Entertainment Fort Smith Magazine - December 2013

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EDITOR’S NOTES

Editorial Staff LINDA SEUBOLD Editor in Chief lindaseubold@efortsmith.com LYNN WASSON Managing Editor lynnwasson@efortsmith.com DONNA PAYNE Senior Editor donnapayne@efortsmith.com MARY JANE HENNIG Art Director

Contributing Writers REBA MIZE CANDISE MONTEMAYOR BRITTANY RANSOM HEATHER STEADHAM

Contributing Photographers ROGER CARTER JOEL CULBERSON KARRIE KELLY REBA MIZE DONNA PAYNE KRISTAN ROLAND HEATHER STEADHAM

Advertising Sales DAVID CARTER davidcarter@efortsmith.com 479-650-9885 Advertising Sales Associate TRISH GILBRETH trish@efortsmith.com 479-651-3331 Advertising Coordinator KARRIE KELLY karrie@efortsmith.com 479-494-1888 Bookkeeping JULIE BERCH HAMILTON accounts@efortsmith.com 479-494-1888 © 2013 eFortSmith.com Media, Inc. 316 North 7th Street P.O. Box 1341 Fort Smith, AR 72902-1341 Office: 479-494-1888

www.efortsmith.com 4

Entertainment Fort Smith

December 2013/January 2014

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hang on to your magazine. As we have done each year since our launch, we have included both December and January in this last issue of the year. It will be distributed on our stands in early December but not on Jan. 1.

Each year, we get some phone calls in early January wondering where the new magazine is.

Sometimes the caller is anxious that we have stopped publication! It’s a compliment to be wanted and very dear that a reader would worry.

It’s not that nothing in happens in January many of our stories are about January events and we reach out in our calendar to include all that is known at this time. The reason is this: If we made a separate January issue, our press deadline would be, almost, Christmas Eve! Even back in 2000 when we were extremely fired up about launching a magazine, we knew we would want a little breathing room to enjoy the holidays.

And there is so much to enjoy. This area truly celebrates the season – with parades (more than one!), our unique Creekmore Express train rides through the beautiful, sparkling lights and so much music – the symphony, the chorale concert and wonderful choral programs in so many churches. Somewhere in this magazine is the holiday tradition your family celebrates, or the chance to create a tradition you will follow.

There is one new tradition that unites thousands of people and touches many more – the Christmas Honors project to decorate every grave in our National Cemetery.

For Veterans Day and Memorial Day, the cemetery is decorated with flags. Individual flags are placed at the headstones on Memorial Day, a very special effort and honor each year.

While those two holidays are official recognitions of service in the armed forces, this one, well – it just seems to be for love. Memories of family members no longer with us are bittersweet during the holidays.

The amount of participation in this effort speaks so well for our area, it swells the heart to think of it. So many volunteers present themselves that the preparation of wreaths happens in half the time coordinators expect. At the cemetery, the army of helpers is so large that the placement of wreaths takes only minutes.

This year, it will be important for people who love this project to give a small monetary donation to replace the artifical green wreaths that will have done five years of sturdy duty in the weather. We endorse this wonderful show of respect and love and think it would be wonderful if the funds could be raised early in 2014. A $5 contribution is meaningful. That amount purchases a wreath that can last five years, chairman Phil Merry Jr. explained.

“It’s a buck a year, really, to honor a veteran,” he calculated.

The project is supported by more than enough willing hands. Let’s hope it can be sustained for years in the future with more than enough small contributions. To give, send a check to Christmas Honors, c/o Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, 612 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901. Please note “Christmas Honors” on the check.

The Fort Smith Christmas Honors committee has shared how they accomplished this project with other cities. In Little Rock, Merry told us, a major donor was ready to write a check to fund a Christmas Honors project there. Merry observed that what makes our unique program work started with people, not money. That donor did not believe volunteers could be found. He put his checkbook away, realizing Merry’s observation was right.

We are those people. It’s one of the things that makes us proud to tell the stories of this community. We’ll return to that in February.

– Lynn Wasson

CIRCULATION Entertainment Fort Smith is a monthly city/regional magazine published from February to December by eFortSmith.com Media, Inc. Entertainment Fort Smith distributes 30,000 complimentary issues per month.

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CONTENTS

December 2013/January 2014

features

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14 10 United by a wreath 8

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Christmas Honors unites the community Thousands have shown love and respect for veterans with simple green wreaths.

She was home for Christmas A Fort Smith family living in Italy finds coming home as exciting as Rome or Pisa.

From Muskogee to marching with Martin Luther King Jr. Xernona Clayton’s inspiring life earns a tribute. Fort Smith’s Jessica Hayes is also honored.

Read Locally A survey of recent books from local authors or about our area.

Sweet Season: six pages of delightful treats A selection of Kristan Roland’s delightful recipes sweetly suitable for holiday baking.

columns

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Remembering John Bell, Jr. Can you find a chinquapin?

HOT STUFF with LINDA SEUBOLD The 1958 Bruin was an early masterpiece of artist John Bell Jr., Linda recalls.

departments

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GARDENING with REBA MIZE Reba Mize starts out with chestnuts and discovers the elusive chinquapin.

DESIGNER NOTES Janice Radcliff of Metropolis refreshes her creativity by working on indie films.

eve n t s

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51 54 All the holiday traditions

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MUSIC & PERFORMANCE Upcoming entertainment in December and January.

KIDS EVENTS Holiday fun and activities for kids in the new year.

CALENDAR of EVENTS Two months of activities, exhibits, fun runs and cool events.

on the cover:

Chocolate-Covered Cherry Blossoms, an easy and delicious recipe. Photo by Kristan Roland.

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BY LINDA SEUBOLD

Remembering John Bell Jr. When John Bell Jr. died last month, he left a great inheritance to untold thousands of art lovers, friends and people who may never even have known who he was, but have admired his work.

John's art is, of course, his biggest public legacy. He has practically painted Fort Smith's history, especially its downtown and other landmark businesses, buildings and churches.

But although you can bet he always thoroughly studied the history of all those subjects, it was his ability to capture the essence of the people, sounds, colors and action surrounding those inanimate objects that never fails to pull viewers right into the canvas.

Anyone who already owns any of his art – most of it sold in limited editions – will surely realize now more than ever how truly special it is.

But it was John Bell the man – and his equally wonderful wife and best friend, Maxine – who will never cease to amaze me.

I really didn't know much about him until I was a sophomore in high school – back in 1957, when Northside was still Fort Smith High School. The first time I remember seeing him, he was in his wheelchair at the bottom of a stairwell (no wheelchair ramps back then) with a big smile on his face, surrounded by a bunch of laughing teenage guys jostling and joking over which of them would get to take John up the stairs.

I can still see the grin on his face that day and it never fails to make me smile. John's smile, and his keen sense of humor, were just two of his qualities that made you want to be around him.

Anyone born as physically handicapped as he was could have used that as an excuse not to smile, much less tackle projects anywhere near as difficult as ones John learned to master.

I'll also never forget passing by the art room that year and seeing John bent over drawings in progress – his face barely inches above his work 8

Entertainment Fort Smith

December 2013/January 2014

The 1958 Fort Smith High School yearbook.

with his hand holding his pen or brush pressed against his cheek to keep it stable. I could never understand how he could even see what he was drawing. But he apparently already had in his mind's eye exactly what he wanted to produce and how to accomplish it.

When our 1958 yearbook came out, I was really stunned. For some reason unknown to me at the time, there was a Chinese theme in all the artwork for each separate section. And every bit of it was intricate, detailed, original artwork by John.

During that time, there was a fad for “Confucius say ... ” quips going around, and each separate section of the yearbook’s artwork included a takeoff on that. For instance, the quip for my sophomore class page’s artwork was “Chinee say: Smallest form of life in school – sophomore.”

It wasn't until a few years ago, while I was visiting with John and Maxine at one of his art exhibits, that I got to find out why he had tackled such a laborious task for that yearbook.

It seems the student in charge of the project had told John to just produce some simple sketches for the yearbook and John's artistic senses were so insulted he was determined to do better than that. And he certainly did!

John went on to produced many important works of art throughout his career, of course. But I hope anyone who still has a 1958 Fort Smith High School Bruin will treasure it for its original John Bell art as much as I do.

I lost track of John after he graduated ahead of me in high school and I graduated, married and lived in other states until my husband and our children moved back here in 1983 and I became a reporter at the Southwest Times Record. I have so many stories I could tell about how John and Maxine have inspired me, and others, since then. But I want to save what little space I have left here to show you just a small example of John's 1958 Bruin artwork that you may not otherwise have the opportunity to see. I think John would like that.

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DECEMBER 13-14

Christmas Honors V: Commit again to a unique tradition

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arely have so many hands reached eagerly to work as they have for Christmas Honors, the community-led placement of wreaths at every headstone in the Fort Smith National Cemetery.

On Dec. 13, the now-familiar drill of unpacking and preparing the wreaths will take place at the Fort Smith Convention Center. The wreaths will be placed across the cemetery Dec. 14.

As soon as it was conceived in 2009, Christmas Honors was supported by the community with overwhelming participation, said Phil Merry Jr., chairman of the event and one of its originators. In order to establish the project, he made a start-up appeal for funds to purchase the wreaths the first year.

“We received our goal of $65,000 almost immediately – in four weeks!” Merry recalled. “I couldn’t believe it. I get emotional when I think about it,” he said apologetically. “But, of course, I could believe it, this is America.”

Significant corporate donations came in along with many individual contributions, enabling the purchase of thousands of artificial green wreaths and simple red bows. It was the first work day that revealed the unexpected and outstanding way the community embraced the project – people showed up in droves. Many more than enough people came to unpack the wreaths, tie on the bows and load them for transport to the cemetery. Most also returned the next day to place them at each grave.

In the following years, the crowds have only grown, Merry said. A coordinator works to make sure everyone who shows up actually gets a chance to help with fluffing up the greenery, replacing faded or damaged bows, transporting the wreaths and staging them at the ready along cemetery lanes. Even greater crowds go to the cemetery the next day to lay the wreaths and observe the short ceremonies that have become annual traditions.

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First is a “Wreaths Across America” placement of large wreaths at the cemetery’s bell tower for each branch of the military, “Taps,” the honor of first placement of individual wreaths by any family members of the deceased who attend and then the mass placement by volunteers, to decorate more than 13,500 headstones.

Both Claude Legris, director of the Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau and volunteer logistics chief for Christmas Honors, and Merry said that Northside High School’s JROTC gives one of the most touching tributes of the day. Along with posting the colors, the student Honor Guard performs a precisely executed, beautifully dignified placement of wreaths on the “Unknowns” section of the ceremony.

Legris also described something characteristic that he has noticed.

“You’ll always see an adult bending down, explaining something quietly to a child,” he said. “We can’t hear what they’re saying but you know its laying a base for patriotism and understanding about service.”

In their full-hearted enthusiasm, volunteers place all the wreaths almost too efficiently, Legris said. “With so many people, it just doesn’t last nearly as long as it should. This year, we’re going to go a little more slowly so we have decorated the graves in reverence.”

Bad weather last year revealed the devotion the community feels toward the veterans buried in the cemetery.

“A few days after we placed them, a bad windstorm blew nearly all the wreaths to the eastern wall of the cemetery and we knew we’d have to do it all again,” Merry said. “The press came out and asked us what we were going to do and we said, ‘We’ll just do the whole thing over.’

We were hopeful the word would spread and people would come.”

Merry went to the cemetery the next morning at 7 a.m. and, he said, “My knees buckled.” In the night, someone had already re-done the work of the 1,763 previous volunteers, putting all the wreaths back into place.

“That’s Christmas Honors,” Merry said. “No one ever took credit for it.”

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CHRISTMAS HONORS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Dec. 13 Wreath Assembly Workshop Fort Smith Convention Center 8 a.m. until complete Dec. 14 Christmas Honors Event Distribution of the Wreaths Fort Smith National Cemetery 9:30 a.m. Salute to all branches of service 9:45 a.m. Families may place wreaths 10:15 a.m. Volunteer placement of wreaths 11 a.m. Ceremony Dec. 16 Candlelight Vigil Fort Smith Chorale, Fort Smith Police and Firefighters Fort Smith National Cemetery 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Phil Merry Jr. with his wall of photographs and memorabilia from other patriotic projects.

Jan. 4 Wreath Pick Up and Storage Fort Smith National Cemetery and Fort Smith Convention Center 8:30 a.m. until complete

In order to maintain its high standards, the committee intends to buy new wreaths in 2014 to replace the original ones that have seen duty in sun, wind, rain and snow for about five weeks each year. They have been cleaned and stored in a temperature-controlled warehouse, courtesy of Baldor. But replacing the bows, which will be done this month, will not be enough after this year, Merry explained. The wreaths are fading and have rusting wire frames.

The 2014 goal is to raise $100,000. With a discount given by Walmart, wreaths will be purchased for about $5 each and will last about five years. A small fee is paid to use the Convention Center and for security the night before the wreaths are placed. The committee also provides food for volunteers on workshop day. And, of course, each year the cemetery receives more veterans for burial.

Corporate donations will be generous. But Merry would not be surprised that many of the contributions are for $5 or $10, reflecting the participation of so many individuals.

To contribute, mail a check to: Christmas Honors c/o Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 612 Garrison Avenue Fort Smith, AR 72901 Please note “Christmas Honors” on the check.

Before and after: the workshop with waiting cartons and volunteers working on the wreaths.

Joe Goins and son Tyler come from San Antonio, Texas, to help. Joe’s mother is buried here.

December 2013/January 2014

Entertainment Fort Smith

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GUEST WRITER

She can go home again Childhood dreams can come true, a native now living in Italy reflects after finding her heart’s desires in a Christmas visit to her hometown

By Heather Breed Steadham

hristmas is enchanting in Naples, Italy, as you might suppose it would be in a country that is 90 percent Roman Catholic. The holidays begin Dec. 8 with the Festa dell’Immacolata Concezione (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception). On this day, Italian families often begin building their presepi, intricate nativity scenes that feature, in addition to the traditional Mary, Joseph and Jesus, many ordinary Neapolitan figures like donkey cart drivers and pizza makers.

If you don’t have the time or talent to make your own presepio, you can head to Spaccanapoli, known to local Americans as Christmas Alley. This street, whose name literally translates as “splits Naples,” separates old Naples from New Naples and transforms at Christmastime to become a holiday wonderland complete with colored lights, handcrafted nativity scenes and pizza. It’s still Italy, you know.

The Italian holidays ends Jan. 5 with Epifania (Epiphany). It is this day, not Dec. 25, that Italian children receive Christmas presents as delivered by a kindly witch. It is said this witch, known as La Befana, hosted the three magi on their way to see the baby Jesus. They invited her to come along but she declined, insisting she had too much housework to complete. Later, she changed her mind, but was too late to locate the traveling party. To this day, she searches for the magi and the baby Jesus, stopping along the way to put presents in good children’s stockings, leaving coal for the bad ones.

But I am not Italian. Not even a little bit, to the best of my knowledge. And while I am enjoying my time here in Italy, I can’t help but think of Fort Smith, especially at this time of year.

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My childhood home stood proudly on Lexington Avenue, just as a Victorian should, not quite flaunting its sparkling jewelry of crystal chandeliers and stylish skirt of a wrap-around porch, but certainly lording over the increasingly commercial functional facades that had dethroned its contemporaries.

As an elementary schooler in Fort Smith in the 1980s, I didn’t notice the exodus of residences so much, instead practicing my roller skating skills in Dr. Stringfellow’s parking lot on 16th Street, heading to Wednesday evening praise and worship services at the YWCA on the corner of Lexington and South C, and biking to Pete’s Place across from the Immaculate Conception playground for burgers.

My mom, however, the practical adult that she is, did notice the lack of other children, parks and play areas (though I do admit to squeezing in between the chained gates of IC playground on Sundays after mass), and wasn’t as enchanted with the surroundings as I was.

When we moved to the Hillcrest neighborhood when I was in fifth grade, I vowed to return to the Lexington house one day and raise my own children there.

Southside High School in the early ’90s was another enchanted place for me. Excelling in English with Mr. Werner and psychology with Mr. Mahaffey, twirling flags in the marching band for Mr. Cate and Mr. Peer, and performing for Mrs. Stiles in plays such as “Oliver!” and “South Pacific” instilled in me a confidence that I could accomplish whatever I set my mind to. And in my senior year, 199192, I set my mind to “Saturday Night Live.”

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GUEST WRITER

Rory’s first Christmas was on Lexington Avenue.

Christmas in Fort Smith 2012

Xander, left, having Christmas in his mom’s childhood home.

A Steadham family portrait in Italy, (opposite). Clockwise from dad David, Luc, baby Rory, Xander and Heather.

Luc investigates his Christmas stocking.

I was going to attend Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, where I had been accepted for music (and given a heaping helping of financial aid). I was going to fly up to New York, set the city on fire and take my rightful place as head writer and star of the iconic sketch comedy show. Fabulous life? Fait accompli.

Twenty years later, I found myself standing in the pulpit of a naval base church in Naples, Italy, delivering the baccalaureate speech to the class of 2012, as the students had elected me to do. I was struck by the surreal nature of the moment; exactly 20 years after my own high school graduation, I found myself in a remarkably familiar place: high school. In one very real sense, nothing had changed for me. Every day, I got up about 6:30, got dressed and went to school. Ate lunch in a cafeteria. Attended classes. Stayed after school for extracurriculars.

This was cause for some true reflection. Had I failed?

Working as a high school English teacher versus starring on a nationally known television show? Fail. Living in Gricignano di Aversa, Italy, more than 4,000 miles from Rockefeller Center and more than 5,000 miles from my childhood home on Lexington Avenue to which I had vowed to return? Fail. Fabulous life? Now, hold on a second.

True enough, things have not turned out like my high school self planned. But I certainly can’t say that nothing has changed since then. I live in Naples, Italy, with my husband, two sons and newborn daughter.

In the last two and a half years, we have traveled to Rome, Verona, Pisa and Sicily in Italy (to name but a few), as well as exotic locations in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, England, France and

Turkey. I am the leader of classes I loved in high school and I am the drama teacher, the flag coach, the encourager of big dreams and, more importantly, big dreamers. So ... fabulous life? Totally.

Except for those two nitpicky dreams, that is. Darn that Lexington Avenue and “Saturday Night Live.”

At least, that’s what I would have thought before Christmas last year.

After 21 hours of travel, my exhausted family and I set foot on native soil. On Dec. 21, suffering temperature a lot more than 21 degrees colder than the Mediterranean climate of Naples, we returned to Arkansas for our first stateside visit in more than two years. Had things changed? What time was it, anyway? And where could I find a Sonic for a cherry vanilla Dr Pepper?

The next two weeks proved to be almost a blur. We saw more family than we knew we had – watch ’em come crawling out of the woodwork when you have a newborn in tow! We visited more places than we could really afford (but when would we be back in the states?) and ate more donuts than any reasonable human would abide. Really, there aren’t good donuts in Italy. We stayed with my mother-in-law in Holiday Island, my father-in-law in his RV as we traveled across four states and my mother in Fort Smith ... on Lexington Avenue.

Yup, you read right. After almost 30 years, my mom repurchased that house on Lexington Avenue. And I can’t properly explain how magical it was to have Christmas with my own husband and children there. To hear my sons wake up God-awful early and slide down the carved wooden bannister just as I did when I was their age (and just as I taught them at the beginning of our stay). To see them pull their stockings from the mantle of the more than 100-year-old fireplace where, during my 10th summer, my cat birthed her kittens. To feel the tiny weight of my 3month-old daughter, born in a foreign land, experiencing Christmas – a real, Southern, American Christmas – for the first time, in the very home in which I was raised for almost a decade.

That leaves me face-to-face with my last unfulfilled dream: performing on “Saturday Night Live.” Lost cause, you say? Can’t be accomplished in Fort Smith, Arkansas, you say? I hear you. I don’t completely disagree with you. But I also have learned that our childhood dreams can be fulfilled in the most unexpected ways – and place – imaginable.

