Eye On Independence Dec 2014

Eye On Independence www.eyeonmag.com

All The King’s Men The Price of Character New Adventures for Old Kristi A Publication of Meadowland Media, Inc.

December 2014

Come and experience Batesville’s

White River Wonderland Enjoy a magical holiday in Batesville, AR! Be sure to visit Riverside Park on the beautiful White River and experience our Christmas Wonderland!

• Breathtaking Christmas Light Displays • Magical Synchronized Light and Music Shows • Carriage Rides

k ting Rin Ice Skaf Operation: Hours o Friday

Sunday 10:00 pm o t m 1:00 p y Saturda :00 pm m to 10 as Eve 10:00 a istm

on Chr Closed hristmas Day &C

Price varies based on length of ride.

• Ice Skating Rink*

$5.00 per skater, includes skates.** Discounts are available for schools, churches or other groups of 25 or more and can be scheduled by calling the City of Batesville at 870-698-2427.

Sponsored by

For more information, call the City of Batesville at 870-698-2427. *Smart Rink synthetic surface. **30 minute skating session. Skaters can bring their own skates.

  

In This Issue 6/ Editor’s Note Seasons of Hope

8/ The Myopic Life

New Adventures for Old Kristi

11/ Your Health

Always Be Aware

12/ Cover Story

8

18

11

21

12

24

14

37

All The King’s Men

14/ Feature

The Price of Character

18/ I Do

Campbell - Forsyth Wedding

20/ Smith’s Verdict ***1/2 Elf

21/ Notes from the Clearing Joy

22/ Tales Of a Transplanted Fashionista Garden Love (In November?)

24/ Things To Do 26/ Faces 32/ Batesville Area Arts Council 33/ Downtown Guide 36/ Experiencing God in the Everyday Good News, Great Joy

37/ The Mail Must Go Through Jesse Lee Hatfield

Cover Photography by Robert O. Seat Cover Design by Joseph Thomas

Meet Your Writers...

Footnote.

Chad Grigsby is a 32 year old native of Tennessee but now calls Arkansas home. He is the Pastor for Teaching & Shepherding at the Compass Church. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to Jessica and they have one son, Ezra.

Dr. Smith now sees patients in Newport and Batesville.

Same- and next-day appointments are often available. To schedule your appointment in Newport or Batesville, call 870-523-9100.

Leigh Keller is a high school guidance counselor and colorguard instructor at Batesville High School. She is the director of the BHS Glass Slipper Project. Leigh lives in Batesville with her son, Cole, and a pack of dogs.

Jason T. Smith, DPM Board-Certified Podiatrist

Alisa R. Lancaster is an advanced practice nurse for the U of A Medical Sciences North Central. She has been in healthcare since 1983, the last 18 years with the UAMS system. Alisa and husband, Scott, have four children, two grandchildren, and two spoiled puppies. Alisa’s mission is to improve the health and wellness of others through education and practice. She welcomes feedback or comments at AlisaAPRN@gmail.com or 870.698.1023

1117 McLain St. Suite 500 Newport 3443 Harrison St. Batesville

Kristi Price is on staff with Fellowship Bible Church of Batesville as Ministry Coordinator.

She enjoys conversations about community and connection, and she loves small town living.

Kristi is married and mother to three children.

Member of the Medical Staff at Harris Hospital

THIS PUBLICATION IS PRODUCED BY: Tanner Smith is a native of Manila, Arkansas. He has written movie reviews for the T Tauri Galaxy (www.ttauri.org/galaxy) for several years and is a five year veteran of the T Tauri Movie Camp.

He has made a number of films, ranging from horror to documentary, and has won awards in filmmaking and screenwriting.

MeadowLand Media, Inc. 75912_HARR_Smith_2_34x4_83c.indd 12:14 PM Eye On Independence is1 a publication of 3/19/14 MeadowLand Media, Incorporated. Editorial, advertising and general busiP. O. Box 196, ness information can be obtained by calling (870) 503-1150 Grubbs, AR 72431 or emailing Kimberlee Thomas at kthomas@eyeonmag.com.

