Take a look at Pat’s book picks at PatBeckerBooks.com
Because every pet has a story. Great gifts for kids and pet lovers of all ages.
PLUS DVD
These well-illustrated books are autographed by the authors and are now available in audiobook (audio version available where indicated) — Pat Becker, author and hostess of DogTalkTV.com
PatBeckerBooks.com
Tummy Tuck Patient One Michael Spann, MD
BEFORE AFTER Actual Patient of Michael Spann, MD Dr. Spann focuses on creating a flat, chiseled abdominal region. Fatty deposits in the abdominal area can be particularly challenging to eliminate with diet and exercise alone. Additionally, many individuals are faced with the frustrating aesthetic problem of abdominal skin laxity (loose, hanging skin), which can develop as a result of: genetics, childbirth, hormonal imbalances, age, and dramatic weight gain or loss. As with the abdominal fat pockets, abdominal skin laxity cannot be corrected simply by adopting a healthier lifestyle. Tummy tuck surgery offers an effective solution to both fatty deposits and skin laxity in the stomach region. A tummy tuck procedure involves the surgical removal of excess skin and fat from the lower and middle abdominal region, followed by the tightening of the abdominal musculature, which serves to create an enviably flat, smooth abdomen.
Call 501.219.8000 to schedule your consult today.
Patient Two
BEFORE AFTER Actual Patient of Michael Spann, MD
2200 N Rodney Parham Rd, Ste 200, Little Rock, AR 72212 501.219.8000 www.littlerockplasticsurgery.com
Tucked into the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, on the shores of beautiful Table Rock Lake, a winter escape awaits. Enjoy the beauty of nature, the warmth of a fire and create memories that will last a lifetime.
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M Y L A G O S M Y W AY
C AV I A R C O L L E C T I O N S
We Keep People All
Haley Pontius, Miss Arkansas USA Invisalign patient at Smile Arkansas
Make 2021 Your Year For A Beautiful...
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People all over Arkansas trust Dr. Lee Wyant with their smile. As Arkansas’ only Fellowed Cosmetic Dentist and providing over 35 years of excellence you can be sure you’re in good hands. His credentials, experience and caring concern for each individual patient allows him to provide exceptional esthetic results regardless of the challenges presented. To learn how Dr. Wyant can help you have an incredible smile, call today to schedule your complimentary smile consultation.
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WHAT’S INSIDE
Red Moon Tavern.
Publisher’s Letter Connect Top Events Murder Mystery Arkansas Backstories
10 12 14 126 128
HOME&GARDEN
The Best is Yet to Come Trimmin’ Trees
16 24
FOOD&DRINK
America in a Bowl 36 Soup Recipes 40 An American Family Album 30
ARTS&CULTURE
An Undercurrent of Murder Arkansas Country Music Stars Enhancing, Enriching, Educating THayden he People Behind Your News: Nix
54 58 68 74
TRAVEL ARKANSAS 78 The Dream of El Dorado 86 AGFC’s Northwest Arkansas 88
Nature Center
Dark Skies, Strange Clouds
HEALTH 102 Finding Normal: Vaccines Ready, Incoming
110 Resolutions: Shedding
Soup/Chili Bucket List Pg. 34
Pandemic Pounds
Photo by Jamison Mosley
118 Bone Health: It’s All in the Gut
MENTAL HEALTH 98 Medical Cannabis: Miracle Drug
ON THE COVER
ABOUT YOU
Taking in the wonders of the universe from a cozy cabin in Ponca. Photo by Jeff Rose. Pictured: Cabin X, Buffalo Outdoor Center
or Smoke and Mirrors?
46 Ask an Expert: Tax and CPA Professionals
50 Get to Know Your Hometown
Read more: Page 88
Banker
6
HERE WHEN YOU NEED US THE MOST. Serving El Dorado and the South Arkansas Region.
700 WEST GROVE STREET EL DORADO, AR 71730 870-863-2000 THEMEDCENTER.NET | aymag.com
PUBLISHER
Heather Baker hbaker@aymag.com EDITOR
Dustin Jayroe djayroe@aymag.com
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Mark Carter mcarter@aymag.com
ONLINE EDITOR
Tyler Hale thale@aymag.com
EDITOR-AT-LARGE
Lisa Fischer lfischer@aymag.com
FOOD EDITOR
Kevin Shalin kshalin@aymag.com
STAFF WRITERS
Katie Zakrzewski katie@aymag.com Caroline O’Connor coconnor@aymag.com
ART DIRECTOR
Jamison Mosley jmosley@aymag.com
PRODUCTION MANAGER Rebecca Robertson rrobertson@aymag.com
Dwain Hebda is president of Ya!Mule Wordsmiths in Little Rock. A writer, editor and journalist of some 30 years, his work appears in more than 30 publications in four states. Nebraskan by birth, Southern by the grace of God, he and his wife, Darlene, have four grown children and two lovely dogs.
Janie Jones began her journalism career by writing features for the River Valley & Ozark Edition. After finding her niche as a true crime writer for AY About You, she acted as a consultant for Investigation Discovery. With her husband, she coauthored two books: Hiking Arkansas and Arkansas Curiosities.
Heather Allmendinger is a public relations consultant and freelance writer. Before working for many years as a strategic communications director in the nonprofit and legal sectors, she held her very first job at AY, formerly Active Years. She’s a proud alumna of the University of Arkansas and Razorback fan.
Andrea Patrick has spent most of her childhood and adulthood in Little Rock. She loves the local food scene and believes that we all eat with our eyes first. This led her to a passion for experimenting with recipes, designing and plating at home.
Angela Forsyth lives in Northwest Arkansas. Her articles have been published in AY About You, Arkansas Money and Politics, Food & Drink, Modern Home Builder, Manufacturing Today, Inside Healthcare, Retail Merchandiser and many more magazines. She’s a happy wife and mom to four kids and a dog.
Kenneth Heard worked as a journalist for newspapers for more than 30 years, including nearly 20 years as the Jonesboro bureau correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He now works at the Craighead County Prosecuting Attorney’s office and does freelance writing.
DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR
Kellie McAnulty kmcanulty@aymag.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Lora Puls lpuls@aymag.com
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Stephanie Wallace swallace@aymag.com Linda Burlingame lindaaymag@aol.com Tonya Higginbotham thigginbotham@aymag.com Mary Funderburg mary@aymag.com Lisa Licht llicht@aymag.com Tonya Mead tmead@aymag.com
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Jacob Carpenter ads@aymag.com
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ginger Roell groell@aymag.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Jordan Knight, Meredith Mashburn, Tony Milligan, Jeff Rose, Sarah Russell
ADMINISTRATION Casandra Moore admin@aymag.com Vicki Vowell, CEO
TO ADVERTISE:
501-244-9700 or hbaker@aymag.com
TO SUBSCRIBE:
501-244-9700 or aymag.com
Nic Williams, an Arkansas native, is a practicing lawyer and contributor to AY About You. He has developed original recipes for more than half a decade and considers Ina Garten as his inspiration. Most importantly, he’s a proud doggy dad and is grateful for his supportive friends and family.
AY Magazine is published monthly, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8 AY Magazine (ISSN 2162-7754) is published monthly 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 $20 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 ©2020, 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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! r a e Y New Happy ! r a e Y w e N
publisher's letter
holiday hangover I’ve never been one to beat around the bush, so I’m sure most of you already know of my love for all things Christmas. Saying that, the most wonderful time of my year is always followed by my least favorite: right now. We are as far away from the next holiday season as possible, and there’s just this dragging daze of every day that’s, well, blah. You know what I’m talking about — the Holiday Hangover. Fortunately, I know of a few good remedies for such a condition, and this issue is filled with them. It’s resolution season! Coming off of the dreadful thing that was 2020, many of us probably rolled into this year like a long vacation’s return leg — a little more in our bags than we came with. We delve into that this month in “Shedding Pandemic Pounds,” a guide to starting your year by losing what you gained during the last. But remember, most people won’t realize their New Year’s Resolutions; start a trend, not a fad. Speaking of, what do you normally do with your live Christmas tree come January? Really, I’m asking. If your shoulders just shrugged and you motioned to the curb, check out our staff writer Katie Zakrzewski’s feature “Trimmin’ Trees.” She’s chatted with some local organizations who would love to take your old tree, and has also included some fun ways for you to reuse it at home. Potpourri, anyone? We (finally) received some good news last month: the first COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for use. Our editor, Dustin Jayroe, breaks the details down in “Finding Normal.” You and I may have to wait for immunization just a little longer while our frontline workers and at-risk communities are serviced, but normal is just around the corner. We can do this. And if you’re feeling a little antsy between now and then, why don’t you plan a Natural State getaway? Our travel editor and retired tourism director, Joe David Rice, has a wonderful feature on El Dorado. And our cover story, “Dark Skies, Strange Clouds,” talks about the wonders of Arkansas’ night sky and the budding celestial tourism market that is making our state the “star” of the South. A weekend at your favorite cabin in the Ozarks presents just as much to enjoy at night as during the day. (I’ll admit it: My reservations are already booked after reading it.) I hope you’ll enjoy this latest packed issue of AY About You. May your year be blessed and less stressfilled than the last. If you need me, I’ll be at the gym. But if you really, really need me, I’m just an email or a phone call away.
Heather Baker, Publisher hbaker@aymag.com
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Thanks for voting Dr. Montgomery Heathman and staff best Dental Practice in Arkansas!
At Montgomery Heathman and Associates, our team is 100% focused on your oral health. We offer our patients the very best that dentistry has to offer through advanced technologies and procedures.
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501-223-3838 heathmanfamilydentistry.com 12501 Cantrell Rd., Little Rock HeathmanFamilyDental
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TRENDING ON AYMAG.COM What You Need to Know About This Month’s Rare Christmas Star Hometown Heroes: Officer Tommy Norman’s Heart is On Duty Recipe: Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole Geminid Meteor Shower: ‘King of Shooting Star’ to Rain this Weekend Wow Factor: EyeCatching Exteriors
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READER FEEDBACK LOST FORTY BREWING SET TO OPEN NEW FACILITY AND RESTAURANT IN EAST VILLAGE “Best news of 2020.” Martha Ellen Humphries HOMETOWN HEROES: OFFICER TOMMY NORMAN’S HEART IS ON DUTY “Great article about a great man.” Christine Lopez MADE IN ARKANSAS: ERIN PIERCE AND THE ORGANIZED CHAOS COLLECTION “Erin’s work is gorgeous!” Carla Churchwell KEEPING UP WITH JENNY AND DAVE MARRS, STARS OF FIXER TO FABULOUS “Thanks for the interview!” Jenny Marrs
CONTESTS
Check out this great snow pic from our travel editor Joe David Rice from Compton, Arkansas!
Kevin Kresse is a painter and sculptor from North Little Rock who recently devoted some time to paint this mural in his hometown.
Heading to the Spa City to pick up pizza from Deluca’s.
Contest deadline is Jan. 14! Go to aymag.com and click on the “Contests” tab.
1. CIGAR REPUBLIC
Embrace the finer things in life with a trip to Cigar Republic, the premier destination for cigars and whiskey in Little Rock. Boasting the largest walk-in humidor in Arkansas and more than 450 unique cigars, there’s something for all tastes. Win a gift card to try out Cigar Republic’s selection of goods. CODE: CIGAR
2. LOBLOLLY
There’s nothing like a scoop of delicious ice cream, no matter the season. When it comes to ice cream, you can’t beat Loblolly Creamery. This Little Rock favorite serves up mouth-watering smallbatch ice cream, using fresh ingredients and unique flavors. Head over and get your favorite flavor, on us. CODE: LOBLOLLY
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3. TURPENTINE CREEK
Take a walk on the wild side at Turpentine Creek. This Eureka Springs refuge provides a home for abandoned and neglected big cats, from tigers to lions to leopards. Win two tickets to tour the refuge and see all the amazing animals! CODE: CATS
In December, our monthly bucket list featured holiday foods and there was no better way to start than with Lindsey’s BBQ & Hospitality House!
!
December WINNERS Gadwall’s Grill: BETTY PITTMAN Loblolly: MIKE GLANCY Turpentine Creek: ANN OWEN
agenda
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Top
you just can't miss! EQUILLA MARIE WALKER — VISION FROM THE LENS OF MY SOUL All month
The Galleries at Library Square — Little Rock Equilla Marie Walker is a local photographer of more than 20 years, and this retrospective exhibit features some of the soulful images she has captured throughout her illustrious career. Walker is also a teaching artist for the Crystal Bridges in the Classroom program in Little Rock.
ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS VS. MISSOURI TIGERS Jan. 2, 11 a.m
Bud Walton Arena — Fayetteville The Hogs’ men’s basketball team hosts the Missouri Tigers for its SEC home opener the first Saturday of this month. This is head coach Eric Musselman’s second season at the helm, and the Razorbacks will hope to carry over some of last year’s momentum and hope that this season doesn’t get cut short, like the last.
QUADRANTIDS METEOR SHOWER Jan. 2, 3
Your Nearest Dark Sky The annual Quadrantids Meteor Shower peaks this year on the night of Jan. 2 and earlymorning of Jan. 3. An above-average shower, around 40 meteors per hour can be seen under the most optimal conditions: a dark sky as far from city lights as possible.
FEELING THROUGH: EXAMINING EMOTION IN THE MIDST OF UNREST Jan. 14 to April 10
The Art and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas — Pine Bluff This new exhibit features art by Catherine Elizabeth Patton, a self-taught concept and portrait photographer. The Feeling Through exhibit features a self-reflection of her emotions during this past, harrowing year.
59TH PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION Jan. 20
Washington, D.C. A public ceremony on the West Front of the United States Capitol will mark the 59th Presidential Inauguration, following the 2020 election. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the in-person audience will be limited, but the event can be viewed on virtually every major news station.
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events
Top 3 events to do at home Editor’s Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the events and information listed are subject to change. For the events you do attend this month, please remember to be safe and abide by the most current guidelines set forth by Gov. Asa Hutchinson and the Arkansas Department of Health.
SIX BRIDGES BOOK FESTIVAL PRESENTS: C.M. WAGGONER, AUTHOR OF THE RUTHLESS LADY’S GUIDE TO WIZARDRY (VIRTUAL) Jan. 21, 6:30 p.m. www.cals.org
MUSEUM OF NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY (VIRTUAL) Jan. 27, 4 p.m. www.faylib.org
AGFC VIRTUAL NATURE CENTER www.agfcnaturecenter.com
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aymag.com
home
yet to come the best is
2021
Tracie J. Kelley
By AY Staff
is the president and CEO of KellCo Custom Homes, Inc., Energy Air, Inc. and KellCo Real Estate, Inc. Since 1992, Kelley has been in custom home building and the real estate industry, serving all of Central Arkansas. “The most important task for me right from the start is establishing a solid relationship and a good understanding of my clients’ best interests of
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their new home, which includes an excellent level of communication,” Kelley says. “Once a budget and approval process has been established, I then start the planning and architectural design phases. For me, it’s much more than just building a home. My greatest passion in custom home building is having the ability to build with a unique vision that adds personal testimonies to each project within the communities of Arkansas.” Kelley’s overall goal is for the homes she builds to be a reflection of its owners and their aspirations.
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stunning
Stonehill In the heart of Sherwood sits this one-of-a-kind custom home, which was crafted to be an exquisite abode with an abundance of amenities. Kelley combined the purity of her design with a whimsical use of glass and metals. Multiple floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural lighting within many areas of the home, while a heavy use of modern-natural materials around the home’s exterior creates a powerful
aesthetic bond. The two-story, switchback staircase offers a striking and clean flare, with black iron and solid stainless spindles, while showing off the dazzling glass chandelier perched directly above. This sleek design echoes the large windows and blends seamlessly into its contemporary surroundings, adding originality to the home, both inside and out.
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Kelley has a soft spot when it comes to master suites. This one was designed using luxurious porcelain materials on the bath wall and shower. The dazzling chandelier immediately catches the eyes of all who enter.
Kelley has a soft spot when it comes to master suites. This one was designed using luxurious porcelain materials on the bath wall and shower. The shower is a double walk-in and was designed with champagne trim lines and waterfall tub filler. These streamlined and striking contrasts are what Kelley refers to as “bold movements.” The stark-white spa bathtub is centered elegantly, encapsulating serenity and simplicity. The home also has an open floor plan and luxury features, including
profile lighting within the stair treads. “People often hear that every home that I design and build is my favorite,” Kelley says. “Each home has a special uniqueness that I find myself falling in love with, each and every time. I build homes to reflect the lifestyle of today and carry your expectations forward — where families can grow and make memories.” Kelley strives to deliver a dreamhome reality with each new project she begins. Every home has a story, and she loves building those, too.
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charming
The exterior of the home features natural stone which amplifies its rustic, yet charming attributes. The rear patio area features an enclosed sunroom with beautiful views of the private greenspace.
Cliffside
The Porte Cochere Estate House at Cliffside is a stunning and uniquely inspired home. The porte-cochere style is an echo of the 19th century and features a grand entrance to a private courtyard. This private residence also has a motor court that accommodates added parking. Kelley had several goals while designing and building this home, such as embracing traditional styles while also incorporating modern originality; combining timeless elements to create an eclectic sense of wonder. The double drive leads to an artfully designed landscape with rusticstyle amenities. Its large windows frame the picturesque views and absorb lots of natural light which further highlights the coffered ceiling within the hearth room, handcrafted brick arches and woodwork. The chef ’s kitchen is perfectly appointed with a large, culinary island and is accompanied by a double butler’s pantry. Italian porcelain splash tiling and acacia hardwood flooring accent the area built for entertaining, with plenty of space for family and friends. “As a custom home designer and builder, I am driven to new levels of uniqueness and architecture that continue to be the driving force for all my endeavors within the real estate industry,” Kelley says. “The responsibilities of a good contractor are hefty and, to say the very least, exhausting. Working with each individual needs of my clients is important to me, and it’s equally important that I get it right. Throughout the entire build process, I am fully committed and engaged.”
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Lower rates. Brighterfuture. future. Lower rates. Brighter er rates. Brighter future. At Entergy Arkansas, we know ensuring reliable and affordable power is vital to our state’s
At Entergy Arkansas, we know ensuring reliable and affordable power is vital to our state’s kansas, we know ensuring reliable affordable power is invest vital to ourupdated state’s future. That’sand why we continue to in infrastructure and technology, while future.inThat’s why we continueand to invest in updated why we continue to invest updated infrastructure technology, while infrastructure and technology, while maintaining some of the lowest rates in the country. maintaining some of the lowest rates in the country. ome of the lowest rates in the country.
Lower rates. Brighter future. At Entergy Arkansas, we know ensuring reliable and affordable power is vital to our state’s future. That’s why we continue to invest in updated infrastructure and technology, while •• New lines lowered loweredoutages outagesby byover over40%. 40%. outages bysome overof40%. New transmission transmission lines maintaining the lowest rates in the country.
•• More than $2.5 billion invested to improve reliability, customer service and efficiency. leading provider ofemission-free emission-free solar power. ng provider of emission-free solar power. • State’s State’s leading provider of solar power. • New transmission lines lowered outages by over 40%.
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A message from Entergy Arkansas, LLC ©2020 Entergy Services, LLC All Rights Reserved.
A message from Entergy Arkansas, LLC ©2020 Entergy Services, LLC All Rights Reserved.
A message from Entergy Arkansas, LLC ©2020 Entergy Services, LLC All Rights Reserved.
Our readers are hungry. 152,775 AY print readers plan to dine out or look for entertainment per month.
• More than $2.5 billion invested to improve reliability, customer service and efficiency.
More than $2.5 billion invested to and improve reliability, customer service and efficiency. 2.5 billion invested to •improve reliability, customer service efficiency.
ssion lines lowered
Come by and speak with our experts about your fireplace needs.
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A message from Entergy Arkansas, LLC ©2020 Entergy Services, LLC All Rights Reserved.
When considering a facility for short-term rehabilitation services, families want the best they can get for their loved ones, and they have to look no further than Superior Health and Rehab in Conway.
Our rehabilitation gym offers state-of-the art rehab and features interactive equipment to enable our licensed therapists to create a comprehensive therapy program designed to get our residents back to their prior functional level, regain their self-reliance and facilitate a return to home as quickly as possible.
625 Tommy Lewis Drive • Conway, AR• 501-585-6800 • superiorhrc.com 23
aymag.com
TRIM
garden
24
MMIN’
TREES By Katie Zakrzewski
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans have begun to start new Christmas traditions at home, one of these being the purchase and installation of a real Christmas tree for the holiday season. But many families are left to wonder what to do with a 7-foot tall tree once Christmas is done. AY About You is here with some ideas to help you dispose of your tree in creative (and even charitable) ways.
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aymag.com
COMPOST AND MULCH You can turn your tree into compost or turn it into mulch for your garden. Mulch can help treat soil compaction. Additionally, mulch can prevent soil erosion that usually occurs after heavy rains. Spreading mulch around the roots of your plants, especially more delicate flowers, can also prevent the ground from becoming frozen in cold spells. In order to turn your Christmas tree into mulch, you’ll put your tree and its branches through a wood chipper/ shredder (you can find one at most home improvement stores or even on Amazon). Then, take the wood chips and spread them around the base of your plants. However, use pine needles in mulch sparingly, as they are harder to break down naturally. To compost your Christmas tree, you can add leftover mulch into a bin with other biodegradables, such as leaves, banana peels, eggshells, animal manure and other nitrogenrich ingredients. Your Christmas tree compost should be ready between three and eight months, depending on whether you choose to do hot or cold compost.
TRUNK FURNITURE If you decide to mulch your Christmas tree, you’ll quickly realize that the trunk tends to be too thick to compost. Instead, you can turn the leftover trunk of your Christmas tree into a chair, small side table or open fire pit.
