ABOUT | March 2009

James Lee Witt: Drawn Home by Country Roots

March 2009 a publication of SILVER PLATTER PRODUCTIONS, INC. www.aboutrvmag.com

March 2009

contents 7

Super Heroes

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Drawn Home by Country Roots

13

Kechia: God Sent Us a Son

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Dancing Queen

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Class Gains ‘Competitive Edge’

n Keen Shoes for Men For the sporty Man fun new styles for him.

Feltner’s

2320 West Main • Russellville (479) 968-6464

n Make a Statement in Your Home!

This blue pitcher can make a statement when decorating, can also be used as a vase to put flowers in.

Rose Drug

3103 West Main • Russellville (479) 968-1323

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Puerto Rico Me Encanta

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New Officers Protect and Serve

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Are You All in a Stew?

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The Belle of Yell Country

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ATU Team Plans Lunker Event

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North to Alaska

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Clarksville Sweetheart Benefit Ball

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ABOUT Engagements

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ABOUT Recipe Contest

n Pamper Yourself Introducing Tuscan Honey by Camille Beckman … the finest creams and lotions in the world. Other fragrances available. Camille Beckman makes the perfect gift.

Gifts on Parkway/Gifts on Rogers

2149 E. Parkway, Russellville • (479) 890-6932 510 S. Rogers, Clarksville • (479) 705-8282

ABOUT our Cover

Photo by Steve Newby

James Lee Witt, former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA,) reconnected with his Yell County roots when in 2003, he and his wife Lea Ellen, had the opportunity to purchase the Meers Plantation in Dardanelle. As a child, the Witt family maintained the house and grounds for owners Paul and Bessie Jo Meers and lived on adjacent property. Their history-rich story begins on page 8.

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4 ABOUT...the River Valley

March 2009

ABOUT

Arkansas

Award Honors Arkansas Author Story by Jane Clawson

Charlie May Simon? Are you familiar with that name? Ask your fourth-, fifth-, or sixth-grader about Charlie May Simon. Hopefully your child can tell you Simon was an Arkansas author. Known primarily for her children’s literature, she also wrote short stories and biographies. Born near Monticello, Ark., Simon was educated in Tennessee and lived in numerous places around the world. She had close family ties to Arkansas and was a frequent visitor to Arkansas and returned to live in the state.

Her first manuscript submitted for publication was rejected by the publisher. After a few years of studying art, she again began to write.

Simon wanted to tell about the Ozark way of life and the strong people who lived it. She worked hard at the writer’s craft including in-depth research.

Simon saw the Ozarks as a complex culture. Her experiences and observations gave her writing a feel of the humble people she knew as a child. To honor Charlie May Simon as an Arkansas author, the Arkansas Department of Education initiated the Charlie May Simon Award in 1971.

A committee composed of teachers and librarians compiles a reading list of books to be considered for the award. Arkansas students in grades four, five, and six are asked to read the books and vote for the one they think is the best. They must read or have read to them at least three books on the list in order to vote. The book receiving the most votes is the Charlie May Simon Award Book for the year.

Charlie May Simon Reading List, 2008-2009

Fourth, fifth and sixth graders in the state of Arkansas will choose one of these to be the 2009 Charlie May Simon Award Book.

Auch, M. J.; ONE-HANDED CATCH Just after the end of World War II, eleven-year-old Norm got his arm caught in the meat grinder at his father’s store.

Brockmeier, Kevin; GROOVES: A KIND OF MYSTERY Friends Dwayne Ruggles and Kevin Applebab join Emily Holmes to save factory workers from a greedy entrepreneur after decoding messages from grooves in jeans. (This author lives in Little Rock.)

Clements, Andrew; ROOM ONE This is the story of a boy in a one-room school house who sees a face in the window of a deserted house.

DiCamillo, Kate; THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE Edward, a rabbit made of china, starts the story as the property of Abilene. He goes from his life of ease, caring about no one except himself, to an incredibly difficult set of circumstances.

Continued on page 16

ABOUT the River Valley

A Publication of Silver Platter Productions, Inc Vol. IV, Issue 2 – March 2009

OWNER/PUBLISHER Nolan and Dianne Edwards Advertising Sales Melanie Conley Stephanie K. Young Dianne S. Edwards Graphic Design Chris Zimmerman Zim Creative Contributing Writers Kechia Bentley Dianna Qualls Jeannie Stone Johnna Walker Contributing PhotographerS Steve Newby Assistant to the Publisher Melissa Edwards

ABOUT… the River Valley

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

Subscriptions are available by sending $20 for one-year (10 issues) to: SPPI/ABOUT Magazine P.O. Box 10176 Russellville AR 72812 Material contained in this issue may not be copied or reproduced without written consent. Inquiries may be made by calling (479) 970-6628.

Office: 417 West Parkway Email: editor@aboutrvmag.com Postmaster: Please send address changes to: SPPI, P.O. Box 10176, Russellville AR 72812.

6 ABOUT...the River Valley

A PAGE FROM ___________________________________________________

The Editor’s Notebook Those of you who enjoyed Kechia’s column last month will understand when I say, ‘I know exactly what she means about writing stories in her head.’ I, too, have fabulous storylines and opening paragraphs in my head when I wake up during the night. When I sit down to write them, they elude me. I suppose that is what they call ‘writer’s block.’

My family and friends probably wish that sometimes I would experience ‘speaker’s block,’ in order to silence my ramblings when we near the finish line of a new issue. Besides getting a bit antsy to complete each month’s issue, I reveal in the process when we hand off another issue to the printer. However, when I have more stories than space, the ramblings move to incantations – as if by casting a spell, I could create more pages.

You see, our page count is directly related to the number of advertisers we attract. It’s no big secret; just part of the business. More supporting advertisers means more pages that we can print each month. It’s a numbers game, really.

And, while I would print a hundred pages each month if we could, reality sinks in – limiting our page count and thusly, the number of stories we may offer in any given month.

Assembling each issue is like playing with puzzles. You have a certain number of ads and ad sizes, a list of stories and photos, and a limited number of pages in which to place them all. It’s a magical process, really, and one that we enjoy.

I received a slight ribbing in the office recently. ‘Guess you never thought you’d run out of space before you ran out of stories, huh?’

Well, ABOUT Magazine is a compilation of great writers, great sales associates and great photographers and designers.

Without them, the wonderful story and content you visually devour each month would be impossible. And, without your local businesses and advertisers, we’d be unable to publish many pages of ABOUT... the River Valley Magazine.

Our list of paid subscribers continues to grow. However, while subscriptions help offset the processing and mailing costs – advertisers help pay for the bulk of the pages. So, when you hear us express our appreciation to those advertisers (and ask you to support them by shopping locally) please know it is so that we may continue bringing you future issues of

ABOUT Magazine without added costs to our readers.

By now, paid subscribers should have received a mailed copy of our second edition 2009 ABOUT... Weddings and Special Occasions issue. Nonsubscribers may pick up a copy from any of our 40 participating advertisers, from the Russellville Depot or our office at 417 West Parkway. Filled with local stories, this year’s issue has already become a popular reference for your specialoccasion shopping needs.

One of the most popular features of each regular issue is our recipe section, coordinated by Dianna Qualls, selfproclaimed cookbook fanatic. Each month highlights a collection of tried-and-true recipes shared with regular readers.

In honor of our ‘love of food,’ ABOUT Magazine will host our first-ever Community Recipe Contest. ABOUT... the Best Cooks will be held Saturday, April 4, from 2-4 p.m. at the Historic Missouri-Pacific Railroad Depot in Downtown Russellville.

There is no fee to enter and sampling will be available to the public for a nominal fee. Funds generated from the sale of ‘sampler’ plates will be split between two local non-profit organizations.

Recognition will include publication of winning recipes in a future issue of ABOUT Magazine and the receipt of certificates to winning categories and divisions. Judging will be by a panel of celebrity judges.

Entry details and forms are available on page 39. Copies of the entry forms are acceptable but each submission requires a separate pre-registration, due

by March 30.

We hope you’ll not only enter, but considering spreading the word to your fellow cooks and bakers.

Come and help us share!

Dianne Edwards, Editor/Publisher

Note: The photo featured on page 29 of the February issue should have been identified as follows: Cooper Burlison, 7, first place; Cassie Johnson, 8, first place, and Carter Burlison, 10, second place. These students competed against 80 others in the Harrison triathlon last spring and are currently training for future triathlons. Our apologies!

March 2009

Out and ABOUT

Super Heroes When we are young, our super heroes usually sprang from the pages of a cartoon or comic book. My personal favorite during childhood was Aquaman, but for the life of me now, I can’t imagine why that was because as an elementary student, I wasn’t a good swimmer!

However, when we grow older, the work performed by real ‘super heroes’ becomes no laughing matter. Consider our own ‘River Valley Heroes.’

While editorial cartoonist Cliff Thomas was removing the downed, ice-covered trees from his own property and workshop, we began pondering the subject of this month’s illustration. Using this artform to draw attention to the subjects of interest to our readers, we simply could not miss the opportunity to glorify and thank Arkansas’ many unsung heroes through Cliff’s amazing talent.

Our cartoon takes a look at the acts performed by many friends, neighbors and frequently, unknown individuals, giving generously of their time and back-breaking labors to remove fallen trees, restore power, clear roadways and bring needed food and medical supplies to many of those devastated by the recent history-making ice storm.

March 2009

While the River Valley dodged most of the icy bullet, our friends to the north did not. Many of our local workers were either called away or volunteered to assist in the recovery. Others of our area had friends and family who were affected but were unable to assist them physically. We kept them – and those who were helping them cope -- close in thought and prayer.

For an amazing, yet tragic, overview of the devastation in northwest Arkansas, visit http://www.uark.edu/rd_vcad/urel/ iceStorm2009. Described by the U of A Chancellor G. David Gearhart as an “ice storm of unprecedented proportions to the University of Arkansas campus and the greater northwest Arkansas region,” we believe this site is one of many illustrating the effects of one of our worst natural disasters.

It also embodies the spirit of ‘people helping people,’ something the State – and the River Valley – have exemplified above all else. Helping one’s neighbor is no laughing matter.

Rather than to ‘pass it on,’ may we suggest ‘paying it forward’? And while you’re at it, don’t forget to ‘hug a hero!’ n

March 4, 11, 18: Spring Lunch series, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Williamson Dining Room, 1205 N. El Paso, ATU. $6.95. Menu varies weekly. Reservations required for parties of 5 or more, call (479) 9380378. For weekly menus, email: rmoll@atu.edu.

March 5,12, 19: ATU Hospitality Program Spring Guest Chef Series, Williamson Dining Room, 1205 N. El Paso. Reserved seating times 6-7 p.m. Call (479) 968-0378. $25.95 per person. For weekly menus, email rmoll@atu.edu.

March 6: 54th Annual Miss Arkansas Tech pageant, 7 p.m. Witherspoon Auditorium. Free with Tech ID; Tickets: $8 adults, $3 students (high school and younger.) (479) 968-0632.

March 6: Country Dance Workshop, 7:30-10:30 p.m., $10 pp. Dance with Joy Studio. RSVP (479) 968-1620, (479) 264-7287.

March 7: Ballroom Dance Party, 7:30-10:30. $10 pp. Dance with Joy Studio. RSVP (479) 968-1620, (479) 264-7287.

March 13-14: RHJS Competitive Edge Class car wash, Fri. 3:30-6; Sat. 8-5; 500 Building, Russellville; fundraiser for national competition.

March 13: Rotary Casino Night, Russellville Country Club. Info: (479) 964-0531.

March 14: St. Patty’s Dinner Party, sponsored by the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center, 6:30 p.m. Tickets, (479) 968-2452.

March 14: Second Saturday Chef’s Series, Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. Info: (501) 727-6220.

March 18: Speed Networking, Chamber of Commerce; noon, $5 with lunch included.

One-on-one business networking; Chamber of Commerce membership required. To join and participate, call (479) 968-2530.

March 18: “Forget-Me-Nots” Alzheimer’s Support Group, 1 p.m.; Arkansas Hospice. Call Karen at (479) 498-2050.

March 25: Annual Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Performance, Witherspoon Auditorium, ATU; (479) 229-2041.

March 27: REEL Stories Documentary Film Series, Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, 7 p.m.

(501) 727-6219.

Visit www.aboutrvmag.com for a list of activities updated as they are received. To have your event included in the ABOUT Calendar of Events, email: editor@aboutrvmag.com or fax to (866) 757-3282. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication.

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ABOUT...the River Valley 7

Couple Drawn Home by Country Roots Story by Jeannie Stone | Photos by Steve Newby

Y

ell County natives James Lee and Lea Ellen Witt always maintained their farm at Wildcat Hollow even during their years traversing the nation as the ‘first couple’ of FEMA. They re-established their connection with James Lee’s childhood home in 2003 with the purchase of the Meers Plantation in Dardanelle where, once upon a long ago time, James Lee, his parents and his siblings maintained the house and grounds for the Meers family.