870.503.1150 Mailing address: P. O. Box 196, Grubbs, AR 72431.

Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements, unless othkthomas@eyeonmag.com PUBLISHER: Kimberlee Thomas Associate EDITOR: Joseph Thomas MANAGING EDITOR: Joseph Thomas ADVERTISING: Kimberlee Thomas Creative Director : Joseph Thomas AD DESIGN Department: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas PROOFING Department: Joseph Thomas Kimberlee Thomas

Eagle Pest

Management, LLC 1775 Porter Street, Batesville

Staff PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas Robert O. Seat PRINTING COMPANY: Rockwell Publishing

erwise noted, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher or the staff. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information presented in this issue is accurate and neither MeadowLand Media or it any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Copyright Š 2010 MeadowLand Media, Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the Publisher.

All pictorial material reproduced in this book has been accepted on the condition that it is reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the photographer concerned. As such, MeadowLand Media, Incorporated, is not responsible for any infringement of copyright or otherwise arising out of publication thereof.

For advertising, distribution, or editorial contribution, contact Kimberlee Thomas, 870.503.1150, kthomas@eyeonmag.com.

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870-307-0582 Toll Free: 877-313-2453 Commercial and Residential Your Termite and Pest Control Services Specialist Serving North Central Arkansas Waymon Long President

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Eye On Independence received the 2012 Innovative Project award, which is presented to an agency or organization for outstanding, innovative, continuous or effective coverage of literacy issues, resulting in positive change or improvement.

Editor’s Note

Seasons of Hope Joseph Thomas

We hope this holiday season finds you feeling more than well with much fortune for you and your family and friends.

This December, I have the opportunity and Kimberlee and Joseph Thomas pleasure to bring you our dear friends Pioneer Head Coach Dave King and Defensive Coordinator Stuart Smith with an equally pleasing feature on local favorite Price Holmes. Kristi Price shares a new adventure, Leigh Keller talks about her love for gardening, even in November, and Kimberlee brings us the Campbell Forsyth wedding. Good news and great joy is what Chad Grigsby brings us, Alisa R. Lancaster talks about the preventiveness of always being aware and Tanner Smith reviews "Elf" for a fitting seasonal touch. Vuji and Nelson Barnett bring us some master gardening wisdom, we have Sulphur Rock news from Pam Baxter, faces, things to do and so much more.

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season, with the warmth of not only conventional heat, but of the friends and family that make you life better everyday. N

Creating Memories

(870)793-8287 / 2401 Har r ison Street Batesville, Ar k ansas w w w.jonathanssnejewelr y.net Like us on Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / and Twitter!

6

May the seasons find you blessed

Citizens Bank Launches Expansion Into Northwest Arkansas; Names Doug Lynch Market President Chuck Jones Citizens Bank recently announced the initial step of its expansion into Northwest Arkansas with the opening of a Loan Production Office in Fayetteville.

Doug Lynch, a veteran banker in Northwest Arkansas, will lead this effort as Citizens Bank’s Northwest Arkansas Market President. Lynch has served as Citizens Bank’s Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer since 2012.

“Our Board of Directors is committed to a strategic growth plan that is both exciting and challenging,” said Phil Baldwin, President and Chief Executive Officer, “and we believe Doug is the right person to lead us into this important region of our state. Doug is a 15-year veteran of the Northwest Arkansas market with a proven track record and many strong relationships and good friends in the Northwest Arkansas business community.”

“I am excited to have the opportunity to return to Northwest Arkansas and expand Citizens Bank’s rich heritage and tradition of serving the needs and dreams of Arkansans,” Lynch said. “Our commitment to serving customers and community will continue to be strongly

emphasized as we establish a presence in Fayetteville and beyond.”

Over his 27-year career in banking, Lynch has served in key leadership roles in numerous banks throughout Arkansas. He has displayed passion and commitment to giving back to the community by serving in leadership positions with numerous organizations such as United Way, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Rotary Club, American Heart Association and Independence County Family Violence Prevention.

Lynch was honored by being named by the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal as one of the publication’s “40 under 40.”

