ABOUT | July 2021

WILDFLOWER SEEDS

July 2021 • aboutrvmag.com

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

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CHANGING LIVES

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JEFFERSON’S LEGACY

July 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Butterfies, bees, & wildflower seeds Prairies are a breathtaking and vital ecosystem in Arkansas. They are also a source of biodiversity in a world severely lacking in such. But in recent decades, we have seen a sharp decline in both pollinator and native plant populations. If these communities were to go away completely, plant diversity would continue to dwindle, eventually devastating our agriculture.

A star-spangled fail Living, learning, changing lives Friendship Community Care’s newest programs aim to ease the transition to independence for individuals diagnosed with autism.

Jefferson’s legacy in Logan County

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Not that long ago, everything we ate came from people we knew and what was on the table was dependent upon which season we were in.

Garfield’s holiday A continued conversarion Pure possibility 10 Things ABOUT: BT Jones

FEATURED MERCHANT BRS Roofing |

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Larry Price, donning his seed retrieval gear, poses in his front yard, a space that he’s cultivated especially for native pollinators.

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Save the bees & save the people The diversity of flora and fauna here in the River Valley is something that many of us (yours truly included) have long taken for granted. The sheer abundance of life is simply staggering.

We’ve got plants on a scale from monstrous cottonwoods to minuscule duckweed in the sloughs. We’ve got deer, black bear, three kinds of squirrels, two types of rabbits, raccoons, opossums, reptiles ranging from alligators to tiny brown skinks, salamanders in the damp shade and toads in the garden, so many kinds of fish that just those in the minnow family would boggle your mind, songbirds and birds of other feathers galore, and these are all just the animals with backbones. The number of different invertebrates — arthropods, crustaceans, mollusks, annelids, and a few species of cnidarians — are innumerable and maybe unknowable. And this wealth of wonder we enjoy is owed almost entirely to flowering plants and those little lives who help them reproduce. It seems as though it’s always been this way.

It hasn’t, of course.

Flowering plants (known in science as angiosperms) appeared only 125 million years ago, which is not that far back in geological time. Since then, blossoms of every shape and color along with an assortment of buzzing, bumbling fluttering beings that depend on the blooms have worked in concert to build foundations for nearly every terrestrial ecosystem on the planet.

On a more species-specific level, we humans are utterly dependent on the mutualistic relationship between flowering plants and pollinators. To put it quite simply, if they were to disappear we’d be next. This existential concern is why the global decline of pollinators is so very disturbing.

Chalk it up to poor land practices, indiscriminate pest control, and other factors.

But all is not lost… yet.

In this issue of ABOUT, we visit with Larry Price from Project Wingspan, a plan aimed specifically at helping the iconic but struggling monarch butterfly and the rusty patched bumblebee, which was added to the federal endangered species list just a few years ago. The end goal of project wingspan is, of course, better habitat for and better numbers of monarchs and rusty patched bumblebees. But, as with so many other conservation efforts, better habitat for one or two flagship species means better habitat for every other organism in the ecosystem — including humans.

In our human world of constructed abstractions like “money” and “government” and really the entirety of civilization, it’s easy to forget that we’re still a part of nature, that we are nature. And it’s easy to miss the fact that efforts to save the flowers, the bees, and the butterflies are really efforts to save us.

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley since 2006 A Publication of One14 Productions, Inc Vol. XVI, Issue 6 – July 2021

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 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

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July 2021 2nd — Blooms and Bluffs in Mt. Magazine State Park at Brown Springs Picnic Area. 10-11 a.m. Explore natural beauty from up close to a panoramic vista during this easy walk. Wildflowers are inviting pollinators to do their part in the cycle of life. Discover plants special to Mount Magazine, including a world champion oak. See an active landslide. COVID-19 SAFETY GUIDELINES ARE IN EFFECT FOR GUEST AND STAFF SAFETY. SPACE MAY BE LIMITED. For more information contact 963-8502.

3rd — Marsh Mystery at Lake Dardanelle State Park 7 p.m. As the Arkansas River journeys through Lake Dardanelle, it continually shapes the land and creates opportunities for people. We have to be careful when enjoying these opportunities that we don’t affect others.

Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater and help her solve a marsh mystery. Discover how you can help protect our natural areas. For more information contact 967-5516.

Find up-to-date information and future events @

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AUGUST 16th — Seventh Annual Dardanelle Area

Tori Peek & Easton Carter (7th)

Chamber of Commerce Chocolate Festival.

From 5-8 p.m. at the Carolyn M. McGee Community Center in Dardanelle. Proceeds to benefit Kerry Florian and Mary Standridge. For more information contact 229-3328.

Callie Self & Francisco Gomez, Jr. (28th)

16th

— Movies in the Park at Depot Park in downtown Russellville. For more information contact 967-1437.

24th — Music Downtown at Sundown at Depot Park in downtown Russellville featuring Dazz & Brie and SYNRG. For more information contact 967-1437.

SEPTEMBER Nicole Bonham & Robert (Clay) Redfern (18th) Katie Crawford & Robert Hopkins (25th)

OCTOBER Lindsey Kirby & Ryan Richardson (2nd) Dakota Hicks & Zach Needham (23rd) List your engagement or wedding announcements in the pages of ABOUT the River Valley magazine at no charge. You can email yours to: editor@aboutrvmag.com or mail to: ABOUT Magazine, 220 East 4th Street, Russellville AR 72801. A phone number must be included for verification.

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butterflies, bees, &

Story by KENZIE SAIN | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

Prairies are a breathtaking and vital ecosystem in Arkansas. They are also a source of biodiversity in a world severely lacking in such. The colorful fields blanketed with wildflowers are the result pollinators. But in recent decades, we have seen a sharp decline in both pollinator and native plant populations.

If these communities were to go away completely, plant diversity would continue to dwindle, eventually devastating our agriculture.

THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY is, perhaps, the best known and most easily recognizable pollinator in the Americas with its bright orange wings outlined in stark black and speckled with white.

They have also caught our eye with their phenomenal transcontinental migration cycle that takes up to four of their generations to complete. Up to 500,000 butterflies migrate down to Mexico where they roost for the winter months and they return north once the cold has passed. But the monarch species, and its migration, are at risk. The North American population has dropped by approximately 90 percent in the last two decades. Curiously,

the monarch is not a federally protected endangered species. According the the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) website: “On December 15, 2020, the USFWS announced that listing the monarch as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act is warranted, but precluded by higher priority listing actions. The decision is the result of an extensive status review of the monarch that compiled and assessed the monarch’s current and future status. The monarch is now a candidate under the Endangered Species Act; we will review its status annually until a listing decision is made.” >> JULY 2021

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Rusty patched bumblebee, photo by Heather Holm Milkweed Bug Monarch butterfly, photo by Johnny Carrol Sain

A lesser known pollinator that is already protected under the Endangered Species Act is the rusty patched bumblebee. Historically, the rusty patched bumblebee had a broad range across North America, occupying 28 U.S. states and parts of Canada. It now inhabits less than 0.1 percent of its native range. In 2017, it became the first bee in the contiguous United States to be declared endangered. The loss of this large group of pollinators would have drastic and devastating impacts on our landscapes and other species that inhabit them.