The Witts recently bought the adjoining 80 acres and, while riding his dozer, James Lee uncovered three large mounds of bricks.

“At first I was afraid we’d uncovered a burial ground,” James Lee said, “instead, we found the remains of the Eureka Brick Company.”

The enterprise made red clay bricks from the sand of the Arkansas River in the early part of the 1900s. It took some research to solve the mystery of the mounds, but tenacity has always been James Lee’s strong suit. Connecting the loose ends has always been his passion.

The Witt family moved to the farmhouse behind the “big house” owned by Paul and Bessie Jo Meers in 1955. When James Lee was 12 years old his family’s home burned and they lost everything.

“I was actually over on Nebo Road when it happened,” he said, “cleaning out chicken houses for Mr. Tommy Pelt. He noticed the smoke and said that it looked like about where our house was… sure enough, it was our house.”

The family, including three sisters and a brother, moved to town and rented until Meers purchased an old military bunkhouses from Ft. Chaffee and moved it behind the “big house” where it sits today.

“I was basically raised in that. Times were hard. My father was a farm hand,” James Lee said. “My mother was the housekeeper and earned $15 a week.”

At 15, the industrious James Lee rode on a Greyhound bus to Spearman, Texas, to custom hay bale all summer. He lived in a little apartment and baled hay all summer.

“I saved my money, and when I came home, I bought my first car off of John L. Martin in Harkey Valley for $250, and I still had money left over to buy my school clothes. My dad asked me what I was going to do with the car, and I told him I was going to fix it up. I didn’t know one thing about fixing cars.”

True to his word, James Lee single-handedly overhauled the 1951 Ford. “I had a whole coffee can of bolts left over, but it still worked,” he said with a chuckle.

At 16, he drove that ‘51 Ford the 750 miles to Spearman.

And, at 17, he married 18-year-old Lea Ellen Hodges. She was a bookkeeper for D.B. McClure and planned to continue her studies at Tech. The two had been a couple since high school.

“I’m the older woman,” she said coyly.

Lea Ellen said, “Actually, we were junior-high sweethearts. And nobody knew we were married except his mother, who went with us.”

“Oh, we had to keep it secret,” James Lee said, “but my football coach found out and after I made a pretty good tackle during a scrimmage, he leaned over and whispered I ‘hadn’t done bad for an old married man’. I have no idea how he found out, but Coach Charles Lyons was very good to me.”

After his graduation from high school, the Witts moved to Connecticut where James Lee’s older brother worked at General Dynamics (known later as General Electric).

Before they left, Witt approached Pat Lee, then-president of the local bank, for a loan. After informing Lee of his plans to move to join his brother working on nuclear submarines, he asked for a $150 loan. He was all of 18 years old.

“I didn’t have the luxury of thinking about what it was I wanted to pursue when I grew up,” James Lee said. “We were too busy working and living our lives back then.”

“We traded that ‘51 Ford for a 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible.

We were in tall cotton. It was solid white with a black interior.”

With a jar of coins and the winds of Yell County at their backs, they embarked on their journey until an emergency stop -- a broken timing chain -- on the new Pennsylvania Turnpike put a road bump in their adventure.

Forced to spend the night in a nearby hotel, they realized they’d stopped on the wrong side of the tracks. A gang fight broke out before their eyes and gunshots fired next to their hotel. Even the mechanic had just been released from prison for manslaughter.

“We couldn’t get out of there fast enough,” Lea Ellen said. The repair job depleted their cash on hand by $90, and the jar of coins barely sustained them for the duration of the trip.

Once in Connecticut, Lea Ellen worked in a magazine subscription department, and James Lee undertook a three-month drafting course. Just when he was to begin with the company, the workers went on a month-long strike.

James Lee worked pumping gas at a service station. He was able to resume his new position, and after additional mechanicaldrafting classes, he was offered a job in the company’s drafting department. James Lee had other plans. He announced to Lea Ellen that they were going home.

“Oh, we were saving more money than we thought we’d ever see in a lifetime,” James Lee agreed, “but I just couldn’t live like that.”

Back home, the Witts welcomed baby Jimmy, followed two years later by Michael, while James Lee established a construction business. Later he ran for county judge.

During Witt’s tenure as the Yell County judge some 25 years ago, he

first dealt with FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, when a flood washed away 33 wooden bridges in his county.

“They would only pay us to rebuild the same kind of bridges we had… They were concerned over the bottom line, but I was trying to build solid bridges out of steel and concrete.” The bottom line for Witt was the safety of his constituents, which included school buses full of children.

In the end, Witt took the federal funds and combined them with grants he managed to secure, allowing new bridges built according to his specifications.

“My road crews built them the way they should have been rebuilt,” he said, “and they are still standing today.”

For his dogged determination and common sense approach, he was tapped by then-Governor Bill Clinton to head the Arkansas Office of Emergency Services where he reorganized the state’s emergency management program.

Little did Witt know his association with Clinton would lead him far from his roots where his penchant for cutting through red tape and humanizing each crisis would mark a new era for FEMA. He took over the helm as director in 1993 under President Clinton‘s administration.

“FEMA was at a point where everybody loved to hate them,” he said. “The employees were ashamed to work there, and that was horrible because there were some good, dedicated folks who worked hard to change the agency.” Meanwhile, President Clinton elevated FEMA to cabinet status.

While Witt was with the agency, he oversaw 348 disaster areas declared by Clinton in more than 6,500 counties representing all 50 states and the U.S. territories.

Reflecting on his eight years with FEMA, Witt shared a few of his successes. “Without a doubt, Project Impact is the program I’m most proud of. It was so successful.” The program was designed to educate communities and increase their resistance to disasters.

“We had 250 communities involved,” he said. “It was all about helping those at-risk communities and putting that money in CERT (Certified Emergency Response Team) training. We had fire departments in Florida who were teaching high school students, and soon, retired people were saying they wanted to be on that team, so the retirees were educated, and, believe me, they had one strong community.”

Witt had a vision for professionalizing emergency management.

He approached Maryann Rollans at ATU, who became the catalyst in developing a credentialed degree program. >>

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March 2009

ABOUT...the River Valley 9

“I can’t tell you how many people have gone through that program, and how many of them have jobs waiting for them when they graduate -- and some pretty big jobs too. Jason Jackson, the head of WalMart’s emergency management program graduated from the program,” Witt said.

“The Tech administration has done a wonderful job with that department,” he said, “and they have a sister school now. The more people we get educated the better.”

Companies are attracted to the graduates because of their comprehension of emergency management protocols and their grasp of the international value of sound strategy and strong communication, said Witt.

The Witts support the Tech program, ranked among the top programs in the country, with a scholarship fund. “I think it’s so important,” James Lee said. Obviously, other communities agree because there are now nearly two dozen programs across the U.S. Tech currently offers a masters level program.

One of the early goals Witt faced, along with the Clinton administration, was balancing the budget. Many of Witt’s experiences and anecdotes are included in a book he wrote, with the assistance of James Morgan, “Stronger in the Broken Places” The book offers practical advice regarding crisis preparation, prevention, response and recovery.

“The important thing is for families to develop an emergency plan. Keep a backpack with enough provisions to last 72 hours and a list of medications,” Witt said.

“Ours has a flashlight, radio, water and packages of dehydrated food. We keep it in the closet back in our condo in Virginia, and we’ve got one in our cellar here.”

“Especially remember that every family member needs to know contact numbers in

10 ABOUT...the River Valley

case they get separated. I did that for my children,” Lea Ellen said.

By the age of 16, Witt had witnessed the unpredictable results of farming, two tornadoes and a fire that destroyed his home, but at his core, he developed a deep abiding faith that obstacles could be overcome. He became adept at weaving a web of support from the relationships he forged.

“This house came with a safe room,” Witt said. “They called it the cellar. It has concrete walls all around it. Growing up, that was where we’d all hide in the event of bad weather. It’s where Bessie Jo Meers would take her kindergarten class whenever a bad storm came through.”

Witt said, “Our son Jimmy was in her first or second class. It was called the Little Log Cabin Kindergarten and was the first kindergarten in Dardanelle.”

The log house came from Harkey’s Valley.

Mr. Meers took a photo of it and numbered each log, so it could be reassembled precisely as the original structure was designed in the 1800s.

“It has a rich history,” Witt said. “Mr. Barney Dykes, my dad and I put it back together. My job was puttying the cracks. It now serves as my office, and it has all my boxes from D.C. in the back room waiting for me to go through them.”

The office (known once as the Little Log Kindergarten) is handsomely decorated with commemorative fire helmets. Witt takes one down.

“FEMA runs the National Fire Academy in Maryland,” he said, “I have a soft spot for firefighters. We had 25 search and rescue teams across the country. This helmet was signed by all the members of the MiamiDade, Florida Search and Rescue team as they were leaving the Oklahoma City

bombing site.” In the middle of the helmet is written, “Thank you.”

“Senator Barbara Mikulski gave me this ax,” Witt said and chuckled. “She was a big supporter of getting things through the red tape and getting things done and a big supporter of FEMA. When she presented me the ax she told me it was to cut all the dead wood out of the agency.”

“That barn down there was our chicken house – a laying house,” he said pointing across the way. “Dad and I gathered eggs down there in the barn, and we’d grade them in the basement of the house. We’d hold them up to the light, sand all the little burs off, pack them in crates, and Mr. Meers sold them.”

“See that pond out there?” he asked.

“We swam in that pond when we were kids. We had diving boards, and we’d throw rocks out there to run off the snakes before we dove in.”

“Well, I never swam in that pond,” Lea Ellen said. “You couldn’t have paid me enough.”

“My dad and I used to sugar cure ham and fry it for bacon (in the smokehouse.)

There’s a bench in there we’d use to put the sugar cure on the ham, then hang them for so long, and build a fire in the pit behind it and smoke them.”

His childhood home, once a Ft. Chaffee bunkhouse, still stands. “It had those wonderful old wood windows that slid into the wall,” Witt said. “Two years ago we remodeled it. We put in air, rewired and re-plumbed it – everything. Kirt Mosley furnished it. We use it for a guest house now.”

The big house was built by Robert Veasey, a pioneer settler from Alabama.

“It became known as the Veasey Farm.

They grew grapes and made some of the best wine in Arkansas,” Witt said.

March 2009

The kitchen has been expanded, green wallpaper torn down, the porch taken in and the upstairs bathroom totally rebuilt.

“There were ropes in both corners atop the stairwell that served to open and close the attic fan,” Witt said, “but we’ve got central air and heat now.”

“We never dreamed we would own this house,” Lea Ellen said.

“We were fortunate to be in a position to afford it when Mrs. Meers called us,” Witt said. “She told me that she knew if she sold us the house it would still be in the family. She said, ‘Some things were meant to be, James Lee.’ I told her to keep the key and come by anytime. She used to have someone drive her out here to see what all were doing, and she approved of everything.”

“My dad was a sharecropper when I was little,” Witt said. “He had two mules and baled cotton to sell. He made just enough to pay the bills and buy some seed. He kept me out of school so much in first grade to help him that I almost flunked school.”

“James Lee and I realize that everything we have, we owe to Bill Clinton. A lot of people forget who brung them to the dance,” Lea Ellen said.

“I had the pleasure of telling Bill Clinton the story of buying the farm I grew up in because of the opportunities he gave me.”

As a new administration takes over, James Lee offers advice. “Just as I knew I had to do when I started working with FEMA in 1993, the Obama Administration needs to rebuild the morale within FEMA and DHS, and also focus on relationships with state and local governments. “…and the Obama Administration needs to empower the regions to improve readiness, response and recovery from disasters by empowering decision makers at the lowest level. FEMA has increased

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staffing at the regional offices, but most decisions made in DC have only served to slow and degrade the decision-making capabilities of FEMA and other agencies.”

The Witts reflect on the relationships they’ve managed to make and sustain over the years.

“Much of life is about building bridges and keeping them in good repair,” James Lee said in his book.

And connecting the loose ends. n To find out more about the goings on in FEMA during the years Witt was director (1993 – 2001) readers are encouraged to check out the DVD produced by the National Archives which is permanently housed in the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock.

CO UP ON

The house fell into disrepair, serving as a hay barn, then taken over by gamblers who used the abandoned building for their poker parties.

“They would tear planks right off the wall to use for firewood,” Witt said, standing on the restored pine and walnut floors. His wife Lea Ellen believe that most people wouldn’t have tried to preserve this house in the condition it was in.

“Mrs. Meers said that they were driving in the country and turned down the road. The overgrowth prevented them from seeing the property. She said they could barely drive down the road,” Witt said.

In 1951, the Meers saved the home from certain decay so Paul Meers could be close to his crops. He was a timber man and later a state legislator and senator from Pulaski County. He played an influential figure in Witt’s early development.

