ABOUT | November 2012

Preserving the Tradition

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley November 2012

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November 2012

8 Robert Dale and BobWhite

Once upon a time in western Arkansas there weren’t many deer or ducks or turkey. Deer camp was for getting away from the wife and hanging out with your buddies.

8 20

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about | our cover Photo by Steve Newby

Not often does the love of a son for his father lead to the creation of a quail farm. But one River Valley resident turned the fond memories of his childhood into a labor of love while providing sustenance for his ailing dad. This conservationist now shares the story of Covey 3 Quail Ranch in “Robert Dale and BobWhite: Preserving the Tradition” starting on page 8.

4 ABOUT | November 2012

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Happiness is a Warm Hearth

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ABOUT...Familly

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Flying High

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ABOUT...Food

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The Wilderness Man of Newton County

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ABOUT...Education

Two cadets currently attending the prestigious Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. are C2C Ciani Ellison and C2C Jon Reasoner. Both third year/second class cadets graduated from Russellville High School in 2010.

Well-known Arkansas wilderness photographer Tim Ernst is a man who understands the storytelling power of a good photograph. The natural state native has spent most of his life outdoors hiking, exploring and taking wilderness photographs so visually stunning viewers can almost hear Mother Nature’s primordial call.

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about | community Dazzle Daze Nov. 15-17

The theme for the 2013 fundraising event is “Southern Hospitality.”

Information on purchasing tickets, which are $70 per person or $130 per couple, can be found at www.jarussellville.org.

Junior Auxiliary is a national non-profit organization that represents an endeavor on the part of women to be active and constructive community participants and to render charitable services which are beneficial to the general public, with particular emphasis on children.

The award-winning Russellville chapter is one of 102 chapters in the national association. Junior Auxiliary of Russellville members provide more than 3,000 hours of service per year.

Junior Auxiliary projects include “Lunch Buddies,” in which JA members provide support to local elementary students, and “Milk and Cookies with Santa,” which brings area children together in a celebration of the holiday season.

JA also supports local teachers through Teacher Assisted Grants. The TAG grants provide opportunities for teachers in the Russellville School District to fund innovative projects for their classrooms.

In addition to annual projects, Junior Auxiliary provides volunteer assistance to a number of local organizations. For several years, JA has partnered with Big Brothers Junior Auxiliary announces and Big Sisters to provide a celebratory 2013 Charity Ball event for the Big volunteers and their Little Junior Auxiliary of Russellville has counterparts. announced that its 2013 Charity Ball will The majority of the projects and grants be held on Saturday, March 2, 2013, at provided by the Russellville Junior Auxiliary are the L.V. Williamson Boys and Girls Club in funded by the chapter’s annual Charity Ball.

Russellville.

For more information, contact Heather As Conway’s holiday shopping extravaganza nears its 11th anniversary, supporters say it is bigger and better than ever.

In the past 10 years, Dazzle Daze has raised over $300,000 in support of health care at Conway Regional Health System.

This year the Conway Regional Women’s Council will direct Dazzle Daze proceeds toward the ONE campaign for the expansion of the Women’s Center and surgical facilities as well as provide medical scholarships to area healthcare students and the Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center. More than 90 merchants from several states are expected for the event.

Dazzle Daze will begin with “Girls’ Nite Out,” Thursday, Nov. 15, 6 to 9 p.m. General Shopping will be Friday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All Dazzle Daze events will be held at the Conway Expo Center located at 2505 E. Oak St./Hwy 64E. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door for Girls’ Nite Out, $5 for general shopping. The Dazzle Daze event includes a raffle for a 2013 Ford Mustang convertible and other great prizes. Tickets are $100 each and limited to 500 sold.

For information on raffle tickets or to purchase event tickets visit www.

DazzleDaze.com.

Strasner, public relations chair, at (479) 4982327 or heatherstrasner@yahoo.com.

Arts Center Jubilee Nov. 16

The River Valley Arts Center’s annual major fundraiser, Holiday Jubilee, will be Friday, Nov. 16, from 7 until 10 p.m. at Russellville Country Club, 186 Country Club Plaza, Russellville.

Arts Center president of the Board of Directors John Gale invites you to join him for what is sure to be “the social event of the year.”

“The evening will feature music for your listening and dancing pleasure, feasting on heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, bidding on lots of original art and fabulous items in live and silent auctions, and visiting with artists, old friends and making new ones.

From the large number of pieces, you are sure to find original works of art by your favorite artists for your home or office as well as gift giving.”

“Two of the great original pieces are a 14” X 10” watercolor by Gloria Garrison entitled “Iris” and an 11” x 14” oil painting by Bill Garrison titled “White Oak and Tulips.” Gloria and Bill Garrison are 2009 Artists of the Year, as well as being recognized for their outstanding talent by many state and national organizations. Both were selected as the first Artists-in-Residence at Buffalo National River.”

This event is important to the Arts Center as a fundraiser but it is also a venue to recognize and honor the many talented artists in the River Valley.

Continued on page 29...

November 2012 | ABOUT 5

A PAGE FROM

The Editor’s Notebook

ABOUT

Take the Time to Say, ‘Thanks!’

the River Valley

Ask any Arkansan what they love about “November” and you’ll get quick replies – Thanksgiving, Veteran’s Day, cooler weather, deer camp, the Fall foliage.

Whatever the response, they all have a common denominator – thankfulness.

As the holiday season approaches, we find ourselves adding to our schedules, getting busier as the end of the year approaches. The days are filled with preparing our homes for family visits, attending the local salute to veterans’ parade, packing for deer camp, and simply enjoying the great Arkansas outdoors.

I’ve often said I honestly believe they move the dates of Thanksgiving and Christmas forward each year. As I get older, the days fly by. The holidays seem to get here sooner than they did the year before. This year is no exception and I doubt I’m alone in this feeling.

When we began preparing for the November issue, I promised myself to get better organized and stop pushing things aside, but if you could see the items piled on the table before me, you’d likely smile as you’d realize I hadn’t managed to accomplish that promise. Temporarily working from home as I undergo chemo has added to the chaos of my disorganization. Unable to tackle the stairs to my upstairs office, most of my workspace now occupies the coffee table (and the side table and the kitchen bar and the stairwell. Sorry Nolan!)

One thing I hope to become better at expressing is that “thankfulness” that becomes more top-of-mind as we approach the holidays.

I’ve always been filled with good intentions like most folks are, just not so good at fulfilling them. I’ve written tons of letters and thank you notes in my head, planned to perform deeds of kindness in my mind, yet most remain unfulfilled. We all have the same number of hours in each day. Some of us are just better at filling them with accomplishing useful tasks than others. I believe they call that “good time management.”

Thanking someone takes so little time yet many of us push the task aside. I was lucky to have a mom who taught me the importance of writing a good thank you note.

Fortunately we passed that trait along to our daughters who are quick to acknowledge gifts and acts of kindness, often shaming their mother with their speed of reply.

But the act of thanking someone for something they’ve done that’s made a difference in your life can be life-changing and can be as easy as a phone call, visit or short note.

As we celebrate the upcoming holiday season of thankfulness, take a minute to recognize those who Dianne Edwards, Editor/Publisher make a difference in your life, and don’t forget to say, 479.970.6628 “thank you!” editor@aboutrvmag.com Note: The Eternal Threads Gathering Sale, featured in the October issue, contained an error in the email address. To reach organizer Molly Turner, call (479) 970-5445 or email mollycturner58@ gmail.com. The event is Nov. 3 at Westside Church of Christ, Russellville.

A Publication of Silver Platter Productions, Inc Vol. VII, Issue 9 – November 2012 Owners: Nolan and Dianne Edwards DIANNE EDWARDS | editor editor@aboutrvmag.com CHRISTINE WOJTKOWSKI | advertising christine@aboutrvmag.com KECHIA BENTLEY | columnist kechia@aboutrvmag.com JOHNNY SAIN | freelance johnny@aboutrvmag.com CONNIE LAS SCHNEIDER | freelance connie@aboutrvmag.com TABATHA DUVALL | freelance tabatha@debbiebrowncpa.com STEVE NEWBY | photography stevenewbyphotography@aboutrvmag.com CLIFF THOMAS | illustrator maddsigntist@aboutrvmag.com CHRIS ZIMMERMAN | layout/design chris@zimcreative.com

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

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

Inquiries may be made by calling (479) 970-6628.

Office: 220 East 4th Street Email: editor@aboutrvmag.com Postmaster: Please send address changes to: SPPI, P.O. Box 10176, Russellville AR 72812.

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Dianne

Steve

Connie

Kechia

edito r /p ub l i she r

phot o g r a phy

fre e l a nc e

colum n i s t

Edwards

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Newby

479. 880.1006

Las Schneider 479.497.1110

Bentley

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Christine

Chris

Cliff

Johnny

adver ti si n g

l ayou t / d e s ig n

il l u s tr a to r

freelan ce

Wojtkowski

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6 ABOUT | November 2012

Zimmerman

479. 264.2438

Thomas

479.890.3630

Sain

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about | november 2012

It's Your Choice...or Is It? By the time many of our readers finishing flipping through this November issue, the Presidential election will be a thing of the past.