He and his wife, Becky, have three children: Andrew, a worship pastor and Director of Youth Ministries for New Heights Church in Fayetteville; and two daughters, Allison, who will be a sophomore at the U of A, and Emily, who will be a sophomore at Fayetteville High School.

Citizens Bank is a $530 million community bank founded by a group of local leaders in Batesville in 1953 to serve the working people and help the Doug Lynch community grow and develop.

N

Christmas Open House Giving you a helping hand Join Citizens Bank this Christmas season as we host the following Open Houses:

at Christmas time!

Main Bank & Mtn. View: Tues., Dec. 9, 2:30-4:30 pm Airport, St. Louis, Pleasant Plains & Eagle Mountain: Tues., Dec. 9, 2:00-4:00 pm Cave City: Thurs., Dec. 4, 2-4 pm

CHRISTM AS LOANS

Imboden: Fri., Dec. 19: 10 am-2 pm Refreshments will be served.

Be sure to stop and see Santa at the Main Bank!

December 2014 7

The Myopic Life

New Adventures for Old Kristi Kristi Price

I was in a wreck the last of October, a wreck requiring the tender loving care of Bishop’s Collision Service. I stood in their parking lot, watching a kind woman write a very, very long estimate that would probably never see the light of day. In my heart, I began to play a dirge for my mini van. But a part of me was a teensy, weensy bit excited at the prospect of finally driving something other than a matronly wagon.

Little did I know that I am too old for new cars.

The kind folks at Enterprise came and picked me up.

They let me shop the car lot and enthusiastically nodded when I picked a brand new Maxima. They drew up the papers, walked me through the rental process, practically held my hand to the car…and then they put me in it and walked away.

I had absolutely no idea how to start it.

I kept staring blindly at the “key” which was nothing more than a remote fob with buttons, none of which would start the car (but I did pop the trunk seven times). My hands roamed the steering wheel column for the ignition.

Nothing. I finally saw the button: “PUSH to start car.”

Trust me. I pushed it. Like a million times. With the clock ticking and a staff meeting back at work waiting on me, I finally sucked it up and did the embarrassing: I called the Enterprise front desk.

“I don’t know how to start this car,” I complained.

“Mrs. Price? Are you still in the parking lot? Just push the brake and the button!”

Oh. As if it were intuitive.

This ordeal came on the heels of the day I borrowed my mother’s brand new mini van. All was well until our first school drop-off. The kids and I eased up to the curb in front of Sulphur Rock Elementary. They grabbed their backpacks, and I jabbed the button to open the sliding door.

Nothing opened. Cars backed up; school staff watched us claw around like frantic animals. I kept pushing the key fob and every button in the car with a door picture on it.

Just as I was desperately considering how to push all three children through the window, I finally put the vehicle in park. And the door slid open.

This might be funny someday. Maybe I’ll laugh after I figure out how to put a CD in the radio. Or do they even make those anymore?

N

“And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!” - Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Carlee’s Hallmark 870-793-8086 682 Harrison Street - Batesville 8

May the seasons find you blessed

December 2014  9

5803 West Main Newport, AR 72112 • Michael Brand: 870.897.7790 • Joe DuPree: 870.512.8417 • Fax: 870.495.3094 • michael@brandcre1.com • joe@brandcre1.com

M

ichael Brand is the principal broker of Brand Commercial. A ten year veteran in the commercial sector of the industry, all brokers and associates in the Agency strive to provide a consultative and service-oriented experience. “My goals are simple, nothing satisfies me more than meeting or exceeding our customer’s needs. The Brand Commercial company name might be new to the market, but our people are not; we have over 50 years of experience in the commercial and agricultural real estate business,” Michael said.

A graduate of Newport High School and the University, Brand started his career with the top commercial firm in Northeast Arkansas before opening his own office closer to home.

The expertise of Joe DuPree was a natural fit Brand Commercial Real Estate. Joe spent more than three decades working on a large, diversified family farm in Northeast Arkansas. Joe specializes in farmland sales and any other real estate transactions. Joe has experienced tremendous results in his first year with the firm.

Joe was also instrumental in establishing a custom duck hunting business on the family farm. He has helped numerous landowners and farmers in the northeast Arkansas region to establish their own hunting operations.

