ABOUT | August 2017

My Heart Never Left

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley AUGUST 2017

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AUGUST 2017 EDITION

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Pg8 ABOUT THIS MONTH’S COVER Billy and Marlene Newton welcomed us into their home for this issue of ABOUT. Rock and wood -elements of the region -- weigh heavy in its design.

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2017

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8 My heart never left

Just a few miles east of Russellville sits 500 acres rich in biodiversity. The land offers sanctuary for native wildlife and for a family with deep roots in the River Valley. Billy and Marlene Newton call this property home.

14 Only if you’re REALLY good

16 My Hometown - Atkins

Beautifully crafted antique buildings of faded paint and cracked brick stand, built to last, in the once prosperous town square of Atkins, Arkansas, a city aged with 144 years’ worth of history and character.

27 Fresh as Ozark dew

Just up Highway 7, past Dover and Pleasant View, beyond God’s Little Half Acre and Moccasin Gap, a few miles north of Cowell and Mockingbird Hill, down in a valley carved out by the Little Buffalo River, you’ll find Jasper. There sits Blue Mountain Bakery and Cafe.

34 Webs of significance

36 Outdoors

FEATURED MERCHANT River Valley Music Center Pg. 32

AUGUST 2017 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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A PAGE FROM

The Editor’s Notebook

The best of who we are

You can’t truly understand a people until you understand their place. By “place” I mean their home — the prehistory, history, geography, geology, climate, flora, and fauna of the region. All of these work to shape the culture.

Culture is often described as music, food, clothing, and mores. It’s the aesthetics and convictions that tell you where you are. But these products were formed and crafted by the elements and the ecosystems. Southern Louisiana is known for unbelievable seafood and a vigorous nightlife because it’s a port town, a place where travelers and merchants from many other cultures gathered after long voyages at sea. French, Spanish, and African cultures melded and birthed new but familiar forms of music and dance. And the nearby marsh provided tons of briny fare ready to be seasoned and paired with spices and dishes from across the globe.

The River Valley culture came about in a similar manner. We’re heavy on Celtic influence and you don’t have to actually be Scottish, Irish, or Scots-Irish to be living like one. If you reside here for any length of time, you are anyway regardless of DNA. We farm a lot of livestock and are drawn to hills and forests. We like a lively step in our music. Potatoes, pork, and biscuits are standards in the kitchen.

Hunting and fishing are our birthrights. There is warmth in our laughter and hospitality in our actions. We honor our bloodlines, both those before us and those to come after. We are products of the place our ancestors came from but continuously molded by the humid summers, the crisp winter evenings, the early springs, and the welcome autumns here.

The Newtons, whose home is featured on the cover and in the pages of this issue, are prime examples of what I’m talking about regarding culture in the River Valley.

Humble and unassuming, Billy’s face lit up with broad smile the moment I mentioned this story idea. And when I informed him Karen and Liz would be contacting him for a visit, his next words were: “Well you should come out, too.”

I should have.

Billy’s lineage in the River Valley, the thoughtful design of his and Marlene’s home, and their gracious hospitality is a perfect encapsulation of what is good about our culture.

A beautiful home on beautiful land with hearts geared toward stewardship of wildlife habitat, area prehistory, family heritage, and passing that heritage down to their grandchildren. It’s the best example of who we are.

Johnny Carrol Sain, Editor johnny@aboutrvmag.com

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley since 2006 A Publication of One14 Productions, Inc Vol. XII, Issue 7 – August 2017

DIANNE EDWARDS | founding editor JOHNNY CARROL SAIN | managing editor johnny@aboutrvmag.com LIZ CHRISMAN | photography editor lizchrismanphoto@gmail.com BENITA DREW | advertising benita@aboutrvmag.com CHRISTINE SAIN | advertising christine@aboutrvmag.com MIKE QUAIN | creative content producer mike@aboutrvmag.com MEREDITH MARTIN-MOATS | freelance meredith@aboutrvmag.com JILL MCSHEEHY | freelance jill@aboutrvmag.com SARAH CHENAULT | freelance sarah@aboutrvmag.com LYDIA ZIMMERMAN | columnist lydia@aboutrvmag.com CHRIS ZIMMERMAN | layout/design chris@aboutrvmag.com CLIFF THOMAS | illustrator maddsigntist@aboutrvmag.com

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2017

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS: AUGUST 2017 August 2 — 2017 River Valley Business Expo at Tucker Coliseum from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Preview Party 5 - 7 p.m on, August 1st. The Expo provides the perfect opportunity to stay-intouch with businesses and consumers across the River Valley. Suppliers and organizations that can make a real difference to your business and personal life will be there. For more information contact 968-2530.

August 3 — Wings Over the River Valley at the Petit Jean Gravesite Overlook 9-9:30a.m. Meet Park Interpreter BT to see what takes flight over this historic point. You may see vultures, hawks, or other birds, and it’s all a fun learning experience. The scenery is great, too. Bring binoculars if you have them. If not, we have a few available to borrow. Admission is free. For more information contact (501) 727-544.

per family for Flip Flop Walk. Make checks payable to Tropical Tango, LLC “Camp Sunshine.” For more information contact Heather Womack 970-9422.

August 10-12 — Bargains Galore on 64 —160 miles of yard sales antiques collectibles and flea markets.

August — 12 Solar Science: Eclipses Lake Dardanelle State Park 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Lakeview Room int he visitor center. Admission is free. All of North America will be able to view a solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. Join a park interpreter in the visitor center Lakeview Room to discover how you can safely view this incredible natural event. You will even have the opportunity to make you own viewer to use during the eclipse. For more information contact 967-5516.

August 5-6 — Arkansas Tax Free Holiday — SHOP LOCAL!

August 12 — 70th Annual Mt Nebo Chicken Fry. For more information contact 229-3328.

August 5 — Rise ‘N Shine 5K and Family Flip Flop Walk at Lake Dardanelle State Park 8:30 a.m. Late registration: 7 a.m. - 8 a.m. Awards: Top three male and female, top finisher in “16 and under” category 5K only. All donations and proceeds will go directly to Camp Sunshine. Entry fee: $25 per registrant for 5K, $25

August 21 — Solar Eclipse viewing at Mt. Magazine State Park. Our moon will pass between us and the sun, creating a shadow that will travel across the United States. Ninety percent of the sun will be hidden during this peak period as it passes over Mount Magazine. Experience this eerie midday dimming with as-

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*Unless otherwise indicated, all area codes are 479. To have your event included in the ABOUT Calendar of Events, email: editor@aboutrvmag.com or fax to (479) 219-5031. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication.

sistance from park interpreters on the back patio of the lodge. Admission is free. For more information contact (479) 963-8502.

August 21-25 — Johnson County Fair at the Johnson County Fair Grounds 1586 W Oakland Clarksville. Admission is $2 per person. Parking is free on the north and south sides of the fair grounds. For more information contact Amber Wood 746-4036.

August 26 — Music Downtown @ Sundown in downtown Russellville’s Depot Park at 7:30 p.m. Artists; The Flat Five/Leah & The Mojo Doctors. Concert is free and open to the public, but donations are appreciated. For more information contact 968-2530.

AUGUST 2017 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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My heart never left Billy and Marlene Newton’s breathtaking home is built on natural and family heritage.

Story by KAREN RICKETTS | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

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JUST A FEW MILES EAST OF RUSSELLVILLE sits 500 acres rich in biodiversity. The land offers sanctuary for native wildlife and for a family with deep roots in the River Valley. Billy and Marlene Newton call this property home. The Newtons own Newton’s Pharmacy and Old Bank Sports Bar and Grill, but they are also nature enthusiasts, and this is reflected throughout their grand home.

