ABOUT | March 2012

THE YOUNG GENTLEMEN’S GOLFER

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley March 2012

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To educate the mind and touch the heart of each student by upholding God's Word as the standard for a lifetime of living and learning.

Now enrolling grades K-12. To find out more about COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL contact us at 479-968-1429 or find us on the web at www.russellvilleccs.com

Community Christian School would like to thank the following generous sponsors

March 2012

8 The Young Gentleman’s Golfer

“Golf is a game of integrity and honesty. It’s a gentleman’s game. That’s one of the first things I remember learning about it.” Jay Trusty, 14, of Danville. Trusty has been playing the game for as long as he can remember – literally since he was in his diapers.

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about | our cover Photo by Steve Newby; Graphic Design by Chris Zimmerman Jay Trusty, 14, of Danville, has been playing golf for as long as he can remember. He received his first set of clubs for Christmas at the age of two and won the Pepsi Little Peoples’ Golf Championship in Illinois at the age of five. With more than 100 trophies, plaques and medals won from tournaments, this high school freshman is finally able to be a member of the Danville High School golf team. Don’t miss, “The Young Gentleman Golfer” beginning on page 8.

4 ABOUT | March 2012

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Turning Off the Addiction Switch

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Dig Arkansas

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ABOUT Food

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Starting from Scratch

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Girls of Promise

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Eagle Tours

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Movers and Shakers

March is Archeology Month in Arkansas. Archeology is the scientific study of past human culture and behavior from the origins of humans to the present through the study of artifacts these people left behind.

In an effort to increase public awareness of the bald eagle, Lake Dardanelle State Park began offering “Eagle Tours” during the migratory period of November through February.

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March 2012 | ABOUT 5

A PAGE FROM

The Editor’s Notebook

ABOUT

the River Valley

Moving Forward One afternoon in February, I met my neighbor Carson. Meeting Carson caused me to reflect on a conversation that I had with my grandfather many years ago. At the time, I was a young mother with two little ones. The news was on and an announcement had just been made about the kidnapping of a young child.

My Papaw, one of nine who grew up on a country farm, scoffed at the report, but mostly at the changing times. The idea that someone would kidnap a child was inconceivable.

When he was young, there were always siblings running around the yard. I remember he even joked that his mama might have been “glad” if someone would have taken one or two of them. This, of course, was a joke. My Papaw always laughed at the darndest things.

He was familiar with the 1932 kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby. The toddler was taken from his home in New Jersey. Two months later, his little body was found a few blocks from his home.

Kidnapping still happens. It occurs when young infants are kidnapped under the noses of well-supervised hospital nurseries, from the back seats of unoccupied cars, and from the front yards of homes. And sometimes the “kidnapped” child simply walks away.

Last month the murdered body of 16-year-old Angela Allen of Van Buren was found more than a week after she walked away to meet someone she had contacted using a social media page. She wasn’t little and she wasn’t ill-informed. She just made a serious mistake.

Mistakes – or errors in judgment – are made every day, generally made without consequence. Sometimes they are made when we are tired, distracted or overburdened.

The way I met my young neighbor, Carson, was probably one of those “errors in judgment.”

Thankfully our chance meeting occurred without harm, but it could have been so very different.

Following the end of my workday, I headed home. I turned off the highway onto the street to our home. I saw the dog first – a scruffy-looking Terrier mix that was bouncing across the yard, heading toward the street. And then I saw Carson.

The tow-headed toddler was running down the driveway, following the dog, heading right into the street. I looked up, unbelieving that this little one was headed directly toward the front of my car with no adult running frantically after him.

After years of living in neighborhoods filled with tricycle-riding youngsters, I drive slowly. I stopped my car in the street, blocking off the driveway. I kneeled down to him, his wide-eyes trying to identify me. I looked to see the garage door and back door open into the house. Carson turned and toddled back inside as I followed him.

I called out four times before I got a response. Evidently ‘grandma’ (or his sitter, I’m still not sure which) was holding a newborn. She didn’t realize Carson had walked out the door.

Okay, I get it, escaping kids. It happens. But then she said he had done it before while his ‘grandpa’ was in the yard and she just didn’t realize he could open the door. Really? Not once but twice?

Dianne Edwards, Editor/Publisher Thank you, Lord, for opening my eyes to a scruffy479.970.6628 looking dog running toward the street... editor@aboutrvmag.com

A Publication of Silver Platter Productions, Inc Vol. VII, Issue 2 – March 2012 Owners: Nolan and Dianne Edwards DIANNE EDWARDS | editor editor@aboutrvmag.com VONNA MARPEL | advertising vonna@aboutrvmag.com CHRISTINE WOJTKOWSKI | advertising christine@aboutrvmag.com KECHIA BENTLEY | writer kechia@aboutrvmag.com JOHNNY SAIN | writer johnny@aboutrvmag.com CONNIE LAS SCHNEIDER | writer connie@aboutrvmag.com STEVE NEWBY | photography stevenewbyphotography@aboutrvmag.com CLIFF THOMAS | illustrator maddsigntist@aboutrvmag.com CHRIS ZIMMERMAN | layout/design chris@zimcreative.com

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March 4: CenturyLink High School Competition Exhibit Opening Reception, RV Arts Center, 1-3 p.m.; info: 968-2452.

March 8: “The Unconquered: In Search of the Amazon’s Last Uncontacted Tribes” by author, writer and explorer, Scott Wallace; 7 p.m.; info, 754-3839 or www.ozarks.edu.

March 8: Winthrop Rockefeller Institute Film Forum, Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. Info: (501) 727-5435.

March 10: “Step Up and Heal Thyself,” wellness symposium, 9:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., 111 E. Harrell Drive; 970-4811.

March 10: Book signing for Debbie Bewley of her first book, Fly Like An Angel, at Hastings, 5-8pm

Talk ABOUT...

Sometimes the work of talented illustrator Cliff Thomas (above) speaks volumes without the addition of my written ramblings. If you’re a Mitt fan, you’ll see the humor in suggesting the public needs another candidate for the nomination. If you’re not, well... you figure it out.

When we plan the editorial content for an upcoming month, we discuss ideas for Cliff’s illustrations. Often the subject is easy; other times we search for a unique twist to suggest for his illustration. As we searched for content this month, Cliff gently suggested an illustration of a political nature. (His suggestions are unique and limitless; it’s often my conservative nature that reins him back.)

Politics are so important, yet it’s something in which so many Americans do not actively participate.

Sure, it’s okay to gripe and complain about “your” candidate’s performance if you vote, but if you don’t...? I applaud our citizens that choose to serve, whether they are on a city, state or national level. They are truly dedicated to the cause. They are, for the most part, passionate

believers that their work is making a difference.

When I moved to Magnolia, Arkansas, from Carthage, Texas, at the beginning of my senior year of high school, it was again U.S. History and Government that I was required to take, though I’d had it previously as a sophomore. I’ve never taken a course on Arkansas History, which I’ve endeavored over the years to study on my own. You’d think that after two years of U.S. History, I’d have a genuine understanding of our political system and developed a love of same.

I respect our system of government and vote frequently. I express frustration when someone complains about the state of the union and has yet to lift a finger to cast a vote to shape our government.

I strive to educate myself on the advantages of electing certain candidates over others, but I’ll be darned if I can answer my own daughter when she asks who I am supporting this coming election. I can only tell you for whom I am n not voting!

March 14: Transitions Bereavement Support Group, 10 a.m., Ark. Hospice, 2405 E. Parkway; second Tuesday of each month. Info: 498-2050.

March 14: Forget Me Not’s – Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group, 6 p.m., second Tuesday of each month, Wildflower, 240 S. Inglewood Ave. 264-8805.

March 17-26: Wilderness First Responder Course, offered by Ozark Outdoors, info: (479) 979-1FUN, outdoors@ozarks.edu.

March 19-23: Spring Break March 23: Community Bingo, seniors 55 and older; 2-3 p.m. fourth Thursday of each month; Wildflower, 240 S. Inglewood, Russellville; 890-6709.

March 28: “Central American Identity” by SpanishAmerican Novelist Arturo Arias; 7 p.m.; info, 754-3839 or www.ozarks.edu.

March 30: 55th Annual Kiwanis Club Pancake Day, 6 a.m. – 2 p.m., Boys & Girls Club, 600 East 16th Street.

March 31: Bikes and Bollards Bike Ride, sponsored by Leadership Russellville Class of 2012; info: 883-8708.

March 31: Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Concert and Reception. Info: Paula Stamps, 293-4147. *Unless otherwise indicated, all area codes are 479 Visit www.aboutrvmag.com for a list of activities updated as they are received. To have your event included in the ABOUT Calendar of Events, email: editor@aboutrvmag.com or fax to (866) 757-3282. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication.

March 2012 | ABOUT 7

THE YOUNG

GENTLEMAN’S GOLFER

Story by Marissa Trusty Courtesy Photos

“Golf is a game of integrity and honesty.

It’s a gentleman’s game. That’s one of the first things I remember learning about it.” Jay Trusty, 14, of Danville. Trusty has been playing the game for as long as he can remember – literally since he was in his diapers.

When he was just two years old, his father, Jim Bob, bought him a set of plastic clubs for Christmas. Jay loved them.

“He spent hours and hours hitting plastic golf balls with those plastic clubs in the house. Yes, in the house. He’d hit from the living room to the den, and if he got it over the den couch, that was considered a good shot,” his father recalls.

From the living room and the plastic clubs and balls, Jay moved into real clubs and balls when he turned three. He had a little set of “Tiger Champs” kids’ golf clubs and spent his days playing in the front yard with a flagstick and cup set up for him some 50 yards away.

Jay hasn’t stopped playing golf since.

His first birdie came at the young age of four, and he now has more than 100 trophies, plaques, and medals from tournaments. The evidence of his success is plain to see. He won his first tournament when he was five in 2003 at the Pepsi Little Peoples’ Golf Championships in Quincy, Ill. The tournament brought together over 900 junior golfers from 35 states and 16 countries -- intimidating competition, especially for a junior golfer’s first tournament.

“I found it on the internet -- five and under was the age group,” his dad remembers. The elder Trusty had been taking Jay with him to Chamberlyne, their home course which is only about a mile down the road.

“I was teeing him up from about 100 yards out and he was sticking it on the green. I found this tournament and I thought he could do it. I told his mom and she said, ‘Seriously?’” So, he and Jay made the seven-hour trip to Quincy, leaving Jay’s mother and sister Marissa at home because she had to attend cheerleading camp.

“We get up there and they announce you... ‘up next on the tee from Danville, Arkansas, Jay Trusty.’ My heart was pounding,” his father laughed.

Jay had no idea how to keep score yet, so he was oblivious to where he stood during the first round of the tournament. But, at the start of the final round, he teed off in the last flight, which he knew was traditionally held for leaders.

Sitting two strokes back from the leader, he caught and tied him in just two holes.

“I can remember talking to Dad on the phone while I was at cheerleading camp,” his sister recalled. “He was telling me Jay didn’t even know he had tied the leader, didn’t know the score. Dad said Jay looked at him once and said, “Dad, I’m playing pretty good, right?”

His father told him he was playing real good.