In the redesign of the kitchen, Witt enjoys baking chocolate pie, pecan pie and banana pudding for holidays. “I make them from scratch,” he said.

“In the middle of the kitchen, used to be a round table where Mr. Meers and us kids would sit around the table and do our Sunday School lesson. They started taking me to First Baptist Church here, and I’ve been going to church ever since,” Witt said.

His eyes shine wistfully. “He took us in his shiny, black Cadillac.”

Meers was an effective mentor warning the young Witt about the dangers of buying on credit and lying.

“I didn’t even know what credit was,” Witt said, “but I knew I never wanted any part of it.”

“Over here are pockmarks on the floor made by the ladies’ high heels from the days Mrs. Meers entertained,” he said. “We sanded the floor by hand.” Every inch of space tells a story.

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Exit 55 off I-40, Clarksville, AR on Massengale Road - “Fun For The Whole Family”

March 2009

Excludes dog boxes, guns, ammo, bows, licenses, electronic collars & sales items • Expires 03-31-09

a single item ABOUT...the River Valley 11

ABOUT

1

... the Best Products n 1 Cary Collins Designs Stationary, calendars, cards, note pads and journals with inspirational scriptures by a local artist in Arkansas.

Gifts on Parkway/Gifts on Rogers

2149 E. Parkway, Russellville • (479) 890-6932 510 S. Rogers, Clarksville • (479) 705-8282

2

n 2 Kid Keen Shoes are Here!!

Several styles and colors to choose from. Great for some outdoor fun!

3

Feltner’s

2320 West Main • Russellville (479) 968-6464 4

n 3 Handbags Galore!!

You can find this Peace Purse along with other styles and colors available at Merle Norman.

New Spring Arrivals.

Merle Norman

City Mall • Russellville (479) 968-6690

n 4 Décor for the Home!

This Pottery Platter is great for any centerpiece.

Rose Drug

3103 West Main • Russellville (479) 968-1323 n 5 Introducing Bridgewater Candles.

New fragrances are Grapefruit Splash, Orange Vanilla and Solitude. Large and small jars, votives, sachets. Bridgewater fragrances are forever linked to special moments and memories.

Gifts on Parkway/Gifts on Rogers

5

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2149 E. Parkway, Russellville • (479) 890-6932 510 S. Rogers, Clarksville • (479) 705-8282 n 6 Tanning Special Buy 3 Months of Unlimited Tanning and Get a 4th Month Free. Tanning Lotions also available as well as fitness programs.

Fitness for Her

2300 W. Main St, Suite 6 West Main Shopping Center • Russellville (479) 967-6003 7

n 7 Decorating is fun!!

Rose Drug has it all! Blue, Brown, and Cream Vase would add that special touch to any room.

Rose Drug

3103 West Main • Russellville (479) 968-1323 n 8 Keen Shoes for Women Whatever your style we have the Keen for you.

New this year Recycled Keen.

8

Feltner’s

2320 West Main • Russellville (479) 968-6464

12 ABOUT...the River Valley

March 2009

ABOUT

Family

God Sent Us a Son to Challenge and Teach Us My oldest son Adrin, who would have been named ‘Sharayah’ if he had been a girl, will graduate from college this year. I know many of you are saying,” You would have named him what?” So I will stop here and address his ‘almost’ name.

Sharayah came from a song my husband and I heard while I was pregnant with Adrin. My entire family was praying I would have a boy – Sharayah was just too much for them. I found this very interesting since my parents had named my sister ‘Kurtiss’ and named me ‘Kechia.’ These are not run-of-the-mill names for girls, especially in the early 1960’s. I was followed six years later by a cousin named Cinnamon. Does this sound like a family afraid of unusual names? Somehow, Sharayah was over the line – go figure.

Now, I know Adrin is not a common name either. It is actually a southern pronunciation of Adrian – my family’s southern pronunciation. We were living on Long Island, N.Y., when Adrin was born and we had spelled his name Adrian. My experiences in the hospital the day he was born should have been enough to make me realize no native New Yorker was going to pronounce his name “Adrin” when it was spelled “Adrian”.

I must have corrected the doctor and nurses a gazillion times.

They would just look at me as if I was the one who didn’t know how to pronounce my child’s name. By the time Adrin was 11 months old we had given up the fight and decided that if his name was going to be Adrin and not Adrian we would have to do something.

We found out you could change the spelling of a child’s name on their birth certificate for small fee – I think it was $50 – as long as you did it before their first birthday.

We quickly moved to fill out all the forms and find a notary.

Standing at a pharmacy counter in Sayville, N.Y., Adrian became Adrin. No, I didn’t need drugs to recuperate from the 11 months of constantly trying to explain my child’s name – the pharmacist was a notary.

The funny thing about all I just told you is that it has nothing to do with my original story. Wait, wait, now that I think about it for a minute maybe it does. I mean obviously it proves that the child comes from a bizarre family and you know the saying, “the apple does not fall far from the tree.” Well, Adrin inherited the bizarre in spades. My husband and I would often look at each other and wonder how he could possibly be ours.

I don’t share this to diminish Adrin in anyway. I am sharing it to show how God used Adrin to challenge us, humble us and make us better people. The only people who were looking at the world in the wrong way were his father and I. Let’s start with clothes. Somewhere along the way Adrin decided he hated any shirt with buttons. I mean he hated them so much that we would threaten to make him wear a button shirt as punishment.

He also decided he hated jeans. He said they were too rough on his skin. So this was a boy who would wear only sweatpants and t-shirts unless forced into some other type clothing. Did this bother him at all? Not one bit. Did it bother his mother? You bet, but for all the wrong reasons.

March 2009

Story by Kechia Bentley Photo by Steve Newby

It was my pride that it bothered the most. I wanted my child to look good and wear nice clothes. I was worried what others would think. Not just what other adults would think, but what other kids would think. Most of us, if we are honest, want our kids to be accepted.

When Adrin was in sixth and seventh grade, he would still only wear sweatpants and t-shirts. The world can be a cruel place during this phase of a child’s life. It is a time when everyone wants to fit in, and those who don’t often get rejected. Adrin would humble me time and time again when he would choose the same red sweatpants and purple t-shirt.

We had decided to let Adrin be Adrin and not try to force him to change just to fit in. It was not easy. I would lovingly but honestly tell him, “Now you know, if you wear that to school kids will make fun of you?” He would respond, “I know. I don’t care. I like it.” This was a kid who was much braver than I had ever been. I never wanted to be singled out as weird. I would do just about anything to make sure that never happened.

Yet, off to school he would go and sure enough he would get laughed at. Did he care? Not one bit. Did I care? Yes, terribly. But you see the problem was mine, not his. He was happy with whom he was and I needed to learn to be ok with that.

It really hurt me when, even at church, Adrin would find himself on the outside. Now remember, it didn’t hurt Adrin. so please don’t feel sorry for him. He would often lecture his mother on the superficial nature of things.

Continued on page 37

ABOUT...the River Valley 13

Story and Photos by Jeannie Stone

L

Dancing Queen

ike high school sweethearts on prom night, the ladies of Joy Murphy’s ballroom dance class mingle inside the entry, their voices twittering with excitement. They are discussing the optimum heel heights for dancing and complimenting each other on new hairstyles. The fellows strike out on their own shaking hands, commenting on the change in weather and waiting for the business at hand. At the appointed time the strains of “Cloud” by Anne Murray summon the couples onto the dance floor, and the instructor and hostess of the hour flashes a smile at each student.

Her love of dance is obvious.

Joy Murphy, 48, is a tour de force of the local dance community, having taught more than 1,000 children and adults over the last 30 years. She has participated in beauty pageants on the local and state levels as judge, choreographer and modeling coach, taught as an adjunct professor in the continuing education classes offered

by Arkansas Tech University, and represented the performing arts on the board of the River Valley Arts Center. Murphy has acted as the regional director for the State of Arkansas’s National Dance Week and hosted monthly country and western and ballroom dance lessons in a community lacking in refined entertainment venues for adults.

Murphy fell in love with dance as a young girl. “I was the first child and first grandchild, so I was pretty spoiled,” Murphy said, “and although my parents weren’t too impressed with my desire to dance at first, my grandmother encouraged me.”

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Her interest in dance was also encouraged by Murphy’s two aunts who were heavy into the Elvis scene. Murphy began formal training in 1972 under Ann Taylor, owner of Russellville Dance and Gymnastics.

“She was my inspiration,” Murphy said. “Not only did she teach me quality dance technique but reinforced the power of prayer for quality of life.”

Murphy has memories of her mother and Taylor instilling in her healthy competition skills.

“They taught me to never be intimidated by my competitors, and I was always encouraged to be the best I could be,” Murphy said. “Our classes were held in the back room of the Hughes Center, and by the time I was sixteen I was her assistant teacher.”

Taylor, who may also be responsible for imparting her savvy marketing know-how on the young Murphy, opened seven schools across the state and into Mississippi and Alabama. Murphy was the premiere dance instructor.

“I went through a lot of kids in those days,” Murphy said. “I had a lot of energy back then, and that was a good way to channel all of it. I would just dance till I was soaking wet. I’d work all my stress out.”

Dancing is beneficial to mind and body said Murphy. “Dance is 95 percent mental. Most people get in here and don’t know how come they just can’t do it,” she said. “There’s a lot more to it than just emulating the moves.”

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14 ABOUT...the River Valley

479-890-BOW-K (2695) 121 East Harrell Dr, Suite 15 • Russellville

2504 W. Main Ste G Russellville, AR 72801

Phone 479.890.0094 Email a007374@allstate.com

March 2009

Murphy contends that ballet technique is at the core of all dance styles, except hip hop which is footed in African dance.

“Pilates is another form of exercise that is considered a dancer’s workout,” she said.

“It conditions and prepares the body and mind in harmony using core strength.”

The early years as an instructor, combined with the quality of her training, gave Murphy the confidence to open her own studio when she was 18 years old. Dance with Joy Studio currently offers instruction in Pilates and Callinetics, yoga, belly dancing, ballroom dancing, country western dancing, line dancing and individual instruction.

Her daughter Jessica Askew–Russo teaches traditional ballet, jazz and tap classes to children from 2 years to college age. She also teaches hip-hop. Jessica is the mother of her only grandchild, Blayden.

Adults of all ages and abilities flock to the state-of-the-art studio located on Crow Mountain. LeAnne Burris and Nancy Canerday have been dancing with Joy for a total of 16 years and are presently belly dancing.

The women have performed with the class at community events including Party in the Park, the annual art festival hosted by the Hughes Center, the River Valley Arts Center and the Prevention Coalition.

“I would never get out on stage by myself,” Burris insisted.

“Me neither,” Canerday said. “There’s courage in groups.”

“I like to tango, and Jim likes to waltz,” Laura Lewis of Dardanelle said. She and her husband, Jim, have taken ballroom dance for two and a half years. He is a retired chemistry and physics teacher from Ola High School; she is retired as the superintendent of Western Yell County school district.

True to the jovial atmosphere, Laura said, “We dance better with Joy acting as our referee.”

Tammy Walters of London had to drag her husband Harrel the first time, but he surprised them both. “He likes it,” she said.

“We like all the dances,” Harrel said, “but Swing is the best.”

Brenda Morgan of Dover laughed. “Oh, the Walters are dancing fools. They are really good at everything.”

Unlike the Walters, it was Jimmy Morgan who talked his wife into trying it out. “When we go on cruises we dance the night away,” Brenda said.

Jimmy, retired from ANO, agreed. “It’s really nice to get our and dance instead of just watching other people have all the fun.”

Brenda leans in conspiratorially, “You know, I went on the last cruise investigating the new dance moves, but Joy was way ahead of them. They’ve got nothing on her.”

Murphy has worked to establish ballroom dancing in the Russellville School District for some time.

“The powers that be are just not showing a lot of interest,” she said. “I mean, I know it’d be good for the kids to develop social graces, manners and confidence. There are grants out there so it wouldn’t cost them a dime.”

Other school districts, smaller than Russellville, have indicated interest. “That might be a sign to turn my attentions elsewhere for now,” she said.

Party in the Park is fast approaching and the organizers try to promote as much diversity in that event as possible, said Joy. An old English dance troupe from Little Rock will be returning this year. And because it coincides with National Dance Week, she plans to perform and teach a class at the local library, teach Country and Western dance at a public school and at a day care.

In other words, Joy Murphy will dance … with joy.

Note: The 2009 Party in the Park is scheduled for Sat., April 25 at the City Park.

For information on National Dance Week, visit nationaldanceweek.org. Information on Dancing with Joy Studio is available by calling Joy Murphy at (479) 968-1620 or (479) 264-7287. Visit online at DWJstudio. com or MySpace.com/dwjstudio. n

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March 2009

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ABOUT...the River Valley 15

Continued from page 5 Giff, Patricia Reilly; WATER STREET Irish immigran ts struggle to live in Brooklyn during the 1870’s. Bird is sure she wants to be a healer like her mother until she witnesses an especially gory head injury.