POTPOURRI Also, you can make your own potpourri to make any room smell like the holidays. Collect a few of your Christmas tree’s pine branches and cut off chunks from your tree’s trunk. Then gather cinnamon sticks, cloves, raw cranberries and other holiday fruits and spices. Put your tree trunk pieces in a shallow, heat-proof bowl, filled up halfway with water. Add the other ingredients that you’ve collected to the water. Put in a warm spot, such as on top of a wax warmer or in a pot on top of the stop. As the water warms, the scent of a natural Christmas potpourri will fill your home.
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REPLANT OR RECYCLE If you’d like to reuse your tree for next year, it’s also possible to replant your Christmas tree. Most evergreen trees are incredibly resilient, even if the roots have been cut off to provide a flat base. Simply repot or plant your tree in the soil with plenty of water, and the trunk should begin to grow roots again. The Arkansas Arboretum at Pinnacle Mountain State Park also takes donated Christmas trees to turn into compost, according to previous reports made by the organization. Other trees that are donated help to slow erosion and provide shelter for small animals.
ANIMAL HABITAT AND BIRD FEEDER Many animals, even with a biological heating system, would prefer a shelter to wait out the wind and the cold. A Christmas tree planted in a more secluded part of the garden or backyard can provide shelter for any birds and squirrels and chipmunks that might have popped out for food. It’s important to make sure that the tree-turned-animal shelter is tethered firmly in place to withstand the wind. But Christmas trees aren’t only used for aboveground habitats. For the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, retired Christmas trees make excellent habitats and spawning nests for aquatic life all across the Natural State. “The trees are an important component to the materials used to create sunken habitat for fish,” says Spencer Griffith, the AGFC’s assistant chief of communications. “Our staff and volunteers will use the trees, along with cinder blocks, baling wire or parachute cord. Under the direction of deputy director Chris Racey and fisheries chief Ben Batten, our Fisheries Management Division has been focusing on major habitat projects both at a regional and statewide level on an annual basis. They have both made it a priority for the regional fisheries districts to implement large-scale habitat improvement projects on AGFC managed lakes annually in each district. Beyond that, the team comes together from across the state to put all of their manpower against several large habitat projects as a combined team.” Jeremy Risley, an AGFC regional fisheries biologist in Mountain Home, says that the primary benefit of the brush pile attractors is for anglers. The brush piles offer species that are considered “baitfish” places to hide, while offering predatory fish, such as bass and crappie, places to ambush. The AGFC has drop-off locations across the state to leave your tree. Additionally, in most years, you can donate your living Christmas tree to the Little Rock Zoo. Many animals love the natural scenery, while some animals, such as goats, prefer to take a bite out of Christmas trees instead. Other animals, like elephants, use the Christmas tree limbs as toys and to clean themselves. While the pandemic has changed the Little Rock Zoo’s normal course of operations, Joy Matlock, director of marketing and development at the Zoo, was able to offer an alternative. “Unfortunately because of the pandemic, the Zoo will not be receiving Christmas trees from the public,” Matlock says. “However, the Zoo would accept trees from sellers whose trees had not been in an enclosed area.”
ANIMAL FEEDERS Finally, Christmas trees can act as the support for animal and bird feeders, both natural and artificial. Make sure that your Christmas tree is firmly planted outside before hanging any feeders in it. For more natural feeders, you can attach a string to a pine cone and cover it in peanut butter and bird seed. You can also halve an orange, scoop out its insides, thread it, and fill the hollowed-out half with bird seeds. You can thread popcorn and decorate the tree like an edible tinsel for wild animals, and you can also halve fruits and decorate your tree with them using string.
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aymag.com
benefitting
The 20th Century Club’s Lodge The 20th Century Club raises funds to provide no-cost housing to medically and financially qualified patients receiving cancer treatment in Central Arkansas. Patients from all 75 counties within Arkansas and 26 other states have stayed at the Lodge since it opened in April 2011.
20
th
The
Club’s lodge H O P E AW AY F R O M H O M E
Ball Co-Chairs Lydia James and Emily Young (Photography by Melisa)
Ball Sponsorship Opportunities and Donate to “Fund-A-Night” online at:
www.HopeAwayFromHome.org
4011 MARYLAND AVE. | LITTLE ROCK, AR 72204 | 501-907-1760
Patients from around the country receive housing with the comfort of home at no cost to them or their caregivers.
20TH CENTURY CLUB'S LODGE
T
he COVID-19 pandemic changed the world we knew. Sadly, one thing hasn’t changed; people still get diagnosed with cancer. Those people still need a place to stay while coming to the state’s medical capital for life-saving treatments. That is why the housing the 20th Century Club’s Lodge (the Lodge) provides is critical for families that live outside of Central Arkansas, especially during these difficult times. Each year, more than one million people are diagnosed with cancer. Since Little Rock is home to some of the nation’s premier cancer treatment facilities, many cancer patients choose the capital city for care. Patients from around the country receive housing with the comfort of home at no cost to them or their caregivers. That’s why the Lodge is so vital to this community. It provides more than a beautiful room with hotelquality amenities; it provides healthy meals, snacks and most importantly, a community of support. The 20th Century Club’s original facility for housing cancer patients began operating in the Quapaw Quarter in the ‘80s. In 2011, a brand-new facility was opened that rivals any of the long-stay properties in Little Rock. All the amenities, including a secure property and home-cooked meals, are part of one’s stay. 2020 was challenging, but imagine facing it with a cancer diagnosis. The role of the 20th Century Club’s Lodge is more important than ever. Fifty dollars provides one night’s lodging and an evening meal for a patient and caregiver. A $250 donation provides a week of housing and three dinners. Your generous, tax-deductible donation helps patients continue to stay for no cost. With your help, the Lodge will continue to provide Hope Away from Home to cancer patients.
HOPE AWAY FROM HOME
The 20th Century Club of Little Rock, Inc. 4011 Maryland Avenue Little Rock, Arkansas 72204 (501) 907-1760 • fax (501) 907-1761
A C I R E AM l w o in a B
food
s ’ a c i r e m A f o a g a S The d o o F t r o f m o C e Favorit
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B
By DWAIN HEBDA
eing a nation of immigrants, there are very few things culinary that America has not borrowed and thrown into the great melting pot that is our culture. This comes with the territory of being a relative whippersnapper among world powers and other countries around the globe. Just about anything we bite into or wash down has its roots somewhere else, traveling here on a scrap of paper in a raggedy, starcrossed immigrant’s pocket, later to become embedded in our edible landscape. Now, we may have perfected a few of the old-country standards: We didn’t invent the sandwich, but we came up with the Reuben and the hoagie, for instance. And we have been inspired to create Americanized “ethnic” delicacies from time to time. (Don’t believe me? Just try to find a chimichanga in an authentic old-school joint in Juarez sometime; I’ll wait.) All of which is OK as far as that goes; I mean, when you find your favorite food at a party or tailgate, do you really care whose kitchen it came from? Of course you don’t. But there are those magical morsels — the few, the proud — that were authentically bred, born and birthed in the USA. Key lime pie is one; succotash is another; Cobb salad a third. Not surpris-
ingly, corn dogs are as American as apple pie, assuming apple pie had originated here and not in England. But I digress. And crowing that star-spangled, native-dish list: chili. A magic elixir of heart-warming mixture, chili comes into a starring role in the frostier months of the year. It’s a common guest at tables from Kennebunkport to Camden and
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Malvern to Maui, with or without a sidecar of saltines. And it’s ours, baby, all ours. “It’s just comfort food,” says Heather Isbell, co-owner of Izzy’s in Little Rock, a longtime restaurant that has been singled out nationally for its chili recipe. “When it gets cold and chilly, no pun intended, we kind of just lean towards wanting that comfort. You know, flavor, something hearty. We get tired of soup. Chili is kind of that nice middle ground.” Izzy’s recipe goes back to the 1980s and was developed by Bob Isbell, Heather’s father-in-law. When she and her husband, Robert, bought the restaurant back in 1996, she tweaked the recipe
slightly to make it healthier without destroying its soul. They’ve been pouring out gallons of the stuff ever since. “I think one of the main things that sets our chili apart from some other chilis is, we don’t try and make it something other than chili. You know what I mean?” she says. “It’s really good, old-fashioned, traditional chili. It’s not really spicy. It’s not really sweet. It’s appealing to the majority of the masses. “We do have beans in it, and we use certified Angus ground beef. The beef that goes in it is really good. It’s really lean and really flavorful. I think that’s a big plus for our chili, using really good quality ingredients.”
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River City Bistro in Fort Smith. (Meredith Mashburn)
If it surprises you that chili was born in the States and not south of the border as many people assume, well, you just shoulda known better. Forget for a moment that in 1959, Diccionario de Mejicanismos, defined the stew as “detestable food, passing itself off as Mexican, sold in the U.S. from Texas to New York,” showing they want nothing of the credit for inventing it. Besides that, chili carries all the markings of a classic American dish: simple ingredients, many of them cheap and within reach of the common folk, spiced and cooked slowly to loosen everything up. What you get is the hearty, substantial stuff cowboys, lumberjacks, longshoremen and Rosie the Riveter relied on to get the job done. Nothing is more American than that. Now, I hear you Googlers out there: “What about Sister Mary of Agreda in Spain who went into trances, and when she woke up, the legend goes, she wrote down the recipe for chili con carne?” “What about the Canary Islanders who settled in San Antonio where they made a soup of local peppers, meat and wild onions?” Well, what about the Loch Ness Monster and the Chupacabra and Bigfoot? They can’t all be real either, just Bigfoot who, last time I checked, is American and probably a chili lover from the looks of it. I will give the chili birthers this much — the stew’s taproot appears to originate in Texas, which, we can all agree, acts like its own country sometimes. But that’s about as far as any logical person can go. Well, that and the whole bean/ no-bean debate that rages among chili purists. “I hate to offend the bean lovers, but we don’t put it in the original mix,” says Mark Baber, president and CEO of Oklahoma-based Ron’s Hamburgers and Chili, which has operated a Bentonville location for more than 15 years. “We don’t put beans in it because real chili’s not supposed to have beans in it.” When Baber talks chili, people listen. You don’t last two generations over 45 years in the restaurant business and grow to 20 locations in three states without doing something right. And when “chili” is
in the name of the company, it’s a good bet that’s probably it. “Each location makes its own batch and, in the wintertime, we’re cooking it every day,” he says. “We’ll use a big ‘ol pot and use, like, 60 pounds of it. It takes about three hours to cook, so it’s not a fast process. You’ve got to brown the meat, and we throw onions in there and cook the onions in it. And then, we add our spices to it.’ Baber’s operation is old-school enough to cook brick chili– a concoction that got its start on cattle drives when chuckwagon cooks would pound dehydrated ingredients into “bricks” that in its original form, kept and traveled well and could be reconstituted on the trail by adding water. Baber’s version cooks so thick they cut it with water and American cheese to the appropriate consistency before serving. From there, patrons can top their bowl with any number of things to taste — chopped onions, more cheese, jalapenos. Baber will even relent with beans on request, but there are some lines that no self-respecting chili house should cross, he says, so don’t look for a veggie or turkey version anytime this side of Hell freezing over. There are literally a hundred reasons to love this dish. You don’t eat chili daintily — can’t even sip it, to be honest — so chock-full are the best versions of meat and vegetables and heritage. Just grab a spoon, a sturdy cracker or at expert level, tortilla chips, and dig in. Chili is your winter wingman; it keeps a cheeseburger warm, rides shotgun with great tamales, snuggles a hot dog, dribbles over nachos, fries or Fritos. It is, dear friends, the proud, loyal mutt of the soup world. The defense rests, Arkansas. Chili can only have come from America; red as Georgia clay, thick as Cleveland snow, fine as the Fourth of July. May it forever find home in the land of the free.
Soup/Chili AY’s ARKANSAS
Bucket List
l Baja Grill
l I zzy’s
l The Oyster Bar
ites & Bowls l B
l L ocal Lime
he Pantry l T
oulevard Bread Co. l B
l MELD Kitchen + Sandwich Bar
l The Parsonage
urge’s Hickory Smoked l B
yrtie Mae’s l M
he Root Cafe l T
eighbor’s Mill Bakery & Cafe l N
hree Fold Noodles + l T
Benton, Little Rock
Springdale Little Rock
Turkeys and Hams Lewisville, Little Rock
l Cheers in the Heights Little Rock
iao Baci l C
Little Rock
ommunity Bakery l C
Little Rock
izzy’s Gypsy Bistro l D
Little Rock
l Doe’s Eat Place Little Rock
J’s Eats and Drinks l E
Little Rock
Little Rock Little Rock, Rogers
Bentonville
Eureka Springs Harrison, Rogers
l Nibbles Eatery Eureka Springs
l Pressroom
Little Rock
Dumpling Co. Little Rock
rio’s Restaurant l T
Little Rock
Little Rock
l River City Bistro Fort Smith
amantha’s Tap Room l S
and Wood Grill Little Rock
l Hammontree’s Grilled Cheese
nack Lab l S
l House of Wylie Coffee Bar &
tone Mill Cafe l S
Cafe El Dorado
Jonesboro
l Red Moon Tavern
callions l S
Fayetteville
Little Rock
Bentonville
reen Leaf Grill l G
Little Rock
Little Rock
Little Rock Bentonville, Fayetteville Bentonville
3C heck off the Soup/Chili List as you visit a small sample of our favorite food places. 34
AY About You
Arkansas Bucket List
Every Wednesday morning on KARK 4.
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recipes
White Bean, Tortellini and Sausage Soup By Kaitlin Barger
INGREDIENTS 1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 1 can Italian-style diced tomatoes 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 to 2 cups water 1 9-ounce package cheese tortellini, refrigerated or frozen 1 12-ounce package sausage of your choice 4 cups kale or spinach ½ teaspoon minced garlic INSTRUCTIONS 1. Combine chicken broth, water and tomatoes in a pot or large saucepan and boil for 5 minutes. 2. Add sausage, garlic, beans and leafy greens and boil for another 5 minutes. 3. Turn down heat for a gentle boil and add tortellini. Boil for 3-4 minutes. 4. Bring soup to a low simmer for about 10 minutes and serve.
French Carrot Soup By Nic Williams
INGREDIENTS 4 tablespoons olive oil 2 cloves garlic 1 sweet onion, chopped ½ cup dry white wine 3 tablespoons tomato paste ¼ cup uncooked white rice 2 teaspoons herbs de Provence (pre-mixed and available in the spice aisle) 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus extra to taste 2 ½ quarts of unsalted or low sodium chicken stock, preferably homemade 1 ½ pounds of carrots, peeled and cut into ½ inch chunks ½ cup heavy cream (also called whipping cream) Parsley, for garnish INSTRUCTIONS 1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. 2. S auté onion for 5 minutes, or until translucent. Add garlic and saute for 1 more minute, making sure to not let garlic burn. 3. A dd wine and continue cooking for 3 minutes, making sure to scrape bottom of the pot. 4. S tir in tomato paste, rice and herbs de Provence. Mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed. 5. Add salt, chicken stock and carrots. Simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes, or until carrots are soft. Using a blender or a food processor, puree soup until it reaches desired thickness (keeping in mind the heavy cream will thicken it up some). 6. A dd soup back to pot and stir in heavy cream. Taste for seasoning and add salt as needed. Garnish with parsley.
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NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER at
GOOD SHEPHERD Bobby Lamb, Administrator 3001 Aldersgate Road, Little Rock AR 72205 • Phone 501-217-9774 • Fax 501-217-9781 www.goodshepherdnr.com 38
Salem Place NURSING & REHABILITATION, INC
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2401 Christina Lane | Conway, Arkansas 72034 | Phone: 501.327.4421 | Fax: 501.329.8997 www.salemplacerehab.com | We accept: Medicaid, Medicare, Private Pay. 39
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food
An American Family Album By Dwain Hebda | Photography by Jamison Mosley
The Bruzatori family.
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t the distal end of Little Rock’s River Market — two doors down from the highway bridge where the neighborhood yawns into green space surrounding the Clinton Presidential Library — a warm breeze plays about the star-studded night. A mere half-block east from the enveloping neon and noise of the tourist district, the ambiance is different here, softer, awash in ambient streetlight, cooled by deep shadow. It’s quieter, darker, an intimate pocket of the city’s most popular neighborhood. “Hello, how are you?” cuts through the night air. Guillermo Bruzatori’s lilting tenor appears out of nowhere, like an unexpected cloudburst. “Good evening.” As a barker, Bruzatori is tailormade with a magnetism of voice that stops you in your tracks long enough for the aromas of his family’s gardenlevel restaurant, Buenos Aires Grill & Café, to reach you. Grilled meats and their savory seasonings overtake your senses, borne on the back of music and laughter from below. He is but one family member working tonight; daughter, Florencia “Flo” Bruzatori-Mullins, is creating magic behind the bar while youngest child, Camilla, manages diner traffic. Flo’s twin brother, Willy, has the night off and Guillermo’s wife, Graciela, is lim-iting her time here as a safeguard against the novel coronavirus. Accordingly, Guillermo doesn’t hug patrons at present, as is his trademark, but the warmth of his tone comes close. “Please join us for dinner,” he says in his lyrical Spanish accent. “This way!” Stories like that of the Bruzatori family feel like something from another age. The college-educated professionals immigrated to the United States fleeing deteriorating social and economic conditions in Argentina. For nearly 20 years, they have lived the American Dream in ways many believe are a thing of the past, bolstered by hard work, family and unyielding faith. “We had an economic crackdown [in Argentina] in 2001,” Guillermo says. “The American owner of my company was watching the television one night and saw we had a big problem in the streets. He called me and said, ‘Hey, you cannot live over there, they are killing each other. Why don’t you come [to America] and try to see if you can do something from here.’” “To be honest, I thought that was a crazy thing,” says Graciela. “So, I talked to [Guillermo] and said, you go and try and then I will follow you. So, I stayed over there for like five months. Then what happened was that someone was trying to attack me one night. I told Guillermo, ‘Hurry up, I want to leave this country. Do what you need to do to get things done.’”
Graciela and Guillermo met when both were working in a factory in their native Argentina. She was brash and outspoken and he was immediately intrigued. “The first time I know her, we were at the beach,” Guillermo says. “I used to go with a lot of women to the beach for drinking that white wine sangria, that is a thing from Argentina that has a lot of fruit. “I never asked the ladies, I just poured the wine for me, and I gave to them the fruit. They never said nothing. When I went with her, I did the same. I poured the wine for me and the fruit for her, and she said to me, ‘No, no, wait a moment. I don’t want the fruit.’ “Give me the wine!” Graciela laughs. “She was different,” Guillermo adds. They married in 1980, melding two strong, passionate personalities and furthering a family line of equally strong, remarkable individuals. Take Guillermo’s mother, Beatrice, who in the 1940s defied cultural norms to earn advanced college degrees in social work en route to working at an institute for the blind. One day the organization had an important visitor, Evita Perón, wife of Argentine president Juan Perón. “When she was working in the blind institute, Evita came in one day, and she fell in love with [Beatrice],” Graciela says. “She was talking to my mother-in-law, and she said, ‘You know what? Starting tomorrow, you will be my right hand. I want you to work with me all the time.’” Beatrice was such a close confidante to Perón, the First Lady gifted her a gold coin bearing her image, a trinket held only by select members of her inner circle. The coin is now in Little Rock where it is a cherished family heirloom. “My mother loved Evita because she was working all day with her. She saw that, although she was seven years younger, she never stopped work,” Guillermo says. “My mom told me that there were days that they were working with poor people all the time for 12-14 hours. “[Evita] came from the country. She was, more or less, a poor lady. As First Lady, she was working all the time with the poor. She was not that person that was all the time in shows and meetings, you know? She was trying to liberate the poor people.”
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The empanadas, like all of the Bruzatori fare, are homemade.
Guillermo had his own brushes with political power growing up; in school and in college, he was four years ahead of fellow engineer Mauricio Macri, who would serve as president of Argentina from 2015 to 2019. But unlike Macri, who came from society’s elite, Guillermo and his brother, Carlos, were solidly middle class, and at times growing up, felt inferior because of it. “This is the effect on me,” he says. “In 12 years of school, I had the same peers for 12 years, and I never, never invite any of my peers to my house. Not because my house was ugly. It was a normal house of medium class. The thing is, when I went to their houses, they were mansions and I was like, ‘Oh, God. I cannot invite this to my house.’ It was incredible, those big places. You couldn’t believe it. In the end, I did not love my school because it was not for me. It was for the high class, not for me.” By far, the most famous figure in the family lore was an Argentinean priest who headed Colegio del Salvador in Buenos Aires where Beatrice served as one of the deans. She saw something in the clergyman and kept telling Guillermo he was destined for great things. A jokester, Guillermo took a less pious approach to the man, Jorge Bergoglio, better known today as Pope Francis. “She was working closely with him, and there were times that I went to visit her. They were working together and it was, ‘Hola, Jorge!’ She was killing
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me with the look,” Guillermo says, the memory still making him laugh. “She was always at home telling me, ‘You are crazy. You have to stop. This is a very important man.’ “I said, ‘Mom, you know, I am like this. I am going to do it.’ And, he was laughing. He never said, ‘No, stop it.’ He was laughing the whole time. I am not saying nothing bad to him. I love this guy. I only say, ‘Hola, Jorge.’” As pastor of a local parish, and because of the connection through Beatrice, Bergoglio would interact with the Bruzatoris regularly, baptizing their children and celebrating Sunday Mass. As devout Catholics, the family held the unfailingly humble priest in high esteem, but Guillermo didn’t share his mother’s lofty predictions for him. “She said, ‘Watch out for this guy. This guy is skyrocketing,’” Guillermo says. “She said to me, ‘He’s going to become the archbishop of the city of Buenos Aires and become number one in Argentina.’ Buenos Aires is like New York. I said, ‘No, mom.’ And he was. She said, ‘I told you.’ “I was like, ‘OK, that’s the last thing he’s going to do.’ She says, ‘No, now he’s going to become a cardinal.’ I said, ‘No, mom; stop it. This is too much.’ He became cardinal, and I took out my phone, ‘I told you!’”
