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From funnel cakes to Ferris wheels, the Arkansas State Fair is back! Intriguing Women | Breast Health | Insurance $5.00 U.S.
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Join us for the 3rd Annual Founders’ Day Celebration Saturday, October 24, 2026, 5:30 - 8:30PM U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith, Arkansas
CELEBRATE rd
3 Annual Founders’ Day Celebration
Photo by Tim Hursley
✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ A remarkable asset to our nation, the United States Marshal Service is commemorating the 3rd Annual Founders’ Day Celebration — a cocktail reception honoring their 237th anniversary. Enjoy a memorable evening filled with delicious handheld cuisine and the smooth jazz stylings of Pat Becker and the Rex Bell Combo. All proceeds benefit the U.S. Marshals Museum, supporting its mission to inspire, educate and honor the history and accomplishments of the nation’s first federal law enforcement agency.
Save the date — be part of an unforgettable evening.
Tickets available on www.MarshalsMuseum.org
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contents WHAT’S INSIDE 10 12 14 18
Publisher’s Letter Connect Top Events Weekender: Twice the State, One Unforgettable Weekend 172 Murder Mystery 176 Arkansas Diamonds
HOME 28 34
Quality Never Goes Out of Style A-door-able Autumn
FOOD
36 Back to Burger Basics 42 A Hole-in-One 44 Teacher Chef 48 Recipe: Egg-static for Eggplant
INSURANCE
118 Coverage Chaos 121 AY Best Insurance Agents 124 A Worthwhile Expense
ARTS & CULTURE 128 Nothin’ But a Good Time 134 Turning a New Page 138 Arkansas Fair Dinkum 142 Fishnets Forever
HEALTH
148 Fighting Like Hell 154 Walk This Way 162 There and Back Again
NONPROFIT
168 Hot Rods, Cool Cause
ABOUT YOU 52
AY 2026 Intriguing Women
Burger! Burger! Page 36
ON THE COVER The return of the Arkansas State Fair happens this month, and AY About You has all the details about rides, food and entertainment. See you there! Read all about it on Page 128.
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OUR FOCUS IS OUR CHILD’S FUTURE
A quality education is at the top of our priority list for our child’s future, so we found a plan. No matter what higher education looks like when they’re ready for it, we’re saving today for their brilliant future. The Arkansas Brighter Future 529 Plan allows our education savings to grow tax-deferred.
And every little bit helps. Our focus is our child’s future and we have a plan. Help make your child’s future brilliant with an Arkansas Brighter Future 529 Plan. Open your account today.
BrighterFutureDirect529.com 1.800.587.7301
PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER
Heather Baker hbaker@aymag.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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Margie Raimondo blends culinary skills with storytelling. She specializes in Mediterranean cooking classes that emphasize healthy eating and has authored two cookbooks: Mangiamo and Finding Your Path. Additionally, she is a filmmaker. She produced the awardwinning documentary The Soul of Sicily.
Mark Carter currently serves as senior editor for Arkansas Money & Politics and contributes to AY Media Group’s other publications, AY About You and the Arkansas Mental Health Guide.
Ryan Parker is a contributor at AY Media Group, driving ad sales, partnerships and content strategy alongside his wife, President and Publisher Heather Baker. A seasoned executive and fitness guru, Parker has scaled global medical device and software-as-aservice companies to the tune of more than 200 percent revenue growth, $3 billion-plus deals and major contracts. He is passionate about Arkansas storytelling, family, faith and creative media production.
Jane Colclasure is a Little Rock native with more than 25 years of experience in product, architectural, and home and garden photography. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado and an associate’s degree from the Colorado Institute of Art.
Kate Cousins is one half of the creative team behind Kate Cousins Photography. She and her husband, Jamie, work as a team to ensure clients’ creative vision comes to life. Passionate about quality photography, the duo brings a unique artistic perspective to any project, focusing on authenticity, connection and emotion.
Lizzy Yates is a family photographer with more than 15 years experience. Yates was named AY Magazine’s Best Photographer of 2025. She also serves as a volunteer photographer and the area coordinator for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.
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AY About You Magazine is published monthly, Volume XXXIX, Issue 6 AY Magazine (ISSN 2162-7754) by AY Media Group, 910 W. 2nd St., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201. Periodicals postage paid at Little Rock, AR and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to AY Magazine, 910 W. 2nd St., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201. Subscription Inquiries: Subscription rate is $24 for one year (12 issues). Single issues are available upon request for $5. For subscriptions, inquiries or address changes, call 501-244-9700. The contents of AY are copyrighted ©2026, and material contained herein may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. Articles in AY should not be considered specific advice, as individual circumstances vary. Products and services advertised in the magazine are not necessarily endorsed by AY. Please recycle this magazine.
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HORMONE THERAPY | JOINT INJECTIONS | WEIGHT LOSS | LONGEVITY | TOTAL HEALTH FUNCTIONAL WELLNESS | SKIN HEALTH | AESTHETIC SERVICES | MEMBERSHIPS
Ask the Experts at Beyond Wellness:
The Most Common Health Questions Women Are Asking About Their Health Women are paying more attention to their health than ever before—and for good reason. From changing energy and stubborn weight gain to hormonal shifts, sleep changes, and long-term longevity, the way women feel in their 40s, 50s, and beyond can look very different from earlier stages of life. While some changes may be a natural part of aging, you don't have to simply accept feeling unlike yourself. Understanding what’s happening beneath the surface can be an important first step toward feeling more like you again. Q: I'm only in my 40s, but my energy isn't what it used to be. Is that just aging? A: Not necessarily. Women can experience significant hormonal and metabolic changes during their 40s, including the years leading up to menopause. Changes in estrogen, progesterone, thyroid function, metabolism, sleep, stress, nutrition, and other factors can all influence how you feel. Persistent fatigue, changes in mood, disrupted sleep, brain fog, or other new symptoms deserve attention—not simply an assumption that they're "normal." A comprehensive evaluation can help identify potential contributing factors and guide a more personalized approach to care.
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publisher’s letter
AY About BOO! After a blazing hot summer that felt like it would never end, one of the prime seasons of the year is finally upon us. Autumn has arrived, bringing with it crisp temps, football weekends, trick-or-treating and cozy nights around the fire pit. We have engineered this month’s AY About You to snuggle up right there with you, starting with our preview of the Arkansas State Fair. Check out all this year’s fair has to offer. While you are there, do not forget to taste the great fair food that only comes around once a year. This month, we also feature our annual “Intriguing Women,” a distinguished collection of ladies who excel at home, in the workplace and volunteering in the community — and make it look effortless. Our state is privileged by the efforts of these fantastic and inspiring women, and AY About You is so proud to give them their due. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we provide several articles looking at the disease and the advancements in diagnosis and treatment that have come along to drive down mortality. Breast cancer is no longer the death sentence it once was, and if you do not believe me, take it from the four powerhouse survivors we feature this month, all of whom are alums of Runway for a Cause, an event created by AY back in the day. All that and much, much more awaits you in these pages, which we hope you find interesting and informative. As the year begins to wind down, the hustle and bustle of the holidays is not far off, so be sure to steal your downtime wherever you can. Thanks for treating yourself to AY About You!
Heather Baker, President & Publisher hbaker@aymag.com / heatherbaker_ar
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Photo by Ryan Parker
An Evening with Ariel Lawhon | $100 The Pirate Queen is a sweeping historical adventure inspired by the life of Grace O’Malley, the legendary Irish folk heroine who risked everything to defend her people. This ticketed event will raise funds so the Six Bridges Book Festival can continue providing free public programs in Central Arkansas.
It’s time for the 2026 Six Bridges Book Festival! Meet an author you already admire or find a new favorite at CALS’s annual literary celebration. Most sessions are free.
September 27-October 4 I Little Rock View the full list of authors at SixBridgesBookFestival.org
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LAYING THE FOUNDATION: THREE GENERATIONS OF THE FERGUSON FAMILY SHAPING LITTLE ROCK’S WESTWARD EXPANSION Sarah, I just wanted to thank you for your beautiful writing skills. I think the article is fantastic. You really captured the spirit and heart of my family. Rick Ferguson DIAMONDS: ANNE MARIE DORAMUS She is amazing! Angela Barry SPLISH, SPLASH, SAY GOODBYE TO THE OLD BATH: HOMEOWNERS OPTING FOR BIG SHOWERS, MODERN TOUCHES IN BATHROOM REDOS Great story! Thanks for including us! Victory Plumbing LAYING THE FOUNDATION: THREE GENERATIONS OF THE FERGUSON FAMILY SHAPING LITTLE ROCK’S WESTWARD EXPANSION Special group of humans right there! Chip Meadows
New sculptures now adorn three roundabouts in Conway. (Photo courtesy of Hunter Brown)
MUCH MORE IN STORE: MODERN STORAGE RAISES THE STANDARD FOR SELF-STORAGE Thank you for sharing our impact on the self storage industry! Modern Storage CLIENTS TO NEIGHBORS: AFTER MORE THAN 40 YEARS, RELATIONSHIPS STILL KEY AT THE CHARLOTTE JOHN CO. Sarah, I wanted to let you know that the editorial you wrote was great! Sometimes you never know how an interviewer will interpret what you say over the phone, but you nailed it! Jonie Burks LOCAL LUMINARY: THE ARTIST BEHIND THE CONWAY ROUNDABOUT SCULPTURES Sarah, I’ve had some articles written about my work, but none have been near this great! Thank you for doing such a great job with it, and thank you for the opportunity! Hunter Brown, Innovative Sculpture Design
Country music legend Lorrie Morgan will perform at the UA-EACC Fine Arts Center in Forrest City on Nov. 7. (Photo Courtesy of UA-EACC)
TRENDING ON AYMAG.COM The Big D features major stars, familiar faces AY’s Weekend Events Laying the Foundation: Three generations of the Ferguson family shaping Little Rock’s westward expansion AY’s 2026 Best Healthcare Professionals Baja Grill in Little Rock to become new Asian-Latin fusion restaurant
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Michael Fothergill reimagines The Great Gatsby for Ballet Arkansas. (Photo Courtesy of Ballet Arkansas & Matthew Sewell Photography)
agenda
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Top
you just can't miss!
GALA FOR GOOD
Oct. 24 North Little Rock Event Center — North Little Rock Join Goodwill Arkansas for an evening celebrating its mission of changing lives through education, training and employment. The evening is rooted in American tradition, featuring live bluegrass music, whiskey and cocktail tastings, a silent auction, a custom hat bar and more.
CLIFF & SUSAN’S RANCH GALA Oct. 24 The Pine Hill Ranch — Little Rock
Celebrate giving back the Western way at Cliff & Susan’s Ranch Gala. The night will highlight the duo’s new sophomore album and benefit the Healing Hooves program. The event is sure to be full of good music, dancing and fun. AY About You is a proud sponsor of this event.
ARKANSAS STATE FAIR Oct. 16-25 Arkansas State Fairgrounds — Little Rock
Do not miss the annual Arkansas State Fair. The autumn tradition brings everything one looks for when going to a classic state fair including livestock, pageants, fair food, rides and more. View the full schedule online at arkansasstatefair.com.
2026 BOOTS AND BLING CHAMPIONS CELEBRATION Oct. 17 North Little Rock Event Center — North Little Rock
Break out the boots for a night to support Alzheimer’s Arkansas. With music headlined by Arkansas Country Music Award-winner Tyler Kinch, the event will have boot scooting, a delicious dinner, and exciting live and silent auctions.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL Oct. 23-31 Wildwood Park for the Arts — Little Rock
Experience the creepy and the kooky with Stage 13’s production of The Addams Family Musical. The performance embraces the wackiness in every family and is sure to be a fun night out for all.
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Carlene Carter Walton Arts Center Fayetteville
49 Winchester with Colby Acuff The Hall Little Rock
International Greek Food Festival Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Little Rock
Five Finger Death Punch Walmart AMP Rogers
Little Rock Home Show Statehouse Convention Center Little Rock
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International Festival The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks Fayetteville
UAMS Gala for Life Statehouse Convention Center Little Rock
Bayside George’s Majestic Lounge Fayetteville
Cannons: The Everything Glows Tour Ozark Music Hall Fayetteville
Leon Thomas Walmart AMP Rogers
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Chance the Rapper Momentary Green Bentonville
Houndmouth Ozark Music Hall Fayetteville
G-Eazy and Logic Walmart AMP Rogers
Kelsey Lamb Stickyz Rock ‘N’ Roll Chicken Shack Little Rock
Chiodos The Hall Little Rock
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Snail Mail & Soccer Mommy RØDE HOUSE Bentonville
Alien Ant Farm The Hall Little Rock
CupcakKe Ozark Music Hall Fayetteville
ASO Presents: Halloween Spooktacular with Arkansas Circus Arts Robinson Center Little Rock
Ashley McBryde Ozark Music Hall Fayetteville
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Ak’Chamel Fermentation Hall Bentonville
Dirty Dancing Walton Arts Center Fayetteville
Hillcrest Harvestfest ‘26 Gavin Adcock: Rocky Horror Picture The Day I Hang It Up Tour Show Spooktacular Tour Hillcrest District Little Rock First Security Amphitheater Robinson Center Little Rock Little Rock
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Dan + Shay Walmart AMP Rogers
Arkansas Paranormal Expo MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History Little Rock
Simmons Bank Championship Pleasant Valley Country Club Little Rock
Lucy Darling: Simply Darling Robinson Center Little Rock
Three Days Grace Walmart AMP Rogers
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MercyMe Walmart AMP Rogers
Beetlejuice Robinson Center Little Rock
Dia de los Muertos Plaza Frida Little Rock
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EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO FOOD Find a Food Pantry in your community: arkansasfoodbank.org/food 17
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The
Weekender by Heather Baker
U.S Post Office and Courthouse in Texarkana
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weekender
Twice the State, One
Weekend UNFORGETTABLE
Why Texarkana is the Arkansas town you need to rediscover
T
There are towns you drive through, towns you visit, and towns that make you stop and look again. Texarkana belongs in the last category. It is part Arkansas, part Texas and completely its own experience — a place where the state line is not a boundary so much as an invitation. My husband, Ryan Parker, and I discovered a getaway built around the things I love most about Arkansas travel: locally owned restaurants, unexpected art, beautiful old buildings and people who are proud of where they live. Texarkana has an iconic quality that appeals to almost everyone. History lovers can explore landmark homes and museums. Art lovers can move from murals to galleries to hands-on studios. Food lovers can build a trip around barbecue, Italian cuisine, seafood, local bakeries and an unforgettable slice of cheesecake. Couples can turn downtown into a playful date night, while families can ride the trolley and stand in two states at once. That mixture is precisely what makes Texarkana worth rediscovering. The city does not ask you to choose between past and present, polished and playful, Arkansas and Texas. It gives you all of it in one unforgettable getaway. Here is how to experience it:
ARRIVE CURIOUS AND HUNGRY The smartest way to begin is to arrive early
enough to ease into the weekend. Our first stop was J Brown for the Home, a hidden gem at 121 College Drive on the Texas side. It is much more than a home decor store. Its mix of interior design services, custom textiles, furniture, window treatments, and carefully chosen new and vintage pieces make it feel like walking through the home of your most stylish friend. It is the kind of shop where one lamp, fabric or found object can inspire an entire room and where browsing quickly becomes treasure hunting.
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From public art to unbeatable boutiques,, there is much to explore during a visit to Texarkana.
aymag.com
weekender Outside, the patio is designed to be another gathering place, providing for live music and evenings that stretch a little longer. Everything feels finished, fresh and thoughtfully considered. The Eagle is not trying to imitate an old space or erase one; it has taken a building with a rich past and given it a brand-new life that feels unmistakably Texarkana. Dinner is at Naaman’s Championship BBQ, where owner Darby Neaves’ story began with a teenage fascination for cooking steaks that grew into roughly four decades of perfecting his definition of barbecue. It is not barbecue treated as a trend; it is barbecue treated as a craft in which smoke, patience and technique commingle with a genuine pride in feeding people well. Order with the intention of sharing so you can try more than one meat and a lineup of sides. Then finish the night at Kilwins. I love caramel, so the minute I found out Kilwins had opened a new location in downtown Texarkana, I knew we had to stop. We left with amazing ice cream, beautiful chocolates and, of course, those incredible caramels. The aroma alone makes the shop irresistible, but watching a downtown storefront fill with handmade sweets and happy customers makes the stop feel even more special. Go in for one treat, and give yourself permission to choose several. A road-trip weekend should always begin with dessert.
From there, check in at The Eagle Nest above The Eagle Bourbon & Wine Lounge in historic downtown Texarkana, Arkansas. Staying downtown puts you close to the restaurants, galleries and energy returning to Broad Street, but the building is a destination in its own right. The late1800s property has been completely renovated with the kind of care that allows you to feel its history without sacrificing comfort. Old brick and architectural character meet polished finishes, a beautiful fireplace and tuckedaway spaces that give guests a welcome sense of privacy.
STRENGTH, STILLNESS, COFFEE AND LOCAL FINDS One of the most meaningful parts of our visit
A stay at The Eagle Nest, top, is your base as you explore food, fun and culture.
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happened at Prodigy Life. I knew it would be a faith-based wellness experience, but what unfolded went far beyond anything I expected. Members of the local chamber of commerce staff showed up and shared the experience with me, and together, we were guided by an incredible instructor who seemed to understand exactly what we needed in that moment. The class blended functional strength training, light weights, resistance bands and balance, but the physical movement was only one piece of it. Prodigy Life approaches wellness through mind, body and spirit, and I felt all three being cared for. I spend so much of my life moving quickly, thinking ahead, answering the next question and taking care of what needs to be done. The wellness experience made me slow down. It reminded me that taking a moment for myself is not selfish; sometimes it is exactly what allows me to keep showing up with purpose for everyone else. Then came a moment of complete relaxation. As we simply laid there, still and quiet, the world seemed to stop. I remembered why I was doing what I was doing. I thought about purpose, gratitude and the importance of being present instead of always racing toward whatever comes next. Sharing that stillness with those incredible
weekender Follow up faith-based yoga at Prodigy Life with lunch at Hopkins Icehouse or coffee from GoodLuxe.
AN ARTFUL DOWNTOWN Our afternoon in Texarkana belonged to makers,
women and such a gifted instructor made the moment feel even more powerful. Prodigy Life did not simply give me a workout. It gave me space to breathe, reconnect with my faith and return to myself. It was an experience like no other and one I will carry with me long after leaving Texarkana. After class, make the short coffee run to GoodLuxe. The space itself tells a Texarkana story through design details such as a wall-sized Union Station blueprint and a vintage bird’s-eye map. The establishment is not a generic coffee counter dropped into downtown; it feels rooted in place. Take your time, and then browse J Brown if you did not make it on arrival, followed by Hart’s on Broad. Hart’s is a charming gift shop full of nooks, thoughtful sentiments and unexpected finds, including a hair salon tucked inside. That surprise-within-a-surprise quality is exactly what makes independent shopping fun. When you are ready for lunch, head to Hopkins Icehouse. The original downtown location occupies the building formerly home to Roy D. Hopkins Feed & Seed, a business that operated there beginning in 1936. George Dodson and David Jones purchased the property in 2007 and spent nights and weekends reinventing it before opening in 2009. Even the name carries history: An “icehouse” recalls the warehouses near railroad tracks where blocks of ice were once stored. Today, that past gives the restaurant the kind of character no chain can manufacture. Come for a relaxed lunch, and absorb the building as much as the meal.
collectors and creatives. Southern Grace Boutique brings in a fashion stop, while The Gallery at 1894 places local art inside one of downtown’s defining historic spaces. Colorful canvases fill the corners, but the real draw is the chance to see Texarkana through the eyes of the artists who live there. As I strolled through Texarkana’s Main Street district, Logan Electric stopped me in my tracks. My first thought was Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride — that wonderfully creative feeling of seeing ordinary materials transformed into lighting with personality. Logan Electric has been a fixture of Texarkana since 1909, and today, the locally owned, full-service showroom at 208 E. Broad St. carries more than a century of history into rooms filled with fixtures that are funky, elegant, modern, traditional, Logan Electric news article rustic and everything in between.
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aymag.com
weekender When I tell you to take this trip, I mean it. Do not treat Texarkana as the town at the edge of Arkansas or somewhere you pass on the way to another destination.
There are art galleries galore, each offering pieces begging to be taken home.
Make it the destination.
mersive, and resident shop cats Lucy and Ethel supply the personality. Somehow, the vintage treasures that surround you have remained safe despite their curious adventures. Finish the gallery run at Joseph Raymond Fine Art another reminder that Texarkana’s creative identity is not confined to a single mural or museum. It lives in working artists, collectors, small-business owners and the people willing to restore old spaces for new ideas.
A DOWNTOWN DATE Begin date night with mocktails at The Eagle. Settle
near the fireplace, find one of the more private corners, or take your drink to the outdoor patio when the weather cooperates. The room is beautiful without feeling formal, and the seating is arranged for actual conversation. The bar is known for curated bourbon and wine, but for those who do not imbibe, a thoughtful zero-proof drink lets you enjoy the ritual and setting without missing a beat. When live music fills the patio, the newly restored downtown landmark is the kind of place where one drink easily becomes an entire evening. From there, walk over to Tee It Up! Golf Lounge, one of the most unique new experiences added to downtown Texarkana. The lounge has two permanent, state-of-the-art simulation bays and a portable third simulator that can bring the game to parties, corporate gatherings and fundraisers. The simulators are not glorified video games. Their technology captures details such as ball speed, spin, club path and impact location, giving serious Mocktails at The Eagle players useful information while
I popped in more than once simply because it was so much fun to look around. The store is not the kind of place you rush through with a shopping list; it invites you to wander, look up and imagine how one unexpected fixture could change an entire room. Later, as I stepped into restaurants, shops and other downtown businesses, I found myself recognizing the lighting and thinking, “I know exactly where that came from.” Logan Electric does more than sell fixtures. Through custom lighting design, consultations, lamp repair and rewiring, it has quietly helped shape the glow and character of Texarkana for generations. Even if you are not remodeling or building, stop in. It is an iconic piece of the city and a design experience all its own. Next, step into Olive Street Vintiques, where every piece feels intentionally found and arranged. The warmth of the antiques makes the shop im-
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weekender A round of golf at Tee it Up followed by dinner at Verona Italian Restaurant makes for an incredible date night.
still making the experience approachable for someone who simply wants to have fun. You can work on your drive, analyze your swing, practice your putting or play a complete virtual round with friends. The course library includes more than 300 worldclass and fantasy courses, including legendary names such as Pebble Beach and St. Andrews. A dedicated putting green adds another layer, using technology to examine face angle, launch direction, forward roll and impact location. Ryan brings the competitive spirit; I bring the commentary. Either way, the visit becomes a memorable date, group outing or family activity, and because everything is indoors, the weather never cancels your round. What makes Tee It Up! especially exciting is how rare the experience still feels in a city the size of Texarkana. It gives committed golfers a place to improve year-round, but it also invites beginners to pick up a club without the pressure of stepping onto a course. Add to that the comfortable lounge seating, club evaluation and repair, and an easygoing atmosphere that keeps the focus on connection and fun, and Tee It Up! is absolutely something you will want to book before your trip. Make Verona Italian Restaurant on East Broad Street your dinner destination. I simply asked our waiter what we should order, and his customer service was incredible. His advice was just as good: Always order the specials. Ryan and I took him at his word and ordered two of them, and both dishes were exquisite. That is the joy of dining somewhere with a confident kitchen and a staff that knows the menu: Sometimes the best decision is to let them guide you. Finish with the creme brulee. You simply cannot go wrong. Reservations are wise, but once you are seated, slow down, and let Verona make the evening feel special.
French toast was divine, the cake was phenomenal, and we left with cupcakes to go. There is a coffee bar for the perfect pairing, along with sandwiches, salads, burgers and a bakery case that makes choosing only one thing nearly impossible. You can settle in and enjoy a meal there or pick up one of the creative prepared offerings to take home, heat and enjoy later. That combination of restaurant, bakery, coffee stop and take-home inspiration makes Julie’s useful, as well as delicious. Eat there, take something with you, and save room for cake. Julie’s is a must. Then let the Downtown Texarkana Trolley do the driving. The trolley itself is part of the story — a vehicle imagined and refurbished through the Arts & Historic District effort and given another life on downtown streets. It turns transportation into an attraction and keeps the day moving without making the itinerary feel like a checklist.
MEET TEXARKANA AT ITS ROOTS Make time for Gateway Farmers Market. For more than 25
years, the market has connected the community with growers from within a 75-mile radius. Its rule is wonderfully direct: If the farmers did not grow it, they will not sell it. Depending on the season, that can mean peaches, berries, melons, muscadines and tables of fresh vegetables. The people are what made the stop unforgettable for me. We came across a group of locals, sat down and started talking, and before long, they were sharing advice about how I could grow my banana trees bigger and better. That is Texarkana hospitality — generous, unhurried and second to none. The market is not simply somewhere to buy produce. It is somewhere to meet the people who know the land and are happy to share what they have learned. Next on your itinerary is Julie’s Deli. Do not miss this stop — I mean it. Julie’s was one of my favorites of the entire visit. The
Spend an unhurried morning at Gateway Farmers Market and Julie’s Deli experiencing outstanding food and community.
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STAND ON THE LINE, AND THEN MAKE SOMETHING No Texarkana weekend is complete without The
Photograph. At Photographer’s Island, stand in front of the United States Post Office and Courthouse with one foot in Arkansas and one in Texas. Built in the early 1930s directly over the state line, the federal building interrupts the normal street grid and has become the city’s defining image. The outdoor photo spot is accessible around the clock, and there is even a selfie stand. It is playful, historic and genuinely unlike anywhere else in Arkansas. One block away, add a lock to the Texarkana Love Locks structure in front of the Magness Building at 300 N. State Line Ave. Ryan and I love experiences that become memories you can physically revisit, and the public art installation transforms the global love-lock tradition into a local symbol of unity. Couples, friends, families and neighbors from both sides of the line can leave a sign of commitment in the heart of the twin cities. Continue to the Texarkana Regional Arts & Humanities Council, known locally as TRAHC. Ryan and I had the opportunity to turn the visit into our own custom creative date. We sat down with blocks, paper, glue, buttons and nearly everything else you can imagine and then built our own playhouses. I made a house from those simple materials, but what I really made was time to be present. Adults do not slow down often enough to sit, play and create without worrying whether the result is perfect. TRAHC gives you permission to do exactly that.
Kay Thomas lends her expertise to TRAHC, where children and adults can experience the joy of creativity. At the heart of our afternoon was Kay Thomas, a lifelong artist and educator whose mission reaches far beyond making art for art’s sake. Thomas holds Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees in ceramics and has spent more than 35 years working in arts integration. As a national teaching artist at Focus 5 and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, she designs experiences that help students turn ideas from across the curriculum into visual works of art. Just as importantly, she teaches other teachers how to use creativity to build connections among subjects, strengthen understanding and give students new ways to express what they know. It was our pleasure to spend the afternoon with Thomas, learn more about her many missions and see firsthand what she has to offer. Her gift is not simply teaching someone how to make an object; it is helping people discover that art can become a pathway to learning, connection and confidence. That experience is only one doorway into ArtSpace. The facility includes the Mayo Arts MakerSpace, a ceramics studio and visual-arts
Straddle the state line at the courthouse, or add a lock to the Texarkansas Love Locks sculpture.
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studio with a changing calendar of hands-on classes and workshops for different ages and skill levels. Depending on the calendar, visitors may find pottery and wheel throwing, mosaics, painting, sculpture, fiber arts, metalsmithing, or another reason to work with their hands. ArtSpace is also available for private rentals, creative gatherings and group workshops, making it worth considering for a corporate team, retreat or celebration that needs more imagination than the usual meeting room. Check the current offerings, ask about a custom group experience, and make something together. Looking at art is wonderful; creating side by side can change the way you see one another.
CHROME, CLUBS AND COMMUNITY MEMORY The trolley’s next chapter is a drive down
memory lane at the Four States Auto Museum. Founded by the Tex-Ark Antique Auto Club and housed in a historic service station setting, the museum features more than 20 vintage Texarkana Museums System offers myriad experiences for history buffs. vehicles, along with signage and memorabilia that tell the story of American mobility. The displays rotate, which means a return visit may look entirely different. Even if you are not a devoted car person, the craftsmanship and memories attached to these vehicles are irresistible. Break for lunch at Fat Jack’s, a Texarkana institution. Known for a laid-back atmosphere, oysters and hearty Southern favorites, it is the kind of long-running gathering place where the room matters as much as the menu. It is where locals meet, stories get longer, and a visitor starts to feel like part of the city. Tour the Ace of Clubs House — but make the reservation before Plan dinner at Pops Place, an iconic Texarkana your trip. Built in 1885, the Italianate Victorian home takes its name restaurant where the food is incredible, the people from its remarkable club-shaped floor plan. Legend ties its construction make you feel welcome and the atmosphere is every to winnings from an ace-of-clubs poker hand. Whether you come for bit as memorable as the menu. Seafood and steak the architecture, the furnishings or the folklore, it is one of the most disshare the spotlight, from fresh oysters, crawfish tinctive historic houses in the country. The Texarkana Museums System grits and mesquite-smoked boudin to 30-day-aged has preserved it as more than a beautiful home; it is a doorway into how Certified Black Angus steaks grilled over mesquite the city lived, celebrated and changed. wood. This is not simply local enthusiasm talking: Continue with the Texarkana Museums System at the Museum of Pop’s Place has been named best seafood in TexRegional History, housed in the city’s oldest brick commercial building. arkana for five consecutive years, and Four States Exhibits stretch from the Caddo people and early explorers to railroads, Living recognized it for Best Patio Dining in agriculture, war and civil rights. This is another stop to arrange in adTexarkana. vance for a hosted visit and one where the town’s identity begins to come That patio deserves its own chapter. It is enorinto sharper focus. Texarkana grew because lines crossed here — state mous, energetic and full of character — a patio lines, rail lines, trade routes and cultures. with a purpose, built for gathering, lingering and
STEAK, CHEESECAKE AND A LITTLE NIGHTLIFE
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weekender From dinner at Pop’s Place and dessert at Twisted Fork to the speakeasy stylings of 1923 Banana Club, there are plenty of places to eat and drink.
having a good time. There is a small, air-conditioned spot for when you need to cool off, but the soul of Pop’s lives outside. The music, conversation and movement give it a happening scene that reminded me of being on the beach at Margaritaville. It may be as close as you can get without actually being there. Come hungry, bring people you enjoy, and do not rush. Pop’s Place is fun, flavorful and completely its own experience, definitely a place you want to check out. Move to Twisted Fork for drinks and dessert. The restaurant puts its own twist on familiar favorites with handcrafted cocktails, wood-fired pizza from a brick oven and over-the-top sweets. The must-plan moment is the limited-edition cheesecake made in-house each week. It is known to sell out, so reserve a slice if the restaurant allows it or arrive early and ask. A rotating dessert gives regulars a reason to return and travelers a delicious bit of anticipation. End the evening at 1923 Banana Club — it is not simply another place to order a drink. Hidden underground and entered with a private passcode, the speakeasy feels like stepping through a secret door into the shadowy world of Prohibition.
space to life and keeps the night moving. It is intimate, theatrical and just secretive enough to make you feel as though you have discovered something most people do not know exists. After a day of markets, museums, art, history and great food, 1923 Banana Club is a rewarding final surprise. Texarkana knows how to preserve its stories, but it also knows how to create a little mystery — and have a great time doing it.
The heart of Texarkana is the way people welcome you into their city and make you feel, almost immediately,
COMFORT, FAITH AND ONE LAST LOOK Settle in for breakfast at Johnny B’s in downtown Texarkana, Ar-
like you belong there. The name, the mystery and the setting awaken your imagination with echoes of Al Capone, high-stakes gamblers, whispered deals, and the glamour and danger associated with America’s gangster era. Once you are inside, every corner rewards a closer look. The impeccable details create a fully realized experience rather than a room decorated around a theme. The bar and restaurant give you a place to settle in, while the incredible music setup brings the
kansas. It is cozy, friendly and grounded in classic American comfort food, the kind of place where a hearty breakfast feels like it came from a familiar kitchen. After a full getaway of exploring, simple hospitality is exactly right. Before heading home, take a historical church driving tour, which includes such notable landmarks as St. James Episcopal Church and
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A driving tour of historical churches, including St. James Episcopal Church, left, and Central Christian Church, was a memorable way to end the trip. Central Christian Church. Each house of worship is remarkable not just for the beautiful architecture but for the enduring stories of the congregations there. Historic churches reveal what a community valued enough to build, sustain and pass forward. They also create a quiet ending to a weekend filled with movement. As Ryan and I left, I suspect the memory that will stay with us will not be one meal, one mural or even the famous state-line photograph. It will be the way all those pieces work together. Texarkana is not half of one thing and half of another. It is a whole city shaped by two states, creative people and the confidence to honor its past while giving old buildings, old vehicles and old traditions new life.
Heather’s Take:
The City That Refuses to Fit in One Box
I
went to Texarkana expecting to discover places. I left thinking about people. Yes, you need the photograph with one foot in Arkansas and the other in Texas. You need the murals, the museums, the restored buildings, the music, the food and the unexpected moments that make a trip fun. Those are only the beginning, however, as the heart of Texarkana is the way people welcome you into their city
and make you feel, almost immediately, like you belong there. The chamber team did not simply hand us an itinerary and send us on our way. They showed up. They shared their city, their relationships and their time. They joined me for an experience at Prodigy Life that made me slow down and remember why I do what I do. At the farmers market, a conversation about banana trees became a lesson in generosity. At TRAHC, creating with Thomas reminded Ryan and me that adults still need permission to play. At the restaurants, galleries, shops and historic spaces, we met people who were not performing hospitality for visitors; they were living it. That sincerity is rare, and it stayed with me. When I tell you to take this trip, I mean it. Do not treat
Texarkana as the town at the edge of Arkansas or somewhere you pass on the way to another destination. Make it the destination. Book the stay. Reserve the experiences. Sit on the patios, ask the waiter what to order, talk to the farmers, meet the artists, and listen when locals tell you the story behind a building. Leave enough room in your plans for the conversations you cannot schedule because those may become the moments you remember most. Arkansas has extraordinary destinations in every direction, but Texarkana offers something entirely its own: two states, one shared identity and a community determined to honor where it came from while creating what comes next. It is colorful, flavorful, artistic, historic, romantic and just quirky enough to be unforgettable. More importantly, it has heart. Ryan and I did not simply visit Texarkana; we felt cared for there. I believe you will too. Take it from me: Rediscover Texarkana now, and when you fall in love with it, tell them Heather Baker sent you.
Ryan and I had a great time in Texarkana, and we hope you plan a visit soon.
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home
Quality
Style Never Goes Out of
For BPC Construction, anything worth doing is worth doing right
By DWAIN HEBDA // Photos by MATT ALBRIGHT
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Contrary to what a lot of people believe these days, the construction business is one of increased complexity, full of cutting-edge technology and advanced building products that retain their beauty and functionality well past that of yesteryear. As one of the area’s new generation of Arkansas homebuilders, Brantley Clark knows the efficiencies and precision that can be achieved by maximizing new tools. At the same time, however, the 26-year-old also believes that the newest things in his industry are not always better than the tried and true by which he was trained. “I think there’s a lot of really cool technology out there that can do things previous generations of homebuilders could hardly imagine,” he said, “but at the same time, that’s just another tool that I can use. It doesn’t replace the fundamentals of quality, fairness and customer
Central Arkansas-based BPC Construction combines the latest tools with the time-tested values of quality, fairness and customer service.
