ABOUT | October 2008

The Last of the Great Hunters

OCTOBER 2008 a publication of SILVER PLATTER PRODUCTIONS, INC.

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7 Don’t Vote? Don’t Gripe

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8 The Last of the Great Hunters

12

Panther Baker, Bear Hunter

18

Long Overdue: Plainview Library

20

Perfection is her Profession

22

Vinita and the China Girls

28

Dads, Daughters Share Bond

30

Cooking for Two

35

ABOUT… the Best Products

42

Central Christian Celebrates 140th

44

ABOUT our Cover

Stars Shine Down on Georgia

49

ABOUT… Weddings

The exotic trophy room of James and Laurie Bibler of Russellville doubles as a guest house and harkens visitors to the nostalgic ‘brotherhood of the hunt.’

Designed around the animals, the room is reminiscent of a time when the measure of a man was held in proportion to the number of animals he conquered. Take a visual safari with their story, beginning on page 8.

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ABOUT the River Valley

A Publication of Silver Platter Productions, Inc Vol. III, Issue 8 – October 2008

OWNER/PUBLISHER Nolan and Dianne Edwards Silver Platter Productions, Inc. Advertising Sales Melanie Conley Stephanie K. Young Dianne S. Edwards Graphic Design Chris Zimmerman Zim Creative Contributing Writers Kechia Bentley Dianna Qualls Jeannie Stone Contributing PhotographerS Steve Newby RC White 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 Pardon the pun but we can “bearly” contain our excitement about this month’s issue of ABOUT… the River Valley Magazine. Our associates have pulled together our largest issue yet, 52 pages, filled with stories about those who live, work and play in the Arkansas River Valley.

Our cover story features James and Laurie Bibler of Russellville, posed in their amazing Trophy Room, with incredible photography by Steve Newby. Freelance writer Jeannie Stone has captured the story of the Biblers in her feature, “Last of the Great Hunters,” beginning on page 8.

In “Panther Baker, Bear Hunter,” you’ll read the story of a traditional woman who just happens to be one of the area’s most knowledgeable bow-hunters. Travel the path of Wendy Panther’s hunt for bear in her story on pages 12-13.

“Long Overdue, The Plainview Library” reads like the pages of a great novel… the story of how one man’s desire to build a library began with the simple request for books. Don’t miss their story on page 18.

In “Perfection is her Profession,” female taxidermist Debbie Woodard practices her new-found career in her shop in Danville. Since beginning her work as a taxidermist, this hard-working artisan is seldom idle. Her story begins on page 20.

In “Vinita and the China Girls” on page 22, follow along as seasoned china painter Vinita Harrison shares her talent with painters-turned-friends.

The long-standing tradition of deer hunting and deer camp is shared between fathers and their daughters in “Dads, Daughters Share Not-So-Common Bond” beginning on page 28.

“Cooking for Two” on page 30 finds Dianna Qualls busy in the kitchen. This time she’s preparing tasty, nutritious recipes for herself and hubby Lloyd. From “Diamond Spuds” to “Caprese Panini,” she’ll have you longing for more!

With an area rich in history, it’s no wonder we have churches celebrating a long and lustrous past. “Central Christian Celebrates” with photos of their 140th anniversary on page 39. Point Remove PBC invites the community to share in their upcoming 175th anniversary with a Block Party on Oct. 18th. Don’t miss a synopsis of their history beginning with page 34.

In the original song, the stars may have “fallen down on Georgia,” but in our story of star-gazer Georgia Beavers beginning on page 44, they are all shining down on her. Born at 2.3 ounces, this amazing Russellville senior shares the story of her life and dreams as she focuses on heavenly orbs.

On page 49 you will find a number of local engagements. To have your upcoming wedding or anniversary included (at no charge,) send updated information to: editor@aboutrvmag.com.

To be included in our ABOUT… Weddings and Special Occasions 2009 issue, advertising and announcements must be submitted no later than Dec. 15, 2008.

Well, it’s finally autumn and we are anxious for all the fun Fall brings with it – football, festivals and food. Oh… and fantastic fans (our loyal readers and advertisers! Your notes and calls are very much appreciated! We thank you ALL for your continued support.)

So, if you are hunting for something fun and fascinating to read, we hope you’ll turn to the pages of this October’s issue of ABOUT… the River Valley.

Come see us!

Dianne Edwards, Editor/Publisher

Non-subscribers may pick up a complimentary issue from our loyal advertisers and from any of the following locations: the ABOUT Magazine office at 417 West Parkway in Russellville, the Historic MissouriPacific Railroad Depot in Downtown Russellville, the local Chamber of Commerce offices in Russellville, Clarksville and Dardanelle; the Pope County Library, and area Arkansas State Parks.

For convenient delivery by mail directly to your home or business, subscribe by sending a check or money order for $20 (one-year, 10 issues) to: ABOUT Magazine, P.O Box 10176, Russellville AR 72812.

October 2008

Out and ABOUT

“This year we decided to go as something we each find truly frightening”

Don’t Vote? Don’t Gripe!

This month our readers once-again are treated to the illustrative talents of Cliff Thomas as we take a light-hearted approach (above) encouraging you to ‘get out and vote.’

Sure, many of you may find the choice of candidates a bit intimidating, perhaps even “scary,” but what scares us more is the fact that so many of you DON’T Vote. With voter registration forms easily obtainable through the Arkansas Revenue Office and at the Pope County Courthouse, the numbers of those who do not cast their vote in any election – tax initiatives, bond issues, school board elections, local or national campaigns – are overwhelming. We encourage you to consider getting out and casting your vote, no matter what your persuasion might be. Exercise your right!

Not sure whether you are registered to vote? Arkansas residents can find out online by visiting https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org. Be cautious, however. Simply typing in “register to vote” can lead you to a registration site sponsored by a particular party-affiliation, so proceed with caution.

Registering by mail is easy and only costs you the price of the stamp. Visit www.sos. arkansas.gov/elections/elections_pdfs/voter/voter_reg_ap_ar.pdf to go directly to a downloadable form that you may print and mail to: Voter Registration. P.O. Box 8111. Little Rock, AR 72203-8111.

But don’t delay! The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 4 general election is Oct. 6.

Having cast my first electronic vote during the recent school board election, I can assure you, IT IS EASY. The commissioners are there to assist you in finding the right voting precinct – (I can’t ever remember, either!)

You’ll need to bring along your photo identification, stand in line only a few minutes, step forward to obtain your ballot (or be directed to the electronic voting machine) and then make your decision official.

The issue of not voting reminds me of something I was taught in grade school – “If you don’t vote, don’t gripe.”

Please, express yourself.

October 2008

Oct. 2008: Farmer’s Market, 3-6 Mon.; 10-1, Wed.; 7 a.m. until noon Sat. until Nov. 1. 320 W. C, Missouri-Pacific Depot, Downtown Rsvl.

Oct. 3: Country Dance Workshop, 7:30-10:30 p.m., $10 pp. Dance with Joy Studio. RSVP (479) 968-1620 or (479) 264-7287.

Oct. 4: Ballroom Dance Party, 7:30-10:30. $10 pp. Dance with Joy Studio. RSVP (479) 968-1620 or (479) 264-7287.

Oct. 9: Picture the Past Archeology Film and Lecture Series – 7 p.m., Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, Petit Jean Mountain. Flintknapping.

Free Admission. uawri.org or (501) 727-6219.

Oct. 11: First United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch opens; story time, paint-your-pumpkin, photo ops. Call Holly Alford at (479) 968-1232.

Oct. 11: St. John’s Harvest Fest school benefit; noon to 9 p.m., St. John’s Catholic Church, 1900 W. Main, Rsvl; food and fun!

Oct. 11: River Valley Heart Walk, ATU, 9 a.m. walk begins; (479) 571-6686.

Oct. 11: Chef’s Series, Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, Petit Jean Mountain. “Dinner Party.” $69 per class. Advance registration required; uawri.org or (501) 727-6220.

Oct. 14-15: ‘Long-Term Care, What’s Your Plan?” Noon -1 p.m., 968-5959 for information and registration.

Oct. 18: Pickin’ at the Depot, 4-10 p.m.; Downtown Depot; public invited to participate; Randy White, 967-3065 or MSR, 967-1437.

Oct. 24: Documentary Film Series – 7 p.m., Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, Petit Jean Mountain. Killer at Large. $10. (501) 727-6219 or uawri.org.

Oct. 25: Downtown Russellville Fall Festival and Chili Cookoff; day-long fun, food and festivities for the entire family. (479) 967-1437.

Oct. 28: “5 Wks to Financial Fitness” begins; 6-7 p.m.; Lakepoint. Call (479) 498-6035 for info.

Oct. 30-Nov. 2: Art Escapes Fall 2008, Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, Petit Jean Mtn.; visual arts workshops with professional artists.

Advance registration req. by Oct. 15; uawri.org or (501) 727-6220.

Nov. 1: 13th Annual OKTOBERFEST, 4-7 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Pavilion, 500 N. Cumberland, Ave.; music, games, silent auction and GREAT German food and drink. Adults, $10; children 6-12, $6.50, 5 and under free.

Email events to editor@aboutrvmag.com or fax to (866) 757-3282. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication.

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OCTOBER

ABOUT...the River Valley 7

Story by Jeannie Stone ~ Photos by Steve Newby

The last of the

Great Hunters To walk into the 6,000 square foot house that James and Laurie Bibler of Russellville built to display their growing trophy collection is to step into another place and time. The aura of the “trophy room,” which doubles as a guest house is an uncommon visual delight, It harkens visitors to the nostalgic brotherhood of the hunt when society embraced extended travel, and the measure of a man was held in proportion to the number of animals he conquered. James Bibler knows well the thrill of the hunt.

The Arkansas River Valley offers verdant hills and a pleasant climate but, for the Biblers, the roads leading to the veldts of southern Africa and the hot, humid tropics of the Congo Basin are capable of luring them away in a hoof beat.

Bibler, a retired businessman, didn’t always pursue the big game. During his tenure as a third-generation lumberman with Bibler Brothers Lumber Company, he was strictly an American sportsman. He primarily hunted duck, elk, quail and deer with longtime friends John Hines and Jim Bisbee.

During the off season, the friends huddled around an intricate poker table inlaid with hundreds of pieces of wood fitted together in a puzzle fashion. Upon retiring, Hines built a workshop from lumber supplied by Bibler and crafted the table as a gift. The table took on new meaning when Hines and Bisbee passed away.

Bibler searched beyond the land of opportunity for his next hunting foray. A Tarpin tournament in South Carolina caught his fancy. To his surprise, he won the competition and set his sights on more exotic species than the United States afforded.

October 2008

A massive, wooden door, designed with great care to balance the scale of the room, opens to a soaring, vaulted ceiling. The head of an elephant with its trunk furled around its ivory tusks and a menagerie of nearly 100 trophies are tastefully displayed in what could be described as an “Oh, my gosh” room.

“Basically, the building was designed around the animals,” Bibler said.

Some of the exotic specimens on display include: Bongos and a Dwarf Forest buffalo from Cameroon, an African elephant from Botswana, a mountain nyala, a klipspringer, a rhino, and a Menelik’s bushbuck from Ethiopia. The room also houses a Gobi argali, a Hangai argali and a whitetailed gazelle from Mongolia, a blue wildebeest and a black wildebeest. There are also a waterbuck and an Oryx grysbok from South Africa, a gerenuk and a sable from Tanzania, an entire crocodile and a Cape buffalo from Zambia, a banteng from Australia and a cougar from the United States. And, Bibler has a story for every one of them.

His wife Laurie participated in many of the expeditions.

She particularly enjoyed trips to Botswana and South Africa and claimed the weather was surprisingly pleasant.

“It was really cool at night and in the morning,” she said. “It was warm in the afternoon but not hot.”

She has, however, drawn the line at fully embracing some of the conditions abroad.

“He’s been to Cameroon by himself. It is way too hot and so buggy there.”

ABOUT...the River Valley 9

CO UP ON

“Those are the Pygmies,” Bibler said. “They live way out in the boonies. You have to land your plane on just a strip of grass.

“The Pygmies make up the hunting party, and when you are tracking an animal they will take their shoes off and run ahead to see if they can spot it. When you take down the animal they gather vines and bark and make packs to carry the meat out.

“Oh, everyone is really proud to see the hunters because they have no meat until the hunters come,” Bibler said and added, “Nothing goes to waste over there. They don’t eat the cats or

the crocs, but every inch of the other animals is used to feed the villagers.”

Although the villages don’t have refrigeration, they do smoke the excess meat and hold it until winter, Bibler said.

“And the hunting camps have generators, so they can store some of the meat.”

In photos of the hunt, Bibler cuts a rugged profile dressed in a snappy safari shirt. He is surrounded by the much smaller and darker pygmies.

“Traditionally,” he said, “a hunting party consists of a professional hunter and an entourage of natives including trackers, skinners and gun bearers. And, of course, the guest hunter, but it’s not so much about the hunting and the animals. It’s experiencing the cultures and meeting the indigenous people that fascinates me.”

And yes, they eat the meat at camp.

“The elephant meat was very tasty,” Bibler said. “The cooks at the camp know how to fix the local cuisine. Of course, you can imagine an animal that weighs 13,000 pounds is going to have pretty coarse meat, but when you cross-cut it, the meat is quite edible.”

Laurie considers Mountain Reed buck from South Africa as the best tasting big-game meat she’s ever tried, however, not all epicurean pursuits have met with her approval. There was the time Laurie refused honey in Tanzania.

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“We came across some beekeepers who had been collecting the honey in rusted 50-gallon barrels,� Bibler said. “They were so proud of their honey production, and a local man wanted to give her a taste of the honey. Now, he wasn’t clean, and when he put his dirty hand in the rusty barrel and raised his hand covered in honey, she nearly ran backwards.� He laughed. “Well, I had already gotten sick,� Laurie declared in defense. “I knew he was trying to be hospitable and didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but I just knew I would get sick again. The P.H. (professional hunter) saved me by telling the beekeeper I was allergic to honey.�

There was another experience Laurie would have liked to avoid. “It was really frightening,� she said. “A cape buffalo turned on us and scared us.

