many fellow members had invited guests and quickly realized that the room was filled with a “Yak” fan club.

Several people at my table commented on Todd’s precise forecasts, and as he spoke, his excitement about all things weather was evident.

When Todd issued warnings about the destructive tornadoes that passed through Central Arkansas in March 2023, thousands of eyes were fixed on him. His work, along with that of fellow meteorologists, saved countless lives. Todd became a Man of the Moment, and we’ve chosen to feature him on our cover to honor the impactful work of credible newsmen and -women everywhere.

Last month we highlighted women, and now we turn the focus on men. This is our annual Men of the Moment-themed issue, just in time for Father’s Day. And may I say that nowadays, I think that men often get a bad rap. I am very close to my father, who continues to be my hero. I am grateful to my husband, who loves our family and is funny, hardworking and encouraging. I have brothers and a son who are great men, and I can name many men who are committed and caring people.

In fact, we do just that in this issue. Within the pages, you’ll meet Will LaRue of Maumelle, who hires men with felony convictions who deserve a second chance. We share the story of Sam Seifert, who recently walked across the stage and received a diploma from Conway High School after nearly losing his foot to a boating accident last September. As you turn the pages, you’ll meet many men who are striving for excellence and reaching their goals–men who are climbing their personal mountains at work, at home and as volunteers in the community.

I invite you to enjoy our Men of the Moment issue and wish all the dads a Happy Father’s Day!

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Becky Bell Don Bingham Jessica Duff Mary Eggart David Grimes Dwain Hebda Vivian Lawson Hogue Colleen Holt Beth Jimmerson

Mark Oliver Susan L. Peterson KD Reep Dr. Robert Reising Judy Riley Carol Rolf Donna L. Stephens Rita Halter Thomas

FAULKNER CO. EDITORIAL BOARD Johnny Adams Jack Bell Don Bingham Jessica Brown RaeLynn Callaway Glenn Crockett Beth Franks Sylvia Gauve Russ Hancock Spencer Hawks Faye Hedera Roe Henderson Summer Hoggard Maria Hoskins Antonio Jamison Mike Kemp

Julie LaRue Karl Lenser Monica Lieblong Lori Melton Deanna Ott Pat Otto Jon Patrom Amy Reed Lori Ross Sally Schanandore Margaret Smith Jan Spann Pete Tanguay Kim Tyler Stefanie Vann Jennifer Whitehead

CONWAY CO. EDITORIAL BOARD Mary Clark Shelli Crowell Dr. Larry Davis Shawn Halbrook Alicia Hugen Alisha Koonce

Stephanie Lipsmeyer Stewart Nelson Kristi Strain Jim Taylor Morgan Zimmerman

WHITE CO. EDITORIAL BOARD Betsy Bailey Amy Burton Tara Cathey Cassandra Feltrop Phil Hays Natalie Horton

Matt LaForce Mike Parsons Judy Riley Jennifer Skinner Carol Spears Kristi Thurmon

501 LIFE is published by Make the Jump Media, LLC (920 Locust Ave. Ste. 104, Conway, AR 72034, 501.327.1501) and is owned by Jeremy Higginbotham and Stefanie Brazile.

The contents of 501 LIFE are copyrighted and materials presented may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publishers. Articles should not be considered specific advice, as individual circumstances vary. Advertisements are not necessarily endorsed by 501 LIFE.

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June JUNE

2024 Volume 17 Issue 2

On the cover:

After 18 years as weatherman at one Little Rock TV station, Todd Yakoubian's fans experienced sixmonths of radio silence and it drove them crazy! Todd was shocked that his departure prompted weeks of headlines, videos and even signs saying the weather was mad he left!

Todd held lightning in a bottle and didn’t know it. The Yak is now Chief Meteorologist at Channel 4 KARK. Photo by Mike Kemp

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Letter from the Editor Upcoming events Free Senior & Caregiver Expo in Conway Loving LIFE photos five-oh-ones In Focus UACCM breaks ground on clock tower Couple of the Month: Austin & Haley Watt Entertaining: A lunch with bite

By Chef Don Bingham

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SPECIAL SECTION

32

74

46

58

Todd Yakoubian Taking Central Arkansas by storm

By Tammy Keith

40

Mount Vernon teen sinks half-court basket

By Donna Lampkin Stephens

46

Pet of the Month: Chico, K-9 officer for Little Rock

By Colleen Holt

52 54

501 Father's Day Gift Guide Business gives felons a second chance

By Tammy Keith

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Youth of the Month: Sam’s still standing

By David Grimes

64

Larry, the can-do guy

By Carol Rolf

68

Author of the Month: Paul R. Nail

By Susan L. Peterson

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Artist of the Month: John Lightfoot

By KD Reep

74

Celebrating Athletic Excellence John Henry “Rube” Roberson

By Dr. Robert Reising

78

One man + one idea = A 149-year-old city

By Vivian Lawson Hogue

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Kids of the Month: Sacred Heart Robotics Team

By Mary Eggart

82 84

87 88 90 92

Arkansas Governor’s Quiz Bowl Association Wish for Wheels builds bikes for Searcy second graders Nationally-recognized Nighthawk basketball coach Conway Community Band Summer Concerts Taking steps toward hope: UCA Relay for Life Laurels & Stripes event You can stay cool and save money this summer

By Beth Jimmerson

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96

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4th Annual Men of the Moment

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A Charles of all trades

By Rita Halter Thomas

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Person of the Month: Rojay Moore Director of Bands

By Dwain Hebda

e

501 LIFE would like to thank our advertising partners.

American Made General Store, 44 Arkansas Medicare Resource, 42 Arkansas Urology, 30, 75 ____________________________________ Barksdale Federal Credit Union, 8, 57 Bledsoe Chiropractic, 26 ____________________________________ Centennial Bank, 31 Chris Crain Hyundai, 51 City of North Little Rock, 43 City of Perryville, 38 Coldwell Banker, Johnny Passmore, 91 Conway Corp, 93 Conway Healthcare & Rehab, 79 Conway Human Development Center, 49 Conway Regional Health System, 28, 99 Conway Regional Rehab, 69 ____________________________________ Diamond Pools, 87 ____________________________________ First Community Bank, 13, 96 First Security Bank, 36, 100 Freyaldenhoven Heating & Cooling, 25 ____________________________________ Greenbrier Public Schools, 37 ____________________________________ Han’s Martial Arts, 45 Hartman Animal Hospital, 47 Harwood, Ott & Fisher, PA, 67 Heritage Living Center, 5 ____________________________________ Karen Ferguson Team, 17 Kilwins Little Rock, 85 ____________________________________ Lane Family Dentistry, 39 ____________________________________ Milestones Services, 50 MSC Eye Associates, 9 ____________________________________ NLR/Conway Pediatric Dental, 62-63 ____________________________________ Ott Insurance, 95 ____________________________________ Ridgemere Senior Living, 9 ____________________________________ Salem Place, 73 Shaw & Elenbaas, 48 Shelter Insurance, 85 Sissy’s Log Cabin, 19 South Conway County Schools, 29 Superior Health & Rehab, 2 ____________________________________ Tipton & Hurst, 91 Toad Suck Daze Run, 83 ____________________________________ UACCM, 81 UCA, 61 Unity Health, 3 ____________________________________ Yours Truly Consignment, 20-21

There's only one magazine that covers Central Arkansas with nothing but Good News.

Have our 11-county publication delivered right to your home or business. For only $20 a year, home delivery ensures you never miss an issue! Visit 501LIFEmag.com or call 501.327.1501 to subscribe.

Catch 501 LIFE on KARK at Noon and on Conway Corp each month.

welcome to the Writers’ Room

Don Bingham

Recognized throughout the state as an accomplished chef, he has authored cookbooks, presented television programs and planned elaborate events.

He was the administrator of the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion for a decade and his wife, Nancy, was the First Lady’s Assistant. They have five children and 12 grandchildren.

David Grimes

is a native of Conway and a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas. He and his wife, Laura, both work in accounting and both love to stay active in their community. They are parents to three children.

He also serves on the Conway City Council and is a big Wampus Cat fan.

Dr. Robert Reising

retired from the University of Central Arkansas in 2013 and held a variety of teaching, coaching and administrative posts during more than a half-century in education. His doctoral dissertation at Duke treated literature and sports.

In 2009, he co-authored “Chasing Moonlight: The True Story of ‘Field of Dreams” Doc Graham.”

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“JAWS”

JAMES TAYLOR

The 1975 thriller about a man-eating great white shark will be shown at Ron Robinson Theater. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the film will begin at 7 p.m. Seating is general admission.

Legendary singer-songwriter known for hits "Fire and Rain" and "You've Got a Friend" will perform at 8 p.m. at Simmons Bank Arena. Taylor has sold more than 100 million albums. Tickets on sale now.

ARKANSAS COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS

JUNETEENTH ARKANSAS FESTIVAL

The annual event that focuses on the rich music scene and history of the Natural State starts at 6:30 p.m. at Reynolds Performance Hall. VIP hour starts at 5:30 p.m. Performers to be announced.

A full day of fun and education is planned from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at First Security Amphitheater. Free admission. There will be a carnival, vendors, and food. There will also be a parade starting at 1 p.m.

STAR SPANGLED SALUTE

ROSE BUD SUMMERFEST

The Little Rock Winds annual concert is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at MacArthur Park. The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History sponsors the free event which will include marches and patriotic songs.

A three-day event at the ballpark complex on School Road features craft vendors, a carnival, concerts, monster trucks and fireworks. $15 for a three-day pass or $10 for a one-day pass. Children under 3 are free.

June 1 • Little Rock

June 3 • Conway

June 9 • Little Rock

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June 14 • Little Rock

June 15 • Little Rock

June 20-22 • Rose Bud

An event for the ages

Public invited to a free Senior & Caregiver Expo in Conway Arkansas Aging Wiser (AAW), founded by Stacey Alston (of

Edward Jones), Lindsay Davis (of Arkansas Medicare Resource), and Karen Walker (Karen Walker Speaks), aims to bridge the gap between organizations serving seniors. With a focus on three key initiatives—Senior & Caregiver Expo, Wiser Wednesday and Business Networking—AAW seeks to provide invaluable resources and connections for seniors and caregivers alike.

The inaugural Senior & Caregiver Expo, scheduled for June 15 at the McGee Center in Conway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., promises an enriching experience for attendees. Featuring more than 40 vendors covering a spectrum of topics, including health, finances, Medicare, estate planning, in-home health and exercise, the expo aims to equip seniors and caregivers with essential resources and support. Free health screenings, courtesy of UCA students, will be available, along with complimentary food and drinks. Attendees are invited to engage with vendors and discover the wealth of assistance available to them.

In addition to the expo, AAW presents Wiser Wednesday, a monthly educational initiative held on the last Wednesday of each month (subject to change) at the Faulkner County Public Library from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Covering diverse topics such as Medicare, finances, mental health, physical health and Alzheimer's, these free events provide valuable insights and information to the public. Further details on each month's topic can be found on the Arkansas Aging Wiser Facebook page.

Stacey Alston (from left), Lindsay Davis and Karen Walker.

The genesis of AAW stemmed from the recognition of a communication gap among providers. While many are experts in their respective fields, not all have answers to every question.

AAW endeavors to facilitate connections between businesses and organizations, empowering them to confidently refer seniors to the appropriate resources.

501 LIFE Magazine is a proud sponsor of the Arkansas Aging Wiser Senior & Caregiver Expo on June 15 at the McGee Center. We invite you to experience an enriching and informative day and embark on a journey toward enhanced well-being.

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Marvin (from left) and Barbara Morris of Conway, Alice Dudley of Spearsville, La., Sondra and Reed Odom of Conway were “Loving LIFE” at the Tyler Rose Museum in Tyler, Texas. Alice is Barbara’s sister.

Four ladies who take line dancing classes at the Conway Senior Citizen Center danced at Wranglers in Branson, including Carol Everett (from left), Linda Hayes, Guadalupe Sepulveda and Debbie Mohnkern.

The Faulkner County Master Gardeners were “Loving LIFE” when they hosted their annual plant sale on May 4 at the Conway Expo Center. Proceeds fund their sponsored projects in the community, such as the Teaching Gardens and the Faulkner County Museum. They also provide scholarships for Faulkner County students who are pursuing higher education in horticulture-related fields. Learn about their workshops, open houses and classes on their Facebook page.

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Searcy Main Street Committee members Barbara Branch (from left), Anna Brumfield, Kristi Thurmon, Event Organizer, and Bryan Thurmon were “Loving LIFE” at the World Championship Chocolate Gravy Cookoff held on May 4 in the downtown square.

Doris Maxwell VanDalsen (from left), Janice Harrelson French, Angela Ward Austin, Anne Kissire Stobaugh, Lencola Sullivan Verseveldt, Regina Franklin Long and Roel Verseveldt were “Loving LIFE” in early April when a group of Morrilton High School alumni visited Holland and Belgium on a river cruise and showed them the Secret Annex of Anne Frank, Dam Square and many historical sites. The Verseveldts reside in The Hague, Netherlands. Lencola Verseveldt was Miss Arkansas 1980 and was the fourth runner-up to Miss America. She is a graduate of Morrilton High School and was honored as a 2024 Distinguished Alumni by the University of Central Arkansas in April.

Wesley and Stephanie Brooks were “Loving LIFE” at the Conway Men’s Chorus Spring Pops Concert on May 7 at Reynolds Performance Hall. The chorus celebrated 25 years of singing with a 70-voice choir with ages ranging from teens to 80+.

Leaders of five Conway County Extension Homemakers clubs were “Loving LIFE” when they met for the Spring Council meeting in April. The Hilltoppers Home Extension Club hosted Angela Austin (from left), Cindy Wilson, Mary Valesquez, Melanie Garrett, Jane Boone, Paulette Reece, Cindy Nelson, Anna Halbrook, Gail O'Leary, Donna Bird, Cathy Boyd, Charlotte McDowell and Erika Rodriguez.

Leigh and John Lynch of Conway were “Loving LIFE.” Mirinda Davis (from left) was “Loving LIFE” when she showed her 501Der Woman feature to sister, Monica Holmes.

Presenting sponsor of the 2024 Toad Suck Daze, Chris Crain Hyundai and Crain Genesis of Conway was “Loving LIFE” while handing out balloons to festival goers.

Dr. Amanda Bledsoe (from left) of Little Rock and Stacy Pace of Greenbrier were “Loving LIFE” at the festival.

Bledsoe was showing off her article in May’s 501Der Women issue.

Members of the cast were “Loving LIFE” while promoting the upcoming Arkansas Renaissance Festival at Dragonstone Springs.

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Angelique Post, Susan Lee, Marilyn Polk and Doug Harris were “Loving LIFE” and working the Plant Sale of the Faulkner County Master Gardeners.

According to Polk, they had around 10,000 plants for sale.

Dr. Peter Lindley (from left), Andrea Hale, Tracy and Dr. Don Norwood were “Loving LIFE” when CARTI hosted its second annual progressive wine and food pairing event at its flagship campus in Little Rock. Proceeds from CARTI Salute! benefited the nonprofit’s patient support services, now available through The Bridge.

Erica Hubbs (from left), Rebecca Corrigan, Clara Weatheney and Bethany Hams were "Loving LIFE" at the Barksdale Federal Credit Union ribbon cutting in Damascus (Van Buren County).

Faulkner County Historical Society Board Members Dr. Robert Reising and Cindy Beckman were “Loving LIFE” on April 18 at the group's event titled “A Night At The Museum.”

The evening began in the courthouse and moved to the museum where there are many fascinating exhibits.

