ABOUT | August 2019

FUNN Y GU Y

August 2019 • www.aboutrvmag.com

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

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THREE SCRIBES

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LEADERSHIP

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL! Russellville School District is looking forward to a new school year with your child!

With the first day of school just around the corner it is important to remember

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY. School days bring traffic congestion.

It’s never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention when kids are loading and unloading from buses before and after school.

Classes for the 2019-2020 school year begin on

Wednesday, August 14

• •

SLOW DOWN! Back to school means sharing the road with more traffic!

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“Sharing the Road with School Buses” means being alert and cautious.

•

If you’re driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car.

•

It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.

•

Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children.

•

If the yellow or red lights are flashing, and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop!

•

The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; give enough room to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.

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BE ALERT! Children often are unpredictable and unaware of their surroundings; it’s our job to protect them.

220 West 10th Street  Russellville, AR 72801  479.968.1306  www.rsdk12.net

August 2019

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

8 The funny guy

Reflecting on the last nine years, Rufus Elam finds himself in a place he couldn’t have imagined. Standup comedy was not even a pipe dream in 2010. In fact, the only “pipe dreams” he recalled were about literal pipes from his childhood. More specifically, half-pipes.

14 Sweet, sweet Summertime

16 Three scholars, three scribes

The River Valley is home to many talented and dedicated teachers. Three of those teachers have reached beyond the classroom, using their experience as instructors and in life to create distinct voices as authors.

20 Timeless breakfast in a timeless place 28 A Legacy of Leadership

8 16

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The Russellville Regional Leadership Academy has been a program of the Russellville Chamber of Commerce since 1986. Previously known as Leadership Russellville, in the past year the name was changed in an effort to include participants from surrounding areas. The 10 month program offers participants a chance to learn leadership skills and provides them with an opportunity to serve the community.

34 It’s all about perspective 38 10 things ABOUT...

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

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Mackenzie Shilling - Cameo Hair Design

ABOUT THIS MONTH’S COVER Rufus Elam cooked up some jokes during this month’s cover shoot, courtesy of this kid’s joke book.

He’s been on fire lately, playing emcee to several comedy nights across the state & taking the mic himself with a solid routine that is a must catch.

AUGUST 2019

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

5

EDITOR’S LETTER

Just do it When it comes to the arts, a lot of people thinks it’s all about talent. They believe the only difference between success and failure, in creative and artistic endeavors especially, are latent abilities bestowed upon the lucky few as they formed in their mother’s womb.

Of course, natural gifts do indeed play a role. A good set of pipes and an ear for the notes can really help further a singing career. Likewise, an insightful mind, the ability to see and describe different perspectives can help pave the way for success in writing. For an easy analogy, we can look to professional sports. Michael Jordan would not be the greatest basketball player of all time (sorry, there is no debate) if he hadn’t been born with the genetic blueprints that directed his bones and muscles to stretch well beyond six-feet tall, propel his body four vertical feet into the air, and grow a pair of mitts that enable him to palm a basketball like I palm an orange.

You can’t learn that kind of stuff.

But lost in the beliefs that we are predestined for either obscurity, mediocrity, or greatness — through no power of our own — is the hard truth that talent without effort is dead. Time and time again, this is proven. Take another look at MJ. It was sheer gumption that pushed him to a level beyond

where his physical gifts could take him.

The best player in the history of the game, maybe one of the few who could coast on talent alone and still kick tail, left everything he had on the court for every game.

You never know what your abilities really are until those abilities are tested. I guess what I’m saying has already been said best by the shoe company intertwined with Jordan’s legacy: if you want to do something, just do it.

This month’s cover subject is another great example of what I’m talking about on the local level.

Rufus Elam is a funny guy.

I’ve known him personally for nearly a decade, and have always been impressed with his quick wit. Apparently, he’s had “it,” the mysterious X factor that often goes by the synonym of “talent,” in the form of an ability to make people laugh his entire life.

And now, he’s flexing and stretching that ability, stepping onto the stage and melding his dreams with his talent. Who knows how far Rufus will go? What we do know is that the only way Rufus became a standup comedian was by deciding to just do it.

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley since 2006 A Publication of One14 Productions, Inc Vol. XIV, Issue 7 – August 2019

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 MEREDITH MARTIN-MOATS | freelance meredith@aboutrvmag.com JILL MCSHEEHY | freelance jill@aboutrvmag.com SARAH CLOWER | freelance sarah@aboutrvmag.com LYDIA ZIMMERMAN | columnist lydia@aboutrvmag.com CHRIS ZIMMERMAN | layout/design chris@aboutrvmag.com CLIFF THOMAS | illustrator maddsigntist@aboutrvmag.com

ABOUT… the River Valley is locally owned and published for distribution by direct mail and targeted delivery to those interested in the Arkansas River Valley.

Material contained in this issue may not be copied or reproduced without written consent.

Inquiries may be made by calling (479) 219-5031.

Office: 220 East 4th Street Email: info@’ Postmaster: Please send address changes to: One14 Productions 220 East 4th Street Russellville, AR 72801

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

August 2019 Aug. 1st - Nov. 30th

— DeWayne’s BBQ & Grill First Annual Warm Hearts Coat Drive. Benefit our Area Agency on Aging and Dover school children.

Collecting gently worn coats and also accepting: NEW gloves, hats, scarves and sweatshirts. Help us keep our seniors and kids in our community warm this winter.

Give the gift of warmth. Please drop off your donations at DeWayne’s BBQ & Grill, 9281 SR 7 N Dover. For more information contact 331-2986.

2nd — Russellville Chamber of Commerce First Friday Breakfast at The Center for the Arts. Welcoming Kyle Shipp, head football coach at Arkansas Tech University, and Jeff Weaver, head football coach at Russellville High School. Tickets are $10 and breakfast will be provided.

3rd

— Transformers at Lake Dardanelle State Park from 2-3 p.m. Lake Dardanelle State Park is home to many creatures.

Tadpoles and polliwogs transform into insect-eating machines throughout Lake Dardanelle State Park. Join a park interpreter in the visitor center orientation room to explore these transformers and create an origami transformer yourself. For more information contact 967-5516.

Find up-to-date information and future events @

www.aboutrvmag.com/events 8th - 10th — Bargains Galore on 64 from Fort Smith to Beebe, Arkansas along Arkansas State Highway 64. For more information see the Facebook page Bargains Galore on 64 - 2019.

Su

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Th

F

S

28 29 30 31 1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10th — Night hike on the Seven Hollows

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Trail in Petit Jean State Park from 7:458:45. Meet at the Seven Hollows parking area. Admission is free.

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17th — River Valley Walk of Love from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at the L.V. Williams Boys and Girls Club 600 E 16th Street Russellville. This event is a fun way to raise awareness and funds for our organization.

Walkers can raise money in person or online to help Alzheimer’s Arkansas provide support, education, and financial assistance to Arkansas caregivers in need. For more information contact 501-224-0021.

28 29 30 31 *Unless otherwise indicated,1 2 3 all area codes

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 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.

Russellville. In partnership with River Valley Senior Network Group and Alzheimer’s Arkansas. For more information, call Alexis Cotton at 280-0499.

17th — Cultural Celebration at Lake Dar- 24th & 25th danelle State Park. Programming and activities all day to share the history of the area.

Explore early inhabitants of the area and the many people who were brought here by way of the Arkansas River.

21st — 2019 Totally Rad 80’s River Valley Health Expo from 8:30 a.m.-noon at the Hughes Center 1000 E Parkway Drive in

— Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Big Bass Tournament Lake Dardanelle State Park. For more information call 886-0027.

Sept. 6th

— Downtown Art Walk in downtown Russellville from 6-9 p.m.

AUGUST 2019

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

7

The funny guy Story by DREW BRENT | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

As Rufus Elam discusses his life, he’s also trying new material for his standup routine. “If it works here for an audience of one, it’ll work tonight… I hope,” he quips behind his mug of coffee.

Reflecting on the last nine years, Elam finds himself in a place he couldn’t have imagined. Standup comedy was not even a pipe dream in 2010. In fact, the only “pipe dreams” he recalled were about literal pipes from his childhood. More specifically, half-pipes.