Ironically, agriculture is one of the culprits of the declining pollinator population. Pesticides coat the crops they pollinate and infect and decimate the populations of the hives. Overuse of land and a lack of biodiversity is a large reason for the habitat and diet loss of pollinators. Approximately 79 percent of North American grassland prairies have disappeared over the last two hundred years. Arkansas once had over a million and a half acres of prairies and glades where pollinators had plenty of room to roam and more plant diversity for their diet. We now have about one percent of that million and a half acres left and the average prairie has only about 300-350 species of plants. The average yard, depressingly, has around three. Monoculture has become the norm and, as a 10

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result, one of the most important groups of organisms on the planet no longer have the proper tools to carry out their vital purpose.

But people who embrace native biodiversity are working to restore the lands to their natural states.

Larry Price has had an affinity for the natural world since he was a child when he would explore the forest with his grandfather and brother. Larry graduated from UALR with a degree in biology with an emphasis on botany. From there he went on to graduate from UAMS with a medical degree and began his practice. Larry practiced in Mt. Ida, Mena, Russellville, and he practiced emergency medicine at hospitals across the River Valley before retiring five years ago.

During his career in medicine, Larry’s passion for nature was never pushed aside. He joined groups such as the Arkansas Native Plant Society, the Nature Conservancy of Arkansas, and Arkansas Master Naturalists. Larry’s involvement with the Master Naturalists introduced him to Project Wingspan and he quickly volunteered for team leader in his area. >>

“This year I planted not only 1.6 acres of wildflowers, but I’ve potted about 400 wildflowers.”

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“I just want to thank my team, and I’m really appreciative of everything they’ve done. It’s nice to know that there are people who are dedicated to those services,”

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Project Wingspan is hoping to undo some of the damage the pollinator population has endured. It is a three-year plan headed by the Pollinator Partnership funded by grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Its goal is to reclaim and rehabilitate 15,000 acres of pollinator habitats across eight states by locating and tagging existing prairies, collecting native seeds for planting new wildflower prairies, and wildlife management. The efforts are in hopes to save the monarch butterfly and remove the rusty patched bumblebee from the endangered species list.

The process begins with scouting. Larry normally handles this responsibility alone. “I go out and drive up and down the road, looking at the side of the road, and my goal is to find the flowers in bloom,” he explains, “while trying to maintain control of the vehicle, of course.”

Larry has a list of 24 native species to search for, but he’s only found about a dozen of those species available in the region. When he finds a plant on his list, he determines when would be the best time to come back and check for seeds. During his second visit, Larry studies the plants to determine when the seeds might be mature and ready for harvest. All of this scouting means he travels extensively across the region.

“Last year for scouting I drove 3,517 miles,” Larry says. “Of course, I drive an electric car, so I wasn’t adding much carbon into the air.”

Most scouting and collecting is done along highways and protected native prairies like Cherokee Prairie in Charleston. “I actually decided to contribute some of my acres to the project as well,”Larry says. “This year I planted not only 1.6 acres of wildflowers but I’ve potted about 400 wildflowers.”

Once Larry has located the wildflowers and determined when they’ll be mature, he shoots an email to his team letting them know the time and location of their next harvest. Most harvests last around two or three hours. The volunteers spread out around the region and collect and store the seeds. Last year, the River Valley team collected 10 pounds of seeds.

If that seems like a small number, it’s not. The seeds they pick can weigh from 4,000 seeds per ounce to 375,000 seeds per ounce.

After a day spent among the flowers, the volunteers take their pickings home to be dried and packaged. “I’ve got a drying table with a fan and I spread them out on the drying table on some newspaper or butcher paper,’ Larry explains. “They’ll dry under a fan for anywhere from three to seven days generally, depending on the seed.”

When they’re all dry, some seeds require sifting to remove them from the hulls, and then they are packaged to be shipped to a nursery in Illinois. At the nursery, they are cataloged and stored for

use in future restoration projects like Habitat for Wildlife and the Arkansas Native Seed Project. It’s important to harvest these seeds and save them in banks because if released in the wild, the seeds might not make it to an area that is viable for growth.

Campaigns like Project Wingspan could not become reality without the devoted volunteers who invest their time in our planet and our futures. “I just want to thank my team and I’m really appreciative of everything they’ve done.” Larry says. “It’s nice to know that there are people who are dedicated to those services.”

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for this project, visit https://pollinator.org/wingspan. If you want to improve pollinator habitats in your area, but don’t have time to volunteer, you can focus on keeping native plants and wildflowers in your yard, allowing a space for them to grow, and letting the pollinators to do their work. l JULY 2021

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EVE RY DAY L I F E

A star-spangled fail Story by SARAH CLOWER | Illustration by CLIFF THOMAS

IN AMERICAN CULTURE there are countless songs and phrases that are so commonly sang and said that they are easily recognized simply by the music or rhythm of syllables. But it’s not so common for us to see those songs and phrases written out, exact words and lyrics intact.

I am notorious for hearing or interpreting all manner of phrases, and even words, incorrectly. When I was young, I had a speech impediment and stuttered quite severely.

After years of speech therapy that ran well into middle school, I was finally able to mostly overcome my impairment. I’ve often entertained ideas that because I was so focused on just learning proper pronunciation I wasn’t focused enough on my auricular perception.

So it should come as no surprise that I am often caught off guard when I hear the correct pronunciation or correct verses of a well-known idiom or song… when all along I’ve thought it to be something else. When I first heard that the owner of Bass Pro Shops had bought

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the now defunct amusement park Dog Patch, I was shocked. I wasn’t shocked at the news of him buying the dilapidated hillbilly hangout. I was shocked by the name. Dog Patch? I had always thought it was Dog Pouch! I still can’t remember to say it correctly.

On another occasion, Raff and I were watching an episode of America’s Funniest Videos that featured a video of a girl at a professional baseball game singing the national anthem. She knew the first two words of every line, give or take, but then she hummed the tune for the rest of it. She knew about six to eight words per stanza over all. For comparison, the television show had put the lyrics on the screen as well, showing the words that she should have said instead of what she hummed.

As the lyrics started scrolling across the TV, I felt my face shift with surprise.

I read through the first few stanzas before reaching for my phone. I googled “national anthem lyrics” because surely AFV was wrong. I was even more shocked as I read through them on my phone. Even the first four words were completely different than what I thought they were.

My entire life, I have always thought that the lyrics of The Star Spangled Banner were:

“Josè, can you sing ‘By Dawn’s Early Light?’

What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the fearless fight O’er the brown parts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there O say, does that star spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”

The next day, still reeling from my shock, my apparent deception heavy on my mind, I began to retell the events of the previous evening to my first client. Of course she thought it was hilarious, and could barely get words out due to her hysterical laughter.

“Wait, wait, wait…” she said. “Why Josè? Where does he fit into the song?” she asked before another laughing fit.

“Well, our country’s motto is ‘give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free’ so I thought that since we are a land of immigrants, it just made sense. And I always thought ‘by the

Dawn’s early light’ was just the name of the song that he was being asked to sing.”

