ABOUT | December 2015

southern santa's bike shop

Reflecting the Character of the Arkansas River Valley December 2015

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Creating Futures For Our Children Is Important

That’s Why We’re Doing It Russellville School District strives to meet each child where they are emotionally, socially, and intellectually and move him/her in a positive direction. We believe in offering many opportunities that give our students an advantage. This includes:

Creating Healthy & Safe Environments

Providing Quality Facilities for Students and Patrons

Providing World Class Curriculum in STEM, Art, and Literacy

Offering Varied Extracurricular Activities

Focusing on Career Planning Before Graduation Encouraging Good Citizenship in the Community

220 West 10th Street n Russellville, AR. 72082 n 479.968.1306 n www.russellvilleschools.net

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December 2015 8 Southern Santa's Bike Shop

He tinkers away in his workshop all year, preparing holiday gifts for the girls and boys of the River Valley. You don’t have to be tucked in bed for him to suit up in red and pay your kids a visit—tell him the time and place, and he’s there to give.

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Downtown Art Walk

It’s just a casual stroll through the historic downtown district of Russellville, but it’s also more than that.

20 Sweet as an Angel's Kiss

28 Arkansas Center for Music Education

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Shirley Faulkner spends her days sharing a love of music with anyone who walks through the doors at the Arkansas Center for Music Education.

Saluting our Veterans

40 Bring the Beauty Inside 44 Angels and Beavers

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ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

December 2015 | ABOUT...the River Valley

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A PAGE FROM

The Editor’s Notebook

ABOUT

Some Good Worth Fighting For

the River Valley

A Publication of One14 Productions, Inc Vol. X, Issue 11 – December 2015

Serving on the River Valley United Way Community Investment Panel is one of the more humbling honors of my life. For those that don’t know, the RVUWCIP is the channel through which grants from donations made to the River Valley United Way are dispersed to area nonprofits. The criteria for receiving a grant is fairly daunting. The first requirement is a grant proposal submission, and that’s followed up with a face-to-face interview with panel members. Basically, nonprofit leadership tries to instill the panel with a passion for their cause by offering a few pages of cold numbers and warm writing along with about an hour of answering questions regarding the worthiness of that cause. And all of these leaders do this with nominal or sometimes no personal gain involved.

For even those few drawing a paltry salary for their time, the efforts far outweigh their financial gain. It’s a selfless act, and if this is not the very definition of what Christmas is all about then I don’t know what is.

It seems that the holiday season always brings out the best in people, but the folks behind our nonprofits are at their best all year long. I wonder and worry about the state of our society, that most of us are concerned about the less fortunate only as we reflect on our spiritual beliefs and count our own blessings as the year comes to a close. It’s easy to become cynical. It’s easy to pass through this world oblivious to those less fortunate and the very real problems of survival they face on a near daily basis. It is so very difficult to summon our will to act. But I am thankful there are those that summon the will, that battle for the greater good with odds stacked against them.

In an increasingly sardonic world, a world of sensationalism and self-promotion, of hollow materialism and soul-sucking commercialism, there is no better salve for your spirit than a visit with the people behind the scenes of our local nonprofits. I encourage all community members to become involved, even if it is no more than a few dollars or hours. During my time in the panel meetings, as I listened to people with big hearts and determined minds, the words of Sam from The Lord of the Rings: The Twin Towers kept rolling through my mind — “There is some good in this world, Mr. Frodo.

And it’s worth fighting for.”

Johnny Sain, Editor

DIANNE EDWARDS | founding editor JOHNNY SAIN | managing editor johnny@aboutrvmag.com BENITA DREW | advertising benita@aboutrvmag.com CHRISTINE SAIN | advertising christine@aboutrvmag.com MEREDITH MARTIN-MOATS | freelance meredith@aboutrvmag.com EMILY LANGFORD | freelance emily@aboutrvmag.com LYDIA ZIMMERMAN | columnist lydia@aboutrvmag.com LIZ CHRISMAN | photography lizchrismanphoto@gmail.com CLIFF THOMAS | illustrator maddsigntist@aboutrvmag.com CHRIS ZIMMERMAN | layout/design chris@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.

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

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Office: 220 East 4th Street Email: info@aboutrvmag.com Postmaster: Please send address changes to: One14 Productions 220 East 4th Street Russellville, AR 72801

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ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

Calendar of Events Dec 3 — 2015 Russellville Christmas Parade 6:30 p.m. Rainout date is Monday, Dec. 7. The theme will be “Christmas Movies”.

Parade entry forms are available at the Recreation & Parks Department office at 1000 East Parkway, Russellville or online at www.russellvillearkansas.org . Entry fee for a float is $25 and a commercial entry other than a float is $100. All parade participants must submit an entry form.

Deadline is Monday, Nov 30 at noon. Entries will not be accepted past this time. For more information contact 968-1272 Dec 4 — Downtown Art Walk and Holiday Open House. Downtown Russellville 6 - 9 p.m. For more information contact 967-1437.

Dec 5 — Clarksville Christmas Parade & Light Up the Square. For more info call 754-2340.

Dec 5 — Trout Day at Pleasant View Park Pond in Russellville. For more information contact 968-1272 Dec 5 — Second annual Harvest Run to benefit the McElroy House Organization for Cultural Resources will take place at scenic Bona Dea Trail in Russellville. This year’s run will also feature a Kids Fun Run. All proceeds go toward supporting our community work. For more information go to mcelroyhouse.wordpress.com and mcelroyharvestrun.com.

Dec 5 — Christmas Open House at Petit Jean State Park. See the park’s Mather Lodge dressed in its Christmas finery. Enjoy family oriented arts and crafts activities and seasonal entertainment. Admission is free.

For more information contact (501) 7275441 or go to petitjean@arkansas.com.

Dec 6 – Pancake fundraiser to support the River Valley Shelter for Battered Women and Children from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Stoby's of Russellville. All funds raised stay in the River Valley to support the ending of domestic violence and the work of our shelter. Purchase tickets online at www. rivervalleyshelter.org or at door day of event.

Dec 6 — United Methodist Women presents A Holiday Tour of Homes. From 2 - 4 p.m.

This is a United Methodist Women Mission Fundraiser. Tickets can be purchased for $20 at FUMC office. For more information contact Joann Hays Perry 970-0848.

Dec 4, 5 & 6 — The Nutcracker presented by The Dance Foundation at the Center for the Arts in Russellville. Fri. & Sat. shows start at 7 p.m. Sun. show stats at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $5. For more information go to www.russellvillecenter.net or call 498-6600.

Dec 4, 5, & 6 — Country Christmas Holiday Bazaar. 20,000 square feet of vendors, featuring many quality handmade items and consultants. Meet and enjoy a free picture with Santa on Dec. 4 & 5 from noon - 4 p.m.

For more information contact Amy Melton at 746-1716 or email funkyjunk@live.com.

Dec 12 — Dutch Oven Outdoor Cooking Workshop. Hands-on class about cooking with Arkansas's official state cooking vessel. Discover the methods and secrets of successful Dutch oven cooking that early settlers used. You will help prepare a meal and we will cover the basics of temperature control as well as how to care for cast iron cookware. You will go home with the recipes we cook and some new ones to try on your

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own. Dutch ovens will be available for sale in the gift shop if you wish to purchase one after the workshop. You must preregister by calling the visitor center at 967-5516. Admission is $20.

Dec 17 — A Christmas with Shoji Tabucchi at The Center for the Arts in Russellville. Show starts at 7 p.m. For more information go to www. russellvillecenter.net or call 498-6600.

Dec 30 — Eagle Tour on Lake Dardanelle 11 a.m. - noon. Many other birds will be in the area for viewing including American white pelicans, ducks and snow geese. Please dress warmly as temperatures and winds are more severe on the lake. To accommodate as many people as possible for our tours we will be taking reservations. Call the visitor center at 9675516 to reserve your seat. Begin boarding 15 minutes before the tour, at the boat dock near the Tournament Weigh-In Facility. These tours are weather dependent. Admission is free.

Feb 6 — Savor The Symphony Fundraiserdinner, presented by the Russellville Symphony Guild. 6:00 p.m. at the Russellville Country Club. For tickets call board member Judy Murphy at 967-1177.

*Unless otherwise indicated, all area codes are 479. To have your event included in the ABOUT Calendar of Events, email: editor@aboutrvmag.com or fax to (479) 219-5031. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication.

Happy Holidays

From our FAMILY to yours!

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ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

Story written by RYAN SMITH | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

H

e tinkers away in his workshop all year, preparing holiday gifts for the girls and boys of the River Valley. His white beard hangs like a mass of cotton balls from his aged chin, and the joy of his hearty chuckle is contagious. You don’t have to be tucked in bed for him to suit up in red and pay your kids a visit—tell him the time and place, and he’s there to give.

The magical work that goes into making the holidays special isn’t just done at the North Pole, or by elves, or at the behest of Saint Nick. Magic happens slowly, one bicycle at a time, in a small shop on a hill in Dover. Men from the Dover Lions Club — who have not a pointy ear one between them — transform used and broken bikes into gifts for kids who otherwise wouldn’t have any. And it’s all because of Wesley Roach, your local Santa.

“Well I’m not Santa Claus, but I’ll play Santa a couple times throughout the year for people who ask me to come see their kids or grandkids,” said Roach.

He’s been donating his time to see kids’ eyes light up for three holiday seasons now. “Some of them are all about it, but others are real shy at first. It’s really enjoyable to see the look on those kids’ faces and know you’re making them happy.”

For as long as he’s played the part of Santa, he’s also been at the helm of the Lions Club’s bicycle project.

He brainstormed the idea with a goal of serving the community, and he said the project has since spread rapidly by word of mouth. Locals are more than willing to help out, whether it means collecting old and worn bikes, donating money for parts or in some instances

purchasing new bikes that require no work at all.

Whatever it takes, he said, they’ll do it.

Schools, churches, citizens and police departments all play a part in giving club members a heads up about people in the community who may be candidates for the bike program. Once the parents are notified, they can either drop by and pick out a bike that fits their kids’ needs or, Roach said, he and other members don’t mind delivering the bikes to families without transportation.