An 80s kid, Elam was a skater. He and his friends actually built a half-pipe and were part of the “skate or die movement.”That self-made, childhood half-pipe in Oklahoma was indicative of the rest of Elam’s life.

Born in Oklahoma in March 1977, Elam recalls his childhood as very typical.

His father was family oriented, leading

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019 ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

to many trips to Elam’s grandmother’s home. Her country residence provided the opportunity for “creeking,” hiking and other outdoor escapades. But the lack of entertainment options would set the stage for Elam’s midlife career revamp.

Elam says he remembers hanging out with cousins, and friends and making them laugh.

He always enjoyed making people laugh.

His main comedic inspiration was Uncle Peck, whose stories could captivate an audience. Elam was impressed with the skill, even fascinated by it and says he wanted to have that same kind of presence.

But Elam’s love for bringing humor to the world would not resurface for some time. After graduating high school, Elam attended Rogers State and later transferred to Oklahoma Wesleyan in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to play baseball.

He started college majoring in television and radio, but changed to music and vocal performance with a minor in religion.

After college, Elam became a youth pastor for nearly 12 years.

In 2010, as middle age came into view, life changed for Elam. Questions began to swirl in his head, some existential in nature. What do I want to do? Why do I have to do anything? His answers came in the form of a conversation with a friend His friend asked him what he would do if he could do anything.

Elam decided that, more than anything, he wanted to make people laugh.

AUGUST 2019 AUGUST 2019

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

9 9

Rufus Elam

So how does the life of a comedian compare to the life of a youth pastor?

We work long, strange hours and we are never off on weekends.

There was a gentleman in the Methodist Church named Dr. Jody Calloway who would always comment after I preach: “you should have been a comedian, you’re hilarious.” Happened nearly every time.

What did the moment look like when you decided you would pursue this?

I was working as a used car salesman in Morrilton at Hagan’s Dodge.

Billy (Reeder) was doing some social media work for them. He was in getting his truck serviced as I was in the throes of my midlife crisis. He asked me if I could do anything what would it be?

That’s when I told him I wanted to be a stand-up comedian.

Doing that would be amazing for me.

He put me in touch with a friend, Brandon Davidson, out of Texas. He got me in touch with a man named Seth Dees in Little Rock and they got me set up for an open mic. So I went and did my first open mic, loved it, panicked, and didn’t do it again for a year and a half.”

Talk about the moments leading up to that first open mic.

I really wasn’t nervous. I was a musician. I played weekends and had been on stage thousands of times, literally, before this. What made me nervous was I wasn’t doing what I normally did on stage. Seth gave me some advice and a set of rules, and I just tried to abide by that set of rules as best I could.

I’ve been able to tell stories, I’ve been on stage frequently telling stories, so I decided to just get up there and tell stories. It was fun. I had a blast. I don’t know why, I thought it was great, but I waited for a year and a half.

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

...as interviewed by Drew Brent

Johnny Carson is revered as being the best for recovery from a bad joke. Did you have a bad joke that first time out?

Oh sure, yeah. Your inclination is to comment on it. Everybody does it when they first start out, but I’m learning to do nothing.

Pause as if they were laughing. There are times when you can comment on it, but not very often. It’s really hard to do. You want to defend yourself. It’s your creation you put out there and they didn’t respond.

So why did it take so long to do another open mic?

I didn’t make it a priority. I lived an hour from the closest open mic. I would talk about the money aspect and how money could be better spent. I just didn’t make it a priority.

Starting in January (2019), though, I started hitting two to three open mics a week. I’ve won two comedy competitions and was invited to compete against a group of feature comics in Wichita. I got a lot of really good feedback about some things I could change. I was told I had one of the best jokes of the night. It’s good to have people give you that feedback and learn from them.

Robin Williams once said that comedy comes from a dark place.

Is that true?

It can. I’m not going to say it doesn’t. I’ve got a lot of good material that came from my struggles and finding a way to overcome them. I was in a dark place, and I had to fight to get out of it and got some great material out of it.

>>

AUGUST 2019

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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David Letterman once said in an interview that the pinnacle in his time for a comedian was making Johnny Carson laugh on “The Tonight Show.” What’s that pinnacle now?

I don’t know, a Netflix special? The pinnacle for me is when one of those jokes lands and they laugh from way down. That’s the pinnacle. I don’t care how big the room is. If I can make that happen, that’s the pinnacle.

?

Let’s talk about the dark place you mentioned.

You transitioned from one world to another.

What’s that look like?

For me, I went through a divorce. I went through questioning all of my beliefs. I had several years of just making horrible decisions with finances, among other things. I didn’t like the place I was in, and my escape for so long were things that were destructive. Coming out of that, I realized that I just needed to fix this. The question of what makes me happy kept coming up, and making people laugh makes me happy.

Is there a similarity in the camaraderie among comics as there is with pastors?

Absolutely, it’s the same thing. I mean, people try to gravitate to the people who are like-minded, and I tend to gravitate to the people who want to see everyone succeed. I wasn’t always like that. But I feel like I am now.

What’s the biggest difference in you from then to now?

I was always focused on what lies ahead, and I gained a lot of stress and anxiety because of that. I always looked at what was coming and was never happy with now. I think most people have that sickness, and I had it pretty bad.

Now, I do yoga. I wanted to work out but couldn’t afford a gym membership. I YouTube everything. I watched YouTube yoga and did that for two years and got involved with the Yoga Studio of Little Rock. YouTube yoga was a life changer.

What do you want people to know?

Find a way for you to be grateful with where you are and what you have. Life will be better for it.

And I heard you can get paid for doing this. Not very much, but it’s possible.

What’s that turning point moment?

I don’t know. I think sometimes I’m still in the middle of that.

Are you still in the midlife crisis?

No. I think that’s all done.

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

Thank you and goodnight!

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~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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E V E R Y D AY L I F E

Sweet, sweet summertime Story by SARAH CLOWER Illustration by CLIFF THOMAS

WITH THE SUN SHINING BRIGHTLY, the cool waters of swimming holes refreshingly flushed, and vines and bushes teeming with ripe berries and melons of every variety, summer is easily my favorite time of year.

My son also revels in the relaxed schedule of the summer months. But because he is an only child, and his cousins aren’t always available while he is at his grandmother’s house while I’m working, he ends up watching way more TV and playing video games than I would like him to.

I’m always trying to think of new ways to keep him entertained. He will usually attend a few summer camps, but camps are often expensive and tend to not last more than a couple of hours during the day. So I try to pick one day out of the week and take a quick trip to a local swimming hole, explore a quaint small town within driving distance, or spend the day at a pick your own produce place.

One bright and sunny Friday, I decided it would be a great day for an adventure

to Berryville. If you haven’t been to this gem of a small town, you should think about making the trip. Berryville doesn’t have much to offer as far as modern entertainment, but it’s filled with antique stores, surrounded by hidden swimming holes, and lots of friendly farms with fresh fruits, vegetables and local honey. On the way out of town, Raff and I picked up one of his friends and got on the highway.

I had heard from a friend of mine about an awesome little farm where we could

pick strawberries, peaches, and buy some local honey. Since the place didn’t register in my GPS, I followed the directions my friend had provided.

After a couple of hours of winding roads, the boys and I arrived. The farm was adorable, just as picturesque as my friend had described it. We made our way to an old shanty looking structure that had a hand painted “Welcome” sign on it. As we approached the building, a white haired man in overalls came out to meet us.

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

“Hello! Welcome to Pickens’ Pick’Ems!” The man introduced himself as Mr. Avery and began telling us how his operation worked. Afterward, he left us to wander around and pick our produce.

We had a fantastic time in the neat rows of strawberry plants, and Raff and his friend had nearly exhausted themselves from jumping up to reach lush, ripe peaches suspended from their trees. We had filled all of our baskets and talked about all the yummy things we would make with our loot. We made our way back to the welcome shanty where Mr. Avery had greeted us to pay for our fruit.

