ABOUT | April 2013

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April 2013

8 Treasure Hunting goes Hi-Tech

Geocaching is a way to channel you inner Indiana Jones -- minus the large rolling boulders, dart flinging booby-traps, and power hungry Nazis. It’s a modern day treasure hunt that combines GPS navigation skills as well as insightful thinking.

8 18

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about | our cover Photo by Steve Newby

Need a reason to get outside? How about a treasure hunt? Geocaching Is a great excuse to load up the family and head outdoors. The River Valley is full of hidden caches that are just a download of coordinates away. Or, if you want a bigger challenge, grab a map, a compass, and navigate the old way. Lake Dardanelle is a great place to start your adventure, and the park interpreters can offer some tips and thoughts about other geocaching opportunities as the warm breezes beckon us outside. Check out our feature on page 8 for an introduction to what geocaching is all about.

4 ABOUT | April 2013

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Sowing the Seeds of Community

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Sewing Up a Fairy Tale

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ABOUT...Food

24

It's Just a Turkey

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Teens Making an Impact

Once up a time, sewing ranked with cooking as a domestic chore to be mastered. Sewing skills were so important that young women spent years stitching items to fill a hope chest. Fortunately, there are still people in the River Valley who embrace the fine art of sewing like Paula McGee.

What is TeenPact? It is a ministry which began in 1994 to help train young Christians across the country to understand the political process, value their liberty and defend their Christian faith. The Arkansas program has been growing since the late 1990s with a record-breaking 78 students attending the week-long class this year in Little Rock.

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about | progress

Downtown Bulbout Project Gets Underway

From late February through mid-June, normal traffic flow will be interrupted in the heart of downtown Russellville on Main Street. The initial phase of the Downtown Master Plan began February 26 with the Bulbout Project on Main Street. The work zone will stretch from the Boulder and Main intersection westward to Denver and Main.

In order to avoid unnecessary congestion, minimize delays to motorist, promote a safe work zone and keep the project on schedule, the Downtown Master Plan steering committee urges motorist that normally drive through this area on a regular basis to take a slight detour around the construction area. Cooperation from the public on this matter will help all aspects of the project go as smoothly as possible.

Although some parking spaces will be temporarily blocked by crews and equipment, citizens going downtown to shop, visit an office or go to the courthouse will still find ample parking spaces available to meet their needs. Main Street Russellville Executive Director, Betsy McGuire, reminds citizens that our downtown merchants, service shops and professional offices will remain open for business throughout the project. “Even though their will be some inconveniences from time to time, people needing to visit or patronize our downtown businesses will be able to do so, and we certainly encourage

people to continue to go about their normal routines in this regard. We’re just asking that through traffic detour around this part of Main Street while the project is underway in order to minimize the inconvenience for those patronizing our downtown merchants, business and civic institutions.” McGuire added, “this should be one of the most visually and functionally transformative projects we have seen downtown in recent memory.”

One of the great benefits of this project is it is being done under a grant from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, and because of that, AHTD has given the city permission to cut the highway to install the granite and paver crosswalks associated with the project. The cutting of the highway will allow water lines and extra utility conduits to be dropped in at every intersection during the construction to allow for the potential of future underground utilities and to allow necessary water access for the landscaping. It will also facilitate the installation of vital storm drainage in this area of downtown. This is the first major implementation piece of the Downtown Master Plan. Other forthcoming projects

include establishing a transformative El Paso Avenue corridor between downtown and Arkansas Tech, as well as numerous non-brick and mortar projects aimed at providing resources to private property owners downtown for building and business revitalization.

Chairman of the Downtown Master Plan steering committee, Jimmy Street, reminds citizens there are always some growing pains that go along with change and progress. “This is an exciting time for the heart of our city, as we begin to develop one of the initial components of our Downtown Master Plan. Although some of us may encounter some interruption to our normal routines, this phase of our Master Plan will give the citizens of Russellville and the River Valley a glimpse into the kind of progressive enhancements a downtown revitalization project can bring to a community.”

Around 2008, the board of directors of Main Street Russellville determined there was a need for a more current, comprehensive, long-term development plan for downtown Russellville and ranked it as one of the Top Three Priorities in their annual work plan.

Shortly thereafter, the Downtown Master Plan steering committee was organized. The efforts to develop the new plan were officially authorized by City Council Resolution # 1114 August 20, 2009. The project kickedoff with a series of public input sessions in 2011, which resulted in a public presentation of the final plan in August, 2012.

Local contractor, Hard Rock Construction, will work on the project in phases - over a n 165-day period.

Serving The River Valley For Over 22 Years

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Hwy 64 East • Russellville Service Department Open Monday-Friday 7:30-5:30 and Saturdays from 8-1 April 2013 | ABOUT 5

A PAGE FROM

The Editor’s Notebook

ABOUT

the River Valley

Hopping through Spring When I began chemotherapy last July, I was given a packet of information regarding cancer in general. I was also told about something called “chemo fog.” I thought it was a joke, an excuse you can use when you can’t remember anything.

But after submitting this April’s editorial on the Easter Bunny, I realized it’s a documented reality. But, since its only a few days past Easter, I decided to share it anyway.

When I was young, I begged my parents for a baby chick at Easter. They had them for 10 cents apiece at the downtown Five & Dime Store and it seemed a reasonable request from an animal lover like me.

We kept the baby chick in a tall cardboard box with a heated lamp in the hall closet. He was pink and cute and he chirped a lot, much to the chagrin of my parents whose closet door was just outside the closet door where the chick stayed. I did take him outside during the day, being careful he was not plucked away by a larger swooping bird.

As he grew, it became evident this bird was outgrowing its living quarters. A good friend of mine, Dede, took him out to her chicken coop where it became fairly obvious that the “hen” was in fact a rooster – and a mean one at that.

I imagine he probably made a fine pot of stew!

My husband also has his own “chicken” story, though his does not involve an Easter chick.

He called his mom one afternoon asking to bring home a chicken from the Boys and Girls Club. She, thinking it was a frozen whole chicken, said, ‘certainly.’

Actually this was the same type of fluffy, fuzzy, and chirping chicken I’d purchased from the Five and Dime. She wasn’t exactly too thrilled but allowed Nolan to keep it anyway.

He played with it for weeks in the front driveway; then, one fateful day, tripped and stepped on the chick.

His mother drove up shortly up. He stood there tearfully, trying to convince her that she had run over his baby chick.

Finally one day – around a family holiday dinner – he let the cat out of the bag and confessed he’d stepped on it. (It was a good thing she was on the opposite site of the table.)

A son’s remorse is a sorrowful thing to watch.

Perhaps that’s why the Edwards family most often Dianne Edwards, Editor/Publisher enjoys pork this time of year!

479.970.6628 editor@aboutrvmag.com

A Publication of Silver Platter Productions, Inc Vol. VIII, Issue 3 – April 2013 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 ANGIE SELF | freelance maself@suddenlink.net 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.

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about | april 2013

ABOUT...Geocaching Human beings are naturally curious and most of us have an inherent wanderlust too. We want to know what’s over the hill or around the bend.

When the urge to explore meets the drive to achieve the results can be astonishing, even world changing.

Exploring and achieving is responsible for the discovery of different places, useful resources, and history changing ideas. Give credit to Leif Erickson, Christopher Columbus, or, even possibly, some unknown explorer, but the discovery of the New World altered the course of everyone and everything on Earth. And, it all started with the question: What lies over the horizon?

From there, our thirst for knowledge and zeal for new discoveries has led us to the depths of the ocean and the vastness of space. This thirst shows no signs of being quenched any time soon. It’s part of who we are.

You can tap into your explorer spirit too, but it doesn’t have to be so dramatic. You can simply plug in some coordinates, go find a tin box with a some kind of doodad in it, and probably get the same feelings of satisfaction that Magellan experienced. Well, maybe not the same feeling, but you will feed the need to explore.

Geocaching is something that I have not yet tried, so all of this talk about satisfaction and such is pure speculation when it comes to doodad

filled tin boxes. But, I do have quite a bit of experience with a topographical map and a compass, traipsing through the woods looking for specific places I want to visit. Navigating to your chosen destination with a simple tool is something I take pride in, so I can relate. While the GPS seems a little like cheating to me, I know that a map and compass aren’t everyone’s cup of tea.

The blending of an ancient skill with new technology holds a lot of appeal for many, especially the younger generation and getting kids outside is one of the hallmarks of geocaching.

I know we’ve all heard the raucous quibbling about how anyone born before 1990 never had to be told to go outside and play. And, those quibbles are true. It was true around the part of Pope County where I grew up anyway.