Holm Jennifer; PENNY FROM HEAVEN Penny, an only child, lives with her mother and her mother’s parents – a quiet existence. Contrast that with her dead father’s family (Italian) who love her dearly in a boisterous way. No one will tell Penny the circumstances of her father’s death Holt, Kimberly Willis; PART OF ME Four generations of a Louisiana family (1939-2004) are revealed in related short stories.

Hostetter, Joyce Moyer; BLUE Daddy is off to fight Hitler during World War II. He left 13-year-old Anna Fay a pair of blue overalls telling her she would be the man of the house.

Kadohata, Cynthis; WEEDFLOWER The plight of Japanese-Americans during World War is told through a family which raised flowers while interned on an Indian reservation.

Lord, Cynthia; RULES Twelve-year-old Catherine writes rules to help her autistic brother. Though she is embarrassed at times by his actions and wants everything to be “normal”, she truly cares for him.

McClafferty, Carla Killough; SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING This biography tells of Marie Curie who began life as a poor Polish girl and became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize because of her discovery of radium. (This author lives in Little Rock.)

Peck, Richard; HERE LIES THE LIBRARIAN Peewee and her older brother, Jake, must fend for themselves in the early 1900’s after the death of their parents. In spite of rival mechanics, Peewee and Jake operate a garage and build a car. Four young ladies, librarians, befriend the two.

Winthrop, Elizabeth; COUNTING ON GRADE Twelve-year-old Gracie is sent to work in the textile mill to help support her family. This book gives an inside look at child labor as it was widely practiced in the United States in the early 1900’s.

16 ABOUT...the River Valley

Charlie May Simon Children’s Book Award Winners 1971 Lexau, Joan STRIPED ICE CREAM 1972 Walker, David Harry BIG BEN 1973 Cleary, Beverly RUNAWAY RALPH 1974 Keith, Harold THE RUNT OF ROGERS SCHOOL 1975 Blume, Judy THE TALES OF A FOURTH GRADE NOTHING 1976 Evarts, Hal BIG FOOT 1977 Fleischman, Sid THE GHOST ON SATURDAY NIGHT 1978 Bulla, Clyde Robert SHOESHINE GIRL 1979 Hicks, Clifford ALVIN’S SWAP SHOP 1980 Byars, Betsy THE PINBALLS 1981 Heide, Florence Parr BANANA TWIST 1982 Brittain, Bill ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD 1983 Gilson, Jamie DO BANANAS CHEW GUM? 1984 Cleary, Beverly RAMONA QUIMBY, AGE 8 1985 Manes, Stephen BE A PERFECT PERSON IN JUST THREE DAYS 1986 Roos, Stephen MY HORRIBLE SECRET 1987 Byars, Betsy THE COMPUTER NUT 1988 MacLachlan, Patricia SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL 1989 Fleischman, Sid THE WHIPPING BOY 1990 Sachar, Louis THERE’S A BOY IN THE GIRL’S BATHROOM 1991 Lowry, Lois ALL ABOUT SAM 1992 Lowry, Lois NUMBER THE STARS 1993 Anderson, Margaret THE GHOST INSIDE THE MONITOR 1994 Naylor, Phyllis SHILOH 1995 Lowry, Lois ATTABOY, SAM! 1996 Woodruff, Elvira THE SECRET FUNERAL OF SLIM JIM THE SNAKE 1997 Robinson, Barbara THE BEST SCHOOL YEAR EVER 1998 Fleischman, Sid THE 13TH FLOOR: A GHOST STORY 1999 Clements, Andrew FRINDLE 2000 Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds SAVING SHILOH 2001 Fletcher, Ralph FLYING SOLO 2002 Cleary, Beverly RAMONA’S WORLD 2003 DiCamillo, Kate BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE 2004 Bruchac, Joseph SKELETON MAN 2005 Spinelli, Jerry LOSER 2006 DiCamillo, Kate TALE OF DESPEREAUX 2007 Clements, Andrew THE REPORT CARD 2008 Martin, Ann M. A DOG’S LIFE: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A STRAY

March 2009

March Focus:

A Common but Most Preventable Cancer Did you know that colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer killer overall and third most common cause of cancerrelated deaths in the United States in both males and females?

These statistics from the American Cancer Society are alarming. However, there are also statistics that show that colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, thanks to what is now known about effective prevention. It is also one of the most curable cancers if detected and treated in its early stages.

Colorectal (large bowel) cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Together, the colon and rectum make up the large bowel or large intestine. The large bowel’s main job is to reabsorb water from the contents of the intestine so that solid waste can be expelled.

Most colorectal cancers originate from benign wart-like growths on the inner lining of the colon or rectum called polyps.

Not all polyps have the potential to transform into cancer.

Those that do have the potential are called adenomas. It takes more than 10 years in most cases for an adenoma to develop into cancer. This is why some colon cancer prevention tests are effective even if done at 10-year intervals.

Learn more about screening procedures and colorectal cancer prevention at lunch with Dr. Craig Mize (above, left), Dr. Vinh Nguyen (above, right), and Dr. Mike Bell (left) March 2009

Who is at risk for colorectal cancer? A report from the American College of Gastroenterology states the following: • Everyone age 50 and over: 93 percent of cases of colorectal cancer occur in persons 50 years of age and over. The average age to develop colorectal cancer is 70 years. Current recommendations are to begin screening at age 50 (age 45 for African-Americans) if there are no risk factors other than age for colorectal cancers.

• Men and women: Men tend to get colorectal cancer at an earlier age than women, but women live longer so they “catch up” with men. Thus, the total number of cases in men and women is equal.

• Anyone with a family history of colorectal cancer: Special screening programs are used for those with a family history of colorectal cancer. A well-documented family history of adenomas is also an important risk factor.

• Anyone with a personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomas at any age, or uterine or ovarian cancer diagnosed before age 50: These groups should be checked by colonoscopy at regular intervals, usually every 3 to 5 years.

Good News/Bad News • The Good News: 60 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented if everyone age 50 and older were screened regularly.

• The Bad News: Only about 40 percent of people older than 50 have undergone a colonoscopy.

• The Good News: When colorectal cancer is detected at an early stage, the five year survival is often greater than 97 percent.

• The Bad News: Because screening rates are so low, less than 40 percent of colorectal cancers are found early.

• The Good News: Colorectal Cancer can be prevented if detected early through regular screening.

• The Bad News: Screening for colorectal cancer lags far behind screenings for other cancers.

Act with Knowledge: Colorectal screening tests are not popular. Many adults put off testing because they are squeamish about the procedures, which may require patients to collect stool samples or have an instrument inserted into the rectum.

Screening advocates point out that the unpleasantness is a small price to pay to avoid a painful and deadly disease, and most people who have had the tests say they are no big deal. The worst part of a colonoscopy, many people find, is not the test itself (usually performed under sedation), but the “prep,” which requires a day at home taking supercharged laxatives to empty the intestines.

Learn more about screening procedures and colorectal cancer prevention in April with the talented general surgery team of Dr. Mike Bell, Dr. Craig Mizes and Dr. Vinh Nguyen of Millard Henry Clinic. Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center has partnered with these and several other River Valley physicians this year to provide the community a series of “Live Well Lunch and Learn” seminars, focused on providing current medical information that promotes living well and maintaining good health.

The April seminar will feature a presentation by Dr. Mizes in the Saint Mary’s Annex, followed by a panel discussion and question and answer session including Drs. Bell and Nguyen. These experienced physicians will share their expertise on colorectal cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms, types of screening tests and ways to discuss colorectal cancer and cancer prevention with your primary care physician.

A healthy lunch will be served, and all guests will receive a gift and the opportunity to register for door prizes. Admission is $5 per person.

Reservations are required. For more information, including date and time, please call Saint Mary’s Community Relations at (479) 964-9355. n ABOUT...the River Valley 17

Class Gains ‘Competitive Edge’ T

wo years ago, Russellville Junior High Principal Alene Bynum challenged junior high civics instructor Gayla Rye Bailey to breathe new life into a competitive-type class that had been tried unsuccessfully more than a decade earlier. The class, designed to give students practice competing in academic challenges and contests, such as forensics and Model UN, really never ‘took off’ the first time if was offered, said Bailey.

But now, as the second year that “Competitive Edge” has been offered to ninth grade students at RJHS, the proof of its success is undeniable.

With wins on the regional and state level in the Arkansas Stock Market Game, and as first-place winners in the “We The People” competition on Jan. 26, Competitive Edge students have a change to represent the state at the national conference in Washington, D. C. on April 24-30.

Students eligible to compete in the national conference include Jordan Barrett, Michaela Bowden, Ricky Collins, Shatia Dorsey, Andrew Dixon, Joseph Hunt, Kaitlin Jackson, Madason Kroencke, Jack Mizes, Meredith Reel, Ashton Sorrels, Kenesha Stewart, Breanna Wilbanks and Annie Wang.

1310 West Main Suite 101 Russellville, AR 72801

The group’s alumni members (those who took the class in the eighth grade and not eligible to compete again on the state or national level) include: Rachel Harris, Braden Henderson, Michael Newton, Kenny Price and Saul Pennington.

“But these five are ‘right there with them,’ – the other 14 class members -- working toward that common goal,” added Bailey.

The Arkansas Stock Market Game was sponsored by Economics Arkansas early in the year. The RJHS Competitive Edge class was divided into five teams that competed with schools across the state.

Teams were given $100,000 of pretend money to invest in the stock market over a 10-week period. During that time the class studied economic terms, trends, and various corporations so they could make wise investments.

A winning team comprised of Braden Henderson, Kenesha Stewart, and Calder Melton won the regional competition in the junior high division. They also were the overall state winners out of 1188 teams competing in all divisions (high, junior high, and middle school). The team’s growth on their portfolio investments was 91%. Team

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members along with their teacher Mrs. Bailey, were honored during a luncheon sponsored by Economics Arkansas at Alltel Arena in January. There they addressed approximately 250 people in attendance before being presented a trophy, certificates, and a monetary award for their win.

Mrs. Bailey also was named the state Apple Award winner and will spend a week in New York at the New York Stock Exchange this summer for a professional development workshop sponsored by Economics Arkansas.

The “We the People” competition was held at the University of Central Arkansas.

The RJHS class competed against high schools from across the state and won first place.

With this honor, the Russellville Junior High School Students will represent the state at the national conference in April. ”However, the success of these students being able to compete will rely on community supporters,” said Bynum.

In order for the students to attend, they must raise $1,200 per student or a total of $16,800 for fourteen students, according to Bynum and Bailey.

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March 2009

IN THEIR OWN WORDS “For three-fourths of an entire school year, Competitive Edge has been my life. It has consumed my weekends, and has a top seat in the stress corner of my mind. The work my fellow team members and I have put into this class is phenomenal at the least and I am a better person for it.

In being in this class, on this team, not only have I gained a better handle on people’s basic liberties and governmental affairs, I have realized what it really means to give your all for a team. I have formed stronger relationship with my fellow teammate and even my teacher.

This whole experience has taught me a lot. It has given me new aspirations and the knowledge and confidence to be able to pursue those new dreams. In this class, we have gone through the ups and downs, we have had our moments and there will be more to come.

In the end, this is not just any ordinary class/team, it’s a family.

-- Annie Wang ____________________________________________________ “Never in a million years would I think I would be in a competitive class. Competitive Edge class stretched my knowledge of thinking and doing. It has given me extra confidence and a stronger feeling about my country that every student should have.

I am very thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow as an individual so that someday I can teach my kids in the future.”

-- Shatia Dorsey

In November, the class hosted a Party Election Watch Night to assist in the fundraising endeavor. They sold pizza, cookies, snacks and drinks from 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. while the projected political returns were displayed on Smart Boards in the class rooms. Promotion of the event was spread via flyers and word of mouth, and more than 350 students, siblings and parents attended.

A carwash to raise funds for the national competition also will be held Friday, March 13, from 3:30 until 6 p.m., and Saturday, March 14, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the 500 Building, Downtown Russellville.

“Your financial contribution can be tax deductible if you make your check payable to the Russellville Junior High PTO,” added

“Competitive Edge is the class that has given me a sense of pride, accomplishment, and self-worth. There is a massive amount of studying, reading, practicing, and work involved that makes me fell more educated every single time I put just the slightest bit of effort.

I’ve learned about Abraham Lincoln and his striving to save the Union, about James Madison and his views on political parties, about all the amendments in the Constitution, and much, much more.

But greater than all these subjects, I’ve learned how to give my time willingly and be a family with people I’m not even close to being related to. I’ve learned to be a part of something that makes me feel like a better person.”