Conway Mayor Bart Castleberry was “Loving LIFE” on May 16 at the Ribbon Cutting for Malys Entertainment, a venue offering bowling, laser tag, an extensive arcade, and a restaurant and bar.

Donna Lampkin Stephens (from left), Teresa Plate and Stephen Plate were “Loving LIFE” at a May 14 party celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Reynolds Performance Hall and 10 years of the Main Stage Education Series. At the event, the exciting 2024-2025 season was unveiled. Guests were also treated to heavy hors d’oeuvres, a signature cocktail and a silent auction.

The 501 LIFE team was “Loving LIFE” at the grand opening of the Arkansas Golf Center in Conway. The venue offers toptracer bays, a restaurant and golf entertainment.

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Scott McKennon (from left), UACCM Foundation board member; Doug Cahill, UACCM Foundation board member; Allen Lipsmeyer, mayor of Morrilton; Lisa Willenberg, UACCM chancellor; J.T. Roberson, Centennial Bank commercial loan officer; Ken Amburgy, lead architect on the project for SCM Architects; and David Tanner, lead contractor on the project for J&D Construction.

TIME TO CELEBRATE

University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton breaks ground on clock tower On April 24, the University of Arkansas of SCM Architects and is funded in part by the Community College at Morrilton (UACCM) broke ground on a new commemorative clock tower for the campus.

The clock tower will stand 45 feet tall on the west campus between the University Center and the Student Union. It will be visible not only throughout campus but also from many parts of the city and Interstate 40.

The base of the tower includes three steps, each with one of the institution's previous names etched in the etched in the steps: Petit Jean Vo-Tech, Petit Jean Technical College and Petit Jean College. The college’s current name, the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, will be displayed near the top of the tower. The top was designed to reflect and complement the design of the University Center and Library Complex.

The area around the base will include brick pavers with a short inscription selected by the donor that will be etched into each brick. Cornerstone plaques of various sizes of brick pavers are also available for naming opportunities. Individuals and businesses may purchase a paver soon.

The project is being developed by Ken Amburgy

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UACCM Foundation. It will become a proud symbol of the institution’s rich history and bright future.

The UACCM Foundation has raised private donations through a series of fundraising drives and events throughout the past decade to fund the project.

The commemorative clock tower initiative was first created in 2011 as part of the college’s thenapproaching 50-year celebration. UACCM drafting students Julianne Razo and Jason Scruggs created potential designs in 2011, and the two students’ designs were selected by a campus-wide vote.

The initial design sketches by the two were used to inspire the architect’s initial renderings of the tower.

UACCM is a two-year public college that offers a comprehensive curriculum of university-transfer and career-specific training programs, as well as adult education, workforce training and community outreach programs. The college’s commitment to excellence in learning and personal enrichment allows students to gain a strong academic foundation in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree or earn the credentials needed for high-wage, high-demand careers.

A rendering of the UACCM commemorative clock tower.

COUPLE OF THE MONTH

AUSTIN & HALEY __________ ______WATT ______________ CO N WAY

Artists Austin and Haley Watt have worked closely with the city and government entities, as well as small businesses, to create beautiful murals throughout the city of Conway. You’ll see their work at The Rogue Roundabout’s interior and exterior as well as the OTT Insurance Building, Royal We Building, Conway Emergency Shelter, Tucker Creek Trail, Prince Street Bridge and at Round Mountain Coffee.

THEIR STORY: Ironically, we met through art! We were heavily involved in advanced

art classes in high school and found each other to be very talented. We began getting close and quickly bonded over our love for traveling, nature and, of course, art. We began dating in 2015 while we were still in high school. Over the next four years, we graduated and started college at UCA, went on many adventures, and, most importantly, found we loved working together.

We got engaged on Aug. 18, 2019, at Hawksbill Crag, a beautiful hike in the Ozark Mountains! It was an easy and eager “yes!” We were excited to take our teamwork even further as we prepared for marriage. As we were planning our big day, COVID-19 began and all of the restrictions threw a curveball at our wedding plans. We shortened our engagement and got married on May 2, 2020, in a beautiful backyard off of Beaverfork Lake with 40 of our closest family and friends. Although it wasn’t what we expected, it was the most beautiful and special day to celebrate our love for each other!

Since then, we have graduated college, turned our love for art into a business, had the pleasure of painting murals in our hometown, had two beautiful babies and have traveled all over, drawing inspiration from God’s beautiful creation and developing lasting memories outside.

We truly are each other’s best friends and look forward to a lifetime of creating and traveling together. God has blessed us in many, many ways!

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HER STORY:

HIS STORY:

I am a Christ-follower, a proud wife and mom, a creative individual/artist and someone who finds joy in the little things in life!

I’m a follower of Jesus, created in His image, to constantly love Him and the people I encounter to the best of my ability. I’m a creative at heart and always have been. I love traveling and being close to my friends and family. I would rather choose the mountains, a tent and a campfire over a mansion and money any day of the week. My favorite places on the planet are Rocky Mountain National Park and the Buffalo River.

NATIVE OF: Conway CHILDREN: Saylor Watt is 2 years old and Oakland

Watt is 2 months old.

EDUCATION: I have a Bachelor of Science in interior

design and architecture from UCA.

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: I am the social

media and marketing manager for Round Mountain Coffee and am Austin’s best assistant (haha) at Kefi Design Collective.

HONORS YOU’RE ESPECIALLY PROUD OF: Over the last 10 years, I’ve won many awards and been

featured in many art shows, but I think my greatest honor has been becoming a mom to two beautiful babies and achieving a college degree as a young mother. There’s no greater job than pouring into them each and every day!

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Austin and I have found a second home in Round Mountain Coffee. We’ve met many of our best friends there, celebrated many big moments, and now we both have wonderful jobs there! By working at RMC, we get to serve and pour into our community every day.

HOBBIES/SPECIAL INTERESTS:

My hobbies/interests include spending time with Austin and our kids, traveling to national parks (we’ve been to 17 so far!), finding a good cup of coffee everywhere we go, creating art and spending lots of time outside.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN THE 501? I’ve grown up here and have lived every

bit of life right here in Conway! I love our community and the beauty found in our state. There’s so much growth happening in our state, and it is so neat watching it unfold. Austin and I love seeing the addition of colorful murals and artwork becoming such a celebrated and desired trait in communities.

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NATIVE OF: Conway EDUCATION: I have a Bachelor of Science in interior design and

architecture from the University of Central Arkansas.

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: I am a self-employed mural artist and my business’s name is Kefi Design Collective. I also work in marketing for Round Mountain Coffee.

HONORS YOU’RE ESPECIALLY PROUD OF:

I was proud to be featured in the magazine “At Home in Arkansas” for our mural at Rogue Roundabout, and I am proud to be featured in “501 LIFE”, of course!

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: We are heavily involved with Round Mountain Coffee in Conway. We have met our best friends and work to serve our local and state community through craft specialty coffee.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO PAINTING MURALS:

My love for street art and graffiti started in high school when I was working on my AP art portfolio. I had to choose and focus on a theme for my work.

Through the next few years and into college, I fell in love with the story/ history of graffiti as much as I did with spray cans. Graffiti, or what most people initially understood as tagging, was a way for the unrecognized or misunderstood to have a voice. It gave people without a chance an opportunity. It started with “kids” in rough situations with the desire to say, “I exist!” Graffiti blossomed into these same kids taking an amazing gift that would have never seen the light of day onto train cars and walls all over the world. It’s human nature to want to be recognized, and these kids paved the way for what is now the widely accepted world of street art and murals.

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE THE DESIGN OF A MURAL: A design typically starts with a client’s direction, and

then we take an idea and incorporate our style. This often looks like quick sketches and sporadic right-brained ideas that eventually become fully rendered concepts.

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IT

a lunch with

By Chef Don Bingham Photos by Mike Kemp

Packing the he perfect picnic for your next shark teeth hunting expedition!

S

ome men play golf in their spare time; others enjoy hunting and fishing; and then there’s Dr. Ken Griffin, former associate dean of the College of Business at the University of Central Arkansas. He likes to go shark teeth hunting—in ARKANSAS! Yes, that’s right! There was a time more than 65 million years ago, known as the Cretaceous period, when Arkansas was covered with 300 feet of ocean water. During this period of time, the state was inhabited by Mosasaurus (a genus of water reptiles), saltwater crocodiles and various species of sharks, including sand tiger sharks and crow sharks…and they all had teeth! In fact, Griffin has uncovered thousands of them.

“I usually can find 25 shark teeth in one scoop from the gravel floor of the waterbed,” Griffin said. Arkansas has numerous zones where fossil-like teeth can be found, with the

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closest zone in the Malvern area, just off Interstate 30. Who knew? Those who love to hunt shark teeth may visit the app designed to inform you when the water is at the right depth for panning for teeth around the Ouachita River at Remmel Dam. It is waterdata.usgs.gov.

Of course, there are rules and regulations for shark teeth hunting, and most panning exhibitions are held on public property. The areas near Malvern are quite close to the interstate highway systems.

In case you feel you might like to branch out in your shark teeth hunting, there are other fossil-rich zones in Florida, South Carolina, California and Georgia. Griffin has panned in all of these states and has thousands of framed shark teeth in his expansive collection!

Dr. Ken Griffin likes to hunt for shark teeth in the Malvern area (Hot Spring County) of the 501.

He has collected thousands, which are on display at his Conway home.

Griffin shared that “the average shark will produce and expel hundreds of teeth–pushing old ones out to make room for new ones to appear–all in nature’s process of the need for using the teeth, which range in various sizes and are used to work on a daily basis for their dietary needs.”

The tools needed for the exhibition are minimal: wading boots, a “letter holder” type basket with sieve-like sides and bottom and a scoop! Griffin’s best “tooth-hunting buddy” is Dr. Mike Casey, a professor in the finance department at UCA. Did I mention that Griffin’s day job was as a professor of management information systems (MIS), finance and identity theft? Now, when not panning for shark teeth, he will be found each week on the local golf course at 1:30 a.m. mowing the golf course lawn! Should our readers desire to read any of the hundreds of publications, research papers, journal articles and published documents written by Griffin during his teaching career, you will find more data than you can imagine on a myriad of topics, including “Internet Taxation: Does It Really Matter?” Or how about “Academic Integrity in the Online Environment,” or “Accounting for Internet Fraud Acceleration?”

Griffin pans for shark teeth in Hot Spring County.

I asked Griffin what the culinary preference for shark tooth hunting might be, and he replied, “usually a stop by the closest McDonalds.” Realizing the need to raise his level of professionalism in his culinary tastes while panning for shark teeth, I offered to create a lunch with fare to equal Ken’s extraordinary level of knowledge in all things MIS-related.

We have included the recipes for any of you who grow weary of a round of golf, ordinary fishing on the Arkansas River or a elk discovery in North Arkansas. This menu is not limited to panning for shark teeth!

See Chef Bingham's recipes on page 24

A sample of shark teeth from the Malvern area.

He typically finds 25 in one scoop.

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Mustard-Horseradish Dressing ⅔ cup of salad oil • ⅓ cup white wine vinegar 1 Tbsp. sugar • 1 Tbsp. horseradish 1 tsp. salt • 1 tsp. dry mustard ½ tsp. grated onion • ¼ tsp. pepper Paprika to taste

In a small bowl, combine sugar, salt, dry mustard, pepper, and a dash of paprika. Add horseradish and grated onion. With an electric mixer at medium speed, slowly add salad oil, a little at a time, alternately with white wine vinegar. Chill thoroughly before tossing in the cooked beef..

Cold beef sandwich 1 ½ cups of cooked beef Mustard-horseradish dressing (recipe above) 1 hoagie bun • Sliced cherry tomatoes Thinly sliced red onion rings • Shredded lettuce

Toss 1 1/2 cups of cooked beef, thinly sliced, in mustard-horseradish dressing. Arrange beef strips, sliced cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion rings into hoagie bun; top with shredded lettuce.

Roll prepared sandwich in foil; place sandwich in ice chest for travel until time for meal.

Wedge Salad in a Jar 4-6 slices bacon • 1 red onion, diced 1 cup buttermilk • 1/2 cup sour cream 1 (1 oz) pkg ranch salad dressing mix 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped 1 head romaine lettuce, cut into strips 1 small, diced tomato Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. (Bacon may be done in the microwave, if desired). Crumble bacon and set aside. Mix ranch dressing mixture, buttermilk and sour cream until smooth. In a Mason jar, layer lettuce, onions, bacon, tomatoes, and spoon dressing on top. Repeat layers to the top of the jar, finishing with diced tomatoes. Place the jar in an ice chest, along with other luncheon items.

Stuffed Eggs 6 hard-cooked eggs • ¼ cup mayonnaise 1 tsp. vinegar • 1 tsp. prepared mustard 1 tsp. dill pickle relish • ½ tsp. salt Black pepper to taste

Halve hard-cooked eggs lengthwise. Remove egg yolks and mash them with the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, salt, relish and black pepper, then refill the hollowed egg whites with the mixture.

Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Cookies 1 cup flour • 1 cup oats 1/2 tsp. soda • 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 cup brown sugar • 1/2 cup white sugar ½ cup softened butter • 1 egg 2 tsp. vanilla • 1 cup golden raisins 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts.

Cream together softened butter, egg and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients. Mix well. Add raisins and nuts. Drop by spoonfuls on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

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Success cannot be given to a man; it must be earned. To stand out, it takes a lot of energy, bold courage and a striking commitment to the task at hand. Many men make a quick flash, but only a few have electric personalities and the ability to maintain a strong influence.

We proudly introduce the 2024 Men of the Moment, who are powerfully leading the way in their respective vocations throughout central arkansas.

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Greg Kendrick

Hospitalist and Hospitalist Program Director and Internal Medicine Residency Program Director for Conway Regional Health System

Greg Kendrick, MD, is quick to credit others who guided him into his career and supported and mentored him into the successful leader he is for Conway Regional Health System.

“I became a physician because I love science and helping people,” he said. “My Aunt Lois also told me I should be a doctor or a lawyer, so I became a doctor and married a lawyer.

“Many individuals poured into my life to allow me to have a successful career, including my parents, George and Sue Kendrick; my brother Todd; my late in-laws, Jim and Charlotte Hill; and many teachers, coaches and friends. Dr. Bill Furlow has mentored me since I began practicing medicine in Conway.

Most importantly, I am inspired every day by my wife, Jennifer.

She is the most intelligent and best person I know.”

Dr. Kendrick treats an array of illnesses and injuries that require diverse medical knowledge. “For example, the COVID-19 pandemic presented the biggest challenge of my career,” he recalls. “Conway Regional Medical Center and the hospital group provided our community with high-quality, comprehensive health care for the sickest patients I have ever seen.

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“I find genuine satisfaction in my work,” he said. “I love identifying and solving problems, which is a large aspect of my role as a physician and director of the hospitalist group and of the internal medicine residency program. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing our hospital has made a positive impact on patients and their families. The collaboration of the hospitalist team I work alongside inspires me, as we are not afraid of challenging work. I enjoy watching the internal medicine residents learn and grow into excellent physicians.”

Dr. Kendrick’s most significant career achievements have been establishing and directing the Hospitalist Program and helping to build the Internal Medicine Residency Program.

“These programs were achieved through collaboration with fellow physicians and hospital administration, demonstrating the spirit of teamwork that Conway Regional values, which in turn makes our institution better,” he explained.

Learn more at conwayregional.org.

Ken Holmes Director of Student Services

Ken Holmes has spent more than four decades as an administrator, coach and special education teacher.

work or community involvement, it becomes your passion.

Then, those activities will not be work, but what you do.”

After retiring in 2008, he returned to work at South Conway County School District in 2011. Holmes has a passion for working with students who have disabilities, as well as with their parents.