Joe lives in Newport, Arkansas, where he is deeply committed to his community. He served on a number Brand Commercial is a multidimensional company of local boards and committees over the past two that specializes in meeting client’s investment needs decades. His extensive experience in agriculture and through acquisition of agricultural and commercial real estate makes Joe an invaluable resource to any property. “Our goal is to provide impeccable service and potential clients. an awesome experience,” Brand says enthusiastically.

“We believe in this community and its people. With a vast network of successful brokers around the country, our footprint is actually unlimited.”

“The commercial real estate market is one of the most under sold and misunderstood investment opportunities available today,” Brand explains. “The oldest and most successful insurance and investment funds back themselves with real estate. Why not follow their lead if you are looking to diversify a portfolio? The big boys have profited for generations and it can work for you. There are very unique opportunities waiting for you to convert cash and/or IRA retirement funds into real assets that have multiple ways to realize profits through income and appreciation. We have seen these opportunities succeed over and over with our clients and would appreciate the opportunity to consult with you concerning real estate asset investment.”

Page content paid Advertiorial

10

May the seasons find you blessed

Your Health

Always Be Aware Alisa R. Lancaster

My recent involvement in the promotion of selfdefense has made me think about personal safety as we prepare for the holidays. Though I do the majority of my Christmas shopping online (and that’s a subject of safety on its own), others enjoy the hustle and bustle of “hands on” shopping. Though these tips know no season, I will mention them now in an effort to ensure that this holiday season remains one of enjoyment for you, your family, and friends.

When parking, survey the other parked vehicles and refrain from parking beside any vehicle with loitering strangers or people sitting inside. Always choose a welllit, high-traffic area. Avoid parking near vans, trucks, dumpsters, or any other object that could obstruct visibility and provide a hiding place. Always remove valuables and lock up in your trunk. It’s preferable that purses be consolidated to one small carry bag. It is best to lock purchases in your trunk as soon as you return to your vehicle.

Do not leave visible mail inside your vehicle as this may reveal personal information that can be used to access your accounts. It may also provide information as to your home location. A suction cup mark on your windshield might alert a thief to a possible GPS or radar detector hidden under a seat. Replace knob type door locks with tapered

ones.

Pedestrians are easy targets in a parking lot and usually aren’t even aware of approaching danger. You need to stay alert and walk briskly, head up, shoulders back. Walk with others when possible and in a well-lit area. Avoid texting or talking on the phone while walking, including headphones.

Be aware of noise, movements, where you’re going, and who is around you. Know your surroundings and be on the lookout for odd or suspicious individuals or activity. Listen for any sounds of breaking glass or a vehicle without lights cruising slowly, aimlessly, or repetitively around the lot.

Do not ignore car alarms as it may have been activated by someone needing help.

You should always have your keys in your hand and ready to open your vehicle or push your panic button. As you approach your vehicle, look underneath and in the windows for any unwelcomed visitors. Remain in a well-lit, well-populated area if apprehensive about getting to your vehicle. Remember that security officers are on duty to assist you as needed, including walking you to your vehicle.

Once inside your vehicle, immediately lock your doors and start the engine. Do not open your door or roll down your window if someone approaches.

Report any suspicious person or activity to the security officers or local police immediately. Before purchasing your vehicle, check with law enforcement and insurance companies to see if your potential vehicle is on the top 10 theft list.

N

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December 2014 11

Eye On Cover Story All The King’s Men Joseph Thomas

The Pioneer High School Football Team having a winning season is not a new idea and there is plenty of praise to be heard around town about Head Coach Dave King’s program. Coach King passes the praise on very quickly to his staff: the winning Junior High Program of Coach Doug Walls, the players and their parents and grandparents, as well as the abundant community support. Kimberlee and I have gotten to know Coach King and Defensive Coordinator Stuart Smith from filming Pioneer Football for replay on SuddenLink Cable Channel 6 since 2007 and thought it was time to tell their story.

King says his father is still his hero and his mom is the best woman he’s ever known, “I was born to the two best people to walk the planet.”