– Meredith Reel ____________________________________________________ “I have really enjoyed having the opportunity to be in the Competitive Edge program over the past two years. I am fortunate that our school district has so graciously allowed our class to participate in civic competitions such as “We The People.”

This program focuses on the civic duties of American citizens and the constitutional principles that have allowed our country to flourish over the past 200 years.

We would not have this influential program without community support and I am so thankful for this experience that was given to me by Mrs. Bailey, Russellville Junior High, the school district and my community.”

-- Rachel Harris

Bynum and Bailey. Cash donations are also accepted as well as those made by check.

“These remarkable students have worked numerous hours during and after school, and even every Sunday afternoon in order to be competitive,” added Bynum.

Bailey added that most of the students spent an average of 53.5 hours outside of regular class time each week preparing for the state competition. For national competition, she believes the preparation time will approach 100 hours each.

“They are a very close-knit group, willing to dedicate the extra time required to prepare,” she added.

“Students entering this class want that ‘excellence,’ and they are willing to work extremely hard to excel. There have been

students in this class whose lives have been changed for the better, they begin to see the broader picture of what their lives can be like,” stressed Bailey.

She added that additional funds will be gathered through school-generated activities, among the classes and through other events, possibly a walk-a-thon. But community support is critical if these deserving students are to be able to attend and compete in the national competition, she urged.

“Let’s pull together as a community and support their hard work with a contribution,” urged Bynum.

For additional information, or to have student presentations for your civic organization, call sponsor Gayla Bailey at (479) 968-1599. n

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ABOUT...the River Valley 19

D E C O R AT I N G

Style W I T H

S T Y L E

Brad, Jolyn and Cole Berryman have never really needed our assistance. From their very first purchase, we knew that Brad & Jolyn knew what they wanted.

We at River Valley Furniture have been fortunate to have some of the same design tastes as the Berryman’s. We have enjoyed each opportunity they have given us to be their choice for home furnishings.

Thank You

Doug Duvall River Valley Furniture

Schnadig

Photos by Steve Newby

Brook resting comfortably on the bed.

“Our family would like to thank Doug and all of the fine professionals at River Valley Furniture. We have always relied on River Valley Furniture as our preferred provider of fine home furnishings. The selection is always up to date with a variety of items that are guaranteed to gain our interest. If our tastes venture beyond the showroom floor, Doug always finds a way to secure something to fit our needs.”

Brad, Jolyn and Cole Berryman

(479) 967-9984 • www.rivervalleyfurniture.net • 2609 E. Parkway, Russellville, AR Hours: M. thru F. ~ 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; Sat. ~ 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sun. ~ Closed

o c i R o t r e Pu e Encanta M

Story and Photos by Jeannie Stone

Puerto Rico me encanta is a slogan coined by the tourism industry and translates to “Puerto Rico enchants me.”

I

know the routine, so I’m not surprised when the entire plane erupts in clapping and the boom of Latin music from a CD player poised for our moment of touchdown on the runway in San Juan. Such is the custom of the natives returning to their homeland, and though I barely speak the tongue, I do as the Puerto Ricans do. I cheer porque yo soy Puertorriquena.

This is my mother’s homeland. And, for nearly every year of my 48 years, I have traveled to the southern city of Ponce, on the Caribbean Sea, to visit my grandparents Abu and Papa, extended cousins and friends.

I am that mixed child with parents from diverse ethnic background -- the second generation, once removed, of my mother’s island people and of my father’s Scotch/Irish kin residing in the hills of western Arkansas.

My parents met at a Girl Scout camp near the navy base in Puerto Rico where my father was stationed. She was a camp counselor, and my father had been assigned to lifeguard. He impressed my mother, with his 6’2” physique and his blue eyes, jumping so hard on a diving board that he broke it.

I was the first of four daughters born on a Navy Base in Maryland. Our stay there was short and my father was transferred back to Puerto Rico where we lived until 1964. We settled in North Little Rock when I was three years old.

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Bill & Marlene Newton, Owners • (479) 968-4185 • 715 West Main, Russellville, AR

March 2009

Hard to believe, but in the 1960s there was a miniscule Hispanic population in Arkansas, even in the most populated portion of the state. Unfortunately for me, because there were no other Spanishspeaking Arkansans my mother could locate in the early years of our arrival, we stopped speaking Spanish in the home.

In my mother’s defense, I was stubborn and so wanted to fit in with my new friends that I became mute when she would talk to me in Spanish. It doesn’t help that my father didn’t speak the language.

Although I can understand some of the conversations around me, I’ve never felt at ease to jump in and speak. I now find that my grandparents and I can’t communicate beyond a few phrases because in their aging they’ve forgotten English. My high school classes and periodic exposure hasn’t been enough for me to regain fluency, yet I still remember the nursery rhymes and songs my mother and grandmother sang to me.

The heart never forgets. Abu likes to hold my hand and tell me slowly and simply, “I love you and I want you to be happy.”

When I was a child, Puerto Rico was every bit the foreign land non-travelers imagine. But today, there is a Burger King and McDonald’s in every town, and my grandparents’ favorite place to shop is Wal-Mart.

Under the Caribbean sun, daily tasks are in some ways altered. Orchids cling from my grandparent’s trees, mangos and limes hang overhead. A poinsettia bush is in full bloom next to the front porch where visitors drop in all during the day unannounced, but welcomed.

Music punctuates the lives of the residents. You’ve never seen so many happy people. They seem to express any frustrations they have by honking their horns, relentlessly. The police like to drive fast with their lights flashing nonstop all the

time. It is a noisy culture, and it is alive.

Music and dancing are fast, so are their trilling tongues. “Bomba y Plena” is a uniquely Puerto Rican-style of music often referred as “el periodico cantado” (the sung newspaper).

Puerto Ricans are passionate and intense.

Their pursuits are varied. I am the grand niece of Esteban Rodriguez Tizol. He owned Bold Forbes, the winner of the 1976 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.

The melodic strumming of el cuatro (a small guitar), the rasping of el guiro (a dried gourd with a scored side), the beat of the African-inspired timbales (small, tall drums), and the shake, shake, shake of the maracas, make me smile.

I am the great-grand niece of the pioneering jazz trombonist Juan Tizol who played in Duke Ellington’s band. It’s no surprise my children sing in the Russellville choir and play in the band.

Religion tied my grandparents and me as my mother made sure we were raised in the Catholic tradition. Religious progress came slowly to the island. I always considered Puerto Rican Catholics as “old world.”

There are still plenty of chapel veils worn in church, and I remember Latin masses when I was young, even though it had been years since it was the worship language in the states. >>

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Rum runs through my blood. My almond wedding cake was soaked in rum, baked by my Titi Arnarda. (It wouldn’t surprise me if the traditional wine served at Holy Communion representing the blood of Christ isn’t actually rum.)

Educational forays my mother planned during our childhood visits to the island included the Serralles castle on a hill overlooking Ponce. It was the home of a powerful rum and sugar cane baron. We toured the rum factory.

I have vivid memories of my father stuffing bottles in a suitcase heading back home.

The line from Pirates of the Caribbean, “Save the rum” makes me laugh every time I see it because my father would throw away underwear to make room for the rum. When I pack for my return trip, I always make sure to stow a tin of guava paste and, of course, rum.

I grew up a southerner, but I never learned to fry chicken because my mother’s culinary repertoire included flan, paella, rice and beans, bacalaitos (cod fritters), pasteles (savory cakes wrapped in banana leaves) and sweet plantains. In my North Little Rock backyard, we dug a pit every year to roast a whole pig on a spit -- much to the delight of our neighbors.

Though my father couldn’t give me the gift of another language, he gave me the best gift of all - my mother. Growing up half Puerto Rican meant I knew, instinctively, how to laugh, how to pray and how to love.

On the airplane, I realize it’s not the language or the religion or the food -- what makes me a child of Puerto Rico is my heart. So I cheer. And as my Abu is fond of saying, “Thanks be to God.” n “yo soy Puertorriquena” translates to “I am Puerto Rican.”

Editor’s Note: At our request, freelance Jeannie Stone shared her thoughts of a recent trip to Puerto Rico to see her extended family, including her grandparents Miguel and Carmen Rodriguez. Accompanying her were her mother, Carmen Rodriquez Fowler and her children Carter, Caroline and Tim.

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New Officers

Protect & Serve Story and Photo by Jeannie Stone

George Sosa (left) and Roberto Aponte are the new officers on the Russellville police force. Sosa, a native of Los Angeles, and Aponte, a native of Puerto Rico, offer a fresh perspective to the area. Both officers are native Spanish speakers, and a welcomed addition with the local growing Hispanic population.

Sosa, who is Salvadoran, long admired his brother who served as a police officer for the border patrol in San Diego, Calif. His parents, seeking a quieter way of life in which to raise their family, decided to move to Danville bringing along Sosa and his three brothers.

“It was a big shock,” Sosa said noting the lack of activities in Danville 13 years ago when he arrived. “It had nothing compared to now, and I was depressed.” After six months in the close community, he moved to Russellville where he enjoys the city atmosphere.

Prior to his employment with the Russellville Police Department, Sosa worked first as an EMT for the Pope County ambulance service. He later commuted to Little Rock where he worked as an emergency medical technician and dispatcher.

“I never moved out of Russellville,” he said. “I like it here. It’s not so large that it’s out of control like LA,” he said. “I wouldn’t like to live in the country, but Russellville is nice. I like the diversity of the town.”

Sosa likes paintball and cycling. “I spend a lot of time with my family,” he said.

Roberto Aponte is a native of Salinas, Puerto Rico. He moved to Cleveland, Ohio, at 18 and enrolled in the police academy. Personal conflicts prevented him from completing his studies at that time.

As a child, he was encouraged to pursue a law enforcement career when he listened to stories of his father’s escapades as a police officer.

“My mother used to tell me about his work and how no two days were alike,” he said. Aponte’s mother and father were also career officers.

Aponte met and married his wife Wendy in Ohio, and they followed her parents, moving to Arkansas.

“They wanted to get away from the cold winters,” he said, although he prefers the cold.

He carried his interest in law enforcement to Arkansas but found a higher paying job working in loss prevention at Lowe’s Home Improvement store. It wasn’t long before the familiar urge resurfaced, and Aponte decided to continue with his primary love of law enforcement.

Aponte is father to daughter Ivy, 6, and son Roberto, 5.

Aponte loves the outdoors and has learned to appreciate the more temperate climate of Arkansas which allows him more time to ride horses and hike in the mountains.

Both officers graduated from the Basic Police Training Academy in East Camden in December and have been field training at the March 2009

Russellville department. Field Training Officer Hubbard predicts the new officers “will be a big asset to the department.”

Lt. Mike Stevens has known Aponte for a long time and agrees that “when there is a communications breakdown in a situation, it will be advantageous to have bilingual partners who can come to the rescue.”

Aponte knows only too well how alienated it feels to be in a new country without knowing the language. “When I came to the United States I didn’t know English,” he said. “I really had to work at it.”

The Russellville Police Department has a transitional program for new officers, so they can represent the department with confidence, said Josh McMillian, Public Information Officer.

“For us, it’s also a liability issue. We need our officers on the street to know what they’re doing, and through the field training program that goal is achieved very well.

“Russellville has the most comprehensive field training in this area,” McMillian said. “Each phase has its own curriculum. The officers have successfully completed Phase One, which includes working accidents, traffic stops, taking calls from the dispatcher, and learning the city streets and the equipment in the vehicle.”

Phase Two includes higher-risk calls such as burglaries and domestic abuse situations. The final stage provides instruction on detecting DWIs. At the conclusion of Phase Three the sponsoring Field Training Officer, dressed in plain clothes, accompanies the new officer – not to help, but to simply observe. “That is the final test,” McMillian said, “and we’ve had officers who didn’t pass.”

“These two officers are mature. They’re handling situations in a professional manner, and all indications point to them becoming fully-certified law enforcement officers,” McMillian said.

Now that Sosa and Aponte are integrated in the Russellville community, what do they miss most from their childhood homeland?

“I miss the rest of my family,” Sosa said.

Aponte answers, “I don’t miss a lot from Ohio, although I liked the snow. There is a convenience factor of having everything close.

Now, I miss a lot from Puerto Rico. Besides my family, I miss the food and the spices, and I miss the ocean.

He is particularly fond of fresh seafood which is not readily available in the river valley nor in Ohio. “I like barracuda, shark, you name it. If it’s fresh I’ll eat it.” n ABOUT...the River Valley 25

ABOUT

Food

Are you all in a

SIRLOIN AND PORTOBELLO STEW

STEW? Story by Dianna Qualls Photos by Lloyd Qualls

Have you stewed all day over what to prepare for dinner? Well, do I have some ideas for you!!!