Many of you, like my husband and I, will have chosen to early vote, either having made your decision early or simply preferring to avoid the Election Day crowds.

We hope this election draws a crowd. It is being purported to be one of the closest Presidential races in history. Some have even forecast that while one candidate may win the electoral vote, the other may win the popular vote. Watching the numbers, listening to the debates, hearing the culmination of first this political analyst then another, who knows?

A 92-year-old gentleman from Hawaii, a veteran of WWII, believed so strongly in the right and duty as an American to cast his vote for President that he asked his family to arrange for an early voting ballot to be brought to his dying bedside. He had not missed voting in an election since turning 18 and he wasn’t about to miss it now.

It will be the last time he’ll ever

vote in an election. So treasured was his right to vote that it was his dying wish, though it is doubtful he’ll survive to see the election results.

So why do so many of us turn a deaf ear to the election process?

Annoyance with the ramblings, personal attacks and changing policies is one reason. I understand.

I can barely stand to turn on the television. As we watched the debates, it was painful, comical and irritating.

Did I learn anything that caused me to change my mind? Policy-wise, strength-wise, leadership-potential – nothing emerged that surprised me. I was disappointed in the rude personal attacks that I witnessed from individuals for whom I had hoped to gain more respect.

Was there really a clear choice?

Was one candidate more qualified to turn our country around than the other? I agree with the illustration created by talented artist Cliff Thomas. I’m afraid either choice is going to leave a bad taste in my mouth, one way or another.

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Nov. 1-29 (dates and times vary) Eagle Tour, Lake Dardanelle State Park, call for reservations: 967-5516.

Nov: 1, 15: After School Antics for kids 8-12, Russellville Library, 3:30 p.m. Info: 968-4368.

Nov. 2-3: 5th Annual Mistletoe Market, Boys and Girls Club, 16th Street. Info: 968-7819.

Nov. 4: Local Artist Invitational Exhibit Opening Reception, RV Arts Center, 1-3 p.m.; info: 968-2452.

Nov. 7-9: 12th Annual United Way Pork Cook Out, 12-5:30 Wed., 8-5:30 Th/Fri.; sponsored by Cargill, Cargill parking lot; orders: 968-4560.

Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28: Baby & Me, 2 p.m., Russellville Library; info: 968-4368.

Nov. 8: Lego Crew for kids ages 8-12, Russellville Library, 4 p.m.; info: 968-4368.

Nov. 9: E-Waste Recycling Drive, Pope County Fairgrounds 8-6; Drop off your old electronics only. Event ends when trucks are full; info: 419-559-8361.

Nov. 13: Forget Me Not Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group, 6 p.m., Wildflower, 240 S. Inglewood Ave. 264-8805.

Nov. 14: CiCi’s Pizza non-profit fundraiser, 4-8 p.m., 10% of your purchase goes to Habitat for Humanity.

Nov. 15: Community Bingo, seniors 55 and older; 2-3 p.m.; Wildflower, 240 S. Inglewood, Russellville; 890-6709.

Nov. 15: Dazzle Daze “Girls Night Out,” 6-9 p.m., Conway Expo Center, 2505 E. Oak St./Hwy 64 E; Tickets: $25 advance, $30 at the door; info: DazzleDaze.com.

Nov. 16: River Valley Arts Center Holiday Jubilee, 7-10 p.m., $50 pp, Russellville Country Club; info: 968-2452.

Nov. 16-17: 11th Annual Dazzle Daze shopping event, Conway Expo Center; open Friday, 10-9; Saturday 10-4.

Tickets, $5; info: DazzleDaze.com.

Nov. 17: Catch the Beat 5K run/walk to benefit Choices Pregnancy Resource Clinic, 9 a.m.; info: 967-2255.

Nov. 17: Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED, 9-4; info: 800-733-2767.

Nov. 17: Friendship Community Care’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, 5-9 p.m., Historical Train Depot; tickets or info: 967-2322.

Nov. 29: Super Hero Family Night, 6-7 p.m., Heritage Hall; info: 968-4368. *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.

November 2012 | ABOUT 7

8 ABOUT | November 2012

Robert Dale and BobWhite PRESERVING

THE

TRADITION

Story by Johnny Sain | Photos by Steve Newby & Johnny Sain

Once upon a time in western Arkansas

there weren’t many deer or ducks or turkey. Deer camp was for getting away from the wife and hanging out with your buddies. Duck hunting was jump shooting some wood ducks along the creek on grandpa’s Back Forty. Spring turkey hunting was…well, spring was for fishing. Trying to hunt the pitiful few turkeys around was like trying to catch the wind in a jar.

If you were a hunter, your game was squirrel, rabbit, and quail. The serious hunters hunted quail.

Bobwhite quail were common everywhere and so popular that a hunter didn’t even need to use the word “quail” when talking about them. If you were a hunter and heard someone mention “birds”, you knew exactly what they were talking about.

Shotguns and bird dogs were discussed like compound bows and turkey calls are today. Then things started to change.

The big family farms in the countryside were chopped up into subdivisions and homes were built.

The new homeowners wanted non-native grasses for their yards and kept the yards looking like a golf course. The farmers wanted neat and tidy fencerows so they killed all the brush with herbicides. The back pasture that grew up with native grasses was now a hay pasture seeded with fescue. Other changes were happening as well.

As the human population moved from rural to urban,

time became an issue when it came to outdoor pursuits. Nobody trapped furbearers anymore.

The big alpha-predators had been killed out long before so now there was nothing to control the smaller mesopredators - the raccoon, skunk, and opossum. The populations of these small predators exploded Fire ants moved up from Texas. All of these animals prey on ground-nesting bird hatchlings and eggs. It was doom for the bobwhite and today we have lost about 70 percent of the quail numbers we enjoyed just a few decades ago.

River Valley resident Robert Dale remembers those good ol’days . His dad, Charles William Dale, was a longtime quail hunter.

“Everybody called him ‘Dub.’ He was a patient man, and especially good with the dogs,” says Robert. “I used to beg to go hunting with him and he let me tag along. Of course I never carried a gun, but just to be out there with him was exciting.”

Today Robert raises bobwhite quail in a converted chicken house on property that has been in the family since Robert was five “My dad bought the original 80 acres for $7,500 and wasn’t real sure how he was going to pay for it,” Robert says with a chuckle.

Robert, his father, and the humble little bird are intertwined. Conversation about Robert’s dad inevitably leads to the memory of a quail hunt.

Likewise, the reason Robert raises quail today can be traced back to his father. >>

“Well, Dad had cancer. One day he told me, Robert, people don’t die because of the cancer, they starve to death. Dad had lost his appetite, he didn’t want to eat anything.”

As the bobwhite had done so many times before, it provided nourishment for both body and spirit in the Dale family “I kept trying to think of what I could get Dad to eat and then I thought about how much he loved quail. There was a guy over

by Flat Rock that had some so I went over there and bought two dozen. Dad ate them over the course of two weeks. It was the only thing he ate.”

Of course eating quail can be traced back a long way, even to the Old Testament.

“The Israelites ate quail and manna,” said Robert. “We’re not sure what manna was,

but it’s written pretty plain about the quail.

And, let me tell you, they are delicious.”

Covey 3 Quail Ranch, as it’s known today, was started by Robert and a couple of friends, Jim Miller and Stan Berry.

“I figured if Dad would eat quail, I’d just raise them myself. I had a couple good friends that were interested in doing it too.”

Jim and Stan were both enthusiastic quail hunters as well. This enthusiasm led to the naming of Covey Three Ranch.

“Well, whenever we called one another on the phone that’s how we identified ourselves. Jim was Covey one, Stan was Covey two, and I was Covey three.”

The ranch isn’t run for monetary gain.

“I don’t make anything here that could go toward me making a living. I have

EXPRESS

f l e s r u o Y

2725 E Parkway Suite 8 ~ Russellville

479.567.5523 10 ABOUT | November 2012

friends, people that have dogs and since wild birds are scarce, they call me when they need a few birds. They want to see their dogs work.”

Robert also has a few folks come out to the ranch and hunt.

“Sometimes people I know will come out, or they’ll ask me about bringing somebody out.”

While Robert doesn’t offer commercial hunts, he does enjoy the opportunity to introduce youngsters to the tradition and to help some experienced hunters relive the glory years.

“I had a friend bring a couple of guys out here to hunt, one of them was 85 and the other was 87. I didn’t really know what to expect. I could tell by their guns that they were old bird hunters, they had real nice guns for their time, those Belgium- made Brownings. Anyway, we start hunting and the first covey that flies up, the 87-year-old takes two shots…and two birds fall. Well, I knew it was going to be a good day and they ended up killing a bunch of birds.”

“When we were finishing up and cleaning the birds, the 87-year-old looks at me and said something I’ll never forget. He said, ‘I didn’t think I would ever get to do this again.’ That just made the whole day, that’s what it’s really all about.”

Robert’s talk rarely touches on the subject of killing quail - interestingly, it always seems to circle around to eating quail - but rather the lively banter shared by hunters, the brisk winter weather, and of course the dogs. Quail hunting is really all about the dogs.

“I took a couple of guys one time and used my dogs. I watched those guys shoot before the hunt and well, they were terrible shots. I told them that whenever the birds

took off to put a lot of lead in the air and maybe a bird would run into some of it.