“There are kids out there that wouldn’t have much of a Christmas without these bikes, and parents always tell me they’re so appreciative of what we do,” he said. “You can see it in their eyes and the way they talk to you that it means a lot because it gives them an opportunity to give something to their kids for Christmas that they wouldn’t be able to give otherwise. They’ll just thank you over and over and over.”

Roach said giving out bikes to parents who may be down on their luck or out of work is a powerfully humbling experience. Witnessing parents who don’t have the funds to purchase toys like other families is heart wrenching, but knowing he’s doing what he can to help is a mutually uplifting sentiment. >> December 2015 | ABOUT...the River Valley

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He said a Lions Club member recently came to the shop in Roach’s yard where the men work and picked up a couple bikes for a woman’s grandchildren. As soon as she saw him come to the door with the bikes, she broke down crying and hugged his neck, telling him they hadn’t known what they were going to do for Christmas. These bikes were their only option. The guileless gift saved Christmas. It saved a family.

Roach’s need to help kids toward happiness stems in large part from his 37-year career as the supervisor of the maintenance department at Russellville Public Schools, a job from which he’s now retired. He said he got attached watching kids start off in grade school, grow into young men and women, graduate and eventually see their kids coming back through the school system.

“I think that job kind of helped form my thought process toward kids,” he said.

“I’ve seen some situations that’ll just tear your heart out. Your hands are tied, and you 10

ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

can’t do anything, but you wish you could so bad. Fixing up these bikes is just one small way to help all those kids who are in need and without someone who can help them. I’ve got a little bit of time to give back now in retirement. The community took care of me for a lot of years, and now I can give back to them.”

Despite his career in maintenance, Roach makes it clear he’s no mechanical genius.

Each year the program gives away about 30 bikes, and every bike is refashioned into a functional state by 12-15 men using the trial and error method. They’ll get together for a work day early in the morning and delve into washing and replacing parts, removing wheels and wires from bikes with broken frames to fit another, painting chipped metal and recycling the wouldbe scrap junk into a Christmas present as important as any Red Ryder BB Gun. If one member doesn’t know how to fix broken spokes, another will. And if someone has no clue how to straighten out a bent frame,

somebody with a hammer will be more than willing to give it a shot. Paint can cover up a lot.

Roach said it doesn’t feel like work at all, getting his hands dirty to help kids receive what could be their first bike. Even the expenses incurred buying parts here and there don’t seem to matter much to Roach and the other members who spend anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours working on each bike. For the most part, Roach said he’s able to make out a list of needed parts beforehand to get the work done quicker.

But as the holidays draw near, the more bikes people donate.

“People will either drop bikes off to a club member or bring them by my shop because everybody knows where I live,” he said. “Some days I’ll come in, and there’s two or three bikes sitting there, so I know there’s work to get after. People have been outstanding at donating bikes, or money or whatever we need. Really any way we

December 2015 | ABOUT...the River Valley

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can get those bikes to the kids for them to have a good Christmas is what we’re all working for.”

Roach, more than most men his age, knows and cares about how indispensable bikes are. Growing up, he said he didn’t have much, but his parents were always able to buy him something for Christmas.

When many of the kids around him wouldn’t get anything other than an orange or apple, he’d usually have some kind of toy waiting for him underneath the tree.

When he was about 10-years-old, he

received his first bike, one which he would share with his sister. The joint ownership didn’t bother either of them, though, as they rode up and down the hill he still lives on today, past the chicken houses his family used to work. That bike, he said, was his transportation, his pride and joy.

Now a father and grandfather himself, the devastation some parents experience knowing they can’t provide a gift for their kids hits him even harder. It also drives him to offer his time and effort to those struggling through the holidays. Serving

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ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

the community and his fellow man is necessary to his own happiness. It’s more than just his beard that epitomizes the Christmas spirit.

“It’s not about receiving, but it’s about giving—whether that means giving a toy to a kid or just a simple ‘good morning’ given in the right way,” he said. “It’s how you greet and respect other people, and I think the bikes emphasize that spirit of selfless giving.”

He’s content with the bike program, but said if people continue to spread the

word he hopes they can give out a hundred bikes each year. They’re always in need of bikes as the community’s awareness of the program continues to grow in proportion to the Lions Club’s altruism.

More important to him than giving things, Roach said that nothing can replace the time parents spend with their families.

A grandfather to three teens who’ll graduate high school in a few years, he talks about time nostalgically and urges everyone to envelope their loved ones with their presence every chance they get.

“If we can bring a little joy to their life, that’s all the Christmas I need—I’m too old for presents, but they’re not,” Roach said. “You need to be a kid when you can because that time is very short. I don’t know if parents realize it, but you blink your eyes and your kids will grow up on you. If they’re involved in something, you need to be involved with them because everything you miss you can’t get back. It’s just gone.

You need to enjoy those times.” l

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ABOUT...the River Valley | Every Day Life

Holy Moly!

Story by SARAH CHENAULT | Illustration by CLIFF THOMAS

Every once in a while, out of desperation when things don’t work out babysitter-wise, I am forced to bring my child to work with me. He usually acts up, gets into something or embarrasses me in front of a client.

One day, the universe lined up to spite me mightily and a teacher work day was scheduled right before Easter.

Consequently, one of my employees was forced to bring her son to work with her as well. And as is the case with all other major holidays, the salon is bustling with customers needing their hair and nails primed and polished for all other holiday revelers to see.

The boys were well behaved at first. But as with all children, the good behavior reserve was soon depleted.

I finished my work day well before my employee and offered to take both boys to lunch. After everyone was safely buckled into my car, I asked where they would like to eat. The boys immediately suggested CiCi's Pizza. I thought it would be perfect because I could bribe them to eat pizza before dessert with the promise of letting them play in the arcade area for good behavior.

I gave the boys a brief pep talk about good manners and even better behavior before we embarked on our pizza adventure. We made it through the car ride and the walk across the parking lot without incident, which was a small victory for me in the time I've spent being Raff's mom.

There was a long line in the restaurant that day, but we queued up and waited our turn before the cash register.

The couple in front of us were talking very… colorfully (read: inappropriate). Since nothing gets past my son, I gave him the “mom look” that all kids know. The one that simply says: “I’m watching you so don’t say/do/think about anything you shouldn’t.” I hoped the couple just hadn't realized there were two young children behind them hearing every word they were saying. I tried to make eye contact with the woman, hoping to catch her attention so I could send her a visual message or just give her the stink eye.

After watching the woman for a while, I noticed a very interesting mole lurking on her back. She was a short, plump woman, wearing a camisole that was very low in the back (and the front) and I just couldn’t help but notice this most spectacular nevus. I would definitely have sought the opinion of a dermatologist if it had been my mole.

The mole looked like a large milk chocolate baking chip, but one that was slightly melted and drooping to the 14

ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

side. You know the kind. It was a nice shade of brown on the base and middle, then had a considerably darker shade of brown speckle right at the very tip-top. And as we all know, any mole with two different colors in it is suspicious and should surely be looked at by a doctor. But what really caught my attention was the cluster of about three hairs shooting out of that mysterious dark brown tip. One hair was new to the clique and rather short, one was very curly and looked quite coarse, and the third was probably the original strand to conquer the mound. It was long and stood straight out, just begging to be plucked from that ominous speckle.

I couldn’t take my eyes off of it!

Unfortunately, people watching is an activity that my son also indulges in. In a split second, I realized that Raff had also spotted the mole. The next scene played out in slow motion. To my horror, I see his little arm go up and out towards the woman's back, and before I can even react Raff gets a hold of that suspicious brown lump and tries to pull it off of her skin.

The woman lets out a loud yelp and whirls around to stare accusingly at me. I have absolutely no idea what the look on my face said. But before I can even offer up any sort of explanation, Raff says: “Oh I’m sorry, I was just trying to get that nasty thing off your back.”

The woman looked absolutely horrified and attempted (but failed) to pull up her shirt in the front and back to try and cover the drooping baking chip.

She turned around to face the register to continue waiting her turn, and was silent the rest of our wait. As with all other times Raff has said something incredibly embarrassing, I use my go-to defense of not making eye contact.

Because if you don’t acknowledge it happened, it didn’t happen.

I made sure that we didn’t sit anywhere near the couple, and the boys behaved well and enjoyed their pizza. After the boys ventured off into the arcade, I went in search of dessert. But I kept my distance from any of the sweets with chocolate chips on top. l

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ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

Downtown Art Walk: Blending Commerce,

Culture and Community Story by JOHNNY SAIN | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

It’s just a casual stroll through the historic downtown district of Russellville, but it’s also more than that. Storefronts are lit and doors are open. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks in hand, people from all walks of life visit each business for a look and listen to the cultural charms of art in the River Valley. And they are not disappointed. Though rural and sparse in population, the region is blessed with artistic talent of staggering diversity.

We weren’t sure about the best way to frame this story, but after just a few interviews it became clear that the best way to tell it was with words from business owners and artists that regularly participate.

>>

December 2015 | ABOUT...the River Valley

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Goodman. When Rita and Dick opened Gallery 307 I began showing there. It has been a great way to meet fellow artists in the River Valley. In fact, until I started participating in Art Walk, I had no idea that there were so many wonderfully talented artists in our area. I have made lifelong friends that I am able to network with or just simply sit and talk about artsy topics that are of no interest to my husband. Of course I've met many other wonderful folks that are not artists but have a genuine love for the arts.”

Brenda is also enthusiastic about the up-and-coming artist in the River Valley.

“The most exciting thing for me is to see the youngsters coming through, some of whom may not have opportunities to see original artwork anywhere else. I absolutely love to see that spark in their eyes. Judging by what I've seen, we have Jeannie Fowler Stone — Artist “Art, in all its forms, gives us a voice, and our community shines as bright as any other because of our collective talents. The Internet is a boon to independent artists, but the ability to actually immerse one's self into the art scene is a privilege, and no amount of couchsurfing can offer the sound, the taste, the feel of a Russellville Art Walk, particularly the Christmas event where we are blessed to hear the joyful noise of the ATU choir, each caroler dressed in Victorian costume.”