They truly have a reputation as being the meanest and most aggressive animals.�

Bibler shared impressions of a different hunt. “I could talk to you all day about Mongolia,� he said. “There were hundreds of thousands of square miles out there and

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no vegetation higher than my ankle, but then, I did get four animals.�

Bibler shared: “Nearly all hunts are unique experiences because when you are trophy hunting you don’t just take the first animal you see. You’re in hiding, and you take a great deal of time so as not to spook them. You don’t want to be premature and take down a lesser animal when you could have passed him up for something much better.

Story continued on page 24

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October 2008

ABOUT...the River Valley 11

Story and Photos by Jeannie Stone

W

endy Panther is a traditional woman with a bit of adventure thrown in for good measure. She likes to bake and decorate cakes, and she likes to hunt bears with a bow and arrow.

It was curiosity that, ultimately, killed her first bear. Panther grew up in the small town of Throckmorton, Texas.

“I had an older brother, so I was competitive,” Panther said.

Naturally, when she saw the pink and white bow in the store she and her husband own, she thought, “Why not?”

Wendy and her husband, Kenny, own Arkansas Trading and Loan in Russellville; sons Josh and Jeremy and family friend, Rick Davis, help run the outfit.

“Everyone specializes in something,” Panther said.

“Josh is the youngest, and he likes pistols and guns. Rick is our resident jeweler, Jeremy, the eldest, likes music, electronics and hunting with rifles. I am the archery expert and Kenny keeps us all in line,” she said with a laugh. Kenny is also a Senior Lead Technical Specialist at Arkansas Nuclear One. When Panther first picked up the pink and white bow, she was recovering from a neck injury as a result of a car accident. It was difficult getting in a position and holding the bow.

“I just kept working through the pain,” she said. “I kept getting stronger and stronger, and I started going to tournaments. I was landing first, second and third place rankings.

“That first year, I attended the Ben Pearson Memorial in Pine Bluff: it was the biggest shoot I’d been to. I placed third against 30 ladies or so, and I was hooked.”

Archery has appealed to Panther’s competitive side but it’s the mental acuity she finds intoxicating. She had to learn where the

12 ABOUT...the River Valley

arrow was going to arch when she released, constantly evaluating her environment -- whether there was a branch in the way of that forthcoming shot or whether her target had moved.

“I love the solitude when I’m in the woods,” she said. “It is such a quiet activity.”

It took Panther awhile to decide to hunt after taking up the bow.

Of course, curiosity had something to do with that too.

“I decided I’d better get out there and start hunting to gain the respect of my customers,” Panther said. “And, anyway, what in the world were they doing out in those woods?”

She found out in a big way when she shot her first deer.

Adrenaline rush.

“Oh my gosh, just the act of coming alive from a resting position when a wild animal nears, and seeing him enter your space, unaware of your presence. That’s a rush right there, just in the success of your concealment. And then, the challenge of knowing your shot placement.” Panther said.

Practicing the art of concealment was her first lesson in developing hunting techniques.

“When you hunt with a gun, you can smell like anything. But we try to get them 40 yards in or closer, they can really smell us, and they are easy to spook. I have to wash with a no-scent soap that takes away all my smell, and then I put my camo clothing on,” she said.

“Right before I go out I smear dirt scent all over me. My husband can’t stand the smell of it during the drive, so I wait till we get to the mountain.

“I have a backpack of everything I might need for the day, and I don’t return until nightfall.”

October 2008

Panther admits to a different relationship with her customers after that first hunt.

“The guys could hear the excitement in my voice while I was telling my story, and they could relate,” she said.

The added bonus was that, through her experience, she was able to really listen and understand what troubles they were having with their equipment or what they needed.

“I learned that the sharpness of the broadhead, the accuracy of the shot placement, and good concealment were vital to the success of the hunt,” she said.

Technology has come a long way since Panther first shot her bow 15 years ago.

“Nowadays, you don’t need a lot of poundage.

There is a lot of kinetic energy going into that arrow and broadhead now,” she said.

“My second year of hunting, we started on bears. I succeeded the fourth year.

Bears are funny,” she said.

“They change their routines for no apparent reason to us. Their hearing and smell are way more advanced than ours,” she said. “And when a male bear is in heat, he has an awful stench.”

Panther wrinkled her nose.

“And a bear will pick up on you well before a deer.”

She shot her black bear on the Logan County side of Spring Mountain. He had killed some dogs, and people on the mountain were plotting to get rid of him.

“They were grateful I took care of the problem for them.” she said. “Wild animals are usually afraid of us, just like we are afraid of them.”

Once they cross the line and attack, or even simply wander into a house, they‘re not afraid anymore. That‘s the time to start worrying,” Panther said.

There are bears all along the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains.

The Arkansas Game and Fish estimate the Arkansas bear count at 3,500 to 4,000, with only about 500 outside of those mountain ranges.

“There have been some big bears shot around Hector last year,” she said.

Panther shot her bear clean through the middle of the heart. Weighing in at 250 pounds, the bear took a long time to get into the proper position, and she had to practice her patience.

“Bow-hunters, as a rule, are more traditional hunters. We take it back to the Indian-style; it’s more of a challenge,” she said.

Panther, who didn’t start hunting until she was 40 years old, has become nothing short of an archery expert in the River Valley. During the interview, she concluded a transaction with a customer who drove 45 miles to consult with her before purchasing a bow.

Jeff Baker of Conway didn’t flinch when he praised Panther.

“I drove all the way over here to buy a BowTech Constitution, a premiere target bow, from Wendy. To tell you the truth, she’s the most knowledgeable person around.”

Panther laughed.

“Let me tell you, men shop like us. They don’t want to show up with the same color bow as somebody else. They will change their mind from the Mossy Oaks Brush finish to the Realtree Hardwoods Green. It’s amazing how many camo patterns there are.”

Panther is certified as an Arrow smith and is certified to teach Level 1 archery. She teaches in her shop, where she maintains two shooting ranges. There are some universal mistakes new archers commit, she says.

“Most of the time, newbies don’t know how to stand. They need to square up.

Stand, draw and aim in the correct manner.

Listen to your dealers and bow techs. They know how everything works. Once the correct posturing has been enforced, I am free to watch the hands.

“Don’t choke the bow,” Panther says.

“And be mindful of the peep being properly aligned. Many times, the bow hasn’t even been set up for the archer.”

Panther shares her love of archery at community events. She is a member of the Holla Bend Bow Hunters Association and commends the Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge for hosting frequent shoots and demonstrations.

The club sponsors youth tournaments.

For the last five years, she has assisted with a shooting as part of National Lands Day. “We set up targets and put balloons on the animal targets. A lot of the Scout troops and home-schoolers come out,” she said.

Panther and her husband are preparing to leave for BowTech school in Eugene, Oregon, where she will earn her Bow Technician certification and also make her own custom bow.

Wendy Panther has come a long way from the pink and white bow that first sparked her curiosity. n

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ABOUT

Family

Company’s Coming...

dust bunnies BEWARE Story by Kechia Bentley

When I announce to my family that we are having an event at our house, they immediately begin to groan and protest.

Remember, I do have a house full of males so the idea of any party that involves proper dress and manners is a real bummer to them.

One of the first questions they ask is, “Do I have to be here?” The next question they ask in the midst of their moaning and groaning is, “Do I have to help you get ready?”

You see, their aversion to parties may also have something do with the fact that through the years they have learned if mom is having a gathering it means one of two things for them -- they can either help me clean or help me complete some major remodel or decorating project.

When I say ‘help me clean,’ I mean really clean. I will admit, I have had them clean places that no one in their right mind would ever look while visiting someone else’s house. Seriously, I have never felt the need to look under a child’s bed while at someone’s house or behind their washer and dryer. So, why is it I think the people visiting my house are going to look in those places?

I know it makes no sense; my children have told me so a million times. Somehow, in the euphoria or panic of having people in my home, I lose what little touch with reality I usually have.

The other thing they get to do is help me accomplish a major remodel or decorating task. That sounds somewhat normal doesn’t it?

Nevertheless, all the moaning, complaining and suddenly remembering plans that will make them unavailable to lift a finger is because I want this task accomplished in a matter of days. It is as if we are on a TV design show and we must work through the night to meet the deadline.

The list of things I have made this poor 14 ABOUT...the River Valley

family do, just so I could have an event, is endless. It does not help that my disposition takes on the characteristics of a lion seeking to devour the weakest member of the pack.

Because of this, “take-no-prisoners” attitude, my husband once pulled a “Dictator Don” moment and declared we could no longer have ANY events at our house.

Fortunately, for everyone involved, I had a moment of my own not that long ago. It was as if I ran into a brick wall built by my own pride. (If you have been reading this column for long, you know I am just full of it.

Now some may want to debate what the “it” is but I promise you, pride is in the mix.)

Just like so many times before, I was having a bridal shower at my house. I had been frantically working to get my dining room painted and to touch up baseboards and wall scuffs. We all know that baseboards and wall scuffs are what everyone is looking at when we go to a party – NOT! My family, after many years of practice, had perfected the art of disappearing during such projects. I was working all alone on the evening before the shower. I looked like a wreck. I had a headband on with my hair going in every direction. I had on Capri pants and a cut off t-shirt that did not match each other, much less the paint I had managed to get all over myself.

In the midst of the fiasco I had created, gifts were being delivered from two local businesses. When the young woman arrived, I was in a frenzy trying to finish the painting and restore order to my destroyed house. I mean it was bad.

There was no clean place to put the gifts.

I still had not dusted or vacuumed anything.

I had to make a path through the furniture and nick-knacks that had been moved out of the dining room so I could paint.

I quickly wiped down my coffee table so we would have a place to put the gifts. All the while, I kept thinking to myself, “What does she think of my house? She must think I am a terrible housekeeper… She is

going to go back and tell all the people at the store what a disaster my house was.”

As she left, I was having this conversation in my mind about how I wished it had been perfect so she could say what an amazing and beautiful house I had.

Then it happened. No, I did not hear a voice, but I swear it was as if God tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Wouldn’t it be better if she went back and said what a kind and gracious person you were?”

It stopped me in my tracks. I was so wrapped up in wanting people to judge my value by my stuff and my house that I missed an opportunity to value someone else. I decided then I do not want my house to be a place people come just to look at the decoration; I want people in my home because it is a safe and welcoming place for them.

I am doing better. There is a lot less stress when mom decides to have an event but I still get the question, “Do I have to help you get ready?”

The answer is still, “Yes”.

October 2008

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ABOUT...the River Valley 15

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In conjunction with Mistletoe Market, a Preview Party will be presented on Thursday, Oct. 9 from 6-8 p.m. Preview attendees will have the opportunity to be the first to shop, while also enjoying delicious food, live music, and a fast-paced, runway-style fashion show by III’s Company. Advanced tickets for the Preview Party are available from the L.V. Williamson Boys and Girls Club at a cost of $25 per person or $40 per couple, which includes a free 2-day shopping pass per person for the market. Please join us to “Shop for a Cause!” For more information on Mistletoe Market, call the Boys & Girls Club at (479) 968-7819.

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Participants Sought for Paint Can Project A newly-announced art project will feature original art to help beautify the city of Dover.

Trash cans, painted by local artists and featuring their original designs, will be part of a city beautification project planned for the city.

“Not only will this be a beautification project, it will also help control litter in the city and show our pride in our hometown,” say organizers.

The Dover Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center, is sponsoring the contest and will award cash prizes of $500, $300, and $100.

Anyone who paints is eligible to enter the contest. Applicants must submit a drawing or painting that they propose to paint on a 55-gallon trash barrel. The drawings or sketches must be no larger than 24” x 24”. Eight sketches will be selected to be painted on trash barrels. Barrels will be furnished clean and ready to be painted.

Each of the eight artists selected will be given $50 to purchase paint and painting supplies. Cash prizes will be awarded based upon the finished project:

$500 for first place; $300 for second place; and $100 for third place.

Businesses interested in helping with this project by becoming sponsors are invited to contact Schrock or LaGrone at the numbers listed below. The artist will sign the barrel painting and the sponsor’s names will be placed on the barrel, as well. The barrels then will be coated in clear polyurethane, equipped with lids and placed in eight different locations within the city of Dover.

Sketches are due no later than Monday, Nov. 3, and may be turned in to Rose Drug, 8880 Market Street in Dover, or the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center, 1001 East B Street in Russellville.

The eight selected artists will be announced on Friday, Nov. 7. Trash cans must be completed by Monday, Dec. 15, and delivered to Rose Drug Store in Dover or to the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center in Russellville.

The completed trash cans will be displayed, and the artists and sponsors recognized, at the annual Dover Chamber of Commerce banquet planned for January 2009.

For additional information contact Earl Schrock, art committee chairman, at (479) 331-3483 or Betty LaGrone, director of the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center, at (479) 968-2452.

“Amore delle Arti” This year’s fundraiser will have a charming theme and party atmosphere as the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center, tented space and grounds are transformed into a festive Italian setting. An added attraction is a 2008 bright yellow Italianmade VESPA LX50 motor scooter, donated

by Cogswell Motors, to be given away. With the purchase of an event ticket, your name will be placed in a drawing for the VESPA. Additional tickets will be available for an additional $5 donation each. The winner’s name will be drawn during the event, Saturday, Oct. 18, from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

“There will be much more music for listening and dancing along with great food and drinks and fewer auction items,” said Dennis Overman, Arts Center president and co-chair of the event. “We will be featuring great original works of art from artists that you know and love, trips, and extraordinary parties and events to bid on or sign up for.

New York City and Las Vegas will be among the exciting trips. The party ambience will allow guests plenty of time to enjoy the entertainment and socialize with friends.”

Tickets are $50 each and are available from any Arts Center Board member or at the Arts Center, 1001 East B Street, Russellville.

For information call (479) 968-2452.

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ABOUT...the River Valley 17

Dean Blalock, board president of the Plainview Library proudly stands at the sign created by local artist DJ Westlake. The Plainview Library was created and is funded by the goodwill of the community.

Long Overdue The Plainview Library “In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends”

Story and Photos by Jeannie Stone

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

They did this backward, so to speak. But then nobody had ever started a library in the tiny town of Plainview before. All Brad Finkbeiner knew was how badly the town needed one.