They ended up doing okay, they killed a lot of birds and told me how much fun they had, but I told them, if you want to have a real big time, get you some bird dogs.”

Bird hunting was the catalyst for a whole class of dogs known as the sporting dogs. The pointers, retrievers, setters, and spaniels originated in England and Scotland. They were bred for a specific skill set.

Keen noses catch the scent of birds both on the ground and in the air. The dogs follow that subtle stream of scent molecules until the covey is located and then they do something odd for a predator; they stop.

The hunting instinct comes naturally from their wolf ancestors, but it has been refined.

A wolf’s initial response upon sensing prey is to close the distance, lock on to the prey’s location, and then give chase. The sporting dogs stop short of giving chase and it’s called ‘pointing.’

A good point looks as if the dog is frozen and a good dog will hold until given the command to flush. This is what a bird hunter lives for; the search, the point, and the flush.

“The thrill for me is watching the dogs,” beams Robert. “I take grandpas and grandsons, that’s my favorite hunt, and I always ask the grandson what they liked the most about the hunt and so far every one of them says it’s the dogs. They’ve never seen a dog point a bird, hold that point while you’re a quarter mile away, and then go get the bird after the shot and lay it at your feet. I know the exhilaration for me is getting out there and watching the dogs.”

Volumes could, and have been written about the relationship between dogs and men. Suffice it to say Robert has strong

feelings about his dogs as well. His 14year-old Brittany spaniel, Maggie, has retired from birddogging and now resides in the Dale home as opposed to the kennel.

Keeping the heritage of the hunt alive for younger generations is important to Robert.

“One thing that’s missing with our kids today is the love of the land, the love of the hunt. It’s not the kill that’s important in hunting. Especially with bird hunting, it’s all the camaraderie when you’re walking to the covey and talking to each other. You’re always getting on to somebody about why they missed a shot or why you missed a shot, talking about other stuff and such. It’s just a lot of fun.”

Somewhere among the tall grass of a brushy fence line in Pope county, a rare covey of bobwhite quail settles in for the night. Soft calls reassure the covey members that all are accounted for as purple twilight settles over the land.

Just north of Dover a decades-long bird hunter reminisces. The smell of gunpowder, the sight of a solid point, and the voices of loved ones reassuring him of days well spent and good days still to come. n

November 2012 | ABOUT 11

Happiness is a Warm (and Safe) Hearth

I

Story and photos by Johnny Sain

t’s a cold winter evening. You don’t need the weatherman to tell you snow is in the forecast. The gunmetal gray clouds tell you. The frigid north wind carries a taste of the arctic front barreling south. Every grocery store in the state is crammed with shoppers. Milk, bread, and eggs are fast becoming scarce.

The first flakes of what will be a two-day winter storm are drifting through the cold air as you finally reach home. Milk, bread, and eggs in hand, you step from your vehicle and the spicy smell of hickory smoke permeates the air. An instinctive sense of comfort overcomes you as wisps of smoke curl from the chimney. A glance at the woodshed brings a sigh of reassurance. It’s stacked high with seasoned hardwood, more than enough to make it through a River Valley winter. And then you step inside the house. Cozy doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Maybe you already own a woodstove and need an inspection for the coming winter. Maybe you want to own a wood stove.

12 ABOUT | November 2012

You crave the heavenly feeling of backing up to the stove until your backside is toasty and then plopping into the recliner.

Whatever the case may be, if the above scenario makes you itch for that first cold blast of winter air then you need to an introduction to Larry Simmons. Larry is one of only a handful of folks that do what could be described as one of the dirtiest, most overlooked, but vitally important jobs for homeowners that enjoy a wood fire. Larry is a chimneysweep.

It all started 32 years ago as Larry’s wife, Joy explains. “We started in fall of 1980. I decided to stay home with my kids. We had two incomes coming in, so we had to look for something else. We saw something about chimney sweeps in Mother Earth News and I said Larry, you can do that.”

Larry didn’t know much about woodstoves installation or chimney sweeping when he first started. “I was very green when I started, even now there’s a lot to learn, a lot of new things. Stoves don’t stay the same.”

For starters, there are two different types of wood stoves; traditional wood burning stoves that burn pieces of wood and pellet stoves that, as the name implies, burn pellets. Pellet stoves offer less mess and aren’t as labor intensive.

“The pellets are recycled wood waste, like sawdust or chips,” says Larry. “You get a forty pound bag and the stoves have a hopper that you load and then it has an auger in the stove. Load the hopper, set he thermostat, and the auger will drop pellets when the thermostat tells it too. The burn time on some of the pellet stoves are long, I think some of them are 50 hours.”

The pellet stoves burn very clean as well, with minimum smoke.

But, for some folks the pleasing aroma is half the point of burning wood. They don’t mind a few pieces of bark on the floor when the wood is hauled indoors. For these people a tradition wood burning stove is the only stove to have. The Simmons family uses traditional wood burning stoves to heat their home and a little bark

on the floor is of no concern for Joy. “When I get my electric bill and see all the money I’ve saved with wood heat, I don’t mind running my vacuum cleaner.”

“If the power goes out, we’ve cooked on our woodstove, and even in it. I feel that being self-sufficient is important. The stove is a way to save money and be a little more independent.”

Cook on a woodstove? Yes indeed you can. It wasn’t that many generations ago that all stoves –including the kitchen stoves -- used wood as fuel for heat.

“We have people that ask all the time if they can we cook on it. When we had the ice storm come through a few years ago, we may not have had TV—which was not a bad thing— but we could heat and we could eat. You can put some stew on top of the stove. I even put a turkey in there, wrapped up a hen in foil and put it in the coals.”

Simmons Chimney Sweep installs stoves of all types, but perhaps their most important service is chimney inspection and cleaning.

It can be the difference between life and death. “This is something that needs to be looked at every year,” says Larry? “What happens is that when winter comes bearing down, the power is flickering and there’s ice and snow, that’s when things go wrong.”

Joy agrees. “I get at least twenty calls a season from people that have had a chimney fire.”

The problem is creosote buildup.

Creosote is a byproduct of wood burning. It happens when gases given off from burning wood condense and their temperature drops below 250 degrees. They liquefy and then solidify, coating the chimney with a highly combustible material. Creosote is the main reason Chimney sweeps came to be.

Larry has seen the problem many times.

"Creosote is a byproduct of incomplete combustion. If you have perfect wood burning habits, a perfect installation, and a perfect stove, you shouldn’t have any buildup. But, that’s not likely. When you have smoldering fires, which last winter had a lot of, the chimney looks like somebody poured a bucket of tar down it all the way to the bottom. That’s your fuel for a chimney fire. Some people don’t even know they’ve had a chimney fire until I tell them. I call it a controlled burnout. Now the ones that have fire shooting out the chimney, they say it sounds like a train on the roof.”

After three decades in the business, Joy knows that using a professional is the only way to go when it comes to protecting your home and family. “We offer a free inspection; people need to take advantage of that. Don’t rely on products you’re not sure about. We’ve even had people say they had birds in the chimney during the summer

and their wings cleaned it out. People really need to use the free inspection.”

Larry mentions several folk remedies for cleaning out a chimney. “People used to say that potato peels, tin cans, salt would work.”

But, Joy quickly points out the faults in those remedies. “Then you drive around the rural places and see the old houses that have burnt down and the chimney is the only thing that’s still standing.”

Larry offers some tips for a cleaner burning stove. “Some people use their stove or fireplace as what I call an Arkansas Shredder. They burn old papers and that’s

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ok, I just wouldn’t make it a habit. It burns, goes up the chimney and it will clog your chimney cap. And use seasoned, covered hardwood for fires. Seasoned for six months to a year and kept covered to stay dry.”

Not many things in life can compare to the comfort of a warm stove on a cold winters evening. The crackling flames, the radiant warmth that central heat and air just can’t touch, and the security of knowing that if the power goes out you and yours will be warm and fed. And then there’s the peace of mind in knowing that your heat system is safe. Cozy doesn’t even begin to describe it. n

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about | family

In Everything, Give Thanks

Story by Kechia Bentley

The very sound of the word “Autumn” brings to me a sigh of contentment. My horn of plenty is filled to overflowing with blessings and family memories.

A Martha Stewart special on television once encouraged me to make holiday decorations out of fruits and vegetables.

Martha suggested I do this with my children.

Including my three boys in a craft project that involves fruits, vegetables and knives would most definitely create family memories. It might also land me on the Dr. Phil Show. The topic would be, “Women Who Have Lost Their Minds!”

Over the years I have attempted several projects, at the encouragement of experts, to make my home more joyful and inviting during the holiday season. I quickly learned that if I tried to get my family to participate, it would lead to lots of screaming and everyone wanting to run away from home.

Thanksgiving and I wanted everything to look beautiful.

At least nine pumpkins adorned our front porch. I learned the Number One Rule in decorating with pumpkins that year - never leave them out over night! If you do, you will find them smashed all over the street the next day.

Don’t be fooled into a false sense of security if they survive one or two nights without destruction. If you leave them out, they will be destroyed. Trust me!