It came down to the last hole and Jay wound up winning, not only winning his division, but setting a couple of records in the process.

“Golf is a game of integrity and honesty. It’s a gentleman’s game. That’s one of the first things I remember learning about it.”

March 2012 | ABOUT 9

After playing in the two-day, ten-hole tournament, Jay posted a course record 38 for his age group. His one-over par score of 17 for five holes on day two was also a new low round record. Following the tournament, KATV, Channel 7 of Little Rock recognized the local junior champion for his accomplishments at the Pepsi Little Peoples’ tournament by naming him the ‘Super 7 Superkids Athlete of the Week.’

Two years later, Jay would find himself back in the hunt at Pepsi Little Peoples’ yet again, this time competing in the 6-7 age group. He entered the final round one shot

himself tied for fourth place as he shot a 4 over par. On day two, Jay shot 1 under par and wound up in a playoff for second place. It took two playoff holes but Jay defeated Bryce Burke of Johannesburg, South Africa, on the second hole. Jay made a birdie putt to end it.

Another highlight of day two was on a par 4 hole; Jay carded his first ever eagle. After a good drive, he holed a 25-yard shot from the fairway with his pitching wedge.

In 2006, Jay was featured on The Golf Channel after a runner-up performance at the Mutual of Omaha Drive, Chip, and Putt National Championship at the Celebration

out of the lead. After another solid round, Jay would wait on the leaders to determine his fate, finishing one hole behind him.

With the leaders dropping a stroke, there would be a three-way tie, resulting in a sudden-death playoff to determine the winner. On the first playoff hole, Jay would two-putt for par and the victory.

Another of Jay’s favorite tournaments is the BFI-Exxon Future Tour Championships in Greenville, Miss, in which he competed for the first time in 2004. The two-day tournament attracted nearly 300 junior golfers from 25 states, Canada, and South Africa and is considered one of the premier junior tournaments in the South.

After day one, Jay, then age six, found

Golf Club held outside Orlando, Fla. Jay had qualified (for the national championship) starting in Little Rock, then he went to a regional in Louisiana where he was in a drive, chip, and putt competition against golfers from Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. He won there to advance to Orlando.

Being the national championship, all expenses were paid. They even included tickets to Disney World so the whole family went. Jay wound up going there and finishing second out of 24 finalists.

The Danville freshman admits his favorite win -- the win he is most proud of thus far -- came in 2008 at the South Central PGA Junior Championships in

Owasso, Okla. Jay shot one of his best rounds of golf during the tournament.

“I shot a 66, six under par with a 33-33 each day,” he said. “I had an eagle, six birdies, and two bogeys. I had to qualify for the tournament and played against kids from Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. That 66 was a memorable round.” He defeated 29 other junior golfers in the tournament.

The goal of every junior golfer is to play in the AJGA (American Junior Golf Association.) Known as the professional golf tour for juniors, players must qualify with top performances at regional and national events to gain entry on the tour.

AJGA alumni include well-known golf phenomenons Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mayhan, and Sergio Garcia. In June of 2011, with a fourth place finish in the Texas-Oklahoma Golf Tournament in

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Wichita Falls, Texas, Jay earned Junior AllStar exempt status for boys 15 years old and under on the AJGA circuit.

Now a freshman in high school, Jay is able to be a member of the Danville High School golf team. This year the Danville Little John boys’ golf team took first place in the 2A-5 conference tournament which was held at Chamberlyne Country Club.

Jay took first place, winning the individual district title with an 18-hole round of 75.

This win qualified Jay and the Little Johns for the 2A state tournament at Centennial

Valley in Conway. The team finished fourth in the tournament, and Jay finished third with a 74, one stroke behind two seniors.

Jay expects golf to be a part of his future, and hopes to play golf in college.

Jay does have a life outside of golf, and a pretty busy one at that. He attends First Freewill Baptist Church in Russellville and enjoys being a part of the Youth Group. Jay loves all sports and also excels at basketball.

He played for the Danville Junior High Little Johns’ basketball team this season, and averaged 18 points a game.

Being from Danville and going to church in Russellville, Jay has so much support from so many people around the river valley.

And he knows one day the other sports will come to an end, but golf is the sport he can play the rest of his life. n Editor’s Note: Marissa Trusty, older sister of Jay Trusty and author of this article, feels like she is Jay’s biggest fan, “When he hits a nice golf shot, I cheer. When a referee makes a call that I disagree with, you better believe I’m giving that ref my two-cents.

There’s honestly nothing I love more than watching him use his God-given ability and cheering him on every step of the way. I love letting everyone know, ‘That’s my little bro.’ He makes me proud.”

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about | overcoming

Turning Off the Addiction Switch Story by Connie Las Schneider

If you believe addictions are simply caused by poor choices, bad behaviors and a lack of control, the disease is much more complicated than you think.

According to a statement released in 2011 by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, (ASAM) the nation’s largest professional society of physicians dedicated to treating and preventing addiction, addiction is now listed as a “chronic brain disease and not simply a behavioral problem involving too much alcohol, drugs, gambling or sex.”

When people see compulsive and damaging behaviors in friends or family members -- or public figures such as celebrities or politicians -- they often focus only on the substance use or behaviors as the problem. However, these outward behaviors are actually manifestations of an underlying disease that involves various areas of the brain,” according to the new definition by ASAM. “At its core, addiction isn’t just a social problem or a moral problem or a criminal problem. It’s a brain problem whose behaviors manifest in all these other areas,” said Dr. Michael Miller, past president of ASAM who oversaw the development of the new definition.

“Many behaviors driven by addiction are real problems and sometimes criminal acts.

But the disease is about brains, not drugs.

It’s about underlying neurology, not outward

12 ABOUT | March 2012

actions,” said Miller on the ASAM website.

Addiction counselors in the Arkansas River Valley also stress the physical connection to addictive behaviors. “Addiction can be compared to a defective switch that once turned on can’t be turned off without help, said Janice Burnside, Clinical Service Director for Freedom House, a nonprofit residential and outpatient treatment program run under the auspices of the Arkansas River Valley Area Council (AVRAC) agrees. As Clinical Director of Freedom House, Burnside oversees all client care and training with new counselors.

“Many people feel addiction is more of a moral issue than a physical disease, and believe the addict should simply take control to stop the bad behavior. But the addict can’t stop or they would!” said Burnside who has worked at Freedom House for more than 17 years.

Addiction leaves internal scars, not external scars, said Burnside. Addiction is a progressive disease with its own systems both physical and emotional. But unlike other physical diseases, there is often no outside presence, so people can’t see the devastation until it’s too late, she explained.

While some addicts voluntarily come in for treatment, most Freedom House clients are referred by local court orders, hospitals, or mental institutions, said Burnside.

“By the time these people get into treatment, they’ve lost all ability to stop. If you ask them why it happened, they can’t tell you. No one voluntarily wants to end up in jail, in an institution or facing death,” said Burnside, who has first- hand experience with the disease and intimately understands what it is like to suffer from addiction.

Burnside first came to Freedom House for alcohol abuse as a patient in 1989 after a seemly successful career as an accountant with a nice home and supportive husband. Burnside said while her mother “never touched a drop,” her father had also been an alcoholic as were other members of the family.

“That first visit didn’t last very long because I wasn’t quite ready for it. As they say around here, I hadn’t hit by bottom yet,” said Burnside with an ironic smile.

Then in 1994, after Burnside lost her job, her husband and her home, Burnside’s mother brought her back to Freedom House for treatment a second time.

“It was the look of desperation in my mother’s eyes that gave me a clear picture of what my alcoholism did to my family,” said Burnside.

“By the time I came back to treatment I was physically, emotionally and spiritually bankrupt. I had already ‘drunk everybody up’ to the point where there was nobody left because the disease eventually consumes everybody around the addict, too. I lost my husband, my career and my beautiful home.

It was all gone,” said Burnside.

Alcohol and drugs takes everything from you and leaves you with only desperation and loneliness. You lose hope,” she said.

The Sobering Statistics

It has been estimated that one in five people in the United States are affected by addictions and/or mental illness that impair the ability to function, according to a report issued by the Surgeon General of the United States.

In the state of Arkansas alone, there will be around 12,983 DUI’s, and 154 deaths caused by intoxicated driving this year. Statistics also show that there will be 787 deaths related to alcohol abuse, 4,033 tobacco related deaths, and 157 deaths due to illicit drug use, according towww.soberpersuit.com/ a website that tracks city and state substance abuse statistics and rehab centers across the United States.

Of these grim statistics, only 5% of the people who seek help actually get treatment. The other 95% who want help never receive it, said Clinical Services Director of Freedom House Janice Burnside, who cited problems like the lack of insurance funds to cover the cost of treatment or lack of funding to nonprofit agencies that provide services to those in need.

“The sad thing is that there has been no funding increase in Arkansas for nonprofit treatment centers since 1997. While costs continue to escalate each year and more people need our service, that’s 15 years without an increase,” said Burnside. To complicate matters further, in 2014 a federal block grant program that funded Freedom House to begin with will be changing, she added.

For years, advocates for the addiction recovery industry in Arkansas have been lobbying the state for additional funding and even proposed a tax from the sale of alcohol to aid nonprofit organizations like Freedom House, but to no avail, said Burnside.

Because of these funding problems and to serve more at-risk clients, Freedom House was forced to cut its resident program stays from 45 days to 30 days duration. While longer treatment is always better in terms of success, at least the shorter period allows more clients into the program, said Burnside.

Another big need in the River Valley is to better serve pregnant woman and mothers with their kids. Not only are alcohol related birth defects on the rise, there is a growing population of women with children under DHS (Department of Human Services) and foster care because of the mother’s addictions. Juvenile offenders in detention centers often come from dysfunctional/ addictive homes, added Burnside.

“We need to work on these problems as a community. Addiction is a problem that affects everyone, not just the addict!”

To contact Freedom House for further information on their programs or to see how you can help, contact http://freedomhouseadtc.org or call (479) 968-7086.

Beside momentary donations, bedding, clothing and basic staples like personal hygiene supplies are always welcome.

N

EW

!

That was the turning point, said Burnside.

“When I came back to Freedom House the second time, I finally realized that there were people here just like me. I felt like I belonged, said Burnside.

At Freedom House, Burnside entered into a year-long residential program called the Chemical Free Living, Center (CFLC) where residents live and attend a variety of outpatient programs to give them the skills and confidence to maintain a sober and productive lifestyle free of drug and alcohol dependency.

During the recovery process at Freedom House, Burnside said the highly structured program retrains addicts and lets them get back their morals, values and everything they used to hold dear to them. “We give them their hope back.”

“That is what Freedom House gave back to me. Hope is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone. If you believe something will get better and work hard to see it through, it can happen!” said Burnside with deep conviction.

After Burnside completed treatment, she started working at Freedom House as a receptionist, and eventually became certified as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a Clinical Supervisor.

“It’s 17 years later, and here I am today!” said Burnside, who eventually adopted a daughter who had come from an addicted household.

Today, Burnside’s daughter is a welladjusted college student at Arkansas Tech University, and Burnside couldn’t be prouder.