Stories like that of the Bruzatori family feel like something from another age.
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but it was all British English. It’s one thing when you have to learn it, and it’s another thing when you have to come out here and talk and listen to the slang and different accents. It’s a whole different ballgame.” Still, the family persevered. In 2016, they all took the Oath of Allegiance together, mere months before they opened their restaurant, Buenos Aires Grill & Café, in 2017. The day of the citizenship ceremony was the Feast of St. Anne, coincidentally the patron saint of their North Little Rock parish. Looking back on their remarkable journey, and upon a family that now includes grandchildren, Graciela smiles. “From now on, the Feast of St. Anne is a day for real celebration in our family,” she says. “I’m so happy. I feel really blessed to be in this country and be an American.”
“I said, ‘Mom, that’s it. The joke is very nice.’ She told me, ‘No, no. Wait a moment. Perhaps he could become pope.’ This is too much. In 2013, we were not expecting anyone to elect him because there were other names on the polls, younger people.” During that conclave, the Bruzatoris joined Catholics worldwide in watching for the white smoke from the Vatican chimney, the traditional sign that a new pontiff had been chosen. When Pope Francis walked out on the balcony that night, the first Bishop of Rome in history from Latin or South America, the shocked family broke down in tears of joy around the television. Then Guillermo reached for his phone. “My mom said [again], ‘I told you,’” he says. “He was elected March 13, 2013, and she died in November.” By that time, Guillermo and Graciela were already a decade into their life in America. They’d immigrated to the United States with their children in 2002, beginning a slow, sometimes painful process of assimilation. “For Flo and I, it was tough,” her brother, Willy, says. “We were in the middle of high school [at the time], and we had left our group of friends behind. We learned English in Argentina,
The dining room of the River Market restaurant.
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Get a free 20-ounce smoothie with purchase of a $25 gift card.
r a e Y ew FREE SMOOTHIE OFFER CAN BE REDEEMED IN JANUARY 2021.
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13924 CANTRELL RD. • LITTLE ROCK
501.420.1096
614 President Clinton Ave. • Little Rock 501-904-2133 • buenosairesgrillcafe.com
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Q&A: ASK AN EXPERT:
TAX CONSULTANTS AND CPAs After the lighthearted joys and heartwarming memories of the holiday season comes the dreaded time of tax season. We will pore over our stubs and receipts as we itemize our way to the bottom of a 1040, hoping that our math holds up by the time all the bubbles are filled and boxes checked (and that the end result isn’t too terrible). That is, unless we have an expert available to help us along the way. This month, we are bringing the tax experts to you in this inaugural special section — just in time for W2s.
TAX Q&A / TODD & ASSOCIATES CPAS What will be different this year for most people, coming off of a year plagued by the pandemic? Each tax year has its own nuances, but 2020 will be uncommonly unique. Individuals will need to consider both stimulus checks, which are not taxable, and unemployment compensation, which is taxable. The supplemental unemployment payments in particular may move certain taxpayers into higher tax brackets. Business owners will need to consider the tax implications of pandemictriggered stimulus programs, including a potential loss of deductions for expenses forgiven through the PPP program. Tax preparation will also continue to move further towards electronic filing and virtual consultation. Our firm has the capability to securely complete the full tax planning and preparation process remotely, but also have taken precautions to facilitate in-person consultations as needed. Are there any breaks associated with the pandemic that people should be aware of? (Individuals and/or businesses) The pandemic has resulted in several temporary relief measures, including the ability for non-itemized filers to deduct up to $300 in charitable contributions, penalty-free early-withdrawals from retirement accounts up to $100,000, and various tax credits for businesses to continue payroll for Covid-impacted employees. What are some major benefits that filing with a professional such as yourself can provide versus an online platform? Our firm has extensively studied the accounting and tax impacts of pandemic-related programs and can help filers assess both the tax and cash flow impacts to themselves and their businesses. Using a trusted firm like Todd CPAs will position clients well to achieve optimal tax efficiency, as well as to react to new stimulus programs as they become available in 2021.
Little Rock | 501-224-0610 | toddcpas.com
MARK TODD
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SOUTH ARKANSAS
CPA TAX PREPARATION AND BUSINESS ACCOUNTING SERVICES • Tax services • Offering small business accounting and payroll • QuickBooks services • Non-profit organizations, new business formation and strategic business planning
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(870) 204-7772 315 E. Oak St., Suite 206 • El Dorado Chief financial officer. Caregiver. Eclipse chaser. info@southarkcpa.com
Crystal Willis Owner
A life well planned allows you to
LIVE YOUR LIFE. LIVE YOUR LIFE.
Chief financial officer. Caregiver. Eclipse chaser. A life well planned allows you to
Serving the accounting and tax needs of individuals and small business in Southeast Arkansas Craig G. Kaminicki, CPA, Principal
As a small business ourselves, we understand the challenges and rewards of running your own business. While you may not be closing a business deal and taking your mother and daughter on a once-in-alifetime adventure – your life is just as unique. Backed by sophisticated resources, a Raymond James financial advisor can help you plan for what’s important to you. That’s LIFE WELL PLANNED.
Call today to learn more!
870-364-8992
Harkins Rafferty Wealth Management
Chris Harkins/ Managing Director While you may Vice not be closing a business deal and taking your mother and daughter on a once-in-aTim Rafferty/ President 100 River Bluff Dr. Suitelife 400 lifetime adventure – your is just as unique. Backed by sophisticated resources, a Raymond James Little Rock, AR 72202 financial advisor can help you plan for what’s important to you. That’s LIFE WELL PLANNED. T 501-671-1107 // T 501-671-1162
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Harkins Rafferty Wealth Management
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Chris Harkins/ Managing Director Tim Rafferty/ President © 2020 Vice Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. 19-BDMKT-4086 BS 2/20 100 River Bluff Dr. Suite 400 Little Rock, AR 72202 T 501-671-1107 // T 501-671-1162 https://www.raymondjames.com/harkinsrafferty/
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© 2020 Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. 19-BDMKT-4086 BS 2/20
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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Russellville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is nestled in the heart of the River Valley in Russellville, Arkansas. Our staff provides skilled professional care in a compassionate and supportive atmosphere. Russellville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center not only provides long-term care services, we also offer a wide range of rehabilitative services. Our physicians, nurses and staff all believe strong relationships with residents and their families is essential to the healing process. The entire staff is devoted to providing quality care, which celebrates the dignity and grace of every single resident.
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GET TO KNOW YOUR
r e k n a B
HOMETOWN
Today, many may feel that banks are dimes among dozens; at every other street corner sits this one or that one, each fitted with an ATM and a few drive-thru stalls. But it’s what is inside the bank that makes or breaks a transaction or earns lifelong customers: the people.
Sandy Davis
SVP MORTGAGE LENDING
Sandy Davis is Signature Bank of Arkansas’ SVP for Mortgage Lending in Bentonville. Davis began her banking career in October 1992, as a mortgage loan shipper, and in 1994, she started the first full-service closing department held within a bank as a charter employee of Arkansas National Bank. She made the move to lending in 1997, and has been a mortgage lender ever since. When asked how many homes she has financed in her career, she responds, “I wish I knew! It must be in the thousands because I have been doing this a very long time.” Let’s just say she has been lending long enough to have the privilege of financing homes for the children of parents she also assisted. With such a rich history in lending, it’s easy to understand how Davis has become Signature’s top producer in home financing.
SIGNATURE BANK 479-254-2970 | SIGNATURE.BANK
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Robert Dudley PRESIDENT
Education: BA, Hendrix College Favorite restaurants: Lost 40, Doe’s, and Heights Taco & Tamale Hobbies: Hiking, fishing, reading, and watching Turner Classic Movies How long have you been in the banking industry, and how long with your current employer? 34 years overall; 17 years with Riverside Bank. What led you to the industry? My father was a banker, and he is my role model. How many different roles have you served in and what were they? Teller, national bank examiner, loan officer, compliance officer and president. What do you believe sets you and/or your company’s service apart from others? We are a small bank, so every customer matters more to us. Also, most of the employees have been at Riverside for more than ten years, so they are very knowledgeable about our services. You should be able to talk to a live person anytime during the day and get a good answer to your questions. Some people might feel like banks are a “dime a dozen.” Is that true? There are a lot of good bankers in Little Rock, but you need to find someone who will be an advocate for you and give you good advice. In your current role, what does a typical day look like? Turn on the lights, make the coffee, and answer emails, voicemails and phone calls. What is the best part of your job? Helping customers.
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arts&culture
AN UNDERCURRENT
of MURDER
Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt from Joe David Rice’s recently released thriller/mystery novel, An Undercurrent of Murder. The e-book is available for purchase on Amazon, and a paperback version is forthcoming.
1
CHAPTER ONE
C
harles Dickens got it half right. It was the worst of times. Period. I was pretty sure about that. I had tried everything possible — without success as it turned out — to avoid this Ozark Mountain backpacking expedition with Dr. Gib Yarberry. In fact, steering clear of Gib had become one of my regular chores. He and I were not, shall we say, good buddies. Hardly. The one thing we had in common was Ellen, my younger sister and sole sibling. She was also his bride of six months, and that thought still made my skin crawl.
So, I pleaded fatigue rather than accepting invitations to their new place for dinner and told a minor lie or two to avoid other opportunities for get-togethers, including Ellen’s offer of coveted 50-yard-line seats to a crucial sold-out Arkansas Razorbacks game in Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium. I suspected Gib himself tolerated rather than supported Ellen’s ongoing efforts to kindle a friendship between us. Once she made it clear that this male bonding experience, as she put it, was non-negotiable, my options — and excuses — disappeared. Gib, I supposed, faced the same ultimatum. Learning that the camping trip would be my brother-in-law’s initial foray into the wilds didn’t improve my attitude. Nevertheless, at Ellen’s insistence, I spent several long and tedious afternoons helping Gib prepare for our pending adventure. I advised him on purchasing suitable hiking boots, appropriate wool socks, and a first-rate sleeping bag. I gave him
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Story and Photos By Joe David Rice
a list of other necessities, bought him a backpacking basics handbook, and warned him of hazards we might encounter — things like steep ascents, the occasional tick, and perhaps a tardy and temperamental rattlesnake slithering to its den to hibernate. And, realizing that Gib didn’t get a lot of exercise, I urged him to walk at least two miles every day. During a moment of insanity, I even thought about asking him to join me in the weekly pick-up basketball games at the YMCA. Fortunately, I regained my senses. The day before we left, I vowed to Ellen that I would make a genuine attempt to reconcile my differences with her husband. Plus, I foolishly guaranteed I’d bring him home in one piece. Gib and I hit the trail bright and early one fine October day, hopeful our extended trek through the Buffalo National River’s pristine Ponca Wilderness would provide a welcome diversion from a pair of stressful jobs in Little
I took a tentative step forward for a closer inspection, my eyes moving down a torn sleeve and then past a series of shiny, stylish buttons above the cuff. I gasped as my gaze froze on the back of a pasty white hand. Rock. I needed a temporary escape from the cutthroat world of running an advertising agency, and Gib admitted that a break from hospital administrators and 7:00 a.m. surgeries would do him plenty of good. We had been hiking a couple of hours, our route more or less paralleling the rocky streambed of the Buffalo River. It was a Monday morning, and I didn’t expect to see many other people in this rugged and remote backcountry of northwestern Arkansas. Outside of a pair of soaring redtail hawks, a chattering family of fox squirrels, and an armadillo oblivious to our presence, we seemed to have the vast woods to ourselves. Gib skidded to a stop. “Randy! Photo op to the left.” My hiking partner, the consummate shutterbug, bushwhacked through the brush and pointed to a world-class sugar maple across the river’s narrow channel. Draped with crimson foliage from top to bottom, the tree reminded me of a giant torch, its brilliant reflection shimmering in the shoals. With fiery ridges stacked up in the background as if by design, the scene could have been lifted straight from a Sierra Club calendar. While Gib took his time switching lenses and locations, searching for the ideal composition, I fired off a few frames with my old, though reliable, Nikon. Comparing my gear to his digital, state-of-the-art Canon system was like “placing The Spirit of St. Louis next to the Space Shuttle.” Those had been Gib’s exact words. I ignored him, took another exposure, and stowed my camera. “Big Bluff is coming up,” I said. “You should be able to get some great shots — provided you brought a wide-angle lens.” When he responded with a confident nod, I figured he had an assortment stashed in his pack. After Gib completed his photo routine, he stooped at the water’s edge and grabbed a slender stick. “Could this come in handy?” He tossed it to me. Five feet long and devoid of bark, it was straight as a pool cue and every bit as solid. Small chiseled marks up and down its length caught my eye.
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“You’ve found the perfect walking stick,” I said, handing it back. “And it’s the product of a native craftsman.” Gib’s brow furrowed as he examined his treasure. “A beaver.” With a dramatic flourish, Gib jabbed one end of the stick into the loose, rocky surface and led us downstream. The Buffalo in its upper reaches often carries little water during late summer and fall — and this year was no exception. In most places, the crystal-clear stream was seldom more than knee-deep, although deeper pools were not uncommon. Already, we had crossed the river several times, hopping from stone to stone. When the Buffalo swung back to the left, an enormous stone monolith came into view, dominating our view to the east. “That has to be Big Bluff,” Gib said as he stared at the towering cliff. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” He craned his neck to take it all in. “I swear it resembles some sort of ancient geologic fortress.” “It’s hard to imagine a 500-foot wall of sheer rock until you see it. And it’s even more spectacular from the very edge, peering down.” Gib slid his backpack to the ground, his eyes glued to the sight. After a few moments he turned, fished around in his pack, and removed his camera. “Where’s the infamous Goat Trail?” “It’s almost two-thirds of the way up.” I pointed at the top of the distant bluff. “If you look closely, you can make it out. Sort of a horizontal break in the face of the rock.” During our pre-dawn drive from Little Rock, I had told Gib about the stunning panoramic vantage points from the Goat Trail. The narrow ledge had long been a favorite of hikers and photographers, although it was not recommended for the squeamish. Over the years, I’d used up plenty of film from the precarious perch. After switching lenses, Gib handed me his camera. “Would you mind taking a picture of me with the cliff in the background? This spot is incredible — an Ansel Adams kind of place.” He explained how to work the digital device and then walked 12 or 15 feet downstream aymag.com
before turning to face me. “It’s the widest lens I have,” he said. “I hope it’ll work.” The lens was just wide enough — if I held his camera sideways — for a nice vertical shot. I composed the photograph, focused on his smiling but still annoying face, and pressed the shutter. He trotted back and studied the Canon’s image screen. “Thanks! Ellen will love it.” He took another glance at the picture. “And maybe I’ll order an enlargement for the waiting room, too. You know . . . something to appeal to my outdoorsy patients.” A crow flew overhead and noisily settled near the top of a tall sycamore tree across the river. Cocking his head at the racket, Gib waggled his eyebrows and said, “Listen! It’s cawing long distance.” That was one more reason I had hoped to avoid this trip. My hiking companion, the already irritating brother-in-law with whom I was to spend the next five days, was a notorious and unrepentant punster. Maybe he’ll fall into a bottomless sinkhole, I thought, or wander off and get hopelessly lost. Or perhaps encounter a mean and hungry bear or even a rabid skunk. And then I remembered my reckless promise to Ellen. I shook my head, swung the heavy pack to my shoulders, and resumed hiking, Gib at my heels. Ten minutes later we stood on a gravel bar at the base of Big Bluff. Gazing straight up, I felt rather small and insignificant beneath the endless expanse of rock. High above, six or more turkey vultures circled against the deep blue sky. “Are you hungry?” I asked. “This looks like
a fine place for lunch.” Gib, who had a reputation for not missing meals, didn’t disappoint me and dropped his pack next to mine. He unzipped a compartment and pulled out a small container. “To celebrate my first camping experience, I brought a special treat.” I edged closer. “I hope you like caviar.” “I’ve never had it backpacking,” I said. “People around here generally use fish eggs for bait.” Gib spread some of the salty delicacy on crackers for both of us. It wasn’t bad, but chasing the tasty morsel with water from a canteen no doubt violated certain basic principles of twenty-first-century etiquette. “Did you see the news story about one of the former Russian republics opening a caviar export office in Washington?” He shoved another cracker into his mouth. “Really?” I didn’t like where this was headed. Gib nodded. “The attaché is the . . . Sturgeon General.” What could I say? Once we’d finished with Gib’s unexpected appetizer, I switched to my traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I’d eaten most of it when I noticed a blotch of unexpected color in the bushes half a dozen yards behind Gib. I pointed over his shoulder. “What’s that dark blue thing in the branches beyond those boulders?” Gib spun around and stared into the brush. “It seems to be fabric of some sort,” he said with a shrug, clearly not interested.
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Curious, I stood and walked toward the spot, thinking I’d discovered an abandoned poncho or something left over from the spring canoe season. Yet whatever it was looked far too vibrant for weathered flotsam. Three feet from the thicket, I stopped. Gib had been right regarding one thing: the mysterious item was indeed a piece of cloth. Staring at what appeared to be a man’s sport coat, I took a tentative step forward for a closer inspection, my eyes moving down a torn sleeve and then past a series of shiny, stylish buttons above the cuff. I gasped as my gaze froze on the back of a pasty white hand. What remained of the PB&J sandwich slipped from my fingers and tumbled to the ground.
AOFNMUURDER NDERCURRENT
A Randy Lassiter & Leslie Carlisle Mystery
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arts&culture
Over the years, AY About You has proudly and frequently shined a spotlight on the modern-day country music talent of Arkansas, previously covering the likes of Justin Moore, Erin Enderlin, Matt Stell, Ashley McBryde, Bailey Hefley and more. Joining that star-studded lineup of AY’s past is this trio, well worth keeping your eyes (and ears) on.
Blane Howard Keeping the Bright Lights on in Nashville
o Nashville goes the glory, but its lights are kept on by the talent that comes from far beyond its city limits. Conway Twitty, Charlie Rich, Tracy Lawrence and Collin Raye — producing that level of talent seems to be in Arkansas’ DNA. Once they hit Nashville, though, the city claims them as their own, few fans knowing where the mother lode really is. Some states chestthump about their talent; Arkansas remained more humble — until recently. Then, it just seemed like the time had come for Arkansas to flip the spotlights on its undeniable talent. Thus came the debut of the 2018 Arkansas Country Music Awards show, which has become an annual celebration of the state’s artists. “To be the inaugural winner in an award the very first year was just really, really cool,” says Blane Howard, the baritone born on Johnny Cash’s birthday. “Just to think that the whole reason to have those award shows is because of people like Glen Campbell and Johnny Cash that were so successful, that I grew up listening to. And it was great to win the award again in 2019.” And yep, that was a ditto Male Vocalist of the Year award for Howard. Howard’s path from Hot Springs’ Lakeside High to Nashville’s Belmont University was swift and certain. A music industry school, Belmont is the tough-love mama that nurtures and develops the talent in areas such as performance, business and technology. Later though, Howard knew that, for a while anyway, he was going to have to put Nashville in his rear view mirror. He packed up a degree in commercial music, the ability to sing classical in Italian, the kind of connections money can’t buy and a plan — creating a fan base. He had a chosen trifecta — Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. The highway wasn’t all he was eyeing. Howard took another road forward with his 2013 EP ‘Bout Time. The cut “She’s A Mess” in particular fish-hooked the hearts of fans, catching the industry’s attention. Away We Go, Howard’s aptly named first studio album, followed. The music video for its cut “Crazy” brought Howard the Judges’ Pick Award at Indi in 2017. It cozied up real nicely next to his 2015 Country Artist of the Year Award from the Independent Musicians Promotions. The 2015 CMA Fest Showcase had already put him on its stage as well as quite a few radars. In 2016 his invitation to that got a ditto, too. Meanwhile, being the
By Sarah Russell
Photo by Mark Maryanovich
opening act for some of Nashville’s brightest lights — Trace Adkins, Lauren Alaina, Rodney Atkins, Travis Tritt, Hunter Hayes, Joe Nichols, Granger Smith and Josh Turner — wasn’t going unnoticed either. Then there was her — the friend-of-a-friend girl as beautiful as any Miss Arkansas. For making a first impression on a girl, opening for Blake Shelton is hard to beat. Camden’s Megan Lindsey, though, was dating someone else — Howard too. Thus the “nice-to-meet-younow-goodbye” start was a very slow burn. But love, like music, has its own rhythm. Fast forward to 2016; Howard has a special gift in mind for his fiancé, Megan. One that was going to require a highly qualified co-conspirator. “He just seemed like the perfect person for that song, plus he had just gotten married not too long before so he was kind of in the same mind frame,” says Howard of his Belmont buddy and fellow songwriter Jordan Kyle Reynolds. Within a couple of hours, the guys had crafted “Promise to Love Her.” “You’re saying ‘Promise to Love Her’ to three different people,” Howard explains. “You’re saying it to her father when you ask for her hand, the preacher at the wedding and you’re saying it to the doctor when he brings in your baby daughter.” It remained quite the little secret, one not to be revealed until the morning of Megan’s wedding, before she put her makeup on. Almost as fast as the vows were said, that phone video was posted online — the one of the couple’s first dance to what was undoubtedly now “their song.” The love might have been a slow burn, but the song most definitely was not. Hitting the internet with storm force, “Promise to Love Her” went viral to a building drumbeat of “Where can we find this?” The song that was written as a very personal gift — never with a commercial intent — was getting lots of love of its own. By early 2017, the phone video was only being outshone by the public debut of the professional video. With the actual wedding shots, including that first dance, the “Promise to Love Her” video is a pure “oh-hush-and-pass-the-Kleenex” kind of thing. Lots of Kleenex — like, it spent 17 consecutive weeks on CMT Music’s 12 Pack Countdown show. “It’s been incredible to watch it take off. It had a couple of million
(streams) going into last year and then …” says Howard. “Then” translates into more than 75 million streams, even now posting approximately 20,000 streams a day. And it’s not just a girl thing. “Promise to Love Her” and “She’s a Mess,” Howard says, “have not only resonated with women, but so many men have flocked to these two songs because it kind of allows them to tell the woman in their life how they feel.” Just like their relationship started with more pause than go, producing and promoting “Promise to Love Her” meant that what had actually been Howard’s planned release got a bump to 2020. His 2019 became steroid active — getting that project ready for release, performing 75-100 shows, songwriting, promoting and creating another very special production for early 2020. Life was fast. And then it wasn’t. COVID-19 came, and the lives of those in the industry, like most others, hit the brakes hard. Without the crucial component of promotion, major releases faced stalling out. Howard and his fans were itchy though, so he decided to put one track out. Who knew how ironic its title, “Keep Me Busy,” would be by this point? The very happy but not-so-busy fans have filled their proverbial carts. Howard, on the other hand, was about to become busier — in a new arena, you might say. Remember that special production Howard was working on the latter part of 2019? Well, that would be baby Olivia, who showed up in April 2020. Her first appearance allowed Howard to check off the third part of “Promise to Love Her” — the words you say to the doctor who delivers your baby girl. No matter how dim the lights are in Nashville right now, the Howard home is filled with a baby smile that is megawatts. Howard is probably busy doing lullabies. (Oh, stop my beating heart!) But you and the man from Arkansas can still get some Nashville quality bright lights going in your place. You know all the places to go for his tunes which, COVID willing, should include his new music soon. He’s excited for you to hear it, and we’re with him on that. And you can see all that Megan Lindsey Howard sees in him at his website, blanehoward.com. Forget Netflix — you’re going to be sniffling your way through repeat rounds of the “Promise to Love Her” video for the foreseeable future. Don’t forget, though — Kleenex, lots and lots of Kleenex.