She howled with laughter again, and even let out a little snort as she struggled to breathe. I rolled my eyes. It wasn’t that funny.

“And brown parts?” she asked, still cackling in the salon chair.

“Well, yes. Like pieces of rock or stone or something flying through the air. When I looked up the correct lyrics, I was stumped as to what a ‘rampart’ even was. I’ve never even heard that word before. I had to Google it!” I said.

“I don’t think I know what it is either.” my client said.

“Exactly!” I said defensively. “And when have you ever seen the lyrics to the national anthem ever written out so you could see the words exactly how it goes?” I asked.

“Well…” she tapped her chin with her finger. “I don’t guess I ever have either.

To be honest, I only know the first two lines. Other than that I would have to be humming the tune of the lyrics as well,” she admitted.

So that got me thinking… I wonder what other lyrics of iconic songs or phrases that people often get mixed up or have always thought was said one way, only to learn it was really pronounced another way? l

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Story by HANNAH BUTLER | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

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AS THE CHIEF LEARNING OFFICER OF FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY CARE (FCC), ANGELA TRAWEEK HAS WITNESSED THE CHALLENGES AND TRIUMPHS OF HER ORGANIZATION. During her 22 years at FCC, Angela has also noticed a pattern. When she started her role, autism was only found in one in 10,000 individuals. Now, it’s closer to one in 50 people in Arkansas.

“The number of individuals with autism has increased substantially over the last two decades,” Angela says.

And this increase in diagnoses has left a gap in services. “We recognized that individuals with an autism diagnosis would receive intensive services up through the age of 18 and then it just falls off.”

Angela saw the need for an organized program to focus on ASD needs and to give individuals a source of routine, aid, and comfort when there wasn’t any.

FCC’s mission started with an adult day-program began early this year called Hampton Place. It’s here that individuals can thrive and learn in a guided environment to be able to transition into independent living, job resources, and life skills. >>

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The day program is very individualized, according to Taylor Middleton, director of Hampton Place at FCC. An average of 20 people visit for a couple of hours every day while some are there for a full work-week-like schedule. Some have different goals and different achievements. No matter the differences, the focus of Hampton Place is the same: to help increase the quality of life for each individual served.

The program has been incredibly successful since its implementation. However, Angela and Taylor also saw the need for even more services as the number of individuals diagnosed with ASD is likely to increase.

The reason for more nuanced care is because autism is on a spectrum. It can affect individuals in different ways with some requiring more intensive help and others who can more easily work toward becoming independent.

“Any parent, whether their child has autism or not, is a little hesitant to see how their child is going to flourish independently when they leave the home,” Angela says. “When you have special needs, it adds another layer of insecurity for those families.”

A diagnosis often leads to the child living with their parents into adulthood. While continuing to live together works for some families, an uneasy situation can arise as they continue to live with their families.

“We recognized that adults with autism were living at home with their families and sometimes far into adulthood,” Angela says. “We’ve seen several cases where individuals were in their 40s or 50s living at home with their parents who are aging. In some cases, the parents pass away, and then there is an individual with ASD left with a life-changing dilemma."

With two houses already owned by FCC, the team realized an opportunity to utilize those structures to create a Living Learning Autism Center. FCC has created shared living spaces with the homes to include smart in-home technology for individuals who want to live more independently while receiving community care.

It’s the first of its kind out of all 14 locations in Arkansas.

The new pilot program is set to have two houses with four bedroom spaces for the individuals. These also offer two-and-a-half bathrooms and a calming room designed to relax their overstimulated nervous system when individuals feel overwhelmed.

While the in-home technology can assist individuals without support from the staff, FCC staff can check in on the individuals by “buzzing in” without invading any privacy to see if tenants need additional care and support.

Left to right: Carrie Alexander (AD Instructor,) Brooka Byford (ABA Lead Therapist,) Sidney Maurset (ABA Lead Therapist,) and Chris Masters (Hampton Place Service Coordinator.)

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Taylor Middleton (Director of Adult Developmental Day Treatment) & Craig Cloud (C.E.O of Friendship Community Care)

“What we saw was that individuals on the spectrum would receive intensive services up through the age of 18 and then it just falls off.”

“There is evidence and research that has shown that individuals diagnosed with autism do very well with sensors on the doors, the windows, and the ceiling,” Angela says. “If an individual gets up in the middle of the night and maybe they wander, then our staff are alerted because it picks up that they’ve gotten out of bed.”

Self-help sensors and appliances, such as the stove, are programmed with a timer while an individual is cooking. The stove can shut off if it senses burning or if it becomes a threat to the other spaces.

Individuals with autism may be sensitive to lighting as well, so natural and LED lighting that tenants can control and dim as needed with a wall-mounted iPad installed in each bedroom.

There’s also the option of color-changing light bulbs which can notify with different cues to the individuals as needed.

“Through the years, we’ve learned that individuals with autism respond better with non-verbal cues and non-verbal commands,” Angela says. “So, using different lights to help communicate with them — that now it’s time to go take a shower, or now, it’s time to go into work — helps them gain those independent life skills.”

“A lot of individuals with ASD have problems expressing themselves verbally,” she says. “So when we use this technology, it reduces the frustration that they may experience when they’re trying to communicate and the receiver is not comprehending what they’re saying.” >> JULY 2021

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“Oftentimes when people on the spectrum see someone else do something, it helps them to see that it’s going to be safe and okay,” she said. “Ultimately what we’re trying to do is to help them feel safe.”

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Not only can the pilot program participants work on their own self-growth, they are also provided social interactions with their roommates.

“Oftentimes when people on the spectrum see someone else do something, it helps them to see that it’s going to be safe and okay,” she says. “Ultimately what we’re trying to do is to help them feel safe.”

Parents of individuals with autism are often fearful for the safety of their children because they may have a tendency to fight or flee in stressful situations, she explained. However, smart home technology can relieve stress and provide support in an individualized and free space.

And, most importantly, the center can provide some security in bridging the gap between living at home and living independently.

“A lot of individuals are teenagers and in their early 20s, some are in their early 30s,” Taylor explained. “But they’re still going through the same stages of life that anybody else goes through. It’s just that they’re maybe going through it a little differently than everyone else. So you’re trying to give them that normalcy and the most meaningful life that you could possibly give them.”

What each individual does with their day is on a case-by-case basis. Some will have their own schedule and go to their own jobs. And some may go to Hampton Place with Taylor.

Although there aren’t any individuals living in the Living Learning Autism Center just yet, Angela and Taylor are certain about the benefits the housing will have based on the successes of Hampton Place.

“I can count on one hand the behavioral (outbursts) we’ve had,

and those weren’t significant. They were minor things that we dealt with,” Taylor says. “With the structure and routine and consistency, and the training that the staff here have, it helps to anticipate behaviors before they happen. That’s been the advantage and that’s been our testimony so far up to this point. It’s been our success story for the whole group.”

There are around 20 participants at Hampton Place now, and all 20 are actively participating in the schedule that the program sets up. With a Living Learning Autism Homes, Taylor can only see increased improvement from those spaces.

