Butterfield LIFE January + February 2023

D ickson St. 100 West Dickson St. Fayettevill e, AR 72701 (479) 442-6262

Johnson-Willow Creek 5201 Willow Creek Dr. Johnson, AR 72741 (479) 521-7876

UAMS Health Internal Medicine Clinic, located onsite at Butterfield Trail Village, provides primary care medical services to patients of all ages with convenient, easy access, including 24/7 access by phone with one of our doctors. It’s the clinic of choice for BTV residents who are looking for high-quality care delivered by our dedicated clinic doctors, who also provide care at the BTV Healthcare Center. We not only offer treatment for acute medical conditions, but also ongoing treatment for chronic conditions. Services include:

Proactive health maintenance and preventive measures to help preserve our patient’s independent lifestyle

Fast, convenient bone density scanning at the UAMS Health Family Medical Center on College Avenue, a new UAMS service

Minor procedures in clinic

In-house testing for COVID-19, strep, flu, mononucleosis and TB

VOL. 12 ISSUE 1

Quintin Trammell CEO

MARKETING

Kelly Syer Director of Marketing Leann Pacheco Sales Counselor

PROGRAMS

Riki Stamps

Director of Programs & Events

Michael Burks

Asst. Director of Programs & Events

RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

2023 Council Members

Jerry Rose, President Doug Prichard, Vice President Frances Sego, Secretary Ellis Melton, Past President Grace Babcock, Liz Brantley, Marian Catron, Roy Clinton, Vernon Collins, Marvin Higginbottom, Rick Roessler, Nina Simmons

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Robert (Bob) Kelly, President Will Clark, Vice President David (Dave) Williams, Treasurer Dr. Kim Chapman, Secretary Lance Brewer, LeRoy Duell, Dr. Michael Holloman, Mark McNair, Bill Mitchell, Chuck Nickle, Wulfran Polonius, Beth Vaughan-Wrobel

1923 East Joyce Boulevard Fayetteville, AR 72703

Main: (479) 442-7220 Marketing: (479) 695-8056 butterfieldtrailvillage.org

Butterfield LIFE may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission from the publisher.

Butterfield LIFE is published by Butterfield Trail Village. Contents © 2023. All rights reserved. Produced by DOXA / VANTAGE doxavantage.com

From the CEO

Renowned ethics expert and character educator Michael Josephson has a healthy, motivating perspective regarding the inevitable transition to a fresh calendar, “Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day.” For more than 36 years, Butterfield Trail Village has similarly embraced its potential to continuously uncover ways to support the mission of our founders: to provide high quality senior living services to our residents in a sustainable manner.

Standing at the foot of the steps we have ahead of us for 2023, we are freshly committed to ensuring our residents enjoy a vibrant standard of living in a secure, welcoming and beautiful community. Striving to evolve and improve has distinct challenges against the background of an uncertain economy – but I am confident the shared effort of Butterfield’s board leadership, staff and residents is capable of surmounting any tests which come our way.

This issue’s cover feature recognizes one particular leader who has factored large in BTV history, Jacqui Brandli. As the two-term president of our board of directors through December 2022, she has provided exemplary service; we are truly grateful for her dedication and guidance. We also share news about another form of leadership – an incredibly generous major gift from the late Mitsuko “Mitsy” BarnesKellam that will support the renovation of Butterfield’s Special Care Center.

You’ll learn a bit about Tricia Parette, the most tenured member of the BTV business office team, and be introduced to Butterfield newcomers Paul and Susan Rountree. Plus, resident Phyllis Rye opens the door to her stylish, comfortable cottage to offer a look around.

In keeping with common personal New Year’s resolutions, we share some taste-tested nutritious and flavorful recipes easily made from standard pantry staples – as well as include a page of “clippable” fitness class reminders designed to inspire healthy habits.

We hope you’re as inspired as we are by all of the good people and opportunities we have to share with you, now and throughout the year ahead!

Opened in 1986, Butterfield Trail Village is a locally governed 501(c)(3) non-profit retirement community. As Northwest Arkansas’ only comprehensive Life Plan Retirement Community, BTV offers active older adults worry-free living that is secure, independent and fulfilling – and the freedom to enjoy plentiful activities both inside and outside the Village.

Quintin Trammell Chief Executive Officer

Dave Marks Move-In Coordinator

Elise Lorene Administrative Assistant

Jacqui Brandli: Finding Strength In Deep Roots

Words by Michelle Parks | Photos by Stephen Ironside

Strong women have been part of Jacqui Brandli’s life from the start. Those examples set the course for her life.