Holmes said he is most proud of his family. He and his wife, Rhonda, will be married for 40 years in November, and they have two sons and seven grandchildren. “Rhonda inspires me every day with how she is passionate about serving the Lord and how hard she works. She is a great support to me and knows how to keep me grounded. My son Josh and his family have decided to be missionaries to Sicily and minister to the refugees from North Africa and the Middle East. My other son, Aaron, is a Marine, has two kids and is currently attending the University of Central Arkansas.”

“It’s what drives me to go to work every day,” he said. “These students tend to be left behind, and I want to be able to give them a fair shake and a future. I continue to work at South Conway County School District because of the commitment this district has to love, serve and care for every student, every day.”

Holmes said God had been developing in him throughout his life a vision, one that allows him to see his job as a ministry to show glory to God. “When I finally realized my ‘why’ after going through my life’s experiences, I developed a passion for what I do. If I were to give advice to younger men, it would be to know their ‘why.’ When you know your why, whether it is

Holmes said his future includes working in the district and the community of Morrilton while finding time to travel, camp and fly fish.

Contact Ken at ken.holmes@sccsd.org.

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Jeff Marotte

President of Arkansas Urology

By working hard, being curious and creating strong family bonds, Jeff Marotte, MD, of Arkansas Urology (AU) says all young men can become successful in their chosen career, whatever it happens to be.

patient relationship,” he says. “I continue to work on that specifically in my practice, leading Arkansas Urology to treat the patient like family with individualized, personalized care.”

“I love being a urologist and leading AU to new heights. It's never dull. Each day brings new challenges and connections,” said Dr. Marotte, who is President of the medical specialty clinic. “Building relationships with patients and their families is rewarding, especially running into them around town. Urology just fits me—unique and perfectly aligned with who I am. Being curious with an ardent work ethic has done well for me.”

Marotte is serious about the importance of work-life balance.

“I value time away from work to recharge, rest and pursue my interests,” he said. “I've always enjoyed cycling and live music, so my fiancée, Alison Cowles, and I are peppering our busy lives with weekend adventures,” he said. “We have six young adult children between us, so that also provides some fun drama.”

Over the past two decades, Marotte has seen many transformations in health care, yet he harkens back to a cornerstone of medicine that has stood the test of time—the physician-patient relationship.

Marotte said his fiancée is “an incredible source of support and motivation.” Cowles, who is the Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at Acxiom, is helping him balance work and personal time. “I have embraced it, and it is something I urge men to consider: the data is clear that nurturing loving partnerships and strong family bonds contributes to a longer, healthier life.”

“Health care has undergone significant transformations with the advent of electronic medical records, technological innovations, minimally invasive surgeries and streamlined processes. These advancements have been mostly great for the specialty, but there is a risk of overshadowing the physician30 | J U N E 2 0 2 4

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Schedule an appointment with Dr. Marotte by calling 1.877.321.8452 or through arkansasurology.com.

J.T. Roberson AVP Commercial Loan Officer for Centennial Bank NMLS# 1001555

J.T. Roberson has been a fan of numbers since he was a child.

“I’ve always enjoyed working with numbers,” he said. “Even as a small child, I kept a ledger for my piggy bank.”

He took that interest and sought his first banking job as a teller while attending college. “That’s where I discovered I enjoy the banking industry and wanted to pursue it further.”

Roberson received a bachelor’s degree in management marketing at Arkansas Technical University in Russellville and then moved back to his hometown of Morrilton, where he works as a commercial lender for Centennial Bank.

“Centennial Bank prides itself on being a hometown bank,” Roberson said. “Greg Sanson gave me the opportunity to not only work but also serve in the community where I grew up.

I currently serve as a board member for the Conway County Community Foundation, secretary for the Morrilton Lions Club and lieutenant for the Morrilton Fire Department.

“I like having a hand in helping my customers make their

dreams come true,” he continued. “Whether it is buying their first vehicle, starting their first business or seeing the joy on their face when they make a final loan payment. Every customer and loan are different, which is why I think building customer relationships is important.”

Roberson’s own accomplishments are adding up. While he considers himself accomplished in his professional life, it is his family of which he is most proud. “I have been married to my wife, Hollie, for eight years, and we have two children, Lainey and Holland.”

As he looks to the future, Roberson is planning for a broader career in banking. “I am currently enrolled in the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University and will be graduating in the class of 2026 with my master’s degree,” he said. “I also hope to spend a lot of time serving my community, spending time with my family and hunting as much as possible.

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Todd Yakoubian

Taki ng central arkansas by storm

By Tammy Keith Photos by Mike Kemp

T

odd Yakoubian didn’t realize it at the time, but his future flashed before his eyes at age 6 when lightning struck a tree at his Little Rock home.

“There was this huge, huge oak tree outside of my bedroom, 6 or 7 feet from my window,” he said. Yakoubian, 49, still has memories of the life-changing event. “I remember the crash of thunder …

I remember smoke coming from the baseboards in my room. It scared me to death.” His mother called the fire department, and a tearful Todd was taken to a neighbor’s house. “I remember seeing a Channel 4 truck coming out to shoot a video,” he said.

His fear turned into a full-blown weather obsession. “What my parents told me was [that] the week prior, I told them I wanted to be a shoe salesman; then lightning hit, and I wanted to learn

about the weather,” Yakoubian said, laughing. “They encouraged me every step of the way.”

His trajectory has been straight up, and he’s on Cloud Nine about being the new chief meteorologist at Channel 4 KARK. He’s not new at all, as his legions of fans know. After 18 years at another Little Rock station, of which he speaks highly, he said “it was perfect timing” to move to KARK. “They offered me the ability to work in an environment I could grow in, in the digital age with apps. They saw in me something, and I saw in them the ability to grow, and it was a no-brainer.”

When he made a short video to say he was leaving and would give details later, “it blew up to something I couldn’t even imagine.”

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“This whole experience has left me with an overwhelming feeling of success. It’s not for my accomplishments, but for my parents. They embraced and encouraged my love for weather. As a parent of two boys, I know that’s exactly what I want for my kids.”

As a student, Todd toured KTHV studios in Little Rock.

-- Todd Yakoubian

In 1997, Todd's first job was in Missoula, Mont., at KPAX.

Todd's sister, Dawn, and family friend, Bettye Daley, brought him cupcakes and a "4" balloon on his first day on air at KARK.

The Yakoubian family in 2022: Andria, Preston, Blake and Todd.

Because of his non-compete clause, Yakoubian said Channel 4’s creative team, “just the best in the business,” found a way to tell viewers that he was coming without saying his name. The 30-second commercial asked, “Are you suffering from meteorologistosis, a rare form of anxiety after your favorite weatherman is no longer on TV?” Viewers were told KARK had “the perfect remedy,” and the first 44 who called a number on the screen would get a free small, stuffed yak.

Yakoubian said he asked his new employer: “What if nobody calls?’” So many people called the station that the phone system crashed.

“I cannot believe it,” he said. “It was crazy the amount of attention it got; it made me feel good. I thought, ‘Maybe I’ve made a mark over those 18 years.’ People came to me for information.

They shared a passion with me for the weather.”

His passion for predicting the weather hasn’t cooled since he started Jan. 1, 1997, at his first job at a station in Missoula, Montana, which received 111 inches of snow that winter. He was in weather heaven.

Yakoubian loves snow to the point that he has three snowmaking machines. “In Arkansas, we get the cold; we just don’t get all the moisture. I’ve got the moisture in my backyard with the garden hose,” Yakoubian said, laughing. His sons, Blake, 14, and Preston, 12, invite friends over for a snow day their dad creates.

“It’s a winter wonderland; it looks like a blizzard is going on in the backyard. They play in the snow, have snowball fights and build things, … and my wife (Andria) makes hot chocolate.”

Not all weather creates happy memories, especially tornado season in Arkansas. Yakoubian was on air during the March 31, 2023, tornado that hit Little Rock and heavily damaged his

childhood home, which his sister renovated and lives in. His childhood bedroom was hit, where his parents installed cable and gave him an old black-and-white TV so he could watch the weather channel nonstop.

“I’m absolutely fascinated by the things weather can do,” he said. “You never fully understand the weather because Mother Nature throws tricks at you. Out of that comes the ability to tell people about it. It’s an amazing thing we can do, and I love doing it.

We have the ability to communicate life-threatening weather, and that’s what it’s all about.”

At KARK, “they’ve given me even more tools” to predict the weather, he said, and to reach the public using the state-of-the-art KARK Arkansas Storm Center app. He said the app can pinpoint specific areas, such as the location of a festival, to alert people to incoming weather. “It’s invigorating to do the weather in this day and age. I love going to work, and I absolutely love the people I work with in front of and behind the camera. It’s so much fun.”

The Emmy award-winning Yakoubian devotes time talking to civic clubs and schools about the weather. Despite his rock star status, Yakoubian stays grounded by his mission. “When I talk to the kids, I always put myself in their shoes. I was scared to death of thunderstorms. When I ask students how many are scared of thunderstorms, almost all of them raise their hands. I tell them, ‘If you understand what a thunderstorm is and what it does, and you understand where to go when there’s a tornado, you don’t have to be scared because you have knowledge and you can keep safe.

Don’t panic; have a plan. The overwhelming odds are, you’re going to be just fine.’”

They might even fall in love with the weather and turn it into a career.

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Eduard Millan

AVP, Commercial Loan Officer at First Security Bank: Conway, Little Rock

Eduard Millan finds his job in the banking industry most rewarding when he witnesses and actively contributes to his customers’ journeys, which allow them to become more financially secure.

As a bilingual banker, Millan has the privilege of assisting First Security Bank’s Hispanic clientele in Spanish, bridging the language gap they often encounter.

“By overcoming this barrier, we have been able to expand our support to unbanked or underbanked individuals, empowering them to access banking services more efficiently and securely,” he said. “This, in turn, enables them to retain more of their earnings and allocate those funds towards savings.”

Early in his career, Millan began volunteering for nonprofit organizations to give back to the community. He is currently a member of Opportunity Matters Arkansas, which focuses on providing home loans and financial literacy courses to the Hispanic community.

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in local communities and supports Hispanic students with scholarships for their education.

“Both of these causes are important to me because statistical evidence indicates that children raised in households where their parents are homeowners have increased chances of achieving success in life,” Millan said.

His advice for younger men to become more successful and create a lasting legacy is to determine their big-picture goals and stay patient and committed to them. “As bankers, we engage with lots of individuals and business owners, and these are traits that many successful people I’ve worked with over the years share,” he said.

Millan would like to thank his wife, Miah, for being a pivotal influence on the person he has become today. “The recent arrival of our daughter, Sofia, has brought an abundance of joy into our lives, enriching our journey together in ways we could never have imagined,” he said.

Contact Eduard at eduard.millan@fsbank.com.

B.J. Burgess director of technology, Greenbrier Public Schools

“It is a privilege to work in a district that puts students first,” said B.J. Burgess, director of technology for Greenbrier Public Schools. Burgess should know: a part-time job while in high school piqued his interest in computers and networking, which led him to study them in college and graduate school.

Today, he is completing two decades with the district, including one as director of technology.

“We provide technology services to support the district's core functions, innovative programs and instruction that positively impacts all of our students,” he said. “We also employ some students every year, and it’s a pleasure to see them further their careers and find success after starting what is usually their first job here in our technology department.”

Burgess and his wife, Misty, who teaches business education at Greenbrier High School, have three children, Will, Allison and Callie, all of whom attend Greenbrier schools. The family attends Springhill Baptist Church and spends their free time hiking. Burgess considers one of the best things about working at his alma mater is being close to his children.

“I am so proud of my family,” he said. “God has blessed us with children who are turning out to be awesome people, and I’m glad they get to grow up in the same community and school Misty and I did. Misty is a rock star at home and at work, and I couldn’t do it without her by my side.”

Another accomplishment Burgess is most proud of is the district being one of four Certified Education Technology Leaders (CETL) in Arkansas. CETL is a national certification program for school technology leaders.

“I am the current vice president/president-elect for this group dedicated to professional growth and mentorship opportunities for school technology leaders,” Burgess explained. “I’m passionate about helping new or upcoming school technology leaders in Arkansas. I wouldn’t have the career I have today without the support of Linda Lewis, Mike Mertens and Scott Spainhour. I urge people to remember that others recognize work ethic and appreciate hard work in any area—be it school, life or business.”

Contact B.J. at burgessb@greenbrierschools.org.

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John Roland mayor of perryville

Giving back is at the heart of John Roland’s service to the city of Perryville, not only as the city’s mayor, but also as the owner/manager of Roland Drug Store.

“I can tell you that I genuinely love this town that has given so much to me. I love serving the wonderful people here,” he said. As mayor, Roland hopes to improve the town for current residents and make it a great place to raise families for generations to come. He also hopes to attract visitors who will fall in love with the area and ultimately move there.

Being a business owner as well, his goal at Roland Drug is to give the store’s patrons excellent service and work hard to meet the needs of customers in any way possible.

Roland also gives back to the community by serving on the Perryville School District School Board and on the First Electric Board of Directors. He is also a board member for both the Diane Wilson Senior Adult Center and the West River Valley Solid Waste District Greensource Recycling. He 38 | J U N E 2 0 2 4

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is a Perryville First Baptist Church member and serves on its security team.

Roland thanks his wife, Beth, for always being supportive. “I literally don’t know where I would be without [her]. We are a team, always, and she helps give me perspective and provides a different view when I need to make major decisions,” he said. “Most importantly, she prays for me and with me daily.”

Above all things professional, Roland is most proud of his family. Their daughter, Kelsie, the oldest, and her husband, Collin, have two children, 3-year-old Mia and 1-year-old Asher.

The Rolands also have two adult sons, Chandler and Mason.

“We are a very close-knit family who love and support each other unconditionally,” he said.

John Roland can be reached by email at jroland@ arbbs.net.

Brian LanE Owner of Lane Family Dentistry

Lane Family Dentistry is all about smiles, but their focus is on more than just teeth, gums and grins. It’s about people.

Dr. Brian Lane, owner of the Vilonia business, says he loves being a dentist. “I get to help people and form long-term relationships with families over time,” he said.

Each patient presents unique concerns, which Lane and his team have the privilege of helping their clients overcome. “We offer unique sleep apnea treatments with oral appliances, an alternative to CPAP machines. We also treat TMJ and perform Botox treatments for head and jaw pain,” he said.

Lane Family Dentistry offers a broad range of services for the whole family. “I have advanced training in implants, sleep apnea, Botox, cosmetic dentistry and dermal fillers, ortho and pediatric dentistry,” Lane stated. While dentistry focuses on helping patients maintain good oral health and protect their natural teeth, treating sleep apnea is one thing Lane feels could save a patient’s life.

The future of Lane Family Dentistry is bright, and Lane credits his exceptional staff and great environment for the unprecedented growth they have seen over the last few

years and for being voted Faulkner County Reader’s Favorite Dentist.

Lane and his wife, Carmen, have two children. They have lived in the community for 20 years and are actively involved in student ministry at Summit Church in Vilonia. “I work with teenagers and love investing in the youth in our community,” Lane said.

Where does Lane find inspiration? Jesus. “He is the ultimate standard that I try to live my life like. I will always fall short … but feel that, as I strive for that standard, life has so much purpose,” he said.

Lane grew up in Paragould, Ark., before attending Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia and graduating from Louisiana State University's dental school. He later worked at a pediatric dental practice before settling in Vilonia.

Contact Dr. Brian Lane at 501.796.3903 or email lanefamilydentistry@gmail.com. Learn more at lanedentistryvilonia.com. Lane Family Dentistry is located at 17 Eagle Park Drive, Vilonia.

