ABOUT | August 2011

Sugar Creek’s Sweet Success

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley AUGUST 2011

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www.aboutrvmag.com

Roy Reaves, Chariman & CEO Central Region

mmunity Banking starts Communities! h OurCommunity Banking starts with

nt communities, where there’s strong business, there’s usually a solid local bank. At Liberty Bank, we’re o be part of that formula for community success. We have a tradition of active involvement, using our In vibrant communities, there’sand strong business, there’s usually a solid es to help create better places towhere live, work grow.

local bank. At Liberty Bank, we’re proud to be part of that formula for community success.leadership We have a tradition of active involvement, usingchildren, our resources to help her we’re offering and guidance to local school volunteering at a community better places to live, work and grow. er, or simplycreate helping with local charities and events, giving back is just another benefit of being a locally

bank – right here in the Arkansas communities you and your business call home.

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August 2011

table of

contents

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8 A Chilling Tale of Sweet Success 16 11

Dynamic Duo leads Clarksville, Johnson County Chamber

ABOUT...Family

12

‘It’s All About to Change’ as Travis Tritt takes on ValleyFest Just as school kids and college students are returning from summer vacation, ValleyFest 2011 will celebrate its 22nd anniversary. To ‘reinvigorate’ the festival, Bluesy-Southern Rock singer Travis Tritt will take the stage.

20 25

ABOUTour Cover If a visit to Dubai or Singapore is in your

Forty Years of Freshness First Lady, First Visit The Equestrian Zone welcomed Arkansas’s First Lady Ginger Beebe upon her first visit to their facilities located between Russellville and Dardanelle. She was given a tour and treated to rider demonstrations.

28 27 28

Tech, Friends tour Europe Back 2 School Each year, students receive a lengthy list of school supplies tailored to their particular grade level. Many of us remember buying a new box of crayons or maybe a few packages of paper and pencils. Today’s students are asked to supply much, much more.

36 ABOUT...Engagements Our Associates

Melanie Conley

ad ve r tis in g

479.858.2708

Vonna

Marpel

ad ve r tis ing

479.970.4263

future, you might cool off with a frozen treat from Russellville, Arkansas’s own Sugar Creek Foods International. When childhood friends Scott Van Horn and Bud Gunter purchased Sugar Creek Foods International in 2007, they had 35 employees and no customers. Their

Connie

Steve

Las Schneider

Newby

w r ite r

ph o to g r a phy

479.497.1110

479.880.1006

love of the plant and its people has driven them to propel Sugar Creek to status in the worldwide market. Read their story, “A Chilling Tale of Sweet Success,” beginning on page 8.

Cliff

Zimmerman

il l u s tr a to r

l ayo u t/ d e s ig n

479.890.3630

4 | ABOUT

Chris

Thomas

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

479.264.2438

August 2011

Russellville School District

Educates, Equips, Empowers Every Child, Every Day

220 West 10th Street, Russellville, AR 72801 Ph: 479.968.1306 • rsdweb.k12.ar.us August 2011

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

ABOUT | 5

ABOUT the River Valley

A Publication of Silver Platter Productions, Inc Vol. VI, Issue 6 – August 2011

OWNERS/EDITOR Nolan and Dianne Edwards editor@aboutrvmag.com

Advertising Sales Melanie Conley

melanie@aboutrvmag.com

Vonna Marpel

vonna@aboutrvmag.com

Graphic Design Chris Zimmerman

zimcreative@aboutrvmag.com

Writers Kechia Bentley kechia@aboutrvmag.com

Connie Las Schneider connie@aboutrvmag.com

Johnny Sain

johnny@aboutrvmag.com

PhotographY Steve Newby stevenewbyphotography@aboutrvmag.com

ILLUSTRATION Cliff Thomas maddsigntist@aboutrvmag.com

ABOUT… the River Valley

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

Subscriptions are available by sending $20 for one-year (10 issues) to: SPPI/ABOUT Magazine P.O. Box 10176 Russellville AR 72812 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.

6 | ABOUT

A PAGE FROM

The Editor’s Notebook

Alas, it’s August! Someone please tell me where summer went? In keeping with our original publication schedule of 10-issues each year, the associates of ABOUT Magazine took a short break – not publishing a July issue – so we should have had some time to catch our breath! Not so, it seems, as August has rolled around much too quickly!

We spent a portion of that time getting settled in our new offices located at 220 East 4th Street, sharing building space with our designer Chris Zimmerman, owner of ZimCreative.

Now, it’s back to business! If it’s August, can Christmas (and cooler weather) be far behind?

But not before we enjoy the last days of summer! One cool way is to sample the latest frozen treats created by Sugar Creek Foods International, which has made its home here since 1946. Although it was a Russellville business long before current owners Scott Van Horn and Bud Gunter were even born, the facility is now responsible for selling and distributing frozen yogurt and sorbet around the world!

Don’t miss their story starting on page 8. We think you’ll agree, it’s pretty sweet!

If it’s the end of summer then it must be... festival time! The much-anticipated annual ‘back-to-school’ event – ValleyFest – is set for the third weekend of the month.

Boys and Girls Club director Cathy Andrasik will discuss this year’s event with a story beginning on page 12. Some exciting new changes and a hugely-popular singer will take center stage this year as ValleyFest celebrates its 22nd anniversary! Come support this very worthy cause while enjoying one of the area’s premier family-fun events.

If summer has to end, let’s send it whirling out with style on one of 12 new carnival rides!

In the meantime, there’s still time to gather up your barbecue crew and compete in the local ValleyFest BBQ Cook-off. Not only could you win first prize but you could capture bragging rights for an entire year with a win!

If parents with school-age children seem to be smiling, it’s probably not because the kids are heading back to school and their fall routines. Why? It’s because on Aug. 6 and 7, Arkansas will be celebrating a ‘sales tax holiday’ for qualifying purchases. Check out our ‘Back-to-School’ merchant pages where you’ll find some really great local shopping suggestions, as well as a synopsis of what qualifies for those ‘tax-free’ purchases.

Each year, students receive a lengthy list of school supplies tailored to their particular grade level. Many of us remember buying a new box of crayons or maybe a few packages of paper and pencils. Today’s students are asked to supply much, much more. Items frequently on the list include: hand sanitizer, glue sticks, highlighters, 3-ring binders, a backpack, colored pencils, a flash drive, a planner... the list seems unattainable to most parents, let alone someone struggling to stay afloat in this economic downswing. Many times classroom teachers will provide for missing supplies out of their own pocket.

Is this public education?

For the first time in 21 years, my husband and I will not have anyone shopping for back-to-school supplies... no, wait! There are still our two teacher-daughters. Even though their district provides some financial support for the purchase of classroom supplies, we know first-hand that they provide many of the things out of their own pockets, just as many of our teacher-friends do.

If you missed the opportunity to assist the River Valley United Way in their 7th annual Stuff the Bus campaign, call your local school counselor, stop by with a few needed supplies or make a monetary donation to be applied where it is most needed.

The River Valley has a dedicated history of assisting those who need it most -- neighbors caring for neighbors, not a ‘hand out but a hand up.’ Our students are our future. Let’s equip them to succeed.

Dianne Edwards, Editor/Publisher Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

August 2011

Out and ABOUT Talk ABOUT...Comfort Food

Recently I was reminded of words spoken by a dear Southern-Baptist friend: “We feed people, it’s what we do.” At the time, she was referring to a meal lovingly prepared for friends and delivered during a time of need. I wonder if she realizes how often her words reoccur in my mind?

I recalled the many times that I or my family members had either received or taken dishes to friends who had experienced highs and lows in their lifetime – the joy of a newborn, the loss of a loved one, a time of recovery following surgery.

Indeed, food is so deeply ingrained in our Southern heritage – perhaps in all cultures – that its influence is undeniable. It’s ‘what we do.’

Indeed, food is necessary to our very existence, but how delightful and welcoming it can be, especially when shared with a friend. I can close my eyes and still recall the delicate flavors contained in a made-from-scratch Pound Cake baked fresh and delivered warm by a neighbor upon learning of my grandfather’s passing. Although it has been more than 20 years and the taste has long since passed my lips, the sweetness lingers.

Eat and Explore Arkansas, a cookbook dedicated to the food and festivals of our great State, is the first in a series of State cookbooks that appeared recently at the office of Main Street Russellville. Intrigued by its contents and curious as to which local recipe was contained within, I purchased a copy for review. (And, if so inspired, perhaps for a new recipe or two that could become a family favorite. My dilemma was which one to make first.)

Locally-talented artist Cliff Thomas shows our subject trekking her way across the Natural State, food basket in hand. The mere discussion of possible August subject matter sparked Cliff’s quick-thinking creativity.

Mere mention and you could see the wheels of his imaginative and talented mind take shape!

If the recipes featured on this month’s food pages don’t draw you in, the festival and community-themed features scattered throughout the cookbook’s pages just might. Do you know where the Rotary Tiller festival originated or which tourist destination hosts the Chocolate Lovers Festival? Neither did we!

Copies are available for purchase at the Historic MissouriPacific Railroad Depot in Downtown Russellville. Explore the pages and you’ll discover answers and some really great regional recipes.

August 2011

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What’s Happening This Month...

Aug. 1,8, 15, 22, 29: (Mondays) Farmer’s Market, 10-1, Westside Church of Christ parking lot, 2200 West Main St.,10 a.m. Mondays; Russellville. (479) 331.2987.

Aug. 2: River Valley Business Expo 2011, 9-4, Tucker Coliseum. Free and open to the public. Info: 968-2530.

Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: (Wednesdays) Farmer’s Market, 10-1, Westside Church of Christ parking lot, 2200 West Main St., Russellville. (479) 331.2987.

Aug. 6, 20: “The Everyday Epicurean” Saturday Chef Series, Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. Info: (501) 727-5435.

Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27: (Saturdays) Farmer’s Market, 7-noon, Westside Church of Christ parking lot, 2200 West Main St., Russellville. (479) 331.2987.

Aug. 7: Exhibit Opening Reception, RV Arts Center from 1-3 p.m. Info: 968-2452.

Aug. 9: Transitions Bereavement Support Group, 10 a.m., Ark. Hospice, 2405 E. Parkway; second Tuesday of each month. Info: 498-2050.

Aug. 9: Forget Me Not’s – Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group, 6 p.m., second Tuesday of each month, Wildflower, 240 S. Inglewood Ave. 264-8805.

Aug. 11-13: 12th Annual Bargains Galore on 64, held on Hwy 64 from Fort Smith to Beebe; yard sales, antiques, collectable and flea markets. Info: 888-568-3552.

Aug. 13: ATU Summer Session Graduation; Info: 968-0389.

Aug 17: Forget Me Not’s – Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group, 1:30 p.m., third Wednesday of each month; Arkansas Hospice, 2405 E. Parkway.

264-8805.

Aug. 19-20: ValleyFest 2011, Old Post Road Park.

Info: 968-7819 or visit www.valley-fest.org.

Aug 25: Community Bingo, seniors 55 and older invited; 2-3 p.m. 4th Thurs. of each month; door prizes, grand prize, refreshments; Wildflower, 240 S. Inglewood, Russellville; 890-6709.

Aug. 24: Fall Classes, Arkansas Tech University. Info: 968-0389.

Aug. 27: First Annual Alzheimer’s Arkansas River Valley Walk, Boys and Girls Club, 9 a.m. Info: Katie Myers, 857-1326. *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.

ABOUT | 7

A Chilling Tale of Sweet Success The flavors read like the list on a snow cone stand reminiscent of our youth – Apple Pie, Banana, Lemon Ice Box pie, Cupcake, Coconut, Peach, Strawberry Sensations -- yet this delectable concoction isn’t shaved icebased. It is “good-tasting wellness” lovingly-crafted into Russellville’s own Sugar Creek Foods International frozen yogurt and sorbet.