Her family’s roots run deep in the local communities of Cane Hill, Cincinnati and Fayetteville. So, when her grandmother’s husband died in 1932, she and their three children left Springfield, Mo., for Fayetteville and the support of family.

In early 1949, when Brandli was almost 5, her ninemonth-old brother died. She can still remember his sweet face. She and her mom lived with her grandmother, uncle and aunt from the time of her brother’s death and through her mother’s divorce later that same year.

Through the grief and sadness, Jacqui saw how families help each other, and she always knew she was well-loved, cared for and protected. Early on, she learned how to listen.

“I learned that when bad things happen you just get on with life. I learned that women are strong and do not have to depend on a man to survive. I learned about resilience in many forms,” she said.

She has some special memories from growing up on Willow Avenue: playing with paper dolls, acting out stories she made up, making a cake with Mrs. Silverman two doors down, and watching TV at Mable’s next door. She learned to play canasta and sometimes filled in as a fourth player with her grandmother and her grandmother’s friends. She read books and listened to radio shows. She loved to learn and was especially interested in history and math.

Brandli formed strong bonds with her friends in elementary school. Several of them still meet monthly to share memories of their youth and updates on their modern lives.

Her mom played cello in the city orchestra, which had members from the U of A and from the community. Jacqui briefly played piano and violin, but she really wanted to be a dancer. She studied ballet for many years through the end of high school and assisted her teacher to offset the cost of lessons.

In high school, she was also a waitress at the Mountain Inn. Because of that experience, she was

able to work at resort areas during the summers. She thoroughly enjoyed a dude ranch between the Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, and a hotel in Central City, Colorado.

College and Beyond

When Jacqui was growing up, her mother worked for the ROTC program on the University of Arkansas campus. It was a given that Brandli would attend college, and she completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1967.

She married her first husband in 1965, and they had a daughter, Tacy. Then, the family moved to Tulsa, where she had their son, Patrick, born three years after their daughter. Jacqui stayed home with the children for about 10 years before deciding to go back to work to help support the family.

She studied accounting at the University of Tulsa and finished her bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1976. She worked as a computer programmer at an oil company in Tulsa for a while, but found the work was too solitary. She moved to the Bank of Oklahoma in the auditing department and then to First National Bank of Broken Arrow as their internal auditor.

But this line of work didn’t nourish her. Her skills were in listening and helping people. So, she changed course and got her master’s degree in social work at Washington University in St. Louis, where she studied family therapy and gerontology. She focused on two areas for her practicum — hospice and psychotherapy — and completed her degree in 1990.

Though hospice work was emotionally heavy, she felt good about how much she could help patients and their families during that tough time. “You could make that last transition better,” she said.

Brandli had been single for about 10 years when she met Doug Cummins, a college professor of theater, at a church camp. They started dating and eventually married in 1992.

She worked in psychotherapy and established a private practice, and they spent several years in Greenville, South Carolina. Once Doug retired from

Furman University in 2010, they relocated to her native Fayetteville.

BTV Service

Almost four decades ago, some members of the local Presbyterian church wanted to create a retirement community like Butterfield Trail Village. David Lashley helped them establish the place; his grandmother and Jacqui grandmother were sisters. Brandli, who finished her term as president in December, was the last of that family to serve on the board.

BTV was created as a continuing care retirement community, a nonprofit organization established by five local churches that wanted to support the elderly in the community. Still today, members from the churches are recruited to serve on the BTV Board and the Foundation Board. The BTV Board has 13 members; each serves a three-year term and is limited to three terms.

Jacqui got involved with the BTV board when her friend Kay Trumbo asked if she’d be interested. She and Trumbo spent time together at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church working on the Caring Friends Ministry (respite care for those with earlystage dementia). She joined the board in 2014 and went on to serve for nine years.

Her mix of experiences proved valuable to her as a board member. Her social work and psychology backgrounds helped her tune in to quality-oflife issues for the residents, while her accounting background provided a keen insight into the financial needs of the overall organization.

Brandli spent the first few years listening and learning. And she always tried to view things through the lens of what she would want the place to be if it were her home. She was secretary for a while, and then became vice president. When the president, Mike Jones, reached the end of his terms, he asked her to take his spot in 2018.