My fantastic husband, David, always on the lookout for great things to do, spotted an ad for Sunday Night Live, an improvisation show put on by Naturally Improv-able at an awesome new hot spot called The MovieLounge. Being fans of shows like “Whose Line Is It Anyway” and, of course, “Saturday Night Live,” we were raring to go.

When we got there – wouldn’t you know it – a former student of ours was an actor in the show. And, lucky for me, little Miss Laura finagled me an opportunity to perform with them for a skit.

It was one of the best nights of my life. I performed live on stage!

People laughed at me – at the desired times! I was a star! For a minute.

And it was good.

In many ways, I’m sad that I live exponentially closer to Fort Smith’s sister city, Cisterna di Latina, than to Fort Smith. I can imagine the life I would be living back home, with my boys playing sports for the Alma Little League, my daughter preparing to go to the Montessori school and me and my husband tracking down Naturally Improv-able every Sunday night. But I’m also glad to recognize the fabulous life I’ve been given, with my dreams being fulfilled in ways I’ve never imagined. My fabulous life is totally worth living, in both Naples, Italy, and, when I’m lucky enough to get a ticket back home, Fort Smith.

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From Muskogee to marching with Dr. King

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ernona Clayton has earned many awards for her leadership in national civil rights efforts and her groundbreaking television broadcasting career. But the Muskogee, Okla., native says she is looking forward to the Jan. 17 renaming of the Muskogee street where she grew up becoming “one of the most significant moments” of her life.

“Imagine the name of a street you lived on being named after you, and your birth home there becoming the site of a new, $4 million Martin Luther King Jr. Center – that has such great significance to me in so many ways,” she explained during a recent interview.

She is married to Paul L. Brady, a descendant of deputy U.S. marshal Bass Reeves. With her husband, she has been a visitor to Fort Smith to support the creation of the Bass Reeves statue and as a board member of the U.S. Marshals Museum, to which he donated Reeves’ badge and pistol.

Xernona Clayton and her husband, Judge Paul Brady, talk with children in 2011 at the occasion of his donation of Bass Reeve’s gun and badge to the U.S. Marshals Museum.

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December 2013/January 2014

Her family’s home was located on a segment of North 3rd Street in Muskogee that will soon bear her name. She lived there with her twin sister, Xenobia, and their parents, the Rev. James and Ellie Brewster, from her birth in 1930 until she was 18 and began pursuing college and a career.

Xernona earned her undergraduate degree with honors from Tennessee State Agricultural and Industrial College in Nashville, and did graduate studies at the University of Chicago while beginning her career in the Civil Rights movement. She moved to Atlanta in 1965 and began working directly with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King.

Xernona was married in 1957 to Ed Clayton, who also worked for Dr. King, until Clayton’s death in 1966. In 1974, she married Brady, the first African American appointed as a federal administrative law judge.

Xernona’s family’s home in Muskogee was demolished about two years ago and the city’s new King Center will be built on that site.

“When we were growing up, our parents taught us to not let someone else’s ugliness change us and that nobody was better that us, but we were not better than others. So, we grew up with a respectful manner,” Xernona remembered. “But we didn’t really realize then the full extent of the discrimination going on around us, because our mother sheltered us from things like the real reason we weren’t allowed to drink from the city’s public water fountains – we just thought she was being mean about not letting us.”

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“A short movie about my life will be shown at the Roxy Theater the night before the Muskogee street renaming ceremony,” she added. “When we lived here, we used to pass the Roxy on our way to the movie theater for colored people. But now the city is opening its arms to us, and this will be an extra special moment for me. Dr. King taught us that ‘Until, and unless, you can change a man’s heart, you can’t change his behavior,’ and I’ve really spent most of my life trying to help change people’s hearts.”

Because the street which is being named for her intersects with Martin Luther King Street it will be a symbolic reconnection of how her life and Dr. King’s had intersected and the many wonderful memories she has of the years they worked together.

City council member Derrick Reed proposed the council rename the street in her honor. Reed also is the director of the existing King Center.

“Our King Center director when I was growing up, Celeste Johnson, would tell us stories about many of the great things Mrs. Clayton had done. In my teens, I had even seen her at various events there,” Reed said. “Once I became involved in fundraising efforts for the new center, I just thought what a shame it would be for us not to do something special to honor such an icon who was born and raised here.”

While working closely with Dr. and Mrs. King and other desegregation leaders in Atlanta in 1966, Clayton coordinated a committee of African American doctors who achieved the desegregation of all Atlanta hospitals and served as a model for nationwide hospital desegregation. She then headed the federally funded Atlanta Model Cities program created to improve the quality of desegregated neighborhoods – which led to her receiving one of her most cherished and humbling tributes to her efforts to follow Dr. King’s teachings about how a bigot’s heart could be changed without conflict.

She and Calvin Craig, the Grand Dragon of Georgia’s Ku Klux Klan, were serving together on the Model Cities committee and had become able to civilly discuss their obviously different personal views on desegregation. When Craig unexpectedly publicly denounced and quit the Klan in 1968, he cited Xernona as major influence for his decision.

“You changed our father and cleansed our family,” Craig’s daughter, Gail Craig Mayes, told Xernona when they met 12 years after her father’s death in 1998.

In 1967, Clayton also began an illustrious television broadcasting career when she became the first Southern African American to host a daily prime time talk show, which aired on the then-CBS Atlanta affiliate WAGA-TV. The popular program led to her long career as a Turner Broadcasting executive and a personal friendship with Ted Turner that continues today.

In 1993, Xernona created the Trumpet Awards to honor and “trumpet to the world” the largely unrecognized achievements of African Americans in all fields – science, education, medicine, law and other professions in addition to the arts, music and entertainment. She retired in 1997, but was assisted by Turner Broadcasting to legally establish the nonprofit Trumpet Awards Foundation Inc., of which she is currently the president and CEO. The foundation presents the prestigious, annual Trumpet Awards show, which has become a nationally televised event distributed to more than 187 countries.

In addition to showcasing African American achievement, the Trumpet Awards Foundation has generated more than $4 million for student education and charitable projects.

Clayton also created the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame that honors men and women who have significantly enriched the lives of many, and the High Tea in High Heels, which honors outstanding women in all fields.

Muskogee follows Atlanta in naming a street for her. In 2011, Atlanta City Council members honored Xernona by naming a downtown street and park in her honor, making her and Margaret Mitchell the only two women with Atlanta streets named for them.

“I didn’t, and I couldn’t have, planned any of my successful endeavors without the exceptional people that have provided me so many special opportunities and memories,” Clayton said. “I feel so blessed, and I don’t take any of them for granted.”

Jessica Hayes honored with an invitation to Atlanta’s High Tea in High Heels Jessica Hayes, vice president of museum operations for the U.S. Marshals Museum since February 2008, will make a little history of her own in Atlanta on Jan. 23.

Hayes, who is responsible for development of all the content, collections, policies and staff for the $50 million museum scheduled to break ground on the Fort Smith Riverfront in 2014, has been selected as one of the honorees at a special tribute to women during the 21st annual Trumpet Awards.

The Trumpet Awards were created in 1993 by Xernona Clayton, then a Turner Broadcasting executive, to recognize outstanding accomplishments and contributions by African Americans.

Clayton expanded the scope of the event about six years ago by adding a “High Tea in High Heels” for women that recognizes the leadership abilities of women of all races.

Hayes said she was totally surprised to be notified in July that she had been selected for the honor. She and other High Tea award recipients also will be special guests at the Trumpet Awards Ceremony on Jan. 25.

“I was immediately in awe of her the first time I met her,” Hayes said of Clayton. “Here’s this woman from Muskogee who was a champion of the Civil Rights era and has lived such an amazing life – getting to know her is a privilege.”

Clayton, who recently became a member of the U.S. Marshals Museum board of directors, said in a telephone interview she has also been impressed by Hayes. They first met when Clayton came with her husband Paul Brady to donate a pistol owned and used in the line of duty by Brady’s famous great-uncle, Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves.

Since becoming a museum board member, Clayton said, she has become even more appreciative of Fort Smith and Hayes.

“Jessica is so unassuming, but she has a great respect for and appreciation of history and she’s smart, quick and just gets the job done – whatever the job may be,” Clayton noted.

Hayes has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of the Ozarks and master’s degree in public history from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She is married with two children, president of the Board of Directors of the Montessori School of Fort Smith, a board member of the Arkansas Historical Association and a founding member of the Step Up! Speak Out! Movement to end child sexual abuse.

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READ LOCALLY

make Area authors, settings and subjects have added appeal for local readers NON-FICTION Classic Eateries by Kat Robinson From century-old soda fountains to heritage candy makers, Arkansas wine country and the birthplace of fried pickles, discover the delicious nooks of the Ozarks and scrumptious crannies of the Arkansas River Valley through this tasty travelogue, by food and travel author Kat Robinson and photographer Grav Weldon.

Available at local stores and online at www.historypress.net.

Fort Smith by Kevin L. Jones More than 200 vintage images including Civil War and Parker-era times, the Great Depression and 1950s, and more collected in one volume by Dr. Kevin L. Jones, assistant professor of English at UAFort Smith. Available at Coleman Pharmacy, Now & Then Shoppe, Jennifer’s at Sparks, Mercy Gift Shop, Fort Smith Museum of History, Miss Laura’s Visitor Center, Medi-Sav Pharmacy, Yeager Ace Hardware and Walgreens locations in Fort Smith.

Hidden History of Fort Smith, Arkansas by Ben Boulden In popular imagination, Fort Smith once was the gritty frontier town famous for its lawless reputation. That imagery obscures other equally fascinating stories – stories of legalized prostitution, the first woman voter in the South, gypsy camps, the first airplane flight in Arkansas and even a restaurant with curbside beer service. Available at the Fort Smith Museum of History, Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com Pictorial Histories by Stan Kujawa The prolific researcher, Stan Kujawa has recently produced a cluster of pictorial histories on Fort Smith subjects, all of which serve as invaluable references. His sought-after Garrison Avenue Memories and Photographs in three volumes is comprehensive in detail, as is a new Churches of Fort Smith. The Clayton House & Bluebird School and collected John Bell Jr. Paintings and Prints have beautiful images. Available locally at Suzy’s Custom Frames and online at magcloud.com (search Kujawa for 23 titles).

University of Arkansas Fort Smith, The First 85 Years The story of Fort Smith’s institution of higher learning, by professors Billy Higgins, Stephen Husarik and Henry Q. Rinne, details the founding and growth of Fort Smith Junior College to the full university of today, from 1928 to 2012. Outstanding academics, athletic achievements, great leaders and students and the close embrace of the community with the college make up this compelling history. Available at the Lion Bookstore at UAFS. 16

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READ LOCALLY CHILDREN’S BOOKS Welcome to My Chair and A Chair in Time by Lee Holland Lee Holland wrote Welcome to My Chair as a legacy to his granddaughters, who love to sit with him in his recliner and enjoy the stories he tells. In A Chair in Time, the girls take over their grandfather’s recliner and convert it into a time machine traveling through local history. Hastings, Books A Million or by phone at 479-719-5672.

ADULT FICTION Ill-Gotten Gains, Ill-Gotten Gains II and The Bully in the Pulpit

by Claude Eubanks The Gains novels feature Lester Webb, a simple man from Mansfield, Ark., struggling with loss in the Great Depression who falls into money and goes from Arkansas to California, while trying to retain his sense of honor. Bully in the Pulpit, set in Arbuckle Island, is the story of a community menaced by a rogue who pretends to be a pastor. Eubanks’ books may be ordered from the author at 4000 Spring Mountain Drive, Fort Smith, AR 72916 or from Amazon.com.

The Vampire Rebellion by Wayne Hancock Pretty, 16-year-old high school student Chelsea, a county sheriff and a beautiful stranger must come together to ride Centertown, Mo., of vampires bent on taking over the whole county in this Young Adult/Horror novel. BrickCity Emporium, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com or waynehancockbooks.com.

Sacrifice of Love, The Grey Wolves #7 and Elfin by Quinn Loftis Self-published fantasy writer Loftis, a resident of Fort Smith, has had a tremendous success with her Grey Wolf series. A second saga, the Elfin series, has a new installment due in January. The books are young-adultand-up appropriate and have a paranormal/romantic bent – readers wait enthusiastically for more. Loftis began with an e-book and has negotiated her way through the new opportunities of digital publishing. Available at Amazon.com.

Journey to Die For by Nadine Trees Nehring See our region in fiction, through the eyes of the characters in this light mystery novel by a northwest Arkansas author. The mystery was awarded Best Mystery Novel by the Oklahoma Writers' Federation Inc. Dark Secrets by Nancy Powell The first in a series of historical fiction novels based on the life of Ollie McNew (Glenn), the author’s mother. This book begins with Ollie trying to get home after receiving a head injury in an attack by two boys – the same boys that she thinks murdered a girl in a nearby community. Dark Secrets, originally called Ollie’s Angels, won first place in the 2010 Oklahoma Writers’ Federation Inc. Mainstream Novel Contest. Powell’s books are available from Books A Million and Amazon.com.

Watch for more local authors and local subjects at the Fort Smith Public Library’s “Authors in the Afternoon” programs and at book signings at local bookstores.

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Moms Worldwide Connect, Pray, Repeat JANUARY 18

By Candise Montemayor

M

om’s Day of Prayer is a grassroots movement that has its humble beginnings in Fort Smith. In its 17th year, the event is scheduled for Jan. 18 worldwide.

It first took place in 1998, after Kathy Coleman read about a Brazilian mother who held a prayer event for the youth of her country in a fight against immorality and addiction. Coleman went to her pastor with the idea of gathering moms for a day of prayer at their church. It soon became obvious to her it was meant to be shared with the whole community.

“The goal was to have a Mom’s Day of Prayer at a different church each year,” said Coleman. “It was to be Christianbased and across all dominations. So, we built a team of women who had been involved in prayer ministries or involved in their church to be prayer leaders.”

Coleman said that first year she knew it was “a God thing,” and by 2004, Mom’s Day of Prayer had gone global. Prayer is a common denominator and across countries mothers share the same heart.

Melinda Sparkman Hawkins, Coleman’s assistant, said you don’t have to know the language a mother prays in to know what is on her heart. “We are moms and all our hearts want the same thing for our children.”

The event also is for grandmothers, stepmoms and aunts and men should feel welcome to attend as well, they said. Some people gather in their own homes or churches.

“The focus is unity of Christian believers gathered together … because scripture says when we come together He hears our prayers and answers our prayers,” Coleman said nodding with assurance. “I believe that when we humble ourselves and come together across denominational lines and we don’t worry about what church you go to or I go to, I believe it is powerful.”

Participants can come for 10 minutes or stay all day. Some people will pray aloud and some prefer to sit quietly. Eventually someone will voice what is on your heart, Coleman said.

“I’ll never forget, one day a mom was out jogging and saw the sign about MDOP and came in and prayed for a little bit and then she went back out jogging,” Coleman said smiling.

The Mom’s Day of Prayer website includes a list of burdens and scriptures and Coleman encourages whoever hosts a MDOP to print it and stay focused on the state of families.

This year, a group of women traveled to Washington and held a MDOP event on Capitol grounds. It was inaugural weekend and it took lots of paperwork and passion to get permission. The women wore red, white and blue and made sure all 50 states were covered in prayer. During 18

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their trip, they were able to meet with Sens. Mark Pryor and John Boozman and Rep. Steve Womack.

“We found out prayer is going on everywhere in Washington,” Coleman said. “It felt like we were in God’s country. It’s grassroots America, this is who we are, this is what we do – we pray.”

Coleman never likes the attention to be put on her founding role. She is training others to take over. Her point is it can be any woman, someone who no one knows, who takes the time to pray for children.

Though the event is now worldwide, she also says it’s not about the numbers. “There is power where women are gathered together and that is what matters.”

Hawkins, who would be able to step into the leader role following Coleman, shows the same humility. “People think that Mom’s Day of Prayer is just one day a year but we spend the whole year connecting with women’s ministries all across the world,” she said.

MDOP has been held in Africa, Australia, England, Spain, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Barbados and India. Some countries are placed as undisclosed locations because it can be dangerous for the women there to participate.

“A group in Liberia contacted us this morning for the first time and wants to do one and pray for the children there. It’s amazing,” Coleman said. “They have the same needs for their children that we do.”

“We want to raise generations of children that get married someday and will be the leaders of our cities, our businesses and our homes in the state, in the world,” she said. “But the goal is to raise the kind of children that bring our families, our countries, back to God. And that’s our job as Christian parents – to raise them as believers and pray that they will live it out as adults when they leave home.”

Each coordinator brings a special touch to the event. Coleman said that is the way it should be because each mom is different. Becky Sloan is the local host at Harvest Time in Fort Smith. The doors to the worship center will be open from 9 a.m. to noon at 3100 Briar Cliff Avenue.

“Kathy presented the opportunity to me and I jumped at the chance to host,” Sloan said. “It’s a special day to focus on our kids and cover them in prayer. Harvest Time will welcome all visitors that day and make them feel special.”

Sloan, a mom herself, said there are a lot of moms struggling with their kids, rejoicing with them, too, and trying to make a positive impact. “I love this idea of coming together from different faith backgrounds with one goal in mind,” she said.

To find host locations or to host an event, visit momsdayofprayer.com, call Hawkins at 479-452-6215 or email Kathy@momsdayofprayer.com.

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WHAT’S COOKING with KRISTAN ROLAND

Recipes make it the sweetest time of the year Food contributor and blogger Kristan Roland provides our readers with some of her favorite recipes, perfect for wrapping and giving.

Find even more recipes on her blog confessionsofacookbookqueen.com Happy baking!

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CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRY COCONUT BLOSSOMS 2 sticks salted butter, softened 1/2 cup sugar 3/4 cup light corn syrup 1 large egg 2 teaspoons vanilla 3 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut 3 dozen chocolate-covered cherries with cream center Powdered sugar for dusting

In the bowl of a mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until fluffy and smooth. With the mixer on medium low, add corn syrup, egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder and baking soda. Slowly add to the butter mixture and mix on low speed. Add coconut and continue mixing until combined. Cover and chill dough for about an hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degree.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart and bake for 7 minutes. After removing baking sheets from oven, top with a chocolate-covered cherry, gently pressing into the center of the cookie.

Remove cookies to wire rack to finish cooling. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

These are really easy to put together and taste amazing!!

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WHAT’S COOKING SPICE CAKE SANDWICH COOKIES Cookies: 1 box spice cake mix 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 ⁄2 cup butter, softened 1 large egg 1 ⁄2 cup powdered sugar

Frosting: 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 ⁄2 cup butter, softened 1 tsp. vanilla 3 cups powdered sugar

In the bowl of a mixer, combine one block of cream cheese and 1 stick of butter. Beat on medium until smooth. Add egg and beat, then add cake mix until a smooth thick dough forms. Cover and chill for about two hours.

Preheat oven to 350. Spray baking sheets with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop dough out into one inch balls. Roll in powdered sugar, then place on prepared baking sheets and flatten slightly with your hand.

Bake for about 7 minutes, until edges are set but middles are still soft. Remove cookies to cooling rack to cool completely.

Prepare frosting: In the bowl of a mixer, beat butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar, beating on low until just combined. Increase speed to high and beat for about a minute, until frosting is light and fluffy. Turn cookies over to the bottom flat side. Spread with frosting and top with flat side of another cookie.

MUDDY BUDDY COOKIE DOUGH TRUFFLES ⁄4 cup (1⁄2 stick) butter, softened ⁄4 cup creamy peanut butter 1 ⁄2 cup brown sugar 1 ⁄4 cup white sugar 2 tbsp. milk 1 ⁄2 tsp. vanilla 1 cup flour 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1 stick butter 11⁄2 cups powdered sugar In the bowl of mixer, beat 1⁄2 stick butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add sugars and beat on medium for about a minute, until fluffy. Add milk and vanilla and beat on medium until combined.

Add flour and beat until fully mixed.

Roll mixture into balls and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. The size is up to you; I did mine a little smaller than a walnut. Place in the freezer for about 20 minutes to firm up.

