SAVVY | September 2018

SEPTEMBER 2018 · SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

ENCOURAGE

THE ARTS

ART BY NICOLE ROUSH

Sports Injuries don’t take

Weekends Off

Open Saturday Mornings No Appointment Necessary Sept. 1 - Nov. 10 9 AM – 11 AM Located in the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Orthopedic Clinic

archildrens.org/sportsmedicine

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Saturday Morning Sports Injury Clinic – get the most specialized sports medicine and orthopedic care in the state for your developing athlete.

Sometimes sports injuries are your child’s biggest competition. That’s why we’re open on Saturdays this fall treating fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains and more. At Arkansas Children’s Hospital, your developing athlete will see the state’s leading experts in sports injury diagnosis, treatment, surgery and physical therapy. All designed for the safest return to play.

No appointment or referral necessary.

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SEPTEMBER

2018

5 EDITOR’S NOTE 8 ADVENTURE & FUN CALENDAR, CRAFTS & MORE!

16 MAMA SAID

REGRETS, I’VE HAD A FEW

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18 HEALTH & WELLNESS BODY IMAGE, THE FACE OF OBESITY AND ANOREXIA

22 GOOD EATS

A+ BREAKFAST IDEAS

27 ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES FOR THE GREAT ARKANSAS CLEANUP!

GET INVOLVED AND TIDY UP THE NATURAL STATE

31 HOMEGROWN FARM FAMILIES

TWO MOMS LIVING OFF THE LAND, RAISING CATTLE AND CROPS WHILE REARING FAMILIES

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36 THE POWER OF CREATIVE THINKING BENEFITS OF STUDYING THE ARTS

38 KID APPROVED BROOKE WALLACE

UPCYCLED OLD KITCHEN SUPPLIES TO STAY ORGANIZED

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ON THE COVER: NICOLE ROUSH, FIFTH GRADE, WON FIRST PLACE IN THE KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL 2018 YOUTH POSTER CONTEST GRADE 3-5 DIVISION.

Enjoy the Great (Still Hot) Outdoors!

Fall is right around the corner, can’t you feel it? No? Yeah, me neither. While beautiful flannel button-downs and leather boots hit the shelves at our favorite boutiques we can still dream of dropping temps, changing leaves and brisk morning walks while we’ll probably be wearing sandals well into October. In the meantime, focus your attention on the barrage of great family-friendly events and activities headed your way!

Our cover story on page 27 focuses on a fantastic event aimed at motivating Arkansans of all ages to keep Arkansas in its most natural state—litter-free! Read all about the Great Arkansas Cleanup and Keep Arkansas Beautiful and find out how your family can get involved in an event to spark some early Arkansas pride in your kids, and a passion to keep it in tip-top shape.

We all want our kids to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors, and no kid gets that better than those raised on a farm. Meet two moms—Heather Cox of Honeysuckle Cattle and Tara Stainton of Rattles Garden— beginning on page 31, who are living off the land, raising cattle and crops while rearing a family.

Experts say introduction to art, music or dance can help kids succeed in school, and luckily Central Arkansas organizations offer endless opportunities for your kids to explore their creative sides. Whether it’s acting, film, dance, art or orchestra, read about how to get your kids involved and exposed to artistic endeavors on page 36.

As parents, we are not only tasked with stimulating our kids’ minds, but keeping them safe and healthy as well—it’s a big job! This month, we take a look at healthy eating and body image by delving into childhood obesity and eating disorders. Learn about the things we can do to encourage healthy eating habits and warning signs to look for if you suspect something is up with your child on page 18.

One of the hardest meals (and most important!) of the day to make sure our kids get the proper nutrients they need is breakfast—especially during the school week. So, put away the Lucky Charms and head over to page 22, where Kerry Guice offers some excellent ideas for fun, healthy and filling morning meals that you can even take in the car if you’re running a few minutes behind … and aren’t we all?

Amy Gordy Editor, Savvy Kids amy.gordy@savvykidsar.com

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PUBLISHER KATHERINE DANIELS | katherine@arktimes.com EDITOR AMY GORDY | amy@arktimes.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR MANDY KEENER ART DIRECTOR KATIE HASSELL SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE LESA THOMAS ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE CORINA JORDAN PRODUCTION MANAGER | CONTROLLER WELDON WILSON ADVERTISING TRAFFIC MANAGER ROLAND R. GLADDEN ADVERTISING COORDINATOR LARISSA GUDINO GRAPHIC DESIGNERS MIKE SPAIN | JASON HO IT DIRECTOR ROBERT CURFMAN ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/OFFICE MANAGER KELLY JONES BILLING/COLLECTIONS LINDA PHILLIPS CIRCULATION DIRECTOR ANITRA HICKMAN ARKANSAS TIMES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

FIND US ON

PROUD PARTNER OF

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contributors

KERRY GUICE is a writer, recipe developer and photographer living in Little Rock with her husband and two busy kids. When she’s not working or driving kids from one activity to the next, she’s planning her family’s next outdoor adventure.

ANGELA E. THOMAS is a proud University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate and a member of its Alumni Board. For 11 years, she served Central Arkansas as editor for a locally owned magazine. Thomas is founder and owner of the greeting card company GODsent Greetings.

DWAIN HEBDA is a writer and editor living in Little Rock. He and his wife, Darlene, are the parents of four grown children. The empty-nesters spend their time traveling, working out and spoiling their two dogs.

Busy Moms,

Order your prescriptions online!

JILL ROHRBACH has 25 years of experience as a journalist and travel writer. She loves writing about travel destinations and outdoor adventures.

She resides with her family in Northwest Arkansas.

MELISSA TUCKER spends her days working in web marketing. When not at work, you’ll probably find her at the gym, on the playground with her kids or checking out too many books from the library.