Childhood friends Scott Van Horn and Bud Gunter, both of Russellville, have helped build one of the largest and most successful soft-serve frozen dessert plants in the United States. The pair purchased the Sugar Creek plant in 2007 when it faced the second closure in its history following its previous sale to an international company. Scott now serves as president/operations and Bud as vice president/Sales and Marketing.

Both were employed with Scott’s father, Mac Van Horn, when Sugar Creek Foods was rescued from closure, first during the early 1980s. The elder Van Horn placed the plant under private ownership, saving dozens of jobs supporting their hard-working employees. Scott and Bud “grew up” together, first as

pre-teens then later as young men, developing not only a fondness for the product but a firm friendship that now extends into the business world.

Previously a creamery known specifically for making butter and some ice cream, Sugar Creek later became a major player in the frozen yogurt industry, manufacturing the Sugar Creek brand and other private labels .

After many successful years, the company was purchased by Eskimo Pie. At that time more famous names in the industry were produced, including Honey Hill Farms – a brand popular on the West Coast popular among frozen yogurt consumers for over 30 years. (Sugar Creek purchased the Honey Hill Farms brand in 2008.)

Story by Dianne S. Edwards Photo by Steve Newby

8 | ABOUT

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

August 2011

Bud had begun working in sales in 1987 only to later leave when the business was purchased .

When the friends learned that the company was again facing closure in late 2006 and that the company was looking to sell the Russellville division, they said to each other, “Want to buy a yogurt company?” and so the plants new history began.

“The term ‘crafted’ is thrown around a lot, but it is the mantra at Sugar Creek Foods,” said the owners. They believe bulky flavorings are key -using real fruit purees, indulgent cocoas, vanillas, vanilla beans, coffees, cookies, marshmallow, nuts, and other exotic flavoring ingredients which are carefully blended into each batch.

And, they continually introduce new flavors into the market, testing product on

“We aren’t focused on being

the biggest, but being the best”.

“The business was near and dear to our hearts. We had the idea to buy back the plant because we saw a niche in the frozen soft-serve market and wanted to offer premium, high quality frozen dessert mixes featuring a frozen yogurt and sorbet unlike any on the market.”

They also shared their concern for the long-time dedicated family of employees who, without the intervention of the Van Horn/Gunter alliance, would have lost their jobs.

“That first day of business was scary,” recalled Scott. “You see, we had 35 employees and zero customers – a challenge most folks wouldn’t tackle.”

“That first year, everyone sold,” laughed Bud. “It didn’t matter what your job was supposed to be.”

“And as I remember it, there wasn’t a lot of sleeping,” Scott chimed in.

Knowing that they wanted to create something different and unique for their customers, the friends knew that -- in a crowded and competitive field -- they would need to produce a “truly crafted” frozen yogurt

customers. Recent additions include the Honey Hill Farms “Cupcake” – featuring with red indulgent chocolate cupcake base with added cream cheese icing droplets.

“If they don’t like it, we don’t make it. We recently sampled “Cupcake” with excited consumers. The testers said we ‘nailed it’ and that they loved the icing droplets dispersed throughout the mix.”

The same response was generated when Honey Hill Farms “Rocky Road” was introduced. Filled with real marshmallow and nuts, the new flavor was an immediate hit.

In addition to producing a product that consumers will enjoy, Sugar Creek’s Honey Hill Farms brand is focused on nutrition, producing several categories of frozen yogurt. They include Low Fat, Non-Fat, No Sugar Added Non-Fat, and Non-Fat NonDairy (Sorbets).

The company’s frozen yogurt contains viable counts of live active cultures; four cultures – one of which is a probiotic -- that are not only certified at the time of manufacturing, but also in the finished product.

Scott and Bud are proud of the fact that the Sugar Creek plant has been producing high-quality niche products at its Russellville dairy and manufacturing plant since before they were born --beginning in the early 1940’s6. The Sugar Creek and Honey Hill Farms brands combined have helped hundreds of independent operators and chains to differentiate themselves from all the other frozen yogurt shops.

After years of transition and two near closures, the pair cited good growth, “double-digit” growth, and is proud the plant is debt free.

This past June, the plant again exceeded all historic production levels,, all while running at only 45% of the plant’s true capacity, sited Scott.

Forecasting continued growth, the owners noted that they had recently purchased the former Farmer’s Co-op property located adjacent to and just west of the current plant structure.

When the lifelong friends purchased the plant, it had not been well-maintained, they said. Two million dollars has been spent on upgrades and one additional upgrade is planned for this fall. >>

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Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

ABOUT | 9

Currently there are 42 employees running a splite-shift, some at a separate location.

The Sugar Creek/Honey Hill entity isn’t contained just within their North El Paso Street corner location as Scott discussed the production site of their now famous “Super Jug” manufactured at their facility on Elmira Avenue on the East side of Russellville.

After years of working with the packing and handling of the frozen yogurt product, Scott realized there were problems with past containers.

“We didn’t like the industry’s choices of packaging cartons. Cartons leaked and (traditional) milk jugs are not an efficient use of space,” said Scott. “So we designed our own packaging called the ‘Super Jug’ which we now use exclusively for our product.”

Customers that have changed to the Super Jug have experienced a host of costand-time-saving benefits. The Super Jug offers 82% less “leakers” than cartons or bags as well as 50% less product waste than cartons from incomplete emptying.

Handling time is cut by half over the use of 1/2 gallon cartons. The easily-stackable packaging is made of earth-friendly recyclable HDPE plastic using a tamperevident re-sealable cap. The Super Jugs are also waterproof for quick thawing.

TECH TRAVEL

SPAIN’S CLASSIC: Sept. 25 – Oct. 4, 2011 (10-Day Tour) A colorful pageant of art, history and culture, set against a backdrop that spans sunny Mediterranean shores and grand mountain ranges. Highlights: Madrid, Prado Museum, Toledo, Cordoba, Seville, Flamenco Show, Granada, Alhambra, Valencia and Barcelona.

FALL DAY IN THE OZARKS - MT. VIEW, AR: Oct. 28, 2011 Enjoy a beautiful fall day in Mt. View at the 28th annual Arkansas Bean Fest and Ozark Folk Center CHRISTMAS TOUR – NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA December 8-11, 2011 Plan a weekend getaway to historic, Natchitoches, LA. Experience the charm of the original French colony in Louisiana (1714) and the Festival of Lights. Experience a wonderful Christmas in Natchitoches. (25 Group Limit)

blended samples for small scale sampling and approval before moving a custom blend into full-scale production.

“At Sugar Creek, old world craftsmanship meets hi-tech production in high quality delicious batches to meet your needs,” pledge the owners.

Sugar Creek is a fully licensed dairy and pasteurizes under FDA certification and inspection and under kosher certification.

“The most stringent levels of regulatory compliance are maintained, meeting and exceeding all inspection standards including - but not limited to - FDA, Military Standards, food safety audits, and export requirements.”

Sugar Creek’s Honey Hill Farm’s Frozen Yogurt ie crafted with beneficial live natural yogurt cultures, using only the highest quality ingredients and secret recipes specially blended for a smooth and creamy taste, pledges the Sugar Creek family. The frozen yogurt – selections including Nonfat, Low Fat and No Sugar Added (made with Splenda®) varieties are “a great alternative source of calcium.”

“Our goal is to make the best, stay focused on our customers, create innovative products, help support the dreams of building profitable businesses, and most of all, have fun in the process,” echo Scott and Bud. The pair is very ‘hands-on,’ willingly handing out their personal cell phone numbers to customers. They believe on doing business one-on-one, the way Scott’s dad always conducted business.

“It’s the only way we know how to do this,” stressed Scott. “But we want to ‘do it right.’ We treat our customers the way we would want to be treated.”

Directing us to the tasting room, the owners mused, “It’s a hard life, but we couldn’t imagine doing anything else we’d love more.” n

Vendors and independent operators are all brought into the Sugar Creek fold for education, tours and of course, lots of sampling through the company’s “yogologist” program.

“Yogologists” -- those interested in selling and marketing the company’s frozen treat mixes --are provided free, personalized, oneon-one consultations, detailed support to plan and grow their business, a creamery tour of the production plant, a visit to the Research and Development department, demonstration of the ‘Super Jug’ production and a visit to the Tasting Room where they can sample many of our delicious frozen desserts.

And don’t think the Sugar Creek Foods/ Honey Hill Farms products are limited to “frozen yogurt.” There’s ice cream, gelato, soft-serve mix, ready-to-use base for shakes, smoothies and sorbets, and traditional frozen custard --“a classic made from rich cream and real eggs.”

Honey Hill Farms (which can be described as a ‘more gourmet’ level of frozen yogurt product, is on the ‘cutting edge’ of development. Realizing that new and tantalizing flavors of key to the success of the self-serve frozen yogurt shop business, they frequently introduce new flavors.

Among the newest are: Cherry Limeade, Cupcake (red chocolate cake complete with the cream cheese icing); Lemon Ice Box Pie, Tropical Sorbet and Rocky Road. Imagine using real ingredients (not flavorings) that are tiny enough to produce gigantic taste and still fit through the small openings of the dispenser! Their unique CustomBlendz Flavoring system, allows yogurt shop customers to mix and match their favorite combinations.

Private labeling and custom formulation are offered to customers as the Russellville plant provides expertise to co-pack products for emerging and established companies.

Utilizing one piece of equipment the pilot plant,’ their Research and Development department can create unique custom-

For more information, contact Sugar Creek Foods International, 301 N El Paso, Russellville, or call (800) 445-2715.

***COMING IN 2012*** COSTA RICA (Feb., 2012)- Details Coming Soon!

BALTIC TREASURES LUXURY CRUISE: June 8-19, 2012 A royal experience awaits you on this cruise from Copenhagen to legendary ports across the Baltic Sea. Highlights: Copenhagen- Berlin- Ronne- Gdansk- VisbyRiga- Tallinn- St. Petersburg- Helsinki-Stockholm.

THE BEST OF EASTERN CANADA: (August 2010) Featuring Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Niagra Falls and more! Details Coming Soon!

NEW YORK CITY HOLIDAY - 2012 - Details Coming Soon!

UPDATED PASSPORTS REQUIRED ON TRIPS OUTSIDE OF THE USA!

Now servicing all your Apple Products.

In & out of Warranty.

Tech Travel

Alumni and Friends of Arkansas Tech For additional information, please contact Dana Moseley, Office of Gift Planning, (479) 964-0532

10 | ABOUT

PC Service, Sales, Training & Networking

220 East 4th St. Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

•

Russellville

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479.880.2005

www.asitechnology.com August 2011

family

Drive-thru Window ‘Mush Mind’

I

f your summers are anything like mine used to be then you are in one of two categories: one – you remember driving children all over the country; two – you still are driving children to various camps, practices, classes, tournaments, vacation Bible schools, and play dates. And, you are trying to pencil in a family vacation between all the children’s activities. Good luck with that.

In the mad rush of getting children to all their stuff – hopefully on time – we are supposed to find time to feed them. Any restaurant with a drive-thru window could quickly become our best friend.

We would picked Adrin up from tennis lessons on our way to drop off Dillon at baseball practice, only to drive all the way back across town to get Payton to t-ball practice. We would hurriedly drive through, toss the food in the direction of the children and basically ask them to inhale it. Then we would tell them to get out of the car quickly so we could get to the next destination on time.

Someone please tell me I am not alone in remembering how crazy it could be at times?

My three boys are all grown up now; the youngest is 20 years old. An incident the other day took me right back to those summers not too long ago. It involved my husband and a fast food drive-thru.

As we drove up to a local restaurant, my husband asked me what I wanted. I told him my order. We proceeded to the window and, upon the woman asking us if she could take our order, he looks over at me as if all the information had just left his brain. I said, “Do you want me to order?” He says, “Yes.”

August 2011

So from the passenger’s seat I lean over and place my order. So many summer drive-through memories came flooding back.