Our fourth autumn as a family was a time of great excitement. We were expecting our second child to arrive sometime around Thanksgiving Day. I made sure to get the decorating finished early. Martha Stewart would have been proud. The front of my house looked like a cover on a magazine.

“ Including my three boys in a craft project that

“

involves fruits, vegetables and knives would most definitely create family memories.

Okay, I was the one screaming and wanting to run away. It’s simply not fair that I live in a house full of men who refuse to even pretend to enjoy doing “girly” projects.

In the autumn of 1985, I was a newlywed living on Long Island, N.Y. It was the first time I had ever seen people decorating their homes for Thanksgiving.

I still hadn’t figured out how to properly hang the Priscilla curtains in our living room but I knew I had to have bales of hay, corn stalks, mums and pumpkins all around my front door.

It was beautiful and I was hooked.

The next year my autumn decorating was grand. Our first son, Adrin, had been born in September. We had just moved into an older home three blocks away from Long Island Sound. It would be Adrin’s first 14 ABOUT | November 2012

On Nov. 11, 1988, my perfect world crumbled. Our son, Austin Wheeler Bentley, was stillborn. He was beautiful.

I had no idea that one could feel such indescribable grief and indescribable love at the same time.

One would think that those seasonal decorations would have been meaningless in the light of such grief, but it was just the opposite.

A few weeks later, on Thanksgiving Day, our precious two-year-old son Adrin sat in the middle of those pumpkins holding a small stuffed bear. It had accompanied a flower arrangement for Austin’s funeral.

Twenty-four years later those pictures are still like medicine for my soul. They bring back memories and even thanksgiving for a son that I was supposed to somehow

say ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ to, all at the same time.

We learned the truth of “sorrow is for a season and joy comes in the morning.” By the next Thanksgiving, I was holding our two-month old son Dillon. We were also preparing to leave Long Island and move to Arkansas.

Remember that Number One Rule I mentioned concerning pumpkins? I used to believe it only applied if you lived up north with ‘them Yankees.’ Well, I was wrong. It applies in Arkansas, too.

I naively thought that since I was in the Good Old South, my pumpkins would be safe on our front porch overnight. Not true.

I was awakened one night during our first Arkansas autumn to the sound of a rumbling engine. I saw three young people sneaking across our yard and I just knew they were out for my pumpkins.

I yelled for my husband to stop them and the next thing I knew, Donald was running out the front door. He chased the would-be thieves across our yard and out into the street.

It was a spectacle to behold and to this day it is one of my favorite Thanksgiving memories. Not because he responded so quickly and heroically but because he ran out the door wearing only his “whitey tighties.”

This leads to Rule Number Two: Do not chase pumpkin stealers in your underwear!

“In everything gives thanks.” Happy Thanksgiving! n

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about | healing

‘When We Come Together, Great Outcomes Occur’ Healing Arts Program Benefits Area Youth Story by Jamie Higgins, courtesy photos

For the past 54 years Community Service, Inc. has been dedicated to helping change the lives of youth and their families.

In October, they continued that mission with the start of a new art therapy program funded by the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Arts Council.

“We are so thankful to our supporters for helping us make this program available to youth in the River Valley,” said Mike Worley, CEO of Community Service. “When we all come together, great outcomes will occur benefiting our community and the future of our state.”

Community Services’ Healing Arts Program provides therapeutic art experiences to help youth by providing valuable life lessons. Art therapy is based on the idea that the creative process of art making is healing and life enhancing, a potent form of expression which helps an individual learn and gain perspective at the same time. Art utilizes the creative process while promoting growth, self-expression, self-esteem, perseverance, adaptability and responsibility. By participating in the process of creating art, youth are able to deal visually with emotions, express things they cannot express verbally, and release emotions which will help them recognize different perspectives in life.

The program is taught by Virmarie DePoyster, an artist in residency with the Arkansas Arts Council Artists in Education Roster.

“Perspective is vitally important in art, life and in education,” said DePoyster. “Art perspective literally shows the reference of one thing to the other, life perspective 16 ABOUT | November 2012

A participant displays their finished art work stating that they are thankful for eating better because it makes you live longer.

Youth were asked to draw their strawberries and blueberries than write what they are thankful for around the image.

helps one keep balance, and education perspective demonstrates relevance between knowledge and everyday life.”

The youth involved are learning how to apply the elements of art and principles of perspective to design, creating their own works of art in an “I Love Sketchbook.”

As the title implies, the sketchbook will be comprised of items that give joy and love to the youth participant.

The program’s goal is to reduce emotional stress through the creative process.

“Art and the self-expression it encourages increase the youth’s self-esteem and helps them share their perspective based on individual experiences,” said DePoyster.

“Art Education also helps develop character and imagination while teaching how to apply

the elements and principles of design.”

The Healing Arts Program also provides trust-building activities focused on promoting open and healthy discussions.

The theme of perspective in life will be woven into each class, each piece of art and the overall program.

“Design is all about perspective, which brings us back to what they, as individuals, actually see,” said DePoyster.

The art program concludes Nov. 28 at the River Valley Art Center where the youth’s artwork will be on display for a short time before the sketchbooks return to the participants.

Community Service, Inc. helps youth from all walks of life without regard to a family’s ability to pay.

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Charger SRT Virmarie DePoyster helps youth with their art lesson. They were to draw and paint strawberries and blueberries then write what they are thankful for around the art piece.

Currently 16 students participate in the program.

“Since 1958, Community Service has never turned away a youth or family that needs assistance,” said Worley. “We have also never required payment from those families’ personal finances.”

Last year 1,600 youth benefited from the help of Community Service. Almost 300 of those were helped at the Russellville office located at 1505 S. Oswego. Community Services’ professionals are committed to helping youth in need through prevention and education, therapeutic foster care, day treatment, substance abuse services, mental health services and juvenile justice.

They are accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and are a member of the Arkansas Youth Service Providers Association. Their programs and services are licensed or approved by the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services, Arkansas Child Welfare Licensing Board, and the Arkansas Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention.

Community Service is also a proud part of the River Valley United Way, Central Arkansas United Way and the Heart of Arkansas United Way. Community Service Board members representing the Pope County area include Ray Moll, Jeff Turnbow, Marti Wilkerson and Jan Hill.

If you have youth in need or would like to find out more about Community Service and how you can help feel free to visit www.communityserviceinc.com or call (479) 967-3370. n

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about | service

Flying HighA Veteran’s Day Story Story by Connie Las Schneider

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…” President Woodrow Wilson, November 1919.

President Wilson proclaimed November 11 a national holiday in commemoration of the Armistice Day that ended World War I, then known as “the war to end all wars”. With peace and Wilson’s pet project, the League of Nations, the President never imagined that World War I would be a prelude to World War II or that war and international conflicts would continue to the present day.

Thirty-five years later, President Dwight Eisenhower changed the holiday’s name to Veteran’s Day to signify the heroism and sacrifices of our veterans not only from WWI and WWII but also of later generations of men and woman who served in the military.

Thanks to the heroic sacrifices of our military, the spirit of patriotism in America remains strong today. A career in the military is a respected occupation and, despite ongoing cutbacks in military spending, each year tens of thousands of new recruits sign up to defend our freedom in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard or the National Guards.

Joining any branch of the service is fraught with sacrifice, hard work and dangers that cannot be underestimated. But those who strive to begin a military career attending a four year officer’s training program like West Point or the United States Air Force Academy take a uniquely tough path.

Competition for appointment is intense and once accepted, each cadet faces a rigorous schedule, extremely high expectations and strict rules of conduct.

Two cadets currently attending the prestigious Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. are C2C Ciani Ellison and 20 ABOUT | November 2012

C2C Jon Reasoner. Both third year/second class cadets graduated from Russellville High School in 2010.

Ellison joined the Air Force Academy because she wanted to be “a part of a team and do something more challenging.

During high school I was very motivated to do well because I dreamt of being a doctor and the idea of going to a civilian college seemed never quite right for me,” said Ellison who was nominated to the Air Force Academy by Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Prior.

Being accepted to the Air Force Academy took hard work and determination, but that was just the beginning of the journey, according to Ellison. Cadets attend classes year round with three- three week summer sessions for four years to earn a bachelors degree.

“My time at the Academy has been the hardest and yet most rewarding experience of my life. Getting into the Academy is a very selective process and you have to be strong academically, physically and have leadership experience. But the hardest part about the Academy isn’t getting in, it’s staying in,” said Ellison.

Time demands on cadets are extremely difficult to keep up, agree Ellison and Reasoner, who each take 21-24 credit hours of classes per semester on top of spending 30 or more hours per week training at the air field. In addition to that, they have marching 5 to 6 times per week, training every Saturday from 0630 until 1645 in the evening and must maintain stringent fitness standards.

“Every single day we are challenged academically, physically, emotionally, and psychologically and going through these trials builds character and strength in friendships. The rigorous schedule and high

expectations challenges us to achieve new personal goals, said Ellison, who is a biology per-med major on the Superintendent’s List (above 3.0 GPA, above 3.0 Physical Education Average, and in the top 10% of your class militarily).

With such rigorous schedules, you might think Ellison and Reasoner would welcome occasional periods of down time. But while many of their college friends get time off during the school breaks, both cadets dedicate all spare time as members of the elite Wings of Blue Parachute Team, the only Air Force Parachute Team. The team does demonstrations all over the country and competes in collegiate and national level competitions.