In fact, I remember several times we were told to “get in here for supper” under threat of a switch cut from the peach tree. If a GPS will get the kids outside with all of today’s other distractions, then more power to it.

Many of us oldschoolers sneer our noses at anything beyond what we grew up with no matter what good it can do. Heck, I figure Leif Erickson’s dad snorted in disgust at the thought of his son using one of those newfangled contraptions called a lodestone compass. n –Johnny Sain

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April 5: Exhibit Opening Reception Winston Taylor & Students, Small Works on Paper held at the River Valley Arts Center from 1-3 p.m. For more info call 968-2452.

April 6: Boots and Benefactors Equestrian Zone fund-raiser from 4-7 p.m. at Pope County Fairgrounds. Tickets $35 with free admission for children under 15. Featuring chuckwagon dinner, door prizes, exhibition riding, and entertainment by the Buffalo City Ramblers. Master of Ceremonies will be KARK Channel 4 morning anchor Matt Mosler.

April 18: 2013 Banquet hosted by the Arkansas River Valley Friends of the NRA held at the Hughes Center at 5:30 p.m.

For more information call John Stottman, Jr. at 968-2992.

April 18: Mexican Fiesta hosted by the River Valley Arts Center held at Dance with Joy at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 968-2452.

April 24-25: Rummage Around the Rails held in downtown Russellville. For more information call Main Street Russellville at 967-1437.

April 28: Forget Me Nots Alzheimer’s Support Group hosted by Arkansas Hospice and is held at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center Cafe 2 Meeting Room from 6:30 - 8 p.m. For more information call 498-2050.

Aprl 11-12: AAMVA Red Ball Express Event held here in Russellville. On Saturday the AAMVA will set up at Old Post Road Parkand venture out on a 50 miles round trip of Pope County. After that the vehicles will be on display and available to the public for viewing. For more information please call 968-4411.

April 11: Spring Fling Hang Glider Fly-in held on top of Mount Nebo in the afternoon weather permitting. For more information call 229-3655.

April 13: From Scratch - Classical Cuisine, Hands on cooking classes at Winthrop Rockefeller Institute; Alan Dierks, 10-3; $80 per person; to register for this class visit the website at www.livethelegacy.org, or for more information contact Robert Hall, CEC, Executive Chef/Culinary Director at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute at (501) 727-5435.

April 17-18: Atkins Pickle Fest held in downtown Atkins.

For more information call David Lindsey at 747-2688.

April 23: Forget Me Nots Alzheimer’s Support Group, Arkansas Hospice, Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center Cafe 2 Meeting Room, 6:30-8 p.m. Info: 498-2050.

April 25: Community Bingo, seniors 55 and older; 2-3 p.m.; Wildflower, 240 S. Inglewood, Russellville; 890-6709. *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.

April 2013 | ABOUT 7

Treasure Hunting goes Hi-Tech Story by Johnny C. Sain, Jr. | Photos by Steve Newby

The science of navigation has come a long way. Peering back into prehistory

is a hazy endeavor, but most experts agree that the first waypoints – references used for purposes of navigation -- were physical landforms. Mountains, rock

formations, and unique looking trees were easily identifiable. Some of us still

use this practice, particularly when giving directions without the aid of street names and numbers. Phrases like, “If you pass the big forked pine tree you’ve gone too far,” are still uttered every day.

We also know that people have been looking to the skies for direction for as long as there have been people on the planet.

With some variance according to latitude and seasons, the sun is a very predictable marker. It will always come up in the east and it will always set in the west; for the most part. When you throw in calculations for those seasonal variances, navigation by the sun becomes very accurate.

From there, it’s not much of stretch to see how navigation by the stars became the most popular and the most accurate way to navigate until the late 1100’s. Early stargazers and sailors were able to chart a course and keep a heading with universal predictability. The more talented of these navigators did this with remarkable precision.

The invisible power of magnetism was the next leap forward for navigation.

The compass became the preferred tool of the trade, particularly for land navigation where a view to the skies could be obstructed by mountains and trees.

Today, in the 21st century, we look again to the heavens for precise navigation. But, it’s not the stars that point us to our destination.

The explorer’s method of choice is now the Global Positioning System or GPS. GPS is a satellite navigation system. As you can imagine, it’s complicated and it would be easy to wade into a 8 ABOUT | April 2013

paragraph full of four-dollar scientific words here, but, the layman’s version will suffice. GPS receivers calculate location by measuring the time of a satellite transmission and the satellites location. The U.S. Department of Defense created the system, but civilians have found another way; a fun way to use the technology. It’s called geocaching.

Geocaching is a way to channel you inner Indiana Jones -- minus the large rolling boulders, dart flinging booby-traps, and power hungry Nazis. It’s a modern day treasure hunt that combines GPS navigation skills as well as insightful thinking.

It’s also a popular outdoor activity for many people according to Sasha Bowles, park interpreter at Lake Dardanelle State Park.

“It’s a pretty big deal,” said Sasha. “It’s a great motivation to get the gaming/computer generation outside. The GPS unit in their hand gives them a connection to that technology, but it also gets them outdoors. And, I’ve seen all ages of geocachers.”

Arkansas State Parks started offering a geocache in celebration of the state parks system 75th anniversary. The activity was so popular they decided to keep the caches and now every state park has at least one on its property.

"It’s a great way to get outside and see places that you probably wouldn’t see otherwise."

Geocaching extends beyond the state parks though. The website geocaching.com offers a huge database of geocaching locations that are created by individuals across the country. Simply type in a zip code and the coordinates to geocaches in that area can be loaded on to a GPS device. Anyone can create a geocache and then register it on the website, though permission from a property owner to place a geocache on private lands is required.

Lake Dardanelle State Park has other caches besides the one placed by the park system.

“We have three other daytime caches and then we have a night cache,” said Sasha. “You’ll need a flashlight for the night cache. It has reflectors that point to the cache once you get in the general area.”

Finding the general area of the coordinates without a GPS is a skill that few possess today. Sasha said that old-school navigation tools are seldom used.

“I don’t really know anyone that uses a map or compass to do this,” said Sasha. “A GPS will at least tell you that you have arrived at the destination, and then you have to look hard for the cache.

Sometimes the cache is a little tube, sometimes its an ammo can.

Some are hidden underneath things. We’ve got one here in the park in a plastic baggie that’s taped under a rock.”

Caches can be in rock crevices, tree stumps, on a pulley system up in a tree, underwater, or even an old Tylenol bottle painted silver stuck on top of a chain link fencepost. It’s all up to the creativity of the individual. Most geocaches will offer a clue as to their location and it’s your choice to use the clue or not “The cache in the tree that used a pulley system clue was pretty clever,” said Sasha. “The name of it was something about the fire department and the clue was here kitty, kitty.”

Finding a cache sounds like a bucketful of fun. But, what do you do with a cache once found? And what the heck is a cache anyway?

“A cache can be a small metal tube, an ammo can, or any type of container,” said Sasha. “The little ones have a log and you just sign your name. The bigger ones have trinkets and if you take something, you leave something. I’ve seen shirts, mugs, beads, toy cars, it could be anything. No food items or water though.”

Sash said it’s not really about the treasure though, it’s about the experience.

“It’s a lot fun,” said Sasha. “And, it’s a great way to get outside and see places that you probably wouldn’t see otherwise.” n

For more information about geocaching go to:

www.geocaching.com or www.arkansasstateparks.com

April 2013 | ABOUT 9

about | community

Four Inducted Into Beaux Arts Academy

The River Valley Arts Center will induct a 2012 Performing and Visual Artist, Patron of the Arts, and Lifetime Award into the Beaux Arts Academy at an Awards Banquet and Presentation Friday, April 12, 2013 at Russellville Country Club.

“We have another impressive line up this year,” said John Gale, president of the Arts Center Board of Directors. For more than 31 years Arts Center has worked to improve the understanding, appreciation and importance of the arts and especially our local artists and patrons who add so much to the quality of life and economy in the Arkansas River Valley.

This is the sixth year for this prestigious award recognizing the greatest achievement in art, and it has become one of the biggest and most memorable annual art events.

Dedicated to the advancement of all art forms, the coveted award is to encourage excellence in art and recognize and honor all the many enormously talented area artists.

The Visual Artist to be inducted is Winston Taylor. For approximately 20 years, Taylor has served the River Valley area as Artistin-Residence at the Arts Center where he has become well known and respected across the state for his outstanding work as a ceramic artist and teacher. He was

Robb McCormick

Bonnie Ring

honored with the designation of 2011 Arkansas Living Treasure and chosen to create the Arkansas Governor’s Awards for 2011 by Arkansas Arts Council, an office of the state Department of Heritage.