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FEEL THE THUNDER Mount Vernon teen sinks half-court basket, wins $20,000

By Donna Lampkin Stephens Photo by Mike Kemp

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‘I banked it in.’

— Cody Hoover

Photo provided courtesy of OKC Thunder

B

asketball has been a part of Cody Hoover’s life for years, and now it will help pay for his college education. Just not in the way one might expect.

Hoover, 18, a 5-foot-10 shooting guard who graduated from Mount Vernon-Enola (MVE) in May, won $20,000 after making a shot from half-court at halftime of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s NBA game against the Utah Jazz in March.

“I banked it in,” Hoover recalled recently. “I threw my arms up and was completely speechless. The (Thunder) dance crew and mascot all ran up and were jumping up with me, getting hyped.”

The celebration continued during photos with the oversized check made out to him. “We were all still freaking out,” he said.

Obviously, it was a magical night.

His parents, Tammy and Joe Hoover, surprised him on MVE’s Senior Night with tickets to the game. “Every spring break, me and my dad would always go on a little trip, but when COVID-19 hit, we stopped because we couldn’t go anywhere, and we just started back up this year,” Hoover said. “We went to a Thunder game in 2018, and another time we went to a (University of) Kentucky game.”

On March 20, as he and his father walked through the lobby of the Paycom Center to get to their seats, a woman from the Thunder organization walked up to them with a clipboard and pen. She asked Hoover, clad in a team jersey, if he wanted to shoot free throws during a timeout for a chance at the MidFirst Bank halfcourt shot contest at halftime.

His opponent was a man in his 40s, Hoover said. During the timeout, they went to opposite baskets and had 30 seconds to make as many free throws as they could. Hoover made five; his opponent made one. He said he had no idea where he stood during those 30 seconds. “I was completely focused on grabbing the ball and shooting, grabbing the ball and shooting,” he remembered.

shot arced straight and kissed off the backboard through the net.

According to brainly.com, the probability of making a half-court shot is approximately 20 percent. Hoover’s was the first winning shot at the arena all season, according to nba.com, and he became the 20th person to make the shot since 2008.

“You have to be confident for a shot like that,” said Hoover, who averaged 11.1 points per game during his senior season with the Warhawks. He said he and his teammates often threw up such shots after practice.

The day’s only disappointment, he said, was not getting to interact with Thunder players after the winning shot. “I saw clips, though, and you could see them in the background cheering and waving towels,” he said. “They saw me make it.”

His mother was watching from home. “My dad sent her a text and she put something on Facebook, so everybody in town and all of my mom’s Facebook friends got to watch,” he said. Tammy Hoover called it “a once-in-a-lifetime moment.” “We’re beyond blessed for Cody,” she said. “He’s a great kid, and his dad and I were extremely lucky that God chose us to be his parents.”

When the Hoovers returned to Mount Vernon the following day, a cheering section at the Greenbrier Taco Bell awaited. “My mom and some other family and my girlfriend and other friends had signs congratulating me,” he remembered. “They were celebrating with me.” Teammates and other friends also joined in the fun.

“Everybody’s saying, ‘Remember, you owe me something for something,’” he said, laughing. “Everybody was so proud. That felt pretty good.”

With that win, he had one shot from half-court for the $20,000.

While most of the money will be saved for his college education as he heads to the University of Central Arkansas to study communication sciences and disorders, he said he planned to also do something for his parents. A couple of vacations are also on tap before UCA. “It’s definitely something I’ll never forget,” he said of the shot. “I don’t think it’s really changed me. I’m still pretty humble about it.”

“They gave me a ball, and the mascot gave me a little nod on the head, and I put it up, banked it in and started freaking out.” The

Would he have a summer job now had he not hit the shot?

“Maybe,” he said. “Probably. More than likely.”

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Josh Davis

Owner/Principal Agent of Arkansas Medicare Resource Center

Worrying about medical coverage when reaching retirement age should be one of the least stressful concerns a person has for themselves or their loved ones. Josh Davis, a licensed, independent Medicare insurance agent and Owner/ Principal Agent of Arkansas Medicare Resource Center helps families navigate the complexities of choosing the coverage most suitable for them.

“It is rewarding when we are able to relieve the stress, worry and misunderstandings that most people have when transitioning from traditional employer or group coverage to Medicare,” Davis said. “Once someone is on Medicare, it typically is their health insurance for the rest of their life.

There are consequential decisions to be made during this transition. These decisions determine what type of coverage a member will have and potentially how much they will pay for that coverage for the rest of their life.”

Seeking professional advice before retirement can make a big difference. Davis, a Registered Social Security Analyst, says an average household can lose over $110,000 in 42 | J U N E 2 0 2 4

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potential income by making the wrong Social Security claims decisions. “Social Security is a major, and sometimes the only, retirement income for most individuals. I offer a free service to help people maximize their Social Security income,” he said.

Davis is also proud of having Lindsay, his wife, on board with him in the business. “She left her job three-and-a-half years ago in the medical administration and insurance billing field.

She brought more than 10 years of experience from the other side of the health insurance spectrum,” he said. Lindsay and his other agents across the state offer personal assistance to clients.

Contact Josh Davis at 501.458.9803, or by email at Josh@davisinsuranceresource.com. Arkansas Medicare Resource Center is located at 930 Wingate St., Suite B3, Conway. Check out their website at Medicare.Center.

Terry Hartwick

mayor of north Little Rock

Great cities require great leadership, especially in times of crisis. When a tornado destroyed part of the city last year, Terry C. Hartwick, Mayor of North Little Rock, led the city through recovery, making the most of even some of the worst moments.

“My first thought was the safety of everyone in NLR,” he said, then his attention turned immediately to work. “Our team assembled, cleared the streets for emergency vehicles and began to ‘work the problem.’”

Every part of a team must work together and communicate, and Hartwick’s leadership of his administration did just that. “Our team is strong. We communicated, delegated assignments and they all followed through,” he said. “Our team worked with FEMA, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, local volunteers and those from other states, as well as electric workers from other cities and states.”

Leadership requires commitment and service, and Hartwick is no stranger to either. He served the U.S. Air Force for four

years during the Vietnam War, has held various leadership roles in the city and is committed to serving. “NLR is my home! I am fortunate to have the opportunity to make a great impact in the lives of 70,000 people,” he said.

Among a long list of professional accomplishments, Hartwick feels significant satisfaction in his role in creating the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame and building One Heart Playground in Burns Park, the city’s first all-inclusive park. Personally, he is most proud of his family and his ability to make a difference.

Hartwick is grateful for the difference Ray Fureigh made in his life. “He was my boss for 20 years at Haverty’s, my best friend and a father figure. I’ve known him for 50 years. He positively impacted the trajectory of my life. Ray made me better than I wanted to be,” he said.

Mayor Terry C. Hartwick can be reached at North Little Rock City Hall, 501.975.8601, mayor@nlr. ar.gov, or the city’s website, nlr.ar.gov.

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Chad Overman

CEO, American Made General Store Inc.

Chad Overman learned at an early age that working in the lumber industry was what he wanted to do as his life’s vocation.

“At 14 years old, the grandfather of a friend dropped off some lumber and instructed us how to build a building. We spent two days building it and made $100 each. I never looked back.”

This experience of finding a life skill and helping others has stayed with him throughout his years. His advice to younger men is to find a career and stick with it.

“I feel God has blessed each and every person with a skill. Find a career in that skill and strive to work harder than anyone without complaint and without blaming others for lost opportunities,” he said.

As chief executive officer of American Made General Store Inc., Overman oversees businesses at nine locations, which keeps him busy. However, through delegation and time management, his life has seemingly been made less hectic. “I actually feel I have less to do and more time than I ever had 44 | J U N E 2 0 2 4

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over the past 25 years.”

Overman enjoys spending time with his family and in promoting the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Northeast Arkansas Wounded Warrior Project.

“As an Iraq war veteran, I was blessed with no lasting effects from my time in. Promoting these organizations keeps veterans in the public spotlight and continuously shows our thankfulness to them for their sacrifice to preserve our freedoms and those elsewhere,” he said. “I have four respectful children and an awesome wife. My children may complain, but I strive to raise them as independent thinkers who will perfect multiple skills by the time they start life on their own.”

Overman says his future is an open door, with “new ideas and new opportunities knocking. I delight in saving people money and in doing so, growing a great business.”

Contact Chad at chad@overmanbuildings.com.

Tom Mullaney

Owner, Head Instructor of Grandmaster Han’s Martial Arts & Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

“To get something you never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.”

or 20 years ago ask me to be a reference for college and job applications or invite me to birthday parties and weddings.”

Tom Mullaney understands this quote better than anyone.

The owner of Grandmaster Han’s Martial Arts & Gracie JiuJitsu in Conway, Greenbrier and Clinton, Mullaney has taken chances that, regardless of their outcome, have led him to a position in life to instruct others on how to be successful.

His community includes his wife, Shana, and his beautiful and talented daughters Keri, Reilly and Piper, who train alongside him. He is also grateful to Grandmaster Han and Grandmaster Helio. “I wouldn’t be here without them or my instructors Jeremy Fox, Rener and Ryron Gracie. I also can’t thank enough the countless training partners who have pushed me to be the very best version of myself,” he said.

“I’ve seen the power of martial arts in my life and thousands of other people’s lives,” he said. “The fundamental shift in their self confidence and the empowerment it provides is not available anywhere else in society.”

Mullaney chose to work in martial arts because he and his team have built something unique in north central Arkansas.

“This community of people believes everyone belongs,” he said. “I am inspired every day by my students, like the children being bullied, the women who have survived physical or emotional trauma and are determined to not let it dictate who they are, and the men who seek to better themselves for the safety of their families. I’m proudest when kids I trained 10, 15

Some of his most significant accomplishments are earning his 6th-degree black belt in Youn Wha Ryu Taekwondo and earning a purple belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. He is a certified instructor in both systems. The instruction and quiet confidence gained from this training are what he seeks to impart to his students.

His future plans are to empower generations of students to be all that God has gifted, called and blessed them to be.

Contact Mullaney at 501-733-3848 or through gmhgjj.com.

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PET OF THE MONTH

CHICO

K- 9 O F F I C E R F O R T H E L I T T L E R O C K P O L I C E D E P A R T M E N T

By Colleen Holt Photo by Mike Kemp

T

he Little Rock Police Department has officers of all shapes and sizes, including one that walks on four legs and could literally take a bite out of crime.

K-9 Officer Chico is a Belgian Malinois dog who partners with Officer Sean Connolly on the streets and after they clock out. You see, Chico also lives with the Connolly family.

Chico is nationally certified as a dual-purpose dog in narcotics recognition and subject apprehension/tracking. K-9s can be a deterrent in the field, as subjects are less likely to flee once a K-9 is on their trail. “Once we initiate the dog into the situation, the situation changes,” says Connolly.

The team has been involved in 50-plus arrests, including assisting the U.S. Marshals Service, local narcotics units, and the state’s community corrections department with finding parolees who have not reported to their parole officer. Many of the team’s arrests have included those convicted of violent felonious acts.

Chico has gone through three rounds of police training at Von Klein Stein Working Dogs in Sherwood: one by himself, one with his first handler, and one with Connolly. All of Chico’s commands are in Dutch.

Born in Florida and raised in Connecticut, Connolly is a third-generation police officer, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and great-grandfather. He moved to Arkansas six years ago and has been with the Little Rock Police Department for five-and-a-half years.

Looking back, Connolly said that once he had committed to spending his life on a police force, he knew that working with dogs was a priority. To help fulfill that dream, he spent about two years donating his free time to work with the K-9 team during their training sessions. After working a street beat for three years, it was time for him to take a specialty position on the force. At about that same time, Chico’s first handler vacated the position.

Connolly applied for the opening and was selected in April 2022 to be Chico’s next partner.

Because K-9 Chico lives with the Connolly family, he and Sean are with each other 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “He goes with me everywhere. We have more of like a pet bond, but he also happens to be a tool for the police department. He helps to protect the public and other officers. Still, he’s my pet and I love him very much.”

In addition to Chico, the family has two other dogs. Connolly’s wife, Sarah Henderson, is a doctor at the Veterans Health Administration in home-based primary care. His children, Sophia, 4, and Sean Jr., 1 ½, love Chico and have learned a few necessary commands in Dutch, which are especially helpful when they want Chico to drop the Kong toy or ball he always seems to have in his mouth in preparation for a game of catch.

Connolly said Chico is a “super-social dog. I purposely bring him to lineups so he can get to know the other officers and let the other officers pet him. At home we try to keep him as relaxed as possible. He likes to hike, hit a lot of creeks, get some good exercise and play fetch.”

Once it’s time for a K-9 officer to retire, the handler has the option of keeping the dog. With this comes the responsibility of vet bills, food and other necessities. Connolly said he is grateful to the Little Rock Canine Association, which helps raise funds that go directly to the families of retired police dogs. More information on this group can be found at lrpK9.org.

Another type of support for K-9 officers and police departments comes from the Little Rock Police Foundation. This group buys toys and leashes for the currently active dogs and raises funds to purchase a new dog when one retires.

In the end, K-9 Chico and other dogs like him are “just dogs with a job. They just want to please people and get praise.”

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Eric N. Wilson Associate Attorney at Shaw & Elenbaas

It hardly seems likely someone could just happen upon a legal career, but Eric N. Wilson, Associate Attorney at Shaw & Elenbaas, said his start in the legal field was largely a product of “happenstance.” That, and the late Frank Shaw.

“Some 14 or 15 years ago, I was doing odd jobs around the office for Frank Shaw while I mulled over options on what to do after college. Over time, Frank discovered I had a strong aptitude for reading, writing, and analyzing often difficult situations. He wanted me to use those skills in a more focused way. So, he took me in as his paralegal,” Wilson said.

The more he worked, the more intrigued Wilson became with the legal profession. He accompanied Shaw to trials, discussed cases, and researched the law. For Wilson, his connection to law was not only the challenge or interest of it, but also that the work felt meaningful. Thoughts of graduate school soon turned to thoughts of law school.

Wilson sees his clients as more than just a case number. “I work in criminal defense, meaning a person only makes a meeting with me if they’ve been charged with a crime, or 48 | J U N E 2 0 2 4

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anticipates being charged with a crime,” he said. Wilson often talks to people after they’ve experienced the worst day of their life. “Learning more about a person, despite the reason they came to me, has always been satisfying,” he said.

Wilson is a member of the Arkansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and values the support, collaboration and consultation of other professionals in the field. He expressed gratitude to Frank Shaw, Lauren Elenbaas and Diana Clements for being among the most significant influences of his career and credits many others who watched him “grow up in the job” since his early 20s. Wilson also credits his staff for their continued endurance and respect. He is most grateful to his grandparents for instilling in him a set of virtues that emphasize kindness, forgiveness and hard work.

Contact Attorney Eric Wilson at 501.329.5803, or at theshawfirm.com.

Raven Fuller Sr.

Assistant Superintendent / Licensed Nursing Home Administrator at Conway Human Development Center

As the old saying goes, if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. With a compassionate heart, Raven Fuller Sr. has enjoyed changing lives in the 501 for 17 years.

“Becoming a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and working with individuals with intellectual disabilities was one of the easiest and most fulfilling decisions I’ve made,” Fuller said. “I’ve always had the desire to help others and this career path allowed me to achieve that goal.”

His interactions with residents at Conway Human Development Center (CHDC) inspire him daily.

“At CHDC, our goal is to assist our residents in maximizing their capabilities and achieve the best quality of life,” Fuller said. “They’re the real reason I love my job. To see how small things bring so much joy to their lives allows me to appreciate and value the small things in my life.”

and pushing forward to perform my best to ensure the residents I serve receive the best care possible would not be possible without our amazing staff at CHDC and my leader, Sarah Murphy. She is always there to uplift and support me with any decision I make.”