2801 Kavanaugh, Little Rock • 501.663.4131

RheaDrugStore.com

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September ADVENTURE & FUN

8-9 ARKANSAS COMIC CON

Enjoy a family-friendly event at the Statehouse Convention Center that brings together a diverse list of guests, vendors, artists and fan groups to celebrate their favorite characters. Adults, $20 per day or $30 for the weekend; kids ages 2-8, $5 per day; under 2, free. arkansascomiccon.com

8 MAIN STREET FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL 83

Feast on fare from more than 60 food trucks and enjoy dozens of craft vendors, live entertainment, and much more at this food festival along six blocks of Main Street and Capitol Avenue, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. mainstreetfoodtrucks.com RD

ANNUAL HARVEST NIGHT

Celebrate Hunger Action Month at this family-friendly fundraiser for Arkansas Foodbank from 5-8 p.m. at the Foodbank’s warehouse. Look for live music, BBQ, catfish, desserts from Loblolly and Honey Pies, a petting zoo, face painting, balloon animals, an “Awesome Science” presentation from the Museum of Discovery, and bounce houses. Adults, $40 (includes dinner and two drinks); kids under 12 are free. arkansasfoodbank.org

SEPT. 9

Grandparent’s Day

14 “FIRST LADIES OF ARKANSAS: WOMEN OF THEIR TIMES”

Grand Re-opening

Explore the lives and gowns of Arkansas’s first ladies at the Old State House Museum’s newly renovated exhibit. The whole family will enjoy this collection of first ladies’ gowns and an opening day full of fun, games, ice cream from Loblolly and activities from 5-8 p.m. oldstatehouse.com

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SEPT. 21-OCT. 7 “CURIOUS GEORGE: THE GOLDEN MEATBALL”

Go on an adventure with your favorite mischievous monkey at the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theater production of “Curious George: The Golden Meatball.” Curious George celebrates Meatball Day by helping his pal Chef Pisghetti make his extra special all-you-can-eat meatballs for crowds of hungry friends. This high-energy musical is based on the well-known and well-loved book series by H. A. and Margaret Rey. $10 for members, $12.50 for nonmembers. arkansasartscenter.org

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NATIONAL CHEESEBURGER DAY!

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THEA PAVES THE WAY

Make your mark at Thea Foundation’s annual sidewalk chalk event from 8 a.m. to noon on the front lawn of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library. School groups, organizations and families are invited to cover the sidewalks in vibrant chalk art and enjoy face painting, gourmet popcicles by Le Pops and more. Teachers who register school groups have a chance to win one of ten $300 gift certificates for art supplies from Blick Art Materials. theafoundation.org

22 SEVENTH ANNUAL TINKERFEST

Don’t miss this day-long, hands-on festival by the Museum of Discovery in downtown Little Rock. From 9 a.m.-3 p.m., the whole family can enjoy a wide variety of interactive activities that provide opportunities to explore the engineering and science behind building objects. Tinkerfest is included in regular museum admission. $10 for adults, $8 for children 12 and under, free for members. museumofdiscovery.org

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ADVENTURE & FUN

Upcycled Magnetic Memo Board Reuse old kitchen supplies to keep to-do lists organized

You will need:

Used cookie sheet Spray paint Mason jar tops (rings and lids) Mod Podge Super Gloss Sponge brush Pictures Scissors Magnets Glue gun and glue

How to: Memo board

1. Clean and dry the cookie sheet.

2. Spray paint the cookie sheet.

Make sure to let the first coat of paint dry before applying the second coat.

Magnet frame

1. Use the Mason jar lid to trace a circle onto each of your photos, then cut them out.

2. Use the hot glue gun to glue the mason jar lids to the lid rings.

3. Use the Mod Podge to glue the photos to the inside of the lids.

Then cover with the Mod Podge. Let dry. (We used the Mod Podge Super Gloss because it has a glass-like finish after curing.)

5. Use the hot glue gun to attach a magnet to the back of each of your frames. Voila!

Free Artistic Fun at Laman Library STEAM for Kids - Main Branch @ 3:30 p.m. Sept. 4 & 18

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MAMA SAID...

Regrets, I’ve Had a Few

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earing children to be responsible and healthy human beings is hard. No matter how many parenting books we read or how much advice we get, in the end the decisions we make as parents are ours alone. And, good or bad, we’re the ones who have to live with them.

Do I wish I’d made some different choices over the years? Yes. Was I working with all the information—and patience—I had at the time when I made those choices? Also yes. But if I had it to do over again, what changes would I make? I can think of a few.

My kids are 11, 7 and 5 now, and we cannot get through a home-cooked meal without complaint. Well, unless I make the younger two plain spaghetti noodles or nuggets.

Whose kids are these? I swore I’d never make two meals.

I’m not a short order cook! Yet, here we are. If I want to make something even remotely delicious, I have to throw a couple of turkey dogs in the microwave or hear complaints throughout the entire meal. And, sometimes, I just want to enjoy a nice dinner, ya know? I regret not insisting on a healthier variety of foods for my kids earlier. I wish I hadn’t relied on “baby food,” and had fed them from my plate.

Maybe they wouldn’t be so picky.

There’s a photo app I love that sends me my past social media posts. There are a lot of photos of the kids over the years. A lot. A few with their dad. Hardly any with me. I wish I’d grabbed a stranger to take the picture and gotten in front of the camera more. Just little reminders for posterity that I probably drove them wherever the photo was taken and we had fun together.

I’d always heard the phrase “pick your battles,” but I didn’t know what it really meant until marriage and parenting.

I’m all for schedules, don’t get me wrong, but with our first

child I took it too far. I thought if I didn’t win every single battle of wills, I was losing the parenting war. All I was really losing was my mind. Part of that was enforcing a rigid sleep schedule that only worked to make me miserable. I wish I’d have bent a little more. It’s preferable to breaking.

I wish I’d slowed down more, too, because it’s the soft moments in the morning or playdates at the park I remember. It’s snuggles on the couch and a thousand curious questions that matter most.

I regret throwing good money after new shoes the kids grew out of in three months’ time, and I wish I hadn’t bought the fancy pack and play. I regret not reading to the kids more, though that is something I’m working to rectify.

I wish I had learned sooner how to leave mistakes in the rear-view and focus on the positive. And on that note, the things I don’t regret? I’m glad I didn’t go back to work full time after my daughter was born, even though it cost me years of income and work experience. I don’t regret letting my children see my imperfections and seeing me apologize.

I don’t regret letting the kids sleep in our bed as babies or the lasting bonds it created. I’m glad we got a dog, though he’s one more thing I have to take care of. Road trips to visit out-of-town family are hard to find time for, but the memories are precious. And I don’t regret putting myself out there to get to know the parents at school who’ve become my community.

Regrets, I’ve had a few, as the song goes. But feeling regret indicates a desire to do better. It pushes us to be better parents and gives us a chance to learn something, to try again. Balance comes when we also consider the things we’re doing right. And considering how hard this parenting gig is, those are weighted.

WHAT A BUNCH OF PICKY EATERS!

Jen Holman is determined to be a voice of reason amongst reality TV and momjudgment-gone-wild. Her newest novel (as yet unpublished) won the 2017 Rosemary award for excellence in young adult fiction. She lives in Little Rock with her husband and three (im)perfect children.

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Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center Studies Brain Function!

We are working hard to conduct meaningful research to inform nutrition and exercise strategies for optimized learning and neurodevelopment, and to give children healthier tomorrows.