Despite the challenges of cadet life, there are many benefits to attending the Air Force Academy, agree Ellison and Reasoner.

According to the Air Force Academy website, “Our investment in developing well-rounded leaders at the Academy pays untold dividends to our nation. You get a free, top-notch education, (valued at $416,000), free room and board, free medical and dental benefits and the opportunity for an exciting career as an officer in the Air Force. Our country gets leaders with drive, smarts, character and motivation. Everyone wins.” n Happy Veteran’s Day to all those who have defended our country in the past, to those who keep us strong today and to the young who dedicate their lives in future service to our county!

Wings of Blue Every wondered what it’s like to jump out of an airplane flying thousands of feet above the ground at hundreds of miles an hour?

“Jumping out a plane for the first time was the most terrifying and mind blowing experience of my life. I honestly couldn’t comprehend what I was about to do,” said C2C Ciani Ellison, who along with fellow cadet C2C Jon Reasoner are members of the Air Force Academy “Wings of Blue”, one of the outstanding parachute units in the country. Each cadet on the team must be a qualified jumpmaster and instructor in the Air Force Academy parachuting program. They must also maintain high academic and military standards to remain with the team. Members of the parachute team average about 600 jumps by the time they graduate.

Both Ellison and Reasoner are certified parachuting instructors who teach over 500 cadets a year to skydive and held responsible for letting students out the aircraft.

“One of the most rewarding parts of being a jumpmaster and parachute instructor is the extremely high level of responsibility entrusted to us. We inspect gear, clear the airspace, communicate with the pilot and retrain deficient students in order to keep operations on the ground running smoothly,” agree Ellison and Reasoner.

“We train for over a year to instruct and become qualified jumpmasters. We are responsible for the lives of our students and provide other cadets with the most powerful leadership and courage building experience of their cadet career,” said Ellison, adding that her “biggest thrill was letting her first student out of the

airplane on his first solo free-fall skydive and watching every emotion flash across his face.”

The Wings of Blue has 50 members and the Competition team comprises 20 of those members. Ellison is one of 5 females on the competition team. “The competition team is amazing because I get to bond with my 4-way (4 person relative work) team and build a trust with them that goes deeper than any other friendship. We train together a lot and we have ups and downs as a team but we hope that all the hard work pays off when Christmas rolls around which will be the Collegiate Skydiving Competition in Arizona, Ellsion’s first competition event.

Reasoner is a jumpmaster, parachute instructor and a member of the Wings of Blue Demonstration Team. The demonstration team jumps into air shows and football games all over the country in order to promote awareness about the Air Force Academy and it is used as a major recruiting tool.

To watch the team in action, link to the Wings of Blue Parachute Team’s promotional video. http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=I0K5b5TtS7w n

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November 2012 | ABOUT 21

about | food

Getting Ready For The Holiday Season Story by Dianna Qualls, Food Editor

I

t is time to start thinking and planning for the holiday season. This year, please try to spend more time with your family and friends. I know it is hard to do and still pull-off the event of the holiday season. Everybody ready, set, go. Let the cooking begin.

We all have our family traditions when it comes to our Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts. My sister-inlaw Tammy makes the “Green Bean Casserole, and her Sweet Potato Casserole.” Her hubby Keith (one of my brothers) always requires she make two of each, one for the feast and one for him to consume later. Mom makes the pies, Coconut Cream (for me), Chocolate Cream for Lloyd (my hubby), and Peanut Butter Streusel for everybody. Lloyd and I do share our pies with the others, and they are so appreciative.

Sister-in-law Dianne (my brother Larry’s wife) is the goodie maker extraordinaire. She always makes the best chocolate chip cookies, touchdown bars, peanut butter cups, and three or four other delectable treats.

I usually contribute cornbread dressing, smashed potatoes, gravy, and Lloyd provides the “Bird”, a delicious Hickory smoked turkey, Yum! We usually enjoy our Thanksgiving Feast at Ricker Deer Camp.

Over the years we have made yummies to share with friends and loved ones for the holidays. I would like to share some my most beloved yummies’ recipes to share with your family and friends. Try’m you’ll like’m!

NO BAKE COOKIES

2 c. sugar 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 c. cocoa 1/2 stick butter 1/2 c. milk 2 ½ to 3 c. quick cooking oats 1/2 c. crunchy peanut butter 1 tsp. vanilla Mix sugar, salt, cocoa in large saucepan. Add butter, and milk bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 90 seconds. Add peanut butter, and vanilla stir until combined then add oats. Stir well Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Allow to cool.

BUFFALO CHIP COOKIES 2 c. soft butter or margarine 2 c. brown sugar, packed 2 c. white sugar

Cream the above ingredients together. Add and combine well the following ingredients: 4 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla 4 c. sifted flour 2 T. baking soda 2 c. cornflakes 2 c. quick cooking oats 1 (6 oz) pkg. chocolate chips 1 (6 oz) pkg. peanut butter chips 1 c. chopped nuts 1 c. M&M plain candies Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Drop cookie dough by Tablespoons for large cookies, or use teaspoons or regular size cookies.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Allow to cook for 10 minutes before removing from the cookie sheet. This recipes make a “BUNCH” of cookies.

22 ABOUT | November 2012

OVERNIGHT BUBBLE BREAD

1 (24 oz.) pkg. frozen dinner rolls (uncooked type) 1 (3 ¾ oz.) pkg. Butterscotch Pudding (not the instant type) 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 c. brown sugar, firmly packed 1/2 c. chopped nuts 1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, melted Grease bundt pan. Place frozen rolls in the bundt pan. In a separate small bowl combine, dry pudding mix, cinnamon, and nuts. Sprinkle pudding mixture over the rolls in the bundt pan. Combine brown sugar with the melted butter, and pour it over the mixture in the bundt pan.

Place plastic wrap on the top of the bundt pan. Place bundt pan in a cold oven overnight.

Next morning remove plastic wrap, carefully or the rolls could fall. Bake on the middle shelf at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and while hot, flip onto a plate and serve while warm.

COCOONS

1 c. butter or margarine 6 T. powdered sugar 1/4 tsp. salt 2 c. sifted flour 1 c. pecans, chopped 1 tsp. vanilla Cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla, salt, and flour. Mix well. Add nuts and mix well.

Shape dough into cocoons, using about 1/2 tablespoons for each cookie. Place cookies on baking sheets and bake at 300° for 18 to 20 minutes. Cookies do not spread while baking. As soon as cookies are removed from the oven Roll warm cookies in confectioners’ sugar.

COUNTRY APPLE PIE

6 c. peeled and sliced cooking apples 1 T. lemon juice 1/2 c. sugar 1/2 c. brown sugar, firmly packed 2 T. all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 2 T. butter 2 pie crusts

with strips of aluminum foil to prevent the edges from burning.

Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.

Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake an additional 35 minutes. Serve hot or cold.

KICKAPOO PUNCH COOKIES

1 c. shortening 1 c. sugar 1 c. brown sugar 1 c. peanut butter In large bowl, combine apples, lemon 2 eggs juice and toss. Add sugars, flour, cinnamon 3/4 tsp. vanilla and nutmeg and mix well. Spoon filling 1 tsp. baking soda evenly into 1 unbaked pie crust in a pie 4 c. minute oats (quick cooking) plate. Cut or break butter into pea-size 2 T. milk chunks and dot pie filling with the butter.

Place the other unbaked pie crust on Mix all ingredients in a large mixing top of the filling. Crimp edges together bowl. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie on the edge of the pie plate. Cut four sheet. Bake in 375 degree preheated oven slits into the top crust to release steam 8 to 12 minutes. Cool, store in an airtight as the pie bakes. Cover the crust edges container. >>

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ENGLISH TOFFEE

Place a piece of foil, about two feet long, on a flat surface. Spread evenly (single layer) on the foil: 1 c. of finely chopped pecans In medium saucepan combine: 1 c. sugar 1 c. (2 sticks) butter 3 T. water 1 T. Karo syrup Cook on over medium-high heat.

Bring to a bubbling boil, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, about 10 minutes. Remove spoon from pan, and cook to a very brittle stage (300 degrees to 310 degrees F on a candy thermometer). Or, (hard crack stage) make a cold water test: candy will separate into hard, brittle threads when dropped in cold water.

Pour toffee over the pecans on the foil.

Place 3 Hershey candy bars or chocolate chips on the toffee. When it melts, using an off-set spatula or a knife and spread evenly on the toffee.

Allow to cool completely, break apart and store in an airtight container.

CHEESE DELIGHTS

1/4 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated 1/4 lb. (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened 1 c. all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper Pecan halves In a large bowl, mix together the Cheddar cheese, softened butter, cayenne pepper and salt until well blended. Gradually mix in flour, using your hands to work in the last bit. The result will be a stiff dough much like shortbread. Form the dough into logs about 1 inch thick, and 10 inches long.

Wrap each log in waxed paper, and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Unwrap the chilled logs of dough, and slice into about 1/2 inch thick rounds using a sharp knife. Place a pecan half on each round and fold the dough around the pecan. Place “delights” onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.

Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until firm and slightly browned at the edges. Allow to cool for 1 minute before removing from the cookie sheet.

CORNFLAKE CANDY

1 c. Karo syrup (light colored) 1 c. sugar 1 1/2 c. peanut butter 6 c. Cornflakes

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Combine the corn syrup and sugar in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the peanut butter to the syrup mixture in the saucepan and stir until it is completely combined. Remove it from the heat and add the cornflakes, stirring rapidly to coat the cereal with the peanut butter syrup.

Drop the mix by heaping spoonfuls onto wax paper and allow it to cool. It may help to butter the spoon to prevent sticking as you portion out the candy.

Alternatively, you can press the candy mixture into a buttered baking dish and cut it into squares once it has cooled.

PERFECT PUMPKIN PIE

1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell, deep dish 2 eggs beaten, lightly 1 (16 oz.) can solid pack pumpkin 3/4 c. sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ginger 1/4 tsp. cloves 1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk Place a baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 375 degrees. In large bowl combine all ingredients except the pie shell.

Place pie shell on baking sheet. Pour filling into pie shell. Bake in the center of oven for 70 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

Garnish or serve with whipped topping and walnuts if desired.

SWEET AND SAVORY SPICED NUTS

A handful of golden pecans and walnuts is just the nibble you need to whet your appetite before a grand holiday meal.

3 T. sugar 1 tsp. paprika 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground cumin Pinch of ground cloves 1 large egg white 2 c. walnut halves (1/2 pound) 2 c. pecan halves (1/2 pound) Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.

Lightly oil a 4-sided sheet pan. Whisk together sugar, spices, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Whisk egg white in a medium bowl until frothy, then stir in nuts.

Add spice mixture and toss to coat.

Spread nut mixture in 1 layer in sheet pan. Bake, stirring once or twice, until dry and well toasted, about 20 minutes. Loosen nuts from pan, then cool completely. Nuts keep in an airtight container at room temperature 1 week.

Makes 4 cups Recipe: epicurious.com

PHYLLO-CHEESE TRIANGLES

4 c. (1 lb) shredded Muenster cheese 2 c. (8 oz) shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese 1/2 c. chopped fresh parsley 2 eggs, beaten Dash Red pepper sauce 3/4 to 1 lb butter, melted 1 pkg. frozen phyllo-pastry dough, thawed Combine first three ingredients. Add eggs and pepper sauce. Mix well. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Cut the sheets of phyllo dough

into strips about 3 inches wide. Use one stack at a time, covering the rest with a damp towel to keep them from drying out.

Lay out one piece of phyllo at a time.

Brush with butter, and place about 1 teaspoon of the cheese mixture on one end. Fold one corner up to match the other edge. Continue folding in triangle shape until you reach the end of the strip. Place on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and continue with the remaining strips of dough.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown. These can also be prepared ahead of time, and frozen after folding. Bake when ready to serve.

SAUSAGE-STUFFED MUSHROOMS 3 Italian hot sausages, casings removed 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 oz) 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, room temperature

1 large egg yolk Olive oil 24 large (about 2-inch-diameter) mushrooms, stemmed Sauté sausage and oregano in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat until sausage is cooked through and brown, breaking into small pieces with back of fork, about 7 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer sausage mixture to large bowl and cool. In a small mixing bowl combine 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder, then cream cheese. Season filling with salt and pepper; mix in egg yolk.

Brush 15x10x2-inch glass baking dish with olive oil to coat. Fill the mushrooms with scant 1 tablespoon filling and sprinkle with some of remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Arrange mushrooms, filling side up, in prepared dish. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.) Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake uncovered until mushrooms are tender and filling is brown on top, about 25 minutes.

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2012

PLEASANT VIEW PARK EXIT 81 - Hwy. 7 North 1 Mile

NOV. 30-DEC. 1, 7-8, 14-15, 19-24 • 6:00-10:00 PM Dr. Richardson and Dr. Johnston Paid for in part with a combination of state funds and Arkansas River Valley Tri-Peaks Region funds November 2012 | ABOUT 25

Big Piney Bridge and Milky Way rising, Arkansas - By Tim Ernst, from the new ARKANSAS LANDSCAPES II picture book.

a b

26 ABOUT | November 2012

The Wilderness Man of Newton County Story by Connie Las Schneider | Photos by Tim Ernst

The adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words” refers to the notion that a complex idea can be conveyed with just a single still image.*

Well-known Arkansas wilderness photographer Tim Ernst is a man who understands the storytelling power of a good photograph. The natural state native has spent most of his life outdoors hiking, exploring and taking wilderness photographs so visually stunning viewers can almost hear Mother Nature’s primordial call.

Ernst’s photographs have appeared in hundreds of top national, regional and local publications. His credits include National Geographic, Audubon, Backpacker, Outside, Outdoor Photographer, American Hiker, Natural History, Country, Chevy Outdoors, and Arkansas Times magazines, Hallmark and Sierra Club calendars, National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service maps and brochures, Readers Digest Books,

c

and The New York Times, according to his website http://www.timernst.com.

But Ernst is more than just a photographer; he is also a writer, teacher, lecturer and avid environmentalist. During his more than 30-year career, Ernst has written and published through his company Cloudland Publishing, dozens of guidebooks to scenic Arkansas destinations, more than 10 tabletop books of his breathtaking photography, a memoir and continuing blog, and teaches workshops in the Buffalo National River park to all skill levels of photographers during the spring and fall.

Ernst is also known for his environmental work. He founded and served 28 years as President of the Ozark Highlands Trail Association, an organization with members

in 25 states and five foreign countries that built and maintains the 165-mile Ozark Highlands Hiking Trail. He has also received many awards for his volunteer service on behalf of wilderness environments including the Volunteer of the Year from the American Hiking Society; two Take Pride in America Awards, a Henry Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in Arkansas and an award from the U.S. Forest Service for his contribution of 15,000 hours of volunteer labor.

Whether Ernst is photographing, writing or volunteering, he is happiest in the wilderness. Growing up in Fayetteville, Ernst said he spent every free minute outside and much preferred hiking and exploring to studying at school. >>

d

e

a) Black bear cub in pine tree, Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas b) Moonset at dawn, City Rock Bluff on the White River near Calico Rock. c) God Beams lead the way home, Buffalo River Wilderness, Arkansas d) A frozen Glory Hole waterfall, Ozark National Forest, Arkansas e) Hawksbill Crag in the mist, Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area, Arkansas

* The expression “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.” appears in a 1911 newspaper article quoting newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane discussing journalism and publicity. - Wikipedia November 2012 | ABOUT 27

Ernst’s 2012 Fall Slide Program Schedule: November 9: Hot Springs Village, 10 a.m., Coronado Center (150 Ponderosa Way), hosted by the Audubon Society November 10: Mountain Home, 2 p.m., Reynolds Baxter County Library (300 Library Hill) *new location November 13: Conway, 7 p.m., Faulkner County Library (1900 Tyler Street) November 15: North Little Rock, 6:30 p.m., Windsong Church of Christ (#3 Windsong Drive), hosted by the Arkansas Outdoor Photographers Club November 19: Ft. Smith, 7 p.m., Grace Comm.

United Meth. Church (4001 Brooken Hill Dr., hosted by Trailblazers Hiking Club)

“I didn’t like school much. It felt too confining for a freedom loving kid like me so I ran away to the woods every chance I got,” Ernst told students at Subiaco Academy earlier this year when he was presented with the academy’s 10 Annual Award for Literary Merit.

“I was kind of a rebel; I was basically antisocial and never liked being confined,” he told his rapt audience of students and faculty members.

As a youngster, Ernst said he wanted to work for the Forest Service or do something related to the outdoors and never planned to become a photographer or writer. But while attending the University of Arkansas in the mid 1970’s he answered an ad to take candid photographs at campus fraternity and sorority parties. Despite his antisocial tendencies, Ernst must have been good at it, because his business grew, and Ernst

November 25: Fayetteville Public Library, 2 p.m.

(401 West Mountain St.)

December 6: Ft. Smith, 7 p.m., Janet Huckabee Nature Center (hosted by Ft. Smith Photo Alliance)

November 26: Benton, 6:30 p.m., Saline County Library (1800 Smithers Dr.)

December 7: Harrison, Lyric Theatre on the square

November 29: Dardanelle Community Center, 6:30 p.m. (2011 Hwy. 22) November 30: Springfield, Mo. (two shows - 5 p.m. & 7 p.m.), Springfield Nature Center (Missouri).

December 1: Bentonville Library, 1 p.m.

(405 S. Main St.) December 4: Clarksville, 7 p.m. at the Clarksville School District Fine Arts Center (1703 Clark Road)

added sports team photography to his services. Before long he had up to 30 parttime employees and developed his services into a “pretty major” business.

“What was funny about this was that I really didn’t like people and crowds all that much and here I was going to parties all the time surrounded by large groups of sorority girls,” he told Subiaco students with a wry smile.

Eventually the silent call of the wilderness beckoned and Ernst’s “hermit-like” nature re-emerged, so in 1980 he sold the business to devote himself to his primary passions; hiking, exploring and doing nature photography.