“Treatment showed me that once a mother gets sober, she can change that cycle of addiction that affects so many families. We don’t just treat the person, were treat generations.” n

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about | family

Clearly I Can Find My Phone, If I Can Find My Glasses Story by Kechia Bentley Photo by Steve Newby

I

have spent the last 15 minutes looking for my reading glasses. My husband could tell I was looking for something and when he asked me what it was I didn’t want to tell him.

You see, my husband is almost six years older than me and once upon a time he wore reading glasses and I didn’t. He would always lose them and it would be so frustrating, not just for him but for me. I would need him to look at something and we would have to search the whole house to find his glasses. We always found them in the most unusual places and I would tease him unmercifully.

I am now paying dearly for every word I ever said because I just found mine in the two-tiered fruit holder. Why did I put them there? I have no idea! But I do know I walked by them at least ten times in my quest to find them. And, even though I had been trying to hide my dilemma from my husband, the fact that I had put my glasses in the fruit holder was just too funny -- I had to tell him.

Of course, then I had to endure, “And you would harass me about losing my glasses!” What could I say? He was right; I am now just as bad as him.

There have been times I have looked all over the house for these crazy glasses while they sat atop my own head. Yes, it will make you laugh out loud and make you think you are losing your mind.

If I were to be completely honest, I have to say that I may just be a little worse than my husband. I don’t just misplace my glasses -- I am constantly misplacing my phone. Thank goodness we still have a land line, so I can call my cell phone and walk around the house following the ring.

This past Sunday I was almost in a panic. I had gone to Cracker Barrel to eat with friends after church. On the way home I called my friend Maylu. I needed to ask if she remembered a couple we had gone to church with years ago. As I walked into the house, still talking to Maylu, I hung my purse on the hook and noticed my phone was not in its pocket. Still talking to Maylu, I began to search through my purse for my phone. My husband could tell I was beginning to panic as I dumped the contents of my purse on the table.

As he asked what I was looking for, I said, “I can’t find my phone. I may have left it at Cracker Barrel.”

He very calmly looks at me and says, “It is on your ear,” to which I reply, while laughing, “Thanks Honey.”

Seriously, I was talking on the thing and looking for it at the same time! What might be a little crazier than that is after my husband helped me “find” my phone, he just went about his businesses like what had just happened was normal.

14 ABOUT | March 2012

The really funny thing is that I have a story to top that one when it comes to my phone.

I share this story as a public service to the masses. It is my mission to make you feel better about yourself.

Several months ago my husband and I were headed out of town. We had been talking about something -- I can’t remember what it was -- but it required me to call my friend Debbie and ask her a question. I called her cell number and much to my surprise a male voice answered.

My husband had been expecting a call and his phone began to ring just as I started calling Debbie. So, I placed my finger in my ear and turned my head away so I could hear my call better.

After the male voice answered my call I hesitated, and then I said, “Who is this?”

I thought maybe her husband or son had answered her phone.

About that time my husband says, “Who is this?” I answered the person on my phone by saying, “This is Kechia Bentley.” I looked over at my husband, and we both realized we are talking to each other.

Sitting right there next to each other in a Honda Accord it took us five seconds to realize we were talking to each other on our cell phones. We have hit an all time low!

Now some of you younger people -- those under the age of 40 -- are thinking you will never be crazy like us, and you are probably right. You will never be as bad as my husband and I; we are a special kind of crazy. But as my husband has said to me at least 500 hundred times, “Wait till you’re my age.” n

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DIG Arkansas!

March is Archeology Month in Arkansas.

Archeology is the scientific study of past human culture and behavior from the origins of humans to the present through the study of artifacts these people left behind.

Story by Connie Las Schneider

16 ABOUT | March 2012

Arkansas provides scientists and amateurs alike a treasure trove of artifacts to study. Did you know that more than 11,000 thousand years before Christ walked the earth there is evidence that prehistoric people were already living, raising families and dying in what we now call Arkansas?

Whether you want to know more about the people who lived here long ago or have artifacts, arrowheads or other found objects and wonder about their origin, Arkansas Archeology Month has events at important sites throughout the state in March to broaden the public’s interest and appreciation for Arkansas’s archeological resources and to encourage the public’s participation in conservation and preservation efforts.

Co-sponsored by the Arkansas Archeological Society and the Arkansas Archeological Survey, the month long celebration offers unique opportunities to attend many events and activities including exhibits, tours, workshops, slide-talks, open houses, archeological excavations, and other special events.

“People have left evidence that indicate they have lived in this area for at least 13,500 years,” said Leslie C. “Skip” StewartAbernathy, PhD, head of the Arkansas Archeological Survey Station at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute on Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton. Some people call him “Dr. Skip” to recognize both his expertise and experience, and his informality.

Formerly located on the campus of Arkansas Tech University, the Archeological Survey office is responsible for archeological resources in 11 counties in west-central Arkansas, including the southern fringe of the Ozarks, a large portion of the Ouachitas and the Arkansas River corridor in between.

Examples of important prehistoric archeological sites in the River Valley include rock shelters and rock art sites such as the numerous pictographs and petroglyphs at Petit Jean State Park in Conway County, said Stewart-Abernathy In fact, there are so many important artifacts there, it ought to be renamed “Petit Jean Archeological State Park,” he added.

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BALANCE IS EVERYTHING For a real taste of archeology, come to the Open House of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute (WRI) Station at Petit Jean Mountain on Saturday, March 3, and see artifact displays and have your own finds identified and analyzed. Try your hand at throwing spears with an atlatl, learn how simple it is to make flaked stone tools, and hear Dr, Skip talk on “The archeology of Community, or, Going way beyond the individual artifact.”

Besides Petit Jean Mountain, Dr. Skip noted there are many other important archeological sites in the River Valley.

The Point Remove site near Morrilton includes several temple mounds made by farming Indians in the 1200s.

Carden Bottom in Yell County is also world famous for the finely made 15th and 16th century Native American ceramics.

Looted generations ago, professional and amateur archeologists are finally building a more complete picture through excavation of burned houses and trash pits full of animal bones discarded after eating the meat.

The River Valley also has many emigrant Cherokee sites and early 19th century towns. Site include Cadron in Faulkner County, Lewisville in Conway County and Galla Rock in Pope County with its surviving cemetery, not to mention the 1818 Trading Post, Cherokee settlement of leader John Jolly, and the short-lived town of Spadra in Johnson County. What was once called Titsworth Landing still-thrives today as Ozark in Franklin County.

Dwight Mission, a church- based Cherokee Indian site with an old cemetery for early Cherokee settlers, is now located on private property belonging to Mission RV Park, on Hwy 64 east of the Dardanelle bridge. Dwight Mission happens to be the first Protestant mission west of the Mississippi.

The infamous Trail of Tears went along the north side of the Arkansas River, but it also included a major water route that went up the Arkansas River. Dardanelle State Park has exhibits on the Trail of Tears at their site Visitor Center and programs throughout the year related to the Native Americans in the area.

For more information on Archeology Month events, contact the WRI Station at (501) 727- 6250.

Archeology month is made possible through the efforts of supporters throughout the state at parks, libraries, museums, and other agencies and organizations. n

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about | community

Troopers make Surprise Birthday Visit Story by Johnny Sain

For 31 years Joe Bill Young, currently of Russellville, served as a proud member of the Arkansas State Police. A recent search for the perfect birthday gift from daughter Kathy Wasser resulted in a surprise visit to Young by several current members of the Arkansas State Police. While catching up with the retired Young at his apartment at Emeritus at Wildflower, the current troopers showed Young their patrol car including the new technology and instrumentation now aiding in their daily efforts.

In 1965, Joe Bill’s first year on the job, the State Police patrolled Arkansas’ mostly dirt roadways. Many items of standard equipment for today’s Troopers were years away, no radar guns and no bulletproof vests. The sweltering Arkansas summers were even more unbearable in the State Police issue wool shirt, and oh yeah, no airconditioning in the patrol car.

Joe Bill served with dignity and during those 31 years, he had some memorable experiences. A couple of close calls sprang to his mind when discussing his time in uniform.

“There was one incident where I had to jump up on the side rail on an overpass. I was working an accident and this other car rear-ended my car. It would have cut off my legs, or worse.”

Joe Bill’s wife, Billie Young, remembered the night that a prowler made a bad decision in choosing a house to snoop around.

“Joe Bill was dispatched through the jail and the jail radio went dead after 10 p.m.

We decided to buy a radio for me, at the house, and I kept Joe Bill company until his shift was over at midnight. Well, this man is sneaking around outside our house so I radio Joe Bill. It wasn’t ten minutes until Joe Bill and three other police cars were in our yard. That poor guy was probably scared to death! We never even saw him run off.”

Another incident involved a danger that Joe Bill wasn’t aware of until the threat had passed.

“I had pulled this fellow over for having a tail light out, it seemed pretty routine.

Come to find out, the guy had just robbed 18 ABOUT | March 2012

Billy and Joe Bill Young with Cpl. Ben Cross, TFC. Brenda Stephenson, Cpl. Blake Wilson, and Dale Saffold, Commander of Troop J in Clarksville, during a recent visit at Wildflower.

a liquor store. After the arrest, the fellow said he actually had his hand on a gun and had intended to shoot me. The only thing that stopped him was that he didn’t want to tack a murder charge on top of the robbery charge.”

In addition to harrowing experiences, there were some joyful memories as well.

Joe Bill delivered five babies during his years of service. He also received several medals for saving lives and he was able to work as personal security for the late Governor Winthrop Rockefeller.

“I got a few steak dinners when I travelled with Governor Rockefeller” beamed Joe Bill. “I figure he could afford it.”

For the last 17 years of his career, Joe Bill served at the State Capitol in Little Rock.

Insuring that state business would continue day-to-day unthreatened was his job.

His retirement in 1997 saw the formation of a state senate resolution commending him for his service to the state of Arkansas.

Joe Bill retired from his job of 31 years to a standing ovation from state representatives.

State leaders commended him as a man of strong character, for his service as an outstanding State Police Officer and an outstanding citizen of Arkansas.

Foster Care Needs Caregivers

Betty Walters, 64, house smells like fresh baked bread. She makes homemade goods daily. Visiting Betty’s house feels just like going to grandma’s house as a child. For this very reason, she is often referred to as “Granny” by most children and adults.

Granny is not only a grandmother figure

but also a mother figure to many children and adults. She has 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Granny has also served as a surrogate mother to about 10 children, adopting one.

While serving as a Therapeutic foster parent for about a dozen years, Granny discusses her role as a foster parent stating “It is a very rewarding job but has its hard and sad time also.”

The Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) program is through Counseling Associates Inc. They work in conjunction with the Department of Human Services (DHS) to help place children in homes where they receive structure and security after being removed from their biological families.

The children in the TFC program have been removed from at least three previous placements due to various circumstances. These children need more support and services which TFC offers them. The goal is a stable, nurturing, and safe environment for each child until they are reunified or adopted.

There are many children who could use TFC services, however the program cannot take more children until there are adequate placements with willing parents to open their home and hearts to these needy kids.

At this time the TFC program has about 20 open foster homes. Some of these homes have multiple placements. Parents such as Granny Betty Walters recognize this need and step up to fulfill if.

She says, “If a family can provide love and support and have a heart to help kids, TFC would be a great thing for them.”