When we got there, Mr. Avery asked if we also wanted some honey and if the boys wanted to see his bees. Of course they did, and Mr. Avery invited us to put our baskets down in the shanty and led us about an acre away where his bees were kept. He showed the boys the hives and gave some facts about them. Then he walked inside another shanty and came back with what seemed to be a flimsy container. He opened a wooden box, while bees were swarming all around his arms and face, and unflinchingly pulled out an enormous honeycomb dripping with honey. He placed it in the container, handed it to Raff, and explained he wanted him to have it as a gift.

We thanked Mr. Avery and made our way back to the front of the farm. We paid for our strawberries and peaches, and I offered to pay for the honey, but Mr. Avery refused and reminded me it was a gift. He

thanked us for visiting and welcomed us to visit again.

I placed all of our goodies in the backseat where the boys were riding — instructing them to keep an eye on everything, especially the flimsy container of honey — and set out for the swimming hole we had passed on the way to Mr. Avery’s farm.

We had gotten so hot while picking fruit that the idea of jumping into a cool pool of fresh water sounded so refreshing.

Several sharp curved roads led to the swimming hole, and as I was going around one curve that was especially snakey, I had to slam on my breaks to avoid hitting a small deer standing in the middle of the road.

“Yikes!” I said loudly as I braked and swerved.

“Everyone OK? Sorry to scare y’all!

That deer came out of no where!”

“Uhhh, mom, we have a problem. This honey container opened up and is all over Brock and me.”

“What? Are you serious?” I asked, as I tried to look into the backseat and struggle to navigate the curvy road.

“Hang on, hold still, we are almost there,” I told Raff.

As I pulled into the gravel area near the secluded creek, I was able to look into the back seat to see that Raff and his friend Brock were covered, nearly head to toe, in sticky, goopy, sweet smelling honey.

“Oh. My. Gosh,” I said in disbelief. I hopped out of the vehicle and came around to open Raff’s door. I stared at him and

Brock and they looked back at me questioningly, like how could they get out of the truck without making a bigger mess.

I instructed Raff to hold onto my arms as I slowly pulled and lifted him free from the back seat. Once he was securely on the ground, I peeled my arms away from his hands, and felt like I lost some arm hair in the process. I went around and did the same thing with Brock, and lost even more arm hair. Once both boys were out of the truck, all I could do was start laughing hysterically as they both looked at me helplessly sticky.

“The only thing I know to do is for you both to just go jump in the creek and wash off as you swim around. And watch out for little fish, they may try to nibble on you since I’m sure you’ll be tasting so good,” I joked.

The boys did not seem amused with my humor but ran towards the creek to get washed off. I peered into the back seat, wearily. I sighed. It would be quite the job for the car detailer, but the boys could ride back in the third row seat. I decided to not stress about something I couldn’t do anything about at that exact moment.

I shut the car door and walked towards the creek. As I got closer, I heard Raff calling my name.

“Mom! These little fish are biting my toes! I thought you were kidding! Mom!” I laughed as I watched the boys get nibbled by tiny minnows and could just think… sweet, sweet, summertime.

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petersfamilyliving.com AUGUST 2019

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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Three scholars, three scribes Story by CATHY GRAVES | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

THE RIVER VALLEY is home to many talented and dedicated teachers. Three of those teachers have reached beyond the classroom, using their experience as instructors and in life to create distinct voices as authors. Bridget Smith has included unique learning techniques in two easy-read children’s books. Will McCrotty has included his self-help methods in two juvenile books about baseball. And Eli Cranor’s emotional observations of sports and life are relayed to adults in his new novel, numerous short stories, and personal essays, plus an advice column.

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

Bridget Smith

A multicolored, six-foot-long, stuffed caterpillar accompanied the sale and book signings for Bridget Smith’s first easy-read children’s book, Chloe’s Destiny. The story is told by a caterpillar who wants to fly but doesn’t know she has to go through metamorphosis to achieve her goal. Bridget’s colorful illustrations, her song Metamorphosis, and a glossary of terms are all included to fully engage a child in learning. An author once told her that if she was going to sell a cookbook, she should include a pan with the sale. Bridget used this strategy with her book and it worked. Her book received worldwide distribution.

“People loved it,” Bridget says.

Bridget’s author presentation to elementary schools includes a self-made video of her writing, making mistakes, marking through, and correcting them in Chloe’s Destiny. “I want to show them the writing process,” Bridget says, “and how adults make mistakes, too.”

Her new book, If I Could Count to Ten, features a young girl who is insecure and shy. She doubts her ability to learn to count to 10. Bridget uses the technique of practice to overcome both shyness and the ability to count using her classroom experience and many talents to build a child’s self-esteem. The book features her original illustrations, fun facts about the animals in the book, comprehensive questions, and her song If I Could Count to Ten. “The

Bridget Smith

book will fully engage a child in learning to identify numbers and number words,” Bridget says. During book signings, Bridget offers an oversized lollipop like the one covering the shy girl’s face in her book.

Each of Bridget’s books contains a variety of reading strategies through words, illustrations, and music. “I’ve been singing and making up stories since I was two years old,” Bridget says.

She developed her drawing talent in high school classes. Now, Bridget is often commission for paintings and Bible journaling with illustrations.

A teacher at Sequoyah Elementary in the Alternative Classroom for 16 years, Bridget’s classes are filled with students ages five to eight that need extra help in confidence, obedience, and self-esteem. Bridget has received an award of excellence from the Arkansas Department of Education for her successful approach to education. Her clear voice is shown not only in her teaching but also in illustrating, songwriting in her writing.

Bridget said that after college and with each major life decision she has “sought the Lord’s guidance in what I was supposed to be doing with my life. The Lord put a desire in my heart to teach, write, illustrate, and publish children’s books. Publishing a book takes time and much patience, but the Lord is continually giving me divine connections. God is the reason for it all.”

Bridget will continue to write and says that she is currently working on e-books for her first two books and a new one entitled What About Me?. Recorded songs will be included in all three.

To learn more about Bridget’s books, paintings and guidelines on how to help a child grow in knowledge, self-esteem, and to find purpose, visit her website: Bridgetbuildscharacter.com.

Will McCrotty

Like Bridget, Will McCrotty used what he knew to pursue writing. His background of playing baseball and years of coaching are reflected in Will’s books Change of Thought and So, What!.

Will has been a 6th-grade teacher at Russellville Middle School (RMS) and the head baseball coach for Russellville High School for the last five years. In his role at RMS, he’s taught life skills which include creative thinking skills, debating, balancing a checkbook, and how to create a business. Prior to becoming an educator, Will played professional baseball for eight years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Cleveland Indians, and in their minor league systems.

Will’s first book, A Change in Thought, is a young adult non-fiction story in which words of wisdom from his mentors, Brad Wear, Tommy Lasorda, Del Crandall, Denny McCrotty and others who impacted his baseball experiences shine through lessons called “The Fellowship of the Miserable” and “Turn it over to God.” His hopes are that the book will help others through adversity with his three things to remember: Live for God, AUGUST 2019

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

17

Will McCrotty

live passionately for your purpose, and live compassionately for others.

Will’s new juvenile book So, What! was inspired by his baseball background, his dad’s words that there is always someone that wants it (anything) as much or more than you, and an exciting backyard incident.

“My father was my greatest mentor,” Will says. “He started the Russellville High School baseball program. That stuck in the back of my mind my entire life. When I wanted to slack off, his words came back to me.”

The backyard incident happened one night. “My dogs were outside making weird noises. It sounded like they were after some type of animal,” Will says. “When I went out to check, they had circled a grey cat with white paws. The cat looked like it was wearing white boots. The cat was fierce and lashed out at the dogs, one by one.”

Will caged the cat and released it in a safe space. “The cat turned around and meowed at me before walking away,” Will says.

The image of the white-pawed cat surrounded by three dogs sparked the whole story in Will’s mind. In the book, that scrappy cat who never gave up in the face of great opposition was named Boots and placed in a noisy, barking dog environment. Boots, a confident, but anxiety-filled baseball player faces a championship game against the Dogville Barkers. The book was written for a young reader facing pressure and anxiety. He hopes that 18

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

the book will serve as a guideline to overcome fear. His fellow teacher and author, Bridget Smith illustrated this book and she partnered with Will on book signings at Russellville’s Art Walk and Mistletoe Market.

You may contact Will through his email: will.mccrotty@russellvilleschools.net.