Finkbeiner, a former pastor of the Missionary Baptist Church in New Bethel, began asking everybody to donate books because he wanted to build up a library. He decided to memorialize a bookloving friend, so he named the project after James Elmore.

Scott Gongola owned the Superette in town. He offered to store the boxes of books coming in for the library because there was no building designated for the actual facility.

“Brad gathered all these books, and they just sat around for two years,” Friends of the Library board president Dean Blalock said.

“When he moved to another town I asked the committee members what was the plan for the books, but nobody knew anything.”

About that time, the Plainview School District offered to lease a little yellow house to the group. Unfortunately, the condition of the house prohibited its restoration, and so it, too, became a storage facility. But with every step forward, the fervor in the community grew, and all the building pieces, miraculously, came together.

In 2006, longtime residents Bid and Louise Hopper purchased the property and a house formerly used as a church, located just a block off Main Street. They did so for the expressed purpose of donating it to the city for use as a library.

“Senator Sharon Trusty located a $5,000 donation to start us off,” Blaylock said. “She and Representative Nathan George have done a lot for this community.”

There are a lot of stories to tell about the birthing of the longanticipated library.

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“The list goes on and on. It’s just impossible to mention everybody who helped, and continue to help with this project,” Blaylock said.

First off, Mayor Doug Forrest and the city council agreed to pay all utilities, “and that is huge,” Blaylock said.

“With that taken care of, our largest expense is the insurance, which costs over $2,000 a year… but we raise that through our annual spring dinner in the school cafeteria and the BBQ sandwiches Bobby Smith makes and sells at our Frontier Days’ booth. He works at the Corps, but he has done this BBQ thing over and over, and he has developed an awesome recipe.”

In the library itself, Chambers Bank and Dr. John Westlake donated computers, Plainview First State Bank donated upholstered chairs, some leather to surround a table, and Charlie New, owner of New’s Office Supplies in Russellville, donated the copy machine.

“I had just gone in to ask him if there was a machine that we could buy for next to nothing, and he gave us this beautiful thing,” Blaylock said and gestured to the modern equipment in the corner.

The hodgepodge of shelving, amazingly, looks as if it were planned that way.

“A man in Lamar handmade these maple shelves on rollers and even delivered them to us,” Blaylock said.

“The library in Fayetteville donated the metal shelves which make up our fiction section.

“An antique revolving bookcase, as well as the flag flying out front, was donated by retired school principal Jimmy Gowling. The bright pink metal standing, which sports Hubba Bubba logos, sits in the children’s room by the generosity of the Superette.

“A glass display case, which stores rare and vintage books, was donated by the drugstore in town, and the high school donated the antique card catalogue unit that is now sitting at the library’s entrance. Someone saw a similar one posted on eBay selling for $1,200, so we are real proud if it.”

She pulled out the drawers to show that audio books are organized in the bottom drawers.

“We file our books alphabetically because nobody knew the Dewey Decimal System,” she said with a laugh. “In the beginning, we were flying by the seat of our pants.”

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October 2008

ABOUT...the River Valley 19

Story and Photos by Jeannie Stone

Perfection is her Profession To look upon a head mount of a

deer, slightly turned, with the most amazing eye, nose and mouth detail and well-defined muscles, even a nonhunter is impressed with the skill and grace with which Debbie Woodard practices her chosen art medium. She is, she admits, a perfectionist after all.

20 ABOUT...the River Valley

Woodard of Danville is a hard worker. She was working full time in the Pottsville schools when she started learning taxidermy on the side as a way to defray costs for mounting the deer she and her husband collected during their hunting forays.

Woodard wasn’t always into the hunting scene. Raised in Dover, she has memories of her step-father hunting deer and turkey. “He’s done it all,” she exclaimed, but he didn’t take her. In fact, she didn’t go on her first hunt until she met her husband Ronnie. Together they hunt deer, turkey and squirrel, but it’s the deer that were her guinea pigs in the beginning. She continues to count deer as her favorite form to work with.

“A couple of guys brought me stuff to practice on at first. Then they started to come by all the time,” Woodard said with a laugh. “I don’t have time to sit down and just rest now. Whenever I stop, I’m thinking about all the things I need to get done.” she said.

Woodard jumped into her new endeavor and quickly outgrew the basement, which was her first workshop. She and her husband built an 800 square-foot, specially-designed workshop for her business.

It is located outside their sprawling log cabin on the edge of the Ouachita National Forest.

She also joined the Arkansas Taxidermy Association and started attending classes held during the association’s conventions. She learned techniques from some of the industry’s finest taxidermists, and people began paying her compliments. Woodard’s work appears to stand ‘heads above’ the traditional mounts.

October 2008

The process she uses is time consuming. She first removes the skin from the head and bones and removes the flesh “real good.”

Woodard started using a water-pressure hose after learning the technique from a taxidermist in Vilonia. The petite Woodard isn’t afraid of asking for help. It’s simply a part of her drive toward perfection.

Fleshing by hand used to take Woodard all day. With the new technique, she is able to flesh a hide in 20 minutes.

Next she salts the hide. This pulls out the blood, wicks the moisture and sanitizes the hide.

“They say you don’t have to salt it down anymore, but I feel more confident doing it this way.” She leaves the hide to dry for a couple of days.

During deer season, Woodard develops an assembly line.

“With so many coming in, I’ll take three or four out of the freezer and flesh them at the same time.”

After the hide is properly treated Woodard glues the hide to the form and slides the cape over. It is then time for the tedious work of adding dimension to the mount.

“The guys seem to like the muscle-detail work,” she said.

Woodard spaces brad nails about ¼” apart, so there are literally hundreds of nails defining the muscles. She even adds dimension around the base of the ears.

“It just makes it more realistic. I add muscle detail in the face, too. I mean, I might as well do the whole thing.”

The mount must dry for two weeks before Woodard can complete the trophy with the clay and paint work -- tucking the tear ducts, treating the nose and mouth, making sure everything is perfect.

Woodard has completed three shoulder mounts, two European mounts (only the skulls), a bobcat, a bear, and an elk.

“The elk was so big my husband had to help me by holding the rack up, so I could screw it down. I had to use a big rock on the frame to keep the whole thing from flipping,” she said.

An early riser, she starts in at the shop by 6:30 a.m. and doesn’t come back in the house till her husband returns from work.

“I like a good turnaround time, so there may be a time coming when I have to turn jobs down. When I put out a deer head, I’m putting out my reputation, and I want people to come back to me.”

Her quest for perfection has earned her a reputation among hunters in the River Valley. “They’re proud of their mounts, and that makes me proud because I want it to look like the day they shot it.”

Woodard is interested in learning to mount duck and fish. She recently caught her first catfish.

“Around here, when hunting stops fishing starts,” she said with a happy sigh.

Duck mounting is not a venture to enter into lightly, she says.

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“Ducks are the only animals that require me to have a special permit and pay a fee,” she said. “They are federally monitored. You have to keep records and have them tagged. If a hunter has extra ducks, he can’t just give them to me. He would have to sign them over.”

She doesn’t like to eat the duck or fish, however, nor the deer.

“Chicken and turkey are about the only meats I eat,” Woodard said. After all, husband Ronnie is the plant manager for Petit Jean Poultry.

When she is not involved in her taxidermy business, she is involved in woodworking. Woodard recently fashioned a cross to mark the spot where a friend‘s daughter fell in a fatal accident while riding a four-wheeler.

In addition to building the plaques for her mounts, she builds furniture with the same attention to detail. She favors cedar, although she also uses oak, cherry and walnut, and creates chests and gun cabinets. She also made the sign for her shop.

Woodard has another hobby now as she incorporates a new love interest. As of July 25th she is a grandmother. Grandson Caden Woodard is the joy of her life. The Woodards have four grown children: Tasha Harris, Ashley Titsworth, Nathan Woodard and Jason Woodard.

And what does she do when she’s not involved with hunting, grandmothering and woodworking?

“I also work on cars,” Woodard said. “I like things done right. I’m a perfectionist.” Maybe that’s why she doesn’t have time to sit down any more. n Taxidermist Debbie Woodard, formerly of Dover, now practices her art form in Danville. She may be reached at (479) 495-3145.

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ABOUT...the River Valley 21

Vinita Harrison, matriarch of the china painting club checks out the pieces which will be entered by the members at the annual Arkansas china painting convention in Searcy.

Vinita and the

Jennie Littleton has been working on robins on her chosen piece to submit to the competition at the annual convention.

Littleton and her husband are retired teachers from Alaska.

China Girls Story and Photos by Jeannie Stone

With her paintbrush delicately poised in mid-air, Vinita Harrison, ponders the question. How long has she been painting?

As is typical for this group, the other painters rush to her aid supplying memory boosters. Many members of the group have been painting with Vinita for “at least 30 years.” Suffice to say, Vinita has been a china painter for a very long time and has raised up around her a support group of talented china girls.

Harrison does remember that she loved china painting from her first exposure as a child. She saw a lady paint on china teacups in Branson.

“All she painted was violets, and she had cabinets full of the stuff.

I was simply enthralled,” Harrison said.

Harrison credits her mother, who “painted a little and had a real talent for sewing and embroidery” for her creative gene.

“I just kind of fell into painting and china painting captured my passion. Anytime I saw it I was just riveted,” she said.

Vinita does remember that Ellen Gardner encouraged her to take art classes at Arkansas Tech University and to join the china painting group.

“Barbara Cousar was the first teacher in Russellville, and I think she’s still painting,” member Pat Kolb said. “She’s who I called to inquire about painting. That’s how I found out about Vinita.” That was 30 years ago.

Kolb had tried water coloring first under “Ms. Polly,” “but I painted like a mad hatter splattering water everywhere. I didn’t think watercolor was for me.”

22 ABOUT...the River Valley

When she met Vinita everything just clicked. “She was so patient with me. She would spend two hours on one tiny stroke. I remember I was working on forget-me-nots. Bless her heart, she didn’t give up on me.”

“And I found her through Betty Campbell,” Lillian Johnson said.

Harrison raised four children, Jan Michael, Jeannie, John and Jeff, and had her hands full when they were young. Painting was something she always wanted to do but simply lacked the energy and time until they were older.

Daughter Jeannie Wichmann saw evidence of her mother’s artistic leanings growing up.

“She always encouraged us to tap into our creative side,” Wichmann said. “She’s so talented, and she loves to share her talent and encourage others. I love to crochet and garden because of my mother’s influence, but my brother Jeff is an architect, and he does all that sculpting and painting too.”

After the loss of Harrison’s husband last year, the club has become her therapy.

“Well, this is definitely a therapeutic class,” club member Gay Nolen said. “I moved here from Louisiana, and I heard about Vinita through a friend in Little Rock before I even moved.”

Fellow club member Helen Kooken added, “Pat is a retired nurse, and Gay’s from Louisiana so, therefore, we don’t know what her background is.” Everybody laughed.

“I found Vinita by Mary Branch,” U’ilani Cooper, another class member, said. “I was taking beading class and saw Vinita’s paintings on teacups, and I just wanted to learn that too.”

October 2008

Left to Right: Gay Nolen specializes in painting portraits on china and has taught classes at her studio on Hihghway 7. Pat Kolb works on her portrait vase.

She started painting with Vinita over 30 years ago. Lillian Johnson shows her lemon teapot. She is trying to finish the piece to enter in the annual Arkansas convention coming up in Searcy. Helen Kooken puts the finishing touches on her rose vase. She is also a member of a china painting class in Ft. Smith.

and ears and everywhere. They were just And she is glad she found the club. “This convention in Searcy.”

Harrison shared praise. “Everyone has rolling around in it.” is such a fun group.”

“Well, we’re certainly a diverse group,” their own style, and we are constantly It is old-fashioned fellowship that keeps these busy women returning to the pool Kolb added. “Jennie and her husband working at improving it.”

There has not been a class fee for a long room every week. According to Harrison, retired from teaching in Alaska.”

Harrison spoke proudly of her girls’ time. Harrison may have taught the others the club meets as a Tuesday afternoon how to paint, but she insisted she doesn’t group. Everyone agreed the club has been accomplishments.

“Gay teaches a portrait class at her teach anymore. “Everyone just helps each going strong for 40 years. Even today, the pool cabana reverberates with laughter beautiful studio on Highway 7. She has other,” Harrison said. several works on display at Oklahoma City.” “Oh yes, she does!” Lillian Johnson erupting under the smell of paint and Oklahoma City is hallowed ground. exclaimed. “She teaches me.” Nolen agreed. mineral spirits.

There, one can wander the gleaming halls Harrison shared that she is teaching a “You know, I don’t know why we chose of the World Organization of China Painters sunflower painting seminar Oct. 22-24 at china over another medium, but I just always loved it,” she said. And the chattering goes Museum. It is quite an honor for a piece to her studio.

“I think it’s already full,” Kolb said. “There on all around her. be selected for exhibition. n When the talk turned to Oklahoma City, are painters from Ft. Smith and us.” the friends stated a buzz. Plans were being Several of the class members have For more information on the sunflower seminar dabbled on the side, so to speak. Kolb or about the Russellville China Painting club call made to take a field trip.

“Oh, wouldn’t that be fun,” Harrison knitted for years.

(479) 968-5081. For more information about the “It’s4cp a Inserts miraclein my children don’t have said.

“That willIntroductory have to wait, WOCP1museum in Sept Oklahoma Thomas Akin Ad:though,” 3 Col Wshe x 3.25”H, About the River Valley Magazine insertion: 2008 City visit www. said. “We’re getting ready for the annual knitting needles growing out of their skulls theshop.net/wocporg.

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ABOUT...the River Valley 23

Story continued from page 11

“When I was hunting the elephant, we started tracking a younger bull at eight a.m., but everything we saw was just too small. We saw the larger tracks and knew he was big, but there was no way we could tell what condition his tusks were in.

“He was the 20th elephant we encountered during the hunt. It was worth the wait,” Bibler said. “One shot, that’s all you’ve got.

You’ve got to brain-shoot them or they’ll get away.

Preserving conservation is a big part of the gaming experience for Bibler.