Our natural computer, the brain, is a wonderfully complicated system that orchestrates behavior and learning, along with controlling many functions throughout the body. Understanding how the brain’s regions talk to one another, and how the brain changes during development and in response to diet, are important aspects of studies at Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center. The Brain Function Laboratory (a.k.a. “Brain Lab”), led by Dr. Terry Pivik, enables us to learn more about how the brain develops and functions in babies and growing children.

Heart rate, breathing and eye movements are also recorded during a Brain Lab session in order to get an idea of how the brain regulates other body processes, at rest and in response to the sights and sounds being presented. We do this by placing a few additional electrodes, or stickers, on the face, chest, arms or legs.

The research results are informing investigators about how postnatal diet (breastfeeding and formula feeding) affects the trajectory of infant-to-childhood brain development and function as well as how variations in morning nutrition affect brain measures important for learning in school-aged children.

We are currently recruiting for our Brain Fuel study which is helping us understand how breakfast (and specific breakfast components) impacts brain function and helps optimize learning in children.

CONTACT us at 501-364-3309 or email us at ACNCstudies@archildrens.org to see if your child qualifies to participate!

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Body Image, the Face of Obesity and Anorexia

As kids approach puberty they become more susceptible to obesity and eating disorders, but there are things parents can do to be alert and get early intervention

BY ANGELA E. THOMAS

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his month, we broach the subject of weight and adolescents, specifically two opposing ends of the spectrum: obesity and eating disorders.

In Arkansas, our discussion about weight centers mostly around obesity, and with good reason. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 22 percent of high school students in the Natural State are obese.

“Obesity is an epidemic for America overall,” said Christi Arthur, RDN and certified pediatric nutritionist. “And it’s important to note there’s no area or region in Arkansas that’s immune to obesity, in general. Obesity is basically having excess body fat or weight and a BMI [body mass index] of 30 or above.

For children, ages 2 to 19, it’s being above the 95 percentile on the growth chart when compared to other children the same age and sex*.

Some of the factors that contribute to obesity include: genetics; the ability to convert food to energy, which is

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metabolism; eating behaviors; physical activity; and sleep.

Arthur said, “Children 6 to 12 years of age need 9 to 12 hours of sleep per 24 hours, children 13 to 18, need 8 to 10. Yet, a 2015 study by the CDC found, based in nine states, that only 58 percent of children in grades sixth to eighth get enough sleep on school nights. And 73 percent of high school students in the United States don’t get enough sleep.”

As far as physical activity, behaviors begin as young as 6 years.

“We often talk about the freshmen 10, or now the freshman 15 or 20, but statistics show children begin to pick up excess weight at a much younger age,” Arthur said.

Additionally, decreased physical activity can be due to unsafe play areas, no physical education classes being offered in schools and the frequent use of sweetened beverages like, tea and energy and sports drinks.

“The epidemic isn’t the result of one behavior but a variety of factors,” Arthur said.

The consequences of obesity for school-age children affect their physical, social and emotional health, immediately and long term. Obese children are at higher risk of developing chronic conditions, such as asthma, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, hypertension, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and bone and joint problems—all conditions we associate with adults.

“Additionally, obese children may become targets of bullying, whether face-to-face or online, which can contribute to depression and low self-esteem. And these children have a 70-percent chance of becoming obese adults and developing certain cancers. So, it’s not just about looks—this is very serious,” Arthur said.

Obesity also seems to contribute to the early onset of puberty, which is often when adolescents’ risk of disordered eating increases.

Ann Brown is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 20 years experience; she specializes in adolescent and family eating disorders and mood disorders.

While Brown defines adolescence as ages 13 to 18, she said it’s been her experience that children are developing eating disorders at earlier ages, some as young as 10 or 11. However, it becomes more prevalent at ages 13 to 14, and while eating disorders are less common with boys, the disorders are prevalent with athletes, dancers and models, where competition and stress can precipitate them.

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The three most common eating disorders are:

• Anorexia nervosa, in which individuals restrict their caloric intake leading to extreme weight loss, though he/she may see themselves as obese

• Bulimia nervosa, which can be characterized by binging, and purging by vomiting or use of laxatives and/or excessive exercise; they may live “normally” but suffer complications as a result of the behavior

• Binge eating disorder, during which individuals binge eat, often due to emotions or for comfort

6601 West 12th Street | Little Rock, AR 72204 | 501.666.8686 Monticello: 870.460.0066 | 888.868.0023| www.cfyf.org Find us online /TheCentersAR SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | SEPTEMBER 2018

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Brown said she’s seeing more cases of each of these disorders as more people are starting to reach out of help versus in the past when people simply suffered in silence and shame.

“We still have a long way to go. The social stigma hasn’t changed that much. That’s one reason the Eating Disorders Coalition of Arkansas was founded. Our goal is to educate providers to help with resources and treatment, and to lessen the stigma associated with eating disorders.”

In Arkansas, the treatment options for eating disorders are limited to outpatient care, however, Brown recommends a fourprong approach: outpatient therapy, seeing a nutritionist, visits with a psychiatrist and consultations with general practice physicians. This has shown to be effective in some cases. For individuals with extreme levels of malnourishment, hospitalization and inpatient care is often needed.

A comprehensive approach is also being utilized to help reduce obesity rates. In some cases, medically indicated surgery and adjunctive therapy is recommended.

Additionally, Arthur said, the matter is being address through early intervention in schools.

In 2003-04, Arkansas schools begin measuring students’ BMI (if approved by the student and parent). Parents then received letters addressing any health concerns, including obesity, children who are underweight and those who are at risk for becoming overweight, as well as general guidelines such as how they can cut back on sugary beverages and/or how to increase nutrients for children who are underweight, and ways to increase their child’s physical activity. “This way students aren’t singled out,” Arthur said.

Additionally, Arkansas has a grant to use telemedicine in four rural school districts to address issues, such as obesity, exercise, mental and dental health and physical activity.

Parents should be mindful to model positive behaviors in regards to their own weight. If you’re concerned about your child’s weight, consult your pediatrician or general practice physician. Additionally, shop for, cook and eat meals as a family. This will allow parents to become aware of their child’s eating habits, whether the issue is eating too much or too little. *Arthur notes there are different growth charts for children with Down syndrome and other conditions that affect metabolism, such as those for little persons.

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We offer the following information about resources for individuals—parents and/or adolescents—who would like to learn more about or get help with eating disorders.