“The Russellville Art Walks have transformed the cultural landscape in this town. No longer must parents take their children to Little Rock or Ft. Smith to experience culture. We are a vibrant community, alive with art. You do not have to be an artist to benefit from this. Come and be a part of our story. This is the legacy we leave for future generations. Besides, art is fun.”

Jeannie also shared a touching anecdote that spoke of the emotional power art wields.

“To tell you how much art impacts us, I will share a memory that I hold dear from a Christmas Art Walk years ago. I have a tradition of unveiling a new, huge Santa painting every year because of what happened with the very first Santa, a 30"x40" heavily textured oil painting. I was showing it at the depot, and while I was admiring another artist's work I caught sight of a young teenage girl approach my Santa. She literally got nose-to-nose with him and tentatively put out a finger as if to touch the raised fur on his cap. Our eyes met, and I smiled and nodded. Her finger gently touched the paint; her eyes lit up, and she smiled like a small girl.

I'm sure it had been years since she'd believed in Santa, but that painting evoked that thrill for her, and as for me, well, my eyes teared up. For a brief moment, I was privileged to share with her an authentic human emotion. I will always remember that, and I always look forward to unveiling my new Santa.”

Brenda Dale Morgan — Artist “I love Art Walk so much. When I first participated, I showed at the Depot. There I met Bill and Joanna Peters. They were so sweet to ask me to show in Peters Family Living. While showing there I met many wonderful fellow artists, one of them being Rita 18

ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

many budding artists in our community, and that's very exciting.

So to sum it up, I’m thrilled that we have Art Walk in downtown Russellville. If not for Art Walk I would not have my art family at Gallery 307. I love those ladies and hope Art Walk will continue for many years!

Robb McKormick — Artist “The Russellville Downtown Art Walk is one of the few places in our community where original art and music are sponsored, endorsed, enjoyed and displayed. This is one area where the River Valley rivals the big cities, partially due to the overstock of brilliant artists who choose to live locally and partially due to the great layout of the Downtown and their efforts to bring together and showcase a healthy artistic community.

Larger cities that have embraced artisans and become meccas for artists of all types — such as Austin, Texas, Seattle, Washington, & Santa Fe, New Mexico — understand the more fiscal truth behind the appeal: art and music equal commerce. Their appeal is universal.”

Robb sees growth in the local artistic community, but it is dependent upon local support.

“If Russellville were to fully embrace and get behind their artists in the same way as these larger cities have done, I think we

would see an explosion of talent both generated from this area and drawn to it from many other places. Music and art is a relatively untapped resource of the River Valley in the departments of finance. The proven, growing success of the Downtown Art Walks might be the beginning of waking up to these ideas.”

Mark Masters — Artist “I sometimes feel like I'm alone with my love of art, and the Art Walks show me that I'm not. There are other artists here, and people who are interested in seeing one another and each other's work. I appreciate having a place to show, meeting and chatting with other artists and an audience that is interested in seeing our art. Good or bad, I get a strong reaction and in my opinion a bad reaction is better than none. The art community seems to be growing and the Art Walks are promoting this. I'm appreciative and look forward to seeing where they go in the future.”

Kayla Cowell — Arvest Bank Downtown Russellville “I am not from Russellville so I was unfamiliar with the Art Walk, and Russellville Downtown. However, since working at the Downtown Arvest branch, I have been able to help with some of the Russellville Downtown functions. Through events such as the Art Walk people like myself who were unfamiliar with the area are exposed to local businesses and artists. The Art Walk is a great way to reach out to folks in the area and help promote shopping local and growing the Downtown area.”

...continued on page 39

Ryan Cutler — Arvest Bank Downtown Russellville “It is a privilege and pleasure to be involved with the Art Walk, where Arvest can utilize our associates, facilities and customers to help inspire people to come visit the downtown area. Every Art Walk event has been well planned and very fun. It is great to see a town that I grew up in so heavily involved in a campaign to revitalize and restore the downtown area of our City. Art Walk provides a fun, family atmosphere where people can mingle through shops enjoying art and music, while at the same time bringing life into our downtown community.”

SHOPDINEUNWIND The first Friday Downtown Art Walks began as a series of three art walks for the months of August, September and October in 2005. But the event proved so successful that merchants and artists agreed to extend the Art Walks to include November and December of that same year.

Since that time, the event has evolved into a quarterly event held on the first Friday of March, June, September and December. While this schedule provides artists with the time needed to prepare new works, it also has set the tone for what many have described as mini art festivals with participating businesses providing refreshments, hosting an artist or multiple artists and their work.

Promoting area artists, instilling an appreciation for the arts, and bringing people downtown are the objectives of the Downtown Art Walks as community, culture and commerce continue to converge. The Downtown Art Walks are a joint project of the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center and the Russellville Downtown Association (RDA), a committee of Main Street Russellville.

December 2015 | ABOUT...the River Valley

19

ABOUT...the River Valley | Valley Vittles

Sweet as an Angel’s Kiss Story by JOHNNY SAIN | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

I’m not sure what a sugar plum is.

It sounds like a made up confection, a gossamer treat so impossibly sweet that it exists only in your Christmas Eve dreams because I’ve never seen or tasted one in real life.

Sugary sweets have had a place in our Christmas traditions at least as far back as pre-Victorian times when poet Clement Clark Moore wrote his famous piece titled “A Visit from Saint Nicholas,” more commonly known as “The Night Before Christmas.” In the poem, sugar plums were something that all kids looked forward to. Besides being an edible treat, the definition of sugar plum also means something very pleasing or agreeable, and especially when given as a bribe. Sugar plums were a good reason to stay off the naughty list.

So we couldn’t find any sugar plums 20

ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

here in the River Valley, but we did find some interesting pastries at Opal Mae’s Bakery in downtown Russellville. The dainty little frosting covered cakes are called petits fours. It’s a French word that means “little oven.” In 19th Century France, a coal heated oven had only two settings: full heat used for roasting and the petit four setting for pastries. The lower setting became synonymous with baked sweets and the name stuck.

Opal Mae’s petits fours are small white cakes covered in white frosting and then decorated with just a bit of color. The presentation is airy, like a thin veil of frost on cold December mornings. The taste is sweeter than Christmas snow, sweeter than an angel’s kiss and likely sweeter than anything else you’ve ever tasted.

And now that I know about them, who needs sugar plums? l

FOX & FORK | 117 S College Avenue, Clarksville

December 2015 | ABOUT...the River Valley

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ABOUT...the River Valley | Countertop Creations GOODIE GOODIE GUMDROPS 4 T gelatin (that’s about 6 envelopes) 1 c cold water 1 1/2 c boiling water 4 c sugar 1/4 tsp flavored extract like lemon or peppermint 1-2 drops food coloring (I used four colors) extra sugar for coating 3.75 X 6 inch treat bags labels In a large pot, soften gelatin in cold water for five minutes. Stir in boiling water until gelatin dissolves. Stir in sugar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil for 25 minutes. Stir constantly.

Pour mixture into 4 – 3X5 pans.

Add 1/4 tsp extract and 1-2 drops food color to each pan. Stir until thoroughly combined. Cover pan and chill overnight in the fridge.

Cut gelatin mixture into 3/4 inch cubes using a knife dipped in hot water. The gelatin may pull, but continue cutting. Separate cubes and roll in sugar until coated on all sides. Place gumdrops on wax paper and leave at room temperature for two days to crystallize.

Store in an airtight container. Makes about 8 dozen 3/4 inch gumdrops. You can also make 2 – 8X8 pans or 1 – 9X12 pan depending on the number of colors you want to make.

Recipe courtesy of bakerella.com

Christmas gifting on a budget Story by LYDIA ZIMMERMAN, Food Editor

A

s mentioned in previous columns, I am from a big family, and we always gather together on Christmas Eve at my mother’s home to feast and exchange gifts. As there are so many of us — eight siblings and their children — the adults often exchange “homemade gifts” so as not to break the bank.

Last year, I put together reusable popcorn boxes filled with Boy Scout microwavable popcorn, candy and a video for my siblings. For my unmarried adult nephews, I made homemade fudge and toffee.

My children love to get in on making the gifts, too, and often make gifts for their teachers and friends. While looking for unique homemade Christmas gift ideas for giving this year I have compiled some recipes for food and non-food items that can be economically made and decoratively packaged to give to that someone special.

As always, enjoy!

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ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

CHAI TEA MIX 2 c sugar 2 c unsweetened instant tea 1-1/2 c powdered French vanilla nondairy creamer 1-1/4 c powdered nondairy creamer 1-1/4 c packed brown sugar 3/4 c nonfat dry milk powder 2-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1-1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 1-1/4 tsp ground cardamom 1-1/4 tsp ground cloves 1 tsp ground allspice 1/4 tsp white pepper In a large bowl, combine the first 12 ingredients.

In a blender, cover and process tea mixture in batches until powdery. Place in air tight sealable containers, such as a mason (canning jar) wrap with a ribbon with recipe attached. Makes 32 servings (8 c of mix).

To prepare use 1/4 c of Chai Tea Mix in 1 c hot milk, stir and enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of Taste of Home Magazine, December/January 2012

MINI CHEESECAKES WITH SUGARED PECANS 1 c. finely crushed shortbread cookies 1 c. finely chopped pecans ½ c. coarsely chopped pecans 2 tbsp. light brown sugar 1/3 tsp. fine salt ½ tsp. fine salt 1 tbsp. butter 2 package cream cheese 1 c. granulated sugar 2 tbsp. flour 2 large eggs 1½ tsp. vanilla extract Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Meanwhile, line 16 standard muffin-tin cups with paper liners and set aside. In a medium bowl, stir together cookie crumbs, finely chopped pecans, brown sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Stir in melted butter until mixture resembles wet sand. Evenly divide among prepared muffin cups and press down to form a solid bottom layer. Bake until set, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together cream cheese and 3/4 cup granulated sugar until blended. Beat in flour and remaining salt. Beat in eggs, one at a time, and vanilla. Divide filling equally among the muffin cups. Bake until set, 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer pans to wire racks to cool completely, then refrigerate cheesecakes for at least 3 hours or up to overnight.