Born in Fayetteville, Arkansas King attended school in Elkins and played football, basketball, baseball and ran track. He says, “I didn’t have much chance of being anything but an athlete because my dad was a Major League Baseball Player: Seven years for the Washington Senators (what is now the Texas Rangers), two years for the Giants, two years for the Cubs and one for the White Sox. He retired during a trade to the Cleveland Indians due to previous injuries.” King says his mom was a guard back in the three on three days of basketball, “I couldn’t beat her one on one until I was thirteen or so. I wish every child could have my childhood, because it was amazing. If you ever hear me complaining about my childhood, you’d better check my credentials,” says King. He would stay with his aunt during spring training, then his mom would fly home and they would both drive back for the season. He speaks of playing centerfield during batting practices and hanging out in the club house at home games.

King attended Bacone Junior College in Muskogee, Oklahoma and played baseball there for two years.

Then he attended the University of 12

May the seasons find you blessed

Arkansas and played part of a year before injuring his shoulder, just one of many injuries in his athletic career.

A coach at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Bill Almond, asked him into his program the following year and that is where King met now Pioneer Coach, Kevin Miller. They went to the National Association Intercollegiate Athletics World Series two years in a row and in 1981, King made College All American.

King says it was a combination of past injuries, love for sports and a lack of athletic skill that led him to pursue coaching. At that point, Kings former high school coach, Bill Alverez, who was then coaching in Garrison, Texas ask him to join his program in Texas.

Two weeks after his son Dusty was born, King drove his young family to Garrison to coach defensive ends and offensive wideouts. King talks of the talented young men playing on that team and going to the State Finals with a 14-1 record. “I just thought that was how a season was suppose to go, of course, it didn’t have much to do with me at all,” says king humbly, “Coaches Bill Alverez and Bill Almond were outstanding coaches and I was just the dumb kid there along for the ride, but it was a great indoctrination into to Texas football.” King stayed through two years of leadership under another head coach and then was asked to take the head coach position.

He led the Texas team through another four years of winning seasons before becoming Madisonville’s Head Coach for the next eight years. King says his brief tenure at Madisonville, Texas started out poorly with a losing season, which did improve very quickly, but like King says, “There is as much if not more to learn from losing than there is from winning.”

In 1996, King brought his family, including daughter Ashley this time, back to Arkansas and found his home with the Batesville Pioneers. King is now married to Debbie Huff-King, a teacher at Batesville High School.

King’s son, James Dusty King, lives in Fort Myers, Florida driving a

truck for Fed Ex and is married to Amanda, a physicians assistant.

His daughter Ashley is a dentist in Louisville, Kentucky, married to Tosh Tinsley, also a dentist and they have a son, Emery. King’s step-son Rusty Elumbaugh resides in Batesville with his wife, C. J. Elumbaugh and their two sons, Ryder and Rixon. “My son, Dusty, runs a route on Sanibel Island and is never a stones throw away from the beach. He likes to antagonize me with pictures of the beach with his feet up. I‘m trying to coax him and Amanda into having us a grand-baby,” says King smiling.

King says in his career, the biggest change has been the spread of the field when it comes to running the football. He says it used to be a more straightforward run at one another.

Off the field, King says the biggest change, probably due to the relaxed atmosphere in which they are raised and the technology today’s kids are surrounded with, is the “me” mentality that has to be reshaped to a “team” focus. “One of the biggest assets to our program is Coach Doug Walls and his entire Junior High School Football staff, they have the kids ready and focused by the time they get to High School. My favorite comment is that we have a great program and Doug Walls is a huge part of that, as well as our parents, businesses, doctors, teachers and entire coaching staff.

Our whole community is the reason these kids have so much character and make such great Pioneers. I enjoy watching our students improve as each season progresses, and I very much enjoy Friday nights. My favorite part of each season is watching the seniors become leaders who will pass on what they have learned to those younger players.” King enjoys working with the kids, but he says their are many great stories the coaches share as many of them are former pioneer players. His goal is to help shape all of their upcoming teams into ones the whole community can be proud of and to have fun doing it.