I was in awe before even entering the property.

A massive tree, branches stretching far, is depicted on the entry gate. Silhouettes of deer, a few rabbits, and turtles are part of the design along with squirrels and birds perching in the branches. This is just the gate, but it gave a glimpse of what awaited on the other side. The paved driveway winds past rows of towering pine trees that suddenly open up to prairie. Bluebird houses can be spotted from the road.

The house itself has a naturalistic opulence: two-stories with rock exterior and green roof befitting the rural setting. “There are three things you will see a lot of — you’ll see a lot of rock, a lot of wood and a lot of different colors,” Billy said.

Twenty-seven different colors to be exact.

The house was years in the making, with Marlene and Bill pouring over details, searching for just the right features. “We tore out of magazines forever,” Marlene said. “And when it came time to build, one of Billy’s poker friends offered to draw the plan.

He’s not living anymore, but he told me, ‘just tell me what you want the front of the house to look like and then we will just go from there.’”

As Marlene gave a tour of the house, she offered stories about where items came from or who built them. It was apparent that the Newton’s not only support local businesses and craftsmen, but they take pride in the finished product.

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2017

“The stain glass window above the door was custom made at Soos in Maumelle,” Marlene said. “I went to them not knowing what I wanted but talked them through my ideas.” The window depicts a creek flowing near a few trees and the sun setting in the background. “He did a really good job. He did some work for Old Bank too,” she added.

The house took two years to build, and this will be their eighth year living in it. I asked Billy what it was like when they first stepped into their completed home.

“It was a really exhilarating feeling,” Billy said. “I mean because it was our house, it was our ideas, our thoughts and what we wanted. The themes that we had wanted we felt like we had accomplished.

We wanted to kind of blend in with the environment and we did. That was real important — from the green roof to all the wood, rock on the exterior and the colors on the interior.” Laughing he said, “We weren’t trying to build Buckingham palace, but we think it belongs here.”

The interior of the house carries much of the exterior character inside, but at the same time gives a cozy impression. “When we did the house, I wanted space for all four of my children to stay,” Marlene said.

“So we have four bedrooms in addition to our bedroom. Now we don’t really need that most of the time. At Christmas time and usually in the summer it’s big enough for everybody.”

In addition to the bedrooms and bathrooms, the Newton home has a study, dining room, spacious upstairs and downstairs living areas, several reading nooks that come with gorgeous views, and of course, a purple kitchen. “We knew this would be our first, last and only chance to build a house,” Marlene said. “So when I picked out the colors I knew I wanted a purple kitchen.” The purple is a dark almost plum color, but next to the wood trim and furniture it blends nicely.

Whether the walls are a dark, pool table green or a milky blue, the Newton’s have done a tasteful job pairing paint

color with their décor. Not only did nature influence much of their design choices, there are influences from family members as well. “A lot of things came from Bill’s dad,” Marlene said.

“He had a lot of influence on our house even though he passed away before it was finished.” Marlene recounted how the dining room set Billy’s father had given them was too big to fit in the size they drew out for the blueprints. “I started looking at his plans and I said to our builder Joe McCurdy, ‘My table is not going to fit in this room, we need to make it a little bit bigger.’ >>

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Of course you can’t do that without expanding everything. We started over a lot.”

On the back wall of the dining room is a cherry cabinet that stretches floor to ceiling. Inside the cabinet are various pieces of cut glass dishes that once belonged to Billy’s mother.

The Newton’s also have furniture pieces that have historical ties to Russellville.

“This bed frame and two other furniture pieces once belonged to a jeweler named Faulkner,” Billy said. “Back in the early 1900s, they had this bedroom suite shipped either up from New Orleans or down from St. Louis. Not sure which, but it was shipped into Russellville somehow, and it’s really a nice piece. This has been in Russellville for probably over a hundred years.

I believe it was made in the US.” “It’s made of burled oak and is a solid piece of furniture,” Marlene added. “It was

brought to the Faulkner’s and has been here ever since. We kind of ended up with it by default. It’s an interesting piece of furniture, if nothing else for the historical impact.”

Interesting pieces don’t end there. Items reflecting their interests and hobbies can be found throughout the house. The upstairs living space is visually engaging.

Framed arrowheads of various shapes and sizes hang on green walls with more pieces of the immense collection displayed in a glass cabinet. “Bill’s dad started the arrowhead collection when he was a boy and then Billy joined him and his mother. And when I joined the family we still looked,” Marlene said.

One wall features glass shelves display-

ing dozens of colorful vintage figurine liquor decanters from the 60s that once belonged to Bill’s dad. Two arcade machines that Billy grew up with sit on one side of the room, while on the other side is the Newton’s at home pharmacy. “These came from the upstairs of the Old Bank,” Billy said. A flash from the past, their pharmacy booth is equipped with stools, sink, marble top scales with a brass pan, and an antique register. Behind the booth is a glass cabinet of old pharmaceuticals. “Some of

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2017

the bottles are 100 years old,” Billy said.

“That’s quite a collection of antique bottles of pharmaceuticals.”

As the tour continued, we made another stop at the stairs. “We wanted a wine cellar, so we put one under the stairs,” Marlene said. It was like stepping into Altus — slightly dark with vines picked from the farm draped across the ceiling. Clumps of lighted grapes lit up the space. “We’ll drink a glass of wine occasionally, but the kids are really good at knowing their wines so they have helped us out a great deal,” Marlene said. “The wood paneling came from a barn in Dover. We found the stain glass in the door when we were on a pharmacy trip in Quebec.” The stain glass depicted a country setting of grape vines, wine bottles and cheese wheels.

Upstairs and down the hall is their grandchildren’s favorite room, and I could see why. It’s an inviting colorful space with large mix-matched brightly colored tile complete with stacks of books, toys, and craft supplies for the grandchildren to enjoy. “I use the space for different projects, but the kids just love it,” Marlene said.

“It’s just a happy place. Colors make you smile. It’s something special for the kids,” Bill said.

Behind the house sits a rock patio complete with a hammock, patio furniture and a fire pit. The patio faces a well-groomed backyard with bird feeders and the most natural looking waterfall. The birds and waterfall add a soothing auditory element to the outdoor ambience.

The Newtons have put in a lot of work

in cultivating an environment that allows wildlife to thrive. “We really love all the animals,” Billy said. “We plant milo and millet for the deer, turkey and rabbits. We try to take care of the animals.”

Through the years, the Newtons have planted over 10,000 oak trees, countless pine trees, hawthorn, plum, and shrubs on the property. “In the spring you can’t imagine how many flowers are on this place, Billy said. “In the fall all the colors of the trees are beautiful.”

“Even in the winter we can walk on the side of Crow Mountain and see great distances without the leaves on the trees,” Marlene said.

“It’s a place for all seasons and we enjoy it,” Billy said. “There is a lot going on here, either fishing or hunting or just exploring the 500 acres.”

Wandering the property will take you back to the pioneer days. Old barbwire fences and gnarled trees run parallel on a lonely dirt road. A trail marker tree points to a creek crossing. Deer bound through fields where remnants of old homesteads still stand. “There used to be a county road that went through the back of property to Crow Mountain to the North,” Billy said. “About six homes back there is what my dad told me. He even knew the names of the people.”