Meanwhile, oil a piece of parchment and set aside. In a small skillet over medium heat, stir coarsely chopped pecans and remaining sugar together until sugar melts and is bubbling, and nuts are coated.

Transfer to prepared parchment; separate any nuts that are stuck together and let cool.

Right before gifting, remove cheesecakes from refrigerator and top each with about 1 1/2 teaspoons candied pecans, to garnish.

Place cheesecakes in a decorative holiday tin and place a bow on top.

Recipe courtesy of countryliving.com CINNAMON-SUGARED CANDIED PECANS 1 c granulated sugar 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp salt 2 egg whites 2 T water ½ tsp vanilla extract 1 lb pecan halves Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. In a large ziptop bag, combine the sugar, cinnamon and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg whites, water and vanilla extract. Add the pecans to the bowl and stir them into the egg white mixture with a rubber spatula, making sure they are all moistened.

Using a slotted spoon, remove the pecans from the egg white mixture and drop

them into the bag with the cinnamonsugar mixture. Once all of the pecans are added, seal the bag, and shake it to coat all of the pecans.

Using a clean slotted spoon, remove the pecans from the bag and place onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.

Bake for 1 hour, stirring them every 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature. The pecans can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Note: This recipe can be made with a variety of nuts, not just pecans. Feel free to change it up and use walnuts, almonds, pecans or a mix of your favorites.

Recipe courtesy of browneyedbaker.com

Merry Christmas from Bill & Marlene Newton and the staff of

(479) 968-1157 • 715 W. MAIN, RUSSELLVILLE, AR

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23

HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY JAM 2 pts (4 c) fresh strawberries (washed and stems removed) 4 c sugar 1/2 tsp lemon juice 1 (1.75 oz) package regular powdered fruit pectin-not instant 3/4 c water 5 half-pint containers

SAND ART BROWNIE MIX 1 c plus 2 T all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp salt 2/3 c packed brown sugar 2/3 c sugar 1/3 c baking cocoa 1/2 c semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 c vanilla or white chips 1/2 c chopped pecans

Cut strawberries into 4 and place in a blender with the lemon juice. Pulse the strawberries about 5-10 times. Note: You'll want to still see little pieces of strawberries.

Pour strawberries into a large bowl and then stir in sugar. Stir for about 2-3 minutes and then let sit for 15 minutes. In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Stir in fruit pectin and boil for 1 minute stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Pour mixture into the strawberries and then stir for another 2-3 minutes.

Next pour the jam into jars (leaving about 1/2 inch from the top) and place lids on. Let the jars sit on the counter for 24 hours so they can set. Store in the refrigerator for 3 weeks or place in the freezer for up to 1 year.

Recipe courtesy of iheartnaptime.net

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS (To be added by gift recipient upon baking) 3 eggs 2/3 cup canola oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT (great gift for bakers) 6 vanilla beans, split lengthwise 2 c vodka Place vanilla beans in a tall jar; cover with vodka. Seal jar tightly. Wrap a decorative bow around it. Let stand in a cool dark place at least 6 weeks, gently shaking jar once a week. Yield: 2 cups.

Recipe courtesy of Healthy Cooking Magazine, December/January 2013.

In a small bowl, combine flour and salt.

In a 1-qt. glass container (jar), layer flour mixture, brown sugar, sugar, cocoa, chips and pecans. Cover and store in a cool dry place up to 6 months. Yield: 1 batch (about 4 cups total).

Attach baking instruction below to jar before gifting: To prepare brownies: Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, oil and vanilla. Add brownie mix; stir until blended.

Spread into a greased 9-in.-square baking pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool on a wire rack. Yield: 16 servings.

Recipe courtesy of tasteofhome.com CHAI SPICED TEA LOAVES ½ c. water 1T water 1 tea bag (black tea) 3 c all-purpose flour

Its beginning to look a lot like

Christmas City Mall • Russellville • (479)968-3001

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ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

407 N. Arkansas Ave, City Mall • (479) 280-1933

2 tsp chai spice blend 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt ¾ c vanilla low-fat yogurt 1 c butter or margarine 1 c granulated sugar 1 c packed light brown sugar 5 large eggs 1 c confectioners' sugar Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour six 5 3/4" by 3 1/4" by 2" mini metal loaf pans.

In microwave-safe 1-cup liquid measuring cup, heat 1/2 c water in microwave on High 1 1/2 minutes or until it boils. Remove from microwave.

Place tea bag in water; press with spoon to submerge. Set it aside to steep and cool while continuing with recipe.

Meanwhile, in medium bowl, combine flour, chai spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In small bowl, mix yogurt with 1/3 c cooled tea; discard any remaining tea.

In large bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat butter until creamy, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in granulated and brown sugars. Beat 2 minutes or until fluffy, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Reduce speed to low; beat in eggs, 1 at a time, until well blended. Beat in flour mixture alternately with yogurt mixture just until combined. Spoon batter evenly into prepared pans.

Bake loaves 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool loaves in pans on wire racks 15 minutes. Run thin knife around loaves to

loosen from sides of pans; remove loaves from pans, and cool completely on wire racks, about 2 hours.

When loaves are cool, place waxed paper under wire racks. In small bowl, stir confectioners' sugar and remaining 1 tablespoon water until smooth, adding more water, a few drops at a time, if necessary to make a thick glaze. Place glaze in heavy-weight plastic bag; snip small opening from corner, and drizzle glaze in zigzag pattern over loaves. Let stand until glaze sets, about 30 minutes.

Wrap each loaf in plastic wrap or foil.

Store loaves at room temperature up to 3 days. Or place wrapped loaves in selfsealing plastic bags, and store in freezer up to 3 months.

Recipe courtesy of goodhousekeeping.com MILDRED’S TOFFEE 1 1/2 c chopped toasted pecans, divided 1 c sugar 1 c butter 1 T light corn syrup 1/4 c water 1 c semisweet chocolate chips

Spread 1 cup pecans into a 9 inch circle on a lightly greased baking sheet (the toffee will be poured over this).

Bring sugar, butter, corn syrup, and water to a boil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly.

Cook until the mixture is golden brown and a candy thermometer registers between 290 and 310 degrees. *The temperature will move very quickly between 290 and 310 degrees so keep a close eye on it. For a richer caramel, let the temperature rise to 310.

Pour sugar mixture over the pecans on the baking sheet.

Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top and let stand 30 seconds. The chocolate chips will melt very quickly.

Spread evenly over the top and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 pecans over the chocolate. Chill 1 hour then break into bite sized pieces. Store in an airtight container.

Recipe courtesy of Southern Living Magazine/Mildred Hayward November 2004

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL PECAN CLUSTERS 4 1/2 c pecan halves (1 lb) 2 c sugar 2 c heavy whipping cream 3/4 c light-colored corn syrup 1/2 c butter 1/8 tsp salt 1 c semisweet chocolate pieces (6 oz) 1 c vanilla baking pieces 1/3 c semisweet chocolate pieces (2 oz) 1 tsp shortening 1/3 c vanilla baking pieces 1 tsp shortening In a shallow baking pan, spread pecan halves in a thin layer. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until pecans are a light golden brown, stirring once or twice. Remove from oven. Set aside. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or greased foil.

For caramel mixture, in a 3-quart saucepan, combine sugar, 1-1/2 cups of the whipping cream, the corn syrup, butter, and salt. Cook and stir over medium-high heat to boiling.

December 2015 | ABOUT...the River Valley

25

Keeping mixture boiling, very slowly add remaining 1/2 cup whipping cream.

Clip a candy thermometer to side of the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low; mixture should boil at a moderate, steady rate over entire surface.

Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 244 degree F (firm-ball stage).

Keep an eye on the mixture so it doesn't boil over. Remove from heat immediately.

Remove candy thermometer. Pour into a 4-cup glass measuring cup.

For large candies, mound pecans in 20 groups, 3-1/2 inches apart on the baking sheets. For small candies, arrange 3 or 4 pecan halves 2 inches apart.

Quickly pour half of the caramel mixture over pecans. (If caramel is very hot, it will run more. Just push caramel back to pecan mound with a small spatula.) Repeat with remaining caramel mixture. (Caramel will have cooled enough to mound.)

In a small saucepan, melt the 1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces over low heat. In another small saucepan, melt the 1 cup vanilla baking pieces over low heat.

Spread half of the caramel mounds with semisweet chocolate and the other half with vanilla baking pieces.

Using the same small saucepans, melt the 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate pieces and 1 teaspoon shortening in one saucepan and the 1/3 cup vanilla baking pieces and 1 teaspoon shortening in the other. Drizzle semisweet chocolate over vanilla-frosted candies; drizzle the melted vanilla baking pieces over the semisweet chocolate-frosted candies.

Drag a toothpick through the drizzle, if you like. Let stand until set. Makes 18 to 20 large or 30 to 35 small candies.

Place candies in a decorative holiday tin lined with parchment paper or place individual candies in muffin cups in a tin. Then gift!

Recipe courtesy of midwestliving.com NON-EDIBLE GIFT RECIPES ALL NATURAL CHOCOLATE BODY SCRUB 1 cup raw sugar 2 1/2 T cocoa powder

1/4 c raw oats 2 T honey 1/8 tsp vanilla 2 tsp olive oil a healthy dash of cinnamon Combine all ingredients into a medium sized bowl and mix well. Spoon into small glass jars and wrap with a bow.

Recipe courtesy of instructables.com KITTY TREATS (for that special cat in your life) 1-1/2 c rolled oats 1/4 c vegetable oil 1/2 c flour 1/2 c tuna oil, chicken or beef bouillon Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix all ingredients into dough. Dust hands with flour and form small, 1/2-inch-thick, round “biscuits”.

Set on greased cookie sheet. Bake 30 minutes or until biscuits are slightly browned.

Recipe courtesy of shebudget.com

And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

LUKE 1:14

Furniture & Appliances 201 North Arkansas Ave.

