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EDITOR’S NOTES

Keep wearing a mask until we’re all safe!

Editorial Staff LYNN WASSON Editor & Publisher lynnwasson@efortsmith.com DONNA PAYNE Senior Editor donnapayne@efortsmith.com Contributing Writers SUSAN DEVERO JEAN KOLLJESKI JULIE MONCRIEF KRISTIN RIGGS Contributing Photographers ARCOM JOHN CROSS McFARLAND PHOTOGRAPHY THOMPSON FAMILY Interactive Story Editor JOE WASSON joe@efortsmith.com

Advertising Sales LINDA GILHAM lgilham@efortsmith.com 479-629-0235 CHARLES G. HUBBARD charleshubbard@efortsmith.com 479-831-3995 Bookkeeping JULIE BERCH HAMILTON accounts@efortsmith.com © 2021 eFortSmith.com Media, Inc.

efortsmith.com is the website of Entertainment Fort Smith Magazine, where full current and past issues may be viewed as a replica of the printed magazine.

Entertainment Fort Smith

May 2021

Get ready for family fun outdoors, the best place for kids this summer Hurray! The Kids Issue is back! And we note another benefit to all of us – the Last year, plans were so uncertain that we first graduating class of new doctors from the didn’t entirely devote an issue to summer Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. activities for youth. This year, the wonderful Some of these students – and many more to organizations that provide so much fun for local follow them – will someday be caring for our kids have strategies we can share. Sure, things health, in our local medical centers and in our are still a bit different but kids can still look region and neighboring states. ARCOM is forward to swimming, library activities that take succeeding from the start in engaging these place online and learning new things. medical graduates, who could go anywhere, to Speaking of kids online, one great story inside put down roots and practice medicine here. Part is about Ella of their interest in Thompson, a teenager practicing regionally is who has been the way the community interested in has embraced them. demonstrating cooking There are deep online since she was as connections between the young as 8 years old. “civilian” neighbors and She’s about to add a lot volunteers they met that of programs about have created a bond with cooking and more on our area – and this was her own YouTube by design of the channel called “The founding principles of Ella Life.” the Arkansas Colleges of Ella probably isn’t Health Education. the only local young When my husband person broadcasting to and I and several friends the universe. She received our vaccinations comes from a family of earlier this year, good communicators. ARCOM students were High school Sibling equity: sister Mackenzie Poole on the administering the shots. students should take Besides the relief of cover, big brother Weston on the inside. notice of an invitation, finally getting to gain listed in our Calendar of Events, to enter their ground against a pandemic that has hampered own original short films in the first Fort Smith and endangered our way of life, I was so proud International Film Festival. Entry is free at to see that our own local medical students were present and there is a chance at winning out in force like an army for public health! Yay! scholarship awards if they enroll at UA-Fort We look forward so much to the issue when Smith. Check it out! There are creative there’s not a word to say about the pandemic, animators and filmmakers in our high schools, because it is over. Until then, we support all let’s see your work! efforts to defeat this virus that has altered more Elsewhere in this issue, it gave us a warm than a year of our lives, some forever. feeling to write about recognition of two As ever, we hope that kids, parents, aunts and special people and the legacies they have left. A uncles, grandparents and friends will find our very unique memorial was created in honor of guide to summertime fun useful. Tom Caldarera Jr. for years of humanitarian There’s plenty for the rest of us, too. Note the kindness he performed and inspired his family new, outdoor Levitt AMP free concert series to continue. The way the Sack Lunch program that will be presented by 64.6 Downtown. It’s chose to honor him is just perfect. We were OK for everyone to sit outdoors on the also happy to share the enormous gift of art riverfront and enjoy live music again. given by the family of John Bell Jr. to the Fort Have fun, be safe! Smith Regional Art Museum and, therefore, to – Lynn Wasson all of us.

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CONTENTS features

22 Cooking is Ella’s passion

24 26

Paddling Bayou De View

John Bell Jr. Gift to RAM

Guide to Summer Fun for Kids Find out when fun happens, where it happens and how to get in on it. This is info all families can use right now and for summer fun to come. They’re Graduating! Fort Smith’s first class of med students succeeds After four years of intense study, these students of Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine will now have D.O. after their names. Paddle into green cathedrals on the Bayou de View Water Trail Slip quietly into the watery woodlands to see cypress knees, ancient trees and maybe, the elusive ivory-billed woodpecker. A tremendous gift for the public by the daughter of John Bell Jr. RAM announces a tremendous gift by Lisa Wilson of her father’s remaining original art and prints. A fitting memorial is created in gratitude for Tom Caldarera Jr. Find out why a stockpot is exactly the right monument in memory of the long-time restaurateur and generous humanitarian.

38 27 Mr. Caldarera’s pots of love Entertainment Fort Smith

May 2021

goodies Choose your summer clothes and decor from wonderful local stores.

WHAT’S COOKING It’s just fun to mix breakfast cereal into sweet treats. Add fruity, crunchy embellishments to cake treats and cupcakes for silliness and flavor.

eve n t s

Hosting a cooking show is just one of her talents Almost 16-year-old Ella Thompson was sure she needed a YouTube channel when she was 8. She’s a natural! By Kristen Riggs

departments

May 2021

EVENTS FOR KIDS Keeping up with the day-to-day.

MUSIC Enjoy live music, outdoors, carefully, in a new summer concert series. Concerts season, big changes and tentative returns for performance.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS May it be sunny in May for races, hikes and bike events! Street fairs, the Steel Horse Rally and the Old Fort Days Rodeo return.

o n t h e c ove r :

Mackenzie Poole takes a dry run at her kiddie pool. Photo by Donna Payne

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How about some shrimp tostadas?

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Learn to cook with a food diva on

The Ella Life

ight years ago, when Ella Thompson first asked her parents for her own YouTube channel, it’s unlikely anyone could have predicted what would come of it. A Fort Smith native and Chaffin Junior High student, Ella has many interests, but preparing and enjoying good food is at the top of her list. She is lovingly referred to as a “food diva” by her family, and is always up for a food-related adventure. This has included traveling to new places to try the local cuisine, testing interesting recipes from a variety of sources, and launching her own YouTube cooking show. On the show, she features everything from quick and easy weeknight meals to gourmet dishes of which any foodie would approve. Ella’s interest in cooking blossmed early, so a YouTube cooking show was a natural fit for her. “She started becoming more interested in cooking and always wanted to cook with me in the kitchen,” says Ella’s mom, Jenny Thompson. “Ella’s (maternal) grandmother has always invited her grandkids into the kitchen to help and her nana, who lives next door, has invited Ella to help her with old family recipe traditions, especially during the holidays.” Cooking with and for family would eventually expand into sharing her culinary talents with many others, both digitally and in person. In addition to her cooking show on her YouTube channel, “The Ella Life,” she has given a cooking demonstration for students at Lavaca High School and has helped her mom cook at the Salvation Army Diner in downtown Fort Smith. She also has conducted a couple of cooking classes for adults with Down syndrome. The opportunity arose when her family became involved with The Down Syndrome Connection of Northwest Arkansas, which provides a network of support and resources for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. The director of the organization approached Ella’s parents to gauge her interest in helping. She conducted two classes and intends on doing more in the future. It is very important to Ella that others facing similar challenges to her own know it doesn’t have to stop them from pursuing their dreams and ambitions. She has said, “Yes, I have Down syndrome, but that doesn’t limit me.” She wants others to see that if she can do it, they can too. She also wants to affect the way people view individuals with disabilities.

“When people see me, I want them to see that I can cook and be like any other normal teenager. I want people to care about those who have a disability and to see that people with Down syndrome do matter.” Ella hopes that through her show, viewers not only get some great recipes, but see her life is a full one, and not unlike most girls her age. “The channel is not all about cooking,” she said. “It’s also about my life. I love the same things other 15-year-olds do, like spending time with friends, watching Netflix, trying new make-up and shopping at Target.” Also like other teens, Ella has many goals. These include graduating from high school and college and furthering her outreach with her cooking show on YouTube and beyond. She would love to have her own show on Food Network. To Ella, the sky is the limit. Her mom agrees that she is not to be underestimated. “If you’re not part of Ella’s inner circle, you might not realize how smart and funny she is and how much she can talk!” Jenny said. “When people watch her show, they get a sense of what she’s capable of and are able to approach her at her level and not at the expectations they may have had of her before seeing her in her element or comfort zone.” Ella’s dad, pastor of Community Bible Church, values communication. “Ella loves people and needs meaningful connections with a wide range of people. The show helps foster that.” He said the show allows for her engagement with others and also provides a starting place for others to take part in meaningful conversation with her. According to Kevin, Ella’s relational needs are increasing with her age (she will celebrate her sweet 16 in July), and the hope is that this show will bring her together with other people and create deeper bonds for her. While cooking is the starting point, it is Ella’s humanity with which people truly connect. Ella’s parents want others to know she is a complex human being with many facets to her personality. The cooking show allows people into Ella’s world and creates a space for them to see some of those different facets. “In part, the show is meant to be a conversation piece,” Kevin said. And people certainly are talking! Ella has received invitations to local restaurants to meet with owners and “The Ella Life” has many regular viewers on YouTube. Her website, ellalife.com, will be launching soon. The conversation surrounding this rising star is just beginning. -Kristin Riggs May 2021

Entertainment Fort Smith

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Color It SUMMER Summer means lots of free time to enjoy all the region has to oﬀer. Entertainment Fort Smith is making it simple by showing you great ways to get started. Over the next several pages, you will see the basics – the who, what, when and where. As in who can participate, what the program is all about, when you need to be there and where the fun is happening.

So read up, mark your calendars and take part in some great summer fun! Ben Geren Youth Golf Academy

GET TO IT! Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs Who: Ages 6-18 What: The nine-week summer program oﬀers a variety of activities and events, including free breakfast and lunch, field trips, daily game room tournaments, guest speakers, PGA golf lessons, arts & crafts, technology, Marilyn Foster Poetry contest, MusicFest, Summer Olympics, girls softball, baseball, skating, swimming and much more. Cost: $25. When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday June 1-July 30. Where: Evans Boys & Girls Club, 6015 Boys Club Lane, 479-646-9519 Goldtrap Boys & Girls Club, 800 Dallas Street, 479-452-5779 Jeﬀrey Boys & Girls Club, 4905 North O Street, 479-782-8126 Stephens Boys & Girls Club, 3101 North 6th Street, 479-782-6392

Boys and Girls Club of Van Buren Who: Ages 6-18 What: Eight unique program areas, including learning centers, games rooms, an art room, technology center, STEM lab and a fullsize gym. Nationally recognized programs are oﬀered with something available for all ages. All members of the Boys and Girls Club of Van Buren Summer Program receive breakfast, lunch and a snack as part of the state SFSP Program. When: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday June 1-July 30. Where: Boys & Girls Club of Van Buren, 1403 City Park Road, Van Buren. 479-474-9401 10

Entertainment Fort Smith

May 2021

Who: Girls and boys ages 3-17 What: Kids will learn to play golf and improve their skills. Two summer sessions will oﬀer two classes a week over a four-week period. Classes are divided into ages for boys and girls together and include up to 24 kids. Kids’ clubs are provided. SNAG (Starting New At Golf ) littlest golfers start with plastic clubs and tennis balls. Girls also may enroll in LPGA/USGA Girls Golf classes. Enrolled kids also get free driving range balls and play free on the academy’s course. Call to enroll. More fun, free: The golf academy has a “foot golf” course playing golf, soccer style. The shorter course has holes to accommodate a soccer ball. When: Sessions begin June 1 and July 13 Cost: $75 per session; includes free driving range balls and free play on the academy’s course. Where: Ben Geren Youth Golf Academy, 6100 Golf Course Loop, Ben Geren Regional Park, 7200 Zero Street, Fort Smith 479-646-2444

FCA First Serve Tennis Who: Ages 4-16 What: Sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Tennis racquets are available for $15 and are given out the first day of camp. If you already have one, be sure to bring on the first day. Campers will receive a T-shirt, instruction and will have lots of fun. Cost: $35. A discount will be given to those who attend both weeks. When: 8:30-10 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.-noon June 7-10 in Fort Smith and 8:30 or 10:30 a.m. June 14-17 in Van Buren. Tennis racquets will be available to purchase for $15 and will be given out the first day of camp. Where: Ben Geren Regional Park, 7200 South Zero Street, Fort Smith, and Van Buren High School, 2221 East Pointer Trail Road, Van Buren.