Listening to Others

Jacqui said her biggest strengths are listening and organizing, and, as board president, she focused on open communications with residents. To make sure she connected with them, she ate lunch each

I learned that when bad things happen you just get on with life. I learned that women are strong and do not have to depend on a man to survive. I learned about resilience in many forms...

Wednesday in the Bistro to visit with them. She wanted to hear their concerns and see how she and the board could help.

“When people are heard, that takes a lot of the problem away,” she said.

She said she feels her biggest accomplishment was fostering an atmosphere of acceptance, transparency and respect. And she was able to win over some people with reluctant or negative attitudes. She enjoyed working with the staff and getting to know so many interesting residents.

The operations of BTV are handled by leadership that includes a chief executive officer and chief financial officer. The Residents’ Council manages things like the recycling program, the gardens and the library. The BTV board handles areas such as long-term strategic planning, governance and review of operations.

A range of programs and activities make this place attractive to residents – the exercise classes, the library, music and other programs. A bus takes them to arts and cultural events in the region. With renovations around 2017, the facility got a face-lift with a new main entrance, a living room, the Bistro and a performance hall.

But the biggest draw to BTV is the sense of community. Residents look forward to catching up with each other each evening in the dining room, and neighbors check in on each other.

During her time on the board, Brandli has seen how residents cope with aging – some handle it gracefully, while others fight hard against it. She understands. It’s difficult to see people decline, but this community is one that supports them through healthy approaches and cultivation of friendships.

Before serving on the board, Jacqui hadn’t thought about eventually moving to BTV. But now, she said, it’s a definite possibility.

“There are caring and capable staff in every area,” she said. “There are talented people making up the leadership staff. There are so many fascinating and interesting residents. It is an amazing place to be.”

Next Steps

Brandli has noticed a rhythm to her life. About every 10 to 15 years, something big has shifted. After practicing psychotherapy for 15 years, she retired and returned to Arkansas. And now after nearly 10 years as a board member, she’s on to the next thing.

What that is isn’t set in stone. For one, she looks forward to working with the historical societies for the small community of Cincinnati and for Washington County. Her mother’s side of the family dates back to the 1840s in the county.

Jacqui has remained active for many years in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, even while living far away. She has served on the Vestry, and she schedules the lay readers.

She enjoys spending time with her family: her son, Patrick, and her 21-year-old grandson, Alex; her daughter and son-in-law, Tacy Joffe-Minor and Ray Minor; and her two granddaughters, Lela, 23, and Abi, 18.

She reads Smithsonian magazine and mystery novels by Agatha Christie and Anne Perry and loves historical novels. She enjoys listening to music, especially classical, and has Symphony of Northwest Arkansas season tickets.

She’s creative in the kitchen and likes the challenge of making something tasty with whatever ingredients are on hand. She likes dining out for a variety of cuisine – Italian, Greek, Indian, Mexican. “I wish we had a really good Chinese restaurant that makes it better than I do,” she said.

Some of Brandli’s time will be spent with her canasta group that meets monthly and perhaps tackling several unfinished needlepoint projects. She has a large stack of books waiting to be read. And she’ll keep setting out food for the wildlife in her neighborhood — birds, skunks, racoons — whoever’s interested.

Paul & Susan Rountree

When did you move to Butterfield?

We moved to Butterfield in October 2021.

Where are you from?

Susan grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas and Paul grew up in Northeast Texas. As a couple, we met in Little Rock and married in 1987. We moved to Texas in 1989 and remained there until Paul retired in 2021.

What did you do before retirement?

Both of us were physicians. Susan was board certified in Neurology and retired from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where she taught residents and worked with patients suffering from memory disorders and Alzheimer’s disease. Paul was board certified in Family Practice and Occupational and Environmental Medicine. He taught at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science in Little Rock and the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Tyler. He also worked for Union Carbide Corporation and ExxonMobil Corporation for many years. He spent 26 years in the military, primarily in the Navy Reserve and retired in 2008 as a Captain. In the past five years he was a professor at UTHSC in Tyler and the associate dean.

Do you have children and grandchildren?

Anniversaries

January

Bernie and Jeanie Daniels 23rd Karl and Cecy Rice 27th Thermon and Karen Crocker 29th Charles and Sandy White 30th

February

Lewis and Donna Epley 24th

New Neighbors

Recent

Village Move-In Tom and Jill King

We have three living children and seven grandchildren, ranging in age from five to 22 years of age.

Why did you choose Butterfield?

