Entertainment Fort Smith Magazine - December 2017

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EDITORS’ NOTES

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

Contributing Writers KARRIE KELLY REBA MIZE BRITTANY RANSOM KRISTAN ROLAND JOE WASSON

Contributing Photographers GARY FELKER GLENN GILLEY KARRIE KELLY BRITTANY RANSOM KRISTAN ROLAND LINDA GILHAM

Advertising Sales LINDA GILHAM Account Executive lgilham@efortsmith.com 479-629-0235 Advertising Coordinator KARRIE KELLY karrie@efortsmith.com 479-494-1888 CHARLES G. HUBBARD Corporate Sales charleshubbard@efortsmith.com 479-831-3995

Bookkeeping JULIE BERCH HAMILTON accounts@efortsmith.com 479-494-1888 © 2017 eFortSmith.com Media, Inc. efortsmith.com 4

Entertainment Fort Smith

December 2017 / January 2018

Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday to Fort Smith and Happy New Year There’s a lot going on! With this winter issue annually including both December and January, there’s alway a lot to cover, but the end of the year 2017 is momentous; historic! Christmas Day is when Fort Smith marks its founding day, Dec. 25, 1817. The city will be 200 years old.

It only happens once: Please consider taking your children to the Fort Smith National Historic Site at 1:30 p.m. to be in place to see the landing of a historical replica of a keelboat very much like the one that landed at Belle Point on the Arkansas River two centuries ago.

From six-oar keelboats, a handful of soldiers disembarked into a wilderness to build the first military Fort Smith. From that time on, people have built this city to what it is today.

At 2 p.m., a short program will give a brief history. Afterward, everyone can enjoy an enormous birthday cake at the Fort Smith Museum of History. Spend about an hour that you and your children may always remember.

The city’s 200th anniversary will be celebrated throughout 2018 with many imaginative activities concerning the past, the present and the future. Look forward to a kids’ fort-building contest, a cast-of-thousands “lip dub” video, a special Fort Smith Symphony concert, a big recognition by the Five Civilized Tribes – and more. This magazine will tell you about all upcoming bicentennial events at the right time.

We also begin a series of bicentennial articles by “public historian” Joe Wasson, with in-depth observations about local history almost overlooked, but very interesting to learn.

You have homework: Pages 15-16 It is time to vote for your Readers’ Favorites, on paper, with a pen. We like to think our annual awards, chosen by you, are the most sincere. No clicking on screens, no “vote every day” marketing. This is old school. Write in, sincerely, the name of people, businesses, organizations whom you love the most.

There are new categories about people, nonprofits, educators, volunteers and more who make our city great. You will choose the cover!

Who will you name as your Favorite “Fortifier,” the person who did the most this year to build up Fort Smith and make it stronger?

Linda Seubold, editor of this magazine who is still at home fighting to kick cancer’s butt, sends her holiday salutations to everyone who has called, emailed, sent cards and made many other kind and thoughtful gestures toward her.

Linda misses seeing everybody! The constant risk of incidental infection and the fatigue that is an unavoidable side effect of treatment keeps her out of the public, she said, but she is touched and grateful for the hellos, the gossip and the good wishes she continues to get from friends and readers.

So, from all of us, Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday to Fort Smith and Happy New Year. Let us hear from you about your Favorites. We’ll be back Feb. 1. Hurry up and choose our cover, please!

– Lynn Wasson

This wonderful portrait of the Burton family on our November 2017 cover was made by Sarah Grace Sharp of Simply SG Photography.

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

SUBSCRIPTION Entertainment Fort Smith can be mailed to you for $30 per publication year (11 issues).

Complimentary issues are distributed in Fort Smith, Van Buren, Alma, Greenwood and Barling, Ark., and in Roland, Muldrow, Spiro, Pocola, Poteau and Sallisaw, Okla., in retail and grocery stores, corporate offices, restaurants, medical offices, public libraries, visitor centers and tourist destinations. Complimentary issues are also provided in guest rooms of area hotels.

Download a subscription form from www.efortsmith.com

To order by credit card, call 479-494-1888.

Mail check or money order to: Subscribe P.O. Box 1341 Fort Smith AR 72902

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Less waiting for emergency care (and a lot more care, if you need it).

In a medical emergency, every minute matters. So, at Sparks Health System in Fort Smith and Van Buren, you’ll nd faster care in the emergency room. We work diligently to have you initially seen by a medical professional* in 30 minutes – or less. And, with a team of dedicated medical specialists, we can provide a lot more care, if you need it.

The 30-Minutes-Or-Less E.R. Service Pledge – at Sparks Health System.

SparksHealth.com *Medical professionals may include physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

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CONTENTS

December 2017 January 2018

features

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Fort Smith’s support for Christmas Honors grows to other towns Because of the great love of this community for our National Cemetery, more veterans’ resting places will have wreaths placed upon them. By Lynn Wasson

It’s beginning to look a lot like George Mann wins Christmas Can there ever be enough Christmas ornaments? George doesn’t think so – he and Sheila just add more Christmas trees to hold them. By Lynn Wasson

Christmas Day is also Fort Smith’s 200th Anniversary Make time on Christmas Day to see a special re-enactment of a keelboat landing at Belle Point, an event that signified the birth of today’s Fort Smith.

Fort Smith’s location was chosen by a brilliant figure In the first of a series of Bicentennial articles, Joe Wasson presents a fuller look at Stephen H. Long, whose expertise determined Fort Smith’s site.

Readers’ Favorites: You will determine Fort Smith’s freshest faves Vote! The next issue will be a gallery of the choices you, the readers, make to name stand-out people and your favorite businesses, restaurants and more.

Never too young to change the world: Kathryn Israel takes action This Van Buren 11-year-old mounted a campaign to support exploited women, proving that even a child can make a difference for others.

Fort Smith Regional Art Museum has new director, Bell exhibit The city’s free art museum welcomes Louis Meluso and holds a Bicentennial exhibit that will be a retrospective of the art of the late John Bell Jr.

departments

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HOME & HOSPITALITY In Good Spirits is ready to help make celebrations special.

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Peppermint!

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December 2017 / January 2018

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BEAUTY FOCUS Gambill MediSpa’s owner knows that skin care can be life-changing.

Goodies & Gifts

WHAT’S COOKING Kristan Roland’s recipes are all about peppermint.

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GARDENING with Reba Here’s a Dear Santa list of gift ideas to thrill gardeners.

MUSIC & PERFORMANCE Opportunities for holiday performances, plays and concerts.

EVENTS FOR KIDS Plenty of fun and activities on the winter break.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Do not miss a holiday parade, lighting display, concert or celebration.

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DECEMBER 15-16

Christmas Honors covers two more cemeteries with wreaths Widow of a 9/11 hero will keynote Fort Smith ceremony Few activities have been embraced by so many as Christmas Honors, the all-volunteer placement of evergreen wreaths at every grave in Fort Smith’s U.S. National Cemetery.

Since 2009, so many people have contributed to the mission to “Present appreciation to veterans and their families such that they will never be forgotten,” that 12,000 wreaths were placed in the first year and about 16,000 will be placed this year. All of the graves have been decorated each year, from the start.

Chairman Phillip Merry said donors and helpers never fail to meet every need of Christmas Honors – something that increases his faith in this community. Each year, he notices that something especially touching will happen, something unanticipated.

A goosebump-raising moment has occurred even before this year’s Dec. 16 ceremony, Merry said. Just before a board meeting at which he planned to propose replacing all 16,000 wreaths, he heard from other groups who are building wreath programs at other cemeteries, but had not been able to decorate every grave.

The combined number of wreaths needed, to fully decorate all of their cemeteries?

“It adds up to 16,000,” Merry said. The Christmas Honors board voted unanimously to buy new wreaths and donate our existing ones.

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Entertainment Fort Smith

December 2017 / January 2018

“Because of the tremendous support we’ve had here, Fort Smith’s Christmas Honors can help complete decorations at two more military cemeteries. Fort Gibson National Cemetery at Muskogee, Okla., had been able to cover about 12,000 of its 22,000 graves – we can give them 10,000. North Little Rock’s Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery had 8,000 wreaths, but needed 6,000.” Three hundred more surplus wreaths have helped to mark veterans graves in Mena, he added.

This gift is possible because in a one-year fund drive, donors here gave more than the amount needed to purchase new wreaths for Fort Smith’s National Cemetery.

“Isn’t it nice to know that Fort Smith will help, directly or indirectly, to decorate and pay respects to over 46,000 veterans and their families at Christmastime?” Merry said.

The surplus wreaths are still usable because of the care taken each year by volunteers who clean up the greenery and replace faded bows before packing them to be stored at Baldor Electric Co., which provides warehouse space for the cartons of greens.

Past drives have replaced any worn-out decorations, so the donated wreaths will look fresh and uniform when placed at the other Oklahoma and Arkansas cemeteries.

On Dec.15, wreaths are unpacked, prepared and staged along the roads at the Fort Smith National Cemetery for the Dec.16 Christmas Honors Laying of Wreaths.

“Our new wreaths are a bit larger than the originals, at 24-inch diameter, and have a very pretty, glossy appearance,” he said. “The cemetery will look beautiful this year.”

Every Christmas Honors volunteer has his or her own reason to help decorate the graves of veterans with a wreath, or to help to place flags at Veterans Day and Memorial Day, two other honors observed by volunteers at Fort Smith National Cemetery. It may be to show love for a relative, or a fellow serviceperson, to pay respect for all military service or just for love of country.

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Bailey shares her appreciaton for honor ceremonies and comfort they may bring to surviving loved ones This year at Christmas Honors, a guest speaker will share what her family feels during such honor ceremonies. Deena Burnett Bailey has attended more than most people. On Sept.

11, 2001, she was a stay-at-home mother of three living in California when her husband, Tom, made the last phone calls of his life, to tell Deena that his plane, United Flight 93, had been overtaken by terrorists.

In short calls, he described the desperate situation aboard the plane, which now had a hijacker at the controls. Deena told him that other airliners had crashed into the World Trade Center and then, the Pentagon. Her husband was relaying this news to fellow passengers, who now understood their own jet was intended as a suicide missile. His last words to Deena were “We’re going to do something.”

The 40 passengers and crew then defended the nation with their lives by storming the cockpit together to fight the terrorists, rather than let them fly into another target. Their heroic revolt is credited with crashing the 757 into an empty field near Shanksville, Pa. All 44 aboard died in the 563-mph impact.

No one on the ground was injured.

Investigations later determined the terrorists’ intended target had been Washington, either the White House or the Congress. The brave passengers and crew stopped them.

While a stunned nation reacted to the attacks, loved ones suffered the shock and pain of their personal losses. Deena was left with three daughters under the age of 6. Some families withdrew into private grief. Deena, who has said in interviews that every expectation of her family’s life was changed that day, found herself influenced by Tom’s principles and courage. She did accept interviews and became, over time,

one of the leading voices and advocates for other surviving families.

She successfully spearheaded an effort to have the Flight 93 cockpit voice recorder released in April 2002. She took on the Bin Laden family in a lawsuit to freeze assets and bankrupt more than 150 terrorist organizations around the world. Twice she testified against Al Qaeda members in European criminal trials.

Deena has represented 911 families at the White House, Pentagon and the Congress. She has appeared on all major television networks, in more than 1,000 newspapers and magazines and has been interviewed by national figures such as Barbara Walters, Peter Jennings, Oprah Winfrey, Matt Lowery and Diane Sawyer. She participated in the making of 23 documentaries and one film about Sept. 11. She wrote a book, “Living Life Beyond Ourselves: Fighting Back,” which inspired the movie “Portrait of Courage: The Untold Story of Flight 93.”

Soon after Tom’s death, Deena and her children returned to live in her native Arkansas, where Christmas Honors chairman Phil Merry met her for the first time at a patriotic ceremony.

Each 4th of July at Lake Ouachita, Merry conducts a flag-raising ceremony, originally for children, to teach them about the U.S. flag. In 2004, Deena and the children were visiting her father, who pastors a church near the lake. Bill Barnes, the owner of Mountain Harbor Resort, connected Merry with her and Merry invited her to speak.

“It was only three years after 911,” Merry said. “I was so impressed with her calm, strength and presence,” he said. He has wanted Deena to speak at Christmas Honors ever since it began in 2009 and, this year, she will be able to come.

“What she has to say about how she feels

Deena Burnett Bailey

during the silence of a patriotic ceremony – that’s what I want people to hear,” Merry said. “I will leave it to her tell it, but you never know who you are helping when you respect the flag.”

Merry has signaled respect for the heroes of Flight 43 by placing a Christmas Honors wreath at the Shanksville 911 memorial site in 2011, at the 10-year anniversary ceremony.

The gesture is another tie that bonded Deena with Christmas Honors. Merry is looking forward to having her see the Dec. 16 events.

“I’m sorry she won’t be able to see the Dec. 15 workday, when hundreds of volunteers unpack the wreaths,” he said. Many of the same people volunteer each year and some traditions have been created. The Northside High School ROTC chapter asked and was given permanent assignment to place wreaths in the “Unknown” graves section. It is an honor within the ROTC earned by grades and conduct to be able to participate, Merry said.

“The hardest workers are veterans themselves,” he said. “We on the committee call ourselves ‘Team Unworthy’ – if you want to thank someone on this day, thank a veteran.”

How to participate in Christmas Honors Dec. 15 Workshop 9 a.m-2 p.m.

Dec. 16 Public Ceremony 11 a.m.

Fort Smith Convention Center Volunteers unpack, fluff and transport wreaths to staging points at the National Cemetery. Contact volunteer coordinator Sheri Neely, 479-650-5781 or christmashonors@gmail.com

Deena Burnett Bailey, speaker Following this ceremony, attendees will be asked to lay wreaths on all remaining headstones.

Dec. 16 Family Wreath-Laying 8-10:30 a.m.

Please respectfully allow families the first opportunity to lay wreaths on their loved ones’ headstones.

Support Christmas Honors Mail: P.O. Box 180812 Fort Smith, AR 72918 Online: christmashonors.org December 2017 / January 2018

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o not attempt to persuade George Mann that there’s any reason to limit his enjoyment of Christmas ornaments. Or Christmas trees. Bah, humbug, he will say.

He’s a life-long collector and fortunately, his wife Sheila is, at the very least, an enabler.

Their Fort Smith home sparkles with light that reflects upon hundreds (who’s counting) of beautiful ornaments on six (we counted) Christmas trees.

George knows his fascination with Christmas trees and ornaments started before he was 7 years old. “I can remember I was sad when Mom would take it down,” he said.

“When I was 10 or 11, I got extremely dissatisfied with Dad’s tree. I fired my parents and took over.”

There’s no such thing as too many Christmas trees

They may as well have surrendered. George “cannot bear” one light out. He was willing to take his allowance to the Ben Franklin variety store to buy lights and decorations, he said.

When he grew up, he turned pro.

In the mid-’90s. while working Dillard’s, he was asked to decorate the store’s display trees several years in a row. Expert vendors showed him insiders’ trips for lights, ribbon and garland.

“Instead of turning me off it made me worse,” he said.

STORY BY LYNN WASSON PHOTOS BY GLENN GILLEY

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He lets others tease him that his Christmas ornament count is out of control. But what the Manns have decorating their trees is also a collection of memories. When the two music educators met and married, they acquired a 1979 “Our First Christmas” Hummel ornament.

Now, they have 38 of the year-dated ornaments.

Almost all of their baubles are symbolic of something special in their lives.

George is a choirmaster and organist at Goddard United Methodist Church and Sheila is a music teacher at private schools.

One large collection is of ornaments made for George by the casts of almost 30 productions at Fort Smith Little Theatre for which he was the musical director.

When a collection of a certain kind of ornament “overwhelms” a tree, it gets its own tree, George explained. There’s a green and gold “Gone with the Wind” tree with Scarlett O’Hara figures in every costume. A Star Trek collection also rates its own tree with blue lights, star tinsel and lots of silver, Final Frontier fantasy. One tree is filled with cherub choirs, musical instruments and music motifs; another is for movies, theater and Hollywood characters.

As often as possible, they travel to Europe and especially to Germany and Austria, home of some of the biggest, most tempting Christmas marketplaces in the world.

They carefully choose, buy and ship back a few ornaments; many made of hand-blown glass. The ornaments often portray the sights they’ve seen – the Krakow dragon or a Kaethe Wohlfahrt delivery coach, depicting the Christmas stores of the same name that are open 365 days a year. On their last trip, they also chose hand-blown figures of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his wife, Constanze.

Pro tips: George circles the tree as he puts on the ornaments. Don’t stand in one place.

“You can’t do this kind of decorating with a real tree,” he warns. Let ornaments dangle. Use different sizes of lights on the same tree.

Not everyone has this team advantage: Sheila takes down the trees, dusts every ornament and packs them away carefully. “Next year, they’re so organized,” George said in appreciation. They leave a large Christmas village up year-round.

Most importantly, be like George. If you love Christmas, there can never be too many trees.

Opposite: George Mann with Bichons Maggie and Sebastian, also decorated for Christmas.

On this page, the Star Trek tree and the “choir” tree.

The Manns’ “First Christmas” ornament and a new souvenir ornament, the delivery truck seen outside the Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas stores of Europe.

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“With the advice of Major Long,” Fort Smith was founded

ost histories of Fort Smith begin with a passing mention of U.S. Army Major Stephen H. Long’s 1817 landing at the confluence of the Arkansas and Poteau rivers. He chose this place, called Belle Point by French and Spanish trappers, as the location for a stockade fort.

Long moved on, leaving orders for a rifle regiment to stay here and construct the fort.

Because of this, his turn on stage in local history is concluded in many accounts.