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home
I want every one of my builds to have quality attached to it. No matter if it’s a smaller home or a larger project or a remodel, I want the customer and other people to walk in and be impressed by the quality and workmanship. tion,” Clark said. “I think we worked on probably 15 to 17 houses in that timeframe, which gave me a pretty good grasp on the new construction world and got me linked up with quite a few of the subcontractors that I still use today.” Armed with his expertise earned on the job in both remodeling and new construction, Clark founded central Arkansas-based BPC Construction in late 2024. His combination of skills and a drive to succeed soon landed him remodeling jobs throughout central Arkansas, each one serving as an outstanding example of his craftsmanship that landed other work. Today, remodels still make up about 80 percent of BPC Construction’s projects, but also during his first year of business, he built his first new home for a client. That project, predictably, led to breaking ground on another one this fall.
Remodels comprise about 80 percent of the company’s business, but BPC has branched into new homes, as well. service that I was trained on by builders who were older than me and had many more years of experience than I did and who had completed hundreds of projects in their careers. “Those kinds of things, along with ethics and wanting to overdeliver for the customer, will never be replaced. In fact, I think that’s what separates a good builder from a really great builder.” Clark, a North Little Rock native, began his construction career while still a student at Catholic High School for Boys in Little Rock. Like all self-made success stories, he takes pride in having started from the ground up, since it gives him the credentials of there being no job on a build site he has not done himself. “I started working with one of my best friend’s dads, Harvey Gardner, when I was 14 or 15 years old,” he said. “Harvey is a general contractor mostly doing remodels and stuff, and I would do odds and ends for him. A lot of what I know in the construction business, I know from him.” After attending the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he graduated in 3 1/2 years with a degree in ag systems, Clark was left undecided about his next move. He reunited with his former mentor Gardner, who suggested he hang his own shingle. Since Clark did not feel ready to do that, Gardner pointed him to another local homebuilder, Randy Wiggins, with whom he spent about a year honing his craft on new builds. “I had the opportunity to learn all about new construc-
BPC Homes are built not just for style but for livability.
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home Clark said he likes being seen as a versatile builder who can handle myriad projects while ensuring each gets the same attention to detail coupled with high-quality materials and finishes. “I want every one of my builds to have quality attached to it,” he said. “No matter if it’s a smaller home or a larger project or a remodel, I want the customer and other people to walk in and be impressed by the quality and workmanship.” Even though BPC Construction is not the oldest builder in the market, Clark’s reputation for customer service is a fast-growing one. His user-friendly, customer-centric approach, things usually found among builders with far more years of experience, are applied from the client’s very first meeting, he said. “When new customers come to me, the first questions I ask them are about whether they have a lot to build on or not,” he said. “If they don’t, then I’ll help them find a lot, and if they do, I get all the information I can about it because that affects the cost of the foundation quite a bit. Then we do the same thing regarding any building plans they may have or if they need a draftsman or an architect. I help them with all of that.” From there, Clark meticulously goes over the specs of the project, walking customers systematically through a list of options and offering his expertise and advice when needed. “I’ve got a five-page spec sheet that I run through, and we’ll sit down and do about an hour just going over stuff,” he said. “We go over the bones of the house, what they want to use in structuring it. Then there are other selections to be made. What kind of floors do they want? What kind of fixtures do they want? How do they want their lighting? We
Attention to detail, both inside and out, is the company's top priority whether for a remodel or a new home. can also make suggestions for various creature comforts that they might not be thinking of up-front.” Clark maintains that level of communication throughout the projects to keep clients appraised of progress and contingencies that invariably spring up. He has also shown creative uses of technology to bring written plans off the page, thereby further streamlining customers’ decision-making. Using Walk Thru Plans in Bryant, he can give clients a sense of spatial and design elements before the first wall goes up. “I love Walk Thru Plans. It’s a really good way to help someone who hasn’t done a new construction or who doesn’t have it all laid out to kind of ‘see’ the plans,” he said. “With their technology, I can go through and show them where pinch points are going to be or what I’ve seen in other houses that may be a problem for them or just to walk through a 1-to-1 scale of what their house is going to look like. It really helps them envision what’s going to be there at the end of the project.” Clark said as the market continues to discover BPC, it gives him the opportunity to reiterate what makes the company different, factors that are easy for most anyone to understand. “I’m young, I’m hungry for the work, and I’m looking to make an impact in the market,” he said. “I didn’t grow up with parents who were in the industry, so I’m making my name one step, one job at a time. No matter if I do one new construction a year or if I build 10, I’m going to give every job the same amount of attention to detail, communication and craftsmanship. “What I would most want someone to know about me is when I think of building for someone, I think of building to their needs in daily life. I don’t want to turn over a project to someone if it’s not going to fit them. I want them to be in a house that’s functional for them to raise their family or, if they’re older, a place that gives them the specific kind of layout that will suit their life, deliver exactly what they want and that they are totally happy with at the end of the project.”
At just 26 years old, owner Brantley Clark has already established BPC Construction as a premier homebuilder in central Arkansas.
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BUILT ON QUALITY. FOCUSED ON YOU.
5 01 - 6 8 1 - 03 14 | bp ccon s truc tionllc @ gmail .com |
B P C- Con s truc tion
Autumn
florals
A-door-able
Fall wreaths, swags bring a seasonal touch to outdoor decor By Chris Norwood, AIFD, PFCI, AAF Photos by Jane Colclasure
Make a Swag
O
ne skill that can help most anyone bring a touch of whimsy to a home is creating a swag or wreath. Wreaths are round door decorations, while swags are inverted bouquets that can be a great option for those with double doors or to hang from light fixtures on either side of a door. Here is a guide to making either option for autumn, although the colors and embellishments can easily be customized for any occasion.
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1 To create this swag, I started with a leafy branch called copper beach, which was already preserved and systemically dyed, meaning it absorbed color through its stem.
I then layered a couple artificial branches with berry, leaf and pumpkin embellishments on top of the copper beach natural branch. These predone stems are known in the floral industry as “picks.” I layered another, smaller copper beach branch on top of that.
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Next, I added in a couple artificial stems of rudbeckia for a punch of vibrant fall color. The bendable stems make it easy to weave the flowers in between branches. Then I took a guidewire and twisted it around everything I had assembled so far to keep the materials in place.
I left the ends of the guidewire long, layering on another bunch of rudbeckia plus one of my fall favorites, bittersweet. Add the bittersweet toward the end so that the dynamic vines can be twisted outward for more dimension. I used silk bittersweet for this swag. I also added another branch of copper beach. Twist the guidewire once more to secure everything.
Add another guidewire an inch or two above the first for hanging. Twist it in the front first, then bring it around the back, give it a couple firm twists at the base, and then twist again at the top to make a loop.
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Now it is time for the bow. I used five 3-yard lengths of four different ribbons for this arrangement — a beautiful double-sided blue and gold, a double-sided blue and plaid, a translucent antique gold, and a thinner orange ribbon. Using ribbons with wires helps the bow hold its form. Be sure to trim the ends into a dovetail for a polished look. Simply fold the end of the ribbon in half lengthwise and make a diagonal cut toward the center.
Loop the ribbons back and forth repeatedly, twisting the ribbon with each loop while holding the central point with your thumb and forefinger. I started with the smallest ribbon so that it ended up at the front of the bow. Fluff the ribbon and adjust as needed. I ended up adding another, shorter length of blueand-gold ribbon to the back of the bow.
Use a guidewire to secure the ribbon at the center. Fasten the bow to the swag using the same guidewire, and thread the ribbons through the floral material you already assembled. Now the swag is ready to hang.
Make a Bow
Make a Wreath
1 Wreaths are another fun item that can easily dress up a door for fall. For this project, I started with a grapevine wreath. Always remember, when working with a grapevine wreath, insert the stems somewhat parallel to the wreath, rather than sticking them in straight on, so they stay better. I usually do not use glue for my wreaths.
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I started with two garlands of fall leaves, laying them on top of the wreath and inserting the ends into the gaps between the grapevines. Do not get too worked up about the garland placement. The insertions on top will cover any imperfections.
Next, I took three of the premade picks with pumpkins, leaves and berries and inserted them at different points in the wreaths, weaving the stem through the vines. One could easily use four or five picks, if preferred.
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I followed that up with small sections of natural branch, this time in a more reddish color. Angle the leaves away from the wreath to provide more volume and allow the layers underneath to show through. Any colors of leaves can be used. I added some yellow ones at the end.
Do not worry too much about filling in the area where the bow will go. The garland base and a couple insertions should provide enough coverage. I put the bow at the bottom to elongate the door and avoid hiding the wreath, but some people prefer to put the bow at the top instead.
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6 I made the bow as before, using the wire in the center to secure it to the wreath. Use another guidewire to make a hook at the top for hanging. Remember, you can make your seasonal decor however you want. Experiment with all different kinds of leaves, ribbons and accents until you find what speaks to you. Happy fall, y’all! Chris Norwood and Christina Day-Essary are co-owners of Norwood-Day Floral Co. in Little Rock. For more information, visit norwood-day.com.
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food
By ALEX HARDGRAVE
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T
here are few things as quintessentially American as the classic burger. However, the origins of the burger are disputed, so it is unclear whether the first burger was created in the states or not. One account said a man named Louis, who owned a restaurant called Louis’ Lunch in Connecticut, created the burger in 1900, but another origin tale claims the hamburger originated in Hamburg, Germany. No matter which story is true, the hamburger is a favorite food of many Americans and can be found almost anywhere. With a burger on most every menu, how are Arkansas restaurants making their burger stand out from the bunch? AY About You spoke with a few staple restaurants in the state known for their burgers to get to the bottom of it.
The Box 1023 W. Seventh St., Little Rock 501-372-8735 One of the oldest restaurants operating in the Little Rock area has changed hands throughout the years, but one thing has not changed — the grill top. The grill has had pieces replaced over time, but it has a unique seasoning to it that no one else can replicate, owner Kelly Joiner said. That is one secret to the burger’s beloved flavor but not the only thing that makes The Box burger beloved by customers, starting with the meat. “We don’t skimp on the fat in our burgers,” Joiner said. The Box, which was originally on Main Street, opened in 1948. Joiner took over the restaurant in the early 2000s without any prior restaurant experience at the time. He had worked in the food processing industry and thought The Box would be a sound investment. In 2010, the Box moved from its original spot to its current location on Seventh Street, where it is open for lunch every weekday. While the burgers are the star of the show, there are a few healthier options on the menu, including chicken, salads and sandwiches. General Manager Kayla Sparrow has been with the business for 10 years and knows regulars’ orders by heart, which she said is part of the restaurant’s continued success. Her favorite burger on the menu is The Hot Box, which offers pepper jack cheese, jalapenos, grilled onion and a special sauce. “Our regulars come in and get treated like family,” Sparrow said. “Titles don’t matter here. Everybody’s the same, and everybody gets treated the same. Everybody gets a little abuse and a little love because I give everyone in here a hard time.” “We have everyone from suits to construction workers,” Joiner said. “We do our best to treat everybody like family and try to feed them good. If you leave hungry, that’s on you.”
(Photo by Kayla Sparrow)
“We have everyone from suits to construction workers. We do our best to treat everybody like family and try to feed them good. If you leave hungry, that’s on you.” — Kelly Joiner, Owner
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“We want people to feel welcomed when they come in,” Wilson said. The staff feeds the guests like family, too, making sure all ingredients are high quality and prepared right. “We are all about the customer,” he said. “We’re proud of what we do.”
CJ’s Butcher Boy Burgers Russellville
2803 N. Arkansas Ave. 479-968-2300
Fayetteville
3484 W. Wedington Drive 479-301-2522
“We want people to feel
butcherboyburger.com
welcomed when they come in.”
CJ’s Butcher Boy Burgers motto, “When all you do are burgers, they have to be the best,” drives how the team runs the business and how it makes its burgers. One secret to making the burgers great is the spice blend staff make and use in-house. Owner Keith Wilson would only share the basic ingredients — garlic, salt and pepper — saying everything else stays between employees and family. The business has always been focused on family and has been family-owned since it opened in 2005. CJ’s founder, Richard Wilson, grew up around restaurants and was in the restaurant business his whole life. When he died in 2018, his children inherited the Russellville burger shop. Wilson opened up another location in Fayetteville that same year. At the Fayetteville location, he added chicken and salads to the menu, but the focus stays on the burgers. Wilson’s cousin, Sally Alvarado, is general manager at the original location. The family’s love extends to the guests.
“We are all about the customer. We’re proud of what we do.” — Keith Wilson, Owner
(Photos provided by CJ’s Butcher Boy Burgers)
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Deluca’s Pizza
food
Hot Springs 833 Central Ave. 501-609-9002 Little Rock
10301 N. Rodney Parham Road, Suite C8 501-246-5656
originaldelucas.com Deluca’s opened its flagship location in 2013 in Hot Springs with the mission of serving New York-style pizza to the masses, so it comes as a surprise to a lot of people that the menu lists a burger. However, the item has taken on an almost cult-like following throughout the state. The burger can be found on the appetizer section of the menu, and sometimes a table will share it prior to their pizzas. Other times, people order it as a meal, General Manager Heather Post said. “It has become a staple menu item,” she said. “We sell a lot of pizzas every day, but we also sell a ton of burgers. We’ve got customers that come in just for the burger. It’s created a name for itself.” Owner Anthony Valinoti traveled many places and ate a lot of great food, but when he was back in Hot Springs, he could not find a burger made the way he wanted, so he created one for his restaurant’s menu. The burger uses a blend of USDA prime beef made specifically for Deluca’s, so guests can only get the burger at one of the restaurant’s two locations. A new location opened in the Breckenridge Village complex in Little Rock in 2024. “Simplicity is key,” Post said. “Our burger doesn’t come with all the ketchup, mayo, lettuce. It’s just very simple. It’s a cheeseburger, and it’s beautiful.” Another thing that differentiates the burger from others is that it is not cooked on a grill or flat top but in the restaurant’s pizza oven. That creates a crust on the outside of the burger that adds to the flavor. “We have a few other secrets, but we don’t like to give all the secrets up,” Post said.
“We sell a lot of pizzas every day, but we also sell a ton of burgers. We’ve got customers that come in just for the burger. It’s created a name for itself.” — Heather Post, General Manager
(Photo provided by Deluca’s Pizza)
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food Old Tyme Burger Shoppe
“Sometimes I have to go into
1205 Arkansas Blvd., Texarkana 870-772-5775
the kitchen and cook. Sometimes
In Texarkana, the Old Tyme Burger Shoppe keeps the burger game old school. The current owners, Kenneth and Jerra Parris, have been in the business since 2021, but the shop itself has been a community staple since 1988. While the place is known for its classic, no-nonsense burgers, it actually started as a small breakfast diner. The story goes that a man who worked at a local Cooper Tires in the area wished there was a place for an early breakfast in town, but there was not, so he and his wife opened one. “They would open up at 5 a.m., feed about 20 Cooper Tire employees for breakfast,” Parris said. “They would leave to go to work, and the wife would lock the doors, go into the back room and sleep and wake back up around 8 a.m. to reopen the restaurant.” Parris said he and his wife took a leap of faith in buying the restaurant from the second set of owners. “My wife and I had never stepped foot in a restaurant other than to eat at one,” he said. “We prayed about it and talked about it, and it just felt right. We uprooted from Fayetteville, quit doing what we were doing up there and came down here. It’s been one of the most amazing journeys we’ve ever done. It was a great decision and has brought so much joy.”
I’m bussing tables. Most of the time, I’m at the counter, interacting with customers, which is my favorite. I love talking with folks.” — Kenneth Parris, Owner
Parris wears a lot of different hats owning the business and considers himself very hands on. “Sometimes I have to go into the kitchen and cook,” he said. “Sometimes I’m bussing tables. Most of the time, I’m at the counter, interacting with customers, which is my favorite. I love talking with folks.” Parris’ oldest daughter, who is 15, even helps out at the shop occasionally. When the owners took over, they did not want to change a thing about the menu, which had switched to being burger-centric for lunch and dinner. Even a lot of the staff stayed the same; some of the workers have been at the restaurant over 10 years. “I’ve got over 120 years of experience working at the shop,” he said. Parris said the burgers are nothing fancy but are still well liked. “It’s just really good ingredients that are fresh,” he said. “The Old Tyme Burger Shoppe has always stuck with the classic hamburger or cheeseburger.” All the toppings such as lettuce, onion and tomato are freshly cut each morning, the buns for the burgers are toasted to a golden brown, and the unseasoned patties can be a refreshing surprise. “I know [unseasoned burgers] seem odd, but a lot of people like that,” he said. “The flavor of the fresh ground beef speaks for itself.” Alongside the burgers, customers can order french fries, onion rings, tater tots, potato salad, fried okra or pinto beans. If someone is looking for entrees other than burgers, the menu offers a chicken strip sandwich, chicken tenders and chicken-fried steaks. Locals know to save room and top off the great meal with a slice — or two — of homemade pie. Every day, the shop offers chocolate cream pie, coconut cream pie and buttermilk pie, and there is a rotation of seasonal pies, as well. “Some people would argue we’re known for our pies rather than the burgers,” Parris said.
(Photos provided by Old Tyme Burger Shoppe)
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food
A Hole-in-One
Eagle Bourbon & Wine Lounge salutes founders’ fathers By DOUG CRISE
Owners Chris and Melissa Fuller (Photos courtesy of Eagle Bourbon & Wine Lounge)
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ometimes it is not about the destination. It could simply be popping in for a bite and a sip and, expecting little, getting one’s socks knocked off. It is hard to quantify the feeling of good food, good drink and good chat in a warm and welcoming environment, but it is a feeling worth having time and again. Chris and Melissa Fuller loved that feeling much that they decided to make a life out of it. The two had always enjoyed traveling together and stumbling upon just the right place to relax and enjoy the vibes. Now they have their own place to do just that. “We wanted to create a place that we enjoy going to,” Chris said. “We love to travel and seek places like this out.” The Eagle Bourbon & Wine Lounge, located in a welcoming downtown building on Texarkana’s Broad Street, is worth seeking out. Whether serving as a place to relax on the way to someplace else or establishing itself as a well-loved local stop, The Eagle offers a heaping helping of comfort to go along with a vibrant cocktail menu and assorted nibbles. “The response from the Texarkana community has been incredible,” Melissa said. “Our community has shown us so much support and encouragement, and we’ve been truly humbled by the kind words and compliments about our space.”
Talk with the Fullers, and the key to The Eagle’s success becomes readily apparent — it may be a business, but it is also deeply personal. The idea sprouted after a year the Fullers would not wish upon anybody; both lost their fathers in 2022. Aubrey Fuller and Bob Shirron were not men who let life pass them by. Aubrey, Chris’ father, enjoyed being outdoors, coaching his children and grandchildren in baseball when not on the golf course. Shirron, Melissa’s father, retired as a colonel after 30 years in the U.S. Army, where he served as a master paratrooper and combat engineer. Shirron also had a deep love for golf to go along with his passion for hunting, and both men enjoyed relaxing with a good drink. Once Chris and Melissa decided they wanted to take the plunge into running a cocktail lounge, settling on a name did not take long. “We came up with ‘The Eagle,’ which is a term used in golf,” Chris said. The name is more than a personal nod to both their fathers. Both men’s abiding love for golf is honored in The Eagle’s amenities. Along with a full menu of cocktails and appetizers, The Eagle also features a full-on golf simulator that can be rented by the hour.
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food “We use Woodford Reserve bourbon, a large clear ice cube, which is stamped with our logo, and garnish it with an Amarena cherry and an orange slice,” Melissa said. “Consistency is key, so all of our staff makes it the same way. You can enjoy it the classic way, or we can smoke it for you. “The espresso martini is our second-best seller, but you can’t go wrong with our classic cocktails named after Texarkana history, such as The McCartney Manhattan, The Broad Street Sour, The Union Station or the State Line Sazerac.” Once that cocktail is ordered, patrons can imbibe and discuss while enjoying a charcuterie board, deviled eggs, a shrimp cocktail or toasted naan bread with pimento cheese for dipping, among other offerings. Sweet tooths are addressed with selections such as chocolate layer cake or a white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. With the weather turning cooler, The Eagle’s staff has spent its spare moments constructing a fall cocktail menu that offers fresh takes on classic autumn flavors. “Our bartenders have been hard at work to create a fall cocktail menu that our customers will love,” Chris said. “They have created some specialty cocktails that make you think of autumn, such as the Cherry Vanilla Bing, a riff on the espresso martini, featuring cherry, vanilla and almond. The whole thing is housed in a historic downtown building that went up during the late 1800s. It is the sort of centrally located spot that has become ever more rare with time, a building that used to serve as a dentist’s office, a clothing store and more iterations throughout the years. “We knew we wanted to incorporate golf in our business,” Melissa said. “With the hot Arkansas summer temperatures, we decided to put a Foresight golf simulator in a private room in the back of our building. Customers can rent it by the hour. They can order a bite to eat and take their drinks back there while playing a round of golf on one of the 70 courses available.” About those drinks: The Eagle has a full bar and a cocktail service that would put similar spots in bigger cities to shame. Along with a rotating cast of beer taps and a deep wine selection, The Eagle serves a menu of cocktails that easily fit both the season and the mood. “While we specialize in bourbon and wine, The Eagle offers a full bar with something for everyone,” Chris said. “Our talented bartenders can craft just about anything you’re craving, whether it’s a classic favorite or something completely customized. We take pride in our extensive bourbon and wine collections, featuring selections for both the seasoned enthusiast and the curious newcomer. We also have a classic cocktail menu, a specialty martini menu and a mocktail menu.” Fittingly, The Eagle’s most popular cocktail is The Eagle, the Fullers’ take on an old-fashioned.
“The Pumpkin Buck is also coming soon, with apple jack, pumpkin soda, and garnished with candied ginger and nutmeg. The Clarified Caprese will be a unique addition to our fall cocktail menu, as well. It includes smoky mescal infused with tomato, galangal, lemongrass and ginger capped with mozzarella foam, basil and balsamic glaze.” More than just a local haunt, The Eagle Bourbon & Wine Lounge got a jolt of statewide attention earlier this year, when it won two categories of AY About You’s “AY’s Best of 2026” reader’s poll — Best Texarkana Business and Best Happy Hour. That notoriety aside, owners say the name of the game for The Eagle is its welcoming atmosphere and menu accessibility. Between the wide array of drinks and the offerings from the kitchen, there truly is something for everyone. “We knew there was no other place we’d like to commit to than downtown Texarkana,” Melissa said. “We found what we think is the perfect building. We hope to offer a signature experience to both visitors and locals to enjoy and a place where friends and family can gather over a fine drink.”
food
Teacher Chef For PVCC’s Jamie McAfee, the journey is about giving back By MARK CARTER // Photos by JANE COLCLASURE
Chef Jamie McAfee
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Jamie McAfee is not only a renowned culinary instructor but helps lead dining experiences at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock with teammate Courtney Llewellyn.
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amie McAfee has spent almost half a century in the culinary arts, and he is ready to tack on another 50. The corporate master chef at Little Rock’s Pleasant Valley Country Club previously served for more than 20 years as executive chef and general manager at Pine Bluff Country Club and is one of just five Arkansans to have received the prestigious American Academy of Chefs designation. In 2024 at age 64, the McGehee native became just the third Arkie to earn membership in the uber-prestigious World Association of Chefs’ Societies, or Worldchefs, which recognizes only about 1,500 master chefs across the globe. For much of his career, McAfee has impacted the Arkansas culinary scene through teaching. He teaches multiple classes three days a week at the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute in Little Rock, working around his schedule at the club, just as he did when he was working in Pine Bluff. He has gone on to hire eight former students, and his two children with wife, Laurie — Jay McAfee and Laurie Keaton — have followed in his footsteps. Jay is the head chef on the day shift at PVCC. Another former student, Little Rock’s Jennifer Maune, was a Season 13 finalist on MasterChef: United Tastes of America in 2023. McAfee is also heavily involved with local philanthropy — he estimated that he has helped raise more than $20 million over the past 40-plus years. AY About You caught up with McAfee to ask about the satisfaction he gets from cooking; if it is possible to teach anyone how to cook; his favorite recipes; the 2022 film, The Menu; and much more.
(Photo provided by Pleasant Valley Country Club)
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food AY About You: What do you enjoy about teaching others how to cook? Chef Jamie McAfee: I enjoy giving back to an industry that’s been so good to me. I grew up in the industry, and cooking was just a way of life. Some of my childhood chores were helping prep food for my parents’ restaurant. Teaching gives me great satisfaction, watching a student or aspiring cook learning proper techniques of cooking methods. Their use of such methods is what keeps me coming back. I teach differently than most instructors at the school; I let the students make mistakes, and I teach them how to correct them.
I often tell my students if your dream is to become a chef, never stop dreaming. Never stop your desire to become a chef or your determination to become a chef. — Chef Jamie McAfee
AY: What attracted you to teaching? McAfee: My teaching career really came out of necessity, needing cooks to fill positions in kitchens in southern Arkansas. I understood early that people who did the hiring in corporate hospitality programs wanted professionally trained cooks and chefs. I was one of the five founders that started the culinary school, which UA-PTC ended up aquiring. I often tell my students if your dream is to become a chef, never stop dreaming. Never stop your desire to become a chef or your determination to become a chef. AY: Can anyone be taught to cook? McAfee: I think anyone can be taught to cook — maybe not in the restaurant industry but in a household setting, hunting club, vacation home. Cooking is about trial and error and repetition, repetition, repetition. One cannot cook once a month and expect to be good at it. AY: You once told AY that you like being entrusted to surprise diners. How do you deal with the pressure that comes with the job? McAfee: I love being challenged to go off script, love mixing and mingling with customers. I have always said if one gets to know their customers, it’s easier to cook for them. If I know you personally, I step my game up. I love going outside the box. One must be able to adjust on the spur of the moment. We try not to let things get to us. Pressure is a real thing — it will break even the best at times. Learning how to handle pressure is a great advantage.
(Photo by Ryan Parker)
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food AY: Do you prefer immediate feedback on a dish, and do you ever get nervous when introducing a new dish or new variation? McAfee: A chef must have alligator skin to let feedback roll off your back and know that positive feedback or negative feedback is good for one’s soul as a chef.
AY: How do you find time to do all you do at PVCC and still teach classes? McAfee: The club encourages the teaching. It’s what has made me the chef I have become. The club is closed on Monday, I teach Tuesday and Thursday mornings and, most of the time, arrive at the club by noon. I do teach all AY: Have you ever converted day on Wednesday, which is my someone who professed to dislike normal day off. We have eight a certain food? former students working at the McAfee: If someone tells me they club. It’s a great resource to find dislike a dish, I like the challenge of young talent. seeing if I can get you to try it and eventually like it. AY: Let’s say you are a contestant on Beat Bobby Flay. You fly through the first round and are set to face Flay in the final round. What is your go-to dish to beat him? McAfee: My mentor was the great Paul Prudhomme, so a blackened dish of some sort. My second mentor is the great Sam Choy, so poke or some sort of lamb dish.
AY: When you eat out, are you generally pretty hard to please or impress? McAfee: I am not difficult to please when dining out at all. I try to be very respectful of all cooks.
is exceptional at it. I focus on the a la carte side of the restaurant more than banquet but definitely help when needed on big functions. Courtney is a department head, and Jamie is a department head. We work together on achieving the club’s goals. We are AY: Tell us about your team at becoming a great team. PVCC. McAfee: I am very proud of the cu- AY: What was it like a couple of linary team at Pleasant Valley Coun- years ago when the club was wraptry Club. We have a very talented ping up renovations and preparbanquet chef, Courtney Llewellyn, ing to host its first PGA event? a 10-year veteran at the club. She McAfee: Courtney was in the heads up the Simmons Classic and trenches; I came in at the end. I helped with the first tournament and was more in the planning stage on the second. Now with the third, the process is large and complex but we learn every year what menu works best, and we adapt.
AY: Does becoming a chef require a certain aptitude? McAfee: Learning to cook and becoming a great chef is about flavor profiles, organization, patience and trust. If you want to be a top-tier chef, people must trust you. With this comes lots of perks. AY: Are there any “cardinal sins” of cooking? McAfee: Cardinal sin of cooking: thinking you know everything, making recipes too darned complicated. Know your science and balance of ingredients — I call it the yin and the yang — and keep it simple. AY: What are your favorites to prepare? McAfee: My favorite things to cook are wild game, Cajun, Asian and Italian and making top-tier appetizers out of them. AY: How cool was it to see your kids choose the culinary arts? McAfee: My children being chefs is definitely cool. I did my best to talk them out of it, but since I was not able to do that, I’m definitely proud that they are not only chefs; they are great ones.
(Photo by Ryan Parker)
As for our industry, grab-andgo will become even bigger. Fine dining will always be a part of our industry, but sitdown casual dining, I think, is fading fast. — Chef Jamie McAfee 47
AY: What did you think of the 2022 chef-themed film, The Menu? Do you feel chefs sometimes obsess over food rather than enjoy the simple pleasures its prep can bring? Can’t fixing the best cheeseburger in the world for a hungry guest be just as satisfying as preparing an elaborate four-course meal for a queen? McAfee: As for the film, I did not like it — stopped watching it and turned it off. Yes, we do take food seriously as chefs. I often ask my students, “Would this dish or garnish on this dish make a child’s eyes light up?” I definitely enjoy cooking for dignitaries. It challenges us to develop skills in fine dining and proper etiquette. This part of our industry will always be there. The top 10 percent of the world’s rich enjoy fine food. AY: What is next — for you, for the industry? McAfee: Teaching is definitely in the mix. I really enjoy teaching. As for our industry, grab-and-go will become even bigger. Fine dining will always be a part of our industry, but sit-down casual dining, I think, is fading fast. The convenience factor is not going away; the world is not going to slow down. Our challenge as chefs is how do we maintain quality and consistency and convenience? I think the chefs that master this new concept will dominate the food scene. Technology is coming fast — we must accept the challenge to cook with it.
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recipe
Egg-static for
Eggplant!
Involtini di melanzane a versatile dish with great flavor By MARGIE RAIMONDO Photos by MARGIE RAIMONDO
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nvoltini di melanzane, or baked eggplant rollups, is a dish that truly embodies transformation. When eggplant meets the heat of the oven, it becomes tender and silky, ready to enclose a delicious filling. In Sicily, this process is celebrated, since eggplant serves not just as a vegetable but as an integral part of many delightful dishes, such as caponata and pasta alla Norma. In this recipe, thin slices of roasted eggplant wrap around a creamy ricotta filling that is speckled with fresh herbs. Layered over a bed of flavorful tomato sauce and baked until bubbly, it is a dish that fills the kitchen with enticing aromas of garlic and basil even before it reaches the table — and one that only gets better with a second serving. Whether you choose to present it as a vegetarian main course alongside a crisp green salad and some crusty bread or include it as part of a larger Sunday feast, involtini di melanzane captures the essence of coming together at the table with good ingredients and cherished recipes worth sharing.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper • Pinch of salt • Pinch of crushed red pepper (optional) Garnish • Chopped parsley • Extra Parmesan • Fresh basil (optional) INSTRUCTIONS 1. Prepare the eggplant: Slice the eggplants lengthwise into 1/4inch slices. Lay the slices on paper towels, sprinkle lightly with salt, and let sit for 30 minutes. Pat dry. Brush both sides lightly with olive oil. Roast at 425 F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender and flexible. Allow to cool slightly. 2. Make the filling: Mix together ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella, egg, garlic, parsley, basil, salt and pepper. Stir until creamy. Baked Eggplant Rollups (Involtini di Melanzane) (serves 4 to 6) INGREDIENTS Eggplant • 2 large eggplants, sliced lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices • Olive oil • Salt Filling • 15 ounces whole milk ricotta • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1 cup shredded mozzarella (or diced fresh mozzarella) • 1 egg
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3. Assemble: Spread about 1/2 cup tomato sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Place about 2 tablespoons filling near the wide end of each eggplant slice. Roll up tightly and place seam-side down in the baking dish. Continue until all are filled. 4. Bake: Spoon the remaining tomato sauce over the rolls. Sprinkle with a little extra Parmesan. Bake at 375 F for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbling and heated through. For a browned top, broil 2 to 3 minutes. 5. Finish: Sprinkle generously with fresh parsley or basil before serving. Serve with crusty Italian bread, garlic bread, a green salad or fresh pasta. Tip: For the best texture, slice the eggplant about 1/4-inch thick, lightly salt the slices for 20 to 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture, and then pat dry before grilling or roasting. This method helps create tender slices that roll easily and hold their shape during baking.
6. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down and the sauce has thickened slightly. 7. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Tip: For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender for a few quick pulses, leaving a little texture for a rustic finish. A drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil just before serving adds richness and enhances the fresh basil and parsley.
Finding Eggplant in October October is one of the best months to enjoy fresh eggplant. In Arkansas, the harvest typically continues through early to mid-October, making it easy to find locally grown varieties with excellent flavor and texture. Look for eggplant at your local Arkansas farmers markets and farm stands. When selecting eggplants, choose those that are firm, glossy and heavy for their size with smooth, unblemished skin and a fresh green stem. Smaller to medium-sized eggplants are often less bitter and have fewer seeds, making them ideal for a variety of dishes. Enjoy your cooking!
Simple Homemade Tomato Sauce (makes about 4 cups) This fresh, rustic tomato sauce comes together with just a handful of pantry ingredients, letting the tomatoes shine. It is ideal for pasta, eggplant dishes, meatballs, chicken Parmesan or as a dipping sauce for bread. INGREDIENTS • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 small onion, finely diced • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes with their juices (or 4 cups fresh peeled and diced tomatoes) • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper INSTRUCTIONS 1. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. 2. Add the diced onion and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until softened and translucent. 3. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until just fragrant. 4. Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, parsley, basil, salt and pepper. Stir well to combine. 5. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
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“Women, whether subtly or vociferously, have always been a tremendous power in the destiny of the world.”
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— Eleanor Roosevelt
hat do a roofing professional, a renowned country music artist and a mortgage banker have in common? More than you think. We will start with an easy one — they are just a few illustrious members of a diverse and talented group of women making up AY About You’s 2026 “Intriguing Women.” Arkansas is lucky to have such an array of accomplished women from so many different corners of the state. From Texarkana to Bentonville, from Greenbrier to Crossett — and even from Little Rock to that honorary exclave, Branson, Missouri — AY’s “Intriguing Women” can be found all over. That is not even to mention the mix of chosen hometowns and deep Arkansas roots, ranging from sixth-generation residents to those who happily made the Natural State home from the likes of Tennessee, Michigan, and as far afield as Nicaragua and Brazil. Industries and professional pursuits likewise run the gamut with this lot. There are saleswomen and wealth managers, medical professionals and makeup artists, nonprofit leaders and advocates — in both the social and legal senses — along with small-business owners, marketers, restaurateurs and retirees staying more than busy. Do not think these women are content to keep their ambitions confined to the office, the courthouse or the sales floor from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., either. They can frequently be seen out in their communities, pushing for positive change, whether sitting on boards and councils or donating their time, money, energy and voices to all manner of causes. There are a multitude of interesting stories in the pages that follow and plenty more we did not have the space to tell — this time. There are journeys that started elsewhere and paths that took serious detours both figuratively and literally. Some women are putting the finish-
ing flourishes on careers well spent, and some are just getting started or even starting over. There are grandmothers and new mothers, daughters, wives, partners and sisters, all hard at work to make their next chapter even better than the last. As a woman-founded and woman-led company, AY Media Group knows firsthand the power of female leadership. We hope this year’s class of “Intriguing Women” serves as yet another prime example of just how much women can accomplish, whether they are building companies, bettering their communities, raising families or simply raising the bar for everyone who comes after. At the heart of this year’s class — just like at the heart of every issue of AY About You — is a tangible sense of pride and passion in their work, in their lives and in everything that makes Arkansas special to them. The feeling, we think, is mutual. Over the summer, the world and the South lost one of its preeminent standard-bearers of the “Intriguing Woman” label to be found anywhere. If this group is any indication, however, her example is in safe hands: “You can wish your life away, but if you’re going to dream, you’re going to have to get out, and, like I always say, you have to put some wings on them dreams, and some feet and fingers and some hands. They’ve got to get into some stuff. You can’t just sit around and think of all the things you want to do. You’ve got to think of what you want to do, and then you’ve got to get out and make that happen.” — Dolly Parton Here’s to the 2026 class of AY’s “Intriguing Women” and to all the women out there “making it happen.”