Maybe you crave a stew, a soup, a chowder, a ‘stoup’ -- Rachel Ray’s name for a cross between a soup and a stew? Or perhaps a gumbo, or chili, who doesn’t like a one pot meal, full of meat, veggies and a broth which can be thick or thin?

Some are quick fixes and some are best when slow cooked for hours. Some are creamy, some are tomato-filled, some are rich, brown and savory. Some are designed to be eaten hot and some eaten cold.

Some are comfort foods, some your Mother told you to eat “to cure what ails you.”

I checked out the definition of a soup, a stew and a chowder. After some research, I have decided Mr. Webster did not attend the Culinary Institute so his definition is a lot the same for all three.

My definitions are: a soup has a thin broth usually cooked for a short period of time just until the veggies, and/or meat are tender. Stews are cooked for a long period of time at a simmer in a closed pot, creating a rich, thick sauce. A chowder, gumbo, and chili are thick and hearty.

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Place steak in a medium bowl and sprinkle with flour; turn to coat.

Heat oil in a large saucepan, over medium-high heat. Add the steak (reserving excess flour) and cook, stirring once or twice, until browned on most sides and still pink in the center, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.

Add mushrooms, onions and tomatoes to the pan and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until the vegetables have released their juices (about 3 minutes.) Sprinkle the reserved flour over the vegetables; stir to coat. Add green beans, broth, wine, thyme, salt and pepper; increase the heat to high and bring to a boil, stirring often.

Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until the broth has thickened (about 5 minutes.) Add the steak and any accumulated juices and cook, stirring often, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Serves 4 (2 cups each.) Recipe from EatingWell.com.

Nutrition Info: Cal 334, Total Fat 9g, Carb 22g, Prot 34g, Chol 50mg, Fiber 4g, Sod 499mg Many years ago my husband and I ate Sauerkraut Soup at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant in Eureka Springs. This is a German restaurant that is wonderful, both in food and in service. We so enjoyed the soup, we came up with something close to it. Recently I revised our recipe again with healthier ingredients.

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1 lb. sirloin steak, trimmed of fat cut into ¾ inch cubes 1/3 c. all purpose flour 1 T. extra-virgin olive oil 6 c. chopped Portobello mushroom caps (about 6 medium), gills removed if desired 2 c. frozen pearl onions thawed and patted dry 2 plum tomatoes, chopped 2 c. frozen cut green beans, thawed 1 (14-oz.) can reduced-sodium beef broth 2/3 c. red wine 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme or ½ tsp dried ½ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. fresh ground pepper

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GUILTLESS VERSION OF OLIVE GARDEN’S ZUPPA TUSCANA

(Recipe modified by Kim Wood) 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 lg. sweet onion, finely chopped 2 tsp. minced garlic 6 ½ c. fat-free chicken broth ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 2 lb. small Yukon gold potatoes unpeeled and thinly sliced 4 drops of liquid smoke flavoring 1 bunch Kale (at least 3 c.) coarsely chopped 1 c. fat-free half-and-half ½ tsp. fennel seed 7 oz. fat-free smoked turkey link sausage, thinly sliced 4 oz. low-fat spicy Italian turkey sausage, crumbled, cooked, drained, and rinsed Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until soft, (about 10 minutes).

While onions cook, crumble sausage in a non-stick skillet. Fry over medium heat until well done. Place cooked sausage in a strainer and rinse with hot water for at least 30 seconds. Set aside.

Slice the link sausage thinly. Set aside.

Pour chicken broth into pot with onions

and garlic. Add fennel, red pepper flakes, and liquid smoke.

Add potatoes and kale. (The kale will take up a lot of room in the pot initially, but will cook down over time.) Bring to a simmer for approximately five minutes, stirring often.

Add sausages.

Continue simmering until potatoes and kale are tender enough for your liking. Add half-and-half. Simmer another 3 minutes or so. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Nutritional info: 2 ½ c serving : Cal 260, Fat 3g, Protein 17g, Fiber 2g.

QUICK AND EASY CLAM CHOWDER

2 cans New England Clam Chowder 1 lb. bacon, browned, drained & crumbled 1 soup can of milk ½ pkg. potatoes O’Brien (frozen) 2 small cans minced or baby clams, drained Place all in sauce pan. Bring just to a boil over medium low heat, reduce heat to simmer. Simmer for about 10 minutes (until potatoes are tender) and thoroughly heated. Serve.

Q’s-Tip: Up to 1 additional can of milk may be added to your desired consistency.

Pull Up a Chair!

Enjoy a hearty bowl of soup and a variety of sandwiches from...

2 ½ c. tomatoes, peeled and chopped (about 3 med) ½ c. cucumber, seeded and chopped ½ c. green pepper, chopped 2 green onions, sliced ¾ c. low-sodium vegetable juice cocktail ½ c. beef broth 1 T lemon juice ½ tsp. dried basil, crushed ¼ tsp. bottled hot pepper sauce 1 clove garlic, minced Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Cover and chill in the refrigerator for several hours or until thoroughly chilled. Serves 4.

Nutritional info: per serving: Cal 40, Protein 1g, Carb 8g, Total Fat <.5g, Sodium 119mg, Fiber 2g.

Q’s-Tip: Hang on to this peppy, chilled soup recipe until the veggies are available at our local Farmer’s Market and make a double batch and share with a neighbor. >>

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ABOUT...the River Valley 27

SAUERKRAUT SOUP

2 slices Turkey bacon, diced 1 c. chopped onion 1 tsp. minced garlic 1 lb. can sauerkraut (Bavarian Style), drained ½ tsp. paprika 4 c. chicken broth, low-sodium 2 c. water 2 c. potatoes, cubed 1/8 tsp. pepper 1 lb. turkey kielbasa, sliced Fry turkey bacon in large kettle or Dutch oven over medium heat until browned.

Add onion and garlic to same kettle cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add turkey kielbasa, cook 3 minutes or until kielbasa has browned slightly. Stir in sauerkraut, paprika, broth, water, potatoes, and pepper.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered for 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

Serve with hearty bread for a wonderfully comforting meal.

Kim Wood is an inspiration and mentor to many, especially a group of women that meet each Monday night. We are a support for each other in our quest to live a healthier lifestyle. We talk a lot, we laugh a lot, shed

a few tears, and we sweat, or should I say “Glisten” as we exercise the last 30 minutes of the meeting.

Kim made this delicious soup for our Christmas party. Just try this recipe I know you will like it. This recipe makes a big batch.

HEALTHY CHICKEN GUMBO SOUP

1 tsp. canola oil 1 med. onion, chopped 1 large rib celery, chopped ½ green bell pepper, chopped 1 ½ tsp. Cajun seasoning 1 large garlic clove, minced 3 c. lower-sodium chicken broth 1 (14.5 oz.) can petite-cut diced tomatoes 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cubed ¾ c. frozen sliced okra Heat oil in large pot over medium-low heat until hot. Cook onion, celery and bell pepper 6 to 8 minutes or until softened, stirring occasionally. Stir in Cajun seasoning and garlic, cook 1 minute.

Add broth and tomatoes. Increase heat to medium-high; bring to a boil. Add chicken and okra; return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 5 to 8 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.

Yield: 4 (1 ½ c.) servings. Nutrition per serving: Cal 140, Total Fat 3.5g, Protein 18g, Carb 11g, Chol 35mg, Sodium 815mg, Fiber 3g. Recipe from Cooking Pleasures.

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COUNTRY FRENCH VEGETABLE SOUP

JALAPENO CORN CHOWDER

1 stick butter 1 ½ to 2 c. sliced onion 1 c. sliced carrots 1 c. sliced turnips 1 c. sliced celery 1 c. sliced potatoes 1 tsp. salt 4 c. water 1 c. heavy cream

2 tsp. unsalted butter 1 c. diced white onion 1 c. diced red bell pepper 1 jalapeno pepper with some seeds, halved vertically and thinly sliced crosswise ½ tsp. ground cumin 3 T. unbleached all-purpose flour 1 ½ c. natural fat-free chicken broth 1 c. evaporated fat-free milk 1 lb. frozen whole kernel yellow corn, thawed 2 T. finely chopped fresh cilantro

Garnish: 2 T butter 1 small turnip, diced 1 carrot, diced 1 stalk celery, diced The turnip is the secret ingredient that makes this vegetarian soup so special Melt 1 stick butter in deep heavy pot. Place vegetables and salt in pot, stirring until coated with butter. Cover tightly and stew over low heat for 20 minutes.

In food processor with steel knife or by hand, chop the cooked vegetables and return to pot. Add water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes uncovered.

With food processor with steel knife or by hand finely chop garnish vegetables.

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet. Add chopped vegetables and brown lightly.

Add to soup. Add cream, adjust the seasonings and serve either hot or cold.

The vegetables may be varied in quantity and type—using what is available.

However onions and the turnip are a necessary part of this soup. Recipe from Putting on the Peachtree.

Diabetic friendly recipe: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and cumin.

Cook, stirring, for 10 minutes or until the onion and pepper are tender.

Add the flour and stir 1 minute. Vigorously stir in the broth and evaporated milk. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil while stirring. Add the corn and cook for 2 minutes. Top each serving with the chopped cilantro. Recipe from Diabetes Forecast.

Nutrition facts: Serving size 1 ¼ c, Cal 220, Total Fat 3g, Chol 5mg, sodium 230mg, Carb 41g, n Prot 10g.

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ABOUT...the River Valley 29

the Belle Story by Jeannie Stone Photos Courtesy of the Meers Family Additional Photos by Jeannie Stone

of Yell County

After two very interesting visits with Bessie Jo Meers and her children, Mrs. Meers passed away at the age of 89 on Jan. 29, 2009, at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center before she was able to read what would become her last interview. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family, who agreed that publishing her story would honor their mother’s legacy.

B

essie Jo Meers had intelligent eyes, a quick smile and soft manner.

She shared a room in Russellville Nursing and Rehab with her sister Ruth Waldrop but still evoked the charms of a grand hostess, teacher and community leader; all roles she played with relish in the shaping of Dardanelle.

Bessie Jo wed Paul, Sr. after they became acquainted through work. Bessie Jo, widowed with two children took a job as secretary to Meers, a real estate and timber man who was also widowed with a child.

The two married in 1949 and moved to Dardanelle in 1951. They purchased the former Veasey Farm, built in 1858, a 200 acre spread once used to grow grapes

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schoolhouse. Convinced the children were better prepared to succeed in elementary school and life, Bessie Jo began a passionate personal campaign to add mandatory kindergarten to the public school system.

Kindergarten was finally integrated into the state mandated school program in 1973.

Meers continued teaching at Dardanelle Elementary School where she taught until retirement in 1987.

Paul Meers, Jr. remembered his mother’s kindergarten classes, but not as a participant.

“She started when I was in second grade, so I watched it from the perspective of a high-and-mighty second grader,” he said.

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for wine production. The home had been vacant and was in danger of total collapse when the Meers undertook its renovation.

Soon afterward, Paul, Sr. meticulously dismembered and rebuilt a log cabin he purchased in Harkey’s Valley with plans to use it as his office, but Bessie Jo had other ideas. A latent desire to teach resurfaced in her heart, and soon she was formulating her own plan to start a kindergarten.

That kindergarten, known as the Little Log Cabin Kindergarten, opened in 1968 after Bessie Jo completed her early childhood education degree at the age of 58. It was the first kindergarten in Dardanelle.

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She had a picture of him standing outside looking through the classroom window,” Bessie Jo had said.

“I wouldn’t doubt it,” he said. “I was the occasional gofer and helper.”

Social Manners were a big part of the kindergarten curriculum, as were music and art appreciation. Bessie Jo even organized performances for the children to showcase their newly acquired skills. She used her front porch as a stage during nice weather, and she remembered when the children would dress up in old fashioned costumes and square dance for their parents.

Bessie Jo believed in field trips, even if they never left the building.

She recalled one of her teaching strategies was lining the students in rows and acting like their stewardess and pilot.

“ You have to let each child know you love them no matter what..”

“We pretended that we were taking an airplane ride to different countries before we’d study about their customs, and even learned a few vocabulary words and how to count in native tongues. Then we’d board the plane to leave the country when we finished,” Bessie Jo said.

One day she boarded the plane, introducing herself as Captain Meers, and proceeded to welcome the children on the flight to France when a crying outburst interrupted their adventure.

It was a little boy who managed to mumble through his tears that he was afraid because he’d never flown on an airplane before.

“To the children, those trips really were real,” she said.

An old-fashioned bathtub served as a fun reading nook in Meers’ kindergarten class.

“I felt that kindergarten was so important for those children,” she said. “I taught them reading, writing and arithmetic,” she said.

“When they finished their lessons they got to go to the bathtub.”

“And she loved them,” her daughter Linda Wilson said.

“What was there not to love? Each of them was precious to me,” Bessie Jo had added.