However, Long was no ordinary 33-year-old soldier with a boat. What he did in the next 47 years shows he was one of the most remarkable men ever to visit here. The man who established our future city was a significant 19th-century American.

At the close of the War of 1812, the Army was reorganized with a view to securing the expanding borders of this growing country.

Because many native American tribes had favored the British in the war, the Army made plans to erect a series of frontier fortifications to keep peace between warring tribes who were being pushed west as white settlers overtook their tribal lands in the east.

Millions of acres acquired in the Louisiana Purchase had yet to be explored. This task would be carried out by the U.S. Army.

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Long became one of its foremost explorers and establishing the location of our city would be only one of his important deeds.

On the 15th of September 1817, John O'Fallon, acting adjutant general of the 9th Military Department, prepared instructions: By order, of Brigadier General Smith addressed to Major William Bradford: With your Company and Major Long You will ascend the Arkansas river to the point where the Osage boundary line strikes that river, with the advice of Major Long, select the best site to be found upon it near that line and thereon erect as expeditiously as circumstances will permit a Stockade work sufficient for the comfortable accommodation of one company, with necessary Quarters, Barracks, Storehouses, Shops, Magazines and Hospital,Comfortable to the plan furnished by Major Long, which he will adapt to the Nature of the position.

These orders from none other than Gen. Andrew Jackson set in motion actions leading to the construction of a crude wooden stockade fort at the western-most edge of the United States in the Missouri Territory.

It was the sole responsibility of Long to determine where the new fort would be located.

The fate of our next 200 years was determined

when Long stepped from his skiff onto the riverbank at Belle Point in November 1817.

Leaving two men with the plans for the new fort, Long continued his explorations. Maj. Bradford was forced to wait at Arkansas Post until a number of his sick troops recovered from an illness, probably dysentery. Bradford would become the first commander of the fort when he and 64 men arrived on Christmas Day 1817.

But who was this first man who stepped out of a skiff into the vast wilderness 200 years ago?

Stephen Harriman Long was born in Hopkinton, New Hampshire Colony, Dec. 30, 1784. His father, Moses, was a veteran of the Revolutionary War who survived the terrible winter at Valley Forge and served as one of 16 bodyguards of Gen. George Washington after the Battle of Monmouth.

He settled in Hopkinton in 1780 as a farmer and a barrel maker. With 13 children to feed, the Longs were not a wealthy family.

Stephen was the first of the Long children to survive childhood and was put to work on the farm. Early on, he showed a talent for mathematics, science and mechanics.

There is no record of his primary education but when applied to Dartmouth College at the age of 21, he was able to pass the difficult entrance exam.

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He became a member of the Class of 1809, was elected to the Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in 1808 and, because of a love of music, he joined the Handel Society.

After graduation in 1809, he became a teacher of mathematics in Salisbury, N.H. He advanced to principal of public school in Germantown, Pa. Not satisfied as an educator, Long returned to Dartmouth and earned a master’s degree in engineering. But while at Germantown, he and an associate received an 1813 patent for a hydrostatic steam engine. His co-inventor, George F. A. Hauts, went so far as to write 71-year-old Thomas Jefferson, sending him the plans for the engine. Jefferson wrote back saying it might possibly be a good design but that he was “disposed at present to lighter attentions only.”

This was only the first of many different kinds of patents awarded to Long in the coming years.

The patent caught the attention of Brig. Gen. Joseph G. Swift, chief of engineers in the U.S. Army, which led Long to be commissioned in 1814 as a second lieutenant of Engineers. The next year, he was appointed assistant professor of mathematics at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, one of the few colleges of that era concerned with scientific study.

Two years later, Brevet Major Long was among the first six officers appointed to the reorganized Army Topographical Bureau.

In 1816, he was sent to Fort Belle Fontaine near St. Louis, where he designed a new arsenal.

His first expedition was to accompany Brig.

Gen. Smith to find a better location for a fort on Lake Peoria in Illinois Territory.

They toured land that would become Chicago 20 years later and created the first scientifically recorded survey of that region. Long made extensive notes on the geography, possible future fortifications, navigable waterways, future ports, best navigational routes, topography and the Indian tribes they encountered.

Long was so excited by this work that in March 1817, he wrote a long proposal for future scientific exploration to President Monroe.

Taking a six-oared skiff borrowed from William Clark of Lewis & Clark fame, he headed with a crew up the Mississippi River to the area of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin Territory, a stronghold of the British during the Revolutionary War. Prairie du Chien was the home of the Dakota Sioux tribe, thought to be hostile. This turned out to be unfounded, so Long went on to explore the only major waterfall on the Mississippi, the Falls of St. Anthony, where the

Long, an explorer, also was an inventor of steamboats, bridge designs and improvements to railroad technology. His steamboat ‘The Western Engineer’ was innovative and had a serpent’s head steam vent designed to intimidate Native Americans.

city of Minneapolis is today. He also passed through the future sites of Rock Island and Warsaw, Ill. After a month's rest, Gen. Smith ordered Long to make his way to the Arkansas River to choose the site for Fort Belle Point, renamed Fort Smith in 1818 in honor of the retiring commander.

The seeds Long had planted in his letter to Monroe would bear the fruit that would make Long famous. He spent 1818 organizing his notes, recording the data and compiling reports on his journey to the upper Mississippi. They wound up in the hands of Secretary of War John C. Calhoun. He shared part of Long's report with Congress in December 1818, using the information to call for more Western exploration.

Long found time to marry Martha Hodgkiss in Philadelphia on March 3, 1819. They had five children and he was reported to be a doting father, though he was away from home for long periods of time.

Their son Richard Harlan Long graduated from West Point, became a lieutenant in the Army and died at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, in 1849 of a disease contracted during the Mexican War. He is buried at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Muskogee, Okla.

Long’s only daughter, Lucy Leonis Long, married Dr. Marcus Breckinridge whose cousin, Clifton Breckinridge, moved to Fort Smith in 1905. Small world, isn’t it?

Long and Col. Henry Atkinson were chosen to lead a scientific expedition to the Rocky Mountains in 1819-20, which is known as the “Yellowstone Expedition.”

Long's orders from Secretary of War John C. Calhoun: "You will assume the command of the expedition to explore the country between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains. You will first explore the Missouri and its principle branches and then in succession Red River, Arkansas and Mississippi above the mouth of the Missouri ... The object of the expedition is to acquire as thorough and accurate knowledge as may be practicable of a portion of our country which is daily becoming more interesting but which is yet but imperfectly known. With this in view you will permit nothing worthy of notice to escape your attention.”

Long took the last sentence to heart and recorded everything in minute detail, from insects to Native Americans, including translating some tribal languages into English and scoring some of their music.

His was the first well-equipped scientific expedition undertaken by the Army. Long's mission was to explore the land from the Missouri River to the sources of the South Platte, Arkansas and the Canadian rivers all the way to the present states of Colorado and New Mexico.

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The two-pronged expedition was wellequipped to the point it nearly bankrupted the government, according to Long's critics in Congress.

Long's scientific staff included a journalist and artilleryman; a topographer, map maker and commanding guard; a zoologist; two interpreters, one man who was a botanist, geologist and surgeon; the artist Titian Ramsay Peale, assistant naturalist; and artist Samuel Seymour, landscape painter. The artists served because photography had not been invented.

Under Long’s supervision and following his unique design, an experimental steamboat that could operate in low waters was built outside of Pittsburgh in 1818.

The Western Engineer was probably the first stern-wheel paddle steamboat built with the wheel tucked into the back of the boat to help prevent it from being damaged by snags. The weight of the steam drive was evenly distributed and the boat, 75 feet long and 13 feet wide, could operate in less than 2 feet of water.

Long designed a bulletproof pilothouse and placed a large cannon in the bow with howitzers sticking out of gun ports on each side. Best of all, he routed the excess steam through the mouth of a serpent-shaped figurehead on the bow to intimidate any Indians they might encounter. All 21 men on the boat were armed.

The odd steamboat was nicknamed “Long's Dragon” and became the prototype for western river steam vessels of the future. It was the first steamboat to reach what would later be the state of Nebraska, near present-day Fort Calhoun.

Long's company spent the winter of 1819 south of present-day Council Bluffs, Iowa, in a building he named Engineer Cantonment. In 2003, after a century of random searches, archaeologists used Peale's 1820 sketches as a guide to find and excavate the site. In 2015, Engineer Cantonment was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

In early 1820, President Monroe sent Long to travel the Platte River to the Rocky Mountains and back to examine a new border recently negotiated with Spain by John Quincy Adams.

On this trip on June 30, 1820, Long discovered a summit in the northern Front Range of the Rockies, which was later named Longs Peak.

Though deemed a very expensive failure by Congress, the voluminous data Long recorded gave a first look at the unexplored northwestern region of the Louisiana Purchase. It was studied for decades and informed the government what it might expect as the country expanded West.

Maj. Long and his officers stopped in Fort

Expeditionary artist Titian Peale painted a watercolor of ‘The Western Explorer’ steamboat while exploring the Rockies with Long. His father, Charles Willson Peale is known for his portrait of George Washington. Titian Peale was an important naturalist who made later scientific explorations. He became a pioneer American photographer.

Smith again on their return in September 1820.

During their short rest here, artist Samuel Seymour created several watercolors of the first fort, only one of which has survived.

After an absence of 197 years, Seymour's watercolor depicting the first fort is on loan to the Fort Smith Museum of History for the bicentennial of the founding of Fort Smith.

Long's fifth and final expedition was less exciting but no less important. The 1823 Long expedition made its way up the source of the Minnesota River, then known as the St. Peter River, exploring Lake Winnepeek and the Lake of the Woods, the area where the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is today. It continued down the Pembina River to Fort Garry, then over the top of Lake Superior.

From there, a canoe trip across Lake Huron was billed as scientific reconnaissance to evaluate trade possibilities but also was probably a U.S. spy mission. That's certainly what the British thought of the trip. In those years, the British controlled the fur trade and the Americans wanted in on the profits.

The expedition produced another important map and established the 49th parallel at Pembina. Some of Long's maps were still in use during the Civil War. By the conclusion of this trip, Long had traveled more than 26,000 miles – the hard way – making him one of the most prolific explorers of the early 1800s.

After 1823, the Army sent Long as a

consulting engineer to assist various railroads, then in their infancy. In 1829, he patented the Long Truss Covered Bridge, of which many of that design still stand. He attained more patents for improvements in steam locomotion while surveying railroad routes around the country. In 1857, he was put in charge of the navigational system of the Mississippi River.

When the Civil War broke out, Long was called to Washington, promoted to colonel and named the commander of the Topographical Engineers. He served until his retirement from the Army at the age of 78 in 1863. Just before he retired, the Topographical Engineers merged with the Corps of Engineers. Long died in 1864 at his home in Alton, Ill., just three months shy of his 80th birthday.

In 1840, Thomas Carlyle wrote, “The history of the world is but the biography of great men.” Of course, this should be amended to include great women. Perhaps it's true it takes great men and women to build any city. A study of Fort Smith history proves Carlyle knew what he was writing about.

Over the next year, a handful of people who were important to Fort Smith will be presented in this series. Some of them may be familiar, but many forgotten figures were once household names here.

Our past has more than Isaac Parker and Belle Starr, as interesting as they were. There are more.

-Joe Wasson

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Entertainment Fort Smith

READERS FAVORITES

2018

“FORTIFIER” awards are new!

Individuals who make Fort Smith stronger. Someone from these categories will appear on the cover of the February magazine. Vote by writing in the name of the person; add the organization if pertinent.

Choose these honors sincerely, please.

Favorite Volunteer of 2017 (Name the organization or event)

•________________________________

Favorite Leader of a 2017 Nonprofit Fundraiser, Race, Festival, Tournament, etc.

•________________________________

Favorite Philanthropist/Donor of 2017 (Companies, organizations eligible)

ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS Favorite Performance of 2017

•________________________________ Favorite 2017 Music Festival

•________________________________ Favorite 2017 Performance by Youth

•________________________________ Favorite Live Music Venue

•________________________________

•________________________________

Favorite 2017 Nonprofit Event/Party

Favorite Animal Welfare Organization (Vote for the organization)

Favorite 2017 Nonprofit Effort/Campaign

•________________________________ Favorite Animal Welfare Volunteer

•________________________________ Favorite Young Fort Smith Fortifier of 2017 (Up to college age)

•________________________________

Favorite Fort Smith Fortifier of the Year – Male

•________________________________

Favorite Fort Smith Fortifier of the Year – Female

•________________________________

•________________________________ •________________________________ Favorite 2017 Art Exhibit

•________________________________ Favorite 2017 Library Event

•________________________________ Favorite 2017 Race

•________________________________ Favorite New Event of 2017

•________________________________ Favorite Place to Walk or Run Outdoors

•________________________________

Name___________________________________________________________

MAIL IT BY DEC. 15 to: EFS Favorites, P.O. Box 1341, Fort Smith, AR 72902

Phone Number__________________ City_____________________________

Ballots may be returned in person to 316 North 7th Street, Fort Smith

Eligible entrants may campaign hard for the votes of their patrons but please, no stuffing the ballot box!

EFS reserves the right to toss out ballots if shenanigans are evident. This poll is just for fun.

or at participating businesses

One entry per person - full contact information required.

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DINING

Favorite Vegetarian Menu

Favorite Patio Dining

Favorite Breakfast

Favorite Place to Watch a Ball Game

Favorite Catering

Favorite Brunch

Favorite Gourmet Deli

Favorite Asian Cuisine

Favorite Burger

Favorite Craft Beer Bar

Favorite Desserts

Favorite Barbecue

Favorite Locally Made Craft Beer

Favorite International Fare

Favorite Cup of Coffee

Favorite Sushi

Favorite Downtown Restaurant

Favorite Mexican Restaurant

Favorite Fine Dining

Favorite Dining Near Fort Smith (local)

Favorite Pizza (give location)

Favorite Restaurant – Romantic

Favorite Restaurant, Overall

•________________________________ •________________________________

•________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ The businesses you patronize may ask for your vote and can turn in your ballot. That’s OK!

Please vote in at least 20 categories.

Vote in ALL categories to be eligible for a diner gift certificate drawing.

Favorite Store for Women’s Apparel

PERSONAL CARE

SHOPPING

•________________________________

Favorite Medi Spa

Favorite Store for Making It Yourself

Favorite Boutique

Favorite Skin Care/Aesthetics

Favorite Antiques/Collectibles Shop

Favorite Children’s Clothing Store

Favorite Nails

Favorite Decor Resale/Repurpose Store

Favorite Consignment – Women’s Clothes

•________________________________

•________________________________ •________________________________

Favorite Salon, Hair Color

Favorite Antiques Mall

Favorite Consignment – Kids Clothes

•________________________________

•________________________________ •________________________________

Favorite Hair Salon, Overall

Favorite Interior Decor/Home Furnishings

Favorite New Retail Store

•________________________________

•________________________________ •________________________________

Favorite Barber Shop

Favorite Furniture Store/New Furniture

Favorite Auto Dealer

•________________________________ •________________________________

•________________________________

•________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________ •________________________________

•________________________________ •________________________________

There is no online entry form. This ballot may be Xeroxed to obtain more copies. This Readers’ Favorites Poll is just for fun.

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Kathryn decided to make a difference – with love

E

leven year-old Kathryn Israel of Van Buren is a girl who takes action. Upon reading about a young woman named Moni in Bangladesh who suffered the horrors of human trafficking, Kathryn decided to do something to help combat the problem.

Kathryn launched her Made with Love project with the verse Matthew 25:40 in mind, “ ... Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” She set a goal to raise $1,400 to support four girls through World Vision, the global Christian humanitarian organization that provided counseling to Moni following her abduction into the region’s sex trade.

Kathryn began selling homemade items, along with toys and trinkets. She spent many hours working alongside her mom making candles infused with essential oils, sugar scrubs and other goodies.

She tried a little of everything, from the old standby of friendship

bracelets to refrigerator magnets to bath bombs, an experiment that “bombed” into fizzy suds. Kathryn and her mom had a laugh about it.

“We didn’t price anything,” explained Kathryn. They instead asked individuals to make donations toward the project. “We wanted people to see that they could do something good for others. Everyone can donate a little.” A large portion of what she collected came in small sums. “We had a lot of kids giving nickels and getting bouncy balls.

Those were our top sellers!”

Every penny donated was put toward Kathryn’s goal. Her parents, Sally and Shawn, provided the initial funds for supplies, and many friends contributed items toward the cause. During the project, Kathryn also had the opportunity to work with several younger girls to make items.

“It was wonderful to see the younger ones looking to Kathryn,” said Sally. “Kids really can accomplish amazing stuff with just a little support from adults.”

Kathryn’s project also benefited from the generosity of several friends. LulaRoe consultant Emily Jacks hosted a party and donated a portion of the proceeds to Made with Love. Sally’s fellow PEO Chapter members also helped with the final fundraising push. The ladies group, which promotes the education of women, attended a presentation Kathryn gave about human trafficking.

Kathryn reached her goal sooner than she expected, beating her original mid-December deadline by more than six weeks.

Delighted to have met her goal, Kathryn also is very proud of the awareness she raised. “This has been a ministry for me. We tend to think that we are completely immune to problems like this, but it’s happening everywhere. I also want others to know they can do anything they set their mind to. We did this because we wanted to be a part of the solution.”

Learn more about Made with Love on Facebook at “KathrynsMadeWithLoveProject.”

– Brittany Ransom

Kathryn’s products, in the rack, were inexpensive. Some were hand-made.

December 2017 / January 2018

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E

New director encourages everyone to enjoy their art museum

ven though he’s posed in front of a current art installation called “Somehow, I Don’t Feel Comfortable”

by Momoyo Torimitsu, Lou Meluso is feeling very much at home at the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, where he has become executive director.