BTV is a place that offers a low-maintenance lifestyle, so we have more time to pursue interesting activities. Several of our elderly relatives lived at BTV and we were impressed with their ability to age in place and the care they received at the end of life. We feel blessed to be a part of this community.

Celebrating the Achievement of a Butterfield Scholar

We are pleased to share happy news regarding Butterfield’s Accountant and Medical Billing Manager Alesha Campbell. Working full time in a demanding role while raising a young family, Alesha impressively earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas in December 2022.

Alesha has been a recipient of generous support from the Butterfield Employee Scholarship Fund, a resource established through the Butterfield Trail Village Foundation to offer employees financial assistance to further their higher education or job-related training goals. Over the years, BTV residents have invested in growing the scholarship fund, understanding the value and impact of education for both the good of the individual and the overall strength of the Village staff. Please join us in congratulating Alesha on a job well done!

Alesha Campbell

Paul & Susan Rountree

Tricia Parette: A Kind Spirit and Friend to Many

The leadership term “quiet influence” describes the type of person who isn’t motivated to be the center of attention or who consistently pushes others to support their own point of view – but is instead one who is more of a listener than a talker. At Butterfield, one of these special influencers is Tricia Parette. Now the most tenured person in the BTV business office with more than eleven years of service as an accountant, she is an individual recognized for gently building others up and offering unwavering support for the good of the whole.

Tricia’s colleague, Security Supervisor Aaron Kent, perfectly summed up her impact on him when he recommended her for an article about admirable people on the Butterfield campus. “She has to be one of the kindest people I know. I have been through a lot this past year and a half, and Tricia has been so considerate. She honestly cares about my wellbeing. Not only is she a wonderful coworker, but I am honored that she is my friend.”

Tricia began her career path at the tender age of 17, when she took a job at Southwestern Energy Company during her senior year at Fayetteville High School. She started out at the payment window for Arkansas Western Gas, and continued learning the industry while earning an accounting degree from the University of Arkansas. Eventually rising to a supervisory role, Tricia loved her job and her coworkers. Then, after a remarkable 27 happy years with the organization, she learned all corporate services would be moving to the headquarters in Houston, Texas. The company didn’t want to lose her from its accounting team, and tried wooing her to relocate. While tempting, it was not something she could do. “I stayed because of my family,” she said. “I was born in Fayetteville. My kids were born here. And, I just couldn’t leave my mom behind.”

Southwestern Energy’s loss led to Butterfield’s gain. When a friend mentioned a BTV accounting role was available, Tricia was very surprised at the extent of what she found on the campus during her interview

process. “I had always driven past Butterfield, but just didn’t know how much was actually there,” she said. “When I walked in for the first time, I was immediately overwhelmed by how different the environment felt from the corporate setting I had been in my whole career. I realized I was literally coming into people’s home.” She was excited to take the job.

Butterfield residents soon recognized and regularly sought out Tricia’s quiet, positive nature. “People would stop by my office all the time to say hello or even sit down for a quick visit. They’d always ask about my daughter Megan and son Mason – and some, like the wonderful late Dick Chewning, would offer me really excellent life advice.” She said, “Many of our residents are like my adopted grandparents. It’s honestly one of the greatest perks of the job.”

Butterfield CFO Kim Moore witnesses Tricia’s professional contributions every day. “She is a valued member of our Business Office team, supporting leadership staff with accurate and timely information. She is often behind the scenes here at BTV, but her dedicated efforts certainly impact our success.” Tricia’s personal philosophy has served her and those around her well: “Be helpful, whatever it is that someone needs. Be kind, and keep a positive attitude. When you come to work, leave the hard things you’re dealing with away from the office at the door.”

Married to husband David for 35 years, the Parettes have found themselves with more free time now that their children are grown. A bit more comfortable finally investing in herself, she said “I started practicing yoga at the Arkansas Yoga and Therapy Center last July, and it’s making me feel so good. The classes have taken me way outside my comfort zone, but it has made a big impact on my body and spirit. My 83-year-old high school psychology teacher teaches the deep stretch class I take – what an incredible inspiration.” When considering her future dreams, she hopes to travel to Paris one day. The always-beautifully dressed Tricia explained, “I LOVE clothes. I want to shop in those incredible stores! And the Eiffel Tower – I’d like to ride to the top and look out over the gorgeous city at night.”

-Tricia Parette

Tricia Parette

“Be helpful, whatever it is that someone needs. Be kind, and keep a positive attitude. When you come to work, leave the hard things you’re dealing with away from the office at the door.”