Mrs. Walters emphasizes the rewards of fostering children as she reminisces the first child she fostered back in the 1990s, who now is a 6’3” grown adult. He along with many others still calls and visits Granny as adults.

She believes “Seeing them become successful and happy, that makes it worth it right there.”

To learn more about Therapeutic Foster Care or to find out how to become involved, contact Stacey Helton at Counseling Associates Inc. (479) 968-1298.

African American History Honored

The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton honored AfricanAmerican History Month in February by having students, faculty, and staff set up tributes to many of the great moments and people in African-American History and display them on campus with help from community member Diane Brown.

The primary two displays were located in the entrances to the Business Technology Center and the University Center. UACCM presented guest speaker, Daniel Omotosho Black, Ph.D., in the UACCM Fine Arts Auditorium on Feb. 28.

Daniel Omotosho Black is a native of Kansas City, Kansas, yet spent the majority of his childhood years in Blackwell, Ark. He was awarded the Oxford Modern British Studies scholarship and studied abroad at Oxford University, Oxford, England. Upon graduation from Clark College (magma cum laude in 1988), he was granted a full graduate fellowship to Temple University in pursuit of a Ph.D. in African American Studies. As a tenured associate professor, he now aims to provide an example to young African Americans of the importance of selfknowledge and communal commitment.

Community member Diane Brown recognizes UACCM student Chris King during African-American History Month.

Admission was free and open to the public. For more information on Dr. Black’s presentation or other ways UACCM celebrated African-American History Month, please contact Mary Newsome at (501) 977-2044 or newsome@uaccm.edu.

Symphony to Perform

The Russellville Symphony Guild is proud to present a concert performance by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Witherspoon Auditorium on the campus of Arkansas Tech University. The concert will feature a mix of classical music and pop favorites.

This year, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 46 season. The orchestra, composed of 52 members, is well-known throughout the state for its performances at Robinson Center Music Hall,

including the Stella Boyle Smith masterworks Series, Pops Live! Series, and through special events that bring internationally-known recording artists to the state.

Reserved seating tickets to the Russellville concert are $25 per person, which includes a 6 p.m. pre-concert reception with at Lake Point Conference Center. General admission tickets are $10 for adults, 45 for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and free for current Arkansas Tech and UACCM students with proof of college ID. The Russellville Symphony Guild is one of only three guilds in the state and, in addition to bringing the orchestra to Russellville annually, supports music scholarships to Arkansas Tech University, brings the ASO quartets to local schools and raises awareness of the arts. >>

March 2012 | ABOUT 19

Proceeds raised from the Guild’s annual “Talk of the Town,” fundraiser allow the group to bring the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra to the area. The program is also sponsored in part by the Arkansas Arts on Tour Program of the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage as well as a number of local business and individual sponsors.

Choices Banquet in April

For almost 21 years, Choices Pregnancy Resource Clinic has been assisting women and their families who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy find biblical solutions to their problems. Choices PRC services are varied; ministering to the total woman in all areas; physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

An annual fundraising dinner is held each year to support the ongoing work of the Choices PRC ministry. The 2012 Fundraising Dinner theme is be “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.”

The featured speaker for this special event is Scott Klusendorf, founder and president of Life Training Institute. Scott is a passionate and engaging speaker who communicates truth clearly and insightfully.

Choices PRC offers education, peer counseling, and mentoring to young women

and men faced with unplanned pregnancies.

Along with providing free and confidential pregnancy testing and confirmation through limited ultrasound, they also offer pregnancy options education, abstinence support, adoption, parenting classes, and medical referrals.

Choices PRC provides an Earn While You Learn mentoring program that is personally structured toward the individual need of each new parent. The curriculum has over 65 topics to choose from that personalize lessons for each client’s unique situation. Lesson plans include DVDs and workbook studies covering a range of information from pregnancy and parenting, child-care and safety, developing healthy relationships, and maintaining and organizing a productive household. As clients gain knowledge about a wide range of subjects, they are being empowered to make lasting changes in their lives to better equip them as parents. The education that they receive aids in decreasing many risk factors that are associated with teen pregnancies, such as neglect and abuse.

Parenting classes are offered to young moms and dads as a way to equip and empower them with parenting skills designed to reinforce the parent-child

relationship. Parenting classes differ from the mentoring program as it is held within a “support-group” setting instead of a one-onone session. Parenting classes encourage and challenge parenting viewpoints as part of class interaction.

As clients participate in both the Earn While You Learn program and Parenting Classes, they accumulate “Parenting Bucks” which they spend in the client only Choices “Thrift Store”. Rather than just taking a “hand-out” clients are given the opportunity to work for much needed baby items, which in turn enhances their self-respect, rewards their hard work, and teaches responsibility and commitment to attain their goals. Choices PRC provides new cribs and car seats through their Thrift Store Program.

As clients are given the knowledge needed to develop healthy relationships, they become better parents and learn to effectively manage a household. Choices PRC is seeing more families equipped to become successful members of our community as they are educated through these programs.

Another area Choices PRC is passionate about is reaching the Post Abortive woman.

Post Abortion Recovery is available for those men and women who have had, or

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20 ABOUT | March 2012

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been involved in, an abortion. Help can be received through our Post Abortion Recovery Group or on a one-on-one basis.

The Recovery Group is a small group led and attended by women who have experienced the pain of Abortion Aftermath.

The Choices Pregnancy Resource Clinic hours are: Monday 2-7 p.m., Tuesday 103, and Thursday 10-5. All services are free and confidential.

To learn more about Choices PRC call (479) 967-2255. Anyone interested in making a tax-deductible donation may send it to: Choices Pregnancy Resource Clinic, Inc., P.O. Box 394, Russellville, AR 72811-0394.

Bike Ride to Benefit Community

The Leadership Russellville Class of 2012 has planned an event, “The Bikes and Bollards Bike Ride,” for Saturday, March 31. The purpose of the event is to generate proceeds to aid in the group’s fundraising efforts to donate and install bike racks in both the Russellville Downtown District and local city parks.

The rides will leave from Depot Park in Downtown Russellville at 8:30 and 9 am.

Fees are $25 before March 10; $35 after that date. Non-rider donations are accepted.

The ride will be suitable for all, from those who want a short ride (12 miles) to those who are in it for the long haul (46 miles.)

Forms will be available on FaceBook, from the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce and from the Russellville Depot. Early bird registration needs to be postmarked by March 10.

After the ride, stick around for food, fun and festivities for all ages. Sit back and enjoy

live music and the Downtown atmosphere.

There will be a morning of fitness followed by an afternoon of fun to benefit our community.

Awards and prizes will be given away.

“We are excited to help Russellville gear up to accommodate our local biking community,” say the organizers.

For additional information, visit their webpage, Bikes and Bollards, or call (479) 883-8708. n

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2012 Fundraising Dinner Dinner catered by Italian Gardens ~ Business Attire

Tuesday, April 3, 2012 • 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Russellville First Baptist Church ~ 2nd and El Paso Street The featured speaker for the 2012 dinner is Scott Klusendorf, founder and president of Life Training Institute.

Scott is a passionate and engaging platform speaker who communicates truth clearly and insightfully. Scott believes that pro-life advocates should be equipped to communicate their pro-life convictions to a secular culture.

For reservations call 479-967-2255 or online at www.choicesprc.org Must be 18 years old or older to attend due to the powerful content of this fundraisers subject matter.

We Cater to Cowards!

Dalton

FAMILY

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www.daltonwecatertocowards.com March 2012 | ABOUT 21

about | food

Thaw the Winter Brain Freeze Story by Dianna Qualls, Food Editor

A

s I began planning what my theme would be for this month’s food article, I went blank. Could not decide if my brain had “froze up” or if I had lost it (my brain). Thank goodness I found “it” -- it just happened to be completely flooded with a bazillion other things going on.

I started this month’s food feature three times. Over the last couple months I have enjoyed perusing at least eight different cookbooks. While I enjoyed them all, I think I overloaded my brain. So I said to myself “self, when you can’t think of anything to serve for dinner, you need a ‘go-to’ dish, and I needed a go to recipe.”

My ‘go to’ became my handwritten cookbook, which is also jammed full of printed recipes I have collected from web sites, newspapers, friends and family.

Numerous times I have attempted to organize my cookbook, and one of these days I will. Then my handwritten cookbook will be handed down to our son and daughter-inlaw. But until then the old stand by is my ‘GO TO.’ Enjoy!

CHICKEN WITH BRUSSEL SPROUTS AND MUSTARD SAUCE 2 T. olive oil, divided 4 (6-oz.) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 3/8 tsp. salt, divided 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 3/4 c. fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth, divided 1/4 c. apple juice 2 T. whole-grain Dijon mustard 2 T. butter, divided 1 T. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 12 oz. Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved

Preheat oven to 450°.

Heat a large ovenproof skillet over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil.

Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper; add to pan. Cook

three minutes or until browned. Turn chicken; place pan in oven. Bake at 450° for nine minutes or until done.

Remove chicken from pan; keep warm. Heat pan over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 cup broth and cider; bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer four minutes or until thickened. Whisk in mustard, 1 tablespoon butter, and parsley.

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add Brussels sprouts; sauté two minutes or until lightly browned. Add remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup broth to pan; cover and cook four minutes or until crisp-tender.

Serve sprouts with chicken and sauce.

Adapted from CookingLight.com.

SPRINGTIME DI N I N G

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22 ABOUT | March 2012

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ROSEMARY POTATOES

1 T. olive oil 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme 1/2 tsp. minced fresh rosemary 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. black pepper 12 oz. quartered red potatoes Preheat oven to 450°. Combine olive oil, thyme, rosemary, salt, black pepper, and potatoes in a bowl. Spread potatoes on a jelly-roll pan.

Bake at 450° for 25 minutes or until golden brown and tender.

MOM’S QUICK VEGETABLE BEEF SOUP

1 lb. ground beef 1/4 c. chopped onion 3 cans beef broth 1 (10 oz. pkg. frozen mixed vegetables 1 (7 ½ oz.) can of stewed tomatoes (cut up) 2/3 c. cubed potatoes 1/2 c. diced celery 1/2 tsp. marjoram (crushed) 1/2 tsp. dried oregano (crushed) 1 bay leaf Salt and pepper to taste In large stock pot brown beef and onion and drain, return to stock pot. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil reduce heat and cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with cornbread or toasted French bread.

QUICK CLAM CHOWDER

2 cans New England Clam Chowder 1 lb. bacon, fried until crisp, drained and crumbled 1 soup can of Milk 1/2 pkg. of Potatoes O’Brien (frozen) 2 small cans minced baby clams

QUICK ROLLS

2 c. Self-rising flour 1 c. milk 4 T. mayonnaise 1 T. sugar Stir all ingredients in a bowl until soft dough forms. Spoon into a well-greased muffin pan. Bake at 450 degrees for about 10 minutes.

EASY BROCCOLI CASSEROLE

10 oz. pkg. frozen chopped broccoli 8 oz. jar chez whiz (Mexican mild) or regular flavor 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 c. minute rice 1 c. milk

and soup. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes, stirring well half way through cooking time.