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“You can wish your life away, but if you’re going to dream, you’re going to have to get out, and, like I always say, you have to put some wings on them dreams, and some feet and fingers and some hands. They’ve got to get into some stuff. You can’t just sit around and think of all the things you want to do. You’ve got to think of what you want to do, and then you’ve got to get out and make that happen.” — Dolly Parton
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Abbott CEO, FOUNDER claimSTAT Medical “I feel like the best version of myself when I’m building something, solving a difficult problem or helping someone else succeed,” said Bethany Abbott, CEO and founder of claimSTAT Medical. “I feel most like myself when I’m doing something that has purpose.” Consider those boxes checked — but do not get the impression that Abbott has any plans of slowing down. Her company was born from her experiences working in the health insurance industry and learning the system from the inside out. By bridging the gap between dental providers and medical insurance billing, Abbott and her team have helped providers nationwide maximize reimbursements, improve operational efficiency and focus on patient care rather than administrative hurdles. “People sometimes think medical billing is simply submitting claims and collecting money,” Abbott said. “It is so much more complicated than that. What we do requires clinical understanding, coding expertise, knowledge of insurance policy and regulations, persistence, and the ability to understand how an insurance company thinks.” A scalable, sustainable billing model for dental providers such as claimSTAT’s was long sought after but believed impossible by many in the industry. Distinguishing Abbott, however, is a higher tolerance for complexity than most. When things get tricky and threaten to stay that way, Abbott leans in for understanding where others might back out from fear. A penchant for digging her heels in has been all but required as Abbott and her team work to make a real impact in the lives of providers and patients. “There have been so many moments in business that, if I wrote them into a television script, people would say they were unrealistic,” Abbott said. “Healthcare and insurance have a way of producing situations where you simultaneously want to laugh, cry and ask, ‘Is this actually happening?’” Crucial to Abbott’s professional journey has been the deeply held belief that one can
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build a successful business without losing one’s humanity in the process. Abbott said she is incredibly competitive, but she is also not interested in winning at another’s expense. “I’m passionate about helping people, standing up for small businesses and creating opportunities, especially for women who may not always have someone in their corner,” she said. Naturally, there have been seasons where Abbott said she “honestly didn’t know how everything was going to work out.” When the going gets tough, she makes it through by returning time and again to the basics of hard work and consistency: She puts her head down, focuses on what she can control, keeps moving and refuses to quit. More important than knowing how one is going to get to the other side of a situation is just being willing to take the next step. “I’ve had moments when I wondered whether I was completely out of my mind, but I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about never falling down,” Abbott said. “It’s about deciding you’re getting back up every single time. I’m still building, I’m still learning, and I’m still figuring it out, but I know exactly who I’m building it all for.” While that “who” certainly includes people whose trajectories have been changed for the better through Abbott’s groundbreaking work, her greatest accomplishments have nothing to do with business, she said. Having a child changed the way she thinks about everything from success to sacrifice, and she said she is “incredibly grateful” for the life she and her husband, Todd, have created together with their son, Mason. “They are my home no matter where we are,” Abbott said. “As long as I have those two, I truly believe I would be happy no matter where life took us or what I was doing. Everything else — the business, the challenges, the successes — is important, but it’s secondary to having the people I love most beside me.”
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At some point, you have to decide whether you’re going to keep talking yourself out of what you want or actually go after it.
Laura
Abbott FOUNDER Victims’ Rights Arkansas One’s calling as an educator is never truly over, and Laura Abbott called the decision to dedicate her life to education the best one she ever made. Though now retired from the profession in which she initially set out, the former Arkansas Health Educator of the Year has seen her talent for teaching called upon in entirely new ways — ways that have proven transformative for victims of crime across the Natural State and the region. “Connecting people, ideas and resources comes naturally to me,” Abbott said. “I can identify gaps, see possibilities, and translate complex information into practical language that people can understand and use.” Leaning on her faith following a near-fatal incident of domestic violence in 2012, Abbott has become a fierce advocate for the victims’ rights movement, urging policy changes and working to consolidate resources for survivors and their loved ones. In addition to founding Victims’ Rights Arkansas, Abbott’s work with state stakeholders resulted in the creation of Laura’s Card, Arkansas’ Victims’ Rights Card, which informs domestic violence survivors of their rights and available resources. More than 200,000 cards have been distributed since 2015 thanks to the dedication of law enforcement, prosecutors, victim advocates, healthcare professionals, community organizations and survivors who have shared them with others. “Others might be surprised to learn that my victims’ rights advocacy began with a single email to members of the Arkansas General Assembly,” Abbott said. “That one step grew into years of education, advocacy and statewide service.” The ripple effect of that “one step” can hardly be overstated. To date, Victims’ Rights Arkansas has created or been a part of more than 10 pieces of victims’ rights legislation. The group’s statewide educational efforts have also helped increase public understanding of victims’ rights and resources, in addition to how Arkansas’ protections compare with those of its neighbors. Statewide initiatives, meanwhile, have equipped communities with practical knowledge about
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enforceable victims’ rights, successful practices in other states, and a number of other topics, such as resilience, healthy relationships, trauma and suicide prevention. Abbott’s efforts have likewise been recognized at the national level. The creation of Laura’s Card earned her the 2019 Volunteer for Victims Award from the United States Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime. In 2024, Abbott also received the John W. Gillis Leadership Award from the National Organization of Parents Of Murdered Children. Having turned her own story of survivorship into a platform from which to push for change, Abbott hopes to continue solidifying the support infrastructure available to victims of crime throughout the state. At the top of her bucket list, she said, is to help create — and earn the opportunity to serve in — a professional role dedicated to statewide victims’ rights education and training. Through such a role, she would be afforded the chance to effect even more lasting, systemic change for Arkansas victims and survivors. “Because I willingly volunteer and share ideas, people may not always recognize the professional value behind my work,” Abbott said. “My education, victims’ rights training and lived experience bring a valuable perspective that combines subject-matter knowledge with an understanding of what victims need.” At its core, Abbott called Victims’ Rights Arkansas an act of love. Everyone involved in the grassroots movement’s continued success works tirelessly in the service of survivors because they believe in the power and purpose of victims’ rights and of “turning pain into purpose,” Abbott said. Her personal journey has only reinforced what she said she has always believed as an educator — that knowledge, support and compassionate communities can change lives. “Support should not end when a case closes,” Abbott said. “Healing is a lifelong journey, and we want people to know they are not alone at any stage of the process.”
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Serving others is the most underrated secret ingredient to success.
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Stay curious, and never assume you are finished becoming.
Leslie Abbott
Boone
VICTIMS’ RIGHTS AMBASSADOR Victims’ Rights Arkansas If Leslie Abbott Boone’s story had a tagline, it might just be, “Bloom where you are planted.” While the places she has been “planted” have spanned the country and the globe, Boone has always sought ways to be of service to others. After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway with degrees in occupational therapy and psychology, Boone worked as a certified hand therapist and rehabilitation manager, in addition to volunteering at every post to which her husband’s Air Force career took her. She was even honored as the wing-level Joan Orr Spouse of the Year by the Air Force Association. “Military life had me hosting children’s Christmas parties and volunteering with the Red Cross at the Navy hospital in Guam, and my Daughters of the American Revolution chapter sent handmade scarves to unhoused people we served in Hungary,” Boone said. “I served communities in the USA and Europe at domestic violence shelters, safe homes for children, adult centers, homeless shelters and family support in the military as a key spouse.” Some of Boone’s heart for advocacy was born of tragic circumstances. She and her siblings grew up in the shadow of their grandparents’ Christmas Day homicides, she said, an incident that gave her an early, firsthand understanding of just how profoundly crime can affect a family for generations. That moment shaped her commitment to victims’ rights and supporting others — a commitment that would only be further cemented when her twin sister, Victims’ Rights Arkansas Founder Laura Abbott, was nearly killed by domestic violence in 2012. “When my twin sister, Laura, was attacked, I told my husband I felt something was happening to her,” Boone said. “She was being attacked at that very time. We made it through with God, our family, and too many wonderful people to count who helped and surrounded us.” In addition to working with Victims’ Rights
Arkansas and supporting the military and veteran communities, Boone has volunteered with the advocacy group Parents of Murdered Children at both the national and local levels. She serves as vice president of the organization’s national board of trustees, and she was honored as the central Arkansas chapter’s volunteer of the year in 2019. Leaning upon professional connections within the world of hand therapists to further her victims’ rights advocacy, Boone will also present at this year’s meeting of the American Society of Hand Therapists. In these and every endeavor, Boone works to ensure as many people as possible learn about enforceable victims’ rights and the resources available to protect survivors and their loved ones. “I believe educating people about victims’ rights and resources helps protect families and keeps our state and nation strong,” she said. “One misconception about victims’ rights is that strengthening them somehow takes rights away from defendants. It does not. I believe victims should have constitutional standing within our justice system, just as those accused do.” Boone said she is proud to have helped develop numerous pieces of legislation, including one restricting certain high-risk registered sex offenders from purchasing, owning or operating drones. That penchant for positive changemaking might also run further back in the family than Boone and her sister, she said, since their great-grandfather was a state legislator in Kentucky. Even outside of the political and professional spheres, though, Boone has seemingly always been one to set goals and see them through — take, for example, her path to meeting husband Keith. “At 16, I wrote in my Bible and asked God for a great husband,” Boone said. “Later, I met a Fightin’ Texas Aggie at Murray Park who was flying at the Little Rock Air Force Base. Three weeks later, we were engaged. This December, we celebrate 37 years of marriage.”
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Vanessa Cash
Adams
FOUNDING ATTORNEY Law Office of Vanessa Cash Adams In building a career around helping others succeed against the odds, Vanessa Cash Adams has learned her own fair share of lessons about what it takes to stand tall in the face of obstacles. Adams has practiced consumer and business bankruptcy law for nearly two decades following her graduation from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, in addition to becoming a sought-after speaker and leader within her ever-evolving legal specialty. “It’s so cliche but true — the most rewarding part of my work is helping people and businesses navigate the complexities of bankruptcy law during one of the most difficult times and finding the pathway that works best to achieve a new start,” Adams said. After honing her skills as a lawyer and managing attorney at other practices, Adams struck out on her own to open The Law Office of Vanessa Cash Adams in Little Rock. The decision to build an independent practice from the ground up was the best she ever made, she said, and it was the culmination of another lesson learned: “to not let others make me smaller.” “The women in my life taught me that my willingness to speak up will be viewed as threatening in systems that depend on silence,” Adams said. “Sometimes your growth can make others uncomfortable.” Leaning into her own growth has allowed Adams to help even more individuals, families and businesses navigate the hurdles of financial hardship. Whether it be bankruptcy, divorce, the death of a loved one or property disputes, Adams has built her reputation on giving clients the tools they need to escape the cycle of debt and better their situations. “Knowing how to talk to people, how to get out of your own head and listen is a big part of this job,” she said. “You’ve got to sift through the person or the family or the business or the farm and navigate a whole web of information.
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While you’re doing that, you also have to be a person that the client can connect with.” In addition to building her own team of talented bankruptcy professionals, Adams invests in the future of the legal profession outside of her office, as well. She is past president of the Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers and the debtor-creditor division of the Arkansas Bar Association, having served on the A AWL board and a number of committees over the years. She works to model the traits it will take the next generation of legal standouts to succeed, whether in bankruptcy law or another area. “Don’t try to limit yourself,” she said. “The more you learn, the better equipped you’ll be to handle things in the future.” In the wider community, Adams is passionate about helping low-income Arkansans through such organizations as Arkansas Access to Justice and the 20th Century Club of Little Rock. She is a committee member and volunteer for the 20th Century Club’s Hope Away From Home Lodge, which provides no-cost housing to cancer patients in financial distress. “Cancer affects so many lives in Arkansas, which already struggles with rising medical and living costs,” Adams said. “Volunteering with the 20th Century Club is one way I try to help others in Arkansas who are not only fighting cancer but are also in financial need.” Adams’ love for Arkansas and its people is as real as they come. She called the Natural State “truly a hidden gem within our nation,” adding, “Arkansans are some of the most gracious and kind people.” Determined to make as much of an impact as she can for the people of her home state, Adams has found herself led by the desire to answer one key question by the time she reaches the end of her career: “Did you stay true to yourself, and did you help others?”
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You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.
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You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Whitney
Adkins OWNER Beauty Zone Born and raised in Danville, Whitney Adkins has a deep love for her community and is proud to give back to the River Valley as a beauty industry leader and small-business owner. There is no place like home, as the saying goes, but that is perhaps all the more true in one of the Natural State’s more hidden-gem locales. One of Adkins’ favorite aspects of living in Russellville now, she said, is its proximity to beautiful scenery on just about every side. “Russellville is surrounded by mountains,” Adkins said. “You can be on top of a mountain in 30 minutes.” Still, it is the people who give a place its character and life, and Adkins has made a career out of connecting with the many individuals who make Russellville such a special community in which to live and work. Serving as both an approachable full-service salon and top-of-theline beauty professional supply store, Beauty Zone is nestled on Arkansas Avenue between Main Street and Arkansas Tech University and moved down the road into newly revamped and renovated digs earlier this year. The life and full calendar of a business owner is not for the faint of heart, as evidenced by Adkins’ advice for anyone walking in her shoes for a day. “Grab an energy drink,” she said. “You will need it.” Even with the stylish new setting, a few things have not changed — the quality of products Beauty Zone uses and sells; the high caliber of services its talented team of stylists provides; and its commitment to improving the lives of friends, neighbors and its Russellville family. Even the signage out front speaks to that dedication, with a recent back-to-school haircut special touting, “We love our community,” in all caps to passersby. That approach on the business side reflects a deeper responsibility Adkins feels to those around her, whether in her personal
or professional pursuits. Giving her all to everything she sets out to accomplish, Adkins looks up to those with a similar willingness to put in the work day after day. A strong work ethic immediately makes her think more highly of someone, she said, and she admires other women who juggle raising children, full-time jobs and running their households, all while “still showing up for others.” Adkins enjoyed another foundational character model in her father, who she called her childhood hero. A former football coach, teacher and principal, Adkins said he was widely admired and looked up to across all three roles. “Everyone adored him and respected him,” she said. “I don’t think, [even] to this day, anyone has ever been mad at him.” Challenging circumstances elsewhere in life have also shaped Adkins’ view of the world and her place in it. A handful of years ago, just a few weeks after becoming the new owner of Beauty Zone, Adkins was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Finding out she had cancer was the hardest time in her life, Adkins said, and she relied heavily on “faith, family and friends” to persevere. Being a cancer survivor has colored her perspective in new ways, serving as a profound reminder of just how fragile life is. “Be present,” Adkins said. “Time is a thief.” Out of that chapter also came a defining strength, one that has seen Adkins redouble her commitments to her business and family even in the face of obstacles. Life is not all work and no play for Adkins, however. She finds time to enjoy everything else her home state has to offer, as well, such as visiting her favorite restaurant in her favorite Arkansas getaway, The Ohio Club in Hot Springs. Nevertheless, it is her beloved home region that takes top billing at the end of the day. “Most of the time, I would rather stay home,” Adkins said.
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Patricia Rose
Carlton
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER (RETIRED); STAY-AT-HOME MOTHER; GRANDMOTHER “My sixth-grade teacher, Mrs. Bridgers, told me I was conscientious, and I’ve been inspired by her comment my whole life.” Conscientious comes from the Latin conscientia, a sense of right or moral sense. For Patricia Rose Carlton, the pursuit of doing what is right, of holding oneself and others to high standards and carrying out one’s duties with aplomb, has been the through line of her journey both personally and professionally. It was also a virtue instilled in Carlton from her earliest years. “I stand on the shoulders of my mother and daddy, Louise and Melvin Rose,” she said. “Their values have been my road map.” Born in Hot Springs and raised in North Little Rock, Carlton attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville until the middle of her junior year, when she married her husband, Bill, and transferred to Baylor University in Texas. Though a career in veterinary medicine initially interested her, Carlton was kept from going that direction by the discipline that has long posed obstacles to many an animal lover thinking of a similar path — chemistry. She graduated in 1971 with her bachelor’s degree in English and elementary education, and she worked as an elementary school teacher until the birth of her and Bill’s first child. Now residing in Little Rock, volunteering and service to her community have long been cornerstones of Carlton’s life. She has dedicated herself to a number of worthy causes big and small throughout the years, from the Junior League of North Little Rock to her own children’s parent-teacher associations. In 2017, Carlton was honored as Champion of the Year by Alzheimer’s Arkansas, and the same year saw both her and Bill named Baylor University Alumni of the Year. Particularly close to Carlton’s heart are organizations such as Easterseals Arkansas and Baptist Health — especially the school of nursing at Baptist Health College in Little
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Rock, she said, for its assistance to families navigating the special needs and health issues of their loved ones. Carlton’s latest interest, meanwhile, has seen her turn an eye toward the performing arts thanks, in part, to a special family connection. “My new interest is Stage 13 [in Little Rock], a nonprofit organization focused on professional training, theater and comprehensive arts education,” Carlton said. “My grandson, Collin, has benefited from this group significantly. He is now at Oklahoma City University, studying theater.” Even in the face of tragedy and grief, Carlton has turned her pain into a conduit through which to help others. The hardest time in her life, she said, was the untimely passing of her son, John, after he struggled with bipolar disorder and alcoholism. “Through God’s grace and Christian counseling, I have become a safe place for other women who are experiencing this kind of grief,” she said. Indeed, Carlton’s faith is an anchor in her life and a platform from which she can encourage and support those around her. The experience that has had far and away the biggest influence on her worldview, she said, was her “surrender to Jesus Christ,” and she considers her service in church to be among her most impactful contributions. “Some of the most important and meaningful work I have done during my life is to be a discussion leader in women’s Bible studies,” she said. Carlton has continued to lean on that source of strength following the death of her husband. Taking inspiration from the Dutch Catholic priest, psychologist and influential spiritual thinker and writer Henri Nouwen, Carlton said she has taken hope in Nouwen’s encouragement, “Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”
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Kindness is what immediately makes me think more highly of someone.
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Give everything you do your best, go the extra mile, and, most importantly, enjoy it.
Carla Faulkner
Covington SOCIALITE, PHILANTHROPIST
If the term “joie de vivre” had an ambassador or leading board member, it might just be North Little Rock’s own Carla Faulkner Covington. In professional and personal pursuits alike, Covington has always been motivated by a genuine curiosity about the world around her and a vested interest in the people within it — especially in Arkansas. “I love the people in the Natural State,” she said. “I love their honesty and humble, kind souls. I also love the physical beauty of the state. We truly have everything.” Working at an architectural firm during her early professional years, to name just one example, left Covington with a fascination for the work of designing buildings and the creative minds behind the process. In retirement, meanwhile, travel is her great passion, and she seeks out new experiences wherever she can. “My mother always told me to travel the world while I can because, one day, I won’t be able to anymore,” Covington said. “New experiences are priceless.” Covington is also an avid collector of modern art, she said, especially paintings and sculptures. She has a deep appreciation for music, as well, and dreamed of being a singer as a child. She took private vocal lessons growing up and was an enthusiastic choir member, saying, “I am a second soprano and sing in my chest voice,” for those curious. Given the opportunity to meet a historic figure for dinner, Covington wasted no time pointing to another musical inspiration of hers: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. “I have always been extremely impressed with his genius mind as a young child,” she said. “He began playing the keyboard and violin at age 3. He then started composing his own simple pieces at the young age of 5. This genius has always been one of the most impressive people in history.”
For the fun-seeking, people-loving Covington, however, life has not been without its trials. “I am more than laughs,” she said. “People don’t realize that there’s a depth inside of me that they don’t see.” Covington’s world was transformed on Labor Day 2012, when a routine trip to the tanning salon triggered a near-fatal stroke. She was rushed to the hospital, where “incredible doctors” pulled her through, she said. After a few days, she returned home to start her long recovery. “I have always been strong, and I was determined to get my brain and body back,” Covington said. “I relearned how to read — a slow, frustrating task. Walking and working out felt foreign. I tried to return to work the following week and found I could no longer understand things the way I used to. In an instant, my life and career had changed forever.” More than a decade later, the incident serves as a constant reminder to Covington to focus on those values that matter most to her, such as kindness, adventure, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. The best moments in her life have been the opportunity to give life to her children and share love with them, she said, adding, “They have my whole heart.” “They bring a beautiful light into this world, and I will always be very proud of them,” she said. Slowing down is the last thing on Covington’s mind, and she continues to look for new ways to make an impact on her community. Last year, she was named to the board of the Hot Springs chapter of the Christian Women in Media Association. For Covington, faith underpins everything, and she often finds herself remembering the words of the biblical book of Esther, “For such a time as this.” “Life is fragile, so make every moment count,” Covington said. “Trust in God, love your family with all your heart and cherish each day.”
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We are called to develop our gifts and pair them with love.
Karen
Hite
FOUNDER Hite Digital, Scale With Stability Karen Hite got where she is in life by trusting her gut and trusting God. Born and raised in Nicaragua, Hite came to Arkansas after receiving a Walton Scholarship from Harding University in Searcy. Applying for the scholarship, she said, was “the first step of faith into a new life adventure.” “I remember talking with God and saying, ‘If I’m not going to get it, don’t let me even go through the first interview,’” she said. “When I was called for the first interview, I knew I had gotten it.” After graduation, Hite returned to Nicaragua, where she crossed paths with her future husband, JC Hite, another Harding alum interested in starting a business there. The pair were quickly engaged and married before diving headfirst into a startup venture teaching English virtually. “The only problem was that neither of us was a teacher, and we had never run a business before,” Hite said. Every obstacle is a chance to learn, however, and the couple “failed forward” into their next adventure, Hite said. She spent three years learning as much as she could at a digital marketing agency before getting pregnant, at which point she and her husband decided to start their own business. “We started from scratch from a spare bedroom with no real clarity other than just being able to afford the delivery of our first born,” she said. A leap of faith paid off yet again. Over the years, the couple has experimented with multiple business models and businesses — including scaling a franchise to 27 locations across the U.S. in just two years — earned a place on the Inc. 5000 three years in a row, and, at one point, managed a team of 200 people. Those experiences taught them something bigger than how to grow a business: Growth alone is not the goal. Today, the Hites use the lessons from building, scaling, succeeding, failing forward and evolving businesses to help other entrepreneurs scale with stability, growing their companies without
forsaking their faith, family, health or the things that matter most. Hite’s professional and personal journeys have taught her the importance of listening to her intuition, she said, as well as honing her spiritual gifts and putting people first. Hite has spent much time contemplating her unique talents, even creating an assessment this year to help reflect on her spiritual calling, which turned out to be discernment. “When I learned that, I was not surprised, but it was like I had finally figured out my purpose,” she said. “I often thought discernment was me overthinking things, reading too much into people, when, in reality, it is a gift God has granted me. I feel called to share this with more people and created this assessment to be available for everyone at whatsmygift.com.” In addition to her bedrock of faith, Hite attributes many of the values she holds most dear to her Nicaraguan roots. She and her husband now reside in Searcy, and Hite said living in the United States while carrying the lessons of her Latin American upbringing has had a profound impact on her worldview. “My experience between these two cultures has taught me to value ambition and opportunity without losing the importance of family, faith and belonging,” she said. “I’ve learned that one of life’s greatest opportunities is not simply to build individual success but to create a life where people feel supported, connected and responsible for one another.” The slower pace and tight-knit community in Searcy has been ideal for the Hites, she said, and they enjoy the small-town feeling while still being part of a growing area. “You really need a community around you,” Hite said. “We are not meant to do life alone and act as if we have it all together. The sooner we remember this, the sooner we can raise our hand and ask for help. There’s always another person out there ready to help.”
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Everyone is going to judge you no matter what, so you should just live your life to the fullest.
Abigail
Lamprecht EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS MANAGER Garrett Excavating Sometimes the most fruitful paths are those a person least expects to take. That has been the case for Abigail Lamprecht, who attributed her success to always having faith in God’s plan, even when it looked nothing like what she had set out for herself. Though she grew up in landlocked Stillwater, Oklahoma, Lamprecht’s childhood dream was to work with killer whales as a marine biologist. That did not turn out to be in the cards but a love for animals remained, and she went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree in animal science with a focus on business from Oklahoma State University. “Some of the best opportunities, relationships and seasons of my life came from doors I never expected to open,” Lamprecht said. One of those doors led her to the team at Garrett Excavating in northwest Arkansas, which Lamprecht joined in 2022 after moving to the region a year earlier. As with many Natural State transplants, Lamprecht has found no shortage of enjoyment in its outdoor offerings, calling “the nature” her favorite part of living in Arkansas. “Want to backpack? Eagle Rock Loop. Want to scuba dive? Beaver Lake Dive Park. Want to kayak? Buffalo River,” she said. At Garrett Excavating, an earthmoving and construction company, Lamprecht initially served as marketing manager before becoming executive operations manager last year. Garrett Excavating has worked on everything from hospitals and roads to apartment complexes and subdivisions since 1950, and it stands as one of the preeminent earthwork companies in the Natural State. With more than enough hurdles to clear in the construction and excavation industries, Lamprecht has found herself right at home in the “fixer” role. Something that she finds easier than most, she said, is “turning chaos into a plan.”
“Give me a lot of moving pieces, a problem to solve and probably a spreadsheet, and I’m in my element,” she said. Lamprecht’s winning combination of flexibility and diligence, especially in the face of obstacles, was instilled in her early on by her parents. Her mother was her childhood hero, she said, because she taught the young Lamprecht “to be tough enough to fall off my horse and get back up but soft enough to help birth a new calf.” Her father, meanwhile, told Lamprecht to always follow her dreams, but he also made sure she understood that, “Dreams don’t work unless you do.” Lamprecht’s secret ingredient to success, as a result, is a simple one but one that is often hard to find in the professional arena nonetheless: follow-through. “My dad taught me that there really isn’t a substitute for working hard,” Lamprecht said. “Talent and big ideas get a lot of attention, but being someone people can consistently trust to do what you said you would do will take you incredibly far.” Besides allowing her to flex her operational and leadership capabilities, Lamprecht’s time at Garrett Excavating has opened up even more of those unexpected doors, including a few in her personal life. The best decision Lamprecht ever made, she said, was making the first move to ask “the cute accountant” at work — her husband, Dylan Lamprecht, now chief financial officer at GarrettX — on a coffee date. In July, the couple celebrated the birth of their son, which Lamprecht called her proudest accomplishment. While having a young family brings pressures of its own, it can also serve as a constant reminder to slow down and enjoy life. Indeed, Lamprecht described her ideal end to a long day in just such terms: “Sitting on the back porch with my husband and newborn, soaking in the sunset while sharing a sweet treat.”
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Having peace does not come from outward rewards but from appreciating the small things in life.
Dr. Sarah
Lunsford OWNER, OPTOMETRIST Legacy Eyecare A fourth-generation optometrist, Dr. Sarah Lunsford set her sights early on of one day owning her own practice. Her family first got into the business through her great-great-grandfather Moses Franklin Denman, who opened a jewelry store in Stuttgart during the late 1800s. Back in those days, jewelers were also the ones who would fit glasses. Next, Denman’s sons Floyd and Morgan carried on the business. Floyd took over the jewelry operations, and Morgan became an optometrist in 1916. Lunsford opened Legacy Eyecare in 2025, naming it with a well-deserved amount of pride in her family history. She called opening the clinic her proudest accomplishment. “It was a dream in the making for probably 10 years before everything fell into place,” Lunsford said. “God’s timing is perfect, and he set it up for success in a way I could have never imagined.” The practice also doubles as a kind of museum, showcasing her grandfather’s old appointment book from the 1950s, antique eyeglasses and diplomas from generations of family members. Even the logo pays homage to the optometry business’ early origins in jewelry work — not to mention a nod to the “Diamond State” and Lunsford’s deep Arkansas roots — by featuring a diamond in the middle of an eye. “Those things remind me that what I’m doing today is part of a story that started long before me,” Lunsford said. Regardless of one’s specialty, most any medical professional running a clinic can attest to what a feat it is to wear so many hats. In the span of a single day, Lunsford said she may be a doctor, business owner, employer, problem solver, counselor and community volunteer. Still, there is no substitute for pursuing one’s dream career, and Lunsford knew she had found her match from the start. “I feel like the best version of myself when I am taking care of my patients,” she said. “When
I first got to the clinical side in optometry school, I would find myself grinning from ear to ear while driving home.” Certainly, the grueling hours one must put into optometry school were a form of preparation for the all-gas-no-brakes pace medical care can sometimes require. It was working in a variety of practice settings, however, that had the most profound impact on the kind of doctor and practice owner Lunsford said she wanted to be. “Opening Legacy Eyecare was a leap of faith, but it brought together my experience, my love for patient care, my family’s history in optometry and my desire to serve the community where I live,” she said. Community service is very close to Lunsford’s heart, and indeed, she said she wished more people took an interest in improving the places closest to home. There are plenty of projects addressing practical needs ready to be taken up by willing individuals; Lunsford said participating in The Lions Club has shown her how even the smallest acts can make a very real impact in someone’s life. “I wish more people realized you don’t have to do something enormous to make a difference,” she said. Equally important to Lunsford is making quality eye care accessible to more people. She was the first optometrist to staff a school-based health clinic in Arkansas, serving the Bryant school district and paving the way for similar programs at other schools. Lunsford is also the first eye care provider to serve the community of East End, where she and her husband have lived for the past 15 years. “We love living in East End because you get the small-town feel but are still conveniently located next to Little Rock and surrounding areas,” she said. “I always say Arkansas itself is like a small town — you can almost always find a connection with someone new you meet.”
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Jamie
Newton K-12 SENIOR COMMODITY DIRECTOR Pilgrim’s Pride INFANTRY OFFICER, COMPANY COMMANDER Bravo Company 2-153rd Battalion 39th Infantry Brigade, Arkansas Army National Guard
Jamie Newton is still writing her story, but the life she has lived thus far could fill multiple volumes. Between her civilian and military roles, Newton described her path as one of “hard work, persistence, taking chances and learning from every season of life.” “I’m proud of where I am, but I’m even more excited about where I’m going,” Newton said. “I don’t feel like I’ve reached the destination. I feel like I’m still building the story.” One of the most transformative chapters in her life so far has been her service with the Arkansas Army National Guard, which taught her she is capable of far more than she sometimes thinks. As Arkansas’ first female infantry officer, suffice it to say Newton knows a thing or two about raising the bar for herself and others. “My military career has shaped me in ways that have carried over into every part of my life,” Newton said. “Being trusted with the responsibility of leading soldiers has challenged me, humbled me, and made me a better leader both professionally and personally.” Newton said she is most proud of her time as an infantry company commander at the Joint Readiness Training Center, where she led a company of 177 soldiers, including more than 50 Guatemalans, as part of the Arkansas National Guard’s state partnership program with that country. “What makes me most proud isn’t simply the number of people I led or the mission Bravo Company accomplished,” Newton said. “It’s knowing that I was given the opportunity to lead, develop and bring together soldiers from different backgrounds toward a common goal. The experience is something I will carry with me for the rest of my career and my life.”
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Newton’s journey has also been one of learning to balance priorities across the different spheres of her life. A mentor once told her, “You don’t have to do everything, and you don’t have to do it perfectly the first time,” and Newton said she tries to live by that maxim. “For a long time, I thought being strong meant being able to handle everything myself,” she said. “As I have gotten older, I’ve realized that strength also means knowing when to ask for help, when to let something be ‘good enough’ and when to give yourself some grace. You can be ambitious without constantly running yourself into the ground.” To recharge, Newton turns to running and spending time with her family. She loves having the ability “to go and do” around the Natural State, whether that means hiking, kayaking, camping or other activities, and she said she aspires to run a 100-mile race before the end of the year. While she prides herself on her resilience and ability to face hard tasks head-on, Newton also said there is much more to her than that. “I don’t want my strength to be mistaken for not having feelings or not needing people,” she said. “If you had to walk in my shoes for a day, my advice would be simple: Be strong, but don’t forget to be human.” As she prepares for stories still yet to be written, Newton can look back with pride on the life she has built, the people she has led and, most importantly, the people she calls family. At the end of the day, Newton said, she wants those around her to know “that they matter, that they are loved and that I will always show up for the people I care about.” “I may not have it all figured out, but I will always keep moving forward, and I’ll take my people with me,” she said.
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Being strong doesn’t mean you never struggle; it means you keep showing up, even when things aren’t easy.
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Take the high road, learn from every challenge, and trust God with the rest.
Therese Brooke
Piazza
SALES REPRESENTATIVE Capital Vacations Therese Brooke Piazza learned the value of hard work very early on. She got her first taste of customer service in kindergarten, when she waited on customers and learned to make change at her parents’ business, Piazza’s Shoes. At 11 years old, she had a paper route, and on Saturdays, she made extra money mowing lawns. From a young age, Piazza said, she was taught responsibility, accountability and the timeless principle that, “If you work hard, you get rewarded.” “My parents also instilled in me to tithe 10 percent of what I earned and give offerings,” she said. “I learned God would honor your giving and bless you for your obedience. Throughout my entire life, I found this to be true not only financially but also in many other ways.” Originally from North Little Rock, Piazza now resides in Branson, Missouri, where she continues to rely on her work ethic and grit to earn her success in the timeshare industry. Piazza has worked in timeshare for more than 25 years, and at Capital Vacations, she is part of a team “reimaging the travel experience” while supporting the long-term financial health of travel associations, she said. “We service more than 1 million travelers a year with hyperfocus on the owner, member and guest experience, as well as on the creation of long-term relationships,” Piazza said. “We are helping families travel, gather, smile and repeat, generation after generation.” Piazza, a self-described natural problem solver, said she tends to see challenges as opportunities rather than reasons to quit. That resilience was also, in some ways, born of lessons Piazza learned in childhood, both positive and negative. Bullied in school, Piazza said that at first, she did not understand how people could be so cruel, but the difficult experience also changed her in ways she could not appreciate until later.
Finding a new strength in the ensuing years, Piazza said she began to write her goals down and imagined a new future for herself. “I remember thinking that I wanted to be successful, and that thought gave me hope,” she said. “I became determined to rise above what had happened to me and not allow other people’s cruelty to determine who I would become.” Though hard-earned, the ability to persevere has served Piazza well in other chapters of her life. As a single new mother after the birth of her daughter, for example, she felt alone, scared and overwhelmed, and there were moments when she did not know how she was going to get through. She learned to take life one day at a time, she said, and the experience made her stronger, more compassionate and more appreciative of the blessings in her life. “Looking back, what felt like one of the hardest seasons of my life became one of the greatest gifts I could have ever received,” Piazza said. Having faced challenges, learned from mistakes and pushed forward at every turn, Piazza said she is most proud that she has never allowed setbacks to define her. She continues to grow, take responsibility and work to become a better version of herself with the opportunity each new day brings. Perhaps thanks to her chosen profession, Piazza is keenly aware that “at the end of your life, all you have is relationships and memories” — an understanding that drives her to enjoy the journey and build a life on more than mere possessions. “I want to love people well, stay true to my faith and values, and make a difference,” she said. “When I look back on my life, I want to know that I didn’t just exist or accumulate things; I loved deeply, lived courageously, served others and used my life for something bigger than myself.”