The 2012 Performing Artist is Robb McCormick who began the “someguynamedrobb” phenomenon almost 12 years ago when he decided to focus his time and energy on doing what he loved, writing and playing music. He has successfully managed to do what many others only dream about – support himself with his art.

“We have many members and supporters who are instrumental in bringing our services, activities and programs to the public and all are deeply appreciated and so important to the success of the Arts Center,” said Betty LaGrone, Arts Center executive director.

“It is always difficult to choose only one, but we are delighted and excited to name Dennis Overman, owner of Quizno’s, as 2012 Patron of the Arts inductee. Overman is an aficionado of art, architecture, opera and ballet. He has such a wealth of cultural

knowledge and work ethic which he freely shares in his easy manner.

Enough can’t be said about Bonnie Ring, the 2012 Lifetime Award winner. Prior to moving to Dardanelle as the wife of Dr. Gene Ring, she was a very popular RCA Victor recording artist along with her sister Maxine and brother Jim Ed Brown. Bonnie was on the feasibility committee that established the Arts Center and served as vice president of the first Board of Directors. She and Dr. Ring have been loyal supporters through the Arts Center’s 31 year history.

All inductees will receive a piece designed and created especially for this honor by Artist-inResidence and Arkansas’ 2011 Living Treasure Winston Taylor. The unique blackware pottery piece features a Spirit Bear emblem.

To express your personal tribute and honor to an inductee, an opportunity is available to sponsor one of the four awards for $250. The sponsor may or may not choose to present the award and will be recognized in the printed program and in all press releases. Due to space limitations,

Join us in Welcoming

Kyle Turner Community Relations Coordinator

In-Home Personal Care

Together We Care NEW LOCATION at 914 West B Street 10 ABOUT | April 2013

www.amcareseniorlife.com

Winston Taylor

reservations are required. Tickets are $50 per person and can be reserved with a credit card by calling the Arts Center at 479968-2452, mailing a check to Post Office Box 2112, Russellville, Arkansas 72811, or coming by 1001 East B Street, Russellville.

NEIGHBORS TABLE: FEEDING BODY AND SOUL

Art Sale and Silent Auction on Friday evening, May 3, 2013.

Friends of Neighbors Table will host an Art Show and Sale fundraiser at All Saints Episcopal Church, 501 South Phoenix

Dennis Overman

Ave., Russellville, on Friday, May 3, at 7:00 p.m. Enjoy live music by the John Cotton Trio, wine, heavy hors d’ oeuvres, and an opportunity to purchase original art and other items. All the proceeds go toward purchasing food to make a Place at Neighbors Table for our neighbors in need. Not one cent from this event is taken for any other purpose.

The idea of Neighbors Table began in the hearts of a few women who saw in our community some families in need of a healthy, hot home-cooked meal. Other food related activities were on-going or emerging at the time, like The Live and

Learn Community Garden which is open to anyone who might want to establish a garden plot (a side benefit of the Community Garden has been production of some fresh vegetables to serve at Neighbors Table meals).

On March 31 Neighbors Table celebrates its first anniversary. During the past year members of All Saints Episcopal Church; New Prospect Baptist Church; First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ; and Central Presbyterian Church, along with other caring individuals, have served a hot, nutritious free noon meal every Saturday to our neighbors in need of food and fellowship.

Aided by generous donations of funds and food from local businesses, each month more than 200 people are fed free of charge to them and at a cost to the Friends of Neighbors Table of only $1.34 for each meal served. But even this amount of funding has to come from somewhere, and meanwhile, food insecurity has not ended in the River Valley. The need persists and the number of guests served continues to increase.

This is where you come in. We feed our children and families, we feed our friends, we feed our pets – now it is time to Feed our Neighbors…to make a Place at the Table for any who want to come.

Continued on page 17...

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about | family

“ Who knew a nose could produce so much nasal discharge?

“

12 ABOUT | April 2013

Only the Nose Knows Story by Kechia Bentley | Photo by Steve Newby

NOTICE: I have just shared with you the main thought that has been running through my head over the past week.

Yes, I am actually going to take you on a walk through “snot week.” I promise it won’t get too gross, but some of you should probably stop reading now my dear sister Kurtiss I am referring to you. Just a side note: some of you may remember a past article in which I spoke of a sister that calls anything that comes out of the nose “nasal secretions”. Well, Kurtiss is that sister. And if by chance you are one of those people, like her, who has never said the word “boogers” (unless you were forced to by your younger, evil sister) then you should probably stop reading as well.

I was so proud of myself; except for a little cold right around Christmas time, I have not been sick at all this winter.

I watched as friend after friend were taken out by this virus or that virus.

Even my dear husband was sick for almost two weeks with a wicked sinus infection. I somehow managed to avoid all the pitfalls. I patted myself on the back thinking my new exercise and eating habits were keeping me healthy.

Well, you know how they say pride cometh before the fall?

I fell and I fell hard; I am currently on day six of a cold virus.

Seriously, if I didn’t know better I would swear there were little people setting up a snot shop right behind my eyeballs. And from the sinus pressure headache I have had for the last four days I would say they have over built. I would also say based on the number of Kleenex boxes I have emptied they are way over zealous about their job.

It’s not like I have never had a cold or sinus infection before, but for some reason this time I have been contemplating the nuances of snot and snot production. Has anyone else ever noticed that if you lay on your right side the left nostril clears?

And then if you lay on your left side the right nostril clears. It is fascinating. Then if you sit-up they both fill up and you are back to mouth breathing again. I was so intrigued by this discovery that I actually went through the sequence several times before I decided having my right nostril clear was the most comfortable.

This all lead me to thinking about the design and function of noses. Mine is by no means a small one, but there is no way it should funnel that much mucus. That thought lead me to thinking about my friends with tiny, cute noses and wondering how they didn’t drown when they were sick; which lead me to thinking about mouth breathing; which lead me to thinking about chapped lips; which lead me to thinking about Vicks Vapor Rub. No one panic. I don’t put Vicks Vapor Rub on my lips. I do, however, put it all over my neck and chest and rub a generous portion under my nose. That stuff is amazing. One night as I prepared to try and get some sleep I covered what seemed like most of my upper body in Vicks Vapor Rub. As I did this I thought to myself, “I sure hope you can’t over dose on this stuff, because if you can then I am in trouble.” Oh, and by the way, I have not slept in my bed for five nights now. Maybe tonight I can finally lie in my bed without coughing enough to wake the dead. I have also not slept well for several nights which could explain the topic of this story.

It is interesting how being sick makes you appreciate the small things in everyday life. Oh, I know it was only a cold, but still, who even thinks about breathing normally until you can’t? Yesterday, the highlight of my day was when I realized I was breathing through both nostrils at the same time. I was so excited that I sent a mass text to several of my friends who had been inquiring about my well being. I even thought to myself, “I am well.” Only, I am not well, at least not yet.

I do, however, believe that most of those little snot factory workers have moved on to their next location. And since these little “boogers” seem to never be out of work; they just relocate every seven to ten days. I have one final thought: we should all buy stock in Kleenex and Vicks Vapor Rub. n

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April 2013 | ABOUT 13

Story and photos by Johnny C. Sain, Jr.

T

he church social hall is crowded with an eclectic group

of people. The gamut runs from college professors to a bearded character sporting a brown canvas jacket and a Jed Clampett hat. A macaw sits preening on his right shoulder, and the big parrot’s flamboyant red, blue, and yellow plumage gathers a crowd. The collection of citizens is a fair representation of the community, except for that gaudy bird. Fluorescent birds aren’t an everyday sight in the River Valley, particularly among an agrarian crowd. But, this isn’t a typical agrarian crowd.

The occasion for the gathering is a community seed swap. A seed swap is exactly what the name says it is. Various farmers and hobby gardeners bring various seeds left over from the previous growing season and they swap them with each other. It’s also a seed giveaway; even the newbies to horticulture that wander in seedless leave with free seeds. The unwritten rule is to give back next year.

The point of all this swapping and giving is twofold. First is the pragmatic need to preserve heirloom seeds. Heirloom seeds are passed down through the generations 14 ABOUT | April 2013

and are proven growers in the area. They have thrived in the regional soil and climate for generations. They are also the key to maintaining biodiversity in the face of large-scale monoculture. Reason number two is not so complex. The seed swap is also a place to visit with other members of the community and swap ideas as well as seeds. It’s part of a growing movement called civic agriculture.

Civic agriculture is the modern name for the community based farm economy and the community relationships that were the standard only two generations ago in our

nation’s history. There are varying depths of thought within the movement, from the knee-deep philosophy of just being more self-reliant to the immersing notion that community agriculture and food sharing is a path to moral, sometimes spiritual, enlightenment. Better nutrition and environmental awareness fill out the middle depths. The seed swap at the All Saint’s Episcopal Church, on this cold Saturday afternoon in February, only gets your feet wet.