Symptoms of Eating Disorders Include:

• •Change in behavior or appearance, becoming too thin or dehydration • Change in friends or withdrawal • Obsessive attention to food, calories or worry about weight

Arkansas Children’s Hospital Eating Disorders Clinic 1210 Wolfe St. 501-364-2680 archildrens.org Arkansas Psychiatric Clinic 4 Executive Center Court 501-448-0060 apclr.com Eating Disorder Coalition of Arkansas 1405 N. Pierce Suite 212 501-664-0091 edcofar.org RiverStone Wellness Center offers a support group for those who have a loved one affected by an eating disorder. They meet at 5:30 p.m. every second Thursday of the month at 5905 Forest Place, Suite 230 in Little Rock; there’s no charge to attend. For more information, call 501-777-3200.

Ways To Help Children Address Obesity

• • Participate in physical activity together. If you don’t have a safe outdoor space, do exercise videos inside.

• Have a meatless dinner and/or have a contest to see who can make the best veggie burger.

• Look at your meals’ portion sizes. If you need assistance, consult your doctor. You’ll also find a good number of resources online.

• Set concrete guidelines for snacking and teach your child how to choose healthy snacks.

• Eliminate or limit processed foods.

• When eating out, look at the nutrition facts and make wise choices.

• Drink water, low-fat or skim milk and limit sugary beverages.

. l a . e E R L s i B I e S l S g O g P u s i r Y t S e R h E T V O C d E n a R In Arkansas, mental health issues are affecting people of all ages and the suicide rate across all ages is at an all-time high.

But there is hope. The BridgeWay provides a continuum of care that is safe, secure and serene. Just as each patient is different, so too are our programs. The BridgeWay is the only psychiatric hospital in Arkansas with distinct programs for seniors 55 and older, adults 18 and older, adolescents, ages 13-17, and children, ages 4-12. Whether it is for mood, thought or substance abuse disorders, we provide separate units for each population.

21 BridgeWay Road, North Little Rock, AR 72113 1-800-BRIDGEWAY | thebridgeway.com SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | SEPTEMBER 2018

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A+

Breakfast Ideas

With the school year in full swing, it seems like one of the hardest parts of the morning routine is breakfast! Try these healthy, easy and car-friendly recipes STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KERRY GUICE

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he first week of school was all freshly pressed uniforms, hot biscuits, eggs and bacon, and leaving the house with plenty of time to spare. Now, we’re into the second month of school and patting ourselves on the back for remembering to buy more milk for the Cinnamon Toast Crunch the kids eat out of a cup on the morning commute with hair that may or may not have seen a comb.

Sound familiar?

As neither the kids nor I are morning people, I find that it’s best to move as many morning tasks as I can to the night before. Lunches are always made at night, kids bathe at night, the coffee pot timer is set to brew when my alarm goes off (which means it’s ready after the first snooze button goes off and I actually get up). I also like to make breakfasts the night before—and bonus points if they’re carfriendly! Muffins, yogurt and fruit parfaits in jars, PB and banana waffle sandwiches, and smoothie popsicles are all my kids’ (and my) absolute favorites, and let’s face it—they’re much better for their growing bodies (and brains) than Pop Tarts and Cocoa Puffs.

My kids always beg for something out of the bakery while grocery shopping. The donut requests are usually denied, but I often give in to their request for muffins, because they’re at least better than donuts, right? Muffins are sneaky little devils! I finally noticed the calorie counts on the shelves inside the pastry case, and I felt downright deceived! Most bakery muffins (even blueberry muffins, I’’m not just talking about the fudgey double chocolate chunk ones) have an insanely higher calorie count than a typical donut. However, when you make them at home, you can control what goes in them, swap ingredients here and there, and not make them the size of an entire birthday cake (with the same amount of sugar)! When using whole wheat flour, it can make baked goods seem more dense, so I found a trick to prevent that by whisking two egg whites until stiff peaks form, then carefully folding that into the finished batter.

Make a big batch on a Sunday afternoon and you’ll be set for the whole week!

For mornings when the kids seem extra hungry or have a big test, I break out the Eggo waffles (that’s right—I said toaster waffles from a box—I’m not perfect!). Waffle sandwiches with peanut butter and bananas are great when we’re on the go. Adding raisins, blueberries, sliced strawberries or seeds and nuts makes them even more filling and nutritious (just check the label on the peanut butter—there are brands that have no added sugar)!

For the parfaits and popsicles, I use plain Greek yogurt and lightly sweeten it myself with Stevia and a tiny bit of vanilla extract. Greek yogurt, while high in protein, is another sneaky sugar bomb when buying it already flavored from the grocery store. Combining it with seasonal fruit also adds sweetness without sugar. Layering fruit and yogurt in jars and storing a row or two of them in the refrigerator makes breakfast (or after-school snacks, or desserts) too easy!

When the fruit starts to weep into the yogurt after a few days in the refrigerator (i.e. when your 7-year-old refuses to eat any more of them because they “look weird”), puree them into smoothies—or better yet—freeze the smoothie mix into popsicle molds and give your kids popsicles... for breakfast! If you’ve not done that before, you’re going to thank me for that trick when you have a car full of happy kids pulling into that carpool line ... whether they’re morning people or not.

Elvis Waf fle Sandwiches Toaster waffles Peanut butter (or almond butter) Sliced banana Optional: raisins, berries, nuts, seeds To assemble, spread peanut butter on one side of a warm (not hot) toaster waffle. Top with banana (and any other toppings). Serve open-faced or with another waffle on top and sliced in half.

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Whole Wheat Chocolate Breakfast Muf fins

Makes about 48 mini muffins or 16 regular muffins 1 ripe banana (the more black spots the better) ¼ cup coconut oil, heated in microwave-safe container for 45 seconds 1/3 cup sugar 1 egg yolk, plus 2 egg whites 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup milk (I use almond milk.)

1½ cups whole wheat flour (make sure not to pack it when measuring) ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons cocoa

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl, break up the banana. Add the sugar to the banana chunks, then pour in the hot coconut oil. Using a whisk, mash up the banana and thoroughly combine the banana, sugar and oil until smooth. Add the egg yolk, vanilla and milk. Whisk to combine, then set aside. In medium bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and cocoa. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture until just combined. Do not over-mix. Wipe out the bowl used for the dry ingredients, and add the 2 egg whites. Using a hand mixer, whisk until stiff peaks form (about one minute).

Very carefully fold the egg whites into the muffin batter until combined. Scoop muffin batter into greased muffin tin, and bake 12 minutes for mini muffins, or 16 minutes for regular muffins.

Store in an airtight container (when cool) for up to one week.