Place powdered sugar in a small bowl. In a microwave safe bowl, heat chocolate chips and 1 stick butter, stopping at 20-second intervals to stir.

Once melted and fully combined, dip the cookie dough balls in the chocolate, one at a time, removing by sliding a fork underneath. Immediate place in the powdered sugar and quickly coat.

Slide fork underneath again and place back on wax paper-lined sheet.

Once truffles have set up a bit, give them a second coating in the powdered sugar.

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CRANBERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP PISTACHIO PUDDING COOKIES 21⁄4 cups flour 1 tsp. baking soda 2 sticks butter, softened slightly 1 ⁄2 cup brown sugar 1 ⁄2 cup white sugar 1 3.4-oz box instant pistachio pudding mix 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 11⁄2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 3 ⁄4 cup dried sweetened cranberries 1 ⁄2 cup chopped pistachios

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour and baking soda in a small bowl and set aside.

In the bowl of a mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar and white sugar on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about a minute. Beat in the pudding mix, then set the speed to low and mix in eggs and vanilla. Slowly beat in the flour mixture and mix until fully mixed in. Stir in chocolate chips, cranberries and pistachios.

Drop cookies by spoonfuls on ungreased cookie sheets and flatten slightly with your hand. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until edges start to turn golden brown.

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WHAT’S COOKING

PEANUT BRITTLE BARK Peanut Brittle Bark 3 (ish) cups popped kettle corn 2 (ish) cups mini pretzel twists 1 ⁄2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup granulated sugar 1 ⁄2 cup light corn syrup 1 ⁄4 cup water 1 cup salted Spanish peanuts 2 tbsp. butter, softened 1 tsp. baking soda Candy thermometer Butter a 9x13x1-inch cookie sheet. Cover cookie sheet with kettle corn (I used microwave kettle corn but you can make yours if you want.) Layer pretzels over the popcorn so they cover most of the surface.

In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and water. Measure out your peanuts, butter and baking soda and have them nearby in separate containers.

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once the mixture boils, add your peanuts and clip your candy thermometer inside the pan. Stir until the mixture reaches 300 degrees. If you're not sure, put a tiny bit of the candy in a glass of cold water – if it immediately hardens into a breakable strand, it's ready. If it sinks, or can bend without breaking, it needs to cook longer.

Remove pan from heat and immediately stir in baking soda and butter. Pour the mixture evenly over your pretzel/popcorn and spread gently if needed. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the surface while brittle is still warm. Let it melt for a few minutes, then gently press the chocolate and brittle with a spatula to smooth the chocolate and flatten the brittle into the popcorn and peanuts. Let brittle and chocolate cool and harden before breaking into chunks and serving.

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WHAT’S COOKING

CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE COOKIES 31⁄2 cups all purpose flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp salt 2 (8 oz.) packages of cream cheese, softened 21⁄2 sticks butter, softened 11⁄2 cups granulated sugar 2 large eggs 2 tsp. vanilla extract 8 whole cinnamon graham cracker rectangles, crushed into crumbs 1 large can apple pie filling, with the apples removed and roughly diced 11 oz. bag caramel bits In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of a mixer, beat cream cheese, butter and sugar on medium-high for 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until just combined. Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add flour mixture. Divide dough in half, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about an hour or so.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with nonstick spray if you don’t have any.

Roll dough into 11⁄2-inch balls, then coat completely in cinnamon graham cracker crumbs. Place 2 inches apart on baking sheet.

Using a rounded spoon, create an indentation in the center of each cookie and fill with diced apple pie filling. Bake until cookies are cracked and set, about 13 minutes.

Cool on sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.

While cookies cool, melt caramel bits with about 4 tablespoons water in a saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Drizzle over cookies.

Makes about four dozen cookies. This recipe is very simple to half because the measurements are even.

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WHAT’S COOKING Red Velvet Peppermint Blossom Cookies 1 box red velvet cake mix 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 ⁄2 cup butter, softened 1 large egg

11⁄2 tsp. vanilla 1 cup powdered sugar 1 bag white chocolate peppermint Hershey Kisses, unwrapped

In the bowl of a mixer, beat butter and cream cheese on medium speed until well combined. Add egg and vanilla and beat. Add cake mix and beat until combined. Chill dough for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Scoop cookie dough with a 1-inch cookie scoop and roll in powdered sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake for 11 minutes. Remove from oven and press a Hershey Kiss in the center of each cookie. Remove cookies to wire rack to finish cooling. Makes 3 dozen cookies.

Cranberry Cream Cheese Streusel Muffins with Orange Glaze Muffins: 1 ⁄4 cup butter, softened 2 ⁄3 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 cup flour 1 ⁄2 tsp. baking powder 1 ⁄4 tsp. salt 1 ⁄2 cup milk

2 tsp. orange zest 1 cup fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped 4 oz. cold cream cheese, cut into small pieces Topping: 4 tbsp. flour 4 tbsp. granulated sugar 2 tbsp. cold butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 12 muffin tins with paper liners and set aside.

Muffins: In the bowl of your mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in egg. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add to butter mixture, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Fold in orange zest, cranberries and cream cheese and divide batter evenly into the 12 prepared muffin tins.

Topping: In a small bowl, combine flour and sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter and bake for about 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together 11⁄2 tablespoons orange juice and 1⁄2 cup powdered sugar. Drizzle over muffins before serving.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cookies Cookies: ⁄2 cup shortening 1 ⁄2 cup creamy peanut butter 1 ⁄2 cup packed brown sugar 1 ⁄2 cup white sugar 1 egg 2 tbsp. milk 11⁄2 tsp. vanilla 13⁄4 cup flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 ⁄2 tsp. salt 1 ⁄2 cup sugar to roll cookies in About 2 dozen marshmallows, cut in half 1

Frosting: 3 cups powdered sugar 6 tbsp. butter 1 ⁄4 cup plus 1 tbsp. cocoa powder 1 ⁄4 cup milk 1 tsp. vanilla Mini M&Ms for garnish 24

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Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cookies: In the bowl of a mixer, cream together shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar and 1⁄2 cup white sugar. Add egg, milk and vanilla and beat well.

In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed shortening mixture.

Beat on low until dough forms.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls, roll in sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8 minutes, then remove from oven and press a marshmallow half, cut side down, in the center of each cookie. Place back in the oven for 2 minutes.

Remove baking sheet from oven and let cool slightly before removing cookies to wire rack to finish cooling.

Frosting: In a medium bowl, heat butter and cocoa powder in the microwave, stirring every 10 seconds until melted and smooth. Add powdered sugar, milk and vanilla and whisk until smooth. If frosting is too thick, add a bit more milk. Frost cookies, completely covering the marshmallow, then top with mini M&M's and let frosting set.

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home & garden goodies

Collectible Star Wars Episode 1 Queen Amidala and special edition holiday Barbies from Abilities Unlimited.

Canvas art with a local flair available at BrickCity Emporium.

Bone-in prime rib, crown pork tenderloin and beef tenderloin found at Paul’s Meat Market.

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home & garden goodies

Frog tabletop rain gauge and tuned wind chimes from Luther Stem Pools and Spas.

1980s Wizard of Oz dolls by Hamilton come with yellow brick road stands found at Designer Again.

Swivel storage cabinet with corkboard available at Furniture Emporium.

Glass hurricane candleholder and candle by Crossroads and Little Black Book of Wine from Mailbox Express.

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home & garden goodies Vintage Planert All-Star ice skates, 1960s Thermos and 1940s handmade knitted hat available at Belle Starr Antique Mall.

Pennsylvania Dutch egg nog, candy-strip serving platter, napkins, bottle stopper and hand-painted wine glass from In Good Spirits.

Santa plaque and pillow and festive elf found at Jennifer's Gift Shop at Sparks Medical Center.

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home & garden goodies

Shabby chic window frame with hand painted bird design from Creative Furnishings.

Mistletoe birdcage tree and iced boxwood topiary trees found at Sharum's Garden Center.

Maison Blanche furniture paints require no prep work.

Available at The Goods.

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home & garden goodies

Ruffled blue bowl by Moonbay Art Glass Studio artist Steve Brewster found at Main Street Interiors.

Original work by local artist the late Doris Echols.

Available at Center for Art & Education.

Fresh Christmas wreath and red mosaic gazing ball from Neumeier Nursery and Florist.

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JANUARY 21-FEBRUARY 28

Mono Ki: The Kimono as Language Exhibit of the work of Arlene Wilson ward-winning artist Arlene Wilson will show her work at the university she graduated from in an exhibit opening at 5 p.m. Jan. 21. A reception the exhibit, titled “Mono Ki: The Kimono as Language,” will be held in the hallway gallery of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center.

The exhibit runs through February and is sponsored by the Chancellor’s Coalition for the Visual Arts. Don Lee, head of the art department, said Wilson is “one of our art stars.” Wilson graduated from Westark College in 1988 after studying painting and printmaking.

“Her passion, organization, acumen and an accomplished portfolio resulted in her acceptance to the Rhode Island School of Design, the premier art school in the country,” he said. “She could have been in any art school anywhere and flourished. She’s brilliant.”

Her exhibit is a series of handmade kimonos.

“Each one is a tableau of my experiences in a country whose culture and people I enjoy and admire,” she said.

With numerous awards and more than 50 combined solo and group exhibitions to date, Wilson has enjoyed an enormously successful career as an artist, a career which she credits UAFS for helping forge.

“My years of training in all aspects of painting, drawing and print-making at Westark with Don Lee and Pete Howard gave me a firm foundation for what followed: a career in fine art textiles,” she said. “It will be exciting to return with what I feel is my best work in the medium to date.”

A

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Arkansas Trail of Holiday Lights 2012

This year, join in the chorus on the Arkansas Trail of Holiday Lights.

More than 60 communities participate in the annual celebration. Pick up a brochure at one of our partner locations or visit Arkansas.com to locate festive activities.

“Like” Arkansas State Tourism on Facebook. Share your photos on Instagram and Facebook by using #VisitArkansas.

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GARDENING Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose ...

Roasting Chestnuts to Ozark Chinquapins – a true tree treasure hunt

By Reba Mize

Although they resemble a chestnut, the chinquapin nut has a soft shell and can be eaten without roasting. Courtesy Ozark Chinquapin Society

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Yule enjoy this fun fact: The song known to most as “The Christmas Song” was actually written on one of hottest July days on record in California by Mel Torme and his writing partner Robert Wells as a way to try to cool off.

The song got me thinking about chestnuts. I was intrigued. Does anyone actually still roast them? Does anyone grow them locally? To my amazement, the very next weekend I found myself at the Fayetteville, Ark., Farmers Market where a vendor named Gianpaolo Dante was selling roasted chestnuts. As I was making my purchase, Dante passionately spoke of the history of chestnuts and how many villages in Europe survived the war by eating these nuts. He showed me a faded photo of a giant tree before getting back to his other customers.

This began my chestnut journey. I decided to take a road trip to the lawn of the Crawford County Courthouse in Van Buren where I knew there were chestnut trees.

I had started my research by speaking with self-professed tree nerd and forester for the UA Forest Resources Caroll Guffey who explained that the chestnut trees on the courthouse lawn are an Asian species. The American Chestnut was decimated by a blight that was first seen at the Bronx Zoo in 1904. By 1940, most mature American chestnut trees had been wiped out by the disease.

Joyce Needham, who works at the courthouse, saw me crawling under the trees and spoke with me, as did many of the staff at the courthouse.

She explained the chestnuts fall around October. After hearing my interest, she very kindly asked if I would like some nuts she had collected.

You bet I would.

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GARDENING

Front right is (maybe) an Ozark Chinquapin.

“Oh, by the way,” she said, “that tree out by Main Street is supposed to be a chinquapin.”

Chinquapin? At this point my interest changed from chestnuts to their Ozark cousin, the chinquapin. If this tree is a chinquapin, it would be quite a rare find.

Neal Mays at the Benton County Extension Service told me this would be a rare find, indeed, since the same blight fungus that wiped out the American chestnut also killed most of the Ozark chinquapins (Castanea Ozarkensis) by the 1960s.

However, he said, it is absolutely possible it could be an Ozark chinquapin hiding in plain sight. He recommended I call Steve Bost.

Steve is president and founder of The Ozark Chinquapin Society. He and his fellow members want your help.

The chinquapin nut was once an essential crop for people and wildlife. It’s range was as large as from the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas south to Texas and Louisiana and so plentiful that farmers would fill up their wagons with nutrient-rich nuts to feed their livestock – and often times themselves.

Steve and the tree society are very passionate about finding chinquapin trees in an effort to establish a viable seed base of 100 percent pure Ozark chinquapin seeds. The society collects nuts and pollen in a breeding program that will hopefully create a chinquapin tree that is resistant to the blight. That’s where you come in.

Courtesy of ozarkchinquapin.com

“It is often hikers or hunters or geocachers who, when out in the woods, could spot one of these rare trees. We urge people to get familiar with the chinquapin and give us a shout if you think you have spotted one. We would love to feature you on our website ozarkchinquapin.com as our new champion tree finder,” he said.

I asked Steve, “So what do they taste like?”

He laughed and said they are really good.

“Sometimes when we have found a tree and are scouting it out to get the nuts, we have to fight with the squirrels. But why don’t you call our foundation board member Herschel McClurkin, who lives in your area and ask him.”

“I grew up in Mulberry, Ark.,” said McClurkin. “I believe I was about 10 years old – it was in the ’30s – I’m 85 years old now. I remember in the fall, the kids that lived in the hills outside of town would come to school with their pockets filled with what we called chinkeypens. The nuts were small and had a soft shell and so sweet and delicious. I would always try to talk them out of two or three. It was the sweetest, best nut you ever put in your mouth.”

High praise indeed. One person called

chinquapin tree the “Ozarks’ first free lunch program.”

So far, I have not solved the mystery of the courthouse tree but because of my pesky questions, the experts are coming soon to examine the tree that may be a chinquapin.

And for that matter, I have even not roasted my chestnuts. But it has been a fun adventure, hopefully, for kids from 1 to 92 ... Merry Christmas to you.

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FASHION & BEAUTY

Working in films and television keeps her creative Janice Radcliff of Metropolis Hair Studio brushes up actors to keep her artistry fresh

H

er hair studio is named after a classic Fritz Lang silent film – one might take a hint that Janice Radcliff has always had an affinity for the cinema and the artistry of its illusions.

“I guess that is why I called it a studio, not a salon, because to me it is art,” Janice said of her profession as a hair and makeup stylist.

Since 1998, she has owned Metropolis Hair Studio in various Fort Smith locations and has been a hair stylist for 30 years. Before starting her own business, she worked in Los Angeles where often she was preparing actors and models for auditions or head shots. Janice also tried stand-up comedy in L.A., where she was funny enough to survive the terrifying risk of a live audience’s instant reaction.

All of her experiences have influenced her philosophy and standards about the art of style, including her desire to excel at what she has chosen to do. There’s one more element in her approach, she says – listening.

“Listening is so much of it,” she explained.

“And if I can pick up on a person’s body language and certain cues, I can really help someone to look their best.”

She developed loyal patrons and soon found that her clientele liked best when she gave them individual attention and private appointments. Over time, Metropolis has evolved into a studio where Janice works alone or with only a few select stylists.

Besides the hair studio, she began doing hair and make-up for film and video with 5Star Productions and found she really enjoyed using her skills to style actors for commercials, adapting to the specific needs of shooting in different lighting circumstances.

Recently, her professional experience brought her the chance to work with movies and national commercials being shot in Arkansas. She recently styled the hair and makeup of the women of “Duck Dynasty” for a Walmart production.

Janice at work with the women of “Duck Dynasty” (left) and touching up actor Corbin Bernson on set.

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FASHION & BEAUTY

On set during a commercial shot in Fayetteville.

“They were very down-to-earth and nice,” she said. “When they saw my curly hair, they all wanted to be styled curly or wavy for the shoot.”

She has recently taken a couple of two-week leaves from Metropolis to work on the films “Valley Inn” and “Gordon Family Tree,” (yet to be released) both shot in northwest Arkansas locations. Both are independent films, with lean but highly skilled crews. Janice’s ability to do both hair and makeup was key.

“During ‘Valley Inn,’ we all stayed in a big house together,” she said of the cast and crew.

“We were just immersed in it.” After working alone much of the time in her studio, Janice said she really enjoyed the tight teamwork a movie set requires.

“If there is even one person not doing their part, it can go off the rails. It’s a really collaborative effort – everyone is important,” she explained. The first film led to the second and Janice hopes to work again with the actress and director Joey Lauren Adams on her next project here.

Once again, listening and understanding how a person (or a character) wants to present themselves enhances her work. Only in film, she watches how her subjects look in the monitor instead of a mirror.

Learning something new refreshes her, Janice feels. She’s now taking acting classes with a professional coach she met on set.

New experiences inspire her, but she doesn’t expect Hollywood to take her away from Metropolis forever.

“I love making people feel good about themselves,” she said. “It’s more than just hair. I can see them blossom and feel more confident.”

Metropolis Hair Studio 2500 Rogers Avenue, Suite 6, Fort Smith 479-420-5515 December 2013/January 2014

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health & beauty goodies

Be Curly Aveda all-natural hair products from Metropolis Salon.

One-of-a-kind necklace from Sparks Creations available at Newton’s Jewelers.

Sloggers waterproof footwear available at Sutherlands.

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health & beauty goodies

Diamond Tea wrap robe and sleeveless charmeuse nightgown from The Purple Plume.

Fashionable handbags available at Coleman Pharmacy.

Fringed boots, slouchy cardigan and jeweled necklace found at Unique Boutique.

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health & beauty goodies Elegant sunglasses by Tiffany & Co. available at the office of Dr. Steven Stiles.

Miss Me jeans, boots and silver and turquoise necklace found at N Style Revue.

Oversized metallic leather tote

by Tano from Fashion Boutique.

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health & beauty goodies

Hand silk-screened art shirts found at Now and Then Shoppe.

Hempz herbal body moisturizers from Vanity Calls.

Mirabella Sparkle cosmetics for the holidays available at Salon Elements.

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health & beauty goodies

Sequined and stitched cowboy hat with Santa from Marcia Cooksey Interiors.

Dior and Gucci eyewear from Ennen Eye Center.

Cream bodice and lacy details on a little black dress by A’Reve found at Crane Clothing Co. Stylish riding boots and platform booties available at Prideful Peacock.

Dr. John Udouj is a graduate of the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), specializing in the latest cosmetic dentistry techniques.

Visit our website at

www.perfectingyoursmile.com to get the latest news from our office.

Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists.

Graduate of the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies.

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2600 Market Trace • Fort Smith , AR • 479.648.9988

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MUSIC

& performance

Dec. 2 UAFS Season’s Greetings The musical talents of UAFS are combined in this annual concert welcoming the holidays. The Symphonic Band, Choral Ensembles, Jazz Catz, and special guests perform. 7 p.m. Arkansas Best Performing Arts Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith. 479-788-7300 uafs.universitytickets.com

A Christmas Carol Dec. 6-7 Almost two centuries after Dickens penned his classic Christmas story, Earthen Vessels Drama Company is performing a Christian adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" in the historic King Opera House. Earthen Vessels Drama Company is a ministry of Shady Grove Baptist Church and has performed this well-loved show at the King Opera House during four previous seasons.

Jon Harvey will reprise his role as Scrooge and will be joined by other actors from several local churches. Join Scrooge on the streets of 1843 London as he makes his journey to redemption. It is a show the whole family will enjoy, where the reason for the season is celebrated with a message that will linger long after the curtain closes.

Dickens presented his lonely, miserly character Scrooge with three spirits who lead him to see Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come. His heart is changed and filled with love and through this blessing, Scrooge shows his love to his family and employee Bob Cratchit and especially to young Tiny Tim. When published in 1843, the novella was so moving that historians believe it influenced England to return the Christmas holiday to a time of generosity, charitable giving and merriment after years of Puritan sternness.