King says he has mellowed

through the years and the physicality of his practices are less vigorous than they used to be, “I have learned the biggest single factor in a successful team is morale. As important as physical fitness and training are, morale can make or break a team in any part of life.” He believes that coaches and teachers should treat students like they would treat their own children, he says he is quick to give a well deserved pat on the back, but can also hand out a kick in the pants when necessary. “All of our coaches are great coaches, but they are even better people,” says King.

“It is far easier and more fun to work with great people. Stu and I hit it off immediately, now we are like an old married couple.” King is speaking of Defensive Coordinator Stuart Smith, who is also the local sports historian among so many other things. “I trust Coach Smith so completely, it is nice to know that someone so knowledgeable is as concerned as I am about this team. I love him like a brother.”

Smith’s grandfather opened International Shoe Factory in Batesville in 1946, one of the first industries in this area, if not the first.

Smith’s father and mother met in Arkansas College, his father being the first Southside High School student to get an athletic scholarship. Smith’s parents worked at the International Shoe Factory, until his father got a job with United Shoe Machinery in St. Louis, Missouri and later transferred

Photo taken by Diane Smith

to Jonesboro, Arkansas. After graduating high school in St. Louis County, Smith attended Arkansas College (which is now Lyon), and worked at the Coca-Cola Plant. After graduation, he did his practice teaching at Batesville High School, and was lucky enough to be hired in the Spring of 1982 as Assistant Football Coach and Assistant Track Coach, teaching Social Studies his first year. Smith married Carol Miller of Batesville, they will celebrate thirty-six years of marriage in March of 2015. Carol works at Merchants and Planters Bank and is currently working part-time at Stage and keeps the books at the Lyon College Basketball games for the program. They have three sons: Jeff, who is a coach at Rogers and has two sons, Braxton (7) and Wyatt (3), their son Kevin, who is an Occupational Therapist in Little Rock and married to Emily who is an Optometrist, and the Smith’s youngest son Quinton, who is attending the University of Arkansas.

Smith coaches with an attitude of excellence, which is judging yourself against your previous work and not others, “We motivate from the bottom up. If you can keep the players who aren’t getting to start motivated, then the rest of the team will be motivated.

Everyone is an important part of the team, regardless of their position,” says Smith. Smith has coached at Batesville High School since 1982, excluding a three year span

(1999-2002), when he was coaching in Van Buren, Arkansas and in that time he has seen mostly a change in the kids. The kids are more relaxed and the coaches all seem to work with the players in a more relaxed atmosphere, with an open door .

Out of the thirty-three years that Smith has coached, thirty-two of those he has been as a Defensive Coordinator and his favorite part of every football season is practice, “I love working with the kids at practice and putting in a game plan. The Friday night games are won in practice. Whether the week of practice was a good one or not determines the outcome of that Friday night’s game.” Smith has coached baseball and won four State Championships and was State Runner-up one year. He coached Girls Track with six State Championship wins with three runner-ups and one State Championship win in football.

“I’ve been very fortunate to work with some fun and talented students. I’ve enjoyed the camaraderie with this fine group of coaches and had fun and success doing it.” Smith says Coach King is a great head coach and is the most dedicated individual that he has ever known. “I really believe that is a major key to our success,” adds Smith.

“On Friday night, it doesn’t matter if we are playing the Green Bay Packers, he expects us to win and has the kids believing they will, bottom line.”

Smith says he has too many favorite memories to mention. Getting to coach two of his sons in baseball and football, getting to see kids come back after graduation, and former players having kids of their own become Pioneers and getting to coach them.