Meluso arrived in December after being chosen by a search committee designated by the museum’s board.

“Because of where he has been, we were thrilled to ask him to be here at RAM,” said Bill Kropp, member of the search committee. Over the past 16 years, Meluso has been with the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Working at these three major museums of art was an education and a privilege, Meluso said.

He hopes to create for RAM visitors some of the same wonder he has felt when seeing original works. As a photographer himself, he spoke with reverence of experiencing first-hand some of the work of the great American photographer Eugene Smith, whose work had inspired Meluso to take up photography.

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With the board and RAM staff, he’s looking forward to doing more to invite the public into the museum, especially children.

Meluso hopes to expand experiences for kids with a “touch gallery.”

“Children are told, ‘Do not touch,’” he explained. “I want to have a touch gallery where we have sculpture of wood and marble that kids can touch; painting texture that they can feel. It’s an expanded experience for children.”

“In the realm of education, I also want to increase our photography capabilities,” he offered as an example. “Everyone has a cell phone and it’s one of the most accessible art forms we have today. So let’s try to point some workshops towards that.”

“We have good programs scheduled into 2018 and we want to add some excitement to exhibitions,” he added.

Meluso recommends a current exhibit by Barbara Cade, titled Bonfire, planned before his arrival. Cade uses the medium of fiber to create sculptural “hats.” Each (conceptual) hat is made of scratchy materials was envisioned as a “hair hat,” like a punishing “hair shirt,” created to shame those who damage the environment.

Meluso in the gallery with the artist Barbara Cade’s ‘Bonfire’ exhibit of fiber sculpture, open through Feb.11.

RAM’s downtown location, near the exciting Unexpected public art, its size and facilities and the museum’s existing community connections and support all outstanding assets, Meluso said.

He’s looking forward to bringing his experience to work with the staff and museum board to encourage more visitors and members to enjoy experiencing their regional art museum.

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FORT SMITH LEGEND

On Jan. 4, as part of Fort Smith’s Bicentennial, RAM will open a retrospective exhibit of the work of John Bell Jr. (1937-2013).

Private collectors and the Fort Smith artist’s family will loan originals for the exhibit, which will survey Bell’s work over almost 50 years.

The artist’s personal memories and impressions of western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma are subjects in many of his works. He denied depicting “history,” although many may have assumed so.

“I am interested in history for pictorial reasons,” the artist explained in an interview with this magazine in 2004. “I have to know enough about a subject, historically, to paint it.” He referred to specific periods and depicted city scenes accurately. “But I’m not a literalist – I’m a romantic,” Bell said.

In the style of Impressionism, Bell’s work draws the eye into a painting with color, movement and emotional cues. His original paintings and fine art prints have maintained their popularity with the people of his hometown.

An opening reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 4, free for members; $5 for non-members. The John Bell Jr. exhibit will be open through April 22. Daily admission to RAM is free. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m.

Sunday. 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-784-2787 fsram.org Farmers Market

The Visitor

Images prepared by Stan Kujawa for John Bell Jr., used by permission Down By the Courthouse December 2017 / January 2018

Entertainment Fort Smith

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DESIGNER NOTES

David Harper, Tom Hadley, Karen Hawthorne, Jim Hadley and Michael Hadley

Celebrating Holidays In Good Spirits

W

ine Spectator is the go-to publication for wine connoisseurs, as well as for those who want to purchase the perfect wine for the perfect occasion. The magazine reviews more than 15,000 wines each year in blind tastings. Every issue contains 400 to 1,000 wine reviews with detailed tasting notes and drink recommendations. They set high standards and rely on the well-known ability and experience of the editors as tasters and critics. Each year, they list the top liquor stores in each state that offer the greatest selection of wine.

This year, In Good Spirits was named the best of the best in Arkansas.

“We are very proud of this accolade and hope to continue to be noted as the best,” co-owner Jim Hadley said.

Jim and co-owners, Tom and Michael Hadley and David Harper, as well as general manager Karen Hawthorne, insist on being on top of their game when it comes to their selection of liquors, beers and, especially, wine.

In Good Spirits has a selection of 3,000 bottles of wine and one of the few climate-controlled cellars in the state. The cellar, which holds the premium wine brands, is kept at 54 degrees because the taste of wine is easily altered by temperature.

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“Our wine selection is second to none,” David said. “Our customers come from all over just because they know we have twice as much to offer as most other stores. And because we are constantly educating ourselves about the newest products on the market, our customers leave knowing they got just what they needed.

“We know what is good because we travel to different wineries all over the states,” he said. “It is our hobby and we want to make sure our customers have many options to choose from.

When they leave happy, that makes us happy.”

“If we do not have an item a shopper is looking for, I will do what I can to get it if it’s available in Arkansas,” Karen said.

In Good Spirits is involved with local charities such as the Red Shoe Shindig to benefit the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Mercy Fort Smith and Wine and Roses

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DESIGNER NOTES

Christmas gift sets available at In Good Spirits range from bottles paired with glasses, a mini keg of ale and seasonal craft beers.

fundraiser for the Reynolds Cancer Support House. They donate 100 percent of the wine and beers for these events and give the charities the best they have to offer.

“We handpick high-end wines so people can taste excellent wine while giving their time and money toward a good cause,” Karen said.

“If we’re going to be involved in a charity, we’re not going to donate wine we wouldn’t want to offer guests in our own homes.”

“In Good Spirits is also a great place for purchasing gifts and we have plenty of items to choose from,” Michael said. Not only do they offer wines, beers, many options of liquor and cigars kept fresh in a humidor, they have six different craft beers, gift sets from major labels, seasonal liquors and beers, hand-painted wine, martini and shot glasses, whimsical wine stoppers and openers, wine racks, collegiate items and custom gift baskets.

Lucky for In Good Spirits customers, Karen can act as a personal shopper, making it easier for customers looking for something different to give as a gift. Customers will be pleased at her extensive knowledge of every item in the store because she has been in the liquor business for years. Karen will handpick items and even wrap it up herself for free.

In Good Spirits 12100 U.S. 71 South, Fort Smith 479-434-6604 ingoodspiritsfs.com December 2017 / January 2018

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Rolex Yacht Master II available at Newton’s Jewelers.

Microwavable herbal heat pack, plush fox and slippers by Intelex found at Jennifer’s Gift Shop inside Sparks Hospital.

Trio of metal Christmas gnomes from Neumeier’s Nursery & Greenhouses.

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Goodies & Gifts

Metal snowman with decorative candle wreath and a Santa sign from The Goods.

Britt’s Knits socks, C.C beanie and gloves from Firefly Boutique and Beekman shaving products found at Natural Treasures.

Aveda volumizing products from Metropolis Hair Studio.

Breckenridge Brewery mini keg and RumChata gift set from In Good Spirits.

Glass, pewter and sterling silver necklace and necklace and bracelets of pink agate, both by Lynn Snider, found at the gift shop at Fort Smith Regional Art Museum.

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200th anniversary merchandise found at GoFortSmithAR.com.

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Goodies & Gifts Sequined dress and matching earrings found at Clothologie.

Tom Ford sunglasses available at Dr. Steven Stiles Optometry.

Livie & Luca shoes available at The Polka-Dotted Zebra.

Michel Design Works Winter Woods products from Vintage Finds.

Soundgear hearing protection and enhancement products available at Center For Hearing.

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56-piece Christmas dish set found at Designer Again.

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Goodies & Gifts Peace cloche candle jar, candles and insulated wine tumbler from The Potting Shed in Alma.

Rhonda Allison skin renewal products available at Michelle Gambill Medi-Spa.

Lambrecht Gourmet Southern pecan toffee found at Jo Waite Interior & Design.

Double plush printed blankets with satin trim available at Katiebug’s.

Scalpmaster shaving mug and soap from Vanity Calls.

Swivel counter stool with hammered copper back from Mike’s Furniture.

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Goodies & Gifts Tea towels, mug and utensil holder with local flair available at Now & Then Shoppe.

Ladies studded leather jacket and a belt loop bag from Old Dog Leather.

Bentley drinkware found at Luther Stem Pool and Spas.

Moroccanoil hair repair essentials available at Salon Elements.

Boscoli Family olive salads and spicy pickled garlic found at Paul’s Meat Market.

Wind and waterproof Mizuno windtop with built-in mittens available at True Grit Running.

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FASHION & FITNESS

Life experience adds to service at Michelle Gambill Medi-Spa

M

ichelle Gambill “I can give clients an enzyme believes proper boost, which has a similar effect skin care can truly as laser hair removal,” she said. change a person’s life. Owner Gambill notes that while of Michelle Gambill Mediwaxing is one her most Spa in Alma, she took an requested offerings, it is a interest in professional level service that clients sometimes care after facing challenges are hesitant to admit they with her own skin. need.

“I had issues with melasma.

“Women of all ages want One year, my husband gave hair removal, but are almost me a gift certificate to go for embarrassed to say it,” noted a facial and to have the dark Gambill. “It is nothing to be spots removed,” she said. “It ashamed of, though.” got rid of it all and it was The medi-spa also provides then I realized the difference Botox and injection services Owner Michelle Gambill to help customers look and good skin care could have on one’s life.” feel their best.

Housed inside her husband’s Permanent make-up practice, Century Dental, Gambill offers a techniques to enhance eyes, lips and eyebrows wide range of services, including waxing, are also available. facials and cosmetic services.

In addition to her wide range of services, One of her most popular offerings is sugar Gambill also carries popular Rhonda Allison paste wax hair removal. Available for face and skin care products, which use all-natural and body, the paste is a gentler alternative to many organic ingredients. wax treatments. The product has also been “This was the line that I first used when I shown to have long-term hair reduction benefits. began properly caring for my skin and that I

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FASHION & FITNESS

Rhonda Allison skin care products are available at Michelle Gambill Medi-Spa.

continued with through school,” she said. “I used it because it worked for me.”

RA products range from moisturizer and makeup to sunscreen and specialized skin care.

“We can do a skin analysis and customize items to meet clients’ needs,” Gambill said.

“Skin is ever-changing and is affected by things such as weather, age, and hormones.

Your needs may change as you go along and we can help with that,” she said.

Gambill knows first-hand that having the proper tools can make a person feel great about her skin and she is passionate about helping her clients do just that.

“People so often don’t make skin care a priority, but once you know what it feels like to be balanced out, you are in.”

Customers can help their own loved ones achieve that same feeling by purchasing gift certificates to use as stocking stuffers for the upcoming holidays. “Wives and mothers really appreciate them!”

Michelle Gambill Medi-Spa located inside Century Dental 641 U.S. 71 North in Alma Appointments available weekdays, evenings and weekends 479-632-8889 December 2017 / January 2018

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WHAT’S COOKING with KRISTAN ROLAND

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Chocolate Peppermint Sandwich Cookies Cookies 1 box chocolate cake mix 2 large eggs ½ cup butter, slightly softened Frosting 1 cup butter, slightly softened 4 tbsp. milk 4 cups powdered sugar 1½ tsp. peppermint extract ½ tsp. vanilla extract Red food coloring 3 disposable piping bags and large tip, if desired

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cookies: In the bowl of your mixer, beat cake mix, eggs and butter until a dough is formed. Scoop dough onto ungreased cookie sheets with a small cookie scoop, 2 inches apart. Bake for about 7 minutes, until cookies are crinkly and edges are set.

Let cookies cool on baking sheet for a few minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.

Frosting: In the bowl of your mixer, beat Challenge Butter, milk, and both extracts on medium speed until smooth. Slowly

add powdered sugar, beating on low until just combined. Increase speed to high and beat for one minute, until frosting is fluffy and smooth. Divide frosting in half and color half with red food coloring, if desired.

Fit one piping bag with large piping tip.

Fill one piping bag with red frosting and another with white. Snip off the ends and place both in the bag that has been fitted with the piping tip. Pipe frosting in a swirl on the flat side of a cookie. Repeat with half the cookies, topping each with the flat side of another cookie.

Creamy Peppermint Pie Crust: 36 Oreo cookies (traditional, not Double Stuf ) 6 tbsp. salted butter, melted Filling: 8 oz block cream cheese, room temperature 8 oz tub Cool Whip, thawed 1/2 (of a 14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk 3/4 cup crushed peppermint candy cane pieces Ganache: 1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips 1/4 cup heavy cream 2 tbsp. light corn syrup Crust: In the bowl of your food processor, process cookies until they are fine crumbs. Slowly add melted butter and process until combined. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan.

Chill for at least 2 hours to firm.

Filling: In the bowl of your mixer, beat cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Fold in peppermint pieces and Cool Whip. Pour into prepared crust and let chill for several hours, until firm.

Ganache: In a microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and heavy cream. Microwave for about a minute, stopping every 20 seconds to stir until smooth. Stir in corn syrup and refrigerate until slightly cooled and thickened. Spoon in the center of your pie.

Kristan Roland is a work-at-home mom living, baking and online shopping in Fort Smith. She has a 13-year-old son, Jon David, a 5-year-old daughter, Lucy, and a husband, Jess. She has been blogging at Confessions of a Cookbook Queen since 2010 and works with brands such as Pillsbury, Disney and eBay. confessionsofacookbookqueen.com December 2017 / January 2018

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WHAT’S COOKING with KRISTAN ROLAND

Peppermint Bark Cookies Cookies 11⁄4 cup salted butter, softened 11⁄2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 large eggs 21⁄2 tsp. vanilla extract 2 cups plus 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour 3/4 cup dark cocoa powder (Dutch process) 2 tbsp. instant chocolate pudding mix 1 tsp. baking soda 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 11⁄4 cup white chocolate chips 3/4 cup crushed candy cane pieces Topping 8 oz. vanilla almond bark, melted 3/4 cup crushed candy canes Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In the bowl of your mixer, cream together your butter and both sugars on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time until blended, then mix in vanilla.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, chocolate pudding mix, and baking soda. Slowly beat into the butter mixture, scraping the sides of the bowl, until a stiff dough forms. Mix in both kinds of chips and peppermint pieces.

Using a large cookie scoop, scoop dough onto ungreased cookie sheets, 3 inches apart. Bake for about 15 minutes, until cookies are flat and crinkly and edges look set. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for about 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Drizzle cooled cookies with melted vanilla almond bark and immediately sprinkle generously with crushed candy pieces.

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It’s easy to give good gifts

A Gardener’s Wish List

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I

f you are a gardener, know a gardener, want to be a gardener or are buying a gift for a gardener, this is my “Dear Santa” letter for you. Here are some good gift ideas.

I’ll begin with my favorite gift, garden books. Choose from beginner how-to books to more advanced subjects. Try my favorite bookstore, Between the Pages, for the best values in gently used garden books while helping out the Friends of the Fort Smith Library with your purchase. It’s under the stairs at the main library.

A garden journal is essential to record details about your yard and garden. I paste in magazine articles, keep plant tags and do sketches. I enjoy looking at my old garden journals to note temperatures from year. You can map or draw boggy or dry areas. This is incredibly useful in the spring when you find yourself faced with a sea of fabulous plants that just might not fit your landscape. You can walk around your garden at the end of the season and note what was a dream plant that you want more of or a dud plant that just didn’t work. You can pick up a great journal for many price ranges.

There is no tool like an old tool except a new tool you don’t have. They may be hard to wrap but your garden friend will love a sharp shooter, regular shovel, hoe or rake. There are many specialized kinds of rakes! Not so hard-to-wrap are hand tools – a trowel, a pair of pruners, loppers and a great pair of gloves. We don’t need no stinking kinking hoses! Buy the highest quality hose available.

It is ever so nice to give a tool belt to save your favorite person lots of steps and lost tools. A can of bright spray paint for the handles of the tools is a great stocking stuffer, along with a nonchemical bug repellant. I use Goatie Girls BugBe-Gone made with happy goats’ milk and essential oils.

Does your gardener really miss the smells of the garden while flipping through seed catalogs in the cold winter?

Plain Pleasures, a fragrance company, has isolated the “smell of freshly turned soil” in the fragrance named aptly “Dirt.”

Your gardener will smile as they open a box of waterproof garden shoes or boots. We all need a beautiful and functional watering can and a great large-brim hat.

Don’t forget yard art, bottle trees, lovely pots, fountains or statues. Plants! We love more, more plants, trees, shrubs. As a fellow gardener said, “It’s not that I need more plants, it’s that I want them.” If a live plant you want is not available, I guarantee you your local garden center will help you with a gift certificate, which is incredibly easy to wrap.

No list of gifts is complete without one of my favorites for any gardener, new or experienced: a truckload of soil or manure. Yes, give your favorite gardener a whole truckload of your choice. Just have them dump it anywhere. The gardener will be thrilled. You can put a big red bow on top.

All of the gifts I have mentioned can be purchased locally except the perfume. This is a great opportunity for you to prowl through antique markets, visit your farmers’ co-op, hardware stores and bookstores for just the right gift that your gardener will enjoy.

So, Peas on Earth, Good Soil to Mankind!

– Reba Mise

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Opening reception: Thursday, January 4, 5-7 pm | On view January 5 – April 22, 2018

Museum hours: Tues–Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 1-5pm|1601 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, AR 72901| fsram.org December 2017 / January 2018

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MUSIC & performance

Dec. 1 Under the Streetlamp: Hip to the Holidays Under the Streetlamp is a concert celebration of classic hits of the American radio songbook from the 1950s-1970s featuring tight harmonies and slick dance moves that take audiences back to an era of sharkskin suits, flashy cars and martini shakers. $35$55. 6 p.m. Temple Live, 200 North 11th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. templelive.com Dec. 1-2 Grizzly Theatre: Mira's Curse Grizzly Theatre will stage “Mira’s Curse” by LaRicci Flores and Jeason Lopez. This is a student written, directed and composed production. “Mira’s Curse” is a back story of how “Ursula” from “The Little Mermaid” became the sea witch. The story shows how magic and betrayal break a family apart. Tickets available at the door: $5 for adults, $3 for students, $1 for children 12-under. FSPS employees receive a $1 discount with ID. $1 off ticket with one canned food item for the annual drive. Northside High School, 2301 North B Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-1171 Dec.1-31 It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play This inventive twist on Frank Capra’s classic film brings the ever-timely story of disaster, redemption and holiday magic to life before your eyes and ears.