Showtimes are 7 p.m Dec. 6; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 7 (following Van Buren's Living Windows celebration); 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Advance tickets are available at The Solid Rock Bookstore in Fort Smith, Sweet Bay Coffee Co. in Van Buren and online. Adults $5 advance, $6 at the door; children 5-12, $4 advance, $5 at the door; children under 5 free. 7 p.m. King Opera House, 427 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-208-1738 evdrama.com

2011 Earthen Vessels Drama Company cast and crew of A Christmas Carol.

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Fort Smith Chorale Dec. 5 Fort Smith Chorale Carols by Candlelight Concert The Fort Smith Chorale, under the direction of Bill Cromer, will present its annual Carols by Candlelight Christmas concert, Here We Come A-Caroling. $15; students are admitted with school ID. 7:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 200 North 15th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-242-7464 fortsmithchorale.com Dec. 5- 8 Carnival A naive, orphaned girl is taken in as an apprentice to a traveling French circus and develops an astonishing ability to relate to the puppets designed and performed by an embittered, crippled man who falls in love with her. The magic of a carnival combines with the magic of love in this Bob Merrill and Michael Stewart musical adaptation of the 1953 film “Lilli.” Performances at 7 p.m. Dec. 5; 7 p.m.

Dec. 7 and 2 p.m. Dec. 8. $15 adults and $10 students. Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129 almapac.org

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MUSIC & PERFORMANCE Dec. 7 Fort Smith Symphony: The Living Christmas Card Celebrate the holiday season with spectacular performances of traditional Christmas favorites with the Fort Smith Symphony and In Full Swing.

Vocal and instrumental voices will join together for a beautiful family evening of seasonal music.

The program includes familiar and beloved Christmas carols and music from The Nutcracker. In Full Swing, a professional vocal quartet, performs in elegant Victorian attire with the orchestra and presents the "Living Christmas Card" that gives this performance its title. Season tickets range from $80 to $170. Call for individual ticket availability. 7:30 p.m. Arkansas Best Performing Arts Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith. 479-452-7575 fortsmithsymphony.org

In Full Swing Dec. 7-8 Keyboards at Christmas 2013 Using four grand pianos, multiple pianists and two choirs, in three performances, Keyboards at Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ with traditional Christmas music and is Oak Cliff’s gift to the community. Special guests this year include locally renowned pianist Gini Law. 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7; 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8.

Free. Oak Cliff Baptist Church, 3701 South Gary, Fort Smith. 479-646-3891 keyboardsatchristmas.com Dec. 8 University of the Ozarks Chamber Singers The University of the Ozarks Chamber Singers will present anthems for Advent during the worship service. Be enriched through the songs of the season that are shared by the voices from the University of the Ozarks. 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Central Presbyterian Church, 2901 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-8966 Dec. 8 Advent Lessons and Carols Service: The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee St. John's holds the "Service of Advent Lessons and Carols," a traditional service celebrated by the Episcopal Church and other Christians all around the world. Through Biblical lessons from the Old and New Testaments accompanied with hymns and anthems, the story of man's fall and God's promise of redemption through birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus is told. Organists Tim Hess and Brenda Partin, cellist Barbara Godette, and the St. John's Choir perform. A reception follows. All are welcome. 5 p.m. St. John's Episcopal Church, 215 North 6th Street, Fort Smith. 479-782-9912 stjohnfs.org December 2013/January 2014

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MUSIC & PERFORMANCE actors, a stage manager and sound effects man perform the story as a live radio drama, with actors each playing several characters.

Screenwriter and director Frank Capra's iconic characters include George’s guardian angel, Clarence, who gives George a look at what would have happened to his hometown of Bedford Falls, his family and his friends if George had never lived. George’s enemy is the villainous Mr. Potter, who dishonestly takes advantage of a mistake to cause George’s troubles. Directed by Suzanne Thomas. $5 at the door, no reservations. 8 p.m.

Fort Smith Little Theatre, 401 North 6th Street, Fort Smith. 479-783-2966

Dec. 8 Singing Men of Arkansas in Concert The “Home for Christmas” concert by the Singing Men of Arkansas has a program of vocal music celebrating the holiday season. Tickets are $15, available at Bedford Camera & Video stores or from itickets.com (surcharge applies).

7:30 p.m. Arkansas Best Performing Arts Center, 55 South 7th Street, Fort Smith. itickets.com Dec. 9 Sing Gloria A Christmas seasonal concert of the adult choir and orchestra of First Baptist Church. Free. 6 p.m. First Baptist Church, 1400 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-785-6100 Dec. 12 Young Christian Music Ensemble Young Christian Musician Ensemble in concert. 7 p.m. Historic Main Street, 427 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-2426 vanburen.org

Dec. 15 It Took A Lamb Everyone is invited to enjoy the annual Grand Family Christmas musical presented by the choir, orchestra and band of Grand Avenue Baptist Church. A family event full of great music and carols. Free. 5-6:30 p.m. Grand Avenue Baptist Church, 3900 Grand Avenue Fort Smith.

479-783-5161 grandfamily.net

Dec. 12-14 It's A Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play This holiday extra production of the Fort Smith Little Theatre is the beloved story of George Bailey, a good but desperate man driven to try to take his own life after a financial disaster. The 1946 movie is a holiday favorite starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Read. For the stage, five

Dec. 17 Alma Choir Christmas Concert The Alma Choir program is one of the most outstanding in the state, having received statewide and national recognition in recent years. Enjoy the sounds of the holiday and leave with a song in your heart. Free. 7 p.m. Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129 almpac.org

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MUSIC & PERFORMANCE Jan. 25 Fort Smith Symphony Fascinating Rhythms A special evening of classical-era favorites for orchestra, including Mozart’s sparkling overture to “The Marriage of Figaro” and his Concerto No. 4 for Horn and Orchestra. The symphony’s principle horn, Alex Shuhan, is featured. Beethoven’s riveting Symphony No. 2 in D Major closes the performance.

Individual tickets may be available. 7:30 p.m. Arkansas Best Corp. Performing Arts Alex Shuhan Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith.

479-452-7575 fortsmithsymphony.org

Shoji

Dec. 19 Shoji Tabuchi Christmas Show One of Branson’s most popular entertainers, Shoji Tabuchi, was born in Japan and began playing violin at 7. He became captivated by the country music star Roy Acuff after attending his concert in Osaka, Japan. Tabuchi began performing bluegrass music and made his way to the United States with his violin and only $500. He reconnected with Acuff and performed at the Grand Old Opry. In 1980, he began performing in Branson and now has a 200-seat theater there. With wife Dorothy and daughter Christina, Tabuchi performs a Christmas show known for its festive and talented musicians, singers and dancers. The performance repertoire includes everything from country to classic. The dance routines range from dancing with twirling cowboy ropes to lively polkas to dancing the Sugar Plum Fairy on toe during the special Christmas performance. The company's extraordinary vocalists perform a variety of genres with lovely ballads, songs of the '50s and '60s and gospel. Tickets $25-$40. 7:30 p.m.

Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main Street, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129 almapac.org

Jan. 31 Chris Cameron Blues Band Since his unprecedented sweep of the 1997 International Blues Challenge in Memphis at 18 – where he bested 37 bands in the overall contest and earned the Albert King Award for Most Promising International Blues Guitarists – Fort Smith native Chris Cameron has turned his passion for blues into an impressive career. He’s played with the greats including Bonnie Raitt and Tab Benoit, released albums, and now blends electric blues, R&B, Delta blues and originals in the Chris Cameron Blues Band. $20. 7:30 p.m.

The UAFS Blue Lion, 101 North 2nd Street, Fort Smith. 479-788-7300 uafs.universitytickets.com

Same Venue, New Name – the UAFS Blue Lion

After a naming contest, the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith has chosen The Blue Lion as the name for 101 North 2nd Street formerly called Second Street Live. UAFS acquired the venue last year. It will continue to be used for the performing arts, art exhibits and community events.

Jan. 11 Shatner’s World Known as much for his unique persona as for his expansive body of work on television and film, William Shatner takes the audience Shatner on a 90-minute voyage through his noteworthy life and career. Witness this one-man force of nature as he showcases his humor, signature storytelling and inimitable style.

Through anecdotes, songs (?!), jokes and even some poignant moments, experience this legend’s phenomenal path from classically trained Shakespearean actor to cultural icon Capt. Kirk and beyond, brilliantly creating the larger-than-life and most important character he has ever played, William Shatner. Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.org December 2013/January 2014

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Recent CD releases from local artists Aspiring performers play live shows to build a following, but recordings break them into radio and internet play. Take a chance on a hometown musicians and consider buying their CDs. Listen local!

Rocker Brandon White has recorded in LA and Nashville.

His third release is My Younger Dreams, available on iTunes. brandonwhitemusic.com Kristen Church of Greenwood has released a country single called “Livin’ Alone.” Find it on iTunes, Google Play and Amazon.com.

You can help gospel singer Kendall Triplett of Fort Smith release his debut full-length CD Lose Myself by giving to his Kickstarter campaign. kickstarter.com Captain Nowhere is an instrumental psychedelic/rock band from Fort Smith whose first record Master Key can be downloaded free from captainnowhere.bandcamp.com.

Climbing toward success in country music, Woodshed is a four-piece Fort Smith band popularly chosen to play the 2013 Thunder on the Mountain festival. Country Boy’s Life can be found on amazon.com.

Josiah Hawley, performing Dec. 1 at the MovieLounge, will release solo EPs from his website josiahhawley.com.

Luke Pruitt, songwriter and performer in the Shane Bailey Music Memorial Society, is nearing a spring release of Songs of Home and upcoming website lukepruitt.com

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Dec. 1-23 Santa on the Square Santa will hear the children's wishes and be available for photographs at the Santa Shack. 3-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 2-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free. Santa Shack, north side of the Logan County Courthouse, 25 West Walnut Street, Paris, Ark. 479-963-2244

Dec. 2 Ho, Ho, Ho! Holiday Primetime Story Time Stories, songs, crafts and snacks at this familyfriendly evening story program for kids of all ages.

Free. 6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 Dec. 2-28 Creekmore Park Holiday Express Train The miniature train at Creekmore Park becomes the Holiday Express in December, chugging along around and through the spectacular lighted displays in the park. The train will run Monday through Saturday from Dec. 2-21; Dec. 23-24 and after Christmas Dec. 26-28. Through Dec. 21, the train ride is hosted each night by a local nonprofit agency serving refreshments or offering entertainment and collecting donations.

Free, donations accepted. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Creekmore Park, Rogers Avenue and South 31st Street, Fort Smith. 479-784-2368 fortsmithparks.com

Dec. 3 Polar Express Story Time and Movie School-age children are invited to wear pajamas to a very special seasonal evening story time. Enjoy hot chocolate, read "The Polar Express" and make a fun craft. Those who wish may stay after the story time to watch the movie "The Polar Express" (PG). Free. 6 p.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith. 479-646-3945 Dec. 3-17 Mulberry Teen Time A special afternoon to play favorite board games; a Christmas party will be held Dec. 10. Free. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

Dec. 3 Children's Science Club Explore the wide, wide world of science. Free. 4-5 p.m.

Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Dec. 3-17 Mulberry Toddler Story Time Stories, games, music, crafts and snacks for toddlers.

Santa will visit on Dec. 10. Free. 11 a.m.-noon. Tuesdays. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

Dec. 3-17 Teenology in Mountainburg Games, crafts, baking and other planned activities for tweens and teens for after school fun. Free. 3:45-4:45 p.m. Tuesdays. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600

Dec. 3-17 Baby & Me Story Time Story time creates a bonding time for babies and their caregivers. Following a variety of music, finger plays, bouncing rhymes and board books is a fun introduction to story time for newborn babies to 36 months

old. The 20-minute story time followed by free play.

Free. 10:30-11 a.m. Tuesdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Ark. 479-474-6045

Dec. 4, 11 Preschool Story Time in Cedarville Get out of the cold with books about the beach and a jellyfish craft; visit with Santa on Dec. 11. Free. 10-11 a.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853

Dec. 4, 11 Preschool Story Time in Alma Children will enjoy stories and crafts all about teddy bears on Dec. 4 then take the kids in for fun stories and crafts about cats. Free. 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays.

Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Dec. 4, 11 Preschool Story Time in Van Buren Stories, rhymes and a craft will feature police work.

There also will be an opportunity to see the inside of a police car. On Dec. 11, put on your favorite green clothes and enjoy stories, rhymes and crafts that will highlight the color green. Free. 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m.-noon Wednesdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Dec. 4-18 Teen Scene in Alma Make a fun Christmas craft to put on your tree, make body scrub from scratch to give as a gift and learn to make glass candy. Free. 4-5 p.m. Wednesdays. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Dec. 4-18 Preschool and Homeschool Story Time Stories, music and more. Free. 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600

Dec. 5 Teen Time in Cedarville Looking for small gifts to give teachers or parents?

Make bubble magnets at the library. Free. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853

Dec. 5-19 Homeschool Hour in Van Buren Create an impressionist art piece with a Christmas theme, learn about snow and ice from Ms. Chris from UAMS and enjoy a holiday fellowship with special music, games and snacks. Free. 1:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Van Buren Public LIbrary, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Dec. 5, 12 After School Activity in Van Buren Christmas is all around us and to help kick off the holiday spirit, students are invited Dec. 5 to make a Christmas craft. Don't miss the Polar Express Party at the library Dec. 12. You are invited to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and treats as you watch the movie.

Free. 3:30 p.m. Thursdays. Van Buren Public LIbrary, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Dec. 7 La Hormiga Cuenta Cuentos Niños de todas las edades y sus familias están invita-

The Little Mermaid JR. The UAFS Academy Playerz will perform four showings of “The Little Mermaid JR.," an adaptation of the Disney story for youth theater. The story is based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale about a young mermaid who yearns to walk on land, due to her love of a prince she sees from afar. To leave the ocean she has to defy her father, King Triton, and make a painful bargain with an evil sea witch. The show features hit songs from the Disney animated feature, including “Under the Sea.” Shannon Stoddard directs. Two casts perform to give every student a role. $12 adults: $8 children 10 and under. One cast will perform at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14; the second cast at 7 p.m.

Dec. 14 and 2 p.m. Dec. 15. UAFS Breedlove Auditorium, 5120 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7300 uafs.universitytickets.com

13-15

dos a la Biblioteca principal a la hora de los cuentos GRATIS, incluiremos cuentos, historias, canciones, refranes y otras actividades divertidas en español con la cuenta cuentos Yazmin Grub. Ven y aprende acerca de la Biblioteca y lo que tiene para ofrecer a tu familia.

Free. 2:30 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 Dec. 7-14 Crafts for Children 8-12: Birthstone Bracelets and Key Rings Learn to make birthstone bracelets and key rings for Christmas gifts for mom, dad, grandma and granddad. Supplies will be furnished. Space is limited. $15.

10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Cre8ive Arts Network Inc. Studio, 7408 Terry in Historic Chaffee, Fort Smith.

479-484-9309, 479-357-9079 uncancre8.org Dec. 10 Children's Art Club in Alma Learn about the works of art by Gustav Klimt and create their own masterpiece. Free. 4-5 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-6324140 Dec. 12 After School Program in Alma Don't miss the Polar Express Party. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and treats as you watch the movie. Free. 45 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 December 2013/January 2014 Entertainment Fort Smith 51

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KIDS CALENDAR

Dec. 14 Breakfast with Santa in Van Buren People of all ages are invited to the Van Buren Public Library's 3rd Annual Breakfast with Santa. There will be pancakes and a photo frame craft in which to put your picture with Santa Claus. Free. 9:30-11 a.m. Van Buren Public LIbrary, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Dec. 16 Lap Time Story Time A love of reading starts early. Babies and their caregivers are invited to this special story time geared toward children birth to 24 months old. There will be rhymes, songs, simple stories and lots of interactive fun. The story time will last around 20 minutes, with time for casual interaction following the program.

Free. 10:30 a.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith. 479-646-3945 Dec. 17 Tween & Teen Book Lover’s Club Tweens and teens are invited to the monthly Book Lover’s Book Club. Bring a book or books you’ve already read to share with the group, hang out, and have fun discussing what you’ve been reading. Bring a friend too. Snacks provided. Free. 4:15 p.m. Dewey's Cafe at the Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 Dec. 17 Christmas Craft Time Make a Christmas twig candleholder and a Christmas snack. Free. 3:30 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

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Entertainment Fort Smith

December 2013/January 2014

Dec. 17 Holiday Movie Day A holiday-themed movie, fresh popcorn and a drink.

Free. 3:45-5 p.m. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600 Dec. 18 Christmas Story Time Special holiday story time features Christmas stories, crafts and a snack. Free. 10:30 a.m. Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith. 479-484-5650

Dec. 18 Twister Time Watch your friends become human knots. Can you outlast your friend in a friendly game of Twister? Free.

3:30 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

Dec. 18 Preschool Story Time with Santa Santa is making time to visit the library. Remember to take your camera to get a picture with your little one.

A snack will be provided. 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m.noon. Free. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Van Buren Public LIbrary, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Dec. 19 Movie Night: Rise of the Guardians (PG) This animated epic adventure features a group of heroes with extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit, Pitch, tries to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces to protect the hopes, beliefs and the imagination of children all over. Take refreshments or pick something up at Dewey’s Café.

Free. 6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229

Dec. 19 Polar Express Day in Cedarville Go to the library in your PJ's for some hot chocolate and to enjoy a movie to put you in the Christmas spirits. Free. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853 Dec. 19 Holiday Movie Day Watch a movie about Jack Skellington, as he tries to understand the true meaning of Christmas. Free. 3:30 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

Dec. 19 After School Program in Alma Enjoy a game of bingo with your friends and win books for prizes. Free. 4-5 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Dec. 20 Story Time with Santa Librarians will share some of their favorite Christmas songs and stories. Santa Claus will also be stopping by. Free. 10 a.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith. 479-646-3945 Dec. 20 Nightmare Before Christmas Craft Kids and teens – make a Jack Skellington Christmas ornament. Free. 3:30 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

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Dec. 20 Polar Express Party Go in your PJ's, take your pillows and blankets. Hot chocolate, snacks and crafts will be shared before the movie. Free. 6:30 p.m. Van Buren Public LIbrary, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Dec. 20-Jan. 31 Chill Out and Read: Winter Reading Program for Tweens and Teens Participants can read a book, listen to an audio book or download and read an e-book. Fill out a review and return it to your neighborhood library for a chance to win a prize. Free. All Fort Smith Public Library locations. 479-783-0229 Dec. 21 Milk and Cookies with Santa Children of all ages are encouraged to attend and tell Santa what they want for Christmas and to enjoy some milk and cookies. Seating is limited; please register your children in advance by phone. Free. 1 and 3 p.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229

Dec. 22 'An Out-of-the-Box Christmas' Children's Musical Children and youth, through song and drama, present the birth of Jesus in a unique, comical and heartfelt way. The musical takes place at the final dress rehearsal for a Christmas pageant. The costumes finally arrive and when they pull them "out of the box" they are all wrong. The children creatively share the Christmas message. Free. 6-7 p.m. Central Church, 400 North Waldron, Fort Smith. 479-452-1901 Dec. 27 Movie Day in Mulberry Two different movies at two different times. Call the library for the titles. Free. 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

Dec. 31 N’Quad (Not Quite Adults) Book Club Readers who are Not Quite Adult can share a current read or to learn of a potential read from their peers.

Free. 4 p.m. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith. 479-785-0405

Jan. 2 Girls Day at the Library Have fun with beads making your own bracelets, necklaces and key chains. Lunch is included. Free.

10:30 a.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226 Jan. 3 Twister and Lunch Try a fun game of Twister, the game that leaves you in knots. Lunch is served afterward. Free. 11 a.m.-noon.

Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

Jan. 4 La Hormiga Cuenta Cuentos Niños de todas las edades y sus familias están invitados a la Biblioteca principal a la hora de los cuentos gratis, incluiremos cuentos, historias, canciones, refranes y otras actividades divertidas en español. Ven y aprende acerca de la Biblioteca y lo que tiene para ofrecer a tu familia. Free. 2:30 p.m. Fort Smith Public

KIDS CALENDAR Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-783-0229

Jan. 6 Primetime Story Time: Happy New Year A fun evening of stories, songs, crafts and snacks.