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GET DANCING!

AND SINGING AND PERFORMING!

Western Arkansas Ballet

Community School of the Arts

4701 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0512 waballet.org

Main Campus, St. Boniface Elementary School, 201 North 19th Street, Fort Smith Second Campus, Central Presbyterian Church, 2901 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith 479-434-2020

WAB II Auditions Who: Ages 9-12 What: Dancers with two years of ballet experience may audition for positions in Western Arkansas Ballet’s pre-professional company. When: May 17 Cost: $30 WAB Company Auditions Who: Dancers 11 and older What: Candidates with three years of ballet experience may audition for the Western Arkansas Ballet Company. When: May 18 Cost: $30 Lorraine Cranford Summer Dance Workshop Who: Ages 11 and up What: An intensive dance workshop for dancers with a minimum of two years of classical ballet training. Features daily classes and rehearsals, by age group, in ballet, modern and jazz with guest instructors, personalized attention and a studio performance. When: June 6-11 Cost: $475 total before May 28; $500 after. June 14-18 WAB Pre-Company Camp Who: Ages 10-14 What: An opportunity to experience what it is like to be a member of WAB Company. Dancers daily will take a ballet class that will push their training. Dancers will learn about stage makeup, ballet history, nutrition and how to do their own hair for diﬀerent ballet. There will be a studio performance on the final day of camp. When: 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. June 14-18 Cost: $150

Each summer, CSA oﬀers a complete line-up of camps, classes and lessons. Private lessons continue throughout the summer and enrollment can begin at any time during the summer. Theater, art, preschool and dance classes and camps are set for specific weeks throughout the summer and cover all ages. Call to register. Dance Your Way to Broadway with Jennifer Woodside Anderson Who: Ages 8-11 at 1-3 p.m., 12 years and older, 4-6 p.m. What: Dance to your favorite tunes! Younger class will dance to songs from “Aladdin,” “Frozen” and “Seussical.” Older class will dance to songs from “Momma Mia,” “Hamilton” and “West Side Story.” When: July 13-17 ARTWeek: So Many Ways to Monet with Sherry Jones Who: Grades K-3, 8:30-11:30 a.m.; Grades 4-6, 1:30-4:30 p.m. When: July 20-24 Musical Theater Extravaganza Who: Grades 3-7 What: Socially distanced singing and dancing to some of your favorite show tunes. When: 1-4 p.m. July 27-31 Where: St. Boniface School Pop, Rock & All That Jazz Who: Students entering grades 8-12. What: Free, one-week day camp that focuses on jazz, pop and rock styles in vocal and instrumental music. Small and large group ensembles, private lessons, studio recording and special break-out sessions in songwriting will all be part of this camp week. Real world artists will lead the camp and oﬀer workshops in music technology, how to succeed in music and marketing yourself in the music scene. Students will have the opportunity to compose and record their own music in a world-class recording studio. A concert will be held at the end of the week. When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 19-23 Where: St. Boniface Elementary School

June 21-25 Hip Hop Camps Who: Ages 8-9 and 10 and older What: Explore the world of hip hop, from the basics to advanced, with instructor Allison Thompson. When: June 21-25 Ages 8-9 at 1-2 p.m. Ages 10 and older at 2:15-3:15 p.m.

May 2021

Entertainment Fort Smith

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GET READING SOUTH SEBASTIAN COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM Who: All ages What: Summer reading program includes library events and completing reading challenges. Completing reading challenges allows entries into prize giveaways! When: Sign-up opens June 1; program runs June 7-July 30 Where: Sebastian County Library 18 North Adair Street, Greenwood K-6 Summer Reading Club: 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays Tweens & Teen Time: 2 p.m. Wednesdays Toddler & Preschool Story Time: 10 a.m. Fridays Scott County Library 141 West 2nd Street, Waldron K-6 Summer Reading Club: 2 p.m. Tuesdays Lavaca Public Library 100 South Davis Street, Lavaca Toddler & Preschool Story Time and K-6 Summer Reading Club: 10 a.m. Thursdays Mansfield Public Library 200 North Sebascott Avenue, Mansfield K-6 Summer Reading Club: 10 a.m. Mondays Hartford Public Library 109 South Broadway, Hartford K-6 Summer Reading Club: 10 a.m. Wednesdays

CRAWFORD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM Who: All ages What: Each library will hold a kick-off party to celebrate this year’s theme, Tails & Tales, which is all about animals and their stories. The program will run during June and July. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Road, 479-632-4140 What: Drop by the library to pick up your summer reading program starter pack and an adorable reading buddy! When: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. June 4 Van Buren Public Library, 409 Main Street, 479-474-6045 What: Children will have the opportunity to log their time spent reading for points and entries for prizes. During the party, learn how to sign up using the computer program READsquared or choose a paper version that can be turned into the library when you visit. When: 10 a.m.-noon June 5 Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, 479-410-1853 What: Children birth to 12 will at 1 p.m. each Wednesday at the library or live on Facebook. Teens ages 13-18 will meet at 1 p.m. Thursdays or on Facebook. Events and special guests this year include Turpentine Creek Wildlife Rescue, Jeff Coward the Science Guy, Brandi Davis from the Crawford County Extension Office, Kelly Lopeman from Chasing Miracles Animal Rescue and many more. When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 5 Mountainburg Public Library, 225 U.S. 71 North, 479-369-1600 What: Join the Mountainburg Public Library to learn how this simple but fun program will work, register for the program, activities and get started on your summer reading goals. This will be an outside program event with many different activities for the kids. When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. June 5.

FORT SMITH PUBLIC LIBRARY The Miller and Windsor Drive neighborhood library branches are open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Main Library is open 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. MondayFriday. No appointment is required. Curbside service is also available at these library locations. For curbside service hours or more information on library services impacted by COVID, please visit www.fortsmithlibrary.org, or call 479-783-0229. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, 479-783-0229 Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, 479-484-5650 Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, 479-783-0229 Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, 479-785-0405 All programs are free. fortsmithlibrary.org

Entertainment Fort Smith

May 2021

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GET CREATIVE! Center for Art & Education’s Wonderful World of Art Camp Who: Children in kindergarten through 18 years. What: This year's theme is "Tails and Tales" focusing on animals and stories. Each day, campers learn art history and explore a new medium in drawing, painting, printmaking, pastel, paper mache, low-relief sculpture and more. Mark your calendar for a week of fun and engaging art projects. Cost: $20 per week. Register early to secure your space. Where: Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, 479-632-4140 June 14-18, two sessions – 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, 479-410-1853 June 21-25, two sessions – 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m. Mountainburg Library, 1300 U.S. 71 North, 479-369-1600 July 12, Virtual Camp – Call for information and to register Mulberry Library, 220 North Main Street, 479-997-1226 June 7-11, two sessions – 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m. Van Buren Library, 1409 Main Street, 479-474-6045 July 19-23, two sessions – 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.

Fort Smith Regional Arts Museum Creative Cartooning Who: Students 10 and older What: Love creating characters but not sure where to start on your cartooning journey? RAM has you covered with a new summer class that focuses on building your creativity to create unique characters and stories. This class will start with illustration exercises and slowly dive into characters and storyboarding, touching on all the tools that will make that first comic panel seem a little less intimidating. Register online. 15-student limit. When: 1 p.m. Tuesdays July 6-Aug. 10 Where: Online. fsram.org Cost: Free.

Summer Music at UAFS Who: Students in grades 7-12 What: The UAFS Department of Music will present a series of free virtual music workshops for instrumental music student. Summer music virtual workshops are set to include flute, clarinet, saxophone, high brass (trumpet and horn), low brass (trombone, euphonium and tuba), percussion and a jazz workshop. The virtual workshops will be presented by UAFS Music Faculty. For more information on how to attend a workshop, contact Dr. Alexandra Zacharella, director of bands, at alex.zacharella@uafs.edu or 479-788-7972 When: June 14-18 Where: Online

May 2021

Entertainment Fort Smith

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PARK IT HERE! FORT SMITH PARKS & RECREATION Pop-Up Play Days 10 a.m.-noon for all ages June 10: Water Gun Tie Die, Creekmore Park June 24: Giant Slip n’ Slide, Martin Luther King Jr. Park July 8: Ninja Warrior Course, Creekmore Park July 22: Amazing Race, Creekmore Park City Play Day Who: This is an event for the entire family. What: A variety of activities including Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course, Connect 4 Basketball, inflatable waterslide, Velcro Wall, Life Flight helicopter, Fort Smith Fire and Police Departments, Sebastian County Sheriﬀ's Department, finger printing, area organizations and more. Hot dogs and drinks also will be provided. When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 7 Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Park Creekmore Express Who: All ages What: Train rides are free to the public, but donations are accepted. The train is a favorite of park-goers of all ages. When: May 8-30 – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and 1-6 p.m. Sundays. June 2-Aug. 29 – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sundays. Sept. 4-Oct. 23 – 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday.

Baking Bootcamp Who: Ages 4-7 in the mornings and 8-12 in the afternoons What: Pre-registration is required for each daily event. More information and registration information will be posted on the Facebook page and website May 24. When: 10 a.m.-noon June 10-14 for ages 4-7 and 12:30-2 p.m. for those 8-12. Where: Creekmore Community Center Catch n' Release Who: Children of all ages What: Bait will be provided to all participants. Take your own pole or one will be provided. Staﬀ will assist with baiting of hooks and releasing of fish. A small snack and drink also will be provided. When: 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 5 Where: Carol Ann Cross Park

Movies in the Park The Fort Smith Parks and Recreation’s “Movies in the Park” series will return this summer, giving visitors the chance to enjoy popular movies in one of the city’s scenic parks. Admission is free and all films start at dusk. Take blankets and lawn chairs. Check fortsmithparks.org and Facebook for more information. June 4: “Dolittle” at Creekmore Park June 11: “Cool Runnings” at Martin Luther King Jr. Park June 18: “Secret Life of Pets 2” at Creekmore Park June 25: “Abominable” at Tilles Park July 9: “Moana” at Creekmore Park July 16: “Trolls World Tour” at Creekmore Creekmore Park 3301 South M Street Martin Luther King Jr. Park 1815 North Greenwood Avenue Tilles Park Grand Avenue & North 37th Carol Ann Cross Park 1601 South 74th Street