Fruit and Yogurt Parfait Jars Plain Greek yogurt lightly sweetened with Stevia sweetener and vanilla extract (I use 1 packet Truvia and ¼ teaspoon vanilla per 1 cup yogurt) Berries and/or chopped fruit Optional: your favorite granola for topping To assemble, carefully spoon about ¼ cup yogurt into the bottom of the jar, then top it with a layer of fruit. Continue layering until jar is full. Bananas don’t keep for long in the refrigerator, so if using, add just before serving. Also add granola, if using, just before serving. Tighten the lids on the jars, and store in the refrigerator up to one week.

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SAVE TIME. ORDER ONLINE. DELIVERED TO YOUR CAR.

YOUR FIRST THREE ORDERS ARE ON US! Use Promo Code: WELCOME

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Breakfast Popsicles 1 cup plain Greek yogurt 1 cup fruit (berries, peaches and pineapple work best) 2 ripe bananas ¼ cup orange juice Puree all ingredients in blender. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze overnight.

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Roll Up Your Sleeves For the Great Arkansas Cleanup!

There are so many ways the whole family can get involved and tidy up The Natural State

BY JILL ROHRBACH

LILLI DOWDA, FOURTH GRADE, RECEIVED AN HONORABLE MENTION IN THE KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL 2018 YOUTH POSTER CONTEST.

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rkansas, The Natural State, is known for its scenic beauty and outdoor landscapes, ripe for adventure. Exploring it can mean spending time on a city playground, hiking state park trails, canoeing a free-flowing stream or driving a scenic highway to your favorite destination.

But litter spoils the experience for everyone and it often can be found on Arkansas’s 600,000 acres of lakes, 9,700 miles of streams and 100,000 acres of public roadside along its 16,367-mile state highway system.

In an effort to inspire and educate individuals to prevent litter and promote recycling, the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission holds two major cleanups each year: the Great Arkansas Cleanup, in the fall, and the Great American Cleanup in the spring.

This year’s Great Arkansas Cleanup kicks off Sept. 8 with additional events held around the state through October. Thousands of Arkansans will remove tons of trash from the state’s roadways, shorelines, parks and public areas during this statewide community improvement campaign.

DID YOU KNOW?

Arkansans recycle more than the national average! The national average is 34.7%, and the rate in Arkansas is 45.5%.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL

GET INVOLVED

To take part in the upcoming Great Arkansas Cleanup, text the word “volunteer” to 484848 to receive community information, or visit KeepArkansasBeautiful.com. On the website, you can find an event to join, or you can register your own event.

“If you don’t want to lead a cleanup, just visit the calendar of events.

You can search by zip code and find an event near you that you can join,” explained Liz Philpott, volunteer program manager for KAB. “A lot of state parks are hosting events this year.”

If you’d like to organize an event, you can register it online. The website also provides information on steps to organize a cleanup; signin and photo release forms, achievement certificates, flier templates, a customizable news release and more. You can also request a cleanup kit containing trash bags, safety vests, gloves and T-shirts while supplies last.

“We like to say we provide everything but the volunteers,” said Philpott.

“We want to empower people across the state to make a difference.”

“It’s really amazing the people across the state that make this happen,” KAB Director Mark Camp said. “I’ve only been here a year, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the number of people who volunteer and care to Keep Arkansas Beautiful.” He added that he wants the volunteers to know how appreciated they are and that “we couldn’t do it without you.”

But more volunteers are still needed. Out of 75 counties, 67 of them registered cleanups in the past year. KAB’s goal is to have 75 out of 75.

During the 2017 Great Arkansas Cleanup, more than 6,000 volunteers worked almost 45,000 hours in communities across the state. The community improvement effort involved 215 events, with volunteers collecting 130,500 pounds of litter from 1,117 miles of roadways, 727 miles of waterways, and 7,633 acres of parks and public areas. The total economic value of the 2017 Great Arkansas Cleanup to Arkansas communities was more than $1.6 million.

Philpott said she wants people to see that, by volunteering, they can be an inspiration to others and to their community. For example, the state and national cleanups started with one Arkansan.

MEET OTTO THE OTTER

KAB seeks to reach youth with its new mascot, Otto the Otter, depicted in cartoon fashion throwing trash into a receptacle.

Otto is wrapped on the KAB state “ottomobile,” and will appear on billboards and in activity books that can be found at Arkansas State Parks and libraries throughout the state.

“We’re working with a local illustrator on a KAB book that we’ll distribute throughout schools and libraries,” Camp added. “Everyone is going to see a lot more of him.”

MILES VALENTIN, THIRD GRADE, RECEIVED AN HONORABLE MENTION IN THE KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL 2018 YOUTH POSTER CONTEST.

(OPPOSITE PAGE, FROM TOP) A VOLUNTEER TEAM IN BRYANT KICKS LITTER TO THE CURB. COMMUNITY SERVICE IS A GREAT CHARACTER-BUILDER FOR TEENS! (ABOVE) KIDS OF ALL AGES ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GREAT ARKANSAS CLEANUP.

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THE GREAT ARKANSAS CLEANUP KICKS OFF SEPTEMBER 8

VOLUNTEERS FROM THE 2017 GREAT ARKANSAS CLEANUP IN CLARENDON SHOW OFF THEIR HAUL.

In 1969, Carl Garner led the Greers Ferry Lake and Little Red River Tourism Association’s first lakeshore cleanup program. The annual event eventually became the Great Arkansas Cleanup and the model for the first National Public Lands Cleanup Day in 1984. In 1985, then-U.S. Sen. Dale Bumpers guided legislation requiring an annual pickup event during the weekend after Labor Day on all federal lands.

The Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Act honors Garner, who continued his advocacy for a clean and litter-free environment until his death in 2014.

“Every person can make a difference,” Philpott said. “I wish people understood that they could be that person. They could be the change they want to see in the community. Other people are then inspired by them and you never know what huge impact that one small action can have in your community.”

Camp said the cleanup program is important, and that people need to remember cleaning up should be done every day. He has a goal to get young people to engage and think about how much litter impacts our communities.

“I’m a new director,” Camp explained. “So I’m focusing on the future, and that’s our children. I’ve started talking to the Department of Education and the governor’s office about incorporating an antilitter campaign in Arkansas’s curriculum of K-5.”

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You clean your room. You clean your house. Now help clean your community. Visit KeepArkansasBeautiful.com for details on these events:

LITTLE ROCK:

Sept. 8: Pinnacle Mountain State Park Sept. 8: Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, Keep Little Rock Beautiful, and Keep North Little Rock Beautiful join together for the Great Arkansas River Cleanup

CONWAY:

Sept. 15: Beaverfork Lake Cleanup

HOT SPRINGS:

Sept. 22: Trash Bash

SHERWOOD:

Oct. 6: Keep Sherwood Beautiful Oct. 20: Keep Sherwood Beautiful

HOMEGROWN FARM FAMILIES

Meet two moms—Heather Cox of Honeysuckle Cattle and Tara Stainton of Rattles Garden— who are living off the land, raising cattle and crops while rearing a family.