He also built a wilderness sanctuary deep in the Buffalo River Wilderness near Pettigrew overlooking the headwaters of the Buffalo National River. He named the cabin ‘Cloudland’ and a year after he moved

11th Annual

December 11: Ft. Smith Library, 7 p.m.

(3201 Rogers Ave.) December 13: Russellville, 7 p.m. (Doc Bryan Lecture Hall, Ark Tech), sponsored by Recreation and Parks Dept and TAKAHIK

Ernst will be available for a book signing before and after each presentation and his books, prints and other items will be on sale at reduced prices for holiday giving.

there in 1996, he started a journalized blog describing the ups and downs of living off the grid. His blog become so popular he decided to publish his entries in a book, Cloudland Journal Book One, which he published in 1998.

In the introduction to the book Ernst says, “Even though I was not much of a writer and had no formal training, the words came easy for me that first year-there were so many new and exciting things going on here that it was natural just to sit down and talk about them.”

Ernst is also an engaging lecturer. If you haven’t had the opportunity to attend one of Ernst’s slide shows you are missing a visual feast. Ernst’s 2012 program this fall will feature a brand new presentation with pictures from his new coffee table picture book ARKANSAS LANDSCAPES II. All programs are free and open to the public. n

Conway Expo Center 2505 E Oak St. (Hwy 64E) Join us in Conway to get a jump start on your holiday shopping with nearly 100 merchants under one roof.

Win a 2013 Ford Mustang Limited to 500 Raffle Tickets, $100 each Other great prizes available

• Girls’ Nite Out Preview – Nov 15 • General Shopping – Nov 16 & 17 • Visits with Santa – Nov 16 & 17

November 15 -17 28 ABOUT | November 2012

Info and Tickets are available online at www.DazzleDaze.com

Continued from page 5...

“I am in awe of the number of artists and their amazing talent here in our part of the state,” said Betty LaGrone Arts Center executive director. “You are encouraged to come and support them, honor and thank them for contributing their many talents to the River Valley area.”

“We are also so grateful for the sponsorship of the many businesses and individuals who steadfastly continue their support: Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Simmons First Bank, Terra Renewal Service, and First State Bank have already committed their sponsorship.”

Tickets are on sale for $50 each at the Arts Center, 1001 East B Street, Russellville, available with a credit card by mail to P. O. Box 2112, Russellville 72811, or from any member of the Board of Directors.

“The success of this event is so important in allowing the Arts Center to bring more wonderful works of art, educational programs and services to the River Valley now and in years to come,” said the president.

“The Arts Center features more than 40 exhibits each year. What a tremendous gift to residents of the River Valley. We encourage more teachers to bring their students, parents to bring their children and the general public to take advantage of this “gem.”

This event is not invitation only. It is open to any resident or visitor who wishes to purchase a ticket to support the work of the arts, artists and Arts Center. Call (479) 9682452 for tickets or information.

The pre-registration deadline is 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 6, with a $30 fee. The final registration deadline is 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 9, with a $35 fee. Anyone interested in registering for the pageant is asked to visit www.uaccm.edu or call (501) 977- 2047 for more information.

Photographer’s View of the Dam

On Friday, Nov. 16, join long time Russellville resident and known photographer Cliff Underwood as he presents, “A Photographers View of Dardanelle Dam.” The event begins at 6:30 p.m. in the visitor center classroom at Lake Dardanelle State Park, 100 State Park Drive, Russellville.

The untamed Arkansas River was unpredictable in the early days of settlement in Arkansas. The river would flood, destroying homes and livestock and other times it would dry to a trickle making it impossible for steamboats and barges to travel. The construction of Dardanelle Lock and Dam and 16 other locks and dams along the Arkansas River would help flood control, secure navigation and improve hydroelectric power.

Join Underwood as he takes you back in time before the construction of Dardanelle Lock and Dam and through the days of lock number 10 being constructed.

For information, call (479) 890-7477. n

Mattress Max Grand Opening in New Location!

2215 East Parkway, Russellville (479) 890-9059 • mymattressmax.com

UACCM PAGEANT NOV. 10

The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton’s Phi Beta Lambda student organization announces its annual UACCM Pageant. The pageant will be Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Fine Arts Auditorium on the UACCM campus in Morrilton.

Several divisions will be judged in a variety of optional categories including prettiest smile, eyes, and hair and most photogenic. The Ms. UACCM division is open to enrolled UACCM students.

Other divisions are Baby Miss, Tiny Miss, Petite Miss, Little Miss, Princess Miss, Pre-Teen Miss, and Teen Miss ranging in different age groups from birth to 17.

The pageant will run throughout the day, beginning with a welcome at 10 a.m. followed by the Baby Miss, Tiny Miss, Petite Miss, and Little Miss competitions. At 1:15 p.m., the remainder of the competitions will take place with the crowning of Ms. UACCM after all other divisions.

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Rilassante Super Pillowtop Queen Set

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1500 Thread Count Sheet Sets $29 or 2 For $50 November 2012 | ABOUT 29

about | education

Tech Education Dean Receives National Honor Dr. Sherry Field, dean of the Arkansas Tech University College of Education, has been selected as the recipient of the 2012 Jean Dresden Grambs Career Research in Social Studies Award from the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS).

Field will be presented with the award in November during the 92nd annual conference of the NCSS in Seattle, Wash.

She was chosen for the honor based upon her research paper “Elementary and Secondary Social Studies: An Imperative for Teaching and Research.”

Field will present the award-winning paper on Nov. 16 as part of the NCSS conference.

According to the NCSS Web site, the Jean Dresden Grambs Career Research in Social Studies Award “recognizes professionals who have made extensive contributions to knowledge concerning significant areas of social studies education through meritorious research.”

Field joined the Arkansas Tech faculty as professor of curriculum and instruction and dean of the College of Education on Sept. 1.

She previously served as associate dean for teacher education, student affairs and administration in the University of Texas at Austin College of Education.

“I am truly honored to receive this award,” said Field, who noted that the recognition has special meaning because one of her college professors --- Dr. O.L.

Let us

Your Fall

Davis Jr. --- was the first recipient of the Jean Dresden Grambs Career Research in Social Studies Award.

In addition, one of Field’s mentees and research partners --- Mary Ledbetter, fifth grade teacher at the University of Texas Elementary School --- will receive the NCSS Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Teacher Award at the NCSS conference in November.

Field holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Texas Tech University, a Master of Education degree from Stephen F. Austin University and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Texas at Austin.

A member of the University of Texas faculty from 2001-2012, Field was the Catherine Mae Parker Centennial Professor in Education on the Austin campus.

She has taught and served as an administrator in K-12 education in Arkansas and Texas. Her previous faculty appointments included stints at the University of Colorado-Denver and at the University of Georgia, where she earned a Glickman Fellowship in 2000.

Field is a former editor of Social Studies and the Young Learner and a former chair of the College and University Faculty Association Executive Board of the National Council for the Social Studies.

In addition to the paper that earned her the national award, Field will also present the following papers during the 92nd annual conference of the NCSS: • “Social Studies, Language Arts and Social Action: Learning From a Fifth Grade Teacher” • “Japan and the United States: Learning From a Japanese and an American Teacher and Each Nation’s Textbook Portrayals About the Other”

• “Becoming Integrated Thinkers: Cases From Elementary Classrooms” For more information about the Arkansas Tech College of Education, visit www.atu. edu/education or call (479) 964-3217.

Tech graduate programs set curve for new standards

The Arkansas Tech University advanced degree programs for K-12 leadership have become the first in the nation to be recognized under new standards approved by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC).

Dr. Mary Gunter, dean of the Arkansas Tech Graduate College and professor of educational leadership, was recently notified that the Educational Specialist in educational leadership, Master of Education in educational leadership and Master of Education in teaching, learning and leadership degree programs at Arkansas Tech will be nationally recognized by the ELCC through Feb. 1, 2021.

Gunter served on the national research committee that began devising the new ELCC standards in 2006.

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30 ABOUT | November 2012

|

|

220 East 4th St., Russellville www.asitechnology.com 479.880.2005

“The revised standards reflect the changes that have taken place in school leadership since the first national standards for our disciplines were developed in 1996,” said Gunter. “We have seen changing practices in successful schools, such as the development of professional learning communities, the distribution of leadership and the implementation of new technologies.

The new standards are reflective of research concerning school leadership and its effect on student achievement.”

Faculty members in the Arkansas Tech Center for Leadership and Learning (CLL), which is located near Lake Point Conference Center in Russellville and serves as the hub for the university’s graduate programs in K-12 leadership, began a self-study of the Educational Specialist, Master of Education in school leadership and Master of Education in teaching, learning and leadership degree programs in fall 2011.

“The self-study process provided us with purposeful time to examine our programs,” said Dr. Rebecca Shopfner, associate professor of teaching, learning and leadership at Arkansas Tech. “It is a process that is continual, but this was more intensive.

We were able to re-visit each course in our curriculums and make any necessary adjustments to bring them in alignment with the new standards. It allowed us to celebrate what we have accomplished together as a team and look to the future.”

Dr. Matt Stephen, who joined the Arkansas Tech CLL faculty in 2011 and serves as an assistant professor of teaching and learning, said the self-study process has made him a better instructor.