“What we’re doing is good, but it’s not going to be as effective if we don’t have the transition or carryover at home,” Taylor says. “The way this model was set up, we’ll have that carry over throughout the entire day, even into the home setting, which is truly beneficial and effective.”

The goal is that the pilot program can expand and thrive in all FCC communities of Arkansas, according to Angela.

“The biggest success story is somebody lives there, gains some job skills, and gets a job in the community. And they learn enough while they’re living here to be able to live and move out into an apartment or one-bedroom by themselves with a little bit of support,” Angela says. “We have seen individuals with autism get gainfully employed and do very well.”

As those successes happen, Angela and Taylor can continue to focus on the needs of each and every person.

“I think the writing on the wall is that we’re going to see even more individuals with ASD,” Taylor says. “If we can fine-tune this and learn exactly what works now, I think we can be proactive in developing the best treatment for each individual served.” l JULY 2021

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COMMUNITY

Russellville Regional Leadership Academy Class 35 Recognized During a graduation ceremony June 4, 2021 at the Russellville Country Club, 23 individuals were recognized for their participation in the Russellville Regional Leadership Academy.

The 2021 graduates are: Joel Arivett, Arvest Wealth Management, Meagan Beerman, Recovery Health Systems, Kori Bull, River Valley Realty, Megan Chenowith, Arvest, Debra Choate, Entergy Arkansas Nuclear One, Kristen Crites, Saint Mary’s Regional Medical System, Stacey Daughtrey, Dardanelle Chamber of Commerce, Sarah Davis, Cornerstone Home Lending, Josh Dunbar, River Valley Food 4 Kids, Shawn Duncan, Arvest, Eric Ezell, Russellville Police Department, Tom22

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my Fields, Wells Fargo Advisors, Debi Headly, City of Russellville, Tatum Holt, Centennial Bank, Bob Honeycutt, Saint Mary’s Regional Medical System, Brittney Howell, Recovery Health Systems, Susan Hudson, Simmons Bank, Jazmin Hughes, Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce, Elizabeth Hunnicutt, Arvest, Anna Lester, Farm Credit of Western Arkansas, Glenn Newman, City of Russellville, Andrea Pitts, First State Bank, and Nikki Stone, RussBus. Class 35 raised $20,000 to provide new lighting over the playgrounds at Pleasant View Park and at the Russellville Soccer Complex.

The class elected Brittney Howell as Outstanding Leader of the Year. Class 35 sponsors include Saint Mary’s Regional Health System, Rockline Industries, Walmart, City Corporation, Arkansas Tech University, Bridgestone Firestone, and Denali Water Solutions.

Russellville Regional Leadership Academy is an annual program of the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce (RACC) designed to identify, educate and motivate potential leaders to become involved in

the future of our community. It is aimed at developing a pool of well-informed and well-motivated men and women qualified to assume present and future leadership roles in the Russellville area. Since the program began in 1986, over 500 men and women have completed the program. For more information about applying for Class 36 and other RACC programs call 479968-2530 or visit www.russellvillechamber.com.

From Golden Sun to Olympian: Aoife Cooke Build. Achieve. Break. Repair. Rebuild.

Come back stronger.

Aoife Cooke was merely 17 years old when her natural talent for and commitment to running led her to leave her native Ireland and journey more than 4,000 miles to pursue higher education and a collegiate cross country career at Arkansas Tech University.

Now, another 17 years have passed, and Cooke will soon visit the other side of the globe to run the most meaningful 26.2 miles of her life.

Cooke will be a member of Team Ireland

and compete in the Tokyo Olympics marathon on Saturday, Aug. 7.

Build A native of Cork, Ireland, Cooke started running competitively at the age of 11.

“I did it for fun at the beginning, but I found I was improving when I was training properly,” said Cooke. “When I got to 15 or 16, I was winning medals and doing quite well at it. Then I got the scholarship to Arkansas Tech.”

Achieve Cooke’s sophomore season for the Golden Suns stands unchallenged as the greatest by a cross country runner in Arkansas Tech history.

She won the 2005 Gulf South Conference and NCAA Division II South Region individual titles to become the first, and thus far only Golden Suns cross country runner to qualify for the NCAA Division II Championships. She finished ninth in the 2005 national meet at Pomona, Calif.

“I loved my time there,” said Cooke when asked about her recollections of ATU. “I made some really, really good friends at Arkansas Tech that I still keep in touch with. I have really fond memories of Arkansas Tech. Everyone was so friendly and made me feel at home. I suffered a little bit with homesickness when I first got over there, but the people helped me.”

Break The 2005 NCAA Division II Championships proved to be Cooke’s final meet at Arkansas Tech. Injuries curtailed her collegiate career and raised serious doubt about her ability to ever run competitively again.

“When the injuries were really bad and it didn’t seem like anything was going to get better anytime soon, it was a frustrating time for me,” said Cooke. “I’d done so well up to that point during my college time in Arkansas, and then I went home and finished third at my national championships that year. It felt like everything was going great, and then these injuries happened.

Repair “For a couple of years, I did think it was over and there was no chance anymore,” continued Cooke. “I started looking after my health quite a lot more…my diet, things like that, and doing stuff in the gym to help my injuries…and eventually it started improving. I got back to running recreationally for a while, and when that felt okay was when I decided to get back properly.”

After resuming competitive running

in 2015, Cooke says it took “a couple of years” before she allowed the dream of becoming an Olympian to resurface in her mind.

“I wasn’t thinking so much about the Olympics when I first got back,” said Cooke. “I just started competing at a local level. I really enjoy mingling with other runners. There’s a great community in running. I just wanted to win my local races and properly improve on my times. I didn’t see it as much of a chore or a sacrifice so to speak because it’s something I really enjoy doing. It’s just that one thing for me that is all or nothing. I couldn’t say to myself I was going to just go back and do it for fun. I’ve always wanted to do better at every race, and I think it’s that mentality that brought me to that position.”

Rebuild Just as Cooke’s health and training were rounding into form, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Ireland. Qualifying events for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics began to be postponed, and then taken off the schedule altogether. Eventually, the Olympic games themselves were delayed a year until 2021.

“I kept training through summer 2020,” said Cooke. “There were times when I thought to myself, ‘is there a point?’ I can’t keep doing this if things are going to keep getting canceled and I have nothing to aim for.”

She learned in fall 2020 of the Cheshire Elite Marathon, which was planned for April 2021 with COVID-19 protocols in place. Cooke finally had the opportunity she needed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. >>

Thank you

to all who have served to keep our nation free.

1903 S. ARKANSAS, RUSSELLVILLE AR • (479) 968-3991 JULY 2021

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“I trained throughout the winter,” said Cooke. “I got it into my head that it was going ahead. I didn’t let myself think it was going to be canceled. I trained as if it was going ahead, and thankfully it did.”

Cooke won the Cheshire Elite Marathon on April 25 with a time of two hours, 28 minutes and 36 seconds --- almost a minute inside the cut line to qualify for Tokyo. In that instant, Cooke became an Olympian.

“Crossing the finish line was just incredible,” said Cooke. “That was definitely a hugely memorable moment. I remember going back to my car and my phone…there were so many messages and voice mails. It was a little bit overwhelming, but it was incredible to see all of the support.”