“I’ve always been impressed with how much energy the professional hunters spend toward maintaining hunting integrity and fostering goodwill toward the natives and animals.”

A fire destroyed Bibler’s original trophy room four years ago. Over 70 trophies perished. Colorado architect David Johnston, who had built the couple’s second home in Colorado, worked with Bibler to resurrect the original concept in a bolder and more spacious design. One of his triumphs in the cathedral-like structure is the towering fireplace built from native limestone.

Local cabinet-maker Lyle Ratzlaff was instrumental in crafting the bar and utilizing a wagon-wheel design on its ceiling. He also hued the beams from monstrous squares of Oregon Douglas Fir and he fashioned the oversized front door.

Although Bibler has re-populated the new room, he is lacking a lion, leopard and roan.

“He lost the lion in the fire,” Laurie said, “but he’s going back to Tanzania for another lion and the leopard and to Nambia for a roan.”

When the fire claimed the original trophies, the apparent loss of the treasured poker table multiplied the emotional costs of the devastation.

“It was black and totally singed,” Laurie said. “We were going to throw it out, and in our grief, we told Lyle what it had

meant to James. He took it to his shop to see if there was anything to salvage.”

“He saved it,” James said with a sincere reverence.

The restored table now sits at the entrance of the rebuilt trophy room, inviting new bonds to be forged over its gleaming surface.

It is a shining prize, risen from the ashes of the old and bearing witness to the perseverance of love and friendship.

It is the trophy above all others. It is the brotherhood of the hunt. n

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24 ABOUT...the River Valley

October 2008

Christopher Williams, 14, left, and Jared King, 14, of Russellville Crew 300 paddle 18 miles in a dense fog between Norfolk and Calico Rock at the White River Canoe Race. The pair won the Boys Beginner Class.

Aaron Vidusek, 17, from left, Kevin Williams, 17, Thomas Sayger, 17, and Cody Brown, 21, show off their Overall Championship trophy for winning the 42nd Annual White River Canoe Race. The foursome set a new course record covering the 120 mile race in 11 hours 41 minutes and six seconds. It was the fifth year in a row that Russellville Crew 300 has won the event.

Canoeists Bring Home Medals From USCA Nationals Four local residents recently participated in the USCA National Canoe and Kayak Championships just two weeks after the National Invitational White River Canoe Race in Elkhart County, Ind. Don Walls of Dover, along with Thomas, Mark, and Joshua Sayger of Russellville, spent the week racing canoes in sprints and marathons. There were children as young as six years old and adults as old as 89 participating.

The races began with the adult 500 meter sprints. Walls came in third in his first race of the day, the C1 Man Master class. (A C1 is a canoe for 1 person and a C2 is for 2 people.) The next race for Walls was with Joshua Sayger, 10, in the C2 Man/Fledgling II class. The pair placed fourth and hurried back to shore so Joshua could switch with Mark Sayger, 13, for the C2 Man/Bantam sprint. Don and Mark came in first place, 16 seconds ahead of the second place team.

Walls was able to take a small break before paddling with Thomas Sayger, 17, in the C2 Man/Junior sprint. They finished

the day with second place, only two seconds behind the first-place team.

Thursday started with the 250 meter youth sprints. Mark Sayger and Sosha Jones, 12, of Missouri started the day off with a first place win in the C2 Bantam class. Joshua placed fifth in the C1 Fledgling II class.

As soon as Joshua reached shore, Mark hopped in the canoe for the C1 Bantam race, placing second. Joshua and J.D. Jones, 10, of Missouri came in 3rd in the C2 Fledgling II sprint.

The racers were able to take a break while the starting line was moved back for the 500 meter youth sprints. Thomas paddled with Aaron Vidusek, 17, of Illinois to win first place in the C2 Men Junior Class.

He then switched canoes for the C1 Man Junior race, placing third. Thomas finished the day, placing seveth with Sosha Jones in the C2 Mixed Open class. What a day!

The week-end consisted of marathon races on the St. Joseph River. The adult course was approximately 17 miles with buoy turns, a portage, and some up-river paddling. This was the course that Don

Joshua S. in the C1 Fledgling II. He placed 5th

Walls and Thomas Sayger raced in the C2 Man/Junior class on Friday. They placed first, four minutes ahead of the second place team.

On Saturday, Walls paddled with Rocky Caldwell of Missouri in the C2 Men Master Marathon, placing fourth. Thomas raced in the C1 Man Junior class, a junior course about 12 miles without up-river paddling.

He placed sixth out of 13 competitors.

Don raced in the C1 Man Master marathon on Sunday earning the number seven spot. Thomas started the C2 Men Junior race with Aaron Vidusek but had to give it up at the portage due to a pulled muscle. His brother, Mark, got in the boat so Aaron could finish the last eight miles of the race. The USCA graciously awarded all three of them sixth place metals.

“Thanks to all of you who helped make this trip possible,” said the team appreciatively.

“The Venture Crew 300 of Russellville has the best coaches around!”

Youth interested in canoe racing are urged to contact Stephen Lynn at (479) 885-1037.

-- Submitted by Lori Sayger

Mark S. and Sosha Jones of Missouri after winning the C2 Bantam Sprint.

Don Walls

October 2008

ABOUT...the River Valley 25

Design Team

Joey Pack and Karen Ray Interior Designers

It’s great to work with a client that is open to new ideas and not afraid to

“step out-of-the-box.” Candy has exceptional taste and we always have a

lot of fun “creating and updating.” As you can see, quality furniture doesn’t have to be boring or bland. Customizing is what makes each home we do unique and personal.

For your complimentary in-store consultation, contact Joey or Karen today.

Complimentary In-Store Design Service and Delivery Photos by Steve Newby

(479) 967-9984

2609 East Parkway, Russellville, AR www.rivervalleyfurniture.net

Store Hours: Monday thru Friday ~ 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Saturday ~ 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday ~ Closed

C lay and I started purchasing furniture

from River Valley Furniture years ago. In fact, most of our furniture is from River

Valley. Everyone there is so friendly and

accommodating. Every time we walk into

the store we are greeted with smiles. Karen, Joey, Doug, Danny and the whole gang are fun to deal with. The wonderful Christian

atmosphere at River Valley Furniture makes it

a joy to shop there, or to just stop by and visit.

Karen got to know me and my tastes very

well which makes decorating so much easier.

She is a wonderful decorator, and I really

appreciate all she has done for our home.

Clay and Candy Reed

Dads, Daughters Share Not-So-Common Bond Story and Photos by Jeannie Stone

M

Tammy Gray serves deer summer sausage to Marley Short, center, and Shelby Gray in her home. The Grays smoke deer sausage every summer and processed 150 pounds last year.

28 ABOUT...the River Valley

Shelby Gray, left, and Marley Short prepare for the hunt. The girls are second cousins and hunt and fish with their daddies.

yron Short and Keith Gray are Arkansas cousins. That’s to say they’re not actually cousins but rather cousins-in-law since Myron married Keith’s cousin, Diane. But they claim each other, nevertheless, and partake in the universal and quintessential form of male bonding in our parts. They hunt together.

Not surprisingly, they introduced their children to the sport. Marley and Shelby are actually second cousins, and, yes, they are girls.

“Hunting goes deep in my family,” Short said. “I even have my grandpa‘s hunting license from 1953. My mother’s dad, Grandpa Harmon, ran all up and down the creek banks.”

“So when I married Diane I told her to expect me to be in the woods a lot. She laughed.”

It seemed Diane knew all about the benefits of hunting and fishing and the changing of the seasons; deer season, turkey season, duck season.

“She grew up on quail meat and black bass,” he said.

Short grew up in Hot Springs and now owns Myron Short Construction in Jacksonville and films for Bob Robbins Outdoors, an Arkansas weekly television show which extols hunting and fishing in our state -- the perfect job for a hunting enthusiast.

Marley joined her dad in the woods and lakes at an early age.

“She’s been fishing since she was a toddler. She started out with the ubiquitous Snoopy pole,” her dad said with a laugh. “All kids start out with Snoopy poles.”

Her first venture into the woods was between 10 and 11 years old.

It was simply an exploration with an initiation to the deer stands and identifying the deer marks left in the woods.

Two years ago, Short introduced Marley and his son Luke to duck hunting. Both were excited about the new adventure.

“I firmly believe hunting is highly interactive, and that’s what kids need.

You’re constantly shooting your gun when you’re dove hunting because the doves are constantly coming in, but in each type of hunt, there are things to do to keep them busy. She got four dove last year,” he said proudly. “And Luke, 17, got a gobbler in Kansas last spring.”

Marley, 14, loves to hunt with her daddy.

“My best memory is when I killed my deer with him last November. It was a five-pointer.”

The antlers were prominently displayed in her bedroom along with a couple of hybrid fish. The fish came courtesy of her expeditions with her grandma and Grandpa Joe. “I am blessed,” she said.

Marley isn’t all about hunting and fishing. She also sings in the church choir and is learning to play bass guitar and photography (also from her dad). She is home schooled.

“He gets more excited than me,” Marley said while she hugged her dad. In his defense Short explains that they work hard for Marley to have successful hunts.

“We envision her sitting in the deer stand and go through the motions of the hunt so she will feel comfortable when she comes face-to-face with reality.”

Gray puts his two cents in. “You don’t want to see them get their hearts broken,” he said. He is reminded of Shelby’s first turkey hunt.

“She shot the turkey two times, but the darned thing wouldn’t go down.

Finally, she threw the gun down in the mud and started chasing the turkey.”

October 2008

Everybody laughed. “That was a hard pill to swallow. She fell to the ground and had her a good cry.”

“It wasn’t that funny,” Shelby said. “That was the most-hard headed turkey I’d ever seen in my life. It just wouldn’t die.”

“That was one of the saddest situations I’ve ever been involved in,” Gray admitted.

Keith Gray was born, bred and currently lives in Russellville and is employed at City Corp. He, too, has been hunting and fishing as far back as he can remember.

His earliest memories are fishing with his mother or hunting with his dad or uncle.

“My dad was a truck driver, and Mamaw Blalock would keep my younger sister, so mom and I could go fishing,” he said.

“Back then fish and wild meat were staples in our diet.”

“We didn’t know what ‘catch and release’ was,” Short added. “What we caught we released into our frying pan.”

Times have changed, and sportsmen today are among the most dedicated stewards of natural resources.

“Nowadays, we consider the population when we hunt and fish. There are places I won’t take Shelby because the population is too low,” Gray said.

“A lot of people will sit down and catch or kill everything they can in a spot, but if you milk it dry there won’t be anything to

feed you later.”

Gray’s experiences have fostered in him a broader view of our responsibility toward preserving the ecosystems in Arkansas.

“Whether it’s cattle, wildlife or farming it’s all the cycle of life, and we’re a part of that. It’s up to us to preserve all those values we hold dear,” he said.

Bow hunting has fascinated Gray so much that he now only uses a gun for turkey.

“They’d be too hard to put down with only arrows. They’re fast because they can see you at 360 degrees due to their eye positions. If a gobbler had smell like a deer, he’d be near invincible.”

Gray believes in sharing the bounty of the hunt and every year he processes deer meat and makes his own summer sausage in the smokehouse on his deck. Last year his family made 150 pounds of sausage from three deer.

“We have an assembly line going,” he said and chuckled.

His wife, Tammy added, “It’s my favorite time of the year because it is such a family activity.”

“We de-bone everything till all we have is the muscle groups and meat. We grind it with an electric grinder. We have a mixer for the spices. I use a Texas blend -- that’s the recipe everybody likes,” he said.

Story continued on page 48

DEER SUMMER SAUSAGE

1 ½ cups brown sugar 8 tsp. salt cure 2 tsp. onion powder 4 tsp. coarse black pepper 5 T. mustard seed 5 T. liquid smoke 3 T. red pepper flakes 4 tsp. garlic salt 1 ½ T. ground red pepper 3 T. Worcestershire sauce (10 lbs deer meat) Mix thoroughly with meat. Marinate 24 hrs in fridge. Smoke 6 to 8 hrs at 100 to 125 degrees. (Slow and low so the meat doesn’t dry)

SMOKED WILD TURKEY BREAST

Italian Dressing Cayenne pepper Garlic salt Salt Tony Chachere’s seasonings Coarse black pepper A little BBQ sauce Lemon juice Soak breasts overnight in water and drain. Mix all ingredients. Pour over turkey breasts. Marinade overnight. Slow smoke.

Recipes by Keith & Tammy Gray

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October 2008

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3103 W Main Place, Russellville AR ~ (479) 968-1323 ABOUT...the River Valley 29

ABOUT

Food

EASY GARDEN BAKE

½ c. zucchini, chopped ½ c. tomato, chopped ½ c. onion, chopped 2 T. grated Parmesan cheese ¼ c. Bisquick mix, Heart Smart ½ c. milk, fat-free ¼ c. fat-free egg product or 2 egg whites ¼ tsp. salt Dash pepper Photos by Loyd Qualls

Story by Dianna Qualls

Cooking for Two

A household of two faces some unique challenges when preparing meals. As always, we want meals to be quick to prepare, nourishing to l your budget.

Trust me I know. For the past 15 years, our household has been just two of us and fast food became a way of life. As a result, our waist lines grew, and our pocketbooks thought they were on a starvation diet.

My being diagnosed with type-2 diabetes, plus Lloyd’s heart attack, forced us to change from a “what do you want me to pick up for dinner” mindset to one of sitting down together and putting together a menu for the following week. Our health has improved, as has the cost of dining (it’s amazing how much we spent on take out over the course of a week.)

This month we thought that we would provide some suggestions for the “dining for 2” crowd, or, expand the recipes for the family meal. Your waist line and wallet with thank you.

Note: Oops, I found a typo in the September edition, as I am sure lots of you did. Correction, to the Rings of Fire recipe please add ½ cup oil to the ingredients list. Apologies! I’d love to hear from you. My email address is tootieq@centurytel.net.

Crown Antiques Voted Best Of The Best 2008* 14,000 Sq. Feet of Antiques

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 8x4 loaf pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle zucchini, tomato, onion, and cheese in pan. In small bowl, stir remaining ingredients until blended. Pour over vegetables and cheese.

Bake uncovered about 33 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Serves 2.