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aymag.com
Deal l a e R
By Dwain Hebda
Straight-shootin’ Lance Carpenter Tells it Like it is
ance Carpenter didn’t catch the “go” sign from the bartender following a Nashville set once, and the oversight put him right in the path of a barfly who’d been laying for him all night. What followed next still cracks up the Ozarkborn singer-songwriter. “I was playing The Commodore (bar), and I was walking out and there was a gentleman at the bar who had been there probably about four or five beers too long,” Carpenter says. “Apparently, this guy was wanting to talk to me. He stopped me and basically looked at me and was pretty close to my face. He says, ‘Do you know who you are?’ He said that about 10 or 12 times, and I just kind of laughed and said, ‘I’ll bite. Who am I?’ “He said, ‘If Toby Keith and Blake Shelton had a baby, you’d be their boy.’ I bought that guy a beer and sat down and had a beer with him.” It wasn’t so much the comparison to two country superstars that tickled Carpenter’s ribs and opened his wallet, but the plainspoken manner in which the dude laid it on him. As a guy whose reputation was made on good songwriting, Carpenter is nothing if not a sucker for a great line. “There’s a lot of current songs out there right now by hit artists that just — I call it throwing a bucket full of verbs and bucket full of nouns in a blender and pushing start. How it falls out is how they sing it,” he says. “It’s very visual and very descriptive, but it doesn’t move me. It’s something I can hear and understand and, all of a sudden, three minutes of my life is gone.” “I like the ones that when someone asks, ‘Hey, tell me what you’ve heard this year that you loved?’ You can instantly go to a song like ‘The House that Built Me’ and tell them 15 reasons why that song means something to you. I try to bring that to every song.” For more than a decade, Carpenter has been fashioning just those kinds of rhythmic tales, telling stories as he lives them and things as he sees them on the state of the heart, where he’s from, cold beer, where the country is going. He doesn’t think there’s anything remarkable about his voice, but then, there isn’t anything remarkable about a lot of voices that paint a picture with every word. “When I’m writing songs, I always try to focus on being conversational because I’ve always loved the story songs,” Carpenter says. “I started out my career in songwriting making up stories. I love artists like Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw who can sing a song, and they become the character of the song, even though you know that probably didn’t happen to them in real life. They take a song that some songwriter created, and they just embody that character. Photo by Kristin Barlowe
“I’ve got a project that I’m about to put out next year that I can’t really say a whole lot about, where there are a few songs on it that are completely distant from me. They’re not stories I’ve lived, they’re not people I know, but I wrote them as if I was a person that knew their story. I hope that the audience hears these songs and are like, ‘Oh gosh, this song’s about me. How did you write that?’” Such nuances in his music and his message were light-years away when Carpenter first stepped behind a microphone. He was living a dream job, traveling the country coordinating disaster relief, a gig that took him from Hurricane Katrina to the aftermath of tornadoes, wildfires and the like. “I was traveling with FEMA, and I would take a guitar or I would buy a guitar anywhere I went, and I would play,” he says. “I would write stories, and it just kind of came natural. It was always something I did as a therapy. “In 2007, I was in Maine working. I had a buddy who played an acoustic gig at a bar every Tuesday night. He invited me up to play a couple of songs on his break one time and I said, ‘Man I’ve never played in public. I’ve fiddled around in the lobby of a hotel, but I’ve not done, like, in front of a crowd.’ He goes, ‘You’ll be fine. Do it.’ “I dropped my pick three times on the first song, so that tells you how nervous I was. That’s a true story. I had to stop, bend down, pick it up. You know, now I keep one on my mic stand at all times just in case I drop one, because of that story. I got back to the hotel that night, and I did a little songwriting because I wanted to write a better song.” Carpenter found an online program through the Nashville-based National Songwriters Association International (NSAI), which he leveraged via online courses and songwriting camps. He received so much moral and artistic support through these outlets, he’s returning the favor now by mentoring young performers. “In Nashville, there’s a phrase that goes around that says, ‘You’ve got to sound like a whole lot of other people before you figure out what you sound like.’ That’s true,” he says. “You’ll get compared, but imitation is the highest form of flattery. I’ve had so many people compare me to so many different artists. I never take that as a shot or anything less than a compliment. “I mentor a lot of songwriters and artists now, and I tell them to find those artists that they relate to and that they feel like they’re in the same sonic range as. Cover their songs and let their songs learn their voice. Over time, your experiences will be the stories and the way you shape your voice. I tell people, ‘If you want to learn to write, write. If you want to learn to sing, sing.’” These are heady times for any native Arkansan in the music business, so fertile has the Natural State proven for country music talent. Carpenter says he’s proud to be part of that decorated roster. “I’m so proud to be from Arkansas. I was born and raised there, and I’ll be ‘woo pig sooie’ until the day that I die,” he says. “To see people like Ashley McBryde, Adam Hambrick, Matt Stell, Justin Moore, Hugh Sanders, Joe Nichols — it’s amazing to see the talent that comes out and to see all the writers that come to Nashville to write all of these songs for these major label artists. To be one of them is incredible. “At my age and my point in my career, I have been blessed to be on Toby Keith’s label and have a song go to major radio and do a major radio tour to get a chance to be out there for a while. I’m an independent artist, and I won’t get that same mainstream radio play that others do, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not going to have the success that they do. My success will look different, in a different time.”
g n i t i a W ine L the
Marybeth Byrd’s Journey from The Voice to the Pandemic
By Caroline O’Connor
arybeth Byrd catapulted to national recognition after competing on NBC’s The Voice. A member of John Legend’s team on the show, she impressed the country w i t h her soulful renditions of songs, from covers of Adele to Bonnie Raitt. Now, a year since she left the show, Byrd is a student at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, and she is itching to get into the recording studio. Byrd grew up in Armorel, a town in northeast Arkansas with a population fewer than 500. Her love of singing came naturally while growing up in a house that was constantly full of music. “My family has always been musical. I grew up around singing,” Byrd says. “I remember my mom sang the song ‘You Are My Sunshine’ to me. She always sang to me, even when I was a teeny baby. I also had a stutter when I was little, and singing brought me out of that. When I sang, I didn’t stutter, so it was like a magnet to a fridge.” Her background in singing instilled confidence from a young age, but she did not always focus on music in school. A busy student, Byrd participated in everything she could squeeze into her schedule. She played softball and basketball, ran track, and participated in a litany of clubs. Singing, always a presence in her household, did not necessarily take the front seat; she wanted to have as many experiences that she could find in her hometown. “I was an all-around student in high school,” she recalls. “Living in such a small town, I wanted to do anything that was there. I hadn’t experienced the world, and I didn’t really focus on music yet.” One of her first opportunities to compete on a large stage was through beauty pageants. Byrd competed in Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen in 2019, where she won an award and a scholarship as the Best Overall Vocalist in the competition. Byrd says beauty pageants shaped her into who she is today. “It really was different from what people think,” Byrd says. “They make you interview and learn about the world and how to care for your body. People think it’s only for blonde, skinny girls, and it’s only about
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how you look, but it’s more than that. It shaped me into who I am. It really helped my interview skills, and it got me out into the community. Plus, it gave me the stage to perform — that’s really why I wanted to do it.” Competing in pageants throughout high school, in addition to the myriad of other activities in which she participated, gave Byrd the confidence to compete on the larger stage. Her poise was evident from the moment she stepped onto the stage for her televised audition for The Voice, and she received the coveted “four-chair turn” from the judges. When she began the audition process, she was just 17 years old. Her journey began months prior to that audition in front of the celebrity judges. In February 2019, Byrd traveled to Nashville for a songwriting session with a friend. On an off day, she and her mother were left searching for something to fill the time when they got a notification on their phones that The Voice was holding open auditions. “It was a total impulse decision [to audition],” Byrd says. “God has such a plan. He’ll take us where we need to be.” After a day of waiting in line, Byrd finally auditioned in a small room with just one producer and received the red card that signified that she made it through to the next round of auditions. The second audition was the following day in Nashville, and afterward, Byrd spent several months waiting to hear back. She did not get the “executive call” telling her she had made it to the show until August. “I was in the shower when I got the call. My phone was ringing, so my mom picked it up,” Byrd remembers. “I got out of the shower, and my mom was just crying. It scared me, and I was like, ‘Did someone pass away?’ Then she told me, and I was crying too, standing there in my towel. It was so exciting.” The show flew her out to California for the final auditions, and the rest of her journey is televised history. She wowed judges the moment she stepped onto the stage and sang “Angel From Montgomery.” Her performances throughout the season demonstrated her range, from songs like Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” to Vince Gill’s “Go
young singers in Armorel. She also has a portfolio of songs that she has written that are cued up to be recorded; Byrd is just waiting for the green light to signal when it is safe for her to return to a recording studio. She counts a wide variety of genres and musicians among her inspiration for songwriting. “I listen to everything from old ’70s to Top 40,” Byrd says. “I like bluesy music, old country, folk, and really just a mixture. I really admire singers like Lauren Daigle, Adele and Chris Stapleton. There’s such emotion in their voices when they sing.” While waiting for the opportunity to safely record her music, Byrd is focusing on her studies at Arkansas State and spending time with her family. Despite being unable to perform throughout so much of 2020, she’s comfortable knowing that the best is still yet to come. “I’ve been really at peace lately,” she says. “I was stressed at the beginning and in the middle of the year and worrying if I was going to make everyone proud. I didn’t want to disappoint my family or my friends. But lately, I’ve been feeling much more at peace. This year has been crazy, but my time will come.”
Byrd on the set of The Voice. (Courtesy)
Rest High on That Mountain,” which was an emotional performance dedicated to Byrd’s late grandfather who passed away shortly before she went on the show. Byrd’s favorite performance was her battle round stage with Dane & Stephanie, which received a standing ovation from all four judges. The experience, though life-changing for Byrd, was also exhausting. When she found out she was being sent home in the semifinals of the show, she felt an overwhelming sense of relief. “[The Voice] is so much different than what you see on TV,” she shares. “It’s not all rainbows and sunshine. I was a big ball of stress while I was there, and once the live shows started, I couldn’t see my family at all. “I was so fortunate to have that experience. They say going on The Voice is like getting four years of music industry experience in just a few months. But at the end, I was ready to go home.” Arkansas welcomed her back with open arms. Her friends, family and fans at home who became known as “Byrd Watchers” welcomed her at the airport, and big signs greeted her upon returning to Armorel. The Arkansas Country Music Awards even crowned her the Young Artist of the Year. She was able to perform around the state at the beginning of 2020, but the novel coronavirus pandemic largely put plans for concerts on hold. Byrd has even used what she learned on The Voice to mentor other Photo by Amber Oxley.
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arts&culture
By Caroline O’Connor Photos courtesy of SSCA
enhancing,
ENRICHING,
educating: 68
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Siloam Springs Center for the Arts Finds a Way Forward
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n 2018, a group of friends gathered to reminisce about what they lost when their old community theater closed. The Sager Creek Arts Center had provided Siloam Springs with performances for more than 30 years when it had to close four years prior. The group of six people had all been members of the Sager Creek Arts Center, and they missed the thrill of organizing shows that involved the entire community. They decided that night to start a new organization, which became the Siloam Springs Center for the Arts (SSCA). “We were talking about how much we missed theater, and we realized we wanted to start a new organization. It would not be just for theater, but that was our bread and butter,” says Jan Lauderdale, a founding member of the SSCA and a current member of the board of directors. “So, the Siloam Springs Center for the Arts was born, and we hit the ground running.” Their mission was to cultivate the arts in Siloam Springs and encourage creativity through any medium possible, from theater to visual arts to music. The new members of the SSCA had one major problem, however: they had no theater.
The SSCA’s primary goal became finding a space to perform, and a potential solution appeared almost immediately. “We found an historic building in downtown Siloam Springs,” Lauderdale says. “It was built in the early 1900s, and it had been an Old Mill and then a variety of other things. We were able to go inside while they were clearing it out. There was a space for art galleries, a theater space, and it would’ve been perfect.” The new SSCA board bid on the facility and had six months to come up with the money to purchase the building. However, six months came and went, and the SSCA was unable to raise the money. The SSCA was left without a permanent performing space, and the organization was close to shutting down before it even got started. The people behind the SSCA, however, were determined to bring theater back to their community, so they adjusted their plans. In December 2018, the SSCA organized its first show, a performance of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. The Christmas show was intended to be a one-night-only performance in the banquet hall at 28 Springs Restaurant. The group was careful to keep their expecta-
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Flute duo for Shakespeare in the Park. (2019)
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The SSCA is determined to give the community more than just theater. After those successful first performances, the SSCA knew that it had the support of its community to continue bringing the arts to Siloam Springs. Rehearsing for the 2018 It's a Wonderful Life performance.
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tions modest; this performance was their first attempt at community theater since the Sager Creeks Arts Center had closed its doors, so they had no idea how interested audiences might be. They held a fundraiser to help pay for royalties, set design and lighting, and a troupe of volunteers signed up to audition and help set everything up. When the tickets went on sale, the SSCA hoped for the best. The show sold out in a week. “It was such a success,” says Lauderdale, who also directs most SSCA performances. “We were completely sold out, and then Main Street Siloam Springs asked us to do a second performance. When you put a show together, it takes so much work, so you want to be able to do it again.” The next day was a whirlwind. 28 Springs could not host another show the following day — its banquet hall requires booking weeks in advance, particularly during the holidays — so the SSCA was without a theater once again. Main Street Siloam Springs, however, guided them to the Community Building that is just across the street. Despite not being a theater, the building has a stage, and the SSCA was eager for any opportunity to perform again. Lauderdale, her performers and other volunteers loaded up their equipment, from costumes to lighting to setpieces, and transported it to the new venue. More than 200 people attended the Sunday afternoon performance, less than a day after the first. “We knew then that Siloam Springs wanted community theater back,” Lauderdale says. When the Memorial Park Chautauqua Amphitheater was completed in 2019, Lauderdale and the other leaders of the SSCA saw the potential to perform in the heart of downtown Siloam Springs. Lauderdale began preparing for a production
of A Midsummer Night’s Dream for a Shakespeare in the Park show in June 2019. When the day came to perform, Lauderdale and other SSCA members eagerly approached their second attempt at a big show. “I didn’t know what to expect. We’d never done Shakespeare in Siloam Springs before, so I didn’t know how people would respond,” Lauderdale says. “The performance was one-nightonly, it was completely free, but when we got there, it’s supposed to thunderstorm. I’m thinking to myself, ‘How am I going to make this happen again?’” The outdoor performance, which was completely free to the public, was interrupted and then forced to be canceled due to a lightning storm. Despite the threat of bad weather, 300 people had still shown up to watch the performance. The enthusiasm for theater encouraged the actors, and they were able to reschedule A Midsummer Night’s Dream for a different day. More than 500 people were in attendance for the performance. “Bands had been booked for the amphitheater before our show, but nothing had sold out before us,” Lauderdale says. “Afterwards [the City of Siloam Springs] said, ‘We want you to do two plays next summer.’ They didn’t realize the community wants theater! We involve the community in our performances. There’s just something special when you see people know up there playing a role. That just adds something to a performance.” The SSCA is determined to give the community more than just theater. After those successful first performances, the SSCA knew that it had the support of its community to continue bringing the arts to Siloam Springs. The organization has continued to partner with downtown businesses, which has included additional performances at 28 Springs and displaying locally made art downtown. A Home Brew Competition in May 2019 was a hit as well. People registered and then brought home-brewed beer to be judged by members of the community. They also launched a photo essay contest at the beginning of 2020 that encouraged children to send in photos and essays explaining what they love about Siloam Springs. Many of the performances in that first year are intended to be annual events, from Christmas performances to Shakespeare in the Park every summer. The SSCA was planning for 2020 to be its biggest year yet, with two different shows at the Siloam Springs amphitheater and even more events. The novel coronavirus pandemic, however, put many plans on hold and has halted theater entirely. Gathering in theaters, even outside, has simply become impossible. Some traditions have continued, though they
look slightly different. SSCA has participated in the Siloam Springs Christmas parade since the organization began in 2018. The event in 2020 was instead a Reverse Christmas Parade, so the participants created stationary floats while holiday goers drove by and observed from a distance. The theme of the entire parade was Holiday Heroes to celebrate the work of essential workers. SSCA specifically celebrated the food and beverage workers who have worked throughout the entire pandemic, and they wanted to especially thank the downtown businesses that have supported the arts since SSCA began. The SSCA set designers built a giant face mask with the logos of the different downtown restaurants. “It was on the John Brown University campus, and people could drive through to see everyone,” Lauderdale says. “There were way more people than I think anyone anticipated. There were over two hours of wait time.”
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Lauderdale has also been preparing for a new performance of The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood. Originally slated for this summer in the amphitheater, restrictions due to the pandemic prevented SSCA from putting on the show. Their actors still have their scripts, however, and Lauderdale says everyone is now just waiting for the moment that they can get back on stage. “I told everyone that we’ll do it eventually. ‘Just hold onto your scripts, we’ll just wait and hope for the best,’” Lauderdale says. “We’ll be back.”
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THE PEOPLE BEHIND YOUR NEWS:
Hayden NIX
By Dustin Jayroe • Photos by Jamison Mosley
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That fear started turning into a fascination and yearning to want to know why storms did what they did. Hayden Nix.