It’s Christmas Eve 1946 and five actors have gathered in WFMK Studio A for a live radio broadcast, ready to take on dozens of characters and recreate Bedford Falls with live foley sound effects and virtuosic, highenergy performances. Even the cynics among us will cheer as George Bailey, standing on the brink of despair, famously learns that "no man is a failure who has friends.” For all ages. $17-$47. 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday-Friday; 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m., 7 p.m. Sunday. Theatre Squared, Walton Arts Center Nadine Baum Studio, 505 West Spring Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-783-5600 waltonartscenter.org

Advent Lessons and Carols DEC

Organists, readers and singers from six Fort Smith churches – First United Methodist, Goddard United Methodist, First Presbyterian, Central Presbyterian, St. Bartholomew's Episcopal and St. John's Episcopal – will present Advent Lessons and Carols at St John's Episcopal Church. It will be a glorious program of massed voices singing the most beautiful music of the season.

3

All are welcome to attend. A reception for everyone with refreshments and beverages will follow in the Parish Hall.

Free. 3 p.m. St. John's Episcopal Church, 215 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-782-9912 stjohnfs.org

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Dec. 2 Fort Smith Symphony: An Epic Christmas For the holidays, the Fort Smith Symphony’s Christmas guest artists include saxophonist Don Bailey, Fort Smith Symphony principal clarinetist Andrew DeBoer, vocalist Jeffrey Murdock, and members of the Western Arkansas Ballet. A special feature will be music from the Trans Siberian Orchestra performed by “JOLT,” the symphony’s electronic quartet, and spectacular film scores from the films “The Ten Commandments” and “Ben-Hur.” $45,$40, adults; $17, $22 students. 7:30 p.m. ArcBest Performing Arts Center, 55 South 7th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-452-7575 fortsmithsymphony.org Dec. 2-3 Emma – A Pop Musical Emma, a senior at Highbury Prep, is certain she knows what's best for her classmates' love lives. She’s determined to find the perfect boyfriend for shy sophomore Harriet. But will Emma's relentless matchmaking get in the way of finding her own happiness? Based on Jane Austen's classic novel, this sparkling new musical features the hit songs of legendary girl groups and iconic female singers from The Supremes to Katy Perry. Presented by the Alma Performing Arts. $10-$15. 7 p.m. Nov. 30; 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 2 p.m. Dec. 3. Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129 almapac.org

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MUSIC & PERFORMANCE Dec. 7-9 An Old-Time Radio Christmas Enjoy the songs and stories of the holidays, presented as if heard by a family huddled around the radio. Head back to the good old days for some old-fashioned Christmas Joy. Directed by Jill Ledbetter. $5 at the door for this off-season show. 7:30 p.m. Fort Smith Little Theatre, 401 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-2966 fslt.org

Alvin Youngblood Hart Dec. 7 Alvin Youngblood Hart's Muscle Theory A concert presented by the musical subscription series Artist, Audience and Community Live. Grammy winner Alvin Youngblood Hart is known as one of the foremost practitioners of country blues. He also is known as a faithful torchbearer for 1960s and 1970s guitar rock, as well as Western Swing and vintage country. His music has been compared to diverse artists from Lead Belly to Spade Cooley. He plays acoustic and electric guitar as well as banjo and mandolin. Hart has appeared at the Riverfront Blues Festival and Blues in the Schools program. In 2003, his album “Down in the Alley” was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album. In 2005, Hart received a Grammy Award for his contribution to Beautiful Dreamer – The Songs of Stephen Foster. Tickets $40, available online. 7:30 p.m. Artist, Audience and Community Live!, 801 North A Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-719-8931 artistaudiencecommunitylive.com

Dec. 9 Mooseltoe: The Musical Mooseltoe is the charming story about a Moose who wants to fly with Santa's reindeer. Mooseltoe sets out to find the great wise Mooseking for advice and along the way meets characters and learns life lessons. $18 adults; $14 children 12 and under. 7 p.m. Greenwood Performing Arts Center, 515 East Gary Street, Greenwood, Ark. 479-996-4142 etix.com

Dec. 8 Christmas Comedy Night at Dwight The comedy group RazorLaughs performs, followed by a cookie decoration station for dessert. RazorLaughs is an improv comedy group based out of Fort Smith, including Aaron Ray, Summer Robinson, Austin Kelly, Jordan Garton and Ian Miller. $40. 6:308:30 p.m. Dwight Mission, 100995 South 4590 Road, Vian, Okla. 866-298-1739 dwightmission.org Dec. 8-10 Keyboards at Christmas Keyboards At Christmas includes traditional Christmas music presented in a variety of piano and choral arrangements. Times vary for each concert. Oak Cliff Baptist Church, 3701 South Gary, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3891 KeyboardsAtChristmas.com

‘Keyboards’ ensemble

Annie Moses Band Dec. 9 Annie Moses Band A captivating blend of folk and classical, the Annie Moses Band is a talented sibling ensemble of songwriters, singers, and musicians, combining technical skill with exhilarating showmanship. The band has delighted audiences from airings on PBS, Carnegie Hall and the Grand Ole Opry. $20-$35. 8 p.m. Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129 almapac.org

NPR Affiliate for over 30 years

December 2017 / January 2018

Entertainment Fort Smith

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MUSIC & PERFORMANCE Dec. 11 An Evening with the Past The U.S. Marshals Museum will host its third annual holiday evening featuring a historical figure re-enactor as the educational entertainment. This year, the program will be given by the “Young Thomas Jefferson” character from Colonial Williamsburg. Jefferson will visit with guests about how the views of the third president of the United States evolved over his career.

Guests may also enjoy an 18th century French-inspired menu, entertainment, food, cocktails and a wine pull. Tickets, $75, by phone. 6:30 p.m. Bonneville House, 318 North 7th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-709-3766 usmmuseum.com

TubaChristmas Dec. 9 TubaChristmas All tuba, sousaphone, baritone and euphonium players are invited to participate – regardless of age or skill level. Performers are encouraged to decorate their instruments for the holidays. TubaChristmas is held around the nation to celebrate those who play, teach and compose music for instruments in the tuba family, including the tuba, sousaphone, baritone and euphonium. Music will be provided for performers and may also be purchased. Special guest performers from the nation’s top military bands will also play. As a bonus, student performers will be invited to a private concert and teaching session with the special guests.

Dr. Gretchen Renshaw, Director of Bands at Hendrix College in Conway, will direct. Registration for performers will begin at 8:30 a.m. and rehearsal will begin at 9 a.m. Music will be provided for performers and is available for purchase. Free. Public concert begins at 11:30 a.m. King Opera House, 427 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-926-4794 tubachristmas.com Dec. 9 Bobby Bones and the Raging Idiots A native of Hot Springs, Bobby Bones is an American on-air radio entertainer and host of the nationally syndicated weekday country radio program “The Bobby Bones Show.” Comprised of Bobby and Eddie from iHeartMedia’s “The Bobby Bones Show,” The Raging Idiots is a comedy duo that plays shows all over the United States. 3 p.m., 8 p.m. Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonarts.org Dec. 10 CSA Chamber Strings Fall Concert Led by violinist Lori Fay, the 21-member group features young musicians playing symphonic music. $7.

3-4 p.m. St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 2701 Old Greenwood Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-434-2020 csafortsmith.org Dec. 10 A Grand Family Christmas: All Is Well Presented by the Grand Family Worship Team, this special Christmas service at which all are welcome includes carols, old and new, featuring the 100-voice Grand Family Choir and the 30-piece Grand Family Orchestra, along with members of the Northside High School drum line. Under the direction of Keith Clutts, worship pastor. 5 p.m. Grand Avenue Baptist Church, 3900 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 46 Entertainment Fort Smith December 2017 / January 2018

LeAnn Rimes Dec. 12 LeAnn Rimes: Today is Christmas Since her first chart-topping single in 1996 when she was just 13, LeAnn Rimes has won two Grammy Awards; 12 Billboard Music Awards; two World Music Awards; three ACM Awards; one CMA Award and one Dove Award. At 14, Rimes won "Best New Artist” making her the youngest recipient of a Grammy Award. Out of the 42 singles she has released throughout her expansive career, including “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” and her first national hit “Blue,” LeAnn’s song “How Do I Live” still ranks No. 4 on Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time: Hot 100 Songs.” The pop-country icon will bring good tidings of joy and cheer with traditional and original Christmas songs from her trio of annual holiday albums. $45-$75. 7 p.m. Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonarts.org Dec. 14 Home For The Holidays Concert Jonathan Story has performed across the globe since earning his master's in Piano Performance from the University of Arkansas. From a piano soloist performance at the White House to Istanbul, Turkey, and Salzburg, Austria, and across the United States, Story is a world-class musician. Now, he is joined by his wife, Kara Story, an accomplished jazz vocalist in her own right. This special event also features the 80voice University of Arkansas Children's Choir under the direction of Rachel Cornett. 7 p.m. Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-461-3839 mikebedfordpresents.com Dec. 15-17 An Urban Christmas Carol 3 An original play by Bonnie Stewart Moore is a drama with dance, music, and an inspiring message to fill hearts with joy. Refreshments of hot chocolate, apple cider, cappuccino, coffee, cookies and sweet treats will be served after the play. Free. 7-9:30 p.m. The Healing Place Church, 4200 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-0085 myhealingplacechurch.com

Barry Youngblood

Dec. 16 Barry YoungBlood Annual Hip Hop Holiday Workshop Barr YoungBlood, a nationally acclaimed choreographer and artistic director of Hollywood Dance Jamz, leads this workshop. From 10:30 a.m. to noon, Barry will work with senior dances (age 13 and up); junior dancers (ages 6 to 9); from 1:30-3 p.m., teen dancers (age 9-12.) Register online. $20-25. Grayce DeWitt Dance Studio, 3400 Rogers Avenue, No. 118, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-7748 idancewithgrayce.com Dec. 16-17 The Nutcracker Professional artists perform along with more than 100 local children and adults. “The Nutcracker” is a tradition in many families and is sure to bring joyful and bright holiday memories to any audience member, cast or crew participant. Tickets online. $25 adults; $15 children. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 17.

ArcBest Performing Arts Center, 55 South 7th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0152 waballet.org Dec.17 First Baptist Church: Alleluia First Baptist Church Worship Choir and Orchestra present a special night of praise and worship celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. All are welcome. Free. 6 p.m. First Baptist Church of Fort Smith, 1400 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. fsfbc.com

Whitney Wasson

Hunter Donaldson

Dec. 27 Homecoming Queens: Stand-Up Comedy Stand-up comedians Whitney Wasson and Hunter Donaldson, home for the holidays, co-headline a night of comedy. Wasson, a Fort Smith native, lives in Chicago and performs at clubs such as the Laugh Factory, Zanies and The Annoyance Theatre. She recently headlined the Chicago Funny Women's Festival and performs at festivals throughout the country. Donaldson, a Pine Bluff native, lives in Portland, Ore., where he produces shows and performs at the Helium Comedy Club. He was a semifinalist in the Portland's Funniest Person contest and featured at the 10,000 Laughs Festival in Minneapolis, Minn., and Mutiny Radio Comedy Festival in San Francisco. $10. 18 East Center Street, Fayetteville, Ark. stage18live.com

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MUSIC & PERFORMANCE

Dec. 31 Midnight Masquerade This annual fundraiser for The Arc for the River Valley features Mr. Cabbagehead and the Screaming Radishes. Tickets include dinner, drinks, live and silent auctions and entertainment. The Arc for the River Valley provides advocacy, education and recreation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. $100 per person. 7 p.m.-midnight. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Ballroom, 700 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-5529 arcrivervalley.org Jan. 24-Feb. 18 Theatre Squared: The Humans The most acclaimed and awarded American play in recent memory will have its first independent production in Arkansas following its record-breaking Broadway run. After a sleepless night, Mr. Blake brings his family from Pennsylvania to his daughter’s new apartment to celebrate Thanksgiving. As darkness falls outside the ramshackle pre-war duplex, mysterious things start to go bump in the night, secrets are revealed, and family tensions reach a boiling point. By Stephen Karam. Finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.Winner of the 2016 Tony Award for Best Play. $17-$47. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m., 7 p.m. Sunday. Theatre Squared, Walton Arts Center Nadine Baum Studio, 505 West Spring Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-7835600 waltonartscenter.org

Feb. 3 The Isaacs The Isaacs are a multi-award winning family group featuring tight vocal harmonies and playing their own acoustic instruments. Their style is influenced by bluegrass, R&B, folk, country, contemporary, acoustic and southern gospel. They perform frequently at the Grand Ole Opry, are active members of the Gaither Homecoming Videos and Concert Series, and travel internationally. $25-35. 7:30 p.m. Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main Street, Alma, Ark. 479-461-3839 mikebedfordpresents.com Submit events Music and performance events can be reported by the venue or presenter at efortsmith.com under the tab “Add Event.” Advertising is also available.

LIVE Cherokee Casino 109 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, Okla. cherokeecasino.com Dec. 1 Neal McCoy Dec.15 Mickey Gilley Dec. 30 Ronnie Milsap

Choctaw Casino 3400 Choctaw Road, Pocola, Okla. 800-745-3000 choctawcasino.com Dec. 29 The Four Tops Dec. 30 Josh Abbot Band Jan. 12 Midland

Milligan Vaughan Project Jan. 25 The Milligan Vaughan Project Singer Malford Milligan and guitarist Tyrone Vaughan both have long histories in the Austin music community. Milligan, one of Austin’s most spectacular singers since the 1980s who formerly worked with Double Trouble after their Stevie Ray Vaughan days, teams up with guitarist Tyrone Vaughan, Stevie’s nephew and the son of blues-rock guitar great Jimmie Vaughan. Though best-known for the blues-rock he made with the Austin supergroup Storyville, 58-yearold Milligan is a powerhouse vocalist who has recorded with everyone from country star Hal Ketchum to eclectic Americana artist Alejandro Escovedo to prog-jazz rocker Eric Johnson. The two musicians have teamed up to make a blues record titled “MVP,” which stands for Milligan Vaughan Project.

Tickets online. 7:30 p.m. Artist, Audience and Community Live!, 801 N A Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-719-8931 artistaudiencecommunitylive.com December 2017 / January 2018

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KIDS

calendar of events

Dec. 1-2 Charlotte’s Web In the classic E.B. White story, Wilbur, a little pig with a big heart, becomes famous with the help of his clever friend Charlotte the spider and their chatty animal neighbors. Wilbur, the runt of the litter, struggles to survive from the very beginning, but with the help of his barnyard friends, he becomes the prize-winning pig of the County Fair and the most famous pig ever. Trike Theatre brings to life the gentle story of friendship, loyalty and truth. $9.

Showtimes vary. Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.org Dec. 1, 7-8 Train Event at the Library The Van Buren Public Library will be one of eight stops on The Great Van Buren Train Experience presented by Heritage United Methodist Church and the Old Town Merchants Association. On Dec. 1, make a train ornament; on Dec. 7, make a Christmas train card; and on Dec. 8, decorate a cookie. Free. 5-7 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Dec. 1-16 Paint and Take Participants will create and take home Thanksgiving and Christmas ornaments. Children and adults welcome. $15.

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Cre8ive Arts Network, 7408 Buckhorn, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-461-9829 cre8beartsy.com

Western Arkansas Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” Western Arkansas Ballet's 32nd Annual presentation of “The Nutcracker” includes a cast of more than 100 local children and adults in this timeless holiday classic. “The Nutcracker” is a tradition in many families and is sure to bring joyful and bright holiday memories to audience members. Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet is about a young girl, Clara, who is given a Nutcracker for Christmas by her godfather, Herr Taylor Sambola Drosselmeyer. But this is no ordinary Nutcracker, as Clara discovers that very night! After a great battle with the Mouse King, the Nutcracker turns into a Prince. He takes Clara on a magic journey through the Land of the Snow to the Kingdom of the Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy honors the couple with entertainment from around the world. Guest artists from Orlando Ballet are Taylor Sambola as Sugar Plum Fairy and Arcadian Broad as Cavalier. Tickets are available online or at the theater Arcadian Broad box office two hours prior to each performance. $15$25. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 17. ArcBest Corp. Performing Arts Center, 55 South 7th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0152 waballet.org

DECEMBER

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Dec. 1-30 Holiday Reading Challenge Read a set number of books in December and earn prizes.

This holiday program is for children, teens, and adults.