Debbie
Shamlin CO-OWNER C&C Tree Service AGENT Mid South Realty There are skills that prepare one for a certain career, and then there are those that prepare one for any career. Being a strong communicator has served Debbie Shamlin well across pursuits in healthcare, small-business ownership and real estate. A track record of having the right words when they are needed most has made her a person others lean on in professional and personal settings alike. “I’m often asked to help compose heartfelt responses during difficult conversations or disagreements,” Shamlin said. “I have a knack for seeing both sides, calming the emotion, and putting feelings into words in a way that is honest but compassionate. I guess you could say my hidden talent is helping people say what’s in their heart when they can’t quite find the words themselves.” Shamlin worked as a registered nurse for more than 30 years before going into business alongside her husband, Chuck, and son, Chase — third- and fourth-generation timber industry professionals, respectively — at C&C Tree Service in Little Rock. Now juggling that role with her work as a real estate agent at Mid South Realty, Shamlin sees the items on her full to-do list as opportunities rather than obstacles. “Whether I was caring for someone as a nurse, guiding a family as a REALTOR® or simply helping someone with the trees in their yard, the purpose has always been the same,” she said, “to serve and help people wherever they are in life.” Shamlin said her heart is in helping those who are less fortunate, whether they are facing medical battles, homelessness, financial hardship or simply navigating life without a strong support system. She strives to be a provider of hope and encouragement physically, spiritually and emotionally, she said, and “to pour into those who may have never had anyone pour into them.”
“I truly believe God put me on this earth to help others,” Shamlin said. “He has simply changed the role in which I do it as I’ve grown through different seasons of my own life. Even the smallest act of compassion can remind someone that they are seen, valued and not alone.” Underlying Shamlin’s heart for service is her ability to not merely sympathize with the pain of others but empathize with them. Her own experiences fighting triple-negative breast cancer — during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, no less — fundamentally changed the way Shamlin sees life, she said. She faced chemotherapy and a double mastectomy in addition to having to constantly advocate for herself and her care. Throughout her journey, she also saw just how many people facing similar circumstances had no one to guide, advocate for or simply be present with them through such a difficult season. “It taught me the importance of being proactive in our own care and, whenever possible, being that source of strength for someone else,” Shamlin said. “Today, I see every day as a gift and a blessing, and even in the darkest circumstances, I choose to look for the light.” In a world increasingly characterized by its fast-paced, “need it yesterday” mentality, Shamlin’s focus on people — and on real, unhurried, personal connection — sets her apart. The value of that approach has been revealed to Shamlin through personal hardships and, in retrospect, the advice of other women and mentors in her life who went before: “Slow down and stop wishing life away.” “I spent so many years looking forward to the next stage only to realize how quickly those stages pass,” she said. “Love yourself where you are because you will never be as young as you are today. If I’ve learned anything, it’s to be present, embrace the season you’re in, and treasure the ordinary moments. Those often become the ones you miss the most.”
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It’s OK to be different. Don’t follow the herd.
Rhonda
Sylvester OWNER Coray Properties, Two Rays Productions AMBASSADOR Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Rhonda Sylvester is an entrepreneur through and through. Having watched both her parents carve their own paths as business owners — not to mention spending decades doing so herself — Sylvester would be hard-pressed to imagine her journey going any differently. “I don’t think I know how to be anything else,” Sylvester said. “I started my first business at 18 years old.” The Little Rock native has done enough and lived enough for two lifetimes. She is the owner of the real estate company Coray Properties and Two Rays Productions and has worked in such varied industries as fitness, retail, home remodeling and more. For Sylvester, who recently moved to Bentonville to be closer to her daughter, raking in profits long ceased to be her primary motivator. Rather, it is the challenge of creating something from nothing that keeps her coming back, even after 45 years. “At this stage of my life, I’m not looking to slow down,” she said. “I genuinely love working, creating and having something to be excited about. I’m curious about what’s next, open to possibilities and always looking for that next opportunity that makes me think, ‘I could build something amazing here.’” For Sylvester, business pursuits are but a part of a larger life dedicated to satisfying her innate curiosity about the world. An avid reader, Sylvester averages more than 120 books a year — historical fiction is her favorite — and devotes her spare time as an ambassador for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. Being diagnosed with the rare bile duct cancer in 2023 started Sylvester on “the biggest challenge of my life,” she said, but she also never had to take a single step alone. “Cancer taught me not to take a single day or a single person for granted,” Sylvester said. “It has deepened my appreciation for the people who have stood beside me and loved me though the hardest moments, and it has given
me an even greater desire to be there for others walking this same path.” Unsurprisingly, Sylvester does not define herself by her various professional successes. No matter what demands pop up during the course of any given day, Sylvester’s heart stays locked in on her family, including children Raygan Moore and Cody Styers. “Nothing compares to watching my two children grow from amazing little people into the incredible adults they are today,” Sylvester said. “Now I’m incredibly grateful that I get to watch them build lives of their own and still be a part of them.” Sylvester has also been positively impacted by the people she has met in her entrepreneurial journey, making special note of the 10-year period when she owned a central Arkansas studio later known as Diamond State Dance in North Little Rock. Every day there served as a lesson on the importance of group chemistry and mutual support, she said, and the relationships formed along the way still resonate. “Those friendships and connections remain incredibly close to my heart,” Sylvester said. “When I became sick, my dance studio family showed me what true love and community look like. Their kindness carried me through some very difficult days. I may have sold the studio, but I will always consider the people I met there part of my family.” In both her professional and personal lives, Sylvester has faced the unknown, and, on top of the support of family and friends, it has been her own determination that has been key in helping her overcome. Nearly three years after her diagnosis — and originally given two years to live — Sylvester said cancer has changed her perspective on life, but, “it hasn’t changed who I am.” “If anything, it has made me even more determined to keep moving forward, keep working, keep creating and make the most of whatever comes next,” she said.
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There’s something powerful about seeing a person choose kindness even when they’ve been treated unfairly.
Ana Cristina
Bridges
OWNER, PRINCIPAL BROKER AB Realty BROKER Unwind Luxury Vacations Growing up, Ana Cristina Bridges dreamed of becoming a teacher, and she made good on that ambition as an adult. After the birth of her children, however, she realized she wanted a career with more flexibility. The pursuit of work that fit her life, not the other way around, ultimately led Bridges to real estate. “Thanks to HGTV, Zillow and shows like Selling Sunset, a lot of people assume that being a real estate agent is glamorous and mostly consists of opening beautiful homes for buyers,” Bridges said. “The reality is very different.” Real estate agents wear a lot of hats — part marketer, problem solver and project coordinator — all the while being mindful of clients’ well-being through what can be an emotional process. The behind-the-scenes work that most people never see, Bridges said, is a big part of what makes her job so rewarding. Having one’s name on the business makes it all the more fulfilling. “I’m incredibly grateful for all of the brokerages I was a part of and everything I learned along the way,” she said. “Each one helped shape me into the agent and business owner I am today. Going out on my own and starting AB Realty has been such a blessing.” Bridges credited her multicultural upbringing for allowing her to connect with all kinds of people. Originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Bridges moved around with her family to six different countries due to her father’s government job. She came to Arkansas in 2003 for college. “These experiences have given me a unique perspective, helped me become more understanding of others and taught me to feel comfortable wherever life may take me,” she said. It is not just in her professional life that Bridges has seen dreams come true, however. Her proudest accomplishment in any area, she said, is her family, which includes husband Matt and their three children, Isabella, Antonio and Gabriel. “I always dreamed of having a big family, but for a while, we thought Isabella might be our only child,” Bridges said. “Then God blessed us with two boys, and our family became more than I could have ever hoped for.”
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Being willing to adapt and keep a positive attitude makes all the difference.
Samantha
Brown
MORTGAGE BANKER Sente Mortgage Samantha Brown’s jump into the world of mortgage banking started on a day like any other. Working at the time as a mortgage loan processor at a local bank, Brown was alone in the office when a couple walked in wanting to apply for a home loan. No mortgage originators were in the building at the time, but not wanting to turn the couple away, Brown instead stepped in. She took their loan application, pulled their credit history and had them prequalified for the loan before they walked out. A great moment in customer service, right? Well, not exactly. “My employer wasn’t exactly thrilled,” Brown said. Rather than getting a pat on the back, Brown instead received a reprimand. The reasoning from her superiors was straightforward — she did not have the proper credentials to prequalify borrowers. “My response was simple,” Brown said. “Get me the credentials.” Nobody questions Brown’s bona fides anymore. As a mortgage banker at Sente Mortgage in Cabot, Brown has not lost a bit of the can-do attitude she displayed the day she examined that first loan application. Along the way, Brown has crafted a personal philosophy of service integrated with kindness and empathy for everyone needing a hand with the loan process. “Sometimes friends or people I know personally are hesitant to pursue a home loan with me because they don’t want me to know their credit score,” Brown said. “A credit score is a number, not a reflection of someone’s character, intelligence or financial potential. I don’t label people by their score, and honestly, I probably won’t remember the score moments after I review it.” When not helping others find a path to their dream home, Brown relishes her connection to her family. With two young children at home “in the thick of recreational sports, school shenanigans and all the beautiful chaos that comes with it,” Brown enjoys spending her downtime with her husband, Matthew. “He’s my partner, my biggest supporter and the person I want beside me through all of life’s adventures,” Brown said.
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Don’t let someone else’s jealousy take away from your own accomplishments.
Kim
Clatworthy OWNER, CEO Elder Independence Home Care At just 10 years old, Kim Clatworthy told one of her aunts that she wanted to work in a nursing home. Watching her paternal grandmother move into a nursing home after living with Clatworthy’s family for many years — “In-home care did not exist then as we know it today,” she said — further solidified her commitment to serving older adults. “That experience shaped my belief that people deserve the opportunity to remain at home, surrounded by dignity, familiarity and love,” Clatworthy said. After many years in medical and pharmaceutical sales, a layoff prompted Clatworthy to reexamine her professional path. That led her to Elder Independence Home Care, which was founded by Mike Gross in 1999. Clatworthy worked alongside Gross before purchasing the company in 2014. “I realized that for the second half of my career, I wanted more than professional success; I wanted significance,” Clatworthy said. “[Buying the company] allowed me to combine my professional experience with a lifelong passion for helping older adults.” Much more than helping with daily tasks, in-home care is fundamentally about protecting the dignity and independence of older individuals, as well as supporting their loved ones through what can be difficult and emotional seasons of life. Clatworthy said her goal is to help families find the resources they need to minimize the stress that comes with caring for loved ones. “I am proud to have a career that brings together all the stepping stones of my life: medicine, sales, management and the years my grandmother lived with our family,” she said. “Each experience prepared me for work I genuinely feel called to do.” Clatworthy is also heavily involved in Alzheimer’s education and outreach and serves on the board of Alzheimer’s Arkansas. She has worked to improve hospice care quality and access, and she is an advocate for women and children escaping domestic abuse. “I feel like the best version of myself when I am serving others,” Clatworthy said. “That may mean helping a family through a difficult season, encouraging my team, building relationships in the community or simply being present for someone I love. Service brings together my faith, compassion, leadership and sense of purpose.”
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Work hard, love unconditionally, and meet people where they are.
Katie Beth
Evans
OWNER TheLuxuryLady.com, Salon J’adore Katie Beth Evans might be known to some as the stylist turned founder behind Salon J’adore, a west Little Rock luxury salon frequently lauded as best in class by customers. Evans, however, is an entrepreneur at heart, and she was never going to be content with just one successful business venture. Enter TheLuxuryLady.com, Evans’ online platform where customers can shop high-end, authentic handbags from brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Chanel. “My favorite hobby actually became my career,” Evans said. “My mom owned a children’s consignment event called Duck Duck Goose, so I grew up buying and reselling. As I got older, I realized I could use that same concept to afford the handbags of my dreams. Ten years later, that hobby has grown into TheLuxuryLady.com.” Introduced to hard work and salesmanship at a young age, Evans has always founded her professional pursuits on doing what she enjoys — and doing it well — rather than the money to be made. Her faith also informs her approach to business and life, whether leading the team of talented stylists or helping customers find that just-right high-end accessory. “I often come back to Colossians 3:23, which says to work wholeheartedly, as though you are working for the Lord,” Evans said. “I try to remember that it’s not just about what I’m doing; it’s how I’m doing it and remembering that, ultimately, I’m serving the Lord. My businesses are simply the vessels I’ve been given to live that out.” Business ownership is no easy calling, especially in the beauty and luxury industries. People often see the fashion and glamour of Evans’ work, she said, but, “They don’t always see the blood, sweat, tears and hard work that went into building it.” For Evans, the greatest reward has been watching years of dedication turn into thriving businesses, new opportunities and an incredible team of people who share her commitment to excellence. “Strive to do everything to the very best of your ability and with as much excellence as possible,” Evans said. “I believe consistently doing the little things well is what ultimately leads to big results.”
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There is a tremendous amount of work behind making something look effortless.
Sandra
Finley BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER First Service Bank Sandra Finley is a people person. She can walk into a room where she does not know anyone and still feel comfortable speaking to everyone — a trait that suited her well while she built her career as a real estate agent and executive broker. Having since moved to the banking side of real estate as a mortgage loan officer, Finley’s affinity for cultivating community is proving key yet again in her latest role as business development officer for First Service Bank. “People often think banking and business development are just transactional,” she said. “To me, they are really about building relationships, listening to people and understanding their needs.” In addition to making lasting connections at every turn, Finley said she has gotten this far in her professional journey by saying yes to opportunities and being willing to take chances. A natural gogetter, she is always looking forward to the next project, and her advice to anyone walking in her shoes for the day was to “be prepared to stay busy, talk a lot and live by sticky notes.” “I am a strong, independent woman who strives to be consistent in my character,” Finley said. “I don’t stop trying, and I continue working toward my goals, even when the path isn’t easy.” Still, Finley also understands the importance of slowing down and reconnecting with what is important, whether taking time to recharge at home or enjoying the natural beauty of Arkansas. “I have always loved being surrounded by nature,” she said. “I especially love hiking around the lakes and spending time outdoors.” Finley currently serves on the boards of the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce, where she is treasurer and secretary, and Accelerate Maumelle. She also serves on the Little Rock Air Force Base and Camp Joseph T. Robinson community councils, and she is an active member of her local Lions Club and various chamber committees. Among the causes closest to her heart, she said, are those involving young children, elementary schools and child advocacy centers. “I believe all children deserve the opportunity to feel safe, loved and happy,” Finley said.
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Keep going. You don’t have to have everything figured out.
Sydney O’Quin
Gilbert
MANAGING PARTNER, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Sagebridge Wealth Management
Sydney O’Quin Gilbert has empowered women to make confident financial decisions for more than two decades. A third-generation financial advisor, Gilbert joined her father, Roger Louis O’Quin, at the family business in 2005 and now serves as managing partner at Sagebridge Wealth Management in Little Rock. “Many people think financial advising is only about investments,” she said. “In reality, it’s about listening, understanding what matters most to people and helping them make confident decisions about their future.” While Gilbert said she continues to grow professionally and personally working alongside her father, it was her mother, Billie O’Quin, who was her childhood hero. Returning to school to become a teacher, O’Quin “reinvented her career” to become a dyslexia interventionist after Gilbert’s brother was diagnosed, and she even went on to earn her master’s degree in literacy in her 50s. “Her example taught me the value of lifelong learning, pursuing your passion and helping others,” Gilbert said. In addition to setting clients up for success through her work as a financial advisor, Gilbert also strives to make a positive difference outside of the office through volunteering. She is passionate about youth development and education, she said, and among her proudest accomplishments was leading Rotary District 6150, which serves central and northeast Arkansas, as district governor from 2023 to 2024. “Through Rotary and other volunteer efforts, I’ve seen how investing in young people can change lives and strengthen communities,” Gilbert said. Driven to make connections, build relationships and help others succeed, Gilbert feels at her best when she is able to use her time, talents and resources to the benefit of those around her, she said. She considers herself fortunate to spend her days helping families pursue their goals, serving her community through Rotary and sharing life with an incredible family. Her husband, Luke, is her “best friend and No. 1 cheerleader,” she said. “These roles have taught me that success is measured not just by what you achieve but by the positive impact you have on others,” she said.
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Work supports life, not the other way around.
Cynthia
Hall
OWNER Hammer & Stain Hot Springs
It all started with a gift. Hot Springs native Cynthia Hall always loved creating things for herself and others, so when her son surprised her with a visit to a do-it-yourself art studio, the experience fit Hall like a glove. “I found something I genuinely love doing and helping others with,” Hall said. Today, that gift lives on through Hammer & Stain Hot Springs, a beloved space for group and individual creative pursuits right in the heart of the bustling city. It is a business that is ideal for its location, carrying a unique, artistic vibe that is totally at home in Spa City. At Hammer & Stain, Hall guides clients in an unforgettable creative journey that includes woodand-paint art, glassblowing, watercoloring and so much more. Hall is on hand to provide all the necessary creative tools plus a steady hand to guide her guests into making truly unique memories and creations. When not working with walk-in clients, Hall hosts everything from corporate gatherings to date nights, kids projects and even wedding receptions. Best yet, Hall and her staff handle the cleanup. The love Hall has for her business is evident to most anyone who walks in to Hammer & Stain. What may not be so obvious is the struggle behind it all. Hall opened Hammer & Stain right as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Personal upheavals soon followed, including a divorce and the loss of her father. 2020 was particularly brutal for walk-in businesses such as restaurants, to say nothing of art studios. Yet Hall’s dedication to creating memorable moments for others never waned, and the appeal of creating art in a warm and supportive space has resonated with customers in Hot Springs and beyond. Today, Hall is remarried and enjoys spending time with her husband, playing with her grandchildren and, of course, painting. Hall also loves to travel, going to places as far afield as Nicaragua and South Africa. Few things, though, feel like home to her more than Hammer & Stain, where she gets to indulge her love of helping people create on a daily basis. “I love to cheer others on,” Hall said. “Even if I’m having a bad day myself, cheering someone on with a smile is important.”
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Always be learning, and never stay stagnant.
Glenda P.
Harper
CEO, PRESIDENT Ouachita County Medical Center
Glenda P. Harper has always had her mind set on making a difference, no matter what shape her roles took or how daunting the path. Family and friends would describe her as both a caretaker and a determined person, she said, and it is that fortitude mixed with an instinct for serving others that has guided Harper throughout her life. As a child, Harper said she dreamed of becoming a medical doctor. Instead, she discovered a passion for nursing and became a registered nurse. She later obtained her master’s degree and doctorate in hospital administration. Having followed the call to healthcare leadership, Harper’s proudest accomplishment, she said, was “getting my education while working a complex job full time and being a wife.” Since stepping up as president and CEO of Ouachita County Medical Center in Camden in 2025, Harper has leaned on that combination of firsthand medical experience and hard-earned administrative knowhow to help steer the hospital into its next chapter. She seems hard-wired to embrace the toughest problems, and indeed, she relishes the challenge where others might shy away. Lasting strength, however, is often forged through tragedy. The hardest trial in Harper’s life, she said, was the death of her mother when Harper was just 12 years old, which had a profound impact on how she sees the world. She learned to lean on her faith, she said, and was “determined to be OK” even then, committing herself to being a supportive presence for her siblings. Harper’s earliest lessons also came in the form of encouragement from people such as her maternal grandfather, who she described as her childhood hero. “He treated me like an adult and taught me many things,” Harper said, “one of which was, ‘You can do anything you set your mind to.’” While Harper said she feels like the best version of herself when she is working, she does still find the time to reset, seeking out moments of peace and quiet when she can. She also enjoys creative pursuits outside of the office — she has a knack for drawing people’s likenesses, she said, and plays the piano and guitar — and she spends her free time entertaining her four grandchildren.
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Be steadfast in your commitment to yourself.
Robin
Hickerson PRESIDENT, CEO Texarkana USA Regional Chamber of Commerce
The southwest corner of the state finds one of its strongest supporters in Robin Hickerson, not to mention a hometown success story. Born and raised in Texarkana, Hickerson went on to complete her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at East Texas State University before earning her doctorate in educational leadership from Texas A&M University-Texarkana. “We are a community defined by a state line but not divided by it,” Hickerson said. “There is something incredibly special about a community where you can literally stand in two states at once and even more special about the people who understand that our greatest strength comes from working together as one Texarkana, USA.” The path to chamber of commerce leadership for Hickerson was anything but linear, and she certainly never thought she would find herself there after more than 30 years building a career in education. However, answering that call in 2024 was one of the best decisions she ever made, she said. The leap into an entirely new world has challenged and energized her in ways she never expected. “Along the way, I have learned to trust God’s timing, stay open to what comes next, surround myself with good people, and never underestimate the power of showing up prepared and treating people well,” Hickerson said. “Looking back, some of the best chapters of my life are the ones I never planned.” In education and now in economic development, Hickerson has committed herself to serving and uplifting the community she calls home. A lifetime of achievement in that regard earned her the Idalee Raffaelli Hawkins Leader of the Year Award in 2024, Leadership Texarkana’s highest honor. More than any title or professional milestone, Hickerson said the recognition represents “the collective impact of the incredible people I have had the privilege to serve with throughout my career.” “I genuinely love this season of my life,” she said. “We are never too old to reinvent ourselves, learn something new or say yes to an unexpected opportunity. I love my family, I love my work, I love the people I get to do it with, and I am incredibly grateful for all of it.”
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I am an optimist by nature, but I believe optimism only works when you are willing to roll up your sleeves and do the work.
Erin
Laine
CO-OWNER Cecil’s Fine Jewelry
Erin Laine ended up at the family jewelry business after all, but not without a winding path and a few lessons along the way. Laine has held all kinds of roles, from bartending and waiting tables to her prior post as a surgical coordinator in orthopedics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. Her job in jewelry has been “by far the hardest and most challenging” she has ever had, she said. “Taking a leap and starting at Cecil’s changed my whole life,” Laine added. “Whether you’re dealing with a $10 watch or a $50,000 ring, we are handling people’s most prized possessions, and there is usually a time crunch involved, which can be quite stressful.” While the business is not without its challenges, Laine said she feels like she has found her super power working in the jewelry industry and could not imagine doing anything else now. Downtime may be at a minimum, but Laine also acknowledged how lucky the Cecil’s team is to be busy in the first place. “I am so fortunate to have a great staff where I’m able to sleep in and take time off, but that’s just been in the past year or so,” she said. “Prior to that, I was in the trenches with my staff. If you want to build a business that instills trust and makes people feel like they are home, you put in the time.” Laine said she has also dealt with imposter syndrome for the past decade — ironically, the more business began to boom at the store, she said, the worse those attacks became. Nevertheless, her results speak for themselves. A successful company and a tight-knit team of talented professionals reflect the hard work she has poured into helping Cecil’s Fine Jewelry thrive. There is, of course, one accomplishment that blows any professional success out of the water every time. “I’ve got to brag on all our kiddos,” Laine said. “Between my husband and I, we are the dysfunctional Brady Bunch. We have five children ages 15 to 30, and they are such fabulous humans.”
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The cynics may be the loudest voices — but I promise you, they will accomplish the least. — Barack Obama
Jennifer
Lancaster ATTORNEY, FOUNDER Cornerstone Law Firm, Arkansas 1st News Adversity reveals character, and the roles that take top billing on Jennifer Lancaster’s resume reflect an individual forged through challenge — mother, Christian, attorney, advocate, endurance athlete and perpetual work in progress. After graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, Lancaster set to work building a distinguished legal career but later took a step back in order to homeschool her daughters. Motherhood has had the biggest impact on the way she views the world, she said, and raising children has changed the way she measures “success, courage, time and what is actually worth fighting for.” “Professional accomplishments are meaningful, but nothing I do will ever matter to me more than the women they become,” Lancaster said. After returning to the legal profession, Lancaster quickly reestablished herself as a sought-after attorney. She founded Cornerstone Law Firm, where her practice spans bankruptcy, business law, estate planning and family law. With her professional talents never in doubt, success for Lancaster has instead been a matter of personal and professional courage — the willingness to start again, leaning heavily on her faith and “refusing to let a difficult chapter become the whole story.” “I do not think resilience means pretending something did not hurt,” she said. “I think it means deciding that it will not get the final word.” There is still plenty left to be accomplished for Lancaster, whose ability to tackle uncertainty can likewise be seen in her personal pursuits. The four-time Ironman 70.3 finisher has also competed in — and won — her division at a national figure competition, been skydiving and has scuba dived with sharks since she was just 12 years old. “I’ve apparently never been very interested in staying inside my comfort zone,” she said. Along the way, Lancaster said she has learned that, “Sometimes the life you did not plan is the one that reveals what you are actually capable of.” She hopes her daughters learn from her example that one can be both strong and tender; that conviction and kindness can coexist; and that “starting over can be the beginning of something extraordinary.”
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Do the right thing, even when it costs you. Reputation is temporary; character is what you have to live with.
Lee Ann
Larkan
ROOFING SPECIALIST Patriot Roofing
Lee Ann Larkan is a fixer. Family and friends call on her when something needs to happen or everyone else has run out of ideas. Underneath the problem-solving is something deeper, though — caregiving. Her instinct is almost always to ask, “How do we make this better?” Life, however, has taught her that not everything can be fixed. “Sometimes love can’t fix what’s happening,” Larkan said. “It can only refuse to leave.” Larkan has battled cancer twice, first nearly a decade ago and again recently. Through those battles, one of the constants has been her husband, David, who she described as her best friend, confidant and defender. During her most recent chemotherapy treatment, Larkan noticed a woman sitting alone who was clearly in pain. Larkan walked over, asked if she was OK and then asked if she could pray with her. “Tears began streaming down her face, and she said yes,” Larkan said. Larkan placed her hands on the woman and prayed for healing, relief, courage and strength. “We live in such a hurried world that it’s easy to walk past someone who’s hurting,” Larkan said. “If I’ve made one person feel seen, loved or a little more hopeful, that’s a good day.” Serious illness also changed the way Larkan approaches her health. She now focuses on caring for her body, mind and spirit through whole foods, exercise, time outdoors and even cold plunging. “My goal isn’t to look 30 at 60,” she said. “My goal is to be excited about the future and enjoy whatever God has for me when I get there.” While attending Unlimited Church in Maumelle, Larkan was introduced to the worship music of Charity Gayle, whose songs became especially meaningful during her most recent cancer battle. Larkan later got to meet Gayle and learned she had experienced non-Hodgkins lymphoma herself. The two have since stayed in touch. “Her music gave me something to look forward to during one of the hardest seasons of my life and reminded me that whatever happens in this life, our story doesn’t end here,” Larkan said. “One day, I believe I’ll hear the endless praise she sings about not from a concert seat but in the presence of the one we’re all singing to.”
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Sometimes victory is refusing to let the battle take away who you are.
Candice
Lawrence VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives For Candice Lawrence, mindset is a superpower. She believes there is extraordinary power in expecting possibility and embracing change. In eighth grade, she signed on as on-air talent for a Channel One News program broadcast from a pop-up studio in her school library. She loved it, earned a broadcast journalism degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and went to work for a local television station the day after graduation. The industry was not the right fit, so Lawrence pivoted. She eventually landed at Caterpillar, where she spent much of her career in communications, as a motor grader product specialist, and managing the company’s visitor services program and community outreach team. In 2021, Lawrence traded her steel toes for high heels after another pivot changed the trajectory of her career. While watching The West Wing one evening, she told her husband she wished she had realized years earlier how much she would enjoy working in the public policy arena. “You’re not dead yet,” he told her. “Go do it.” Two weeks later, she joined the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas. Today, she serves as vice president of programs and partnerships and executive director of the Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives Association. Her passion is workforce and building the talent pipelines necessary for Arkansas to thrive. Appointed by then-Gov. Asa Hutchinson to the Arkansas Workforce Development Board in 2020, Lawrence also serves on the Junior Achievement of Arkansas State Board and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Early Childhood Business Advisory Council. Lawrence has never been particularly good at slowing down. Her days are full, her goals are big, and she is intentional about using the time she has. Theodore Roosevelt is credited with a statement Lawrence said she considers not only one of the truest ever written but perhaps a little too applicable to her own life: “We must all either wear out or rust out, every one of us. My choice is to wear out.”
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I believe we can achieve anything we want, regardless of the size of the dream.
Sonia
Lucas-Meyer
OWNER Arkansas Medical Staffing
If there was one word to describe Sonia LucasMeyer, it would be “survivor.” Raised by a single mother of three in southwest Little Rock, Lucas-Meyer said, “We were poor but loved very much.” She experienced being sexually assaulted as a teenager and then was in a long-term physically and mentally abusive marriage. Since then, she has been happily remarried for the past 14 years. In 2023, she survived a widow-maker heart attack, and she has also kicked a 45-year nicotine addiction. Her road has been pockmarked with reasons to give up, but in each case, Lucas-Meyer has learned to lean even more fully on her faith. “I made it through by believing God has a purpose for me and not allowing the extremely difficult times to overtake or define me,” she said. At 42 years old, after decades building her career in hospitality and business development, LucasMeyer had the opportunity to return to her first love, nursing, though in a slightly different fashion than most. Her childhood and current hero, she said, is her aunt, Martha Bryan, a retired surgical nurse who practiced in West Memphis while Lucas-Meyer was growing up. Her influence helped inspire LucasMeyer to found Arkansas Medical Staffing, a faithbased staffing agency in Little Rock that provides award-winning registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants. “I’m an extremely hard worker and in the healing business, for sure, but I am not a nurse,” Lucas-Meyer said. “My life’s course changed that, but I have no regrets, as I get to take care of the multitudes this way.” Lucas-Meyer’s heart for others extends far beyond the nursing world, as well. She supports a variety of organizations and causes aimed at bettering the lives of women, children and those dealing with addiction, such as the EMpact One Foundation, John 3:16 Ministries, Women & Children First, Second Chance Youth Ranch, Saline County Safe Haven and many others. “If I could only make sure every child has a safe place to stay and three meals a day, it would be a dream come true,” Lucas-Meyer said. “I still believe in miracles.”
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No matter what, give it to God, and never lose your faith or your composure in front of others.
Stefanie
Lyles
PRODUCING BRANCH MANAGER, MORTGAGE BANKER The Lyles Team, Sente Mortgage Stefanie Lyles grew up the child of a history and geography teacher, and although she might not have turned into an archaeologist or geologist as a result, she still grew up learning that everything — and everyone — has a story. That understanding helps shape her work today both with The Lyles Team at Sente Mortgage and in her personal advocacy efforts. “Family and home have shaped nearly every part of my life, from a career spent in mortgage lending, helping people find their way into a place of their own, to my past volunteer work with the Lonoke County Safe Haven and Court Appointed Special Advocates, standing up for children and families who need someone in their corner,” Lyles said. “It all comes back to the same thing: making sure people have a safe, stable place to call home.” Lyles defined her path as one marked by hard work, many failures and “a lot of people who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.” That ability to dust oneself off and try again is another trait fostered in Lyles since childhood, when her parents instilled in her the belief that she could do anything she set her mind to. “Even at this stage in life, I’m not afraid to try something new or potentially scary,” Lyles said. “What’s the worst that could happen? It is in this vein that I decided a few years ago to try my hand at furniture-building, and I’ve built some decent pieces.” Despite a thoroughly left-brain dominant career navigating the ins and outs of mortgage lending, Lyles said she is actually a creative who loves both collecting and creating beautiful things. She has collected McCoy Pottery since she was 19 years old, and her home is now full of the unique, colorful pieces. A native of the small Ozark town of Fifty-Six in Stone County, Lyles and her husband, Blake, have lived and built their careers in Cabot since 2000. “I love being a mom and wife more than any other role,” Lyles said.
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Keep blinders on to the competition. Stop worrying about how everyone else is doing it, and do it your way.
Tjuana Byrd
Manning CIRCUIT JUDGE 8th Juvenile Division
With a servant’s heart and a penchant for listening deeply, Tjuana Byrd Manning seemed to have the makings of a judicial giant from the start. Manning did, in fact, set her professional aims on service of the greater good, but her initial dream was to be a pediatrician. As a premed major in college, she quickly learned that was not going to work out. “I don’t do needles at all,” Manning said. “I couldn’t even prick my or anyone else’s finger in the biology lab.” Instead, Manning looked to the legal profession for her chance to make an impact. She obtained a degree in criminal justice from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville before attending the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. Her first year of law school, she even brushed up against the legal system in a truly unique way — admittedly thanks to a situation in which no one hopes to find themselves. “My car had been stolen by someone I knew from the driveway at home,” Manning said. “Two weeks later, I was in Pine Bluff with a friend for UAPB homecoming, and while driving through the parking lot at the mall, we drove past my car. I got out, used my key to open it up and drove it to the police department to reclaim it.” Her first job out of law school was as a public defender in Little Rock District Court, and upon entering private practice, Manning sharpened her focus to juvenile matters. She served as an attorney ad litem for children in foster care, as well as being appointed to boards dealing with child abuse and neglect in the juvenile justice system. In 2021, she took her seat on the bench as a juvenile division circuit court judge. In addition to working toward better outcomes for children inside the courtroom, Manning is a staunch advocate of many causes that serve women, children and the elderly outside of court. “I support the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Ivy Foundation of Little Rock, Continental Societies, Inc., and my church, St. Mark Baptist Church,” she said.
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God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Courtney
McKinney APRN, FOUNDER, CEO Revive Health & Wellness; Revive Community Outreach Courtney McKinney’s childhood hero was her grandmother, from whom McKinney took both a career cue in nursing and a worldview built on making others feel seen, valued and cared for. A nurse practitioner turned clinic owner and philanthropist, McKinney spent several years as an emergency room and intensive care unit nurse at a local hospital before starting her own practice, Revive Health & Wellness, in Malvern in 2024. “My grandmother believed that our blessings are meant to be shared, whether that’s our time, talents, resources or compassion,” McKinney said. “It’s why I’m passionate about caring for underserved patients, giving back through community outreach and creating opportunities for others.” McKinney’s work does not stop at the practice walls. Revive Community Outreach, a nonprofit organization funded by her clinic, has become an indispensable tool for addressing all those other contributing factors to the overall wellness of a community. Medical care, weekly hot lunches, a food pantry, a clothing closet, hair services and even a backpack program for local students are some of the myriad ways McKinney uses the resources at her disposal to improve the lives of people and families in Malvern and Hot Springs County. “Every person you meet is fighting a battle you may never see,” McKinney said. “Don’t judge someone by a single chapter of their story. Some of the greatest blessings in my life came after some of the hardest seasons. The view is worth the climb.” While McKinney called the decision to become a healthcare provider the best she has ever made — “It taught me I can function on three hours of sleep, cold coffee and pure determination,” she said — close behind was the leap into opening her own practice and, later, nonprofit organization. “Apparently, I looked at my already busy life and thought, ‘You know what would make this easier? Owning the whole circus,’” she said. “It’s exhausting, unpredictable and incredibly rewarding, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
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If you are blessed in life, build a longer table, not a higher fence.
Alison
Nation
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Visit Bentonville
Northwest Arkansas has a way of pulling people in and making them want to stick around, and Alison Nation’s path has been yet one more testament to the region’s appeal. The Oklahoma City native moved to Fayetteville for her Master of Fine Arts and intended to pursue a career as a studio artist and instructor. An entry-level position at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art changed her trajectory. “When I started at Crystal Bridges, my title was learning and engagement administrative assistant, and I left as marketing director,” Nation said. “That was a bit of a winding path, stacked with thousands of projects and hundreds of meetings and, most impressively, dozens and dozens of incredible people who schooled me in communications.” Now at Visit Bentonville, Nation plays a crucial role in spreading the word about everything the area has to offer. Just as important as what is new around town is the history found on every corner, sometimes literally. Down from the Bentonville square, for example, sits the Massey building, a 1910s-era hotel now used as office and retail space. When Nation joined Crystal Bridges in 2008, the museum team worked out of the ground floor, and Nation’s desk used to be where the Phat Tire shop bench now sits. Visit Bentonville later moved into the Massey offices, as well. “This building has been a hub for tourism and community since the beginning of our city,” Nation said. “It’s the hospitality cornerstone of Bentonville, which is special to me.” Making Nation a particularly apt person to be singing the area’s praises is her talent for connecting with others. She honed her professional communications skills in the office, and indeed, her accomplishments have been recognized by inclusion in prominent C-suite listings put forth by local publications. Underneath that, however, is what Nation called an “unfailing positivity” and a natural knack for chatting with anyone. “Standing in an elevator, checking out a book at the library, getting my grocery pickup — I have to concentrate on not striking up a conversation with them,” Nation said.