Come Back Stronger Cooke departed Ireland and arrived in Utah in early June to begin altitude training and start acclimating herself to the warmer climate she will encounter in Japan.

She said that a top-20 finish in the Tokyo Olympics would make her “really happy,” but she also has the perspective of someone who not so long ago thought her running days might be complete.

“This will be my first experience running internationally in quite a long time, so I’m going to soak up the experience of this one,” said Cooke. “I’m pretty young still by marathon standards. I would like to run maybe in the world championships in Oregon next year and make it to the next Olympics in Paris in 2024. Hopefully, I’ll have a lot more experience under my belt and be able to put in a really good performance then.”

Arkansas Governor’s School Remains at ATU Arkansas Governor’s School will continue to be conducted on the Arkansas Tech University campus in Russellville through 2024.

The decision to award AGS to Arkansas Tech from 2022-24 was made during a meeting of the Arkansas Board of Education on Thursday, June 10.

“When Arkansas Tech University began its association with Arkansas Governor’s School in 2019, we made a promise to serve as proper stewards of a great Arkansas tradition,” said Dr. Robin E. Bowen, ATU president. “Through our collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Tech has applied its institutional strengths to provide AGS students with an enriching educational experience.

We are pleased to continue this partnership for an additional three years, and we look forward to the transformational opportunities that AGS will continue to provide for many of the top high school students in our state.”

Founded in 1979 by Gov. Bill Clinton, Arkansas Governor’s School serves up to 400 selected students from around the state during the summer before their senior year in high school. The 42nd Arkansas Governor’s School is scheduled for July 5-Aug. 1, 2021, on the ATU campus in Russellville.

The Arkansas Department of Education Gifted and Talented Programs administrator supervises Arkansas Governor’s School with assistance from an advisory council appointed by the governor.

More information about AGS at Arkansas Tech is available at www.atu.edu/ags. l OVER

YEARS IN BUSINESS

www.luxurypoolarkansas.com

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

PRESTONROSE FARM & BREWERY 201 ST LOUIS VALLEY RD, PARIS, AR

Jefferson’s legacy in Logan County

Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN Story by JOHNNY CARROL SAIN

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NOT THAT LONG AGO, everything we ate came from people we knew and what was on the table was dependent upon which season we were in. Early spring was greens and midsummer meant tomatoes and cucumbers. Late summer and early fall was okra and watermelon. The meat on our plates came from animals that lived not far away. Everything was local.

It was, in fact, much like Thomas Jefferson’s vision of a great American agrarian society where those who had a hand in the dirt also served as lynchpins of community. Because, after all, food and those who provide it had been lynchpins of every community from Jefferson’s life going backward. According to Jefferson, those souls who worked the soil were the chosen people of God. Surely, then, those fine folks who prepare the fruits of that sacred labor are God’s anointed as well.

While we can’t say that the Almighty’s hand rests on Prestonrose Farm and Brewing, we can speak to the divine delectables we encountered there. And it’s all grown right around here — vegetables nourished in the local soil and animals fattened on the local grass, The menu changes every weekend, but a solid staple week in and week out are the tacos. Options are pork and chicken (raised in the fresh air and sunshine as the good Lord intended) and a veggie option with mushrooms. And they are downright delicious — meat (or fungi) that tastes like it’s supposed to taste and accented with the freshest of vegetables and edible flowers.

Paired with one of Prestonrose’s delicious brews there is no better way to pay tribute to Jefferson’s best idea that, now more than ever, should be at the forefront of any discussions about food or country. l

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

Garfield’s holiday Story by LYDIA ZIMMERMAN, Food Editor Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

I

f you’ve ever read the comics or watched the movies, you know that Garfield the cat’s fav food is Lasagna.

So he must get really excited every July 29th as it is National Lasagna Day! You may not know this, but technically, Lasagna did not originate in Italy as you may expect. Its origin can be traced way back to ancient Greece. The name “lasagna” or “lasagne” is derived from the Greek word “laganon” — the first known form of pasta. Laganon was not a traditional lasagna, as we know it, with traditional Italian ingredients. But it was composed of layers of pasta and sauce.

So it basically got its name from the method in which it was made, not for its ingredients.

Fast-forward a few centuries Many countries have debated about who came up with the first lasagna recipe. Of course, Italy claims they were the first, but really should be credited for perfecting the layers and layers of deliciousness that is lasagna now. In fact, researchers in Britain found a cookbook with a lasagna recipe that dates back to the 1390’s, staking their claim to the first lasagna.

But whoever invented it, or the ingredients used in its layers, it’s a dish loved by many.

So to help Garfield, and anyone else who wants to celebrate this occasion, I’ve created and collected some usual and unique lasagna recipes for you to try.

As always, enjoy… or as the Italians say, godere!

ZUCCHINI LASAGNA 1 T olive oil 1 onion (peeled and diced) 2 cloves garlic (peeled and minced) 8 oz tomato sauce 1/2 tsp dried oregano 2 T fresh basil (chopped) 4 zucchini (thinly sliced) 1 c ricotta cheese 1/4 c Parmesan cheese (grated) 2 c mozzarella cheese (shredded) Salt (to taste) Freshly ground black pepper (to taste) Preheat the oven to 400 F. Add 1 T of olive oil and the diced onion to a large skillet or cast iron pan. Cook on medium heat, stirring often until the onions 28

ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~

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soften and begin to lightly caramelize.

Add the minced garlic and continue cooking for one more minute.

Add the tomato sauce, oregano, fresh basil, salt, and ground black pepper. Continue cooking for another minute or two and then remove from the heat to cool slightly.

While the sauce cools, slice the zucchini into thin (approximately 1/8-inch thick), noodle-like layers. You can do this with a sharp knife, but a mandolin slicer is the ideal tool for this job.

Lightly salt them and set them on a rack for about 10 minutes. This will help draw some of the excess water from the vegetable. Pat them dry with a paper towel before assembling the lasagna.

In an oven-safe casserole dish (approx-

imately 9-inches-by-13-inches), spread a couple of tablespoons of the cooled sauce on the bottom. Place a layer of the zucchini noodles over the sauce, then a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Add a couple of tablespoons of the sauce followed by another layer of the zucchini noodles.

Place a few dollops of the ricotta cheese on top and repeat the process until you’ve reached the top of the dish. The final layer should be mozzarella cheese topped with the Parmesan.

Bake in the oven for 35 to 45 minutes or until the cheese has melted and started to brown. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe courtesy of thespruceeats.com

PINK LASAGNA ABOUT Magazine Featured Recipe ~ JULY 2021

Marinara 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce 2 T granulated sugar 2 T Italian Seasoning 1/2 c grated parmesan 1 T minced garlic 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion salt Alfredo 1 stick unsalted butter 2 T olive oil 1 T minced garlic 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder 3/4 tsp onion powder 1 1/2 tsp ground white pepper 16 oz heavy whipping cream 1/2 c grated parmesan 1 c great value mozzarella and provolone blend shredded cheese 1 lb ground chuck 1 lb italian sausage 1 pkg sliced pepperoni 12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained 3 c great value mozzarella and provolone blend shredded cheese

In a preheated skillet place ground chuck and Italian sausage. Cook until browned, breaking up into small pieces. Remove from skillet and place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.