Historic Downtown Russellville

www.shinnfuneral.com

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ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

www.PetersFamilyLiving.com

479-968-2929

HOMEMADE HAND SOAPS FLAVORS: Chamomile Hand Soap 1/4 tsp chamomile tea leaves Honey-Oatmeal Hand Soap 1 1/2 tsp honey 1 pinch ginger 2 tsp oatmeal Aloe Vera Hand Soap 2 tsp aloe vera gel Ingredients: Ingredients for selected flavor above you choose to make.

4 cubes {4 oz} of glycerin soap {this can be found at a craft store. I chose a clear glycerin but you could choose any variety you want} Petroleum jelly or vegetable spray Spray bottle {set to mist} filled with rubbing alcohol Soap molds {you can get molds specific to soap making or use the base of a yogurt container or any other plastic container}

Begin by coating your molds with either petroleum jelly or vegetable spray. Set aside.

Cut your glycerin into cubes and placing your cubes into a microwave safe container with a spout.

The glycerin comes molded into cubes. Four cubes is all you need per soap mold.

Heat the glycerin in the microwave in 20-second intervals until melted but not boiling. Stir until smooth.

Mix in other additives to “flavor” your soap.

Pour “flavored” soap into your prepared mold. Mist with rubbing alcohol to eliminate any bubbles on the soap’s surface. Allow soap to harden for 2 hours.

To release the soap from the mold, pull the mold away from the side of the soap. Then press on the bottom of the mold to pop the soap out.

If the soap is still resisting coming out this way, place it in the freezer for 10 minutes and try again.

Wrap individual bars of soap in tissue paper and placed in a tin or box and wrap with ribbon.

Recipe courtesy of lovepomegranatehouse.com MOISTURIZING KITCHEN HAND SCRUB 1 1/2 c sugar 1/3 c kosher salt zest of 1 extra large lemon (or other citrus) 1 c olive oil 1/4 tsp pure lemon extract, optional Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. If you would like a slightly stronger fragrance, add the extract. Spoon into a pretty jar, tighten the lid. Wipe any spills or drips from the outside of the jar.

Alternatively, you can use orange or lime zest for a different fresh citrus smell. For an extra touch, tie a pretty bow around the jar if you plan to gift this scrub. This makes enough for a 1 pint canning jar.

Recipe Courtesy of goodlifeeats.com l

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6 mo� ���������� $210 ����������������$70 per additional person 9 mo� ���������� $310 ����������������$90 per additional person 12 mo� �������� $380 ������������� $112 per additional person PARTY ROOM����������������������������������������������������� $15 per hour (room access only during normal business hours, does not include fee/access into pool area. Anyone entering pool deck area must pay.)

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Mon. - Fri. 5am to 8:30pm • Sat. 7am to 5pm • Sun. Noon to 5pm

479-754-4100 1611 Oakland St., Clarksville, AR 72830 www.ClarksvilleAquaticCenter.com

Only available Saturday or Sunday, 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Clarksville Arkansas Parks and Recreation or Clarksville Aquatic Park December 2015 | ABOUT...the River Valley

27

Arkansas Center for Music Education Story by DENISE ROBINSON | Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

hirley Faulkner spends her days sharing a love of music with anyone who walks through the doors at the Arkansas Center for Music Education. Her love of music is a family affair. Her husband, Brian Faulkner, not only teaches the pre-K music program at the center, he also teaches music at area day care centers and schools. Incorporated in 2007, the center provides a venue for those who share an enthusiasm to sing in a choir, learn an instrument or brush up on an instrument they are already familiar with. “There are not many places for someone who enjoys music to go after they leave high school unless they take courses in college, and those courses only last a short period of time,” said Shirley. “The center provides a much needed resource to our community for people of all ages.”

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ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

December 2015 | ABOUT...the River Valley

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ACME offers a wide variety of classes: pre-K music for ages two through four, a band program for ages 10 through adult, a string orchestra program, three levels of music class for home schooled children, the River Valley Treble Chorus youth choir, and the Community Festival Coral adult choir. Tuition is very reasonable, and a tuition assistance program is also available. “We believe these classes should be open to everyone, not just those that can afford to pay a tuition,” said Shirley. “We incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and the class tuition collected goes into the center to improve classes, purchase materials needed for backdrops and costumes for our productions, purchase instruments, and pay for our utilities.” The center also has a

contract with the Russellville School District, in which they share their love of music by teaching music classes in the self-contained classrooms for students with special needs.

As with many nonprofit organizations, there is always a need for volunteers, donations and sponsors. Volunteers are always a priority, as the center depends on them to help make costumes and back drops for their stage productions. Volunteers also assist in fundraising activities like the 5K and 10K runs held every June to raise money for the center. Shirley is, herself, a volunteer. She works long weeks as executive director, but does not draw a salary. When they began this journey, she and Brian agreed that he would provide for their household while she worked on building up the Arkansas Center for Music Education into something the whole community could enjoy.

Since they rely solely on donations and small tuition fees, the funds for her to draw a salary just aren’t available. She says it would be nice to be paid a bit, but knowing she helps people explore their love of music is enough.

Shirley thinks music does so much more for us than provide enjoyment. She believes it can build our self-esteem because she has seen it in her students. She spoke about one particular student, a young girl with Down’s syndrome. “When this young lady began taking one of our classes she was very shy and quiet,” said Shirley. “We began to see a change quite quickly.

She began to open up and take part in class. She made friends with the other children, and you could just tell she enjoyed being here. Her mother even commented to me that she had never seen

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her open up and participate the way she did when she was in music class.” Shirley also mentioned another shy student, a boy that would not make eye contact with other people. But after taking one of their music classes for a semester, and when time for production week rolled around, Shirley’s encouragement paid off. “We worked with him a lot in the days leading up to the stage performance,” said Shirley. “We talked to him about looking forward, not at the ground. I told him I would be right there in the audience and he could just look at me.”

During the performance the young man not only participated, he even looked up at the audience several times. “His mother was elated,” said Shirley. “She couldn’t believe he performed in front of an audience and actually looked up at them.”

The center currently has approximately 200 students enrolled in programs this semester ranging from infants to their oldest student who is 83-years-young and performs with their community band.

Shirley believes programs like these should be available to anyone, regardless of age, who shows an interest.

The Arkansas Center for Music Education would like to extend an invitation to the community to attend their Christmas concert at the Hughes Center located on E. Parkway in Russellville on December 12 and 13.

For more information on volunteering, sponsoring, or participating in a class next semester, you may contact Mrs. Shirley Faulkner at info@ac-me.org or visit their location on Tyler Rd in Russellville. l

Take the first step for a happier and healthier life!

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We have flexible hours and are accepting new clients. We accept most private insurances, Medicare, and self-pay. Grace Counseling accepts TRICARE and CHAMPVA. All communications with your therapist are kept strictly confidential.

Providence Counseling Teesha Warren, LCSW, P.A. 701 E. Main St. Suite 2 Russellville, AR 72801 479-268-7773

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Grace Counseling, Inc. Audra Prince, LCSW 701 E. Main St. Suite 3 Russellville, AR 72801 479-567-5179

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Thank You It would take more than cloudy skies and rain showers to keep the River valley from celebrating our veterans during the Veterans Day Parade on November 11.

To all our veterans: The River Valley says thank you for your service.

Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN

AM Armstrong ARMY

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Paul Hopson

AIR FORCE/AIR GUARD AND ARMY

Jack Griffith

Ray Wewels

Lonnie Hunsucker

Michael L Merritt

Gary Owens

ARMY

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ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

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December 2015 | ABOUT...the River Valley

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ABOUT...the River Valley | Community and Events

Junior Auxiliary announces 2016 Children’s Benefit Ball The 2016 Junior Auxiliary of Russellville’s Children’s Benefit Ball will be Feb. 27 at the L.V. Williamson Boys and Girls Club in Russellville.

The theme for the 2016 Children’s Benefit Ball is “An Evening at the Copacabana”. Tickets are $80 per person or $150 per couple.

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

The award-winning Russellville chapter is one of 97 chapters in the national association. Junior Auxiliary of Russellville members provide more than 3,000 volunteer hours annually.

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

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ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

Back row (L to R): Christy Bartlett, Bethany Swindell, Kristin Foster, Shirley Wade, Andrea Pitts, Charity Smith. Front row (L to R): Brooke Shamblen, Leigh Ann Veach, Sarah Neihouse, Andrea Nicholson, Beth Giroir, Danielle Housenick, Amanda Miller JA also supports local teachers through Teacher Assisted Grants. The TAG grants provide opportunities for teachers in the Russellville School District to fund innovative projects for their classrooms.

In addition to annual projects, Junior Auxiliary provides volunteer assistance to a number of local organizations. JA currently partners with the local Food 4 Kids program to provide assistance with the summer program’s food distribution.

The majority of the projects and grants provided by Russellville Junior Auxiliary are funded by the chapter’s annual Children’s Benefit Ball.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Latch, public relations chair, 479-280-7869 or mlatch@newcorp.com

CHRISTMAS WITH SHOJI TABUCHI

Branson’s hottest must-see entertainer is bringing his famed Christmas show to The Center for the Arts in Russellville on December 17th, at 7:00 p.m. For over 25 years Shoji has been selling out his 2000 seat theater in Branson, MO. The unforgettable show mixes country, bluegrass, Big Band, Cajun, Broadway/movie tunes, pop, jazz, swing, and classical, all melded with class, warmth, humor, and professional perfection.

Shoji’s inspirational story is the “stuff” that dreams are made of. The classically-trained violinist and native of Osaka, Japan began lessons at a very early age. In his college years he went to a concert in Japan headlined by the legendary Roy Acuff. From that

moment on, Shoji said he was hooked and decided that American country music would be his life. He came to the United States in 1981 with $500 in his pocket and a dream in his heart. He made it to Nashville where he connected with Roy Acuff again and ultimately got to play the Grand Ole Opry a stunning 27 times. With his name and word of his fantastic talent starting to spread, many new opportunities opened up for him.

His touring days saw him performing with the likes of Marty Robbins, Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, Barbara Mandrell, Mel Tillis, Dolly Parton, and many other stars of the country music world. Shoji’s touring took him through Branson where he quickly fell in love with the quaint city and its beautiful location. In his early years there, he worked in different theaters before he and his wife Dorothy built their own theater which opened in 1990.