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J
ust as the winds and the rivers shape our ever-changing landscape, Hayden Nix’s life has been molded by the weather. But it wasn’t a fairy tale that led this small-town Arkansas boy down the meteorological pathway — at least not at first. Today, Nix is a self-described “weather nerd,” but as a child, his barometric pressure was altered by fear. In 2000, long before his arrival as a meteorologist at KARK-Channel 4 and KLRT-Channel 16, a thunderstorm hit his family’s trailer in Kingsland. For as long ago as this fateful evening was, he still remembers it vividly. “I was asleep and the next thing I know, I wake up to a tree hitting the side of our house where my room was located,” he says. “It absolutely scared me, so the first thing I do as a kid is immediately run to my parents' room. I didn't make it there, because my dad actually just swooped me up as he was meeting me in the hallway, and then we immediately went out to the car.” In an event of serious inclement weather such as this, the Nix family’s plan was to abandon the vulnerable trailer and flee to their nearby church, which had a concrete foundation and sturdier walls and ceilings. There’s also the obvious calming nature of being in a house of God, and there are few better times for that as a remedy than in a time of danger. But as his parents rushedly helped him and his brother into the car, their faiths of escape were swallowed by the wind. The red glow of the brake lights had illuminated an impasse; not only had a tree fallen onto the home, but another was downed on their driveway, blocking the only exit. Instead of riding out the worst storm his young eyes had ever seen from the safety of the church, he was forced to endure the brunt of its force where they sat, exposed. “We ran back inside and we're just praying,” Nix recalls. “It was just making all kinds of sounds, and we could feel the trailer shaking.” To make matters worse, his grandparents lived next door where another tree had fallen into their bedroom. Fortunately, they had already moved on the same idea and were in their parked vehicle, blocked by a similar wooden obstacle. “After that, I was absolutely terrified of storms,” he says. “I mean, you could have the clouds build up in the sky a distance away, and I would think it's going to turn into some big, bad storm. … I would immediately turn on the news or whatever local station we had and try to see what was going on.” These anxieties would continue for the next half-decade, until his uncle purchased him a guide to weather book to aid his trepidation. “If I saw something, I’d go look it up in the book and read through it and understand what was happening,” Nix says. “So that fear started turning into a fascination and yearning to want to know why storms did what they did.” But this newfound understanding and interest in weather patterns was but one of the ingredients that prompted his eventual journey. The other, and perhaps the most consequential, is what he describes as his “servant’s heart.” While his hometown church was inaccessible on the night of that momentous storm cell, he was never a stranger to its front doors, always comfortable and at peace in its pews. Because before that weather event spurred the river
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Nix in the KARK studio. (Courtesy)
that would carve the valleys of his mind, his faith in a Creator responsible for everything was already there. And after the storm decimated so much of his family’s property, their little town of only 400 banded together to help, further emboldening Nix’s spiritual beliefs. “There was no way that my dad would have been able to clean it up on his own,” Nix says. “It felt like half the town was out there helping him. Witnessing that and thinking about how we're supposed to play our roles as Christians and wanting to spread that faith out there, I wanted to be in a servant's role. “I thought, ‘Well, what better way to do that than be a broadcast meteorologist?’ You know the science; you explain it daily. And then whenever we do have these big, significant events, people can turn to you and you're that voice of reason and trust and respect; they listen to you and know what to do, and feel calm as well whenever you're walking through any type of situation.” That hand-in-hand partnership between weather and servitude created a forecast of meteorology for the budding weatherman. And if there was any shred of doubt left, it was all erased when Nix was blessed with an opportunity to job shadow Ned Perme at the KATV-Channel 7 studio in 2005. “He called the school and called the class I was in and talked to me about trying to come up and meet him. I was a star-struck kid,” Nix remembers. “I went up there and spent a couple of hours with him and kind of looked over everything that he did on a day-to-day basis. I think right then and there, when I was in eighth grade, that pretty much set it into motion. Like, ‘That's
The Victory Building in downtown Little Rock, where KARK and FOX16 operate.
what I'm going to do when I grow up.’” After graduating from Rison High School in 2010, he took his talents to Mississippi State University where he earned his degree in the subject. During his collegiate career, Nix found himself guided by another KATV personality, interning with meteorologist Todd Yakoubian in 2011 and 2012. “Both of us being big weather nerds, we really hit it off,” he says. “[He] helped excite my love for it even more.” But after his stint in Starkville as a Bulldog, it wasn’t back to Arkansas just yet. His first official gig out of college was as morning meteorologist for KTXS-TV in Abilene, Texas, a city of about 120,000 west of Fort Worth. He’d grown very familiar with the weather patterns of the South through the lenses of Arkansas and Mississippi, but the Lonestar State would prove to be a new and challenging horizon, an opportunity that he relished. “You've heard the saying about Texas, ‘Go big or go home,’” Nix jokes. “They don't exaggerate with hail on that matter. I have never witnessed as much large hail as I did out there in Abilene.” Fortunately for Nix (and his hail-battered car), the Natural State called out to him just a few years later. In February 2017, he joined the Arkansas Storm Team of KARK and FOX16, serving primarily as the former’s weekend meteorologist. But don’t let the “weekend” part of his title’s prefix fool you; the life of a broadcast meteorologist can be quite apt in its turbulence. On a typical week, Nix is on the clock Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 11 p.m., and usually logs at least three, all-day digital shifts during the week, reporting on and providing updates to the weather- and science-related news for the online platforms of both news sites. “If I'm not on that normal schedule, typically what happens is I'll be filling in for someone,” he explains. “And that could range from me being up at 1 o'clock in the morning to staying up until midnight, depending on if I'm in the early mornings or late at night. And sometimes I can do all three shifts — weekends, weeknights and week mornings — all in one week.” There are also the impromptu schedule-bending examples of severe weather, when it is typically all hands on deck, no matter what time the proverbial clouds roll in. And, of course, there is also holiday work at times, because the weather doesn’t take a break for stuffing and ham. During the ongoing pandemic, much of his digital work is conducted from home as the team tries to limit the number of broadcasters in the newsroom at any given time. Nix says Arkansans are fortunate to have avoided many significant weather events over the past nine or so months, for it would have placed him and his colleagues in the position of risking transmission and infection in order to stay on top of and deliver the most up-to-date forecasts and storm tracking in order to keep viewers at home in the know and safe from potential harm. But even though the enterprise is a worthwhile endeavor for someone as passionate about the craft as Nix, striking the right work-life balance can be difficult, specifically between his two loves: meteorology and his wife, Megan. The two were originally best friends at Rison and began dating after each went off to college. They’ve been married for four years, and counting. Megan is a dental hygienist, so their schedules often lie incongruent with one another, but he says they do their best to make it work and spend as much time
together as possible — whenever that may be. “Sometimes, it can be difficult, because working in this business, there are sacrifices that have to be made,” he says. “But I've been lucky and very fortunate. I have a very understanding family and wife, and we've always been able to work around it. [We] also have an amazing weather team; we're always considerate of each other and our time and with our families. When it comes to holidays, people are willing to work them to let others off. And so there's a really nice balance of having that in play, so there's always time for everyone to be able to spend with their families.” Together, they spend a lot of that free time in the local food scene, and Nix recently became an avid cyclist, a pastime that he has slowly begun to sell his wife on, as well. Nix is also enthusiastic about teaching science and meteorology to the next generation of Arkansans, seeking a similar chord to the one that people like Perme struck in him. He loves participating in school talks across the state and has sorely missed those opportunities during this pandemic. He’s found ways around this temporary hindrance, however, devising virtual versions of these lessons through “Weather Fix with Hayden Nix.” He’s also partnered with the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock for at-home, DIY science projects, as well as informative lessons like his “The Science Behind Fireworks” from June. “People were at home, parents were trying to come up with things to keep the educational juices flowing,” he says. “And we thought this was a perfect opportunity to kind of plug this in, saying, ‘If you're trying to find some type of science education, come right here and we can help provide that for you.’ … I want to build a database that families and kids can find here locally from local people.” As for whether or not his studies at Mississippi State overtook his Arkansas spirit, Nix remains diplomatic. “It's a house divided, I have to equally share it,” he says behind a laugh. “I cannot say one over the other. I grew up loving the Razorbacks, I fell in love with the Bulldogs; they both have equal weight in my heart.”
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travel
The Dream of
El Dorado
By Joe David Rice | Photos by Casey Crocker
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A 2019 concert at the Murphy Arts District.
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El Dorado’s Main Street.
There’s no getting around the fact that El Dorado has produced far more than its share of overachievers. The late novelist Charles Portis was born in this fine Union County community, as were star athletes Lou Brock (National Hall of Fame baseball player) and Goose Tatum (basketball icon for the Harlem Globetrotters). Same goes for entrepreneur Charles H. Murphy Sr. and Arkansas’ first Miss America, Donna Axum Whitworth. You can add to that distinguished group an impressive list of folks who spent their formative years in El Dorado before acquiring fame and fortune elsewhere. People such as architect E. Fay Jones, country-western musician Lefty Frizzell, major league baseball pitcher Schoolboy Rowe and recording artist Ronnie Dunn. Legendary capitalist Thomas H. Barton (for whom Little Rock’s Barton Coliseum is named) became wealthy after relocating to El Dorado. Likewise, notorious tycoon H.L. Hunt got the start of his vast empire in El Dorado. One of Arkansas’ popular sayings, “There was something in the water,” might explain away this phenomenon for some folks. But there was sure enough something in the ground. Oil, that is. One hundred years ago this month — at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 10, 1921, to be precise — the future of El Dorado was forever changed when Busey No. 1, soon to be known as the “Discovery Well,” struck liquid gold at a depth of 2,233 feet. Located on a farm about a mile southwest of El Dorado, the gusher blasted through the top of the derrick with a deafening roar, spewing oil across the surrounding countryside
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and drenching the crew and a group of delirious spectators. Businessmen in downtown El Dorado watched in wonder from the upper floors of their office buildings as the thick, towering column of oil swayed in the wind. Meanwhile, sheep grazing on in a field a mile north were blackened with the sticky goo, and freshly washed garments and linens hanging from El Dorado’s clotheslines dripped with oil. The rush was on. And what a rush it was. Almost overnight the town was transformed from a sleepy burg serving the cotton and timber industries into a bustling boomtown with nearly 100 oil contracting companies, distributors, refiners and production outfits. Yielding some 70 million barrels of oil a year in 1925, the El Dorado field was America’s top producer. By the mid-1920s, the town’s population had grown from its 1920 census count of 3,887 into the oil capital of Arkansas, housing nearly 30,000 residents — many of whom were forced to live in tents or ramshackle shacks due to a lack of basic shelter. The state’s 12th largest city only months earlier, it now battled Fort Smith for the second spot, both trailing only Little Rock. According to the Arkansas Gazette, “Twenty-two trains a day were soon running in and out of El Dorado” to handle the flood of people. Oil production soon plummeted, bringing an end to the boom. By 1930, El Dorado’s population had fallen to 16,421 (and today stands at 18,884). But the aforementioned Charles H. Murphy Sr. was undeterred, investing in banks, timber and land, accumulating a substantial business empire. When the elder Murphy suffered a stroke in 1941, his son, Charles Murphy Jr., began manag-
Johnny B’s Grill.
ing the various holdings. He and his siblings combined their interests five years later, forming C.H. Murphy & Company, later to become Murphy Corporation (and eventually Murphy Oil and Murphy USA). Thanks to the generosity of the Murphy heirs and the namesake companies, along with substantial support from the city of El Dorado, the state of Arkansas, the Delta Regional Authority, and numerous individual and corporate donors, the Murphy Arts District (routinely referred to as MAD) is transforming the town. This $100 million multiphase project just off the south side of the downtown square has already resulted in a spacious, 10,000-seat amphitheater, a 2,000-seat First Financial Music Hall and the Griffin, a trendy restaurant in the old Griffin automobile dealership. Once the pandemic is over, MAD patrons can expect the usual line-up of top tier entertainers, folks like Cardi B, Lyle Lovett, ZZ Top, Smokey Robinson, Hank Williams Jr., Migos and Brad Paisley — all of whom have either performed or were once booked at MAD. The buzz in the musical world caused Rolling Stone magazine to send one of its reporters to town a couple of years ago to figure out what was going on. When asked if there’s anything like MAD in other Arkansas communities, Pam Griffin, MAD’s executive director, has a ready answer. “There’s nothing like it anywhere else,” she says. When you look at its ever-growing mix of concerts, festivals, programming, restaurants, chil-
Downtown El Dorado.
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attention. Meanwhile, the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra has been forced dren’s playscape, splash park, ice rink (seasonal) and farmer’s market (also seato pause until the pandemic situation eases. sonal), you realize that she’s probably right. And that doesn’t include the Rialto, Pandemic or not, chamber of commerce executive director Bill Luther is exthe historic theater that MAD will restore in a future phase. For future MAD events, check out www.eldomad.com website. cited about El Dorado’s future, citing the energetic downtown, MAD, and a new In many ways, MAD is a continuation of an effort begun years ago by Richard boutique hotel (The Haywood). He’s also enthusiastic about a major industrial Mason, a geologist who moved back home to open his own business. Mason and conglomerate’s potential for extracting lithium from underground brine deposits his wife, Vertis, purchased several empty buildings on the square and leased them in the area. Recent tests at a pilot plant have looked very promising, and that’s to retailers. They then bought more, and now have some two dozen downtown great news considering the growing demand for lithium in batteries, pharmaceutenants. And when Vertis heard about a new program available through state ticals and other products. government for urban revitalization, she pushed hard for El Dorado to sign up, I’ve saved Mayor Veronica Smith-Creer for last. That’s because she’s a doumaking the community one of the ble-first for El Dorado: the first first in the state to formally adopt woman elected to this position and the Main Street approach. While the first African American to hold visiting Houston several years ago, the office. A native of El Dorado they spotted a pair of vintage teleand owner of a small business, she’d been involved with community acphone booths from London in an antique shop. The Masons bought tivities for years. Soon to complete her second year on the job, Smiththe booths, moving them onto the square in El Dorado where Creer got into politics because she they served as payphones until cell loves helping people. She wants phones became common. They to educate her constituents on the then converted them into free book process of city government and the exchanges, partnering with the lobenefits of working together. She’d been doing that through a series cal Barton Library. “Downtown of town hall meetings, but those is the center of the community,” plans had to be shelved when CORichard says, and “it’s the unique stuff that brings people in.” VID-19 took over. Despite these Beth Brumley, executive diunexpected challenges, Smith-Creer has enjoyed the new responsirector of Main Street El Dorado, bilities. “Women,” she says, “bring a agrees, calling her downtown disdifferent dynamic to positions. We trict “the heartbeat of south Arkansas.” After its recognition in can be a little more compassionate.” 2009 as a “Grand American Main Folks planning visits to El DoStreet,” El Dorado received “City rado might also consider a couple of Distinction” awards in 2011 and of nearby side trips. One is the 2012. Brumley says the vibrant South Arkansas Arboretum. One downtown area is a good example of Arkansas’ lesser-known state of “using historic preservation to Griffin Music Hall in downtown El Dorado. parks, this 12-acre wooded site feahelp businesses thrive.” With 11 tures plants native to the West Gulf restaurants operating in the city’s Coast Plain along with several excenter, El Dorado is indeed doing something right. otic species. Paved walking trails, a gazebo and restrooms make this a welcome I’ve had the good fortune to sample a handful of the city’s restaurants over oasis for travelers. the years. For a hearty breakfast or a tasty burger, Johnny B’s Grill cannot be Conveniently situated just 10 miles north of town on Arkansas Highway 7, beaten. Fayrays is a bit more upscale, offering a menu of New Orleans-style enthe Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources pays particular attention to the fastrees. The House of Wylie Coffee Bar & Café is a great sandwich shop. Students cinating story of the 1920s boom. Actual oil derricks and original oilfield equipof the state’s restaurant scene will recognize the name Minute Man, and the sole ment are among the outdoor displays, and a 25,000-square-foot educational center interprets that intriguing era. Don’t forget to check out the gift shop. surviving example of that Arkansas franchise was in El Dorado until the brand’s About 30 miles east of El Dorado on US Highway 82 is Felsenthal National recent resurrection. And, of course, I must include Spudnut Shoppe for those with a sweet tooth. Wildlife Refuge, a 65,000-acre complex of sloughs, bayous, lakes, pine forests El Dorado also offers up good servings of culture. The South Arkansas Arts and bottomland hardwoods. This diverse ecosystem supports a wide variCenter (known locally as SAAC) has been in existence since l964, occupying ety of native animals, and generates great opportunities for fishing, hunting, space that once housed a National Guard Armory. “It’s now an El Dorado treaboating and wildlife viewing. The visitor center includes exhibits on Native Americans and the local flora and fauna. sure,” according to executive director Laura Allen. “SAAC creates a real sense of Information on these and other area attractions can be found at the ofcommunity, opening doors where people from all walks of life can be part of the same group.” While the 2021 calendar remains in flux, Allen is excited about the ficial state welcome center, located at the junction of Highways 82 and 167 prospects for producing Nunsense, one of the town’s all-time favorites. The recent on the south side of El Dorado. Ask for a free cup of Westrock Coffee when El Dorado Film Festival had a shortened schedule, but garnered a good deal of you drop in!
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Best of
2018
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The J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center Opens in Springdale
‘‘
“Investing in conservation education is a vital role of our mission, but we also have to carefully balance that with the investment in managing fish and wildlife and providing recreational opportunities for the public.” — Bobby Martin, Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioner The J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center, which officially opened with a ribbon-cutting on Dec. 9 in Springdale, is a major endeavor of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) that will serve as a launching point for people in Northwest Arkansas to experience the natural world, learn about conservation and enjoy outdoor recreation. The 32,000-square-foot facility, located on about 61 acres at 3400 N. 40th St., is home to many family-friendly activities. Visitors can see live displays of wildlife; interact with high-tech exhibits; participate in a variety of educational activities; practice skills at an indoor archery range, at the BB gun marksmanship center or the extensive outdoor 3D archery range; relax and mingle at the facility’s outdoor pavilions, which will also serve as classrooms; and take a walk on the center’s nature trail. The center’s construction was made possible through a public and private partnership that helped cover the $20.1 million total cost. With increasing demands in financing its many conservation projects, the AGFC worked on an idea of a Northwest Arkansas nature center with the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, which brought in new partners to bring the project to life over the past five years. A $5 million pledge from the J.B. and
BY KATIE ZAKRZEWSKI
Investing in conservation education is a vital role of our conservation, but we also have to carefully balance that with the investment in managing fish and wildlife and providing recreational opportunities for the public. ”
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Johnelle Hunt family of Rogers encouraged donations from many organizations working through the Foundation. The land for the center, valued at $3.2 million, originally belonged to the Springdale Water and Sewer District and was donated to the City of Springdale, which in turn offered it to the AGFC on the condition it be used for conservation and education. More than $14 million in private funding, land donations and federal grants were secured. “Having a nature center in Northwest Arkansas has been one of those agency goals that has been on the table for a long time,” AGFC commissioner Bobby Martin says. “Investing in conservation education is a vital role of our conservation, but we also have to carefully balance that with the investment in managing fish and wildlife and providing recreational opportunities for the public.” Martin compared the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center with the four other AGFC nature centers and five conservation centers around The Natural State: “More than half a million people travel through the AGFC nature centers annually. These facilities offer a valuable and crucial conservation education interactive experience. The J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center is modeled after the very best of all the other centers. We have used decades of experience running these facilities to design a state-of-the-art facility that is a gateway to the outdoors.” In addition to the indoor shooting and archery ranges and outdoor trails, the new nature center has a 2,000-gallon aquarium, classrooms and office space, while outside the walls there is a 25-acre prairie restora-
tion area, native plant gardens, the 3D archery range, frontage along Spring Creek and the Razorback Regional Greenway, which soon will run right by the center’s back door. “These expansions allow us to host more outdoor skills and conservation training courses onsite,” Martin says. “We hope that it becomes a hub for the conservation community.” The center charges no admission fee, but the AGFC has instituted a number of safety protocols that will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Restricted free ticketed entrance for visitors will ensure that capacity requirements are met to allow for proper social distancing. All exhibits have sanitation stations and are regularly cleaned by staff, and the facility has a rigorous daily cleaning protocol. These precautions will not limit a visitor’s experience. Conservation of the state’s resources and educating the citizens to practice better conservation practices are the main mission of the AGFC, and the creation of nature cen-
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ters such as Springdale’s new facility plays a vital role in that effort. For more than 100 years, the agency has overseen the protection, conservation and preservation of fish and wildlife in Arkansas. An essential part of ensuring healthy wildlife populations involves people. Agency programs geared toward the public generate awareness of ethical and sound management principles. The goal of the nature center is to connect Arkansans to conservation through exhibits and interactive programming. Exhibits like the one that highlights Walmart’s Acres for America program bring awareness to conservation leadership and efforts happening right in our backyards. Walmart’s Acres for America program stands as the leading public-private land conservation partnership in the country. “Healthy societies, resilient economies and thriving businesses rely on nature to provide food, products and services,” Hunter Hart, vice president, realty, of Walmart U.S. says. “Over the past 16 years, Walmart’s Acres for America program has helped conserve more than 1.6 million acres, protecting critical wildlife habitat and offering local communities Walmart serves every day increased public access to enjoy the outdoors.” The exhibit dedicated to this achievement involving the Bentonville-based world retailer is one of the crown jewels at the new nature center. After learning about the program, visitors can walk just a few feet away and discover how they can visit some of these conserved lands or how they can volunteer with other conservation programs. The ribbon has been cut and the doors are open to a facility several years in the making, one that should provide decades of connection to the outdoors not only for the residents of Northwest Arkansas, but visitors who come from around the nation to the region. For more information on the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center and how to schedule a visit, go to www.agfc.com.
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travel
The Milky Way over the Buffalo River and Roark Bluff. (Photo by Jeff Rose)
By Dustin Jayroe
strange clouds
dark skies,
The summertime view from Buffalo Outdoor Center’s Cabin X. (Photo by Jeff Rose)
In a year plagued by social isolation, pain and suffering, perspective and silver linings are hard to come by. But up above, when the days fade away, the heavens are always there to remedy our souls — if we can find them.
ames Bruce McMath has not always been enchanted by the stars, but now, that descriptor itself may not be enough to adequately sum him up. Before his newfound retirement, he was a lawyer at McMath Woods, P.A., in Little Rock, a son of the firm’s founder and former Governor of Arkansas, the late Sidney McMath. But these days (or nights), the retired litigator devotes most of his attention to matters beyond our humble rock as the chairman of the Arkansas Natural Sky Association (ANSA), an affiliate of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). Now an “amateur astronomer” by his own humble description, McMath sort of fell into the awe-inspiring pastime during adulthood. “I was trying to find something to stimulate my oldest son scholastically and jumped on the idea of getting a telescope; it caught with me, it didn’t catch with him,” he says behind a hearty laugh. One with a similar interest and appreciation for the stars will find it easy to hang on his every word, and perhaps the same could
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even be said of those with astronomy apathy. His deep, smooth tone pairs perfectly with his merry white beard, cheerful eyes and joyous smile. He’s not an astral prophet, nor a celestial Claus — just a man with a genuine passion for what he does, as fringe as the subject of stargazing may seem. And last year, that spirit became much more kindred to his fellow Arkansans than usual. It was a strange cloud of coronavirus that hovered above our every thought in the spring of 2020, soon sinking below the horizon of hypothetical to become the persistent fog of reality that has lingered through our midst since — at the store, at our workplaces, in our homes. Despite the pandemic’s rage, another far less treacherous group of clouds remained above us — the kinds that inspire, strengthen faith and instill hope. The king of which is the inner band of the Milky Way, our home galaxy; then there are the splotches of our galactic neighbors, alien places like the Andromeda and Pinwheel galaxies; a little closer to home are star-forming clouds like the Orion and Eagle nebulae. But, while these antidotes for our angst above us are immune from a virus, they are not immune from us. Just when we needed them
Left: The Milky Way over Highway 43 in Boxley Valley. (Photo by Jeff Rose) Below: The Milky Way over Tyler Bend Campground in St. Joe. (Photo by Tony Milligan)
most, we had drowned out their light with our own, pushing our natural night skies to the brink of extinction. In the United States, 80 percent of Americans can’t see the Milky Way at night, and most of the other supernal wonders are also out of sight. Artificial light pollution is the chief culprit. That’s where people like McMath and the ANSA come in: to promote and preserve the stargazing refuges of Arkansas. “The original cost of this problem [is] the loss of a personal, experiential connection with the universe we live in that’s revealed in a naturally dark sky,” McMath says. “This has been lost so gradually that it just almost went without notice. And then suddenly, people began to realize: You can’t see the night sky anymore. You can’t see the stars. It’s hard to measure, but there’s a social element to that loss. I think it’s estimated that nine out of 10 children in this country grow up without ever having seen the Milky Way. … It’s a formative experience. These kids [today] are living in a world where the whole universe is their cell phone, and have never sat under a naturally dark sky and contemplated their place in the universe.” Fortunately for us, we do inhabit the Natural State, where opportunities still exist, despite the growing scarcity. McMath and his
Bortle Scale
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ilk are determined to get that word out. *** Journal Entry
Top left: The sunrise meets the starlight in Caraway County. (Photo by Tony Milligan) Top right: The Big Dipper from Cooper’s Ozark Cabin. (Photo by David Cooper)
I haven’t seen what most of us city dwellers would call civilization for more than an hour. Interstate 40 took me to Highway 21 through Clarksville as I meander the winding roads of the Ozark National Forest. Many might quickly lose patience at the lack of gas stations, fast food or corner stores through this stretch of backcountry Arkansas, but not me — this remote landscape is exactly what I left Little Rock to find. With just a few remaining light rays left in the sky, I arrive at the haven I’ll be holed up in for the evening. It’s the Buffalo River Cabin in Ponca, one of the Buffalo Outdoor Center’s many bookable oases. In a place such as this, atop a mountain overlooking the picturesque beauty that resides in this part of Arkansas, most folks would look forward to the morning after their night stay — the first break of light peeking above the hills and treetops, through the slowly subsiding fog. But, once again, not me. My adventure began much earlier, reliant upon the Sun’s departure, not its arrival. My travel bag finds a hastily chosen home on the bottom floor of the two-story cabin, as I rushedly return to the back porch to catch the first glimpses of starlight. A wave of euphoria rushes over me as the waning orange glow from the sun becomes simply a sliver on the western horizon, met by a cascade of
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twinkling diamonds in the sky, each of which seems to be alive in its own unique way. It’s impossible to shake the emotion, the curl of a smile that has subconsciously begun at my lips, the slight well of moisture forming at my eyes. This might be as close to the type of sky my most distant relatives saw every night that I will ever witness. In a literal sense, most of the starlight now meeting my eyes took thousands of years to arrive here, at this moment. In a romantic sense, it feels like it’s taken me almost that long to find them, obliviously clouded by the hazes of suburbia. — DJ *** Bortles on the Buffalo In 2018, McMath and his wife were driving home to Central Arkansas from an environmental conference in Fayetteville. Not a pair to miss out on the opportunity to experience the northwest quadrant of the state while in town, the two decided to spend the night in a cabin along the Buffalo River. “It was a beautifully appointed place in a lovely spot. A real retreat from urbanity,” he says. “As we were sitting on the front porch, witnessing twilight bringing on the night, the bats emerged into the dim light for their nightly feasting — as I remembered them doing as a child when we lived on a farm in Grant County. It being clear, I was looking forward to taking in a velvety black sky filled with stars. “Under a naturally dark sky, there are so many stars that it is hard to discern the constellations, and the stars seem to come down to you — almost as if you could touch them.
“Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another.” — Plato
The Milky Way over the Buffalo River. (Photo by Jeff Rose)
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“It makes good sense to revere the sun and the stars — because we are their children.” — Carl Sagan
A starry view from the hot tub at Buffalo Outdoor Center’s RiverWind Lodge. (Photo by Jeff Rose)
As I was contemplating the treat to come, the dark was suddenly broken. Unnoticed before, the cabin had a utility installed duskto-dawn light. There was no way of knowing in advance whether a cabin was so equipped, or had a place from which one could observe [the stars]. I decided ANSA should provide a webpage where people could find places to stay that offered access to nature at night, as
well as in the day.” Prior to this revelation, most of the state’s many cabins and lodges were marketed on the basis of the mainstream tourism amenities: beds, kitchens, porches, hot tubs and the like on property; hiking trails, rivers to float, lakes to fish, and so on, off property. Shortly after McMath’s disappointing night on the Buffalo, ANSA began devising
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what is now its Sky Host program, a partnership between the organization and the state’s outdoor hospitality industry. With it, a novel experience for Arkansans’ in-state travel arose — a holistic getaway, where the activities of the day blended seamlessly with the opportunities of the night. But first, the ground rules. “To participate, a host facility has to be located under a sufficiently dark sky where the Milky Way would be readily visible — Bortle scale 2 or 3,” McMath says. “Outdoor lighting must be environmentally responsible, which means no dusk-to-dawn lighting, with warmcolored fixtures that are properly shielded. A reasonably open area to view the sky must be available on-site or nearby. Finally, ANSA’s literature drafted specifically for the purpose must be available in each unit.” His first call to coordinate the program was to Austin Albers, president of the Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca and a commissioner for the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission. “We were the first designated [stargazing] resort in the state of Arkansas,” Albers says. “We’ve always been priding ourselves on no street lights and things like that outside of our cabins, so people can turn the lights out and see the clear sky and look at the stars. That’s always been something that was important to us. So, having the opportunity to connect [with ANSA], and knowing that there are a lot of stargazers out there … we saw it as a good opportunity. And, we didn’t have to change anything that we did, because we were already doing it.” This first Sky Host partnership would prove to be poetic in its novelty — fusing together McMath, an avid enthusiast of the heavens, and Albers, a businessman with an appreciation for the stars, but not near the obsession of his new colleague — proving the connecting nature of the cosmos. Coming off the heels of the most isolating year in modern history, in an era where discourse and disconnection between us is rampant, we could all probably use a little angelic antitoxin, a spiritual moment with the universe in which we live. A reason to agree on something. One even finds it easy to wonder if its absence has added to this present madness, the aforementioned “societal element” to the loss of a readily available natural sky. Regardless, the figureheads of McMath and Albers proved to be prescient in their decision making. In 2019, a little less than one year removed from their conclusive handshake, the IDA granted the surrounding area the coveted title of “International Dark Sky
Park,” the first in the state and the only one for hundreds of miles. Thus, the Buffalo National River has been cemented as one of the best destinations for stargazing tourism in Arkansas. Albers’ Buffalo Outdoor Center, founded in 1976 by his father-in-law, Mike Mills, is well-equipped to suit this fervor, with 28 cabins and lodges and an RV park, nearly all of which are Sky Host certified from the ANSA. Pair this with the area’s already bustling nature during the summer months — which just happens to also be the best time to view the Milky Way — and that sounds about as perfect a place to vacation as any in the state, maybe even the entire South. In fact, Albers shares that many of its incoming visitors of the summer, who book lodging only for the ample activities of the daytime, are taken aback by what comes out at night, most having no idea that this is part of the experience they signed up for. But, this is not the only location where one can find plenty of stars and solace in the Natural State. Browse the myriad offerings provided through the Buffalo Outdoor Center at: www.buffaloriver.com
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The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.”
— Rachel Carson
*** Journal Entry I still remember the first time I laid eyes on the Milky Way. I’d seen pictures, to be sure — plenty, as a matter of fact. But, there’s nothing like that real-life experience. My beloved and I were deep down the backroads of Lonoke County, still in a quasi-courting phase; not yet married or engaged, but soon to be. (“Especially if my astronomical knowledge impresses her,” I thought.) Stepping out of my vehicle in some desolate field, ready to set up my telescope, it hit me — that remarkable and instantly recognizable, cloud-like band of stars and gas and dust that is the interior of our galaxy. I’d never seen it in person before; had no idea that it was well within my reach this whole time. I thought, because of modern light pollution, I would surely have to find a way to the outer reaches of a western state like Utah to put a check next to this bucket list item. But, here it was — a dream, found in my home state. The nostalgia of that transcendent moment finds my mind while amid another one at the cabin in present-day Ponca. The Sun is but a distant memory now on this night, and my thoughts echo with the words of McMath, “Under a naturally dark sky, there are so many
The Buffalo Outdoor Center’s RV Park. (Photo by Jeff Rose)
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— “Stellar,” Incubus
“Meet me in outer space. We could spend the night, watch the earth come up. I’ve grown tired of that place, won’t you come with me? We could start again.”
stars that it is hard to discern the constellations.” Ignorantly, I thought I’d experienced that before in Lonoke County (now on multiple occasions), and this would simply serve as a refresher. But, the star-riddled nightly canvas of Ponca is another world entirely. Even one of the most distinguishable constellations — even in the city — Orion, doesn’t stand out quite as much here, because everything stands out. It was a frigid December night in the Ozarks, but thanks to my ascendants above, my soul found a warmth like no puffy coat or warm cup of joe can provide. Well, and there was a hot tub. — DJ *** A Star Zone in Ozone The Sky Host program has caught on, especially amid this ongoing pandemic when safe, out-of-the-box but in-state travel was a relished reprieve for Arkansans, many of whom canceled vacation trips to places like Florida, New York, or out of the country. Andrea and David Cooper were ready and waiting. The pair have owned and rented out what is called Cooper’s Ozark Cabin, in Ozone, since 2012. After partnering with ANSA this year, McMath says that the Coopers have become one of its most enthusiastic members. Andrea shares, “When we saw the ANSA link on Facebook, we joined right away. We have always followed the International DarkSky Association, and we even plan vacations around dark sky areas; for example, we vacationed in the Badlands of South Dakota last year for the hiking and dark skies. We knew we wanted to be part of the Arkansas affiliate and to get involved.” Business has been good for the couple during the near-decade they’ve operated in Ozone. But, when the pandemic touched down in March and April, their life and business came to a screeching halt, temporarily. “We had to cancel several out-of-state guests due to the executive order against recreational travel,” she says. “[But], since the travel restrictions were lifted, business has been steady. August is our typical slow month, but we were booked solid this year.” Some of that resurgence was likely due to the growing cabin fever here domestically,
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but she is quick to also thank the stars above. Almost immediately after officially becoming Sky Hosts, the Coopers received a reservation booking for August 2021, when a group intends to view the annual Perseid Meteor Shower from their cabin. “What makes our cabin special is that one doesn’t even need to leave our property to soak in the surroundings,” Andrea says. “Being on 40 acres, we have our own hiking trails and access to the headwaters of the Mulberry River via the Ozark National Forest, which borders our property. During the day, you will typically see an array of wildlife such as deer, rabbits, turkey, or even a black bear. We recently registered our property as a Monarch Waystation, so you can sit on the front porch and watch a variety of butterflies dancing from flower to flower. “We also are certified as a Natural Wildlife Habitat as recognized by the National Wildlife Federation. The sunsets off of our back deck are phenomenal … [and] at night, the sky comes alive.” Like the cabins of the Buffalo Outdoor Center, the Coopers’ is within a Bortle scale 2 area, meaning that the Milky Way, neighboring galaxies and a number of nebulae are
Left: The night sky from Mount Nebo, in Dardanelle, a curtain of city light obscuring most of the stars. (Photo by Tony Milligan)
well within reach for stargazers, as well as our fellow planets of this system, like Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and Mars, depending on the time of year. Among the many amenities included at the cabin include three bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, pool table, and a back deck with a grill and hot tub. Best of all: The cabin also features a copy of Learning the Constellations by Robert Togni and a pair of binoculars to use during your stay. To see for yourself, visit: www.coopersozarkcabin.com The Star(s) of Searcy County Today, Darryl Treat serves as the executive director of the Greater Searcy County Chamber of Commerce, but he still finds that his life is influenced by his longtime adoration for the stars. Growing up on a farm near Marshall and now living in the same area, a natural night sky has always been a part of his equilibrium. During his service in the United States Air Force, he practiced celestial navigation daily and nightly as a B-52 Navigator. So, when he amassed the title he now proudly carries, it was only natural that his old friends in the sky
would find a service for his community. “I believe that one must exploit the resources you have,” he says. “For instance, we don’t have ocean-front property in Searcy County, unless you look up; we have something that many Americans do not have, and that is a dark night sky that lets us observe an ‘ocean’ of stars. We are one of the poorest counties in Arkansas, and our Greater Searcy County Chamber of Commerce is very aggressive in trying to better the economic plight of our citizens. One way to do that is by trying to increase tourism. The natural-nightsky facet of tourism is an exciting and largely untapped resource that we are trying to benefit from economically.” Searcy County towns like Gilbert are among those leading this charge, urging its representatives in the Arkansas Legislature to help them adopt full-scale, environmentally responsible street lighting to further its path to becoming even more of a pure asylum for astronomy and that slice of the tourism pie. What’s more, last year, the Chamber dedicated the theme of its annual banquet to the subject, dubbing it “The Stars are Always Out in Searcy County.” Treat tabbed a couple of night sky photographers to come to town as guest speakers for the event. The Chamber also designated an astral photo as the cover of its 2020 Community & Relocation Guide, taken at a county landmark, Smith Barn, by one of the aforementioned photographers, Mike Hall. A litany of lodging destinations and rentable cabins are already available in Searcy County, but plenty of work still lies ahead for Treat. “I would like us to make dark-sky compliant lighting a planning factor in all new outdoor lighting in the county, as well as in replacing existing lighting,” he says. “We want people to still be able to use all the light they need outdoors, but to focus and limit it in a way that it just doesn’t pour out light pollution above and beyond what is needed by the user. I also hope to see us integrate dark sky tourism into our bag of tourism offerings, along with more renowned offerings such as floating or hiking at the Buffalo National River. Our near-natural night skies offer tourism potential in all four seasons.” Treat also operates Elk & Eagle Trading Post in Leslie, which features a number of unique gifts, and proudly displays its “Moon Over the Mountains” Arkansas Quilt Trails
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block in its window, custom painted by Cindy Garmoe. (As an aside, if you aren’t familiar with Arkansas Quilt Trails, then there’s another line item to add to your next in-state adventure.) “I think we are in the infant stages of recognizing the tourism potential and healthy living potential of darker night skies,” Treat says. “Our darkest sky areas, such as the Bortle scale 2 sections of Searcy County, should be a wonderful draw to tourists and photographers looking to see and photograph the night sky in a way that is impossible where they live.” For more information, visit: www.searcycountyarkansas.org Looking Up, Moving Forward For as proud as McMath is that so many have joined his fray this year, he is not yet ready to hang his hat and rest on the laurels of a job well done. Like Treat, he is looking at the heart of a long road ahead, trudging through and sharing the joys and the truth with as many folks as he can. “In a phrase, it’s nature’s grandest spectacle — literally,” McMath says of the wonders above. “You can see all these pictures, but it’s like the Grand Canyon or the Niagara Falls; pictures just aren’t the same as seeing it, experiencing it firsthand. And if someone proposed to go and cover up either of those natural features, or the Painted Desert, you name it — any of the great natural wonders or natural heritage resources in this country — there would be an outcry of unimaginable proportion.” But, he says, that’s exactly what has happened in most of the country over time, artificial light slowly creeping along and smothering the views above — our family tree of constellations and clusters. “Our strategy is to promote awareness of the natural sky and the ability to still get out in some places and experience it,” he says. “And that develops a recreational resource, and that also then converts to an economic one.” But, he’s not a salesman, the stars take care of that part for him. We need only look up to see it for ourselves. When more of us are able to find that appreciation, we might just learn to appreciate each other again. To find a Sky Host certified rental near you, visit: www.darkskyarkansas.org/maps/ stella-host-facilities/ aymag.com
mental health
Miracle
By Dwain Hebda
or DRUG
Smoke
s
Mirrors? Science Evolving on Medical Cannabis x Mental Conditions
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H
eather Outler has endured more trauma before the age of 30 than most people do their entire lives. As a child, she was sexually assaulted and raped by a family member and was a passenger in an automobile hit head-on at 90 mph by a drunk driver; as an adult, she endured life in an abusive marriage. The accumulated effect of her life experiences left the now-28-year-old with a variety of physical and mental issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “I was put into a mental hospital here in Arkansas for six months due to what caused the PTSD,” she says. “When I left that hospital, I was on 19 medications because of the mental condition. I couldn’t function at all. I didn’t even get out of bed. Honestly, I pretty much slept. “I was very, very depressed, and there were a lot of times I had no emotion, no feeling at all. You couldn’t feel happy. You didn’t really feel sad. You just felt numb. I never wanted to go out and spend time with friends. I kind of just stayed to myself.” From that desperate state, the Glenwood woman discovered medical cannabis, a treatment she claims has given her her life back. “Ever since I was given the opportunity to get medical cannabis, I have now weaned myself off those medications,” she says. “I’m no longer required to take the pills because of the medical cannabis. I was on pain pills as well because I have really bad fibromyalgia and arthritis, and I don’t even have to take them. “With cannabis being legal in Arkansas now, it has opened me up to where I’m out of bed more. I’m willing to do more things with friends. I have more stable relationships, and I’m even willing to go to large crowd events, like concerts. I’m willing to do that now, whereas before I would have never, ever done anything like that.” Since 1996, when California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis — also called medical marijuana — 36 states and the District of Columbia have
followed suit. By the time it was made legal in Arkansas in 2016, tales of medical cannabis’ restorative power abounded, with testimonials that bordered on the miraculous. Given the high profile of medical marijuana — a reputation enhanced by the runaway growth of CBD products in recent years — one might think the science behind cannabis is ample, if not overwhelming. In truth, supporting evidence for medical marijuana is still emerging, and as it pertains to mental health conditions, particularly so. Nalin Payakachat, B.Pharm., MSc., Ph.D., associate professor in the Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Pharmacy, says the scarcity of credible research is understandable, given the steep hurdles such studies face. “Research on medical cannabis is very difficult to conduct in the U.S. because [of ] the federal law,” she says. “You can only obtain medical cannabis from approved facilities. I think right now, only the University of Mississippi can produce a sample of cannabis for research. Otherwise, we can’t even have the medical cannabis product in the facilities. “We actually do not have a good idea about the benefit or harms of medical cannabis in a well-conducted research situation, because we can’t obtain the product from a dispensary to study. It’s a complicated process.” That hasn’t stopped UAMS from conducting what research it can. Payakachat is one member of the team behind the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Study, which in 2018 kicked off a survey of people who use medical cannabis for, among other things, PTSD, sleep issues and chronic pain. More than 1,800 people participated in the study, the vast majority from Central Arkansas, who self-reported on the efficacy of medical cannabis on their conditions. Respondents with PTSD reported significantly fewer sleep problems and
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“I can honestly say, I feel the healthiest and I’m definitely the happiest I’ve ever been in my life since I’ve been on a regulated medical marijuana regimen.”
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greater general well-being, more so than those taking it for chronic pain. Followup surveys were distributed last November to help determine a causal relationship for medical marijuana, but results have yet to be released. Until then, Payakachat cautions, people should keep in mind there’s a difference between perceived benefit and actual benefit. “In 2018, what we looked at is the association between cannabis use and the symptom score in different conditions,” she says. “Some participants met the criteria for major depression, and some people self-reported having pain conditions. “With PTSD, the literature is not clear evidence of whether cannabis is beneficial. PTSD is a lot of symptoms. The most evidence we found is related to reduced sleep problems. When we looked at our data for people who self-reported for PTSD, we saw some association of cannabis use with reduced sleep problems. But it’s different in other PTSD symptoms.” Aside from the Arkansas study, other research in this area also fails to draw solid evidentiary lines between using medical cannabis and improved mental health conditions. A study by BMC Psy-
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chiatry released in January of this year examined medical cannabis use in cases of social anxiety, PTSD, depression, insomnia, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and ADHD. Its conclusions were similarly tentative, suggesting improvements on some symptoms, while not showing a significant positive impact on others. An Australian study, published last fall in The Lancet, was more direct in its assessment. “Patients who are interested in using cannabinoids for mental disorders should understand that there’s limited evidence for it, and if they do choose this intervention, there needs to be monitoring to check that it’s helpful and is not causing harm,” said lead investigator Louisa Degenhardt, Ph.D., of the University of New South Wales in Sydney. “In many ways, we know more about the long-term risks of regular cannabis use than we do about its benefits for people with mental disorders.” The scientific community may not be able to form definitive conclusions, but there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence that suggests there’s something at work in medical cannabis. Josh Nicholson, an Illinois native currently living in Benton-
ville, has used medical cannabis for five years to treat PTSD, ADD, anxiety and depression. “It’s been life-changing,” he says. “At my highest, I’ve been on at least 15 different prescriptions [simultaneously]; I am not on any controlled substances anymore. I was on opioids, I was on benzodiazepine, I was on amphetamines for ADD. I am now on no psychotropic prescriptions, no painkillers, no controlled substances, period.” Nicholson says the challenges of cannabis therapy have less to do with the effectiveness of the product as it does the cost. Medical marijuana insurance doesn’t exist, so everything he takes — at current prices, around $60 for an eighth of an ounce — is paid for out of his own pocket. In the case of someone whose conditions have landed him or her on disability, this can get expensive fast. And, like any agricultural product, a bad growing season can severely curtail supply, further affecting prices. Another issue, he says, is the public perception that patients are merely using a loophole to indulge an addiction under the guise of medical treatment. “What the public thinks is, you’re just starting a drug with medical marijuana. They think you’re a stoner, and you’re starting a habit,” he says. “In reality, most of us are replacing several drugs that have been proven to be very damaging to your health. It’s not a new drug to most people. It’s a replacement or an enhancer for the ones you’re already on.” “Your body is made for cannabis; it does things that pharmaceuticals never can. A lot of my problems, the doctor found, were stemming from psychotropic drugs like Seroquel. I’m no longer on Ambien or Lunesta, because of cannabis. Adderall was wreaking havoc on my blood pressure and my system. I’m basically repairing the damage that was done by being on heavy pharmaceuticals since I was a teenager. “I can honestly say, I feel the healthiest and I’m definitely the happiest I’ve ever been in my life since I’ve been on a regulated medical marijuana regimen.”
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Finding Normal: Vaccines Ready, Incoming By Dustin Jayroe
VACCINE On Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, the state collectively watched with bated breath as history unfolded before our eyes. After nearly a dozen long, arduous, pandemic-ridden months, the first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine were administered to a handful of frontline health care workers at the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). Poetic symmetry readily apparent, it was almost nine months to the day after the state announced its first presumptive case, on March 11, and exactly 11 days prior to Christmas Day.