PINEAPPLE WALDORF SALAD 1 (20 oz.) can pineapple tidbits 4 medium apples, chopped 1 ½ c. chopped celery 1/2 c. golden raisins 1/4 c. dry-roasted sunflower kernels 1/2 c. reduced fat mayo 1/2 c. vanilla yogurt (fat free) 1/4 c. sugar

Drain pineapple, reserving 1/2 cup juice.

In a large bowl combine first 5 ingredients.

In a small bowl combine mayo, yogurt, sugar, and reserved pineapple juice. Pour dressing over fruit and toss. Refrigerate Combine ingredients in soup pot. Bring In 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish, combine until ready to serve. to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for minute rice (uncooked) with the milk, Q’s Tip: I sprinkle the sunflower kernels add broccoli (yes frozen), chez whiz on top just before serving.

10 minutes, stirring frequently. >>

SAVE THE DATE! 20th Annual

Thursday, April 26, 2012 5-8 p.m. • Russellville Depot

For ticket & exhibitor information call

(479) 967-1437

Ad paid for with a combination of state and private regional assoc. funds.

March 2012 | ABOUT 23

OVERNIGHT BUBBLE BREAD

Special discounts for builders, contractors, and remodeling projects!

3521 West Main Street Russellville • 479-967-3744

AGENT PHOTO GOES HERE

Due to the high-resolution of this material, you must submit a separate photo to your vendor for insertion.

Please contact your vendor for specific agent photo requirements.

BIG SAVINGS

Amber Smith

(479) 968-1932 • 2410 E. Parkway Dr., Ste. 4

1 (24 oz.) pkg. frozen dinner rolls 1 (3 ¾ oz.) pkg. Butterscotch Pudding (not instant) 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 c. brown sugar 1/2 c. chopped nuts 1 stick butter, melted Place frozen rolls in greased bundt pan.

Sprinkle dry pudding over rolls. Sprinkle cinnamon and nuts over rolls. Combine melted butter and brown sugar and pour over the rolls.

Cover pan with plastic wrap (not tight).

Place pan in a cold oven overnight. Next morning remove bundt pan from oven (carefully) remove plastic wrap.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Return bundt pan to oven, place on middle shelf of oven. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and invert the bundt pan on a plate.

Serve while warm.

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OVEN-FRIED FISH FILLETS

2 lbs. flounder, sole or perch fillets, thawed 1/2 c. fine dry bread crumbs 1 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper 1 T. parsley flakes 1 tsp. paprika (optional) 2 T. oil Onion powder and garlic powder to taste Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine crumbs, salt, pepper, parsley, paprika, onion powder and garlic powder, add oil. Blend thoroughly with a fork. Spread mixture on a piece of wax paper.

Separate fillets carefully. Press fillets into the crumb mixture to coat both sides. Place on a non-stick baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes or until fish flakes easily with fork.

CHEESY TOASTED FRENCH BREAD

1 (1 lb.) loaf French bread, sliced horizontally 4 T. butter 1/2 c. mayonnaise 1 c. grated Parmesan cheese 4 oz. grated mozzarella cheese 4 oz. shredded Cheddar cheese 1/4 tsp. garlic salt

2410 East Parkway Suite 5 ~ Russellville 479.567.5523 24 ABOUT | March 2012

Preheat the broiler. Place the bread open faced on a cookie sheet. Combine remaining ingredients. Spread onto the bread.

Broil 6 to 8 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly browned. n

about | downtown

River Valley’s Most Relished Food Event

The 20th Annual Taste of the Valley, Main Street Russellville’s award winning tasting party and signature fundraiser will be held on Thursday, April 26th from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Russellville Depot, 320 W. ‘C’ Street.

Taste of the Valley showcases area restaurants, bakeries, caterers, delicatessens, coffee houses, food and beverage providers as well as Arkansas vineyards. In addition to great food area musicians will provide live entertainment throughout the evening.

“This will be a very special celebratory year for this event as we will not only be recognizing the 20th anniversary of Taste of the Valley, we will also be celebrating the 20th anniversary of our local Main Street Program”, announced Betsy McGuire, Main Street Russellville’s Executive Director.

Tickets to the 20th Annual Taste of the Valley are $25 in advance and $30 at the

door. Tickets provide each guest with the opportunity to sample food and beverage from each of the many participating exhibitors throughout the evening. Ticket stubs provide guests the opportunity to vote for the much sought after People’s Choice Awards that are presented to exhibitors prior to the close of the event.

Ticket and exhibitor information is available at the office of Main Street

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Starting from Scratch

Bringing the Middle East to the South Story and Photo by Kimberly Brown

Marwan Aboul-Zelof, founder of ABU’S Gyros & More, carries on generations of family traditions and culinary flavor as he introduces his Middle Eastern culture into the River Valley area.

Marwan Aboul-Zelof, 28, comes from a family of culinary artists -- three generation’s worth, to be exact. With two grandmothers, a father and a mother in the restaurant business, Marwan was destined to follow in their footsteps. Raised in Lebanon and Iraq by his mother and father, Marwan was instilled with family-oriented and hospitable values.

“I have many memories of my childhood in Kuwait. In some ways, the Middle East is very similar to the South. Hospitality is a huge deal. There are many family gatherings, throughout many times of the year.”

Marwan continues to incorporate these same values in his everyday life at work and at home. His business partner, Marci, is his wife.

Together, they share the dream that Abu’s will take flight into a successful interpretation of Marwan’s Mediterranean culture.

In 1990, when Marwan was seven, he and his family headed to San Diego, Calif.

They went to visit his grandparents where 26 ABOUT | March 2012

Marwan’s grandmother had opened one of the area’s first Middle Eastern restaurants.

“It was a small, hole-in-the-wall building but the food was so good,” Marwan recalls.

“It was more home-cooked, and it won many awards. From the late 70’s until the early 90’s, until she passed away, the restaurant was considered ‘the spot’ to get good, authentic food of our culture.”

Two days before Marwan and his family were to return to Kuwait, his hometown was invaded by Iraqi military insurgents, triggering a dangerous war zone. This war, later known as America’s Operation Desert Storm, would hinder Marwan from ever returning to his native lands. Marwan and his family remained in the States under “refugee status” and eventually received their citizenships.

Learning from the grandmother’s techniques and trades of the business, Marwan’s mother and sister continued the restaurant striving to keep the business going after her death.

“They ran my grandmother’s restaurant for about three years, but it just wasn’t right. The area had gone downhill since the restaurant’s opening, and it became a rough neighborhood.”

Working as a crisis intervention counselor in San Diego years later, Marwan continued his giving nature. As a hotline counselor, Marwan encountered people in need, from battered women and alcohol and drug abusers to homeless war veterans. He accredits his benevolent behavior to his roots.

“It was part of my culture; I was familyraised.

I witnessed a closely-bound community that was always helping each other. I had good parents, a good church, and good morals.”

After the hotline work ended, Marwan’s period of unemployment and his involvement in his local church sparked the idea to make a change.

“I was raised Catholic; my mom and dad are both Christian-Catholic. Although most people in the Middle East are Muslims, there are many Christians there as well. It’s very similar to the ‘Bible Belt’ in the South.”

While at a church function, Marwan met Waldron-born-and-raised Marci, and they instantly connected. Soon after, the two were married, and headed back to Marci’s home state.

“My father was working in Arkansas, and with Marci being student at Tech, the move just made more sense. I wanted to do something different. I wanted a fresh start.”

Marwan and Marci then decided to recreate Marwan’s family traditions in a new area, using Middle Eastern food as the basis. With no training, only memories and experiences from his families’ businesses and a small budget from his and Marci’s savings account, Marwan and his wife rented a small building on North Arkansas Avenue, and began to make their restaurant plans.

Marwan says, “I learned the restaurant business from both grandmothers; one in California, and the other in Wisconsin. My father also owned a restaurant, and my mother was highly noted for her cooking. once even offered a job on a cooking show.”

He adds, “I had never run a restaurant, but I knew how to cook.”

Marwan’s brother joined them to help with labor, and their father lent equipment from his previous business. Marwan’s mother arrived the opening week to donate recipes and finalize the menu options.

By July of 2011, Marwan’s idea was up-and-running. Now the manager and operator of ABU’S Gyros & More, Marwan describes his new business as a great learning experience.

“In any job, you learn; there is always a learning curve. And we are still learning.

We are filled with different emotions: excitement, fear, anxiety, and everything between. At first, we were really busy; we were excited. Now, it’s getting slower, but we are still thankful.”

Marwan, in light of the current economic recession status, knows that food businesses are taking a hit and that revenue can adversely

be affected. A humble man, he knew the risk he would be taking by opening a restaurant such as his in such a culturally scarce environment.

“People sometimes forget that there are other cultures and other foods, but often, they will be open to them, if they are introduced the right way,” he says. “I want people to know who we are; many people in the area are still not aware we are open.

There is something unique and special about our food, and I want it to be inviting to everyone. I want to share what I have learned with the community. I learned from excellent cooks, and our food has been passed down from generations. I take pride in it because these are my families’ recipes.”

ABU’S menu is simple, a business

“Take pride in what you do, stay honest to what you do well, and most importantly, take care of people.”

choice made by Marwan himself. “My grandmother’s restaurant in San Diego had about 15 different Mediterranean food items; we only have three. It was a business decision we made from the beginning. Our food is simple but authentic. All of our products such as our hummus are made from scratch, and we are proud of that.”

With only three items (gyros, chicken shawarma, and falafel) and sides of hummus, pita, and rice, ABU’S can avoid overhead expenses, save preparation time, and spend less time cooking while maintaining quality results. Marwan explains that prep time for certain foods such as falafel could consume more than 15 hours.

“When we first started, we were going through at least five gallons of lemonade and four gallons of hummus. I’ve learned that you can’t be everything; you have to just be the best at what you are capable of being.”

Only Marwan and his family members hold the secret to ABU’S signature item, Rosewater Lemonade, a tangy Mediterranean blend of citrus fruits merged with an American lemonade flavor. The delicious beverage recipe has been handed down from Marwan’s grandmother, through many generations.

Outside the quaint drive-thru patio is a sign that reads, “Best gyros in town.”

Marwan smiles at the realization that ABU’S has the only gyros in town. “I definitely feel there is an advantage that we are the only Middle Eastern cuisine in the area. I like being the first to try something out. We welcome people of all cultures to come experience our cooking. This is our food, from our culture, and it’s an honor to be able to share it with the community.”

This sense of community is important to Marwan and the staff of ABU’S, as they participate with non-profit programs, such as Tom’s Tuesdays. On Tuesdays of every week, each customer who wears their Tom’s shoes receives a 10 percent discount on their meal.

ABU’S has recently changed its hours, to accommodate to a variety of customer schedules, and the restaurant menu is subject to change, to bring more options in the future.

Marwan shares thoughts from his late grandmother. “Take pride in what you do, stay honest to what you do well, and most importantly, take care of people.”

Though we cannot meet her, we can experience what she and her ancestors have created, and we can do that through Marwan’s culinary expressions, right here in Russellville. n

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about | compassion

Death Row Drama: Study in Compassion

By Connie Las Schneider

Appearing at the Walton Fine Arts Center at the University of the Ozarks last month, Pulitzer Prize nominated author and human rights activist, Sister Helen Prejean, gave a riveting lecture on her experiences as spiritual advisor to four death row inmates in Louisiana.