Eli Cranor

Eli Cranor also played professional sports prior to becoming a teacher. He played in Sweden as the Carlstad Crusader’s quarterback and led them to the Swedish National Championship in 2011.

At the Gardner Campus in the Secondary Learning Center, Eli teaches English to 9th – 12th graders. He also taught a class in journalism, and some of his students participated in the federal program Jobs for American Graduates, JAG, which is a career-oriented program for at-risk children. He coached high school football at Arkadelphia, Clarksville, and Morrilton, but stopped when his daughter was born. “There wasn’t enough time for both,” Eli says.

Eli’s 20 years on the football field, from pee-wee to professional, shaped his whole life. “It taught me that I needed discipline,” Eli says. This code of conduct: practice, rules, and punishment is reflected in many of Eli’s writing projects in which he uses football analogies to reflect on life.

Eli says that his writing began when Johnny Wink, a college

professor and mentor, “encouraged me to write. That’s where it all started.”

Before his first publication in 2018, Eli made a bold move. He wrote a letter and sent a short story to Charles Portis, author of True Grit. According to Eli, “he was the biggest Arkansas author I knew of.” Eli received suggestions from the author and continues to trade correspondence with Portis’s brother. Eli’s short story, “Don’t Know Tough” was published in The Greensboro Review, for which he won The Robert Watson Literary Prize. It was honored for the 2018 Miller Audio Prize

by The Missouri Review.

This short story is also the basis for Eli’s novel, Don’t Know Tough, which is with an agent and making the rounds with publishers in New York. When published, it will be Eli’s first book in print. It won’t be Eli’s first novel, however. He’s written eight that range in subject matter from football to zombies. There are a couple of science fiction novels and a young adult novel in the mix.

The Courier published Eli’s weekly series called “From the Pocket” in 2018-19. Eli called it a “smorgasbord of topics covering politics, football, and nostalgia.” His newest series, “Athletic Support” is an advice column for parents of athletes. “It’s like ‘Dear Abby,” Eli says. “I receive questions from parents of all ages.”

“By and By” is a series Eli is contracted to write in 2019 for The Oxford American. Under the heading “Hash Mark” he writes with a football theme. Eli explains that a hash mark is “a little, white line which marks one yard of the hundred on the field. No one notices them.”

Contained in each story are “little memories, like the hash marks on a playing field. The lessons the game taught me – the metaphorical hash marks, the small lines forever etched into the fields of my past ─ remain.”

To contact and learn more about Eli’s work visit his website: elicranor.com.

Eli Cranor

OVER

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119 E Main St, Russellville Russellville • (479) 968-7772 AUGUST 2019

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

19

Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN Story by JOHNNY CARROL SAIN

OARK GENERAL STORE (479) 292-3351 10360 COUNTY ROAD 5440 OARK

Timeless breakfast in a timeless place Way up in Johnson County where the Ozarks roll out beyond the horizon in every direction, where a clear water creek flows cool and unencumbered through the white oaks and hickories, and very near to where the pavement ends forever, there sits a quaint old store in the quaint little town of Oark.

“Old” is a relative term, but when it comes to Arkansas businesses, the Oark General Store is the baseline for old. It’s been here and open for business ever since 1890, making it the oldest continually-operated store in Arkansas.

You wouldn’t expect to find much to nibble on in such a store, seemingly stuck in another century. Maybe a cold Coke and a Snickers bar. But there’s food aplenty

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

here. And it’s worth the drive.

We planned our trip expecting to nosh on one of the Oark General Store’s famous burgers and follow it up with pie.

But due to circumstances beyond our control (the fish weren’t biting on the Mulberry River, which made our hunger pangs unbearable), we couldn’t wait and decided to try breakfast.

It was a good decision.

You can’t go wrong with ham and eggs, and the Oark General Store does them right. Eggs cooked how you like them and a huge pink slab of ham steak accompanied by biscuits big as a cat’s head, white gravy, and delicious coffee. We left the store satisfied, full, and ready for a return trip in the near future to sample the burgers and pie.

AUGUST 2019

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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C O U N T E R T O P C R E AT I O N S

The Sweets of Summer Story by LYDIA ZIMMERMAN, Food Editor Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

I

Easy Blueberry Turnovers

EASY BLUEBERRY TURNOVERS ABOUT Magazine Featured Recipe ~ August 2019

1 pint fresh blueberries 1/4 c cane sugar 2 T lemon juice 1 T cornstarch 1 sheet purchased frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions 1 egg yolk 1 T heavy cream or water 1/2 c confectioners’ sugar 1 tsp lemon extract 1 T milk

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

’ve recently observed many fresh fruit and vegetable stands throughout the River Valley. The stand that really caught my eye advertised fresh blueberries and strawberries. It made me think of my years as a child. Growing up, we had a strawberry patch and would often go to a berry farm to pick other types of berries.

I always looked forward to what my mother would make with the berries we picked — sometimes blueberry pancakes, sometimes my father’s favorite coconut cake with fresh strawberries on top, sometimes it was blackberry jam. Even now I can remember how wonderful they tasted.

In reminiscing about childhood summers picking berries, I’ve collected various recipes using all kinds of different summer berries.

As always, enjoy!

Thaw your puff pastry dough according to package directions.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone liner.

In a small sauce pan, combine blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice.

Stir carefully together over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until bubbling nicely and thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.

Cut pastry dough into 4 squares per sheet. Put 1-2 TBS of filling in the middle of each square.

Whisk together heavy cream or water and egg to create an egg wash.

Brush egg wash over each edge of

the pastry dough and fold in half to make a triangle. Press edges together with fingers.

Pierce the top of each turnover with a fork or knife to let steam escape. Place on prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough and filling.

Brush remaining egg wash over the tops of turnovers. Bake for 1520 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool completely.

Whisk together powdered sugar with additional glaze ingredients, add more liquid or more sugar to reach desired consistency.

Drizzle glaze over each turnover and serve warm.

MIXED FRUITS WITH STRAWBERRY CITRUS DRESSING 3/4 c vegetable oil 6 T red wine vinegar 3 1/2 T frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed 2 1/2 T honey 1 c fresh strawberries, stemmed 3 T mayonnaise Assorted sliced fruits (strawberries, melons, bananas, peaches, apples, oranges, cherries, grapes) Combine first 6 ingredients in container of electric blender. Blend until smooth. Refrigerate in covered container. Serve over sliced fruits. Serves 6-8. Makes 1 1/2 c dressing.

PEACH CUSTARD PIE 2 1/2 to 3 c chopped fresh peaches 2 eggs, well beaten 2 T melted butter 1-1/2 c sugar 2 soda crackers, crushed 1 unbaked 9-in pie crust Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Combine peaches, eggs, butter, sugar and cracker crumbs; let stand for 10 minutes. Pour into crust.

Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce oven heat to 375 degrees and bake for 35-45 minutes longer.

Mixed Fruits with Strawberry Citrus Dressing

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~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

23

HOMEMADE BLUEBERRY JAM 2 1/2 c fresh blueberries 3 c sugar 1/3 c orange juice 1 T lemon juice 3 oz fruit pectin Wash berries. Crush berries in an enamel or stainless steel pan. Add sugar and fruit juices. Mix well. Bring to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in pectin.

Pour into hot sterilized jars and seal. Let cool, then refrigerate.

Maybe stored for up to 2 months in refrigerator. Makes 3 cups.

FROSTED BANANA PUDDING CAKE 1-2 small, ripe bananas, mashed 1 box yellow cake mix 1 large package banana cream or vanilla pudding and pie filling 1 c water 1/4 c oil 1/2 c chopped pecans or walnuts 4 eggs Banana Nut Frosting Combine cake mix, pudding, water and oil; adds eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Fold in bananas and chopped nuts. Pour into 13x9-inch pan and bake in a 350 degrees oven for 50-55 minutes. Cool and frost with Banana Nut Frosting.

Banana Nut Frosting 1/2 c mashed banana 1 tsp lemon juice 1/3 c butter, softened

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1 lb +3 c powdered sugar, sifted 3-4 T milk 1 c flaked coconut, toasted 2/3 c finely chopped pecans Combine bananas and lemon juice; set mixture aside. Cream softened butter at medium speed of electric mixer; add powdered sugar and milk, mixing well. Add banana mixture, beating until fluffy. Stir in toasted coconut and chopped pecans.