As we drove through the fields he pointed out several dug well houses, echoes of the people that once lived there. “One of my aunts grew up in one of the homes a little ways from here,” Billy said. “The house right here, in the spring you can see where

they planted flowers around their house and down their walk way.”

Closer to the house is a renovated work shed and pavilion that is used for celebrations and family get togethers. “We’ve had six or seven weddings, we have a Fourth of July fireworks show every year that is pretty big and an Easter egg hunt at the pecan grove on Palm Sunday.”

It’s no surprise that the Newtons built their home on such a beautiful landscape.

“See, I grew up in the area behind Lowes,” Billy said. “We were in the middle of the interchange. In the early 60s, the interstate came through and took our house. I grew up there and got displaced, but I guess my heart never left.” l

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EVERY DAY LIFE

Only if you’re REALLY good Story by SARAH CHENAULT | Illustration by CLIFF THOMAS

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s the mother of a rambunctious boy, I take drastic measures to avoid taking my son to certain stores, specifically Walmart. Even during a quick trip, something will happen to make me regret taking him.

I’m very thankful for the accommodating Nana and Meme and my sister Amy for allowing me to drop off Raff before I go grocery shopping. They, too, have experienced the absurdity of trying to navigate through aisles with a wild child running rampant.

However, every once in awhile, a situation presents itself to be completely out of my control and I end up having to take Raff to the store with me.

One summer afternoon, Raff and I were enroute to a BBQ, when the host called me and asked if I could pick up some extra hot dogs. More people had decided to come over than she had planned for, and she was worried about running out. I happily agreed and headed in the direction of Walmart.

I pulled into the parking lot and then froze.

Oh boy, I thought to myself. I looked into the backseat to find Raff grinning broadly at me.

“We’re at Walmart! Can I get a toy?” He asked excitedly.

“No, we are only running in really quickly to pick up some hot dogs. But if you’re good, and I mean VERY good, then you can pick out a treat when we check out. But ONLY if you’re really good.” I reiterated.

I took a deep breath and opened my car door. Here goes nothing.

Once inside, Raff immediately noticed a woman getting onto a motorized shopping cart.

“Why does she get to ride on one of those? Let’s get one of those today, Mom!” Raff said as he ran over to the queue of other motorized carts.

“No, those are for people who have trouble walking. This way they can still get all around in Walmart to get their groceries.”

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2017

ABOUT...the River Valley

He argued back and forth a few times as we made our way to the hotdog section. Along the way I remembered that I needed to pick up some trash bags, something I kept forgetting to add to my shopping list. I turned onto that aisle and began to look for the brand I prefer.

The slot where that specific brand resided was empty, all sold out, so I started looking for another kind to purchase.

“Ma’am?” I heard a woman’s voice say.

I looked up just in time to see Raff climbing onto someone’s motorized shopping cart.

“Raff! Get off of that!” I said sharply. I ran down the aisle to where he was, just in time for him to turn it on and shift the cart into reverse.

He looked up at me with surprised eyes, as the cart started making a beeping sound.

“Raff! Turn it off!” I yelled. The noise startled Raff and in an effort to stop the cart, he ended up making it go faster and accidentally make a sharp corner - crashing right into a display of jarred dill pickles. I came around the corner, and looked at the carnage. If only the floor could have parted and swallowed me whole. If only!

Then the anger crept over me as I stepped over the strewn pickles and shards of glass to take my child by the arm, firmly, and pull him off of the cart. I turned around calmly, placed my trash bags in a random spot on the shelf beside me, and pulled Raff along towards the door. I stopped at the customer service desk, explained what happened and offered to pay for the pickles.

Luckily she was extremely understanding and assured me everything was fine, and that I didn’t owe anything for the pickles.

I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I took Raff’s arm again and led him towards the exit.

“Mom?” Raff said in a soft voice.

“Yes?” I asked, looking straight ahead instead of at him.

“Can I still get candy at the checkout? You forgot hot dogs, ya know.” l

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Atkins Story and photos by TAYLOR BLEAKLEY | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED ANTIQUE BUILDINGS OF FADED PAINT AND CRACKED BRICK STAND, built to last, in the once prosperous town square of Atkins, Arkansas, a city aged with 144 years’ worth of history and character. The wide streets lay mostly vacant apart from a collection of cars that line the road outside of Jose’s International Café. The once vibrant community of Atkins is now a quiet, historic home to about 3,000 residents.

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enerations ago, Native Americans settled on the banks of the Arkansas River in an area known as Galla Rock in the early 1800s.

“It all started out as a Cherokee Indian village and that was prob-

ably 1820s to 1830s, and it was still there during the Civil War which was 1861 to 1865,” said Van Tyson, a member of the Pope County Historical Association and former owner of the Atkins Chronicle.

By 1870, the majority of the Cherokee village abandoned their land in Arkansas and moved to Oklahoma, according to John C. Stroud, author of A Heart within a Valley and member of the Pope County Historical Association.

Following the Civil War, construction of the Little Rock and Fort Smith railroad began. The project stalled once it reached the outskirts of Blackwell due to the lack of funds. But in 1872 a businessman from Boston, Massachusetts, by the name of Elisha Atkins offered enough money to continue the railroad.

By 1876 Atkins was incorporated, just in time for the United States centennial.

“Most of the people in Atkins moved from Galla rock on the river up to Atkins where the railroad came through. At first it was just a few of them, but then by 1880 it was most of them.” Stroud said. The first home ever built in Atkins was constructed in 1872 by a man named Benjamin Towler Embry. Within the next year, a general store ran by Ephraim Alexander Darr became the first business established in Atkins. In November 1894, George L. Parker published the first issue of the Atkins Chronicle.

Parker continued the paper for four years before moving to Morrilton and selling to W.F. Turner in 1898. By 1917 Van Tyson’s grandfather, Ardis Tyson, became the owner of the paper.

The Chronicle became a family business as Tyson’s father and uncle helped edit and maintain the paper, and even Tyson began working at the Chronicle as an11-years-old printer’s apprentice.

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2017

“I went to work for my uncle at that time as a printer’s devil doing the dirty stuff back in the back and cleaning off type with gasoline and melting it down for reuse,” Tyson said. “All the dirty work. And as I recall I was paid five dollars a week at first and then I think I got a raise maybe in a year up to 10 dollars.”

Van Tyson became the owner in 1959, but in 1961, the Tyson’s sold the paper to Tommy Gillespie, a former printer for Ardis Tyson, only to repurchase it again in 1992.

A devastating setback for the Chronicle occurred as a result of lost sales in pickle label printing for the Atkins Pickle Company. “We had a printing shop in the back and one of the things we did was print pickle labels for the pickle plant, but then they put in their own print shop and that really hurt the Chronicle,” Tyson said.

The Chronicle continued to survive for many years before publication

ceased in June of 2017 due to a lack of advertising. “It was losing money. Ginnie (Van’s wife) and I were having to put our savings into it for the past year and more,” Tyson said. “And some months we did make money, but overall we were losing money.”

In the early 1890s, Atkins became well known for its cotton crop. Cotton was soon considered the most important crop due to its high market value, and the surrounding country began to flourish within the cotton market. “Before 1940, as far as industry is concerned, the main thing were cotton gins,” Stroud said. “I mean, there were eight to ten cotton gins around town at one time.”

According to articles from the Atkins Chronicle, in 1899 Atkins claimed to be one of the best cotton markets between Lit-

tle Rock and Fort Smith. In his book, Stroud notes the largest single cotton scale in value in the history of Atkins was purchased at $27,000.