PARROT ISLAND WATERPARK Who: All ages What: Opening day is May 15. Features the areas only two-lane FlowRider and wave pool. Plus, four twisting and turning water slides, relaxing lazy river, activity pool and themed children’s aquatic play area. The outdoor waterpark has a variety of amenities, including party pavilions, cabana rentals, food and beverage, Shopping at the Tiki Hut Gift Shop, complimentary deck and lounge chairs, complimentary inner tubes and expansive grass lawns for relaxing. When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 15-16 and May 22-23; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday May 29-Aug. 7. Cost: $13-$18. Ages 3 and younger are free. Adult non-swimmer is $5. Seniors $10. Military discount of 15 percent. Season passes for individuals and families available now. Where: Ben Geren Regional Park, 7300 Zero Street, Fort Smith. 479-788-6550

ALMA AQUATIC CENTER Who: All ages What: One of the area’s largest waterparks includes picnic areas, playgrounds, pavilions and walking trails. The water park oﬀers six slides, a diving board, climbing wall and a large swimming pool. There is a covered wading pool to protect tender skin, a “beach” pool that is from zero to 3 feet deep, and a water play area. Staﬀed with Red Cross-certified lifeguards. The water park is available for private parties. The large pavilion adjacent to the Aquatic Center also is available for parties. Call for reservations. 14

Entertainment Fort Smith

May 2021

Cost: $3-$10. Groups of 20 or more receive a 15 percent discount. Season passes are available for $30-$50 for single or $175 for family of four. When: Noon-9 p.m. Mondays Noon-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday Season begins on Memorial Day weekend. Where: 731 City Park Road, Alma. 479-632-0700

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May 2021

Entertainment Fort Smith

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KIDS

calendar of events

May 4, 11, 18, 25 Baby and Me For children birth to 3 years and their caregivers. Stories, songs and scarf play helps get young ones ready for story time and pre-reading. Free. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479474-6045 . May 4-25 DIY Tuesdays Learn how to make photo holders, decorate a coffee mug with nail polish, glowin-the-dark bottles, net-wrapped mason jars and binoculars. The how-to video will be available online. Craft kits are available upon request. Free. Tweens and teens. 4-6 p.m. Facebook - Alma Public Library May 4-25 Tuesday Surprise This program is sometimes S.T.E.M., sometimes a craft, sometimes a story ... it’s a surprise! Free. 4-6 p.m. Ralph D. Graf Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

May 5 Science Stop! Join the library for a simple science experiment that you can repeat at home. Learn online how to perform the walking water experiment. Free. Facebook and Youtube – Fort Smith Public Library.

National Train Day Celebration MAY

The Fort Smith Trolley Museum will open its railcar rolling stock to celebrate National Train Day. Step inside its railroad dining car and caboose, climb a ladder to see inside the cab of its steam locomotive and ride the electric streetcars. Secure parking for motorcycles will be available. A food truck will be onsite and there will be live music on the museum grounds. Hail the trolley from the museum, the Fort Smith Museum of History stop, the DoubleTree Hilton on at South 7th and Rogers, or on Garrison Avenue. Trolley rides are $4 for adults, $2 for children and free for children under 4. Fort Smith Trolley Museum, 100 South 4th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. fstm.org

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May 1-30 I Spy Cabinet Do you love the I Spy search and find books? Visit the library’s I Spy cabinet, full of objects and treasures, and see if you can spot everything on the list. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith. 479-785-0405

May 3 Melted Crayon Art This week’s Monday Craft is melted crayon art. Watch Miss Allison’s video and follow along to make a colorful work of art. All you need to get started is a box of crayons and a hairdryer. This craft video will be available on the Alma Public Library Facebook page. Free. 4-6 p.m. Facebook – Alma Public Library

May 3-26 Teen Time Teens are invited to the library, in person! There will be crafts, games, cooking and more. Free. 3:15-5:15 p.m. Monday-Wednesday. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

May 4 Weekly Story Time: May is for Flowers The theme for May is flowers. For the first story time of the month, read a couple of engaging books about flowers. Learning more about flowers is a great way to get you outdoors, breathing fresh air and enjoying more about our natural world. Free. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Facebook – Mountainburg Public Library 479-369-1600 16 Entertainment Fort Smith May 2021

May 5-26 Cedarville Story Time Each Wednesday, Ms. Lara will read a story and show you how to do a fun craft. Story times now meet in person and live on Facebook. Themes include Mother's Day, nursery rhymes, butterflies and an announcement about the summer reading program. Free. 10 a.m.-noon Wednesdays. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853 Facebook – Cedarville Public Library

May 5-26 Van Buren Story Time There will be in-person stories, songs, crafts, and fun for preschool ages and their caregivers. Free. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesdays.Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 May 6 Story Time with Christina: “When I’m Bigger, Mama Bear” Join Christina was she reads “When I’m Bigger, Mama Bear.” Bella Bear wants to do big bear things, like bike to the store alone and chop up vegetables. Mama Bear tries to tell her she's too little to do these things by herself, but Bella doesn't want to listen. Luckily, when Bella climbs too high and needs help, Mama is right there to lend a helping hand. You can see “Story Time with Christina” anytime online. Free. 10 a.m. Facebook and YouTube – Fort Smith Public Library

May 6-27 Story Time Traditional story time with a craft demonstration. Free. 10 a.m.-noon. Thursdays. Ralph D. Graf Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226 . May 6-27 Virtual Story Time Enjoy a fun story with Miss Allison every week at virtual story time. After reading a short book, learn how to make a themed craft to go along with it. Craft kits are available upon request. Free. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursdays. Facebook – Alma Public Library

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May 6-27 STEM Thursdays These activities for teens and tweens will include a rubber band car, lava lamp, fireworks in a jar and an inventive catapult. The craft video will be online. Craft kits are available upon request. Tweens/teens. Free. 4-6 p.m. Facebook – Alma Public Library

KIDS CALENDAR

May 7-28 Kraftivity Time Join online for weekly Kraftivity Time each Friday. Kraftivities include painting your own flowers, making and planting sunflowers, creating a bee . All the supplies will be available as a take-and-make kit. Contact the library by Wednesday to reserve a kit for pickup on the following Thursday or Friday. Free. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Fridays. Mountainburg Public Library, 225 U.S. 71 North, Moutainburg. 479-369-1600 Facebook – Mountainburg Public Library May 9 Mother’s Day Trolley Rides and Sundaes Moms ride free with a person with paid fare on Mother’s Day. Sweet ice cream sundaes will also be available. 1 p.m. Fort Smith Trolley Museum, 100 South 4th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. fstm.org

May 10 Laptime Story Time with Mrs. Tiffany Join Mrs. Tiffany for a virtual laptime story time. Stay tuned until the end when, after she reads and acts silly, she will share a simple craft that you can create at home. For ages up to 24 months. Facebook and YouTube – Fort Smith Public Library May 10 Exploding Baggie Experiment Enjoy a STEM experiment with this online activity. Learn how to combine everyday ingredients into a fun science lesson. Craft kits are available upon request. Free. 4-6 p.m. Facebook – Alma Public Library

May 11 Weekly Story Time: May is for Flowers Continuation May’s celebration of flowers, read a selection of books related to the planting and growing of flowers. There are so many different species of flowers, learn some new ones together. Free. 2:304:30 p.m. Facebook – Mountainburg Public Library 479-369-1600

May 13 Ms. Robin’s Favorites Help Ms. Robin open up the Library Surprise Bag to see Fred and to find out which favorite story you'll get to hear. If you have a favorite story, be sure to let Ms. Robin know. Free. 10-10:15 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org Facebook and YouTube – Fort Smith Public Library

May 13 Tween Thursday Join the Cedarville Library once a month for a fun program geared toward middle school-aged kids. Ms. Lara will post a video just for the tweens to enjoy. Lots of topics and activities will be covered like S.T.E.A.M. projects, coding or just something informative and silly. May’s activity will be a coding project you can easily do at home. Free. 3:45-5:45 p.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853 Facebook – Cedarville Public Library

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KIDS CALENDAR

May 14 Family Bonfire Night Enjoy an evening around a bonfire with s’mores and good company. Take your lawn chairs, blankets and roasting sticks. Free. 7-9 p.m. River Valley Nature Center 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith 479-452-3993

May 17 Handprint Dinosaurs Get wildly creative with this craft! Turn your handprints into prehistoric dinosaurs. Craft kits are available upon request. The video for this will be on the Alma Public Library Facebook Page. Free. 4-6 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Facebook – Alma Public Library May 18 Weekly Story Time: May is for Flowers Hear a selection of books related to stories about the glorious sunflower. Did you know the center of a sunflower is actually made up of thousands of tiny flowers? Also, not all sunflowers are yellow. They can come in a range of golden yellow, orange and ruby red, to bronze and even white. Free. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Facebook – Mountainburg Public Library 479-369-1600 May 20 Snakes of Arkansas Local reptile enthusiasts Jeremy and Brad will present a family-oriented live snake demonstration. Reserve your free ticket on eventbrite. Attendance may be limited. Free. 6-8 p.m. River Valley Nature Center 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith 479-452-3993 Facebook.com/JHARVNC/events May 20 Story Time This will be a traditional story time with a craft demonstration. Free. 10 a.m.-noon. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-997-1226

May 20 Teen Time Join the Cedarville Library once a month for an awesome program for ages 13-18. Ms. Lara will post a video just for the teens to enjoy. Lots of topics and activities will be covered like STEAM projects, coding or maybe something a little crazy. May’s activity will be a STEAM project you can easily do at home. Free. 3:45-5:45 p.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853 Facebook – Cedarville Public Library.

Entertainment Fort Smith

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May 20 Story Time with Matia! – “My Hair is Magic” Join Matia for another fun Hair Time Story Time! In “My Hair is Magi,c” the little girl knows her hair is great just as it is. When people ask, "Why is your hair so big?" she answers, "Why isn't yours?" Her hair is soft, it protects her, it's both gentle and fierce. While some might worry about how it's different and try to contain it, she gives it the freedom to be so extraordinary it almost has a life of its own. You can see "Story Time with Matia" anytime on the library's Facebook page or YouTube Channel. Free. 10-10:15 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org. May 21 Story Break with Mrs. Tiffany Stop! It's time for a story break! Mrs. Tiffany will be reading to a different animal or showing you something interesting in nature. What will she read to next? You can watch Story Break with Mrs. Tiffany anytime on the library's Facebook page or YouTube channel. Free. 10-10:15 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 Facebook and YouTube – Fort Smith Public Library

May 24 How Do Leaves Breathe? Have you ever wondered how leaves breathe? This

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KIDS CALENDAR Monday’s video is a science experiment about leaves and photosynthesis! Learn how to do this experiment with Miss Allison on the Alma Public Library Facebook page. Free. 4-6 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Facebook – Alma Public Library

May 25 Origami for All Ages Add a touch of whimsy to your home and have some fun as you create origami. Children, teens and adults can enjoy learning the Japanese art of folding paper. Free. 2-2:15 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 Facebook and YouTube – Fort Smith Public Library May 25 Weekly Story Time: May is for Flowers This week’s story time will wrap up the library's monthlong celebration of flowers by discussing the ever important – bees! Do you know any of the following bee facts? Bees have five eyes and six legs. Honey bees harvest nectar and pollen from flowering plants. Male bees in the hive are called drones and they do not have a stinger. Worker bees are females;. Honey bees live in large groups called colonies. An average beehive can hold around 50,000 bees! Learn this and more. Free. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Facebook – Mountainburg Public Library 479-369-1600 May 26 Grab-and-Go Paint Kits Grab everything you need to create a cute painting! Limited kits are available at all open library locations, and include a link to the virtual instructions. Free. 1010:15 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org. Facebook & YouTube – Fort Smith Public Library

May 27 Ms. Robin’s Favorites Help Ms. Robin open up the Library Surprise Bag this to see Fred – and to see which favorite story you'll get to hear. If you’ve got a favorite story, be sure to let Ms. Robin know. You can see "Ms. Robin's Favorites" anytime on the library's Facebook page or YouTube channel. Free. 10-10:15 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org. Facebook & YouTube – Fort Smith Public Library

June 8 Story Break – LIVE at Jen’s Kitty Rehab Stop! It's time for a story break - live! Mrs. Tiffany will be reading to a cat that is available for adoption at Jen’s Kitty Rehab. Free. 10-10:15 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org Facebook and YouTube – Fort Smith Public Library May 2021

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KIDS CALENDAR

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Visits JUNE

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Rescue is coming to the public libraries in Alma, Van Buren and Mountainburg. Learn more about the wonderful big cats that they care for and gain a better understanding of animals and their needs. This event is limited to 20 participants in Alma, so sign up early by calling the library. Turpentine Creek is a non-profit organization that provides lifetime refuge for abandoned, abused and neglected "big cats." Its goal is to provide a lifetime sanctuary for all rescued animals with the care, safety and well being of the animals as the No. 1 priority. All animals are treated with the dignity and compassion they deserve. The Eureka Springs refuge houses nearly 100 animals including tigers, lions, leopards, cougars, bobcats, bears, ligers, servals, a coatimundi and a macaw. Free. 9-11 a.m. June 7 at the Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140; Noon-2 p.m. June 7 at the Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479474-6045 and 1-2 p.m. June 15 at the Mountainburg Public Library, 225 U.S. 71 North, Mountainburg, Ark.