Meers was involved in her community on several different levels. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Dardanelle, an active member of the Yell County Retired Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma and served on the Human Services Commission of the River Valley. She was also a founding member of the Arkansas Gold Star Wives, a support group for widows of servicemen, and of the Dardanelle Garden Club, often hosting events including tours of her home to benefit the club.

In addition to her employment as a teacher, Meers hosted a radio talk show on KCAB radio station and reported for the Courier-Democrat newspaper.

“People keep contacting me now that everyone uses the Internet so much,” Wilson said, “and telling me how much they learned in kindergarten from my mother. She was very influential,” said her daughter recently.

Meers wass quick to share her secrets for being a good teacher.

“You have to let each child know you love them no matter what,” she said, “and communicate with the parents.”

It’s not surprising that Paul, Jr. made a career in music what with the influence of his mother. Nor is it surprising he mastered other tongues, becoming fluent in French with a little Arabic on the side while he studied in Paris under a Fulbright Fellowship. What a

testament to his mother’s independence that Paul, Jr. chose to live on the other side of the world where he is the choral director of the American University of Beirut, Lebanon.

Even though he was too young to participate in his mother’s kindergarten class, it’s a sure bet he climbed into that claw bathtub once or twice and flew off to other lands.

Bessie Jo Meers epitomized Southern graciousness and hospitality and had the warmest smile for everyone.

She is survived by three sons and a daughter-in-law, Dr. Frank and Marcia Lawrence of Russellville, Dr. Paul S. Meers of Beirut, Lebanon, and David and Mary Ann Meers of Idaho, a daughter and a son-in-law, Linda and Dr. Robert Wilson of Heber Springs, a sister Ruth Waldrop of Russellville, grandsons Dr. Robert L. Wilson of Heber Springs, Matthew Wilson of Miami, Fla.; Frank Lawrence, Jr. of Little Rock, Dr. George Lawrence of Mountain Home, David Meers of Idaho, Maria Hummel of Oregon, and 17 great-grandchildren.

She will be sorely missed from our community. n

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ABOUT...the River Valley 31

Sweetheart Saturday Sweet Success

Photos by Jeannie Stone

A

32 ABOUT...the River Valley

pproximately 300 local residents enjoyed the samples and sounds offered during the Fifth Annual Sweetheart Saturday sponsored by Arkansas Hospice of Russellville on Valentine’s Day 2009. The event was moved this year to the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church, Russellville. Due to the popularity of the event, the group felt a larger venue was needed to accommodate the growing number of attendees.

“Arkansas Hospice Russellville would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who helped make the fifth annual Sweetheart Saturday a huge success,” expressed Phyllis Bewley, director. “Our expectations were far surpassed because of the care and generosity provided by the River Valley community.”

More than 76 area businesses and contributing individuals co-sponsored the event through monetary and gift donations. Contributors provided items for the silent auction which were auctioned to generate additional funds for the new Hospice building. Projected building is anticipated to begin in June 2009.

Tickets were sold for $20 per couple or $15 per individual and offered participants the chance to sample the tastes provided by the following vendors: Cakes Alive, Catherine’s Cakes, Chartwell’s, Dardanelle Senior Activity Center, First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Harp’s Food Store, Lake Point Conference Center, Patticakes Bakery, Petit Jean Meats, Quizno’s, Russellville Country Club, Russellville Senior Activity Center, Redd-Eye Brand Salsa, Sugar Shack, Tyson’s of Russellville and Vintage Book Store.

“We would like to thank you so much for the overwhelming community support and participation in our Sweetheart Saturday event. We hope it continues to grow even more in the coming years and look forward to future events,” added Bewley.

Special guests included Veronica Kanyongo and Simplisius Ngwerume, founders of Seke Rural Health in Zimbabwe. Entertainment was provided by Ray Baker, Anna Williamson, the reigning Miss Mt. Nebo; and Rita Richardson. Johnny Story served as emcee.

March 2009

ABOUT

Community

ATU Team Plans Lunker Event

On March 20-21, the Arkansas Tech Fishing Team will host their 4th annual ATU Invitational. On any given Monday night, a drive through the Arkansas Tech campus will result in spotting several ‘ATU Fishing Team Shirts’ that members wear to recruit college anglers to join the team.

“Monday is their campus ‘promotion day,” explained Christy Austin, sponsor. “The ATU Fishing Team continues to grow year after year.”

The group organized under the direction of co-sponsors Austin, an adjunct instructor, and Dr. Theresa Herrick in 2006.

“When we began the team with eight members, we had no idea how big it would become, or of the national publicity we would receive,” added Austin. When we started the ATU club, there were only seven colleges and universities with teams. Now there are about 150.”

In 2006, the ATU Fishing Club was the first fishing club formed in an Arkansas college and that year they enjoyed a championship win at the ESPNU Smashmouth National Championship. Since that year, there have been two additional series that have opened up to include the college fishing area, Austin added. They include the Fox College Sports (now FLW College Series) and Boat U.S. College Fishing Events shown on Versus.

With these national tours, the student anglers travel all over the United States. The team has competed and placed in every National Championship since their beginning.

Participating students are required to carry a full-time student schedule and maintain a 2.00 GPA to be an active team member. The group is diverse – including ATU football players and even a 2nd Lt. in the Arkansas

National Guard – a fact which Austin believes helps attract many types of students.

“The team has had a tremendous amount of support from the campus and the community,” said Austin.

The group has been preparing for the 4th Annual Invitational, which has been noted as a premier event in the college fishing world, for the past 10 months. Student anglers from schools as far away as Iowa, Oregon and Wisconsin have attended. And they return, said Austin.

“I was told last year that our event is the second largest only to the National Championships,” she added.

For information on assisting with the upcoming March 20-21 invitational or future events, contact Austin at (479) 880-6044.

‘ART ON A CAN’ WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The Dover Area Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of their “Art on a Can” trash can project during their recent annual banquet.

First place winner with a cash prize of $500 was Audrey Christian of London.

Second place winner of the $300 prize was Hannah New of Dover. The $100 third place winner was Jessica Taylor of Atkins.

Of the more than 60 sketches submitted, eight artists were chosen to paint a can.

The other five artists selected were Casey Ward of Russellville, Robin Milligan of Dardanelle, Irene Roberts of Dover, Bonnie Peyton of Russellville, and Geneva Lay and Marie Wooten of Russellville, who collaborated on their project.

“We were excited to have so much interest in this project and (so many) representatives from the surrounding towns,” said Betty LaGrone, Arkansas River Valley Arts Center executive director.

The ARV Arts Center partnered with Dover Chamber on the project.

The originally-painted cans, which were presented to the City of Dover, will be part of a city beautification project used to help control litter in the city.

“In kind and cash sponsors and the cooperation of Dover city officials made this exciting project possible,” LaGrone stressed. Sponsors (whose names will appear on the cans) are Mobley Concrete Company, Shinn Funeral Service, McB’s Stoplight/Buccaneer Restaurant, Simmons First Bank, Mountain Enterprises, Rose Drug Store, Dover Times/Atkins Chronicle, and City of Dover.

Other contributors included: Taylor Oil Company, who donated the barrels; Demain Schrock, who cleaned them, and Robinson Brothers, who applied the base coat, the finished clear coat, and affixed the sponsor name plates. “(There were) several others who helped in transporting and storing barrels and lids, who served on the committee, and (assisted with) the other details that were required to complete this kind of project,” added LaGrone. n

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(479) 284-4059 ABOUT...the River Valley 33

Story by Jeannie Stone

Gj

ene and Jennie Littleton of Dardanelle regard the stiff icicles encrusted on their bushes during the recent ice storm with a gentle humor, tingled with the memories of frigid wind chill factors of -100 degrees. The couple, after teaching in Arkansas for a total of 30 years, traded tenure for adventure and moved to Alaska in 1985 where they taught the Yup’ik-speaking Eskimos.

They’ve seen snow.

“We were just sitting around the table talking about what we were going to do with the rest of our lives, and we both decided we needed a change,” Jennie said. “We wanted a different life, and we wanted to broaden our experiences.”

Their son Ronnie was in his second year of college, but the news came as a shock to everyone who knew them.

“Our (Booneville School District) superintendent didn’t want us to leave,” Gene said. The teachers hit the books and maps, undergoing a thorough regiment of study. They even subscribed to a newspaper in Anchorage and the Bethel Tundra Drums.

“We talked with anybody and everybody who’d ever been to Alaska,” Jennie said. “We went to the library, we called schools in Alaska requesting information, and we prayed.”

Because the state is so enormous, teachers register at a central job placement center located in Fairbanks.

“It was easier for superintendents to shop at one location rather than fly applicants around,” Jennie said. “Every day prospective teachers camped out at the center and checked the postings.”

“It was a little unnerving,” Gene said. “We hired on, completely sight unseen. We signed a contract without knowing exactly where we’d be living.”

The Start of Something Wonderful

Martha Newton

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34 ABOUT...the River Valley

The “where” was Mountain Village on the north side of the Yukon River 50 miles from the Bering Sea. The population was 600, and there was one road in town which connected the people to another village, St. Mary’s, 25 miles away.

“Villagers were federally supported or they worked in one of the very few stores,” Jennie said, “or they worked in the school district.

One of the main sources of income was the permanent dividends the villagers received from the oil industry.

After eight years, the Littletons moved by boat down the river to Sheldon Point a more remote village of 125 where Jennie taught home economics to 6th graders all the way to young mothers.

“I started with hygiene,” Jennie said. “At Sheldon Point there was no running water. Each school is built for the students to bathe. I taught them how to melt snow, take a sponge bath and how to care for their skin and their hair.

“We had to cut our own hair,” she continued. Gene and I also had to make sure we took plenty of medicine. There was a time or two when I had to fly to Anchorage because of illness.”

Jennie also taught nutrition and was appalled that the Yu’pik did not know how to cook. “Everything is frozen,” she said, “so all they knew how to do was heat up things on their camp stoves and hot plates. Stores mostly carried frozen TV dinners.”

Even though berries, including cranberries, grew in the region, “they didn’t know how to make jelly,” Jennie said. Naturally, she taught them, and they also made cookbooks.

“It wasn’t uncommon for a parent to approach me and ask me to bake a birthday cake for their child. My apartment was the only place to cook because we had a stove.”

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The main industry in the area is commercial fishing, especially salmon. The region supports a variety of berries and lucrative hunting opportunities particularly for fox, beaver, mink, moose, seal, and a ground bird known as a ptarmigan.

“Moose taste like extra rich beef,” Gene said. “It’s fork tender.”

More attention was directed toward maintaining a food supply.

“We ordered all our food from a Sam’s catalog,” Jennie said. “It generally took about three weeks for the groceries to come in to the closest airport.”

Anything could serve to disrupt scheduled deliveries, so the Littletons stocked six months’ worth of food in the pantry at all times.

“Flights were cancelled for volcanic eruptions, During Desert Storm we didn’t know how that would affect us,” Jennie said.

Alaska has several active volcanoes, part of the largest and most active range of volcanoes known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, in the world. The range gets its name because its volcanoes, oceanic trenches, volcanic belts, volcanic arcs and plate movements encircle the basin of the Pacific Ocean.

Because Gene was the only teacher for grades 8-12 and was the counselor, Jennie’s home economics and yearbook classes had to be conducted in the evenings often not ending until 10:30 or later.

“We also had regular gym times for different ages, and a teacher had to be present,” she said.

There was always work to be done, but because of the deep snow, the Littletons found that the children were out of shape because the only way to get around was to ride on snowmobiles.

Annual field trips to Anchorage further revealed the students’ physical weaknesses.

“We took thirteen 6th graders who had never purchased tickets, bought a drink from a Coke machine or ridden in an airplane.

We took them to their native organization headquarters, the Social Security building, the zoo, toured the local newspaper, and even took them to McDonald’s for the first time. It was all new to them,” she said.

“Each student was given $100 to go shopping. We bought combs, soap, brushes, toothbrushes and duffel bags to contain their possessions,” Jennie said.

But the real shock to their system, according to Jennie, was the physical exertion required to play tourist.

“The Eskimos live in such quiet environments,” she said, “that being around a lot of people, getting in and out of cars and walking around were very stressful for them.

They were not as strong as Gene or me.”

On the other hand, the Littletons were amazed at how the Yu’pik had learned to survive the extreme weather.

March 2009

“They certainly know how to survive a white-out,” Jennie said. “You couldn’t even see during those. Gene and I carried survival clothes in a plastic bag on the snow machine, and he always told people where he was going. We also packed a gun. No telling when you might have to shoot an animal for food if you got stranded.”

One adventure almost didn’t have a happy ending during an outing to pick up a friend who was flying in to the local airport a mile away.

“The day started out sunny and beautiful,” she said. As usual, she took the snowmobile to the airport. During the short errand, however, the wind chill dropped to minus-100 degrees.

“I don’t know if we’d have made it if it weren’t for a villager who stopped with his truck already warmed up. I just wasn’t prepared for anything like that,” she said.