Free. Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5650

Dec. 1-Jan. 15 Community School of the Arts Spring Registration CSA offers classes and lessons in music, theater, dance and visual art to students from preschool through high school and beyond. Children's activities are offered after school and teen activities are offered in the evening. Call or go online to register. Classes begin in January. Tuition varies. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 2701 Old Greenwood Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-434-2020 csafortsmith.org Dec. 1-Jan. 15 “Beauty and the Beast” Children's Ensemble Registration Open Community School of the Arts is now enrolling children grades 4-6 in the ensemble for the production of “Beauty and the Beast.” The children's ensemble will begin rehearsals in January for the March production at the ArcBest Performing Arts Center presented by our national award-winning Youth Theatre Company. The children's ensemble will sing and dance in all major production numbers. The ensemble will be led by musical director Gini Law and choreographer Jennifer Woodside Anderson. $200. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 2701 Old Greenwood Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-434-2020 csafortsmith.org

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Dec. 2 Cocoa with a Cop Central Mall will have local police officers who are available to answer all the questions the children may have and teach holiday safety. Plus, Kid Print will create child identification cards. There also will be free hot chocolate and cookies from Great American Cookies. Free. 9-11 a.m. Central Mall Food Court, 5111 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-452-1866 CentralMallFortSmith.com

Dec. 2 Breakfast with Santa Eat a pancake and get a picture taken with Santa Claus. Free. 9-11 a.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Dec. 4-23 Creekmore Holiday Express The Creekmore Holiday Express is a colorful journey through the hundreds of animated lights adorning Creekmore Park during the holidays. Enjoy a free ride on the new No. 200 electric steam train through a wonderland of lighted decorations. The little steam engine will run on opening night only. Free. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Creekmore Park, 3301 South M Street, Fort Smith, Ark.

Dec. 5, 12 & 19 Baby and Me Babies, birth to age 3, and caregivers can join the Van Buren Public Library for songs, finger plays, bubbles, parachute play, a story and play time. This is an opportunity for social interaction with both babies and their adults. This program supports early literacy and language skills. Free. 10:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Dec. 6-27 Story Time Wednesdays Ms. Megan reads a story and leads some craft time. Free. 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays.

Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Dec. 7 Learn a Foreign Language Month: Spanish Children and teens can learn and practice some Spanish basics. Free. 4 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Dec. 2 Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical The beloved TV classic “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. See all of your favorite characters, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life in “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical.” It’s an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different might just be what makes you special. $28-$52. 10 a.m. and 1 and 4 p.m. Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600

Dec. 8 DIY Bird feeders Learn about supplemental feeding and build a birdhouse. Free. 6 p.m. River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-452-3993 rivervalleynaturecenter.com

Dec. 2-3 Emma: A Pop Musical Emma, a senior at Highbury Prep, is certain she knows what’s best for her classmates’ love lives and is determined to find the perfect boyfriend for shy sophomore Harriet by the end of the school year. But will Emma’s relentless matchmaking get in the way of finding her own happiness? Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, this sparkling new musical features the hit songs of legendary girl groups and iconic female singers from The Supremes to Katy Perry. Girl power has never sounded so good! Call or go online for tickets. $15 adults, $10 students. 7 p.m. Dec. 2, 2 p.m. Dec. 3. Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main Street, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129

Dec. 4 Gingerbread Man Cookie Craft At this free open-house style event, participants will decorate real gingerbread cookies that they can take home and eat. Free. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5650

Dec. 4-20 Teen Time The Van Buren Public Library offers funs activities during their teen times on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. There will be crafts, such as ornament making, life skills, games, and more. Free. 3:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 50 Entertainment Fort Smith December 2017 / January 2018

Dec. 9 7th Annual Polar Express Children and their families can view a real steam engine just like the one from the story and enjoy multiple readings hosted by Positive People of Fort Smith throughout the evening of the inspiring adventure based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. Enjoy free hot cocoa and cookies (while they last), a free ride on one of the museum’s vintage streetcars, a gift shop to browse for holiday gifts and the children get to meet Santa and have their picture taken with him by a professional photographer. Both streetcars will be running again this year and book readings will be held in two locations, also. Parking locations and other information is available online. Free. 3:30-9 p.m. Fort Smith Trolley Museum, 100 South 4th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-650-5456 fstm.org

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Stop the Meal Madness

O

h, you guys. I miss summer.

Sure, Arkansas heat is a special kind of torture. And my hair stands no chance against July humidity. But good gravy do I ever miss those lazy evenings outside, floating in the pool and throwing hot dogs on the grill at nearly 9 p.m. when the sun went down.

Now, it’s freezing outside and dark at 5. By 5:15, my children are standing in front of the open fridge, staring blankly into the abyss.

“Are we having dinner soon?” they ask, knowing full well that outright asking if I will be cooking for them will go over like a lead balloon.

“It’s only 5:15!!” I exclaim.

They look at me confused and disoriented, pointing out that the sky is pitch black. Honestly, it’s like their appetites are tied to the moon phases.

Also, sometimes I really want to ask them if they realize that we just own a regular fridge, and not one of those newfangled ones that magically conjures up your favorite foods every time you open it. Just me? No? I didn’t figure.

While family dinners are almost always the highlight of my day, the process of getting there is a hurdle that never stops presenting difficulties. It’s like I blink and it’s already time to pick the kids up from school, do snacks and homework, attempt to cram in an episode of “Dr. Phil” (I’ll never give you up, Phillip McGraw) while I fold laundry, and suddenly it’s 6 p.m. and hungry humans are sniffing around looking pitiful.

I’m happy to say I have some tricks. Tricks are necessary, and it’s just as necessary that these tricks are shared. Whether your dinner table seats one or 12, sitting down to enjoy a home cooked (or even semi-home cooked) meal is essential to your mental and physical well-being. And, eating out is expensive and not good for you. We all know this.

Thankfully, we live in the age of delivery and online ordering, and it’s essential that we take full advantage of these glorious times.

Services like Hello Fresh, Blue Apron and Plated will send everything you need for homemade meals that can be ready in around 30 minutes. If you’re someone who wants to completely take the guesswork out of the dinner situation, these are really great options! Not only are your meals chosen for you based on your preferences, but everything you need is portioned out down to the spices.

The downside to these services is that you pay for the convenience.

While it’s decidedly simpler than going to the actual grocery store, you pay much more per meal then if you had just gone shopping your darn self. So, decide if the convenience is worth the cost.

And if it is? Boom. Done. Fancy dinner that you made yourself. Like a boss.

My favorite method for consistently getting dinner on the table involves a combination of meal planning and ordering my groceries online at Walmart. Meal planning is key for me – I can’t shop if I don’t know what we are going to eat. I’m always dumbfounded when I find out how many people just grocery shop for random items without any kind of plan. No plan results in ordering pizza out of frustration or last-minute runs to the store for missing ingredients.

I refuse to visit Walmart more than once a week (for my mental health), so you can see why this simply won’t work for me.

Every weekend I choose five meals for the coming week. To ensure variety, I normally choose one Mexican meal (tacos, enchiladas, nachos), one pasta meal, one beef meal, one chicken meal and one sandwich-type (sloppy joes, French dips) meal. I then break each meal into ingredients, make my online order and pick it up on Sunday.

Actually, that was a lie. My husband picks it up on Sunday. See how great this plan works out? You’re welcome.

Men and women everywhere – we are living in the year where Marty McFly time traveled! Physical shopping is so Oregon Trail.

Now, I just need a robot to cook for me.

Kristan Roland is a work-at-home mom living, baking and online shopping in Fort Smith. She has a 13-year-old son, Jon David, a 5-year-old daughter, Lucy, and a husband, Jess. She has been blogging at Confessions of a Cookbook Queen since 2010 and works with brands such as Pillsbury, Disney and eBay.

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KIDS EVENTS Dec. 16 Milk and Cookies with Santa Children of all ages are invited to attend and tell Santa what they want for Christmas, while enjoying milk and cookies. Two sessions are available: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Seating is limited so call to register. Free. 1 p.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945 fortsmithlibrary.org

Dec. 17 The Snowman: A Family Concert Enjoy this third annual screening of the 1982 Academy Award-nominated film “The Snowman,” based on Raymond Briggs’ classic children’s book of the same name. The film about a snowman who comes to life has won the hearts of families across the world for more than 30 years. Once more, Symphony of Northwest Arkansas musicians, performing under the baton of acclaimed music director Paul Haas, will bring to life the film’s extraordinary score along with other holiday favorites in an afternoon that is sure to enchant your whole family. $9. 2 p.m. Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600 Dec. 18 Bookworms Book Club The book of the month is “The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester” by Barbara O’Connor. There will be a fun discussion, craft and snack. Free. 4 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Mooseltoe: The Musical This charming story is about a Moose who wants to fly with Santa's reindeer. Mooseltoe sets out to find the great wise Mooseking for advice, and along the way meets a variety of characters, all of whom teach Mooseltoe valuable life lessons. Meanwhile, there is trouble at the North Pole. Will Mooseltoe be able to save Christmas? This sparkling new production has 17 unforgettable costumed characters, which include three snobby penguins, an Edward G. Robinsonesque snowman and a fat walrus named Willy, not to mention two elves and Santa Claus himself. Eight original, delightful and melodic songs accompany this hour-long odyssey of self -discovery. Adults $18; children $14. 7 p.m. Greenwood Performing Arts Center, 515 East Gary Street, Greenwood, Ark. 479-996-4142 greenwoodk12.com, etix.com

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Dec. 11 Holiday Movie Enjoy popcorn and hot chocolate during the movie.

To preview the movie synopsis and movie trailer, visit website and select the Alma Library tab and the event date on the calendar. Free. 4 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Dec. 13 Hot Chocolate at the Library Celebrate National Cocoa Day with a free cup of hot chocolate. Free. 3:30-5:30 p.m. Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5650

Dec. 13 Little Sprouts Holiday Hoopla Little Sprouts is the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks' story and activity time for preschoolers and their parents. Little Sprouts sessions will be offered once a 52 Entertainment Fort Smith December 2017 / January 2018

month from November-April. The 30-minute sessions will take place at 9:30 and 10:15 a.m. Free for BGO members; regular garden admission prices for nonmembers. Free for children under 5. 9:30-10:45 a.m.

Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 North Crossover Road, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-750-2620

Dec. 14 Marshal Mini Program: Winter Wonders Learn about the coldest season of the year. The book this month will be “When Winter Comes” by Nancy Van Laan, followed by a movement, an activity and a snack. The program lasts approximately 55 minutes.

Children must be 3-5 years old, and an adult must attend with the child. Email lhiggins@usmmuseum.org or call Leslie at 479-709-3766 to register. Space is limited. $5 per child. 10-11 a.m. River Park Events Building, West Room, 121 Riverfront Drive, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-709-3766

Dec. 18 Baking Cookies Stop by for freshly baked cookies. Free. 4 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Dec. 18-Jan. 31 Teen Reading Lottery For every book read during the program, teens will be given a scratch-off prize ticket with the chance to be an Instant Winner or be entered into a drawing for the Grand Prize. The Teen Reading Lottery will be held at the Main Library, Miller Branch and Windsor Branch of the Fort Smith Public Library System. Free. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org Dec. 19 Cookies, Cocoa and Claus Enjoy some cocoa and cookies while you visit with Santa and his elf. Free. 1 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Dec. 19 Broadway Book Club Participants will discuss the book “Peter Pan.” To join the Broadway Book Club, sign up at the Alma Public Library with Deidre Scott. Free. 4 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Dec. 19-23 “Finding Neverland” Based on the critically acclaimed Academy Awardwinning film, “Finding Neverland” tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers

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and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. The magic of Barrie’s classic tale springs spectacularly to life in this heartwarming theatrical event. Young patrons between the ages of 7 and 18 can see “Finding Neverland” at 1:30 a.m. Dec. 21 for free when accompanied by an adult who has purchased a full-price ticket. Offer good while supplies last. Use promo code HOOK. 1:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 19; 7 p.m. Dec. 20; 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 21; 8 p.m. Dec. 22 and 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 23. Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-443-5600

Dec. 20 Christmas Story Time Holiday-themed stories with a craft and Christmas cookies. Story time is held every Wednesday. Free.

Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5650 fortsmithlibrary.org Dec. 21 Christmas Harry Potter Potion Craft Make wizard-themed holiday ornaments. Free. 4 p.m.

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

Dec. 21 DIY Christmas Craft Buffet Make take home crafts and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate at this open house-style event. Free. 4-6

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

Dec. 21 Spanish Story Time Reading, singing and other fun activities in Spanish.

Free. 6 p.m. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0405 Dec. 22 Holiday Crafternoon Make a craft to take home and enjoy treats. Free. 1-6 p.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945 fortsmithlibrary.org

Dec. 22 Teen Winter Workshop Drop by the Youth Services Department at the Main Library to make a DIY, personalized coffee mug. Light refreshments will be provided. Free. 1:30-3 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

Dec. 27 Happy New Year Story Time Enjoy stories, songs, snacks and a craft with a New Year’s theme. Preschool story time is held every Wednesday. Free. 10:30 a.m. Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5650 Dec. 28 Children/Tweens/Teens Learn to make a noise maker or a wishing wand! Supplies provided. Free. 4 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Dec. 28 Kwanzaa Story Time Learn the history of Kwanzaa, and enjoy the magic of stories through reading, singing and activities at this story program for all ages. Free. 4 p.m. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0405

Jan. 2-31 Teen Reading Lottery Teens are invited to play the odds this winter as the Teen Reading Lottery continues at the Fort Smith Public Library. For every book read during the program, teens will be given a scratch-off prize ticket with the chance to be an Instant Winner or be entered into a drawing for the Grand Prize. The Teen Reading Lottery will be held at the Main Library, Miller Branch and Windsor Branch of the Fort Smith Public Library. Free.

Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 Jan. 3-31 Mommy & Me This story time is for babies and toddlers. Parents must remain with children during this session. Free.

10 a.m. Wednesdays. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

Jan. 4 Melted Snowman Ornament In the cold winter months, go to the library to keep warm, have fun and make a cute melted snowman ornament. All supplies provided. Free. 4 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

RAM

FREE PROGRAM • EVERY SATURDAY 12–4PM @ Fort Smith Regional Art Museum Saturdays at RAM will be a fun hands-on exploration of a new medium or type of art! Participants will learn about techniques and materials in the RAM studio & have the opportunity to make their own original works of art. This program is FREE and for ALL AGES! Please wear art-making clothing!

December 2 – Mixed Media Banners December 9 – Ornaments December 16 – Snow Globes December 30 – Clay Snowmen January 6 – Cardboard Sculptures

January 13 – Dream Catchers January 20 – Salt Painting January 27 – Fuse Beads February 3 – Sun Catchers February 10 – Sand Mandalas

March 24 – Origami March 31 – Butterfly Houses April 7 – Refrigerator Magnets April 14 – Tape Resist Painting April 21 – Button Tree

February 17 – Air Dry Clay February 24 – Felt Birds March 3 – Bracelets March 10 – T-shirt Bags March 17 – Wire art

1601 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, AR 72901 479.784.2787 | FSRAM.ORG December 2017 / January 2018

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Jan. 4-25 Family Time Fun family-minded activities available for all ages.

Free. 3:30 p.m. Thursdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Jan. 4-25 Story Time This will be a traditional story time for pre-schoolers.

Books, songs, crafts, etc. Free. 10 a.m. Thursdays.

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

Jan. 4-25 Story Time Plus A story time designed for grades K-12 with crafts and themes that may continue for the entire month. Free.

4 p.m. Thursdays. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226 Jan. 5-26 Chess Club Play chess or watch the pros. Free. 4 p.m. Fridays.

Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226 Jan. 6 Saturday Story Time Enjoy star-themed games and crafts. Free. 10:30 a.m.

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

Jan. 8 CSA Chamber Strings Spring Registration Community School of the Arts invites all string students to audition for its Chamber Strings program.

New students must audition to be placed. Auditions are by appointment. Chamber Strings is led by violinist Lori Fay. The CSA string faculty also is involved in rehearsals and performances. Chamber Strings meets on Monday evenings from 6-7 p.m. with performances in April. Call or go online to register or for more information. $230. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 2701 Old Greenwood Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-434-2020 csafortsmith.org Jan. 8 Mug Craft Craft winter-themed mugs while sipping hot chocolate. Supplies provided. Free. 4 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Jan. 8-31 Teen Time The Van Buren Public Library offers funs activities during Teen Time Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

There will be crafts, such as ornament making, life skills, games and more. Free. 3:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Jan. 8, 22, 29 Teen/Tween Games Board games, Legos, Wii, Playstation and more. Free.

4 p.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226 Jan. 9 BINGO for Books: Winter Edition Play BINGO and earn books as a prize. Winners will be able to select a book from a selection of children 54 Entertainment Fort Smith December 2017 / January 2018

and teen titles. Free. 6-7 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229

Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 Baby & Me Babies, birth to age 3, and caregivers can join the Van Buren Public Library for songs, finger plays, bubbles, parachute play, a story, and play time. This program supports early literacy and language skills. Free. 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Jan. 10-24 Cedarville Story Time Ms. Lara leads activities for toddlers every Wednesday. No story time on Jan. 3 and 31. Free. 10 a.m. 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853

Jan. 10, 17-31 Van Buren Story Time A great time to hear new stories, sing songs, make crafts, make friends and, of course, check out some books. Free. 9:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. depending on the date. Wednesdays. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Jan. 10-31 Baby Rhymes Story Time Play with simple toys, listen to fun songs, learn nursery rhymes, and read an age-appropriate book together. Appropriate for infants to 4-year-olds. Free.

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

Jan. 10 Little Sprouts Winter Wonderland Little Sprouts is the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks' story and activity time for preschoolers and their parents. The 30-minute sessions will take place at 9:30 and 10:15 a.m. on the second Wednesday of every month. Free for BGO members; regular garden admission prices for non-members. Free for children under 5. 9:30-10:45 a.m. Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 North Crossover Road, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-750-2620 Jan. 10-31 Homework Help Visit on Wednesdays for extra homework help or studying time on the computer. Free. 3:30 p.m. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600

some volunteer hours. Free. 3:30 p.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853

Jan. 18 Book Club Discuss new books each month. Free. 1:30 p.m.

Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853

Jan. 19 National Popcorn Day Celebrate National Popcorn Day by stopping by the Van Buren Public Library and enjoy a bag of freshly made popcorn. Free. 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Jan. 19 National Popcorn Day Celebrate National Popcorn Day with some free freshly popped popcorn at the Dallas Street Branch Library. Free. 3:30-6 p.m. Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5650 Jan. 22 Lego Club Kids, tweens and teens are invited to design, create and build unique creations with the Lego Club! Supplies provided. Free. 5-6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229

Jan. 22-31 CSA Spring Private Lessons The Community School of the Arts is registering students for spring private lessons. Lessons begin in January and are offered weekly for 30, 45, or 60 minutes in music, theater, dance and visual art. Choose between five, 10, or 15 weeks of lessons. Tuition varies. St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 2701 Old Greenwood Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-434-2020 csafortsmith.org

Jan. 25 Movie Time Visit the website to learn which movies will be screened. Free. 3:30 p.m. Cedarville Public Library, 737 Pirates Way, Cedarville, Ark. 479-410-1853

Jan. 16 Make a Dragon Craft Stop by to complete a fun make and take dragon craft to take home. This open-house style program is appropriate for all ages. Free. 3:30-6 p.m. Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5650

Jan. 25 Daddy-Daughter Hair Factory This free class that will teach dads how to brush, braid and do other hair basics. Andrea Womack with Village Beauty Salon will lead the interactive program. Free. 5-6 p.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945

Jan. 18 Teen Leadership Council The Teen Leadership Council is a great way to earn

Jan. 27 CB Babies Special program for infants ages 3 to 24 months with

Jan. 16 Family Dance Party A movement and music event for the whole family.

Free. 6-7 p.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945

Jan. 25 Beaded Snowflake Craft Learn how to make a snowflake craft. Children-teens welcome. Free. 4 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

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KIDS EVENTS a caregiver. Spend time in the galleries talking to your baby about art before enjoying sensory playtime.

Make sure you are able to hold your baby or have them in a front carrier; they need to see and physically react to the artworks. This is a time to bond with your baby, so please make other arrangements for siblings.

Register online or at guest services. $10, $8 members. register online or with Guest Services. 10-11:30 a.m. Crystal Bridges, 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Ark. 479-418-5700 crystalbridges.org Jan. 27 UAFS Pom Squad Little Lions UAFS Pom Squad is excited to dance through the ’80s.

Children 3 years through sixth grade are invited to a morning of dancing and the opportunity to perform during half time of the Lady Lions or Lions Basketball game that afternoon. $25. 9 a.m.noon. Fitness Center at UAFS on Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7667

Jan. 29 Edible Sleds Craft Use sweet ingredients like candy canes, teddy grahams, candy bars and icing to hold these edible sleds together. Free. 4 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Jan. 29 National Puzzle Day Studies have found that working jigsaw puzzles requires the use both sides of the brain, and spending time daily working on puzzles improves memory, cognitive function and problem-solving skills. All ages.

Free. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-484-5650

Jan. 29 Puzzle Day Drop by the Van Buren Library for a cup hot chocolate and work on the community puzzle set up for the day.

Enter to win a puzzle prize basket. Free. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Jan. 29 Teen Reading Lottery Finale Celebrate the end of the Teen Reading Lottery at this special program for Teens at the Main Library. Games like life-size Jenga, Wii video games and other cool activities. All teens in junior and senior high are welcome. Snacks will be provided. Free. 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

Jan. 30 CSA Registration for “Annie Jr.” Community School of the Arts is now registering children ages 7-12 for the upcoming production of “Annie, Jr.” Rehearsals are every Tuesday and Thursday from 4-6 p.m. beginning in January. Shows are set for May at the KIng Opera House in Van Buren.

The Children's Theatre Company is limited to 30 students. $300. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 2701 Old Greenwood Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-434-2020 csafortsmith.org

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CALENDAR of events

Enjoy all the area’s traditional celebrations of Christmas Parades, lights, real and miniature train rides DEC

Alma Christmas Parade 6:30 p.m. Downtown Alma, Ark.

DEC Mountainburg Christmas Parade

DEC

Cedarville Christmas Parade 1 p.m. Downtown Cedarville, Ark.

DEC Van Buren Christmas Parade

DEC

Mulberry Christmas Parade 1 p.m. Downtown Mullberry, Ark.

1 2 2

DEC

Crawford County Courthouse Lighting, Festival of Trees and Living Windows The annual lighting of the courthouse is at 6 p.m.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the courthouse is a Van Buren landmark.

The Doric columns, classic portico and beautiful façade of the courthouse will be illuminated by white Christmas lights. The grounds are filled with decorated trees for the Festival of Trees Display. Along Main Street, live characters depicting the town’s colorful history are on display in the festive windows of downtown businesses. Free.

6 p.m. Crawford County Courthouse, 300 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-1411

2

DEC Greenwood Christmas Parade

4

5:30 p.m. Downtown Greenwood, Ark.

Parade photo by Augustine Nguyen 56 Entertainment Fort Smith December 2017 / January 2018

9

11 a.m. Mountainburg, Ark.

9

Van Buren’s historic Main Street will be blocked off for the annual nighttime Christmas Parade. All entries will be lighted. Free. 6:30 p.m. Historic Main Street, 300-800 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-922-6862 oldtownvanburen.com

DEC

16

Dyer Christmas Parade 7 p.m. Dyer, Ark.

DEC

Christmas Honors 8:30 a.m. Family Time 11 a.m. Ceremony Fort Smith National Cemetery, 522 South 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. christmashonors.org

16 DEC

Fort Smith Christmas Parade The Jaycee’s parade traditionally has marching bands, decorated floats, vintage automobiles, horseback riders, carriages and walking groups. And, of course, Santa Claus makes his arrival. Free. 3 p.m. Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. fschristmasparade.eventbrite.com

16

DEC

Greenwood Christmas in the Park Some 140 lighted holiday displays, seasonal music and animated lighting are the backdrop for holiday fun at Bell Park.

Cookies and cocoa with Santa, two holiday concerts, Santa’s workshop, a four-night live nativity with a petting zoo, “A Christmas Story” movie night, s’mores and hayrides await visitors.

Breathtaking photo opportunities in the Wilkinson Pavilion and on foot-bridges amid thousands of lights. 5:30-9 p.m. Requested donation per car: $3. Bell Park, 1050 Bell Park Road, Greenwood. greenwoodarkansas.com

1-31

DEC Creekmore Holiday Express

the park’s beloved miniature 4-23 Ride train through a wonderland of lighted decorations. Each night, a different organization will sponsor refreshments at the train station and the ticket price, so everything is free.

5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Creekmore Park, 3301 South M Street, Fort Smith, Ark.

DEC

Van Buren Holiday Express Train Enjoy a one-hour round trip with Santa and friends. Tickets available online. Van Buren Visitor Center, 813 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 1-800-687-8600 amrailroad.com

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Dec. 1 Drennen-Scott Historic Site Holiday Open House The Drennen-Scott Historic Site will hold its Victorian Holiday Open House keeping many traditions of the Drennen-Scott families. Enjoy live music, period refreshments, costumed interpreters, Victorian holiday decorations and outdoor luminaries. 5:30 p.m. Drennen-Scott Historic Site, 221 North 3rd Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-262-2750 Dec. 1 Lights of Love Lights of Love is a unique way to memorialize or honor a friend or family member (humans and pets alike) at a lighting ceremony. Open house begins at 6 p.m.; ceremony at 7 p.m. Sebastian County Humane Society, 3800 Kelley Highway, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-4395 sebastiancountyhumanesociety.org

Dec. 1 Clayton House Gaslight Gala A holiday party is presented by the Fort Smith Heritage Foundation to benefit the Clayton House. The evening will include a buffet of heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts from 21 West End, lively libations, live music by the Escape Tones, carriage rides, and silent and live auctions. Tickets are $50; tables and corporate sponsorships available. 6:30 to 10 p.m. Clayton House, 514 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-3000 claytonhouse.org Dec. 1 First Friday Friends: Holiday Memories Show & Tell Expand your circle of friends at the Fort Smith Public Library at this monthly program featuring fun and social time for adults. A show-and-tell item could be a photograph, a gift, a Christmas ornament or anything else that is meaningful in a personal way. Coffee and light refreshments available. Free. 10:30 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

Dec. 1 Subiaco Academy Shadow Day for Prospective Students Boys in grades 6-10 are invited to attend to learn more about the academy’s junior and senior high program.

Tour the campus, shadow classes and take a placement exam. Prospective boarders can arrive the night before and stay in a dormitory. Information sessions for parents with administration and staff will be intermingled with social and recreational activities. Subiaco Academy, a Catholic college preparatory boarding and day school serving young men in grades 7-12, is conducted by the Benedictine priests and brothers of Subiaco Abbey. The school is approximately 45 miles east of Fort Smith. Call to arrange an appointment.

Free. 7:30 a.m. Subiaco Academy, 405 North Subiaco Avenue, Subiaco, Ark. 800-364-7824 SubiacoAcademy.us Dec. 1-2 2nd Annual Christmas in the City Shopping Extravaganza Browse numerous vendor booths for gift ideas, holiday decorations and a wide selection of merchandise and enjoy the fun of taking photos with Santa (noon3 p.m. Saturday only) and enter hourly drawings.

Food trucks will offer meals, beverages and treats for purchase. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Ben Geren Park Events Center, 7200 Zero Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-831-9605

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Dec. 1, 15 Redwork Redwork embroidery uses floss to trace simple line drawings. It became popular during the Victorian era as women searched for new ways to decorate. Stitch along with others or to learn, take an embroidery needle, an embroidery loop, red floss, envelopes and a shoe box. Free. 12:30-2:30 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Dec. 1-31 Photo Enchantment by Sara Galbach Original artwork by artist Sara Galbach will hang in the Community Room. Her oil paints and photography are colliding in digital compositions she calls photoenchantment. Free. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229

Dec. 1-16 CAE Gallery Show: Ernest Cialone University of Arkansas-Fort Smith associate professor Ernest Cialone will bring the classroom to the main gallery. This body of work relates to the classes that he has taught from art foundations class to upperlevel figure drawing. It will show the connection between classroom learning and the finished product of a practicing artist. In the Studio Gallery, Larry Millican's photography, art glass by Elisa Cossey and paintings by Erica Johnson. Free. Center for Art and Education, 104 North 13th Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-7767 art-ed.org

Dec. 1-31 Toys for Tots Hurricane Grinch Fighter Challenge A local Air Force veteran, Sarah Conley, is diving in to encourage donors to give to the Toys For Tots campaign, which has a specific division for gifts for children affected by Hurricane Harvey. Conley has partnered with friends, veterans in another state, who will be bicycling 215 miles as Conley swims a total of 215 miles, a distance chosen to represent the square mileage of hurricane damage. This “Hurricane Grinch Fighters” fundraising team has a Facebook page of the same name showing the athletes’ progress toward the 215-mile challenge and directions for where to donate money to purchase toys, or marinetoysfortots.salsalabs.org/peertopeer/t/hurricanegrinchfighters/index.html

Dec. 1-3 Dwight Mission Winter Craft Retreat All supplies are provided for this three-day retreat with a choice of making one, two or all three crafts. Friday check-in and snack reception. Saturday has painting in the morning and the winter wreath in the afternoon.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner served in the dining hall.

Sunday morning, work on the final craft and brunch. $120 per adult for two nights lodging and four meals.

Room and board for children is free; craft costs vary.

Dwight Mission Camp and Conference Center, 100995 South 4590 Road, Vian, Okla. 866-298-1739 dwightmission.org

Dec. 1-24 7th Annual Habitat for Humanity Christmas Gift Wrap Center The Gift Wrap Center will be open during mall hours for the entire holiday season. Shoppers can have gifts wrapped while they shop. Choice of wrapping paper plus gift box, bows, ribbon and gift tags. Prices start at $3 per wrapped gift. All proceeds support AVHFH’s mission to end poverty housing locally. Volunteer wrappers are needed for morning, afternoon and evening shifts. Interested volunteers may call or email volunteer@habitatfs.org to sign up. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. In front of JC Penney, Central Mall, 5111 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-782-8255 habitatfs.org

Dec. 1-31 Donate to Support VVA Annual “Shop with a Vet” Starting with memorial funds honoring Army Spc. Dustin Fisher and increased by donations in memory of Vietnam veterans Ronnie Eugene Price and Ed Nagy, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 467 has established a “Shop with a Vet” program for selected Darby Junior High students. The first student went shopping this holiday season. Donations are sought to develop this program. Mail to VVA Chapter 467, 12112 Redwood Drive, Fort Smith, AR 72903 .

Dec. 1-31 The Unstill Life: Paintings by Lisa Jan-Bohné Clay A new series of paintings by Lisa Jan-Bohné Clay will be on exhibit. Clay paints with vibrant brush strokes, bold use of color and bold perspective. Free. Dewey's Cafe, Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229

Dec. 1-31 Miller Branch Artist of the Month – Dr. Kerri Tabor Photography by Dr. Kerrie Taber will be featured in December at the Miller Branch Library. Taber came here from Austin for employment with the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. Her interest in photography began in Austin, where she explored the hill country of Texas, capturing the sunrises and sunsets over the lakes and hills of the area, as well as capturing wildflowers and vistas. She is also interested in history, which is reflected in some of her photography including historic forts, monuments and other locations that she visits on extended road trips. Free. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945 fortsmithlibrary.org

Dec. 1-31 Fort Smith Public Library Holiday Food Drive Drop off non-perishable food items at any library. All food collected will go to the Community Clearing House. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229

Dec. 1-31 The Perfect Gift: Library Books for Christmas Visit any Fort Smith Public Library location to choose a book to add to the library’s collection in honor or memory of someone special. Children’s books are a $10 donation; adult books are a $25 donation. Proceeds from the Perfect Gift fundraiser go to a fund to be used for the purchase of new library materials. All Fort Smith Public Library locations. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org Dec.1-Jan. 1 Stuart Davis: In Full Swing Artist Stuart Davis captures the cool in this special exhibition of 80+ paintings and drawings that prove he’s an American original. With a career that stretched from the early 1900s into the ’60s, Davis is a leader in American modern art. Through his bold colors and dynamic forms, he merged the visuals of advertising with the rhythms of jazz. $8 (free for members.) General admission to the permanent collection is free.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Ark. 479-418-5700 crystalbridges.org December 2017 / January 2018 Entertainment Fort Smith 57

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Dec. 3 Greenwood United Methodist Women's Craft and Bake Sale Lots of handmade Christmas gifts, baked goods and coffee available. All proceeds help to fund United Methodist Women Mission projects, local and around the world. Free admission. 1-3 p.m. Greenwood United Methodist Church Family Life Center, El Paso and Main, Greenwood, Ark. 479-996-6397 Dec. 3 Night at Dwight This event includes a Christmas meal with carving station, a musical performance then cookie decoration station for dessert. $40. 5-7 p.m. Dwight Mission.

866-298-1739 dwightmission.org

Dec. 1-Jan. 26 The Erasing, Drawings by David Bailin An exhibition of recent drawings by David Bailin. David is a native of Sioux Falls, S.D., who lived and worked in New York until moving to Little Rock in 1986. The drawings in this exhibition represent an in-progress series based on memory loss; the images are the result of drawing, erasing and drawing over the image then erasing some more as a visual metaphor for memories fragmented by Alzheimer's. Bailin is an award-winning artist who has exhibited nationally, won awards and fellowships, is in public and institutional collections and has published catalogs of his work. A reception for the exhibit will be held from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 12. Free. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. UAFS Windgate Art & Design Gallery, 535 North Waldron Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7542 Dec. 1-Feb. 28 Holiday Matching Challenge Hannah House launches a Holiday Matching Challenge. Anonymous donors and the Hannah House board of directors donated $20,000 and challenge the public to match that amount. Every dollar goes toward its mission of Restoring Daughters and Saving Lives.

Mail checks to Hannah House, P.O. Box 1672, Fort Smith, AR 72902; by phone or online. Hannah House, 418 South 17th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-782-5683 hannahhouseark.org

Dec. 2 Handcrafted Holiday Items Created

by Children in Care The River Valley Adoption Coalition will occupy The Shoppes at BrickCity’s Community Corner to share information about the foster care crisis in our area and to accept donations. Local children and teens in foster care have created many unique handmade ornaments and note card sets. All funds will be used to create more awareness about the local foster care crisis and the dire need for more foster/adoptive families, support for current families, activities for youth in foster care and to grant wishes of kids in care. Presently, the number of children and teens in foster care from our area could fill 17 school buses. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. The Shoppes at BrickCity Community Corner, 3215 South 74th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-434-5858 58 Entertainment Fort Smith December 2017 / January 2018

Passover by David Bailin

Dec. 2 Financial Fitness Class The CSCDC holds Financial Fitness Classes quarterly to teach about budgeting, goals, banking services, credit, investments and predatory lending awareness.

Call to enroll. Free. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Crawford Sebastian Community Development Council, 1617 South Zero Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-2303 ext.

125 cscdc.org

Dec. 2 Jingle Bell Jog 5K & Reindeer Fun Run Runners are encouraged to wear Santa hats, elf ears or anything that sparkles and jingles. Overall male and female finisher medals will be presented in various 5K age categories. Finisher medals will be presented in the children's Fun Run. Complimentary breakfast, door prizes, music and special guests. Register online.