His advice for young men is to live fearlessly while caring for those that matter the most. “Make every decision with good intentions,” Fuller said. “Learn to be comfortable even when situations seem uncomfortable, balance family and work and always put God first.”

No matter where his journey takes him, he gives thanks to those who have helped him grow along the way.

While working in the healthcare industry has its challenges, he takes pride in having a supportive team beside him.

“Other than God, my mother, Paula Bell, is the reason I am who I am today,” Fuller said. “She showed me how to work hard and be resilient to achieve my goals. She has always been my biggest fan and supporter. There is nothing I can do or say to thank her enough.”

“Working in the health industry routinely brings challenging circumstances,” Fuller said. “Making it through the pandemic

Contact Raven today at 501.329.6851, ext. 218 or email Raven.Fuller@dhs.arkansas.gov.

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Randy Ohlde

Executive Director of Milestones Services, Inc.

For more than three decades, Randy Ohlde has brightened young lives in the 501.

As the Executive Director for Milestones Services, Inc. in Conway, Ohlde and his staff provide early intervention day treatment, childcare, nursing and therapy services for children from birth to 5 years old, serving more than 100 families annually. For him, seeing children grow and reach their full potential means everything.

“When an adult comes to me and tells me that I had a positive impact in their life as a child, that is very rewarding to me,” Ohlde said. “That reminds me that what I do can have a positive impact on a child and their family and potentially give them a brighter future.”

In addition to Milestones Services, he gives back to Central Arkansas as a member of Kiwanis of Conway Arkansas.

“Kiwanis is a great fit for me because they are all about helping children all over the world,” Ohlde said. “It has been very rewarding to be able to work with other professionals to give back in a different capacity than I am used to.”

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In a life full of accomplishments, he is most proud of his family.

“I have been married to a great woman and an amazing mom, Stacy, for 28 years,” Ohlde said. “We have two wonderful children, Alec and Katelyn. You always wonder how you are doing as a parent while raising your kids. We are most proud of their faith and moral compass.”

His advice for other parents is to make the most of time spent with children. “In today’s world, screen time is taking over,” Ohlde said.

“Talking with your children, playing hands-on games or reading with them is so critical to their development. Not only does this help develop their brain, but it develops a loving relationship within the family. You have to be intentional with quality time. You only have one chance to raise your child.

Every moment counts!”

Contact Randy today at 501.329.8102, email rohlde@milestonesconway.org or visit Milestones Services, Inc. on Facebook.

Brett BerrY General Manager at Chris Crain Hyundai

Brett Berry is enthusiastic about his work as General Manager of Chris Crain Hyundai because each day is different. There are never days that mirror the other, and that keeps his job interesting.

“I have been with him for almost 20 years, which is crazy, but he has always believed in me and supported me, good times and bad, and gave me opportunities along the way to be successful.”

“A different opportunity presents itself all the time,” Berry said. “I also enjoy the opportunity it gives me to be involved in the community, the schools, and some great organizations.”

If he were to teach a young man coming along in business on how to become more successful and leave a legacy, he said an optimistic attitude is a must. He would also recommend that young men focus on a goal and then work towards it.

In his personal life, the person who most inspires him is his dad. He has looked toward him on what steps to take in life to be the best man he can be.

“Control the space between your ears,” Berry said. “A positive outlook and energy are contagious. A sure will and determination to succeed will take you a long way.”

Chris Crain is someone Berry would like to thank for helping him reach his life and career goals throughout his time with the company.

“I think he might be one of the greatest men on the planet. I tell myself if I can be half the man my father has been, then I will have lived a great life.”

Berry said of all the things in the world, he is most proud of his children.

“I am proudest of my kids,” he said. “I have amazing kids who never cease to amaze me at what they do and accomplish. I couldn’t be prouder.”

To reach Berry, visit chriscrainhyundai.com or email him at brettberry@chriscraingroup.com.

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HAYNES ACE HARDWARE

Dad will be the grill master with this Traeger Ironwood XL cooking setup that offers 924 square inches of cooking space, a full color touchscreen, WiFi connectivity, Super Smoke mode and more.

YOURS TRULY CONSIGNMENT

Shop the largest consignment in the south for men’s fashion, from dressy and casual to athletic wear.

BATES FURNITURE

Hi-leg recliner offers comfort and style while relaxing or watching the big game.

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CONWAY OPTICAL

Serengeti sunglasses, perfect for Dad on the golf course or for summer vacation.

BLEDSOE CHIROPRACTIC

Keep Dad moving with custom Shoethotics slides and a free foot scan to get started at the clinic.

SISSY’S LOG CABIN

This Breitling Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 watch with its dual time zone display is ideal for the Dad that travels.

CONWAY TROPHY

Make it uniquely his own with monogrammed coasters, customized tumblers or personalized pens.

AMERICAN MADE GENERAL STORE

Dad will feel special with Duke Cannon soaps, lip balm and hand creams.

JULIE’S SWEET SHOPPE

Whatever Dad’s hobby, Julie’s Sweet Shoppe has a cookie for that! Neatly designed sugar cookie sets are boxed and ready to deliver.

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FROM CONVICTION

TO CREATION Maumelle business gives workers with felonies a second chance

By Tammy Keith • Photos by Mike Kemp

W

ill LaRue was thinking about going to law school until COVID-19 hit, so instead he joined his family’s metal-fabrication business and seamlessly combined two careers with his program to hire felons.

“I have a passion for criminal justice,” LaRue said. The 25-year-old Conway native graduated in 2020 from the University of Arkansas with a degree in business management and took the LSAT, but the pandemic started.

said. “It came out of necessity, but it continued because of my passion for it.”

Half of TFC Inc.’s employees—15 of the 30—are currently or formerly incarcerated people; some are supervisors in the company. Employment can be for a few months or indefinitely.

“It was a tough time to be in the job market,” he said. He had worked at TFC Inc. in North Little Rock, which his father, Wayne LaRue, bought in 2013, on weekends and during summers through high school and college and started there fulltime. “I didn’t find a whole lot of meaning in it,” he said.

LaRue said Blake Johnson is one of his best employees. Johnson was in prison for 2 1/2 years on drug and theft charges and said that when he was released, no one wanted to hire him. He went through the Hidden Creek reentry program and got a job at TFC Inc., but he has stayed past his graduation. “A lot of jobs look at your background and judge you immediately. Will said he didn’t care about my past life. All he cared about was what I’m trying to do from here on out. That really meant a lot to me,” he said.

Not only was the pandemic a hindrance to LaRue’s career plans, it impacted the workforce at TFC, he said.

LaRue said Johnson, who has worked there about a year, is a press brake operator, “one of our most advanced positions in the shop.”

In 2021, he got the idea to hire felons—a group most employers would shun—to work in the company. He was partly inspired by the book “Just Mercy,” in which the author, Bryan Stevenson, said, “We are all worth more than the worst thing we’ve done. The past is the past.”

Johnson said LaRue gave him much more than a job.

LaRue took that to heart. “We partner with reentry organizations and bring in offenders; no background checks. If you can do the job, we’ll give you a chance. It worked out really well, timing wise, because we really, really needed labor,” he

“It’s given me hope, you know? It’s shown me another way of life. Every day, I have a smile on my face; that’s the energy I want to bring. It gives me a sense of gratitude every day. I’m never late; I don’t miss work. My drive is through the roof.

I have stability in my life, a tremendous amount of stability. At the end of the day, I’m full of life and joy; at the end of the day, my mind is not on drugs,” he said.

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Will LaRue (from left) with employee Blake Johnson.

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‘I feel I’m making a difference that other people are not willing to make.

It’s what gave me purpose in my job. I’ll always give reentry employees a shot.’

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— Will LaRue

Dwight Pridgeon, reentry coordinator for the city of Little Rock, sings LaRue’s praises.

“He’s the individual I can go to when all doors are closed, and he will hire. Thanks to Will LaRue, who believes in second and third chances. Color doesn’t matter. Black or green, we bleed the same blood. I’m speaking about a brother who is willing to go an extra mile. He doesn’t judge,” Pridgeon said.

LaRue said one of his favorite parts of his job as TFC’s business development officer is something that wouldn’t be possible if he were a lawyer. “I’ve done everything from pay an employee’s bail to go to court with them. I’ve paid a fine they didn’t know about. That’s where I feel I’m making a difference that other people are not willing to make.”

He said he has never had a reentry employee steal anything and it’s “rare that it doesn’t work out.”

It’s definitely working out for Johnson. “Will and this job turned my life around,” he said.

“They gave me a chance, and sometimes that’s all people need is another chance. This job has made me hold my head up high and realize I have worth in me.”

It put LaRue’s life on a different trajectory, too.

“It’s what gave me purpose in my job. I’ll always give reentry employees a shot.”

Pridgeon says LaRue and the program are making a profound difference.

“If we had more Will LaRues around, imagine the shape this world would be in,” he said.

Blake Johnson is a press brake operator which is one of the most advanced positions in the shop.

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YOUTH OF THE MONTH

SAM’S STILL STANDING Conway senior suffered catastrophic injury protecting his friend

By David Grimes • Photos by Mike Kemp

L

ast year, the second weekend of September started out like any other for Sam Seifert. The Conway High School senior went to class that Friday and then suited up that evening for the Wampus Cat football team. A defensive lineman, Seifert recorded a sack as Conway defeated Springdale to move to 2-0 on the season.

Two days later, Seifert and two friends were enjoying a day of boating on Beaverfork Lake when tragedy struck. The wake from a passing boat caused Seifert and Mason Downey to be thrown overboard into the water.

The boat spun in a circle towards the boys. Seifert helped keep Downey from being hit, but then Seifert’s left foot was struck by the propeller. Fortunately, Keaton Story was not ejected and was able to gain control of the boat and get both of his friends out of the lake.

As they got to shore, a couple of people at the dock saw the boys were in distress. One happened to be a nurse, and she assessed blood loss and vitals while the other person used Story's shirt to wrap the foot. The Conway Fire Department quickly arrived on the scene and Seifert was taken to the ER at Conway Regional Medical Center.

There he was stabilized, then taken by ambulance to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. Within hours, the first operation was performed.

The damage to Seifert’s foot was severe, and doctors made it very clear to the family that they were unsure how much, if any, of the foot could be saved. Even if the surgeries were successful, there was always the chance of infection, which could lead to amputation.

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Last September, Conway High School senior Sam Seifert was the victim of a boating accident that caused catastrophic injury to his left foot. He endured several surgeries, daily wound care and hours of physical therapy to reach his goal of walking across the stage and accepting his diploma without assistance in May.

After 10 days and three surgeries at Children’s, Seifert was able to go home, but he and his family still had a long way to go.

His parents, Trevor and Jennifer Seifert, would spend the next few months scheduling doctor’s appointments and traveling to and from visits with various medical professionals, including orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons and physical therapists.

In November, they began the arduous process of skin grafting.

There were also constant exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles. Thanks to the willingness of the Conway High School administration, counselors and teachers, Seifert was able to complete the first semester of his senior year virtually from home.

He was able to return to school after the Christmas break.

There was also the daily task of cleaning the wound, which required removing and reapplying dressings to the foot.

Recovery also involved hours of physical therapy, but Seifert is now able to walk on his own wearing regular shoes. He will have to continue to wear shoes pretty much all the time, as there was nerve damage to the foot and thus it has no feeling in parts. The concern going forward is that if his bare foot were cut or injured, he would not realize it, but doctors hope that some of the feeling may eventually return.

His mother, Jennifer, said, “Trevor and I were truly humbled by all the friends, family and community as a whole that reached out during this trying time. We can't say thank you enough to all involved in Sam's recovery. Starting with the total strangers that helped when the boys first got back to the dock.”

More than a dozen operations followed, as doctors had to reattach the heel pad, reattach muscles where they could and trim away dead tissue. They also had to insert cow and shark cartilage to rebuild parts of the foot, and there were fractures and a broken bone to deal with. But his doctors were consistently pleased with the progress that was being made.

Despite wanting to be cheering at the football stadium, Seifert had to watch his teammates from home on game nights, but on Oct. 19, he was able to attend the Thursday Homecoming pep assembly in a wheelchair. Two weeks later, he was able to attend Senior Night, walking across the field alongside his parents with the help of crutches.

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The family is forever grateful to all the medical professionals who helped during the long journey to recovery, especially Dr. Alexis Tashima and Dr. Brian Rabenhosrt with Arkansas Children's Hospital and Darren Beckham with McMaster Physical Therapy.

Seifert was able to walk across the stage at Conway High School’s graduation in May, something he and his parents thought might not be possible eight months earlier. He plans to attend the University of Central Arkansas this fall and major in business, with the goal of taking over his grandfather’s concrete company one day.

“The power of prayer, a strong family and friend support system, and being surrounded by a great community is what has gotten Sam to where he is today, said his father, Trevor. “We couldn't be more pleased with the outcome.”

Mason Downey (from left), Sam Seifert and Keaton Storie stand at a boat slip at Lake Beaverfork in Conway. The trio was involved in a boating accident last September.

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Pediatric Dental Group celebrates 30 years with

For three decades, the teams at North Little Rock Pediatric Dental Group and Conway Pediatric Dental Group have helped spread healthy smiles across the 501 with a vision to make visiting the dentist as painless as possible.

The dental clinic accommodates families with several children in the same room to help parents. “If your child has sensory needs, we also have rooms with doors that can help tune out noise as well as televisions in the ceiling with headphones for the patient,” Dr. Scott said.

“Not only are we maintaining the high standard of patient care that we are known for, but we are growing,” Dr. Stefanie Meek said. In addition to Dr. Meek, Dr. Gerald Friend, Dr. Jason Havard, Dr. Clint Koen, and Dr. John Scott, the clinics will be adding Dr. Kirby Jones in August.

From preventative care to coaching families on healthy dental habits, the team passionately invests in the community, its children and their future. “Our dentists provide the most up-to-date care in preventing and treating cavities in both baby and adult teeth,” Dr. Scott said. “We also evaluate our patients’ growth and development at every cleaning to help identify future needs, such as orthodontics.”

Featuring classic Nintendo video games, fun-themed scenery and ceiling-mounted televisions in the treatment rooms, trips to each clinic feel more like play dates than appointments. “Our Conway office is pirate-themed and even has a pirate ship in the lobby,” Marketing Director Colleen McCauley said. “Our North Little Rock office is trainthemed with a train in the lobby that has wowed parents and patients since 1994.”

Understanding that dental visits may be scary for youngsters, the team often makes accommodations for families with various needs.

“Our dentists have performed additional training to help patients and families have a fun, positive and safe dental experience,” Dr. Scott said. “Our training also helps us provide a safe space for patients with special healthcare needs like autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, hemophilia and even childhood cancer.

The clinics also specialize in treating and managing dental trauma.

“While this can be a scary time for patients and families, they can trust that our dental team will be with them every step of the way,” Dr. Meek said. “We have several treatment options, including nitrous, conscious sedation and IV sedation with a board-certified anesthesiologist.

We also treat children at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Conway Regional Medical Center.”

With more than 60 years of combined dental experience, the clinics take pride in treating generations of families and even feature staff members who were patients as kids. “Watching children grow is one of the coolest parts of pediatrics,” Dr. Scott said. “We like to meet families and gain relationships with them for years to come. We have many parents who were patients as children who now bring their kids.”

Join Pediatric Dental Group for our

30-year anniversary gathering!