Serve with fresh fruit for breakfast or a green salad for a light lunch or dinner. Nutrition: Cal 150, Tot Fat 3g,(sat fat 1g, trans fat 0g),Tot Carb 21g, Prot 10g. Recipe from Bettycrocker.com.

CINNAMON RAISIN FRENCH TOAST 3 T. milk 1 large egg ½ tsp. vanilla extract ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon Salt to taste 2 slices of cinnamon raisin bread 1 T. butter

Combine first 5 ingredients in a shallow dish, stirring well with a fork. Add bread to the dish; let stand 5 minutes, turning once. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add bread slices; cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until browned and crisp. Serve with your favorite syrup, or fruit. Recipe from Oxmoor House.

WARM UP

With a Hearty Bowl of Soup and a Sandwich from Stoby’s

1519 S. Arkansas Russellville

968-4653

*As voted by readers of The Courier

30 ABOUT...the River Valley

405 WEST PARKWAY, RUSSELLVILLE • (479) 968-3816 • www.stobys.com HRS: MON.-SAT. 6 A.M. – 9 P.M. • OPEN FRIDAY UNTIL 10 P.M.

October 2008

of the sandwiches as a weight, and cook until golden brown. A Panini machine or a “George Foreman” type counter top grill may also be used. Recipe from CuisineAtHome.com.

HOISIN PORK CHOPS

¼ c. hoisin sauce 2 T. sliced green onions 2 T. low-sodium soy sauce 1 T. rice wine vinegar 2 garlic clove, minced 2 (4 oz.) pork chops, boneless

EGG AND PROSCIUTTO PANINI

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Combine first 5 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag; add pork to bag. Seal and marinate in refrigerator 2 hours, turning bag once.

Remove pork from bag, reserving marinade. Place pork on the rack of a broiler pan or roasting pan coated with cooking spray; place rack in pan. Bake for 15 minutes, or until meat thermometer registers 160 degrees (slightly pink). Place pork on cutting board; cover with foil, let stand for 5 minutes. Pour reserved marinade into a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook until reduced by ½ (about 2 minutes); serve with pork. Recipe by Cooking Light.

Q’s-Tip: With the Hoisin Pork Chops, try fried rice and these Glazed Carrots. “Tasty”

CAPRESE PANINI

SAUCY ONION CHICKEN

1 T. olive oil ¾ c. tomatoes, dices 1 T. capers, drained Pinch of red pepper flakes ½ tsp. balsamic vinegar 4 slices bread ½ thick, white, wheat, sourdough Olive oil ¼ c. purchased pesto 6 oz. mozzarella, thinly sliced Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

In small skillet, brown chicken in butter. Season with salt and pepper. Add sauterne. Cover and simmer for 20 to 25 min. or until tender.

Remove chicken; keep warm. Add water to skillet, scraping browned bits from bottom of pan. Stir in onion dip till well blended. To serve, arrange chicken on hot cooked rice and pour the sauce over all. Recipe from BHG Cooking for Two.

Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes, capers, and pepper flakes; sauté until just starting to break down, about 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat, add vinegar. Brush oil on one side of each slice of bread; spread the other sides with 1 T pesto. Arrange mozzarella and tomato mixture on two slices of bread, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Top with other slice of bread, oiled side up. Heat another skillet over medium heat and add sandwiches. Flip sandwiches when the bottom is golden brown, then place a heavy skillet on top

2 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless 1 T. butter ½ c. sauterne 2 T. water ¼ c. sour cream French Onion Dip Hot cooked rice

4 slices bread, sliced ½ inch thick, wheat, white or sourdough Softened butter 2 T. whole grain mustard 2 oz. Havarti cheese, thinly sliced 2 oz. prosciutto, thinly sliced 2 eggs 2 tsp. Parmesan cheese grated 1 tsp. milk 1 tsp. minced fresh chives 1 tsp. butter Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread; spread mustard on the other side of two slices. Arrange Havarti and prosciutto on top of mustard. Beat eggs, Parmesan, milk and chives in a small bowl.

Melt 1 tsp. of butter in a 10” non stick skillet over medium-high heat; when foam subsides, add eggs. Cook until just set, pulling the eggs to center of the pan with a rubber scraper, and then tilting pan to fill in holes with liquid.

Slide “omelet” onto a plate, cut in half, and place halves on the prosciutto. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.

Place sandwiches in the skillet. Flip sandwiches when the bottom is golden brown. Then place a heavy skillet on top of the sandwiches as a weight, and cook until golden brown. A Panini machine or a “George Foreman” type counter top grill may also be used. Recipe from CuisineAtHome.com.

At Chartwells, Our Commitment is to Your Success We want to make certain that your special event is a total success.

Arrangements can be made for any occasion, from the most formal dinner to our simple coffee and refreshment service. Our qualified staff will make every effort to accommodate all your needs.

Call Janet Ford, Director of Catering at O. (479) 968-0279 C. (479) 280-0059

October 2008

ABOUT...the River Valley 31

DIAMOND SPUDS

1 baking potato, scrubbed clean, and sliced in half lengthwise Butter Hickory Smoked Salt Cavendar’s Greek Seasoning

ClaSSiC PieS - $10 each

Chocolate, Possum, Peanut Butter, Coconut, Pecan, Kentucky Derby, Pumpkin, Chess and More!

FRUiT PieS - $13 each

apple, Blueberry, Cherry and Fresh Strawberry

SUgaR FRee PieS - $13 each

Pumpkin, Pecan, apple Torte, Blueberry Crème, Strawberry, Raspberry

CaKeS - $12 each

Choose from 10 or More Favorites!

CHeeSeCaKeS - Starting at $14 COOKie TRayS - Starting at $13.95 WeDDiNg aND SPeCial OCCaSiON CaKeS Decorated Birthday Cakes, Brownies, Pastries, Specialty and Shaped Cakes, Decorated Cookies

24 HR. NOTiCe NeeDeD FOR SeleCT iTeMS

411 W. Parkway, Russellville

(479) 968-8945

HOURS: T. - F. 8am - 5:30pm • Sat: 10am - 4pm www.patticakesbakery.net

Come help us Celebrate our

GRAND OPENING October 6, 10:00am

Dropoff Location for

My hubby, made these potatoes when we were “courting”. It was “Love” at first bite.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With sharp knife cut diagonal slices about ½ deep and approximately ½ inch wide, do not cut all the way through the potato. Turn potato ¼ turn and cut diagonal slices to make diamond shaped cuts in the potato. Spread softened butter across the top of the potato.

Sprinkle lightly with hickory smoked salt and Cavendar’s. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until fork tender.

Size and thickness of the potato will determine cook time. Over the years we have used different combinations of spices depending on what type of meat we were preparing. This recipe is very easy to prepare for any number of guests.

CHICKEN-BROCCOLI AU GRATIN

1 T. olive oil 1 c. sliced fresh mushrooms ½ chopped onion 1 box (10 oz.) Green Giant frozen broccoli & zesty cheese sauce 2/3 c. ricotta cheese 1 c. chopped cooked chicken 1 can (4 oz) Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls Heat oven to 375 degrees. In 10 inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and onions; cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Meanwhile, microwave broccoli with cheese sauce as directed on box. Spread 1/3 ricotta cheese in bottom of each of ungreased 2-cup au gratin dishes or individual casseroles.

Top each evenly with chicken, mushroom mixture and broccoli with cheese sauce.

Most Insurances Accepted

Unroll dough; separate into 2 rectangles.

Place 1 rectangle over top of each dish, tucking corners into dish as needed. Place dishes on cookie sheet; bake 20 to 25 minutes or until tops are golden brown and edges are bubbly.

Note: Recipe can be made in ungreased 8 inch baking dish. Spread ricotta cheese in dish; top with chicken, mushroom mixture and broccoli with cheese sauce. Arrange dough rectangles over top. Bake as directed. Recipe from Pillsbury.com.

POTATO-HAM BAKE

1 lb Yukon gold potatoes, sliced (3 or 4 med potatoes) 1 (8 oz.) tub light cream cheese spread with chive and onion ¾ c. milk ¼ c. finely shredded Parmesan cheese ¼ tsp. black pepper 1 T. snipped fresh tarragon or ½ t dried tarragon, crushed 8 oz. cooked boneless ham, cut in bite-size slices 1 lb. fresh asparagus spears, trimmed, cut in 2 to 3 inch pieces Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In medium saucepan cook potatoes, covered, in small amount of lightly salted boiling water 5 to 7 minutes, just until tender. Drain; transfer to bowl and set aside. In same saucepan combine cream cheese, milk, 2 T Parmesan, and black pepper. Heat and whisk until smooth and cheese is melted.

Remove from heat; stir in tarragon. Layer potatoes, ham, asparagus, and sauce in 1-1/2 qt. baking dish. Bake, covered, 20 min.

Uncover; sprinkle remaining Parmesan. Bake 10 to 12 minutes longer. Let stand 5 minutes.

Top with tarragon and freshly ground black pepper. Serves 4 (not 2) but it is worth having leftovers for lunch the next day. Nutrition: cal 346, tot fat 16g, chol 67mg, carb 30g, protein 22g. Recipe from Bhg.com.

Recipes continued on page 50

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32 ABOUT...the River Valley

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479-880-1112 October 2008

1

ABOUT

2

... the Best Products

n 1 Fun and Unique Gifts Designer Wipee Cases--Not just for the baby anymorel! Do you have wipees in your car?

Sky Designs

skp.young@hotmail.com (479) 970-2215 n 2 Most Unique Pumpkin on the Block

By Heeny & Company. New Fall Merchandise Arriving Daily.

3

III’s Company

203 N. Commerce • Downtown (479) 880-0224 n 3 YOUR BABY RAZORBACK HEADQUARTERS!

4

We have a large selection of Razorback products for your baby. Onsies, diaper bags, bottles, T-shirts, and much more. Come visit us today.

Collectors Gallery

130 East Harrell Drive • Russellville (479) 967-6773 n 4 Fall and Thanksgiving Arrangements and Wreaths

We have arrangements that we have made in stock or we can custom design to fit your needs.

BOW K’s Flowers and Gifts

121 East Harrell Drive, Ste. 1 • Russellville (479) 890-BOWK (2695) 5

n 5 Attention Tech Students!

We have all your Sorority Items. Come visit with us today. We are located closed to Tech.

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BOW K’s Flowers and Gifts

121 East Harrell Drive, Ste. 1 • Russellville (479) 890-BOWK (2695)

October 2008

ABOUT...the River Valley 33

‘The Church Still Stands’ During remodeling construction in January 1998, their church building caught fire and burned. At the time, Elder Stumbaugh stated, “The building is gone but the church still stands.”

T

hirty years after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803… fourteen years after Arkansas was organized as a territory in 1819… three years before Arkansas was admitted to the union as a state, and twenty years before the Civil War started, the foundations of the present-day Point Remove Primitive Baptist Church were laid.

On Saturday, Oct. 18, the church will celebrate 175 years since their first constitution was written. They encourage the community to join them with a “block party” which will include free food, music, games, horse and buggy rides and more family-friendly activities.

Elder Harold Stumbaugh, who has served the congregation as pastor since 1983, recently shared original copies of ledgers, photographs and memorabilia collected throughout the church’s 175-year history. The collection was miraculously saved despite a 1998 fire which destroyed their previous building located at 510 North Knoxville in Russellville.

Blessed with Rich History The year was 1833, on the fourth Saturday before the Lord’s Day in August. The church, known early-on as the Regular Baptist Church of Christ at Point Remove, was established in Griffin Township (Pope County, south of Appleton.)

In an area just above Primm Bridge (which spans Point Remove Creek) and between Hacker Creek was a community called Glass Village, named after Chief Glass of the Cherokee Indians. Glass attended the church, called Glass Village Church, with Richard Griffin and his wife, who was also Cherokee. (A second church, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, was built in 1839 near the location of the Regular Baptist Church. In history books, both churches are referred to as Glass Village Church. Some say only one church was at Glass Village.)

Story by Anita Minor and David Lindsey Photos Courtesy of Point Remove PBC

Charter members of Point Remove included the and moved to Atkins. It was rebuilt as a home for first pastor, Elder James Bruton (Brewton); Thomas Elder J.H. O’Neal and his wife, Sister Savannah Yeates, John Isabell, John Gray, Jerimia King, Avis Evelyn Henley O’Neal.

Pastors that followed included A.W. Bullock, Yeates, Rebecca Isabell and Polly Ennis.

By 1838, the Church had grown to include 34 A.B. Cochran, T.P. McCain, J.H. O’Neal, J.C. members. By June 1841, Ephraim Lemley Sr. McClellan, Virgil Holland, R.F. Sandage, Austin donated land for a church building with lumber Johnson, Earl Lewis, Roland Green, Lowell donated by a saw mill in Appleton and erected by Miles, H.D. Fulmer and Bill Lee. Point Remove Church at Atkins consolidated the members.

In July 1881, the church’s name was changed with the Church at Russellville in 1976 and to the Primitive Baptist Church of Christ at Point became known as Point Remove Primitive Remove. By 1891, a number of churches were Baptist Church in Russellville. Elder H.D. Fulmer constituted in Pope County by Point Remove. served as pastor until 1983.

They included Gum Log Primitive Baptist Church In 1983, Elder Harold Stumbaugh began as (PBC), Mt. Zion PBC, Friendship PBC, Johnson pastor and serves the congregation until the County; New Hope PBC, Johnson County; and present day. Stumbaugh, born near Dover, was ordained at Pleasant Union Primitive Baptist Shiloh PBC, Atkins.

Pastors serving between 1863 and 1901 church in Senath, Mo., and married Sister Mary included: G. W. Bashan, Thomas Moudy, G.W. Tyer (Stumbaugh) on Dec. 20, 1952. The couple Berryman, Wm. A. Williams, G.M. Snider, T.P. has three children, Dianna, Steve and David; eight McCain and J.C. Venerable. A period of transition grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. followed during which the church dissolved briefly During remodeling construction in January 1998, the church building caught fire and burned. before reorganizing in Nov. 1907.