Featured Village Events

JAN 12 | 7 PM

PERFORMANCE HALL

Russian Winter Featuring Violinist Kiril

Laskarov

Kiril Laskarov is in his 23rd season as Concertmaster of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in Little Rock. A native of Bulgaria, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State Academy of Music in Sofia and a Master's degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Laskarov has appeared as a soloist with several symphony orchestras including the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Conway Symphony and Southern Illinois Symphony. Carl Anthony is Professor of Piano and Theory at the University of Central Arkansas and will accompany Mr. Laskarov in Russian Winter, a selection of virtuosic pieces composed to encourage hope and optimism during dark times in Russian history.

JAN 27-28

Shen Yun and Kansas City Overnight Adventure

What is Shen Yun, exactly? It’s more than just a performance – it is the beauty and goodness of China before communism. With stories and legends, vibrant costumes, original music and a few fun surprises, Shen Yun is an experience of Chinese music and dance to delight the senses, inspire the heart, and leave audiences feeling great. This anticipated event is hosted by the Kauffman Center in Kansas City, a city with so much to offer! Our two-day trip will include Shen Yun, overnight accommodations at the historic Phillips Hotel, fine dining and a tour of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, home to an extensive Asian art collection. Enjoy lunch at Union Station, the country’s first great union railroad terminal built in 1908, before returning home. For details and pricing for this winter getaway, please email rstamps@btvillage.org.

FEB 3 | 11:30 AM

PERFORMANCE HALL

Go Red for Women Luncheon

Since 2004, Go Red for Women has been a day set aside to wear red and build awareness about heart disease in women. The BTV Commons will be a sea of crimson as the ladies of Butterfield Trail Village are invited to the Go Red for Women Luncheon, featuring guest speaker Larry Wright, MD, UAMS. Learn tips on heart health and raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, as we bring women together to harness their energy, passion and power to collectively help wipe out heart disease.

FEB 21 | 6 PM

PERFORMANCE HALL

Mardi Gras

Laissez les bons temps rouler! Let the good times roll at Butterfield’s Mardi Gras celebration! Join friends and neighbors for an evening of delicious food and entertainment that will transport you to the heart of the bayou. Enjoy a delectable dinner, shrimp boil and other Cajun specialties. After we eat our fill, it will be time to proceed to the dancefloor as Jumpsuit Jamey & The Can’t Wait to Playboys heat things up with their authentic Zydeco sound.

Halloween Blood Drive

Butterfield Pen Pal Program - Fall Ice Cream Social Employee Appreciation Committee Fall Festival

Oh, What Fun! A Very Merry Christmas Party

BTV Foundation Donor Reception

Phyllis Rye's Cottage

Walking into Phyllis Rye’s cozy Cottage, visitors are instantly greeted with beautiful natural light and cheerful pops of color. Well-placed art, family photos and other tastefully curated mementos help tell Phyllis’s story while conveying her inherent grace and style.

As part of her Christmas celebrations, Phyllis displayed beautiful Fitz & Floyd Santas in key locations that offered the gorgeous pieces individual attention from every angle – while simultaneously showing the overall impact of her full collection.

Not shy about using color, Phyllis integrates colorful green glass touches on her galley kitchen window sill. The real show-stopper in her comfortable living room is a gorgeous grand piano, bathed in light from the nearby picture window and cushioned by a luxurious, fluffy rug.

Gentle, serene colors are Phyllis’s choice for her bedroom, which opens out onto a pretty patio. Nearby trees behind the Cottage create soft, relaxing dappled light.

The combined library and TV-room offers plenty of room to relax, recline and even cozy up to an electric fireplace on chilly days and evenings.

There’s no question what team Phyllis is cheering for when stepping into her guest bedroom! A variety of University of Arkansas décor creates a fun space, made extra-special with a Razorback quilt she has the pleasure of displaying. Lovingly sewed 30 years ago by the mother of Phyllis’s late husband Doug, it was a cherished gift for the couple’s son.

Even in winter, Phyllis keeps her patio bright and ready for the occasional bit of sunshine and bird watching.

Contrasting black and white works perfectly in her spacious double-vanity bathroom, styled with whimsical fashion prints.

Pantry Perfect

Healthy Comfort Food Meets Convenience

When you feel like whipping up a bit of nearly-homemade deliciousness, it’s nice to have healthy recipes that use plenty of pantry ingredients and basic items that keep well in the refrigerator or freezer. We think you’ll enjoy these easy ideas packed full of great nutrients, all perfect for sharing on a chilly day.