Shoji’s lovely daughter Christina started performing at the age of six, and is now a young wife and mother who displays her amazing prowess as a dancer, alternating between ballet, tap and jazz. She also has

a magnificent singing voice, no matter the type of music she is performing. In addition, she is taking on a big part of the production of the show.

Shoji has recorded nine albums and five videos independently and one record on the ABC/DOT label. US News and World Report says, “Shoji may be unequaled anywhere for showmanship.” He is often referred to as “Mr. Branson” and is an international superstar. “He is also a very

unto us F ora child is born.

nice and down-to-earth person entertaining the audience with his many stories as well as his remarkable talent,” states Rodney Williams who is the promoter of the show in Russellville and personal friend of Shoji. This famed Christmas show is a must-see for all ages and offers something for everyone to enjoy.

Tickets are on sale now starting at $37.50. There are a limited number of special VIP “Meet & Greet” passes available that include a meal before the show and photo taken with Mr. Tabuchi.

Tickets are available at the The Center for the Arts box office during their business hours. To purchase tickets online, visit the website: www.shojiconcert.com. You can also order by phone at 479-304-7777.

TROUT DAY 2015

The CADDIS Fly Fishing Club, the Russellville Recreation and Parks Department, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) are again partnering to bring seasonal trout fishing to Russellville. >>

From Our Family to Yours!

Unto us a Son is given.

May the Lord bless you on this Christmas and always!

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The AGFC will stock Pleasant View Park pond with 1,200 rainbow trout, and Trout Day 2015 will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m.- noon. This will be an opportunity for folks of all ages to “Catch a Limit of Trout in Russellville.”

The AGFC Family and Community Fishing Program has brought urban trout fishing to more than 20 communities around the State and it has been tremendously successful. Hundreds of adult “catchable” trout will be stocked.

“We hope that novice and seasoned fisher-persons will take advantage of this convenient opportunity to catch trout in Russellville”, said Dave Snellings, project leader for the CADDIS Fly Fishing Club.

Both bait fishing and fly fishing will be available, and bait will be provided.

Maurice Jackson, program coordinator for the AGFC’s Family and Community Fishing Program, announced that a “Basic Trout Fishing Clinic” has been scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 1 from 6 - 7 p.m. at the Hughes Center in conjunction with Trout Day 2015. The clinic is free and a certificate for a free rod and reel will be given to each of the first 50 kids 15 years or younger who attend the clinic. Each child must bring this certificate to Trout Day on Saturday in order to receive their brand new rod and reel combo.

The Family and Community Fishing program is an effort by the AGFC to provide families and children the opportunity to catch trout and enjoy a fun and exciting day of fishing. Please bring your own fishing gear and bait will be provided. A fishing license and trout permit (stamp)

are required for persons 16 years of age or older and all trout regulations will be enforced. The limit of five rainbow trout will apply for this trout fishing event.

For more information, call the Hughes Center at 479-968-1272.

ARKANSAS TECH ART STUDENTS EARN AWARDS IN COMPETITION

Five students from Arkansas Tech University earned awards in the ninth annual Arkansas Tech Juried Student Competitive Exhibition.

A total of 40 works were accepted for the exhibit and judged by artist Winston Taylor of Russellville.

The award winners from the 2015 Arkansas Tech Juried Student Competitive Exhibition are: *First Place, Jennifer Prichard of

Russellville, “Now Watch My Rising,” mixed media. *Second Place, Mikahla Denney of Russellville, “Cephalothoracopagus,” pen. *Third Place, Emily Hogue of Beebe, “Street Trash,” color linoleum cut. *Honorable Mention, Deondra Swanigan of Marion, “Thoughts of Suicide,” graphite. *Honorable Mention, Sarah Parker of Little Rock, “Elmer’s Extinction,” crayon.

Guests may view the exhibit at Norman Hall Art Gallery, which is located at 203 West Q Street in Russellville, weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 4. The gallery will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Awards for the exhibition were made possible through a donation to the Arkansas Tech Foundation by the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund.

We extend our Heartfelt wishes and prayers for you and yours this holiday season.

SALES & RENTAL To all our Customers and Friends who made 2015 Great!

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ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

IN-HOME PERSONAL CARE

From our Family to Yours.

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SPIRITUAL WRITERS RETREAT

A Spiritual Writers' Retreat is scheduled from 2 - 7 JAN at House of Blessings, in Eureka Springs, for aspiring as well as seasoned writers who can benefit from large blocks of uninterrupted time in a serene setting. On Saturday, 2 JAN, Dr. Stan Lombardo will facilitate a preliminary writing workshop to be held at All Saint's Episcopal Church at 501 S. Phoenix in Russellville, from 8:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Departure for Eureka Springs will take place after a short lunch. The retreat will consist of daily devotionals, breakfast, lunch, and an optional excursion or two during the week, at no additional charge. Participants will share in the dinner preparations. The retreat will conclude on Thursday after lunch, and a follow-up workshop and evaluation led by Dr. Lombardo is scheduled for Saturday, 9 JAN, from 8:00-11:30 a.m.

The House of Blessings offers a Christcentered space for spiritual healing and growth in an environment of natural beauty, but retreat participants do not need to espouse any religious affiliation.

Prior publication experience not required, but familiarity with the components of writing is helpful. All forms of writing are acceptable, and works will be shared at the discretion of each writer.

For more information contact coordinators Kadee McCormick (479) 223-0062 or Jeannie Stone (479) 7470210. Questions may also be directed to House of Blessings at 479-253-7379.

All registration will be handled through the House of Blessings' website at www. houseofblessings.org.

y r r e Mhristmas C

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SAVOR THE SYMPHONY FUNDRAISER

This popular event is once again hosted by the Russellville Symphony Guild board members, and will be held at the Russellville Country Club on February 6, 2016. The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m. with heavy hors d'oeuvres, assorted beverages, and an open bar will be available. A silent auction and live music will be followed by a seated steak dinner.

Throughout the evening, Mr. Drew Irvin will perform as the strolling violinist. He is a member of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Chamber Group. >>

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Chairman & Co-Chairman are Doris Lawrence and Mary Davis, and they would like to announce that some of our auction items are a trip to Napa Valley, CA to the wine country, a trip to Tuscany, and a long weekend in New York City.

There will also be a raffle, with the prize being a .96 round diamond solitaire valued at $5,000.

The funds generated from Savor The Symphony will be used to bring the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra to Russellville on April 16, 2016, featuring Maestro Philip Mann. The funds will also help to promote music education in our schools, with the ASO Quartet performing for the students.

In addition, music scholarships are awarded to students who qualify.

For more information, please call board member Judy Murphy at (479) 967-1177.

UACCM RECEIVES TWO WORKFORCE TRAINING GRANTS

Following a fall semester where the University of Arkansas Community College in Morrilton saw a 2.5 percent increase in enrollment, many Arkansas colleges saw a decline, UACCM has been awarded two major grants to support the commitment to providing training opportunities relevant to employers’ needs in high-demand, high-wage areas of the job market.

With 49 percent of skilled trade workers being 45 years or older, according to the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, these grants will help UACCM fill the skills gap created by an aging workplace.

UACCM Chancellor Dr. Larry Davis said, “These grants will allow UACCM to

continue to be a state leader in providing technical training to fill the job vacancies created by the large group of retirees over the next decade as well as address the growing skills gap in Arkansas.”

The first of these grants is the U.S. Department of Labor Grant, awarded by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services. A total of $714,849.67 was awarded to UACCM to support the Arkansas Sector Partnership initiative of UACCM. This will provide employer-driven workforce training for industries with growing needs, including Advanced Manufacturing, Health Care, Information Technology, and skilled Construction Trades.

With this grant, UACCM will work with industry partners to create two different pre-employment training programs. The first of these is a fourweek Multi-Craft Industry Training program that will allow participants to gain basic technical skills needed to become more employable. The other is a basic welding training for participants wanting to enter the welding field.

Participants successfully completing either of these programs can receive industry-recognized certifications and up to six credit hours toward a degree at UACCM. Funds will be available for tuition to qualified participants.

The University of Arkansas Workforce Alliance (UAWA), of which UACCM is the lead college, was selected by the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet to receive a Regional Workforce Planning Grant under the Workforce Initiative Act of 2015 in the amount of $81,250.00. The UAWA was

Shoji Tabuchi Live from !

Branson

December 17, 2015 • 7:00 PM

The Center for the Arts, Russellville

www.shojiconcert.com (479) 304-7777 38

ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

created to help schools, workforce boards, industry partners, and adult education centers develop and implement programs that meet changing industry needs and help participants quickly enter the workforce.

This grant will focus on developing partnerships and determining programming needs for welding industry partners.

The program will leverage the welding faculty at five community colleges and mobile training units to offer training that is responsive and flexible to sudden shifts in demand due to changing industry skill needs or new industries entering the state. While welding is the initial focus of this project, the intent is to expand into additional industry sectors.

With over 170 advisory committee members for its technical programs, representing 150-plus companies, UACCM is acutely aware of the need to respond rapidly as the skill set and technology needs of the trade industries evolve.

These grants will enhance UACCM’s existing focus on responding to the growing demand for trained technicians in the job market. In 2013, UACCM began its Give Meaning campaign to support the construction of a new Workforce Training Center. The Center will house the HVAC, Automotive Service Technology, Welding, and Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance programs. This Center gives UACCM the capacity to anticipate, plan, and implement course changes to meet new needs and opportunities.

For more information about the Give Meaning campaign or the awarded grants, please visit www.uaccm.edu. l

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...cont. from page 19 Larissa Walker — owner of Southern Gypsy in Downtown Russellville It’s about bringing people to the area, bringing people to your business to show people in the community what your business is all about. I know it’s been great for my business. I did really well during the last Art Walk. And of course serving snacks and meeting new people is great, too.

When the world has been taken over by technology you don’t get a lot of community anymore, you really don’t. So when you bring people to an area that’s vintage, you got all these cool old stores like my store, and you get all these people together with music and art, it’s just great. It’s great for the community.