Saturday, June 22 • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

2700 Allyson Lane in Conway • Parking Lot The fun event features a DJ, a toddler bounce house and one for older kids, yard games, food, drinks and more. Past, present and future patients are invited to meet our dentists, assistants and office staff. Come join the fun!

welcome

ones! by j

dr.k ir

Conway Pediatric Dental Group

2700 Allyson Lane, Conway • 501.730.0375

North Little Rock Pediatric Dental Group

4605 Fairway Ave., North Little Rock • 501.771.2990

DRS. FRIEND, HAVARD, KOEN, MEEK, SCOTT AND JONES 501LIFEMAG.COM

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LARRY, THE CAN-DO GUY Dr. Pillow has spent decades rescuing people from addiction

By Carol Rolf • Photos by Mike Kemp

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D

r. Larry Pillow, 80, might be content, living the life of a retiree, but he is not. He is still dreaming for “every child to have a sober parent and for every parent to have a sober child.”

Pillow grew up with an alcoholic father. Later in life, he lost an adult son to a drug overdose. He knows pain and heartache, but still gets up every morning and goes to work, helping others, something he has been doing since he answered the call to the ministry more than 50 years ago.

In 2008, as founding board chairman, he led a team to start Renewal Ranch, a faith-based rehabilitation center in Perry County for men struggling with addiction. He left Renewal Ranch in 2017 and started WeCan Ministries Inc., a network of 16 Christcentered residential facilities for adults struggling with addiction, providing 269 beds for men and women. Three more facilities are opening soon.

“Larry Pillow, alongside many others, worked tirelessly and diligently toward planning, launching and establishing the ministry of Renewal Ranch,” said James A. Loy, executive director of Renewal Ranch Ministry. “Although Larry has had no involvement in Renewal Ranch since his departure … there is fruit that remains. God’s Word says in John 15:16 KJV, ‘Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he will give it you.’ We are thankful for Larry Pillow and all his efforts to help make Renewal Ranch a refuge for men and their families whose lives have been torn apart by addiction so they may be redeemed, restored and transformed by Jesus Christ.”

Pillow was honored March 15 for his body of work and impact on the community at a celebration banquet hosted by Conway Cowboy Church. More than 350 people attended, including 160 residents, graduates and family members from 13 facilities located in eight counties.

“I’ve never seen or experienced such a relationship of joy as was present that night,” said Pillow. “It was amazing; family members and friends that I have known for a long time were there. Theme for the evening was ‘Together, We Can, If You Say Yes,’ yes to Christ.”

Former State Sen. Gilbert Baker served as the event’s emcee.

“Larry and I have been friends since 1980,” Baker said. “There were several years in my life when I turned my heart away from the Lord. One result of that was that I began abusing alcohol. Larry

reached out to me and helped me, along with many others, see the need to commit my life back to Christ and stop the alcohol abuse.

He was there by my side for several difficult years. A couple of years ago he ask me to help him and WeCan. I’m his driver and do some teaching and fundraising.”

Pillow has also been instrumental in bringing Life Relaunch to Conway. Life Relaunch is a faith-based, two-day experience for men and women that, according to liferelaunch.org, “seeks to change hearts and restore lives.” Representatives from the organization, headquartered in Florida, attended the March 15 event.

“After I left the Ranch, and even before, people reached out to me and said, ‘We want to know what you know and do … how to start a transitional facility,” Pillow said. “I knew the process. I knew what would work and what wouldn’t work. So we founded WeCan Ministries.

“My goal is to have one of these transitional facilities in every county in Arkansas,” he said.

“If I give any credit for living a life as successful as mine has been, it’s because I have a purpose; I have a reason to live,” he said. “I tell others, ‘Get up. Make up your bed. Make up your mind’ … and I have a laundry list of things for them to do, but most importantly … ‘Make up your mind that this is a day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it.’"

“One thing WeCan needs now is a permanent facility for leadership training and Life Relaunch events,” he said, adding he is hopeful that need may soon be met.

As Pillow continues to fulfill his dream of helping those with addictions, he remains committed to Conway.

“I love Conway,” he said. “I’ve been here since 1969. I learned about The City of Hope Outreach’s plan to build Hope Village, talked to board members and others, telling them I thought it was a ‘great idea’ to become involved with the project. In 2023, WeCan, Conway Cowboy Church, builder Landon Dickson and several others worked with Dr. Phillip Fletcher and his team at Co-Ho to build and furnish a two-bedroom home in Hope Village.

This community of tiny homes will house homeless individuals and families in Faulkner County. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if one of these tiny homes might benefit one of those recovering addicts that we are trying to help?”

For more information on WeCan Ministries, visit wecanmin.org.

City of Hope Outreach (CoHo) Hope Village in Conway has 10 homes whose shells are complete. The unique community will serve individuals, families and veterans experiencing homelessness. The expected completion date is the end of 2024.

WeCan Ministries,

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which Dr. Larry Pillow founded, sponsored a home.

Dr. Larry Pillow, founder and director of WeCan Ministries with Jay Cupit, founder and director of The Other Side Ministry in Heber Springs (Cleburne County) and assistant director of WeCan.

A WeCan rally was hosted on March 15 at the Conway Cowboy Church, and more than 350 people attended. Of that number, 160 residents from various programs and many graduates attended.

Dr. Pillow’s extended family attended the WeCan Rally in his honor.

Front Row, from left, is Kara Pillow, Annie Grace Walker, Marion Walker, Julie Smith, Larry Pillow, Peggy Pillow, Charlene Little and Clare Middleton. Back row, from left, is Mack Smith, Jack Pillow, Kelly Pillow, Tracy Pillow, Greg Pillow and Sherri Pillow.

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AUTHOR OF THE MONTH

PAUL R. NAIL _____________________ ___________

By Susan L. Peterson • Photo by Mike Kemp

T

he song lyrics and titles of “Your Cheatin’ Heart,’‘ “Hey, Good Lookin’,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” and “I Saw the Light” are probably familiar to most readers, even if you are not a country music fan. Over six decades ago, Hiram “Hank” Williams was the prolific singer/songwriter of these famous tunes and many others that still resonate today with his legions of fans. Their succinct phrases, emotional diversity and universal sentiments are what initially drew Paul R. Nail to this music legend.

Upon learning that Williams died of heart failure on New Year’s Day 1953 at the age of 29 in the backseat of his chauffeured Cadillac, Nail became even more curious about this now-legendary figure. He wondered what could have caused such a successful and popular singer/songwriter to die so young.

correspondence, as well as existing videos and audio programming from scores of Williams’ surviving radio programs.

As a psychologist, Nail gained insights into the singer’s life that other biographers had not. The book covers Williams’ childhood in detail, including the effects of his father's absence and having an overly domineering mother. He discusses Williams’ volatile marriage to his first wife, Audrey Williams, who reputedly was the inspiration for many of his songs. Healthwise, the singer suffered from congenital back issues that led to years of self-medication with alcohol and, eventually, overmedication with prescription drugs. Nail’s insights go far beyond the typical simplistic view that Williams was just another alcohol- and drug-abusing musical genius.

When Nail received a Ph.D. in psychology from Texas Christian University in 1981, he was not all that interested in country music. Undoubtedly, his interest in psychology and his penchant for research led him to try to find answers to his many questions about Williams. His decades-long investigation culminated in “A Psychological Biography of Hiram ‘Hank’ Williams: Much More to His Story, Volume I” published in May 2023. The book is being lauded as “the most comprehensive Hank Williams biography to date.”

As a psychological biography, the book employs many psychological concepts to explain Williams’ life. These include transference, projection, sublimation and compensation. But, as one reader noted, “Nail boils down the science and makes it accessible.”

“When I learned the truth—that Hank died of what was basically an unhealthy lifestyle, one brought on by years of severe back pain, binge drinking, chain-smoking, overwork, marital conflict, back surgery, overmedication, divorce, and some would say a broken heart—I knew that there had to be a tremendous story there to tell.

I was not disappointed,” Nail said.

Nail worked in higher education in Oklahoma and Arkansas for 39 years as a teacher, researcher and author of dozens of articles in academic journals. He retired from the University of Central Arkansas in 2019. It is obvious that his professional research and interest in examining Williams’ life went hand in hand. As a psychologist and scientist, he separated fact from legend to help solve the mysteries surrounding this enigmatic man. Today, he continues to work on Volumes II and III and will be publishing Volume II soon.

He first began researching his book in 1984 by reading everything he could about Williams. That’s when he discovered a “big hole” in the literature, one he sought to fill. Although Williams suffered most of his life with psychological issues, none of his previous biographers had been psychologists or had much training in psychology. Nail, on the other hand, could make these connections.

In 1995, Nail began gathering material from Williams’ aging friends, family and former band members while they were still alive. His research included personal interviews and written

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“Dr. Paul R. Nail, an international scholar of psychology with a lifetime of experience, has gifted us with a haunting, passionate, and fascinating biography of Hank’s life from beginning to end,” one reviewer said.

He and his wife, Jenny, live in Conway and have three grown children. Jenny is the executive assistant for advancement and communications at Hendrix College.

Nail said that interested readers can get a copy of Volume I by contacting him at pnail@retired.uca.edu or by writing to the publisher at bookorder@sbpra.net. The book is also carried by Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com and Walmart.com.

A life-size statue of the famed country music legend, Hank Williams stands in the center of the Riverfront Entertainment District, one block away from the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Ala.

Author Paul R. Nail finds it ironic that Williams’ stardom has grown over the years while that of most of his contemporaries at the Louisiana Hayride and Grand Ole Opry has faded. Four full-length motion pictures and at least three documentaries have been made about his life. Fans still flock by the hundreds each year to the Hank Williams Boyhood Home and Museum in Georgiana, Ala., as well as to the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, where Williams’ “Death Car” is on display.

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ARTIST OF THE MONTH

JOHN LIGHTFOOT ___________________ _____

By KD Reep • Photo by Mike Kemp

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‘Creativity helps everywhere,” ’ John Lightfoot

W

e are all born with a calling, but only some of us pursue what that is. For John Lightfoot, he was called to create, and now the Conway resident is pursuing it as a career as an art teacher and artist.

somebody would have told me this when I was in high school. I get to help kids at Pottsville Junior High and Middle School do that, helping them see that you can be successful in a lot of ways that people don't think about.”

An art instructor at Pottsville Middle and Junior High schools, Lightfoot began teaching in October 2022 and is finishing a Master of Arts in teaching from the University of Central Arkansas.

He works every school day to teach how creativity and creative solutions allow people to be flexible and understand where another person may be coming from. “Creativity helps everywhere,” he said.

“I’m originally from South Arkansas and graduated from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, and over the years, I've done a little bit of everything and ended up being in teaching roles. I’ve always wanted to be able to help others.”

Lightfoot did not realize he could make a living as an artist, but he has been providing for himself and his family for three years doing just that.

“Earlier, when I was a kid, I wished I could have made a living with art,” he explained. “Once I became an artist, I realized that even here in Arkansas, I could make a living just doing art. I wish

His father was a painter, rendering images of the ocean and ships on canvas and as scale models, and was fascinated by architecture and sketched. Lightfoot said he did not know his father was an artist until his passing and he discovered paintings with his father’s name on them. His grandmother also was a painter, with her work adorning her home.

“I like to paint ships and the ocean and water,” Lightfoot said.

“We were always on the lake and had boats, but I never realized until later that my dad also painted these things just like I did.

I asked my mom about it, and she said, ‘I guess we never really talked about that.’”

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Samples of John Lightfoot's work.

Lightfoot works in oils and watercolors mostly, with a few acrylic pieces in the mix. His paintings are vibrant with color and detail, and his work has been displayed at Central ARCollective in downtown Conway. Among his awards are the People’s Choice award at the “Neighbors, An Art Show” at the Brick Room in downtown Conway, as well as placing in county and state fairs.

He also had a painting displayed at the Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor Center. What guides his art is an abiding Christian faith and the beauty of Arkansas and more art can be seen on Facebook at John Lightfoot Art. “I'm a Christian, and that influences basically everything,” he said. “God himself is an artist, and there is evidence that he has given just in the very nature that's around us. For me, everything I paint somehow points back to him, and I take inspiration from everything.”

One painting in particular portrays Lightfoot’s interpretation of what it is like to be a Christian man.

“In my men’s Bible study, we were having a conversation about the trials of being a Christian man and always having to be on guard. I thought of this in terms of a knight in shining armor, but he's resting. The idea that as we go through life, you can't take the armor off, and you have to always be prepared because you're trying to provide for your family and deal with everything you face,” Lightfoot said. “We have sin in our lives, and sometimes we have people actively coming at us. It'd be easy to give up and just go with the easy way out, but we have to stand our ground and stay armored up. This painting is about facing our fears and our problems and standing up for what it means to be a man. I wanted to represent that in this painting.

“We also live in a beautiful state so a lot of times we're out hiking, and I take inspiration from places, whether it be swimming at the Buffalo River, canoeing or being at the beach.

I also paint a lot of sunrises and sunsets, which, you know, have a lot of meaning. They represent to me a new day, new life, how we get a second chance over and over again and God’s grace.

And so I love painting those just because it reminds me what He's done for us.”

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celebrating athletic excellence Van Buren County's

John Henry “Rube” Roberson

By Dr. Robert Reising Photos courtesy of the Roberson family

The confusion about his name only adds to his unvarnished, enigmatic charm. Affiliated baseball has seen few performers with more talent, more moxie, or more staying power. A Rube he was—an unflattering nickname to which he never objected—but a Rube who knew himself, the sport he played, and the fans who adored it with him. “The National Pastime” will never see John Henry “Rube” Robinson’s like again.

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L

ittle is known about his parents, Joseph Allen and Isabelle Stroud Roberson; his birth on or around August 16, 1889; or his earliest years in White County. Yet, obviously planted were the seeds of his lifelong love affair with baseball and the Natural State.

His affection for the home-grown amenities of rural Arkansas was as evident as his skill at propelling a baseball at various, often eye-catching speeds, occasionally with movement sideways and/or downward. In 1908, the left-hander emerged from Floyd and anonymity to garner 11 victories and only four defeats in two of Arkansas’s Class D professional leagues. His march to 329 professional wins had begun.

That journey was to end 21 years later, in 1929 in Little Rock, where he won 190 of his games, an all-time franchise record. One biographer notes that “Little Rock was perfect for him because it was so close to home.”

And “close to home” he placed himself during the bulk of his playing days, thanks to his ingenuity and a simple plan which he worked to perfection.

Despite the then-common “reserve clause” that tied a player to the team owning his contract, Rube would announce that he was leaving to return to his farm, mentioning no professional play. Once free, he allowed homesickness to relocate him to a “near home” team needing pitching help.

Delighted to gain his considerable services, that team—if forced—would happily pay a few dollars to the “owning” franchise.

While with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the southpaw was photographed practicing throwing.

Rube was no fan of the reserve clause; he hated the idea of being “owned.”

In 1975, ten years after his passing, the whole of baseball was to agree with him, to see the clause as unfair, and to discard it. Thereafter, players no longer needed to view themselves as chattel; like Rube, they deserved—and gained—a voice in determining where their baseball futures might lie.

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Although no beneficiary of the reserve clause’s disappearance, Rube refused to risk rotting in baseball’s minor leagues. In 1911, after winning a career-high 28 games for Fort Worth’s Class B Texas League franchise, he toed the rubber and posted an impressive 2.77 Earned-Run-Average (ERA) in five games for the National League’s Pittsburgh Pirates.

Just three seasons into his professional career, at age 23, he was pitching at baseball’s highest level.

Taken during Roberson’s only season with the Fort Worth, Texas, Panthers (or Cats) in 1911. His record that season of 28-7 resulted in him being called up to the Pittsburgh Pirates and his 2011 induction into the Texas League Hall of Fame.