In a large sauce pan, place all of the ingredients for the marinara and cook over medium heat until it starts to simmer. Reduce heat to low and cover. Allow it to continue to simmer while Alfredo is being prepared.

In another large saucepan, place butter and olive oil over medium heat.

When butter is melted, add the minced garlic. Cook for approx 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic powder, onion powder, ground white pepper and heavy whipping cream to pan. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring frequently.

When mixture begins to thicken, add the parmesan and mozzarella/provolone shredded cheeses. Continue to stir until mixture is thick. Mix the Marinara and Alfredo sauces together.

To Assemble: Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray a 9x13 in baking dish with olive oil cooking spray.

1st layer: 4 cooked lasagna noodles,

spread 1/2 of the ground chuck/Italian sausage, spoon 1/3 of the “pink” space over the meat, then 1 c of the shredded cheese.

2nd layer: 4 cooked lasagna noodles, pepperoni slices, 1/3 of the “pink” sauce, then 1 c of the shredded cheese.

3rd layer: remaining ground chuck/Italian sausage, remainder of the “pink” sauce, then remainder of the shredded cheese.

Cover top of lasagna loosely with tin foil.

Place in the preheated oven and bake for approx 25-30 minutes or until cheese is lightly brown.

Serve while warm.

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BANANA PUDDING LASAGNA 1st layer 4 c crushed vanilla wafers (approx 1- 11 oz box) 1 stick butter, melted 3 T granulated sugar Pudding (2nd layer) 1 1/2 c granulated sugar 1/4 c cornstarch 1/4 tsp salt 2 egg yolks 2 c milk 2 T butter 1 tsp imitation banana extract 3rd layer 8 oz cream cheese, softened 2 T sour cream 1/3 c powdered sugar 1 banana peeled and sliced 4th layer 8 oz whipped topping Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

For the 1st layer: Spray a square cake pan with Bakers cooking spray (oil mixed with flour).

Place vanilla wafers in a gallon size ziplock back with 3 T granulated sugar. Seal bag and use a rolling pin to crush wafers.

Once crushed, add three cups of the mixture into the melted butter. Mix well until crumbs are well coated. Press into the square cake pan.

Bake in preheated oven for approx 10 minutes. Remove from oven and then using the back of a spoon press mixture further into pan. Allow to cool, then place in freezer to set.

For the 2nd layer: Stir 1 1/2 c granulated sugar, cornstarch and salt into a large saucepan.

Separate 2 eggs (do not keep whites), place egg yolks into a large bowl with 2 cups of milk. Beat together well. Pour into the saucepan with the dry mixture and stir well. Cook over medium heat, stirring very frequently.

Once mixture has thickened. Remove from heat, add 2 T butter and the banana extract. Mix well. Allow to cool.

Remove the cake pan containing the first layer from freezer and spread the cooled 2nd layer evenly over it. Top with sliced banana.

For the 3rd layer: Beat the cream cheese with a mixer. Add the sour cream and powdered sugar. Continue to beat for another 3 minutes. Spread evenly over the 2nd layer.

Sprinkle with 1/2 c vanilla wafer crumbs.

For the 4th layer: Spread 3/4 of an 8 oz container of whipper topping and sprinkle with remainder of vanilla wafer crumbs.

Place in refrigerator to set for 4-5 hours.

Serve directly from refrigerator.

LASAGNA STUFFED PEPPERS 4 bell peppers (2 each of red and yellow) vegetable oil 1 onion, diced

1 garlic clove, chopped 9 oz ground beef 1 1/2 c tomato sauce 5-6 oz ricotta 1 egg 3/4 c grated parmesan 1 c fresh basil, chopped 8 lasagna noodles, cooked 1 1/2 c shredded mozzarella Remove the tops and hollow out the bell peppers. Heat a little oil in a frying pan and add the onion, garlic and ground beef.

When the beef is brown, season with salt and pepper. Then add the tomato sauce.

In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, parmesan, and basil until well mixed. Now to fill the peppers. Spoon a small portion of sauce into each pepper.

Cut the lasagna noodles into squares and place the first square on top of the sauce.

Then add a generous spoonful of the ricotta mixture. Top with another lasagna square.

Repeat this pattern until the pepper is full.

Sprinkle some shredded mozzarella as the final layer. Bake the lasagna peppers at 340 °F for 30 minutes.

Not only do these bright baked vegetables look a treat coming out of your oven, their rich and gooey contents will make you forget there was ever another way to stuff them. And best of all, even the heartiest of appetites will be thoroughly satisfied. Enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of scrumdiddlyumptious.com

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REHABILITATION

LONG TERM CARE

RESIDENTIAL

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CHICKEN CORDON BLEU LASAGNA 9 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package directions 4 1/2 c cooked and chopped chicken, grilled or rotisserie chopped 1 1/2 c cooked and diced ham 1 1/2 - 2 c cooked and chopped bacon 3 c Swiss cheese, grated SAUCE 1/2 c butter 1/2 c flour 4 c milk 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp garlic salt 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp white pepper 16 oz cream cheese, softened In a large saucepan melt butter and add flour. Cook for 1 minute and then slowly add milk. Add garlic powder, garlic salt, salt and pepper. Stir with a whisk and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Stir in cream cheese and continue to stir until smooth. Remove from heat.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

TO ASSEMBLE Place 3 lasagna noodles on the bottom of the pan. Layer 1/3 of the chicken over the noodles. Next layer 1/3 of the ham.

Pour 1/3 of the sauce over the ham. Next sprinkle 1/3 of the cheese over the sauce.

Finally sprinkle 1/3 of the bacon over the cheese.

Repeat 2 more times. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 60 minutes.

Recipe courtesy of chef-in-training.com TACO LASAGNA 12 oven ready lasagna noodles (see note) 1 lb lean ground beef 1 (1-oz) package Old El Paso taco seasoning 1 egg 1 (15-oz) carton ricotta cheese 4 c (1 lb) shredded cheddar cheese 1 (24-oz) jar chunky salsa Optional toppings: sour cream, green onions, diced tomatoes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large skillet, brown beef until no longer pink. Drain meat and add the taco seasoning. Stir until combined and set aside.

In a small bowl, add the egg and ricotta and stir until combined.

In a 9x13 baking dish, start by layering 4 lasagna noodles on the bottom of the pan.

Next, layer 1/3 of the ricotta, 1/3 of the beef mixture, 1/3 of the salsa, and 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat the layers 2 more times.

Bake covered for 30-40 minutes or until the casserole has heated through and is bubbly. Let casserole stand 10 minutes before cutting. Top with sour cream, sliced green onions, and diced tomatoes if desired. *I use oven ready or no-boil lasagna noodles to save time. You can use regular noodles as well, boiled before assembling.

It’s important to cover it tightly when baking. This kind of steams the noodles with the salsa.

Freezing: This freezes great! To use frozen casserole: Thaw in the refrigerator for 8 hours and then bake as directed.

Recipe courtesy of the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

TEMPERATURES MAY RISE, BUT YOUR ENERGY BILL DOESN’T HAVE TO!