The early members of Point Remove met in At the time, Elder Stumbaugh stated, “The various homes at least once each month. In the building is gone but the church still stands.” summer of 1890, a new building was constructed Point Remove is extremely appreciative of The

by Jim Webb and D. Lewis with material donated River Valley Baptist Association, who allowed the

by John H. Hickman. Labor was paid for by Will church to use their building until a new one was Ross. The building, located across the road completed in June 1998. They, in turn, allow groups, from the present Hector elementary school, was such as Hospice In-Home Services and Senior used by three Baptist groups including Primitive, Companions, to use their building for meetings.

Missionary and Freewill, and was used as a The church is very community-minded, stress its members. “The church congregation is made up of school in 1890 until 1920.

In 1925 Point Remove and Gum Log Church people of diverse ages, from newborn to 94 years agreed to consolidate and build a new building at of age. They welcome all to come visit… especially Atkins. The church building at Point Remove Creek those who do not have a ‘home’ church.” was taken apart, hauled in sections with teams and The congregation has been involved in several wagons then re-assembled under the direction of projects, such as donations to Main Street Mission, Crisis preparing Joe Duvall at a site in Atkins.Magazine The first Ad service was River for About Valley:the 1/3 Pregnancy page horizontal (3 Center, col x 3.25”), 4cp. Insert March 2008 - TFN breakfast for those displaced by Hurricane held in Atkins on the fifth Sunday in May 1925.

The Gum Log church building was torn down Katrina, and the Help Network organization. n

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ABOUT...the River Valley 35

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36 ABOUT...the River Valley

Historic Altus was the destination for Royalty Tours’ and Saint Mary’s Vintage Club most recent “Let’s Do Lunch” day trip. A fabulous group of travelers boarded one of Royalty’s luxury motor coaches at Saint Mary’s on Thursday, Sept. 11, heading west for a relaxing day of siteseeing and socializing.

At the Altus city square, guests perused the Coal Miner’s Memorial, where over five hundred names are listed in honor of those who worked the mines of Coal Hill and surrounding Arkansas Valley areas beginning as early as 1873. The Coal Miner’s Museum is nearby, established almost 40 years ago by women of the Altus city council who went doorto-door seeking memorabilia from the families of miners.

Leaving downtown Altus, the Royalty group left for Wiederkehr Wine Cellars, the oldest and largest winery in mid-America. It was a perfect day to be touring Wiederkehr, as the wine-making process was in full swing and could be observed first-hand. Guests were treated to a wine tasting and enjoyed a delicious lunch at the vineyard’s Swiss-style Weinkeller Restaurant.

The last stop on the day’s journey was a visit to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, high atop St. Mary’s Mountain. Visitors were transported to Europe when they entered the Roman Basilica-style church, known for its paintings and ornate gold leaf work. Mass actually began at the site in the early 1800s, but the architecture did not reach its current stature until 1901 when new cornerstones were placed and built upon. The building underwent a complete restoration in the 1990s, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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October 2008

A safari adventure awaits travelers with the next “Let’s Do Lunch” trip, scheduled for Oct. 16. After touring and dining in beautiful and historic downtown Siloam Springs, guests will head into Wild Wilderness.

The 180-acre natural landscape of Wild Wilderness is home to over 85 species of exotic animals including lions, tigers, antelope, hippopotamus and rhinoceros.

On Nov. 13, Elvis fans can slip on their blue suede shoes for a walk back into rock n’ roll history at legendary Graceland. This tour will explore The King’s mansion, car museum and custom jets. A southern-style plate lunch is scheduled at the automotive-themed Chrome Grille on the Graceland complex. The trip includes a dinner stop in Conway on the return trip.

This year’s Christmas tour will be Dec. 9 and will explore Fayetteville. For more information on these and other upcoming trips, call Royalty Tours at (479) 890-6774. There is a fee for each trip with cost varying by location.

While Royalty Tours and Saint Mary’s Vintage Club partner to provide “Let’s Do Lunch” outings, the trips are not exclusive to Vintage members. Membership does have its advantages. Through the Vintage Program, Saint Mary’s provides River Valley seniors with health and wellness information as well as social and travel opportunities. Joining Vintage Club is easy. Call (479) 964-5683 for information and an application. n

The bottling process at Wiederkehr Wine Cellars

Wines age in cool darkness.

Sandy DeVore and Shirley Laymon at the Coal Miner’s Memorial in Altus.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church is known for its paintings and ornate gold leaf work.

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ABOUT...the River Valley 37

Story continued from page 19

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38 ABOUT...the River Valley

“We have so many talented people that help out,” Blaylock said. Not all of their supporters, however, are permanent residents.

“We have people, who regularly camp at Lake Nimrod, that sign up for a library card.

Usually, the first thing they say is that this place is so cozy, warm and comfortable.

And they sign the guest book and tell us the ladies are so nice and helpful.

“When Bood Keithly from Chambers Bank first came into the library he remarked that it was just like Barnes and Noble,” Blaylock said with pride.

The library has 7,000 books in its current circulation with many more stored in the yellow house. The library has a reference section, a large fiction area as well as a nonfiction and inspirational area. There is a wide assortment of videos and DVDs to check out. There is children’s section in one room and a law section in another.

“Bob Hood, of Hot Springs Village, donated an amazing collection of law books which had belonged to his lawyer son before he passed away,” Blaylock said.

“We plan to move the law books into the fellowship hall and have this whole area as a war room.” Books on war, that is.

The collection of coffee-table quality books is staggering. Ray Ward, of Russellville donated 600 books which he had amassed over the years, “and they are just gorgeous,” Blaylock said.

The books feature ships, planes, sites and actual photos from both World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, even the Civil War. “People come in and just sit and spend all afternoon looking at one or two of these.”

Ray Ledbetter’s widow also gave his vast collection of large picture books featuring foreign lands and people to the library. They offer breathtaking photography of our world.”

Supporters of the library are proud of the growing collection of Arkansas authors.

Among those is Widowed by Senator Sharon Trusty; the series by Northwest Arkansas author Wayne Hancock, which includes Gotcha, The Unlikely Predator, and 30 Days in May. They also carry Michael Pledger-Ball’s book Summer of the Secret Squadron.

And, of course, books have been donated by patrons in the community. An honor board lists many of those benefactors.

Some folks drop off donations in a box which sits at the front counter. These collected funds allow the library to purchase the incidentals they need such as paper towels, hand soap and toilet paper.

“At our fundraising dinner, Lavada Padgett, who runs Shinn’s Preschool and Nursery in Russellville, gave us $200 and gave us another $200 later.”

Padgett had told Blalock that Plainview was her hometown, and she wanted to

support the library. “She also volunteered during the summer story time program,” Blalock said.

During summer, children take over the library. Story time is offered, and several children within walking distance visit every day. Charles Lee Dearing was honored last year at the dinner with an award for “the youngest/best library helper,” Blalock said.

“His mother owns the drugstore around the block, and he comes, sometimes daily, to help us in whatever way we need.”

Blalock shared a story about a neighbor boy who also visited every day.

“Before we even opened, John David would come every day and ask if he could get a library card yet. Finally, I promised him that he would get the very first library card.

Well, at a fundraiser, the mayor claimed he wanted the first library card, and I said, ‘Oh no, that’s already been promised to John David Green.’”

When the time came to issue the cards, Blalock, a retired teacher, made sure to keep her promise and created a special card for the boy with a big number one printed on it.

The meeting room, also known as the fellowship hall because of its former church function. It stores the many paintings and works of art which are not currently on display in the main library. Local artists D.J. Westlake, Marie Honeycutt, Minnie Smith and Denise Robinson, have generously donated their works.

“In fact, the elegant sign in the front yard was painted by Westlake and built by her boyfriend,” Blalock said.

The effects of the auspicious 2006 grand opening lingered in the community of Plainview as they celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2007.

The Friends of the Library board is made up of 10 “very” active members. They are: Dean Blalock, Mary Alice Cox, Mildred Cunningham, Rosemary Davis, Alice Garvin, Dixie Gossett, Sharon Hamilton, Marie Honeycutt, Eddie Howell, Billie Johnston, Jan Loney, Ann Mann, Marvalee Paul, Mary Lee Rice, Gee Spencer, Nadene Trantham and Jon Williams.

“We are non-profit, but we are selfsufficient,” Blalock said. Through the Experience to Work program funded by the state, Marvalee Paul and Mary Alice Cox work 20 hours per week. On Saturdays, however, volunteer Eddy Howell, the Methodist minister in town, opens up.

“He tells me he loves to be here where it is quiet, so he can work on his sermon,” Blalock said. n The Plainview Community Library is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. until noon. To financially support the Library or to donate books or time, please call (479) 272-4979.

October 2008

Rev. Donna Rountree and Bro. William Richardson The Rev. Richard E. Hamilton (left) and Rev. Rita Richardson

Bro. Kenneth Ray Richardson, deacon of Central Christian Church

Central Christian Celebrates 140th Anniversary

By Jeannie Stone

Central Christian Church of Russellville ,which was established as a bi-racial church formerly known as ‘Edwards Chapel Christian Church,’ celebrated its 140th anniversary recently with a gathering of current and former members, family and friends. Rev. Rita Richardson currently serves as pastor and pianist of Central Christian Church.

The anniversary worship service was led by The Rev. Richard E. Hamilton, regional pastor of the Great River Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Those in attendance had the opportunity to view a historical film which focused on the church’s past 140 years, including the period when it was known as ‘Edwards Chapel Christian Church.’

The congregation hosted a reception and fellowship following the service. Guests were treated to commemorative anniversary cake and punch. Special guests included, among many others: Bro. William Richardson board chairman, historian and choir member of Central Christian Church; Rev. Donna Rountree, pastor of First Christian Church in Conway; R.L. Williams, Sr., minister of Cephas Chapel Christian Church in Wrightsville, and Glenda Holman, member of First Christian Church of Conway. n Rev. Rita Richardson cuts the anniversary cake during the reception.

Bob Edwards of Russellville (left) and Bro. William Richardson

Carolyn Edwards, left, and Mary Cahoon, both of Russellville, visit during the anniversary celebration.

Lodema Jensen (left,) Glenda Holman and R.L. Williams, Sr. Members and guests of Central Christian

Church member Tanisha Mitchell poses with Meashia Woodard, left, and Solange Beasley, right.

Church member Lactetia Woodard holds her newborn, Brooklyn.

Brother William Richardson and Glenda Holman

Story and Photos by Dianne Edwards

The kindness of one can be multiplied through the generosity of

others. The result . . . a donated semi‘disaster relief’ trailer stocked with supplies to be used by those in need.

And not just in one state, but in each state of the county if the Fraternal Order of the Eagles’ Grand Worthy President John Potter has his

way. The national focus for the Eagles organization is to have a “Disaster Relief” trailer for every state, totally outfitted and ready to be dispatched whenever a disaster occurs.

40 ABOUT...the River Valley

Arkansas is at the top of their game, according to Wayne Mikkelson, Arkansas State Disaster Relief Chairman for the Arkansas State Fraternal Order of Eagle (F.O.E.) Members.

And Russellville, with one of the 13 Aeries (chapters) and 11 Auxiliaries, has met the challenge with the donation of a semi-trailer from business owner and Russellville #3928 Aerie member Gene Putnam of Russellville. That, coupled with the generous donations of supplies to stock the trailer, will enable the organization to accomplish their goal of having a trailer ready and stocked to be dispatched when needed.

Triggered first by the spring storms plaguing Arkansas this past spring, the need for immediate mobile assistance was further driven home by the relentless waves of two inwardly-driven rainfilled hurricanes.

Volunteering came from outside the Aerie and Auxiliary, as well.

Lettering on the both sides of the donated trailer were applied through efforts of the owners and employees of Happy Days RV in Russellville. Bearing the F.O.E. logos and Aerie and Auxiliaries affiliation information on both sides and back, the trailer makes a huge traveling banner illustrating the Eagle’s purpose of “people helping people.”

Although the trailer was not outfitted in time to serve the victims of Hurricane Ike, “we are on our way. Another phase in getting the trailer ready for dispatch has been completed,” said Wayne Mikkelson, president of the Russellville #3928 Aerie.

“Recently about 35 volunteers from around the State and Russellville were present to assemble the personal hygiene kits. It was a lot of work but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves,” he added. More than 1,200 of these kits were assembled, say participants.

Non-perishable foods have been ordered and should arrive within 10 days, added Mikkelson.

October 2008

Dan Irving, Gene Putnam and Wayne Mikkelson

“As of Sept. 25, the generator, tent, tool and storage boxes, pallet jacks, cook stove, and horizontal propane cylinders were ordered and should arrive shortly,” said Mikkelson.

A list of more than forty other items, such as tarps, trash bags, first aid kits, camptype chairs, blankets, ice chests and LPG tanks, are included and will be purchased and/or donated, as well.

“Wal-Mart has told us that pallets of water would be available when requested,” added Mikkelson.

“We’ve come a long way in just a few short months and everyone in the State of Arkansas should pat themselves and their brothers and sisters on the back,” he added in a recent letter to Arkansas’s 13 Aeries and 11 Auxiliaries.

Certification is underway to see that the trailer’s volunteer disaster support crews are

trained properly, “as each county is different as to what training they require their crews to have,” added Mikkelson.

Training may be available at the State Workshop so that all would be qualified to serve any disaster area within the State of Arkansas, he said. FEMA-approved courses are available online and may be utilized by the F.O.E. volunteers.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles are an international non-profit organization. They work to “unite fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills, and by promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope.”

The F.O.E. was founded in February 1898 by six theatre owners gathered in a Seattle, Wash., shipyard to discuss a musician’s strike. They agreed to “bury the hatchet” and form “The Order of Good Things.”

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As numbers grew, members selected the Bald Eagle as the official emblem and changed the name to “The Fraternal Order of Eagles.” The women’s auxiliary traces its roots to 1927.

The membership exceeds 1.1 million with more than 1,700 local aeries (male groups) in the U.S. and Canada. Women’s auxiliaries total more than 1,500, with more than 335,000 members. Members are recruited by other members and must be sponsored by two members before the membership process begins.

The organization’s major accomplishments, according to their website, include: founding Mother’s Day, serving as a driving forces in founding Social Security program, and helping end job discrimination based on age with their Jobs After 40 program.