7, 15

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May 2021

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ARCOM Class of 2021

Four years ago, the magazine published this class photo of the first class of medical students to be educated in Fort Smith.

hey’re graduating! While most of the population is still adjusting to the idea that Fort Smith is home to a medical school, its first-ever class is preparing for graduation on May 15 at the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. The next step for the Class of 2021 is graduate medical education, also called residency. They now will be addressed as “doctor” as they spend four or more years in training and studying in a specific field of medicine they have chosen. They learned where they will go on Match Day, when they opened envelopes to find out which program had accepted them. The fourth-year students and a limited number of family members, faculty and staff gathered at the Fort Smith Convention Center. Each student received a sealed envelope with their residency location. After a countdown, the students opened their envelopes and a balloon drop highlighted their cheers as they learned where the next phase of their journey will take them. The ARCOM Class of 2021 has a 95 percent match rate, meaning the majority of students were accepted into programs in the first round of residency applications. “Before this process is over, we will place 100 percent of our students,” said Kyle D. Parker, CEO of the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education. “This achievement is a direct result of our excellent faculty preparing our students to be highly desired by residency programs throughout the country.” “ARCOM is proud to announce our residency match statistics for its inaugural graduating class,” said Rance McClain, D.O., dean of ARCOM. “Over half of the class of 140 students will remain in the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education and ARCOM service region. This is a strong predictor that they will remain in this region to practice once they finish their residency training.” Almost three-quarters of the class chose primary care residencies and the same percentage gained residencies within this service region. The top five specialties matched were internal medicine, family medicine, psychiatry, emergency medicine and pediatrics. These results are pleasing, even emotional, for the core group of

Entertainment Fort Smith

May 2021

visionaries who helped establish the medical colleges after the sale of Fort Smith’s public hospital, such as Board of Trustees chair John R. Taylor. He recalled the first time he spoke to this inaugural class. “Four years ago, when this class had their orientation, July of 2017, they asked me to welcome them and I actually almost couldn’t get this out without choking up. I looked out them and said, ‘I’ve waited eight years to see your faces.’ “We sold the hospital in 2009 and didn’t know what we were going to do. But we had to take the money and redeploy it into the community,” he explained. “That money had to go back into the community in the most effective way. After a lot of research, we wound up doing the med school. Now, May 15, I will tell them, ‘I’ve waited 12 years to see you in your robes.’” Knowing that so many new physicians will remain in this region, and that others will follow, helps meet the goal of increasing the number of health care providers who will practice here, especially in Arkansas and Oklahoma, Taylor said. McClain explained. “Keeping in line with ARCOM’s mission, over 50 percent of the class matched into a residency in a state rated in the bottom 10 in ‘access to care’ by US News. If you expand that out to the bottom 20 states, we placed 75 percent of our class into a graduate medical education training position in an under-served state. This is an amazing accomplishment by our students and shows their dedication to our mission, as well.” The Arkansas Colleges of Health Education has opened its second building, a 66,000-square-foot facility that will be home to a school of physical therapy, a school of occupational therapy and physician assistant studies. The school of physical therapy will welcome its first class in June. ACHE recently announced the purchase of the ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness Center, a 317,850-square-foot facility that will contain a biomedical research laboratory and space for transformational initiatives in health and wellness. These first medical school graduates will be leading the way for many health care professionals who will be educated here.

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A Fort Smith residency in Family Practice

Talking with three graduating students who now go onward to their four-year residencies: they believe ARCOM prepared them well Off to Searcy, Ark., in Psychiatry

To Dayton, Ohio, for Neurology

Jelena Ivanova was one of the first students interviewed by this magazine in its mission to help to connect the medical school with our community. In 2017, she and her husband, with their two young daughters, had just moved to Fort Smith from Minnesota and were settling into a home at Chaffee Crossing. On July 1, she will begin her residency in psychiatry in Searcy at Unity Health – White County Medical Center, serving Cleburne, Jackson, Lonoke, Prairie, White, Independence, Woodruff and Van Buren counties. In her third year, Ivanova chose psychiatry as her specialty. During clinical rotations, she went to Unity Health. “It’s such a great program and it was my number one choice. I can’t wait,” she aid. “I did an audition rotation there and it was kind of like love at first sight.” Her husband and daughters are looking forward to the next step, she said. The past four years have been busy. “It doesn’t feel like four years,” she laughed. “My older daughter is 12 and will be in seventh grade. My little one will be 5 this year. She was 10 months old when I started.” Even as a busy parent, Ivanova will graduate as a member of Sigma Sigma Phi, the national osteopathic honors fraternity for medical students training to be doctors of osteopathic medicine. Criteria for membership includes scholastic achievement, such as class rank, and dedication to community service and the highest class of academic excellence.

Kortney LaCombe is completing her final rotation as an ARCOM student in Hot Springs, her hometown, but in July she begins residency in Dayton at Kettering Health Network. She has chosen neurology as her specialty, caring for patients who have had a stroke, seizures, Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, she explained, and other neurological health concerns. She appreciates ARCOM for “taking a chance on me, and I took a chance on them.” As a young girl, she wanted to become a doctor but was “not only not encouraged, I was actively discouraged from pursuing medicine,” she recalled. “It was a time before STEM in the South – girls didn’t do science. But I had an opportunity to do what I wanted, if I could do it over again, so here we are.” When she applied to ARCOM, she was working in management in the aerospace industry. Her determination is a great example for her daughters, who are 10 and 14. LaCombe said she will always appreciate ARCOM for the school’s genuine personal interest in its students. “I have wonderful mentors now, who I know I’ll be able to call on for a lifetime.” She also will always love our city. “To have the support of the community has been so wonderful. To see Fort Smith rally around ARCOM students – to hear about random meals that were paid for, or to have somebody buy me coffee at Starbucks because they saw me studying – I have spoken to cohorts at other colleges and they’re like, ‘Yeah, that doesn’t happen.’ It’s kind of like being in a warm hug.”

The enthusiasm of Michael Page comes through even in a phone interview. This graduate will take his residency in Fort Smith at UAMS West in family medicine. Three ARCOM colleagues will be there, too. He has already contacted five incoming M.D. colleagues with whom he is looking forward to working. He actively embraces working in a team. “I hope we can all grow together,” he said. Page spent five years as a registered nurse before entering medical school. “I think ARCOM has prepared us well,” he said. “I already knew that family medicine was most likely what I wanted to do. My mom was an office manager for a family medicine doctor in Magnolia, Ark., so the school bus would drop me off at the clinic in the afternoon. I kind of grew up in the back of the rural family medicine clinic watching him take care of everybody from cradle to grave. I just think that’s the essence of the almost out-of-style – but certainly still needed – family medicine doctor who takes care of the entire town.” Page said that is “the D.O. difference” in practice. “Our colleagues trained in other areas sometimes focus on ‘the patient in room 5 who has pneumonia.’ Our approach is ‘John Smith, who is a father of two, married to his wife 30 years and works in the local chemical plant, who just happens to be in room 5 with pneumonia.’ We focus on the person.” As it happened, his last clinical rotation was in infectious diseases at Mercy Fort Smith and he was one of a few students actively involved in COVID-19 treatment. The spirit of common goals among faculty and students at ARCOM will go with him forever and he plans to keep close ties, whether mentoring or lecturing or someday welcoming a student in rotation, he said. Meeting great needs in Arkansas is the ethos of ARCOM and a driving motivation for Page’s career. “For the forseeable future, I intend to practice medicine in Arkansas until the day I hang my white coat up,” he said.

Entertainment Fort Smith congratulates the entire ARCOM Class of 2021 May 2021

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Exploring the Bayou De View water trail Born and raised in Arkansas, I thought I had hiked and biked about every trail in the state. That was until I was driving past the murky black waters in the central region of the state and spotted a sign for Bayou DeView Water Trail. Water trails? Googling “water trails in Arkansas,” I discovered we have more than 100 miles of well-mapped or signed waterways. Sharing my discovery with my friend Bill Steward, he replied he actually knew one of the people who installed the signs on the water trail and introduced me to Debbie Doss. She is the director of Arkansas Watertrails Partnership, a group of volunteers dedicated to developing public paddling trails throughout the state. Always eager to promote the state’s waterways, when I described my interest in leading a group float on the BDWT, she enthusiastically jumped onboard to help plan the adventure, even agreeing to join us. Our “Bayou Adventure” began under sunny skies at the Benson Access, located on Arkansas 17, just north of Brinkley. We paddled across a wide pool of water, lush green forest encroaching on both sides. I saw a blue blaze mounted high on a cypress tree trunk. We had arrived at the main channel of the water trail. 24

Entertainment Fort Smith

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We followed the channel in the direction of a seemingly impenetrable wall of dense forest. As the current pulled our boats forward, a small gap appeared between the trees. Leaving the open blue skies behind, we were drawn under a canopy of trees. An image of Alice being sucked down the rabbit hole flashed in my mind and I was aware that, just as with Alice, once we entered the tree-covered tunnel, there would be no turning back until it spit us out the opposite end. Well, not really. The current was barely perceivable; it would be no problem to turn around and back paddle to the vehicles. Yeah, my active imagination was enjoying the thought of entering into our own Wonderland. What a Wonderland it was. Once inside this unique ecosystem, our group slowly lifted our oars out of the water, choosing to drift along at the current’s natural bayou pace. For as far as the eye could see, there was no visible land, just water and majestic trees with crowns of florescent green foliage. The flooded bottom land included various hardwoods, such as oaks and sweet gums. What stole the show was the majestic tupelo, with their wide buttresses and twisting, oddly shaped trunks, plus the bald cypress and their unique jagged knees sprouting out of the water around its base.