Prejean is author of the five-time Oscar nominated movie, Dead Man Walking, starring actors Sean Penn as the convicted murderer and Susan Sarandon as Sister Prejean. The movie won Sarandon an award for Best Actress and musician/songwriter Bruce Springsteen, for Best (Theme) Song from a movie in 1993.

Dead Man Walking is the true story of convicted murderer, Patrick Sonnier, who Prejean befriended first as a pen-pal and later accompanied to the death chamber, where Prejean stood vigil in a glassed window over-looking the execution as she prayed for his soul.

Sister Prejean, who joined the (Catholic) Sisters of St Joseph of Medaille in 1957 at age 18 and became a parochial school teacher, did not become an activist until 1981 when she got the calling to dedicate

her life to the poor of New Orleans, LA. While living in a housing project there, she started communicating with Sonnier, the convicted killer of two teenagers sentenced to die in the electric chair.

Prejean said her experiences with Sonnier, awakened her to the flaws in the execution process and transformed her life as a human rights activist.

Since Sonnier’s execution, Prejean has gone on to spiritually advise and accompany other death rows inmates to their execution, including Dobie Gillis Williams, a man with an IQ of 65, and Joseph O’Dell, both of whom she firmly believes were innocent.

Because of these experiences, Prejean wrote a second book, The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions, published in 2004.

Besides being an outspoken critic of the death penalty, Prejean is also active in supporting and comforting the families of the victims, who often feel overwhelmed and alone.

A total of 62% of family members of victims of violent crimes say “don’t kill for us,” said Prejean. “The death penalty affects all of us, not just the killer.”

After the lecture, Prejean, who has the spark and energy of a much younger woman and does not wear a traditional nun’s habit, spent time signing books and greeting her audience.

While some in the audience were from other denominations or had secular viewpoints, Prejean warmly acknowledged everyone who came up to her with grace, humor and good wishes. One can only imagine that the men Prejean accompanied to their deaths were greatly comforted by her presence as were families of the victims.

Walton Fine Arts Center on the campus of the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville hosts a variety of programs throughout the year, from the Walton Arts and Idea Series to University theatre and music productions. n

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Girls of Promise Provided by Ann Webb

Arkansas Tech University held a Women’s Foundation of Arkansas “Girls of Promise” conference in February held in Doc Bryan.

This is the fourth year for Arkansas Tech to host the conference on its campus.’

The Women’s Foundation was established in 1998 by a key group of prominent Arkansas women pooling their money together to create a charitable fund dedicated to investing in projects benefitting women and girls in Arkansas. A total of 100 women giving $1000 each raised the initial $100,000 used to create an endowment fund with the Arkansas Community Foundation to ensure a perpetual source of grant-making funds.

In 2000, the Women’s Foundation created the “Girls of Promise” initiative in order to introduce 8th grade girls across Arkansas to information about careers in areas related to math, science, and technology while giving them the opportunity to meet with women professionals for greater understanding of their own potential and power. These daylong conferences encourage girls to pursue academic excellence in their high school and college years. Attendees get to meet other girls like themselves and realize that it’s okay to be a bright, motivated girl with big dreams.

Every year at Girls of Promise conferences, Arkansas girls meet and

30 ABOUT | March 2012

learn from women with amazing careers, such as scientists, astronauts, physicians, computer systems engineers, and others.

At the Girls of Promise conference at Arkansas Tech, the young women will hear from Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, Chancellor, and six Break-out Session Speakers. The “Girls of Promise” initiative began at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock and has now expanded to include: Arkansas State University-Jonesboro, Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Harding University in Searcy, NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville and South Arkansas Community College in El Dorado.

Girls of Promise conferences help the Women’s Foundation achieve its mission of “promoting philanthropy among women and helping women and girls achieve their full potential” by providing inspiration to young girls that expands their understanding of their own power and possibilities. Through participation in “Girls of Promise” programs, girls begin to believe they can be and do anything, says Jill Brown, Local Committee Chair.

The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas is the only not-for-profit, statewide organization with the sole focus of developing the professional, economic, and philanthropic potential of Arkansas women and girls by ensuring they have the necessary resources, tools and knowledge to reach their full potential.

For information, contact Jill Brown at GopTech@womensfoundationarkansas.org. n

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The Russellville Symphony Guild presents

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra In Concert

March 31, 2012 8:00 pm

Witherspoon Auditorium Arkansas Tech University

Featuring Pops/Classical Favorites

$25 Reserved Section Seating (reserved seating tickets include 6 pm pre-concert reception at Lake Point Conference Center) $10 General Admission Seating $5 Children Admission ATU & UACCM Students Free with college ID Tickets available by calling Ann Squyres at (479) 968-5080 or at Brown & Brown Insurance, 706 West Main in Russellville This program sponsored in part by the Arkansas Arts on Tour Program of the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage

March 2012 | ABOUT 31

EAGLE

TO U RS Story by Johnny Sain

T

he high-pitched call sounds out of proportion to the bird’s immense size. You would expect a bird with a wingspan approaching eight feet to possess a more intimidating voice. Such is not the case, but the cackling whinny of the bald eagle is nothing if not distinctive. No other bird in North America sounds anything like it.

The sound is crisp and wild, the voice of wilderness and freedom. Along with other attributes of the bald eagle, the call may have led our country’s founding fathers to name it the symbol of our young republic as the following excerpt from “The Eagle, Our National Emblem” implies:

It is said the eagle was used as a national emblem because, at one of the first battles of the Revolution (which occurred early in the morning) the noise of the struggle awoke the sleeping eagles on the heights and they flew from their nests and circled about over the heads of the fighting men, all the while giving vent to their raucous cries. ‘They are shrieking for Freedom,’ said the patriots.

Thus the eagle, full of the boundless spirit of freedom, living above the valleys, strong and powerful in his might, has become the national emblem of a country that offers freedom in word and thought and an opportunity for a full and free expansion into the boundless space of the future. ~ Maude M. Grant The bald eagle as a symbol has made a remarkable journey. Native only to the America’s, the bald eagle was a focal point of spirituality for many Native American tribes long before Europeans arrived in North America. Today, many tribes still feature eagle feathers in traditional ceremonies. On June 20, 1782, the bald eagle was chosen as the symbol for the newly formed United States of America.

The journey of the bald eagle as a species is no less remarkable. Before Columbus arrived, the estimated population of bald eagles was over 100,000 in the territory that 32 ABOUT | March 2012

would become the lower forty-eight states.

By 1963, that population had dropped to only 417 known breeding pairs. Habitat loss, hunting, and insecticides such as DDT had wreaked havoc on the population.

In 1967, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the bald eagle as endangered under a law that preceded the Endangered Species Act. In 1973, the bald eagle met qualifications for federal protection under the newly created Endangered Species Act. The passing of the Endangered Species Act opened the door for habitat conservation, a captive breeding program,

and more in-field research. By all accounts, these actions saved the bald eagle. It also placed our nation’s symbol at the forefront of a program designed to conserve lesser known habitat and species as well.

No doubt, the bald eagle brought attention and resources to the cause of the Endangered Species Act that might have been lacking otherwise. The year 1995 saw the “down-listing” of the bald eagle from endangered to threatened in most states.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimate the population today at around 7,000 nesting pairs.

Bald eagles are raptors or birds of prey.

One look at their powerful talons and strong hooked beaks leave little doubt that they are equipped to eat meat. Bald eagles sit at the top of the food chain.

They prey on fish, waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion. They can weigh up to 14 pounds, but due to their long wingspan and hollow bones can soar with ease. Bald eagles have been observed soaring at 10,000 feet altitude and can reach speeds up to 35 miles per hour.

Of course, the bald eagle isn’t really bald like its cousin the turkey vulture. Bald is an old word for white, the conspicuous white head and tail are the signs of a mature bird.

Juvenile bald eagles resemble another cousin, the golden eagle.

Bald eagles are exceptionally long-lived birds with a maximum life span of 30 years.

It’s believed that they mate for life. Their nests are some of the largest in the bird world and are found in the tops of the tallest trees available. The nesting pair is usually responsible for two eggs per year.

The River Valley area of Arkansas is home to a few year-round resident eagles and enjoys an influx of migrants during the fall and winter months. Eagles may be seen throughout the region, but the big birds tend to concentrate near waterways. In an effort to increase public awareness of the bald eagle, Lake Dardanelle State Park began offering “Eagle Tours” during the migratory period of November through February.

Park interpreter Sasha Bowles spoke about the eagle tours available to the public. “We started the tours, I think around 2003. We’ve had a lot of interest from the public since we started the program. The only limiting factor has been the size of our boat, in the past we had a much smaller boat. Pretty much every boat tour we’ve scheduled has filled up.”

“Right now we have a triple pontoon tour boat that will hold 20 people plus the operator of the boat. We offer two tours a week through the fall and winter months and the tour takes about an hour.”

As mentioned before, the Arkansas River Valley is home to resident eagles and Sasha said that one of those nesting pairs has made their year-round home not far from the park.

“Yes, we have a resident pair that nests across the river channel from Lake Dardanelle State Park. We view those eagles and the nest on the eagle tours, but we’re careful to not get too close and disturb them. If we see that the eagles are nervous about us watching them, we leave.”

Eagles aren’t the only wildlife that are observed during the tours. Sasha tells tour viewers to be on the lookout for many other species.

“Of course we have great blue herons, pelicans, and gulls. Many different types of waterfowl like mallard, goldeneye, scaup and lots of coots. Hawks and vultures are common. Sometimes we see wild turkey, deer, raccoons and mink. You just never know. The really great thing is that these tours are free, just be sure to call ahead and reserve your spot on the boat.”

It’s an amazing triumph of our nation’s conservation system, a species has been brought back from the brink of extinction.

Public awareness was a large part of this

triumph and the efforts of our local state park are an example of this. The future of the bald eagle as a species appears to be bright. However, continued conservation and awareness is needed to insure that the sight of a soaring eagle can be enjoyed for generations to come. n Note: For more information or to register for any of the Lake Dardanelle State Park tours, contact Sasha Bowles, Park Interpreter, at the Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor’s Center, 100 State Park Drive, Russellville, or call (479) 890-7477.

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March 2012 | ABOUT 33

about | health

Movers and Shakers

Best friends since the age of four, Tonya Gosnell and Carman Stump, both of Russellville, are the kind of friends that can communicate volumes with one look. They have experienced a lot together over their 37-year friendship. From attending the same schools and taking numerous family trips, their friendship has taken them a lot places.

Today, they find themselves working towards a common goal; to help people in the Arkansas River Valley get healthy and fit. In November 2011, a mutual childhood friend, Amy Johnson of Hot Springs, introduced them to the “ViSalus Sciences Body By Vi 90 Day Challenge.” Tonya and Carman relied on Amy’s 24 years of experience as a personal trainer and sports nutritionist, and knew that if Amy was touting the benefits of this product, they could too!