They also distributed copies of the Ten Commandments and fought to keep the Commandments in public places.

More than $100 million a year is donated by F.O.E. members to local communities, fundraisers, charities and more. As part of its philosophy, the F.O.E. gives back 100 percent of monies raised in the form of grants.

Fundraisers are conducted for eight major charities, including kidney, heart, diabetes, cancer and spinal cord injury funds, a

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children’s fund, memorial foundation and the Golden Eagle Fund.

Noteworthy Members have included former presidents Theodore R. Roosevelt, Warren G. Harding, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan; comedian Bob Hope, boxer Max Baer, NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, performer Billy Ray Cyrus and Tony Orlando, among others.

Women’s Auxiliary members have included: Bess Truman, wife of former U.S. president; Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of former U.S. president; Virginia Graham, radio and TV personality, and Susan Wagner, wife of New York Mayor Robert Wagner.

For more than a century, the Fraternal Order of Eagles has had a major positive influence on their region, nation, world...and most importantly on their communities. n For more information on the local aerie or auxiliary of F.O.E., call Wayne Mikkelson at (479) 967-6164 or via email at eagles3928@ suddenlink.net.

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42 ABOUT...the River Valley

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October 2008

In the company of friends Just days before celebrating his 80th birthday, Dr. Doug Lowrey of Russellville (standing, left) played several rounds of tennis with friends underneath a blistering Arkansas sun. At 80 years young, he remains active, playing tennis twice a week.

Last year, the retired physician traveled with First United Methodist Church, where he is a member, to Guatemala on a mission trip.

He is a busy, respected man.

To celebrate his upcoming birthday, many of his friends -- mostly fellow tennis players – planned a surprise party at Ryan’s restaurant on Aug. 25. Bill and Mary Grace were present for the surprise party. They described their long-term relationship with Dr. Lowrey, whom they have known as a friend since 1957.

Betty and David Snellings also attended the celebration. The couple has known Dr. Lowrey since 1979.

“We’ve played tennis, fished and gone to Razorback games together. He is a man of many talents. He can do a lot of things so very, very well. He’s a great person.”

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“He’s a great tennis player, a great doc, a great Razorback fan and a great bridge person. On top of all that, he’s just a great man,” added Bill and Dianne Abington.

Gene Lowrey interjected his own opinion of his brother: “He hasn’t been good all his life, let me tell you. When we were kids, we got into a fight, and he knocked me in a ditch and broke my collarbone. It took many years to settle that, but he’s a pretty decent brother, I have to say.”

Also attending was Abby Davis, ATU tennis coach, who is the group’s substitute tennis player.

“They’re an elite group, so I jump at the chance to play with them. Dr. Lowrey has been very supportive of Tech tennis. I sure hope I’m on the court when I’m 80!”

“I’m just pleased to help him celebrate his birthday,” added friend Gary Gray.

Described by Fred Duvall as a friend with “an outstanding nab of character,” a grateful Lowrey thanked the party-goers.

“Thanks for putting up with me. I couldn’t have better friends.” n

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October 2008

ABOUT...the River Valley 43

Stars Shine Down on Georgia Story and Photos by Jeannie Stone

A

mong the mortals who inhabit the Arkansas River Valley is an Constellations and black holes have always captured Georgia’s 18-year-old-girl who dreams of stars and nebulae and becomes interest. The group project she worked on was titled The ABC (Amazing Basics of Cosmos) Catalog of the Summer Sky with each giddy at the chance to study black holes.

Fortunately for her, a three-week summer astronomy camp camper assigned a specific chapter of the research. exists in Germany. Fortunately for us, Georgia Beavers, the only “My job was to research the mythology of the constellations. It American student chosen to participate, decided to come back to was truly fascinating,” she gushed. “Did you know there are five different versions of Orion alone? There’s the story describing Orion earth, er, Russellville.

Georgia is the daughter of Dr. Kevin and Debbie Beavers and as a hunter who was killed by Athena in a very strange way, and the sister to Caroline, a student at Tech; Jena Mae, who is entering the more common version where Orion is the hunter who chased the Pleiades, also known as the seven sisters.” second grade, and Parker, who is entering kindergarten.

Georgia, a rising senior at Russellville High School, displayed a The three weeks of camp went by in a blur, particularly because of the lack of sleep for Beavers, who didn’t want to miss talent for science from an early age. In 2003, she was a thing. awarded the bronze medal in the school Science “We didn’t begin the classes until noon,” she said.

Fair for her report on buoyancy.

“We always had several free times a day, and In 2005, when she was in eighth grade,

by Josephine Walls we worked in our groups every afternoon Georgia submitted a presentation on and evening.” sunspots using NASA SOHO (solar and With the universe in her wings, The schedule looked a little torturous or hemispheric observatory) data. She won Earth angel gently cradles our precious world, maybe a bit European as they ate midnight the River Valley Middle School Science Bearing gifts of tranquility, harmony and meals and watched stars afterward.

Fair’s earth and space science category, peace for all.

Free times were spent in the observation and was surprised to learn she also won In her wake, she brings an abundance of fields or just hanging out with her new the Daisy Bates award. beautiful flowers friends and singing songs.

Before the evening was over, Georgia and creatures great and small to fill the “Thank goodness everybody knew was also awarded the Naval Science Award. idyllic countryside.

English,” Beavers said with a laugh.

“I’d wanted to go to space camp for The dove of peace and the rainbow of The camp meets at a different location some time,” Georgia said. “Mama told me hope are her constant companions each year, and each location offers a different she found this interesting Web site, but I had on her flight of creation. feel. The students made a couple of excursions to write an essay. I was very sincere in my to nearby Dresden. essay and explained my love for astronomy and “It was just beautiful even though our first tour that I wanted to meet like-minded students.” was rained out,” Beavers said. Beavers claimed she made The response time was painfully drawn out as Georgia recalled. “I heard I was accepted the last week of school. I had a friends for a lifetime.

Her dream is to attend one of Dr. Stephen Hawking’s lectures month to get ready.”

The International Astronomical Youth Camp solicits participants at Cambridge University. Hawkings, an internationally regarded from around the globe who are interested in expanding their scientist, suffers from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as horizons. Eligible candidates must know English, and fall between Lou Gehrig’s disease) and continues to write papers and lectures 16 and 24 years of age. The camp aims to groom the future through the use of a computerized program which records the responses made by his eye movements. researchers of the world.

“Astronomy was the common thread that connected us,” Beavers said. “He has always been such an inspiration to me,” Beavers said.

“I mean, everybody got excited when there was a clear night because “And there were students at the camp who have actually taken classes from him.” that meant they could locate more of the heavenly constellations.

Earth Angel

44 ABOUT...the River Valley

October 2008

What makes her international science accomplishments all the more admirable is that Beavers has had less chance to shine that some others. She has cerebral palsy, and every day brings physical challenges which require much of her energy.

The ever up-beat Beavers counts her lucky stars that she survived infancy after her premature birth was compounded by multiple medical complications. She was born at UAMS weighing only 2.3 ounces.

“She was a very sick little girl,” Her mother, Debbie Beavers, said.

“People have gotten more and more accepting of her because she’s grown up with these kids,” Debbie said. “After all the years of therapy, medications, eye surgery and leg braces, she has never once complained.

“When she was in elementary school, I asked how they expected Georgia to earn the Presidential Fitness Award. The principal admitted he didn’t know, but the next day he provided a sheet of modifications for physically disabled children,” Debbie said.

“In this town, if you ask for help, someone will give you what you need.

“Her success wouldn’t have been possible without caring people who served as touchstones for us. People like Kay Dodson, her junior high and high school counselor, and Lavada Padgett, who owns Shinn’s Preschool and Nursery. They were always looking out for Georgia, and they would call me if something was wrong.

Beavers is looking forward to her senior year. Naturally, she has completed her science requirements and is planning to study world religions and advanced creative writing. Beavers loves to write poetry and is looking forward to her new duties as staff member of The Black Couch, the literary magazine for the school.

“I’m going way out on my writing this year. I’m going to make my mark on the school before I leave. I can’t believe this will be my final year.”

Beavers belongs to the Science Club and is planning to join the Chess Club this

year after honing her skills with her fellow campers in Germany.

Ultimately, Beavers is hoping to study close to home with Dr. Jeff Robertson, astronomy department head at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.

“He is awesome, and going to the star parties at Tech have been the highlight of my life, well, and attending camp. I really want to study under him.”

Beavers has her own ideas concerning her station in life.

“I couldn’t have accomplished all this (she throws her arm up indicating the trophies and medals) without the opportunities provided by my fabulous mother and my brilliant father, so I could devote my time to studying,” she said with emotion.

Georgia’s accomplishments haven’t surprised Debbie who always knew her daughter was a star.

“I’m so proud of her. She’s an elegant, young lady who handles everything with a lot of class.”’

“And I have found my voice,” Beavers said smiling. “I’m not so shy anymore.”

Her mother shared the emotional impact of learning her child was different.

“I had to re-think my expectations for her,” she said. “In a way, all the negative stuff I heard did allow her to develop on her own timing. Georgia didn’t walk until she

Celebrating

was three years old, but, then, most people told me she’d never walk.”

Never walk? Georgia Beavers was meant to soar. n

For more information about the International Astronomical Youth Camp, log on to: www.iayc.org.

50 years

of Service to you and yours Since 1958

Interiors by Loretta

Loretta Self, Interior Designer Residential & Commercial

Call for your In-Home Consultation

(479) 747-1302 or (479) 968-4278

By Appointment

October 2008

121 North Commmerce • Russellville

WE DELIVER!

479-968-2456

CALL AHEAD FOR CURBSIDE SERVICE ABOUT...the River Valley 45

ABOUT

New Business

Pair Opens Downtown Knitting Shop

“Knit 2 Together” is more than just the name of one of the River Valley’s newest businesses – it sums up the connection between the shop’s co-owners. Kim Bailey Murders and Stephanie Bates agree that their business name reflects the facts that their two lives, and the lives of their families, are as entwined as the knitting term that bears their business name. The pair met on the T-ball field when their sons were five and their lives have been “knitted together” ever since.

Knit 2 Together is a fabric arts shop at 317 West Main in Downtown Russellville. The colorful shop is filled with more than 30 varieties of yarn, hundreds of skeins, and a hundred-plus brands of knitting needles, buttons, books, knitting bags, childsize knitting needles, and jibitz. (Not sure what that one is? Visit the shop and ask!)

Kim, whom was taught to knit by her mother when she was eight years old, shared her talent with Stephanie about five years ago, “and she’s taken off and become obsessed with kniting now,” laughed Kim recently.

After their sons graduated high school, they began to discuss what they wanted to do with their lives. Kim, who grew up in California, knew immediately that she wanted to open a knitting shop; Stephanie, who was raised in New York, was a bit hesitant at first. A visit to California led to the encouragement of another shop owner who penned the words, “open the shop!” on a business card handed to Stephanie.

They began preparing their knit shop last December, opening on May 5th of this year. They knew they wanted to be a part of the historical downtown area, so when the location next to Italian Gardens became available, they moved quickly.

The pair attended the National Needle Arts Association June market In Columbus, Ohio. The four-day market was awe-inspiring, agreed the owners. With plans to offer “hip and in the groove” yarns and fresh new ideas, the intense market experience filled them with excitement.

“We’ve had a great time putting the shop together,” Kim said.

Stephanie agreed.

The pair will celebrate the shop’s “grand opening” during the month of October and invite everyone to stop in and ‘knit a spell.’

The shop is open from 10-6 on Mondays and Wednesday through Friday. The shop is open on Saturdays from 10 until 2 p.m.

On Tuesday, Knit 2 Together opens at noon and remains open until 8 p.m. to accommodate a special group. A number of knitters

The “Knit 2 Together” logo used by Kim Bailey Murders (right) and Stephanie Bates in their new knit shop reflects individual collections begun long ago -- Kim is the frog and Stephanie is the moose.

‘from ages 9 to 89’ join the owners each Tuesday night for “Knit Night.” The gathering began with four members of First United Methodist Church’s Prayer Shawl Ministry group and has grown to include, on average, about 20 knitters of varying skill levels. There are no fees for the evening; knitters bring their own projects and plenty of ideas to share, explained the owners.

While “Knit Night” is not an organized class, the owners will offer more classes as the demand grows. (Fees may apply.) The coowners are available during the day to offer advice and suggestions as needed, or to discuss one of their exciting new offerings -- “Yarn Parties” for children and adults.

In addition to new yarns and supplies arriving daily, the pair hopes to offer spinning wheels in the near future. They are currently building an email contact list and encourage interested persons to contact them via their email: knit2together@centurytel.net. A knitting community site and resource they recommend may be found at ravelry.com.

For additional information, contact Knit 2 Together at (479) 968KNIT (5648.)

Your One-Stop Shop for All Your Planting Needs

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A Revolution in Clean Air Removes up to 99.98% of allergens from the filtered air

Bryan Fisher

Exclusive Agent Bryan Fisher Insurance Agency

Allstate Insurance Co.

Griffin Electric Heat & Air, Inc.

2605 Knoxville • Russellville (479) 968-8555 License #122314 Dennis Griffin 46 ABOUT...the River Valley

2504 W. Main Ste G Russellville, AR 72801

Phone 479.890.0094 Email a007374@allstate.com

Taylor Nursery

130 S Cumberland 479-968-2778

October 2008

ABOUT

Community

Community Heart Walk

The 2008 Community Heart Walk Community Fair has been set for Saturday, Oct. 11, at Arkansas Tech University. This year’s event chairman is Kevin Solomon, the assistant director of housing and assistant dean of students for Arkansas Tech University. National sponsors include Subway, Healthy Choice and AstraZeneca.

Participants are encouraged to invited family, friends and co-workers to this year’s event. Organizers suggest a Walker Goal of $150 raised through flat donations rather than pledges. Walkers have a choice of length to walk and are encouraged to walk at their own pace. Prices, based on the amount of donations raised, will be awarded. Monies collected for the Heart Walk must be turned in by 8 a.m.

The walk and community fair kick-off at 9 a.m. In addition to the Honor Survivor walk-in and tribute, activities planned for the Heart Walk Community Fair include health screenings, children’s activities, refreshments and sponsor booths.