I believe I have discovered an issue that needs to be studied and I will volunteer my husband as their first case subject. I am serious – kind of – about this. Some university should take the time to write a grant seeking money to study the effects of fast food drive-thru ordering on adult men.

Now, I am sure, if the man was all alone the drive-thru would be no big deal. But, put a wife, or even worse, a wife and three kids in the car, and somehow it becomes a challenge right up there with climbing Mt. Everest! Once again ladies, I am counting on you to let me know I am not alone in this revelation.

Here is how it would play out every summer as we spent lots of time getting our food at the drivethru window: A very competent, mature adult man who deals with complicated and varied information daily could not manage to place an order for his family at the drive-thru window without – how do I say this – turning into mush. You could see him transform right before your eyes as soon as he heard that voice asking for his order.

Somehow that 17-year-old, who could really care less what we ordered, made my husband all tongued tied.

Now in Donald’s defense he likes clarity and precision and he was not going to get that with the crew in his mini-van. Yet, he would try and try again to place a very exact, concise order with no breaks in his flow of communication or concentration, only to fail time and time again.

Donald would forget to say something like, “ketchup only” on our middle son’s hamburger - even thought that is the only way he would ever eat a hamburger. I would interject the missing info, throwing off Donald’s recall and shutting down his brain.

Apparently, this would happen if we made any noise at all.

I would often ask him to tell the person on the other side of that box, “to hold on a second” while we figured things out, but that just didn’t sit right with Donald. It was as if he thought they were going to judge him for not knowing how to place an order.

I would often wonder if he was afraid they were going to say, “Times up. No order for you” or “What is wrong with you? Have you never placed an order before?” or “Buddy, you are taking too long. Go to the end of the line and start over.”

And this is how it would end every time. It didn’t matter where I was sitting in the mini-van, I would make my way to the driver’s side window and start from the beginning. There were times this required me to climb over seats, baseball bags, beach toys -- but to the rescue I would come.

So, as I leaned across him the other day to place my order, I remembered all those summer days and nights with our three precious boys.

The rush of those summers is gone but the “mush brain” of my husband talking to the stranger in the box lives on. My very goodnatured husband, who allows me to poke fun at him with the whole world watching, did want to say a word in his own defense.

Donald said, “If you would just write it down for me and then NOT change your mind, I wouldn’t have any problems.”

My response: Funny, I don’t have to write it down, and everyone can make changes, and I still get it right.

Like I said, someone really needs to study this! n

Buddy, you are taking too long. Go to the end of the line and start over!

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

ABOUT | 11

J

ust as school kids and college students are returning from summer vacation, ValleyFest 2011 will celebrate its 22nd anniversary. To ‘reinvigorate’ the festival, Bluesy-Southern Rock singer Travis Tritt will take the stage. A new carnival and midway provider and new competitive games will also be introduced.

“Friday and Saturday, Aug. 19-20, is the perfect time to load up your family and head on out to Old Post Road Park,” says Cathy Andrasik, director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Arkansas River Valley.

“ValleyFest has been a community festival now for 22 years and a major fund raiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Arkansas River Valley,” recalls Andrasik. “And this year, ValleyFest 2011 is ‘stepping it up’.”

“More carnival rides in our midway, adding a disc golf tournament, and most of all, with Travis Tritt taking the stage Saturday night and performing a two-hour show!”

‘IT’S ALL ABOUT TO CHANGE’ AS TRAVIS TRITT TAKES ON “We also realized that we needed to bring more rides to our midway area for all kids to enjoy,” commented Lyle Manning, co-chairman of ValleyFest 2010 and 2011.

“After searching our options we have contracted with Mitchell Brothers’ Amusements to bring out a full midway and 12 carnival rides including two spectaculars -- more rides than we have ever had in the past,” added Manning.

Another change that the ValleyFest committee feels will be well received is that all carnival rides will honor an armband when they are in use. However, the armband cost will increase to $15 presale and $20 at the park.

Armbands are available at participating banks, merchants, Russellville Chamber of Commerce or the Boys and Girls Clubs. For more information, call (479) 968-7819 or (479) 968-2530. Discounted arm bands are only available until noon Friday, Aug. 19. They will be available at the park for $20 each.

A lot of time and energy is put forth by many community members beginning in November to make sure this festival is a top-rate event, says organizers. Andrasik says that after months of preparation the ValleyFest committee is excited about all the improved additions.

“For Saturday night’s entertainment -- due to stage requirements from Travis Tritt’s contact -- we have to bring in a larger (Woodstock-style) stage which will be located on the soccer field in Old Post Park, stated Lannis Nicholson, cochairman of ValleyFest 2010 and 2011.

“This stage is within Old Post Road Park and is not to be confused with the Soccer Complex on the left before you enter the park, adds Nicholson.

Available at ValleyFest this year will be reserved seating for the Saturday night entertainment -- 200 numbered seats in front of the new Travis Tritt stage. Cost is $10 a seat -- excluding the front two rows which will be $25 while they last. Tritt is scheduled to perform from 8:30 until 10:30 p.m. Mr. Misty is performing as the opening act prior to the Travis Tritt concert.

Reserved seating tickets for the Saturday night concert may be purchased in advance at the Boys & Girls Club through Thursday, August 18th. They also will be available at the information tent at ValleyFest while they last.

“This allows you to enjoy everything offered at ValleyFest right up until the time you want to take your seat for the concert,” says Andrasik. For those wishing to bring chairs or blankets to watch the entertainment, there will be plenty of room, but “its first-come, first-serve for your spot,” she adds.

“In the early stages (ValleyFest) was brought to the table as a back-yard barbecue and then developed into a community festival.”

This idea of the back-yard barbecue was for family involvement with fun and entertainment. Organizers would like to see the sponsors and other supporters utilize a barbecue spot that is provided with their sponsorship, or at a minimal fee, by either competing or choosing to just cook for employees and their families.

Andrasik adds, “We have a few major sponsors that have been doing this for several years and it has been very successful. It will provide you a place in the shade to simply relax and have a great meal while taking part in the activities of ValleyFest.”

ValleyFest hosts a barbecue cookoff contest where local barbecue chefs compete for first prize in various categories.

Great barbecue is also available or sale at the concession stands.

Additionally, ValleyFest concessions will bring in other festival favorites from a variety of festival food vendors: funnel cakes, Kettle Corn, corn dogs, hamburgers, hot dogs and many other tempting favorites.

Income from the festival is derived from concessions sold during the weekend, the carnival rides and midway area, the sale of T-shirts ($15 each) and patrons which pay for parking – all which help defray the cost of the entertainment.

A special thank you is expressed to approximately 60 community sponsors that

August 2011

graciously support the Boys and Girls Club with monetary and in-kind donations to put on this event, adds Andrasik.

According to Andrasik, festival sponsors provide everything for ValleyFest. Nearly 400 volunteers – to whom the club is deeply indebted -- provide the manpower to present what has become known as one of the area’s premier festivals.

Russellville’s own Nik & Sam will perform at 8:30 p.m. Friday night in addition to other local entertainment and on-stage performers. The weekend is filled with family fun for all ages. Competitive events include: 3 on 3 Basketball, softball, River Valley Idol, tennis, basketball, 5K, Kid’s Fishing Derby, Tour De Valley Bike Ride and Pickle Ball, which was introduced last year. New this year will be a Disc Golf tournament.

Also included are regular favorites such as the Car Show, beach volleyball, horseshoes, Slam Dunk contest, Bingo and much more. Competitive events require registration for participation. To register, call the Boys and Girls Club at (479) 968-7819 or log on to www.valley-fest.org.

“When you have an event of this importance and magnitude, you have to make sure that your focus remains intact,” stresses Andrasik.

The mission of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Arkansas River Valley is to enhance the quality of life of its members for today and to provide opportunity for development into productive citizens for tomorrow. To accomplish this mission, the clubs provide services based on principles of a youth development strategy that promotes the health, social, education, vocational, character and leadership development of girls and boys served. The Clubs play a crucial role in helping young people build

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

a sense of self-worth, enabling them to envision and achieve productive futures.

Boys and Girls clubs are designed to give girls and boys ages 6-18 responsible adult guidance, thereby filling needs frequently not met elsewhere. By offering, continuous, concerned leadership, the club help youngsters grow into mature, constructive adults, better able to benefit from and meet the responsibilities of life.

Super sponsors of this year’s Valley Fest include Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Simmons First Bank of Russellville.

ValleyFest has a management team committee that reviews the income and expenditures very closely to eliminate unnecessary spending and ensure the greatest return to the Boys and Girls Clubs.

The team also strives to create a festival that can be enjoyed by all and of which the community can be proud.

ValleyFest has been a River Valley tradition since 1989. It is estimated that approximately 15,000 people will attend throughout ValleyFest weekend. ValleyFest is a project of the Boys and Girls Club of the Arkansas River Valley. All proceeds benefit The Russellville and Dardanelle Clubs.

Festival hours are: Friday, Aug. 19, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 20, from 8 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.

Parking cost per vehicle is as follows: $5, Friday night; $5 for all day Saturday through 5 p.m. The price after 5 p.m. increases to $15 through Saturday night.

For more information, call (479) 9687819, visit www.valley-fest.org, or contact valleyfest2010@gmail.com. n Note: Travis Tritt had a breakthrough success when his second album, 1991’s “It’s All About to Change,” went into multi-platinum territory.

ABOUT | 13

a w

‘Food on the Mount’

community

On Saturday, Aug. 6, a group of dedicated volunteers will be offering “Food on the Mount,” a giveaway extravaganza which will include a host of services.

The Mount George Church of Christ, located at the intersection of Hwy. 28 and Hwy. 154 just outside Dardanelle, will be the site of medical checkups, eye exams (for 4,5 and 6 year olds), Back-to-school haircuts (kids only), and free groceries and free school supplies while they last. Live music, games, a prayer tent and horse rides will be available. Lunch will be provided. The event begins at 9 a.m.

Why? “John 13:34-35 tell us that our love for each other is the only way all men will know that we are Christ’s disciples,” say organizers. “We want to show our love for you by meeting some basic needs in our community. We are providing all these services free of charge.”

Sponsors include: The Mount George Church of Christ, The River Park Church of Christ, Branded by Christ Cowboy Church, River Valley Christian Clinic, Lion’s Club, The Dardanelle Church of Christ and the Ola Free Will Baptist Church.

14 | ABOUT

For more information or to volunteer, call (479) 968-3117.

Alzheimer’s Walk AUG. 27

Alzheimer’s Arkansas has partnered with local families, businesses, and senior care providers in the area for an event to raise education, awareness, and money for grants that will help family caregivers to provide much needed respite to families.

The first annual Helen B. Sweeden River Valley Alzheimer’s Walk is Saturday, Aug. 27, at the L.V. Williamson Boys & Girls Club, 600 E. 16th Street, Russellville.

Family members of those suffering from Alzheimer’s, along with agencies in the River Valley area and Alzheimer’s Arkansas, have joined forces to bring much needed resources to many who will benefit from the Family Caregiver Grants and educational opportunities the walk will provide, said Everett.

The morning will include activities for all ages. There is no cost to participate; commemorative T-shirts are available with a donation of $25 while supplies last.

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

Registration begins at 9 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend and bring family, friends and co-workers to participate.

Walk Teams are forming now. For information contact Shay Evans at (479) 264-7316 or Alzheimer’s Arkansas at (800) 689-6090 or visit the website at www. alzark.org.

Proceeds support Arkansas family caregivers, fund educational programs and services available at Alzheimer’s Arkansas where family services are provided free of charge.

Alzheimer’s Arkansas services include: toll-free 24-hour telephone

August 2011

support, patient and caregiver support groups, financial assistance grants, family and community education, in-service training for professional caregivers, and the File of Life Program.