Tonya and Carman didn’t take much time in deciding that this product could be a lifestyle change for themselves as well as the River Valley. The Challenge is about making your own health a priority; whether that means losing weight, gaining nutrition or energy, gaining lean muscle or just overall wellness.

Success takes just three steps: set your weight loss or fitness goal, select a Challenge kit online, and share your results.

The Challenge starts with replacing one or two meals a day with a delicious and nutritional shake that tastes and smells like cake. You simply mix skim, soy or almond milk, juice, add ice, and blend or shake with the mix. The average weight loss using this product is 2-3 lbs. a week.

“I lost 13 lbs. in 3. 5 weeks. This works because one shake contains only 2g of net carbs, less than 1g of sugar, 12 g of protein, and 5g of fiber. This combination burns belly fat. I love the way they taste plus I have more energy to keep up with my boys,” says Carman.

“You can add things to the shakes like pudding mix, cream cheese, fruit, and peanut butter to make over 300 recipes so you never get bored,” says Tonya.

Mike and Karen Fairbanks, promoters and users of the product, have lost a combined total of 21 lbs. in just 15 days.

“I feel like I’m drinking a milkshake, not a protein shake. I’ve tried a lot of different protein shakes and none compare,” says Mike.

Brenda Lovell has lost 16 lbs. in 3 weeks.

“The biggest thing for me is that it’s giving 34 ABOUT | March 2012

Photo by Liz Chrisman

me the energy to actually work out. I didn’t have the energy before,” says Brenda.

Tonya is the Community Education Manager for Turning Point Behavioral Health at Saint Mary’s, as well as a licensed Zumba instructor. Her classes are held Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Interstate Fireworks Building on Hwy 7 (73 Darby Lane). Zumba is a dance fitness method that allows people of any fitness level to ENJOY a fantastic workout. The benefits include high calorie burn, increased aerobic threshold, more stamina, increased bone density, improved balance and muscle tone, less body fat, and lower blood pressure.

“It’s a killer workout with infectious music!

It’s a total body toning workout, and we are burning anywhere from 800 to 1000 calories per hour.

People are seeing amazing results,” says Tonya. “I’ve never been leaner in my life! Zumba and healthier eating habits have made me successful. I want everyone to have the same success,” says Tonya.

Zumba is for all ages and can be adapted for any fitness level; and best of all Zumba puts people in an endorphin-release zone which improves overall mood and happiness.

Carman is a stay-at-home mom of two boys. She has been searching as to what she is going to do once both boys are in school.

“We sacrificed a lot for me to stay home with the boys; however, it’s time for me to make a contribution to the household income,” says Carman. “I’m a

CPA but want to do something that I feel passionate about and have the flexibility that I need when you have school aged children. This business opportunity could not have come at a better time. I feel so blessed to be a part of the ViSalus 90 Day Challenge. Not only have I lost weight, but I am also seeing a financial reward from promoting The Challenge.”

The Challenge is a 90 day wealth Challenge for those who are looking for financial freedom. This is an easily achievable $3,000/mo. income for those who want to promote it. ViSalus rewards their promoters at a very low sales volume with a lifetime monthly BMW bonus making it achievable for so many. “I earned mine in 6 weeks thanks to all of our team’s hard work,” says Carman.

In January, Tonya and Carman as well as their team of promoters of the Body By Vi shakes hosted a “New Year’s Revolution Party” where they invited the community to join them in getting healthy, fit, and making a difference.

Tonya, along with Michelle Henry, led a Zumba class, and afterwards there was a free tasting of the shakes. We had around 75 people attend both nights of the event. The entry fee was a canned food item that benefited Manna House and Main Street Mission.

Not only does the product work, but customers can get their product for free by inviting friends to join. The shakes

cost less than $2 each, and there is a free app, Visalus4u, that gives you access to over 300 recipes right on your phone. A Facebook page, “Friends of Body By Vi”, has been established where customers and promoters can share their success stories to help encourage others and post their favorite recipes.

To start your Challenge or to just get more information about Zumba or the ViSalus 90 Day Challenge, please call Tonya Gosnell at (501) 680-0055 or Carman at (479) 7470228. More information is available at www.tonyagosnell.bodybyvi.com or www. carmanstump.bodybyvi.com.

-- Advertorial

You are Not Alone

By Tommy Eddy, Program Director and Tonya Gosnell, Comm. Ed. Mgr. Turning Point Behavioral Health “Slowly I begin to realize the alarm is going off. It’s an effort just to lean over and hit the snooze bar. As I lay back in bed the thoughts of the day before me start to rush in. How am I going to deal with those people at work today? What am I going to do with all the paperwork that is piling up?

How am I going to pay off all my debts. I’m barely able to provide for my family.”

My wife doesn’t even try to get me to participate with our family anymore. She doesn’t understand why I’m so depressed as we were happily married. She’s tired of me checking out and barely talking. I don’t have anything to say. My mind is shut down. I feel hopeless, helpless, worthless.

Just the thought of having to interact with everyone at work is just draining.”

“I can feel the weights of my body pressing me against the mattress. The thoughts and images of work are flashing in my head as I start to drift off again, escaping the problems of the day.”

“There it goes again. That stupid alarm, just when I got away from all those problems.

That temporary bliss I can only find in the world of dreams. Sleep is the only place I can get away. I think I’d like to have a good cry but I’m numb. I don’t feel anything.”

“It’s more difficult this time reaching over to hit the snooze bar. My arm feels like I have weights attached to it. The idea of having to get up and start the process, shaving, brushing my teeth, getting out the clothes I will wear is just too much. If I could just stay here in bed everything would be all right.”

“The weight of the blanket is comforting.

It’s warm and protects me from the duties and obligations of the outside world. If I could just stay right here everything will be all right. It feels so safe here, just being warm and protected.

Everything else is just fading away.”

“The Incessant buzzing of the alarm pulls me from my blissful recluse. This time I just let it go. What difference does it make if I shut it off again. I will just eventually have to face the day. If only I could just stay here in bed and never have to face all these problems again. Maybe I would be better off dead? Maybe my family would even be happier without me around?”

Many people experience this internal anguish daily. It can start off slowly and get progressively worse each day so you don’t realize what has happened until you are in the throes of depression and unable to deal with life.

Many people start thinking of a way out by contemplating suicide. If they don’t seek help on their own, or have someone who cares for them to urge them to seek help, this insidious process can lead to drastic measures.

Sometimes, if someone seeks help early enough, medication and or outpatient therapy can turn things around for them.

Other times if things have gone too far, inpatient hospitalization is necessary to help protect this person from themselves until medications and therapy have an opportunity to turn things around for them. For many, this can be a turning point in their life.

In today’s complex and challenging environment millions of people struggle with depression, anxiety, and other forms of mental stress due to the economy, family dynamics, employment stressors, and overall uncertainty in life. These stressors can lead to psychiatric symptoms, psychological distress, life disabilities, and problems with emotions.

An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older -- about one in four adults -- suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. That’s about 57.7 million people. More Americans suffer from depression than coronary heart disease (7 million), cancer (6 million) and AIDS (200,000) combined. Sadly, every 18 minutes in the United States, someone dies by suicide.

Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center is dedicated to serving our community with the most comprehensive range of services available and continues to strive to provide for the specific needs in the community.

They have recently expanded services with the opening of Turning Point Behavioral Health which is a 16-bed behavioral health unit for adults ages 18 to 64. They provide a secure, therapeutic environment and are dedicated to the privacy and security of their patients.

Treatment includes individual meetings with our board certified psychiatrists, group therapy, individual therapy, and educational programs.

The team will work with you, your family and other healthcare professionals to develop a course of treatment that’s right for you.

All of these therapies are designed to help patients return home and resume their lives as quickly as possible. Our discharge planners and case managers also help plan and coordinate care following hospitalization.

There is a place you can turn to.

For information on Turning Point Behavioral Health, call the direct unit line at (479) 967-0701, available 24 hours a day.

Turning Point Behavioral Health is located at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center, 1808 West Main Street, Russellville. >>

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March 2012 | ABOUT 35

My First Manicure

By Dr. David Bachman

There are very few things I life I have not tried – excluding bungee jumping, sky diving and mountain climbing.

Recently I experienced a new venture – let me explain: A doctor friend of ours recently retired.

One of the presents given by their oldest daughter was a month’s stay at a condominium in Florida. They graciously invited Maria and me for a week’s stay.

Good wife laid out our “Sunday best,”, worked over my toenails soaking each foot in warm soapy water, clipping each and every toenail, then calmly announced she had made an appointment for us to visit her manicurist.

This was a shock! I grew up at a time when underarm deodorants were “unmanly,” hairdryers were strictly woman things, cologne was for sissies, hair styling and permanent waves definitely were for the fair sex.

It took me time to accept unisex hairdressers – now almost a necessity since barbershops are as easy to find as full service gasoline stations. I learned to accept those changes, but a manicure? – No way man!

I have written before that the only way to win an argument from a woman is to agree – that I did with good wife.

Reluctantly, I met lady “nail fixer.”

I imagined a frilly, lace curtained domicile cluttered with fancy bric– a–brac.

Much to my surprise, the nail fixer’s abode was a railroad car with ordinary trappings no fancy curtains or frilly stuff.

Marie went first - much to my surprise she

seemed to enjoy the nail makeover – even smiled and laughed during the procedure – didn’t howl once!

My turn was next.

The first question lady “nail fixer” posed was “how long do you keep your nails?” – to which I replied, “Just long enough to pick my nose.”

She laughed and replied, “”Now I’ve heard everything!”

After trimming each fingernail and “cuticizing” every digit, she soaked them in warm water, then applied a thin coat of oil and proceeded to massage each and every finger – including my palm That was quite an experience; I dreamed of things I shouldn’t have dreamed of – guess that makes me a dirty old man.

So mesmerized was I that when she said next time I would have to roll up my sleeves so she could massage my wrists, I volunteered to take off my shirt the next time.

When asked whether I wanted the nails colored, I suggested black -- overruled by “nail mechanic” and Marie.

I reasoned black fingernails would hide the dirt I accumulate when working in the yard.

Now that I have become “educated” to manicures, I just might try a body massage.

Addendum Much to my surprise, ‘lady nail fixer’ told me a three-month intensive course is required, then followed by a written examination – which must be passed to receive board certification – our ‘nail fixer’ was board certified.

She also told me a large number of men avail themselves to her services.

My, my how times have changed.

Wellness Symposium: Alternative Healing Modalities

By Norah Dykema

“Step Up And Heal Thyself” is a wellness symposium coming to Russellville on Saturday, March 10. It is a workshopbased event hosting several educators and practitioners of alternative healing modalities who will guide participants in an inner transformative process that involves connecting with the higher self. When we are acting from the higher self we are expressing our divine nature and are better able to live our lives in harmony with our world.

Every person at some point in life asks the question, “Why am I here?” That is the big question and sometimes we don’t know how to find meaning in life even when we have a good income and a loving family.

Many of us are struggling with stagnation, fear, or disease, and we don’t know why.

Could it be that we are out of alignment with our soul’s purpose?

If you are in any of these phases it might be worth looking at your situation energetically.

To start, you must identify where your energy blockages are, and look at them symbolically.