“At one time it was really a prospering town. Before the pickle plant there were cotton gins and feed mills and things like that,” Tyson said. “Cotton was a major crop grown down in Atkins river bottom and that’s been replaced with soybeans, wheat and rice.”

In later years, industries and merchants like Cheek Wholesale, Bledsoe Drug Store, Valley Canning Company, The Atkins Chronicle, the Bank of Atkins and the Roller Mill established the business district of the town. “In the 1940s, really the first industry that we got was the cannery and then the pickle plant came in after that. Of course, different land owners donated land to be used for both of them.” Stroud said.

It goes without saying that pickles were the life force of this small town.

Formerly nicknamed the “Pickle Capital of the World” by the natives, Atkins residents relish the memories of the town’s pickle industry that lasted more than 50 years.

In 1946, the Goldsmith Pickle Company offered to invest $75,000 in building a plant in Atkins if the citizens raised $15,000 to aid in building and equipping the facility. Funds raised by the local committee totaled at $16,954.97 and was led by Cheek Grocery Company’s donation of $1,000.

In July of 1946 the plant made its first test run of pickle packing and days later it was in full operation with 100 employees.

Within two years of service, the company contracted 821 farmers for 1,200 acres of cucumbers, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. >>

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“And at one time at its height, the pickle plant made a special gift pack that had their specialty items…” Tyson said, pointing to an empty jar with a Tomolives label. “One of them is Tomolives. You can still buy Tomolives by the way. They are made by a plant in Van Buren that was operated by a former manager at the pickle plant.”

The specialty items included eight or more jars of pickles, pickled peppers, pickled onions, pickled Tomolives, which are pickled green tomatoes, and pickled okra. “I like them,” Tyson said, referring to Tomolives. “You know, they’re pickle-y. They’re sour.”

The gift pack of each specialty item was what the state used to give to favored guests or celebrities visiting Arkansas.

In 1963, Atkins also became known as the home of the fried dill pickle. A man named Bernell “Fatman” Austin, who owned a small drive-in restaurant near Interstate 40 called The Loner, began experimenting with new ways to attract customers. Austin continued to refine his fried pickle recipe even after selling the first batch of crispy dill slices in the summer of 1963, and by the end of the season, he had established what is now known as Fatman’s Original Fried Dill Pickles. Southern restaurants began to

mimic Fatman’s secret recipe, but no copycat has been able to compete with the original.

As time went by the pickle market began to decline due to an excess of product, and in 2002 the news of Atkins Pickle Company closing devastated the locals. The town suffered a big blow regarding employment, Tyson said.

“What had happened is Dean Foods took it over and automated it.” Tyson said. “When it started out a whole lot of it was hand done. People cutting up the pickles by hand instead.”

The pickle plant was eventually replaced by a chicken processing plant, Atkins Prepared Foods, and it ended up employing more people than the pickle plant did at its end, Tyson said.

However, the citizens of Atkins refuse to forget its pickled past and instead honors the memory of the pickle each year with the annual two-day Picklefest celebration of pickle eating and pickle juice drinking. Established in 1992, this pickle tribute has become a popular tart tradition of the Pope County area. Rumors of the festival ending had circulated in 2004 and People for a Better Atkins tried to rename the festival, but pickle pride held true, and the festival lives on name intact.

Although the business district has declined and the years of bustling streets have come to pass, it still is the home of many families. “It’s really just become a bedroom city for people who work in Russellville and some even work as far away as Little Rock and even Fort Smith,” Tyson said.

Cars continue to flow in and out of the quaint town center, but the former pickle capital of the world is now more or less a preserved memory of what once was a thriving town with a booming economy and lively store fronts. l

Where Residents Come First...

Atkins Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a newly remodeled facility offering skilled therapy, a restorative program, long-term care, as well as many other amenities.

605 NW 7th St. | Atkins, AR 72823 | 479-641-7100 20

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2017

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YELL COUNTY GIN COMPANY South 2nd St. • Dardanelle

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SEND YOUR LITTLE ONES BACK TO SCHOOL

in Style!

We have Stephen Joseph backpacks, lunchboxes, nap mats and an assortment of rain gear. Many patterns available. You can coordinate a set or mix and match!

Mike Smith & Margie Smith, Owners 3103 W Main Place, Russellville AR (479) 968-1323 • www.rosedrug.com

AUGUST 2017 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

21

COMMUNITY PAGES

ABOUT...the River Valley

Paint the Town Green and Gold 2017 scheduled for September 7-16

Businesses and citizens in Russellville will show their Arkansas Tech University pride by participating in the second annual Paint the Town Green and Gold celebration in September.

The program is co-sponsored by the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce and ATU. Activities will begin Sept. 7-10 with exterior window and interior decorating at local businesses. Judging of the Tech-themed decorations will take place Sept. 11-12, and the business that displays the most Tech spirit will receive possession of a traveling trophy that will be presented during a 5:30 p.m. pep rally at ATU’s Hindsman Tower on Thursday, Sept. 14.

Entry forms for the window decorating contest are available through the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce at 708 W. Main St. For more information, call (479) 968-2530 or send e-mail to sbeerman@russellville.org.

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Below is a list of additional events associated with Paint the Town Green and Gold 2017:

Saturday, Sept. 16 Golden Suns Volleyball Tucker Coliseum ~ 11 a.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 13 Lunch at Depot ~ 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Party at the Plaza Centennial Plaza ~ 3 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 14 Golden Suns Volleyball Tucker Coliseum ~ 6 p.m.

Wonder Boys Football Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field ~ 6 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 15 State of the University Breakfast Williamson Hall Dining Room ~ 7:30 a.m.

Golden Suns Volleyball Tucker Coliseum ~ 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

ARKANSAS TECH HOSTS PLTW CONFERENCES FOR TEACHERS

K-12 teachers from around the Natural State visited Arkansas Tech University during June 2017 to participate in Project Lead the Way (PLTW) conferences designed to enhance their classroom instruc-

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2017

RIVER VALLEY MUSIC CENTER

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tion in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The conferences included a seminar in computer science June 26-30 made possible through a grant from the Arkansas Department of Education.

Middle school teachers from the public school districts in Alma, Beebe, Crossett, Fayetteville, Fountain Lake, Little Rock, North Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Pulaski County, Russellville, Smackover, Star City and Van Buren gained training that will assist them in delivering computer science in elective classes and for the Arkansas coding block for seventh and eighth grade students.

“This hands-on, project-problem based instruction brings computer science to life for middle school students and shows them the real world applications that computer science can have,” said Vic Dreier, director of the ATU STEM Institute and PLTW state affiliate director. “These classes are designed to engage and empower our young people in the world of computer science and show them a future in the field. Arkansas Tech University is proud to have several degree options for these students as they make their way to college for computer science, including

one of the only institutions to have a computer science education degree.”

Project Lead The Way is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S. “We create an engaging classroom environment unlike any other,” states PLTW on its website. “PLTW empowers students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. Through our pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, students not only learn technical skills, but also learn to solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate, and collaborate. We also provide teachers with the training, resources, and support they need to engage students in real-world learning.”

awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

Entries must bring a bucket to place in front of their vehicles for people to place their money in for voting on the vehicle.

There will be a silent auction, horse and buggy rides, kids activities, food and more.

This is a charitable event with 100 percent of the proceeds going to CASA. CASA advocates are all volunteers trained to provide advocation in the courtroom setting for children that have been placed in foster care in Pope, Johnson and Franklin Counties. CASA’s goal is to have an advocate for every child in foster care by 2020. CASA is a United Way member agency. For more information on the event please contact Kevin Suter at 479-264-6677 or find the event on Facebook under “All Re’ved up 4 Kidz Benefit Car Show.”