The seed swap is part of a bigger vision and the vision belongs to Suzanne Alford-Hodges. A book by Alice Waters, chef and owner of Chez Panisse -- a restaurant ranked among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants – cultivated the inspiration. The book is titled “The Edible Schoolyard.” Waters has been called the mother of American food and one of the most influential figures in food of the past 50 years. She is a tireless proponent of organic food and changing the eating habits of Americans. “The Edible Schoolyard” also titles a program Waters developed for Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, California. The book and the program planted a seed.

Suzanne and her husband were driving into the church parking lot one Sunday when the seed started taking root.

“I looked at the church and the land past the parking lot and had a thought,” said Suzanne. “We needed to have a garden here.”

Suzanne passed the idea along to others in the church and the community. The seed stemmed and leafed into become something even bigger.

“We started thinking about having a food and faith fair with programs on everything from gardening to just knowing where your food comes from,” said Suzanne. And, in September of 2010, the church hosted the Food and Faith Fair.

The Food and Faith Fair was an educational event as well as a community outreach. Presentations about nutrition, the local food market, and gardening were focal points of the event. The fair drew about 200 people and sparked more ambitious ideas.

From that one and only Food and Faith Fair, three communityminded activities grew. The seed swap, the Community Garden, and a Saturday lunch called the Neighbors Table.

Clearly, this ain’t your daddy’s farmer’s market.

The Community Garden started with a box of herbs on the heels of the Food and Faith Fair in 2010. It has grown to several plots and the plot gardeners range from children in the local neighborhood to the mayor of Russellville.

The Seed Swap was a natural addition to the churches vision and was added in 2011.

It’s a joint effort between the church, which hosts the event, and the UCA student group, CAAH (Conserving Arkansas Agricultural History). CAAH founder, Dr. Brian Campbell, is responsible for the development of seed swaps in Arkansas.

The Neighbor’s Table is a community lunch provided by the church every Saturday from noon until 1p.m. It’s open to anyone that wants to sit down to a meal with fellow community members, many of

whom are among the less fortunate, but the meal is about more than filling bellies.

Joining Suzanne as joint-coordinator of food ministries at the church is Carolyn McLellan.

Together they oversee the Community Garden and the Neighbor’s Table programs at All Saints Episcopal Church.

“We all eat together and it’s not a handout,” said Carolyn. “Real plates, real silverware, you eat with your neighbor and you visit with your neighbor.”

The meal is also symbolic of the church’s ministry. “What better way to demonstrate who we follow than by sharing a meal with our neighbors,” said Carolyn.

The church strives for delicious, nutritious, and locally grown food. Those attributes are combined with bracing efficiency. Carolyn

said that thanks to generous community donations, the cost per person was $1.34 last year.

Average attendance in 2012 was 200 per month with January and February of 2013 at about 215 per month according to Carolyn. Other churches; New Prospect Baptist, First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, and Central Presbyterian Church have also come on board to help with Neighbor’s Table.

Carolyn was quick to point out that the meal and the Community Garden are part of a bigger effort to cultivate relationships within the community as well as provide education about nutrition, and self-reliance.

These attributes led to the creation of a fourth project involving community and food; the Russellville Community Market. >>

April 2013 | ABOUT 15

While hosted by the church, the market is managed by the Arkansas Tech University Anthropology club. Volunteer management from a college club isn’t the only unique aspect of the Russellville Community Market. For starters, it’s a virtual market.

Customers visit a website that features products from local farmers. From this site, customers view products, prices, and place their orders Sunday through Tuesday. The farmers deliver to the church on Thursday afternoon, and customers pick up from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. There is no sales tax, per se, but operating expenses are built into the system. An additional 12 percent is added to the purchase price of farm products. Three percent of that supports the software running the website, three percent helps support Neighbors Table, three percent goes to the Anthropology club for their projects, and three percent for expenses and promotion.

Clearly, this ain’t your daddy’s farmer’s market.

The system seems like a win-win for all parties involved, including the community consumer. Ten bucks for a garden spot with irrigation furnished is tough to beat.

The once-thought-mythical free lunch does exist. A farmer’s market that supports local growers bolsters the local economy. The

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three branches that stemmed from the Food and Faith Fair share many community goals, but the market adds another dynamic. It all comes down to finances from the consumer’s viewpoint.

For some consumers therein lies the rub. Linda Payton of Dover is one of those consumers.

“I’d like to buy all local food,” said Linda.

“I think organic is the way to go if for nothing else than to get away from pesticides, but I’m on a budget. Sometime the organic and locally grown options are on the outside of my budget.”

A casual side-by-side price comparison supports Linda’s claim. Even the retail challenged among us knows that $6 for a gallon of local goat’s milk is a good $2 more than the gallon of cow milk sitting in the cooler of a grocery store. Dr. Joshua Lockyer says this expense is largely a matter of perspective though.

“I don’t think the evidence will show that locally grown food is always more expensive than mass produced food,” said Lockyer. Lockyer is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Arkansas Tech University. He is currently principal investigator with the Sustainable Food Systems Research Collaborative at ATU and secretary of the Advisory Board for Russellville Community Market.

“My food class will be looking at this some later this semester and I’d like to see a full study on this, but am not aware of one,” said Lockyer. “In cases where it is more expensive, it has to do with the ‘economies of scale of mass production’.”

The economies of scale of mass production mean that higher volume reduces costs associated with production, processing, and distribution. The definition of cost is a matter of perception as well according to Lockyer.

“Mass production processes tend to externalize the negative costs to communities, the environment, and

people’s health from their cost equations,” said Lockyer. “This enables those who run those processes to do things that local producers, who have more accountability to their local communities, would not normally do. Things like release massive amounts of pesticides or hog manure into the environment or put a lot of local farmers and vendors out of business by flooding the market with cheap goods designed to corner the market rather than complement what other farmers are producing.”

Shannon Jamell of Russellville is a consumer that has weighed the costs of increasing her food budget versus the costs mentioned by Dr. Lockyer. The 2013 Russellville seed swap was her first and this spring will be her first to attempt a garden. Shannon plans to start with a small garden, and any shortcomings will be supplemented only with locally grown food…for the most part.

“I support the local farmers market and I always ask how they grow their produce, what they sprayed on it and stuff,” said Shannon. “And, if I’ve got to buy from the grocery store, I buy organic.”

Shannon’s buying habits are indicative of a small, but growing portion of consumers.

The United States Department of Agriculture reports a 9.6 percent increase in farmer’s market listings from 1994 until 2012. The largest percent of increase falls within the years 2007-2012.

The numbers do not show explosive growth. What they do show are specific buying habits gaining momentum.

Every facet of the civic agriculture movement echoes the theme of accountability mentioned by Dr. Lockyer.

It involves standards that sometimes run counterintuitive to our traditional idea of profit, but it also offers a different measure of profit. It’s a theme that resonates with a small, but growing number of consumers today. n

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16 ABOUT | April 2013

1903

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ARKANSAS

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(479)

968-3991

Continued from page 11 It's time to share what we have as God has placed on our hearts to do.

You can help do that while enjoying a lovely evening with family, friends, and neighbors who come to the Neighbors Table Art Show and Sale. Tickets to the event are $25 per person, $45 per couple and may be reserved on line at allsaints.russellville.net; go to “event registration” and click on “Art Show.” Tickets to the Art Show are also available by calling All Saints Episcopal Church at (479) 968-3622 or by sending a check to Neighbors Table, c/o 311 West C Street, Russellville 72801.

EQUESTRIAN ZONE EVENTS

The Equestrian Zone of Russellville hosted the fundraiser “Mingle with Mallett” on Saturday, March 16 at the Russellville High School football stadium.

Current New England Patriot and former Arkansas Razorback quarterback Ryan Mallett was on hand for a question and answer forum available to general admission ticketholders for $10. VIP access to Mallett was available for $30 and included a meet and greet session with Mallett along with an autographed poster or other item brought in by VIP ticket buyers. Lunch with Ryan was a pre-event meal with Ryan Mallett available for $50.

Equestrian Zone Executive Director Jodi Kusturin said about 200 people attended the event.

The Boots and Benefactors Equestrian Zone fund-raiser will be held on April 6 from 4-7 p.m. at the Pope County Fairgrounds. Tickets are $35 with free admission for children under 15. The event will feature a chuckwagon dinner, door prizes, exhibition riding, and entertainment by the Buffalo City Ramblers. Master of Ceremonies will be KARK Channel 4 morning anchor Matt Mosler.