Simple Soul-Warming Tortellini Soup

6 servings

A cozy bowl of delicious ingredients can also be health food. The spinach in this soup provides a rich source of antioxidants, iron and micronutrients – and the tomatoes offer loads of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found to help fight heart disease and cancer.

INGREDIENTS

1 tsp olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained

3 14.5-ounce cans vegetable broth

1 Tbsp Italian seasoning

1 9-ounce package refrigerated cheese tortellini

4 cups fresh baby spinach

Shredded parmesan cheese

Salt and black pepper to personal taste

Shortcut Rosemary Focaccia

8 servings

One of life’s greatest pleasures is freshly baked bread, and this super-simple recipe takes all the guesswork and time out of making a perfect loaf. Thanks to the use of healthy antioxidant-loaded olive oil and flavorful toppings, there is no need to add butter.

INSTRUCTIONS

Over medium heat, add oil to large saucepan and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Add garlic and stir for one minute.

Add tomatoes, broth and Italian seasoning; bring to a boil.

Add tortellini and bring to a gentle boil. Cook uncovered until tortellini is tender –seven to nine minutes, or according to the package directions. Stir in spinach until wilted. Flavor with salt and pepper, to taste.

Serve topped with shredded parmesan.

NOTE: This vegetarian recipe perfectly adapts for meat-lovers with the addition of sliced chicken Italian sausage. If including sausage, sauté with the garlic before adding the rest of the ingredients.

Ready-in-a-Flash Chicken & Northern Bean Chili

8 servings

INGREDIENTS

3 15.5-ounce cans great northern beans, rinsed and drained

17.5 ounces canned chunk chicken breast (one 12.5-ounce can and one 5-ounce can)

1 1/4 cups half-and-half

1 cup sour cream

1 4-ounce can chopped green chiles

2 tsp salt-free seasoning blend (such as McCormick® Salt Free Garlic & Herb Seasoning)

1 tsp cumin

1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend

Salt, black pepper and hot sauce to personal taste

Optional: Additional sour cream, fresh cilantro, sliced avocado

INGREDIENTS

1 loaf (1 pound) frozen bread dough, thawed according to package directions

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup thinly sliced sweet onion

1 1/2 tsp minced garlic

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 Tbsp minced fresh rosemary (two teaspoons if substituting dried rosemary)

Tasty great northern beans are very high in fiber, an important part of a well-balanced diet to reduce risk of heart disease and diabetes while maintaining good digestion. Also high in iron and protein, northern beans assist with decreasing muscle mass loss and combating anemia.

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine first seven ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese until melted. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve warm. If desired, top with an added dollop of sour cream, cilantro and sliced avocado.

INSTRUCTIONS

Roll or press out dough with hands onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Flattened dough should measure approximately 9” x 13”.

Brush dough with oil and top with onion, garlic, cheese and rosemary.

Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown and cheese is melted. Allow to cool at least five minutes before slicing.

The Lower Ramble

Fayetteville’s Newest Urban Gathering Space

Settled between pockets of restored wilderness and Fayetteville’s beloved Downtown Arts and Entertainment District, The Ramble illuminates the evolving role of public space. By embracing the journey, it serves as an urban through line and gathering space, a canvas for activating public art and programming, and a connection to natural woodlands and waterways in the heart of downtown.

In April 2019, Fayetteville voters approved the building of an Arts Corridor to connect the many arts and cultural amenities from Dickson Street all the way to the new Windgate Art and Design District of the University of Arkansas. The $31.6 million project was later named The Ramble and was split into two areas: The Upper Ramble and Lower Ramble. The name is a nod to Arkansas-born musician and actor Levon Helm. As a former member of The Band, Helm hosted Midnight Ramble sessions in a barn on his property in Woodstock, New York, until his death in 2012.

The Lower Ramble opened in September 2022, featuring impressive improvements to the Fay Jones Woods, the restoration of spring-fed Tanglewood Branch Creek, new walking paths and overlooks, and improved access to the Razorback Greenway from the Fayetteville Public Library via accessible trails. The space is an active oasis just west of the library with a series of boardwalks and trails

weaving through the woods, leading walkers and bikers between West Avenue and Gregg Street. True to the spirit of the name, The Ramble invites visitors to take a stroll, and take in the sights. The space is activated with an ever-changing set of art installations and pop-up performances. Activities this past fall included concerts, plein air painting classes, forest therapy walks, and a trick-or-treat event on Halloween.