“We tell the kids all the time, we love to see them turn into doctors and lawyers and great husbands and fathers, but more importantly we like to see them turn back into this driveway to come see us. The most gratifying part is the possibility that we have improved the character and outcome of the lives of these kids even in the smallest way.” He also admits that when a student doesn’t succeed at any of these hopes, that he feels as if he let them down in some way. He also Kings men continued on page 39 December 2014 13

Eye On Feature The Price of Character Joseph Thomas

Price Holmes, the son of Price and LeAnn Evans Holmes, is a well known face in Jackson and Independence County. He grew up in Newport and played football as a Greyhound. He says it is a great circumstance when your home town is your grandparents home town, “I could stay with my Meemee in Diaz for the summer when I wasn’t playing baseball, or fish with my grand-dad and stay with him for a few days. I know I took it all for granted when I was younger, but I have family members that live out of state that only get to visit on holidays and I know how special it was for me to be able to live here and do some of the things with my grandparents that they did when they were young.” The last couple of years of Holmes’ high school career, his family relocated to Batesville for his dad’s job, where he became a Pioneer Football player. He says that the community of Newport was always amazing to him and his family, and that Batesville welcomed them with open arms and became just as important to his journey beyond high school, “I have played with guys from Florida, Dallas and all over and I felt like I had more support from both of my home towns; I feel doubly blessed. It has been so nice to hear from those who stop my mom and dad in both communities and ask about me or my sister.”

Within two weeks of graduating from Batesville High School, Holmes enrolled for summer classes at the University of Arkansas (U of A), and walked on as a Razorback. “I was a preferred walk on, but walking on is walking on. You have to earn a spot on the team and pay for school. It is a tough place until you earn your way on the team,” admits Holmes. He says it was tough the first year anyway, getting acclimated to his college courses, red shirting (which means he practiced every day with the rest of the team, but during game day only got to watch), and fighting to earn that spot he wanted so badly. The second year made it all worth it, he says, “I remember running through the ‘A’ for the first time.

I will never forget how gratifying that was. That is probably my favorite memory from college. I’ve watched the Razorbacks play my whole life and could name each player as they ran out from the ‘A’ and tell you where they were from. It was amazing to be one of them.” He says he was relieved, excited, motivated and amazed all at once. Holmes earned a scholarship from his work on 14

May the seasons find you blessed

the team and started the last two games of his senior year against Mississippi State and LSU. Holmes graduated in December of 2013 and had been leaning towards a career in the medical field, after his father, “I realized how much time I had invested in sports and football and didn’t want it to end. When Coach Bret Bielema and his staff came in with this family oriented program, it made me want to join them. I called around to all the coaches I’d ever played for and was looking for a spot when Head Coach Bielema and Ben Herbert, the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, called me in and offered me a position on the Strength and Conditioning staff. I couldn’t have been happier. They’ve really helped me transition into the position. It is a very positive atmosphere under Coach Bielema’s reign.” He says it came out of the blue and luckily he gets to work with the new players so he doesn’t get put in a position to ever have to reprimand any of his peer players. Holmes says there were three staff changes during his enrollment at U of A and it was hard to start all over with each change of faces, but now that he is coaching, he sees it as an asset and good lesson of what works and what doesn’t. “I remember after I began playing with the Razorbacks, coming home and kids asking for my autograph and I gladly gave it, but I was thinking, ‘man this isn’t worth the paper its printed on.’” He says, “It is amazing to be on that side of it and see kids, like I was, look up to me. It’s kinda crazy.”

Holmes called Coach Smith in 2013 during filming for the Pioneer Football cable program and we actually used the audio of that call on the broadcast. Everyone in the room knew him, but to hear Holmes’ genuine gratitude and heartfelt thanks to both Coach Smith and Coach King was a touching moment for us all. He wears the kind of character that gives me tremendous hope for his generation and the benefits our world will garner from them. Holmes says he can’t take the credit for his good fortune. He blames his parents, grand-parents and both of his home communities for getting him where he is; I told him he was at least half to blame and he said he could accept that. Kimberlee and I want to extend our well wishes and best of luck in all that awaits this fine young man in his bright, bright future and thank him for his time in this interview. He was home for a weekend and I’m sure had much better things to be doing. N Photo of game action submitted by Price Holmes

793-3303 755 St. Louis Street Batesville

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”

- Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Harris December 2 December 3 December 9 December 10 December 11 December 15 December 15 December 18 December 19 December 25 December 30

Hospital

Auxiliary Fundraiser Jewelry Is Fun Bingo/Soup/Sandwich potluck Christmas Potluck Auxiliary Fundraiser – Betty Bonds Christmas Parade Auxiliary Fundraiser –Uniforms 2 U 2 Bingo Movie Day Bingo MERRY CHRISTMAS New Year’s Eve Potluck

7:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

5:00 p.m 8:00 am 6:00 p.m.