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Knowing and valuing yourself is central to a happy life.
Susan Erwin
Prowse
INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTIST, CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR Susan Erwin Prowse has walked a unique road — one she would not change for the world. “I took a very crooked path, and I am grateful I did,” said Prowse, who is one half of award-winning country music duo Cliff & Susan alongside her husband. Their sophomore album, Come on In, is set to release in October, and the couple plan to celebrate with a gala at The Pine Hill Ranch in west Little Rock. “The title says exactly what this chapter feels like,” Prowse said. “After years of inviting people into rooms through other people’s songs, we are opening the door wider and saying, ‘Come on in. This is ours.’” Before all that, Prowse was on a very different trajectory. After completing a degree in pure mathematics, Prowse followed her intellectual curiosity into a job as a radio frequency engineer at Alltel. Nevertheless, she loved music — playing it, listening to it and being around it. She made time to frequent Willy D’s Dueling Pianos in downtown Little Rock, and she felt a rush every time the music in the air seemed to bring a roomful of strangers together. Chasing that feeling led Prowse to a life in music, art and performance. When not lighting up stages with Cliff, Prowse can be found painting, traveling or running the couple’s businesses, Big Red Dog Productions and the Entertainers Academy in Little Rock. “People think being an entertainer means I spend most of my life onstage,” Prowse said. “Behind it is songwriting, rehearsing, marketing, contracts, budgets and a hundred decisions nobody ever sees. I am an artist, but I am also an operator.” In those roles, Prowse embraces her intertwined passions for music, entrepreneurship, and equipping other artists with the resources to sustain and enhance their careers. Far from wrapping up, Prowse said, “I feel like I am just getting started.” “I have learned that I am happiest when I am making something,” she said. “Whether I am playing a piano, building a business, teaching an entertainer, painting album art, producing an event or creating a new product, I am trying to make something meaningful and invite people into it.”
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Stay curious, and keep making new things.
Jourdan Quinn APRN Revive Lifestyle Medicine REAL ESTATE AGENT eXp Realty Even after finding success as both a nurse practitioner and a real estate agent, Jourdan Quinn downplays any Superwoman talk and will quickly admit that she is only human. Her personal and professional journeys, as she described them, have come down to “competitiveness, stubbornness and hot mess.” “I’ve made the wrong call more times than I can count, but I’ve never been too proud to clean it up and try again,” Quinn said. “If there was a wrong way to do something, I probably found it first — still winning.” It is that sort of authenticity that shines through in Quinn’s dealings with others. Whether working with patients as an aesthetics injector at Revive Lifestyle Medicine in Little Rock or working with clients to find the ideal home, Quinn has a humility and realism about her that puts people immediately at ease. Nursing was the first profession to capture Quinn’s attention before her interest in husband Andy’s real estate occupation led her to pursue her own licensure. If that were not enough, she also puts in work on their family farm, which includes “ducks, donkeys, a big fat pig, a goat, a horse and a hodgepodge of cows — even the hairy little ones,” she said. Despite the loaded schedule, Quinn approaches her life with a blend of humor and pragmatism. She loves applying her manifold talents to various pursuits but will also quickly admit she has days where she just wants “to curl up and binge-watch TV.” If it sounds like a lot to do, it probably is. Yet she dives into her to-do list with a smile and makes others smile in the process. “People think because I do aesthetics that I just make people ‘pretty,’ but they have no idea I do just as much wellness and general practice — or, the other way around, if I’m good at personalized medicine, I can’t be good at aesthetics,” Quinn said, “or they forget I also do real estate and have cows.”
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Expect the worst and hope for the best because although it probably won’t work out the first time, you’ll learn from it and be better the next.
Bailey
Smith CO-OWNER, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Executive Home Care of Conway Bailey Smith’s current life was not her original plan, but, she said, “It was clearly part of God’s plan for me.” Prior to opening Executive Home Care of Conway, Smith pursued her childhood dream as a hair stylist for 16 years. She worked at the salon her parents opened in Conway when Smith was just 6 years old — named The Jordan Bailey Group after Smith and her brother. “Stepping onto that salon floor felt like stepping into our family’s living room,” Smith said. “Life, however, has a way of shifting our path when we need it most.” Both of Smith’s parents were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and her father was later diagnosed with ALS. After her father fell ill, Smith had to step up as a caregiver to help her mother take care of him, on top of raising her own children. “The only way I made it through was my faith, which was strengthened by the experience, and the incredible community who loved and showed up for our family when we needed them most,” Smith said. The experience opened Smith’s eyes to the wider need among those with aging or ill loved ones. When her sister-in-law, Jessica Lawson, approached her with the idea of starting an agency to help address that need, Smith felt the call. “I knew I was being led to step in and extend that same comfort and dignity to other families,” she said. Executive Home Care’s services range from assistance with daily living activities such as bathing, grooming and meal preparation to specialized care, companionship and medication reminders. “While I’ve kept the salon close to my heart, my daily focus is now on serving our community and ensuring families know they aren’t alone,” Smith said. Although she is proud of her professional work, Smith said she is most proud of marrying her best friend since the sixth grade, Chase, and building a family with him and daughters Charleigh, Lennon and Sloane. “Looking back, the constant through all of this has been family — the one I was raised in, the one I cared for and the one I’m raising now,” Smith said.
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Fully surrendering to God’s plan for your life is truly the key to success.
Pamela
Smith
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, SENIOR ADVISOR Little Rock School District Pamela Smith has firm ideas about how people should be treated, and she has spent the better part of her adult life working to be an example of caring for others. “I have a deep respect for people who treat others with kindness and respect, regardless of their position or station in life,” she said. “To me, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, and the way we treat people says a great deal about who we are.” To that end, Smith has made a life out of helping those around her. In April, she was honored as Alzheimer’s Arkansas’ volunteer of the year, highlighting what has been a longstanding relationship with the organization. Smith has served as emcee for and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support the association’s annual fundraising gala, which was expanded and renamed this year to the Championship Luncheon and the Boots and Bling Gala. Smith has felt a pull toward service throughout her life, long before her broadcasting years at KATV. During her time at the station, she became close to news anchor Anne Pressly, and Pressly’s tragic death in 2008 left a lasting impact on her. Pressly had been tabbed to emcee the Alzheimer’s Arkansas benefit walk that year in Conway, and Smith volunteered to do it in her memory, shifting more of her volunteer energy toward the Conway chapter’s efforts in subsequent years. “What started as volunteering in honor of a friend became a 20-year relationship with an organization that I’ve come to deeply value,” Smith said. Since then, Smith has never been far from helping people. Along with her work at the Little Rock School District and Alzheimer’s Arkansas, Smith is an active member of the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College Foundation in North Little Rock and Rotary Club 99 in Little Rock. At the center of all her efforts is a drive to help others, foster relationships and give back to the communities that have given so much to her. “I try to meet people where they are, treat everyone with kindness and respect, and leave where I’ve been a little better than I found it,” she said.
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Life is serious enough. You have to find the joy in it too.
Errin
Stanger CEO Providence Park
It is perhaps no exaggeration to say there are people whose lives will be irrevocably changed for the better thanks to Errin Stanger. As CEO of Providence Park in Little Rock, Stanger oversees a 50-acre tract of welcoming tiny homes in the Mabelvale area designed to provide chronically homeless individuals with stable housing and access to medical, mental health and dental care. “I feel like the best version of myself when I am helping others,” she said. When inspiration for Providence Park struck, Stanger, by all accounts, had plenty on her plate. She was executive director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub in North Little Rock and had an extensive schedule volunteering for institutions such as ACANSA, Argenta Downtown Council and the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. Yet the call to do more beckoned, made even more poignant by a tragic reminder of how fleeting each moment really is. “Losing my sister to breast cancer when she was just 37 years old changed me forever,” Stanger said. “I was 27 at the time, and her passing taught me a lesson I carry with me every day. Life is precious, and each day is truly a gift.” Like many, Stanger felt a tug on her heart when passing homeless individuals on her way to work. Rather than ignoring it or chalking it up to life’s unfortunate circumstances, Stanger realized she was in a position to help. Following her empathy and curiosity led Stanger to Community First! Village in Austin, Texas, a 51acre community dedicated to providing permanent housing and care for the homeless. Reading up on the village and its founder, Alan Graham, Stanger knew what she was called to do. Today, Providence Park continues to grow, giving life-changing opportunities to those struggling with housing. Stanger said her goal is to welcome 20 individuals into their forever homes at the park this year. The work can be daunting and emotionally taxing, but Stanger has found joy in the challenge and meaning in being a servant to others. “My favorite thing about Arkansas is the people,” Stanger said. “I am constantly surrounded by a community that is kind, loving and curious in the best way.”
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Stay nimble and humble.
Vicki
Taylor SALES PROFESSIONAL Sissy’s Log Cabin
Vicki Taylor has been at Sissy’s Log Cabin for almost 28 of its 56 years in business, having originally been asked by founder Sissy Jones herself to run the gift shop in Pine Bluff three days a week. Eventually, Taylor made her way into jewelry as she helped with Christmas and May Sale. Taylor stepped away at one point to spend more time with her grandson, Clinton, but said CEO Bill Jones “asked me to keep my foot in the door, and I’m so glad I did.” “Over the years, I have become great friends with Sissy, and even though she’s just a few years older than me, she has been a wonderful mentor,” Taylor said. “Sissy taught me to never stop learning. Even after all these years in the jewelry business, I still learn something every day.” Taylor moved into jewelry sales full time about nine years ago. Whether running the gift shop or manning the jewelry cases, what has kept Taylor at Sissy’s Log Cabin all these years has been a genuine passion for people and the love of making them happy. That is what makes working there so much fun, she said. “I have so many dear friends from my time working at Sissy’s, and some of my customers have turned into extended family,” she said. It certainly helps that Sissy’s natural diamonds are a sure way to bring a smile to most anyone’s face. “Every woman should have a diamond. It doesn’t matter how big or how small,” Taylor said. “You know what they say: Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” When Sissy’s Log Cabin opened its west Little Rock store in The Promenade at Chenal in 2022, Bill Jones asked Taylor if she would move to that location, and she agreed. The Crossett native called moving to Little Rock one of her best decisions because, “It brought me closer to my family, and I love living here.” “My family are the great loves of my life,” she said. “My daughter, Barbie, is my proudest accomplishment; my grandson, Clinton, is my pride and joy; and I love my son-in-law, Clint, like he’s my own son.”
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Never pretend to be something you’re not. You don’t have to be anybody else.
Stephanie
ThrockmortonDuty MAKEUP ARTIST, OWNER Faces by Stephanie
Stephanie Throckmorton-Duty’s guiding aim to do good for others has changed little through the decades, from a career in the pageant and fashion worlds to a retirement focused on giving back in various ways. “My goal is to leave a positive legacy for the women I meet and work with, encouraging others to reach their full potential in life and be the best versions of themselves,” she said. Throckmorton-Duty obtained her degree in fashion merchandising and has held numerous roles in the arts, including as a dance instructor, fashion stylist and makeup artist. She worked as a national sales and regional retail manager for several cosmetics brands, as well as a guest host for ShopNBC. She also appeared regularly in makeup segments on Good Morning Arkansas. “Building strong relationships with brands and retailers is what I love the most,” she said. “People have always been my favorite part of my positions throughout the years.” Throckmorton-Duty is also a former Mrs. Arkansas USA and a top-10 finalist in the Mrs. USA pageant. Inducted into the Miss Arkansas Hall of Fame in 2017, she has served as a makeup artist, sponsor and prep committee member for Miss Arkansas. In 2018, Throckmorton-Duty was honored as the CARTI Festival of Fashion Style Icon. “After traveling most of my 35 year career, I have always cherished my state, Arkansas,” she said. “I decided when I retired that I would use all that I have learned and share with the women of my home sweet home.”
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Throckmorton-Duty does makeup and skin care consultations for women of all ages and said she loves to empower women by helping them be confident in any stage of life. For the past nine years, she has served on the board of the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Foundation, which raises more than $300,000 annually to help contestants further their education. Throckmorton-Duty called being a part of the foundation one of her most important roles, but even more than that, she said it reflects the deep generosity of Arkansans — the Miss Arkansas system, thanks to its donors, is one of the top scholarship providers for women in the Miss America Competition. “It’s just an unbelievable thing for such a small state to be able to raise that kind of money for education for our young women in Arkansas,” she said. “It is a service that I am very proud of and that I’d love to do every day, every year.”
Understanding that you will face obstacles is the first step in dealing with them. Be courageous as you proceed.
Cindy Cooper
Trammel
REAL ESTATE AGENT Resource Realty
Cindy Cooper Trammel has never met a stranger — a trait that, combined with her personal commitment to excellence, has made her a trusted resource for scores of real estate clients. It was Trammel’s own negative experience during a transaction that convinced her to enter the industry and prove things could be done differently. “I may not be able to change the whole world, but I want to positively change lives in Arkansas through real estate, one person at a time,” Trammel said. Trammel credited her success to “the grace and help of God,” not to mention an unwavering work ethic. She has been named among AY About You’s “Best Real Estate Agents” for three consecutive years and has her sights set on obtaining her broker’s license next. Meanwhile, she and a friend, fellow Resource Realty agent Marci Smith, plan to launch a podcast later this year called Dwell and Tell Arkansas. “I could not be who I am today, do what I do or achieve the things that I have accomplished without God, my clients, my family and my friends,” Trammel said. “Being a REALTOR® is more than a job or occupation to me. It’s my calling.” Trammel’s path has not been without its obstacles. In 2017, a stroke left her paralyzed on the right side of her body for a time, and she has also been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. Not one to be slowed down, Trammel said she has been able to persevere through “a lot of prayers, support and help from friends and family, and with God’s help.” Family has been a cornerstone of Trammel’s life in other ways, as well. Being a mother to her children is her proudest accomplishment, she said, and her own parents taught her the true meaning of familial bonds when they adopted her at 6 months old. “Choosing to love someone unconditionally regardless of whether they are blood related or not is the greatest gift you can give,” Trammel said.
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Focus on building relationships, care about people, love what you do, and stay committed.
Shalee
Uhl
CO-OWNER, MASSAGE THERAPY INSTRUCTOR Ablaze Fitness, Arkansas Academy of Massage OWNER Dual Designs Commercial & Residential Contracting Shalee Uhl’s childhood dream jobs were to be a coach and a massage therapist — and, well, when you know, you know. Uhl’s work in the wellness industry has allowed her to make a larger impact than she ever thought possible. Her students at the Arkansas Academy of Massage in Cabot can embark on a worthwhile, difference-making career in just six months. Meanwhile, Ablaze Fitness, also in Cabot, has become a genuine community where lives are changed for the better. “What I didn’t understand when we created Ablaze was how much I would need that community too,” Uhl said. “We have built a place where people are welcomed exactly as they are, and our members extend that same grace to me as an instructor. I feel completely myself there.” Personal challenges have also shaped the way Uhl shows up in work and in life. One such challenge was her father’s battle with cancer. Seeing his resolve in the face of an insurmountable obstacle taught Uhl that “life can hand you incredibly difficult circumstances, but eventually, you have to take ownership of the direction you go from there.” “He never felt sorry for himself,” Uhl said. “I remember being pregnant while he was going through cancer treatments, and he would still come mow my yard. I remember him sitting at football games with his chemotherapy pump attached to his hip. He just kept showing up.” One of Uhl’s greatest strengths as a leader is seeing what people are good at — or what they could become good at — and pushing them toward it. Uhl said part of what sets her apart is her ability to multitask, shift contexts and “keep moving without spending a lot of time complaining about what’s required of me.” “I work a lot. I’m a mom. I’m menopausal. I wear a ridiculous number of hats,” she said. “I’m not pretending any of that is always easy, but I’ve learned that focusing on the excuses doesn’t make the responsibilities disappear. I would rather figure out what needs to happen and get moving.”
“
Your value as a human being existed long before you accomplished anything.
Clara
Weatherley ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT, SMALL-BUSINESS AND REAL ESTATE LOAN OFFICER First Arkansas Bank & Trust Clara Weatherley has always believed that if there is something one wants to learn or accomplish, it is not enough to simply sit back and wait for it to happen. “You have to be willing to raise your hand, ask questions and put in the effort,” she said. That mindset has taken Weatherley far over the course of her banking career, most recently to the position of loan officer at First Arkansas Bank & Trust in Greenbrier. “I have always dreamed of this job since I started banking more than 10 years ago,” she said. “It is so surreal seeing all my hard work pay off. I truly love my job and the people I work with.” Weatherley’s interest in banking and loan work is about more than numbers. As she continues to grow professionally, she said her aim is to help support the growth of her community. There are few moments as sweet for Weatherley as driving through her hometown and seeing the businesses, homes and projects that she had a hand in bringing to fruition. She said she is proud to see Greenbrier flourishing and looks forward to what the future holds. “Every opportunity, challenge and success has taught me something, but so have the people I’ve met,” she said. “I’m grateful for those who poured into me, and I hope I’ve been able to do the same for others. I think that’s how we all keep growing.” Lessons in hard work and its rewards have come just as readily outside of the office, where Weatherley and her husband raise goats for 4-H and FFA projects for children in multiple states. She also serves as colivestock director for the Faulkner County Fair, where she said she has the opportunity to work alongside dedicated volunteers, families and exhibitors. “Watching kids put countless hours into caring for their animals and then seeing their hard work pay off at fair time is incredibly rewarding,” Weatherley said. “Agriculture has taught me the value of hard work, commitment and community, and I am passionate about helping the next generation experience those same lessons.”
“
You must always have faith in people and, most importantly, you must always have faith in yourself.
Gina Cox
Wiertelak OWNER The Grumpy Rabbit
Gina Cox Wiertelak has been called “Sunshine” as far back as she can remember, she said. Now she is shining a light on her hometown of Lonoke through food, community and classic Southern hospitality. “Until I moved away, I thought everyone grew up like me,” Wiertelak said. “We were not financially wealthy, but we were rich with loving and caring parents who took my brother and me to church each week. We raised a garden, attended Lonoke school activities and sporting events, did our homework, respected our teachers, administrators and others. They taught us the importance of being involved in the community.” Wiertelak graduated from Lonoke High School, having served as senior class president and a key member of the 1977 state championship basketball team to boot. She is now on the committee working on her class’s 50-year reunion coming up next year. After high school, Wiertelak attended the University of Memphis, and it would be more than four decades spent living in Memphis and Little Rock before she moved back home. She and her husband, Jim, are ambassadors for the University of Memphis, and Wiertelak is also past president of the university’s women’s basketball booster club. Upon retiring from a 25-year career in the corporate world, Wiertelak returned to Lonoke in 2016 to be closer to her father. Seeing a downtown area in need of revitalization and first-rate dining options, Wiertelak and her husband set out to bring something new to their community, and the seeds for The Grumpy Rabbit — named after Lonoke High School’s mascot, the Jackrabbits, and Jim’s “grandpa name,” Grumpy — were planted. The restaurant’s doors officially opened in 2021, and the establishment has made waves across town and beyond ever since. “I am very thankful and blessed to be a small-town country girl who has been given the opportunity to go out and see the world through my eyes,” Wiertelak said. “My heart is very happy to come back home and try to help others — hoping I am leading by example.”
“
No matter what it is — time, talents, finances — there is always something we can do to help others.
Maria
Wile
DIRECTOR OF PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING Conway Regional Health System For Maria Wile, director of physician recruitment and onboarding at Conway Regional Health System, career success has come from saying yes to opportunities, building intentional relationships and figuring things out along the way. An early lesson in empathy did not hurt, either. “Growing up alongside a sister with an intellectual disability has had the biggest impact on the way I see the world,” Wile said. “She taught me early on not to underestimate people or let challenges define them. That experience shaped how I think about inclusion, opportunity and seeing people for what they can do rather than what others assume they cannot do.” Wile, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in public relations and speech communication and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, began her career in alumni relations before finding a natural fit in provider recruitment and connecting people with opportunities. In addition to her work at Conway Regional, Wile is a fitness instructor and sorority adviser. “Mentoring and investing in young women are causes especially close to my heart,” she said. “For more than a decade, I’ve had the privilege of advising sorority women and watching them grow, reach their goals and become confident leaders. Some of the most influential women in my life encouraged me to see my own potential, and I love having the opportunity to do the same for others.” She said she enjoys Conway because it is a true college town with three institutions of higher learning that ensure the community is constantly growing, changing and moving forward. Looking back, she said, choosing to attend UCA was one of the best decisions she ever made. “So much of my life can be traced back to that decision — the career I built, the relationships I formed, the community I found and, of course, who I married. I had no idea at 18 just how many doors that one decision would open.”
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I don’t expect perfection; I just expect effort.
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insurance
INSURANCE It matters now more than ever
I
t has been said that the only sure things are death and taxes, which vividly illustrates the unpredictable nature of life. Every year, millions of Americans and thousands of Arkansans experience things they never dreamed they would have to go through, from a tree branch brought to rest heavily on a brand-new pickup in a storm to a devastating health diagnosis to meeting one of those two certainties in life — passing on. Insurance was created and has grown into one of the nation's largest industries as one hedge against these and other uncertainties of life. Protecting homes, businesses, health, life, autos and more, these policies are things one generally doesn't fully appreciate until needed. While it may feel onerous to pay that premium every year, it pales in comparison to footing the bill for damage in an auto accident, a house fire or of one's survivors left to cope with a sudden loss of income. For a growing number of workers, health insurance has even become a valuable bargaining chip in the ongoing competition among employers looking to lure and retain the best talent. Healthcare in America is not getting any cheaper, and that directly affects employers and employees both. The numbers speak for themselves. Healthcare spending in the United States hit $5.3 trillion in 2024, a market-skewering 7.2 percent increase from the year before. For an added layer of perspective, medical-related expenditures are three times what they were in 2000, and it all comes out to more than $15,000 spent per person annually.
When it comes to employee benefits, the conversation truly begins with health insurance. It tops the list of most-requested benefits at 92 percent of employees stating they evaluate employers based upon it. Worker-friendly medical benefits can also prevent “job lock,” whereupon dissatisfied employees remain at an employer solely out of concern for their insurance packages. That said, healthcare costs are continuing an upward trajectory, putting the onus on insurance premiums to cover the price tag — but there are ways to combat that. Supplemental health benefits are a popular choice and should only grow in popularity in the future. Balance funding and self-insurance are also ways in which the rising costs can be managed. Certain “cafeteria plans” allow employees to pay their premiums with pretax capital, which whittles down taxable employee income. Employers, therefore, get to avoid hefty payroll taxes. Company benefits are not the only type of insurance necessary to guard one against life’s pitfalls. Property insurance, auto insurance, life insurance and other coverages help people plan for the unforeseen and protect loved ones in the event of the death or incapacity of the breadwinner. Those coverages have also not sat still from a cost standpoint, which means understanding the balance between what is needed and what can be afforded is a concern for many families. In the pages that follow, AY About You takes a look at these important products and provides some expert insights into the current insurance market.
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insurance
Coverage Chaos Marketing mayhem, rising premiums shining light on home insurance policies
By MARK CARTER
“A
talking gecko, a yellow hairball and a bundle of white aprons walk into a bar.” Fortunately, no such joke exists — yet, anyway — but one could be excused for thinking the American home insurance scene of the mid-2020s begins and ends with such gimmicks. Property and casualty insurance, as vital as it is to most Americans’ everyday lives, remains on the backburner for many, considered only in the aftermath of claim-inducing events such as floods or tornadoes. That may be changing, however, as studies suggest younger adults are giving “grown-up” things like home insurance more consideration. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 lockdown forced homeowners to prioritize coverage as the home became office, gym and castle for many consumers. Since insurance remains back of mind for most — at least when jingles can be suppressed — big national companies such as Progressive and Allstate must come up with mascots and detailed marketing campaigns to engage the public’s attention. That is especially true for direct-to-consumer carriers such as Progressive that do not operate a network of agents with offices from Bangor to Bakersfield and points in between. The gimmicks are working, though there is another motivating factor for many consumers. Ryan Webb, a Shelter Insurance agent covering Conway and surrounding areas, has been in the business since 2003.
“I think the quick rise in the cost of insurance due to inflation is driving people to look at their policies,” he said. According to a report from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, average premiums for home insurance in the U.S. rose faster than inflation across all regions from 2018 to 2024. Premiums rose by an average of 10.4 percent in 2024 alone. In Arkansas and other states where natural disasters are not uncommon, rates saw big hikes in 2023 and 2024. In Arkansas, it was 14.9 percent in 2023 and 12.4 percent in 2024. In California, hit hard in recent years by severe wildfires, rates rose an average of 13.6 percent. Many national companies are pulling back on their coverage in the Golden State or pulling out all together. An April 2025 report from the Consumer Federation of America found that U.S. homeowners spent $21 billion more on home insurance in 2024 than in 2021. Multiple factors have contributed to this, according to Insurance.com. An uptick in severe weather and natural disasters; increased construcRyan Webb tion costs related to supply chain issues borne of the pandemic shutdown; increased litigation, especially in states where local laws favor consumers in suits against insurance companies; and stricter state regulations have all played a part. Furthermore, a 2025 J.D. Power survey of U.S. consumers found that 49 percent of respondents reported a home-insurance rate increase over the past year, 43 percent switching companies specifically because of raised rates.
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The top weather-related risks in the U.S., per Insurance.com, for each region of the country are: Southeast: hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes and wildfires Central: hail, tornadoes, winter weather and ice storms West: wildfires, flooding, earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides Northeast: ice storms, hurricanes, flooding and winter weather Factors that could lead to continued rising rates include rate changes that have not reached consumers’ pocketbooks yet, the continued uptick in severe-weather events, the impact of tariffs and lingering supply chain issues. Here in Arkansas, where homeowners must consider the prospects of fires, flooding, tornadoes and even earthquakes, Webb said consumers generally wind up with the right amount of coverage. Agents ensure clients are not underinsured, and consumers themselves are more aware of purchasing only the “coverage they need,” as the big boys so effectively communicate. “Since COVID, everybody has really started looking at their policy,” Webb said. “Overinsured is not very common.” Webb said many consumers tend to overlook things like deductibles and depreciating roof coverage if they have a claim. His office serviced one claim in which the homeowner was cutting down a tree on his own property, and the tree ended up falling onto the home.
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insurance As consumers adjust to the market, artificial intelligence is doing its part to impact the industry. “Integrating AI into day-to-day operations is the big trend currently,” Webb said. Insurance companies use AI for things like underwriting, customer service, claims handling, marketing, fraud detection and pricing. Webb said he does not foresee AI replacing people but rather continuing to support agents, actuaries, underwriters, customer service representatives and other industry professionals. Evolved AI can help with things that were once not easy for computers, such as recognizing images, analyzing unstructured data and understanding different languages. AI can analyze data quickly to identify patterns, manage risk and support human decision-making, the NAIC blog states. AI also helps insurers switch their approach from “detect and repair” — responding after a loss occurs — to “predict and prevent,” helping identify risks and enabling customers to take steps to avoid losses earlier, the blog reported.
Coverage Component
Typical Limit of Coverage
Dwelling
You Choose
Other Structures
10% of Dwelling Coverage Limit
Personal Property
50% of Dwelling Coverage Limit
Loss of Use
20% of Dwelling Coverage Limit
Personal Liability
You Choose
Medical Payments
You Choose
emerging from agentic design — insurers worldwide are recasting their most critical operations and offerings. From marketing and customer engagement through underwriting and claims processing, the industry is rapidly evolving, with AI as a central driver.” She added that in the very near future, AI will likely be embraced to help bring about needed changes faster. “Insurers can potentially realize trans-
formative benefits with AI without needing to replace their core platforms but rather by augmenting and accelerating them through targeted, extensible, AI-powered capabilities,” she wrote. “Through advances such as intelligent agents and the automation patterns emerging from agentic design, insurers are consolidating fragmented workflows into connected, intelligent, adaptive systems.”
It adds that large language models such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot can answer customer questions and summarize documents but ultimately lack the ability to grasp context the way human beings can. Dalia Ophir, director of business strategy for Microsoft Financial Services, wrote earlier this year that AI is slowly having a positive impact on the industry. “For years, digital transformation has chipped away at pieces of the insurance value chain, but the industry has never fully realized the end-to-end improvement leaders have sought. That is changing,” she wrote. “With advances in AI — especially intelligent agents and the automation patterns
Peril
Dwelling
Condominium Unit Owners Form
Tenants Form
Special Form
Broad Form
Basic Form and Modified Coverage Form
Dwelling Fire
Type of Policy
Contents
Fire, smoke, windstorm, hail, lightning, explosion, vehicles, civil unrest Theft, vandalism Trees and other falling objects Weight of ice, snow, sleet Freezing, rupturing or sudden and accidental overflow of a plumbing, heating, airconditioning or fire-sprinkler system or a household appliance All perils except, flood, earthquake, war, nuclear accident and other perils specifically excluded in your policy
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Source: NAIC
AY BEST INSURANCE AGENTS 2026 DENNIS BOST State Farm
HOLLEY BRADLEY J. James Insurance Agency
BRAD BRIDGERS ANKR
KAREN BRIDGES ANKR
BROOKE BROLO Allstate
CHRISTINE BROOKS Hatcher Agency
RYAN BROWNING Newman, Ralph and Browning Insurance Agency
JAMES M. BRYAN Navigating the complex world of insurance is not easy, but some people make it seem so. Those people are called insurance agents, and here at AY About You, we have the honor of recognizing some of the state’s top insurance agents as nominated by you, our readers. These are agents who go to bat for their clients, who explain to them the ins and outs of coverage and help ensure their most valuable assets are protected. Insurance agents help employers recruit job candidates by offering competitive benefits and walk alongside people on some of the most trying days of their lives. It is a difficult job, but for those who are up to the task, the rewards are worth the effort. Without further ado, here are “AY Best Insurance Agents” for 2026.
Bryan Insurance Agency
STEVE BUELOW Anderson+Frazier Insurance
TAMMY BURKHART Arkansas Best Insurance Agency
CRYSTAL BURNHAM Newman, Ralph and Browning Insurance Agency
NATE CABELLO Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
K.C. CAGLE Allstate
KELSEY CARNATHAN BECKY ALLEN
BRAD BARNETT
J. James Insurance Agency
Brad Barnett Insurance Agency
RANDY ALLISON
STEVE BATCHELOR
Sunstar Insurance of Arkansas
Stephens Insurance
CHARLES ANGEL
DENNIA BEARD
JTS Financial
State Farm
JEFF CLARK
NANCY ARMIGER
RUSS BERRYHILL Berryhill Insurance Group
AMI ASHMORE
STUART BERRYHILL
Stephens Insurance
Berryhill Insurance Group
STUART BABER
CHRIS BILLINGS
Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
TAMMY BAKER
MATT BLACK Allstate
FRED CHAMBERS McGhee Insurance Agency Shelter Insurance
Stephens Insurance
J. James Insurance Agency
Newman, Ralph and Browning Insurance Agency
MARTY CLARK BHC Insurance
ROGER CLARK State Farm
SCOTT CLARK BHC Insurance
DALE COLCLASURE RetirePath
JESSICA BALLARD
SAM BLANKENSHIP
J. James Insurance Agency
J. James Insurance Agency
CLAY COMBS State Farm
DAN COOK
CARSON BANKS
MELANIE BOBO
Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
Apex Insurance Consultants
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Shelter Insurance
aymag.com
AY BEST INSURANCE AGENTS 2026 JEFF COOK
JASON EVERETT
CAROLINE HOWSE
Allstate
Globe Life
Farris Agency
GRIGGS COVINGTON
BILL FLETCHER
JULIA HUDSON
Shelter Insurance
Inszone Insurance
Heffington Insurance
KAYLEE CREED
PEYTON FOGLEMAN
FRED HUGHES
Allstate
Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
Central Arkansas Insurance Agency
JASON CRIBB
JOE FORCE
KEITH HURST
Cribb Insurance Group
Allstate
State Farm
TYLER CUMMINGS
BEN FORD
NANCY JACKSON
Anderson+Frazier Insurance
State Farm
Roberson & Associates Insurance
JOSEPH DAVIS
TONI FRAZIER
JAY JAMES
Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
Frazier Insurance Agency
J. James Insurance Agency
RICKY DAVIS
PAT FRIZZELL
KENNETH JAMES
Berryhill Insurance Group
State Farm
Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
TIM DECKER
ETHAN GAMMILL
CHRIS JENKINS
ANKR
State Farm
The Jenkins Agency
CHRIS DOOLY
JENNI GATLIN
CHRIS JOHNSON
Shelter Insurance
Hatcher Agency
Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
KEVIN DUGAN
CRAIG GIGERICH
BEAU JONES
Farmers Insurance — Dugan Agency
State Farm
Jones Insurance Group
MATT EAGLE
KERRI GROSS
BRAD JULIAN
McGhee Insurance Agency
Newman, Ralph and Browning Insurance Agency
ANKR
DENNIS HABIB
Parrish-Kelley Hometown Insurance
PATRICK EATON Eaton Agency
MIKE EBERLE Eberle Insurance
RYAN EDWARDS Shelter Insurance
JOHN DAVID ELDER Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
ERIC ELIZONDO Arkansas Insurance Partners
ROBERT ELLIS Hatcher Agency
MICHAEL ELROD Apex Insurance Consultants
STAN ELROD Apex Insurance Consultants
DANIELLE EMERY Allstate
BENJAMIN ENGLISH OZK Insurance
DAVID ENLOW Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
KELLEY ERSTINE Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas
Allstate
MELANIE KELLEY DAVID KERLEY
JIM HALE
Shelter Insurance
Anderson+Frazier Insurance
NATHAN HARPER Eberle Insurance
JEREMY HAWKINS Hawkins Benefit Advisors
REX HEFFINGTON Heffington Insurance
JENNIFER KING Allstate
ALISHA LATHAM Heffington Insurance
GERRYE SUE LITTLE Newman, Ralph and Browning Insurance Agency
WILLIAM HEFFINGTON
BRENT LOVELL
Heffington Insurance
Shelter Insurance
WHIT HENSMAN
MICHELLE MALLETT
Shelter Insurance
Ott Insurance
MONICA HERNANDEZ
VINCE MASSANELLI
Shelter Insurance
Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
DREW HIGGINBOTHOM
COLE MCNAIR
Smith & Co. Insurance
McNair & Associates
DOTTIE HIGHFILL
ANDREW “AB” MEADORS
Hatcher Agency
Sunstar Insurance of Arkansas
RACHEL HILLMAN
MITCH MILES
Mutual of Arkansas Insurance
J. James Insurance Agency
ERIC HODSON
CHAD MILLARD
State Farm
Shelter Insurance
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AY BEST INSURANCE AGENTS 2026 SARA MILLER
JASON PRATHER
MATT STEWART
Allstate
Legacy Capital
ANKR
BRANDY MISENHEIMER
KAREN QUERY
REESE STRICKLAND
Roberson & Associates Insurance
Newman, Ralph and Browning Insurance Agency
Allstate
DAVID RAATH
Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
TAYLOR MITCHAM McGriff Insurance
JOE MONAN
Hatcher Agency
SCOTT STUCKEY JANET TAYLOR Arkansas Best Insurance Agency
Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
RONNIE RALPH
ERIN MOORE
Newman, Ralph and Browning Insurance Agency
State Farm
JEFF REAMS
Sunstar Insurance of Arkansas
Hatcher Agency
OLIVIA MOORE Gallagher
ASHLEY MOSLEY Farris Agency
TRAVIS MULHEARN Farris Agency
SYLVIA MURRAY Newman, Ralph and Browning Insurance Agency
MARK NUTT
DAVID TODD
Mutual of Arkansas Insurance
STEPHANIE RIGGINS Allstate
STEPHEN RIKARD Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
PEGGY ROBERSON Roberson & Associates Insurance
HUNTER RUSSELL Allstate
Newman, Ralph and Browning Insurance Agency
OZK Insurance
GARY OLSON
REX SADDLER
Shelter Insurance
Ott Insurance
WHITNEY OWENS
GRAVES SCHMIDLY
ERIC PARNELL MARCIA PARRISH Parrish-Kelley Hometown Insurance
LUCAS PERKINS Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
CHRISTY PETTIT Shelter Insurance
ALISHA POLLOCK S&P Insurance Partners
PHILLIP POOL State Farm
CHARLOTTE POTTS State Farm
TINA POTTS ANKR
JAY VAN DOVER Shelter Insurance
HANNAH VIGUERIE
COLE SCHANANDORE
McGhee Insurance Agency
ASHLEY TUTTLE Shelter Insurance
Arkansas Insurance Partners
BEN OWEN
CATY PARKER
DEWAYNE TRICHELL State Farm
Roberson & Associates Insurance
Ott Insurance
Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
MONICA TREAT Treat Insurance Agency
KACI VANCE
RILEY RUSSELL
Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance
State Farm Insurance — Owens Insurance Agency
ROB TAYLOR
BHC Insurance
MATT WARDEN Shelter Insurance
MIKE WATSON State Farm
RYAN WEBB
MARK SMITH
Shelter Insurance
Smith & Co. Insurance
MEREDITH SMITH Allstate
ALAN WHITE Farris Agency
ANTHONY WHITE
RANDY SMITH
Farris Agency
Allstate
TIM WHITE
STACIE SMITH
Brown & Brown
J. James Insurance Agency
WILLIAM SMITH
CHASE WILLIAMS Farris Agency
Smith & Co. Insurance
JAY SNIDER Shelter Insurance
DONNA SPAKES Foundation Life Insurance Co. of Arkansas
JARED STANLEY Hatcher Agency
JOHN STARLING JTS Financial
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A Worthwhile Expense Insurance costs going up with everything else, but that is no reason to take the cheap route
By SARAH DECLERK
C
osts are going up — and that includes insurance. According to insurance resource The Zebra, car insurance rates in Arkansas have ballooned over the past decade, rising from an average annual premium of about $1,500 in 2016 to about $2,700 in 2026. Meanwhile, LendingTree reported that home insurance rates climbed a whopping 46.8 percent nationwide from 2020 to 2025. “It’s a tough time for the American consumer,” said Andrew Meadors, mid-South regional co-director at Sunstar Insurance Group. “Gas, collision parts, construction materials — everything is going up, interest rates are going up, and so the cost of insurance is going up, too, all in step, in sync.” With grocery bills and other expenses going through the roof, it might be tempting to cut corners when it comes to insurance. However, the right coverage is essential to protecting one’s assets in the event of sudden misfortune. “Whether it’s a medical emergency or the unexpected loss of a loved one, the right coverage can keep a difficult situation from becoming a financial crisis,” said David Todd, chief operations officer and president of benefits at Sunstar. “Here in Arkansas, I see hardworking families focused on taking care of everyone else, but sometimes they forget to protect themselves. Insurance provides a financial safety net and peace of mind when life does not go according to plan.” From automobiles to life, health and more, here is a look at the latest when it comes to insurance.