“One-hundred percent of the proceeds raised from this event will stay in Arkansas,” said Wanda Everett of Home Instead Senior Care. “It is amazing to see so many local individuals, families, businesses, and senior related agencies join forces to make an event like this possible,” said Everett.

“We are available as a resource for all families and will do our best to lead them in the right direction in order to get their questions answered or provide education and or support for issues related to memory loss, Alzheimer’s, and related dementias,” said Everett.

“There will be many ways to measure the success of this walk. If we touch even one family member and make their situation better, we have all been successful.”

The Silver Tsunami

Story by Connie Las Schneider Alzheimer’s disease has been nicknamed the “silver tsunami.” Like a tidal wave that destroys everything in its wake, there is no cure for this degenerative brain disorder that affects seniors. And, with thousands of baby boomers turning 65 every day, it may only get worse.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, about 5.4 million Americans today suffer from this disease, 96 percent of which are over the age of 65. By age 85, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease reaches nearly 50 percent.

Caregivers and families of Alzheimer’s patients are at risk financially and emotionally.

August 2011

The national tab for caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is estimated at $100 billion annually; the average family in Arkansas will spend a minimum of $18,500 up to more than $50,000 per year to care for their loved one.

While long-term care facilities are available, they are expensive and studies show the best place for a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia is in a familiar setting. Consequently many families choose to care for their loved one at home.

Primary caregivers, often family members, are frequently stressed by the patient’s bizarre behavior and constant need for close supervision. Burn-out is common.

Alzheimer’s disease costs U.S. businesses more than $60 billion a year, stemming from lost productivity and absenteeism by primary caregivers, and insurance costs.

On a five-point scale where five is a great deal of emotional stress, 41 percent of Alzheimer’s caregivers rate their stress as a 4 or 5, compared with 31 percent of all other caregivers.

Finances are an issue as in-home care for a person with Alzheimer’s can be costly.

There are several options to consider when financing care and many of them are to help financially challenged families to be able to afford care, said Wanda Everett of Home Instead Senior Care in Conway.

One family who recently benefitted from a “caregiver grant” provided by Alzheimer’s Arkansas and other agencies is the Lucas/ McDaniel family. Mrs. Seely Lucas got an in-home respite grant for her mother, Mrs. Myra McDaniel to help care for McDaniel’s husband.

“Respite care” is a short-term break for the caregiver. Respite care may be provided in the home, adult care center, nursing home or assisted living facility.

“I appreciated the calm demeanor of the liaison from Home Instead Senior Care. The calm and confident approach played an important role in the decision making process when it came to the care for my parents. Just knowing their individual needs are taken care of, that my dad is in good hands, and that my mom can get out of the house to do the things she needs to do is huge.”

Caregiver, Laura Wimberly of Home Instead Senior Care said, “Knowing Mrs. McDaniel can get a much needed break is wonderful. She can go to the grocery store or to lunch with her friends without worry.

She also gets help with the housework while a caregiver is there.”

“And, she can be confident Mr. McDaniel will have his needs met while she is out. All of these things will decrease the amount of stress Mrs. McDaniel feels and will help to keep her healthier as well.” n Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

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D Y N A M I C

D U O

C L A R K S V I L L E - J O H N S O N

T O

C O U N T Y

L E A D C H A M B E R

Story by Connie Las Schneider

The Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce’s new management team is on a strategic mission to build a better Clarksville, business by business.

New CEO and Chief Development Officer of the chamber, Travis Stephens, summed up his vision for the county’s future in one word -- jobs.

“The name of the economic development game is more and higher paying jobs,” said Stephens. A former banker with Bank of the Ozarks in Ft. Smith, Stephens said although he liked banking, his community-minded spirit led him to get a Masters degree in Community Economic Development from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Stephens took over the CEO position on May 1, 2011.

Stephens and his wife Kelli have strong family ties in Clarksville. His mother-in-law grew up in Clarksville and her brother still owns and operates Teeter’s Drugstore on Main Street.

Their parents once ran Teeter’s Restaurant. Travis and Kelli have four daughters; they will be relocating from Fort Smith this next year.

“The previous organizational structure of the Chamber was not conducive to economic development because the Chamber had one person doing two jobs,” said Stephens. “The beauty of this new business model is that we have two people working together (one Economic Development Officer and one Chamber Director.)

The second new player on the Clarksville team is Brandy Garrett Kluthe, who started work as Chamber Director on July 5th. A former Peace Corp volunteer with a Master of Science degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration with

an emphasis in community development, Kluthe worked as Community Development Coordinator in Hamilton, IL. She started the Hamilton Community Development Coalition before moving to Clarksville four years ago with her husband John and their young children. For the past three and a half years she taught biology at Arkansas Tech University.

Kluthe already has several community activities planned: “We actually have lots of things in the works. The farmer’s market will be back and I am working on creating an interpretive element to the Spadra Creek Trail. I want to continue to work on the feeling that Clarksville is a great community live, work and play.”

“Jobs are very important to the vitality of the community and a diverse workforce allows us to grow, diversify and recruit new businesses,” said Kluthe. “One of the things new businesses look for, as well as prospective employees, is a good quality of life. I have learned a lot about what that means both in the U.S. and in working in West Africa. Most people get up every day and if they

“We’re going to be like Batman and Robin!” said Stephens with a smile.

16 | ABOUT

are lucky, they go to a job they like. Either way you go to work and when your workday is over the personal time you have left is very important,” said Kluthe.

“The question I have to work on is, do we have quality activities and services for people during that important free time? Johnson County already has many wonderful things available, enhancing and promoting what we already have is important as well as bringing in new services and activities,” Kluthe explained.

“If you look at a map you can see that Clarksville and Johnson County are really in the middle of everything. I would really like to tap that regional aspect as well,” Kluth added.

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

August 2011

Stephens said he hired Kluthe for her enthusiastic desire to “make Clarksville the best small town you’d ever want to live in” and that he and Kluthe should make a good team.

“We’re going to be like Batman and Robin!” said Stephens with a smile.

While Kluthe will fulfill the traditional Chamber role of providing member services to local businesses as well as community development activities that generate a greater sense of town pride and well being, Stephens will be able to focus the majority of his efforts on economic development.

The dynamic duo plans to use Clarksville’s five-year strategic blueprint completed in 2010 by Boyette Strategic Advisors as their guide. The City of Clarksville Community Economic Development Committee, headed by Matt Wylie, president of First Security Bank in Clarksville, commissioned Boyette Strategic Advisors to compile a five-year plan to promote and attract new business to the area.

Boyette has also been commissioned to complete strategic plans for the Ft. Smith Regional Alliance and the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma and most recently Kentucky.

In addition to the strategic blueprint, a workforce analysis documents the quality and quantity of the region’s workforce. Industries targeted for Clarksville/Johnson County according to the strategic plan include retirement services, distribution-logistics companies, customer support centers and wind/energy related manufacturers.

“One key element of my job is to be the middleman between new and existing businesses at the local level and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) which provides tax and financial incentives, work force training programs and assistance with equipment purchases,” said Stephens.

Stephens will be the first point of contact for hiring and expansion of existing businesses. An equally important part of his job will be recruiting new business to the area through internet based marketing communications and cultivating relationships with representatives from the AEDC and relocation consultants who help expanding companies find communities that fit their criteria.

One of the reasons Stephens said he took the job with the Clarksville Chamber was that it was a small town with a Mayberryesque quality but with a very progressive attitude and desire for bigger and better things.

One of Stephens’ first priorities will be to broaden the web presence for not just the Chamber but for the City and the region as a whole.

“In today’s economic development environment, businesses looking to expand or locate in a new area often hire outside consultants to do the leg-work work of finding best-fit communities.

And the first place they go for information is the Internet. We must be able to provide the information they need in a user-friendly and inviting manner. Otherwise, we could end up losing in a game that we never even knew we were playing,” said Stephens.

Stephens stressed the “vital importance” of working in partnership with AEDC. When a business is looking to expand, there is typically a three-part recipe in site selection. The first is location; second is state and community incentives like tax abatements and both affordable and available land, and third is workforce training and support, he explained.

The city of Clarksville has already purchased a 126 acre site along Interstate I-40 and exit 55 that has great potential for attracting new business, said Stephens.

With the Marvin Vinson Center and early plans for a new pool and aquatic playground, as well as good medical facilities with the recently expanded Johnson County Regional Medical Center, the city has amenities that business like to see in the communities they expand in, he added. >>

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Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

“The quality of the workforce is paramount to these potential companies.

And they know communities that have a lot to offer from a quality of life perspective will lead to a stable and quality employee base.”

Another area Stephens and Kluthe hope to expand on is Clarksville’s downtown area. Unlike many other cities where a Super Center has opened its doors, Clarksville still has a viable downtown area.

“Our initiative is to make downtown cool. We hope to provide free WI-Fi, have Friday night Artwalks and live music.

We will also encourage entrepreneurial efforts to get more start-up businesses in the downtown area.”

Stephens plans to form strategic partnerships with the University of the Ozarks, the public school system, the business community as well as regional and state organizations. He also plans to be open and supportive of economic efforts in Russellville. Clarksville and Russellville are part of the same “labor shed” or labor pool of available employees, said Stephens.

“We can accomplish a lot more together than individually. There are endless examples of people who live in one community and work in the other so what’s good for one county will benefit both places. I want to keep an open line of communication so everybody is on the same page and we can work together to achieve common goals.” n August 2011

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Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

ABOUT | 19

local-grown

J

Years of Freshness

ust a few decades ago fresh produce was the only produce. Most families provided for themselves and any excess was traded for goods from other members of the community. That heritage of neighborly commerce has been passed down and carried on by the members of the Pope County Farmer’s Market.

The Farmer’s Market is celebrating its 40th anniversary of providing locally-grown produce and other farm commodities to the Arkansas River Valley this year. While time spent at the market can provide a glimpse of days gone by, there have been a few changes through the years.

“Probably the biggest change I can think of is when we stopped selling by the bushel.” This was Gordon Trusty’s answer when asked about change, in only the last 30 years anyway. Trusty started selling at the Market in 1981.

“We started selling by the pound along ‘bout the late 80s. Back then, when the market was at the fairgrounds, we had a gate up and the customers would be crowded around; then when the gate opened…well, it got pretty crazy sometimes.”

There was a need to speed up the shopping for individual customers due to the crowds and the farmers responded with pre-bagging produce.

“That was the main reason behind baggin’ up our vegetables, so we could take care of our customers quicker. That’s why I did it anyway; other farmers saw the benefit and did it too,” said Trusty.

Of course the families participating in the Market have changed as well. Some of the notable names of past market members recalled by Trusty include the Shields family, Seth Barber, Sibyl and Lawrence Bowden, and Imo Jacobs -- one of the founders of the Pope County Farmer’s Market.

Rick and Rhonda Holland are one of the 20 | ABOUT

“new” families participating in the Market.

They’ve only been involved for 18 years. The Hollands grow squash, cucumbers, okra, and of course, their famous honey which they have been selling for 28 years. They even have a portable honey bee viewer with them at the Market -- a great point of interest for all those folks with no apiary backgrounds but who enjoy watching nature in action.

Rick Holland is happy to talk about the details of bee-keeping as well as changes in the market he has noticed over the years.

“The change I’ve seen the most and one that I’m very happy about is the increase in community support. I think we have a larger number of customers and the customers are very loyal. We tend to see familiar faces week after week right along with our new customers.

It sure makes us feel like we offering products that the community appreciates.”

Current president of the Pope County Farmer’s Market, Kenny Drewry has been a staple in the organization since 1997. He and wife Nancy are key players in the entire farming community of the River Valley.

The Drewrys offer a wide selection of items for market customers but are known around the county for their peaches. Kenny is proud of where the Market is sitting 40 years down the road and sees the future with an optimistic eye.

“The thing that makes Pope County Farmer’s Market unique is our dedication to providing fruit, vegetables and other products that are grown or made in the River Valley area exclusively. We have pretty strict guidelines as far as who is allowed to participate and the first qualification is that it’s got to be from this area.”