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Tara Stainton set aside her teaching degrees to pursue a passion in organic farming

BY DWAIN HEBDA

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s hard as it is to imagine, Tara Stainton managed to grow up in Iowa with no concept of how to grow anything.

“My mom said she had a garden up until the time I was 3, and I work with little kids around so I understand that,” Stainton said. “And then they had a garden again the year I left for college. They had no garden in between. My parents’ place [in Iowa] is four acres carved out of thousands of acres of corn and soybeans, but I had no experience growing vegetables growing up.”

“I tell my parents they could’ve saved a fortune on my education, because I have two degrees in teaching—a bachelor’s and a master’s.”

In fact, Stainton didn’t first break ground until 2005 when she and her husband, Jonesboro native Robert Stainton, settled onto a 40-acre spread near Vilonia. Working for the Core of Engineers took Robert out on the road for extended periods and with no family nearby, Tara was looking for ways to fill the time.

“He was gone for six weeks once and during that time, I walked through Barnes and Noble and found a book ’Harvest for Hope,’ by Jane Goodall,” she recalled. “That was the first time I heard the words ‘organic’ or ‘sustainable’ or anything like that. And I really, for the next six weeks, really fell down the rabbit hole of the Internet researching organic gardening.”

“When my husband came home, I said, ‘I know what I’m going to do! This is what I want to do, and this is how I want to do it!’ And he thought I was absolutely crazy.”

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Stainton’s first plat didn’t do much to change her husband’s mind or give anyone a glimpse at the highly successful agricultural future that was ahead of her.

“My first garden had 12 tomato plants and it was so pathetic,” she said with a laugh. “I had no idea what I was doing. I dug holes and planted 12 tomatoes in the middle of our yard. My mom came about two months later and said, ‘What are those?’ I said, ‘Those are my tomato plants.’ And she’s like, ‘Oh, no.’”

Stainton didn’t yet have a green thumb, but she did have persistence, and she read everything in print or online she could find to improve.

Neighbors didn’t fully understand what the budding operation, dubbed “Rattle’s Garden” after a beloved dog, was out to accomplish.

“I learned a lot about gardening from neighbors, but a very common theme was, a lot of people use household pesticides. And that wasn’t the way I wanted to grow things,” she said. “We’ve been Certified Organic for eight years now. We were the first-and we’re still the only-certified organic farm in Faulkner County.”

Marketing the crops, something that started in 2008, was another study in trial and error. Stainton schlepped produce to multiple farmers markets before finding a home at the Hillcrest version in Little Rock.

As farming techniques were refined, so was her inventory.

“Something that I learned and was a big transition for me was how to not just have a whole bunch of food, but how to have a whole bunch of food consistently week after week after week,” she said.

“That transition from, ‘I’ve got a whole bunch of zucchini for two weeks,’ to having zucchini for 14 weeks in a row standing at a farmers market was big.”

Refining her growing processes also ushered in a new revenue stream through Rattles Garden’s Farmshare program. The program, which acts like a subscription service for produce, has grown to 100 families and led the farm to grow food practically year-round.

Another boon to the business has been the support of Little Rock restauranteur and grow-local food advocate Scott McGehee whose company, Yellow Rocket Concepts, includes Little Rock’s Lost Forty, Zaza and Big Orange, among others.

“Scott’s been a huge, outspoken supporter of our farm; he’s been fantastic,” Stainton said. “In his series of restaurants, he’s found a way to buy up almost any extras that I have, which is so important. Waste is the death of a farm our size, you just can’t afford to let anything go to waste or not be sold.”

Stainton said she’s as curious as anyone about what the future holds for the operation. She’s reached this level with two small boys dragging at her heels, and now that Milan, 8, and Gus, 4, are old enough to go to school, she wonders what the farm can do with her undivided attention.

“I’ve been saying this for a while now: If we’ve been selling for 10 years, eight years of that I have been pregnant or had a small child at my side,” she said. “So while it’s really hard to stand here alone today, I’m really excited about the capacity I feel like I have moving forward.”

(OPENING PAGE, FROM LEFT) TARA, GUS, ROBERT AND MILAN STAINTON AT RATTLES GARDEN. (THIS PAGE FROM TOP) MILAN FINDS THE BIGGEST TOMATOES IN THE GARDEN. GUS LOVES HELPING IN THE LETTUCE PATCH!

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PHOTOS BY SARAH CALDWELL PHOTOGRAPHY AND HEATHER COX

Family-owned Honeysuckle Cattle Company got its roots in dairy, and has grown into much more

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BY DWAIN HEBDA

f there’s one thing you can say about Heather Cox and her adventures in farming outside of Rosebud, Ark., it’s that it’s been a family affair.

Cox and her husband are co-owners with her parents of Honeysuckle Cattle Company, a commercial cow-calf operation, but that’s just the latest incarnation of the family spread.

“My parents, Raymond and Cendie Daley, actually started the farm as a dairy in 1990,” she said. “They had kinda started doing it with my dad’s parents and then decided that they would go out on their own and buy a farm. That’s when we moved out to Rosebud; they bought their first dairy cows and decided that they were going to operate a dairy full time.”

The elder Daleys loved the business but it didn’t always love them back. Milk prices were a mercurial thing and Raymond kept his full-time job as a police officer to help make ends meet. Ironically, it was one such period where prices were down that the family was inspired to launch the product that put the operation on the map.

“In 2004 is when we began making cheese under Honeysuckle Lane Cheese,” Cox said. “The main reason we did that was milk prices had fallen and you could no longer make a living off of just being a dairy farmer. They needed something to supplement the farm and to use up the milk. We were actually the very first certified raw milk cheese plant in Arkansas.”

The cheese-making business started slowly at first, finding an outlet in the area farmers markets, notably the Argenta Market in North Little Rock. In time, the farm found a clientele with area restaurants, which helped it gain steam even though as a non-pasteurized (raw) milk product, Honeysuckle Lane Cheese had to observe strict production requirements.

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(OPPOSITE PAGE FROM LEFT) NATHAN COX, JASPER COX AND RAYMOND DALEY JR. MEND THE FENCES. (BELOW FROM LEFT) NATHAN COX, HEATHER COX, JASPER COX, RAYMOND DALEY JR., CENDIE DALEY, AMANDA GALLOWAY AND TRAVIS GALLOWAY ON THE FAMILY FARM.