By way of example, he noted that if an Arkansas driver carries the state minimum liability limits of $25,000 in property damage coverage and hits a vehicle worth $75,000, that driver could be responsible for paying the $50,000 difference on the claim — a financial catastrophe that could be avoided by shelling out a few more bucks a month for $100,000 in coverage. “A lot of people look at insurance as a commodity, kind of like going and buying a candy bar or a car, and it’s really not that. Insurance doesn’t need to be a one-size-fits-all type of thing,” Bost said “It needs to be something that a professional sits down with you and tells you, ‘Yes, you need this. No, you don’t need that. This is worth spending money on. This is not.’”
AUTO INSURANCE These days, it is relatively easy to take out an auto insurance policy online without talking to a single person. However, Dennis Bost, a State Farm agent based in Little Rock, said working with a reputable agent who can tailor policies to one’s needs and budget can add value while preventing headaches come claim time.
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Andrew Meadors
David Todd
Dennis Bost
“Insurance doesn’t need to be a one-size-fits-all type of thing. It needs to be something that a professional sits down with you and tells you, ‘Yes, you need this. No, you don’t need that. This is worth spending money on. This is not.’” — Dennis Bost, State Farm
As body shops have gotten more expensive, the severity of claims, meaning how much accidents cost, has increased, as well. “It’s not like your grandma’s ‘87 Buick that had a big metal bumper, and if you hit something with it, it was $300 for a new one,” Bost said. “Now what we’re seeing is if a car goes in a body shop, you’re looking at at least $5,000 or $6,000, even if one quarter panel is damaged.” Meadors said repairs are not only becoming costlier but lengthier. “The collision parts are going up. The length of time vehicles are in the repair centers is going up,
it seems, in the post-COVID[-19] era,” he said. “I’m seeing more and more rental agreements or allowances in car policies being stretched to the max because of that.” Bost said adequate liability limits are the most important consideration when purchasing car insurance, particularly in today’s litigious society. One way to offset the cost of higher liability limits is by choosing a policy with a greater deductible, he added. “If you currently have a $500 deductible on your car and you move that to $1,000, is that going to break you? Probably not. Is it going to
be irritating? Absolutely, but it’s not going to break you financially. Most people, if they have to come up with $75,000 or $100,000, that could break them,” he said. “What I explain to people is, ‘You deal with the irritations. I’ll take care of the devastations.’” Along with driving history, vehicle type helps determine insurance premiums. Bost said it might come as a surprise that vehicles frequently driven by young drivers, such as Honda Civics, may carry higher insurance costs than luxury cars in some instances. Meadors recommended narrowing one’s car search down to a few models, researching collision repair costs and then discussing with an agent what the insurance costs might be.
LIFE INSURANCE Life insurance is an important topic, albeit a difficult one for many people to think about or plan for. Bost said having the right coverage can make all the difference. “If something happened to you, how much coverage would you need to replace your income if you weren’t there?” he said. “People will be like, ‘Well, I don’t want to spend money on that.’ I tell them, ‘If you had a machine that spit out cash, would you insure it if somebody stole it or something happened to it?’ Everybody says yes there. You are that to your family, so why not insure that for your family to make sure they’re taken care of ?”
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insurance
Whether one chooses term life insurance, whole life insurance or a hybrid product known as universal life insurance depends on one’s situation and goals, he said. Usually cheaper up front, term insurance lasts for a specific period and pays off only if there is a death. Whole life covers a person’s entire lifespan and builds cash value over time. Bost likened the distinction to renting versus owning a house. However, either can do the job of replacing income lost due to death. He added that there are various options available, including policies that cover long-term care and a disability rider that will pay the premium if the insurance holder becomes disabled. Todd said the best way to start is by asking a simple question: “If something happened to me tomorrow, what would my family need?” he said. “Think about replacing income, paying off a mortgage and other debts, covering education and final expenses, and protecting your family’s standard of living. Then consider how long the need will last and whether term insurance, permanent insurance or a combination makes sense. Beneficiary designations should also be reviewed after major life events.” His biggest advice was to not wait. People might not feel like they need insurance when they are young and healthy, he said, but in reality, that is often when life and disability coverage is the most accessible and affordable. “Whether you’re a young professional in Little Rock, a family in Conway or a business owner in rural Arkansas, it is easier to put a protection plan in place before you need it,” he said. “Review your health, life, disability and long-term care strategy each year, and make sure it still fits your family, income, debts, healthcare needs and goals.”
H E A LT H I N S U R A N C E Amid rising healthcare costs, Arkansas families and employers are looking more closely at how to manage expenses without giving up access to quality care. Todd said one of the top issues his firm is watching is pharmacy benefit manager reform. “Prescription drug costs are a major concern for employers and families, and policymakers are paying closer attention to pricing transparency, rebate arrangements, pharmacy reimbursement and the flow of money through the prescription drug supply chain,” he said. “That conversation is especially important in Arkansas because it affects employers, consumers and community pharmacies.” He added that he has seen continued attention being paid to price transparency, mental health parity, consumer data privacy, cybersecurity, and the use of artificial intelligence in underwriting and claims. Todd also urged consumers to not just focus on the monthly premium, taking into account the deductible, copays, coinsurance, outof-pocket maximums, provider network, prescription formulary, and whether one’s doctors and hospitals are in network.
“For Arkansas residents, access matters,” he said. “Someone in Little Rock may have different provider choices than someone in a rural part of the state, so confirm that the plan works where you actually receive care.” He added that he often encourages clients to consider disability insurance, long-term care and health savings accounts. “Disability insurance may be the most overlooked because a person’s ability to earn an income may be their largest financial asset,” he said. “I also encourage long-term care planning, which may involve traditional coverage, a life policy with a long-term care rider, a hybrid policy or another funding strategy.” Bost said his company offers supplemental health insurance such as a hospital medical policy that pays $1,000 or $2,000 in the event of a trip to the hospital or emergency room — great for families with children who play sports or have a tendency to get injured. He also offers shortand long-term disability insurance. “It’s usually in your best interest to carry some sort of disability because just straight Social Security, people can run the numbers and see if they can live off that, but a lot of folks can’t live off just the governmentsubsidized disability policy,” he said. “If you can’t live off the numbers that it shows if you’re disabled that the government pays, then at that point in time is when you would need a disability policy.”
LIFE AND MARKET CHANGES Another policy Bost recommended is a personal liability umbrella that protects against any sort of liability situation, from car accidents to guests being injured in a home. He said the policy is particularly important for people who are saving for retirement. “Let’s say you’ve got a stock account, right, and you only have $25,000 in property damage like what I was talking about earlier, and you damage a $100,000 car. Now you’ve got $75,000 that you owe. They can take that money from that stock account from you, and you’re back to square one when you could have had a policy that cost a few hundred bucks a year that makes sure that that doesn’t occur.” He added that as a family’s net worth grows, more liability coverage is needed to ensure adequate protection. On the other hand, people who are retired and have Medicare benefits may not need medical payments coverage on their vehicles, allowing them to reduce that coverage. “As you age and progress, your needs change,” he said. “When you have kids in the home, it looks different than when you don’t, so meeting with an agent at least every other year is very important.” Meadors said the market is softening for commercial insurance, and he expects home and auto insurance rates to come down, as well. He and Bost both noted that there have already been some decreases in car insurance rates thanks, in part, to artificial intelligence driving efficiencies in the actuary process. The race is on to lower premiums for the American public while ensuring quality coverage, Meadors said, adding that agents and brokers are shopping coverage more than they used to and doing everything possible to fight back against the hard market of the past few years. “Things are changing for the betterment of the consumer,” he said. “They need to know their agents are now worn out with the hard market. We get it. We pay higher premiums ourselves. My personal insurance has gone up a crazy percentage, just like everybody else’s has, so we see it. We are pushing back, and we’re starting to be able to have some good effects with that.”
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Nothin’ But a Good Time Arkansas State Fair back and better than ever By DWAIN HEBDA Photos courtesy of ARKANSAS STATE FAIR
I
f it is fall in Arkansas, it must be time for the sights, tastes and excitement of the Arkansas State Fair & Livestock Show. The autumnal event, under the banner “Big Flavors. Big Rides. Even Bigger Fun,” opens Oct. 16 and runs through Oct. 25 at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds in Little Rock. Over the past decade, the state fair has enjoyed tremendous popularity, as reflected by attendance numbers that run past half a million guests annually. While the 2025 event was off slightly due to losing a prime Saturday to bad weather, organizers expect this year’s fair to rebound and once again contend for record-setting crowds. The most conspicuous change to the attractions is the 2026 event will not feature any concerts by traveling musical acts. Tiffany Wilkerson, president and general manager, said the cost of bringing in bands had become prohibitively expensive and, as concert attendance last year showed, fairgoers attend the event with other entertainment in mind. “Last year, we tried to bring concerts back to Barton Coliseum by offering ticketed shows to try and figure out what our audience was,” she said. “We just did not pull the numbers, which told us why people are coming to the fair, that they are really here for the rides, the food and the games. It wasn’t concerts they’re coming for, and with the cost of shows being so expensive, we dialed back the budget to not do the shows and went back to focusing on the basics, what people really want to come out for.” As a result, the 2026 event will combine the experiences Arkansans know and love with two new rides and expanded entertainment attractions, the latter of which are included in the price of gate admission. Among the family-friendly entertainment acts debuting at the Arkansas State Fair in 2026 is the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, which puts competitive lumberjacking skills on display, and Hoop You, a blend of circus-style performance, dance Tiffany Wilkerson and Hula-Hoop skills into a colorful, high-
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2026 Arkansas State Fair at a glance The following information is complete and accurate as of publication date. For full up-to-the-minute information and details, consult arkansasstatefair.com. ADMISSION & PARKING PRICES Advance Pricing: Through Oct. 15 Gate Pricing: Oct. 16-25 Adults: Advance Price $10 | Gate Price $15 Seniors (Age 60+): Advance Price $6 | Gate Price $10 Children (Age 6-12): Advance Price $6 | Gate Price $8 Children (5 and younger): Free Groups (Minimum of 20): Advance Price $7 | Gate Price $7 Individual Ride Bands: Advance Price $30 | Gate Price $37 Group Ride Bands (Groups of 20+): Advance Price $30 | Gate Price $30 Regular Parking: $10 energy show. Returning will be Sea Lion Splash, which offers playful marine-mammal performances of comedy and athletic tricks. Other live entertainment will include performances and programming on the Main Stage, putting a greater spotlight on local and regional talent throughout the fair’s 10-day run. The rotating lineup of live music, DJs, specialty entertainment, competitions and other programming are designed to complement the overall fair experience and add value to an admission ticket. In between performances, guests can enjoy other new highlights, including The Flight Deck, an interactive aviation-focused experience presented in partnership with the U.S. Air Force; two new midway thrill rides, Downdraft and Super Miami; and for grownups, the new Blake’s Hard Cider Saloon. With all that is new this year, one of the most popular things that is returning is the youth curfew. Implemented two years ago, the curfew applies to individuals younger than 18, who must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older from 6 p.m. until the fair closes each night. Unaccompanied people 18 or under already through the gates at 6 p.m. may be removed by security, and no one under 18 will be admitted through the gates after 6 p.m. without an eligible adult. The curfew does not apply to credentialed youth fair exhibitors wearing a designated wristband. “I definitely heard from attendees that the youth curfew that we put in place is probably the best thing that we could’ve ever done,” Wilkerson said. “It has reduced a lot of problems down to nothing and really made the environment family friendly. That’s why these curfews are becoming more common in other fairs around the country, as well.” The curfew is not the only attempt to make the fair more attractive to families. This year, the fair will introduce Family Day, offering free admission for children 12 and younger, free parking, and $2 rides with paid adult admission. Wilkerson said delivering value to families to enjoy the daily slate of entertainment, competitions and attractions is what the Arkansas State Fair does best.
The Arkansas State Fair promises good times, family fun and lots of tasty fair food.
“There’s just something special about fair time in Arkansas,” Wilkerson said. “For generations, families have come together for the food, the rides, the animals and all the fun that only comes around once a year. We want to keep building on that tradition by giving families more to see, more to do and even more value every time they come through the gates.”
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arts&culture ATTRACTIONS
NEW FOR 2026 NEW & UPDATED AREAS & LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
• The Flight Deck presented with the U.S. Air Force One of the fair’s marquee new experiences, The Flight Deck brings an interactive aviation-focused attraction to the fairgrounds through a partnership with the U.S. Air Force. The experience is designed to give fairgoers an upclose connection to the world of flight and the people, technology and mission behind the Air Force, adding a completely new dimension to the 2026 fair.
• Hiland Dairy Fun Zone — The fair’s new family entertainment hub will be active from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and offer a rotating schedule of free performances. This year’s family friendly shows include: • Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show — NEW This action-packed family show brings the skill and spectacle of competitive lumberjacking to the state fairgrounds. Professional lumberjacks face off in events such as wood chopping, crosscut sawing, ax throwing, a chainsaw competition and log rolling, mixing athletic competition with humor and a look at traditional logging skills.
• Blake’s Hard Cider Saloon Blake’s Hard Cider Saloon gives adult fairgoers a dedicated place to gather, relax and enjoy the Arkansas State Fair. The new saloon expands the fair’s adult beverage offerings and marks Blake’s Hard Cider’s first year as an Arkansas State Fair sponsor. Blake’s will also present Ladies Night Out Oct. 21.
• Hoop You — NEW Hoop You blends circus-style performance, dance and Hula-Hoop skills into a colorful, high-energy show built around audience engagement. The performers use hoop choreography and interactive elements to create an allages experience that encourages fairgoers to become part of the fun rather than simply watch from the sidelines.
RIDES • Downdraft A new high-thrill midway attraction for 2026, Downdraft combines spinning, swinging and rapid changes in height to create a floating, free-fall sensation. Riders rotate in a circle while being lifted outward before sudden dips and drops add another layer of speed and motion for thrill seekers.
• Sea Lion Splash A returning fair favorite, Sea Lion Splash combines playful marine-mammal performances with comedy, athletic tricks, and educational interaction between the animals and their trainers. Fairgoers can watch the sea lions splash, balance, perform and show off their personalities during multiple performances each day.
• Super Miami The second major new midway ride for 2026 sends a wide row of riders through sweeping, wave-like motion with quick accelerations, climbs and plunges. The ride combines height, speed, music and lights for a high-energy experience that will also create a major visual presence on the midway after dark.
Daily Performance Schedule Noon — Hoop You 12:30 p.m. — Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show 1 p.m. — Sea Lion Splash 2:30 p.m. — Hoop You 3 p.m. — Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show 3:30 p.m. — Sea Lion Splash (Saturdays, Sundays and Monday, Oct. 19, only) 5:30 p.m. — Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show 6 p.m. — Sea Lion Splash 6:30 p.m. — Hoop You • Arvest Hall of Industry The familiar Arkansas State Fair destination enters 2026 with a new title sponsor in Arvest Bank. The building remains a central indoor stop for exhibits, vendors and fair activity while reflecting Arvest’s expanded partnership with the Arkansas State Fair. • Museum of Discovery The Museum of Discovery will bring Ballapalooza and Giant Lincoln Logs open play on-site daily. On Saturdays, Sundays and Friday, Oct. 23, catch the Awesome Science Show at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. plus open play until 5:30 p.m. On Friday, Oct. 16, and Monday through Thursday, open play runs 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Closing Sunday wraps up at 3 p.m.
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arts&culture DAILY PROMOTIONS & HIGHLIGHTS Friday, Oct. 16 — Grand Opening
• The Great Corn Dog Countdown: The grand gate opening event starts at 10:59 a.m., featuring the Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School Marching Band and Spirit Squad. • Ride Band Day: KARK Channel 4 and FOX 16 kick off opening day. • Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Day: Scholarship recipients receive half-off gate admission. • Lunch at the Fair, presented by Entergy: Fair patrons get free parking and free gate admission 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays. •F air Queen Pageant opens: Contestants from across Arkansas begin three days of competition, with the pageant running Oct. 16 to 18 on the fairgrounds. • Main Stage, 7 p.m.: Arthur Young performs with support from Power 92’s DJ Dr. Feelgood.
Saturday, Oct. 17
• Ride Band Day: Power 92/102.1 KOKY/Praise 102.5 • Power 92 Power Pack: Families can take advantage of 92 minutes of free gate admission for children 12 and younger from 11 a.m. to 12:32 p.m., creating a value-packed start to the first Saturday of the fair. • Arvest Day at the Fair: Arvest customers and employees receive $2 off gate admission. • Main Stage, 7 p.m.: The Ultimate Soul Experience featuring Haywood King & Roosevelt Harris
Sunday, Oct. 18
• Ride Band Day: 94.1 The Point with AY Media Group • Ambetter Day at the Fair: Guests can receive $2 off gate admission by presenting their Ambetter insurance cards. • Fair Queen Pageant concludes • 106.3 La Zeta broadcasts live from the gate, bringing music personalities and live fair coverage directly into the Sunday experience.
Monday, Oct. 19 — Family Fun Day
• Ride Band Day: B98.5 • Kiddie Day at the Fair, presented by Arvest: Kids ages 6 and younger ride free on all kiddie rides from 9 to 11 a.m. Free gate admission for adults bringing children during that time. Parking included. • Monday Family Fun Day: One of the Fair’s biggest value promotions returns with $2 rides, free parking, and free gate admission for children 12 and younger, giving families an affordable way to experience the midway and attractions together. • Lunch at the Fair, presented by Entergy: Fair patrons get free parking and free gate admission weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. •T HV11 is on site throughout the day for Mission Home Day and Morgan Nick Day. The morning includes a Lost Kids booth from 8 to 10 a.m., adding an important family-safety and awareness component to the day’s programming. • Main Stage, 7 p.m.: Deja Blu
Tuesday, Oct. 20 — Military Appreciation
• Ride Band Day: KSSN 96 with Arkansas Life • Military Appreciation Day: The Arkansas State Fair salutes military service by offering free gate admission all day to military personnel and up to four immediate family members with valid I.D. • Lunch at the Fair, presented by Entergy: Fair patrons get free parking and free gate admission 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays. • Main Stage, 7 p.m.: Central Arkansas Fermenters Homebrew Awards
Wednesday, Oct. 21 — Ladies Night Out
• Ride Band Day: Alice 107.7 • Lunch at the Fair, presented by Entergy: Fair patrons get free parking and free gate admission 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays. • Ladies Night Out, presented by Blake’s Hard Cider: Ladies age 21 and older receive free gate admission starting at 6 p.m. for an evening built around friends, food, rides and entertainment. • Main Stage, 7 p.m.: Line Dance Night with DJ Deja Blu • On the grounds: Alice 107.7 broadcasts live with Heather Brown from 4 to 6 p.m., helping set the tone for Ladies Night Out before the evening’s Main Stage entertainment.
Thursday, Oct. 22 — College Night
• Ride Band Day: THV11 • Lunch at the Fair, presented by Entergy: Fair patrons get free parking and free gate admission 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays. • College Night: College students receive free gate admission with a valid school I.D. starting at 6 p.m. , turning Thursday night into a fair meetup for students from campuses across the state. • Main Stage, 7 p.m.: Karaoke Night
Friday, Oct. 23 — School Day & Sale of Champions
• Ride Band Day: 103.7 The Buzz/106.7 The Buzz 2 • School Day at the Fair: Children ages 3 to 12 receive $3 gate admission, making Friday an especially accessible day for families and school-age guests to experience the fair’s rides, exhibits, livestock and entertainment. • Lunch at the Fair, presented by Entergy: Fair patrons get free parking and free gate admission 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays. • Sale of Champions and Parade of Champions: One of the fair’s signature agricultural traditions puts Arkansas youth exhibitors and their award-winning livestock in the spotlight, celebrating the hard work, responsibility and agricultural education behind the animals shown throughout fair week. The event starts at 11 a.m. in Barton Coliseum. • Main Stage, 4 p.m.: Talent Showdown • Main Stage, 7 p.m.: Makiyah Mustiful, with support from DJ Dr. Feelgood, Power 92
Saturday, Oct. 24 — Entergy Day & Ag Youth
• Entergy Day at the Fair: Entergy employees receive $2 off gate admission by showing an employee I.D. at the gate, extending the company’s fair partnership beyond its weekday Lunch at the Fair promotion. • FFA, FCCLA, Scout Day and 4-H Day: The fair celebrates young Arkansans involved in agriculture, leadership and service organizations with $3 gate admission sold until 5 p.m. for FFA and FCCLA students, scouts and 4-H members, as well as participating teachers, sponsors and bus drivers. • Main Stage, 7 p.m.: Heath Sanders
Sunday, Oct. 25 — Closing Day, presented by Oaklawn
• Ride Band Day: Last chance for guests to purchase an all-day midway armband and make the most of the rides. • 1 06.3 La Zeta broadcasts live on site for Ride Band Day, bringing music and live energy to the fairgrounds throughout closing day.
arts&culture PAGEANTS AND TALENT Attend the Arkansas State Fair talent and pageant events to see the best Arkansas has to offer in beauty, ability, talent and community service. The Arkansas State Fair pageants are beloved events that have taken place for more than 100 years. After qualifying at the county level Miss Arkansas State Fair and Jr. Miss Arkansas State Fair contestants represent their hometowns with pride at the state fair competitions. Elite Ms. Arkansas State Fair, Ms. Arkansas State Fair and Sr. Ms. Arkansas State Fair, competing by age, do not have a regional step and advance directly to the finals of their respective divisions. In addition, a number of youth pageants and talent competitions are held for younger competitors, giving them their start on stage and a moment in the spotlight. For complete rules and entry information, visit arkansasstatefair.com. 2026 Pageants & Talent Competitions Jr. Miss Pageant — Oct. 16-17 — Barton Coliseum Miss Pageant — Oct. 16-17 — Barton Coliseum Rodeo Queen Competition — Oct. 17-18 — Arkansas Building/Equine Arena Jr/Sr Talent Showdown — Oct. 23 — Arkansas Building Youth Pageants (13 and younger) — Oct. 24 — Arkansas Building Elite Ms., Ms., and Sr. Ms. Pageants (24 and older) — Oct. 18 — Arkansas Building
LIVESTOCK
Exhibitors from across Arkansas will bring their prize animals to compete in the hopes of winning the coveted blue ribbon and grand champion rosette. Youth work all year to raise and groom their animals. Competition this year will be held for cattle, sheep, swine, goats, rabbits and poultry. The full schedule of judging by category is available at the fair website. On Oct. 23, the annual Sale of Champions will start at 11 a.m. at Barton Coliseum. The event raises money in a mock auction for the top competitors across various species.
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2026 SPECIALTY CONTESTS — CREATIVE ARTS Experience Arkansas' arts and crafts at their best across a wide range of hobby and homemaking categories, including cooking and baking competitions, art and photography, needlework, and more. Some of the daily activities are drop-in and require no advance entry or qualification. Guests who check them out and plan to attend and participate might walk away with a prize. For complete rules and entry information, visit arkansasstatefair.com. Creative Arts Building Saturday, Oct. 17 — Adult Open Bake Monday, Oct. 19 — Tim Clement Memorial Coconut Cake
Tuesday, Oct. 20 — Hiland Dairy Cooking Contest Matthew’s Sweet Potato Cooking Contest Wednesday, Oct. 21 — Arkansas State Fair Pie Contest Skippy Peanut Butter Cooking Contest Thursday, Oct. 22 — Arkansas Cattlemen’s Hamburger Steak Competition Arkansas Cattlewomen’s Chili Cook-Off Saturday, Oct. 24 — Youth Baking Competition Pumpkin Painting Hot Dog Eating Contest
2026 FOOD VENDORS What would the Arkansas State Fair be without state fair food? This year’s event offers a robust lineup of old favorites and new flavors to fuel your State Fair experience. Food items listed are only a sample of what is available, so come check it out for yourself. Menu items are for illustrative purposes only. Actual menu items are subject to change. Some vendors listed below operate multiple outlets on the fairgrounds; listed menu items may not be available at all locations. Bennett Concessions: pork tenderloins, cowboy burgers, Krazy Frys Brandon Concessions: grilled cheeses Busch Cooking Shack: hamburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, fries
Haack’s Concession: blooming onions, onion rings, loaded tater tots, cheese curds Huston Concessions: pork chop on a stick, cobbler in a cone Ice Tea Box: iced tea, fruit punch
Larry’s Concessions: chicken, roasted corn Larry’s Gator House: gator bites, boudin eggs, red beans and rice
Linda Chan’s Concession: fried rice, wings, eggrolls
Linda’s Lemonade SW: lemonade shakeups
McKinney Corn Dogs: regular, footlong and specialty corndogs, nachos, fries Michener Kettle Corn: pig skins, kettle corn
Center Stage Grill: hamburgers, nachos, polish sausages
Ormic Dippin’ Dots: Dippin’ Dots, ice cream, yogurt
Don Elote: tacos, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos walking tacos
Ormic Taco Kings: tacos, quesadillas, burritos
Corky Westmoreland Concessions: funnel cakes, lemonade, nachos
Ormic Mickey’s Grill: beef and chicken kabobs, turkey legs
Eggroll Love: gourmet egg rolls
Ozark Candies & Nuts: roasted pecans, roasted almonds
Fried What?!: deep-fried Oreos, deep-fried Twinkies, deep-fried cheesecake
Gold’s Boss Hogg: turkey legs, ribs, chicken Gold’s Skillet: reuben sandwiches
H2Q BBQ: Big Poppa Tot, fried ribs, fried fish
Paizi’s Greek Foods: gyros, pitas, Greek salad Pepsi Express: beer, soda, bottled water
Roger Westmoreland Concessions: funnel cakes, lemonade, nachos
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Ryals Slushie Station: slushes
SW Candyman: cotton candy, candy apples SW Chris Corn Dogs: dipped corn dogs SW Two Brothers: ice cream, pineapple whip Sip N Sunshine: coffee, tea, refreshers
State Fair Funnel Cakes: funnel cakes, shaved ice
Swain’s Pizza: pizza on a stick, spicy pickle pizza
The Big Show Diner/Ann’s Kitchen: burgers The Lord’s Kitchen: burgers, catfish, pulled pork The Party Deck: beer, soda, bottled water WonderStick: ice cream
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arts&culture
TURNING A NEW PAGE Kathleen Fuller did not set out to become a prolific novelist. Now her romance novels capture hearts across the country.
By DOUG CRISE
(Photos courtesy of Kathleen Fuller)
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E
ver since New Year’s Day of 2000, Kathleen Fuller has written bales of romantic literature — 60 published novels to go along with numerous novellas collected for romance anthologies. Her books, characters and settings invoke a cozy, welcoming feeling, and millions of readers have curled up with her prose as if it were a well-loved family blanket. Do not get too carried away with the romance angle — Fuller’s life is not one of flowers and paper hearts. “In real life, I’m the most unromantic person on the planet,” Fuller said. “Fortunately my husband picks up the slack.” Fuller has carved out a life for herself unlike anyone else in Arkansas. Her books have hit bestseller lists and inspired millions of followers in the Natural State and beyond. Along with her indefatigable writing schedule, Fuller also shares her love for crocheting via her website, introducing her fans to something she has loved since she was a small child. Her career now represents something so grand that Fuller could never have predicted how thoroughly it has changed her life. After decades as a teacher working in special education, Fuller initially considered writing
arts&culture She published her first book in 2003 and quickly took off from there. In 2009, her novella “A Place of His Own” was published in the collection An Amish Gathering, and she continued to contribute her short stories to anthologies while producing novels at a brisk pace. Her 2017 novel, Written in Love, won the 2018 Romantic Times Inspirational Romance of the Year award. Fuller’s work speaks to her inspiration. She is a lifelong fan of John Hughes, director of classic coming-of-age films such as Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Her reading tastes have always slanted toward Christian fiction, historical novels and what she calls “cozy romances.” All of those influences come together and make themselves known in her writing and the plots of her stories.
Kathleen Fuller as something new to stalk her attention after her retirement. Finding a mega-sized audience was not in the plans, since Fuller’s earlier attempts at fiction had proven, well, a little uneven. “Back in the late ‘90s, I was reading a lot of Christian fiction,” Fuller said, “and it inspired me to try my hand at writing a book. I did, and it was terrible. I definitely needed to learn how to write fiction.” Today, it is hard to imagine Fuller ever needing an assist with building worlds and capturing characters. One of her latest, Autumn at the Cat Café, tells the story of Via Dalton, owner of a feline-centric cafe in a picturesque Ohio town whose life is thrown into chaos after meeting Leo Brewster, the heir to the neighboring bookstore she hopes to buy. Another recent release, Tabitha’s September Homecoming, tells the story of a young woman in an Amish community torn between two romantic interests. Fuller said it did not take her long to realize she would need guidance and support en route to completing her first novel. Unsatisfied with her own early attempts, she reached out to Romance Writers of America, a nonprofit organization that provides career guidance, networking and community for budding romance novelists. After taking a correspondence course on the nuts and bolts of book-crafting, Fuller found a supportive “critique group” that allowed her to evolve her craft and workshop her early ideas.
Fuller also carries the increasingly rare — and admirable — status of an author who promoted her books before the takeoff of social media. She did not find an audience overnight, and those early days of promotion were both challenging and proof positive that she believed in her work. Once she figured out the business aspect of writing, Fuller became a onewoman whirlwind, finding a publisher and making sure bookmarks and postcards promoting her books were sent to bookstores. When not doing that, Fuller reached out to friends and family. “Word of mouth was king back then, and it still is,” Fuller said. “Now I have a newsletter, which is my primary marketing tool. I also have a YouTube channel where I do a Read and Crochet Along project featuring granny square tutorials inspired by my book covers, and I’m currently on a statewide book tour to promote Autumn at the Cat Café.” About the crocheting — Fuller was taught the art of crafting with yarn at a young age, watching her mother and grandmother. Like many childhood interests, it would take a backseat in adulthood until circumstances led to a rediscovery later in life.
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Pattern designed by Kathleen Fuller Inspired by the book Autumn at the Cat Cafe by Kathleen Fuller Inspired by the book Autumn at the Cat Cafe by Kathleen Fuller
arts&culture
Welcome to the Read and Crochet Along Welcome to the Read and Crochet Along (RCAL). If you love reading and crochet, (RCAL). If you love reading and crochet, this CAL is for you! Each square is this CAL by is one for ofyou! Each and square is inspired my books has an inspired by one of my books and has an accompanying tutorial. accompanying tutorial. YouTube Tutorial YouTube Find outTutorial more about Autumn at the Cat Find Cafeout more about Autumn at the Cat Cafe The pattern is customizable. Use any size The pattern is yarn, customizable. Usehook. any size yarn, type of and any size You yarn, type of yarn, medium, and any or size hook. You can make a small, large square can a small,ormedium, large square rounds/using a by make subtracting adding or smaller or larger hook. rounds/using You can also by subtracting or adding a reverse or the larger order hook. of the You colors, use canor also smaller differentthe ones. It’s of up the to you! It’s or also a reverse order colors, use great scrap yarnIt’s project. different ones. up to you! It’s also a great scrap yarn project. Materials used for the pictured square are below. used for the pictured square are Materials
below. Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Pumpkin, Red HeartBurgundy, Super Gold, SaverSage Yarn in US H Hook (or hook recommended for Pumpkin, Burgundy, Gold, Sage yarn) US H Hook (or hook recommended for Scissors yarn) Yarn needle to weave in ends Scissors Measuring tape or ruler Yarn needle to weave in ends Measuring tape or ruler Square measures approximately 5 in. x 5 in. Gauge not necessary for this project. Square measures approximately 5 in. x 5 in. Gauge not necessary for this project.
Much Ado About a Latte colorway crochet project
Additional Kathleen Fuller titles:
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Autumn at the Cat Café square
www.kathleenfuller.com www.kathleenfuller.com
“About 10 years ago, I picked it up again when I injured my back and needed something to keep myself busy other than writing,” Fuller said. “I realized that it was a terrific creative complement to writing, and I’ve rarely gone a day without crocheting something. Even when I had surgery on my right hand, I crocheted with my left. You could say I’m obsessed. I’ve also passed the craft down to my two daughters, who make beautiful things. Since I’m a retired teacher, helping people learn to crochet was a natural thing to do.” Today, Fuller includes downloadable crochet patterns and instructional YouTube videos on her website, kathleenfuller.com, along with specialized designs related to specific books she has written, part of a “Fiction and Fiber Arts” series in which she invites readers to crochet along as they read. With more than 60 books to her name, Fuller is a woman of unflagging industry, and she comes by it honestly. Even in the realm of teaching, where no job is an easy job, working in special education is truly a pedal-to-the-metal calling. When not working with students in the classroom and lesson planning, special education teachers face a mountain of paperwork that must be filled out and kept current for each and ev-
arts&culture “About 10 years ago,
I picked it up again when I injured my back and needed something to keep myself busy other than writing. I realized that it was a terrific creative complement to writing, and I’ve rarely gone a day without crocheting something.” — Kathleen Fuller
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ery student. It is rarely a 9-to-5 experience, and savvy teachers learn how to keep up with the workload whenever a spare moment arises. Fuller has taken the same approach to her writing. “Developing a schedule did help, but a lot of times, I would write when I was in the car, on my lunch break at school, in the wee hours of the morning, during dance lessons, etc.,” Fuller said. “After I retired, I put myself on a more structured schedule, but I also leave room for writing on the fly when inspiration strikes.” Fuller is quick to give credit where it is due. She said her faith and her family sustained her in those early days when she was still figuring out her craft, and that support continues as she works to keep up with the demands of an evergrowing fanbase. “My husband, James, is the MVP,” Fuller said. “He’s been extremely supportive throughout the ups and downs of both my careers, and I couldn’t do what I do without him.” Sounds like the sort of devotion taken straight from her novels. “Hmm,” Fuller said. “That sounds almost romantic.”