CAR SHOW TO BENEFIT CASA

LEGAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE AT THE POPE COUNTY LIBRARY

All Re’ved Up 4 Kidz Benefit Car Show hosted by Kevin Suter benefiting CASA of the 5th Judicial District will be held September 9 at 10a.m. at the Brangus parking lot 1509 E Main Street. Entry is $20 per vehicle. Any type of vehicle is welcomed including motorcycles. People’s Choice

Pope County area residents and legal community will have the chance to use Westlaw, an online legal research database, to search primary case law beginning July 27 at the Pope County Library in Russellville. >>

Welcome Back to School

DRIVE SAFE! Please drive alert and watch for our most precious resource...our children.

1903 SOUTH ARKANSAS • (479) 968-3991

AUGUST 2017 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

23

SHOP

LOCAL

FOR

Pro Team and the Russellville City Mall merchants remind you to support your local small businesses for your back to school shopping.

Formerly Paint with Lane

Same fun, with a different owner and a different name!

We offer art classes, birthday parties, and open paint!

407 N. Arkansas Ave Suite 7, Russellville art.by.dana.mcgee@gmail.com (479) 857-9559 • www.artofthevalley.com Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

City Mall • Russellville • (479) 968-3001

Dorm Room

Anniversary Sale

Must Haves

Heart & Soul Christian Bookstore

for Back-to-School!

Free gift with purchase while supplies last.

407 N. Arkansas Ave., Suite 4, Russellville, AR 479.968.6690 • merleface@yahoo.com

407 N. Ark. Ave, City Mall • (479) 280-1933 www.kitchenessentials.net 24

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2017

in the City Mall on Hwy. 7 Celebrates 18 years of Business!

(479) 880-1833 Thank you for your business!

Bring in this coupon and receive 15% off one in-store item between Aug. 15th-30th. (Limit 1 coupon per household. LifeWay & church supply items excluded.)

Freddo’s is now serving Paninis!

Both sweet and savory choices!

The Pope County Law Library Board granted funds to the Pope County Library (PCL) to provide for a Westlaw Station available in the Katie Murdoch Genealogy Department. The Pope County Law Library Board is made up of Richard Peel, James Dunham, Jill Ward, Michael Robbins and James Street.

The Westlaw subscription will provide access to all Federal and Arkansas cases and statutes, Code of Federal Regulations, United States Code Annotated, all federal and district court cases, Historical codes and statutes. The cases in Westlaw contain not only the actual text of each case but also all the additional editorial features added in the reports of the National Reporter System. These include the synopsis, the headnotes, and the West Key numbers. The West Keycite numbering system is a research service, that will help the searcher determine whether the case, statute, administrative decision, or federal regulation is good law and find cases and other sources that cite it.

Legal researchers in the area up until now have had to travel other areas such as Little Rock to the Arkansas Supreme Court Law Library, or University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law Library to do legal research online.

The Library staff will be able to help with using the database but will not be able to offer legal advice.

Westlaw training will be offered, Wednesday, July 26 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. for the library staff and legal community. Continuing legal education credit will be offered.

AGRICULTURE TEACHERS GATHER AT ATU FOR CASE INSTITUTE

Sandwiches, salads, soups, pastas, & pizzas.

We have something for EVERYONE!

Let us cater your next party or meeting!

(479) 968-7827

CITY MALL RUSSELLVILLE

Twenty-six agriculture teachers representing 13 states are sharing knowledge and earning graduate credit during the 2017 Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) Institute at Arkansas Tech University.

The teachers are engaged in one of two tracks: CASE Principles of Agricultural Science-Plant or CASE Agricultural Power and Technology. Those who successfully complete the two-week institute, which concludes on Friday, July 21, will earn three hours of graduate credit.

Teachers from Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and West Virginia are among the 22 participants and four lead teachers who traveled to Russellville for the professional development opportunity, which is sponsored by DuPont Pioneer and Farm Credit of Western Arkansas.

According to information published at www.atu.edu/case, CASE Institute sessions “provide teachers important background related to the pedagogy used in CASE curricula and practice teaching various lessons to prepare them for classroom instruction.”

Dr. Lucas Maxwell, assistant professor of agricultural education at ATU and director of the ATU CASE Institute, said there are multiple benefits beyond that baseline.

“What CASE does for these teachers is to provide them with the tools to engage with their students in real, hands-on, minds-on learning activities,” said Maxwell. “As a result, students take the science and math concepts they are studying in other classes and see how they apply to the growing agriculture industry.”

Visit www.atu.edu/agriculture to learn more about the ATU Department of Agriculture. l AUGUST 2017 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2017

VALLEY VITTLES

ABOUT...the River Valley

Fresh as Ozark dew Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN | Story by JOHNNY CARROL SAIN

BLUE MOUNTAIN BAKERY AND CAFE | 207 N Stone Street, Jasper, AR

Just up Highway 7, past Dover and Pleasant View, beyond God’s Little Half Acre and Moccasin Gap, a few miles north of Cowell and Mockingbird Hill, down in a valley carved out by the Little Buffalo River, you’ll find Jasper.

It’s about as close to Mayberry as you can get. And it’s not that far from wherever you are.

When you consider all that the area offers — access to the Buffalo River, the Little Buffalo, an adorable city park, an annual bluegrass festival, historic hotels, bugling elk, bears, unmatched vistas, and then the food — it’s most definitely worth the drive up Scenic 7.

As you drop off the hill and cruise into Jasper’s city square, in the westernmost

corner of downtown sits Blue Mountain Bakery and Cafe. There’s a cast-iron stove right in the dining area and the opposite wall features a selection of jarred jams and jellies resting on weathered barn wood shelves. And when you take a seat, and that friendly face comes over and takes your order, get the lumberjack. Trust me.

It’s turkey, roast beef, lettuce, tomato, and purple onion piled on a whole wheat hoagie roll with a house condiment called jack sauce that is plate-licking delicious.

Don’t ask about how I came up with that adjective. Sides include a house potato salad or coleslaw made with three kinds of cabbage, kale, carrots and another delicious house dressing. And it all tastes fresh as Ozark morning dew. l AUGUST 2017 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

27

COUNTERTOP CREATIONS

ABOUT...the River Valley

CRISPY DIJON SMASHED POTATOES 24 oz red baby potatoes 2 T olive oil 2 T Dijon mustard 1 T whole grain mustard 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 tsp honey 1/2 tsp dried thyme 1/2 tsp dried rosemary Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray.

In a large pot of boiling water, cook potatoes until tender, about 15-20 minutes; drain well.

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, garlic, honey, thyme and rosemary; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Place potatoes onto the prepared baking sheet. Using a potato masher or fork, carefully smash the potatoes until flattened but still in one piece. Brush each potato with mustard mixture.

Place into oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.

Serve immediately.

Recipe courtesy of damndelious.net

Eat Fresh

Story by LYDIA ZIMMERMAN, Food Editor

S

ummer time and homegrown vegetables… It brings back memories of working in the family garden, what we termed the “truck patch.” We often grew potatoes, corn, beans, squash, tomatoes and melons.

Looking back, I disliked having to work in the garden every day during the summer, but now I realize how I took for granted having homegrown fresh vegetables to enjoy.