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Cypress knees

It seemed the deeper we entered the bayou, the higher the trees stretched into the sky. Doss explained this could be true, for the further we penetrated the wetland, the more difficult it would have been to harvest the trees. Some of the giant tupelo and bald cypress were actual virgin timber, dating back over 800 years. This is one of Mother Nature’s art galleries. With the overhead canopy blocking the sun’s nourishing rays, smaller trees had became distorted and bent into bizarre abstract creations. There were trees rising out of the placid water, completely separated at their base, which had grown together in an everlasting kiss. For our midday break, Doss steered us away from the main channel to a plot of dry land known locally as Whiskey Island, the location for a moonshine distillery during Prohibition. Scrounging around the area, we found broken shards of thick glass we assumed had stored the whiskey, and a metal rim from a barrel. At the leisurely pace we had been paddling, and with the sun dipping below tree tops, we chose to not continue the 4.3 miles to the Bank of Brinkley takeout. Before ending our adventure, we did paddle around Apple Lake in search of the beautiful cypress tree that graced the cover of Tim Ernst’s “Arkansas Nature Lover’s Guidebook.” And yes, it was as beautiful in life as it was in his picture. – Story and photos by Bob Robinson

A human for scale against a massive tree of the bayou.

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John Bell Jr. family makes a gift of his original paintings and prints to the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum

he Fort Smith Regional Art Museum has received the gift of all existing art by John Bell Jr. that has been in the ownership of his family. The gift includes a large collection of original paintings and drawings, as well as numerous offset lithograph prints of his most popular historic scenes. Other items include studies and sketches from the artist’s studio, as well as paint, brushes, photographs and the model trains and horses he used as references to bring his brilliant paintings to life. “We are thrilled and grateful to accept this wonderful gift from John Bell Jr.’s daughter, Lisa Wilson,” RAM executive director Louis Meluso said. “The John Bell Jr. estate passed to her when John’s wife, Maxine, passed away in 2018. Our goal is to display, interpret and preserve the legacy of one of the region’s most famous artists. We’re planning exhibitions of his art in our galleries and new, interpretive educational programs so the public can access and learn about the collection.” Bell, who died in 2013, was an acclaimed American painter whose career spanned nearly 50 years. Bell was born and raised in the River Valley, attended Northside High School and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Arkansas. He had a profound appreciation for and deep connection to the beauty of our state and the character of its people. His historic scenes of Fort Smith, Van Buren, Eureka Springs and other locations have thrilled and endeared thousands of fans and patrons. In 2018, the bicentennial celebration of Fort Smith, RAM organized the exhibition Fort Smith Legend, John Bell Jr. It had the highest attendance of all of RAM’s exhibitions. Bell has been quoted with this description of his love of art: “As a child, I was shown how to draw stick figures to keep me entertained while my mother went about her chores. This sparked a fascination with the arts that has lasted throughout my lifetime and taken me through several professional careers: illustrator, product designer and fabric designer, to name a few. 26

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“Although I have visited our country from coast to coast, I was born and raised in Arkansas. I have a keen appreciation for the beauty of our state and the character of her people; and, as a result, most of my paintings consist of Arkansas scenery and turn-of-the-century Arkansas cityscapes. Old postcards, early photographs and on-site photography are part of the research into each composition. All of these elements are combined to capture a moment in time that you can almost remember, even though you may have never been there.” RAM intends to exhibit a portion of the collection soon, but first, additional storage and exhibition accommodations must be made. In the next few weeks, RAM will offer John Bell Jr. offset lithograph prints for sale in its Museum Store at 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, and on the RAM Museum Store online, shop.fsram.org. ,,

“Craft Fair,” above and “Cabin at Greenleaf State Park” are two of the Bell originals in the collection given by the artist’s daughter, Lisa Wilson.

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Tom Caldarera, Jr. 1930-2021

A fitting remembrance for a kind and generous man

tarting more than 20 years ago, Fr. Bill Wright of St. John’s Episcopal Church began serving lunches to anyone who was hungry and standing in line at the Sack Lunch Program serving window. He shared his experiences with Tom Caldarera, owner of Taliano’s Italian Restaurant, who wanted to help these hungry people, as well. Tom started making soup and taking it to the Sack Lunch Program. He and his wife, Dorothy, would serve soup with the sack lunches every Tuesday. On Thursdays, he would send a big pot of soup so volunteers could serve it. The serving line at SLP was always long on Tuesdays and Thursdays because the people knew it was Soup Day. Along with the soup, Tom would serve a kind word to everyone who came to the window. Over the years, Tom befriended some of the people who stood in the serving line. One SLP customer, Lucky, would be at the serving window every Tuesday and Thursday to help bring in the big pot of soup for Tom. Another person related that in a more recent visit, as she came to the window she saw Tom was dozing off in the sunshine. She said she startled him by grabbing his hand and saying, “Tom, I love you.” Tom roused with a smile and returned a squeeze of her hand. As she turned and walked away, her heart and soul warmed, she also had a cup of soup! Serving at the SLP window was a family affair for the Caldareras. Dorothy and Tom served soup and lunches every Tuesday. Their children and grandchildren would often be there to help. Tom wanted all his family to learn and do service to help others. They all loved being together, serving their community with food and love. Tom died at the age of 90 on Feb. 12. Serving a warm meal to people in need was Tom’s legacy. Joe Caldarera will carry on this family tradition of service and will make the soup for SLP customers. In March, Mayor George McGill issued a proclamation marking the day as Thomas “Tom” Caldarera Jr. Day. Friends and family gathered at the lunch facility. A unique plaque was presented to the family – made from half of a large soup pot. The other half of pot, identical, hangs in his honor at the Sack Lunch Program building. – Jean Kolljeski, co-director of St. John’s Sack Lunch Program

From left, Tom’s children Thomas, Janet and Joe, his wife, Dorothy, daughters Sharon and Katherine with the family’s pot.

May 2021

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goodies

Three-pocket bra with run-ready compression support found at True Grit Running Co.

Large variety of chair side tables in stock at Mike’s Furniture in Roland.

A selection of quality tequilas available at In Good Spirits.

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goodies

Garden-themed socks, Sloggers waterproof clogs and garden gloves in fun colors found at Neumeier Nursery & Greenhouses.

Unbreak My Blonde hair products by Matrix from Vanity Calls.

Payne County seasonings for meats and veggies, available at Paul’s Meat Market.

May 2021

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goodies Tour Edge golf clubs with bag, Wilson glove and Marucci bat, all found at Play It Again Sports.

Aveda nutri-plenish hair care products available at Metropolis Hair Studio.

AquaNots prevent moisture from entering the ear canal during swimming, watersports and showering. Available at Center for Hearing. 30

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goodies

Succulent arrangements large and small available at A to Z Variety. Summer duds for the little ones found at Designer Again.

Designer sunglasses by Tiffany & Co. available at the offices of Dr. Steven B. Stiles – Eye Group.

May 2021

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WHAT’S COOKING

FRUIT LOOP CUPCAKES Cupcakes 1 box lemon cake mix 4 eggs 1 cup vegetable oil 1 small box lime gelatin 1 cup orange juice Frosting 11⁄2 cups sugar 2 tbsp. light corn syrup 6 large egg whites 1/2 tsp. cherry extract 1/2 tsp. raspberry extract Froot Loops for garnish 32

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May 2021

Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 muffin tins with paper liners and set aside. In the bowl of your mixer, combine cake mix, gelatin mix, eggs, oil and orange juice. Beat on low speed for one minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes more. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full and bake for about 15 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Remove to cooling rack to cool completely.

Frosting: In the metal or glass bowl of your mixer, combine sugar, corn syrup, egg whites and 1/4 cup water. Whisk over a pot of simmering water until the mixture reaches a temperature of 160 (use a candy thermometer; it should take around 5 minutes). Remove bowl and place on your mixer. Beat on low with the whisk attachment for 2 minutes. Add extracts and increase mixer speed to high. Beat for about 5 minutes, or until mixture is thick, glossy and forms stiff peaks. Frost cupcakes, garnish with Froot Loops and serve! Note: Frosting is best served the same day.

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FRUIT LOOP CAKE AND FROSTING POPS Cake 1 (18.25-ounce) package lemon cake mix 1 cup sour cream 1/3 cup vegetable oil 4 large eggs Frosting 4 sticks salted butter, slightly softened 3/4 cup heavy cream 3 teaspoons lemon extract 5 1/2 cups powdered sugar 2 cups Fruit Loops cereal, crushed 24 popsicle or cookie sticks Topping 32 oz vanilla almond bark, melted 2 cups Fruit Loops cereal, crushed Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a half-sheet pan (rimmed – like a jellyroll pan). In the bowl of your mixer, beat cake mix, sour cream, vegetable oil, and eggs on low speed for 30 seconds. Scrape the sides of the bowl and beat on medium speed for two minutes. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes until the top springs back when lightly touched in the center. Cool completely on a wire rack. Prepare frosting: In the bowl of your mixer, beat butter, heavy cream, and lemon extract on medium-low speed until combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl and beat on mediumhigh until smooth. With the mixer on low, slowly add the powdered sugar until just barely blended. Add crushed cereal and increase mixer speed to high. Beat for two minutes. Spread frosting evenly on top of cake. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight until very firm and cold. Using a 2-inch circle cookie or biscuit cutter, cut out rounds of the frosted cake and place them on a wax paper lined baking sheet. Melt vanilla candy according to package directions and insert top two inches of each popsicle stick in the melted candy. Insert through the center of each cake/frosting round. Place pan in the freezer for one hour to allow sticks to become firmly stuck in the cake. Carefully dip each pop in the vanilla candy, fully coating the cake and frosting. Gently shake off the excess candy and place the pop back on the wax paper-lined baking sheet. Top with crushed cereal. Let set until firm. Keep uneaten pops stored in the refrigerator. May 2021

Entertainment Fort Smith

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FRUITY PEBBLES SUGAR COOKIES 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup salted butter, softened (2 sticks) 11⁄2 cups Granulated Sugar 1/2 cup light brown dugar, packed 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon lemon extract 2 large eggs 2 cups Fruity Pebbles cereal Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium-large bowl, stir flour and baking soda together. Set aside. Beat butter and sugars with your electric mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 1 minute. Beat in eggs, one at a time, and then vanilla and lemon extracts. Reduce speed; gradually add flour mixture and mix until just combined. Mix in Fruity Pebbles cereal until combined. Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop dough and place on prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake for about 8-10 minutes, until edges just begin to turn golden. Let cookies cool on sheet for 5 minutes before removing to wire rack.