The Equestrian Zone serves children and adults with a wide diversity of physical, cognitive, mental and emotional disabilities through hippotherapy and therapeutic riding.

Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational, and speech therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement. Hippotherapy is utilized as part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes.

Therapeutic riding is a term encompassing a variety of equine activities in which people with disabilities participate. The emphasis is on riding skills development.

To learn more about the Equestrian Zone and what they do, go to equestrianzone. org or call 479-970-8351. n

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Sewing Up a Fairy Tale Story by Connie Las Schneider | Photos by Steve Newby

O

nce up a time, sewing ranked with cooking as a domestic chore to be mastered. Sewing skills were so important that young women spent years stitching items to fill a hope chest. Well-made quilts were akin to a dowry and many a match was sewn together as much by needle and thread as by looks and personality.

But, that was then and this is now. Ready-made clothing and machine made linens have replaced hand-made goods and skill. The thread and needle are outdated.

Fortunately, there are still people in the River Valley who embrace the fine art of sewing. People like Paula McGee who owns Thread, a unique alteration/sewing studio in Russellville, which opened in September 2011.

Paula’s expertise shows in her booming alterations business. But, Thread is more than just tailoring and fabrics. Paula has been creating exquisite, one-of-a kind cloth dolls of her own design since 1998. That year she started a home based business selling her whimsical handmade dolls, doll making patterns, and teaching classes or giving seminars from her website.

Paula has been sewing for a while now.

“As far back as I can remember, I’ve been playing with fabric and making things,” said Paula. “I come from a family of seamstresses and crafters. Sewing was a normal, everyday thing. If you needed something new or nice, you didn’t go to the store to buy it, you made it. We lived way out in the boonies (north of Ozark) so it was a big trek to go into town. I’m thankful for learning to sew at such an early age because no one does it anymore.”

Despite Paula’s obvious talent, she said she never thought about doing alterations as a business until 2008 when she went to work at So Sassy, a fabric and alteration’s business in downtown Russellville.

“The owner, who retired in 2011, told me that alterations could be a viable business,” said Paula with a big smile. “So, with the support of my husband who had operated a barber shop nearby, I opened Thread.

The alteration business is good and now I have my dream art studio and still pay the bills.”

Walking into Thread is like walking into someone’s family room with a comfy sofa, overstuffed chairs, lots of books lining the walls, and a couple of big tables piled with creative clutter. The ambiance makes you want to kick off your shoes and settle in for a nice long visit with the amazingly

18 ABOUT | April 2013

lifelike dolls seated around the space. And, oh, the stories these dolls could tell.

“My inspiration for the dolls comes from childhood stories and fairy tales,” said Paula. “I read a lot when I was little and I still keep a big library of fairy tales to inspire me. I don’t know why I started making dolls, it just evolved from painting and sewing. I used to make all my children’s clothes but they grew up and did not want to wear Mom’s homemade clothes anymore, so I think that is why I turned to dolls. My dolls don’t argue with me most of the time.”

To make each doll, McGee begins by sketching a series of faces. When one particular face starts to haunt her dreams, McGee sews and stuffs a cloth body complete with amazingly life-like hands and features to match her vision. Next, she designs and sews fanciful clothing to go on the doll. Painting the face is the last thing McGee does.

“As I am constructing the dolls, they seem to take on a life of their own. Each doll is one of a kind-just like people,” said McGee. Her biggest doll to date is the size of a toddler. One day McGee had the doll sitting in her car as she was driving when a patrol officer stopped her. He started to warn her that the “child” in her car was not buckled up when he realized it was a doll.

This doll, named the Broken Heart Angel, now sits in her shop on a special wooden chair McGee made for it. The Broken Heart Angel mends broken hearts and gently holds a ruby red velvet heart in her hands.

“Making that doll was therapy for me,” said McGee. “There was so much going on when I started to make her -- including going through a painful divorce -- that she took about 3 years to make. I sketched a lot of angel faces with tears and had a vision of an angel stitching broken hearts back together, so that’s what she is doing. I was working on her when I met my second husband, so he is a part of that doll too.”

Thread is a family business in the best sense and family members regularly spend time at the store. McGee’s 23-year-old daughter, Amanda Johnson, sells artwork there that includes custom designed cloth Skeala Babies, funky knitted items and one-of-a kind clothing. McGee’s 20-yearold daughter, Elizabeth Johnson, helps do alterations and is an aspiring writer and poet. McGee’s 17-year-old son, Benjamin Johnson, loves to draw Anime (Japanese style animation). Her stepson, Wayne McGee, is also a high school student and wants to be a graphic designer and video game programmer.

Paula is also a writer and does articles for various doll-making publications.

“I would like to write a fairy tale with patterns for the characters,” said Paula. “I’ve

been dreaming of doing this for a while and the dream is getting bigger, so I’m going to have to do something about it soon.”

Sewing Gets Hip! Sewing is making a comeback, especially for the young trendy set who crave unique, one-of-a-kind clothing and may have been influenced by TV reality shows like Project Runway, according to an article in Time magazine.

While people traditionally learned to sew

from a family member or in home economics class, young people today usually don’t know how to sew anything more complicated than a button, said Paula McGee. Because of the new interest in sewing, McGee offers beginning sewing classes and on-line seminars for those who wish to learn doll making. For more information, drop into Thread at 105 N. Commerce, Russellville, or call 479-747-7761. You can also view McGee’s dolls, patterns and class schedule athttp://www.paulasdollhouse. net/Doll_Shoppe.html. n

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3521 West Main Street Russellville • 479-967-3744 April 2013 | ABOUT 19

about | food

Just in time to get outside!

Story by Lydia Zimmerman, Food Editor

W

ith the coming of spring and this month’s feature article on Geocaching, I wanted to provide our readers with some tasty picnic/ snack ideas that you could enjoy in the outdoors. These recipes are convenient and should appeal to a variety of different tastes. In this selection, I also included two slow-cooker recipes so while you are “out and about” enjoying the spring weather, you'll have dinner cooking to be ready when you return home.

With each future issue I will also be including a “Mommy and Me” section. This will feature recipes that are simple and kid friendly that you can make with your “little helper(s).” This month’s “Mommy and Me” selections are easy to customize to your taste and very handy to take on the trail.

Hope you enjoy!

Change is bittersweet. Longtime food editor Dianna Qualls has made the decision to take a break from managing the monthly recipes found in ABOUT..the River Valley magazine. We will miss Dianna and her delectable recipes, no doubt. However, it has opened the door for us to welcome a new member to our team, Lydia (Gray) Zimmerman.

Lydia gew up locally, raised on Crow Mountain, number seven of eight children. Her mother was raised in a large family as well, and learned to cook at a young age. In turn, she let Lydia help her in the kitchen as she grew up and, like her mother before her, loves to cook with her children as well.

"Not only is this a great a time to bond, it also teaches them different measurements -- such as how many ounces are in a pound, etc. – and lets them make goodies to take to family, friends, and neighbors." says Lydia.

Besides cooking and searching for new recipes, Lydia works full time as a Registered Respiratory Therapist at Johnson Regional Medical Center. She is the mother of three children, and wife of ABOUT's graphic designer, Chris Zimmerman.

We look forward to reading and trying Lydia’s recipes in the coming issues, as we're confident you will as well.

20 ABOUT | April 2013

HAM AND CHEESE PICNIC BREAD

1 (.25 oz.) package active dry yeast 1 c. warm water (110 degrees F) 3 c. all-purpose flour 1 egg 1 T butter 1 T white sugar 1 tsp. salt 1 c. chopped ham 1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese 1 (4 oz.) jar diced pimento peppers, drained 1/2 c. black olives, drained and chopped In a small mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast mixture with the flour, egg, butter, sugar and salt; mix well. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth, about 8 minutes.

Lightly oil a large mixing, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Combine the ham, cheese, pimento, and olive in a medium mixing bowl; set aside.

Deflate the dough, and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll or pat the dough into a 10x14 inch rectangle. Make parallel cuts 3/4 inch wide and 2 inches long on the two long edges of the rectangle.

Evenly spread the filling mixture over the center of the rectangle. Fold the short ends of the rectangle over the filling. Starting from one of these ends, alternately stretch strips from the two sides across the filling so that the strips overlap diagonally. Transfer the loaf to a lightly greased baking sheet, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.

Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 20 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Recipe from AllRecipes.com

ANTIPASTO KABOBS

9 oz package of Three Cheese Tortellini, cooked to package directions 1 can Medium or Large pitted Black Olives 5.75 oz jar Green Olives (2) 12 oz containers of marinated mozzarella balls(usually found near the speciality cheeses) 30 slices of Salami, cut in half 60 pieces of pepperoni 1 c. Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing (store bought or homemade) 60 Skewers (How ever many you want to make. I had to cut mine in half)

To serve, cut each roll crosswise into 8 slices. Arrange cut side up on serving platter.

Recipe from TXBeef.org

CHEESY PIZZA PASTA SALAD

1 pkg. (9 oz.) refrigerated three cheese tortellini 1 green pepper, cut into strips 1 c. KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese 24 slices pepperoni 1/2 c. KRAFT Tuscan House Italian Dressing 6 large lettuce leaves

Place the cooked tortellini in a bowl or large gallon freeze bag. Pour the salad dressing over the top and marinade in the fridge for a few hours. Drain the pasta.

Place one of each item onto the skewer using the pointy side. Can be made a few hours in advance. Just cover tightly and place in the refrigerator.

Recipe from TheHungryHousewife.com

Cook pasta as directed on package. Rinse with cold water; drain. Place in large bowl.

Add peppers, cheese and pepperoni; mix lightly. Add dressing; toss to coat.

Refrigerate 1 hour. Line serving bowl with lettuce leaves just before serving; fill with pasta mixture Recipe from KraftRecipes.com

BEEF & CHEESE PINWHEELS

12 oz. thinly sliced deli roast beef 1 pkg. (4 oz.) herb flavored cream cheese 4 large flour tortillas (about 10 inches) 2 c. spinach leaves (about 20 leaves) 1 jar (7 oz.) roasted red peppers, rinsed and drained

1/2 c. coleslaw blend (cabbage slaw mix) 1 T. MIRACLE WHIP Dressing 1 tsp. GREY POUPON Dijon Mustard 2 slices multi-grain bread, toasted 3 slices OSCAR MAYER Oven Roasted Turkey Breast 1 package of KRAFT Singles

Spread cheese evenly over one side of each tortilla. Place deli roast beef over cheese leaving 1/2-inch border around edges. Place spinach leaves over beef.

Arrange peppers down center, over spinach. Roll up tightly and wrap in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to overnight before serving.

COMBINE first 3 ingredients. FILL toast slices with turkey, Singles and coleslaw.

Take Along: Prepare as directed, but do not add coleslaw to sandwich. Wrap sandwich; place coleslaw in small covered container. Refrigerate both until ready to pack in insulated lunch bag. Add coleslaw to sandwich just before serving.

Recipe from KraftRecipes.com >>

HE CAME, HE SLAW

Mommy and Me Recipes

GRANOLA SQUARES 3 c. Granola 1 c. old fashioned oats 1/4 c. honey 1 egg, beaten 1/2 c. peanut butter 1 c. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all of the above ingredients in a large bowl and press into a 10” square baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.

Place baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to cool before cutting into 12 squares.

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SHRIMP WRAP WITH MELONCUCUMBER RELISH

1 lb. Medium Shrimp, shelled and deveined 1/4 c. Fresh Cilantro, chopped 1 tsp. Salt 1 tsp. Fresh-Ground Black Pepper 1 tsp. Cumin 1/4 tsp. Cinnamon 2 T Vegetable Oil 4 10-Inch Sandwich Wraps, such as flour tortillas 1/4 c. Curry-Dijon Mayonnaise (see recipe below) 1 c. Melon-Cucumber Relish (see recipe below) In a large bowl, toss shrimp with cilantro, salt, pepper, cumin, and cinnamon. In a large skillet over high heat, heat oil. Add shrimp to the hot oil and sauté, stirring occasionally, until cooked through -- 3 to 4 minutes.

Assemble the wraps: On a clean work other favorite dried fruit) surface, place 4 wraps and spread 1 1 c. cashews or 1 c. other favorite nuts tablespoon of Curry-Dijon Mayonnaise on (although be aware of children’s each. Place 4 to 6 shrimp on each wrap. potential allergy to peanuts) Top the shrimp with 1/4 cup of Melon- 1 c. miniature M&M’s chocolate candies (or Cucumber Relish and fold the wraps into other chocolate candy) sandwiches.

1 c. peanut butter chips or 1 cup butterscotch chips Curry-Dijon Mayonnaise 1 c. miniature pretzel twists or 1 cup 3/4 c. Mayonnaise pretzel stick 2 T Dijon Mustard 2 T Lemon Juice Throw everything together in a sealed 1 1/2 tsp. Curry Powder container.

Store in cool, dry area (to prevent melting Mix the above ingredients well in a bowl of chocolate candies/chips and other soft and refrigerate in an airtight container. ingredients).

Recipe from Food.com Melon-Cucumber Relish 2 c. (about 1/4 melon) Seedless SLOW COOKER CHEESEY CHICKEN Watermelon, cubed SOUR CREAM BURRITOS 1 1/2 c. (about 1/2 melon) Cantaloupe, 8 Boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed 1 Can (18 oz) Progresso™ Recipe 1 1/2 c. (about 2 medium) Kirby Cucumber, Starters™ creamy three cheese cooking diced sauce 2/3 (about 1 small onion) Red Onion, 2 Cans (4.5 oz each) Old El Paso® minced chopped green chiles, drained 1/3 c. (about 1 large stalk) Celery, minced 4 c. Shreaded taco-flavored cheese or 1 T Jalapeño, minced Cheddar cheese (16 oz) 1 T Chopped Fresh Cilantro Leaves 1 Container (8 oz) sour cream 1/4 c. Cider Vinegar 16 Old El Paso® flour tortillas for burritos 1 tsp. Salt (8 inch) Toppings,If Desired In a medium nonreactive bowl, place Shredded lettuce the watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber, Additional sour cream red onion, celery, jalapeño, and cilantro. Old El Paso® salsa (any variety) Sprinkle vinegar and salt over the relish and gently toss. Chill for 30 minutes Spray 4-quart slow cooker with cooking before serving. spray. Place chicken in slow cooker; Recipe from CountryLiving.com sprinkle with 2 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Pour cooking sauce and chiles over chicken; stir.

KIDDOS FAVORITE TRAIL MIX Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 1 c. Cheerios toasted oat cereal (honey hours or until chicken is tender. Remove nut, plain and apple cinnamon work chicken from slow cooker; set aside and equally as well) keep warm. Stir 3 cups of the cheese into 1 c. goldfish crackers or 1 cup other sauce in slow cooker until melted; using cheese crackers whisk, stir in sour cream. Replace cover.

1 c. cherry-flavored dried cranberries (or

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Use 2 forks to pull chicken into shreds.

Place chicken in large bowl. Pour 2 1/2 to 3 c. of the sauce over chicken; toss gently to coat.

Place about 1/2 c. of the chicken mixture on center of each tortilla. Top each with 1 tablespoon of the remaining cheese. Fold one end of tortilla up about 1 inch over filling; fold right and left sides over folded end, overlapping. Fold remaining end down. Top each burrito with 1 to 2 T of the remaining sauce, if desired. Top with lettuce, sour cream and salsa.

Recipe from BettyCrocker.com

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ORANGE-SPICED CORNED BEEF WITH DRIED FRUIT 2 1/2 - 3 lb. corned beef brisket 7 oz. package mixed dried fruit 1/2 c. dried cranberries 2 T quick-cooking tapioca 1/2 c. orange juice 1/2 c. water 1 T mild-flavored molasses 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

Trim fat from meat. If necessary, cut meat to fit into a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker. If a seasoning packet is present, discard it. Place meat in the cooker.

Cut any large pieces of mixed dried fruit into quarters. Sprinkle mixed dried fruit, dried cranberries, and tapioca over meat in cooker. In a small bowl, combine orange juice, the water, molasses, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour over mixture in cooker.

Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours.

Remove meat from cooker. Thinly slice meat across the grain. Arrange meat slices on a serving platter. Spoon fruit mixture over meat. Makes 6 servings.

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about | outdoors

It’s Just a Turkey On a hardwood ridge in the Ozark Mountains, so many years ago, I heard a wild turkey gobble for the very first time. It was a primal call filled with challenge and lust. Though he was several hundred yards away, I sat bolt upright at the sound.

I made my move on him, but he had no trouble outflanking my rookie strategies. My calling – which is a very liberal use of the word -- did nothing to change his course and it became a foot race to the small forest opening at the bottom of the ridge. If he beat me there I would have no chance, I had to head him off at the pass.

I lost.

I spend the rest of the day looking for another player, I want another go, but it’s not in the cards. That night, as I try to drift off, I wonder why that wild song is still echoing in my head. For Pete’s sake, I ‘m hunting a feral version of the main course at everybody’s Thanksgiving dinner. Why can’t I quit thinking about the plans to fool him tomorrow? Why can’t I go to sleep? I have to get up at four a.m. to be in the woods before he wakes up. Why? It’s just a turkey!