Makes 3 1/2 c.

This cake is best eaten within a few days of baking as it grows sweeter the longer it sits.

HONEYDEW MELON SMOOTHIE 2 c honeydew, cut into 1-in chunks and frozen ½ c fresh baby spinach (you can add up to ½ c more if you wish) ½ c vanilla yogurt 2 c skim milk, plus more if needed Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.

Add additional milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.

Recipe courtesy of afamilyfeast.com BERRY GOOD ICE CREAM SAUCE 1-3/4 c sliced fresh or frozen rhubarb 2/3 c pureed fresh or frozen strawberries 1/4 c sugar 1/4 c orange juice 2 c sliced fresh or frozen strawberries Vanilla ice cream In a saucepan, combine the first four ingredients. Cook over medium heat until rhubarb is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in

the sliced strawberries. Store in the refrigerator. Serve over ice cream.

Recipe courtesy of tasteofhome.com RASPBERRY-WINE MOLD 1 1/2 pints of fresh raspberries 1/2 c red wine water 2 small boxes of raspberry flavored gelatin Wash and drain raspberries into a 2 c measuring cup. Add 1/2 c red wine and water to make up to 2 cups.

Prepare raspberry gelatin, using berry-wine-water mixture.

Pour into individual molds or cups. Add raspberries to molds when gelatin has cooled; refrigerate until firm. Then invert onto serving plates. Serves 4-6.

STRAWBERRY-ORANGE SORBET 4 c strawberries, hulled and sliced 1 c water 1 c fresh orange juice plus the zest 1/2 c sugar In a saucepan, place the sugar, orange juice and water and bring it to a boil. Let it boil until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Add the strawberries and the orange zest and let the mixture boil for 8-10 minutes. Using a hand blender (regular blender works just fine just do it in small badges) Puree the mixture and then pass the it through a fine mesh strainer. Let it come to room temperature and place in the refrigerator to chill. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Recipe courtesy of deliciousshots.com

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

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VERY BERRY PIE BARS For the crust and topping: 3 c all purpose flour 1 1/2 c white sugar Zest of one large lemon 1 1/2 c salted butter, cold For the filling: 4 large eggs, lightly beaten 2 c white sugar 1 c greek yogurt 3/4 c all purpose flour 1/8 tsp salt Juice of one large lemon 2 tsp vanilla extract 30 oz any mixture of fresh blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries Preheat oven to 350F. Generously grease a 9×13 pan along bottom and sides. Set aside.

In bowl of a food processor, lightly pulse together the flour, sugar, and lemon zest just until blended. Cut cold butter into slices and add to bowl. With a few short pulses, cut the butter into flour mixture just until mixture is crumbly. Small bits of butter remaining is fine. (Alternatively, you can use a pastry cutter if you don’t have a food processor.) Set aside 1 1/2 c of the flour/ butter mixture for the topping. Pour the rest of the mixture into bottom of prepared baking pan. Press firmly for an even layer of crust on bottom of pan. (It’s easy to press evenly with the flat bottom of a water glass or ramekin.) Bake crust about 15 minutes or until golden. Remove baked crust from oven, but keep oven on.

Combine eggs, sugar, Greek yogurt, flour, salt, lemon juice, and vanilla. Whisk

until smooth. Carefully fold in the berries with rubber spatula. Gently spread filling over the baked crust. Sprinkle reserved topping over the filling, to make an even layer of crumble topping.

Bake about 75-90 min or until topping turns golden and bars are set. Cool completely at room temp before putting in fridge to chill. Chill several hours or overnight. Cut and serve cold.

Recipe courtesy of chewoutloud.com STRAWBERRY PINEAPPLE FRUIT SALSA 1 pineapple peeled 1 lb strawberries 2 roma tomatoes diced 1/2 red onion minced 1/2 jalapeno minced 1/3 c fresh cilantro chopped 1 lime juiced 1/2 tsp salt Remove the peel and core from the pineapple and dice the fruit into a small, 1/4-in dice. Place into a large mixing bowl.

Hull the strawberries, and dice into a small, 1/4-in dice. Add to bowl with pineapple.

Dice the tomatoes into a 1/4 in dice as well and toss with pineapple and strawberries.

Add minced onion and jalapeno to bowl along with cilantro, lime juice, and salt.

Stir to combine.

Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Keeps in the refrigerator 24 hours.

Recipe courtesy of thestayathomechef. com

MELON CAPRESE SKEWERS 1/2 c Basil Vinaigrette* 1 small cantaloupe, scooped into balls 1 small honeydew, scooped into balls 1 small seedless watermelon, scooped into balls 20 fresh water-packed mozzarella balls, drained 10 thin slices prosciutto, cut in half lengthwise, gathered into ruffle Small wooden skewers (about 4-6 in long) sea salt Freshly cracked black pepper Thread an assortment of the ingredients on the skewer - melon ball, basil leaf, mozzarella ball, ruffled prosciutto etc.

Arrange skewers on platter. Drizzle with basil vinaigrette and sprinkle with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

Basil Vinaigrette 1 shallot, roughly chopped 2 c tightly packed fresh basil leaves, stems removed (about 4 oz) 1 clove garlic 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes 1/2 c olive oil 2 T red wine vinegar 1 tsp salt Combine all the ingredients for the basil vinaigrette in a high powered blender and blend for 60 seconds until very smooth.

Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately. Or you can refrigerate the vinaigrette for up to 3-5 days.

Recipe courtesy of whatsgabycooking. com

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AUGUST 2019

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

25

COMMUNITY

Dardanelle Regional Medical Center Receives Certificate for Quality Performance The Dardanelle Regional Medical Center in Dardanelle, AR, was recently awarded a certificate in recognition of its commitment to quality as evidenced by successfully reporting 100 percent of quality measures during the annual reporting period. The certificate was presented by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care (AFMC) as part of the Annual Rural Health Conference, June 20 in Little Rock, hosted by ADH and AFMC. Conway Regional Health System assumed management of Dardanelle Hospital, formerly known as River Valley Medical Center, effective June 1. The hospital operations were renamed as Dardanelle Regional Medical Center. As a part of this transition, Conway Regional Chief Operating Officer Alan Finley now oversees

operations as the site administrator at Dardanelle Regional Medical Center.

“This award is a great example of the commitment of the staff at Dardanelle Regional Medical Center and how hard they have worked to maintain the quality of the hospital,” said Matt Troup, President and CEO of Conway Regional Health System.

“The quality of the staff has been a blessing during the early stages of the management transition.”

Dardanelle Regional Medical Center received its certificate of recognition along with 12 other of the 28 critical access hospitals (CAHs) in Arkansas.

CAHs are small, rural facilities that provide limited outpatient and inpatient hospital services. The CAH designation was created to stem the trend of rural hospital closures during the 1980s-1990s.

The goal was to reduce the financial vulnerability of rural hospitals and improve access to health care by keeping essential health services available in rural communities. To accomplish this goal, CAHs receive cost-based reimbursement for Medicare services. They are reimbursed differently for their services, compared to acute care hospitals.

“Critical access hospitals have transformed health care in many parts of Arkansas and provided a lifeline to rural residents,” says AFMC CEO Ray Hanley.

“AFMC is proud to honor these hospitals for the hard work they do every day to ensure each patient gets the most appropriate and best quality of care.”

The award recognizes CAHs in Arkansas for participating in the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Program, a

1st Friday Sept. 6th, 6-9pm Art, Live Music, Refreshments and more!

For more info call (479) 967-1437 26

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

BOOTH SPACE AVAILABLE

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The Scarlet Locke Hair Lounge has space available for an experienced and fun sylist with clientele. Booth space is $85.00 per week.

We are in the heart of downtown Russellville and the only salon with a full beverage bar.

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quality improvement program for CAHs. It is part of the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility grant program of the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy.