“We hope the citizenry will consider The Ramble a blank canvas for their best ideas and collaborations,” said Joanna Sheehan Bell, Arts and Culture Director for the City of Fayetteville. “We want to create an open studio feeling in the space, where everyone can be creative and inspired by nature.” The full calendar of events in the Lower Ramble is hosted on the Parks and Recreation: Arts and Culture page of the City’s website at www.fayetteville-ar.gov.

Construction on the Upper Ramble will begin this spring across from the Walton Arts Center. The active Plaza will play host to festivals and community gatherings of all kinds. Features include a central lawn, promenade, art gardens, trails, and more. Completion of the full project is anticipated in 2024. The Ramble is a unique and worthwhile new destination in the city –connecting people with people, people with nature, and people with art.

“The Entity” by Nat Nicholson

Tootsie Moulin Rouge

Blockbuster Movies to Broadway Masterpieces:

Musical Adaptations Take Center Stage

By Grace Lindquist

Movie buffs and culture lovers are in for a treat in the coming months when the Broadway productions of the musical adaptations of Tootsie and Moulin Rouge come to Northwest Arkansas. These stories will come to life on the Walton Arts Center Baum Walker Hall stage, drawing upon the best parts of the movies and making the audience feel like they are a part of a story that they know and love.

Call it “musical comedy heaven” (Rolling Stone). Call it “the most uproarious new musical in years!” (The Hollywood Reporter). Call it Tootsie! This laughout-loud love letter to the theater tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime. Featuring a hilarious Tony®-winning book by Robert Horn and an outrageously clever score by 2018 Tony-winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), this New York Times Critic’s Pick is “a joyful delight” (The Washington Post) that’s “so packed with punchlines, it should be called a jokebox musical!” (Bloomberg). “In these turbulent times, when the world seems out of balance, we need a place to let the good times roll,” raves Rolling Stone. “Tootsie is it!”

“The real commerce of this show is its comedy; its tone. And of course, the clown car of actors that brings it to life every night,” said the show’s creator Robert Horn. The comedic songs and unique staging “keeps the show moving like a bullet train, and it adds up to a glorious night of musical comedy.” Audiences have eight chances to see this engaging production from January 17-22

A month later, enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory. A world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment.

Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Directed by Tony Award-winner Alex Timbers, this is a theatrical celebration of truth, beauty, freedom, and — above all — love. Take it all in when the stunning tour stops at Walton Arts Center for 14 performances February 9-19

As in the film, the musical highlights over 160 years of music – from Offenbach to Lady Gaga. The stage production features many of the iconic songs from the movie, and includes recent hits released since the movie premiered 20 years ago. This production won 10 Tony Awards in 2021, including best musical.

Tickets to these shows and more can be purchased online at waltonartscenter.org, by visiting the box office weekdays 10 am – 2 pm, or by calling (479) 433-5600 weekdays 10 am – 5 pm.

Coming to Walton Arts Center

JANUARY

Lilly Hiatt Band Jan. 6

Menopause The Musical Jan. 10

Indie Films Central and South America Jan. 13

The Five Browns Jan. 14 | $10 tickets

Tootsie Jan. 17-22 | 8 performances! Time for Three Jan. 14

Davina & the Vagabonds Jan. 26

Chick Corea Afro Caribbean Experience Jan. 27

The Music of Sam Cooke –The King of Soul Jan. 30

FEBRUARY

Moulin Rouge Feb. 9-19 | 14 performances!

Donations/Memorials

Anonymous

Mitsy Kellum Trust

Dick and Ann Booth

Richard and Ardith Wharry

Lannie Garner

John and Sally King in memory of Joan Havens Beth Vaughan-Wrobel in memory of Dorothy Seaton

Barbra Counce in memory of Georgia Thompson

Ray and Penny Culver in memory of Sandy Evans

David Gay and Gary Thornton in memory of Dorothy Seaton

Roy Clinton in memory of Joan Havens, Dorothy Seaton, and Virginia McAllister

Health Care/Special Care/ Sensory Garden Fund

Beth Vaughan-Wrobel

Music and Performance Fund Paula Furlough

Moving Made Easy

Jack Lejeune

The family of Jackee Smith

The family of Georgia Thompson

Generous Bequest Leads the Way for BTV Special Care Center Remodel

Humble, kind, bright, dedicated and generous are words that just scratch the surface when describing longtime Butterfield resident Mitsuko “Mitsy” I. Barnes-Kellam. Born in Toyama, Japan in 1931, Mitsy survived a childhood marked by the horrors of World War II – and following the death of both parents, she came to study in the United States. She attended San Francisco State College and San Jose State College in California. Later, she received a Master of Sciences degree in nutrition and dietetics from Loma Linda University and a Ph.D. in human nutrition from the University of Wisconsin. After teaching at Texas Tech University, she eventually joined the faculty at the University of Arkansas, where a fascinating personal collection of papers and memorabilia pertaining to her remarkable lifetime of professional and volunteer work are permanently housed with the University Libraries archives.