Nick Hancock — Arvest Bank Downtown “The Art Walk is about supporting the artists and businesses on the frontlines of local commerce. The foot traffic created by the Art Walk provides excellent exposure for all downtown businesses and helps to introduce the community to locally available goods and services. Lasting consumer relationships are key to the success of local business. Events such as the Art Walk serve as great catalysts for sparking those relationships and keeping money invested in the heart of Russellville.”

Chris George — owner of Joshua’s Fine Jewelry in Downtown Russellville “It’s the most romantic free thing you can do in public. People work really hard to make this interesting. You’ve got new artists, different kinds of genres in the same place.

Like for instance, we’ll have three or four artists and live music. Every time you come to an Art Walk you get something different.

Chris believes Art Walk offers something to the public that is increasingly rare these days: loads of entertainment and community bonding — for free.

How many things in the world can you do for three hours that are so jam packed with cool stuff that you can’t see it all. And it’s free.

Chris also understands what Art Walk means to business.

If you get 400 people in your business over a three hour period, and they have a wonderful time, and you treat them like royalty, and you love on them and they love on you, that’s a good thing. I love Art Walk.

The Brookdale family would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Drive Thru * Walk Thru * Make Memories NIGHTLY! November 28 thru January 5

For more information about Art Walk visit mainstreetrussellville.com l December 2015 | ABOUT...the River Valley

39

ABOUT...the River Valley | Artist Spotlight

Bring the Beauty Inside Story and Photos by TOMMY MUMERT

A

s an artist, Miranda Townsend knows she cannot improve on the beautiful world already created in nature. Instead, she prefers to work with that beauty in a personal way. ”Nature’s organic form inspires my compositions. I draw a lot of my color schemes from the environment,” she said.

“The world around us is the ultimate artist,” Townsend added. “Assembling artwork to accent our own little worlds, our homes, is my goal. I want to bring some of that beauty from our environment into our homes in the form of art.”

Townsend also wants to help others bring that beauty into their own homes.

A 2013 graduate of Arkansas Tech University’s art program, Townsend teaches several art classes at the River Valley Arts Center in Russellville. Included in those classes is a pallet painting class that takes wooden pallets, often discarded by many people, and not only gives them a new purpose, but provides an artistic touch to that new purpose.

The class, introduced by Townsend to the Arts Center, has proven popular and Townsend said the medium for the artists to work with, a wooden pallet, is part of the reason. “A pallet is such a raw material,” she said. “It’s not finished and it’s not polished at all. So because of the rawness of that pallet, it’s not as intimidating to students,” Townsend explained. Because of that, pallet painting “is a good way for beginners to get started with painting,” she said. For instance, the pallets used in the class “are not perfect. But we can use maybe a groove in the wood or a hole in the wood as part of the art. We can use the mistakes of the wood to enhance our art.”

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ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

Plus, she said, “others think of a pallet as trash but we make it into art.”

Pallet painting is certainly not the only form of art for Townsend, and she said acrylic painting is her favorite art form. She also enjoys watercolor painting as well as work with charcoal and colored pencils.

Townsend has had work exhibited in several galleries and has competed in several contests.

“As I take part in each opportunity I become inspired by the public’s reactions and interest toward my creations.”

She discovered her own inspiration and love of art years ago at Pottsville Elementary School through the guidance of her art teacher, Lisa Jones.

“Mrs. Jones really started the whole process for me,” she recalled. As she moved up through the grades, that guidance followed her. After Jones’ classes came those of Carrie Drake in junior high, before Townsend found herself in Jones’ classroom again in high school.

“I was really lucky to have two teachers who challenged me,” Townsend said.

She added to her solid foundation of art education at Tech where, she said, “I really expanded my self expression.”

Her advisor was David Mudrinich, professor of art, and in his classes “you learned the way to accurately recreate what you were seeing in front of you.”

Ty Brunson, associate professor of art, provided the instruction she needed in 3-D forms through sculpture and pottery.

“That helped me with my shading in other art forms,” she said. And through the printmaking classes taught by Neal Harrington, associate professor of art, “I really got to learn the physical demands of some art forms.”

While in college she won several art contests and also got a taste of teaching, during an art education class taught by the department head in art, Dr. Dawn Ward. In that class the Tech students worked with students at Sequoyah Elementary School. When the opportunity arose to teach classes at the Arts Center, Townsend said she jumped at the chance.

In addition to the pallet painting class, Townsend is teaching a Holiday and Christmas Celebration Scrapbooking class. In early 2016 she will be teaching classes in acrylic painting and figure drawing.

In all her classes Townsend wants to challenge her students’ creativity, just as her creativity was challenged in her own early art classes. Townsend said she teaches the elements and principles of art, while providing instruction on how to incorporate those into the students’ art. “Don’t think about what you’ve got to create,” Townsend suggested. “We want to learn to avoid the barriers that are blocking our creativity.” When that is accomplished, then students can begin enhancing their own worlds, she said.

“God has already created his artistic arrangement in the world,” Townsend said. “We are just trying to create our own little arrangement within that world.”

Additional info. about Townsend’s classes or any of the other classes, events and exhibits offered through the Arts Center is available by calling 968-2452 or visiting the center’s website at http:// www.rivervalleyartscenter.org. l

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(479) 968-3991 December 2015 | ABOUT...the River Valley

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ABOUT...the River Valley | Backyard Living

Read more from Meredith at www.boileddownjuice.com

The Boiled Down Juice

A Gift of Enormous Measure Story by MEREDITH MARTIN-MOATS | Photo by JOHNNY SAIN

“I don't want to be afraid of my children growing up.”

I kept turning the phrase over in my mind as I lay in bed drifting off to sleep. My 17-month-old daughter was sound asleep beside me. I ached a little bit when I thought of how tiny she once was, back in those early days when she used to fit in the curve of my arm. Now she seems to take up half the bed. How many ways are there to say, “she's growing up so fast?” Isn't that all parents ever seem to say?

My first children were twins. When I found out I was pregnant with a singleton I looked forward to nursing one baby at a time, holding her in stillness, getting to spend one-on-one time rather than running back and forth between putting out fires.

After she was born, I marveled at how easy it was to hold and feed her and sank into the satisfaction of being able to meet her needs as they arose rather than asking her to wait in line behind another sibling.

When nap time came I would put her in the carrier and hold her close to my chest, swaying back and forth until she fell asleep slobbering on my shirt. It was all so tender, holding one baby at a time. If you've had children you know how it goes. I blinked and then she was crawling. Now she walks along beside me, her tiny little hand wraps easily around my ring and pinky fingers.

She points out cats and birds and likes to 42

ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

hide things under pillows and then pull them out exclaiming, “dere is!”

It rained all day today, and the early, dark evenings make it clear winter is here. Things will slow down a little, or at least the early dusk would have us think so. Holidays will give us extra time together with family and perhaps a snow day or two will keep us all inside on the couch. But nothing ever really slows down when you have young children at home. Even in winter.

I don't think I'll give birth to any more children, which makes my daughter the baby of the family. Presumably she's the one I'll find hardest to let go. I recently discovered something called “RIE parenting.” The REI stands for “Resources for Infant Educators.”

Titles for concepts of parenting usually get on my nerves, and this title is no exception. I mean, parenting isn't a theory. It's a moment to moment ever-evolving state of being.

That said, we need words and phrases to help us name ideas and concepts, and those phrases give us the tools to turn these ideas and concepts over in our minds. We can't challenge our misconceptions if we can't name alternatives. Such is my frustration with the gap between language and experience, I guess.

Anyway, here is the basic tenant of RIE: “We not only respect babies, we demonstrate our respect every time we interact with them. Respecting a child means treating even the youngest infant as a unique human being, not as an object.”

Even the youngest babies are seen as active players in their own lives. There is an inherent trust there, a willingness to see the complete and whole person way before their little legs can stand.

I'm not writing this column to expose all the ways of this school of thought, but

you can find plenty of resources online by googling the phrase. (Magda Gerber and Janet Lansbury are some of the most well known authors who have fleshed out these ideas into article and book form).

The more I read the more I realized this was the kind of parenting I've been attempting to practice. I just didn't know it had a name. Part of why I'd latched on to this idea was that I am hyperaware that any attempts to hem my children in would likely only backfire. I'm not one of those parents who can't wait for the kids to get grown. While I do enjoy time to myself, I don't find my greatest enjoyment in my time away from them. I love my life with my children. It's life-affirming, and it's the most beautiful, difficult, challenging, eyeopening experience I have ever known. But I don't want to be someone who needs my children to be children. I want my children to be themselves. And everyday they are becoming more and more of who they are.

I remember as a child feeling excitement as I grew older, that budding independence like sparks everywhere. If I am so lucky, my children will feel that too, and I want to

find ways to be there for them. Not be there broken-hearted, begrudgingly weeping for the good old days. I want to be there at that very moment in that very moment with the people they are in that very moment. I know that to do that will take some work.

There is a whole world of pressures out there to tell us to lean into a feeling of guilt as our children grow up. We recoil from the pain of it all. But I'm pretty sure that a lot of this is just about fear. And if I've learned anything about fear it's that once you name it, it dissipates, a least a tiny bit.

So this winter I'm going to do what I always try to do: spend as much time as possible with family. But on those days when everything feels like it's moving so fast and I feel that punch in the gut when I see how big my youngest is, I'm not going to guilt myself into fearing the passing years. I know growing up is a gift of enormous measure. And I refuse to feel guilty or fearful of the very nature of growth. Even in the most still, silent moments we're growing. All of us. And that is one of the most beautiful things we humans can know. l

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ABOUT...the River Valley | Outdoors

Read more from Billy at www.cabinpeople.com

Angels and Beavers

A

round this time of year all around the world people are getting ready for Christmas. And from church services, to Charlie Brown specials, to decorations at Hobby Lobby, undoubtedly I’ll run across the scripture from Luke where a rag tag bunch of shepherds suddenly get a surprise from a gang of angels.

You’ve heard it: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."