Awardees must report quality measures in four areas: patient safety, patient engagement, care transitions and outpatient care. By reporting and improving these quality measures, quality of care can be improved. Better quality improves patient outcomes, improves patients’ health and controls costs.

the organization’s programs and services offered to assist Arkansas caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Those interested in participating can find more information and register online by visiting ALZark.org/walk.

About Alzheimer’s Arkansas: Alzheimer’s Arkansas is a 501c3 nonprofit organization who provides support, education, and financial assistance to caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia related illnesses. They have served Arkansans in need, statewide, since 1984.

River Valley Walk of Love benefiting Alzheimer’s Arkansas

Boys and Girls Club of the Arkansas River Valley Names Dr. Megan Selman Executive Director

Russellville, AR – On Saturday, August 17th, the River Valley Walk of Love benefiting Alzheimer’s Arkansas. The River Valley walk will be at L.V. Williams Boys and Girls Club beginning at 9 am and t-shirts are a $25 gift. The walk is free and open to EVERYONE! The Walk is a family friendly event, all those in attendance will have an opportunity to win a door prize, have team/ individual picture made, and fellowship with the River Valley community.

This event is one of five walks across Arkansas benefiting Caregivers and their families caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia through our Family Assistance Program Grant.

“The Walk of Love in River Valley is an opportunity to re-invest in this community, the Family Assistance Program Grant is a $350 caregiver grants, and in 2019, we were able to provide twenty families with the grant” said Elise Hensley, Development Director at Alzheimer’s Arkansas.

All funds raised from the event benefit

RUSSELLVILLE, AR- The Boys and Girls Club of the Arkansas River Valley (BGCARV) Board of Directors voted unanimously to name Dr. Megan Selman as the Executive Director of the Club effective June 3. Dr. Selman succeeds Lyle Manning, who served as Executive Director from 2014-2019.

“We are very excited to have Megan taking on the role of Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club,” says LaDonna Bicanovsky, Board Member. “Megan brings to the job an exceptional combination of energy, sensitivity, and proven leadership working with children. Both the Board and Staff are impressed with her extensive knowledge of the Boys and Girls Club and the importance our children are to the future of our community. We look forward to seeing Megan grow and develop the footprint of the Club in the Arkansas River Valley.”

Continued on page 31...

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RUSSELLVILLE ANIMAL SHELTER

Featured Friends

Smokey & Bandit GENDER: Female

/ Male

Meet Smokey and Bandit. Smokey is a lovey, yet, frisky little girl about nine weeks old. Bandit is a 12-week-old rambunctious little boy who will also curl up and snuggle. Since they’re so young, neither have been fixed yet.

Smokey and Bandit are both brighteyed kittens looking for forever homes with warm laps and warm hearts.

To learn more, or to adopt this month’s featured friend, please contact the Russellville Animal Shelter at (479) 968-1944.

Photo by MADISON REVES

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~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

27

A Legacy of Leadership Story by MACKENZIE SAIN | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

T

he Russellville Regional Leadership Academy has been a program of the Russellville Chamber of Commerce since 1986. Previously known as Leadership Russellville, in the past year the name was changed in an effort to include participants from surrounding areas.

The 10 month program offers participants a chance to learn leadership skills and provides them with an opportunity to serve the community. Every class meets monthly with a different topic to discuss. The curriculum covers subjects that every community leader needs to know including tourism, economic development, and emergency services. With more than 500 graduates over 33 years, the program has successfully completed several projects. Some of these projects include two solar benches installed on El Paso that serve as wifi hotspots and cell phone charging stations, bike racks in various locations throughout Russellville, and three “Welcome to Russellville” signs around the city.

These and the several other completed projects benefit and shape our community each year.

The goal of the Russellville Regional Leadership Academy is to teach potential leaders the right skills in order to provide guidance for their community.

“The criteria that we use for selecting candidates is that they have to have a real passion about the community,” says Angela Bonds, director of government affairs and leadership development at the Russellville Chamber of Commerce. “We want them to have a desire to serve their community, whether that be on the school board, city council, or the several non-profits in our area. We hope that what we provide for them in the leadership program will help them serve on those boards and serve in those roles.”

Kara Johnson is an alum of the program, and that experience has helped with her position as coordinator of civic engagement and campus Life at Arkansas Tech University. “I met a lot of people and learned more about what goes into local government as well as just learning how to get out and network and fundraise which is not a strength of mine,” Kara says.

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

“We want (candidates) to have a desire to serve their community, whether that be on the school board, city council, or the several non-profits in our area. We hope that what we provide for them in the leadership program will help them serve on those boards and serve in those roles.”

At her position, Kara is tasked with community service as well as political education. She helps students become informed citizens and voters, and teaches them the importance of local politics at a time when most people are focused on politics at the federal level. Volunteering with nonprofits and other groups from the community, and encouraging students to do the same is also a large part of her responsibility. Although she was born a natural leader, the Russellville Regional Leadership Academy has helped Kara harness those characteristics and implement those skills into her community. >>

The 2018-19 Russellville Regional Leadership Academy class has been working on a much anticipated project for the community: a dog park.

This new canine play area will be located inside Pleasant View Park. There will be two separate areas for large dogs and small dogs. The class did quite a bit of research by visiting surrounding communities with dog parks and asking what they liked and didn’t like about it. A large part of this project was fundraising for the amenities that will be inside the park, such as water fountains and benches. Most projects are asked to be completed by graduation at the end of June, but with such a large project, and some record-breaking weather delays, this year’s group is aiming for completion in late fall.

AUGUST 2019

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

29

Kara’s employers asked her to participate in the Russellville Regional Leadership Academy to benefit her at her new position. “I did it thinking it was just going to be this thing that was required of me,” Kara says. “I ended up having a lot of fun.” Kara says that the people she met and the connections she made have helped her excel at her position at Tech.

Little did Kara know that completing the program was a bit of a family legacy. Both her grandmother and father were members of the RCC, and her father was a graduate of the program. But Kara wasn’t aware of that until after she had already enrolled. Kara’s grandmother, Carol J. Johnson, was the first female chairman of

Central Arkansas Surgical Center (CASC) is a 7,500 square foot state-of-the-art multi-specialty facility. It is specifically designed for outpatient procedures with two well-equipped operating rooms and one procedure room. Outpatient surgery requires less time, allowing patients to return to their home, families and work schedules faster. CASC is a safe and effective alternative to a hospital with the added benefits of convenient parking, expedited registration, and a dedicated staff of knowledgeable health care professionals. Patients experience all of this in an environment designed for efficiency, comfort, safety, and privacy.

the board for the RCC. Kara’s father, Rusty Johnson, was part of the program during its second year. He has remained involved in the community, and he and his wife were also both members of the Russellville Chamber of Commerce (RCC) Red Coats. An RCC action team, the Red Coats recruit new RCC members and help retain current members. Red Coats also serve as official representatives of the RCC at ribbon cuttings and ground breakings. Kara has also been a Red Coat. “I’m following in dad’s footsteps for sure,” Kara says. It is safe to say that community service is deeply ingrained in Kara’s family.

Kara went through the program in 2016. Her class kicked things off with a retreat to get to know each other, as each class does.

Then they immediately began discussing ideas for what their project might be. They decided to fundraise and buy the Russellville Police Department new bulletproof vests. This gave Kara an opportunity to work on her fundraising skills, which as she mentioned, weren’t the greatest.

Russellville is a college town, and we need programs like these to keep the community thriving and to keep current and future citizens involved and satisfied. Growing towns need leaders to guide them into the future, and that is what Russellville Regional Leadership Academy is providing for our community.

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151 E. Aspen Lane, Russellville, AR 72802 • Phone: 479-967-1117 • Fax: 479-967-0089 • www.centralarkansassurgical.com 30

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

...cont. from page 27 Dr. Selman is a Russellville native and has a decade of experience working with students across Arkansas, most recently as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Pope and Yell County School Districts. She has a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Central Arkansas, where she gained experience in grant writing and authored several local, state, and national publications. She has a long history of athletic involvement in the Russellville community, from coaching youth sports to being an avid athlete herself.

In 2003, she was the first Russellville High School student to earn a fastpitch softball scholarship. She was a member of the Arkansas Tech University softball team during their inaugural seasons and was awarded the Golden Sun’s Outstanding Freshman Award in 2004. Dr. Selman has spent over 15 years volunteering for the BGCARV and has volunteered in numerous other capacities over the years in the River Valley community, where she now resides with her husband, Chad, and their daughter, Kate.