These days if you don’t have the space or time to grow a garden you can always explore your local farmer’s markets across the River Valley and find those delectable fresh vegetables to grace your own table. To help you enjoy your fresh summer veggies, whether your own homegrown or those you find at a farmer’s market, I’ve collected some tasty recipes to use them in.

As always, enjoy and eat fresh!

28

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2017

HARVEST SALAD 1 c peas, cooked 1 c green beans, cooked 1 c sliced carrots,cooked 1 c cauliflower florets, uncooked 1 c celery, diced French dressing 6 tomatoes, peeled and cored 1/2 tsp salt 1 head lettuce mayonnaise parsley Toss together, peas, green beans, sliced carrots, cauliflower and celery with a little french dressing. Chill.

Sprinkle tomatoes with salt, invert on a plate, and chill.

Drain excess liquid from tomatoes. Cut tomato, not quite through, into 6 sections.

Place each tomato on a “cup” of lettuce. Fill with vegetables. Top with a dollop of mayonnaise and parsley.

Recipe courtesy of gardenersnet.com

and eggs in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until combined.

Spoon batter into an 8 x 4–inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove cake from pan. Cool completely on wire rack before slicing.

Recipe courtesy of myrecipes.com

PEACOCK VEGETABLES 2 medium red onions, cut into eighths 2 small yellow summer squash, cut into 1/2-in-thick slices 2 small zucchini, cut into 1/2-in-thick slices 3 red, yellow and/or green sweet peppers, sliced into 1/2-in strips 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 2 T snipped fresh parsley 2 T balsamic vinegar 1 T olive oil 1 tsp dried oregano, crushed 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp ground black pepper Preheat oven to 425 degrees . In a 13x9x2-inch baking pan, combine the vegetables and garlic. Set aside.

In a screw-top jar, combine the parsley, vinegar, oil, oregano, salt and black pepper.

Shake well. Pour over the vegetables and toss to coat.

Bake for about 25 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring twice.

Recipe courtesy of midwestliving.com ROQUEFORT/BLUE CHEESE SALAD DRESSING 1 c mayonnaise 4 oz Roquefort or Blue Cheese, crumbled 2 T cream or half and half 1 T lemon juice 1 tsp minced onion 1/2 tsp tobasco sauce Note: You can leave out the tobasco sauce, if desired Mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate overnight. Serve over salad of your choice.

Recipe courtesy of gardenersnet.com

GARDEN HARVEST CAKE 4.5 oz all-purpose flour (1 cup) 3/4 c sugar 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 c grated peeled Granny Smith apple (about 1 medium) 1/2 c grated carrot (about 1 medium) 1/2 c shredded zucchini 1/4 c chopped walnuts, toasted 1/4 c canola oil 1/4 c nonfat buttermilk 2 large eggs Cooking spray Preheat oven to 350°.

Weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and the next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk.

Add grated apple, grated carrot, shredded zucchini, and walnuts to flour mixture; toss well. Combine canola oil, buttermilk,

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SPICY SQUASH PICKLES 3/4 lb zucchini, cut into 1/4-in-thick slices 3/4 lb yellow squash, cut into 1/4-in-thick slices 2 tsp kosher salt, divided 1/2 c thinly sliced sweet onion (such as Vidalia) 1 c water 1 c cider vinegar 1/4 c maple syrup 1/4 to 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper Place a wire rack on a baking sheet. Arrange zucchini and squash slices on rack; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt.

Let stand 30 minutes. Rinse well under cold water; pat dry with paper towels. Place zucchini, squash, and onion in a medium glass bowl.

Combine remaining 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup water, and remaining ingredients in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, and pour over vegetables.

Weigh down vegetables with a plate.

Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. Drain or serve with a slotted spoon.

Recipe courtesy of cookinglight.com

Welcome Back Students!

313 W. B Street Russellville, AR 72801 Open Tuesday-Saturday 11am - 8pm AUGUST 2017 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

29

GREEN CHILE, CORN AND ZUCCHINI FRITTATA 2 T butter 1 zucchini 1/4 c chopped green onions (about 2 onions, green parts only) 1/3 to ½ c roasted, peeled, chopped green chile 1 c corn kernels (about 1 ear) 6 eggs 1/2 tsp salt 3/4 c grated Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar, divided

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2017

Heat the broiler. Melt the butter in a 10inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cut the zucchini in lengthwise quarters, then in crosswise pieces, about one-third to onehalf-inch thick.

When the butter sizzles, add the zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally. After 2 to 3 minutes, add the green onions and green chile and cook until the zucchini is tender, about 8 minutes. There should be no liquid in the bottom of the pan. Add the corn and

remove from the heat.

While the zucchini is cooking, beat the eggs with a fork in a mixing bowl just until the yolks and the white are thoroughly mixed, but don’t overbeat, which can make the frittata dry. Stir in the salt, the zucchini mixture and half of the cheese and stir to mix well.

Return the skillet to low heat, cover and cook, without stirring, until the eggs have set, leaving only a top layer uncooked, about 10 minutes. Scatter the remaining cheese over the top and place it under the broiler until the top is browned and puffy, 1 to 2 minutes.

To unmold the frittata, let it cool slightly in the pan. Use a spatula to loosen it along the sides, and then bang it firmly on a cutting board to release the underside. Slide it out onto a serving plate. Serve either hot or at room temperature. If you’re going to refrigerate the frittata, let it return to room temperature before serving.

Recipe courtesy of latimes.com EXCELLENT MICROWAVE SWEET PICKLES 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp turmeric 1/4 tsp mustard seed 1/4 tsp celery seed 1/2 c white vinegar 1 c sugar 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced (unpeeled) 1-2 onions, thinly sliced In a small bowl combine salt, turmeric, mustard seed, celery seed, vinegar and sugar. Mix cucumbers and onion in a microwaveable bowl.

Pour vinegar mixture over cucumbers and onions.

Microwave, uncovered, on High power for 5 minutes. Stir well. Return to microwave for 5 minutes more. Cool; pour into quart jar and refrigerate.

Pickles are ready to eat when throughly chilled. Makes 1 quart.

ASIAN-STYLE STIR FRIED GREEN BEANS 2 c green beans, washed and drained (Obviously, fresh would be better. But if you’re short on time, the frozen stuff is great.) ¼ c soy sauce 1 T minced garlic ½ tsp red pepper flakes 2 T brown sugar Coupons ½ T sesame oil Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional) In a large bowl, mix soy sauce, ½ tbsp garlic, pepper flakes, and brown sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture is uniform.

Add drained/dried green beans, and toss to coat in sauce Heat sesame oil in a pan/wok on medi-

um-high heat. When tiny bubbles start to form in the oil, add remaining minced garlic and cook until fragrant.

Pour green beans/sauce into the heated, oiled pan. Using a spatula, spread green beans out in a more or less even layer in the pan. Cover, and let cook for about 3-5 minutes.

Stir/toss green beans to avoid burning, then cover and cook for another 3-5 minutes, until your green beans get soft and you start seeing browned bits at the tips.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.

Enjoy immediately, over a bowl of rice.

Recipe courtesy of justputzing.com DELICIOUS HERBED EGGPLANT 1 large, firm eggplant, peeled and sliced 1/3 c light cream 1 1/4 c herb-seasoned stuffing mix, divided in half 1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of celery soup, undiluted 1 slightly beaten egg Salt to taste 2 T butter 1/2 tsp oregano

Treat Yourself 2149 East Parkway Russellville 479-890-6932

Place eggplant in a 2 quart casserole dish; cover with plastic. Microwave on HIGH for 7 minutes; drain. While egg plant is cooking, combine cream, egg and 3/4 c stuffing mix, soup, salt and oregano; blend well and stir in drained eggplant. Return to 2 qt casserole dish.