Farmers wanting to join the Market must complete an application and be open to a farm inspection.

“That’s not something we have needed to do on a regular basis but we want that Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

Story and Photos by Johnny Sain

option. It keeps us true to who we are -we’re River Valley farmers.”

If inspections of an applicant farm are needed they will be performed by the Market president or the Pope County Extension Service.

“We have a good group of people involved down here now. As a matter of fact, I think we only have a few slots left open.”

Though the Market has Pope County in the name, many surrounding counties are represented but true to Kenny Drewry’s words, all are part of the River Valley region.

Those counties with farmers participating in the Farmer’s Market now are Yell, Johnson, and Logan, along with Pope of course. Other surrounding county farmers have sold at this Russellville mainstay through the years.

Another notable change was an increase in diversity -- from the farmers themselves to the products offered. The Farmer’s Market has grown to reflect the change in our community’s ethnicity. Farmers of different ethnic backgrounds are a welcome addition and will surely keep the Farmer’s Market performing strong into the future, as the population of the River Valley region continues to incorporate families from varied cultural and national backgrounds.

The farmers have been hit pretty hard this year. In early spring there was flooding; that was followed by drought. Such are the whims of Mother Nature, and something that farmers have dealt with from the time that the first soil was turned and the first seeds planted.

Some produce may be in limited supply due to the crazy weather patterns so the best buying strategy is to “get it while the gettin’ is good.” Just because the tables are full on Saturday morning doesn’t mean they will be come Monday or Wednesday. Those are the three days that the Farmer’s Market is open for the summer.

The summer hours are: Saturday 7 a.m. until noon, and Monday and Wednesday 10 a.m. through 1 p.m. The winter Market will start the first week of November and run till the week of Christmas, Saturdays only from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The Farmer’s Market is located in the parking lot of West Side Church of Christ, 2200 West Main Street in Russellville.

Schedule changes or special events for the Farmer’s Market are available on their website, popecountyfarmersmarket.com.

It’s easy to see that the Farmer’s Market is an important part of the local history and culture. As today’s individuals seemingly fly into the future with its promise of faster, bigger and easier, it would be easy to lose track of the simple pleasures that a August 2011

ripe tomato, fresh from the garden, can provide. It can be easy to forget how the taste of summer can be so completely defined by the sweetness of an August watermelon. And, as we continue to add to the already hectic schedule of our lives, the opportunities to grow one’s own fresh fruit and vegetables seem to slip away from us. Thankfully some folks are keeping these rural southern staples alive and well.

The next time you buy a bag of garden fresh cucumbers or a jar of sweet amber honey from the friendly, smiling folks sitting in the church parking lot, be sure to smile back at them and maybe say, “thanks!” n Johnny Sain is what you would call a local -- born in Dardanelle, raised in Atkins, he now makes his home in Dover. Johnny has worked in various career fields, from farming to insurance sales, to marketing and public relations. Pursuit of a freelance writing career is currently his focus -- an interest which can be traced back to his pre-teen years when he often hid a Field & Stream magazine inside his textbook during math class. Johnny is married to Christine Sain. Their daughters Madison and Mackenzie attend school in Dover. When he’s not watching his girls at seemingly endless numbers of Dover ball games and school functions, Johnny spends time in the woods and on the water.

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by Dianne Edwards

Eat & Explore Arkansas O

ccasionally a cookbook comes along that tempts the taste buds while offering a local connection. Such is the case with Eat & Explore Arkansas, the first book in the Eat and Explore State Cookbook Series begun recently by Great American Publishers of Kosciusko, Miss. The paper-bound cookbook is written by Christy Campbell with layout and design by Lacy Fikes.

“Eat & Explore Arkansas is not only a journey through the kitchens, celebrations and history of the Natural State, it is the... starting point of our quest to preserve America’s traditions, the food we share and the experiences that define us,” says Campbell.

The cookbook contains not only 162 pages of popular Arkansas recipes categorized in the traditional format, but is sprinkled throughout with feature-ettes on the festivals, communities, cultures and heritagefocused events that have been celebrated here for decades. A dual index of ‘Events and Places’ pairs particular events with their corresponding recipes.

Featured on page 122 is “Crowd Pleasin’ Hot Tamale Pie,” a recipe procured from Main Street Russellville, made popular during the Taste of the Valley and Downtown Fall Festival and Chili Cookoff events.

“This is one of those fast and easy dishes where someone is typically hanging out beside the empty casserole dish to get the recipe,” says MSR director Betsy McGuire.

TOMATO-OKRA SOUP 2 cans tomatoes 1 qt. fresh or frozen cut-up okra 1 lg. onion, sliced round Margarine to taste 1/2 tsp. minced garlic 1/2 tsp. black pepper 1/2 tsp. salt Put all ingredients into large pan and cover. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, until onions and okra are tender.

-- No attribution given.

CREAM CHEESE STUFFED PORK LOIN 1 pork loin Cavender’s Greek Seasoning 4 to 5 serrano peppers 1 onion, chopped 3 (8-oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened 1 lb. bacon 1 box round toothpicks

“It’s exceptionally delicious made with leftover chili from Russellville’s Downtown Fall Festival and Chili Cook-off.”

You’ll also discover the secrets to “Fall to Your Knees Mac and Cheese” submitted by the Magnolia dress shop owner Sara Ray on behalf of the Magnolia Blossom Festival and World Championship Steak Cook-off.

Sample “PurpleHull Pea Cornbread” from the PurpleHull Pea Festival and World Championship Rotary Tiller Race in Emerson.

Six recipes from the Mt. Magazine International Butterfly Festival near Paris are included.

These ‘natural’ recipes are too numerous to list but they are as wonderful and varied as their contributors. If you’d like to sample a taste of Arkansas and read about many uniquely-Arkansas festivals and community events, pick up Eat & Explore Arkansas.

Copies are available for $15 each from the historic railroad depot office of Main Street Russellville, 320 W C Street in Downtown Russellville. Information is available by calling (479) 967-1437.

Butterfly-cut pork loin, fold open and cover inside and out with Cavender’s; set aside. Slice peppers lengthwise, remove seeds and chop into small pieces. Combine with onion and cream cheese. Stuff mixture into pork loin. Wrap with bacon using toothpicks to hold bacon in place and to keep pork loin closed as tight as possible.

Be sure to count your toothpicks so you will know how many you have to pull out when the cooking is done. Wrap pork loin in foil (make sure it is completely sealed.)

Cook in Dutch oven 3 to 4 hours at 350 degrees. Drain juices, slice and enjoy.

-- Backwoods Bakers, Fayetteville; 2009 Main Dish winner, Buffalo River Elk Festival, Jasper

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2605 S. Knoxville • Russellville Jay & Dennis Griffin (479) 968-8555 License #122314 22 | ABOUT

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

August 2011

CROWD PLEASIN’ HOT TAMALE PIE golden and bubbly. May be served hot or at 2 cans hot tamales, cut in bite-size pieces 1 can chili with beans 1 can whole-kernel corn, drained 1 c. chopped onion (yellow, white or green) divided 1 c. grated cheese (Cheddar, Monterey Jack or cheese of your choice) 1/2 c. chopped olives (green or black)

room temperature.

-- Mt. Magazine International Butterfly Festival, Paris, Ark.

MARKET FRESH STRAWBERRY BREAD

3 c. strawberries, fresh or frozen 3 c. flour 2 c. sugar In a 9x13-inch casserole dish combine 1 1/4 tsp. cinnamon first three ingredients and 1/2 c. chopped 1 tsp. baking soda onion. Top with grated cheese, remaining 1 tsp. salt chopped onion and chopped olives. Heat 1 1/4 c. oil in a 350 degree oven until hot and bubbly. 4 eggs beaten Serve with crackers or cornbread and a fresh green or fruit salad.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mash -- Main Street Russellville and drain strawberries, reserving 1/2 c. juice. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.

GREEN TOMATO PIE Add strawberries, juice, oil and eggs.

Crust: Mix well. Pour into 2 greased loaf pans.

2 1/2 c. biscuit mix Bake 50 to 60 minutes. Cool completely 1/2 tsp dried thyme before serving.

1/2 c. milk -- No attribution given.

Combine biscuit mix and thyme. Quickly stir in milk with a fork until just blended. Press PURPLEHULL PEA CORNBREAD dough into a greased 10-inch pie plate.

1 lb. bulk pork sausage

1 onion, chopped Filling: 1 c. white cornmeal 1 small onion, thinly sliced 1/2 c. flour 6 green tomatoes, 1 tsp. salt peeled and sliced 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. sugar 2 eggs, slightly beaten salt and pepper to taste 1 c. buttermilk 2 T. chopped basil 1/2 c. buttermilk 2 T. chopped chives 1/2 c. vegetable oil 2 c. mayonnaise 1 (4-oz) can chopped green chilies, drained 1 tsp. lemon juice 3/4 c. cream-style corn 2 c. shredded cheese 2 c. grated Cheddar cheese 2 c. Purplehull peas, cooked Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Into crust arrange onion slices, tomato slices, sugar, Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a salt, pepper and herbs. Mix mayonnaise, 9x13-inch pan. Cook sausage and onion in lemon juice and cheese together and spread large skillet until sausage is browned. Drain over tomatoes. Bake 30 to 40 minutes, until and set aside. Combine cornmeal, flour, salt

Proud Supporter of

1st Annual Alzheimer’s Walk

and baking soda in large bowl. In another bowl, beat eggs, buttermilk and oil together.

Combine with dry ingredients using a few quick strokes (batter does not need to be blended until smooth.) Add sausage with onion, chilies, corn, cheese and purplehull peas. Pour into prepared pan and bake 50 to 55 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool and cut into pieces. Serves 8 to 12.

-- PurpleHull Pea Festival and World Championship Rotary Tiller Race; Emerson, Ark.

CHERRY COKE SALAD 2 (20-oz.) cans pitted dark cherries 1 (3-oz) pkg. cherry Jell-O 1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple 1 c. Coca-Cola 1/2 c. chopped pecans Heat cherries and their juice to boiling.

Remove from heat and add Jello-O. Add pineapple, juice and all. Pour in coke and nuts. Pour into an oiled 6-cup mold. Let cool, then refrigerate at least two hours or until set. Serve cold.

-- Randolph County Tourism Association

Come join us on August 27th, 2011 at the LV Williamson Boys & Girls Club (600 East 16th St.) in Russellville for the 1st Annual Alzheimer’s Walk. Registration is at 9:00am, followed by the Walk Program & Walk at 9:45, and Door Prizes at 10:30.

We hope to see you there!

Providing Peace of Mind...at Home.

Non-Medical In Home Care Senior Life Partners

August 2011

(479) 880-1112 • www.amcareseniorlife.com Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

ABOUT | 23

Building A Home or Remodeling?

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Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

OZARK FOLK CENTER FRIED PIES 3 oz. evaporated milk (just over 1/3 c.)

1/2 c. water 1/2 cup shortening, melted 2 T. white vinegar 2 c. self-rising flour 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 1 can pie filling (your choice) Combine milk, water, shortening and vinegar. Add both flours. Using an electric mixer, mix until texture of dough is silky, not sticky or dry. Adjust with small amounts of liquid if too dry to roll or small amount of flour if sticky. Pull an amount the size of a big walnut and roll into ball. Roll this to a 6-inch circle on floured board or parchment paper.

Place 4 oz. filling towards one side of circle.

Brush edges of circle with evaporated milk.

Fold I half and seal edges with fork or fingers.

Punch holes in the top using a fork two times. This prevents explosion. Deep fry in vegetable oil at 350 degrees for five minutes or until golden brown. Makes 12 pies.