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COMMUNITY COMMERCE

BRS Roofing IT ALL STARTED THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO with three guys and a home business. Now, with more than a thousand jobs under their belts and 30 fulltime employees, Ray Wilkinson and Jared Mclemore continue to do what they do best: providing quality roofing products and unmatched service to their customers.

“We all had previous experience roofing and decided to open our own business. We started off working out of a home but two

Providing free quality instruction and support to literacy-seeking adults.

River Valley Adult Learning Alliance (479) 477-3910

rivervalleyliteracycouncil@gmail.com

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Story & photo by BENITA DREW

years ago moved here to the Cowell Steel building,” Mclemore said. Luke Miller now owns BRS as well as Cowell, which has moved to Pottsville.

Mclemore explained that BRS started BRS Roofing 213 Reasoner Ln., Russellville www.brsroof.com (479) 967-2288

out with residential roofing, but now also does commercial work and is expanding in the industrial side as well.

RESIDENTIAL Although they’ve added commercial and industrial, residential is still the bulk of BRS Roofing’s business. Mclemore said the first contact with a client usually starts with a phone call. “It’s going to typically be a leak or they are going to want a full replacement.

Both could be insurance work, depending on the severity and what caused it.”

While they do offer 24/7 emergency response repairs, for a more typical non-emergency call, the goal is within 48 hours (weather permitting), a representative of BRS is on site to assess the job for a quote. Once the customer calls to approve, most jobs are done within two to three weeks.

BRS offers a variety of residential roofing options including Certain-Teed Lifetime Roofing Systems, architectural asphalt shingle roofing, architectural metal shingles and metal roofing systems. They are residential certified in Malarkey, Certain-Teed and Owens Corning.

Aside from complete roof installations, BRS offers roof maintenance service programs, gutter installation and clearing, roof surface pressure washing and assisting with insurance questions.

Mclemore said the largest residential job he recalls for BRS, was 12,000 square feet.

COMMERCIAL Several recognizable businesses in Russellville have BRS roofs installed including West Side Church of Christ, Russellville Family Funeral, Cowell Steel, Stoby’s, the ATU Alumni House, and the Church of Christ Student Center. In Morrilton, BRS

has roofed and repaired several of the historic commercial buildings in downtown.

While the majority of residential is shingles, commercial is typically metal or membrane. On the commercial side of BRS, they are certified with Johns Manville, Mule Hide, MBCI, GAF, Certain-Teed, Duro-Last, PPG and Rustoleum.

INDUSTRIAL Mclemore said he sees the industrial side of BRS, Industrial Solutions Group, Inc., experiencing the most growth in the near future, expecting to hire another 25 or more people in the next five years.

BRS is available to travel out of state and conforms to the specific requirements of each industry.

Currently offering boiler repair and replacement, coatings, maintenance services and roof systems, he said they are working with a new product for industrial use, which will likely lead to more contract work.

BRS is licensed, bonded and insured and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. BRS is located at 213 Reasoner Lane, Russellville, and can be reached at 479-967-2288. For more detailed information about their products, their website address is brsroof.com. Whether for your home or business, as their motto states, BRS has “got you covered.” l

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THE SEED & THE STORY

A continued conversation

M

ay was Decoration Day season, a time dedicated to tending graves and honoring relatives who have passed on. As a child we went to multiple cemeteries to decorate graves, but my favorite was always the Harkey Valley Cemetery. And that was, at least partially, because of the lizards.

Located a long way down a dirt road,

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Insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange and other affiliated insurance companies. Visit farmers.com for a complete listing of companies. Not all insurers are authorized to provide insurance in all states. Coverage is not available in all states.

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the cemetery is filled with field stones and boasts a few rock graves above ground.

The place always has, and still does, hold great sway over me. I’ve traveled to many places around the world, but I count this small, rural, wooded cemetery among my most favorite of locations. These days when I visit I can see the tombstone of my grandmother, Mary Caroline, a woman

Story by MEREDITH MARTIN-MOATS Photo by JOHNNY CARROL SAIN

who helped raise me. And My Aunt Mae, who I admired so deeply, is nearby. But back in the 1980s, the place was populated with people I knew only in stories.

There was my great grandmother Orelnia who was said to be incredibly feisty; I liked to trace the letters of her name under my fingertips. There was my grandfather John L. Martin. I’d grown up hearing

stories about his square dancing and song leading and horse and mule training, and my Nini always said I could dance and sing because of him. It never mattered that these relatives were dead. At Decoration Days all these people seemed to be right there with us. I can still remember the rolling laughter when all the adults started swapping stories about Caldwell cousins.They would laugh and carry on with a kind of lightness that was different from most of our visits to the cemetery. Decoration Day didn’t hold the fresh grief of a funeral. It was an older grief, the kind worn smooth with familiarity and time.

When all the relatives would get engrossed in stories, my cousin Kelly and I would disappear to chase lizards. The lizards seemed to be everywhere, running in and out of the brush and across the graves.

I never could catch them. But Kelly could.

I distinctly remember the one time a lizard’s tail snapped off in her hand. It took off scurrying across the Harkey Valley red clay while we stood there watching in amazement.

To this day I always associate lizards with the cemetery. At home I spent a lot of time hanging out with turtles (and dogs). I had many box turtles and I’d feed them out of my hand. I studied their colors and shells.

I thought a lot about their slow moving, clawed feet. But the lizards were so fast.

They’d dart in patterns my eyes couldn’t catch. They’d tilt their heads to the side, flick their tongues, and then bolt. Kelly and I knew better than to step on graves, but the stealthy lizards really gave us no choice.

If you were going to catch one you had to move quickly and go where they lead.

These days I live not too far from that cemetery. I go often. And this year I took my own children to Decoration Day at the Harkey Valley cemetery. After their Papa and I walked around and placed the flowers on our relatives’ graves, I gave my daughter extra flowers to put on a few others. I told her to decide where they should go. Maybe she could find some that needed tending. I remembered how much I used to enjoy decorating the untouched graves, feeling like it was a small token of remembrance, even if I had no idea who was buried there nor anything about their own relatives had long since passed. I also gave my daughter those flowers because I hoped that while I joined the adults sitting around talking, she’d get lost in her own world of discovery. Maybe she’d find distant relatives of those same lizards I once knew. Sure enough, before long she was walking around and touching the stones, occasionally getting down closer to the dirt to read the names more closely. She didn’t come back with a lizard’s tale, but she did come back with a deepening interest in that little patch of Harkey Valley land.

There is a connection between these gatherings we know as Decoration Day and the traditions of Memorial Day. Some historians connect the tradition to the days following the Civil War, something I’m trying to learn more about and plan to explore in the future. But for our family, Decoration Day meant taking time to connect with the dead and the living, a continued conversation across generations and, I realize now, even species. l

Proudly serving our customers since 1903 Three convenient Russellville locations to serve you:

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3079 East Main

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Vacation Bible School July 25-29 / 6-8:40pm Ages 5-6th Grade

Victory Baptist Church VictoryRussellville.org

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Story & photo by JOHNNY CARROL SAIN

A JOURNAL of our RURAL & NATURAL HERITAGE

Pure possibility RIPPLES HAVE LONG SINCE FADED FROM ITS LAST GURGLE as the black popper sits motionless on the mirror surface. The calm harbor it rests in is formed by a quarter-circle of boulders choking off the current as it races silver across algae-slick rocks. The pool is small for this creek but more than waist-deep. And it’s the only still water among the riffles before the shoal dumps into a much larger pool of aquamarine twenty yards or so downstream It’s classic smallmouth holding water. There has to be a fish in here.