9-11 a.m. Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 North Crossover Road, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-750-2620 bgozarks.org

Dec. 2 TrailBlazers Hike to Hawksbill Crag TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike to Hawksbill Crag, an amazing rock outcrop that juts out from a bluff overlooking the Buffalo River. The distance is 3 miles round trip, rated moderate. Also, visit Lost Valley, a beautiful area that has a two mile (easy) trail where a creek leads to a 30-foot waterfall. Take a flashlight, lunch and water to Cloverleaf Plaza parking lot in Van Buren to caproyl/caravan. 8 a.m. Ozark National Forest, Cave Mountain Road, near Ponca, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com

Dec. 3 Beginning Beekeeping 101 with The Bearded Bee Begin keeping honey bees safely and successfully with local beekeeper Michael Mahar. Topics include structure of the beehive; tools and equipment; how, where and when to get bees; hive inspection; state registration; four seasons of beekeeping; harvesting; parasites and disease prevention. Pre-registration payment required. $25 16 and older; 15 and under free with a paid adult. Noon-6 p.m. Crawford County Extension Office, 105 Pointer Trail West, Van Buren, Ark. 479-285-4402 beardedbee.org

Dec. 3 Full Moon Singing Bowl Meditation Singing bowls produce sounds that invoke a deep state of relaxation as a path to healing the mind, body, and spirit. Terri will lead this meditation. $10 drop-in.

3:30-4 p.m. Yogaterrium, 2712 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-459-2187 yogaterrium.com Dec. 4 Now What? The NaNoWriMo Finale!

National Novel Writing Month participants are invited to celebrate completion of their novels. Writers will be given resources for revision and publication, and are encouraged to chat with other novelists. Light refreshments. Free. 3-6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 Dec. 4 Mountainburg Friends Meeting Volunteer, advertise, raise funds and help the library by being a Friend of the Library. No membership necessary to attend a meeting. Call for more information.

Free. 3:30 p.m. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600 Dec. 4 Bingo for Books Play bingo and win books. Free. 4 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Dec. 4 -10 Friends of the Library Vintage and Rare Book Sale Just in time for the holidays, book lovers will find a broad assortment of books in this special sale, including rare, vintage, and valuable titles. A range of topics are represented, including religion, history, art and diverse subjects with publication dates ranging from the 1800s to present. Shoppers who can’t come during these hours can contact the Reference Desk at the Main Library to make an appointment to browse during other times. A list of the books included in the sale will be available at the sale and on the library’s website beginning Dec. 1. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Friends of the Library. Free. Noon-5 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

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Dec. 4-18 Color Me Happy The library will be furnishing all supplies, so just show up, relax and color. Free. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Dec. 4-Dec. 18 Ballroom Dance Lessons Mike and Lisa Lawrence teach ballroom dance lessons every Monday. Beginner lessons are from 7:308:30 p.m., advanced lessons are 6:30-7:30 p.m. The type of dance changes the first Monday of the month.

Dress attire is casual. $5. Eagles Ballroom, 3371 South 66th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-208-1072

Dec. 5 Hearts of Gold Open House in Fort Smith The annual Hearts of Gold program to provide gifts for every area nursing home resident begins with a Fort Smith open house. Take new, unwrapped items from the Hearts of Gold needs list for nursing home residents. Enjoy refreshments, entertainment and even a visit from Santa! Hearts of Gold item collection begins now and continues until Dec. 19. Drop-off locations are: all Simmons Bank branch locations, Hampton Inn-Van Buren and the Project Compassion office at the St. Scholastica Retreat Center, 1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith. For those who don't have time to shop, monetary donations to Project Compassion "Hearts of Gold" will pay for gifts to be purchased and distributed to residents. The suggested needs list is for clothing size M to 5X such as nightgowns, pajama sets, colorful plain T-shirts, lounge pants, sweat shirt and pants and closed toe and heel house shoes. Free.

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. St. Luke Lutheran Church, 5401 Free Ferry Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-2273 projectcompassioninc.com Dec. 5 "Arkansas Beer: An Intoxicating History" Book Signing with Brian Sorensen Brian Sorensen, a freelance writer based in Fayetteville, will make a special appearance at the Main Library to promote, sign and sell his latest book, "Arkansas Beer; An Intoxicating History." Arkansas’ booze scene had a promising start, with America’s biggest brewing families, Busch and Lemp, investing in Little Rock just prior to Prohibition. However, by 1915, the state had passed the Newberry Act, banning the manufacturing and selling of alcohol. It was not until 69 years later that the state welcomed its first post-temperance brewery, Arkansas Brewing Co. After a few false starts, brew pubs in Fayetteville, Fort Smith and Little Rock found success. By 2000, the industry had regained momentum. An explosion of breweries around the state has since propelled Arkansas into the modern beer age. The author’s work has appeared in the Fayetteville Flyer, All About Beer magazine and Southwest Brewing News. The University of Arkansas graduate is a human resources director for a Fortune 100 company based in northwest Arkansas. His gateway beer was Sierra Nevada Stout, and he learned to brew by way of the Methodist church (true story).

Sorensen enjoys traveling to beer destinations across the United States with his wife, Megan. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing at the openhouse style event. Free. 5-7 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org 60

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Dec. 5 Diabetes Academy Lisa Roling from Novo Nordisk will be presenting Diabetes Academy. Free. 10 a.m.-noon. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Dec. 6-20 Wednesday Meditations This class includes practicing meditative techniques such as breath work, concentration, contemplation, visualizations and deep relaxation. Classes may vary in meditation styles allowing beginners to get a wide variety of tools to establish a meditation practice.

Meditation classes are 20 minutes and are donationbased. All donations are given to different local charities each month. 5:30-5:50 p.m. Yogaterrium, 2712 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-459-2187 yogaterrium.com Dec. 7 Welcome Neighbor Holiday Charity Auction Lunch, silent auction and more. Proceeds benefit the purchase of a wheelchair-accessible swing for one of Fort Smith's parks, which are very much needed. $15.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Fianna Hills Country Club, 1 Essex Place, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-649-0618 WelcomeNeighborFtSmith.com

Dec. 7 Hearts of Gold Open House - Van Buren An open house in Van Buren launches the annual Hearts of Gold drive by Project Compassion, which provides a gift to every area nursing home resident.

Take new unwrapped items from the Hearts of Gold Needs List for nursing home residents. Enjoy refreshments, entertainment and even a visit from Santa!

Hearts of Gold item collection begins now and continues until Dec. 19. Drop-off locations are: all Simmons Bank locations, Hampton Inn-Van Buren and the Project Compassion office at the St. Scholastica Retreat Center, 1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith.

Monetary donations can be made to Project Compassion "Hearts of Gold." Volunteers will do the shopping for the needed gifts. Hearts of Gold needs are for clothing sizes M to 5X, such as nightgowns, pajama sets, colorful plain T-shirts, lounge pants, sweat shirt and pants, closed toe and heel house shoes. Free.

5:30-7 p.m. Hampton Inn - Van Buren, 1916 North 6th Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-783-2273

Dec. 7 Fort Smith Musical Coterie Meeting The Fort Smith Musical Coterie will meet for a Christmas meeting and pot luck luncheon. The program will feature "Whispering Spirits Music" by Vence and Martha Johnson. Guests are welcome. The coterie is an affiliate of the National Federation of Music Clubs and has been active since 1904. Free. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Bonnie Cook Home, 309 Rivercrest, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-414-9650 NFMC-music.org

Dec. 7 Holiday Market 2017 Shop for original works of art and a wide assortment of artfully made handcrafted items including jewelry, pottery, artisan soaps and herbal products, fabric art, watercolor, oil, pastel and mixed medium. Support local artists with a gift of original art. Free admission.

Hours vary. See website for hours. 10 a.m. Center for Art and Education, 104 North 13th Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-7767 art-ed.org

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Dec. 7-14 Living Local: Thursday Night Shopping and Entertainment on Main Street Evening shopping hours, entertainment, music, food and fun. 5-8 p.m. Historic Main Street, 400-800 blocks of Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-922-6862 Dec. 7-Jan. 25 Square Dance Charleston Circle Up Squares dance every Thursday during December and January except for the Thursday before Christmas and the Thursday before New Years. $2.50 per dancer. 6:30-9 p.m. Hugg Chevrolet Ballroom, Main Street and Arkansas 217, Charleston, Ark. 479-674-2578 Dec. 8 Lavaca Movies in the Park The Lavaca Chamber of Commerce hosts a screening of “A Christmas Story” in City Hall. Popcorn and hot chocolate will be available. Free. 7-9 p.m. Lavaca City Hall Park, 808 West Main Street, Lavaca, Ark. 479-462-2804

Dec. 8 Pilot Club of Fort Smith Pecan and Fruitcake Sale By appointment only, order mammoth pecan halves, glazed or chocolate-covered pecans, pecan logs, cashews, fruitcakes and more. Proceeds benefit local charities. Prices vary. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fort Smith, Ark. 479-883-5633 Dec. 9 St. Scholastica Monastery Bake Sale Browse a selection of bread, rolls, cakes, pies and cookies, as well as jellies, jams, pickles and mixes-injars. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. St. Scholastica Retreat Center, 1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-1135 stscho.org

Dec. 9 Van Buren Christmas Parade Van Buren’s historic Main Street is blocked off for its annual nighttime Christmas parade. All entries are lighted. Everyone is invited to participate, from antique car owners to children on bicycles. Register for the parade online. Free. 6:30 p.m. Historic Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-922-6862 Dec. 9 Homebuyers Workshop Class CSCDC holds monthly Homebuyers Classes explaining all aspects of preparing to buy and buying a home: inspections, down payment assistance, Mortgage Credits and more. Free. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Crawford Sebastian Community Development Council, 1617 South Zero Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-85-2303, ext. 125 cscdc.org

Dec. 9 Hike Lost Bridge Loop The TrailBlazers Hiking Club will make an outing to Lost Bridge Loop at Beaver Lake, a 5- mile, moderate trail with scenic views from Beaver Lake, east of Rogers, Ark. The trail includes bluffs, ridge lines, some nice rock formations, a small cavern and an old homestead site. The club welcomes non-members who would like to go along for a day’s hike. Take lunch and water. Meet at Cloverleaf Plaza parking lot in Van Buren to carpool/caravan. 8 a.m. Beaver Lake, U.S. 62, east of Rogers, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com 62

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Dec. 9 Fine Art Market Paintings, sculpture and metal work will be available for purchase. Free admission. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 North Crossover Road, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-750-2620

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Dec. 10 15th Annual Fort Smith Public Library Holiday Open House Celebrate the holiday season when the entire Fort Smith Public Library staff opens the doors of the main library for a festive afternoon of music, crafts, games, stories, holiday displays and light refreshments. There will be musical entertainment throughout the entire afternoon, along with special activities to delight all ages. Take a non-perishable food item for the Holiday Food Drive. Free. 1-5 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org Dec. 11 RSVP Holiday Open House The Retired Senior and Volunteer Program (RSVP) holds this occasion to honor its members, partners and community friends. Refreshments will be served.

Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. RSVP Center, 401 North 13th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-4155 WestArkRSVP.org

Dec. 11 Adult Coloring Club Enjoy coloring and board games. Take a potluck dish to share. Free. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Dec. 11 Living with Alzheimer’s For Middle-Stage Caregivers Shyfa Hooks of the Arkansas Alzheimer’s Association presents an overview of how family and caregivers can learn to work with the symptoms and care needs associated with the middle stages of Alzheimer's Disease. Free. 1 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org Dec. 12 Mobile Blood Drive Save a life by donating blood. Free. 1:30-5:30 p.m.

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

Dec. 12 Alzheimer’s Workshop An introductory program provides an understanding of the difference between age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s Disease and what to do if they or someone they know has signs of the disease. Video footage shows real people with the early stages of dementia and their families addresses fears and myths.

Free. 10 a.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226 Dec. 12 The Book Lover’s Club Participants can review up to three titles at each meeting, which meets the second Tuesday of every month.

Free. 10:15 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

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Tim Ernst Slideshow at Fort Smith Public Library DEC

Tim Ernst has been hiking, driving and crawling around the wonderful Ozark Mountains for most of his life, preserving the images he sees with his camera for everyone to enjoy. His photographs have appeared in hundreds of national, regional and local publications.

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He will share recent work in a slideshow. Seeing them on the big screen with his spare but interesting narration is mesmerizing.

Most of his images capture the beauty of Arkansas.

A large selection of picture books, guidebooks, 2018 Arkansas scenic calendars, and a selection of special black mat prints will be available for purchase and signing before and after the slide program. Free. 7 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org Tim Ernst, untitled photo. Ernst often photographs these shafts of sunlight.

He calls them “God beams.”

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Dec. 14 Authors in the Afternoon featuring Wayne Hancock Fort Smith author Wayne Hancock will make a special appearance at the Fort Smith Public Library to promote and sign copies of his recently released book, “The History of Retailing.” Retailing has changed dramatically since the first F.W. Woolworth store opened in New York in 1879. Read about how Walmart evolved from a small Ben Franklin store to the largest retailer in the world, as well as the history of hundreds of other retail companies in this comprehensive history. A native of Missouri, Hancock now lives in Arkansas, where the 90-year-old author writes and publishes books. He is a World War II veteran and a 40-year veteran of the retail business. He is also the founder and president of two book publishing companies, Hancock Press and Papertown Publishing, which are now actively managed by his daughter, K.C. Shay. Free. 4-6 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Bicentenial Kickoff Celebration

December 25, 2017 National Historic Site • 2:00pm Reenactment of troops landing at Belle Pointe and establishing Fort Smith.

Anita Paddock, Brad Kidder

Dec. 14 That Thursday Night Thing - A Capote Christmas The Miller Branch Library invites everyone to an enchanting evening with their annual holiday program, That Thursday Night Thing, featuring two Truman Capote’s Christmas stories. Retired Miller Branch library manager Anita Paddock will get the evening started with her reading of “A Christmas Memory.”

After a brief intermission with refreshments, longtime performer with the Fort Smith Little Theatre Brad Kidder, will follow up with “One Christmas.” Paddock is a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is also the author the true crime books, Blind Rage and Closing Time. Kidder, who has been married for 61 years, is a father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is also an Army veteran, served on the first Fort Smith Board of Directors, and was delegate to the 1969-70 Arkansas Constitutional Convention.

These readings have become a seasonal tradition at the Miller Branch Library. Free. 7 p.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945

Reception at the Fort Smith Museum of History to follow.

Dec. 14 Girls Shelter Open House and Bake Sale Enjoy a meal or purchase bake sale goods. All proceeds benefit the Girls Shelter. Lunch is served from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; dinner from 5-7 p.m. The Girls Shelter of Fort Smith, 2600 Raleigh Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-0444 girlsshelterfs.org

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Dec. 15 Diamond Dance Wes and Hope Turner perform for the evening’s entertainment and dance music. A variety of music including swing, ballroom, Latin and country will be played. Attire is dressy casual. $5. 8-10:30 p.m. Eagles Ballroom, 3371 South 66th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-208-1072

Dec. 15 Christmas Honors Wreath Workshop Citizens of the Fort Smith Region are invited to assist in the assembling and preparation of 16,000 wreaths for distribution at the 9th Annual Christmas Honors event to honor the servicemen and women of our community. Free. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fort Smith Convention Center, 800 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-926-0939 ChristmasHonors.org

Dec. 16 Christmas Honors Ceremony and Laying of the Wreaths This event honors the servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation by placing one wreath on each of the 16,000+ headstones at the Fort Smith National Cemetery. From 810:30 a.m., family members may honor loved ones by laying wreaths on their headstones. Please respect this time for families. At 11 a.m., the public ceremony will begin, followed by volunteers laying wreaths on all remaining headstones. Deena Burnett Bailey, the widow of Tom Burnett, a passenger on United Airlines flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001, will speak. Free. Fort Smith National Cemetery, 522 South 6th St, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-926-0939 ChristmasHonors.org

The most Christmas-y day besides Christmas Day itself!

Christmas Honors, Open House and Christmas Parade DEC

Downtown Fort Smith will be Christmas Central on this Saturday. Starting at 8:30 a.m. is Christmas Honors at the National Cemetery, all made ready by hundreds of volunteers who worked the day before at the unpacking workshop. The Museum of History has a holiday open house from 2-5 p.m. Drop in before or after the festive 3 p.m. Jaycees Christmas Parade.

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Dec. 16 Fort Smith Christmas Parade Online registration is open for the annual Christmas Parade presented by the Fort Smith Jaycees. A Facebook page, FSChristmasParade, has ongoing updates.

Spectators should arrive a little early to get great parking spaces and vantage points. The parade traditionally includes local high school marching bands, decorated floats, antique and vintage automobiles, horseback riders, carriages and walking groups. And, of course, officially at the very end of the parade, Santa Claus makes his spectacular entry. Free. 3 p.m.

Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. fschristmasparade.eventbrite.com Dec. 16 Fort Smith Museum of History Open House Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and free museum admission before the Fort Smith Christmas Parade.

Shop the museum’s gift shop for unique gifts, locally made wooden toys, handcrafted pottery by Peter Lippincott and Rod Hannaman, prints by Sonja Ayres, locally made Nantucket baskets by the Wright Weave, signed and numbered Bass Reeves prints by Harold T. Holden and an excellent selection of local and regional history books. 2 p.m. Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-7841 fortsmithmuseum.org

Dec. 16 Mount Zion's Christmas Prayer Breakfast Minister Gregory Carthorn of St. James MBC will serve as the speaker for the morning program. $12.

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Dec. 16-17 Central Mall Midnight Shopping Event Shop during late-night hours. Central Mall stores will give away prizes all night. 9 a.m.-midnight. Central Mall, 5111 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-452-1866 CentralMallFortSmith.com

Dec. 17 TrailBlazers Hiking Club The rim trail at White Rock Mountain is the Trailblazer Club’s destination, one of the most scenic in Arkansas.