-- Shirley Blackwell, Ozark Folk Center State Park

CHOCOLATE LAVA MUFFINS 1 (8-oz.) pkg. semisweet chocolate chips 1 stick butter 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1/2 c. sugar 3 T. flour 1/2 tsp. salt 4 eggs Melt chocolate, butter and vanilla together in a double boiler. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, flour and salt. Sift dry ingredients into chocolate mixture; mix well. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition.

Beat an additional four minutes. Chill batter 30 minutes to one hour. Line a muffin tin with foil cupcake liners. Fill each cup with 4 oz. batter.

Bake at 375 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes until sides are firm but middle is still soft. (Bake times may vary.) Makes 10 muffins. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

--Heath and Natalie Dake, owners; Foggy Hollow Cabin, Jasper.

Editor’s Note: While we thoroughly enjoyed the recipes and content of Eat & Explore Arkansas, we would have like to see more details, such as the locations of some events which weren’t clearly identified, as well as attributions for each recipe. All in all, the cookbook is a “must” for anyone seeking regional recipes.

If your organization has a cookbook they would like to see considered for an upcoming issue, drop (or mail) a copy, along with organizer’s contact information, to our new office at 220 East 4th Street, Russellville.

August 2011

First Lady, First Visit Photos by Benita Duvall-Drew The Equestrian Zone welcomed Arkansas’s First Lady Ginger Beebe on May 31st upon her first visit to their facilities located between Russellville and Dardanelle. The First Lady was given a tour of the facilities and treated to rider demonstrations.

Equestrian Zone Director Jodi Kusturin explained the importance of hippo therapy for the 60 children in the program and discussed with Mrs. Beebe the many benefits for children with all degrees of special needs. The organization serves both children and adults with a wide diversity of physical, cognitive, mental and emotional disabilities through hippotherapy and therapeutic riding offered in an environment rich in the sights and smells of farm life. Equestrian Zone is one of six such facilities in the state.

Following her tour of Equestrian Zone and visitation with its director and volunteers, Mrs. Beebe visited with many of the participating children and their families.

Equestrian Zone has a number of exciting events, such as cook-outs or work days, open to the public throughout the year. The organization also sponsors major off-site events, such as the recent Pancake Breakfast fundraiser held at Stoby’s Restaurant in July. The organization survives on donations and volunteers to make each of these events successful.

For additional information on Equestrian Zone, visit their website at: n www.equestrianzone.org.

August 2011

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

ABOUT | 25

1

ABOUT

2

... the Best Products

All in for swimming!

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Royal blue and white checked bathing suits for boys and girls feature red colorful lobsters. Matching hats and bibs also available at rose drug; 3103 West Main

Place, Russellville; (479) 968-1323

Arkansas Tech Nike Apparel

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Nike caps, performance polos, sweatshirts, shorts and performance tees available. Nike T-shirts and caps worn by Tyler Christy and Kyle Rollans. ATU BOOKSTORE; Located on

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campus in the Young Building, West End, across from Chambers Cafeteria. (479) 968-0255

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Sporty or Feminine?

We have you covered! Large selection of Amoena Intimate Apparel that will keep you in style and comfort for any occasion.

PINK RIBBON BOUTIQUE; 1704 West C Place, Russellville; (479) 967-6494

UNIQUE & PERSONALIZED

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The Dandy Lion offers a variety of unique personalized gifts that are one of a kind. Taking orders online at www.thedandylionstore.com or email jmeimerstorf@gmail.com

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...for Arkansas and the Razorbacks are our team. Seat cushions, tablecloths, napkins, and laundry carriers all by Carolina.

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rose drug; 3103 West Main Place, Russellville; (479) 968-1323

26 | ABOUT

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

August 2011

Tech, Friends Tour London, Paris

More than a dozen Tech Travelers left Little Rock Regional Airport on April 8th to begin an eight-day tour of London and Paris. Led by Dana Moseley, director of Gift Planning and Tech Travel coordinator, the group began their tour in London, enjoying its sophisticated metropolis of style, culture and history.

The panoramic tour of London included Trafalgar Square, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace.

Views of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben preceded one of London’s finest theatre performances.

Days two and three allowed the group leisure explorations of Windsor Castle before departing aboard the Eurostar High Speed Train toward Paris, France.

Evening Day Four found the group enjoying delicious French cuisine and breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tour. A romantic Seine River cruise against a backdrop of Paris’s glittering night skyline concluded the evening.

The landmarks of the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, the Champs-Elysees, Place de la Concorde and Place Vendome were just a few of the locally-guide tour sites viewed on Day Five.

The following day was spent enjoying optional tours of the Louvre, world-class shopping and sampling the sites of Paris seated a quaint sidewalk café. Dinner and a delightful cabaret show capped off the night’s evening before the group prepared for their next day’s departure.

Tech Travel is open to Tech alumni and interested friends through the Arkansas Tech University Foundation.

Upcoming trips are now being scheduled. Information is available by contacting Dana Moseley or Phyllis Stone at (479) 964-0532. n

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Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

Taylor Nursery

130 S Cumberland 479-968-2778

ABOUT | 27

Serving Arkansas Tech University since 1959, the ATU Bookstore provides all your required and optional textbooks. We have the largest selection of Used and New textbooks in the area and to save you even more money, we now offer several rental titles.

The ATU Bookstore is your one and only provider for all official Tech apparel and gift items. The bookstore also sells study guides, reference books, school, office and art supplies, backpacks, greeting cards, Greek merchandise and so much more. We welcome everyone to visit our store often.

Summer Hours through August 19: M-F, 7:30-4; Fall Hours: M-Th, 7:30-4:30 and Friday, 7:30-4. The bookstore will also be open on Aug. 6, 10-4; Aug. 7, noon-4; Aug. 20, 9-3; Family Day, Sat., Sept. 24, 1-5, and Homecoming Day, Sat., Oct. 22, 1-5.

The bookstore is located on campus in the Young Building, West End, across from Chambers Cafeteria.

For general information call (479) 968-0255. For textbook information, call (479) 964-3215. The website is www.atu. edu/bookstore.

residents the very best in courtesy and service. of since 1958. Though their dedication to “courtesy and service” can be traced back to founders Dale Walker and Charles Oates, they are committed to remaining “state of the art” with their pharmacy computer system and compounding equipment. Need a prescription, a gift, a quick bite to eat?

Value, sincere, friendly service, free delivery and curbside Bonds Family Dentistry is celebrating 11 years of pickup, coupled with 24-Hour Emergency Service, is one service, thank you River Valley for allowing us to serve reason customers make C&D Drug Store their hometown you! Parents, don’t forget to schedule your children’s pharmacy. Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 check up and cleaning before school starts. Other services p.m., Saturday 8:30 until 1 p.m. C& D Drug Store, 121 N. include: Bonding, Crowns, Root Canals, Dentures-Bridges, Commerce, Russellville; (479) 968-7914.

Preventative, Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry. Most insurances are accepted. Bonds Family Dentistry 1919 West Get organized for back to school with a visit to Gifts on Main Street, Russellville. (479) 880-2311.

Parkway in Russellville. See what great things our ever popular Vera Bradley line has to keep you looking smart C and D Drug Store, a full-service pharmacy located and stylish on campus; like an 18 month Student Agenda on the corner of B and Commerce Streets in downtown with matching pen - several styles of Laptop and Book Russellville, has been committed to bringing River Valley Bags - maybe the new VIP Lunch Bag - grab up an ID or

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815 NORTH ARKANSAS AVE, RUSSELLVILLE • P: 479 968-4322 • MON-FRI 9am-6pm • SAT 9am-4pm 28 | ABOUT

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

August 2011

Luggage Tag. From Lanyards to Umbrellas, this line has it all -- including Luggage -- and all in colors to show your school spirit. While you’re in, check out our extensive Razorback section (lots of decorator and organizational items here too) as well as many other decorator and fragrance lines to help make your dorm room look and smell its best. For your convenience were open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 until 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Hollingsworth Home Entertainment and Appliance carries name-brand appliances including KitchenAid and Whirlpool, and name-brand electronics including Sony, LG and Mitsubishi. We offer special discounts for builders, contractors and remodeling projects. Come by and check us out at 3521 West Main Street, Russellville. (479) 967-4107.

Knit 2 Together has been in business since May 2008. While previously located in downtown Russellville, owner Stephanie Bates recently moved the business to a new location in Suite 6 of the West Main Shopping Center, 2300 West Main. We carry all types of yarns and knitting and crochet supplies, including books and patterns and accessories. If you are a knitter or crocheter, come join us for knit and crochet night every Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 pm. If you’re not, and want to learn, just give Knit 2 Together a call (479) 968-KNIT and we can set up a one on one appointment for a lesson!

Lefler’s, located in City Mall, is your original Estee Lauder and Clinique source for Russellville. Allow our trained advisors to help you select that perfect shade of foundation, or show you a new lip color for fall. WE are here to serve you.

This charming boutique presents a wide range of jewelry and accessories---featuring

August 2011

“BRIGHTON”----you’ll love their exciting charms and beads.

We cater to all ages and styles. Our contemporary fashions include popularly sought after jeans such as Joes and Citizen of Humanity. Allow our friendly and knowledgeable staff to show you our collections of Spanx, Karen Kane, Tribal, and the linen lines of Flax and Match Point.

Lefler’s is perfect for your Back to School Shopping, and remember we gift wrap! Open 10 to 6, Monday through Friday, and Satuday, 10 to 5:30. Call Lefler’s at (479) 968-3001.

Morgan’s Fashions, situated at Exit 58 at I-40, 116 East Main in Clarksville, is definitely worth the short drive to Clarksville. David and Deanna Morgan have been bringing the latest styles and fashions to the River Valley for over 38 years.

They have a wonderful selection of clothing and shoes for men, women and juniors. Just a few of the brands that they carry are Miss Me jeans, tops and dresses; Sinful and Affliction tops, The North Face, Fox and Hurley, ENRO dress shirts and much more.

They have a large selection of jeans featuring Silver jeans, Seven For All Mankind and many other brands. They carry straight leg, boot cut and specialize in XS sizes to extra long lengths.

Morgan’s Fashions offers free alterations on regular price jeans and free gift wrapping. They have a very knowledgeable staff, customer service is their top priority and they make you feel right at home while shopping. Store hours: Monday thru Friday 9 to 6 and Saturday 9 to 5:30. (479) 754-8130.

It’s all about the customer at Peters Family Living…

This family-owned-and-operated Furniture and Appliance store in Historic Downtown Russellville is celebrating its 67th year of servicing Five Generations of Satisfied Customers. With its store-operated Appliance Service Department, In-Store Financing, and 30-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee, Peters provides service and value that is the best. >>

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

ABOUT | 29

Get your back to school

This business is made up of Customer-caring individuals in its Sales, Credit, Delivery, and Service Departments who work as a team focused on taking care of You, The Customer. You will like the way they do business. (479) 968-2929.

Pottery Worx, a subsidiary of Friendship Community Care, offers child friendly, family entertainment. Specializing in paint-your-own pottery! Everyone is welcome including: Ladies meetings, church events, birthday parties, baby and wedding showers. Let us take care of all the details...we’re here for you. Located at 320 West B Street, Downtown, Russellville. (479) 967-0882.

Rose Drug in Russellville has always kept their customers’ health issues as their number one priority. Having filled prescriptions for over 30 years, Rose Drug strives to keep ahead of all the new medicines and at Rose Drug, we are experts at keeping your detailed individual history of medical needs.

Their gift selection is outstanding. A bridal registry is available and one-of-a-kind gifts can be chosen. Bakeware, dishes, linens, crystal, aprons, cutting boards, great cookbooks, pictures and frames make excellent gifts for the newlyweds on your list. Rose Drug gladly delivers gifts free. The children’s area is stocked full of books, toys, clothes, blankets, bibs, dish sets, banks, and much more. Their baby registry is a ‘must do.’

Store hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. Saturday are 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Rose Drug is located at 3103 West Main Place, Russellville.

For information, call (479) 968-1323.