Free. 6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 Jan. 7 Children's Science Club in Alma An owl will be the special guest and the kids will learn about owl pellets. Free. 4-5 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Jan. 7-28 Teen Time in Mulberry Activities this month will include Yahtzee, Bernoulli's Principle and how conduits work and game time. Free.

3:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

Jan. 7-28 Baby & Me Story Time in Van Buren A variety of music, finger plays, bouncing rhymes and board books are used as a fun introduction to story time for newborn babies to 36 months old. The 20minute story time is followed by free play. Free. 10:3011 a.m. Tuesdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Jan. 7-28 Teenology in Mountainburg After-school activities for ages 10 and up. Free. 3:45 p.m. Tuesdays. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600 Jan. 7-28 Toddler Story Time in Mulberry Stories, music, snacks and crafts. Free. 11 a.m. Tuesdays. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-997-1226

Polar Express at the Fort Smith Trolley Museum Experience the magic of “The Polar Express,” the classic children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. The holiday story will be read aloud and the children can see a real-life train like the one featured so prominently in the book. Readings will be held in the museum’s vintage railroad car. Santa will be present to talk with the children and free photos with him will be available. Kids can enjoy a free trolley ride and hot cocoa and cookies will be served. Organized by the Positive People of Fort Smith. 4-9 p.m. Fort Smith Trolley Museum, 100 South 4th Street, Fort Smith. 479-783-0205 fstm.org

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Jan. 8-29 Preschool Story Time in Cedarville Learn about penguins, polar bears and snowy owls; shake your sillies out; hear about who wears what kind of hat and learn about Ground Hog Day. Free. 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853 Jan. 8 Toddler Story Time in Alma This month's topics include winter, home, monkeys and snow with music, crafts and snacks. Free. 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Jan. 8-29 Teen Scene Cooking in Alma Create a special dish, play board games, explore the different flavors of Super Bowl goodies and play football games and create a football pillow. Free. 4-5 p.m.

Wednesdays. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Jan. 8-29 Preschool & Homeschool Story Time Stories and music, along with an activity table. Free.

10:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600

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KIDS CALENDAR

Jan. 9 Movie Night: Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (PG) In order to restore their dying safe haven, the son of Poseidon and his friends embark on a quest to the Sea of Monsters to find the mythical Golden Fleece while trying to stop an ancient evil from rising. Take refreshments or pick some up at Dewey’s Café. Free.

6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229

Jan. 9 Movie Time in Cedarville Enjoy an animated action-packed comedy featuring Dusty, a plane with dreams of competing as a highflying air racer. Plan to be inspired to soar. Free. 3:304:30 p.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853 Jan. 9-30 After School Program in Alma Grab a friend and go to the library to make an owl, play with Legos or board games or watch a new breed of super heroes as pups unleash their amazing abilities. Free. 4-5 p.m. Thursdays. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-410-1853 Jan. 13, 27 Lap Time Story Time A love of reading starts early. Babies and their caregivers are invited to a special story time geared toward children birth to 24 months old. There will be rhymes, songs, simple stories and lots of interactive fun. The story time will last around 20 minutes, with time for casual interaction following the program. Free. 10:30 a.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith. 479-646-3945

Jan. 14 Children's Art Club in Alma Children will learn about the works of art by Wassily Kandinsky and have a chance to create their own masterpiece. Free. 4-5 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Jan. 16 Make & Take Craft: Tell Me a Story Kids can create their own book and tell their own story.

Kids in kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to see where their creativity will take them. Free. 9 a.m.6 p.m. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith. 479-785-0405 Jan. 17 Bingo in Mulberry All kids are invited to play bingo at the library. Free.

3:30-4:30 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

Jan. 21 Tween & Teen Book Lover’s Club Tweens and teens (ages 9-17), take a book or books you’ve already read to share with the group, hang out and have fun. Take a friend, too. Snacks provided.

Free. 4:15 p.m. Dewey's Cafe at the Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-7830229 Jan. 23 Kids Craft Day in Cedarville A craft and snacks are planned for all ages. Free. 3:30 p.m. Cedarville Public LIbrary, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853

Sign up today to host a MDOP in your church on January 18, 2014.

MDOP is a non-denominational, world-wide prayer event that brings mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts and prayer warriors together in unity one day each year to pray for our children. It’s free and simple to organize.

Learn more! www.MomsDayOfPrayer.com

Contact us!

Melinda@momsdayofprayer.com • (479) 452-6215

Follow us! www.facebook.com/MomsDayOfPrayer • #momsdayofprayer 54

Entertainment Fort Smith

December 2013/January 2014

Jan. 24 Wii Games in Mulberry Enjoy new Wii games at the library Free. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

Jan. 28 N’Quad (Not Quite Adults) Book Club Readers who are Not Quite Adult can share a current read or to learn of a potential read from their peers.

Free. 4 p.m. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith. 479-785-0405 Jan. 28 Bingo for Books: Winter Edition Go to the library for hot chocolate and bingo. Take family and friends and join the fun in this special winter edition of the popular library program where winners earn books as prizes. Winners will be able to select a book from a selection of children and teen titles. Free. 6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-783-0229

Jan. 25-26, Feb. 1-2 Battle at the Fort Volleyball Club The Fort Smith Juniors Volleyball organization hosts Battle at the Fort, an annual and epic tournament spread over two weekends. Girls 9-18 from all over the region make up the highly competitive teams. Play will take place at the Fort Smith Convention Center, Rogers Avenue and North 9th Street, and the new Fort Smith Juniors Facility, 5709 South 73rd Place, Fort Smith. fortsmithjuniors.com

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Radiator Building – Night, New York, 1927, oil on canvas. Georgia O’Keeffe. Photo by Edward C. Robison III.

CALENDAR of events

The Artists’ Eye: Georgia O’Keeffe and the Alfred Stiegletz Collection In 1949, Georgia O’Keeffe donated 101 works of art, ranging from African masks to Modernist paintings, to Fisk University in Nashville. Most of the objects had been collected by O’Keeffe’s late husband, Alfred Stieglitz, a photographer, gallery owner and tireless champion of American Modernists. The Artists’ Eye: Georgia O’Keeffe and the Alfred Stieglitz Collection includes works from that collection and features the artists Stieglitz most favored, including O’Keeffe, Charles Demuth, Arthur Dove, Marsden Hartley and John Marin, alongside some of the early European Modernists who inspired them, including Paul Cézanne, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The collection is now co-owned by Crystal Bridges and Fisk University and will travel between the two institutions. Go online to reserve tickets. $5; free for museum members and ages 18 and younger. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Ark. 479-418-5700 crystalbridges.org

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Dec. 1 Tour of Holiday Homes This fund-raiser for the Logan County Old Jail Museum features some of Paris’ loveliest and most elaborately decorated holiday homes. Tickets are available the day of the tour from the museum at 202 North Vine Street, Paris. Tour beautifully decorated homes and businesses sure to get you in the holiday mood.

1-4 p.m. Logan County Old Jail Museum, 202 North Vine Street, Paris, Ark. 479-963-3936 479-963-3936 Dec. 2 Annual Bean Feed and Christmas Parade Music, Santa house, pictures with Santa, beans and cornbread, cookies, hot chocolate and hot cider.

Christmas parade features more than 100 lighted entries, prizes for best floats. Free. 5 p.m. Greenwood Courthouse, 16 Town Square, Greenwood, Ark. 479-996-6357 greenwoodarkansas.com

Dec. 1 Lee Creek Recreation Area Hike TrailBlazers Hiking Club will explore Lee Creek Recreation Area. In this scenic area close to home, the club will hike the Cracked Rock Trail to a rugged bluff area and the Homestead Trail featuring historic artifacts and cemetery for a distance of two to three miles rated moderate due to some elevation. Meet at Cloverleaf Plaza parking lot to carpool/caravan. Free. 1 p.m. Lee Creek Recreation Area, Pine Hollow Road, Uniontown, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com

Dec. 1-31 Fort Smith Public Library Holiday Food Drive One in five people in our area are struggling, one in three rural Arkansas children live in food insecure homes. Drop off non-perishable food items at any Fort Smith library location in December. All food collected will be given to the River Valley Regional Food Bank to help the hungry in the Fort Smith area. 9 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

Dec. 1-31 The Perfect Gift: Library Books for Christmas Honor someone special while sharing your love of reading by donating to the Fort Smith Public Library’s The Perfect Gift: Library Books for Christmas program. Visit any Fort Smith Public Library location to choose a book to add to the library’s collection in honor or memory of someone special. Children’s books are a $10 donation; adult books are a $25 donation. Proceeds from the Perfect Gift fundraiser will go to the library’s materials fund to be used for the purchase of new library materials. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org Dec. 1-31 Art Exhibit: Paintings by Lavon Marchi An exhibit by artist Lavon Marchi will feature her botanical paintings. These beautiful flowers, done in oils, delight the senses as they pop off the canvas. A native of Arkansas, Marchi began painting at 16. Over the years, she has painted a variety of subjects, including wildlife, street scenes, architectural details, storms and other acts of nature on canvas. The artist believes there are too many beautiful things in the world to specialize in one area. The artist’s work has been collected throughout the United States and internationally. Free. 9 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 December 2013/January 2014 Entertainment Fort Smith 55

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Dec. 2 Senior Coffee Talk Christmas Party Learn about resources for all things senior. Senior Coffee Talk partners will be hosting our annual Christmas party. Be prepared for lots of food, fun and door prizes. Maybe even Santa will appear. Free. 9-10 a.m.

Van Buren Public Library Meeting Room, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-434-3531

23rd Annual Hearts of Gold Campaign Open House DECEMBER

The Hearts of Gold campaign collects warm, soft clothing for gifts that will be distributed through Project Compassion Inc. to more than 3,000 area long-term care residents in 33 nursing homes in Arkansas and Oklahoma. The public is invited to take unwrapped gifts to the open house. Special guests this year will include Betsy Broyles Arnold, Drew Michaels from Channel 40/29, Mayor Sandy Sanders, Bill Murray on the piano and The Jack and Jill Singers. Hearts of Gold began in 1991 to make sure no one in a nursing home is forgotten – especially at Christmas. Project Compassion works with staff and residents to compile “wish lists" for Christmas. The most requested items are warm clothing, such as sweatpants, sweatshirts, sweaters, socks, pajamas and flannel nightgowns. Volunteers package these items, write a card and give them as gifts to residents during Christmas parties. For 40 years, Project Compassion’s mission has been to bring joy, comfort and compassion to long term care and assisted living residents. This is accomplished by one-to-one visitation or visitation in group-activity settings. Thirty-three long-term care, assisted living and health and rehabilitation facilities are served by approximately 350 volunteers. Project Compassion is a United Way Community Partner. Free. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Project Compassion Hearts of Gold Open House, 1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith.

479-783-2273 projectcompassioninc.org

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Dec. 1-31 Christmas Sponsorships: Sharing the Spirit of the Season The Community Services Clearinghouse invites everyone to share the spirit of Christmas by becoming a Holiday Sponsor. With a gift of $25, the Clearinghouse will be able to give Christmas presents to a less fortunate child in our community. Call to donate or mail your donation to Community Services Clearinghouse, 4420 Wheeler Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-782-5074 csclearinghouse.org

Dec. 1-31 Moving On: Paintings by Maggie Malloy After spending many years in her adopted city of Key West, Fla., Maggie Malloy returned to Arkansas to immerse herself in art studies. Eight years later, she continues to enroll in a class or two and spends an average of an hour a day in her studio. Malloy has studied under a variety of instructors believing “different strokes for different folks” allow her to learn new techniques and grow. The artist creates most of her works from photographs, rather than “plein aire.”

Some of her newer pieces were selected to hang in 56 Entertainment Fort Smith December 2013/January 2014

Gallery 307 in Russellville, and she continues to enter shows locally and in Northwest Arkansas. Malloy’s latest inspiration comes from Ireland, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and her grandchildren. Free. 9 a.m. Dewey's Cafe at the Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

Dec. 1-31 Janet Black and Dennis Russell Photography Exhibit Janet Black of Fort Smith will display her photographs featuring autumn scenes and zoo animals. A retired schoolteacher, she and her husband enjoy traveling, which allows her the perfect opportunity to make use of her talent. Huntington photographer Dennis Russell will also showcase his photos of local landscapes from Arkansas and Oklahoma. After becoming affected by a life-changing disability, Russell looked for some way to enrich his life; photography seemed to fit his love of the outdoors, and the ability to share it with others. Russell began taking photos seriously after taking a class taught by Carroll Copeland; he then joined the Fort Smith Photographic Alliance. Free.

Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith. 479-646-3945 fortsmithlibrary.org

Dec. 2 Glisten and Give: Bunco Benefit Join the STIR (Social To Ignite Response) team to play Bunco to benefit the parents of children in Arkansas Children's Hospital Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit.

There will be great prizes and amazing food. Players are asked to take an item to be placed in pampering bags to deliver to the parents of children in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Magazines, hand sanitizer, gift cards, chewing gum, microwavable popcorn, mints, sleep mask and reusable water bottles are useful suggestions. $10. 7-9 p.m. Madame's Main Attraction, 710 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-420-3266 Dec. 2-11 Digital Literacy Learn the basics of using a computer. Beginners will be introduced to the basics of terminology, using the mouse and to some common programs. Free. 5-7:55 p.m. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith. 479-785-1232 adulteducationfortsmith.org

Dec. 2-11 MS Excel 2010 Learn the basics of spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel 2010, including formatting, formulas, data lists and charts. Create and use financial documents easily. $80, includes textbook and flash drive. 5-7:55 p.m.

Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith. 4797851232

Dec. 2-30 Monday Night Dance Lessons Dance lessons change every month to a different dance. Betty Farmer teaches beginners dance and Mike Lawrence teaches the advanced dance in foxtrot, waltz, cha-cha, rhumba, tango, bolero, salsa, merengue, samba, West Coast swing, East Coast swing, paso doble and polka. Dance on the largest dance floor in the River Valley. Advance lessons: 6:307:30 p.m.; beginners lessons 7:30-9 p.m. Eagles Ballroom, 3321 South 66th Street, Fort Smith.

479-484-7156 Dec. 2-31 Christmas Merchandise for The Girl Next Door Thrift Store Cleaning some things out to make room for Christmas? Bring gently used clothing and household items to donate to the thrift store that supports the Crisis Intervention Center, open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The Girl Next Door Thrift Store, 415 Lexington Avenue, Fort Smith. 470-434-4433 fscic.org Dec. 3, 17 Scrabble Club in Van Buren Enjoy an informal atmosphere as you play the original "Words with Friends" – Scrabble. Free. 1 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org

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Dec. 3-12 Computer Basics Level 2 Build on Computer Basics Level 1 to learn more about the computer, the way it works, runs and is updated.

Understand the roles available as administrator. Add users, increase security and further explore the control panel to adjust and customize computer settings. This class is easy to complete and designed to make you more comfortable with your computer. $55; partner pricing, $40 each. 10 a.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Dec. 4-5 Family Caregiver Workshop: Dementia A workshop provides an overview of information on dementia and caregiving for anyone helping to provide unpaid care for an older adult with dementia at home.

Attendance highly recommended (though not required) for both days. Seating is limited, please call to register or for additional information. Schmieding Home Caregiver Training is a program of the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging and the Arkansas Aging Initiative. This work is supported by a grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. Free. Noon4 p.m. West Central Center on Aging, 512 South 16th Street, Fort Smith. 479-478-8819

Dec. 5 Welcome Neighbor Holiday Charity Auction Enjoy lunch and a silent auction to buy Christmas presents. Proceeds benefit The Arc of the River Valley, an organization that provides advocacy, education and recreation for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Welcome Neighbor Club is a nonprofit social/service organization for women wanting to connect with other women through a sense of community. Members enjoy many activities from bunco to brunches and day trips. Tickets must be purchased in advance $15. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Fianna Hills Country Club, No. 1 Essex Road, Fort Smith. 479-649-0618 welcomeneighborftsmith.com

Dec. 5 Sheltering the Seed of Hope The beautiful season of Advent can, at times, become the lost season of the liturgical year. The excitement of holiday preparations, the anticipation of gift-giving and reuniting with family members can be both a joy and a distraction in this season of light and life. Pause in the midst of Christmas preparations and take a long, deep look at the spirituality of the season. Gather in a small retreat community to shelter the seed of hope in our own hearts and in the larger global community. Lunch will be served. $50, with a nonrefundable $20 deposit. 9:15 a.m. St. Scholastica Retreat Center, 1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith.

479-783-1135 stscho.org

Dec. 5 Small Business Seminar: Advanced QuickBooks Hands-on The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will present this hands-on workshop geared toward experienced QuickBooks users with an emphasis on enhancing the basics of day-to-day usage. Learn to work with inventory, estimates, progress invoices, custom forms, custom reports and other features. Seating is limited; call or go online to register. $65. 1-4 p.m. Beall Barclay & Co., 3101 South 70th Street, Fort Smith. 479-356-2067 asbtdc.ualr.edu/training/russellville.asp

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS about archeological sites. The Fort Smith talk is for a meeting of the Ark-Homa Chapter of the Arkansas Archeological Society and the Oklahoma Anthropological Society. It is hosted by the research station located at UAFS. For more information, contact Tim Mulvihill, UAFS research station archeologist. Free. 7 p.m. UAFS Math-Science Building, Room 211, 720 North 49th Street, Fort Smith. 479-788-7812 Dec. 5-7 8th Annual Living Nativity Drive Through Living Faith Missionary Baptist Church presents its 8th annual Living Nativity Drive Through as a gift to surrounding towns. Drive through Bethlehem and see and hear the first Christmas. The trip will start with Isaiah receiving the prophecy of the coming Savior, a manger scene with baby Jesus, shepherds, angels and wise men. Deer Acres will provide camels, donkeys, sheep, goats and lambs; a petting area is available. Free. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Living Faith Missionary Baptist Church, 2 miles south of Interstate 540, Exit 14 at the junction of Arkansas 253 South and Arkansas 45 South, Fort Smith. 479-549-2350 livingfaithmbc.org

The 25-foot Leland Cyprus planted at Sparks came from Bemis Tree Farm located in Colt, Ark. The tree was transported and planted with a specially designed forklift, called a Big John Tree Transplanter, attached to the bed of a truck.

Live Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony A living 25-foot Christmas tree planted outside Sparks Regional Medical Center will be trimmed and lit by Sparks Auxiliary. With the $5 purchase of a Christmas card, a light will be illuminated in honor or in remembrance of a loved one. The cards are available at Jennifer’s Gift Shop at the hospital, Jennifer’s Too at the Plaza and This-n-That Thrift Shop on the corner of South 17th Street and Dodson Avenue. Or mail a request, specifying whether the card is “In Memory” or “In Honor” of and the person’s name and address along with a check to: Sparks Regional Medical Center Volunteer Services P.O. Box 2406 Fort Smith, AR 72902. Proceeds will go toward valet services at Sparks Regional Medical Center, which is provided to patients and family members free of charge due to the fundraising efforts of the auxiliary. Free. 5:30-7 p.m. Sparks Regional Medical Center, 1001 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-441-4000 sparkshealth.com

DECEMBER

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Dec. 5 Jewelry Making: Clay Baubles A jewelry making class led by local artist Shana Laser.