Combine butter and remaining stuffing mix. Sprinkle over eggplant mixture. Cover with waxed paper. Microwave on HIGH for 7-9 minutes. Let stand, covered, 3-5 minutes. Serves 4. l

AUGUST 2017 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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COMMUNITY COMMERCE

River Valley Music Center

T

ABOUT...the River Valley

Story by KAREN RICKETTS

he River Valley Music Center has all the traditional eleoffers music lessons for all ages. “As early as three years-old ments of learning music with the convenience of learning and we have even had students start in their 80s,” Jason said, “so in a studio space. young and old. Age is just a number right?”

“When I was growing up, I went to someone’s house to take River Valley Music Center employs eight instructors, and lessons,” owner Jason Muncy said. “River Valley Music Center most have a music degree. The instructors teach a wide vatakes you away from not knowing what is going on in someone’s riety of instruments: piano, guitar, bass, violin, drums, cello, house and putting it into a more forefront business that says this is woodwinds and brass. “All of us that teach here are confident what we do.” and are all very educated in what we are And what does the River Valley Music doing,” Jason said. “I’m one of the few that Center do you might ask. does not have a music degree. I grew up River Valley Music Center “We teach music to people, that’s what playing piano, taking lessons, and gained (479) 747-1693 we do,” Jason Muncy said. experience through the years of playing, 2503 W Main St, Russellville Jason and Lana Muncy purchased River but my formal education is in elementary Valley Music Center back in 2011 and haveducation” he added. en’t looked back since. “Music stores, a lot of times, will offer The music center also offers Kinder Music, which is a prolessons but it almost seems like an afterthought. You go into a gram designed for toddlers and infants starting at 6 months old. music store and there is a room in the back,” Jason said. “This “They use music as a vehicle to learn music skills, physical business was created so we could take the importance of learnskills, language and literacy, cognitive skills, speech, emotioning how to play to the forefront instead of having it be someal and social skills,” Jason said. “So much can be learned in thing else that we do. It’s what we do.” music class at that age.”

Located on 2503 West Main Street, River Valley Music Center Cost for instrument lessons at the music center is a tuition based 32

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2017

payment system. “All of the lessons are a flat fee of $85 a month,” Jason said.

Most of the music center’s clients are student age. Lessons are offered on weekdays and are set up in appointment style.“So if it’s at Thursday at four then it’s every Thursday at four,” Jason added.

At the River Valley Music Center anyone is welcome to come learn how to play a musical instrument, or hone their playing skills. “There is this mystery around music that you are born with it, but that is not always true,” Jason said. “Our mission is to help people get to where they want to go in their music career. We have taught a lot of students through the years on how to be better at their music. We feel very blessed and very lucky to get to do that and be at that part of someone’s life.”

Music has a way of impacting communities as well. “The music scene here in Russellville is getting brighter every day,” Jason said. “The longer this business is here, the more I have seen students that have taken lessons from us playing here

and there. And that is really great to see how by taking a little bit of time through the years can influence someone for the rest of their life. That is what music does.

I always tell parents you can never outlive the investment you make when you give the gift of learning an instrument to your child. From a very young age it helps them with reading, mathematics and logic skills. Music just has so much overlap in everything that we do during school time and school age. And playing music even when you get older is a way to keep you brain sharp because it is a whole brain activity generally.”

Jason insists that it is never too late to start. “As an adult, I understand that life happens,” Jason said. “We all take the approach of being patient and tailor the experience to each student. So we want that to be the first assurance to them that it will work out. Even if a client is at the working age and they have always wanted to do this, now is the time to start. So let’s get started.” l

WE LCOM E

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Welcome Home “Ride & Care” includes 4-6 hours of exceptional care beginning at discharge. AMCARE will provide transportation, picking up prescriptions and groceries, running errands, and light housekeeping including laundry, changing bed linens, preparing meals, and other tasks to help you get settled back at home, safe and comfortable.

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AUGUST 2017 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

33

BACKYARD LIVING

Webs of significance

I

first noticed the spider webs while walking around the base of Spring Mountain one Saturday afternoon in late June. Ducking underneath and between the spiny limbs of the new growth forest, I collected sticky strands of silk in my hair and on my arms. This wasn’t intentional, of course. I kept trying to dodge them, feeling uneasy about how much hard work I was plowing through. But I had to get to the creek, and there wasn’t any other path.

A few days later I was walking across the Big Dam Bridge connecting Little Rock to North Little Rock. It’s 4,226 feet in length and has never been used for cars or trains making it the longest pedestrian/bicycle bridge in North America. Who knew our state held such a gem, right? Walking the full length of bridge always makes me feel weak behind the knees. Despite my love for occasional trips to truly large cities, I’m not really into heights created by human hands. At the midway point it rises to 90 feet over the river and 30 feet over the dam.

The Boiled Down Juice Read more from Meredith at www.boileddownjuice.com 34

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2017

ABOUT...the River Valley

Story by MEREDITH MARTIN-MOATS

The gray concrete dam looks so industrial and impersonal, and the river itself, so beautiful and almost gentle from the shore, looks totally disinterested in whether or not I should I accidentally fall in. I always want to enjoy a peaceful walk across but often I’m rather preoccupied with the height of it all.

On this particular day, a friend and I arrived near dusk. The sun was still out when we began walking up the first bit of incline. The bridge derives much of its length from the these long ramps on either side of the river and the expanse of metal railing lines each side. Before I could even begin to think about my fear of heights, I saw the webs.

There in-between each square of railing was an orb. Some looked fresh and new, almost sparkling; others were a little shabby and stretched, as if the wind was becoming a bit too much for them. Some held a recent catch; other webs seem abandoned. In others, a spider waited patiently in a discreet corner of the web.

As we continued our walk I kept looking from side to side to view each square of railing. This was clearly prime spider real estate. In the literally hundreds of small squares formed by the railing, not a single bit was left empty.

I walked the length of the bridge that night without much fear, mostly because I was so preoccupied with the webs. The sun went down, the big lights came on, and by the time I was walking back the across, the blue lights from the dam below were glowing bright. As we came across the incline I lost my breath. There in the railing were hundreds of webs backlit by the bulbs, a huge spotlight on the shiny threads. The river was so big and the webs so tiny and so… everywhere.

Each web had its own design, some with zipper-like patterns down the center, others with details across the outer edges that would put your grandmother’s doily collection to shame. In the distance I could see the headlights of cars moving quickly across the interstate bridges. Below the water was deep and the dam thick. The chatter of voices was ongoing. But all I could see were the webs, and sometimes, the spiders.

Since that evening I’ve been thinking a lot about spiders. I’ve lived my whole life sharing every house I’ve ever known with them. But do I really know them? I love a good Google investigation, so this past week I’ve spent time reading everything I can find about web weavers. I have learned that orb weaving spiders are known to build their webs in high traffic areas, especially those with artificial night time lights, since these places are literal lighthouse for all manner of tasty bugs.

I’ve learned that spiders recycle their webs, usually digesting the old one near dusk, waiting an hour, and then and and building a new one in preparation for the night time abundance. I learned from my bridge-walking friend that spiders spin sticky and non sticky silk. Only they know which threads are which, and they walk down the non sticky thread to weave and to catch. There is so much more I want to know. I know each spider has it’s on web style. But are there spiders who get creative? A lineage of web designs known to, say, central Arkansas bridge weavers? Do they have turf wars over the bridge spaces? Would the same species of Yell County spider making its webs between the thin trees of a new growth Harkey Valley for-

est take quickly to the squared railing of a city bridge and vice versa? (I am a cultural studies person, after all. I’m going to find out. Stay tuned for future columns.)