BIG SUMMER CLEARANCE SALE!

968-4900

2143 E. Parkway • Russellville

30 | ABOUT

If there’s a special event in your future, Russellville’s Historic Missouri-Pacific Train Depot may be the venue you’ve been looking for.

Built in 1916, this local landmark is a beautifully restored public building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Depot is available for a variety of public and private social events and is suitable for wedding receptions, bridal and baby showers, church gatherings, civic group meetings, birthday parties, class and family reunions, fundraisers and corporate functions. The Depot is a WiFi facility and permanent furnishings and exhibits provide added interest. East and west end porches, breezeway and deep eaves provide coverage for outdoor gatherings. An attendant is provided. For information and rental rates contact The Depot at 320 W. ‘C’ Street, (479) 967-1437.

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

August 2011

Tangles Salon is conveniently located inside the City Mall in Russellville.

Owner and stylist Terra Wilmoth along with stylists Shelly Tidwell, Michele Brown and Brandi Haydon offer the latest trends and styles for all your hairstyle needs.

Let them give you the latest on the greatest way to get an instant spray tan ‘Special’ for $20.

Tangles Salon also offers Feather Extensions, one for $8 two for $12 and three for $16; they also offer Fusion Hair Extensions, Xtreme Eyelash Extensions, Spa Pedicures and Body Waxing. Tangles offers everything you need to start off the school year in one convenient location. Open Tuesday through Saturday. Late appointments are available. Tangles may be reached at (479) 967-0990.

You Can Depend On Us! & Maytag Ice2O French Door Refrigerator

TheCakePlace is Russellville’s first gourmet dessert boutique! Located in the previous pattiCakes location, 411 West Parkway in Russellville, we offer all types of desserts that are ALL made-from-scratch. Stop by and enjoy a cupcake, a slice of cheesecake, creme brulee, or lots of other sweets! TheCakePlace offers special occasion cakes and other specialty desserts made-to-order. We use high quality ingredients, and it’s TheCakePlace’s promise that nothing is ever frozen!

Ask about our evening dine-in availability with special dine-in only desserts.

Both (Mother) Cindy Jones and (Daughter) Lauren Jones-Stinson are avid bakers and opened TheCakePlace in June 2011. TheCakePlace offers a unique place for children and adults alike. TheCakePlace is open in the evenings for those that have a sweet tooth at night!

Hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. To place an order or for questions and comments, call (479) 968-8945 or contact us by email: info@ thecakeplacebakery.com.

• 27 cu. ft. capacity - our largest french door refrigerator ever • Store-N-Door system creates more shelf storage space inside • Color LCD touch screen • LED lighting enhances visibility • Measured Fill dispenses water in cups, liters or ounces

The Dandy Lion offers a wide arrange of unique personalized items. Show your school spirit by getting a custom vinyl decal for your cheerleader, football player or favorite fan. Other ways to show your spirit are customized t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies. Personalize your own shirt with your favorite player’s team number.

Rhinestone shirts are available too! Be in style with customized mascot jewelry as well! You think of it, The Dandy Lion can personalize it. Visit The Dandy Lion on the >> web at www.thedandylionstore.com or email: jmeimerstorf@gmail.com.

BACK 2 SCHOOL SKINTASTIC ®

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201 N. Arkansas Ave Historic Downtown Russellville (479) 968-2929 www.petersfamilyliving.com

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2125 EAST PARKWAY August 2011

•

RUSSELLVILLE

•

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

(479) 968-2284 ABOUT | 31

Friday September 2nd 5-8pm

Art, Refreshments & Live Music!

For more info contact (479) 967-1437

La Fixsun

City Mall • Russellville • (479)968-3001

Lots of

Razorback for Back to

School Follow us on

PARKWAY

2149 East Parkway, Russellville • (479)890-6932

Junior Silver Jeans

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Select Group Premium Jr. Jeans

25-75% OFF

Largest Selection Of Jeans & Fashion Apparel

“Custom frame your priceless memorabilia, begin or add to your collection of original art or custom frame that hard- earned diploma....all at The Frame Shop and Gallery located at 311 West C Street in Historic Downtown Russellville across from the Depot.

The Frame Shop and Gallery offers original art, sculpture and pottery by 20 area artists and distinctive custom framing with conservation products for photographs, needle art, sentimental and historic items. For the ultimate in conservation glass, ask about Tru-Vue Museum glass, the “is that really glass?” glass.

Shop or browse Tuesday through Friday, 10 til 5 or make an appointment at your convenience by calling ahead at (479) 967-1398 or (479) 970-8058.”

The Other Foot and More located at 2143 East Parkway Drive in Russellville is the place to shop if you are looking for the popular TOMS shoes. They have new styles for men, women, youth and tiny Toms just in time for Back to School. TOMS shoes has the One for One program. When you purchase a pair of TOMS shoes, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child that does not have any shoes. The Other Foot and More also carries a variety of purses, apparel and jewelry. When you shop at The Other Foot and More you will see the hottest styles in the shoe market right here in the River Valley. Come in and check out the new styles for fall. Store hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. until 5.

Phone (479) 968-4900 for additional information.

The Pink Ribbon Boutique Is the premier retailer for Post Mastectomy apparel in the River Valley. We offer a large selection of the most innovative, high quality, intimate apparel, including: Post Surgical Garments, Breast Prosthesis, Bra’s, Swim wear, Scarves, Hats, and various other items and gifts.

The Pink Ribbon Boutique also offer sports bras and full figure fashion bras for the hard to find sizes, bands from 32-56, cups from D-I. There are two certified fitters on staff. Come by for a free bra fitting and get that perfect fit for style and comfort that you deserve. Mention our ad in ABOUT Magazine and receive 15% off your purchase.

Give us a call at (479) 967-6494, or stop by 1704 West C Place in Russellville.

Hours are, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Other hours available by appointment. Carolyn Gray, owner, can be reached via email at: pinkribbonar@centurytel.net.

Silver Jeans for Men ON CLEARANCE

$3999-$5999

RACING

Exit 58, 116 E. Main St., Clarksville • 479.754.8130 • M-F 9-6 / Sat 9-5:30 32 | ABOUT

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

August 2011

Russellville’s First

Gourmet

Dessert Boutique

Cookies ~ Brownies ~ Cake Dots ~ Cheesecakes ~ Gourmet Cupcakes

Hunt no further than 816 North Arkansas Avenue in Russellville and you’ll find Wilkins Brothers Outdoors, the largest full service sporting goods store in the Arkansas River Valley. “At Wilkins Brother’s Outdoors we are not only your onestop shop for all of your outdoor needs, but we are also your one-stop shop for your footwear and clothing needs. With many brands to choose from like Silver, Royal Robbins and many more arriving weekly, we have what you need to get back to school.

We have the largest selection of Merrell, Teva, and Simple Shoes in the River Valley. Stop by and see us for all of your shopping needs!” Help you on your next adventure. Open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (479) 968-4322.

This year marks three major milestones for the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton: 50 years since its creation by the Arkansas General Assembly; 20 years as a two-year college; and 10 years as a member of the University of Arkansas System.

UACCM offers assorted programs to accommodate students with a variety of goals. Students may complete a career-specific training program and quickly enter the workforce while others may desire to earn the first two years of their bachelor’s degree in a small, comfortable campus setting.

UACCM also offers adult education and workforce training programs.

UACCM has planned a number of anniversary-related events, including concerts, musical performances, and guest speakers. More information is available at www.uaccm.edu or by calling 1-800-264-1094.

Valley Divas is a locally owned and operated business. We carry a large variety of western and Mossy Oak purses, ragbags, diaper bags, makeup cases, unique jelly watches, wallets, belts, flip flops, Sweet Thing t-shirts, Southern Chic t-shirts, & loads more!!

We have customized school shirts, key chains, and hand crafted hair bows. >> August 2011

Evening Dine-In availability with special dine-in-only desserts

411 W. Parkway Dr. Russellville, AR

(479) 968-8945 www.thecakeplacebakery.com

Tangles Salon

"Let our professional stylists make your hair as cute as ours."

Inside City Mall, Russellville • 967-0990

GO HOGS GO! Get Your Team Gear Here!

Bridal Registry

One Of A Kind Gifts

Baby Registry

“Professional Prescription Service for over 30 Years in the Arkansas River Valley”

Rose Drug

www.rosedrug.com Since 1984 Mike Smith & Gary Denton, Owners

3103 W Main Place, Russellville AR

~

(479) 968-1323

Let Us Make Your House a HOME! Special discounts for builders, contractors, and remodeling projects!

3521 West Main Street Russellville • 479-967-4107 Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

ABOUT | 33

Til It’s All Gone Sale

Huge Selection of Prints & Ready-made Frames The Frame Shop & Gallery Downtown @ 311 West C Street

www.frameshopgallery.net

P. (479) 967-1398 C. (479) 970-8058

WANTED

Scholarly, Non Fiction Books

NOW BUYING BOOKS ON Specific History/Military • Classics Biblical Study • Fine Bindings Guns • Hunting • County History Arkansas Books • Cook Books Children’s Books • Philosophy

BUY SELL OR TRADE 602 E. Parkway, Russellville (479) 880-2152 vintagebooks@centurytel.net

klist c e h C l o o h c Back to S uler R s Pencil Notebooks

Please stop by one of our locations in Stuff Bus Campaign Danville or Russellville and see what we are all about. We will work with you all Provides Good Start we can until we find exactly what you All children deserve to get a good start are looking for! Always a SALE going on to the 2011-2012 school year and for that at Valley Divas! reason River Valley United Way coordinated Vintage Books, located at 602 East Parkway in Russellville, has seven rooms of quality used books, at surprisingly low prices.

See hundreds of children’s books that qualify for those AR points your young reader is required to attain in school; with an average price $2 each. Find something for that young reader’s younger siblings too, with picture books and board books averaging $3 each. Treat yourself, best sellers start at $3 each! Check out the cookbooks, history, hunting and fishing books, and classics while you are there. Find the dollar table, n for unexpected bargains.

their 7th Annual Stuff the Bus event in July.

The Stuff the Bus program provides children in need with new school supplies to assist them with their studies and keep them on the road to success. This is made possible by donations of school supplies from everyone in the community. Pope, Johnson, and Yell county residents were encouraged to “Stuff the School Bus” on Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23 by donating school supplies which were given to local schools.

In Johnson County, supplies will be donated to the Junior Auxiliary of Clarksville’s “School Store” program.

School buses were parked at the Walmart Supercenters in Clarksville, Dardanelle and Russellville on both Friday evening and Saturday morning. United Way volunteers staffed the buses to assist those who wished to donate supplies.

Among the items that are always most in need each year are backpacks, paper, pens, pencils, crayons, 3-ring notebooks, glue sticks, boxes of tissue, colored pencils, and assorted supplies. Those who donate provide a good start to many children whose families are unable to provide the requested school supplies.

For more information about future “Stuff the Bus” events or to volunteer for similar activities, contact Kristy Williams or Beth Latham at the River Valley United Way at (479) 968-5089, or visit their website at rivervalleyunitedway.org.

(479) 968-1001

p u k c e h C l Denta aning WE CATER TO and Cle COWARDS! 3105 West Main, Russellville AR (across from Rose Drug)

www.daltonwecatertocowards.com

34 | ABOUT

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

209 West O St., Russellville, AR 479-968-0255 • bookstore.atu.edu August 2011

Sales Tax Holiday

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2011, and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 7, 2011, the State of Arkansas will hold its sales tax holiday allowing shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain School Supplies, School Art Supplies, School Instructional Materials, and clothing free of state and local sales or use tax.

All retailers are required to participate and may not charge tax on items that are legally tax-exempt during the Sales Tax Holiday.

Under the rules of the sales tax holiday (Act 757 of 2011) certain definitions, words and phrases are used to define eligible items.