FROSTED FLAKE MARSHMALLOW CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES 2 sticks salted butter, slightly softened 11⁄4 cup granulated sugar 2/3 cup packed brown sugar 1 large egg, room temperature 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 11⁄2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 3 cups Frosted Flakes cereal 2/3 cup mini chocolate chips 11⁄4 cup mini marshmallows

In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Set aside. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Combine butter and both sugars in the bowl of your stand mixer. Beat with the paddle attachment on medium-high sped for about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the egg and vanilla. Beat 7 minutes on medium speed. Reduce mixer speed to low, then add the flour mixture and mix until the dough just comes together. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add Frosted Flakes and mini chocolate chips and beat on medium-low just until combined, about 30 seconds. Add marshmallows and beat on medium low until just combined. Using a 1/3-cup scoop or measuring cup, portion out dough into balls, patting the tops flat so they are like fat discs. Wrap the sheet very tightly with plastic and refrigerate for at least one hour, but up to a week. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 370 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment and place chilled dough on prepared sheet, 4 inches apart. They spread a lot, so make sure they are no less than 4 inches apart. Bake for about 15-18 minutes, until edges are dark and cookies are golden in the center. They will look gooey and flat, it's all good. Let cookies cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack. Note: Makes roughly 18 cookies. 34

Entertainment Fort Smith

May 2021

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CINNAMON TOAST CRUNCH CUPCAKES Cupcakes 1 box French Vanilla Cake Mix 1 small box vanilla instant pudding mix 11⁄4 cups milk 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup sour cream 3 large eggs 2 tsp. ground cinnamon Cinnamon Sugar Coating 4 tbsp. salted butter, melted 1 cup granulated sugar 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon Frosting 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 2/3 cup heavy cream 3 tsp. vanilla extract 6 cups powdered sugar 2 cups Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 muffin tins with liners and set aside. In the bowl of your mixer, combine cake mix, pudding mix, milk, vegetable oil, sour cream, eggs and cinnamon. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds. Scrape the sides of the bowl and increase mixer speed to high. Beat for 2 minutes. Give the bowl a couple of stirs from the bottom with a large wooden spoon, then fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until tops spring back when lightly touched in the center. Remove from oven and let cool in the pans for 5 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely. In a shallow bowl, combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Dip top of a cupcake in the melted butter, then dip into cinnamon sugar. Repeat with remaining cupcakes. Set aside remaining cinnamon sugar for topping. In the bowl of your mixer, beat butter and cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl. Add vanilla and heavy cream, beating on medium speed until smooth. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add powdered sugar until just barely combined. Increase mixer speed to high and beat for two minutes. Generously frost cupcakes. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar and cereal. Note: Keep uneaten cupcakes stored in the refrigerator. May 2021

Entertainment Fort Smith

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MUSIC & performance

May 13 Genine Latrice Perez Genine LaTrice Perez is a self-taught jazz singer with a booming voice. Pulling on musical influences of the 1930s-’50s, she captures the spirit of that live sound with her elegance, fun and excitement in a jazz and R&B atmosphere. May 20 Conjunto Nueva Alianza Originally hailing from San Luis Potosí, Conjunto Nueva Alianza brings the sounds of northern Mexico through their traditional Norteño music.

Genine Latrice Perez

Rodney Block Collective Chris Cameron

Henna Roso Southern Avenue

Sambadá

May 27 Chris Cameron Chris Cameron has long been a favorite of Arkansas audiences. Blending his guitar virtuosity with genuine, heartfelt vocals, Cameron puts on a show that displays his blues pedigree beautifully. At 18, he was youngest International Blues Challenge winner and the only double crown winner. June 3 Southern Avenue 2020 Grammy Nominee Southern Avenue is a boundary-breaking Memphis combo that carries the Southern soul legacy into the 21st century and beyond. June 10 JD Clayton JD Clayton is a singer-songwriter born and raised in Fort Smith, based in Nashville, Tenn. Learning to play the guitar in church on Sundays, JD blends traditional Americana to craft and plays songs from the heart and the heartland.

Allison Grace

JD Clayton

Conjunto Nueva Alianza

Ten concerts a gift of Levitt Foundation 64.6 Downtown presents free music MAYJULY

Our summer just got more tuneful, thanks to a generous grant from a national foundation obtained by 64.6 Downtown. Thursdays after work, everyone can enjoy free concerts on the riverfront with a very diverse variety of artists and genres.

The Levitt AMP Music Series is supported in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, a private foundation that partners with towns and cities across America to activate underused public spaces, creating thriving destinations where people of all ages and backgrounds come together through the power of free, live music. In 2021, free Levitt concerts will bring a broad array of musical experiences and high-caliber artists to communities nationwide. Local and regional artists will perform. Relax and discover something new at the Riverfront Park, May 13-July 15. Admission is free. Harry E. Kelley Riverpark, 121 Riverfront Drive, Fort Smith, Ark. 646downtown.com/levitt-amp-music-series 36

Entertainment Fort Smith

May 2021

June 17 Rodney Block Collective Rodney Block Collective is a quartet comprised of lead trumpet, piano, bass and drums, with vocalists. Block, a classically trained instrumentalist, performs a unique blend of traditional jazz, gospel, hip-hop, Bebop, funk and soul. June 24 Henna Roso Henna Roso is a musical collective dedicated to fighting hunger in America. The band merges various styles and influences, combining elements of funk, jazz and soul creating a unique, yet approachable musical experience. Henna Roso has raised more than $93,000 for people in need over the past three years. July 1 Allison Grace A 2020 blind audition contestant of NBC's “The Voice,” Allison Grace is a Fort Smith artist. Allison Grace Band features members from a diverse range of musical backgrounds spanning the genres of R&B, jazz, funk, rock, folk and more. The result is a unique blend of blue-eyed soul and smooth, adult contemporary. July 8 -To be announced July 15 SambaDá Brazilian group SambaDá musically unites the Americas, drawing from percussion-based styles of South and Central American samba and salsa, and blending them with the funk!

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MUSIC & PERFORMANCE

As summer approaches, local music and THEATRE venues and FESTiVALS announce some performances WHILE others remain on hold Local and regional music venues announce concerts May 7-8 Eli Young Band with Triston Marez The Majestic May 8 Ultimate Tom Petty Tribute Insider Tribute to Tom Petty is a group of lifelong friends and musicians who perform a high-energy, faithful representation of the music of Tom Petty, from the Heartbreakers to the Wilburys. 8 p.m. Temple Live May 9 Brent Cobb and Kendell Marvel The Majestic May 13 Aaron Watson with Huser Brother Band The Majestic May 13 Sunny Sweeney The Majestic May 22 Josh Ward with Jake Bush The Majestic May 26 Wynonna and the Big Noise 8 p.m. Temple Live June 17 Backstreet Boys DNA World Tour Walmart Amp, Bentonville June 25 An Evening with Chicago Walmart Amp, Bentonville July 30-31 Peacemaker Festival Headliners Cody Johnson and Paul Cauthron lead the line-up for the 2021 Peacemaker Festival, with acts Muscadine Bloodline, Kolby Cooper, Lucero, the Band of Heathens, Giovannie & the Hired Guns, Kyle Frey, Cody Hibbard and Tanner Usery. Harry E. Kelley Riverfront Park, Fort Smith. Fort Smith Riverfront Blues Society has been holding shows in local venues to raise funds and attract new members. April performances were held in downtown Fort Smith venues. As yet, the non-profit blues society has made no announcements about a Riverfront Blues Festival this year but the group is hopeful of returning in the future to its mission of holding annual festivals and Keeping the Blues Alive.

Curtains rising on some live theater later this year

Symphony concludes its successful, adjusted season

Fort Smith Little Theater has tentative plans to hold auditions in August for a September run, and possibly others later in 2021. Hopes are high that FSLT will be able to celebrate its 75th year in 2022.

Adopting strategies such as performing an outdoor concert on the lawn of the U.S. Marshals Museum and breaking its audience into two separate seatings at the ArcBest Performing Arts Center, the Fort Smith Symphony will complete its 2020-2021 season in May. John Jeter, music director, has praised both the orchestra musicians and its faithful audience for adapting to safe practices. Everyone’s cooperation, including double performances by the orchestra on each concert date, has made the season possible, he said.

UAFS Season of Entertainment is no more, according to news disclosed in April by the university, regarding a realignment of its organizational structure. The Blue Lion programs also are ended by the takeover of the venue by the City of Fort Smith. We give a bow to Stacey Jones, who selected the shows of the Season of Entertainment for 39 seasons. Students will continue performances in campus venues. Walton Arts Center has announced an upcoming Broadway Series for which subscriptions are already on sale. Touring productions of “Come from Away,” Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Mean Girls” have dates in 2021; “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “Hamilton” and “Fiddler on the Roof” continue the season in 2022.

May 22 Film Score Festival Familiar music from the movies “Superman,” “Beauty & the Beast,” “The Mission,” “Forrest Gump,” “War Horse,” “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Born on the 4th of July,” “Harry Potter,” “E.T.” and “Spiderman.” 5 and 7:30 p.m. Remaining tickets available online. ArcBest Performing Arts Center, 55 South 7th Street, Fort Smith. 479-452-7575 fortsmithsymphony.org

A SOUND FOR SORE EYES. KUAF May 2021

Entertainment Fort Smith

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CALENDAR of events

A busy May Day at Chaffee Crossing New Outdoor Market and Annual Plant Sale

May 1-Oct. 1 "Close to Home" Art Exhibition A series of watercolor and pen and ink drawings by Galen Hunter captures the mundane structures and landmark architecture that comprise the built environment in and around Fort Smith. The paintings present a snapshot in time and examine how utilitarian and repurposed structures can be viewed in the same way as formal architecture through the patterns of light and shadows cast by the buildings. The pieces have been grouped into five sections, including Downtown, West (Towson and Wheeler avenues), Midtown, East and South and Surrounding Cities. Hunter is a watercolor painter who lives and works in Fort Smith. Trained as an architect, his paintings focus on buildings, signage and streetscapes. Many of his paintings depict the ordinary structures such as tire stores and feed mills that form our everyday surroundings. He has studied with Sydney based watercolorist and travel sketcher Liz Steel and Seattle architectural illustrator Stephanie Bower. Previous exhibitions include Ordinary in 2019, a part of the Chancellor’s Coalition for the Visual Arts at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. Admission to this opening reception is free (donations accepted). The exhibit continues through Oct. 1. 6 p.m. Fort Smith Museum of History 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith 479-783-7841 fortsmithmuseum.org

“Break Out” for Farmers and Artisans Market

MAY

Break out of your pajamas, break out of your house and come shop and play in the beautiful Chaffee Crossing Historic Area. This new outdoor market will have farm goods such as chicks, ducks and fresh eggs, local honey and handmade woodcraft items, garden planters and benches, local artisan crafts and more. Refreshments available at Poor Man’s Pizza truck. At 9:30 a.m. kids can take guided bike rides and learn safety tips, hosted by Iron Sharpens Iron Cycling. Helmets will be provided by Champion Cycling. Take a bike and ride with the group. At 10 a.m. is an adult guided ride around Chaffee Crossing. At 10:30 a.m., kids can join a pound class with Ginger Pellam. At 11 a.m., Sons of Turner will perform on the Blue Suede Stage next to the market venue. The Elvis Barbershop Museum and Museum of Chaffee History will be open with free admission. Themed markets will continue all summer at this location. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Chaffee Crossing Historic District, 7313 Terry St., Fort Smith.