One of my core childhood memories is sitting in a patch of clover in my backyard. I was looking for a four leaf clover.

I remember our backyard always seemed to be filled with bees and fireflies. I was searching through the clumps when I began to notice all the motion below. There were smaller bugs under the clover. The soil was a literal metroplex of activity. It dawned on me that everywhere I step whole worlds exist. All of us — people, plants, animals — are so deeply, deeply connected, regardless if we ever acknowledge this.

This memory surfaces in moments like the web evening. I am struck with this weighted feeling of how much is happening around me that I’ve never noticed. It’s not a sad weight. But it is heavy. Like I need to be strong to carry it. And don’t we all want to be strong?

And then my mind slips into a series of questions that go something like this: Why am I just now noticing these webs? Is there something unique about today? Have the webs always been there and I just never noticed? Why have I never noticed? And, finally, now that I have noticed, how do I live my life with this new information?

Stories are always bigger than can really be explained, and there is so very much more to this story than webs in lights, and I recognize that for much of the world seeing a spider web is rather uneventful. But why is that? Everyday we share the world with weavers who put our human designs to shame. Are we paying attention? l

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Late boneset: T A fragrant late-summer pollinator favorite Story and photo by JOHNNY CARROL SAIN

Read more from Johnny at www.aviewfromthebackroads.com 36

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he flower in all of these photos is late boneset. It goes by a few other names — lateflowering thoroughwort, white boneset, and late-flowering boneset. It’s scientific name is Eupatorium serotinum and it’s a member of the aster family.

Late boneset is a native plant, common in pastures, forest openings and along roadsides throughout the east and westward as far as Kansas. If you’ve ever done any bush hogging, you’ve mown tons of it. Most people consider it just another weed.

But, like so many things we know only from a distance, there is much more to late boneset.

Native Americans and early settlers used it for medicinal purposes, hence the name.

Late boneset also has the intrinsic value of simply being native to the land. It’s part of a system that formed millennia before humans arrived in North America.

Late boneset is a pollinator bar. The rotating number of species that find this plant is astounding. These photos include buckeyes, hairstreaks,

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skippers, three types of wasps, an ailanthus webworm moth, beetles, honeybees and a chartreuse crab spider waiting in ambush.

This particular plant in the photographs is a component in one of my many native wildflower beds. It’s the stopgap, along with frostweed, as cone flowers and butterfly weed wane along with the summer sun and golden rod is just thinking about a bloom. The late boneset in my yard will have at least a dozen different species on it at any given time. That nectar must taste really good, and nectar sweetened pollinators are probably like candy to the crab spider.

To be completely honest, I’ve often wondered if the bees are really onto something and have considered chewing on a flower myself to see if it tastes as sweet and intoxicating as its perfume. Flowers of late boneset have one of the most pleasing and potent scents of any native wildflower in my region. I can smell it within 50 yards downwind so given the heightened olfactory powers of insects, it’s detectable to any pollinator flying through the neighborhood.

With the office door open, late boneset’s lacy fragrance wafts through the room as I work. It’s a signature scent of late summer/ early autumn and a welcome distraction. It pulls at me to me get outside and enjoy these glorious days as the cloak of autumn draws ever tighter.

And if you see pollen in my beard later this afternoon, you’ll know that I tried a nibble and learned that the bees and butterflies and wasps were right.

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{Note: You should never, ever ingest any plant unless you are absolutely 100 percent sure it’s safe.} l AUGUST 2017 ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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On a Personal Note Generational Thinking Guest Written by Dr. Mark Gotcher

Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials… these are names given to the last set of generational groups in modern history. Depending on what researcher you’re reading, the last millennial graduated from high school in 2017. So who is in our classrooms today? Who are these bright, young, eager minds, that have never known a day without the internet, a smartphone, or 9/11? I’ll introduce them to you later.

When I began teaching in the late 80s I had little to no awareness of how my students thought, how they best learned, or how to adjust my teaching style to their learning (or thinking) styles. When I became an assistant principal in 2001, I discovered that some teachers struggled to connect with students while others seemed to connect with a natural ease. As a superintendent, I began to explore and research generational differences and how generational understanding impacts the way one thinks about parenting, business and marketing, management of people, and learning in the classroom.

I have grown to understand that each generation sees things uniquely. This is largely due to their collective experiences having lived through a particular time period in their formative years. The challenge for many of us is taking time to understand It will take the whole a particular generation and how they think and community to underprocess information. When we do, what we learn stand any generation can be valuable as we parent, supervise in the workplace, lead in an organization, or teach in entering our classthe classroom. rooms or the work Millennials, by most accounts, were born in 1980. There are more Millennials teaching our place. We all must be students today than Gen Xers. Currently, Millenopen to finding ways nials are the largest population in earth’s history, to connect with them with 30 percent struggling to support themselves and 40 percent unemployed, but 79 percent hold for their success and college degrees. Surprisingly, 51 percent still live the success of our at home and one in eight take their parent to a job interview (I had to read that again as well). Howcommunity. ever, 80 million are in today’s workforce. They are the first generation that doesn’t need a leader/teacher to get information.

Actually, millennials have learned that they move in and out of being a source or a consumer of information. They have never viewed the teacher or professor in the classroom as the primary source of expert information but simply one source of many they can access. How does this understanding of the way “they learn” impact the way “they teach” our new generation of students?

Now let me introduce you to the Homelanders (or Generation Z). This gener38

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2017

ation, by most accounts, was born in 2000. Homelanders became the name of this generation from an online survey by Forbes Magazines. The name emerged from 9/11 attacks, Homeland Security, War on Terror, and a sense that homeland was no longer safe. Therefore, this group was kept more at home than in previous generations. Not surprising, the parents of Homelanders are more protective than in previous generations.

We are also viewing this generation as the most ethnically and racially diverse generation. Unlike their millennial predecessors, there appears to be a turn towards a traditional mindset and a push towards academic achievement. One of the most striking statistics about the future of this generation is that there were approximately 50,000 centenarians (people 100 years old or older) in 2000; the year that Homelanders were born. According to the U.S. Census Bureau predictions, there could be 5.32 million centenarians by the year 2100. This is a remarkable potential increase in people living to 100 years old. Imagine the impact this generation will have on health care, the job market, and retirement as we know it.

Yet, how do we connect with this generation in the classroom? Fundamentally, this generation connects with a social approach to learning. A social learning approach shifts the teacher from a “keeper of the knowledge” to a “facilitator of the learning.” This can be demonstrated in a number of ways: peer brainstorming, peer assessment, peer evaluations, peer questioning, etc. All of these examples allow for students to take a major role in their learning while the teacher guides and directs them in this process. I believe that effective teachers are still the most important factor contributing to student achievement.

Finally, it will take the whole community to understand any generation entering our classrooms or the workplace. We all must be open to finding ways to connect with them for their success and the success of our community. John Maxwell, leadership author, states “everyone communicates, few connect.” As an educational leader in this River Valley, I choose to connect.

Look for more interesting features and tidbits in "On a Personal Note" each month in future issues of ABOUT...the River Valley. You'll find short stories, interesting pieces and other great reads from people you know, or would like to know from around the River Valley.

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