Several springs later, I’m wiser in the ways of ol’ tom. I’m learning how to hunt him. I scheme and plan and spend untold hours learning the lay of the land. I pore over maps and run the dirt roads before work: wearing out a pair of boots, a set of tires, and my wife’s nerves. My gun is sighted and patterned a full two months before season. I’ve ruined three mouth calls by the middle of March and I’m sure my tongue has a callous on it.

All of my buddies are on the turkey hot line talking about the birds they have lined up for opening day. Two weeks from THE day and I’m already sleep deprived. Why? Good grief, we’re talking about a twenty-pound bird! I could save

24 ABOUT | April 2013

scandalous amounts of money and time by buying one at the store. They carry enough meat to feed a family of four maybe three times, not nearly enough calories to match even two days of what I’ve burned just getting ready. All this frenzied preparation for what? It’s just a turkey.

My days of feverish pre-season planning have faded, but age has added a new dimension to the pursuit. The birds I hunt are more than just prey and the hunt is more than a chance to kill. I often find one gobbler that can command my attention for the balance of the season. It’s a crippling addiction.

I can’t bear the thought of missing a day in the woods looking for him, hearing his gobble, finding his tracks, looking for the chink in his armor. I fight the urge to give in completely to obsession so, on weekdays, I grudgingly head to work after an hour or so in the woods. But, my mind is never on work.

It’s still in the woods wondering where he’s strutting and what tree he will roost in tonight. It’s disturbing that a grown man with a family and a mortgage thinks along those lines, but there it is, out in the wide open. Go ahead and judge me, I find it troubling myself. After all, it’s just a turkey.

A hook-spurred and long-bearded veteran has whipped my tail for three mornings in a row this spring. The first morning he used the ol’ “gobble my head off on the limb and shut up when I hit the ground” ploy. The tactic is beautiful in its simplicity. After gobbling in the tree, the turkey doesn’t need to do another dad-gum thing and I have been presented a grand opportunity to outthink myself. And, that’s what I do. Without another gobble, it’s all a guessing game and I guess wrong. Morning number two he gobbled for too long and too loud and gathered a harem of hens in short order. Morning number three I zigged when I should have zagged and sat down in a place that he didn’t feel comfortable coming to. But… morning number four has found him very vocal and very lonely.

No hens in sight or earshot and his calls have a note of desperation. A soft string of yelps from my call is all it takes and the end is anticlimactic. His undoing was simply my persistence.

As I sit overlooking the creek bottom he called home, where I learned the intimate patterns of his life over the better part of a week, I’m not so sure about my decision to pull the trigger. I wonder what I’m going to do tomorrow morning. And, at that moment, I want more than anything to give his life back. To hear him gobble from the mossy limb of his favorite white oak as the morning sun wakes the forest on a dewy April dawn.

My non-hunting friends don’t get it. “It’s just a bird and hunting them is just a hobby,” they say.

I hear those words often from those that don’t understand and a muttered response rolls out as I nod and smile.

“Yeah, you’re right,” I say. “It’s just a turkey.”

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about | education

Teens Making an Impact

By Angie Self

A bustle of activity picks up about 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the Arkansas State Capitol as representatives prepare to begin their session at 1:30. Young school children line the right side of the marble steps leading to the House chambers as a teacher snaps a photo of her students from the level above. As the youngsters patiently wait for instructions from the tour guide, a group of teenagers dressed in suits and skirts pass by quickly on the left side as they head to another level of the building.

In one corner of a hallway, near one of the doors where representatives are passing in and out of offices, a group of teenagers are gathered in a circle listening to two lobbyists explain their jobs and issues they are tracking. The gallery of the vacant Senate holds another small group listening to their leader explain the process of how a bill becomes law.

Shortly before 1:30, as the House floor becomes energetic with representatives arriving for the session, these teenagers scattered throughout the Capitol filter into the galleries of the House until there is standing room only among them and other interested observers. The first item of business that day was discussion and vote to override Gov. Mike Beebe’s veto of House Bill 1037, making it illegal to abort a fetus after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

This was the first of four overrides on two separate bills approved by the House and Senate in the state Capitol that kept the eyes of the nation glued to Arkansas as history was being made. The country’s toughest legislation on restricting abortion was approved the following week by the Arkansas legislature. These TeenPact Leadership School students who came to the Capitol for a week of government classes walked away with one of the best hands-on experiences of how the process works.

What is TeenPact? It is a ministry which began in 1994 to help train young Christians across the country to understand the political process, value their liberty and defend their Christian faith. The Arkansas program has been growing since the late 1990s with a record-breaking 78 students attending the week-long class this year in 26 ABOUT | April 2013

Members of REACH (Russellville Education Association of Christian Homeschoolers) who attended TeenPact in Little Rock are: (front) Callie Self and Jordan Smith of Russellville; Angela Sperry of London; (second row) Anna Freer of Clarksville; Aimee Anderson of Casa; Mitchell Freer of Clarksville; Luke Helms of Russellville; (third row) Timothy Young of Russellville; Michael Anderson of Casa; Jared Self of Russellville, and David and (top) Matt Garrett of Dover.

Little Rock, said Sarah Moore of Rowe, state coordinator. She has been involved in the state classes with her children for about eight years and currently serves on the board of directors for the ministry that is based in Richmond, Va. Typically, the students who attend are home schooled, but this year included a group of students from a private Christian school in the state. Eleven members of the Russellville Education Association of Christian Homeschoolers were among those teenagers watching their state legislators in action.

Jared Self who lives north of Russellville peered over the railing in the gallery that day to watch his state representative, Robert Dale of Dover, punch the button to vote for the override and the board flash his name in green.

His friend, Timothy Young of Russellville, was intent on watching the vote of Rep. Andrea Lea of Russellville. Seated among the other students in the gallery, waiting on the vote, was Jerry Cox and other staff members of the

Family Council who had been lobbying for the passage of the bill.

“Representative (Andy) Mayberry (R- of Hensley) talked about how this was a good bill that would save lives,” recalls Callie Self, attending TeenPact for her first year.

“Another representative (Randy Alexander (R) of Fayetteville) talked about how the legislators approved the bill the week before and needed to approve it again today, despite any pressure they might be feeling from the governor to change their minds. When the voting actually happened, it seemed like about three seconds and the board lit up on the vote count. It was announced that the override was approved 53 to 28, and we all clapped in the gallery. It was a really extraordinary experience.”

Parents are involved in helping with the program from overseeing the homework assignments for the class to serving as camp sponsors. But, the driving leadership of TeenPact is the teens themselves. Interns and staff members who run the classes

with supervision from the camp director and coordinator range in age from 16 to 18.

When students attend the four-day class for the first time, it is a shock that students their age or just a few years older are given so much responsibility and handle it so well.

“I was so impressed with the staffers in their dress, composure and how they walked the walk of leadership,” said Luke Helms of Russellville who attended for the first time. “I could tell they had worked hard to gain the knowledge they needed to teach and pass on information to us in the classes.”

One of those students this year was Mitchell Freer, 18, of Clarksville. This was his second year to work in a staff position with TeenPact which he began attending several years ago with his older sister and other members of REACH. REACH is a local home school support group that includes over 90 families in the Arkansas River Valley.

The idea of this leadership training and experience from founder Tim Echols of Georgia, is to help the young people “embrace their call as the next generation of leaders by giving them tools, teaching and opportunities. The name “TeenPact” came from the idea of “teens making an impact.”

Freer said that a goal of the program’s leadership is to have about 100 former TeenPact students serving in government leadership positions across the country within the next five years.

Two of the youngest state legislators in Oklahoma right now, Rep. Elise Hall and Rep. Josh Cockroft, are former TeenPact students and leaders. Hall was sworn into office in 2010 at the age of 21, the youngest age of a state legislator allowed by the Oklahoma Constitution.

“I have an appreciation for the ministry so much more as a staffer than I did as

a student,” Freer said. “We were given so much more responsibility, like making sure the class starts on time so that the schedule doesn’t get off track. The main thing I like is the different type of leadership that TeenPact stresses. It’s not about ordering people around and telling the students what to do. It’s really about servant leadership and leading by example. I admire the way that the interns and the program director are your peers but are in a higher position of authority. It’s just really cool to be able to learn so much from them, and there is no reason that I can’t be like them if I just apply myself and try hard enough.

I enjoyed being in a leadership position but still having fellow leaders to look up to. It definitely helps.”

Three interns, two from Texas and one from Oregon, were in charge of the leadership team this year, Freer explained.