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Aussie-born film producer the latest fan of the Natural State By DWAIN HEBDA // Photos courtesy of ARTICLE SOURCE
As the old-timers say, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, but when it comes to film and television, it seems like every tree in the Arkansas woods is bursting with projects these days, including movies Turnbuckle and King Snake and streaming series The Big D. To that list, add Killing Time, a suspense feature film expected to hit theaters in early 2027. Australia-born Linda Duncombe is no stranger to Arkansas, having vacationed in the state with friends, so she knew the area’s natural beauty and the welcoming spirit of the people. When time came for the banker turned independent film producer to choose a location for Killing Time, starring Freddie Prinze Jr. (She’s All That, I Know What You Did Last Summer), William Moseley (The Chronicles of Narnia series, The Royals), Sasha Pieterse (Pretty Little Liars, X-Men: First Class) and Shelley Hennig (Unfriended, Hunting Season), Duncombe leveraged the state’s tax break for filmmakers and shot the film in central Arkansas over three weeks in May and June. AY About You sat down with the producer to discuss the new film, the changing dynamic in the entertainment industry after COVID-19 and her growing love for the Natural State. AY About You: Let’s talk a little bit about your story and how you came to the entertainment industry. Linda Duncombe: Well, the accent you hear is Australian. I grew up in a very happy home and was fascinated by television. As a very young girl, I used to watch Wonder Woman and Charlie’s Angels, and one day, I turned to my parents and said, ‘I’m going to live in America.’ Through banking, I was able to do that; I moved to the U.S. with Citibank and was in New York for three years and then worked with Citi National Bank in Los Angeles, and that’s where I became much more involved in the entertainment industry. During COVID-19, with the [Paycheck Protection Program] loans, we established a platform using Salesforce as a partner to help our clients and people that qualified to get access to that program, which was all very
well intended, but it was hard to get to. I used to say we built the modernday Apollo 13, where you have to land that thing while figuring out how to put a round peg in a square hole. Anyway, we built this platform, and we were able to help entertainment clients through that whole process, and that’s how my name initially became well known in the industry. When I left banking, I had a lot of contacts, a lot of networks and a group of businesspeople that I knew who saw enormous potential within the entertainment industry, but independent films needed to find out some new sources of money. Today, I sit on the board of the Screen Actors Guild-[American Federation of Television and Radio Artists] Foundation and the Grammys Foundation, and that’s allowed me to keep my contacts and relationships very much alive. Seeing some of the challenges and struggles that the industry was having, I was more determined than ever to see how we could establish a model that allowed us to make independent films. AY: How did that lead you to Arkansas? Duncombe: Arkansas was on our radar because of Josh Friedman, who’s my best friend, my business partner and the director of Killing Time. He would go [to Arkansas] all the time with his family, where they have this beautiful house on a lake. It’s just beautiful here, and the people are so friendly. It feels very culturally aligned to what I grew up in — like “please,” “excuse me,” “thank you,” hold the door open for anybody. That’s etiquette in Arkansas; I don’t know what I was expecting, but it was so much like Australia. Whenever I go to Arkansas and I’m speaking to locals, I love it because it’s the same courtesy and etiquette that I grew up on. That’s Southern charm. I love it. AY: From a professional perspective, what elements did the state offer that landed Killing Time? Duncombe: The 25-percent tax credit is very attractive, and the departments of state government are very supportive in helping you under-
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stand what qualifies or doesn’t qualify and going through the process of being able to submit your expenses for the tax credit. There were also some local crew members who were already attached to the project, and we loved having the local crew, as well as just the beautiful landscape and using these wonderful houses and buildings for parts of our film. We got really excited about it. Between that and Josh, and his family going to Arkansas regularly, when it came up on our radar, we’re like, ‘We know Arkansas, and we love it. Let’s go.’
sey and Spider-Man were out, they had a record number of people going to theaters around the world, so I think people will still come out for the right films, and they don’t have to be DC comic movies, which I love.
AY: Is there a generational element to these viewer preferences? Duncombe: The model of what makes people go to the cinema, what we’re seeing is very different as this younger generation is coming through. A movie with the right demographic pool, like Obsession, which was not an expensive movie, made so much money because it was a younger demographAY: During COVID-19, when we were all seic. Their choices are a little bit different. People are questered, it proved we wanted content more becoming more selective. I don’t think it’s ever gothan ever but in different formats and platforms. ing to be like before COVID, but people are going What did that period do to change the industry’s to the theaters if you know how to work out how business model and reveal what was possible, you tap into your audience. things that were novel then but are now accepted What I would also say that’s changed is the as industry standard? power of advertising has definitely shifted in how Duncombe: When we were all in COVID, we you promote a film or promote anything, espewere desperate for escapism, and it came through cially younger demographics. You have to know our television sets in our households. Since then, how to speak to them on TikTok and Instagram, taking your spouse and three kids to a theater and where they are, like, a groundswell, and then the they want popcorn and soft drinks and suddenly word spreads. That is way more powerful than you’re spending well over $100 can be really hard Linda Duncombe me buying an ad while they’re watching somefor a family when you can make the popcorn at thing streaming because that’s not from a credible home, buy your soda at the local shop and spend $5 on a film if you source as it pertains to their lens. They’re like, ‘That’s not coming from didn’t have the subscription level where they gave it to you for free. That my social network.’ So advertising has changed hugely. became very attractive, and it was something we all got very, very comfortable with. AY: How do independent films, which seem to have gained a wider I do think there is still a level of comfort around that, but what we cache in recent years, fit into that competitive landscape? actually saw in cinematic and theatrical productions and even with music, Duncombe: One challenge for independent films is it’s very expensive we were also like, ‘Get us out of our house. Let me go see Bon Jovi.’ I think to make a film. There are a lot of creatives that are in filmmaking, and I theatrical may have been a slower burn, but the weekend when The Odyswould get people pitching me ideas, and I’d go, ‘That’s fantastic,’ and as
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From the start, we decided this was about a sense of pride for what we did in Arkansas, and we wanted to make sure people knew what they’re seeing is from the state. –Linda Duncombe
Cutline: soon as I start asking them about the numbers, it’s like a house of cards. They might have a great idea, a phenomenal script, but when it comes to making the film, they haven’t thought about the cost. When we made The Queen’s Jewels, we were in four different countries, four different currencies. We had millions of dollars moving around countries as we filmed this, and an exchange rate move … could be a great thing if it moves in our favor, but if it doesn’t, what’s the contingency? I was talking to our partners, going, ‘What’s our exchange exposure, and what have we done to mitigate that risk?’ Those things are not being thought out, and not understanding the financials is why I think a lot of independent films are struggling. That’s why places like Arkansas, where they offer a tax credit, are attractive. We could not have done the film we did with the talent that we had if we weren’t able to tap into something like the Arkansas tax credit. There’s just no way. It would’ve been a completely different model to how people got paid on the back end. AY: For those who are not in the entertainment industry, it is hard to know exactly how much is being filmed here and how that compares year to year. What have you observed or heard from peers and colleagues? Duncombe: I think Arkansas, as a state, does a fantastic job. I had a friend who was recently looking to do something in Arkansas, but the allocation of what the state had put aside for the tax credit had reached its limit — so, if anything, Arkansas has a nice problem to have in that you have more demand than you do have supply. You actually have more people wanting to film in Arkansas but, especially with independent films where they need that tax credit or that grant, if you have reached your allocation for the year, then even if Arkansas was their first choice, they had to look at alternative options. Now, from a government perspective, I don’t know if they’d look at increasing that, if it makes sense to increase it and if the incentives are there to increase it, but there’s no question you have more demand than you have supply. That’s a lovely place to be. AY: Let’s talk about your project, Killing Time. Duncombe: Killing Time is a thriller. There is a bank robbery, and in that robbery, someone gets injured. They need to take shelter, and they take shelter with a husband and wife. As the story unravels, not everything is as it seems. You get these breadcrumbs, and just when it all kind
of comes together, there’s a twist. I actually just saw the director’s cut, and I was so excited. Some of the people in the movie are Freddie Prinze Jr., William Moseley, Sasha Pieterse and Shelley Hennig. Shelley Hennig has done a few movies in Arkansas, as has William Moseley, and they were very excited to come back. It’s such a great cast; Freddie has this big ‘90s pool of people that love to see him because he doesn’t make a lot of movies. William was the lead in the Narnia movies and has a huge following, and he’s just a phenomenal actor. Sasha, who was in Pretty Little Liars, has almost 18 million followers on Instagram. That will really help us with a younger demographic. Shelley had just come off a movie that’s out with Mel Gibson and had just finished filming with Nicolas Cage. AY: Where was Killing Time shot? Duncombe: Mostly in and around Little Rock — stunning, stunning landscape. We wanted to use no stock footage. We wanted to use all footage from Arkansas. We had a couple of drones go over — I’m so sorry, I forget the name of the bridge, but we’re going from Little Rock, and we’re going over this bridge, and we have all these different angles, there’s one shot at sunset, and it’s so beautiful. From the start, we decided this was about a sense of pride for what we did in Arkansas, and we wanted to make sure people knew what they’re seeing is from the state. We said there was no way we were going to cheat this city by putting stock footage in it from somewhere else. That’s offensive; that’s what you do when you have no other choice, but we had choices. We went in with our eyes wide open, wanting to make sure we were celebrating Arkansas as part of this film. AY: Is there anything else you want the people of the state to know? Duncombe: Well, you’re the first interview we’ve done. I have a very dear friend who’s the editor at Variety, and I said to him, “We want to continue to pay homage to the city and state that supported us and welcomed us in.” That’s when a mutual friend of mine and Heather [Baker] told me, ‘Oh my gosh, you’ve got to meet Heather.’ We met, and I told her we wanted to do something to say thank you to Arkansas because it has been such a positive experience for us. I know other people will read your article, and I want them to know that we had a great time. We thought it was fantastic.”
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Nell Campbell
NELL CAMPBELL, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW STAR, TO HOST SCREENING OF THE CULT CLASSIC IN LITTLE ROCK By ALEX HARDGRAVE // Photos courtesy of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW SPOOKTACULAR TOUR
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his October, Little Rock is going to get a little rockier when the actress who originated the character of Columbia in The Rocky Horror Picture Show comes to visit. Actress Nell Campbell will host a screening of the movie version of the musical, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Oct. 20 at The Robinson Center in Little Rock. Campbell said she never expected the film to become the lasting phenomenon it is. “[The film] opened and totally fell flat,” Campbell said during an interview with AY About You. “It wasn’t well received, but then, about nine months later, thanks to a guy having a brilliant idea of showing it at midnight in New York, the rest is history.” The Rocky Horror Picture Show has been captivating audiences around the world since then through late-night showings complete with props, costumes and lines for the audience to yell throughout the movie. Now, more than 50 years after its theatrical release, Campbell, along with her costars Patricia Quinn (Magenta) and Barry Bostwick (Brad Majors), are on The Rocky Horror Picture Show Spooktacular Tour, bringing the experience to thousands of fans throughout the country. This tour will feature a screening of the film in 4K, shadows casts who act out the show on stage in front of the movie and appearances by the stars. Campbell, alongside other members of the movie cast, attended her first midnight showing at The Waverly Theater a year after the midnight showings there had started. “We did not know at all what to expect,” she said. “There were all these people dressed in our costumes and performing. It was just fabulous, but it was a real surprise.” Campbell was amused by the jokes audiences were yelling at the screen throughout the movie that night. To this day, her favorite callback is the one that, according to legend, started the whole practice of callbacks. It occurs when the character of Janet, played by Susan Sarandon, steps out of a broken-down vehicle into the rain. “She is holding a newspaper over her head, and someone called out ‘Buy an umbrella, you cheap [expletive],’” Campbell said. “That was just funny in a simple way. “The callbacks were much funnier to start with. There were less of them, and they were wittier. Also, they’ve gotten quite crude.”
Original cast members Patricia Quinn, from left, Tim Curry and Nell Campbell
A theatrical production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show (Photo by Dennis Parrington)
(Photo courtesy of the Hell on Heels Rocky Horror Picture Show)
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art&culture While Rocky Horror showings have garnered a reputation for being Rrated events and the film itself has an R designation, Campbell noted that, “The great thing about [the movie] is it’s never crude.” “That’s part of its charm,” she said. “It’s all about the innuendo.” She said she believes there is no such thing as being too young to see Rocky and enjoy it. “I think around 6, 9 months is a good time,” she said. “They will just love all the colors and the dance numbers. Anything else just goes over their heads, and you can explain that later.” Campbell said while on tour, she has met families with multiple generations of Rocky Horror fans. Even though there are loyal fans who watch the movie in theaters multiple times a year, Campbell said she herself does not rewatch the film very often. “Once I started touring, the opportunity came up more,” she said. “I don’t usually sit and watch the whole movie. I’ll just see bits of it. I’m always drawn right back into it.” One of her favorite musical numbers in the movie is when the late Tim Curry makes his big entrance as Dr. Frank-NFurter. Another part of the movie she likes to see is the end sequence. In those scenes, Campbell and her co-stars are done up in white face paint, corsets and fishnets. At one point, they jump into a pool and later have to dance again. “It’s funny to see us do that because it was so hard to dance wet, on a slippery floor, cold, in 6-inch heels and underwear,” she said. “There we are, all cheery and having fun, but, in fact, we were like, ‘Oh my god! I don’t want to be the one that falls over.’” Campbell was drawn to performing from a young age despite no one else in her family being in show business. She started dance classes at 10 years old after a bout of health problems. “I’d been misdiagnosed with appendicitis, and they removed my appendix, but I actually had hepatitis,” she said. “I was home from school for three months.” To help her gain strength once she recovered, a doctor recommended dance classes, and she took to them quickly. At age 18, Campbell moved to London, where she would often busk and tap dance in the streets. That was where Jim Sharman, The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s director, first met her and cast her as the original Columbia for the stage production. Campbell said she found taking on the sparkly and boisterous character came naturally. “[Columbia] really is an extension of myself,” she said. “She’s me with more makeup and more dramatic expressions.” While best known for her role in the cult classic, Campbell has made a full career for herself in film and music. She even opened and ran a nightclub in New York called Nell’s for a while. Despite being busy with the Spooktacular Tour, Campbell is also working on getting her one-woman show, All’s Nell
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That Ends Nell, ready for audiences, as well as writing a book. Throughout tours and years of screenings, she has had a chance to meet many fans of the movie. She said the most powerful interactions she remembers are when fans have told her the film “saved their life.” She said she loves to hear how much the film means to so many people and the community it builds. “[The film] gets people together,” she said. “It helps people find their people. These people might just be hanging out in their room on a computer or playing a video game. I love that this gets them away from the screen into a theater to a showing of Rocky Horror, and they meet all these people that have the same interest.”
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EARLY DETECTION (Left to right) Treneica McKnight, her daughter, mother, and sister
Treneica McKnight’s breast cancer journey began in early 2024, when a screening mammogram revealed an abnormality that was found to be Stage 1 invasive lobular carcinoma. She entrusted her care to physicians at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, including Dr. Ronda Henry-Tillman, chief of the Breast Surgical Oncology Division, and Dr. Sri Obulareddy, a medical oncologist. After undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments, McKnight in October 2025 received the good news she had been waiting nearly 20 months to hear: Her scans showed no signs of cancer in her body. After her successful treatment, McKnight actively encourages women to never miss their annual mammogram, noting that she was fortunate that her cancer was detected at an early stage. To schedule a mammogram, call the UAMS Health Breast Center at 501-526-6100.
“I would tell anybody that the people at UAMS are top-notch and that they truly care about your well-being.” – Treneica McKnight
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Beating Breast Cancer
“Y
ou have breast cancer,” is a sentence no one wants to hear, but an estimated 382,640 women in the U.S. will be told that in 2026, The National Breast Cancer Foundation states. The good news is survival rates are increasing thanks to advances in detection and treatment methods. Dedicated medical professionals and researchers fight alongside cancer patients every day to help them recover, and that teamwork is showing in the survival rates. Breast cancer death rates have been decreasing since 1989 for an overall decline of 44 percent through 2023, the American Cancer Society states. A big key to survival is early detection. When caught during the early, localized stage before it spreads to other parts of the body, the fiveyear survival rate for people diagnosed with breast cancer is 99 percent. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends women ages 40 to 74 who are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every two years. Women should also do a self breast exam monthly, feeling for lumps and knots, and seek medical advice if they feel anything unusual. Thanks to increased education, awareness, research and medical advancements, there are more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. today. While there is still no single cure for breast cancer yet, there are promising breakthroughs every day, and it is possible that we could one day live in a world free of breast cancer.
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Fighting like Hell Breast cancer not the knockout it once was as medical providers continue the battle
e
By DWAIN HEBDA
very day, Holland Ouren takes her place on a battle line and prepares to go to war. The Texas-born, Arkansas-raised fighter steps to the front eagerly, champing at the bit to take another scalp against an enemy that threatens her community, her family and, but for a near miss, her own life, as well. “I’m thrilled that I get to do this job. I even hate calling it a job,” she said. “I mean, it’s not like it’s all full of happy things, but I’m passionate about it, and every day I get to go in, it’s a good day.” Ouren’s form of warfare does not require a rifle, fighter jet or drone strike except, perhaps, symbolically. A nurse practitioner at Highlands Oncology in Springdale, she approaches every day with a warrior’s mindset, fighting against an enemy that robs her patients of quality of life under the best circumstances and, at its worst, claims mothers, sisters, daughters and a growing number of men. “When I got the call from Highlands to come and be their nurse practitioner, I just felt like it was my calling,” she said. “I know that might sound kind of goofy, but I just have always felt like this is my calling, doing this job. I love it. I love that I can actually help other women get through the process.” It does not take much to see why Ouren feels that way about Holland Ouren her role or why she is so good at
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health it. Just like her patients and their families, the ongoing fight against cancer, especially breast cancer, is personal. When her mother was diagnosed, Ouren was her primary caregiver, and shortly after coming to Highlands Oncology, she herself joined the roster of millions of American women battling the disease. “I was diagnosed at age 39, and it was caught super early,” said Ouren, 46. “I was in the middle of doing all the high-risk screenings at work when mine was caught by mammogram. I actually have a genetic mutation that predisposes me to breast cancer. I did a double mastectomy with reconstruction, and because it was caught so early, my treatment ended after surgery. “I’m not diminishing what I went through, but what I went through was so much less than what a lot of our other breast cancer survivors have to go through. I was fortunate enough that we caught it so early, that it was treated with surgery and I didn’t have to go through chemo, which is a whole other battle in itself.” Nearly from the birth of recorded medical history, cancer has been a scourge of humanity. The National Institutes of Health reveal the oldest known malignant tumor, evidence of aggressive bone cancer, dates back 1.7 million years, while mummified remains dated 3000 to 2,500 B.C. confirm malignant tumors of bone and multiple myeloma in ancient Egypt. As OncoDaily reported, the Egyptians also provided the world with the oldest well-documented cases of breast cancer in humans, starting with the Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus, fully translated in the 1930s and subsequently studied throughout the decades in multiple academic projects, one of the more recent using CT scans for examination without disturbing wrappings or remains in 2017. The prognosis for breast cancer in the ancient world is, predictably, grim reading, but the passage of time made the condition no less agonizing for patients and their families. Fortunately, as Ouren’s story shows, modern medicine has advanced substantially over the years to provide more positive outcomes than ever before. About 1 in 8 women in the U.S., or 13 percent, will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, the National Breast Cancer Foundation states. That translates to about 383,000 U.S. women receiving their diagnoses this year. Second only to skin cancer, breast cancer represents roughly 30 percent of all new female cancer diagnoses. Also this year, the disease will claim about 42,000 lives nationwide. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among U.S. women overall and the leading cause of death among Black and Hispanic women, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While all of that is indeed sobering, the news is actually more hopeful when taken into historical context. According to figures by the National Cancer Institute, incidence rates held fairly steady between 102 and 110 per 100,000 women between 1975 and 1984 before spiking. After two years in the 124 to 127 per 100,000 range, the rates stayed above 131 per 100,000 for eight of the next 10 years, something analysts say reflects the improved screening protocols catching breast cancer that might have previously gone undetected. The rate peaked at 142 per 100,000 in 1999 before starting a slow but inexorable march downward. In 2023, the latest data available, the CDC reported the incidence rate at 133 per 100,000. Arkansas stacks up very well on that measurement, data from the American Cancer Society shows. The Natural State’s incidence rate was pegged at 125 per 100,000, tied with Alabama for seventh-lowest
Dr. Stephen Routon
Dr. Jennifer Porta
Breast cancer represents roughly 30 percent of all new female cancer diagnoses.
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health among states and the District of Columbia, and alone in 24th place for breast cancer mortality. In fact, the big takeaway among statistical trends is that breast cancer mortality in the U.S. was cut nearly in half between 1989 and 2024, Susan G. Komen states. Interestingly, between 1975 and 2025, white women had higher incidence than Black women, while Black women had a higher mortality rate than their white peers, according to Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program data released in 2026, suggesting disparities in medical access and/or attitudes toward screenings. Those differences aside, the fact remains that the overall five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 92 percent, nearly 20 percentage points higher than in 1975 and significantly higher than rates globally. Experts credit the improvement to various advancements in diagnosis and treatment, starting with screenings. “This is my 14th year of practice, and I’ve really
Dr. Ronda Henry-Tillman
“Most women today are open to preserving their breasts, where 26 years ago, people just thought, ‘Oh, I’m just going to just have a radical mastectomy.’”
Ouren discusses breast health with a patient. (Photo courtesy of Highlands Oncology) got to see the evolution in medical imaging,” said Dr. Stephen Routon, an imaging expert at Little Rock-based CARTI. “When I was in training, we were doing mammograms on film, where you’d print out a literal film. When I first started practicing, we started doing digital mammograms, where the image quality was better. Soon after, in my first year of practice, we saw a newer technology become available, tomosynthesis, commonly referred to as 3D mammograms. “That was a complete game changer, especially for women with dense breast tissue or women that had had surgery and had a lot of scarring, but even for women that didn’t have dense tissue, I was able to see things that had never shown up before on mammograms. I will even say that in that first year, one of the first people I ever found a cancer on, it would have taken several years for this to show up on the old film mammogram.” Routon said the technology has not stood still since; in fact, CARTI recently became the first medical institution in Arkansas to offer the next generation of imaging, known as contrast enhanced mammography. “It’s a mammogram, but it utilizes intravenous contrast,” he said. “It’s a similar technique we use across medical imaging outside of the breast. Patients come in, and they’ll get an IV in their arm, and they’ll inject contrast, and it helps all throughout the body. Where it is new is in allowing us to do this in the breast. We’re excited about it because not everybody can get an MRI, and MRIs are more time-consuming and cumbersome, where this is a lot quicker and easier.” Other advancements include genetics testing to help determine a person’s likelihood for developing cancers in the future, thereby affecting the number of people opting for preemptive surgical procedures up to and including mastectomies. According to surgeon Dr. Jennifer Porta of Highlands Oncology, that has enabled patients to make more timely and informed decisions. “We’ve got different scoring methods that we can utilize that look at various things, like how many pregnancies a patient has had, what’s their family history, and now, with genetic testing becoming much more available, we’re able to help identify patients who might carry a gene that puts them at high risk for breast cancer,” she said. “In those settings, we’re able to then be on top of that and say, ‘OK, we need to consider doing high-risk screening where we’re looking at doing mammogram and MRI every six months in those patients and able to detect breast cancer earlier in those settings.’ Sometimes we can even offer them medication to help
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health reduce their risk of developing breast cancer or at least identify patients who would benefit “People are definitely from it.” more educated and However, such resources do not come cheaply which presents many patients with more aware and hurdles in their ongoing care plans. “With newer therapies, certainly, the cost knowledgeable. With of medications can be very expensive,” she said. “Fortunately, here at Highlands Oncolsocial media and the ogy we have a fantastic pharmacy staff that internet, there’s just a is able to work with patients and work with drug companies. We’re always looking for whole lot of information ways to help provide patients with treatment Dr. Lingyi Chen options while minimizing the financial strain out there.” so that it’s not as much of a burden for them to be able to treat their cancer.” Central to the process of a successful breast cancer strategy are the patients themselves and the degree to which they are willing to educate themselves and advocate for their care. Dr. Lingyi Chen at Genesis Cancer intact people going under the knife as part of and Blood Institute said she has seen more patients taking the their medical journey. initiative to educate themselves about their condition and the “Most women today are open to preservfight that lies ahead of them. ing their breasts, where 26 years ago, people “People are definitely more educated and more aware and just thought, ‘Oh, I’m just going to just have knowledgeable,” she said. “With social media and the internet, a radical mastectomy,’” she said. “At that time, there’s just a whole lot of information out there. That’s had a posiwe were moving away from doing anything tive impact on their understanding of and on their compliance radical, and now I train future physicians in with therapy. Prior to all this information being out there, people an era where it’s expected that women have might have had questions, might be concerned or have doubts, good outcomes. That means having cancer and but nowadays, those doubts are fewer because of what they read.” you preserve the breast, or if you remove the Another trend Chen has seen among patients is they are genbreast, you get these amazing outcomes from erally getting younger, meaning younger than 50 years of age, altaking tissue from other places and making though she said she is not clear what is driving that. breasts or designing your surgical treatment “Across the board, you see more younger patients getting canto give them what we call an oncoplastic outcer,” she said. “I think some of that is hormone-related. Maybe it come where the breast is reshaped or lifted. is something in the environment. Maybe it’s just earlier detection. “Breast cancer has advanced in every asOverall, we don’t know. pect, from how we biopsy, how we diagnose “I can say that I see more survival than I did when I was in my and how we treat, and treatment is not just fellowship, and that’s probably related to women not waiting, not surgical treatment but all aspects of the treatfinding out later on in life but detecting earlier. We’re able to get ment, from chemo to radiation as needed. It them treatment that they can tolerate so that they can live longer.” is the combination of multispecialties coming The outlook for breast cancer is even more encouraging, espetogether to provide the best cancer care poscially in Arkansas. The University of Arkansas for Medical Scisible at every level.” ences in Little Rock formally applied for National Cancer Institute designation for its Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute recently, something that holds great potential for the future of cancer treatment and research. “A designated cancer institute designation says we’re looking at every aspect of cancer from how the translational cells can target metastasis, which means where to target cells so that people can survive,” said Dr. Ronda Henry-Tillman, professor of surgery and chief of breast surgical oncology at the institute. “Not every patient survives every disease, but knowing that we can study it at that level and it may lead to the most important part of treatment one day is very exciting.” Henry-Tillman said being able to assist in the advancement of medications and medical technology combined with next-level medical school instruction will enable UAMS to produce physicians of exceptional skill who can not only save lives but preserve
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“BREAST FRIENDS” FOREVER At CARTI, Yara Robertson, M.D., F.A.C.S., and Stacy Smith-Foley, M.D. team up to educate, advocate for breast health
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very member of the CARTI team is dedicated to expanding patients’ access to trusted, compassionate care. Even more than treatment after a diagnosis, however, CARTI’s providers understand the importance of early detection, as well as patient education and empowerment when it comes to saving lives. One such example of that steadfast commitment can be found in the duo of Dr. Yara Robertson and Dr. Stacy Smith-Foley, whose efforts regarding breast health have gained national recogntiion and made a difference for scores of Arkansas women, particularly in rural, traditionally underserved areas of the state. Selfproclaimed “breast friends,” the pair initially met while working together at CARTI, and they have since teamed up to educate as many people as possible on what can sometimes be an uncomfortable subject. Dr. Smith-Foley, a fellowship-trained breast imaging specialist, said it is normal for people to feel nervous or embarrassed when speaking about breast care. “I try to talk about breast health the way I would talk about it with a girlfriend,” she said. “Medicine can be intimidating enough without adding complicated terminology or making people feel embarrassed to ask questions.” Drs. Robertson and Smith-Foley have also utilized social media to dispel myths and answer common questions, reaching women across Arkansas and the country. “After one particularly heavy week, Dr. Smith-Foley said she needed to dance to cheer up,” said Dr. Robertson, CARTI’s medical director of surgery and a fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist. “I suggested we learn TikTok dances. Not only was it a great stress reliever, but we also simultaneously had the idea to add facts about breast cancer.” In addition to helping the doctors reach an even wider audience with messages on their personal social media accounts, the short-form videos serve as an approachable way to break down complex topics, turning them into relatable, unintimidating conversations about breast health and what women need to know. The importance of getting that word out far and wide cannot be overstated, either. Early detection can and does save lives.
“Breast friends” Dr. Stacy Smith-Foley and Dr. Yara Robertson. (Photos by Jason Masters)
“Avoiding a mammogram doesn’t change what may or may not be happening in your breast,” Dr. Smith-Foley said. “It only delays finding out.” Thanks to continued advances in technology, screenings are also becoming more accurate. Other tools such as ultrasounds, breast MRI and contrast-enhanced mammography — first offered in Arkansas by The Breast Center at CARTI — help doctors tailor their imaging approach to an individual’s unique situation. The future of early detection, Dr. SmithFoley said, is increasingly personalized — “getting the right woman the right imaging at the right time.” “At CARTI, we are fortunate to have a culture that embraces this philosophy,” Dr. Robertson added. “CARTI has locations across the state that allow our providers to educate, connect with patients and deliver care closer to home. For many patients, receiving high-quality cancer care near their support system can reduce stress, improve access to treatment and remove barriers that might otherwise delay care.” Drs. Robertson and Smith-Foley, like the rest of CARTI’s nearly 1,200-person team, work tirelessly to care for their patients through the provider’s statewide network. The pair is also hard at work outside of CARTI’s walls, however, to advocate for more education and access to breast care. “We frequently have discussions with colleagues about reducing barriers to screening, improving access to care and ensuring that patients receive clear information that empowers them to make informed decisions about their health,” Dr. Roberston said.
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The “breast friends” find their work extremely rewarding, difficult though it may be at times. As long as there are patients benefitting from their care and vocal advocacy, Drs. Robertson and Smith-Foley plan to continue doing their part to advance CARTI’s mission and save lives from breast cancer. “What we do can genuinely change the course of someone’s life,” Dr. Smith-Foley said. “There are days where I find a tiny cancer on a screening mammogram in a woman who feels
completely well, and I know that finding it at that moment may change everything that comes afterward.” “The most rewarding part of being a breast surgeon is building relationships with patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives,” Dr. Robertson said. “Helping them navigate a diagnosis, understand their options and come through treatment with confidence is a privilege I never take for granted.”
Drs. Stacy Smith-Foley (left) and Dr. Yara Robertson (right) are unwavering advocates for early detection, encouraging women to get screened, listen to their bodies and speak up.
@CARTIArkansas 5 0 1-5 3 7-M A M O | C A R T I . c o m
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Walk This Way
Former Runway for the Cure models share life lessons, shine a light for others
By DWAIN HEBDA // Photos by JANE COLCLASURE
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lmost anyone can name a favorite restaurant, band, business or attraction that is no longer around that still imparts warm memories. For some breast cancer survivors in central Arkansas, Runway for the Cure is one such bygone event. The popular and highly successful production featured breast cancer survivors as runway models showing off looks from local merchants. The event not only raised money and awareness but the spirits and hope of the participants. “As a model, there is a sense of camaraderie. You feel like family because you know all the women are going through a journey similar to yours,” Shannon McKinney, who modeled in 2006 and co-chaired the event in 2011, said in a 2014 AY About You article. “I wanted to help others going through the challenges I’d gone through.” “It is an experience like no other,” multiyear participant Lana Dunn of Sherwood said in a 2015 story for AY. “I really felt like a queen. I felt pampered. True friendships are formed as the result of being a part of this one event. Nobody knows what
you’re going through except other survivors.” The event held special significance for AY Media Group because it was the idea of Vicki Vowell, CEO of Vowell Inc., AY Media Group’s predecessor as parent company of AY About You. In 1996, in step with Little Rock Race for the Cure, Vowell began devoting special issues to women fighting breast cancer, sharing survivors’ stories. Those issues evolved to have a fashion theme stressing the inherent beauty of the women that, unlike breasts and hair, cancer could not steal. In 2002, the effort expanded to a luncheon and style show, then known as Runway for a Cause. The first year raised $37,000, and over the next decade, the funds raised would top the $1 million mark. The event became a victim of its own success, however, growing past what Vowell and her group of volunteers could manage, and Runway took a two-year break after the 2011 event. Seeing the potential, Susan G. Komen Arkansas took it over in 2014 and produced Runway for the Cure through 2019.
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health True friendships are formed as the result of being a part of this one event. Nobody knows what you’re going through except other survivors. –Lana Dunn, participant
Participants described the event as giving survivors a spotlight while underscoring how indiscriminate the savage disease actually is, attacking the well-known and the anonymous-yet-noless-brave faces in the crowd alike. “[Runway] was a little nerve wracking, but it was the best experience,” said Sissy Jones in an AY article in 2017, the same year the well-recognized founder of the iconic Arkansas jewelry store chain Sissy’s Log Cabin appeared on the runway. “I never thought I would be one of those people benefiting from it. “[Breast cancer] is a journey you have to go through, and sometimes the valley gets awful dark and awful muddy, but you know you can get out of it if you just keep trying. You’ve got to keep a positive attitude through this, or you will not make it.” Susie Everett, matron of the Everett Automotive Group and a familiar face to many from her TV commercials supporting the family’s dealerships, said her experiences with fellow Runway for the Cure models lent momentum and resolve to her cancer battle. “[Cancer] makes me more thankful, thankful for my health that I have now,” she told AY in 2018. “It’s given me more compassion for people that are going through that. I really appreciate the deeper walk I have in my faith because of this journey. The things you go through just make you stronger for what you may be facing in the future. There’s a reason you travel that road.” That road, of course, was shorter for some, and, sadly, many have been lost to the dreaded disease since Runway for the Cure’s first iteration. Even the event itself is no more; Susan G. Komen shuttered its Arkansas operations altogether in 2020. More sobering is that for every life lost since then, there have been plenty of new diagnoses to take their place in the battle. For those who remain and remember, such as the women featured on the following pages, Runway for the Cure will hold a special place in Arkansas philanthropic history. These are their remembrances of the experience.
Created by AY Media Group in 2002, Runway for a Cause, later known as Runway for the Cure, created a network of breast cancer survivors that still exists today.