“The Boys and Girls Club of the River Valley has a strong history of leadership and visibility in our community. I look forward to continuing that tradition at both the Russellville and Dardanelle Clubs,” Dr. Selman said. “I love this community and believe the River Valley is one of the best communities you’ll find. The most important thing in our community is our children, and the opportunity to work with River Val-

ley students in this new capacity is exciting.

I’m also looking forward to working with the outstanding staff here at the Club, who are all working incredibly hard to engage kids in a number of programs that develop both character and life skills. The Board has been a dream to work with, and their commitment to the Club and its vision is exceptional. We all want to ensure the Boys and Girls Club is a positive place where we have fun with a purpose. We want to help the youth who come through our doors develop physical health, academic strength, and most importantly a healthy self-esteem.

This is possible because of the strong backing of our community and the support they pour into this club. Our goal is for each of these kids to know that someone cares for them and that they have people cheering for them to succeed.”

Legislators tour Arkansas Governor’s School at ATU Eleven members of the 92nd Arkansas General Assembly visited Arkansas Tech University in Russellville for Arkansas Governor’s School (AGS) legislators’ day on Friday, July 19.

Rep. Rick Beck of Center Ridge, Rep. Nicole Clowney of Fayetteville, Rep. Andrew Collins of Little Rock, Sen. Breanne Davis of Russellville, Rep. Denise Garner of Fayetteville, Rep. Megan Godfrey of Springdale, Rep. Douglas House of North Little Rock, Sen. Mark Johnson of Ferndale, Rep. Mark Lowery of Maumelle,

Rep. Aaron Pilkington of Clarksville and Rep. Carlton Wing of North Little Rock visited AGS classrooms, learned about curriculum and activities offered to the more than 365 participants and interacted with AGS students during lunch.

The legislators and staff members from the Arkansas Department of Education were welcomed to campus by ATU President Dr. Robin E. Bowen.

“Arkansas is creating a better future by supporting Arkansas Governor’s School,” said Bowen. “The lessons these students are learning today will make them more informed, empathetic and committed when it is their turn to take the reins of leadership for our state. Over the span of these four weeks, the AGS faculty and staff are working toward a shared goal of increasing the leadership capacity of Arkansas’ next generation. Programs such as Arkansas Governor’s School are integral to our future. The lessons learned and friendships developed here will hold this group of young people in good stead as they move forward to pursue the adventure of life.”

ATU is hosting Arkansas Governor’s School for the first time. The annual program for rising high school seniors in Arkansas is made possible through a $640,000 grant from the State of Arkansas.

AGS is scheduled to return to Arkansas Tech in 2020 and 2021.

The 40th Arkansas Governor’s School convened at ATU on July 7 and will continue through Aug. 3.

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COMMUNITY COMMERCE

Mackenzie Shilling - Cameo Hair Design Story and photo by HANNAH BUTLER

Looking around Cameo Hair Design, you might not spot her siblings around her hair salon when they were younger; though Mackenzie Shilling at first. She’s one among a few different Mackenzie never minded. hairstylists there, cutting away at a child’s long, brown hair.

“I just followed in my mom’s footsteps,” she says. “And I loved Mackenzie is tall, blonde and has the mark of a hairstylist, mean- watching her, and I love making people happy and feeling good ing she completely embodies what she does in who she is. But about themselves.”

Mackenzie didn’t become a hairstylist by chance or because she Mackenzie has a cosmetology license through Edge Salon looks like one; she was born and raised into it.

Academy, though her mom has taught her a “My mom started cutting hair when she was lot about being a hairstylist.

Cameo Hair Design about my age,” Mackenzie says. “I just re“Whenever I’m doing her hair, she’ll teach (479) 968-5666 member literally growing up in the salon, and me something new every single time,” Mack919 E 4th St, Russellville I loved it.” enzie says. “That’s what’s cool about this Russellville, AR 72801 Her mom often had to keep Mackenzie and business. It’s a continuing education.”

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

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The education has paid off. Mackenzie is now skilled in various aspects of hair styling. Her favorites are colors, though, she has fun doing it all.

“I love to do colors,” she says. “I love to do literally everything; colors, highlights, balayages, and perms.”

Mackenzie’s prices are preset at Cameo Hair Design and additional charges are rare.

“I stick to the price list just because it’s a lot easier for me and a lot easier for my clients,” she says. “It really all depends on the service you’re wanting, too.”

Mackenzie can also cut and style for men’s haircuts, do eyebrow waxing, perms, and spray tans.

She also regularly offers discounts to her customers for birthday weeks, holidays, and sometimes just for fun. During Halloween last year, she offered a “Trim or Treat” $10 off discount for a trimming or conditioning treatment.

Mackenzie is still looking to expand her cosmetology buisiness, possibly adding eyelash extensions to her list of services “That’ll be really fun,” Mackenzie says.

Overall, Mackenzie’s goals are to keep her clients happy and stay with trends. “If they’re not happy, I make sure they come back and I’ll fix it for them,” she says. “The hardest thing for me is that I want my clients to be happy,” she says. “I want to make sure they leave the chair in my salon feeling good and like a brand new person.”

Mackenzie takes appointments Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until her last scheduled client is finished.

You can follow Mackenzie on Instagram @hair_by_mackenzieshilling

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It’s all about perspective Story & Photo by JILL MCSHEEHY

I almost didn’t share it.

But before I could talk myself out of it, I posted a photo of a brand new crop I planted this year. I had seen other gardeners from around the world grow this unique, prolific bean and I couldn’t wait to test it in my garden for fun.

Also known as asparagus beans, Chinese red noodle beans catch the eye with their maroon hue and almost 18-inch length. But once my beans reached maturity, I had no idea how to cook or eat them after harvest.

Doing what I always do these days when I have a gardening question, I wanted to ask fellow gardeners on Instagram how to prepare this unique bean. The problem? While the beans themselves captured the attention in the photograph, the background probably would, too. And it was the background that concerned me.

Behind the striking maroon noodles dangling from my trellis, one couldn’t help but notice the bean leaves full of holes. Each year my beans endure munching from insects but never to their detriment. This year,

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

though, has been an exceptionally difficult year. More than once I questioned whether the plants could survive the damage without intervention. Still, I chose to do nothing.

I’m a home gardener who grows organically. I never add synthetic fertilizer, insecticides, or herbicides in or around my garden.

I rarely even apply organic pesticides, saving them for the direst of circumstances because I know that even organic treatments don’t come without risk. Not only do I not practice non-organic methods, but I’m also vocal in encouraging others to adopt this method of gardening as well.

Over the years I have observed how this organic, hands-off approach has benefited the health of my garden and the overall health of my plants. It’s not perfect, though. Some insects get the upper hand; however, this is a sacrifice I’m willing to make for the proverbial greater good of my garden and the environment.

But would this photo cause those who depend on me for garden guidance to question whether my hands-off approach really is the best? Would they look at the ugly damage to my beans and decide an organic approach isn’t the path for them?

In the end, I posted the photo. The optimistic side of me hoped the beans themselves would steal the show and no one would notice the lacy leaves in the background. Plus, there was the whole reason for my post in the first place: I wanted to know how to cook my new harvest.

But my fears proved true within minutes. The first comment to my post assured me that my damaged beans didn’t go unnoticed.

As much as I cringed at the thought, I also breathed a sigh of relief.

This gardener from another part of the country commented, “I’m sorry but I am comforted by the look of your bean leaves. Mine are full of holes also!”

Sharing the not-so-Instagram-worthy picture of my garden encouraged another gardener in a way I hadn’t anticipated. When highly-edited, carefully-selected, curated garden photos adorn our social media feeds, we can get discouraged when the garden outside our back door doesn’t measure up. We doubt ourselves and question whether we should give up and leave the gardening to the pros.

But when we see that every gardener has struggles, we’re encouraged to keep going. We can take a more objective glance at our gardens and look at what is working well.