The Learning Fields Spring Plant Sale

There will be locally-grown trees and shrubs, perennial blooming flowers and herb plants, blueberries, succulents, house plants and more on offer at the corner of Ark. 22 and Mahogany Avenue, grown by The Learning Fields. A short distance away the Learning Fields, 7300 Gardener Avenue, will also welcome visitors this day. Through hands-on gardening and classroom education, its mission is to improve understanding and provide information on garden types, plant species, and cultivars that will successfully grow in the ArkansasOklahoma River Valley. Any local gardener can benefit from its programs. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. The plant sale will be held at the corner of Ark. 22 and Mahogany Avenue. Facebook – The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing 38

Entertainment Fort Smith

May 2021

May 1-7 Free Film Festival Entry for Students For one more week, student filmmakers may submit their original, short movie entries for competition in the Fort Smith International Film Festival. Films may be entered May 8-June 4 for $5. The inaugural FSIFF is proud to announce cash prizes and scholarships for high school students who win first, second and third place at the Aug. 13-14 festival. A UAFS Scholarship Award gives $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $500 for third place, redeemable upon enrollment into UAFS. Also available to high school students are cash awards of $750, $500 and $250. The festival's theme is "Through Their Eyes," chosen for its physical representation of the masks we wore due to the coronavirus pandemic, and for its metaphorical representation of the masks we wear daily. The festival will showcase diverse films that tell authentic stories that relate to the human experience. Categories include Narrative Feature, People of Color, Indigenous Peoples, Student Film, Music Video, Documentary, Short Film and Animation. Films can be submitted online at filmfreeway.com. Complete festival information at fortsmithfilm.com.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS May 1 Civil War Laundresses at Fort Smith An often-unsung hero of the military are the laundresses; referred to as the “washer women.” There were four that helped start the first Fort Smith in 1817 and they would have a presence until the military left in 1871. They marched, carried their children with them and became the first women to be carried on the rolls of the U.S. military. Watch a soap-making demonstration, learn about the stories of the laundresses, their work and how important they were to daily lives at Fort Smith during the American Civil War. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Fort Smith National Historic Site, 301 Parker Avenue, Fort Smith. nps.gov/fosm

May 1-23 Dena Creamer: Arkansas Impressions An amazing show of nature and wildlife photography show by Arkansan Dena Creamer. Free. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Fort Smith Regional Art Museum 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-784-2787 fsram.org

May 1 All About Mushrooms A beginner’s guide to mushroom hunting and macro photography starts indoors. Weather permitting, a guided hike to follow the presentation. Please take your smart phones to this program and, if possible, have the Instagram App downloaded. Free. 1-3 p.m. River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith 479-452-3993

May 1-29 Grab your Mother and Clay with Us! Mother’s Day special 2 for 1. Choice of making mugs, pinch pots or glaze a premade ceramic item. Looking for a Mother’s Day gift idea? We have gift certificates that are good for the choice of studio space, ceramics, pottery classes. Free. Noon-6 p.m. Cre8tive Arts Network 7408 Buckhorn Street, Fort Smith. 479-357-9079 cre8beartsy.com

May 1-16 RAM Annual Invitational The isolation of the pandemic and the ever-present eyes of social media have caused many to self-reflect on their personal perceptions and experiences. This year's Invitational theme evokes the concept of selfreflection including all forms of all artistic expression. Free. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-784-2787 fsram.org.

May 1-Aug 22 Quarantine Art by Southside Art Students “Quarantine Art” showcases the sculptures and 2D printings created by Southside High School art students. IThese students have had many obstacles and challenges, creating inspiring artwork that embodies their experiences of the current times. Free. 11 a.m.5 p.m. Fort Smith Regional Art Museum 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith 479-784-2787 fsram.org

May 1-29 Mental Health Awareness Month May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Check online for activities geared toward helping patrons lower stress, recharge and enjoy life. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. Facebook – Van Buren Public Library

May 1-Aug. 6 Call for Works for Creative Forces: Honoring Heroes Veterans and active servicemen and women in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas are encouraged to submit artwork for this paramount exhibit featuring art by military members from across the south-central U.S. Free. Fort Smith RAM, 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith 479-784-2787 fsram.org May 2 Refine: Opening Reception An exhibit including the works of Kurt Caddy, Aaron Price and Erica Johnson will have an opening reception at the Center for Art & Education. Caddy is a visual artist who is immersed in abstract painting, abstract photography and sculpture. Inspired by his life experiences, his artworks are transformed by layers of color into images of intense and vibrant beauty filled with symbolism, meaning and mystery. Fine woodworker Price finds joy in the idea of following thousands of years of traditional woodworking and finding modern solutions to problems. Johnson creates custom abstract artwork as well as paintings inspired by aerial photography, nature and the inner structures of our planet. 1 p.m. Center for Art & Education, 104 North 13th Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-7767 art-ed.org May 3 Kitty Yoga Every Monday, join the kitties of Jen’s Kitty Rehab for yoga. Do some cat stretches (among other poses). Please take your own mat. Free; donations accepted. 4-6 p.m. Jen's Kitty Rehab 3123 Jenny Lind Road, Fort Smith. 479-431-9025 jenskittyrehab.com

May 2021

Entertainment Fort Smith

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS May 3, 10, 17, 24 Ballroom Dancing: Learn to Rumba! Mike and Lisa Lawrence teach ballroom dance lessons, changing dance style each month. $5. 6:30-8 p.m. Fort Smith Senior Activity Center, 2700 Cavanaugh Road, Fort Smith. 479-208-1072 Facebook – Step in Time Dance class May 3-28 Recipe Swap Find new recipes from cooks in our community. Write a recipe and post it to the board. For every recipe you share, take another cook’s recipe to try at home. Cards provided or cooks may use their own. Free. 10 a.m.2 p.m. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith. 479-785-0405 May 5 Book Club Discuss the suspenseful novel "Piece of My Heart" by Mary Higgins Clark. Free. 10 a.m.-noon. Ralph D. Graf Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. May 5 Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Forum Talk to other grandparents raising grandchildren and find support, ideas and resources. Refreshments. Children welcome. Call to register. Free. 1-3 p.m. Ralph D. Graf Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226 May 5 What's Up With B? The library’s online talk show is about Cinco de Mayo. Join in person or on Facebook for cooking, trivia and a prize drawing. Free. 1:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-4746045 Facebook – Van Buren Public Library May 5 Make a Button Bowl Make a creative bowl out of buttons! Free. 2 p.m. Facebook – Alma Public Library. May 6 Paper Rose Craft Make a unique craft to display or give as a Mother’s Day gift. Make a small bouquet or corsage, using paper. Register by phone. Free. 10:30 a.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 May 7 Family & Folklore Mrs. Tammy tells a Bulgarian tale about a man deciding to which son he will leave his inheritance. All ages. Free. 2-4 p.m. Facebook – Alma Public Library. May 7 Harry Potter Trivia Compete virtually on Facebook Live! Free. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Facebook – Fort Smith Public Library May 7-8 IC Spring Fling Two nights of fun, food, drinks and games highlight this annual fundraiser. Enjoy booths, delicious food, games with prizes, children’s games and a $5,000 raffle. The Spring Fling is a fun, family-friendly celebration. Free admission. 5-11 p.m. IC Church Parking Lot, 22 North 13th Street, Fort Smith. Facebook – Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith 40

Entertainment Fort Smith

May 2021

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Steel Horse Rally means cool bikes at the Museum of History, a parade and races MAY

The 6th Steel Horse Rally rolls into downtown Fort Smith. The annual charitable rally honors “all who serve" and is dedicated to veterans, military, law enforcement and first responders. Proceeds help local non-profits. Those who join the rally can take in motorcycle racing, poker runs, scenic rides and nightly entertainment. The public can enjoy a vendor village, a 10 a.m. precision Cops & Cones riding exhibition and a Thunder through the Valley parade at 4 p.m., all free on Saturday. Join the rally officially with a VIB (Very Important Biker) pass to get the best seats for live music and a bikini contest at the new Steel Horse Rally Main Stage at 601 Garrison Avenue, plus complimentary food and beverage service at a private table in the lounge at the The Steel Horse Rally Shootout III motorcycle races at Tri-State Speedway, Friday. Bikes may park in the middle of a closed Garrison Avenue Saturday night. It’s best for ticketholders to follow official event times and details online. 479-414-3775 TheSteelHorseRally.com 4 p.m. Thunder through the Valley Parade

7-8

Saturday morning Bike Show. May 8 Motorcycle Memories Bike Show Anyone may enter the Museum of History’s Bike Show to compete for People’s Choice, Museum Choice, Steel Horse Rally Choice and 64.6 Downtown Choice. Classes include Classic 1985 and older, Antique 1966 and older, Custom, Competition (drag race, road race, dirt track), American, British, European and Metric. For a $1 donation, the public may vote for the People’s Choice. Winners announced at noon. $15 per entry. Register in advance online at fortsmithmuseum.org/events or 479-783-7841. 9 a.m.-noon.

May 7-8 Motorcycle Memories Vintage Bike Exhibit Explore vintage motorcycles and photos from the 1940s through today, all with regional origins. The Quin Winters Bike Shop on Towson Avenue, the nexus of motorcycle culture from 1939-1975. His sons, Leroy and Robert Winters, were nationally famous motorcycle racers. In 1940, Ercie Gann, Kathryn Johnson and Jean Fivekiller became charter members of the Motor Maids, an early female biker club. Recall the Razorback Run, a 150-mile roundtrip race from Fort Smith to White Rock Mountain, 1952-55. Fort Smithian Danny Hammond raced professionally from 1959-1969 and in the Vintage Dirt Track Racing Association, winning championships 2004-2007. Fort Smith Museum of History is a selected charity of the Steel Horse Rally. Admission $7 ages 16 and older; $5 veterans/military; $2 children (6-15). Members and UAFS students, free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fort Smith Museum of History 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. Early women bikers’ stories are told.

“Brats, Beer, & Burgers” for Lunch The museum opens an outdoor “Bier Garten” Saturday. Choose a brat or burger with chips and a beer, soft drink, or water for $8. Must be 21 or older for an adult beverage. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

May 2021

Entertainment Fort Smith

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS May 8 Spiro Mounds 43rd Birthday Bash Celebrate 43 years of the Spiro Mounds Archeological Center, the only prehistoric, Native American archaeological site in Oklahoma open to the public. Humans have gathered for significant observations at this place since about 800 A.D. or earlier. The mounds are one of the most important Native American sites in the nation. Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center opened to the public on May 9, 1978, and is owned and operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society. Walk among the mounds, enjoy refreshments and the interpretive center. Free admission day. Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center, 18154 1st Street, Spiro, Okla. 918-962-2062 Facebook – Spiro Mounds Archeological Center

May 10 Book Talk "The Only Woman in the Room" by Marie Benedict is a historical novel about a stunning beauty with a stunning mind who left Europe for Hollywood. Screen star Hedy Lamarr also created a groundbreaking invention. Free. 7-9 p.m. Van Buren Public Library 1409 Main Street, Van Buren 479-474-6045 May 11 6-5-7: The 6 Stages of Any Crisis Zoominar Based on her Navy experiences, Commander Mary Kelly articulates the reactions of people in various stages of crisis, challenge, or change. Registration required. Free. Noon-1 p.m. wahra.com/events May 11 Scrapbooking Ms. Bridgette gives step by step instructions to make a two-page layout with the theme “Cherishing You.” Take 3-5 pictures of someone or something you cherish. Take scissors and adhesive, other supplies provided. Register by phone for limited kits. Free. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

May 8-9 Old Timers Day Steampunk Festival Van Buren’s 43rd annual Old Timers Day street fair has a Steampunk theme with exhibitors, arts & crafts, home decor, antiques and handmade jewelry. Food trucks. Live music and entertainment on the street, with a kids zone. Contrive a clever steampunk costume and win a costume contest. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Historic Main Street, Van Buren, Ark.

Entertainment Fort Smith

May 2021

Walk to the mounds, top, and learn about the pre-Columbian society who built them.