The following pair of seasons proved he could star in “The Bigs.” In both, ERAs far below the revered 3.00 accompanied his double-digit winning records.

Simultaneously, he enjoyed a warm relationship with the Pirates’ most famous player, one of baseball’s alltime greats, Honus Wagner, Hall of Fame shortstop.

The two were “fishing buddies” and “clean livers,” and superb examples to teammates and fans that drinkers and late-hour carousers did not dominate Pittsburgh’s roster.

But the team’s ownership cared little about Rube’s potential and friendships. National-League cellardwelling St. Louis supposedly supplied talent capable of providing immediate improvement in Pittsburgh’s league standing, and Rube was among the five Pirates sacrificed in the trade. Christmas 1913 was hardly joyous for the hurler who the St. Louis Post-Dispatch demeaningly announced “lives in the tall grass of Arkansas, eight miles from civilization.”

Squabbles about salary, pitching assignments, and sore arms failed to endear Roberson to diminutive lawyer-turned-manager Miller Huggins, the Cardinals’ controversial “Mighty Mite” and “Mite Manager.”

After two mediocre seasons (but each with a creditable ERA!), Rube found himself back in the minors. His stay in the National League was ended.

Yet he would have no part of San Francisco, where St. Louis had placed his contract. Refusing the reassignment, Roberson, predictably, opted to return to Floyd. He held his ground, worked his magic, and

by July, in a Little Rock Travelers’ uniform, was again pitching “near home.”

One of the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame shortstops and baseball’s all-time greats, Honus Wagner (from left) and Rube Roberson.

The abbreviated season saw him register an 11 and 1 win-loss mark, with a 2.38 ERA, and the Cardinals indicated they wanted him back. But Rube was not to be moved. Finally, St. Louis gave up their quest for his signature and sold his contract to Little Rock. Thus began thirteen seasons of major-league pitching for minor-league wages, all because a Rube wanted to play in the Natural State.

Five times he won 20 or more games, and throughout the league, the Southern Association, he was a fan favorite, commonly available to josh with those who knew that in his prime, he was a flame thrower, but with the years had morphed into a cunning lefty. He would consistently earn a laugh from young and old alike when he agreed that he always commanded three pitches: slow, slower and slowest.

A team picture from 1922, one of the two seasons when Roberson won 26 games for the Travs. He is on the far left of the back row.

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In 1918 came the highlight of his 21-year career.

With the Southern Association season ending early because of World War I, Rube joined the New York Yankees at the request of his one-time nemesis Miller Huggins, now managing the Bronx Bombers. On Aug. 12, in Fenway Park, he bested baseball’s most famous player ever, Boston Red Sox’s Babe Ruth, two to one, surrendering just three hits.

Such excellence deserves every Arkansan’s respect.

The New York Times article covers a game Roberson pitched in August 1918 against Babe Ruth, who was the pitcher for the Boston Red Sox early in his career. Roberson pitched all nine innings, winning 2-1, with Ruth popping up for the final out. “Rube considered it the highlight of his major league career,” said his grandson, Fred Roberson of Little Rock. He had been called up by the Yankees after the Southern Association shut down in May 1918 due to so many players leaving for World War I. Miller Huggins, who managed the Cardinals during his two years there and whom Roberson disliked, was now managing the Yankees. Rube left the team in August and returned home to Arkansas, refusing to report to the Yankees in 1919. Eventually, he was released to play for the Travelers again for another 10 years or so.

One man + One idea =

a 149-year-old city

By Vivian Lawson Hogue

I

f we are blessed enough to reach 80, we will have lived 29,219 days, 701,266 hours and 42,075,936 minutes. If we put some thought into it, we will surely begin to wonder what we've done with those moments. It actually depends on role models, the manners in which we were raised, our initiative and determination, physical, mental and spiritual conditions, a desire for a productive life and a salary to provide basic needs. Having stable, nurturing, involved parents helps greatly. It is rare for us to have all of these backgrounds.

It also depends on the era and culture in which we were raised, which led me to study the Faulkner Countians who came before us.

Obviously, the number of those who came to these Ozark foothills before 1819 was sparse. By whatever means and manner they arrived, for most it had been a hard trip.

Later, many brave souls arrived after difficult circumstances resulting from the Civil War, which was not so civil. They brought with them their building skills, farming experience and families that were good starts for communities which would eventually include churches, schools and businesses.

By 1871, Asa Peter Robinson, our city's Connecticut-born founder, was an exception to the oxen and wagon travel. Having been a railroad chief engineer, he came into Conway Station on an easy ride and built his home by the train tracks. He disliked the wagon trips to Cadron to get his mail, so he simply created his own town with its own post office, lots of beautiful trees, and hunting grounds on the surrounding prairie.

Robinson's wife, Lucy, was from New York City. Lucy died, leaving two children, and Asa married Mary Louise de St. John of Montreal, Canada. Imagine living in either of those two cities and moving to a quiet land of trees, prairies, birds and few people or conveniences.

Notice that Asa named streets appropriately as Oak, Ash, Elm, Locust, and Chestnut. He also included Deer, Prairie and Court Streets, the latter his failed intention for the Courthouse location.

As the town spread, streets were named for prominent men.

The population grew, and laws were needed, so several early residents coming to Conway were attorneys. The first one of note was Col. George Washington Bruce of Georgia. After serving in the Civil War battles of Savannah, the second Battle of Manassas and finally Murfreesboro, he became a prisoner of war until the war ended. Bruce seems unnoticed today, but because he built my home

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in 1910 for his son's wedding present, I am fascinated by a highprofile family that no longer exists in our town.

Everyone working or studying at Hendrix College, the University of Central Arkansas, or Central Baptist College should know that the Colonel can be thanked for his involvement in and financing of these colleges. In fact, Bruce used personal funds to help found and fund the colleges, to the point of bankruptcy and the loss of his beautiful mansion, which I enjoyed visiting long after he was deceased.

In 1878, attorney Charles Wilkins Cox came to Conway from Kansas, where he was raised and educated. He began his career here and later married Carrie Bruce, daughter of Col. Bruce. He is also recognized for creating a "tie that binds" when he founded a local newspaper called the Conway Democrat in 1878.

Sam Frauenthal moved to Conway from Kentucky in 1882. He had a large law practice and was known for financially supporting many local causes. Other lawyers for this small town were George Hartje, an attorney and state senator. P.H. Prince, a native of Mississippi, arrived in Conway in 1874. Prince's home is reportedly the first brick home built and still stands on the street that bears his name.

In 1880, as the seven-year-old town grew, merchants were wanted and needed. That year, there were blacksmiths, carpenters, grocers, a tinner (one who makes or repairs items made of tin), planters and saddlers. Merchants owned mercantiles, hotels, liveries (businesses caring for horses), mule barns and a jewelry store. Although not as many, there were also necessary ministers, physicians and drug stores.

You will not see women in the founding of these entities because in this era, most families were whole, and the father was head of the family. Their guidebook, the Bible, set forth that concept, with women as the indispensable helpers. They were needed for teaching, tending the home and children and supervising the family unit.

Besides prestigious career men, other older men remain in the memories of some of us. Those were the men of the small, subsistence farms who, for years, came to town on Saturdays. They hunkered in the shade of Massey Hardware store wearing their "overhauls" (overalls) and brogans (work shoes), smoking unfiltered cigarettes and spitting tobacco juice.

Ah, yes. Those were the days.

Col. George Washington Bruce

Charles Wilkins Cox

P. H. Prince House The first brick house in Conway, c. 1880

Sam Frauenthal

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Back row: Katy Fougerousse (from left), Abby White, Raegan Fougerousse and Gabbi Ruff.

Front row: Seth Baccam (from left), Laykin Moore and Kayne Beck. Gavin Mooney is not pictured.

KIDS OF THE MONTH

SACRED HEART

KNOCKOUT KNIGHTS

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ROBOTICS TEAM M O R R I LT O N

By Mary Eggart • Photo by Mike Kemp

T

he Sacred Heart Knockout Knights Robotics Team in Morrilton is embarking on an exciting experience that is the culmination of countless hours dedicated to creative innovation and collaborative teamwork. On June 6, the group, comprised of eight sixth- and seventh-graders from Sacred Heart Catholic School in Morrilton, will be traveling to Worcester, Mass., to compete in the WPI Open Invitational Competition. Held on the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Campus, the competition will host 102 teams from around the world, and the Knockout Knights will be the only Arkansas team present.

Together with their coaches, the Knights have earned this opportunity through a tremendous amount of industriousness and diligence and need to raise $30,000 for the trip. So far, their efforts have garnered about $14,000.

The robotics team, which was first organized at Sacred Heart School 13 years ago, participates in the FIRST LEGO League (FLL).

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The group meets for two hours after school each week to work on designing and building a robot made entirely out of LEGO pieces.

To complete an innovation project, the robot is programmed to complete missions designed to solve a real-world problem. The project has a different theme each year that is dictated by the FLL organization. During their weekly meetings, the Knights plan how to present their project to judges.

There are three parts to FLL competition: Robot Game, Innovative Project and Core Values. For the Robot Game, once the annual theme is announced, the Knights begin working on building and coding their robot to complete as many missions as possible during the 2.5-minute competition window. Each mission is worth a set number of points as determined by the league. The Innovative Project component of the competition is also based on the theme. The team must research a real-world problem, find a solution and make changes to improve the solution.

Lastly, for the Core Values component, the teams are judged on teamwork, fun, innovation, impact, inclusion and discovery, which is the heart of the FLL. Teamwork is vital, and everyone must be included in all aspects of competition.

When competing, the team must communicate aspects of their project to judges, and they have five minutes to present their robot design and five minutes to present the project. The judges then ask the team questions about what they presented and their season in general.

In order to advance to the WPI Open Invitational Competition, robotics teams first compete in one of three qualifying competitions in Arkansas. Each year, the Knockout Knights compete in the Searcy qualifier against 20-30 teams to earn an invitation to the state championship. At the qualifier this year, the Knights received the Engineering Excellence Award and were one of only nine teams to advance to the state championship, where they competed against 32 teams. From there, the team was one of four teams to advance, and the Knights were then awarded the Invitation to a World Event.

Abby White

In fact, the Knockout Knights have won a host of other awards over the years, including the Champions Award (first place overall), which they won twice. Other awards were for robot performance, robot design, core values, engineering excellence and presentation.

The team’s greatest challenge is funding their trip to the competition in Massachusetts. To raise $30,000, they orchestrated food and T-shirt sales, as well as a baseball and softball tournament. The group also credits generous donations from the community, which helps to offset their costs. At press time, they had raised about $14,000.

The team’s coach is a volunteer who enjoys leading the students each week. “Our goal is to talk to as many other teams as possible, learn about what they do, experience the different cultures around us and have fun,” Theresa Fougerousse said. “This team always gives 100%, and they would love to bring back a trophy. We can’t wait to represent Arkansas, Conway County, Morrilton and the 501.”

Katy Fougerousse

Kayne Beck

To support the Knockout Knights, use this QR code or call Sacred Heart School at 501.354.8113.

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QUIZ KIDS

2024 Arkansas Quiz Bowl determines state champions T

he 2024 Arkansas Quiz Bowl champions have been decided in the state conference finals held at Arkansas PBS in Conway, and all matches are now available to watch at myarpbs.org/quizbowl.

The Arkansas Governor’s Quiz Bowl Association awarded scholarship money to each team. “Quiz Bowl” is a celebration and recognition of scholarship that has been an Arkansas PBS tradition since 1985. In a series of questions, players must display their knowledge in literature, math, science, history, art, music and economics. Teams from across the state compete for the chance to represent The Natural State in national tournaments.

The Arkansas Governor’s Quiz Bowl Association holds regional tournaments around the state during March. Teams are assigned to a site, and a random drawing places the teams on the pairing schedule.

A percentage of teams in the tournament advance to the state tournament. The top two teams from each classification advance to the State Conference Finals.

THE CLASS 7A STATE CHAMPION TEAM LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL. Abraham Baldwin, Amrita Choudhary, Josh McNeil, Bhavana Sridharan, Coach Shawna Shannon, Siddharth Snidharan, Joseph Nichols and Joshua Ghormley.

2024 FINAL STANDINGS: 1A – Norfork High School defeated Sacred Heart Catholic School.

2A – Haas Hall Academy Bentonville defeated Life Way Christian School.

3A – Atkins High School defeated Mountain View High School.

4A – Trumann High School defeated Arkadelphia High School.

5A – Batesville High School Charter defeated Magnolia High School.

6A – Russellville High School defeated Little Rock Catholic School.

7A – Little Rock Central High School defeated Rogers Heritage High School.

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e d i r y jo Wish for Wheels and Walmart partner to give bikes to a Searcy second grade Photos by Lisa Hutcison

S

econd-grade students at Sidney Deener Elementary School in Searcy were treated to shiny new bicycles on April 24 as part of the Wish for Wheels program.

“We’re very proud of our partnership with Wish for Wheels, Walmart, our teachers and parents who have made this possible. We can’t thank them all enough!”

Wish for Wheels is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower children, families and communities through the gift of a new bike and helmet. The bicycle donation in Searcy was a partnership with the Walmart Distribution Center in the city. Approximately 30 Walmart associates volunteered to assemble the brand-new bicycles, put each child’s name on one and then distributed them to all second graders to take home and enjoy. The 100 students also received bicycle helmets to stay safe as they ride. The students received their bicycles in the elementary school gymnasium.

Brad Appel, founder of Wish for Wheels, attended the event.

He created the nonprofit in 2004.

“Parents have been so excited, they can’t believe that they’re getting to take home a free bicycle, so it has been such a celebration this afternoon at Sidney Deener,” said Principal Jeff Graham.

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“Wish for Wheels gives new bikes and helmets to secondgraders in Title 1 schools. We do this through corporate philanthropy with amazing companies like Walmart, who fund, build and give the bikes to kids in their communities. We work with any company in the U.S. and would love to come to your neighborhood to give bikes to kids," Appel said.

Michael Lindsey, Walmart's director of public affairs and government relations, said the company is excited about the donation to Sidney Deener Elementary School.

“We always want to give back to the communities we serve, and this is a fun way to do that, he said.”

100 bicycles awaiting 2nd graders from Sidney Deener Elementary in Searcy.

Brad Appel (from left), Founder of Wish for Wheels and Jeff Graham, principal of Sidney Deener Elementary were Loving LIFE at the event.

Volunteers help students fit helmets and try our their balance on their free, new bicycles.

Walmart General Manager Rob Housewright (from left) and Walmart Director of Public Affairs Michael Lindsey.

Two volunteers with a completed bicycle.

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National Park Coach

NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED

NIGHTHAWK

National Park College’s Dillon Hargrove named NJCAA basketball coach of the year National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk men’s basketball Head Year, Hargrove was named the 2023-24 NJCAA Division 2 Men’s

Coach Dillon Hargrove was named the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year in May. NPC is in Hot Springs in Garland County.

Basketball Championship Coach of the Tournament and the 202324 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Two-Year College Coach of the Year.

In his fourth year as head coach at NPC, Hargrove’s Nighthawks impressed with 27 consecutive wins to begin the season, spending seven weeks ranked No. 1 in the nation while capturing back-toback Region II regular season championships.

“This moment for Coach Hargrove and Nighthawk Nation has been years in the making,” NPC Athletic Director Rich Thompson said. “Dillon has been an exceptional leader for our program and we are pleased to call him our head coach. His leadership shines on and off the court, and we congratulate him on both his national championship and this award.”

Following the team’s lone loss in the Region II Championship, NPC received an at-large bid to its first national tournament as the No. 5 seed, where the Nighthawks soared to the program’s first Division 2 Men’s Basketball National Championship.