“We made white cheddar, yellow cheddar, jalapeño cheddar and colby. And the reason we made those is we were only permitted to make hard cheeses. In the state of Arkansas, with raw milk, we were strictly limited to those varieties,” Cox said. “At that point, raw milk was something that people weren’t sure about and so there were a lot of restrictions on what we could do with it.

“With the raw milk, we also had to age it for a minimum of 60 days. Once we went through the cheesemaking process, the next day you would take it out of the molds and you would vacuum seal it and store it in a cooler at 42 degrees for 60 days. Then we could cut it up and sell it.”

All restrictions aside, the brand flourished. At its peak, Honeysuckle Lane Cheese was cranking out 500 pounds of product a week, utilizing the total output for the farm’s 40 dairy cows. Milking the animals twice per day—to say nothing of the labor-intensive cheesemaking— represented a lot of work and eventually the demands of the farm started to collide with family members’ life events including Heather’s pregnancy and her grandmother’s cancer diagnosis. The family decided to go on hiatus.

“We sold out in 2015; we sold every bit of our dairy herd, all of our cheese equipment, everything. We did not foresee us getting back into it,” Cox said. “A year later, my grandma had gotten better, we had our son, Jasper, and my mom was like, ‘I want some cows again.’”

In the meantime, Heather and her husband, Nathan, had started a beef herd on the farm, as a less-labor-intensive way to keep their hand in agriculture. And while the family did re-establish a scaled-down version of their cheesemaking business, it was to be short-lived.

“My dream has always been to open some kind of Arkansas products farm store,” Cox said. “We all started brainstorming and at first the only option was to open it at the farm. And that sounded great, but we live about two miles outside of town and it’s just enough that we knew we wouldn’t get the traffic we wanted.”

“Then my dad was working the night shift and he saw them put the ‘for rent’ sign in the building that we now lease. He sent us a picture of it and he said, ‘This is it.’”

Once again, the dairy cows and cheese equipment went out the door. In its place, Honeysuckle Cattle Company on the farm and Honeysuckle Mercantile in Rosebud, carrying forward the name made famous by the small family dairy that started it all. In her dream farm store, Heather’s joined full time by her mom and sister Amanda, who greet customers, run the on-premises bakery, sell Arkansas-made products and laugh over shared memories.

“We’d established a brand with [the dairy] and we wanted to keep it going,” Cox said. “We are proud of what we did with the cheese and being the first in Arkansas. Now, there’s several more [cheesemakers] in Arkansas. We’re proud to see that being carried on.”

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The Power of

g n i k n i h T e v i t a Cre The benefits of studying the arts are endless. If you’re looking to improve your child’s self confidence, social skills and test scores add an artistic flair to his or her curriculum.

BY MELISSA TUCKER

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hen children are introduced to the arts, educators often report better focus, reduction in disciplinary actions and higher test scores.

“Data shows after two years of trying to play an instrument a child’s brain changes. Their test scores in math and science are improved,” said Barbara Burroughs, director of education and community engagement for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

“We’ve seen children who have spent many hours in the principal’s office who have started violin lessons and become honor students by the end of the year. We’ve also taught an entire grade, and the principal said their test scores went up 30 points in one year.”

But, more than that, Burroughs says children experience joy when listening to or playing music, and, as a result, the whole family is affected.

“A child’s life without music or learning to play an instrument is not as full or as rich,” she said. “And we always encourage families to be involved in everything we do, and it’s contagious. The kids who play instruments and love music are our best and brightest kids.”

The Symphony Orchestra is only one local arts organization creating events and outreach programs to impact children. Here’s a few more ideas for arts-based events and programs in the coming months.

The ASO’s Entergy Kids Ticket program continues to offer free symphony admission to young children. With a paid adult ticket, and an Entergy ticket reservation, school-aged kids can attend orchestra performances for free on Sunday afternoons.

Some of the shows coming up include “Star Wars” on Sun., Sept. 21, which will also include a costume contest.

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The Symphony’s Sturgis Music Academy offers private lessons to children ages 5 to 18 at the symphony offices, with one private lesson and one group lesson each week. Under that umbrella, the Academy also teaches violin and cello to children in local schools and has more than 100 instruments to provide for learning purposes.

For younger children, the Orchestra and You program visits schools and organizes the students into an orchestra using plastic instruments.

In February, the Symphony will host the annual Little Rock Children’s Concert, for children in fourth to eighth grades, with additional learning materials provided for attendees. Classrooms and parents should register by Dec. 15.

At Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, the summer music program offers learning opportunities for kids ages 6 to 18. The program has classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced young musicians, as well as professional and guest artists from across the country.

Ballet Arkansas is best known for its annual performance of the Nutcracker Ballet, as well as the accompanying Nutcracker Tea on Dec. 9, which allows young fans to visit with dancers and see the production up-close from the stage.

Catherine Fothergill, associate artistic director for Ballet Arkansas, says the organization has expanded the repertoire, adding more productions throughout the year.

“The student matinee performance each year, where schools can take field trips at reduced rates for those performances, is very popular. This year, “Dracula” is available for schools, and they will have curriculum attached,” she said.

Two shows have been added as part of the children’s series: “Mary Poppins” in February and “The Ugly Duckling” in May, which is focused on bullying.

“For ‘Mary Poppins,’ the kids will be able to come onstage and interact with the characters and dance with our dancers. It’s $10 to $15 for a ticket, which is no different from seeing a movie,” Fothergill said.

When it comes to creating art, Thea Arts Foundation and the Arkansas Arts Center have multiple programs aimed at school-aged children.

Thea’s annual sidewalk chalk event, Thea Paves the Way, will be Sept. 22 at the Clinton Library. Chalk will be provided, and families and classrooms are encouraged to reserve a space online in advance. The event will highlight the artistic ability of children and the young at heart with chalk drawings, but also includes free admission to the Clinton Library, face-painting and treats from Le Pops. A drawing for 10 gift cards worth $300 will be given to teachers who register and bring a school group to the event. In that vein, Thea is also helping teachers acquire art supplies with funding through Donors Choose. The organization has $50,000 to go toward stocking art closets in Arkansas classrooms, which will be distributed to teachers who register until it’s gone.

The organization also has 36 available scholarships for graduating seniors who complete a project in the spring and write a 500-word essay about their work. This year, the foundation has added two new categories: creative writing and poetry slam. The projects will be judged by a panel of experts in the field.

Each quarter, as part of the Museum School, the Arkansas Arts Center hosts classes for children in everything from painting to multimedia art to handbuilding with clay. The classes meet once a week and run for eight weeks. The winter session begins in January.