“The ELCC process helped me, as a new professor to the CLL and the educational leadership program, to better understand how the curriculum was structured,” said Stephen. “I was able to learn from the people who created the objectives, scopes and sequences for the programs and better understand how our programs are interrelated.”

The ELCC national recognition attained by the K-12 leadership specialist and master’s degree programs at Arkansas Tech came with no conditions from the national peer evaluation committee.

“I’m proud of all of our work on this project,” said Dr. Mona Chadwick, interim department head at the Arkansas Tech Center for Leadership and Learning and assistant professor of educational leadership. “Our faculty members do great things because of their commitment and passion to the field of education. We all went into the teaching profession with that passion, and now as we prepare teachers and administrators we have that same sense of purpose.” n

"Healthcare For Women By Women."

Shannon CaSe, MD LeSLie hoLinSworth, Do

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

November 2012 | ABOUT 31

about | medicine

Medical Marijuana Story by Dr. David Bachman

Marijuana, derived from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa, is the most frequently used illegal drug in the United Sates – about 4% of adults smoke pot at least once a year.

Although most people smoke the plant’s dried leaves, flowers, stems and seeds, it can also be mixed into food or brewed as a tea.

According to a recent government survey as many as 30% of today’s teenagers are smoking marijuana.

Occasional smoking of marijuana rarely is seriously harmful, but regular smoking has important medical problems.

THC is the active ingredient in marijuana – it is rapidly absorbed from smoking pot – within minutes short term memory medical effects are evident: Rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, increased rate of breathing, red eyes, dry mouth, increased appetite and slowed reaction lime.

The above effects are reduced after three to four hours; however, marijuana hangs around in your system for as long as a month after smoking. The lingering effects mean you are impaired for several days to weeks after the high wears off.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the main effects of marijuana on mood vary and may include euphoria, calmness, anxiety or paranoia. Getting high

or “stoned” is the reason most pot smokers use marijuana.

Distorted sense of time, anxiety and depression or random thinking is other short-term effects of the drug.

The risks of smoking marijuana go up with heavy use – many experts, though it has never been proven, believe heavy pot smokers are at increased risk for lung cancer. The effects of smoking marijuana and its relation with testicular cancer have been studied by Victor Cortessis, M.D., assistant professor of preventive medicine at the University of Southern California Medical School.

He found the incidence of testicular cancer doubled with the use of smoked marijuana and the resultant cancers grew more rapidly and were harder to treat.

Heavy marijuana use lowers men’s testosterone levels, sperm count and quality as well as decreasing libido and fertility. Many experts feel marijuana is physically addictive.

Symptoms of withdrawal include aggression, depressed mood, anxiety and decreased appetite.

The jury still is out whether marijuana is a “gateway” drug to hard (cocaine, heroin) drug use.

vomiting (as is often seen in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.) It is believed to work against pain and may be synergistic with pain medications, helps people sleep, and improve mood.

The use of medical marijuana does not cure disease.

Patients worldwide have used it to relieve a variety of symptoms including increased ocular pressure from glaucoma, relieve pain and muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis, reverses weight loss and decreased appetite in HIV (AIDS and cancer patients, and relieves pain from peripheral neuropathy.

Using marijuana to lower ocular pressure in glaucoma is a poor substitute for current medicines – one must smoke a “joint” every three hours to have any effect, and that effect is less than current medicines provide.

Migraine Headaches Few recent medical studies have been done attesting to the use of migraine headaches with marijuana; however, studies done in the past report success in using marijuana in treating this painful malady – as well as using it to prevent a migraine headache.

Medical Marijuana Medical marijuana, according to many Dr. Bachman’s Conclusion: It would experts, has many medical uses – increases seem reasonable to use marijuana, WHEN appetite while decreasing nausea and INDICATED, if current treatment fails. n

Emeritus at Wildflower

HOME GENERATORS Durable, reliable and powerful.

These generators are meant to get you through power outages, blizzards and everything in between.

Griffin Electric Heat & Air, Inc. SALES AND SERVICE 2605 S. Knoxville • Russellville (479) 968-8555 • (877) 373-2855 Jay & Dennis Griffin • License #122314

32 ABOUT | November 2012

Choosing assisted living at an Emeritus Senior Living community will actually give your loved one greater independence. You will gain peace of mind knowing that they are nearby in a safe and comfortable senior living community.

Call us today to learn more about the benefits of assisted living for your loved one.

We will be glad to arrange a private tour experience for you.

Call Today for your Free Tour

479-890-6709 240 S. Inglewood Ave., Russellville, AR • www.Emeritus.com • Lic #027

about | the arts

Steinway Artist Featured in October Concert

The Center for the Arts hosted Steinway artist, Jura Margulis, in an afternoon concert on October 28. The event, sponsored by Saied Music Company, was free to the public and was planned as a dedication ceremony of the Steinway piano purchased for The Center for the Arts.

Margulis presented works by Franz Schubert and Franz Liszt.

When plans were made to build The Center for the Arts several years ago, Dewayne Dove, RHS Band Director, also started making plans for a concert piano to be purchased. Part of the process of selecting a piano for the venue, included a Steinway and Saied Music Company sponsored trip to New York to tour the factory and to select a piano from the selection room.

Missy Hines and Mr. Dove represented

the school district for this trip and piano selection process. Mr. Dove said, “the Model D Steinway piano selected was considered the finest piano in the selection rooms, even other schools, including from the area, requested the opportunity to select the Model D if we chose not to take it.”

“The particular Model D Steinway chosen for The Center had the best sound and was most resonant continued Mr. Dove.”

Pianist Margulis has been internationally recognized for his compellingly communicative performances, as well as for the range of his tonal palette and his consummate virtuosity.

Some of his orchestral appearances have included performances with the Russian National Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, the National Orchestra of Venezuela and the Prague Symphony Orchestra. He has recorded eight CDs for Sony, Ars Musici and Oehms Classics, covering a wide spectrum of repertoire.

Margulis is a third generation pianist and teacher and has participated in yearly master classes in the United States and abroad, including courses in Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, Israel, Austria, Russia, and Japan.

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Jura Margulis was raised in Germany, where he studied with his father, Dr. Vitaly Margulis. He eventually moved to the United States to study at the Peabody conservatory in Baltimore and made the US his home. Margulis is the inaugural holder of the Emily J. McAllister Endowed Professorship in Piano at the J.W. Fulbright College of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

For more information regarding future events at The Center contact Wendy Sparks, operations manager, at (479) 498-6600 or visit the web at russellvillecenter.net. n

Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving

We offer special discounts for builders, contractors, and remodeling projects!

3521 West Main Street Russellville • 479-967-4107

1903 S. Arkansas • (479) 968-3991 November 2012 | ABOUT 33

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 verif ication.)

~ November 3 ~

~ December 15 ~

~ November 10 ~

Lindsey Ahrens and Michael McCrary Bethany Kimbrough and Lawrence Raymond

Leslie Woolsey and Cody Black Niki Barnhouse and Blake Manning Holly Ruppel and Dr. Anmol Singh Sidhu

~November 17 ~

~ December 22 ~

Kristen Kearney and Aaron Scruggs

~ December 28 ~

Candace Wagner and Jarrod Smith Brytne McIllwain and Justin Crowe Ashley Prince and Jake Tyler

Anna Horkey and Matt Kobs

~ April 27, 2013 ~

Jamie Dunn and Chris Needham

~November 24 ~

~ December 29 ~

Lauren Falleur and Matt Baxley

Nicole Freeman and John Bailey Alex DuVall and Daniel Cox Cortney Kehl and Doug Hoyt

~ March 23, 2013 ~

Laura Cotton and Jim Rowland

Mallory Lawrence and Eli Cranor Cara Slone and Brock Knight

Laura Safdie and Kyle Taylor

~ December 1 ~

~ April 13, 2013 ~

~ August 3, 2013 ~

Leah Gardner and Josh Poore

Darla Bryant and Cullen Anson Janae George and Aaron Pate

~ May 25, 2013 ~ ~ July 21, 2013 ~

Allison Hill and Michael Chiuminatto

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 f iles are accepted and will be published upon receipt of payment.

Windchimes, Birdbaths, and Garden ornaments make Great Christmas Gifts!

Taylor Nursery 130 S Cumberland • 479-968-2778 34 ABOUT | November 2012

We’ve Moved to 914 West B Street!

In-Home Personal Care

(479) 880-1112 • www.amcareseniorlife.com

Be a Part of the Next 20!

Joining Main Street Russellville is Easy.

Get Involved and Make a Difference in Your Future!

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

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 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 Restructuring

m Organization/Membership m Taste of the Valley

m Downtown Fall Festival & Chili Cookoff

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

November 2012 | ABOUT 35

Touch Lives, Not Tissue.

Advanced Cancer Treatment at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center brings IGRT Technology – the world’s most advanced radiation therapy treatment approach – to the River Valley.

Unlike other radiation treatment systems, this breakthrough technology allows physicians to actually see tumors at the time of treatment – saving patients time and preserving healthy tissue.

With IGRT, Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center is providing physicians with confidence, and patients with hope.

Darrell Speed, M.D.

Thomas Sneed, M.D.

479-964-5999 • saintmarysregional.com