May 11 Book Talk Discuss "The Great Alone" by Kristin Hannah. A desperate family seeks a new beginning in the isolated wilderness of Alaska only to find that their unpredictable environment is less threatening than the erratic behavior found in human nature. Free. 6-8 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 12 Recipe Club Learn how to make Chicken Cucumber Pitas. Free. 2 p.m. Facebook – Alma Public Library May 12 E-Cigarettes A representative from Community Service Inc. Youth will share information about e-cigarettes. Free. 4-6 p.m. Ralph D. Graf Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

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May 12 Make It In a Minute Librarians Rachel and Tiffany demonstrate fun and unique crafts in a one-minute video. Free. 2 p.m. Facebook and YouTube – Fort Smith Public Library

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May 12 What's Up With B? Join Bridgette and a guest discussing essential oils with healing properties for better mental health. Live or online. Free. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-4746045 Facebook – Van Buren Public Library

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n e e r G n i W Starting on

EARTH DAY, GO PAPERLESS TO BE ENTERED TO WIN $250! * Double your chances! May 12 The Rialto’s Boston Store Exhibit Dedication Guests of honor Randy and Jerry Ney, representing their family as owners of the former Boston Store, will see the dedication of an exhibit about the fondly remembered department store curated by the Fort Smith Museum of History that is installed at The Rialto. The restaurant, owned by Keith Jeremiah and James Thomas, is on the site of the original Boston Store on Garrison Avenue. Local historian Tom Wing will give a talk about the history and significance of the store. Vintage apparel and accessories from the museum’s collection will be modeled with narration by museum executive director Caroline Speir. Selections from the menu of the Boston Store Tea Room will be available. Mayor George McGill will issue a proclamation of “Boston Store Day.” Former employees and customers may enjoy this exhibit and program of memories and flavors. 3-5 p.m. The Rialto, 720 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. Facebook – The Rialto Restaurant

facebook.com/ArkansasOklahomaGas/

Visit aogc.com/WinGreen for full program details and to opt-in. Promotion runs through May 22, 2021.

*Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation “Go Green, Win Green!” sweepstakes. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. Open only to Arkansas and Oklahoma residents 18 and over who are current customers of Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation. Limit two (2) entries per account number/ address/household during the Sweepstakes Period. Only one (1) entry per account number/address/household for signing up for paperless billing and only one (1) entry per account number/address/household for following us on Facebook after signing up for paperless billing. Sweepstakes begins 4/22/21 and ends 5/22/21. Void where prohibited by law. Complete sweepstakes rules and entry forms may be found at http://www.aogc.com/wingreen.

May 2021

Entertainment Fort Smith

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS May 14 Family & Folklore Mrs. Tammy tells a tale about a creative art seller that has to be very inventive to sell his products! Free. 2 p.m. Facebook – Alma Public Library

May 15: Union Artillery at Fort Smith Napoleon Bonaparte once said, "God fights on the side with the best artillery." That would have been the Union forces who garrisoned Fort Smith from 18631865. Learn more about Union Civil War artillery at Fort Smith, how the guns were loaded and fired, and watch multiple firing demonstrations on the park's 12pound Napoleon cannon. Free. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Fort Smith National Historic Site, 301 Parker Avenue, Fort Smith. nps.gov/fosm May 15 Season Ticket Discussion: Try Amchur Expand your taste buds with a Season Ticket kit. This month’s featured spice is amchur. Also referred to as mango powder, amchur is a fruity spice powder made from dried unripe green mangoes and is used as a citrusy seasoning. It is mostly produced in India and Pakistan, and is used to flavor foods and add the nutritional benefits of mangoes when the fresh fruit is out of season. The kit, available at the beginning of the month at the library, contains a sample of the featured spice, a fact sheet and a recipe using the spice. Attend an optional virtual meeting where to discuss what you made and your opinion about the spice. Pick up your Season Ticket kit beginning May 1, Monday through Friday at the main library. Supplies are limited; information on how to attend the virtual Zoom meeting is included in the kit. Free 1-2 p.m. Facebook and YouTube – Fort Smith Public Library

May 15 Real Talk for the Real World: Money Management Virtual Workshop The Sebastian County Branch of the NAACP holds an informative money management workshop hosted virtually by Tammy Roper, senior community development representative at Arvest Bank. While the target audience is Generation Z, this online event is open to all ages. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 479-310-0750 us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Pm6BKKKq QduCqiPChcPhuQ May 16 Basic Biking Beauties: Becoming an Outdoor Woman Join Arkansas Game & Fish Commission educators to learn basics about mountain biking and take an easy ride along Wild Hog Tracks in Ben Geren Regional Park. Karen and Jordan host this Becoming an Outdoor Woman activity. Learn proper use of gears and braking to make your rides easier and safer. Then go together on an easy 1.75-mile roundtrip bike ride at on the park's bike trails. Open to women ages 18 and older. Take your own bike.This is a part of a series of biking activities and participants are welcome to sign up for one, two or all three. Free. 10 a.m. Ben Geren Regional Park, Disk Golf Area, 7200 Zero Street, Fort Smith. 479-652-2766

May 19 Craft Class for Adults Join crafters for chit chat and creativity. Supplies provided. Take a snack to share. Register by phone. Free. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Ralph D. Graf Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226 May 19 What's Up With B? Join Bridgette in a Drums Alive class in person at the library. Or, if watching from home, have a chair and two wooden spoons ready. Free. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Facebook – Van Buren Public Library May 19 Stemware Candleholders Learn how to make a creative candle holder. The craft video will be available online. Free. 2-4 p.m. Facebook – Alma Public Library May 19 Tammy's Monthly Book Review Mrs. Tammy reviews the new novel "Mexican Gothic" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Free. 2-4 p.m. Facebook – Alma Public Library May 20 Handmade Card Class Make a birthday card for a male and a Father’s Day card. Call to reserve a spot. Take scissors and adhesive; all other supplies are provided. Free. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 May 21 Bingo 4 Books Bingo 4 Books combines a fun game and winning free books of your choice. Free. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

May 18 Virtual Trivia Night! with Ronny Compete (virtually) for a few rounds of trivia fun! Test your knowledge variety of topics from books, popular culture, music, and more online. Free 6:30-7:30 p.m. Facebook – Fort Smith Public Library.

May 21 Family & Folklore Hear a story about a bird that is small but thinks he is as big as an eagle. A folk tale for all ages, online. Free 2-4 p.m. Facebook – Alma Public Library May 21 May Ballroom Dance Dancers of all ages are invited to enjoy dancing to ballroom, swing, Latin and country music. These monthly open dances are sponsored by long-time dance teachers Mike and Lisa Lawrence, who teach ballroom lessons at the same venue. $5 per person. Fort Smith Senior Activity Center, 2700 Cavanaugh Road, Fort Smith. 479-208-1072 Facebook – Step in Time Dance class May 23 Chasing Waterfalls: Becoming an Outdoor Woman Regional educators of the Arkansas Game & Fish Nature Centers of Fort Smith and Springdale will lead a quarter-mile hike in Madison County to see Road 299 Falls. The site is a short drive from Arkansas 23 between Huntsville and Eureka Springs. Part of a series of hikes to several waterfalls in Arkansas. Get tips about using maps and apps to find hidden waterfalls. Open to women 18 and older. Register online. 1 p.m. McIlroy State Game Management Area, County Road 1250, Huntsville, Ark. 479-721-2668 eventbrite.com

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS May 25 Origami for All Ages Add a touch of whimsy to your home and have fun learning origami. Children, teens and adults can enjoy learning the Japanese art of folding paper. Free. 2-2:15 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith. 479-783-0229 www.fortsmithlibrary.org May 26 What's Up With B? Enjoy a homemade spa afternoon – you deserve to take time out for you. End Mental Health Awareness Month by going to the library to make your own stress balls and body scrub, and enjoy other relaxing spa activities. Phone to reserve a materials kit and a spot in this activity. Free. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren 479-474-6045 May 26 Recipe Club – Cream Cheese Lemonade Pie Learn how to make a Cream Cheese Lemonade Pie, online. Free. 2-4 p.m. Facebook – Alma Public Library May 27 Cedarville Library Book Club Discuss a book of the month and check out next month’s selection. Free. 1 p.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853 May 27 Crafterworks Crafterworks, or crafts after work, is creative opportunity for adults. Phone to reserve a place to make a free home décor project. Take scissors and glue; all other supplies provided. Free. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 May 28 Family & Folklore Mrs. Tammy shares the folklore explaining why all of our favorite fruits have come to be associated with particular seasons. 2 p.m. Facebook – Alma Public Library May 28 Best Night 2.1 for Good Samaritan Clinic A Western-themed party and unofficial kick-off to the Old Fort Days Rodeo, the Best Night Ever party is the main annual fundraiser for Good Samaritan Clinic. Along with great food and bar beverages and dancing to live music, there will be a mechanical bull, ring toss, silent auction and other party amusements. Jumpsuit Jamey and the Can’t Wait to Playboys will perform. The charismatic bandleader has been known to jump down from the stage to teach a few dance lessons, just to make the night more fun. Tickets, available online, range from $100 per individual to $1,000 tables and sponsorships. 6-10 p.m. Kay Rodgers Park Expo Center, 4400 Midland Boulevard, Fort Smith. goodsamaritanfs.com May 29 Run for the Girls 5K Walk/Run Benefits the Girls Shelter of Fort Smith A healthy fundraiser for the Girls Shelter of Fort Smith, where sheltering is just the beginning. USATF Certified course, chip timed. All age groupss are welcome. Medallions for first and second place winners in each age group. Race start is 8 a.m. Check-in to receive packet with T-shirt, swag bag and chipped bibs starting 6:30 a.m. Signup is open now online. Register by May 17 to be guaranteed a race T-shirt. Walkup participants welcome on race day. $30 registration; $2.50 signup fee. 8-10 a.m. Starting Line, 7405 Terry Avenue, Chaffee Crossing, Fort Smith. 479-883-8365 runsignup.com

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Old Fort Days Rodeo returns with all its traditions and excitement May 31

Old Fort Days Rodeo Parade This one is the Real Horse Rally. After being postponed in 2019 by a flood and in 2020 by a pandemic, the glorious, traditional Old Fort Days Rodeo Parade returns. Riding clubs, individuals and horse-drawn carriages sashay through downtown Fort Smith. Marching bands, floats and antique and decorated vehicles join the festivities to celebrate opening day of the Old Fort Days Rodeo. Entrants urged to register online, immediately. Free. 10 a.m. Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. oldfortdaysrodeo.com May 31-June 5 88th Annual Old Fort Days Rodeo Since 1933, Fort Smith has been home to one of Arkansas’ most exciting rodeos. Cowboys from all over the world compete for one of largest prize purses in Arkansas. See some the rankest bulls and broncs in America. Nightly events include Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Bareback Riding, Calf Roping, Barrel Racing, Team Roping and Steer Wrestling. Each night in the arena, from 5-6:30 p.m., kids aged 4-7 compete in Mutton Bustin’,

Entertainment Fort Smith

May 2021

Entertainment in the arena nightly by Ryder Kisner, rope artist, barrel man and gun spinner. Ryder has performed in 7 National Final Rodeos and won many awards in the “funny man” rodeo roles.

riding sheep in bull rider style. Youth acts provide free entertainment on the Old Fort Days Stage. Singers compete to perform the national anthem. Complete ticket information is found online. Kay Rodgers Park, 4400 Midland Boulevard, Fort Smith, Ark. oldfortdaysrodeo.com

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The highly anticipated patio dining at Chef Jason Haid’s Revel is here, at just the right season to enjoy its beautiful outdoor dining. Day or night, al fresco dining at Revel is pleasurable, by design. Whether visiting for drinks and conversation with appetizers or a meal from Revel’s outstanding menu, diners can bask in the friendly service and convivial atmosphere, from 4-10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday 9201 R.A. Young Jr. Drive The Hub, Chaﬀee Crossing, Fort Smith 479-274-2074

Best

PATIO DINING

For those who love to dine outdoors, the view is lovely from the deck of Del Sol Mexican Grill. A serene stream flows by, surrounded by trees dipping over the water. A menu of delicious Southwest and Mexican flavors complements the view. Dig into a full menu of fajitas and grilled specialties, with fresh-made chile rellanos, street tacos, seafood and steak combos and all the right beers to complement the zesty dishes. 10:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday 9709 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith 479-551-3145

May 2021

Entertainment Fort Smith

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