Such relief could not have found the state, and the country, in a more dire time of need. As predicted, the fall and winter months brought on another wave of transmission and infection, spiraling toward caseloads that risked a “significant and possibly uncontrollable rise in cases,” the state’s Health Secretary, Dr. Jose Romero, said in November. As of December, Arkansas had logged a total of more than 200,000 cases and more than 3,000 deaths related to COVID-19 complications. Broken down for comparative purposes, we’d confirmed around 65,000 cases per one million residents, almost 15,000 higher than the national average. Romero, who also serves as the chairperson of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, went on to compare the billowing cases and routine record-breaking days to a boulder rolling down a hill, adding that “there will come a time when we can not stop it.” We are yet to know whether this ominous warning will turn true, but this much is certain: For the first time since its arrival in our state, we now have the best ammunition to fight this coronavirus in our hands. But, will we make it to the finish line in time? According to our health experts, most of that responsibility falls on us.
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SARS-CoV-2 art conception. (Manuel Bortoletti, The Economist)
“We all want to return to normal as soon as possible, but it will not be immediate,” State Epidemiologist, Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, tells AY About You. “We know it will take time to assess the impact of the vaccines, therefore, social distancing and masking will still be needed for quite some time. COVID-19 can continue to spread even as doses are being administered in the state. So we’ll still have to take the same precautions, like face coverings and social distancing, as we work through this process.” Elsewhere, at the hospital level, which has bore the full brunt of this pandemic and where caseloads are creating overwhelming levels of critical care needs, the distress is disconcerting. “Our concern is that many people have become dull to the pandemic and are dismissive of public health officials’ calls of alarm about the increasing COVID-19 positivity and hospitalization rates. This is dangerous and irresponsible behavior,” says J. Larry Shackelford, president and CEO of Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville. “We must continue to wear a mask in line with CDC recommendations, watch our distance and wash our hands as diligently as we did this spring. As we move into winter, we must also watch gathering in large groups and must restrict gatherings to 10 or fewer whenever possible.” Even though the end of this current pandemic appears more clear than it ever has, many questions remain for a lot of Arkansans, and even public health experts. That first dose of injected immunization delivered at ADH in December was the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, one of multiple options that could reach wide-scale use in the United States, but the first to receive authorization. According to Dillaha, the next-likeliest vaccine to arrive in Arkansas would be Moderna’s. Other candidates at various stages of clinical trials/approval include AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson ( Janssen). But given the emergency nature of this pandemic, the general public is unlikely to gain access to any of these vaccines for months, as the doses are being produced and delivered to all 50 states (and worldwide) in real time. Since the demand will outweigh the supply for an extended time, the vaccination plan entails treating health care workers and residents of nursing homes first, who data show are among the most susceptible to COVID-19 complications. “It will likely stretch into the beginning of 2021 before those groups are complete,” Dillaha says. “As we receive additional vaccine supply, and potentially as additional COVID-19 vaccines are authorized, we will expand into other groups, including essential workers and persons at risk for severe disease. This timeline may vary based on the amount of vaccine that is ultimately available, but we do expect the process will take some time.” In November, Romero estimated that it might be midway through this year before the vaccine will become available to the general public.
COVID-19 VACCINE TRIALS PFIZER/BIONTECH ● 44,000+ enrolled ● 150 clinical sites - 39 U.S. states - 6 countries ● Racial/ethnic distribution - White: 70% - Hispanic: 13% - African American: 10% - Asian: 6% - Native American: 1% ● Ages 56-85: 45% MODERNA ● 30,000 enrolled ● 89 clinical sites - 32 U.S. states ● Racial/ethnic distribution - White: 63% - Hispanic: 20% - African American/Black: 10% - Asian: 4% - All others: 3% ● Age Distribution - 64% ages 45 and older - 39% ages 45-64 - 25% ages 65+ ● Gender distribution - Male: 53% - Female: 47% Source: www.modernatx.com/ cove-study; www.pfizer.com/science/coronavirus/vaccine aymag.com
Graphic courtesy of the CDC.
Just as the news related to these vaccines has genof SARS-CoV-2. The affected cells then display this scientific advancements, for just as the coronavirus, erated a healthy dosage of hope, so too has it created protein on their surfaces, and the body’s immune SARS-CoV-2, is a novel one, so too is the technology a substantial level of concern. In addition to the insystem recognizes that they do not belong, making behind the vaccines. creased contention surrounding vaccines in general, antibodies to fight off these harmless, coronavirusThe Moderna and Pfizer versions utilize a revolutionary mRNA technology, which does not involve these were created at a rate in which we have never mimicking proteins — the same antibodies our iman injection of the actual virus into our bodies. seen. “Operation Warp Speed” is how the federal mune systems will then use when we are exposed to According to literature from the CDC, “To triggovernment referred to this process, which has some the actual virus. ger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakHealth experts are hopeful that this new techworried that quality may not have been heeded as nology may lead to additional advancements, where ened or inactivated germ into our bodies. Not mRNA much as quickness; most vaccines take years to develop, test and approve, one vaccine could provide not months. Health exprotection against multiple perts are working to calm diseases simultaneously. those fears. These mRNA vaccines “BOTH THE PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINES HAVE “Even though these are the first-ever approved vaccines have been develfor use in the United States, UNDERGONE ROBUST SAFETY REVIEWS, INCLUDING oped with an accelerated although the technology timeline, the process for has been studied since at THREE PHASES OF CLINICAL TRIALS WHERE ensuring safety and efleast 2011, mostly for canficacy has not been comcer research. At this time, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE ADMINISTERED THE promised,” Dillaha astwo doses, weeks apart, sures. “Both the Pfizer and must be administered for TWO-DOSE REGIMEN. THAT DATA [IS] REVIEWED BY THE Moderna vaccines have immunity. Each has shown undergone robust safety a greater than 90 percent FDA USING THEIR ESTABLISHED CRITERIA FOR SAFETY reviews, including three effectiveness at preventing AND EFFICACY BEFORE AUTHORIZATION [IS] GRANTED.” phases of clinical trials severe COVID-19 disease. where thousands of people In comparison, a typical were administered the flu vaccination averages two-dose regimen. That around 40-60 percent effectiveness. data [is] reviewed by the vaccines. Instead, they teach our cells how to make a The other vaccine candidates, like AstraZeneca, FDA using their established criteria for safety and protein — or even just a piece of a protein — that for example, use DNA technology in adenoviruses. efficacy before authorization [is] granted.” triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That Essentially, they work similarly with the spike proShe goes on to say it is important to convey and teins, making the adenoviruses appear to our bodimmune response, which produces antibodies, is what understand that, once a COVID-19 vaccine is approved, this means the safety evaluation was conies as the novel coronavirus, creating an immune protects us from getting infected if the real virus enducted just as rigorously as any other vaccine. ters our bodies.” response. Trials are still ensuing, but these appear to have an effectiveness of 60-90 percent, depending on The record-breaking vaccine development has At the vaccine’s direction, our cells create a “spike also spelled plenty of praise for these unprecedented protein,” the same type that is found on the surface the dosage. Given the more durable nature of DNA
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Arkansas health care workers receiving the first of the state’s Pfizer vaccines. (Photos courtesy of ADH)
VACCINE SIDE EFFECTS The mRNA vaccines are capable of producing mild side effects after vaccination, especially after the second dose, such as: ● Fever ● Headache ● Muscle aches
as compared to the fragile RNA, AstraZeneca’s does not have to be stored frozen (like Pfizer’s and Moderna’s), and can last for around six months refrigerated. However, a complete understanding of what lies ahead is still a moving target. According to Dillaha, we do not know if the vaccines will prevent people from spreading the virus, even if they do not fall ill to the disease; we do not know how long any of the vaccines will provide immunity; and we do not know if an annual COVID-19 vaccination will become as recommended as a flu shot. However, Dillaha does expect the disease to remain for the “foreseeable future,” and anticipates that vaccination will become routine to some degree. Experts also recommend that even those who have already contracted COVID-19 previously get vaccinated, as there is still no conclusion on how long natural immunity lasts. The data is still out on how much of the population needs to be immunized before our lives return to what most would describe as “normal.” “We don’t yet know what overall vaccination rate will be necessary to end the pandemic, but we do know that getting as many people vaccinated as possible will help us get there,” Dillaha explains. “Some experts are estimating that approximately 70 percent of the population will need to be vaccinated, but that is just an approximation.” Dr. Mark Thomas, Vice President and Medical Director of Population Health at Washington Regional, echoes the epidemiologist’s sentiments. “Traditionally, herd immunity has been thought
to be present when the number of people who have had the disease, in addition to those successfully immunized totals almost 70 percent of the population,” Thomas says. “However, we are encouraged by the initial results of the vaccine trials showing a very promising response rate to the vaccine (above 90 percent, which is much better than the flu vaccine, for instance), and we know that those most likely to be infected in the community (young people with multiple contacts) may already have a high percentage of post-infection immunity. For these reasons, some scientists think herd immunity might be possible as we approach 50 percent of the population.” Dillaha also opines that, over time, we may come to find that each of the vaccines approaching availability may inhabit different, specialized uses. “For example, one vaccine might protect older adults [better] than others,” she says. “We will rely on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to evaluate the accumulating data on vaccine effectiveness to make recommendations on whether one vaccine may be preferred over another in certain situations.” The suspense is building for Arkansans and people across the globe. If the projections are true, the general public will have endured this pandemic for more than one year before a vaccine becomes available to them — sometime in the late spring or early summer, most likely. But just as our patience grows thinner, the need for it grows exponentially larger. The end is near; we can make it there together.
However, no significant safety concerns were identified during the clinical trials, during which at least eight weeks of safety data were gathered. It is unusual to experience any side effects that are far removed from vaccination. Vaccine may be administered to persons with underlying medical conditions, as long as there are no contraindications to vaccination present. Because the mRNA vaccines are not “live,” contraindications may be more minimal than other vaccines. Concerned individuals should check with their primary care provider. Source: www.cdc.gov
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Cabot Health & Rehab, LLC offers both semi-private and private rooms (when available). Our staff is dedicated to ensuring that our residents are provided a robust activity calendar, a superior dining experience in a warm, family-like setting. When recuperation and convalescence is needed, our staff works as a multi-disciplinary team to develop a comprehensive rehabilitation program to facilitate a return to home.
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When indicated, our team of therapists work with residents to customize a rehabilitation program which can include physical, occupational and speech therapy with a focus on improving mobility, endurance, safety and facilitating a return to home. A tailored treatment plan will allow residents to recapture health and an independent lifestyle when possible. The enrichment of daily physical function can significantly improve a resident’s self-reliance and overall happiness.
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RESOLUTIONS: Shedding Pandemic Pounds
As we limp into a new year, most of us will fall back on our triedand-true annual resolutions. But this year, setting a goal to lose a little weight might be even more popular than usual. By Dustin Jayroe
I
t would be easy to say that a lot of us committed two of the seven deadly sins this year — sloth and gluttony. We were all there, but in case you need a refresher course into the flat circle of time that was 2020: In March, we received word of Arkansas’ first presumptive case of COVID-19; as the cases rose through those first few weeks, our methods of commerce plummeted diametrically. Schools quickly switched to online only. Businesses shifted to work from home. Restaurants’ chairs began collecting dust atop tables. Churches turned the lights out. For those of us not deemed with the responsibilities of “essential” work, the sins were easy to find. (And, to be fair, we were actually recommended them.) “Vegging” out in the living room went from a Sunday afternoon refresher to an everyday reality. Thus, we were sloths (not the cute ones) as we skipped showers and tested the durability of our pajamas. We gluttonously indulged our pantries. Our favorite shows to stream tapped out, and we all — somehow — found comfort in binging Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness. (If you weren’t involved in the Joe Exotic phase of quarantine, you missed the most unifying event this country’s seen in decades.) It was truly like living in a different reality, at least for a little while. As such, it was easy to fall into the traps of laziness and caloric consumption. (To be fair, again, it felt kind of noble; “I’m staying home to flatten the curve. Now, where are the Oreos?”) A tinge of denial and deflection remains, as evident by the number of words it’s taken to get to the point: we gained weight. As we begin another year,
one that is hopefully not so plagued by a virus as the last, we might be inclined to try and lose those pandemic pounds. “I think most people treated the first few weeks — and maybe month — as ‘snow days,’” says Frank Lawrence, CEO of The Athletic Clubs. “Most ate, drank and watched a lot of streaming television. But most realized that a healthy lifestyle — managing the biomarkers of weight, blood pressure, etc. — were keys to fighting the virus and maintaining overall good health. We provide a safe solution for that.” Lawrence sits at the helm of a Central Arkansas fitness empire that includes the Little Rock Athletic Club, North Little Rock Athletic Club and the Downtown Athletic Club. Each of The Athletic Clubs’ locations shut down completely on March 20 and reopened on May 4. Since then, despite the health anxieties and societal fluctuations, he says business has achieved a comfortable steadiness. “We have worked hard to keep staff and members safe, and overall it has been a tremendous success,” he goes on to say. “Business is sustainable, and we are pleased to be open and serving our members and providing jobs/livelihoods for our staff.” But simply talking about working out and weight loss is one thing, and even going so far as having a desire to lose a belt notch or two is not always enough to overcome the clouds of stagnation. During a pandemic, that wall of complacency is even more difficult a challenge. For that, Lawrence provides the same advice, no matter who is asking — be it his customers, staff or even family members. “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time,” he says. “That and my motto, ‘RFP,’ or relent-
A socially distant workout at the Little Rock Athletic Club.
“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always be where you’ve always been.” — T.D. Jakes
less forward pursuit, describe it best. Do one thing — it can be small — but continue doing something. Your efforts will snowball.” However, the singular acts of a few crunches here or a treadmill mosey there will not yield vast and recognizable results alone — as most of us well know (unfortunately). An aesthetic change requires a lifestyle change — however big or small — that goes beyond just fat burning and muscle building. Hard work in the gym needs to be paired with a good diet on the plate. “There are lots of diet theories and advice out there; I keep things pretty simple,” Lawrence says. “I try to eat real food (I want it as close to its original source as possible) and eat to support output — don’t eat more than you burn on a daily basis.
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If you want to drop a few pounds, eat slightly less than your daily output.” To start the new year, Lawrence and his staff are offering a few discounts to help people knock down that initial domino toward a healthier life. “In January, we will offer $100 off the joining fee plus $80 in guest fees,” he says. “You’ll also be able to purchase a three-pack of personal training for only $100, so grab a friend and we’ll get that snowball rolling in no time.” Also gearing up for an influx of new customers this year is Stephanie Newcomb, owner, personal trainer and health coach at Unleashed Health & Fitness in Roland. She transformed her mother’s old horse barn into a fitness studio and hasn’t looked back since, quickly cementing herself as
one of the go-tos in the region. Last year, just a few years into the endeavor, Newcomb was voted Best Personal Trainer in the AY’s Best of 2020 awards. Newcomb was fortunate to not be bound by the regulations of most gyms during the pandemic, offering her clients virtual training sessions, which she says grew “astronomically.” “I have had a few new clients come who have expressed that, during the lockdown, they definitely turned to food for comfort,” she says. “We are in a really weird time, and that’s understandable. It helps to have a coach checking in on you and encouraging good eating habits. “Honestly, the working out part is the easiest part. Health-conscious eating is the hardest because we are surrounded by processed, sugary foods. You have to look at food like it’s your medicine; what you put into your body is so very important. Processed foods cause inflammation and diseases, which is why it is important to eat real, whole foods. The best place to start your journey is to cut out processed foods and limit your alcohol intake. Later, look at gluten and dairy — there are no health benefits in those foods. Also, listen to your body. If you have bloating or a stomach ache, your body is trying to tell you, ‘Hey, I am not digging what you just ate.’ Listen up.” As much as anything, Newcomb is a subscriber of the age-old phrase: mind over matter. “It’s really a mindset,” she says. “Until you can get it in your head that nothing is going to change unless you make changes, then it’s not going to happen. You have to surround yourself with like-minded people to encourage you along your journey, in a small group or virtually. Accountability is huge, that’s why my clients love our classes because we truly are a community. Whether it’s a class, one-on-one session, either in person or virtual, I personally am there waiting on my clients to show up — and if you don’t I am checking on you.” And speaking of the hard and easy parts of a fitness journey, simply taking that first step is also an easy part. Strava, an exercise tracking service, estimates that around 80 percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions give up on them by mid-February. And most of those won’t even make it out of the first month of 2021, dropping the resolutions by Jan. 19, which Strava less-than-
“Change is your friend, not your foe; change is a brilliant opportunity to grow.” — Simon T. Bailey affectionately refers to as “Quitter’s Day.” To avoid falling away from the goals you set this year — whether they are weight-focused or otherwise — it’s important to be realistic and to strive toward creating useful habits rather than falling into fads. “You have to set attainable and reasonable goals,” Newcomb says. “Don’t try to change everything all at once. Start with small steps — working out two to three times a week, giving up gluten or sugar, upping your water intake, etc.” For Lawrence, such monikers as being designated a “quitter” can be counterproductive. He suggests perspective and patience, because lifestyle changes do not come about overnight. “People always think in terms of ‘blowing it,’ which causes such negative self-talk,” he says. “Who cares if you miss a day or eat a bad meal? When you do, visualize yourself happily leaving the gym after a great workout. That tool alone will help create positive self-talk which leads to great habits.” And this year poses another challenge to prospective pound shedders: a microscopic virus that weighs far less than any of us ever will. Anxieties surrounding COVID-19 remain real, as most of the general public is still in a months-long line to get vaccinated for the novel coronavirus and subsequent disease. For those of us, a gym or public
place may not be in the cards, but both Newcomb and Lawrence have instituted additional protocols to curb transmission. “We ask that all patrons wear masks except for when they are actively working out and that they stay apart,” Lawrence says. “In classes, we space people using dots on the floor so that everyone has approximately 150 square feet to themselves. Our team of ‘health guards’ sanitize equipment during the day which is complemented by our nighttime housekeeping staff ’s layered cleaning protocol. We also fog our facilities once a month with BioProtect which gives long-lasting antimicrobial protection.” At Unleashed Health & Fitness, Newcomb says, “We wash hands when we enter the building and when we leave. Everyone is responsible for getting their own weights and cleaning their own equipment. We try and spread out as we can … [all are] sternly encouraged to stay home if anyone is feeling the slightest bit sick.” If a weight-related resolution isn’t in your future, consider setting an aim or goal elsewhere to improve upon where your weak points might be. No one is perfect, and that should not be taken as a daunting and impossible task to attain — just proof that we can all be better, and we’re together in our imperfection. Just not as together as when we were all watching Tiger King.
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HOME & GARDEN • FOOD & DRINK • ARTS & CULTURE • TRAVEL • HEALTH
Q&A WITH
Jake Snowden
Club Fit
Q: What makes Club Fit unique? A: Club Fit is a large, 24-hour facility with a boutique feel; we like knowing our members. Reaching fitness and personal goals can be a team effort, and at Club Fit you have a team behind you, supporting you.
Q: New Year’s specials? A: Our six-week weight loss and health transformation is always our most popular. Join anytime in January for only $599! This includes 24-hour gym access, three one-on-one personal training sessions weekly and an eating plan. This is an $820 value! Other gym and training specials will be offered as well.
Stay well.
Club Fit 400 West Capitol, Ste. 300, Little Rock, 72201 (501) 563-3699 | www.clubfit.com
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Q & A WITH FRANK LAWRENCE
THE ATHLETIC CLUBS
Q: What makes The Athletic Clubs’ locations special and stand out from the rest? A: The list is LONG! Short answer: We are “Platforms for a Life Well Lived.” We have it all — weights, fitness, group exercise, personal training, all the racquet sports you can think of (racquetball, tennis, pickleball, etc.), basketball, locker rooms, towel service, lounge areas, kids care, after school programs, swimming pools, swim lessons, swim team and so much more.
Q:What are some of the biggest mistakes that people make as it relates to their fitness and physical health? A: It is all about RFP: relentless forward pursuit. You have to work to take the next step forward. And when you miss a day, or you eat poorly, so what? Start over and keep moving forward. With all that we offer, the other key and advantage is to find what you like and start there. Then, build your experience out.
Q: What are some ways that people can personalize their fitness regimen Q: How do I know that The Athletic at your locations? Clubs is a good fit for me? A: Because we are all things to all people, you can pick and choose where you want to participate and ultimately make your experience totally unique to you.
A: We are all things for all people, and we have hundreds of communities for people to be a part of. Come jump in!
Q: How do you go about selecting the right personal trainer for individuals?
Little Rock Athletic Club 4610 Sam Peck Rd., Little Rock, 72223 (501) 225-3600
A: We work to try to find the right person for you; and because we have so many, if one does not work, we will find that right person for your needs.
Downtown Athletic Club 111 Center St. #2, Little Rock, 72201 (501) 374-1005
Q: What first-of-the-year specials are you running?
Little Rock Racquet Club 1 Huntington Rd., Little Rock, 72227 (501) 225-5711
A: In January, we will offer $100 off the joining fee, plus $80 in guest fees. You’ll also be able to purchase a threepack of personal training for only $100 — so grab a friend!
North Little Rock Athletic Club 3804 McCain Park Dr., North Little Rock, 72116 (501) 812-5555
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CHANGING PATIENT LIVES In 2005, a small group of surgeons opened Arkansas Surgical Hospital with one goal: to provide exceptional care. Today our hospital has grown into a team of specialists that is nationally recognized for its achievements in patient care. For 15 years, Arkansas Surgical Hospital has been a trusted resource for patients and their families as they seek safe, high-quality treatments for orthopedic and spine issues. Thank you for recognizing our hospital and its physician owners as among the best Arkansas has to offer—year after year. Choose the best of the best. Make Arkansas Surgical Hospital your hospital by calling (866) 260-0542 to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.