The Heart Walk educates men and women of the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and what we can do to prevent it. Funds raised support local medical research & educational programs of the American Heart Association.

The organization’s website, heartwalk. kintera.org/russellvillear, makes it easier than ever to fundraise with the American Heart Association.

“Sign yourself up and begin sending e-mails to fundraise online,” urges Jenny Robertson, coordinator.

For more information, contact Robertson at (479) 571-6686 or via email at: jenny. robertson@heart.org.

It’s Festival Time in the City!

Get your chili pots ready, practice up on your horse shoe throwin’ and get ready for Main Street Russellville’s 17th Annual Downtown Fall Festival & Chili Cookoff.

This classic old fashioned street festival will take place throughout the streets of Russellville’s Downtown Historic District on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Registrations are underway for the chili cook-off as well as the arts and crafts, commercial, political, food, and non-profit booths. Entertainment is being booked for the stage in front of the caboose at Depot Park.

Activities throughout the day include many crowd favorites including the CASI sanctioned chili cookoff, the Friends of the Depot’s omelet breakfast and the 5K & 1 Mile Run and Tour de Pumpkin bike ride. Other favorites include the children’s costume contest, car, truck & cycle show, and Canine Capers dog show.

An old fashioned pie contest offers pie and coffee for sale following judging. RHS theatre students will host tours of the Depot, plus arts and crafts will abound. The day’s activities will include the farmers market, live entertainment and lots of great festival food.

The Downtown Fall Festival & Chili Cook-off is one of the many projects of Main Street Russellville, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving our community’s sense of place through the

preservation, revitalization and economic redevelopment of Russellville’s historic central business district.

For information contact Main Street Russellville, 320 W. “C” Street at the Depot, call (479) 967-1437.

Cherokee Genealogy Seminar

The Cherokee Arts and Humanities Council (CAHC) will host a one day Cherokee Genealogy Seminar on Saturday, Oct. 11, in Russellville. The seminar will be held at Lake Dardanelle State Park, 100 State Park Drive, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.

How to begin tracing your Cherokee Ancestor? How to register as a Cherokee Nation citizen? My Grandmother Was A Cherokee Princess, some internet research techniques, and other information will be discussed according to Gene Norris, Cherokee genealogist.

Norris is the only nationally-certified genealogist who specializes in Cherokee genealogy. He has over 25 years of genealogy experience, mostly in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Norris is the senior Genealogist at the Cherokee Heritage Center, Tahlequah, Ok. Pre-registration is recommended, as seating is limited. The cost for the seminar is $30 per person. Contact Norris at 888999-6007 or via email at genealogy@ cherokeeheritage.org; or Hamilton at (918) 696-4229 or via email at info@ cherokeehumanities.com. For more about Lake Dardanelle State Park email sasha. bowels@arkansas.gov. n

“I started advertising with ABOUT… the River Magazine when they first formed and wouldn’t think of stopping. I continually get calls, inquiries and comments from customers and prospective customers alike regarding items from our stores that they have seen in ABOUT Magazine.”

“It’s a real pleasure to share my enthusiasm with new and existing business owners for the benefits of advertising on a regular basis in this outstanding publication. ABOUT Magazine is my partner in a successful advertising strategy.”

Cheryl Pledger, Owner Gifts on Parkway, Russellville; Gifts on Rogers, Clarksville

ABOUT

... the River Valley

October 2008

To advertise in the ABOUT Magazine, Contact Melanie Conley at 479.858.2708 or Stephanie Young at 479.970.2215

Cheryl Pledger (right), owner of Gifts on Parkway/Gifts on Rogers with ABOUT advertising associate Melanie Conley

ABOUT...the River Valley 47

Story continued from page 29

ABOU Your T Needs BUSINESS DIRECTORY Dance With Joy Offering classes for ages 2 through adult in a variety of dance styles. We offer DJ/Karoke/ MC services on and off site. Also, we have special event rentals available. Go to our website for more information. www.DWJstudio.com www.myspace.com/dwjstudio P. (479) 968-1620 or (479) 264-7287 E.M.T. GUTTERWORKS We specialize in the installation of seamless gutters. Free Estimates!

Mark Signor (owner) P. (479) 331-4140 • C. (479) 880-6759 Hubbard ATV Artic Cat ATVs. We carry parts and accessories for most brand ATV’s and Motorcycles.

307 South Knoxville #2 Russellville, AR 72801 (479) 890-6334

The sausage is kept in the freezer, and the family snacks on it all year long. A portion is given to friends and for gift-giving.

Gray always thanks landowners who allow him to hunt on their land with a selection.

Shelby is 12 years old and plays on the volleyball team at Russellville Middle School. She is a dance student and takes Jr. Cotillion. At 3, she started shooting with a bow and arrows, but her reviews were mixed. By the time she was 5 years old, she accompanied her dad on turkey and deer hunts.

“One of the first times Dad took me hunting he started calling really soft from behind a tree where we were hiding. He told me that a turkey would be coming real soon, and I started crying at the thought of it,” she said.

And, of course, there was the fabled, hard-headed turkey scenario.

Still, Shelby stuck with the sport because she loved spending time with her father. Her patience paid off when she placed third in a turkey calling contest sponsored by Bob Robbins last spring.

“All the top callers there signed the vest I won,” she said with pride.

However prestigious the competition was, however, it paled in comparison to her

television debut on the Steve “Wildman” Wilson show Talking Outdoors.

Her mother had won a bid at a charity function for a spot in a professional hunt intending it for her husband, but he had other designs. Gray decided to give the opportunity to Shelby, and, because she was under 16, she was allowed to participate in the annual Youth Outreach Turkey Hunting Program (YHOT) sponsored by the Arkansas Trophy Hunters’ Association of Arkansas.

“It is an awesome, awesome program,” Gray said. “They bring in world class callers and guides for deer and turkey camps and even guided fishing trips. They invite children who’ve never been outdoors. Some of them have fathers who are away fighting in the war.”

Preserving the resources and sharing the bounty. It seems the cousins share more than a hunting history. They share a vision for the future.

“My family roots is hunting and fishing. I am not a rich man. Exposing my children to this is the legacy I am leaving to them. I am sharing the Creator‘s holy work with them,” Short said.

Keep your eyes out for a hard headedturkey next time you go wandering in the Pope County woods. n

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION Specializing in acute and clinic care.

Very competitive rates. Your patient’s care is our number one priority.

River Valley Medical Transcription (479) 858-2708 or (479) 967-4899 Poppa Wheelies Bicycle Shop Sales and service, tune-ups, flat fixes, custom builds, race info, etc.

Over 300 Golf Discs in Stock!

10% OFF w/Tech I.D. 217 N. Denver, Downtown Russellville P. (479) 890-6665 SKY Designs Custom design your special baby gift!

From diaper cakes to pacifier and ponytail holders. We can coordinate by theme and color. spk.young@hotmail.com (479) 970-2215 Be the first service professional that comes to mind when your prospective customer needs a product or service you provide. Have your business or service included in the next issue of ABOUT … the River Valley, contact Melanie Conley at (479) 967-4899.

48 ABOUT...the River Valley

October 2008

ABOUT

Weddings

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.)

–Saturday, October 4–

Hayley Culp and Matthew Rudder Liza Hayes and Bobby Brown Jessica Vaughn and Matthew Fryar

3002 Highland Drive - Excellent location with large lot. Circle drive, brick home with architectural appeal, landscaping & sprinkler, covered rear verandah. Barrel vaulted 14 ft ceiling in living, fireplace. 2 bedrooms upstairs and large office or playroom. Master on main level. $325,000 mls# 08-1620 Boyd Osborne 1512 West Main Russellville, AR Cell: 970-0244 bosborne@cgoodin.com

–Friday, October 17– Shannon Foster and Matt Papasan

–Saturday, October 18– Natalie Wade and Michael Whitlow

District Office

–Saturday, October 25–

Providing insurance policies that feature direct cash benefits, unless assigned, to help with out-of-pocket expenses

Loree McKnight and Jarrod Charleson

Life • Dental • Vision • Accident/Disability Short-Term Disablity • Specified Health Event Hospital Intensive Care • Cancer/Specified Disease Hospital Confinement Indemnity Hospital Confinement Sickness Indemnity

–Saturday, November 15– Shauna Copeland and Jeremy Scherer

–Saturday, November 22–

For more information concerning policy benefits, costs, and limitations, please contact:

Kayce Merritt and James Schafer

479-890-4820

127 East 2nd St., Ste. A Russellville, AR

–Saturday, November 29–

Sunnie Knight and Chris Dodson

Jessica Prater and Jeff Chandler

–Saturday, December 13– Noelle Weldon and Kimble Linch

Huge Selection of Bridal Sets and Bands Custom Designs Available

–Saturday, December 20–

Ashley Clements and Tanner Stahl

Andrea Willison and John Chenowith

The 2009 issue of ABOUT… Weddings and Special Occasions will deadline on Dec. 15, 2008. For photo and announcement rates, please call (479) 970-6628 or visit the office of ABOUT Magazine located at 417 West Parkway in Russellville. Limited copies of our first edition are still available. The 32-page issue serves as a guide for area brides and features the products and services of 42 participating advertisers.

Salon

Think inside the Box.

Feeling Crowded? Let us host your Holiday Company!

121

121 Harrell Drive • Russellville Call 967-4890 for an Appointment

25% OFF Products 50% OFF Chemical Services Manicure/Pedicure Duo $40 00 Call for Details - Expires 12/1/08

Everyday Specials: $23 Express Pedicures 10% Off for All Tech Students October 2008

WiFi Available!

Magnolia Bed and

Breakfast

www.magnoliainnbb.com

Inn

Hwy. 22 • Dardanelle AR • 229-0375

J shua’s Fine Jewelry

310 West Main, Downtown Russellville

(479) 968-3117

ABOUT...the River Valley 49

Recipes continued from page 32

ORANGE ROUGHY IN SOY-GINGER SAUCE 1/3 c. dry sherry or vermouth 3 T. low-sodium soy sauce 2 tsp. sesame oil ¼ c. finely chopped green onion 1 tsp. freshly grated ginger 1 tsp. finely chopped garlic 1 (10 to 12 oz.) Orange Roughy fillet cut in half

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, combine all ingredients except fish.

Place fish fillets in an ovenproof casserole dish, sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

Drizzle marinade over the fish and bake for 12 minutes or until fish flakes easily. (Cod, sole, flounder may be substituted for the orange roughy.)

Q’s-Tip: Serve with Green Beans with Mushrooms and Chestnuts. “Tasty”

RIESLING BAKED PEARS

2 ripe pears, preferably Bosc 1 c Riesling, or other fruity white wine 2 T Honey 2 cinnamon sticks 2 bay leaves 2 strips orange zest

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Leave stem on pears, wash and dry. If peel is unsightly, peel pears but leave stem on.

Cut a thin slice off the bottom of each pear, so they will stand upright. Place pears in a small baking dish. Whisk wine and honey in a medium bowl until well blended; pour over the pears. Add cinnamon sticks, bay leaves and orange zest to the wine mixture in the baking dish.

Roast the pears, basting every 15 minutes, until tender, 45 min to 1 hour, depending on the type of pear used. Using a slotted spoon, transfer pears into shallow dessert bowls. Pour the wine mixture into a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Boil until slightly thickened, about 6 minutes.

Drizzle over the pears and garnish with the cinnamon sticks, bay leaves and orange zest. Serve warm, at room temperature or chilled.

TWO-MINUTE TIRAMISU

2 tsp. General Foods International Sugar Free Suisse Mocha 2 Jell-o Vanilla Sugar-free Pudding Snacks 1 pack (0.74 oz) Nabisco 100-calorie packs Lorna Doone Shortbread Cookie Crisps, divided 2 T. Cool Whip Sugar Free Whipped Topping, thawed

For More ABOUT the People You Know....

Subscribe to

Complimentary Subscriptions End October 31, 2008.

Join Our Growing List of Subscribers Send $20 check or money order for a One-Year Subscription (10 Issues) to:

ABOUT Magazine P.O. Box 10176 Russellville, AR 72812-0176 If this is a gift subscription, include the recipient’s name and address. Call 479.970.6628 for information.

50 ABOUT...the River Valley

For each dessert: Stir 1 tsp. of the flavored instant coffee into 1 pudding snack, pour pudding into a dessert dish. Top with ½ the cookies, and 1 T. Cool Whip.

I’ll bet you thought I had forgotten it is the month of October. HA gotcha!!!!

WITCHES’ HATS

32 Hershey’s kisses milk chocolates, unwrapped 1 pkg. (11 ½ oz) fudge-striped shortbread cookies(32) 1 tube (4.25 oz) orange or red decorating icing Attach one chocolate candy to chocolate bottom of each cookie, using decorating icing.

Pipe decorating icing around base of milk chocolate candy, and decorate with an icing bow.

EYEBALL CUPCAKES

Hostess chocolate cupcakes 1 container of pre-made white frosting Gummy life savers 1 tube of red gel icing Unwrap cupcake frost with white frosting.

Place gummy lifesaver place red gel frosting in center of lifesaver. Using red gel frosting to make squiggly lines for “red eye effect”.

SPOOKY BROWNIES

1 box Betty Crocker Supreme brownie mix (with chocolate syrup pouch) 1 container Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy white frosting 24 large marshmallows 1 roll Betty Crocker Fruit Rollups (red) Neon Food colors- green, pink, and blue Miniature candy-coated chocolate baking bits Gummy Worm candies Black decorating gel Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake and cook brownies as directed on box. Cut into 24 brownies.

Remove lid and foil cover from container of frosting. Microwave frosting uncovered on High about 20 seconds or until frosting can be stirred smooth. Divide warm frosting among 3 small bowls, 1 for each color.

Decorated as directed below, using 8 brownies for each.

Franken-Brownies: Add 5 drops green food color to frosting in 1 bowl; mix well.

Top each of 8 brownies with 1 large marshmallow. Spoon 1 T. green frosting over each marshmallow to coat. Decorate with green baking bits for eyes and ears.

Use black gel for mouths and centers of eyes. Cut fruit snack to use for hair. n October 2008