“Clothing” means an item of human wearing apparel suitable for general use for which the gross receipts or gross proceeds paid for the item of clothing is less $100.

Examples include items such as: aprons for both household and shop use, Athletic supporters, Baby receiving blankets, Bathing suits and caps, Beach capes

and coats, Belts and suspenders, Boots, Coats and jackets, Costumes, Diapers for children and adults (including disposable diapers), Ear muffs, Footlets, Formal wear, Garters and garter belts, Girdles, Gloves and mittens for general use, Hats and caps, Hosiery, Insoles for shoes, Lab coats, Neckties, Overshoes, Pantyhose, Rainwear, Rubber pants, Sandals, Scarves, Shoes and shoe laces, Slippers, Sneakers, Socks and stockings, Steel-toed shoes, Underwear, Uniforms (both athletic and non-athletic) and Wedding apparel.

The following list contains examples of items that are not clothing but is not intended to be an all-inclusive list: Belt buckles sold separately, Costume masks sold separately, Patches and emblems sold separately, Protective equipment, Sewing equipment and supplies( including, but not limited to, knitting needles, patterns, pins, scissors, sewing machines, sewing needles, tape measures and thimbles.)

Continued on page 38

479-967-0882 Mon-Sat 10am-6pm

A subsidiary of Friendship Community Care, Inc.

320 West “B” Street • Russellville, AR 72801

NEW LOCATION! 2300 W. Main Shopping Center Suite 6

Knit and Crochet lessons by appt. Bigger space, and more parking, same great yarns!

Sun/Mon: Closed Tues: 12-8pm (knit/ crochet night 6-8pm) Wed/Thurs: 12-6pm

(Summer hours thru end of Sept.)

Fri: 10-6pm & Sat-10-2pm

479-968-5648

GET YOUR KIDS READY FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR

Now Taking Back-To-School Appointments!

Bonds FAMILY DENTISTRY

J. Dustin Bonds, D.D.S. (479)880-2311 • 1919 W. Main St., Rsvl.

Most Insurances Accepted

August 2011

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

Card

ABOUT | 35

engagements

– August 6– Kara Gist and Jonathan Asner

– August 13– Elizabeth Eason and DJ Martin

– August 20–

Kristin Pielemeier and Will Fancher

– August 24– Holly Ritter and Wes Taylor Lindsay Terry and Zach Orlicek

–September 10–

Holly Freyaldenhoven and Joshua Shepard Kristin Littrell and Justin Cothren Kiffany Noles and Lawson Hipps

–September 24– Charity Stuart and Bryce Smith Allison York and Thomas Jones Lindsay Terry and Zach Orlicek

–October 1– Kalyn Riggs and Jason Stark

–October 8–

Katie Pounders and Kelsey Harelson

–October 15–

Karen Daniels and Tim Lynch Claire Kennedy and Matt Glover Jenny Harrison and Kory Loop Ginger Humphreys and Rene Garza, Jr.

–October 22–

Megan Johnston and Kane Moix Adam McMahan and Kristin Shehorn Alexis Tucker and Shan Scrimshire

–October 29– Miki King and Coe Biggers

–November 19–

Jessica Rutledge and Christopher Smith

Danielle’s Bridal Bridal ~ Tuxes ~ Formal Wear 2382 West Clark Road Clarksville, AR 72830

(479) 754-5885

www.daniellesbridalshop.com 36 | ABOUT

Gonzalez, Bluhm to Marry

Casey, Wyles Marry

Shelby Ann Gonzalez and Seth Jedediah Bluhm announce their engagement and approaching marriage.

The couple will be married on Saturday, Aug 6, at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock.

Shelby Ann is the daughter of Danny and Dr. Kelly Campbell of Overland Park, Kansas. The bride-elect attends Arkansas Tech University where she is an International studies major with a minor in Russian and German. She graduated high school in 2007 from Lutie High School in Theodosia, Missouri.

Seth is the son of Rebecca and Bud Zolman of Spring Texas, and Tim and Kerri Bluhm of Channing, Texas. The prospective groom attended Clarksville High School and graduated from Arkansas Tech University in May 2011 with a bachelor’s in history and political science.

He commissioned with the United States Army this past May as a second lieutenant.

A reception for family and friends will follow the ceremony and will be held in the Regions Building of the Little Rock Club.

Sarah Lee Ann Casey of Clarksville and Justine Dale Wyles of Lamar were married in an evening ceremony Saturday, July 30, at Mt. Nebo State Park near Dardanelle.

The bride is the daughter of Dr. Rickey and Mrs. Lisa Casey of Clarksville. She is the granddaughter of Don and Rose Estep of Coal Hill, the late Joan Estep, and the late Virgil and Dean Casey. She is a 2005 graduate of Clarksville High School and a 2010 graduate of the University of the Ozarks with a degree in business administration, management and marketing. She is employed at the Clarksville Medical Group.

The groom is the son of George and Tina Wyles of Lamar. He is the grandson of Marvin and Lois Nichols of Knoxville, and Vallie and Bobbie Sherrill of Lamar. He is a 2001 graduate of Lamar High School and a 2005 graduate of Arkansas Tech University with a degree in sociology. He is pursuing a degree in health and physical education from Arkansas Tech and is employed at the Arkansas River Valley Boys and Girls Club in Russellville.

A reception followed at the pavilion on Mt. Nebo. Following the wedding, the couple took a honeymoon trip to Jamaica.

Calendar listings of engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements on the pages of each issue of ABOUT … the River Valley are available at no charge. To have your engagement or wedding publishe, send your information, photo* and a check for $57.50 to: ABOUT Magazine, PO Box 10176, Russellville AR 72812. Word count is limited to 225 words. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication.

Forms available at 220 East 4th Street, Russellville. For additional information, call (479) 970-6628. *Digital files are accepted and will be published upon receipt of payment.

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

August 2011

"Healthcare For Women By Women."

Shanno n CaSe, MD o b St et r i C S & G y n eC o l o G y 1100 East Poplar Suite A, Clarksville, AR (479) 754.5337 • Fax: (479) 754-5348

Harrison, Loop to Marry Jennifer Harrison, daughter of Dr. Rick and Mrs. Laura Harrison of Russellville, and Kory Loop, the son of Kelly and Sonya Loop of Russellville, announce their engagement and approaching marriage.

Jennifer is the granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas McKinnon of Fayetteville, Curtis Harrison of Russellville, and the late Betty Harrison. The bride-elect is a 2005 graduate of Russellville High School and a 2011 Graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with a Masters Degree in SpeechLanguage Pathology.

She is currently employed as a Speech-Language Therapist at Pediatrics Plus in Russellville.

Kory is the grandson of Osbie and Willie Patterson Davis of Greenbrier, Gary and Sharon Loop of Fort Smith, the late William L. Patterson and the late Mrs. Frankie M. Loop. The prospective groom is a 2006 Graduate of Russellville High School and a 2010 graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Kory is currently attending the Arkansas Fire Academy at Southern Arkansas University with plans to graduate in October.

The couple will be married on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011 in The Pavilion at Lake Point Conference Center in Russellville.

A reception will follow. Friends and family are invited.

Following their marriage, the couple will make their home in Russellville.

Photo by Melissa McCrotty August 2011

Closest to home

Emeritus Senior Living 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.

WILDFLOWER An Emeritus Senior Living Community

Come and join us for Community Bingo August 25, 2pm-3pm. Ages 55 and over.

Margaret Shepherd

AGENT PHOTO GOES HERE

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

Please contact your vendor for specific agent photo requirements.

240 S. Inglewood Ave., Russellville, AR www.Emeritus.com

479-890-6709

BIG SAVINGS

Amber Smith

(479) 968-1932 • 2410 E. Parkway Dr., Ste. 4 Insurance and coverages subject to terms, qualifications and availability. Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company: Northbrook, Illinois © 2010 Allstate Insurance Company.

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

ABOUT | 37

Continued from page 35 Also, sewing materials that become part of “clothing” including, but not limited to, buttons, fabric, lace, thread, yarn, zippers, and Sport or recreational equipment.

“Clothing accessory or equipment” means an incidental item worn on the person or in conjunction with clothing for which the gross receipts or gross proceeds paid for the item of clothing accessory or equipment is less than $50.

The following list contains examples of clothing accessories or equipment but is not intended to be an all-inclusive list: Briefcases, Cosmetics, Hair notions (including but not limited to: barrettes hair bows and hair nets), Handbags, Handkerchiefs, Jewelry, Sun glasses, non-prescription, Umbrellas, Wallets, Watches, and Wigs and hair pieces.

“Eligible property” means the following list of items as defined in Section “A” of this rule: clothing, clothing accessory or equipment, school art supply, school instructional material, and school supply.

“Protective equipment” means items for human wear and designed as protection of the wearer against injury or disease or as protection against damage or injury of other persons or property but not suitable for general use.

The following list contains examples of protective equipment but is not intended to be an all-inclusive list: Breathing masks, Clean room apparel, Ear and hearing protectors, Face shields, Hard hats, Helmets, Paint or dust respirators, Protective gloves, Safety glasses and goggles, Safety belts, Tool belts, and Welder’s gloves and masks.

“School art supply” means an item commonly used by a student in a course of study for artwork and includes only the following list of items: Clay and glazes, Paints, acrylic, tempera and oil, Paintbrushes for artwork, Sketch and drawing pads, and Watercolors.

“School instructional material” means written material commonly used by a student in a course of study as a reference and to learn the subject being taught. School instructional material includes only the following list of items: Reference books, Reference maps and globes, Textbooks, and Workbooks.

“School supply” means an item commonly used by a student in a course of study and includes only the following list of items: Binders, Book bags, Calculators, Cellophane tape, Blackboard chalk, Compasses, Composition books, Crayons, Erasers, Folders, expandable, pocket, plastic and manila, Glue, paste and paste sticks, Highlighters, Index cards, Index card boxes, Legal pads, Lunch boxes, Markers, Notebooks, Paper, loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board and construction paper, Pencil boxes and other school supply boxes, Pencil sharpeners, Pencils, Pens, Protractors, Rulers, and Scissors and writing tablets.

“Sport or recreational equipment” means items designed for human use and worn in conjunction with an athletic or recreational activity that are not suitable for general use.

The following list contains examples of sport or recreational equipment but is not intended to be an all-inclusive list: Ballet and tap shoes, cleated or spiked athletic shoes; Gloves (including, but not limited to, baseball, bowling, boxing, hockey and golf); Goggles, Hand and elbow guards, Life preservers and vests, Mouth guards, Roller and ice skates, Shin guards, Shoulder pads, Ski boots, Waders, and Wetsuits and fins.

For precise information and complete details of the Sales Tax Exempt Holiday, visit: www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/exciseTax/ salesanduse/Pages/taxHoliday.aspx. n

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WE’VE GOT ‘EM ALL! 38 | ABOUT

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley

August 2011

Full Service For Your Safety and Convenience.

Dr. Vickie Henderson, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Same-day Surgery backed by a full-service hospital.

SAME

DAY

SURGERY

All-Private All The Time Comprehensive Surgical Specialties Skilled Surgical Nursing Care Expedited Registration & Discharge

Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center is once again leading the way in advanced medical care with our Saint Mary’s Care Same-Day Surgery program. We’ve made patient safety, comfort and privacy our top priority by combining the very best in surgical expertise, advanced technology and

Personal Climate Control Gowns

personal one-on-one attention. Saint Mary’s Care offers the flexibility and

24-hr. M.D. Anesthesia Coverage

convenience of same-day surgery without sacrificing the strength or reliability

Warm Blanket Service

of a full-service hospital. And it’s all designed with you, the patient, in mind.

Reserved Parking

For more information on The Surgery Center at Saint Mary’s, visit our website

Post-Procedure Follow-up

or call 479-968-2841.

Full-Service Hospital Support

1808 West Main Street • 479-968-2841 ©2011 BCI

•

saintmarysregional.com