The 2.1-mile trail, rated easy, follows the bluff line, with spectacular views. Take snack and water. Meet at Cloverleaf Plaza parking lot in Van Buren to carpool/caravan. 1 p.m. White Rock Mountain Recreation Area, Highway 215, north of Mulberry, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com Dec. 17 Clayton Family Christmas Enjoy holiday merriment at Fort Smith’s Victorian house museum. Santa will be available for pictures, Christmas music will flow through our beautifully decorated home and there will be light refreshments and a craft for the children. This is a fun, free event for the entire family. 1-3 p.m. Clayton House, 514 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-3000 claytonhouses.org

Fort Smith’s 200th anniversary begins with the arrival of the first soldiers at Belle Point in 1817 DEC

The 200th anniversary of the founding of the first Fort Smith on Dec. 25, 1817, will be observed on Christmas Day when a keelboat will recreate that historic landing at the same location, Belle Point on the Arkansas River. Belle Point today is a part of the Fort Smith National Historic Site. The landing kicks off a yearlong bicentennial celebration.

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Maj. William Bradford arrived by keelboat with soldiers of the U.S. Rifle Regiment, with orders to establish a military garrison. The site had been chosen by Major Stephen H. Long a few weeks earlier. This post, later named Fort Smith for Gen. Thomas A. Smith, Commander of the Rifle Regiment, was the anchor around which our city grew.

Following the landing of the keelboat, re-enactors will debark and join the public for a short, outdoor program at Belle Point. Then, everyone is invited indoors at the Fort Smith Museum of History for birthday cake and hot chocolate in the museum's old-fashioned soda fountain.

A reproduction of the six-oared skiff used by Long to select the site of Fort Smith during the fall of 1817 will be constructed in the museum's Boyd Gallery by Floyd Robison, beginning in December. Upon completion, the skiff reproduction will be included in the updated first-floor timeline exhibit. $2-$7. 2 p.m. Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-7841 fortsmithmuseum.org 68

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Painting by Pat Riggs Dec. 17 3rd Sunday Art Show Every third Sunday afternoon, Michael's Mansion opens its Art Gallery with works from featured artists.

This exhibit will celebrate 50 years of painting by featured artist Pat Riggs. Meet the artists, browse beautiful original artworks, and enjoy refreshments by Chef Mike. Free. 1-4 p.m. Michael's Mansion, 2900 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-883-8336 michaelsmansion.biz

Dec. 19-23 Christmas Carriage Rides Evening, horse-drawn carriage rides in the downtown area. Meet the carriage at the corner of 4th Street and Garrison Avenue. No reservations. Some proceeds will be donated to the Salvation Army. Lap blankets provided. Hot chocolate available. $8 per person. 7-9 p.m. Downtown Fort Smith, 4th Street and Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 918-207-5487 CircleL.com

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Dec. 21 Winter Solstice Walks Archaeologist Dennis Peterson will lead a series of one-mile, two-hour tours of the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center. Each walk will discuss the ancient mounds and the cultures who built them. Learn why some of the mounds align with the solstice and equinox sunsets. Walk fees are $5 adults and $3 for children in addition to the regular admission fee. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center, 18154 1st Street, Spiro, Okla. 918-962-2062

Library galleries in December and January

Jan. 2 Diabetes Academy Diabetes education and support. Free. 10 a.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Jan. 2-31 Miller Branch Library Artist of the Month – Mark Frantz Local photographer Mark Frantz returns to the Miller Branch Library with his original photographs during the month of January. Mark considers regional photography a hobby, focusing mainly on landscapes, cars, barns, and buildings. The display will feature both black and white and color photography. Free.

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

The photography of Mark Frantz is on exhibit at the Miller Branch Library

Paintings by Kiaya Luper are on exhibit at the Main Library.

Jan. 2-Feb. 28 Exhibition by Kiaya Luper: The Art of Despair Original artwork by artist Kiaya Luper will be on exhibit in the Community Room in January and February. The exhibit is a homage to some of the most haunted authors and their brooding literary works, showing appreciation for writers who have created varying expressions of despair. Each work depicts an author and quote by that author: Albert Camus, Sylvia Plath, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Jean Paul Sartre, Hunter S. Thompson, Virginia Woolf, Charles Bukowski, William S. Burroughs, Aldous Huxley, Jack Kerouac, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Anne Sexton. Free. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org Jan. 2-Feb. 28 Art Exhibition: Photography by Jim Anderson Jim Anderson of Van Buren, Ark. is a schoolteacher and hobby photographer. He has traveled and photographed in all 50 states, always looking for natural settings and natural lighting. His award-winning photographs can be seen in local banks and law offices, as well as in several state parks in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Free. Dewey's Cafe at the Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

Jan. 3 Book Club Read and discuss selected books. Free. 10 a.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

Photography by Jim Anderson will hang in Dewey’s Cafe at the Main Library.

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Jan. 4-7 Three-Day Silent Directed Retreat A retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Lodging and meals are included.

Deadline for registration is Dec. 20. $300. St. Scholastica Retreat Center, 1205 South Albert Pike, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-1135 stscho.org/retreat-registration December 2017 / January 2018

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Jan. 5 First Friday Friends: Best Foot Foward This month's theme focuses on establishing good habits for a better new year. Coffee and light refreshments will be available. This program is intended to give adults social time, discussion and fun activities.

Free. 10:30 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Jan. 5 Inspirational/Christian Book Club Join a discussion of the book of the month, selected from the Inspirational/Christian section. Free. 10 a.m.

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

Jan. 5, 19 Redwork Embroidery Learn redwork embroidery or join others who love it as a social time to stitch together. Redwork is simple outline embroidery with cotton floss. It became popular during the Victorian era as women searched for new ways to decorate. Take the following items: an embroidery needle, an embroidery loop, red floss, envelopes and a shoe box. Free. 12:30-2:30 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Jan. 6 TrailBlazers Hiking Club Hikes Cove Lake Loop Club members will hike an easy trail of 3.5 miles that circles the Cove Lake. Expect scenic views of the lake, moss covered boulders and a "lookout window" the top of Mount Magazine can be seen. Take lunch and water. Meet at Home Depot parking lot in Fort Smith to carpool/caravan. 9 a.m. Cove Lake, Arkansas 309 South, Paris, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com

Jan. 7 CAE Gallery Opening To kick off 2018, the CAE Main Gallery will feature Paintings in Wool by Wilma Hill. Instead of using paint and brush, Wilma Hill uses dyed wool and traditional rug hooking techniques to produce realistic likenesses of her subjects. The Studio Gallery will feature Cause of Sight, a group exhibition that captures and celebrates everyday life. It features artwork from UAFS alumni Bridget Duncan, Jarrod Cluck and Kristen Teague, each of whom present their own perspective on an ever-changing world. Duncan will be teaching beginning art classes starting in January as part of the CAE after-school and home school program. Free. 1 p.m. Center for Art and Education, 104 North 13th Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-7767 art-ed.org

Jan. 8 Cake and Elvis Karaoke For Elvis' birthday, the library will begin serving cake at 11 a.m., while supplies last. Visit the library for snacks and karaoke. Free. 1-4 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Jan. 8 Book Talk Join the discussion of “The Strange Side of the Tracks” by George Avant. Pick up a copy of the book in advance. Limited copies available. Free. 7-8 p.m.

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

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Jan. 8 Adult Coloring Club Relax and color the stress away. Supplies provided.

Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Jan. 8 Christmas Honors Wreath Pick Up Pitch in for the important task of pick up and storage of 16,000-plus wreaths. Northside Grizzly Battalion, JROTC (Northside and Southside high school cadets) will lead the pickup effort. 9 a.m. Fort Smith Convention Center, 800 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-926-0939 ChristmasHonors.org Jan. 8 Music & Memories by the Alzheimer’s Association The Alzheimer’s Association and Alma Public Library have partnered to make a difference for those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. While the person with Alzheimer’s is having fun playing games and listing to music, the caregiver will get the valuable support they need. Free. 1 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140 Jan. 9 Alzheimer’s Workshop This introductory program provides an understanding of the difference between age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s and what to do if you or someone you know has signs of the disease. Attendees will view video footage of real people who are living with the early stages of dementia and their families, addressing fears and myths associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Free. 10 a.m. Mulberry Public Library, 220 North Main Street, Mulberry, Ark. 479-997-1226

Oh WATA Night party supports award-winning tennis program JAN "Oh WATA Night to Blame it on the Boogie,” the annual fundraiser for the Western

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Arkansas Tennis Association, will also celebrate an award-winning year for the program. WATA will receive two awards at the Arkansas Tennis Association Hall of Fame Awards Banquet in Little Rock, Jan. 12.

Melissa Kelly, director of tennis for WATA, will be awarded 2017 Arkansas Tennis Professional of the Year by USTA Arkansas. The WATA Spring Junior Closed Championships will receive the 2017 Arkansas Junior Tournament of the Year Award. This follows a 2016 award for WATA as Community Tennis Association of the Year.

This is the second state recognition for Kelly, who has been director since 2008. Her duties include directing eight junior tournaments, six adult tournaments and two other events in 2017. Of those tournaments, the Level 3 Spring Junior Championships and Interim State Championships were lauded by players as outstanding events.

Under her direction, WATA offers 12 & Under, 10 & Under and 8 & Under tennis programs.

WATA has added clinic opportunities to beginner/advanced 13 & over players. These clinics are offered at public playing sites at affordable rates.

Reserve tickets for the Oh WATA Night to Blame It On the Boogie at the WATA Tennis Center at Creekmore Park, 3303 South M Street, Fort Smith, 479-782-5333 or watatennis.net.

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Jan. 9 Book Talk Adults and seniors can learn about new books and make new friends. Free. 6 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Jan. 9 The Book Lover’s Club The Book Lover’s Club meets the second Tuesday of every month at the main library. Free. 10:15 a.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 Jan. 11 Adult Craft Party Make crafts just in time for Valentine's Day. Register

by Jan. 4. Free. 2 p.m. Alma Public Library, 624 Fayetteville Avenue, Alma, Ark. 479-632-4140

Jan. 12 Bingo for Books All players go home with at least one book. Free. 1011 a.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045 Jan. 12 & 26 Redwork Redwork is a fun form of embroidery that traditionally uses red thread on light colored fabric. To learn, take a large swatch of muslin and red embroidery floss, needle and hoop. All skill levels welcome. Some come to learn and others enjoy stitching together to share patterns and ideas. Free. 12:30-2:30 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

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Jan. 12, 26 Writers Group Meet with other writers to share work, give encouragement, offer suggestions and share tips. Free. 10 a.m. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Jan. 13 Old Fort Days Dandies Benefit Chili Supper and Auction Join the Dandies, the goodwill ambassadors and exhibition riders of the Old Fort Days Rodeo, for a fun evening of live music, homemade chili supper, live and silent auctions, door prizes, dancing, cowboy poetry and much more. All proceeds benefit the Old Fort Days Dandies program. $8 per person; children 5 and under are free. 6-9 p.m. Expo Building at Kay Rodgers Park, 4400 Midland Boulevard, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-6176 Jan. 13 Tutu Run 5K and 1/4 Marathon If the Western Arkansas Ballet can dance in tutus, runners can run in them, too. Participants can choose between to run/walk the 5K route or to run the 1/4 marathon route. This event is chip-timed. Each participant will receive a finisher's medal. Awards include top three women and top three mean overall plus three deep in age divisions – and an award for best tutu. Register online before 10 p.m. Jan. 12. $25-$35.

9 a.m. Ben Geren Regional Park, 7200 South Zero Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0152 waballet.org

Jan. 17 Fort Smith Public Library Writing Club Writers from teens to seniors and backgrounds are invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Fort Smith Public Library Writing Club. Discuss writing goals and ambitions, experience other member's works and enjoy being among other writers. Take a laptop or a pad of paper. Free. 4-5 p.m. Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-0229 fortsmithlibrary.org

Jan. 18 Power Parenting Power Parenting: Parenting a Strong-willed Child will be presented by Child Care Aware of the River Valley.

A story time and a craft will be provided for parents with smaller children while they attend the program.

Free. 6 p.m. Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-0405 fortsmithlibrary.org

Jan. 18 Open Mic Night at Dewey’s Café Sign up at the door to perform music, poetry or other talents. Acoustic music only, please. Free. 7 p.m.

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

Jan. 18 Clayton House Sip and Paint Gather friends for an evening of painting, partying and fun. Sip sangria while creating a work of art, guided by instructors from Cross My Art. Admission includes all supplies to create an artistic masterpiece, light refreshments, beverages and sangria. Reservations by phone are required. $50. 6-8:30 p.m. Clayton House, 514 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-3000 claytonhouse.org December 2017 / January 2018

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Stuart Davis: In Full Swing exhibit ends Jan. 1 at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Artist Stuart Davis captures the cool in this special exhibition of 80+ paintings & drawings that prove he’s an American original.

With a career that stretched from the early 1900s into the ’60s, Davis is a leader in American modern art. Through his bold colors and dynamic forms, he merged the visuals of advertising with the rhythms of jazz.

Jan. 27 Introduction to Writing Graphic Novels This introductory course is taught by Mark Burgh, Ph.D. There is no charge for the three-hour workshop and no previous experience is required. This class is intended for people ages 18 and up with a desire to write. Free. 2-5 p.m. Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-3945 fortsmithlibrary.org

Davis’ unique style is sometimes referred to as the pre-cursor to Pop art. This unique combo of Modernism and American imagery – full of excitement for the times in which he lived – continues to influence art being made today.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Wednesday-Friday and closed Tuesdays. Daily general admission is free. 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Ark. 479-418-5700 crystalbridges.org

Jan. 27 Hike to Sam’s Throne TrailBlazers Hiking Club will hike to Sam's Throne, one of the premier climbing spots in the Ozarks. The hike begins at Chicken Point, down and across the valley floor to Sam’s Throne, climb the crack to the top and enjoy the great views of the surrounding bluffs, valley and mountains. This is a moderate hike of about 4 miles. Take lunch and water. Meet at Cloverleaf Plaza parking lot in Van Buren to carpool/caravan. 8 a.m.

Ozark National Forest, Arkansas 123, near Mount Judea, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com

Jan. 27 2018 Burns Night Supper Fort Smith Firefighters Pipe and Drum Corps presents the 2018 Burns Night Supper. Live entertainment will be provided by Scotland Rising and the Fort Smith Firefighters Pipe and Drum Corps. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a meet-and-greet. The haggis will be piped in at 6:30 p.m. $25. 5:30-9 p.m. Bricktown Brewery, 318 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-434-2739

Salt Shaker, 1931 Oil on canvas 49 7/8 x 32 in. The Museum of Modern Art, New York; gift of Edith Gregor Halpert, 1954

Jan. 19 Peter Lippincott Pottery Workshop Arkansas Living Treasure Peter Lippincott will be conducting a pottery workshop focusing on making mugs and handles. Cost includes clay, glaze, firings, snacks and beverages. Space is limited, register early. $50.

1-5 p.m. Cre8ive Arts Network, Inc., 7408 Buckhorn Off Terry Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-357-9079 cre8beartsy.com

Jan. 20 Mountain Dulcimer Play easy songs for the first hour and build skills during the second hour. Free. Noon. Mountainburg Public Library, 1300 U.S. 71 North, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-1600

Jan. 21 TrailBlazers Hiking Club: Greg Smith River Trail TrailBlazers Hiking Club will walk the Greg Smith River Trail in Fort Smith starting at Fort Smith National Historic Site. Total distance will be about 3 miles rated easy. Meet in the parking lot by the park at 200 Garrison Avenue. 1 p.m. Greg Smith River Trail, 200 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-646-9562 thcfs.com 74 Entertainment Fort Smith December 2017 / January 2018

Jan. 21 3rd Sunday Art Show Every third Sunday afternoon, the gallery at Michael's Mansion is filled with original works from local artists.

Meet the artists, browse beautiful original artworks, and enjoy refreshments by Chef Mike. Free. 1-4 p.m.

Michael's Mansion, 2900 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-883-8336 michaelsmansion.biz

Jan. 25 SCHS 81st Birthday Party The Sebastian County Humane Society will serve cake, finger foods and adult beverages. The Mobile Adoption Van will showcase adoptable pets. $5 donation. 6-8 p.m. Glass Pavilion, 121 Riverfront Drive, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-4395 sebastiancountyhumanesociety.org

Jan. 25 Crafterwork: Burlap Valentine Door Hanger Create a burlap Valentine door hanger at this afterwork craft session. Supplies are provided, but space is limited. Ages 18 and up. Free. 5:30-7 p.m. Van Buren Public Library, 1409 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6045

Jan. 30-March 1 Conversational Spanish II The instructor is willing to customize the class according to the needs of the individual participants. For example, if the students need industrial vocabulary, the instructor will develop a curriculum to address those vocabulary needs. Tuesdays and Thursdays. $90. 67:50 p.m. Fort Smith Adult Education Center, 2606 Enid Place, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-785-1232 adulteducationfortsmith.com

Feb. 10 Pardi Gras The Fort Smith Museum of History Pardi Gras is the largest annual fundraiser for the museum and always a great party. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails and the music of Cutthroat Trout followed by dinner with cuisine by 21 West End, a live auction and dancing to the Rockets, a premier Arkansas band from Little Rock, voted as the Best Local Band by the Arkansas Times Readers' Poll Awards for 1997-2007 and again in 2009. Nine lead vocalists contribute to an extremely colorful music palette, ranging from Lady Gaga to Frank Sinatra, from Gloria Gaynor to Lynyrd Skynyrd, and from Elvis Presley to Maroon 5.

Cutthroat Trout performs classics, innovative arrangements of pop tunes and period originals. Daren Bobb will emcee. A live auction offers unique parties with new items added. Call for reservations. $125 per person; $1,000 tables for eight. 6-10 p.m. Shipley Baking Company, 52 South 7th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-7841 fortsmithmuseum.org Entertainment Fort Smith’s website, efortsmith.com will continue to carry new January events as they are contributed.The next print issue of the magazine will appear Feb. 1, 2018. Deadline for February issue events is Jan. 10.

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DINING GUIDE

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