In other words, what is this physical pain or emotion trying to teach me? An energy blockage is an area in your body, mind, and spirit that could be standing between you and your ability to “see” what direction in life best serves your higher purpose.

There is usually more than just a physical manifestation of an energy blockage. For example, if you are experiencing chronic lower back pain, it might be a symptom of financial stress, friction in your family, or fear of abandonment.

Call River Hits KWKK at 479-968-6816 to find out how you can compete in ‘Lose To Win’ this April!

• Listeners weigh in live on the air • Teams of two persons will compete to lose the most weight, based on the percentage of weight lost • Winners get prizes – including memberships to SNAP Fitness

Deadline to register is March 23rd!

36 ABOUT | March 2012

This is all deep introspective work that, for most of us, requires some deciphering.

There are positive and negative reports circulating about what’s to come beyond December 21, 2012. Many believe we are entering into a Golden Age, which is a period of wisdom and truth. I like this theory and feel we can all benefit from new perspectives and bring forth the tools that this period allows us.

We know that everything is energy and that we have a wonderfully luminous energy field in and around our bodies where powerful alternative modes of healing can dramatically improve our lives.

Contemporary thought now accepts that healing can take place without surgical probes and pharmaceuticals.

The Step Up and Heal Thyself Symposium will feature speakers who can help you to find a new healing path and understand your life’s purpose.

Angie Underwood from Arlington, Texas will present an illuminating workshop called “The Mind and Body Connection: Discover Your Emotional Guidance System.”

Underwood’s technique walks participants through a mindful body-scan process where participants are guided to the regions in their bodies where vibrational gaps exist which may be standing in the way of achieving personal goals. A “vibrational gap” is a feeling of disharmony or negative emotions. Remember that everything is energy, so a vibration occurs in the form of feeling or emotion.

Underwood is “A Law of Attraction” Coach, Karuna Reiki Instructor, has earned a B.S. in special education and an M.S. as an educational diagnostician. She is pursuing her doctoral studies in Leadership.

Underwood is a highly respected educator who also works with the subtle energy field.

Arkansas Naturopath and Transcendental Meditation (TM) instructor, Dr. Nancy Willbanks will lecture at the symposium about what coming into the New Age means and how the universe is available to assist in your soul’s alignment. She will also present a workshop on “Stepping Into the Flow of Nature’s Rhythm: A Spring Cleanse.”

UCA graduate and TM instructor, Michael Willbanks will present “Enlightenment to Every Individual and Invincibility for Every NationThe Transcendental Meditation Presentation.”

TM is gaining more respect now that over 600 studies have proven the remarkable effect it has on stress-related disorders. This is important because some say that 90% of all illness is created by stress.

Peggy Sue Skipper of Houston, Texas, author of three books, intuitive hand analyst, motivational speaker and educator, will begin the symposium with a guided meditation. She will later speak on “Finding Your Life’s Purpose & Challenge Through Hand Analysis.” Skipper worked in corporate management for 22 years where she enjoyed finding the right people and placing them in their desired jobs. In her management position, she motivated people to be the best they could be. Hand analysis training has allowed her to take her passion to a new level. Skipper has produced and hosted over 2,000 public affairs TV programs from coast to coast.

Step Up and Heal Thyself: will be held from 9:45 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the Russellville La Quinta Inn, 111 E. Harrell Drive. Registration fee $25. Space is limited, preregistration is highly recommended. To register: email or call Norah Dykema at dawnmoon25@ hotmail.com or (479) 970-4811. n

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1903 S. Arkansas • (479) 968-3991 March 2012 | ABOUT 37

about | engagements

Save the Date!

Calendar listings of engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements on the pages of each issue of ABOUT … the River Valley are available at no charge. They may be mailed to: ABOUT Magazine, P.O. Box 10176, Russellville AR 72812 or sent via email to: editor@aboutrvmag.com.

(A phone number must be included for verification.)

–June 9– Jamie Sterrenberg and Austin Glover Alma Worrell and Jeremy Pearson

–June 16–

–March 3–

–April 21–

Brandy Bland and James Humphrey Cacey Smith and Jared Sellers

Laura Beth Anderson and Jeremy Brogdon Karen Kirtley and Samuel Gonzalez

Jeremy Barlow and Kay Turner Bayley Hepp and Lucas Cox

–March 17–

–May 5–

–June 22–

Kami Taylor and David Coleman

Sarah Griffin and Shane Floyd

–March 24–

–May 12–

Whitney Harris and Jared Mahoney

–March 31– Stephanie Cossey and Jonathan Roath

–April 7– Sharon Reynolds and Carl Harden

–April 14– Marcia Montgomery and Paul Brown Jana Parker and Greg Crouch Shannon Rinke and Kirk Hall Megan Storment and Jeremy Timmons

Taylor Barrick and Thomas Franklin

Brittany Helms and Andrew Smith

–June 23– Molly Bishop and Austin Myers Kelli Cole and Zach Moore

–May 19–

–June 30–

Kayla Cleveland and Ty Osborne Kourtney McBride and Tyler Connell

Kallie Gangluff and Ben Miller Samantha Lee Rial and John J. Guerra

–May 26–

–July 7–

Mary Buford and Wes Corkins

Kristi Anderson and Matt Goodson

–June 2–

–July 21–

Lauren McGoogan and Chuck Labuda Derek Mosher and Christy Carter

Jessica Hall and Blake Walters Keshia Riley and Cameron May

To have your engagement or wedding published in a future issue of ABOUT Magazine, send your information, photo* and a check for $57.50 to: ABOUT Magazine, PO Box 10176, Russellville AR 72812, or visit visit www.aboutrvmag.com/forms.html. Word count is limited to 225 words. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication. For additional information, call (479) 970-6628. *Digital files are accepted and will be published upon receipt of payment.

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38 ABOUT | March 2012

obStetriCS & GyneCoLoGy 1100 East Poplar Suite A, Clarksville, AR (479) 754.5337 • Fax: (479) 754-5348

Be a Part of the Next 20!

Joining Main Street Russellville is Easy.

Get Involved and Make a Difference in Your Future!

Name: ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ (Individual or Business)

Contact Person: ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Address: ������������������������������������� City: ��������������������������������� State: ������������������� Phone: (Work) �������������������������� (Home) ���������������������������� (Cell) ����������������������������� Email: ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES m KEYSTONE MEMBER $5,000 Donation

• A banner featuring your logo displayed on-site at both the Taste of the Valley (TOV) and Downtown Fall Festival & Chili Cookoff (FF) as one of our exclusive Presenting Sponsors • Logo on all TOV and FF printed materials • Complimentary 10’x10’ Exhibitor Space at Fall Fest • 25 complimentary tickets to Taste of the Valley • One Free Depot Facility Rental per year • 15% Discount on purchases from the Depot Store • Link of Sponsor’s Business Webpage to MSR Website (www.mainstreetrussellville.com) • Invitation to “MSR’s Holiday Happening”

m CAPSTONE MEMBER $3,500 Donation

• A banner featuring your logo displayed on-site at both the Taste of the Valley (TOV) and Downtown Fall Festival & Chili Cookoff (FF) as one of our exclusive Presenting Sponsors • Logo on all TOV and FF printed materials • Complimentary 10’x10’ Exhibitor Space at Fall Fest • 15 complimentary tickets to Taste of the Valley • 75% off one Depot Facility Rental per year • 15% Discount on purchases from the Depot Store • Link of Sponsor’s Business Webpage to MSR Website (www.mainstreetrussellville.com) • Invitation to “MSR’s Holiday Happening”

Indicate your level of membership below:

m PALLADIAN MEMBER $2,500 Donation

• A banner featuring your logo displayed on-site at both the Taste of the Valley (TOV) and Downtown Fall Festival & Chili Cookoff (FF) Logo on TOV and FF printed materials • Complimentary 10’x10’ Exhibitor Space at Fall Fest • 10 Complimentary tickets to Taste of the Valley • 50% off one Depot Facility Rental per year • Link of Sponsor’s Business Webpage to MSR Website (www.mainstreetrussellville.com) • Invitation to “MSR’s Holiday Happening”

m CORNERSTONE MEMBER $1,000 Donation

• A banner featuring your logo displayed during Taste of the Valley (TOV) and Downtown Fall Festival & Chili Cookoff (FF) Logo on TOV and FF printed materials • Complimentary 10’x10’ Exhibitor Space at Fall Fest • 6 complimentary tickets to Taste of the Valley • Link of Sponsor’s Business Webpage to MSR Website (www.mainstreetrussellville.com) • Invitation to “MSR’s Holiday Happening”

m PILLAR MEMBER $500 Donation

• Signage displayed on-site during TOV and FF • Logo on TOV and FF printed materials • 4 Complimentary tickets to Taste of the Valley

m I prefer a one-time payment. Enclosed is my check for $ ������������ m I would like to pay (circle one:)

Monthly

Quarterly Annually

m I would like to pay by Automatic Bank Draft.

Please complete the above information and submit to: Main Street Russellville, Inc. PO Box 694 Russellville AR 72811 You can also bring this form by the MSR office at 320 W. C Street, Russellville Downtown Depot, or call (479) 967-1437 for additional information.

Visit our webpage at: www.mainstreetrussellville.com

m FOUNDATION MEMBER $250 Donation • 2 complimentary tickets to Taste of the Valley • Receipt of the MSR Online Newsletter* • Name listed on the Main Street Russellville Annual Report*

m MORTAR MEMBER $100 Donation

• Receipt of the MSR Online Newsletter* • Name listed on the Main Street Russellville Annual Report*

m BRICK MEMBER $25 Student Level

To qualify for a ‘Brick’ membership, a student must be enrolled in a public or private school, college or university. Student ID required. Not payable quarterly. *All members, regardless of donation level, will receive the Main Street Russellville Online Newsletter and will have their name listed on the MSR Annual Report.

Arrange to Have Your MAIN STREET RUSSELLVILLE MEMBERSHIP Paid by Automatic Bank Draft -- MONTHLY, QUARTERLY OR ANNUALLY! I am interested and willing to work on the following Main Street committees or events: m Design

m Promotions

m Friends of the Depot

m Economic Restructing

m Organization and Membership m Taste of the Valley

m Downtown Fall Fest and Chili Cookoff

*Main Street Russellville is a designated 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization; therefore your membership is tax deductible.

March 2012 | ABOUT 39

Fighting Cancer with Confidence.

Treating You with Compassion.

Compassionate, personalized cancer care is a Saint Mary’s hallmark.

Our goal is to get you back to your routine as soon as possible. That’s why each Advanced technology Individualized treatment Personalized attention

patient receives an individualized treatment that recognizes their unique needs.

An experienced team keeps you and your personal physician informed throughout the course of your cancer treatment. Using advanced care technology such as our new Elekta Synergy Radiation Treatment System, Saint Mary’s team

Convenient access

of experts can tackle almost any form of cancer, from prostate to lung cancer,

Full-service hospital support

improving the chances for long-term survival. And it’s all here, close to home.

Skilled nursing care

Advanced, accessible cancer-fighting treatment with the level of care that

Comprehensive care

only friends and neighbors can provide. Because at Saint Mary’s, being cared about is as important as being cared for.

479-968-2841 • saintmarysregional.com