The Alaskan adventure was a rewarding experience for the couple. “We made really good friends with the natives,” Jennie said.

One mother and child came back and visited. The mother was most impressed by fireflies at night and the chicken houses.

“You have to realize,” Gene said.

“She had never seen a chicken that wasn’t frozen.”

“And the distance from the Ft. Smith

airport to our former home in Booneville was the furthest she’d ever ridden in an automobile,” Jennie added.

“One day, we’d like to go back,” she said.

“We’re about ready for another adventure.”

Note: As opposed to the word once popular “Eskimo” which unfavorably translated to “eater of raw meat” rather than the true translation “snowshoe netter” and the word “Inuit” which translates to “people”, Yu’pik means “real people.” n

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ABOUT...the River Valley 35

Clarksville Junior Auxiliary holds Inaugural Sweetheart Benefit Ball Story and Photos by Johnna Walker

The Junior Auxiliary (JA) of Clarksville held their Inaugural Sweetheart Benefit Ball on Sat., Feb. 14, at Clarksville High School. Approximately 85 guests were in attendance. The evening included appetizers, dinner and a silent auction with items generously donated by150 contributors.

A dance followed with music provided by ‘Rockin’ Robbin” featuring DJ Tammy Morris.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the first Carol Hearnsberger-Martin Award of Excellence to Carol Martin. The award was created and named for Martin in honor of her history of dedicated service to the Junior Auxiliary of Clarksville. She is both a life member and a charter member of the Clarksville organization.

JA President Shonda Walters said, “We are very pleased with the outcome of our Inaugural Sweetheart Ball. We appreciate everyone who gave their support to make this first event such a success.”

JA members share the motto of “Care Today – Character Tomorrow” and strive to enhance the lives of children. Funds raised during the evening will be used to make a difference for the children of Johnson County. The Clarksville JA sponsors a literacy project, which puts a book in a child’s hands; School Store, which provides school supplies to low income families, and a Nurse’s Aid and Kidz Closet program that supplies clothing and healthcare items. In addition, JA provides Care Baskets to families with emergencies, supplies Christmas gifts and Easter baskets to foster children, and works with Forrester-Davis to provide unmet needs.

2009 Ball Sponsors included Kiwanis Club of Clarksville and Mrs. Tammy Pack at the Platinum level, and on the Silver level: Mr. Jackie Daniel of Exit 57 Express, First Security Bank, Hall Eye Care Center, Harvest Foods, Nowotny Service, Mr. and Mrs. Barry Park, Peterson Automotive, and Simmons First Bank.

A total of 21 individuals and businesses contributed to the event on the Bronze donation level.

ABOVE: Carol Martin (right) received the first Carol HearnsbergerMartin Award of Excellence. The award was created in her honor because of her history of dedicated service to the Junior Auxiliary of Clarksville. Martin is a life member and also a charter member of the Clarksville Junior Auxiliary.

Also pictured are (L) Shonda Walters, President of the Junior Auxiliary of Clarksville and Dana Hefley, (center).

From left: Lisa Vest, Dana Hefley and Robin Turley

36 ABOUT...the River Valley

March 2009

Continued from page 13

We had a program at church when Adrin was in middle school that required the kids to wear button shirts and handkerchiefs around their neck. My child would have none of it.

Adrin had made the argument that he could learn God’s word without the uniform and he was right. In this program you learned verses and were given an award. The only problem was that to be given your award you had to be in uniform. Adrin was never in uniform.

Fortunately, God placed a very wise man as Adrin’s leader, his name was Jay Miller. (Jay recently passed away and is greatly missed.) Jay told Adrin he didn’t care about the uniform, all he cared about was seeing Adrin every Wednesday night.

Jay took the time to come up with scripture assignments for Adrin and questions for him to answer.

Adrin went every Wednesday and did every assignment.

Adrin never earned an official award. On Award Night, when the kids who had learned the most verses and completed the most books were up on stage receiving their awards, it was hard for me. My pride wanted my child to be up there too. I would often ask God, “Why can’t Adrin be just like everybody else?” I know the answer – because I had a lot to learn about what was really important and God was using my unique child to teach me.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of stories I could tell about how this child almost drove me crazy, but more importantly how he drove me to my knees so God could cut away a lot of junk.

As he graduates and moves on – I want him to know – I wouldn’t have had it any other way and I am so proud of him. n

Reel Stories Series

Sad, funny, shocking, heart-wrenching – pick an adjective and it probably applies to 19-yearold filmmaker Andrew Jenks’ look at the “golden years.” With a baby boomer turning 60 every 7.5 seconds since January 1, 2006, the story is most timely.

Andrew Jenks, Room 335 was chosen as “Best Film” in the 2006 Phoenix Film Festival and has placed as a finalist in festivals across the world. This authentic account of generational understanding bridges the generational mind gap, uncovering humanity one view at a time.

Join filmmaker Andrew Jenks; Dr. Claudine Beverly, Director of the Arkansas Aging Initiative; and Dr. Barbara Shadden, Director of the Office for Studies on Aging at UA Fayetteville, in a two-way discussion about the film, the issues facing the current and future elderly population in Arkansas, and how positive change can be made for the future through education and awareness.

For more details about Jenks and his experience, visit andrewjenksroom335.com. n

Parks Planning Guide Available

The 2009 Arkansas Vacation Planning Kit, which contains an Arkansas Tour Guide, an Arkansas Adventure Guide, an Arkansas State Parks Guide, a Calendar of Events and a highway map, is now available from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. It can be ordered online by going to www.Arkansas.com and clicking on the “Free Vacation Kit” icon or by calling 1-800-NATURAL (toll-free), 501-682-7777.

For more information, contact Dena Woerner, communications manager for the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, by calling (501) 682-7606 or e-mailing dena.woerner@arkansas.gov. n

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ABOUT...the River Valley 37

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38 ABOUT...the River Valley

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Married Valentine’s Day 2009

Caitlin Bauer and Erik Conners† Registry lists provided courtesy of Millyn’s* and Gifts on Parkway/Gifts on Rogers† The 2009 issue of ABOUT… Weddings and Special Occasions is now available.

Copies are available at the office of ABOUT Magazine, 417 West Parkway in Russellville, and from participating advertisers.

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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.)

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March 2009

On Saturday, April 4, 2009, ABOUT… the River Valley Magazine will host ABOUT... the Best Cooks, a Community Recipe Contest open to all non-commercial area cooks and bakers.

y

Think you have a winner? In order to compete, participants are asked to pre-register the name of their entry or entries via the registration form below (copies accepted) on or before March 30, 2009.

Forms are also available from the Historic Missouri-Pacific Depot or the RV Battered Women’s Shelter Thrift Shop, both located in Downtown Russellville, the office of ABOUT Magazine, 417 W. Parkway, or online at www.aboutrvmag. com. Entries must be returned by Monday, March 30, 2009, in order to compete.

Categories and their respective divisions include:

R e g i s t r at i o n F o r m

Appetizers:

Name: ����������������������������������������������

Dips • Vegetable • Meat • Fruit

Address: ���������������������������������������������

Quick Breads • Yeast Breads

City/State/Zip:___________________/__________/ ���������� Email Address: ��������������������������������������� Phone: ���������������������������������������������� Recipe Title: ����������������������������������������� Divisions:

CATEGORY: Appetizers

Dips

Divisions: Divisions:

Veggie Bites

Meat Bites

CATEGORY: Breads

Quick Breads

Fruits

Yeast Breads

CATEGORY: Desserts

Cakes

Pies

Cookies/Bars

Please circle only one division per entry form. If you are entering more than one recipe, please submit a separate registration form for each recipe.

Commercially-prepared entries will not be accepted. Deadline for pre-registration is Monday, March 30, 2009. A copy of your recipe must be submitted day of contest.

Complete form and mail to: ABOUT Magazine Recipe Contest

P.O. Box 10176, Russellville AR 72812

For Information, call (479) 857-1008 or (479) 970-6628

Proceeds donated to the RV Shelter for Battered Women & Children, and the ATU Hospitality Scholarship March 2009

Breads:

Desserts:

Cakes • Pies • Cookies/Bars Entries arriving day of event without preregistration will not be accepted for judging. There is no cost to enter the contest and no limits to the number of categories an individual may enter; however, each dish requires a separate entry form.

Day of contest, participants need to supply a normal-size preparation of each pre-made dish, along with a copy of the recipe on an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of paper. Contest entries must arrive at The Depot between 1 and 1:30 p.m. to be considered eligible for judging.

River Valley celebrity judges will lend their tastebuds to determine the winners of all categories.

Recognition of winners will include publication in a future issue of ABOUT... the River Valley Magazine.

Certificates will be awarded to the winners of all divisions.

The public is invited to participate and sample the submitted dishes. Sampler plates will be sold for $2 and $4 beginning at 2 p.m. and lasting until 4 p.m. (or at such a time as samples remain.) Proceeds from the event will be distributed between two non-profit organizations – the River Valley Shelter for Battered Women and Children, Inc. and the ATU Hospitality/Walters-Williams Scholarship. Both groups will be assisting with the event.

Commercially-prepared entries or those from food-based businesses and/or their employees will not be accepted.

For additional information, please contact Dianna Qualls at (479) 857-1008 or Dianne Edwards at (479) 970-6628.

ABOUT...the River Valley 39

the news about

confronting confronting cancer cancer

get the on on getfacts the facts

the third the common third most

most common

- COMING EARLY APRIL 2009 -

- COMING EARLY APRIL 2009 -

Colorectal Cancer Awareness: Screening and Prevention Colorectal Cancer Awareness: Luncheon Seminar Screening and&Prevention

Luncheon & Seminar

The

The surgical team of Saint Mary’s and Millard-Henry Clinic will discuss colorectal cancer, the surgical team Saint Mary’sand benefits of of early detection, and Millard-Henry Clinic will the colonoscopy procedure.

discuss colorectal cancer, the L to R: Dr. Mike Bell, Dr. Craig Mizes, Dr. Vinh Nguyen benefits of early detection, and the colonoscopy procedure.

Cost is $5 at the door, which includes lunch and registration for door prizes. Seating is limited, and reservations are required.

L to R: Dr. Mike Bell, Dr. Craig Mizes, Dr. Vinh Nguyen

For details and information, call 479-964-9355.

Cost is $5 at the door, which includes lunch and registration for Saint Mary’sisLIVE WELL was created part of door prizes.

Seating limited, andseries reservations areasrequired.

our promise provide the community with current For details and toinformation, call 479-964-9355. medical information and services that promote living well and maintaining good health.

Saint Mary’s LIVE WELL series was created as part of our promise to provide the community with current medical information and services that promote living well and maintaining good health.

the news about

colorectal colorectal cancercancer

TheNews: Bad Ninety-three News: Ninety-three The Bad percent of percent colorectalof colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed in people 50 cancer cases are diagnosedages in people ages 50 and older.

Only about 40 percent of persons and older. Only about 40 percent of persons older than 50, however, have undergone a older than 50, however, have undergone a colonoscopy. colonoscopy.

The Good News: Sixty percent of deaths from colorectal cancerNews: could be prevented if everyone The Good Sixty percent of deaths from age 50 and older were screened regularly. colorectal cancer could be prevented if everyone

age 50 and olderscreening were screened The Bad News: Because rates are soregularly. low, less than 40 percent of colorectal cancers are Bad News: Because screening rates are so low foundThe early. less than 40 percent of colorectal cancers are

The Good News: When colorectal cancer is found early. detected early, the five-year survival is often greater than 97 percent.

The Good News: When colorectal cancer is

The Bad News: Screening for colorectal lags detected early, the five-yearcancer survival is often greate far behind screening for other cancers.

than 97 percent.

The Good News: Colorectal cancer can be The Bad News: early Screening colorectal cancer lag prevented if detected throughfor regular far behind screening for other cancers. screening.

The Good News: Colorectal cancer can be

know the prevented if detected early through regular

warning signs

screening.

These may be symptoms of colorectal cancer: •a change in bowel habits •diarrhea, constipation and vomiting •narrower than normal stools •unexplained weight loss These may be symptoms of colorectal cancer: •constant fatigue •ain change •blood the stool in bowel habits •sensation that theconstipation bowel does notand empty •diarrhea, vomiting completely •narrower thansuch normal stools •abdominal discomfort as gas, bloating, or cramps •unexplained weight loss •unexplained anemia

know the

warning signs

•constant fatigue •blood in the stool symptoms for more If you experience any of these than a few days, talk with physi•sensation thatyour theprimary bowelcare does not empty cian about them.

Colorectal cancer can be present completely in people who do not show symptoms, have any •abdominal discomfort such as gas, bloating, known family history, or exhibit any predisposing cramps conditions such or as inflammatory bowel disease.

•unexplained anemia If you experience any of these symptoms for more