Learn the materials and techniques to make your jewelry from clay. $45, includes materials. 6 p.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

Dec. 5 First Thursday Fort Smith: Christmas Celebration Merchants and restaurants of downtown Fort Smith will celebrate with the community with Christmas treats and entertainment. Many offer special discounts, sales and door prizes and are collecting for charitable causes with food and toy drives. Find First Thursday Fort Smith on Facebook for last-minute details. Downtown Fort Smith Dec. 5 That Thursday Night Thing: Truman Capote’s "One Christmas" Brad Kidder, history professor at the University of 58 Entertainment Fort Smith December 2013/January 2014

Arkansas-Fort Smith and longtime performer with the Fort Smith Little Theatre, will share the short story "One Christmas" by Truman Capote. Saxophonist Donald Thompson also will be playing seasonal music and refreshments will be served. Free. 7 p.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith. 479-6463945 fortsmithlibrary.org

Dec. 5 Learn About the Arkansas Archeological Society Learn about the Arkansas Archeological Society and how the organization works with people interested in archeology in talk called "Opportunities for Amateurs to Work with Professionals to Preserve the Past." Marilyn Knapp, president of the Arkansas Archeological Society, will be the speaker. The Arkansas Archeological Society, which unites those interested in the archeology of Arkansas, works to recognize and preserve the cultural heritage and prehistory of the state and to foster and encourage the public’s interest in the preservation of the past. Participants can be taught the proper methods to discover, record and learn

Dec. 5-8 Jammu, India Orphanage/School Land Fundraiser Do some creative shopping to help raise funds to build an orphanage and public school for a village of 8,000 people near Jammu City, India. One-of-a-kind jewelry made here and in India, decorative pieces, pillow shams, glass bangles, saris from India, children's books and more will be available. 3 p.m. Dec. 5-4 p.m.

Dec. 8. BrickCity Emporium Community Corner, 3215 South 74th Street, Fort Smith. 479-926-9557 rimi.org

Dec. 5-19 Square Dancing Keep mind and body fit dancing to great music with people who know how to laugh. Those who can square dance, get in the swing. Those who don't know how can learn while dancing. Dress is casual. $2.50.

First time guests free. Call for location. 7-9 p.m. Hug Chevrolet Show Room or Gathering Place, 407 East Main Street, Charleston, Ark. 918-962-9427 479-639-0019

Dec. 6 Amish Farm Holiday Trip An annual trip to the Amish Farm kicks off the holiday season. Enjoy a delicious family-style banquet at the Amish Farm. Then travel to Tulsa where you can either shop at Woodland Hills Mall or tour the Philbrook Museum. The tour then swings back to Muskogee for a light supper and Christmas lights at the Castle, finishing with Honor Heights Park, which also features a stunning seasonal display in its Garden of Lights.

Relax on the trip back to Fort Smith in chauffeured comfort. $85, includes lunch, light supper and museum admission. 10 a.m. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-7887220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning Dec. 6 Mercy Health Foundation's White Christmas Holiday Gala Enjoy dinner, dancing and a live auction with all proceeds benefitting the nursing education fund at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. Sponsorships are available. Black tie optional. $100. 6 p.m. The Studio at MovieLounge, 7601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-314-1133 mercy.net/ftsmith

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Dec. 6 2nd Annual Women of Faith Christmas Celebrate the birth of Christ during a live simulcast with featured speakers Max Lucado, Sheila Walsh and Lisa Harper and musical guest Francesca Battisteli. Be a part of a special celebration where Women of Faith will share stories and songs that bring the wonder of Christmas to life. Free. 7- 9:30 p.m. Grace Community Church, 4001 Brooken Hill Drive, Fort Smith.

479-646-1177 gracefs.com/womenoffaithchristmas

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Dec. 6 Christmas Fundraiser Luncheon Enjoy a delicious homemade meal of chili or stew, salad, cornbread and drink. Home-baked items also will be sold at the event or call to pre-order a favorite dessert item made to order. Local delivery available if you call ahead. All proceeds from this 6th annual event go toward providing gifts for at-risk children in need of a brighter Christmas. $7. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Comprehensive Juvenile Services Office, 1606 South J Street, Fort Smith. 479-785-4031 cjsinc.org

Dec. 6 Crochet and Knitting Class Learning to crochet or knit. Take yarn, a size G or H hook and a willingness to learn. All levels are welcome. Free. 10-11 a.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Dec. 6 Dignity Therapy: Creating a Legacy at the End of Life Dignity Therapy is a therapeutic technique designed to increase feelings of control and promote dignity for people who are nearing the end of their lives. This technique provides a systematic way of producing a written record of final thoughts, feelings and wishes of the dying person. This workshop, presented by Dr. Alishia Ferguson, professor at the University of Arkansas School of Social Work in Fayetteville, will provide an overview of this therapy and will include an explanation of the Dignity Model for the Terminally Ill; all of the steps involved in Dignity Therapy; and a discussion of the empirical evidence behind this method. Sponsored by the National Association of Social Workers Arkansas Chapter, Western Branch.

Three-hour CEU available for social workers. This meeting will also serve as a potluck Christmas party. $10. 1-4 p.m. Mercy Hospital, Sicard Room, 7301 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 800-797-6279

Dec. 6 Dervish Dance This is a fun dance that features an array of music oriented toward ballroom, Latin, swing and polka dancers. A local DJ will provide the music for your dance enjoyment. The dress attire is a relaxed dressy casual; this is not a coat-and-tie event. $5. 7-10 p.m.

Eagles Ballroom, 3321 South 66th Street, Fort Smith. 479-484-7156

Dec. 6 Alma Public Library Christmas Open House Held just prior to the Alma Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. Meet the staff, enjoy hot chocolate and baked goods and see what the library is all about.

This year, there are raffles and door prizes, as well. All proceeds from the benefit the Alma Public Library. So while waiting for the parade to start, go in and enjoy the warmth and holiday cheer. Free. 5-6 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 crawfordcountylib.org

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Dec. 7 Waldron Downtown Lighting Ceremony Music, food and local vendors are found along Main Street during the 1st Saturday Tradin' Days, with some booths opening at 8 a.m.; Chamber of Commercesponsored silent auction begins at 10 a.m., along with the annual toy sale. Downtown Lighting Ceremony with entertainment is at 5 p.m. on the Old Courthouse Lawn, followed by the Christmas parade on Main Street at 6 p.m. Free. Main Street, Waldron, Ark. 479637-2775 waldronareachamberofcommerce.com

Dec. 7 Cove Lake Loop Hike TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike Cove Lake Loop near Mount Magazine, a moderate 3.5-mile loop that circles the lake. There will be scenic views of the lake and a “lookout window” where you can see the top of Mount Magazine. Meet at Home Depot parking lot in Fort Smith for a 9 a.m. departure. Free. 9 a.m. Cove Lake, Arkansas 309 South, Fort Smith. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com

Drennen-Scott Historic Site Victorian Open House Visitors to the Drennen-Scott Historic Site will have a chance to see the home as it appeared in the 19th century at the second annual Victorian Christmas Open House. Tom Wing, director of the DSHS and associate professor of history at the UA-Fort Smith, said the historic home will be decked out in Victorian-themed Christmas decorations for the holiday celebration, including a cornucopia containing real fruit. The driveway and walking paths will be outlined with luminaries, while the interior of the house will be decorated courtesy of Tate’s Florist and Parks Brothers Nurseries. There will be handmade ornaments, seasonal greenery and Victorian colors and decorative items. The house will be decorated to appear as it did in 1899, when Phillip Drennen Scott Sr. and his wife, Fanny, lived in the house. Volunteers will dress up to portray the couple.

Wing said eggnog, wassail and the Drennen-Scott traditional sugared and salted pecans will be served. Attendees can enjoy free carriage rides, and children will be able to make a Victorian ornament in an arts and crafts workshop. Live Christmas music will be provided by the UAFS clarinet ensemble. Limited parking is available. Guests may park near the Crawford County Courthouse and walk to the site, which is slightly over a block away. Free. 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Drennen-Scott Historic Site, 222 North 3rd Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-262-2750 uafs.edu/humanities/drennen-scott-house

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Dec. 6-7 Christmas Arts and Craft Show Shop for Christmas presents. Lots of high-quality homemade items. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 6; 9:30 a.m.1 p.m. Dec. 7. Free. Fianna Hills Baptist Church Community Room, 10300 Jenny Lind, Fort Smith. 479-461-2236

Dec. 7 Poteau Christmas Holiday Market Sponsored by the Poteau Women's League, the market includes art, crafts, food, Christmas candy and holiday shopping. Children may visit with Santa 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. before he rides in the Christmas parade. $2; 10 & under free. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Donald W. Reynolds Center, 105 Reynolds Avenue, Poteau, Okla. 918-647-6354 Dec. 7 Christmas Open House Celebrate the holidays with the park's volunteer organization, the Mount Magazine Action Group. Enjoy 60 Entertainment Fort Smith December 2013/January 2014

a festive atmosphere, light refreshments and start your holiday shopping, including free gift wrapping.

Learn how to become a park volunteer from members eager to share their love of Mount Magazine State Park. Participate in a special fundraiser to help the group's activities that support programs such as the annual butterfly festival. Items up for sale include scarves, jewelry, garden goodies and two raffles. Free.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mount Magazine State Park Visitor Center, 16878 Arkansas 309, Paris, Ark. 479-9638502 mountmagazinestatepark.com

Dec. 7 Living Windows, Lighting of the Courthouse and Festival of Trees Van Buren’s Historic Main Street becomes a living history lesson as merchants have live window displays depicting Van Buren’s colorful history starting at 5:30 p.m. The lighting of the courthouse will be at 6 p.m., followed by the Festival of Trees. 5:30 p.m. Historic Main Street, Historic Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 800-332-5889 vanburen.org

Dec. 7 Authors in the Afternoon: Shirley Touchstone and Anita Dowty Local authors Shirley Faith Touchstone and Anita Dowty will promote and sign copies of their book "Why Am I Still Here?" This passionate book delves into the mystery of how life can still have meaning in the face of tragedy and grief. The true stories in the book speak of grief, divorce, murder, abuse, drugs, alcoholism and suffering, as well as joy, peace, faith and happiness according to God’s will. Copies will be available for sale and signing at this open-house style event. Free. 2-4 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229

Dec. 7 Living Windows Carriage Rides Carriage rides will be available during the Van Buren's Living Windows. Meet at the west end of Main Street near the Crawford County Courthouse. $8; family rates available. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Living Windows Carriage Rides, Historic Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 918-207-5487

Dec. 7 73rd Annual Fort Smith Christmas Parade Join Santa and the entire community by celebrating the holiday cheer in downtown Fort Smith. To register a float or to march in the parade, call or go to Facebook for an entry form. Awards are given to the best in each of the categories: float, band, cheer/dance and freestyle. The parade is sponsored by the Fort Smith Jaycees. Free. 1 p.m. Downtown Fort Smith, Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-353-0867

Dec. 8 Fort Smith Public Library Holiday Open House A festive afternoon of music, crafts, games, stories, holiday displays, light refreshments and other entertainment for children and adults. There will be musical entertainment throughout the entire afternoon, along with special activities to delight all ages. Take a nonperishable food item for the Holiday Food Drive.

Scheduled performances include: 1 p.m. Southside High School String Quartet; 1:30 p.m. St. Boniface Rhythm Band; 2 p.m. St. Boniface Christmas Spirit Squad; 2:30 p.m. Developmental Wings Hand Bell Choir; 3 p.m. Riverblenders Barbershop Choir; 3:30 p.m. Rated PG (Praise Generation Youth Gospel

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Choir); 4 p.m. Bill and Nancy Carpenter. Free. 1 -5 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

Dec. 8 Candlelight Communion A Fort Smith Christmas tradition, Evangel Temple's Candlelight Communion is one of the most widely attended events the church holds each year. Enjoy carols and the Christmas story by candlelight. Free.10:45 a.m. Evangel Temple, Towson and Dodson Avenues, Fort Smith. 479-782-9121 excitinget.com

Dec. 8 United Methodist Women's Annual Tasting Tea A traditional Christmas event with tables of delicious dishes for your tasting pleasure. Recipe books will be available for $3 and they make wonderful Christmas gifts.

Sit down, relax and get lots of good ideas for a wonderful holiday. Good food and good fellowship. $5. 2-3:30 p.m. Greenwood United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 15 West El Paso, Greenwood. 479-996-6397

Dec. 8 Worldwide Candle Lighting Ceremony Bereaved Parents of the USA (BP/USA) along with Sparks Health System will observe National Children’s Memorial Day. On this day, the people of the United States are called upon to hold appropriate ceremonies and activities in remembrance of children of all ages who have died. BP/USA has invited everyone in every time zone around the world to light candles at 7 p.m. Dec. 8. As candles burn down in one time zone, they will be lighted in the next, creating a virtual wave of light that will circle the globe. The Western Arkansas Chapter of Bereaved Parents of the USA meets the third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Reynolds Cancer Support House. Free. 6:30 p.m. Shuffield Education Center, Sparks Regional Medical Center, 1001 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-420-9634 bereavedparentsusa.org Dec. 9 Christmas in New York The holidays in New York are a spectacle of lights and entertainment, arts and shopping and iconic images. Rockefeller Center, Madison Square Garden, the

Museum of History Christmas Open House Welcome the holidays with the Fort Smith Museum of History. Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and free museum admission before or after the Fort Smith Christmas Parade.

Learn the history of the city as you enjoy the tradition of open house and the Christmas parade. Free; donations appreciated. 2-5 p.m. Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-7841 fortsmithmuseum.com

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Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building will be on the itinerary. A day’s shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s, and a pastrami on rye where “Harry Met Sally” are also on the list. Round that off with a Broadway show and the high-kicking Radio City Rockettes. Call for registration information. UAFS Center for Lifelong Learning, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 Dec. 9 Holiday Message of Hope Just in time for the holidays, Dr. Daniel Mackey will encourage and inspire as he shares his seasonal message about coping with cancer from a Christian perspective. Refreshments provided by Cooper Clinic. Email info@ReynoldsCancerSupportHouse.org for reservations. Free. 5:30 p.m. Reynolds Cancer Support House, 3324 South M Street, Fort Smith. 479-782-6302 reynoldscancersupporthouse.org

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Dec. 10 Arkansas Surgical Weight Loss Seminar Imagine your healthy life after weight-loss surgery.

Call for required registration. Free. 6-7:30 p.m. Sparks Regional Medical Center, 1001 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith. 877-709-3627, 479-709-3627

Dec. 10 Lunch & Learn: Frankly Speaking About Lung Cancer Sparks Health System is partnering with the American Lung Association for this seminar that provides an indepth look into the variety of concerns cancer patients and their loved ones face following a diagnosis. The session includes educational booklets and a professionally led workshop. Registration is required at 479709-DOCS. Free. Noon-1 p.m. Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House, 3324 South M Street, Fort Smith. 479-782-6302

Dec. 10 Knit, Stitch, and Crochet Today If you knit, stitch, or crochet – or want to learn – take your needles, hooks and projects and join this all-ages group for an afternoon of crafting. Yarn, extra supplies and plenty of help will be available. Free. 4-6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org Dec. 11 UA-Fort Smith Fall Commencement For those completing graduation requirements during the second summer term and the fall semester at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. The fall 2013 candidates for graduation represent 234 bachelor’s degrees, 155 associate degrees and 29 technical certificates. Summer II graduates include 57 receiving bachelor’s degrees, 53 receiving associate degrees and 22 receiving technical certificates. R. Mark Horn, vice chancellor for university relations, will give the commencement address. 7 p.m. UAFS Stubblefield Center, 532 North Waldron Road, Fort Smith.

Dec. 11-12 Family Caregiver Workshop: Physical Skills A workshop is designed to increase family members’ knowledge of basic caregiving topics and focuses on the physical aspects of caring for a geriatric family member in the home. Attendance is highly recommended (but not required) for both days. Seating is limited; call to register. Schmieding Home Caregiver Training is a program of the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging and the Arkansas Aging Initiative.

Free. Noon-4 p.m. West Central Center on Aging, 512 South 16th Street, Fort Smith. 479-478-8819 arcaregiving.org/fortsmith Dec. 11, 14-15 4th Annual Hayride Tour of Christmas Presented by East Side Free Will Baptist Church in Muldrow. Dress warmly for this Christmas tradition.

The hayride takes passengers through 10 scenes depicting the life of Christ. Live animals and a cast of more than 120 actors. Free. 6:30-9 p.m. East Side Free Will Baptist Activity Center, Interstate 40 and U.S. 64B, Muldrow, Okla. 479-459-6872 Dec. 12 Arkansas Surgical Weight Loss Seminar/Van Buren Imagine your healthy life after weight loss surgery.

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Clayton House Annual Christmas Open House Add some old-fashioned cheer to your holidays with a delightful visit to the Clayton House. Enjoy magnificent Christmas caroling by members of the Fort Smith Chorale from the hand-carved staircase of this 1882 historic house museum. Say hello to St. Nicholas, sip hot cider and eat a cookie, and make a craft while pianist Bill Murray brings life to our 1884 piano. View parlors decorated by area florists and designers: Burns Carousel of Flowers, Creative Kitchen, Expressions Flowers, Inviting Interiors Design, Marcia Cooksey Interiors, Paul's Bakery and Tate's Flower & Gift Shop. Shop from the florists’ sales tables. Enjoy a tour of the Victorian mansion, provided by student members and docents of the Fort Smith Heritage Foundation. Witness the 1893 Christmas of the William and Florence Clayton family, performed by living history characters. Canned goods are welcome and will be donated to a food charity. Free. 1-4 p.m. The Clayton House, 514 North 6th Street, Fort Smith. 479-783-3000 claytonhouse.org

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Dec. 12 360 Leadership Series Luncheon: Rick Jones Greenwood High School football coach Rick Jones was named the National Federation of State High School Associations’ 2012 Coach of the Year. He has been coaching since 1976, including the last nine years in Greenwood, where his winning percentage is 87 percent. During his tenure at Greenwood, he has coached his teams to six state championships. Go online for tickets. $17. Noon-1 p.m. MovieLounge, 7601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-285-5233, 479-7191262 360LeadershipSeries.com Dec. 12 Greenwood Ducks Unlimited Annual Membership Banquet A family-focused fundraiser for Ducks Unlimited, a non-profit organization focusing on conservation, includes a banquet, live auction, silent auction, raffle and door prizes for everyone, including ladies and kids. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner, catered by Bruce Terri of Barling, will begin at 6 p.m.

Get your tickets early and enter the Early Bird drawing.

Call or go online for tickets. Single: $50 in advance, $60 at the door; couples: $65/$75; 13-17 $15/$20; 12 and under free. 5:30 p.m. Bell Park Pavilion, Main Street, Greenwood, Ark. 479-651-0642 ducks.org/arkansas

Dec. 12 Girls Shelter Open House and Bake Sale The Girls Shelter presents a lunch to thank the community for continued support of its program. The menu include soups and breads. Tours of the facility are available. The Girls Shelter is a United Way Community Partner. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Girls Shelter of Fort Smith, 2600 Raleigh, Fort Smith. 479-646-0444

Dec. 12, 19 Drop-in-and-Draw RAM provides a live model and studio space. Selfguided practice session for artists. All are welcome.

Free. Noon-4 p.m. Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-784-2787 fsram.org Dec. 13 The Dallas Branch Book Club Enjoy a fun, relaxed discussion about your favorite reads. There is no required reading for this club; read whatever you like and share your opinions about what you have read. Free. 2 p.m. Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith. 479-484-5650

Dec. 13 Ozark Christmas Feast and Dinner Theater: It's Purt Near Wonderful Life Ozark Folk Center State Park staff members will be performing at the annual Ozark Christmas Feast and Dinner Theater at the park's Skillet Restaurant. This year's play is an adaptation of the 1946 film "It's a Wonderful Life" adapted to highlight Ozark culture and is entitled "It's Purt Near Wonderful Life." The feast is in three courses and the story is told in three acts to go along with the meal that features roast beef or pork with plum sauce and delicious salads and desserts with local flavor. Registration is required by Dec. 10.

Visitors can make it a relaxing weekend by staying over in the park's comfortable cabins. $24.95 per person; $44.95 per couple. 5:30 p.m. Ozark Folk Center State Park, 1032 Park Avenue, Mountain View, Ark. 870-269-3851 ozarkfolkcenter.com 64

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Tim Ernst Slide Presentation: Buffalo River Beauty Enjoy scenic photography and inspirational words as photographer Tim Ernst shares images from his latest picture book, Buffalo River Beauty. The program will include stunning images set to music from the book; you will be inspired to get out and explore the natural beauty of Arkansas. Ernst has been hiking, driving and crawling around the wonderful Ozark Mountains for most of his life, preserving the images he sees on film for everyone to enjoy. His photographs have appeared in hundreds of national, regional and local publications. Much of his time these days is spent teaching digital photography workshops from his wilderness cabin in the Buffalo River Wilderness. You can enjoy the program and get some Christmas shopping done, as well; many books and calendars will be available for sale and signing at this special Fort Smith Public Library program.