Mitsy willingly and frequently shared both her time and resources to support the betterment of her community. She helped seniors with tax preparation through the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), and passionately supported the work and programming of both Shiloh Museum of the Ozarks and the Jones Center for Families. She formed a BTV Dulcimer Group as an extension of her love of music, coordinated Butterfield’s evening

worship schedule and was an active member of Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville.

Mitsy also established an international student scholarship, helping to ensure others would go on to achieve their higher education goals.

Mitsy was married twice, first to Owen Barnes and then to Ray A. Kellam. She asked that the charitable bequests she arranged to follow her passing be given in loving memory and recognition of both of them. Mitsy died at age 91 on March 29, 2022, and one of her multiple gifts was directed to the Butterfield Trail Village Foundation. A significant portion of those funds will be used to help support the BTV Special Care Center remodel project, to be completed in 2023. Butterfield is honored by Mitsy’s generosity and thankful for her gift that will enhance the quality of life for residents now and in the future.

The Foundation is grateful for the gifts received between Oct 2nd and November 30th from the following Donors.

Top photo: Mitsy BarnesKellam profile in the Morning News, Feb 5, 1996.

Left photo: Mitsy as an infant with her parents and older sister.

When the Ozarks Were “The Land of a Million Smiles”

It was as if a new prosperity was under way. World War I had ended, and automobiles moved from luxury to commodity as Arkansas began paving its roads.

With that came a desire to explore. The bestselling 1907 book, The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright, romanticized the Ozarks, causing people to flock to the area in search of the landscapes and people they read about. The Ozarks were ripe for tourism.

Representatives from nearly 100 Ozark towns, including Washington County, convened in Joplin, Mo. in November 1919 to seize upon this emerging industry by forming the cheerfully named Ozark Playgrounds Association (OPA). "Miss M.J. Lambkin" of Kansas City, as the Joplin Globe reported, was at this inaugural gathering. She urged the conference attendees to use “the magic wand of advertising.” Likely borrowing a line from a poem titled "The Ozarks" by Will Ferrell, she suggested an ad campaign containing the words, "The land of a million smiles.”

Boom! A slogan was born.

The OPA placed advertisements with the slogan and elaborate illustrations of the Ozarks in newspapers big and small. Ozark journalists wrote feature stories

about their hometowns to appear in the association's guides distributed to lure tourists.

The organization also held contests, from naming the best top 10 points of interest for a $5 prize – to selecting an "Ozark Smile Girl" to serve as the region's ambassador (Ozark Playgrounds Association members were promised a picture of the "Smile Girl" to be displayed before tourist season began.) The OPA continued to select a Smile Girl through at least 1957.

Composer James Braswell of Berryville (Carroll County) even wrote the song, "In the Land of a Million Smiles," which he published in 1925. Musical groups performed it at special events.

The OPA also took public stances when necessary. In 1949, when former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt noted in her syndicated newspaper column that the Ozarks needed better schools, roads and libraries, the OPA took offense. She followed up with another column, apologizing and citing the organization by name.

Though the OPA continued to print guides, "The Land of a Million Smiles" campaign faded. Finally, so did the OPA. By 1979, a lack of financial support along with a gas shortage spelled the OPA's demise. Just shy of its 60th anniversary, the organization was dissolved.

Anna Mae DeLay of Fayetteville was named the 1930 Ozark Smile Girl by the Ozark Playgrounds Association. The 18-yearold University of Arkansas freshman served as a guest at civic and social events as an ambassador to the "Land of a Million Smiles" promotional campaign. The photo is from the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History's Washington County Historical Society Collection (P-1358).

The slogan, "The Land of a Million Smiles," appeared in promotional material touting the Ozarks, including this postcard folder that contained images of many Ozark scenes. The postcard folder is from the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History's P.I. Clinehens Collection (S-86-270).

Sandra Cox Birchfield, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History