He and several other staff members, mostly from Arkansas, were under their leadership in planning the schedule and dividing up the teaching assignments. All

TeenPact participants are required to wear conservative business attire during the day while going back and forth between classes held in the Victory Building and field experiences in the Capitol. Leaders were required to make quick changes to the schedule to accommodate special speakers who included Secretary of State Mark Martin and Judge Rhonda Wood of Conway, a judge with the Arkansas Court of Appeals. A mock governor’s election at TeenPact was delayed an hour so that students could observe the override vote of the House when staffers received word that it would be on that day’s agenda. Staffers and adult leaders of TeenPact were staying abreast of legislative action throughout the week to keep the students informed of current bills being considered.

First-year TeenPact participants are divided into groups for field experiences to study the three branches of government as well as how to analyze a bill, crossfire debate on issues and attempt to make contact with a lobbyist (also called advocates or consultants) at the Capitol. >>

April 2013 | ABOUT 27

Several groups were successful in finding consultants outside of committee rooms who were willing to speak with the students and explain issues. Freer and another staff member were in charge of teaching the bill analysis portion of the field experience.

With the homework, class work and tests given during the week-long class, students earn 1/3 of a semester credit for civics or government that could be used on their high school transcript.

TeenPact stresses the importance of praying for local, state and federal leaders and brings this point to a reality with prayer walks at the state class. The students divide up into groups and stand outside the governor’s office, the old Supreme Court room and the galleries of the House and Senate to pray for the leaders and the decisions they are making.

“The first year I did this, I was kind of afraid someone might run up and tell us we couldn’t do it because of separation of church and state,” Jared Self recalls. “But no one did, and now I really enjoy how personal it is by praying in the Capitol. One of the things the staffers tell us is that we need to be like the aroma of Christ. Here we are, teenagers, dressed in suits and

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28 ABOUT | April 2013

walking around quietly and respectfully.

When we stop and pray, it is such a testimony for Christ.”

Alumni to TeenPact each year are required to write essays on political topics. Angela Sperry of London has attended TeenPact for four years and plans to return again next year.

She said that the alumni went to the Capitol to gather views on social protests this year.

Students asked opinions on the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street movements as well as other social protests.

“After gathering information from adults and having in-class discussions on the essays, we all came to the conclusion that a social protest is not the best way to stand up for what we believe,” Sperry explained.

“There might come a time when we as Christians would need to take a stand, but social protests should not be our first choice. The best thing is to pray about it and let God guide us in making our decisions.”

One of the things that Sperry said she likes to see is new people come and think they are going to be miserable but then have a great time. It’s also neat to see people transition from students to staff positions, she added.

Jennifer Helms, mother of Luke Helms, said that her son was reluctant to go this year, but she didn’t give him a choice about going.

“When I picked him up at the end of the week, the first words out of his mouth were ‘I’m going to go back next year,’ and he talked all the way home about his experiences,” Helms said. “When I took him on Monday, I stayed for the first two hours of the camp and the parents’ meeting. I left there impressed with the program and really wanted to stay the whole week myself to watch it all.”

Matt Garrett of Dover also attended TeenPact this year for the first time and made a connection with an 18-year-old student who is currently working for a state legislator.

“I thought TeenPact was great and hope I can go next year,” Garrett said. “I liked every

part of it. I did meet this other guy, Wesley, who was in my committee that turned out to be a political consultant for one of the senators. I liked discussing different bills with him and finding out he worked at the Capitol. He has been texting me about the vote in the Senate and the House on the 12week abortion bill. I was really glad when he told me it passed.”

TeenPact students often come home with an appreciation for state government and continue to keep up with what is going on during the legislative session.

Self came home and wrote letters to his legislators about the upcoming vote on Medicaid expansion being considered. He was attending TeenPact for his third year and wanted to take a more active role as a student by running for governor in the mock election at the class.

“I really wanted to push myself,” Self said. “That’s what TeenPact is all about -- pushing to your potential. Running for governor is one of the hardest things to do as a student, so I wanted to try it. Even though I lost, I had fun running and enjoyed the opportunity to try.”

Self, his sister and a few friends put up campaign posters at Camp Aldersgate where most of the students stayed. He also pre-made campaign cards and brought candy to pass out at his campaign table in the Commons where the students ate and had nightly devotionals.

Another goal this year for Self was to run for committee chairman. Students split up into committees during lunch to simulate the committees of the state legislature with a chairman and clerk appointed for each committee.

“The chairman keeps the general order, facilitates the discussion and the voting process,” he explained. “I was elected by my committee for that position since I had the most experience and knew parliamentary procedure. It was a fairly relaxed atmosphere and fun. Bills

written by the students that we approved in committee, were sent on to our mock legislative session.”

Part of the fun of the homework is to try to pick an unusual or controversial bill that will make it out of committee and be picked by staffers to be read during the legislative session. Self said he has yet to have one of his bills read so that he can argue it. However, Timothy Young had his bill chosen last year as a first-timer and was able to approach the well and argue for its passage. Young, who has Type 1 Diabetes, wrote a bill to allow service dogs to attend private schools with their owners.

TeenPact has alumni events in addition to the state classes that are held in 38 states.

This allows students to interact with others from across the country, even Alaska, in a more relaxed atmosphere, said Sperry, who attended National Convention for two years. Freer made connections at the same event which led him to an invitation to work on the Tim Griffin for Congress campaign a few years ago.

"I definitely would never have made that connection without TeenPact," he said.

Freer also attended the "Back to DC" alumni event last year just before the presidential election. A special moment he enjoyed at the event was all 75 to 100 participants huddling around some guys in the group with guitars as they sang praise and worship songs one night near the Lincoln Memorial. Some other tourists nearby joined in with them, Freer remembers.

The week-long event includes a mock presidential election that is focused on the actual campaign process instead of the candidate, he said. Another highlight of the trip was attending the Voters Value Summit and hearing some 25 speakers including vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan, Michele Bachman and Rand Paul.

Freer said he was glad he had the opportunity to staff for two years and attend the training for staffing held in Oklahoma. “I’m not sure politics is in my future or not, but TeenPact has definitely given me an appreciation for government and one that a lot of people my age don’t necessarily have,” he said. “If it’s in God’s plans, then I would definitely be interested in pursuing politics or some sort of public service in the future.”

“TeenPact is the most effective way I have seen of giving teens an appreciation for government and how easy it is to be involved,” Freer said. “I guess the thing that I would want TeenPact students to know is that the Capitol is not about a bunch of rich guys in suits running the state. They are Arkansans in this state who have worked hard and have been given the opportunity to pursue public service.” n

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about | engagements

Save the Date!

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

~ April 6 ~

~ May 18 ~

~ June 15 ~ Katelynn Moore and Josh McAlister

~ April 13 ~

Kelsie Austin and Aaron Sims Amber Gibson and Brandon Pellham Aimee Voisin and Landon Sanders

Kathryn Ramsey and Brian Sammons

~ May 25 ~

~ June 22 ~

Hilery Wesley and Kyle Hayes Darla Bryand and Cullen Anson Janae George and Aaron Pate

~ April 20 ~

Dana Florian and Brandon Tribble Randi Rudder and Justin Lowe Sara Scallion and Kylen Hawkins

~ April 27 ~

Jamie Dunn and Chris Needham Katie Mullins and Joe Osborne Kasey Mullis and Niles Allen Jenny Vining and T.J. Posey

~ May 4 ~

Alison Parks and Earnest Taylor

Laura Cotton and Jim Rowland Lacey Platner and Alston Brown Julianna Root and Steve Gebhardt

~ June 1 ~ Muriel Aston and Blayne Schrepfer Stephanie Corbin and Ben Houghton

~ June 6 ~ Suzanne Burchett and Garrett Glover

~ June 8 ~

~ June 17 ~

Stephanie Ingram and Blake Driver

~ June 28 ~ Allie Brooks and Blake Young

~ June 29 ~ Krysti Armstrong and Sam Freyaldenhoven

~ July 20 ~ Catelyn Fisher and Lucas Davis

~ August 3 ~

Allison Hill and Michael Chiuminatto Amanda Hindsman and Steven Hankins ~ August 17 ~ Jenny Redfern & Daniel Fish Megan McNutt and Bryan Greathouse Lauren Ragsdale and Michael Allinson Kara Shirley and Brant Bauman Jessica Meyers and Ben Kloosterman Sarah Post and Stephen Borengasser Morgan Prince and Daniel Williams ~ September 21 ~ Jill Taylor and Ryan Evans Jennifer Roberts and Justin Young Samantha Dennis and Dustin Huggins

~ May 11 ~

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

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