– Luke 2: 8-10 8

I don’t mind telling you that I have a problem with this.

Specifically, one sentence — "Do not be afraid."

There’s a bit of audacity here that I simply cannot overlook.

When a group of presumably simple, rural guys are just sitting around by a campfire minding their own business and suddenly the sky fills up with what could only adequately described as a TransSiberian Orchestra concert, simply saying don’t be afraid hardly seems reasonable. I know this because I have experience. Not with angels, but beavers. Let me explain.

My family has raised cows for as long as I can remember. But many years ago, in a momentary lapse of sanity, we decided to try our hand at raising some crops. Specifically, ten acres of cabbage.

The thing you need to understand for our purposes here is that with cabbage everything pretty much has to be done by hand. And 44

ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

Story by BILLY REEDER

what we had on our hands was essentially a ten-acre garden that consumed our lives.

As it turned out, a few thousand heads of cabbage was incredibly popular with the local wildlife. Apart from keeping the weeds out, keeping critters from eating our crop was proving to be a huge challenge. The rabbits were no big surprise. The deer not as much of a surprise. The surprise came from the field that bordered the local river — the beavers.

The beavers were drawn from the river to our cabbage patch quicker than a fat man to a catfish buffet. Armed with big teeth and voracious appetites, these oversized rodents were mowing through our field night after night until we finally had to take drastic measures. We began doing 24hour armed patrols of the cabbage patch.

One summer night it was my turn. Armed with a daisy BB gun, peanut butter sandwiches and all the bravery a nine-year-old could muster, I set out into the darkness accompanied by a friend from school on our patrol of the field. Hardened warriors and guardians of the helpless, we were. Two young boys with the fate of ten acres of cabbage in our hands.

It only took a few hours for two young boys to do what two young boys do when left to their own devices and sitting in the

"I don’t mind telling you that I have a problem with this.

Specifically one sentence. 'Do not be afraid."

middle of a field at two in the morning.

We freaked each other out.

Each trying to stoically maintain our composure, on the inside we were tinderboxes waiting to ignite. And sitting there on the edge of the field with our backs to the river, the inevitable happened.

The stillness of the night was broken with some high pitched whining sound moving through the field. In retrospect, probably just a bird, but it was enough to put us both on critical alert.

“What was that!?”

“I don’t know!”

And then, directly behind us, in the river.

(You know, where the beavers lived.)

BAM! BAM! BAM! A sound so loud that it must have shaken the foundations of the world.

What I now understand, as a rational adult, is that it was nothing more than a beaver slapping its tail on the water. As a nine-year-old I believed it nothing less than some nightmare of a monster coming up from the depths of the river set on dragging

us back into the murky depths where it would tear us apart with its massive fangs.

We didn’t stick around to find out.

You know in those old Looney Tune cartoons when one of the characters would take off so fast that they left their eyeballs and eyebrows sitting suspended in air?

That’s about the pace we were setting as we screamed our way out of that place.

Our primary problem was that the field was a solid quarter mile from the house — a quarter mile down a dark and forbidding road with old gnarly trees that looked straight out of a scene from Sleepy Hollow.

My buddy took the lead, flashlight and BB gun pointed forward. I took the rear, flashlight and BB gun facing behind.

We expected to see a horrific beast come crashing through the darkness at any moment.

We were getting closer. We could see the lights of the house in the distance. We were almost home. And then… Remember when I said we raised cows?

Just when I thought we were free, a beast of massive proportions suddenly raised up from the ground at our feet bellowing in surprise and irritation from being awoken from its nighttime slumber.

I’m not sure how many times we shot that poor cow. Lucky for the cow, and for us, our lever action BB guns were no match for her hide.

Moments later we were safely within the confines of the house, and my parents — who were still up and apparently waiting for this very moment — may have literally fallen on the floor laughing.

So when I say that that I have a problem with a story about an angel popping out of thin air to a bunch of kids sitting alone in a field and telling them not to be afraid, let’s just say I have some experience with the subject.

But then again, sometimes when the world seems really dark it helps to focus on the light and realize that things aren’t as scary as they seem. Sometimes, maybe it’s hope that makes all the difference. l

December 2015 | ABOUT...the River Valley

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On a Personal Note Learning Balance in Life from a Bike Guest Written by Liz Chrisman

One of the best aspects about this non-profit is its education aspect — kids not only benefit from receiving bikes but they also learn how to do basic repairs, upkeep and safety.

The adage “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch fish and you feed him for a lifetime” comes to mind here.

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Not one thing stands alone as a dichotomy of life lessons and pure fun more than a bicycle. As a kid, nothing frustrated my strong-willed nature more than not being able to ride without training wheels right from my first sit on the saddle.

My first bicycle to memory (a blue, black with yellow accents Walmart special) was forgiving and patient as my laps around the city park loop droned into the double digits in my efforts to find balance. Growing up on the gravel country roads, 20 minutes from the nearest small town, riding my bicycle didn’t stick with me early on. School hobbies took over my life by the time many pavement surrounded kids were fine tuning their hill climbing legs. Their stories of riding until the sun was down on the city streets and discovering single track in their teens still sort of leave me jealous.

I didn’t rediscover cycling until post-college when I lived in the heart of Russellville. I’d bike anywhere and everywhere I could on my KHS commuter that I’d picked up with my first graphic design firm paycheck. Fast forward to present day and I’m on the road between 30-50 miles a week, commuting to work when there aren’t shoots to be made and ripping through singletrack on free weekend mornings. When I’m not wearing my photographer hat or sport climbing Arkansas sandstone, my focus is zeroed in on cycling and volunteering with the River Valley chapter of Ozark Off-Road Cyclists. More recently, the importance of getting bikes into the hands of kids has been brought to my attention.

With the advent of social media and more advanced gaming, our thriving lives are primarily virtual and the real world has often taken a backseat. Children gravitate to smartphones and tablets like moths to a flame, and are naturally intuitive to their function even before they can

ABOUT...the River Valley | December 2015

walk. Don’t think I’m framing myself as antitechnology — far from it. I’m all about balance, especially for those that will be leading us in future years.

After spending time photographing the gentlemen of the Dover Lions Club during one of their work days, I was inspired by their giving spirit. As Wesley Roach put it to me perfectly: “There’s a little bit of Santa Claus in all of us.”

I was inspired again in Little Rock during a community fundraiser for “Recycle Bikes for Kids,” a non-profit that accepts old bikes, repairs them and distributes them to kids, in which over one thousand dollars was raised just from raffling off a fun lowrider bicycle. One of the best aspects about this non-profit is its education aspect — kids not only benefit from receiving bikes but they also learn how to do basic repairs, upkeep and safety.

The adage “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch fish and you feed him for a lifetime” comes to mind here.

Get your kids on a bicycle early in life. Teach them the rules of the road. These fine pieces of engineering are the most efficient (99 percent to be exact) means of transportation and have been framed for years as a prized possession, especially in the eyes of a child. If you’re financially unable to provide a bike but are passionate about it, reach out to the local Dover Lions Club. If you’re more interested in this cause or donating a bike, reach out to them as well. Let’s get the kids of the River Valley vested in something that will give them a lifetime of lessons, responsibility, environmental consciousness, and most of all joy.

Look for more interesting features and tidbits in "On a Personal Note" each month in future issues of ABOUT...the River Valley. You'll find short stories, interesting pieces and other great reads from people you know, or would like to know from around the River Valley.

ABOUT...the River Valley | Engagements

Save the Date!

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

~ December 1 ~

~ December 20 ~

Sally Bubbus & Billy Alvarado

Amanda Lutz & Kirk West

~ December 6 ~

~ December 28 ~

Whitney Walters & Cole Hollowell

Lucy Busch & Andrew Behrendt

~ December 7 ~

Emily Blackard & Clayton Frazier Mindy Cooper & Derick Echols

~ December 12 ~

Kristi Roulston & John Thomason

~ January 2 ~

Savannah Callan & Drew Hancock

~ January 30 ~

Savannah Sage & Ricky McKnight

~ February 13 ~

~ December 14 ~

Bridgette Anderson & Jason Groves Ramie Hay & Ethan Domerese

Sloane Roberts & Zach Hocker

~ December 22 ~

Grace Roys & Sawyer Grace

~ February 20 ~

Emma Zachary & Thomas Hunt

~ December 28 ~

Mallory McCormick & Timothy Onarecker

~ March 12 ~

Photo by Benita's Photography

~ May 21 ~

Erin Grice & Cory Putman

~ June 4 ~

Dr. Katie Crow & Brandon Goates Hannah Limbocker & Logan Taylor

~ June 11 ~

Ashlee Van Peeren & Brian Byrum Ariel Nicole Wade & Logan Hayes

Emily Callaway & Alex Enderlin

~ April 16 ~

~ June 18 ~

~ December 5 ~

Natalie Whitehead & Chris Hall

Bailey Craig & Casey Nickleson

Katie Hall & John Hoyt

To have your engagement or wedding published in a future issue of ABOUT Magazine, send your information, photo* and a check for $57.50 to: ABOUT Magazine, PO Box 10176, Russellville AR 72812, or visit www.aboutrvmag.com/forms.html. Word count is limited to 225 words. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication. For additional information, call (479) 857-6791. *Digital files are accepted and will be published upon receipt of payment.

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Taylor Nursery 130 S Cumberland • 479-968-2778

ANNOUNCING A HEALTHY ADDITION TO THE RIVER VALLEY.

Valentino Piacentino III, M.D.

Sarahrose Webster, M.D.

Suzanna Chatterjee, M.D.

MILLARD-HENRY CLINIC

MILLARD-HENRY CLINIC

MILLARD-HENRY WOMEN’S CLINIC

General Surgery | 479.890.2433

General Surgery | 479.890.2433

OBGYN | 479.890.2428

Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Millard-Henry Clinic welcome general surgeons Valentino Piacentino III, M.D. and Sarahrose Webster, M.D. along with the Millard-Henry Women’s Clinic addition, OBGYN Suzanna Chatterjee, M.D. Saint Mary’s is proud to bring the quality services of these skilled specialists to the River Valley. All three physicians are now taking appointments.