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It’s a sisterhood that nobody wants to join, but once you do, it’s forever, for sure. –Jennifer Baptist, participent
JENNIFER BAPTIST Jennifer Baptist’s life has been defined by toughness. The youngest of three sisters growing up, she was a two-sport college athlete known for her bare-knuckled approach on the softball diamond and, especially, the basketball court. “I was fighting for every rebound,” she said. Even in her career, where she has worked in the juvenile justice field for 25 years, currently as a juvenile probation officer, success is determined by one’s thickness of skin and depth of resolve. Breast cancer, however, was something altogether different. “I was 40 years old, and I was going for my first mammogram,” she said. “Breast cancer doesn’t run in my family, and I would never have found it without the mammogram because it was so deep in the breast. It was Stage 3, so who knows what would have happened if I hadn’t gone in? “First I was in shock and then scared, and then I just broke down crying. After that, you just buck up and go, ‘Hey, this is it. I’m just going to fight, no matter what.’” Once that switch went on, breast cancer soon learned it had picked on the wrong person. Baptist had a lumpectomy and underwent chemotherapy, radiation treatment and all that came with it while barely missing a day of work. At the same time, Baptist recognized the enormous value of a team, from family support to her physicians to the allies she gained through two modeling appearances through Runway for the Cure. “I don’t remember who brought it to my attention, but some-
one said, ‘You should do this,’” she said. “I remember I sent in a picture, and I literally just had a few sprigs of hair trying to grow back. Of course, they called me and said, ‘We’d love for you to do it.’ “Oh my God, it was the best experience ever. I met the most amazing, fun, spunky women. We were having cocktails, dancing and having fun. Some of those women are still some of my closest friends. We still see each other. We support each other on Facebook. We reach out to each other on birthdays. It’s a sisterhood that nobody wants to join, but once you do, it’s forever, for sure.” In 2021, Baptist crossed the five-year threshold, the time required to be considered cancer free. She still keeps an eye on her health but refuses to let past struggles define her future, something her Runway sisters would be proud of. “I’m definitely a fighter by nature. I always tried to be my best and do my best,” she said. “I always tried to have the mindset that I was invincible. I’m not saying it was easy, but I just didn’t look back. I kept powering forward.”
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health WHITNEY BARRON Among all the women who walked the stage at Runway for the Cure through the years, the diminutive Whitney Barron manages to stand out. “My very last treatment, the day I rang the bell, was the rehearsal for Runway for the Cure. I showed up in this tank top that says, ‘Ring the bell, and run like hell,’” she said. “My first runway, I was just bald as bald could be, and that year they, had these round, pink circles that the women carried saying how far out they were — 18 months, 5 years, whatever it was. “I was one of the last groups to go, and my circle’s not there, but there’s one there that didn’t have a name on it but it had — I’m going to make up a number, say it was 20. I pulled the two off, and I went out there with the zero. The crowd loved that.” Barron was uniquely familiar with adverse health news, having spent 16 years as a nurse. She quickly learned the difference between delivering bad news and being at the center of it, especially at age 38. “People today are being diagnosed younger and younger, but back then, none of my friends had been diagnosed. Nobody could relate,” she said. “Of course, they felt bad, and friends cut their hair in solidarity, but no one knows unless they’ve been there. I used to explain to people I feel like I’m on this little bitty island. Runway was the first time I’d ever been surrounded by a group of people who could relate to me,” Barron modeled in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and, with each experience, felt her spirit swell with love and understanding from the other participants who, like her, had endured the treatments, a bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Today, 10 years cancer free, she sees the disease less for what it took than what it gave her. “When I say my life is a complete 180-degree difference, it is for the better,” she said. “What I thought I was going to do and what my career was and all that, none of that is the case now. Now I live my life for me, and I surround people around me who are genuinely good. I just don’t put up with [expletive] anymore. I’m just in a much, much better place physically, emotionally — just all the way around. “Nobody wants to read or hear that when they’re looking down the barrel of it or in the thick of it. Cancer sucks monkey balls, which was my mantra. I had T-shirts made. Cancer turns your whole life upside down. I can say, though, I came out on the other side like a phoenix, and now I can do anything.”
COCO DORSEY It was 20 years ago this Halloween that Coco Dorsey, then 33, felt a lump under her right arm that proved to be triple negative breast cancer, Stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma, to be precise, that had started to root in her lymph nodes. It was as close to an automatic death sentence as one could get. A dozen surgeries and 16 rounds of chemo were followed by a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, which Dorsey found the hardest to endure. Taken in total, “I’m not supposed to be here,” she said in retrospect. Yet somehow she remained here, and that was inspiration enough to not only fight harder but put herself in roles that might help others. That included testifying before Congress to lobby for more cancer funding and a long affiliation with Runway for the Cure. She first appeared as a model in 2007 and was involved with every one thereafter. “The people at Runway were so genuine,” she said. “It was like a sorority. We were all so different — different backgrounds, different communities, different ages, different religions, different politics — but we all had that one thing in common. That was comforting. “What happens is when you’re a few years out [from cancer], people don’t want to hear about it anymore. These women, though, were a safety net. I could talk about it to them, and they could talk about it to me, and we didn’t judge each other for having these feelings or for still wanting to talk about it.” The cancer battle holds many things in common for those who fight it while at the same time being remarkably personal, demanding from and handing back to each something a little different than the next person. That give and take is often unknown except in hindsight, even to patients themselves, but for Dorsey, the key element of her battle with breast cancer was piercingly clear almost from the moment she received her diagnosis. “This journey, for me, hasn’t been a health journey,” she said. “I mean, it involves my health, but this has been more of a faith journey. I’ve always been a Christian. I was born and raised a Catholic, and I’ve always gone to church and participated, but before breast cancer, my faith was routine. It was ritual. It was stuff you don’t really even think about when you’ve gone to Mass every Sunday your entire life. “Breast cancer changed all that for me and, I think, for my family, as well. It brought us so much closer together because everybody had to participate to get through this. It’s given me an enormous amount of grace that I certainly didn’t have before.”
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health It was about survivors, you know? It was just being surrounded with women in different stages. It was just so special. — Dana Foster, participant
DANA FOSTER Breast cancer first entered Dana Foster’s field of vision through her mother’s diagnosis in 2003, at which time the oncologist gave her some unsolicited advice. “He said, ‘I can tell you, being her daughter, you need to be careful about breast cancer. You need to do self-exams. You need to know your breasts,’” she said. Foster took the advice seriously, but after two scares turned out to be nothing and with a full life as a mother and career woman to live, cancer was pushed to the back of her mind. Such was her state when she reported for her annual OB-GYN exam in 2011. “My OBGYN was like, ‘Honey, you’ve got two masses in that right breast.’ I’m like, ‘No, I don’t. Girl, please,’” she said. “She’s like, ‘You do, and we’re going to do a mammogram and ultrasound.’” Foster scoffed at the suggestion, but the medical provider practically blocked the door in what proved a life-saving move. Right after the scans, she was told to consult with a breast surgeon about the masses. The diagnosis a couple of weeks later still rings in Foster’s mind.
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“It was Memorial Day week. It was a Tuesday,” she said. “She called after lunch, and I said, ‘Well, this cannot be good if you’re calling me.’ She said, ‘No, Dana. That luck of yours has run out.’” Foster underwent a double mastectomy, and while that slammed the door on breast cancer, a resulting staph infection nearly killed her. Still, by the time she did Runway for the Cure in 2015, she still felt self-conscious about how her story would align with the other models. Instead, she found a community she did not know she needed. “For me, the breast cancer part was a walk in the park,” she said. “Yes, I faced it as a single mama, raising a child, but I had a great support system. Runway was intimate. It was about survivors, you know? It was just being surrounded with women in different stages. It was just so special.” Two years ago, Foster formed a sisterhood group of survivors who get together regularly to laugh, talk and support one another. In that way, she continues to pay tribute to what was given to her. “We meet at my house twice a year,” she said. “When I first started it, I think there was about five of us, and it’s come up to be like 10 or 11 friends. We just surround each other, listen to each other’s stories and perspective on life. “It’s like it was during Runway. I remember chatting with one of the ladies back then who was a 24-year survivor. She was like, ‘Girl, you take every day as a blessing. You survived the worst. You’re blessed with the best now.”
Early Detection Saves Lives
Discover the importance of breast cancer screenings with Dr. Camila Ortega of Baptist Health
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ancer can be a scary word, but Dr. Camila Ortega, breast surgical oncologist at Baptist Health, wants patients to know that breast cancer is a very curable disease, especially with early detection. “A lot of women are afraid of getting their screening mammograms and getting their breasts checked out because they’re afraid of what may happen if they get the tests done,” she said, “but we know for a fact that if women are getting their annual screening mammograms starting at the age of 40 — or before if patients are at higher risk — then that really allows us to diagnose things at a very, very early stage where the prognosis is excellent, the survival is excellent, and the treatments are necessary, but they’re well tolerated.” She added that today’s 3D mammograms are more reliable than ever, offering tomosynthesis technology that gives radiologists a better view of breast tissue and potential abnormalities. While some may worry about the effects of radiation from mammograms, Ortega said the low doses of radiation involved in screenings do not cause any health problems, do not build up in the body over time and are safe even for women who are pregnant, in whom mammograms can be used for diagnostic purposes. She recommended all women receive yearly mammograms starting at age 40 or even earlier if they have risk factors such as a family history of breast cancer. Women of all ages should visit a gynecologist annually for a clinical breast exam, she said, and she encouraged women to perform monthly self-exams to understand how their breasts look and feel normally so they can notify a health care provider if they detect any changes. Breast cancer is not limited to women, either. Breast cancer is more rare in men, affecting 1 in 8 women but just 1 in 755 men, the American Cancer Society states. However, Ortega said breast cancer in men is often more aggressive and may be diagnosed at a later stage. She urged men to schedule a checkup immediately if they notice lumps in the chest or armpits, nipple discharge, or anything else out of the ordinary. Living a healthy lifestyle with proper exercise and nutrition while avoiding smoking, heavy drinking and processed foods can help reduce breast cancer risk and improve the effectiveness of treatments, she added. While improved screening methods and recommendations have decreased the number of deaths associated with breast cancer, Ortega said she is also encouraged by the impact of targeted therapies geared toward each patient’s specific cancer subtype. “I see patients getting diagnosed with less advanced breast cancer in more early stages because of advances in detection methods,” she said, “but I’m also seeing patients overcoming breast cancer and not really having recurrences and living longer because of the targeted therapies.”
In an effort to help more women understand their breast cancer risk and access screenings, Ortega organizes community outreach events through Baptist Health to provide free breast exams and mammograms, along with information about breast health. “I think giving the community access to this information is paramount so people can be advocates for themselves,” Ortega said. “If they have the information, they can start seeking providers. They can start seeking places where they can go and get things checked. I think the main focus of my career right now is to try to expand the message, reinforce that screening mammograms are a life-saving test, and for everybody to have access and get it done.” To schedule a mammogram, visit baptist-health.org or call 501-202-1922.
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There and Back
AGAIN
Modern techniques refining the process of breast reconstruction
By SARAH DECLERK
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study published last year in Socio-Demographic Factors and Cancer Research found that about 30 percent of women nationwide have breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, or breast removal. The study noted that breast reconstruction offers a range of psychosocial, physical and quality-of-life benefits. “One of the more important aspects is the mental, the emotional or psychological impacts that having no breast or having a deformed breast or having severely discrepant breasts have on the patient’s self-confidence, the way they view themselves, and their emotional and psychological well-being,” said Dr. Zachary Young, plastic surgeon at Arkansas Plastic Surgery in Little Rock. “There are plenty of women out there that are totally fine with that, but a lot of women, that’s part of their identity, so restoring their physical form also restores mental health and psychological well-being.” The good news is that breast reconstruction has become more efficient and effective over the years, although the process can take various routes depending on the patient. Young likened breast reconstruction to a game of Plinko on the TV series The Price is Right.
“We’re trying to navigate you through the ups and downs and the twists and turns that can come with [cancer],” he said. “Every patient, that journey is different. That’s why when we see patients in consultation for breast reconstruction, those are usually pretty extensive discussions because there’s no right path for anybody. There’s usually multiple paths for patients and physicians.” He said the majority of his reconstructions utilize direct implant reconstruction, in which the mastectomy and reconstruction are done at the same time. One of the benefits of the technique is that it only necessitates one surgery. The concept has been around since reconstruction began, Young said, but needed to be refined before becoming commonplace. “The first reconstruction that was done was basically just a plastic surgeon putting in an implant underneath the skin,” he said. “That had some issues with it, so it fell out of favor for quite a long time, but I would say at least for the past, probably, 15, 20 years, this style of reconstruction has become more and more popular with advancements in technology and the way we can support the implant and support the breast skin.”
Dr. Zachary Young
Dr. Eric Wright
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One of the most impactful developments has been using a mesh made of cadaver tissue or synthetic bioabsorptive material to hold the implant in place while the breast heals, said Dr. Eric Wright, owner of Wright Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Little Rock. Previously, most patients had to have delayed reconstruction using tissue expanders, empty devices that were gradually filled with fluid to create a space for the implant. “An implant and a breast are not the same size, meaning breast tissue is not just a round object, but that’s what an implant is,” he said. “You can’t just put a round object where the breast used to be, so you have to control and kind of support things, but now, when we use the mesh, we’re able to use direct implant reconstruction with greater consistency, which allows us to get the end result at the same surgery.” Avoiding manipulating the muscle and using nerve blocks to control pain has resulted in another positive trend for patients, he added — many only stay at the hospital overnight or do not spend time in the hospital at all. “We’re doing these procedures as an outpatient basis, which, again, has changed over the past 15, 20 years that I’ve been doing it,” Wright said. “We used to just keep patients in the hospital for days, not just overnight. Instead of the days they would stay in the hospital after a mastectomy, now patients go home the same day and do fine, which is great.” Another advancement, Young said, is the use of dye to check for perfusion, meaning sufficient blood flow to the affected tissues. “It’s a dye called ICG or indocyanine green, and we have special cameras with lasers on them. We can watch the blood flow through the tissue and see if it’s perfused,” he said. “With direct implant reconstruction, it allows us to look at the skin in a very detailed way and see what, if any, parts of the skin after the mastectomy are or are not perfused because we require good perfusion in order to perform a direct implant reconstruction.” The implants themselves have changed, as well. Young said more cohesive “gummy bear” implants are becoming the standard for breast cancer patients. “We use a firmer implant in reconstruction because it minimizes the implant visibility or what we call ‘rippling’ or just the way an implant
“The first reconstruction that was done was basically just a plastic surgeon putting in an implant underneath the skin. That had some issues with it, so it fell out of favor for quite a long time, but I would say at least for the past, probably, 15, 20 years, this style of reconstruction has become more and more popular with advancements in technology and the way we can support the implant and support the breast skin.” — Dr. Zachary Young, Arkansas Plastic Surgery 163
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looks,” Wright added. “[Traditional implants] are too soft of an implant because for reconstruction purposes, there is no breast tissue. You’re covering it with skin, and so you see more of an implant.” Fat grafting, in which fat is liposuctioned from one part of the body and injected into another, can also be used to camouflage the appearance of an implant, he said, as well as counteract scarring and implant changes from postsurgical radiation. Understanding whether
the patient will receive radiation after surgery also affects implant positioning and could necessitate delayed reconstruction in some instances, he added. Young said fat grafting has been a great addition to the available reconstruction options. “We’re able to add volume into the breast in order to either simply enhance volume and/or improve contour,” he said. “Sometimes people feel like they don’t have enough fullness in certain areas. We can add that in, or,
like I said, we can simply add volume in that way, and you don’t have to use a bigger implant or use other kinds of measures.” Another option is autologous breast reconstruction, although Wright said he did not know of any surgeons offering the procedure in Arkansas. During autologous reconstruction, tissue from another part of the body, such as the abdomen, inner thighs or buttocks, is moved to the chest to create a breast using microvascular surgery without
Dr. Eric Wright and Dr. Yara Robertson perform a nerve-grafting procedure at the CARTI Cancer Center in Little Rock. (Photos courtesy of Wright Plastic Surgery & Med Spa)
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health the need for an implant. Young said the procedure has improved significantly over the years. “People who do a lot of microvascular surgery have honed those techniques to where they can take less and less and disturb the body’s natural shape and physical structures as little as possible so there’s as little morbidity as possible,” he said. “Those techniques continue to be advanced, and now microvascular surgery is a popular form of reconstruction for patients that choose it.” One of the latest advancements in breast reconstruction is nerve grafting, in which donor nerves are used to connect existing nerves to areas where nerves are removed during a mastectomy, allowing sensation to return to the nipple and areola complex. Wright said that he, along with surgical oncologist Dr. Yara Robertson, recently performed the first successful nerve-grafting surgery in Arkansas at CARTI Cancer Center in Little Rock. “That’s what we consider sort of the final evolution of breast reconstruction because now not only can we get a great aesthetic outcome; now we’re able to do procedures that have restoration or repair of the sensory deficit that was lacking,” he said.
“The techniques and equipment and technologies continue to get better, so I just tell them that there’s a process, and there’s always a potential for tweaks and tune-ups, but the goal is to help them feel as much as themselves after this whole process.” — Dr. Eric Wright, Wright Plastic Surgery & Med Spa
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Other milestones for breast cancer patients have taken place in the legislative sphere. Last year, the Arkansas General Assembly passed a law that requires health insurance companies to cover all aspects of breast reconstruction. “For us, it’s great,” Wright said. “It was always frustrating when certain procedures would be denied just based on some policy somewhere that if they had a different insurance, they would be able to have that procedure.” One key to ensuring patient satisfaction, he added, is to provide realistic expectations about what to expect from reconstruction — which, these days, is pretty good. “Showing them realistic pictures and having realistic expectations of the process is important, but our realistic expectations are really good these days, even compared to when I started,” he said. “The techniques and equipment and technologies continue to get better, so I just tell them that there’s a process, and there’s always a potential for tweaks and tuneups, but the goal is to help them feel as much as themselves after this whole process.” Young said he sees more patients opting for breast reconstruction, and he expects that upward trend to continue, along with scientific advancements that help refine the procedure. “A lot of people in the past didn’t know that that was an option for them. Nowadays, most women know that that is an option,” he said. “I think that as we continue to do more and more, we’ll continue to make advancements both through the surgical side and the materials side.”
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Colonel Glenn Health & Rehab is central Arkansas’ newest premier-skilled nursing and long-term care facility. Our skilled team is focused on serving you and your family with excellence.
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nonprofit
Hot Rods, Cool Cause EVENT SALUTES, SUPPORTS VETERANS By DWAIN HEBDA
J
ason Irby has an eye for detail and made a career out of making the most important of those details a central theme for highlighting important causes in Arkansas. For example, where many people view Little Rock’s iconic War Memorial Stadium as merely an aging venue the world of collegiate sports has passed by, Irby saw past that and focused on the value of the symbolism upon which the venue was built. “War Memorial Stadium is, especially with the 25th anniversary of 9/11 this year, a place to remember, a place to have reverence,” he said. “Most people know it for
War Memorial parking lot full of Corvettes from every era. (Photos courtesy of Corvettes and Veterans)
Razorback football and some of the great, historic concerts, some crusades, but it was built to honor the brave sacrifices given by those who fought for our country. It is a living veteran’s memorial, but I felt that original meaning was being lost.” Inspired by that perspective on the site and its origins, Irby introduced the Corvettes and Veterans Salute and Ceremony at War Memorial Stadium. The day-long program, slated for 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 11, offers activities for the whole family while supporting a good cause. Proceeds from the event benefit the American Legion’s Be the One program, a mission to reduce the number of veterans and service members who die by suicide. “One of our main partners other than War Memorial Stadium is the American Legion, the largest veterans’ organization, as far as I know, in the world,” Irby said. “They have a great history of serving veterans in Arkansas and throughout the country.” Be the One involves establishing a system of “buddy checks” in which vets look after their brothers and sisters in arms while also raising awareness of resources for veterans in their communities and leading people through Columbia University training to know what to do in a time of crisis. “[American Legion] posts, units and squadrons can work together to host or support events aimed at bringing the darkness of suicide into the light,” the organization’s website states. “By talking about it, raising awareness and fostering camaraderie, you are demonstrating how to ‘Be the One.’” Irby’s eye for detail extends to the name of the event. He noted that the corvette has its origins in military lore, as well as being a fabled American car brand, the distinctive styling of which is recognized the world over. “When it comes to cars, vehicles, Corvettes and veterans go together because the corvette, by namesake, was a military asset,” he said. “Over 300 years of military history, the name ‘corvette’ represents a small, swift, lethal military warship.”
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A veteran salute from a local drum corps
An early 1960s Corvette Stingray Through the years, the Corvettes and Veterans Salute event has also focused on other vehicles with a military pedigree, such as the jeep and, in 2026, the Harley-Davidson WLA Liberator motorcycle, both of which were introduced during World War II. Irby’s sense of symbolism that runs through Corvettes and Veterans has been well honed through his earlier initiatives. A native of Wabbaseka in Jefferson County, he was a key proponent and activist behind an effort to establish a memorial in his hometown recognizing it as the birthplace of the state flag. “In 2013, there should have been this grand celebration for the Arkansas state flag’s 100th anniversary, but when I contacted our city, our county, the state, they were saying there’s nothing planned,” he said, “so Jan. 1, 2013, I opened my big mouth and said, ‘I pledge that we’re going to have a memorial.’” True to his word, Irby was among those who christened The Arkansas Flag/Wabbaseka Memorial later that year, recognizing the Arkansas flag, local resident Willie K. Hocker, who designed it, and the USS Arkansas, a Navy battleship. The experience gave him a crash course in relationship-building that would later pay off in the formation and promotion of the Corvettes and Veterans Salute event, now in its fourth year. The event is sponsored by his own organization, the Jason Irby Innovation Foundation, in partnership with the venue, American Legion and Sequoyah National Research Center, among myriad other sponsors and partners. The event is free to the public, and vehicles other than Corvettes are welcome at the car show, which is the central attraction of the day. An entry fee is required for those wishing to have a vehicle judged. Other highlights of the day include a marching band; patriotic displays and groups; representation by police, fire and first responders; workshops; demonstrations; a prayer vigil/salute; and on-premises parade. For full details, visit corvettesandveteransusa.wordpress.com.
Veterans sharing their experiences Irby said he hopes that the legacy of Corvettes and Veterans Salute continues to grow into the future as a tribute to both the sacrifices of men and women in uniform, as well as the stadium that was dedicated in their honor. “Myself, I am not a veteran. I did not serve, but I am a supporter, and I do have family members that served,” he said. “I hope that this event brings about an acknowledgement and a reverence for our veterans, for sacrifices that they have given. “I also hope it continues to highlight the importance of War Memorial Stadium in our community. It is not just a building that should be torn down one day because it’s old. It’s one of those historic buildings that we can look at and honor and know that it is there to honor our veterans from the time it was built on through our various generations.”
A 1970s-era Corvette
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At Good Shepherd Nursing and Rehabilitation we are committed to providing the highest quality of patient care. Our qualified staff is here giving support for the tasks of day-to-day living, allowing for the enjoyment of more pleasant and carefree activities.
NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER at
GOOD SHEPHERD Jennifer Siems, Administrator 3001 Aldersgate Road, Little Rock AR 72205 • Phone 501-217-9774 • Fax 501-217-9781 www.goodshepherdnr.com
Best of
2018
When you you walk walk into into the the Robinson Robinson Nursing Nursing && Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Center Center you you will will feel feel aa comfortable comfortable atmosphere atmosphere different different When from any any other other facility facility you you have have visited. visited. We We feature feature tall tall ceilings ceilings and and an an open open floor floor plan. plan. We We have have aa lovely lovely dining dining room room and and from a covered outdoor patio area. a covered outdoor patio area. We specialize specialize in in short-term short-term rehabilitation rehabilitation and and long-term long-term care care services. services. The The short-term short-term rehabilitation rehabilitation area area has has its its own own We dining area and day room. From the moment you enter our facility, we want you to experience the difference our facility has dining area and day room. From the moment you enter our facility, we want you to experience the difference our facility has to offer. From our light-filled day areas to our beautiful outdoor areas, we want you and your loved one to feel comfortable to offer. From our light-filled day areas to our beautiful outdoor areas, we want you and your loved one to feel comfortable and safe safe when when staying staying with with us. us. You You will will also also notice notice the the pride pride we we take take in in our our facility facility by by keeping keeping our our building building sparkling sparkling clean clean and from the inside out. from the inside out. Our team team isis dedicated dedicated to to providing providing aa safe safe and and comfortable comfortable environment. environment. Robinson Robinson Nursing Nursing and and Rehab Rehab offers offers modern modern Our conveniencesin inaagracious gracioussetting. setting.We Weprovide providedaily dailyplanned plannedactivities activitiesled ledbybyCertified certifiedActivity activityDirectors, directors, like like social social events events conveniences and outings outings and and pastoral pastoral services services with with spiritual spiritual care care for for all all religions. religions. We We strongly strongly encourage encourage family family participation participation in in group group and activities, meals meals and and celebrating celebrating family family birthdays birthdays and and special special days. days. activities, To help help you you plan plan your your visits, visits, we we provide provide aa monthly monthly event event calendar calendar and and aa monthly monthly meal meal planner. planner. Robinson Robinson Nursing Nursing and and To Rehab does does not not have have set set visiting visiting hours. hours. We We view view this this facility facility as as the the “home” “home” of of each each resident. resident. Rehab We try try our our best best to to communicate communicate with with patients patients and and families families to to help help alleviate alleviate the the anxiety anxiety that that accompanies accompanies this this journey. journey. We Our team team of of nurses, nurses, therapists therapists and and support support staff staff work work closely closely together together to to develop develop aa plan plan based based on on the the individual individual needs needs of of Our each person. person. We We recognize recognize that that rehabilitation rehabilitation involves involves not not only only the the patient, patient but the entire family. each
501.753.9003 •• 519 519 Donovan Donovan Briley Briley Boulevard, Boulevard, NLR NLR •• www.robinsonnr.com www.robinsonnr.com 501.753.9003
murder mystery
The Color
PURPLE
By SARAH RUSSELL
T
he vehicle knocked her to the ground twice, the man driving over her before accelerating away, leaving her crushed body behind. In the darkness of that Mount Magazine night, she crawled toward a light. She reached the window of Cabin No. 9, pulling herself up over its ledge. Maybe, just maybe, at that one moment, she would be seen. Then she fell back unconscious onto the cold concrete porch. The stillness of that night, April 7, 2012, would quickly burst apart as help arrived in response to the call made from the cabin. The woman’s body was so bloody it was at first difficult to understand what had happened to her. — that is, until the trail her struggle left took law enforcement to the crime scene. Pools of her blood were punctuated with pieces of the glasses she had been wearing and the cell phone she had been holding. Her shoes were there, too, and they spoke loudly. When a person is struck by the force of a vehicle, it is not uncommon for them to be literally knocked out of their shoes. A suspect was found, too, parked at the visitors’ center in a Chevrolet Silverado with extensive front-end damage. Despite his inebriation, the man was coherent enough to share his version of events: He and the woman had an argument. He got in his truck to leave, but she stood in front of it to stop him. Attempting to drive around her, he struck a cedar
each episode, he seemed to want to make things right. That, however, did not include relinquishing the emotional and economic abuse he used to control her in the marriage. Just a week earlier, Laura Webb stepped out of their usual dynamic, having spoken up for herself when confronted. Now, on this getaway, she had not expected his anger to resurface, to intensify with each drink he took. He threatened to divorce her. This time, 10 years in, that sounded just fine to her, a fact she stated. There would now be hell to pay for her speaking up once more. Laura later told media she coded three times that night, meaning her heart stopped and she was resuscitated. One lung collapsed, and both kidneys shut down. Her right ribcage was reconstructed with titanium plates secured by 32 screws. She would endure years of surgeries and rehabilitation. Milton was charged with third-degree domestic battery, first offense, and he served 90 days. Then he sued her for alimony. It was because of her, he reasoned, that he had lost his job as a federal law enforcement officer; therefore, she owed him. Laura was not done yet. Her spirit would prove to be stronger than the titanium within her. Three years later, she and her ally, now former state Rep. Charlotte Douglas, watched as then-Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed
tree instead. True, the tree was a goner, but his story did not make for a move-on-down-road situation. Milton Webb, the husband of the woman being put on a Med Flight, was now the guest of law enforcement. Their marriage was not one of consistent physical abuse, although he had lost control twice before, headbutting and backhanding her. After
legislation for which the two had advocated. Thereafter, law enforcement would give victims what is called Laura’s Card, literally a card that informs them of their legal rights, as well as providing a list of resources for assistance. Notably, the card is purple, representing the ribbon used to raise awareness of domestic violence, a cause highlighted in October.
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Also enacted that day was Laura’s Law, which is an on-site series of questions asked by law enforcement to assess how dangerous a victim’s situation is. The law was not named for Webb but rather for another Laura, a young woman who did not live to see it implemented. In 2011, at a Berryville birthday party, the sweet, happy Laura Aceves met Victor Acuna-Sanchez. She did not know of his reputation for violence and, in a tactic common among abusers, he immediately lovebombed her. Within weeks, they were a couple. Theirs was not a love story, as Aceves would soon find out. During their time together — and apart — his unrelenting abuse often reached the extreme, beating her with a baseball bat or dragging her behind his car. She would try to leave him, but as she told her mother, she believed he would make her pay for that. In addition to constant physical and emotional abuse, he damaged or destroyed anything that could enable her leaving, including her driver’s license, her Social Security card and her birth certificate, as well as her personal belongings. “She was so exhausted. Every time, he would ruin her things, and she had to start over. She didn’t have much money,” her mother said. In early 2012, Aceves filed a restraining order against Acuna-Sanchez, and subsequent no-contact orders followed as he again came for her. That September, he strangled Aceves until she blacked out. Before Thanksgiving, he had bailed out after his arrest for aggravated assault and hunted her down again. Aceves had moved to a road leading out of town, trying to get as far away as she could.
murder mystery
Rep. Charlotte Douglas and Laura Abbott (formerly Webb) Domestic violence in Arkansas is a problem without progress. According to the World Population Review, more than 48 percent of the state’s women have been or are abused, almost twice the national average. Aceves moved to the road out of town, hoping to be safe. In spring, that road is poignantly lined with purple flowers. For Webb, Aceves and many, many other women, purple has not just been the color of flowers but of bruises, some of which heal and some which never get the chance.
Domestic violence in Arkansas is a problem without progress. According to the World Population
Review, more than 48 percent of the state’s women have been or are abused, almost twice the national average. “It wasn’t enough,” her mother said. On New Year’s Eve, police arrived on the scene where Aceves, 21, was pronounced dead, killed by a .22 caliber gunshot wound to the head. Lying beside her, unharmed, was her blood-soaked 4-month-old baby — his baby. In possession of a .22 caliber weapon, Acuna-Sanchez was found hiding in the shower of his mother’s house. In his pocket were 39 bullets and the key to Laura’s door. He had kept the only promise he made to her — that he would kill her if she ever tried to leave him. She was so close to doing that, having finally saved enough money to move out of state. Two years later, Acuna-Sanchez pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. He said killing Aceves was a “mistake”. “Putting a gun to the back of someone’s head and pulling the trigger is not a mistake. It is a brutal, heinous, selfish crime,” Judge Jay Finch replied before sentencing the 20-year-old to 25 years, less two years of time served. Seventy percent of his sentence has to be served before he is eligible for release. The math shows that in less than five years from now, Acuna-Sanchez could join Milton Webb and many other abusers — known and unknown — back in the community.
Laura Aceves
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SHERWOOD
NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER, INC
We are devoted to providing high quality care which celebrates the dignity and grace of every person who enters our facility. At Sherwood Nursing and Rehab we are committed to providing the highest quality of patient care. Our qualified staff is here giving support for the tasks of day-to-day living, allowing for the enjoyment of more pleasant and carefree activities. We specialize in Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care services.
2026
SHERWOOD
NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER, INC
245 Indian Bay Drive Sherwood, AR 72120 Phone: 501.834.9960 Fax: 501.834.5644
NURSING & REHABILITATION LIVING PROFILE
Briarwood Nursing and Rehab is a 120-bed skilled facility located in an urban setting within the heart of Little Rock, in the neighborhood of Briarwood. We are located just minutes from downtown Little Rock and are only one block off interstate 630. We provide long-term care and short-term rehab care. All residents are monitored throughout the day with assistance in providing daily care as is needed: bathing, dressing, feeding and providing medications. Briarwood staff also work at ensuring the best care for residents through individual care plans of residents' needs, as well as daily activities, which allow for a variety of interests and abilities. Nearly all - 98 percent - of our rehab residents return to the community as a result of positive, caring therapists. Briarwood's approach has provided healing to many people in the community. At Briarwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, we are committed to ensuring that the best possible care is given to you or your loved one in an atmosphere that is calm, quiet and focused on healing. We endeavor to ensure that all aspects of your well-being — mental, physical and spiritual — are cared for in a peaceful and safe environment. Our staff strive to promote dignity, respect, and independence as much as possible, in a beautiful, soothing enviornment that was designed with our residents' comfort in mind. Briarwood's service-rich environment is made possible by its dedicated staff, from our nursing staff and therapists, to our operations and administrative employees. At Briarwood, our residents enjoy three generations of staff and families. That is over 30 years of service to the community!
501.224.9000 • 516 S. Rodney Parham Rd., Little Rock • briarwoodnursingandrehab.com
diamonds
DAVID ROWE Hiland Dairy (Ret.)
A
s a 47-year employee of Hiland Dairy, where he ultimately served as central Arkansas sales manager, few can top Little Rock native David Rowe’s professional resume when it comes to longevity. Over those years, Rowe became a very familiar sight at the Arkansas State Fair every October, representing the company which has supported and sponsored the annual event for seven decades.
OVER THE COURSE OF YOUR CAREER, WHAT CHANGED THE MOST AND THE LEAST IN YOUR BUSINESS? What’s changed the most is the expiration dates on milk have gone from less than a week to surpassing three weeks. This enables us to increase the integrity of the product. What’s changed the least is the company has always had the desire and drive to produce award-winning products that our customers have grown to expect through the years.
WHY IS COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SUPPORTING THINGS ACROSS ARKANSAS,PARTICULARLY THE ARKANSAS STATE FAIR, SO IMPORTANT AT HILAND DAIRY? We are a local company processing raw milk locally with employees that live in our state. We have had several three- and fourgeneration families work with us over the years. We believe and always have that if we invest in our state and its people that they will invest in us. Investing in the fair has always come easy for us; our company is owned by dairy farmers, which fits very well into our demographic. IN WHAT WAYS IS THE COMPANY PARTICIPATING IN THIS YEAR’S FAIR?
We will again host the Hiland Family Fun Zone, where we sponsor three attractions that are free to the public. They each perform three shows a day. We also host the Hiland Dairy Cooking Contest in the arts and crafts building, where adults and youth cook dishes using our dairy products to compete for cash prizes. WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE STATE FAIR ADDS TO ARKANSAS FAMILIES’ FAIR EXPERIENCE? We just want people of all ages to come and enjoy our family atmosphere as much as we enjoy bringing the acts in. It is our way to say thank you to our customers that have supported us all these years
WHAT FAIR FOODS, EVENTS OR ATTRACTIONS DO YOU MOST LOOK FORWARD TO PERSONALLY? My favorite fair foods are gyros, Boss Hog ribs, fried pork skins and Hiland Dairy Ice Cream. I don’t do rides anymore, but I do enjoy riding in the golf cart around the fairgrounds. I like the local musicians, and most of all, I really like to see the faces of the kids after seeing our shows and the reactions of the cooking contest winners. The monthly “Diamonds” feature shares the lives and views of a diverse roster of proud Arkansans who are doing amazing things and are outstanding representatives of the Natural State. To nominate someone, email dwain@aymag.com.
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Presented by BankOZK and co-chaired by Kevin and Leigh Ann Newton, Gala for Good 2026 celebrates 99 years of helping Arkansans change their lives through education, training and employment — and invites you to be part of what grows next. Experience an unforgettable evening rooted in Arkansas tradition, featuring live bluegrass, whiskey and cocktail tastings, a curated silent auction, a custom hat bar and an immersive mission experience that brings Goodwill’s impact to life.
KEVIN & LEIGH ANN NEWTON 2026 GALA FOR GOOD CO-CHAIRS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 / 6 PM NORTH LITTLE ROCK EVENT CENTER SCAN OR VISIT THEGALAFORGOOD.ORG for tickets, event information and sponsorship opportunities.
DEEP ROOTS. BOLD SPIRITS. LASTING GOOD.
Not mass-produced health care. Curated care. Conway Regional Infectious Disease Clinic blends access and excellence to provide specialized care for complex infections and infectious diseases. Our team creates individualized treatment plans that combine clinical expertise with compassionate, highly intentional care. From diagnosis through treatment and ongoing management, we focus on helping patients understand their condition, navigate their care, and move forward with confidence.