When smallmouth in moving water decide to take a fly, they tend to be hyper-aggressive because when you make a living in current, you’ve got to act fast. Food is always on the move and the 36

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window of opportunity is closing at precisely the same moment it opens. The indecisive mouth goes unfilled.

Often, when I’m fishing swift water, two or more brown bass will charge the fly as it tumbles through riffles or drops into tiny pockets. I once watched a pack of smallmouth so frothed to predatory fervor that they pursued a fly right out of the water as I stripped it in for another cast not knowing it was being followed. When the melee was over, two fish were nearly stranded on the rocks, saved only by their survival-mode tenacity. Another time and in a different creek, a hunting group was so caught up in the chase that they became oblivious to the capture of their brothers and sisters. It was as though the pursuit had locked them into a bloodthirsty trance

far more to success or failure in the pool than the angler’s abilias I hooked and landed — on consecutive casts — every single ties. There’s no guarantee that anything will make the fish strike. member of the gang of four that had followed the olive wooly She may be full. She may have a hankering for June bugs and bugger to my feet. your offering too much resembles a moth. There may not even Smallmouth venture into the fastest water only to hunt; even be a smallmouth in this section of creek. What happens once the novice anglers can catch them, and maybe a big one now and fly hits the water is largely up to the X-factor, the wild unknown. then, in the riffles. That’s not how smallmouth behave when they fin around in pools, though. The thing about pools, when it comes to stream smallies, is “I sense an assessment made on my offering. I understand that that the indifferent nature of the water percontrol of this future is totally out of my hands now.” meates the fish’s personality. The wheat and the chaff are separated in pools.

Still-water smallmouth bass are a suspiLocked within these delicious moments of uncertainty are the reacious lot, especially the old ones. The queen bass of a pool knows sons I fish. precisely who and what is in her queendom at nearly all times.

There’s an old joke about an angler who, after shucking his She knows that in the relatively open water her speed can overmortal coil, finds himself waist-deep in an ethereal stream flowing take any prey making a desperate dash for rocky cover. And she through woodlands of empyrean beauty known only to those who knows that everyone else under her rule knows the pecking order. have passed on to the next realm. He holds a fly rod seemingly Time is on her side. crafted by the hand of divinity and every gorgeous cast to every So when the vibrations of a popper reach her lateral line and stitch of water, all of which looks as though it could hold the fish her quick eyes laser onto the source, there’s no sense of urgency of his dreams, produces just that — the fish of his dreams. The in her. There is, instead, a growing but cautious interest followed sun never sets, time stalls, and the angler never grows weary as by stringent inspection. It’s in pools that the angler’s offering is he hooks and brings to net one spectacular bass after another for judged most honestly and most harshly. what seems an eternity. But as each new bend in the creek brings If you can get the fish to strike you’ll convince yourself that more action, the angler comes to the sobering realization -- this she fell to your wisdom and skill. And if you can stick a hook in place is most definitely not paradise. her you’ll know that within the whole county (maybe the state) After more than a minute of stillness, I twitch the popper, trying it was probably only you who could pull it off. You’ll take note my level best to make it imitate a crippled cicada. In the pool’s of just how you wriggled the popper, how soft or loud the “pop” depths, I convince myself that a hazy silhouette slowly rises but was, and you’ll file it all away as gospel for the next time. You’ll never high enough for me to clearly see it. I sense an assessment write a little “how-to” and post it in your Facebook fishing group made on my offering. I understand that control of this future is or maybe even try to sell it to a publication. totally out of my hands now.

And if you never see a fish, you’ll be convinced that your In these seconds of pure possibility, I know that I’m not here to angling time would be better spent dunking worms in the catch the fish. I’m here for this singular moment. I’m here only to stock pond. find out what will happen next. l But despite my delusional notions of defining mastery, there’s

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COMMUNITY LEADERS

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BT

JONES AGE: 65 HOMETOWN & Originally from Bingen, YEARS IN THE near Nashville, Arkansas RIVER VALLEY: (southwest), - 29 years in the

River Valley OCCUPATION: Park Interpreter at Petit Jean

State Park FAMILY: Wife Debbie, Mother-inLaw Ruby, son Stuart, grandchildren, dogs, and cats.

1. What is your favorite book?

A single favorite is difficult for me to pin down.

One classic that park interpreters tend to return and read again and again is A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold. The author’s observations on nature and land use are widely accepted to be time worthy and wise. I also often return to Jane Goodall’s Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey.

The volume is largely autobiographical and full of perceptive thought.

2. Dog or cat?

I’m a dog person, but that is not to say that I don’t like cats. I love animals in general. Dog preference is classic: given a fair chance, they make you part of their family and their allegiance is unmitigated. As for cats, I think Rooster Cogburn put it well when talking about the cat General Sterling Price in the movie True Grit: “General Price don’t belong to me.

He just rooms with me. Cats don’t belong to nobody.

‘Course, I depend on him.”

3. What do you think is the most positive aspect of living in the River Valley?

We are blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and a diversity of outdoor activity for those who love to be outside. There are cultural opportunities for everyone as well.

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

At first glance, I am appropriately polite and civil. Once we get to know each other, I can be demonstratively ornery.

5. What is your favorite music genre and artist?

Don’t shoot me, but I love classical music. It may have started with the Tom and Jerry cartoon in which Tom played a portion of Franz Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody with his toes. If I had to pick a favorite piece, I would go with J.S. Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, written early in the 1700s. Either on a pipe organ or with full orchestra, it’s a beautiful, powerful, slightly chilling experience.

6. What do you nerd out on?

Being a park interpreter, I am inevitably considered nerdy. We delve into

nature, history, geology, and attempt to reveal such subjects in an agreeable fashion. I also nerd out on books and movies that make the mental gears turn. One example is the 2016 film Arrival. The main character is a linguist (not many of those in hero roles) who gains a hard-won and valuable knowledge of non-linear-time communication.

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

My first impulse is to say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But there is always room for improvement. Let’s be adaptable and open to a better future for everyone.

9. Pizza, tacos, cheeseburger, or fried chicken?

All of the above? If you force my hand, I’ll pick pizza. Why? You can put anything that tastes good on it. At a French class party in college, I was introduced to Quiche Lorraine. My, that was good stuff. I’ve been a fan ever since. In 1982 a humorist named Bruce Feirstein wrote a book called Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche.

When I saw the title, I simply said: “So be it.”

10. What is your favorite quote?

Maybe it’s this one, from Jane Goodall: “We have the choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place.”

8. Where is the one location in the River Valley you would tell a first-time visitor that they must go?

Petit Jean State Park, of course.

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