Free. 7 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229

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Dec. 13-14 Christmas Honors at the National Cemetery The Fort Smith Convention Center will be the headquarters Dec. 13 for preparations for Christmas Honors, when a beribboned wreath is placed on every grave in the Fort Smith National Cemetery. Volunteers are invited to the Convention Center to unbox, freshen and arrange the more than 12,000 wreaths for distribution Dec. 14. Starts at 8 a.m. Dec. 13 at the convention center. Volunteers are asked to please park at the west parking lot accessible from Wheeler Avenue.

Buses are asked to use the circle drive for drop-off.

Workday will be held at the Fort Smith Convention Center Exhibit Hall C, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street. The National Cemetery is at 522 South 6th Street, Fort Smith. christmashonors.org Facebook/Christmas Honors

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Dec. 13 Redwork and Embroidery Club Adults are invited to participate in an old-fashioned Block-of-the-Month stitch-in. The pattern is free, but participants will need to purchase their own fabric and supplies. Call the library for a list of supplies. Free. 13 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Dec. 13-15 An Urban Christmas Carol "An Urban Christmas Carol" will entertain the entire family with dramatic scenes, comedy, music and dance. A talented local cast of more than 30 performs an original production written by Bonnie Stewart Moore. "An Urban Christmas Carol 2" is a continuation of the story of Rick Moretti, a former gang leader, and his struggles to reform, while trying to save his sister Starla and her three young children from being swallowed up by the same lifestyle of addiction and crime he once lived. Other memorable characters bring the streets to life with their own interwoven stories, comedic interludes, musical moments, laughter and the sounds of the holidays. A "Cookie Connection," a free buffet of cookies, follows the production. Call for reservations for groups of eight or more. Free; canned food item for church food bank encouraged. 7 p.m.

The Healing Place Church, 4200 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-719-1032 myhealingplacechurch.com Dec. 14 5K Yule Run Chip-timed race sponsored by Farmers Bank. Prize will be awarded for best Christmas-themed outfit. Free T-shirts to the first 150 pre-registrants. Entry forms available online. $20 by Dec. 12; $30 day of race. 8 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. race start. Check in at Means Wilkinson Community Room, Farmers Bank, 71 West Center, Greenwood, Ark. 479-996-6357 Dec. 14 Howard Hill's Christmas Market There will be vendors, door prizes, food, live Christmas music and a purse auction. Find beautiful, handmade gifts for everyone on your Christmas list. There may be a surprise visit from Santa and his elves. Free.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Howard Hill Assembly of God, 3515 Gate Nine Road, Greenwood.

479-996-2496 howardhill.com

Dec. 14 Van Buren Christmas Parade Van Buren’s historic Main Street will be blocked off for the annual nighttime Christmas parade. All entries will be lighted. Everyone from antique car owners to children on bicycles are encouraged to attend. 6:30 p.m. Historic Main Street, downtown Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-2761 vanburen.org

Dec. 14 Robbers Cave State Park Hike TrailBlazers Hiking Club will visit Robbers Cave State Park and hike two trails, Rough Canyon Trail and Robbers Cave Trail, for a combined distance of 3.75 miles rated easy to moderate. The cave is a huge rock outcrop that allows for lots of fun exploring. There is also a nature center, heritage center and gift shop to check out after the hike. Take lunch and water. Meet at Home Depot parking lot in Fort Smith for an 8 a.m. departure to carpool/caravan. 8 a.m. Robbers Cave State Park, Oklahoma 2 North, Wilburton, Okla. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com

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Dec. 14 Jingle Ball 2013 Benefiting Toys for Tots Jingle Ball 2013 supports Toys for Tots by having an evening with a wide variety of entertainment with toy donation as admission. The Jingle Ball is a 21-andolder, dress-to-impress event. The entertainment will start off with Naturally Improvable, a local comedy troupe performing improv and stand-up comedy. The evening will be highlighted with music from the premier gypsy swing band Cutthroat Trout. This year will also feature a Jingle Ball Buffet, with attendees purchasing a ticket to the buffet and all proceeds going to Toys for Tots. There will also be a silent auction and door prizes. VIP tables are available by calling Dan Schauer at 479-484-7285. Join the Marine Corps Reserve in supporting Toys for Tots. Free tickets are available at radio station 95.3 MAXfm, 1912 Church Street, Barling, Ark.; Sykes at Phoenix Village Mall and Arvest Bank locations. Attendees must bring a free ticket from area partners and donate a new toy. 8-midnight. Choctaw Casino Center Stage Event Center, Choctaw Road, Pocola, Okla. 479-484-7285

Dec. 14 Open House Holiday Celebration at the Fort Christmas holds special significance for this city. The soldiers who established Fort Smith arrived on Christmas day 1817, starting the city’s history with this wonderful holiday. During the late 1800s, Mr. and Mrs. Judge Isaac C. Parker hosted an annual open house during the holidays. Guests who came to one of their famous open houses would be greeted with the site of a fantastic floral arrangement and refreshments.

Even prisoners in the federal jail got a chance to share in the holiday cheer. One example of Christmas meal in the jail included “turkeys, chickens, cakes, pies, and cranberry sauce.” Enjoy holiday festivities remembering Christmas celebrations of the past at Fort Smith National Historic Site. The evening will be filled with caroling and Christmas fun from times gone by. Visitors will get to enjoy holiday refreshments in the historic first jail, interact with living historians portraying people of Fort Smith’s past, sing Christmas carols with deputy marshals by a campfire and enjoy a guided walk to Fort Smith’s first fort. Visitors can even take home their own souvenir of the evening by making a Victorian Christmas card, as well as an ornament.

Free. 6-8 p.m. Fort Smith National Historic Site, 301 Parker Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-3961 nps.gov/fosm Dec. 14 Christmas Pancake Breakfast Enjoy a pancake breakfast to support the programs of The First Tee. Those who can't make it are asked to consider purchasing a ticket to feed a child from the Children's Emergency Shelter. They are invited for a warm breakfast and a $5 donation will help to serve them. First Tee is also providing a gift for the children and is accepting toy donations under $20 through Dec. 11. Spring classes and clinics for young golfers will resume the week of Feb. 11-13. Memberships for 2014 paid before Feb. 1 will be $45, a $5 discount. $5. 8-10 a.m. First Tee of Fort Smith Bagby Family Learning Center, 5800 Geren Road, Fort Smith. 479648-9833 firstteefortsmith.org Dec. 14-15 St. Scholastica Monastery Bake Sale Homemade cakes, pies, candies, breads, cookies, jams and jellies, pickles and jar mixes will be offered along with handmade craft items. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 66

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14 and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 15. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. St. Scholastica Retreat Center, 1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith. 479-783-1135 stscho.org

Dec. 14-15 28th Annual The Nutcracker A Sugar Plum Fairy Tea from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. allows children to meet this magical character and take pictures with her. Tickets to the tea are $20. Reduced ticket prices are offered for students (with valid student ID) and area nonprofit groups. Nutcracker and tea tickets can be purchased online. $20-$25. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Arkansas Best Corp.

Performing Arts Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith. 479-785-0152 waballet.org

Dec. 14-22 Christmas Carriage Rides on the Avenue Make some special memories; blankets provided. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Salvation Army. $8. No rides Dec. 16. 7-9 p.m. Garrison Avenue and 5th Street, Fort Smith. 918-427-4195, 918-207-5487

Dec. 15 Alma Band Christmas Concert For a wonderful evening of traditional and entertaining instrumental holiday music, come hear the Alma Bands. Free. 2 p.m. Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129 almapac.org

Dec. 15 Michael's Mansion Artists Reception An opening reception will mark the unveiling of new works of art by six local artists. Enjoy the music and

refreshments and the opportunity to select unique gifts for friends and family. Original paintings by Lorrie Bridges, Patricia Lappin, Jimmy Leach, Barbara Loftin, Julie Mayser and Cindy Sugg will be exhibited. The paintings will be shown at the gallery through midJanuary but some work will be available only at the reception. Free. 1-4 p.m. Michael's Mansion, 2900 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-883-8336 michaelsmansion.biz

Dec. 16 Beekeeping 101 Danny Brewer, vice president of the West Arkansas, Eastern Oklahoma Beekeepers Association, will be able to share all the basics about beekeeping. Call the Library or come by the circulation desk to reserve your seat. Free. 6 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org

Dec. 16-18 Google Apps Google is much more than a search engine. Learn the free Google apps – Gmail, calendar, Google books and Google Docs. Free. 5-7:55 p.m. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 501 South 20th Street, Fort Smith. 479-785-1232 adulteducationfortsmith.org Dec. 16-20 YCME Fundraiser Young Christian Musician's Ensemble (YCME) will be selling ornaments, crafts and baked goods to raise money for instruments, music and scholarships. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. BrickCity Emporium, 3215 South 74th Street, Fort Smith. 479-434- 5858 ycem.org

Dec. 17 Aire-looms Holiday Open House Aire-looms, a student-run enterprise of Marketing Education and DECA students, will hold its annual holiday open house. Special in-store promotions will be in effect for the open house, as well as a gift with a $30 purchase. 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Aire-looms in the Alma High School Promenade, 101 East Main, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2162

Dec. 17 2nd Annual Christmas Lights Fun Run Benefits the FSP Officer Martinez Memorial Scholarship. The run will start at Southside High School and go to Creekmore Park through the Trail of Lights and return to Southside. The scholarship committee will be in the park until 9:30 p.m. hosting the Holiday Express train and passing out hot chocolate, warm apple cider and coffee while collecting donations for the scholarship. The fun run will feature prizes for best Christmas costume contest for the runners and their pets. Go online for registration form. $15, includes Tshirt. 7-9 p.m. Southside High School, 4100 Gary, Fort Smith. 479-883-2349 odmms.org Dec. 18-23 Christmas Carriage Rides Part of the proceeds will be donated to the local Salvation Army. The rides will leave from 5th Street and Garrison Avenue. Make some memories with your family this Christmas season, riding in a "one horse open carriage." Lap blankets are provided. First come, first served. $8, family rates available. 7-9 p.m. 5th Street & Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith. 918-427-4195, 918-207-5487

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS pastor Wes Hilliard provides a message that will bring to life the meaning of Christmas in your heart. 5 and 7 p.m. Heritage Church, 1604 Pointer Trail East, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6424 heritagevb.org

Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service Celebrate the mystery and miracle of the birth of Jesus Christ through a beautiful candlelight service. In a progressive church that opens its doors to all people, experience the light that shines in the darkness and encounter the Word that became flesh and lived among us. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Central Presbyterian Church, 2901 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-783-8966

Photography Display: Works by Alex Ojeda JANUARY

A native of Guanajuato, Mexico, photographer Alex Ojeda has called the River Valley home for nearly two decades. His journey into photography began in 2001, first using a digital camera, then migrating to film and finally, FEBRUARY back to digital. Though his original passion was for black-and-white imagery, he eventually developed an interest in full-color captures. Most recently, Ojeda has been dabbling with layering, double exposure and abstract compositions. He is often told that he has a special eye for transforming mundane subject matter into pleasing images. His favorite subjects are architecture and urban landscapes. Alex's images have been featured in Entertainment Fort Smith, @Urban Magazine and Arkansas Living.

His work has received awards in both 2009 and 2011 at the Mid-America Photography Symposium in Eureka Springs, Ark. His images have also won several social media competitions. Free. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

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Dec. 19 Welcome Neighbor Women’s Book Club The book "Wishin' and Hopin': A Christmas Story" by Wally Lamb, will be reviewed. Any woman is welcome to attend. Free. 12:30-1:30 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, Dewey's Cafe, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-459-1603 welcomeneighborftsmith.com Dec. 20 Kopy Katz Music Show Kopy Katz Music Show with tribute artists performing classic tunes. 6 p.m. Historic Main Street, Historic Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 918-775-6029

Dec. 20 Diamond Dance The Diamond Dance Club of Fort Smith hosts this dance for members, guests and all area dancers. Club membership is not required. The T&T Combo Band will perform music oriented toward ballroom, Latin and swing dancing with an occasional polka included.

The attire is semi-formal, requiring coat and tie for gentlemen. This is a great after-dinner, fun-filled dance with character and flare, in a low-level light environment on the largest dance floor in the River Valley. $10 nonmembers. 8-10:30 p.m. Eagles Ballroom, 3321 South 66th Street, Fort Smith. 479-484-7156

Dec. 20 Crochet and Knitting Class in Van Buren Have a fun time learning to crochet or knit. Take your yarn, size G or H hook and a willingness to learn. Beginners should call Ms. Angela at the Library or drop by the circulation desk for a supply list Free. 10-11 a.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org 68 Entertainment Fort Smith December 2013/January 2014

Dec. 20 Scrapbooking in Alma Take adhesive, photos, scissors and other scrapbooking tools. Material for this month's featured layout will be provided free. Preregistration by Dec. 13 required.

Free. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Dec. 21 AARP Defensive Driving Class Defensive Driving Classes are held in conference room downstairs at Summit Medical Center. $14; AARP members receive $2 discount. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Summit Medical Center, East Main and 20th Streets, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-3401

Dec. 21 J.R.'s Country Gospel Variety Show Fun-filled, uplifting gospel music variety show that will warm your heart. $5. 7 p.m. King Opera House, 427 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-2426

Dec. 21 Ms. Bea's Annual Christmas Recital Students of Ms. Bea's Music Studio will perform classical, spiritual, jazz and Christmas music. A reception with Santa Claus and candy for all follows the performance. Free. 6:30 p.m. First Baptist Church, 3110 Kelley Highway, Fort Smith. 479-414-6369

Dec. 24 Heritage Christmas Eve Candle Light Services Each year, Heritage Church of Van Buren provides two opportunities to worship at the Christmas Eve Candle Light Service. Each service consist of traditional Christmas hymns and the reading of the Word. Lead

Dec. 27 Bingo for Books in Van Buren Adults are invited to the library to play Bingo for Books. Free. 10 a.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Dec. 28 Gathering at the Labyrinth Walk the outdoor labyrinth at Trinity Episcopal Church, a traditional Chartres design on concrete, overlooking the Ozark Mountains and the River Valley. Participants will sing songs of peace or speak peace in their own words or in poetry. The activity is planned as a chance to end the year thoughtfully and to look toward the new year with hope and optimism. The walk will be followed by a gathering inside the community room with hot chocolate refreshments and the Elm Dance, a circle dance created to bring peace following the Chernobyl disaster. Free. 5-7 p.m. Trinity Episcopal Church, 918 North 9th Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-783-5750 Dec. 28 Charleston Lesson and Swing and Ballroom Dance Dance off those holiday pounds. First, take a Charleston lesson. Charleston goes back to the roaring ’20s, so you're sure to have a good time. Then dance to swing, Latin and ballroom music. Bring a snack to share. $10. 7-11 p.m. Momentum Dance Concepts, 615A Main Street, Suite 4, Van Buren, Ark. 479-285-9090

Dec. 30 Basic Computer Class Class for people with little or no knowledge of computers. There will be a question-and-answer segment at the end of the session. Call or stop by for reservations. Free. 7-8 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Jan. 1-Jan. 31 Rania Asadi Art Exhibit Fort Smith artist Rania Asadi will display her original works. Originally from Syria, Asadi has lived locally for 11 years. She works as an art teacher at the Montessori School of Fort Smith and enjoys painting with oils and watercolors, as well as designing jewelry and furniture. Her exhibit will feature still life paintings and landscapes done in oil. Free. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith. 479-646-3945

Jan. 1-Feb. 28 Jim Anderson Photography Exhibit Photographer Jim Anderson of Van Buren is a schoolteacher by trade and a photographer of the natural landscape as a hobby. He has traveled and pho-

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS tographed in all 50 states always looking for natural settings and natural lighting. Exhibit will include pictures of the Natural State and other regions across America showcasing the changing colors of fall. Free.

Dewey's Cafe at the Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229

Jan. 2-5 3-Day Silent Directed Retreat The retreat is based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius. The silence helps you hear God’s invitation to open your heart and surrender your soul in a deeper way. It helps you to untangle yourself from the many responsibilities, tasks and even relationships that can keep you from being free enough to respond to God. Along with the silence, meeting with a spiritual director each day of the retreat will help you discern God’s invitation and offer suggestions to help guide you during your silence. $235, with a non-refundable $50 deposit.

St. Scholastica Retreat Center, 1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith. 479-783-4147

Jan. 3, 17 Crochet and Knitting Class in Van Buren Learn to crochet or knit. Take your own yarn, G or H hook and a willingness to learn. Beginners should call or drop by the circulation desk for a supply list. Free.

10-noon. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org Jan. 4 Lake Alma Trail Hike TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike Lake Alma Trail, a distance of 3.8 miles rated moderate. There will be views of the lake, rock bluffs and formations, historic remnants and a side trail to a waterfall. Meet at Clover-

leaf Plaza in Van Buren for a 9 a.m. departure to caravan/carpool. Free. 9 a.m. Lake Alma, Mountain Grove Road, Alma, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com

Jan. 6 Library2Go: Jump Start.

Learn to check out audio books and E-books for free with your library card. Library staff will demonstrate how Library2Go, the library’s free downloadable media service, works. Librarians will answer questions and offer hands-on help after the presentation.

Take your e-Reader, portable audio device or laptop.

Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229

Jan. 6 Painting the Stars: Science, Religion and an Evolving Faith This study of progressive Christianity celebrates the communion of science and faith. A weekly DVD-based discussion that features some of our country's best theologians sharing their thoughts and insights is open to all. 9:30-11 a.m. Central Presbyterian Church, 2901 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-8966 Jan. 7, 21 Scrabble Club in Van Buren Enjoy an informal atmosphere as you test your word knowledge in a game of Scrabble. Free. 1 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 crawfordcountylib.org Jan. 8 Celebrate Elvis' Birthday There will be cake, songs, even an Elvis Presley impersonator. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Van Buren Public Li-

brary, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-4746045 crawfordcountylib.org Jan. 8 Alma Library Birthday Celebration for Elvis Get "all shook up" and celebrate Elvis' birthday at the library. Birthday cake and Elvis-themed snacks will be served throughout the day. Free. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 crawfordcountylib.org Jan. 10 The Dallas Branch Book Club The Dallas Branch Book Club offers a fun, relaxed discussion about your favorite reads. There is no required reading for this club; read whatever you like and share your opinions about what you have read.

Bring a book and a friend. Free. 2 p.m. Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith. 479-484-5650

Jan. 10 Redwork & Embroidery Club Adults are invited to participate in an old fashioned Block-of-the-Month stitch-in. The pattern is free, but participants will need to purchase their own fabric and supplies. Call for a list of supplies you will need. Free.

1-3 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Jan. 10-12 Flame Winter Invitational Gymnastics Meet A tournament of women’s gymnastics levels 3-10 is hosted by Flame Gymnastics Academy offering top competition. Fort Smith Convention Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith. 479-6461616 flamefs.com

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Jan. 10, 29 Beginning iPad Those who get a new iPad this holiday season may enjoy learning the basics. Following the presentation, librarians will answer individual questions and offer hands-on help. Take an iPad (make sure it is charged) and know your Apple ID and password. Free. 11 a.m.1 p.m. Jan. 10; 5-7 Jan. 29. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is southwest of the National Mall in Washington. The centerpiece is based on a line from King's "I Have A Dream" speech: "Out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope." A 30-foot-high relief of King named the "Stone of Hope" stands past two other pieces of granite that symbolize the "mountain of despair."

Jan. 11 Girls Shelter of Fort Smith Polar Bear Walk The 2014 Polar Bear Walk supports awareness for programs and services that the Girls Shelter of Fort Smith Inc provides locally. Established in 1970, the shelter has provided a home for more than 700 local girls since its opening. The one-year residential facility for females ages 12-18 provides a safe, structured homelike atmosphere for girls in need. On-site registration and sponsorship opportunities are available.