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Bone Health:
By Angela Forsyth
It’s All in the Gut “Drink a glass of milk for healthy bones,” they said. “Take a calcium supplement each day,” we heard. Well, it turns out a glass of milk isn’t actually the best advice, and a daily calcium tablet is a good idea, but it’s not enough. The real solution is in the gut. Amy Beard, MD, an ER-trained dietician and certified functional medicine practitioner at AmyBeardMD.com, is emphatic about the bigger issue behind bone deterioration. While calcium is certainly important, there’s much more to bone health. According to Beard, “Heathy bones are the result of a balanced immune system, balanced GI microbiome and optimal gut health.” Getting the right amount of calcium is a part of that, but so is keeping up an optimal count of vitamin D and other mineral levels.
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EATING PROPERLY “Anything that negatively impacts gut health and the GI microbiome (your immune system) is going to also have negative effects on your bone health,” Beard explains. Osteoporosis, for instance, isn’t just the result of a calcium deficiency. This bone-deteriorating disease is more often the result of immune dysregulation and inflammation, which — you guessed it — starts in the gut. Basic supplementation for bone health is recommended, but Beard warns it should never take the place of real food. You should eat high-quality foods instead of processed ones. Avoid foods that are high in sugar and simple carbohydrates, and stay away from products that contain food dyes. Good choices include organic, non-GMO fruits and vegetables, grass-fed beef, cage-free chickens and wild-caught fish. You can also indulge in some high-quality fats such as grass-fed butter, organic coconut oil, high-quality olive oils, nuts and seeds. “Fat should not be feared,” Beard says. “We need fat.”
THE TRUTH ABOUT CALCIUM Calcium is not to be ignored. Beard recommends taking a multivitamin coupled with a diet that contains quality sources of calcium. Most multivitamins will do the trick with sufficient amounts of calcium, plus other important minerals (zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper and boron) that are essential for bone health. For added benefit, you can also take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement and probiotic. Omega-3 helps balance the immune system while probiotics help improve overall gut health. Vitamin D supplementation is also important, es-
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pecially when sunshine is limited during the winter months. “I seldom recommend calcium supplementation outside of what is in a multivitamin,” Beard says. “And, drinking milk certainly isn’t the answer — just a great marketing campaign. Milk can be problematic for many people, and thus, can contribute to poor gut health and systemic inflammation. We really aren’t supposed to be drinking glasses of milk.” The nutritional advantages of milk can be had in cheese and yogurt, but even those can be problematic for some.
DON’T FORGET YOUR FRUITS Fruits also have a powerful connection to bone health. According to a published paper by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, fruits contain important bone-forming minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc that are needed to maintain bone density. Vitamins A, C, E and K, found in many fruits, are highly important as well. Vitamin A, for example, aids in bone growth and development, while vitamin C supports proper bone formation. The antioxidant properties in vitamin E have boneprotective effects, and vitamin K works synergistically with vitamin D to improve bone metabolism. Fiber and phytochemicals play an important role, too. Dietary fiber found in fruits slow down your digestion and increase your absorption of nutrients, especially magnesium and calcium which benefit bones. Look to raspberries which have the highest fiber content at 8 grams per cup. Other great options are apples (with the peel), bananas, oranges and strawberries. Each contains approximately 3 to 4 grams of fiber per serving. The brightest-colored fruits have higher amounts of potent antioxidants (phytochemicals). These include plums, blueberries and blackberries; their antioxidant properties have been shown to prevent bone loss. To get the best effect, eat a variety of fruits to give your body access to a wide range of nutrients. Choose fresh fruit over fruit juice. Most fiber is contained in the skin or the pulp of the fruit, which gets lost in juice. Plus, most juices contain added sugars. Frozen or canned fruits can be good options as long as you opt for those in their own juice instead of syrups, and watch out for dried fruits. Many have great nutrients that are needed for maintaining healthy bones, but the dehydration process makes them more calorie-dense, so pay attention to the serving size.
WHERE TO START “First and foremost, gut health needs to be the focus,” Beard emphasizes. While many think of gut health as purely foods we eat, a number of factors go into it: diet, physical activity, stress, sleep quality, toxin exposures and sun exposure. However, a balanced diet is where you can make the biggest impact on bone health. This includes eliminating foods you might be sensitive to and are causing inflammation. Common problematic foods include gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, nuts and legumes. If you’re not sure if you have a food sensitivity, the best course of action is to eliminate all possible problematic foods and reintroduce them one at a time. To start off on the right track with kids, Beard recommends a quality daily multivitamin, omega-3 fatty acid supplement and a probiotic. Unfortunately, the majority of children aren’t getting these important nutrients on their own. Many are picky eaters, or they’re eating processed food, convenient food and fast food that don’t contain the best nutrients. Most kids are generally healthier when they supplement regularly.
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They see more. You keep more. Mako SmartRobotics™ uses 3D CT-based planning software so your surgeon can know more about your anatomy to create a personalized joint replacement surgical plan. By guiding your surgeon during surgery, Mako’s AccuStop™ technology allows your surgeon to cut less by cutting precisely what’s planned to help protect your healthy bone.*
Mako SmartRobotics™ gets you back to the things you love, quicker.
Learn more at makosmartrobotics.com * For full reference information, visit makosmartrobotics.com IMPORTANT INFORMATION Hip & Knee Replacements Hip joint replacement is intended for use in individuals with joint disease resulting from degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, fracture of the neck of the femur or functional deformity of the hip. Knee joint replacement is intended for use in individuals with joint disease resulting from degenerative, rheumatoid and post-traumatic arthritis, and for moderate deformity of the knee. Joint replacement surgery is not appropriate for patients with certain types of infections, any mental or neuromuscular disorder which would create an unacceptable risk of prosthesis instability, prosthesis fixation failure or complications in postoperative care, compromised bone stock, skeletal immaturity, severe instability of the joint, or excessive body weight. Like any surgery, joint replacement surgery has serious risks which include, but are not limited to, pain, infection, bone fracture, change in the treated leg length (hip), joint stiffness, hip joint fusion, amputation, peripheral neuropathies (nerve damage), circulatory compromise (including deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs)), genitourinary disorders (including kidney failure), gastrointestinal disorders (including paralytic ileus (loss of intestinal digestive movement)), vascular disorders (including thrombus (blood clots), blood loss, or changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm), bronchopulmonary disorders (including emboli, stroke or pneumonia), heart attack, and death. Implant related risks which may lead to a revision of the implant include dislocation, loosening, fracture, nerve damage, heterotopic bone formation (abnormal bone growth in tissue), wear of the implant, metal and/or foreign body sensitivity, soft tissue imbalance, osteolysis (localized progressive bone loss), audible sounds during motion, reaction to particle debris, and reaction to metal ions (ALTR). Hip and knee implants may not provide the same feel or performance characteristics experienced with a normal healthy joint. The information presented is for educational purposes only. Speak to your doctor to decide if joint replacement surgery is appropriate for you. Individual results vary and not all patients will return to the same activity level. The lifetime of any joint replacement is limited and depends on several factors like patient weight and activity level. Your doctor will counsel you about strategies to potentially prolong the lifetime of the device, including avoiding high-impact activities, such as running, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. It is important to closely follow your doctor’s instructions regarding post-surgery activity, treatment and follow-up care. Ask your doctor if a joint replacement is right for you. MKOSYM-AD-16_Rev-1_25698
Copyright © 2020 Stryker
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r. Jason Stewart is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who has been part of Bowen Hefley Orthopedics for 20 years.
Dr. Stewart was born and raised in Hope and attended Hendrix College, where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in biology in 1992. He then enrolled in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, obtaining his medical degree in 1996, and completed his orthopedic surgery residency. An orthopedic surgeon by day and woodworker by night, Dr. Stewart is a natural in the art of using his hands to “fix” or repair. He most enjoys that his career has provided him the ability to use his mind and hands on a daily basis, as well as the endless variety of challenges and the restoration of his patients’ abilities to enjoy a healthy life.
Jason Stewart, M.D.
BOARD CERTIFIED ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON FELLOW OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS
501.771.1600 • BOWENHEFLEYORTHO.COM
Dr. Stewart’s specialty is general orthopedics with an emphasis in adult reconstructive surgery, arthroscopy, sports medicine and worker’s compensation. In addition to his tenure at Bowen Hefley, he is also a member of the board of managers at the Arkansas Surgical Hospital and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He was selected as one of Arkansas’ best health care professionals in AY About You in 2018 and 2019.
MENTAL we are HEALTH aymag.com/mental-health-guide
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Paul K. Edwards, M.D. BOWEN HEFLEY ORTHOPEDICS
501.663.6455 BOWENHEFLEYORTHO.COM
Samuel A. Moore, D.O.
BOARD CERTIFIED ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON
501.663.6455 BOWENHEFLEYORTHO.COM DRSAMUELMOORE.COM TWITTER - @SAMOORE03 FACEBOOK.COM/DRSAMUELMOORE
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graduate of the University of Arkansas, Dr. Paul K. Edwards has practiced orthopedic surgery in Central Arkansas for the past eight years. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of South Florida and a one-year fellowship in hip and knee replacement at OrthoCarolina in Charlotte, N.C. As such, Edwards has become one of the industry experts in the field and specialty, and the team at the stapled practice, Bowen Hefley Orthopedics, is proud that he joined the group six months ago, returning to private practice after spending much of the past decade at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. “I have had a great opportunity to train at several institutions that provide outstanding training in hip and knee replacement,” Edwards says. “I have also had the pleasure of training with mentors that were very passionate about caring for patients with hip and knee arthritis. This gave me the opportunity to witness what a great impact a hip and knee replacement surgeon can have in a patient's life. Arthritis and other disabling lower extremity joint conditions can cause significant pain and severely limit a patient's ability to function well in life. Providing non-operative and operative interventions allowing patients to regain function and minimize pain is why I love joint replacement surgery.”
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Edwards is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. In addition to his hands-on work in the operating room, he has also authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed manuscripts, presented numerous research projects at national meetings and lectured nationally and internationally on hip and knee replacement. Above all, he feels that the relationship developed between surgeons and patients is vital, a consideration that he always keeps at the forefront of his mind. “Your surgeon should work hard to earn your trust,” he says. “I believe it is important to build a rapport with your surgeon so trust can be established. I think experience is also critical to successful results. I have successfully performed more than 1,400 minimally invasive, direct anterior total hip replacements; 1,400 total knee replacements; and countless revision total hip and knee replacements. Although most of these joint replacement surgeries have been straightforward and without complications, occasionally problems arise. It is imperative to know that your surgeon can recognize any potential problems, share with you their concerns, and have the ability to provide adequate solutions.”
r. Samuel Moore is an osteopathic physician and board-certified orthopedic surgeon who is one of Bowen Hefley Orthopedic’s most recent additions, but who has quickly become one of the state’s best.
An osteopathic physician, Moore is highly skilled at treating his patients in entirety, as a whole person. This means that, in addition to his proficiencies in orthopedic surgeries of the hip, knee and shoulder, he is well educated in regenerative medicine options.
A native of Fort Smith, Moore attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he obtained his bachelor of science in microbiology. From there, he branched out to Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences to pursue a doctorate of osteopathic medicine and then to Oklahoma State University where he completed his orthopedic surgery residency. He joined the team of physicians at Bowen Hefley in 2012.
Despite the wide range of service offerings that he is able to provide, his favorite part of practicing remains straightforward — providing relief and cures for people who have been plagued with pain for years.
For Moore, orthopedics is a family affair. It’s in his blood. “I have always been interested in bone and joint injuries,” Moore says. “My father worked for his entire career in surgery doing orthopedics, and I fell in love with it in medical school. I love to help people who are injured or are in pain and offer them some relief.”
“Our practice has been set up and continues to be arranged to focus on patients first and cater to the individual needs of each patient,” Moore says. “We have a smaller group than most orthopedic groups which allows us to provide the individual care that people expect.” In less than a decade of professional practice, Moore has already established significant credibility and acclaim, including being selected as one of AY About You’s best health care professionals in 2018 and 2019.
MURDER MYSTERY: The Path of a Psychopath, Part 2 – By Janie Jones
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ark Alan Smith had roots in Baxter County. His grandmother owned a resort there. But after he murdered Obie Fay Ash in Mountain Home, he moved his wife and infant son back to McHenry, Ill., his native hometown. In less than two months, he killed again. Jean Irene Bianchi was an attractive 27-year-old wife and mother of two small children. On the night of Jan. 27, 1970, she took a load of clothes to the Suds-nDuds Laundromat in downtown McHenry. Smith saw her in there as he drove by. He circled the block until he was sure she was alone, and then he made his move. He promised not to kill her if she cooperated, so she went with him unwillingly but obediently. He put her in his car and drove to a secluded place where he raped her. Afterward, he struck her three times on the head and stabbed her in the neck, chest and back until she lay still and quiet. He drove to Barreville Road south of McHenry and threw the victim off Pearson Bridge. It had snowed the day before, and the stream below was frigid and icedover in places. Smith drove a short distance farther, then turned around and headed back to McHenry. As he came to Pearson Bridge again, he saw Bianchi crawling up an embankment. He stopped, got out of his car, and kicked her, causing her to tumble back down to the water. He tried to drown her, but in his own words, Smith said, “She kept fighting, so I pulled her out and … rolled her over onto her stomach. I stabbed her twice, once behind each lung. I heard them collapse.” He then violated her dead body with depraved sex acts before leaving her in the water, beneath a ledge of ice.
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When Bianchi failed to return home from the laundromat, her husband reported her missing, and authorities started searching for her that very night. The McHenry City Police, the Illinois State Police, the McHenry County Sheriff ’s Office and the FBI joined forces, but three days later, they still had no clue as to where Bianchi was. Enter Mrs. Helen I. Beamsley. A most unlikely sleuth, Beamsley, 67, was a member of the Cosmic Circle of Friendship Jean Bianchi. in Chicago. She was a spiritualist and faith healer, who met with other like-minded people every Wednesday night. Beamsley used a pendulum to communicate with a higher power. The pendulum would respond to yes and no answers by swinging from side to side, back and forth, or in a circle. Beasley’s pendulum was a Jesus pendant. One member of the Cosmic Circle knew the Bianchi family and asked the other spiritualists in the group to concentrate on the missing woman and her whereabouts. Beamsley had what she called “one of the strongest visions I’ve ever experienced.” She claimed to know Bianchi was already dead. The group member who knew the Bianchis passed Beamsley’s vision on to Rev. William Johnson, a Methodist minister. He was the Bianchi family pastor and had officiated at Jean and Armand Bianchi’s wedding.
Though Johnson was an open-minded man, he realized the detectives might scoff at the idea of a psychic showing them the way to the missing woman. County Sheriff John C. Carroll, however, welcomed the help, so Johnson drove Beamsley to McHenry, hoping that seeing the area in person might sharpen her visions. One detective rode with Johnson and Helen I. Beamsley. Beamsley and stayed in contact with other searchers by walkie-talkie. When they weren’t immediately successful, skeptical officers could be heard saying they should “dump the old lady and get down to business.” But the psychic had a strong vision of a car dealer’s sign, and, sure enough, they came upon the sign. While Johnson drove, Beamsley talked to Jesus, and when she described a little-traveled country road that wound southward, someone suggested the Barreville Road. She said there would be a bridge over a stream, and the searchers from McHenry thought of Pearson Bridge. The sheriff ’s investigators were the first to arrive there. Just as Johnson and Beamsley topped a small hill, they saw the sheriff ’s men looking down at the stream. One of them walked swiftly back to his car, and everyone heard him over the walkie-talkie: “10-80, 10-80. We’ve found her. We’ve found her.” The authorities never mentioned Beamsley in their official report and never told the press about her, but they did invite her back to McHenry to see if she picked up anything about the murderer. She described him as well-dressed and nice-looking, very disarming. She said he had no control over his emotions and that he had killed 17 people. “He thinks he’s a great actor … and a pretty smart guy… and he thinks he’ll get out of all this somehow. He has no remorse, absolutely none,” she said. In later confessions, he spoke dispassionately and matter-of-factly about his crimes, using the same tone of voice he would have used to describe the weather. Smith sometimes claimed a friend named Adam helped dispose of the bodies of Bianchi and Ash. Beamsley told officials that Smith did have an accomplice and described Adam to a tee, but Adam passed a polygraph test and was never charged. Beamsley was right on target when she said the killer would strike again, because exactly one month
Mark Alan Smith. to the day after he murdered Bianchi, Smith brutalized and killed Janice Bolyard. Smith and Bolyard were co-workers at the DeSoto Chemical Company in Des Plaines, Ill. But it was the slaying of 17-year-old Jean Ann Lingenfelter that brought on Smith’s downfall. Witnesses saw Smith and Lingenfelter together just prior to her death. “Nothing really triggered it,” Smith said. “We were just sitting there in my car, talking. I reached over and strangled her. I might have hit her, or kicked her, once or twice.” The autopsy showed a brain concussion; a broken jaw, nose, and neck; several loose teeth; cuts on the head, neck, and face; two black eyes; internal hemorrhaging; abrasions over much of the body; and a complete vaginal-rectal perforation.” After Smith’s arrest and with a memory that amazed the police, he readily confessed to multiple murders. Detectives noted an unusual aspect to the spate of killings: the number 27. Smith killed Bianchi on Jan. 27, and she was 27 at the time of her murder. He killed Bolyard on Feb. 27, and Lingenfelter on May 27. Lingenfelter’s birthday was June 27, and Smith was born on June 27, 1949. Amused, Smith said, “Would you believe I didn’t even realize anything about the 27s until … someone told me about it?” Investigators, though, did find astrological materials in Smith’s belongings, and he had clipped a monthly horoscope from an astrological chart in a music magazine. It was for February 1969, the month in which he was married. Smith’s savage, sadistic war on women had come to an end, but it was just the beginning for lawyers, psychiatrists and journalists to study the serial killer who never quite gained the fame that Gacy, Dahmer and Bundy did. Delving into Smith’s childhood was like reading a copy of the novel The Bad Seed. TO BE CONTINUED.
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L.A.
By Joe David Rice
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orldly readers are likely to assume this is some sort of unexpected reference to a certain metropolis in southern California. And they will be wrong. For many Arkansans, L.A. is shorthand for Lower Arkansas — or the southcentral section of the state. In rather loose terms, it’s the area bounded by Magnolia on the west, Monticello to the east, and Fordyce on the north. Camden, El Dorado, Crossett, and Warren are the other principal communities in L.A., although some citizens of Texarkana and Lake Village will occasionally claim residence. Dozens of smaller towns with such mellifluous names as Parkers Chapel, Harmony Grove, Three Creeks, Buena Vista, and perhaps Smackover (a corrupted Anglicization of the French phrase “Sumac Couvert,” meaning covered with sumac trees) are scattered across the region. In geographic terms, Arkansas’ L.A. encompasses about 7,100 square miles, a land mass 15 times the size of Los Angeles County. The L.A. described here is home to roughly 160,000 residents, while greater metropolitan Los Angeles boasts approximately 18 million people. Or, in other words, that’s about one person in Lower Arkansas. for every 115 Angelenos. It’s a ratio we can live with. Despite its relatively small population base, L.A. has produced more than its share of overachievers. True Grit author Charles Portis and honky-tonk singer Lefty Frizzell were both reared in El Dorado, the birthplace of internationally acclaimed architect E. Fay Jones and singer Ronnie Dunn (of the Brooks and Dunn duo). Other musical talents hailing from L.A. include country singer Jim Ed Brown (Sparkman), pianist Floyd Cramer (Huttig), and singer/songwriter K.T. Oslin (Crossett). Although born in St. Louis, poet and author Maya Angelou spent her formative years in Stamps living with her grandmother. Dee Brown, novelist and author of the best-selling Bury My Heart at
Wounded Knee, was raised in Stephen. Among the celebrated athletes from L.A. are Hall of Fame baseball player Lou Brock and All-Star pitcher Schoolboy Rowe (both from El Dorado), NBA All-Star and Olympic medalist Scottie Pippen (Hamburg), and Reece “Goose” Tatum (Calion), the “Clown Prince” of the Harlem Globetrotters. Barry Switzer, who won three national championships as head football coach of the University of Oklahoma Sooners and later a Super Bowl with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, grew up in Crossett. L.A. also owns the bragging rights to Alabama Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, who was born a short distance east of Fordyce in the Moro Bottoms community in 1913. Nineteen years later and five miles to the north, J.R. (Johnny) Cash was born in Kingsland. L.A. has also yielded a storied collection of legends and mysteries. Billionaire bigamist Haroldson Lafayette “H. L.” Hunt got his start in the gambling halls and oil fields of El Dorado, using a $50 stake from friends in Lake Village which he parlayed into a world-class fortune. Serious rock ‘n’ roll fans might recall the infamous arrest of the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards in Fordyce on drug and weapons charges. One of the country’s most celebrated disappearances, that of prominent attorney Maud Crawford of Camden, has gone unsolved for better than half a century. Meanwhile, near Gurdon, the strange and inexplicable light hovering above the Union Pacific railroad tracks continues to sporadically shine, defying the experts and fascinating the curious. You won’t find any orange groves, palm trees, paparazzi, earthquake epicenters, smog alerts, surf shops, Ferrari dealers, or Cartier boutiques in our L.A. What you will discover are oil wells, deer camps, pine trees, armadillos, alligators, fire ants, lots of churches, countless pickup trucks, and some of the most genuine and friendly people in the country.
Joe David Rice, former tourism director of Arkansas Parks and Tourism, has written Arkansas Backstories, a delightful book of short stories from A through Z that introduces readers to the state's lesser-known aspects. Rice's goal is to help readers acknowledge that Arkansas is a unique and fascinating combination of land and people – one to be proud of and one certainly worth sharing. Each month, AY will share one of the 165 distinctive essays. We hope these stories will give you a new appreciation for this geographically compact but delightfully complex place we call home. These Arkansas Backstories columns appear courtesy of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System. The essays have been collected and published by Butler Center Books in a two-volume set, both of which are now available to purchase at Amazon and the University of Arkansas Press.
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