Maybe my beans were having a rough time, but I enjoyed one of the best squash and zucchini harvests in recent memory. Maybe my melons were behind because the wet spring required me to replant twice, but I harvested more raspberries and blueberries this year than ever.

It’s all about perspective.

I believe gardeners are some of the most optimistic people you’ll meet. But even optimists can get discouraged when not everything turns out as planned and it seems no one else faces the challenges we do.

Perhaps in both gardening and life, we should be more willing to show our “holes.” In doing so, we offer one of the most encouraging gifts we can give -- acceptance, reassurance, and strength amid discouragement.

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Story by MEREDITH MARTIN-MOATS

A JOURNAL of our RURAL & NATURAL HERITAGE

Pearly Everlasting I

haven’t had a chance to write about it much, but I seldom choose to leave our house these days. My home is on the same land where my grandfather ran a truck patch, where my father grew up, and where I visited on the weekends as a young child. I love it here in a way that I never loved any other place. I love to watch the COUPON

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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

rain and the fog on Springs Mountain. I love to hear the horses running in the pasture across the gravel road. I love to work the soil and grow a little food and flowers for ourselves and the Dardanelle market.

And pretty much nothing beats watching the chickens and the ducks free range and the kids run around in the late afternoon

while Bryan and I enjoy iced tea on the porch with the dogs and cats at our feet.

But, ultimately, home is where my family is, and I love to travel and see the world with the people I love the most. I wasn’t expecting to find home so close to the base of a volcano.

Earlier this summer, we traveled to visit family in Oregon. My mother-in-law’s two-story house has an excellent coffee-drinking porch where you can watch the freight planes come in for landing at Portland airport. Looking even further into the skyline, you can catch a glimpse of fog-covered Mt Saint Helens, or Looit as its known to the people who once had rights to this land. On previous trips, we’d admired the mountain, or what’s left of it, from afar.

This time we decided to make the two-hour trek to see the volcano.

To arrive at the base of the Mount Saint Helen — Looit — national monument you have to drive long stretches of steep and curvy inclines with deep canyons and jutting cliffs on opposite sides of the road.

It’s at least 30 degrees cooler than the small towns below. Once we arrived at the outlook and hiking area, we took a pretty easy path to view the mountain from a distance.

We heard coyote howls echoing through the hollers (do they call them hollers in Washington?) in the middle of the day and

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caught a glimpse of the now mostly missing top of the snow-capped mountain. We learned about — and saw — at least one of the boreal toads who have been a part of the repopulation of the ash covered hills.

But it was actually a book inside the visitor center that took my breath away.

I was perusing the wide collection of resources when I came across a title called In the Blast Zone: Catastrophe and Renewal on Mount St. Helens. Having read a tiny bit about the survivor stories, I wanted to know more about what came after the blast. This collection was published

by Oregon State University Press and is a series of essays by biologists, novelists, public policy people, and researchers. I skimmed the pages and my eyes quickly landed on a phrase that is one of my most favorites in all the world: pearly everlasting. This is my daughter’s name. It is also the name of a wildflower that grows throughout Oregon. It grows here too, but we call it rabbit tobacco, and that just doesn’t have quite the same ring.

Alongside the wildflower called lupine, pearly everlasting was one of the first plants to come back to the mountainside after the blast. It was found growing out of black pumice and ash within three weeks of the explosion. I felt a chill run through my body. I took a photo of the page with this information. I skimmed a few more pages. My eyes landed on the words again.

And then again. And again. Come to find out, whether you are a biologist or a poet, you can’t tell the story of renewal on Looit without telling the story of a tiny, easily-overlooked wildflower with tenacity beyond measure.

You might call me an overthinker, but all of my children have names with a wealth of meaning. Their names are long; they have layers and layers of stories that they can grow into as they age. And, ideally, there is enough nuance there that they can choose their own stories, growing into who they choose to be rather than the narrow confines of their parents wishes. I chose my daughter’s name for a myriad of rea-

sons, including the flower’s tenacity. But, suffice it to say, the story of pearly everlasting’s connection to a volcano, and the land’s renewal, was news to me.

I hadn’t planned to spend any money that day, but I picked up the book and took it to the cash register. Since then, I’ve read the book cover to cover and then started it again. It’s a mournful book on a shortterm scale. It talks of everything that was destroyed. But it’s a hopeful one in geological, perhaps even generational, terms. It’s about not just the things that explode but what survives, and how close we reside to each of these extremes.

In even the biggest catastrophes, something comes back and starts again, making the way for growth that continues. On Looit mountain, it was the toads who survived in pockets of snow. And it was the pearly everlasting that takes root even in ashes. I cannot wait to tell my daughter this story as she gets older and share with her how when she was barely five years old we found her namesake growing near a volcano.

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AUGUST 2019

~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

37

COMMUNITY LEADERS

...

Skye

FREEMAN-THOMPSON AGE: 44 OCCUPATION: Human service worker/homeless

liaison for Russellville Schools HOMETOWN: Dover FAMILY: Daughter Shelbi, who is a Senior at UCA

1

What is your favorite book and why?

Anything by Ruby Payne or John Grisham.

Ruby Payne is an educator and an author who has helped many understand what poverty is and what it looks like. Because I work with so many who are living in poverty, it is important to me to understand what poverty truly is and how to make a difference in the lives of those who are experiencing it.

Because I’ve always had an interest in law enforcement, I enjoy murder mysteries. I consider myself to have a morbid personality. I’ve always been very intrigued with the psyche of those who commit heinous crimes.

2

Dog or cat?

Dog, most definitely. But no Chihuahua— ever. I’ve never owned a cat, and I don’t mean any disrespect to the many people I know that have them, but I just can’t. They’re too sneaky.

I am also not a fan of cat hair everywhere.

3

What's the best thing about living in the River Valley?

The River Valley is made up with some of the most generous folks. Folks who truly care for others—the elderly, poor, the sick, the hungry and the homeless.

Photo by LIZ CHRISMAN 38

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~ AUGUST 2019

I think that my position with the school district, Help Network, the Russ Bus, Main Street Mission, ARVAC is helping spread the word that there are many in this area who are living in poverty and/or homeless. I talk to people daily to spread awareness and try to come up with positive solutions. People can’t help those in need if they’re unaware that there are problems.

4

What’s something no one would ever guess about you?

People rarely ever guess I was in the Army or the fact that I have 11 tattoos.

I’m not sure why people don’t think I was in the Army. Maybe it’s because I’ve “rounded out’ over the years and don’t have the physique I used to have.

As far as the tattoos go, I’m not sure about the answer for this either. Those who truly know me and my personality know I’m a rebel.

5

What is your favorite music genre and artist?

Love, love 80’s music! I have too many fav artists! Prince, MJ, Journey, Eagles… too many to list.

I think it has a lot to do with how I grew up. I grew up with a very groovy/hippie mother who loved her single life. She always played the best music and loved to dance. My mom died 13 years ago, which broke me. I listen to all the oldies and goodies to keep her spirit alive. It brings me happiness.

6

What do you nerd out on?

I’m not a nerd, or at least I’ve never thought of myself as such. However, I geek out on Dateline, 48 Hours, 20/20, and Investigative Discovery. I also play a lot of CC and eight-ball pool.

7

If you could change one thing about the River Valley, what would it be?

The River Valley needs progression in every sense of the word. I know there’s a lot of debate going on right now. I want change. Change for the better. People in this area need jobs. I work with so many struggling families who aren’t seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t get me wrong, I love my community. I was raised here. But it’s 2019.

8

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Where is the one location in the River Valley you would tell a firsttime visitor that they must go?

I would tell a visitor to go to Mt. Nebo because it’s so majestic. It also offers a beauty that many aren’t privileged to get to see up close. It’s God’s country up there.

9

Pizza, tacos, cheeseburger, or fried chicken?

Russellville offers some of the best eating around. Taco Villa, Whattaburger, Fat Daddy’s (these are just a few because I eat them all). Mom and Pop’s are always the best. Pizza, Tacos, and a Taylor’s General Store Cheeseburger—get in my belly now. Fried Chicken is never a choice.

10

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What is your favorite quote?

Could be from an inspirational person or an original.

If you judge people, you have no time to love them ~ Mother Teresa

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~ ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY

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