The center will also host a one-day ‘Harry Potter’ Winter Wonderland workshop on Dec. 8.

“The kids make ‘Harry Potter’-themed ornaments, make wands and have a wizard competition. Watch as we transform the Terry House into Hogwarts,” said Miranda Young, community engagement manager for the Arts Center.

“They also do a sorting ceremony, and we highly encourage costumes. There might be an appearance by Hagrid; you never know who is going to show up over there,” she said.

In November, a workshop called “Making Together” will be available to families who want to create something together in the studio. This quarter, the medium will be clay.

The Museum School Gallery has a show on display through Nov. 11 called “Through Our Eyes,” which features examples of work made by children in the Museum School and hung at the eye level of children.

The Arkansas Cinema Society is working to bring the Los Angeles-based Young Storytellers program to Little Rock. The program, which began in 1997 when a group of screenwriters learned that Los Angeles public schools were cutting arts programs from their budgets, now has 2,500 volunteers serving 1,600 students in 60 schools in that city.

Graham Gordy, who chairs the Education Committee of the Cinema Society board, went through an intensive Mentor Training program in Los Angeles with the goal of bringing a Young Storytellers chapter to public schools in Little Rock, starting in the spring semester. “It’s a nine-week program where the students get to work one-on-one with a volunteer mentor every week,” Gordy said. At the end of the eight weeks, they put on what they call ‘The Big Show,’ where adult actors come play the roles in the plays the kids have written in front of their school. The students/ writers get to wear VIP badges, there’s a red carpet, and the writer gets to introduce their play and sit in a big chair at the front of the auditorium or cafeteria for the show. “While the kids are taught the elements of story over the eight weeks, this program isn’t to turn children into playwrights or screenwriters. If that’s a side-effect, that’s great, but this is about showing them that they have a voice and a story to tell.”

The writers are chosen by the school and the program hopes to cater to kids who might have trouble coming out of their shells, are having some trouble at home, or could just generally benefit most from this kind of one-on-one attention. The nine-week program will initially focus on Little Rock public schools. “We will start small with one or two schools this spring. How quickly or broadly it expands will really depend on the number of volunteers we can get.”

As Gordy and the Arkansas Cinema Society begin their pilot program, Little Rock will become one of the only Young Storytellers chapters outside Los Angeles, alongside new ones openings in New York, San Francisco and Denver.

The Arkansas Arts Center’s Children’s Theatre has long been a staple for childcentric theater performances. Coming up on the stage this fall and winter are “Curious George,” “Hansel and Gretel” and “Jack Frost.” For parents who’d like to save on admission costs, the Thursday before each show begins is Pay What You Can Night, where families can score tickets with whatever money they choose to give.

During the summer, the Junior Arts Academy offers a two-week immersion into theater and the art programs in the Museum School. The program ends with student-led art exhibitions, performances and more. The Children’s Theater also has a summer academy for budding young actors ages 10 and up.

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kid approved

WE START GAME DAY BY SETTING UP AT 5:30 P.M., AND MAKING BREAKFAST BURRITOS, MIMOSAS AND BLOODY MARY’S FOR THE ADULTS, JUST OJ FOR THE KIDS!

TAILGATE CHECKLIST:

TENTS, LARGE TV, AV SYSTEM WITH SPEAKERS SO YOU CAN LISTEN TO MUSIC AND SET-UP THE GAME LATER ON FOR THOSE WITHOUT TICKETS TO WATCH THE GAME.

FOR THE BIG KIDS, YOU GOTTA HAVE BAGGO AND A FOOTBALL TO THROW!

BROOKE WALLACE IS PART OF A TAILGATING GROUP WHO’S HAD THE SAME THREE SPOTS ON LOCKDOWN AT WAR MEMORIAL FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS. WHEN SHE’S NOT PERFECTING HER FAMILY TAILGATING SKILLS, SHE’S WORKING AS AN ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT THE ARKANSAS TIMES, SCALING THE WALLS AT THE LITTLE ROCK CLIMBING CENTER AND HORSEHOE CANYON RANCH, OR PERFORMING ONSTAGE AT MURRY’S DINNER PLAYHOUSE. SHE’S WIFE TO THOMAS OF 16 YEARS AND MOM TO MADELINE, 9, AND CARTER, 12.

IF YOU (OR A FRIEND) LIVE NEARBY, A SCOOTER OR BIKE IS HANDY IF YOU NEED A QUICK RIDE TO FIND INDOOR PLUMBING! ALSO, DON’T FORGET TO BRING EXTRA TOILET PAPER (AND HAND SANITIZER) FOR THE PORT-A-POTTIES.

IF YOU HAVE SMALL KIDDOS, BRING THE WAGON, SOME BLANKETS, AN IPAD AND SOME TOYS!

RAZORBACK FOOTBALL SCHEDULE SEPT. 1 VS. EASTERN ILLINOIS, HOME SEPT. 8 VS. COLORADO STATE, AWAY SEPT. 15 VS. NORTH TEXAS, HOME SEPT. 22 VS. AUBURN, AWAY SEPT. 29 VS. TEXAS A&M, AWAY OCT. 6 VS. ALABAMA, HOME OCT. 13 VS. OLE MISS, WAR MEMORIAL STADIUM OCT. 20 VS. TULSA, HOME OCT. 27 VS. VANDERBILT, HOME NOV. 10 VS. LSU, HOME NOV. 17 VS. MISSISSIPPI STATE, AWAY NOV. 23 VS. MISSOURI, AWAY

WHEN MY KIDS WERE LITTLE, I WOULD LAY BLANKETS DOWN IN THE WAGON OR ON THE ASTROTURF CARPET AND LET THEM NAP ALL DAY!

THE KIDS LOVE STICKERS FOR THEIR FACES OR RED HAIRSPRAY THAT WASHES OUT! GET FESTIVE WITH RAZORBACK COOKIES BY ANN POTTER BAKING.

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Patient of the Month Felicity age 1, brain and spinal tumors Babies love to laugh and cuddle and play, but Felicity is one of the happiest babies a person could meet. You’d never guess she had a total of five brain and spinal tumors called desmoplastic infantile astrocytoma.

They are not cancerous but are aggressive and life-threatening all the same.

©2018 ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (36476)

At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, Felicity has received chemotherapies that have shrunk her tumors by 60 percent.

She has also received supportive care like physical, occupational and speech therapies and lots and lots of love. And she’s doing great.

“St. Jude is . . . well, it’s become our second home,” said her mom, Mandy. “It’s the best thing that could have happened to us in this situation. If we had chosen not to come here, I don’t feel Felicity would be with us today.” And families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

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