Every registered walker will receive a goody bag. $15 adults/$10 youth 12 and under. 10 a.m. Creekmore Park, Rogers Avenue and South 31st Street, Fort Smith. 479-739-8123

Week’s Activities Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. JANUARY A series of events spanning almost a week in January will honor the life and legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Sponsors of the events include the local Martin Luther King Jr. Community Association and the UA-Fort Smith. The MLK Community Association’s theme for this year is “Out of a Mountain of Despair, a Stone of Hope.”

and open to the public. The morning will include educational sessions provided by UAFS faculty and representatives from the MLK Committee. A symbolic march, reminiscent of the freedom marches of the 1960s, will begin at 9:45 a.m. and move from the Campus Center to the Reynolds Tower while the carillon plays “We Shall Overcome.” For more information, contact Mark Horn, UAFS vice chancellor for university relations, at 479-788-7006.

Celebratory events are: Jan. 11: The MLK Community Association has scheduled a parade as a kick-off of community events. Parade participants will gather by 12:30 p.m. for the parade beginning at 1 p.m. at Garrison Avenue and North 7th Street. The parade will continue through downtown Fort Smith, with local bands performing. For more information, contact Deborah Woodard at 479-561-1349.

Jan. 20: An Ecumenical Prayer Service will be held at 7 p.m. at St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 4916 High Street. For more information, contact Bobbie Woodard Jones at 479-782-5756.

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Jan. 15: The Ministerial Alliance Prayer Service will be 7 p.m. at First Missionary Baptist Church, 3110 Kelly Hwy. For more information, contact Ministerial Alliance president the Rev. Jerry Jennings at 479-785-1773.

Jan. 18: An Awards and Recognition Banquet, including scholarships for area college students, is planned for 7 p.m. in the Reynolds Room at the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center. Individual tickets are $30, with tables available for $350.

Tickets are available from Bruce Wade at 479-3797904 and are also available at the UAFS Box Office in the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center.

Jan. 20: Breakfast, which begins at 7:30 a.m. in the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center at UAFS, is free 70

Entertainment Fort Smith

December 2013/January 2014

Jan. 23: Crystal C. Mercer of Little Rock, daughter of legendary civil rights lawyer Christopher C. Mercer Jr., will give a dramatic performance as part of “Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Freedom in the Visual and Performing Arts” at UAFS. Mercer is a freelance performance artist and sole proprietor of Columbus Creative and The Social Soapbox. She also is the company and production manager of The Unified Artists Movement, a nonprofit theater company. The 10 a.m. presentation will be held in the Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center. The event also will include a student-led panel speaking on “Finding Your Voice in the Arts” and the presentation of the Unsung Hero Award given by the American Democracy Project at UAFS. For more information, contact Dr. Amy Jordan, campus coordinator for the ADP, at 479-788-7295.

Jan. 11 Sam's Throne Hike TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike at Sam’s Throne. This will be the club's annual trip to a favorite spot in the Ozark Mountains. The hike will start at Chicken Point, a rugged and scenic bluff line overlooking the valley and Sam’s Throne. From there descend into the valley, cross to Sam’s Throne, climb the crack to the top and enjoy the great views of the bluffs, valley and mountains. The hike is about four miles rated easy to moderate. Take lunch and water. Meet at Cloverleaf Plaza parking lot in Van Buren to carpool or caravan. 8 a.m.

Sam's Throne, Arkansas 123, near Judea, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com

Jan. 14 Miss UAFS and Princess Program Entry Deadlines Jan. 30 is the deadline for applying to enter the Miss UAFS Scholarship Pageant. The pageant awarded more than $22,000 in cash and scholarships last year.

The pageant's Princess Program for girls 5-10 also has a Jan. 30 entry deadline. For $100 per child, girls receive a tiara, tickets to a tea party, a T-shirt, goodie bag, two tickets to the Miss UAFS pageant and a group photo with Miss UAFS and Miss Arkansas. Application forms are available online. Princess pageant forms are available by contacting Angela Lamon at 479-488-7788. 8-5 p.m. UAFS, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7301 missarkansas.org

Jan. 14 Knit, Stitch, and Crochet Today Anyone who likes to knit, stitch, or crochet – or wants to learn – can take their needles, hooks and projects and join this all-ages group for an afternoon of crafting. Yarn, extra supplies and plenty of help will be available for anyone who wants to learn. Free. 4-6 p.m.

Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org Jan. 15 Library2Go: Jump Start.

Library staff will demonstrate how Library2Go, the library’s free downloadable media service works. Librarians will answer questions and offer hands on help after the presentation. Take your e-reader,

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS portable audio device or laptop. Free. 5-7 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org Jan. 16-March 30 Valentine's: The Art of Romance Opening Reception and Exhibit This exhibition offers a wide selection of St. Valentine's Day greeting cards, postcards and elaborate three-dimensional fold-outs from the United States and Europe. Ranging from the early 19th century to the 1930s, this exhibit showcases the development of the Valentine from the simple hand-designed card, to the extravagant and exquisite lace paper Valentines.

Approximately 100 fine examples of embossed designs will be on view, illustrating how the ideas of romance and courtship were expressed during a less complicated era. Opening reception will be 5-7 p.m.

Jan. 16. Free. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-784-2787 fsram.org

Jan. 17 Food For Thought: Honey Man Hardin If you've visited the Farmers Market this year, you’ve probably already met “Honey Man” Hardin. James Earl “Honey Man” Hardin will talk about his 500+ bee hives and the process of making honey. He will be giving away a jar of his fabulous local and fresh honey as a door prize. Take your lunch or pick it up at Dewey's Café at the main library. The library will provide drinks and dessert. Free. Noon. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

Jan. 17 Scrapbooking in Alma Take adhesive, photos, scissors and other scrapbooking tools to the library. Material for this month's featured layout will be provided free. You must preregister for this adult class by Jan. 10. Free. 10 a.m.-noon. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Jan. 19 Learn About Arkansas Master Naturalists TrailBlazers Hiking Club member Dana Howard will present information about the Arkansas Master Naturalists program that educates and trains volunteers in maintaining and preserving the natural beauty around us. Refreshments and social time following program. 7 p.m. River Valley Nature Center, 8200 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith. 479-646-9562

Jan. 21 Taste of Germany Spend an afternoon in Germany without leaving town.

The tasting event is held at Emmy’s Too with traditional German food. Experience some of the culture and customs of Germany with Steffi Wiggins, UAFS faculty member. $85. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. UAFS Center For Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning

Jan. 21 Community Blood Drive in Van Buren The Van Buren Public Library and the Arkansas Blood Institute are hosting a community blood drive. Everyone who donates will receive a free mini physical.

Walk-ins are welcome. Free. 1:30-5:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 December 2013/January 2014 Entertainment Fort Smith

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Van Buren High School Art Club 5th Annual Empty Bowls JANUARY

Van Buren High School Art Club sponsors this event to raise money for local meals through the Community Services Clearinghouse backpack program. In the fall, art students and art club members began to hand build and wheel throw ceramic bowls to be glazed in eye-catching colors, with a goal of 400 bowls. Tickets include choice of bowl as well as a simple dinner of soup and bread. Volunteers will wash the guests’ bowls so they may take home a unique piece of art work, serving as a reminder of all the empty bowls across our community.

All of the proceeds will be donated to the Meals for Kids Program within the Van Buren School District, which includes more than 300 students. The Meals for Kids provides a backpack for each child on Friday filled with non-perishable food items, such as crackers, beef jerky, breakfast items, and fruit cups. Tickets are available from the Community Services Clearinghouse, the Center for Art and Education and any art club member or teacher. $15. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Van Buren High School Commons, 2001 East Pointer Trail, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6821

Photos courtesy of The City Wire

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Jan. 22, 27 Kindle: Jump Start Learn the basics about using a Kindle. Following the presentation, librarians can answer individual questions and offer hands-on help. Take the Kindle (make sure it is charged) and your Amazon account information. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 22; 5-7 p.m. Jan. 27. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229

Jan. 23 Couldn’t Keep It to Myself: Open-Mic Poetry Night Anyone who has words or music in their heart just waiting to get out is invited to showcase their talent or just come and listen. Poets and musicians will have five minutes to read or perform one or more piece and must sign up at the door. Acoustic music only. Poems do not have to be original work. Free. 7 p.m. Dewey's Cafe at the Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

Jan. 24 Connect Arkansas: Advanced iPads Greg Cooper with Connect Arkansas will offer handson computer classes. Sessions include: Advanced iPads from 11 a.m.-noon; Introduction to Windows 8 from noon-1 p.m. and Computer and Internet Q & A from 1:30-2:30 p.m. covering frequently asked questions on both computers and the internet. Class size limited to five; call to register. Free. 11 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith.

479-783-0229, ext. 1171

Jan. 24-25 So You Want to Get Elected A workshop featuring veteran political leaders, noted political operatives and experienced political reporters gives participants both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to build a winning campaign.

Registration required by Jan. 10. $125, includes breakfast, lunch and an evening mixer. 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. UAFS Center For Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-788-7220 Jan. 25 8th Annual German Dinner Enjoy authentic German food prepared by the Lutheran Women's Missionary League with proceeds to benefit the roof fund for First Lutheran School.

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Drive-through takeout is available, as well as hot dogs for $3. The menu is rouladen, fried potatoes, red cabbage, green beans, cucumber salad, apple cake with caramel sauce and drinks. Adults $15 advance, $20 at the door; children $12 advance, $15 at the door. 57 p.m. First Lutheran Church Family Ministries Building, 1115 North D Street, Fort Smith. 479-785-2886

Jan. 25 Lake Fayetteville Trail Hike TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike Lake Fayetteville Trail.

Although this trail is in the city of Fayetteville, it is a great wooded get-away. There is a 5.5-mile trail around the lake. There will be time for lunch and/or shopping after the hike. Meet at Cloverleaf Plaza in Van Buren to carpool or caravan. 8 a.m. Lake Fayetteville, 1208 East Lake Fayetteville Road, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com

Jan. 25-26, Feb. 1-2 Battle at the Fort Volleyball Club The Fort Smith Juniors Volleyball organization hosts Battle at the Fort, an annual and epic tournament spread over two weekends. Girls 9-18 from all over the region make up the highly competitive teams. Play will take place at the Fort Smith Convention Center, Rogers Avenue and North 9th Street, and the new Fort Smith Juniors Facility, 5709 South 73rd Place, Fort Smith. fortsmithjuniors.com Jan. 26 Clayton Conversations: Historic Fort Smith in Pictures A new year begins of these “closer look” presentations on Fort Smith history in the intimate setting of the 19th-century Clayton House. “Clayton Conversations” provide perspectives on community life in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Pennsylvania native William H.H. Clayton arrived in 1874 from Pine Bluff by appointment of President Ulysses S. Grant to serve as the new U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. His family of nine lived in this home for 15 years beginning in 1882 while he worked tirelessly with Judge Isaac C. Parker to bring law and order to Indian Territory and western Arkansas. Clayton prosecuted more than 10,000 cases in the famed frontier federal court. Begin your new year of education with a slide presentation by Dr. Kevin L. Jones of photos from his new book, “Fort Smith: Images of America,” as well as from his first book, “Fort Smith: Postcard

History Series.” His new “Images” includes vintage photographs from the 1800s to the 1970s. Jones holds a doctorate from the University of Arkansas and is an assistant professor of English education at the UA-Fort Smith. Museum tours and refreshments begin at 1 p.m.; the program begins at 2 p.m. Seating is limited; call 783-3000 to make reservations. $5 suggested donation 2 p.m. The Clayton House, 514 North 6th Street, Fort Smith. 479-783-3000 claytonhouse.org

Jan. 27-Feb. 8 Master Gardener Program Applications Applications are being accepted for the River Valley Master Gardener program for people who want to sharpen their horticultural skills and share that knowledge with others. The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service will conduct Master Gardener training weekday afternoons from Jan. 27 to Feb. 7, with the final class on Feb. 8, all held at The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing. Enrollment is limited. Final selection of participants will be made from applications and personal contacts. Education will cover soils, irrigation, trees, lawns, vegetables and more. The program fee covers an extensive reference book tailored to Arkansas' unique climate. Applications are available at the Barling, Greenwood or Van Buren extensions offices or by phone. $85. Noon-4:30 p.m. The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing, 7300 Gardeners Avenue, Fort Smith. 479 484-7737

Jan. 29-Feb. 19 Imagination Series: Photoshop 1 Learn to retouch photos, enhance their color, correct red-eye and become familiar with layers in Photoshop Level 1. $55. 6-8 p.m. UAFS Center For Lifelong Learning, 5318 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-7887220 uafs.edu/lifelonglearning Jan. 30 Early Area History Series A program conducted by Loren McLane, historian from the Fort Smith National Historic Site, will be Paths of the Young Republic: Military Roads of Western Arkansas and Indian Territory. The series continues in April and June, covering the Indian Removal (Trail of Tears) 1830-1840 over the Military Road and the Civil War in Arkansas and local area. Free. 7 p.m.

Lavaca Municipal Building, 808 West Main Street, Lavaca, Ark. 479-667-3791

Ballot 2014_77-78 10/24/13 10:58 AM Page 74

February 2014 is our Favorites Issue! You decide the winners.

Your Favorites!

Name_______________________________________________________________ Address__________________________City_____________State____ ZIP________

Voters, please answer at least 5 categories.

Must be received by Dec. 15 or postmarked by Dec. 15 DINING - name of restaurant

ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS

SHOPPING- name of store

Favorite Burger

Favorite Venue for Live Music

Favorite Store for Art & Handmade Items

n

n

Favorite Barbecue

Favorite Performance of 2013 - who & where

Favorite Antiques/Collectibles Shop

Favorite Cup of Coffee

Favorite Event, Concert or Festival of 2013

Favorite Furniture Resale/Repurpose Store

Favorite Mexican Restaurant

Favorite Performance by Youth of 2013

Favorite Antiques Mall

Favorite Non-Profit Event or Party of 2012

Favorite Interior Decor/Home Furnishings

Favorite Non-Profit Effort/Campaign of 2013

Favorite Furniture Store - New Furniture

Favorite Art Exhibit of 2013

Favorite Store for Women’s Apparel

Favorite Library Event of 2013

Favorite Store for Boutique/Trendy Apparel

n

Favorite Pizza (give location)

n n

Favorite Place to Watch a Ball Game

n Favorite Gourmet Deli

n Favorite Restaurant - Romantic Atmosphere

n Favorite Catering

n Favorite Running/Race Event of 2013

n Favorite Food Truck

n

SERVICES - name of business

Favorite Store for Young/Teen Women

n Favorite Children’s Clothing Store

Vote for the business, not a person.

Favorite Desserts

Favorite Artistic (Applied/Acrylic) Nails

Favorite Consignment - Women’s Clothes

Favorite Restaurant with International Fare

Favorite Salon for Hair Coloring

Favorite Consignment - Children’s Clothes

Favorite Downtown Restaurant

Favorite Salon for Hair Extensions

Favorite New Retail Store

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MAIL IT BY DEC. 15 to: EFS Favorites, P.O. Box 1341, Fort Smith, AR 72902 Ballots may be returned in person to 316 North 7th Street, Fort Smith.

There is no online entry form. This ballot may be Xeroxed to obtain more copies. Eligible entrants may campaign hard for the votes of their patrons but please, no stuffing the ballot box! EFS reserves the right to toss out ballots if shenanigans are evident. This Readers’ Favorites Poll is just for fun.

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DINING GUIDE

Eating Fort Smith An argument on why the city is the state’s most culinarily diverse

By Kat Robinson

I

am a Little Rock girl. However, I’ve been fielding assumptions lately that I might be of Fort Smith origins because of the extensive chapter on the city in my new book, Classic Eateries of the Ozarks and Arkansas River Valley.

Perhaps I should explain.

Back in my college days at Arkansas Tech University, I developed friends in the Fort Smith area. I even went job hunting in town when I graduated.

But it wasn’t until 2007, when friends of mine invited me to come up and try a restaurant they knew I’d want to include in my newly started blog, that I really Classic Eateries of the Ozarks and Arkansas River Valley by Kat Robinson began to appreciate the city for what it 2013 The History Press has to offer – a vast culinary landscape just waiting to be explored and examined.

Fort Smith – a culinary destination? Some may jest, but in the book I cover why the town has more food diversity than any other in Arkansas, as well as share stories about some of the area’s more iconic restaurants.

The reasons are many – but they start with Camp Chaffee. When the military base was conceived in the 1940s, no one could imagine U.S. involvement in World War II. Furthermore, no one could imagine what a single base could do to the restaurant scene. By the time the war was over, Fort Chaffee had influenced not only surrounding communities (including Joe Erker’s grocery store-turned-dance hall that became the Jenny Lind Café) but the soldiers themselves – some of whom came home from Europe with war brides who started eateries of their own.

Such was the case with Al Thone, who was stationed in Germany after the war. He married a girl named Emmy Werner – and learned to cook German food from her and her mother. He returned with his bride and in 1962 Zum Deutschen Eck (The German Corner) opened. Diners still enjoy Emmy’s recipes as preserved by the Italian families of Taliano’s.

Better times post-war, coupled with the start of the automobile age, spurred on the rise of diners and drive-ins. Ed Walker’s Drive In opened in the late ’40s, as did the White Spot Café (now Skinny’s White Spot), followed by the Dairy Freeze on Midland. The legendary Red Barn started serving steaks and tiny biscuits within the stalls of an old horse barn in 1946.

These new restaurants were influenced by motorists who found available transportation and free time a good excuse to hit the open road. Eateries popped up along U.S. highways (Garrison and Midland in-town), Arkansas 22 (Rogers Avenue) and U.S. Highway 71 (Towson Avenue), catering not only to the ever-growing population but to travelers.

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Some iconic local eateries photographed

by Grav Weldon for the book.

To the north, tourists took U.S. 71 up through the Boston Mountains on sightseeing trips or to watch the Hogs play in Fayetteville.

Attractions boomed on 71, including restaurants at the Skyvue Lodge (now a bed and breakfast), Blue Bird Café (now Grandma’s House Café), the Ozark Mountain Smokehouse (a location still exists in Russellville) and the Dairy Dream at Mountainburg, still in operation by the Wilmoth family during the warmer months.

Fort Chaffee was a processing hub for Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees following the Vietnam War, with more than 50,000 passing through the gates. Many of those displaced folks found homes in Fort Smith, which accounts for the proliferation of pho restaurants in the city. In 1980, the military base became a resettlement center for some 25,000 Cuban refugees – and gave the area restaurants like Van Buren’s Cuban Grill.

Other immigrant families have shared their flavors here, too – like the Caldareras and Cadellis with the delightful Taliano’s Italian Restaurant and the Catsavis family’s Greek-influenced George’s Restaurant. The Diamond Head is the city’s long-standing go-to Chinese restaurant.

Immigration from south of the border brought Ark-Mex cuisine and authentic Mexican restaurants.

The 1970s and ’80s saw a proliferation of new restaurants, including Calico County with its famed cinnamon rolls; the nostalgia-driven Reed’s Twin Burger Drive In and the home-style goodness of Catfish Cove. The town’s manufacturing base and its three-shift schedules led to a revival in the diner culture fed by places like Bob and Ellie’s and Benson’s Grill (and later Lucy’s Diner) – and to donut shops like Irish Maid that keep the strangest hours.

Fort Smith embraces what other Arkansas towns have failed to accept – quickly assimilating to new flavors like Indian, Middle Eastern and Thai.

It celebrates them with gusto – I mean, how else can you explain the survival of a Thai doughnut restaurant?

My hometown is just now embracing pho and other Vietnamese dishes, and there’s only one good place to get Thai food. Little Rock is far larger than Fort Smith, but our German restaurant didn’t get here until after 2000. We have no great chocolatier like Kopper Kettle Candies nor a good South American restaurant like Rolando’s.

On a purely person to restaurant ratio, there’s nothing quite like Fort Smith for culinary diversity.

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