Hargrove’s list of accomplishments this season continues to grow. In addition to being named NJCAA Region II Coach of the

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National Park College was established in 1973 and is located in Hot Springs. The college serves approximately 7,000 credit and non-credit students per year. NPC is a comprehensive two-year institution offering associate degrees and certificates as well as continuing education, community services and workforce training.

The Conway Community Band Summer Concert Series takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 7 and June 28, in Simon Park. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for an hour of dazzling entertainment led by area high school and college band conductors. The Conway Downtown Partnership and 501 LIFE Magazine sponsor the vibrant performances.

Each show is unique. The June 28 concert will be patriotic, so wear red, white and blue!

There is no cost to attend.

10 Box Cost-Plus grocery store and the American Made General Store provide complimentary treats.

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ore than 400 participants experienced a day fueled by remembrance and celebration April 14 as they took part in the annual University of Central Arkansas Relay for Life at UCA’s Estes Stadium. The student-led organization raised more than $21,000 to support the American Cancer Society.

TAKING STEPS TOWARD HOPE UCA Relay for Life exceeds goal for American Cancer Society Photos by Lisa Hutchison

“We plan and host this community-wide event where individuals from the Central Arkansas area come together to celebrate cancer survivors and caregivers, remember loved ones lost to cancer and fight back against the disease through raising funds for the American Cancer Society,” said Rebecca Thomas, vice president of communication and outreach. “Funds raised through our event directly support the American Cancer Society’s efforts, which include funding cancer research, patient and family support, travel and housing aid and advocacy endeavors.

“On behalf of the Relay for Life Executive Board and Planning Committee, I extend sincere thanks to every individual who donated to our cause and to every individual from UCA’s campus and the Conway community who attended the event,” Thomas said. “We are so grateful to have had such a successful event this year, and it would not have been possible without them.”

The event featured activities for all ages, including a 5K run/walk, live music, food trucks, games, shopping with local businesses and ceremonies to honor cancer survivors, caregivers, current patients and loved ones lost to the disease and more.

Theme for the daylong event was Camp for a Cure. Thomas said with this theme, the event aimed “to embody the aura of a summer camp” as event attendees visited Camp Relay. Games, T-shirts and decorations focused on bringing the theme to life.

Thomas said one important aspect of the event is purchasing and placing luminarias, which are paper lanterns, that honor all lives touched by cancer.

“Luminarias can be dedicated to loved ones lost to cancer, current battlers of cancer or individuals who have overcome cancer,” she said. “As the event journeys into the night, the luminarias are lit and displayed to honor and remember loved ones. Dozens of luminarias lined the field at Estes Stadium and ignited the evening on April 14.”

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Jeff Dangeau (from left), Emily Tollett, Sarah Dangeau, India Dangeau, Zach Dangeau and 2024 Distinguished Alumnus LeRoy Dangeau.

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he University of Central Arkansas celebrated scholarships and honored distinguished alumni on April 13 at the 2024 Laurels & Stripes scholarship fundraising gala presented by First Security Bank at the UCA HPER Center. Live entertainment was presented by the Rodney Block Collective.

Dr. Denise Demers (from left), Dr. Betty Hubbard, 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Emogene Fox and Kim Ashley-Pauley.

“This was our biggest night of the year as we honored three new Distinguished Alumni, recognized donors who created 25 new scholarships over the last year and celebrated all of UCA’s many accomplishments, including the successful early end of the UCA NOW Campaign with more than $109 million raised,” said Jennifer Boyett, director of campaign communications.

Lindsay and Jon Ross Henderson served as co-chairs.

Distinguished Alumni include: LeRoy Dangeau, Class of 1955, now retired. Accomplishments include owner and operator of Dangeau Auto Parts and former Cross County Judge, State Representative, football coach, high school teacher and member of the U.S. Army and Army Reserve. He is on the selection board for the UCA Athletic Hall of Fame.

Dr. Emogene Fox, Classes of 1966 and 1971. She served UCA from 1980 until retiring in 2021 as a faculty member and chair of the Department of Health Sciences. She was instrumental in establishing relationships with UAMS, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, CHI St. Vincent, Conway Regional Medical Center, Baptist Medical Center and more. She serves on the UCA College of Health and Behavioral Sciences advisory board and continues to be a strong supporter of students through the Emogene Walmsley Fox Health Promotion Scholarship.

Connie Williams (from left) and 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Lencola Sullivan-Verseveldt.

Lencola Sullivan-Verseveldt, Class of 1979. She currently works for the Royal Dutch Shell Headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, where she is a founding member of the Diversity and Inclusion Team, diversity and inclusion focal point, trainer and faculty member. She was crowned Miss Morrilton in 1977, Miss UCA in 1978 and Miss White River in 1979 and became the first African American Miss Arkansas in 1980. In 1981, she became the first African American contestant to win preliminary awards and to place in the Top Five of the Miss America competition.

Next year’s Laurel & Stripes gala will be on April 25, with Brad and Lisa Hegeman as co-chairs.

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Ronnie and Connie Williams (from left), Jon Ross and Lindsay Henderson and Jenny Davis and UCA President Houston Davis.

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You can Stay cool

and save money

this summer Conway Corp offers Free Residential Engery Audits

By Beth Jimmerson

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his summer season, you probably want to save money on your energy use while still providing comfortable living conditions for you and your family. While you might see your utility costs rising thanks to summer temperatures, sunny weather isn’t the only reason for higher statements.

You might find your home’s HVAC system always running hard but can’t adequately cool it, or maybe some rooms in your house are cooler or hotter than others. Maybe you noticed mold or mildew in a room other than the bathroom. A home energy audit can help you find and begin solving these problems.

Conway Corp’s Energy Smart program offers free residential energy audits to help customers identify how much energy their homes consume and what measures may be taken to make their homes more energy efficient. The analysis will show a homeowner the problems that may, when corrected, save significant amounts of money over time. A home energy audit is the first step to assess how much energy your home consumes.

How does a home energy audit work?

During the audit process, a Conway Corp certified energy professional will perform a walk-through inspection of your home using a variety of techniques and equipment to determine its energy-efficiency level. The inspection will help you understand the efficiency level of your home’s heating and cooling systems, look at how your windows and doors seal, inspect insulation levels, show you ways to conserve electricity and help identify leaks in your home.

An energy audit looks at several specific features of your home including your home’s thermal envelope: walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows and skylights. Each of these has a specific R-value, which is a measurement of the resistance to heat flow. The higher the resistance – or R-value – the better the insulation quality. Another factor is the leakage rate or how much outside air infiltrates your home. Drafty doors and windows are the primary culprits here; however, other features of your home’s construction, including age, orientation to the sun and physical condition, will have an effect. A third area to look at is your home’s mechanical system – the heating/ventilation/air condition as well as the heating water.

Annually, homes that have received a free audit from Energy Smart save more than $1.9 million combined in

utility costs. Over the lifetime of the program, these homes have saved more than $12 million. Some solutions are simple and inexpensive. For example, a $4 tube of caulk might save you $100 in energy costs. Other improvements might be more expensive but can be done over time like installing efficient low-wattage lighting fixtures, adding insulation or upgrading to Energy Star rated appliances.

In addition to the residential audit program, Energy Smart also offers zero percent interest loans to Conway Corp customers for home improvements like replacing old appliances or installing attic insulation. The loan program, funded by the City of Conway through the American Recovery Act of 2009, is available only to Conway Corp customers. Although there are no income limits, applicants must have a good credit history with Conway Corp. Loans are available between $500-$4,500 and are repayable over a 36-month period. To date, Conway Corp has provided nearly 400 loans totaling more than $1.2 million.

An energy audit this summer will show you where to start saving money to cool your home, and it will help identify heating problems that could potentially cost you during the cold winter months too. Schedule your free energy audit today to identify areas for your home’s improvements and develop a plan of action.

To learn more about residential energy audits, the zero percent interest loan program or the Energy Smart program, contact Conway Corp at 501.450.6000 or visit ConwayCorp.com/EnergySmart.

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A CHARLES OF ALL TRADES Family celebrates father's legacy that was built on bargaining

By Rita Halter Thomas • Photo by Mike Kemp

Mary Ann Freeman and her son, Blaine, at the family business in Greenbrier. Her husband, Charles (see inset photo), retired in 1992 after 15 years as postmaster of Greenbrier. In 1994, Charles established Freeman Motors Inc. He is now 89, so his son leads the business.

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‘He has just always loved cars and trading. I’d come home to just about anything in the world you can think of. It wasn’t quite as bad as Mr. Haney on Green Acres, but we did call him that some.’

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ome people are just born traders. They have a particular knack for buying, selling and exchanging just about anything and everything: cars, guns, motorcycles or a good bird dog. Charles Freeman of Greenbrier, owner and founder of Freeman Motors, learned to trade at an early age from his grandfather. Charles then passed it on to his son, Blaine Freeman.

— Blane Freeman, about his father, Charles was more than the gas, grab-and-go of today’s convenience stores.

Back then, the groceries they carried included kitchen staples and filled a need for the small, growing community.

Charles was born in 1930, a time when things were harder to get. If he wanted something, he either built it or traded for it.

“He wanted a bicycle, so he built one,” Blaine said. “And he loved trading.” Even today, at 94 years old, Charles asks about the car his son is driving and wants to know what he paid for it. “It’s just in his blood,” Blaine said.

The couple’s home was a part of the store, and they lived in the back with their two children, Charlotte and Blaine. Like the car lot, the store was on Highway 65. “Back then, it was still a two-lane,” Mary Ann recalled. It was located one mile north of the last traffic light seen in present-day Greenbrier. She ran the store mostly by herself for a while. Charles, then a foreman at Ward School Bus Manufacturing in Conway, eventually traded in his job there to run the store and offer more services. “Light mechanic services, tires, oil changes and such,” Mary Ann said.

“He has just always loved cars and trading. I’d come home to just about anything in the world you can think of. It wasn’t quite as bad as Mr. Haney on Green Acres, but we did call him that some,” Blaine said. “Aside from my mom, my sister and me, everything was for sale.”

Like Charles, Mary Ann grew up in Faulkner County. She established an early career with the town’s first bank, First State Bank, from which she retired in the late 1980s. When Charles opened the car lot in 1994, she handled the bookkeeping and other paperwork, and still does to this day at the spry age of 89.

Charles didn’t really buy too much, preferring to trade for what he wanted or needed. An avid quail hunter, if he wanted a good bird dog, he’d try to trade for one. Or when he wanted a motorcycle for himself and his son, he traded for it.

Somewhere between banking and opening the car lot, Mary Ann decided to do more for the town they both loved. “I wanted to give something back to the community, so I decided to run for city council,” she said. And give back she did. Mary Ann served 28 years from 1990 through 2018.

Whether intentional or not, Charles built a foundation for the family tradition to continue by teaching Blaine about cars at an early age. He taught him how to wash them properly and how to present them for sale or trade. Blaine said his dad always did his own mechanical work and never trusted anyone else.

Freeman Motors Inc. was established in 1994 after Charles retired from a 22-year career with the U.S. Postal Service, working in Greenbrier. He first served as a substitute mail carrier and worked his way to the postmaster, a position he held 15 years before retiring in 1992.

Prior to his postal career, Charles and his wife, Mary Ann, owned Freeman’s Grocery and Phillips 66 gas station combo. It

In 2016, Charles was involved in a bad car accident. Blaine, who has always been involved in the family business, took on more to help during his dad’s recovery. His sister, Charlotte, isn’t directly involved in the business since she lives in Wisconsin, but she visits often.

About two years ago, Blaine took a more direct leadership role in the company. He plans to continue the legacy his father built and is grateful for the repeat business and the word-of-mouth reputation that has served them well. While Freeman Motors doesn’t keep a large inventory (10 to 20 vehicles), it helps keep things simple and personal, just the way a good trade should be.

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PROUDLY PRESENTS PERSON OF THE MONTH

ROJAY MOORE

DIRECTOR OF BANDS FOR JACKSONVILLE, NORTH PULASKI SCHOOL DISTRICT

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The Music Man

By Dwain Hebda • Photos by Mike Kemp

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ver the course of nearly 20 years in music education, Rojay Moore has impacted the lives of thousands of young people, been named Teacher of the Year in not one but two Central Arkansas school districts, written multiple books and launched several nonprofits aimed at mentoring teenagers and promoting music education. But you’d never know any of this to look at him on the first meeting.

That’s not because he doesn’t wear his passion for what he does on his sleeve, but because he’s been blessed with a perennially youthful appearance.

“I still get stopped in the hallway from time to time,” he said with a laugh. “If they're not looking at me from the front, people sometimes mistake me as a student. Sometimes when another teacher comes in and I'm mixed in with the students in the band room, they're like, ‘Where's the adult? Where's Mr. Moore? Oh, there he is. I thought you were a student.’”

Moore, who just completed his second year as Director of Bands for Jacksonville, North Pulaski School District, said such snafus aside, his appearance is a way to connect with students. That and keeping up with popular culture help him communicate in ways that narrow the generation gap.

“It really makes a big difference because they see me not as their equal, but as relevant,” he said. “I'm relevant to them because I know the lingo, you know? I still speak with a youthful vernacular, I dress a certain way and I know what the cool terms are. That makes it easier for them to relate to me.”

Whatever the secret sauce to his approach may be, Moore ladles it on thickly and has the results to show for it. His current position is a prime example. When he arrived in 2022, he found Jacksonville’s annual summer band camp had dwindled to a paltry 17 musicians. By band sign-up day in the fall, the number had already doubled, then jumped to nearly 75 at the end of his second year. For the 2024-2025 school year, enrollment is approaching 100 band musicians.

“Kids were hearing about the band, and kids that were in the band liked it,” he said. “After that, we’ve kept a lot of the kids. We're growing. We've even outgrown our instrument inventory.”

A native of North Little Rock, Moore grew up in church, where he gained a firm foundation in music that grew and

expanded over time. His interests were nurtured by his older brother and sister, both of whom played in the school band, but for whom music was merely a sidebar to their other activities, namely athletics and student government.

“They gave me that foundational understanding of what band was, but I was the one that actually stuck with it,” he said. “I played sports, but as everybody else got bigger I didn’t, so I stuck with music. Music was always my strong suit.”

Originally, Moore set his sights on a performance career, a goal that led him to the University of New Orleans, where he studied under the late Ellis Marsalis, world-renowned jazz musician and educator. By the time he earned his undergraduate degree in 2005, the winds pushing his career sails had shifted.

“Around my last year and especially my last semester, my desire for performing wasn't as it was when I went in,” he said.

“I've always been a mentor, even when I was in high school.

I would always mentor the younger kids. Later on I began writing lessons for music classes, and I would volunteer to teach while I was in school.”

Moore began as a sub in a North Little Rock middle school and from there graduated to jobs in the North Little Rock and Little Rock school districts prior to landing in Jacksonville.

Along the way, he established nonprofits, including RockTown Community Performing Arts, which places an emphasis on jazz studies and performance while also offering marching and pep band ensembles; Serious Young Brothers, a male leadership organization; and the teen group TeenU. The future may include even more diversity of experience as Moore continues to explore filmmaking along with other interests. That may sound to many like a lot of passions to juggle, but to a mind that has mastered eight musical instruments it’s just another way of embracing life while giving students more opportunities to connect with him in the process.

“I connect with 'em in a lot of ways,” he said. “I'm highly engaged in things because that's how you build rapport. I've grown to love teaching, but I always tell students I have more in me than just teaching music. I want them to know it’s OK to pursue whatever they feel most connected to.”

Continued on page 98

- ROJAY MOORE T W 0 -T I M E T E A C H E R O F T H E Y E A R

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