7:00 a.m.

Noon 2:30 pm Noon

HH Community Room HH Community Room HH Community Room HH Community Room Downtown Newport HH Community Room Tuckerman Senior Center HH Community Room Bald Knob Senior Center

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December 2014 15

Curry Tree (Murraya Koenigii)

Ananlhia Vijaya Ljopal Desikan (Vuji) The curry tree is a tropical to sub-tropical plant, of the family Rutaceae that is native to India and Sri Lanka. The leaves of the curry tree are used to flavor many dishes in Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine and as an Ayurvedic herb. In the tropics, trees grow 13-20 feet tall with pinnate leaves and white flowers. These flowers self-pollinate to produce small, shiny black colored berries that contain a single seed.

Neither the pulp nor the seed is used for culinary purposes.

In the United States, the curry leaf is a wonderful indoor potted plant to add to your herb garden. It has an upright, open growth with aromatic leaves. It has flowers and vibrant green leaves throughout the spring, summer, and fall. The leaves fall during its’ resting period in the winter months and return in the spring.

To Grow: The curry plant needs full sun, well-drained and slightly acidic soil and temperatures over 40 degrees Fahrenheit. As an indoor potted plant, it is important to increase the size of the container over the years as the plant grows. If it is container-grown and you are planning on putting it outdoors in the warm months, be sure to acclimate it to full-sun exposure gradually and to also watch the plant carefully for sunburning issues if your weather goes over 100 degrees F. It is also important to prune the plant while young, so you can have a branched plant with many leaves. After a few years, prune your plant once a year during spring to keep it healthy and producing a large number of leaves. During the winter season, the

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May the seasons find you blessed

plant’s leaves may turn yellow or fall. Reduce watering to prevent root rot at this time. If you see berries, pluck them to encourage more leaf growth. To use in cooking, simply pluck off leaves. Leaves have the best flavor when they are used fresh. Harvest leaves often to encourage a bushier growth.

For more information on growing and using curry leaves, please visit: www.thehomesteadgarden.com/ howtogrowcurryleaf/ For further information on its culinary uses, please visit: www.thehomesteadgarden.com/ the-spice-series-curry-leaf-culinary-uses/ Potato fry with Curry leaves (submitted by Maya Maya) Curry leaves are often available fresh at Indian markets. It is better to use them fresh or one can also freeze them. Curry leaves are used to season food on a daily basis in Southern India. It adds flavor and helps in digestion and more recently has been reported to have an adjuvant action on non-insulin dependent diabetics.

Chewing few fresh curry leaves on an empty stomach is suggested as a herbal remedy for lowering blood sugar.

Boil and slice 4 medium potatoes (replace with a vegetable of your choice like Chopped green beans) 1 cup of Spinach 4 sprigs of curry leaves (only leaves) Chop or grind to coarse powder ½ tsp ground cumin 1/2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil 1/4 tsp red chili powder 1/2 tsp mustard seeds Add 1/4 tbsp oil, chili powder, ground cumin to the cubed boiled potatoes and set aside.

In a pan add the rest of the oil. Add Mustard seeds to hot oil and let it fry. Add the curry leaves, and then add the spinach. (Do not overcook the spinach). Add Potatoes and roast. Add salt to taste.

This recipe can be tried with other vegetables as well as Italian or Mexican spices.

Curry leaves can also be used as seasoning for soups, rice dishes, cocktails ( curry leaf Mojito) bread, shrimp and chicken.

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Transplanting Shrubs and Trees Nelson Barnett

We’ve lived in our house over fifty years, and soon after we laid a brick sidewalk from the street in front of the house to the front steps. By ‘we’ I mean Sandy and I did it ourselves!

It was a hard job then, at 45 or so years younger, but the walk has held up well and still looks good. At the end of the walk closest to the street, I planted a holly bush on either side, over Sandy’s protests. She is often right when she advises about gardening decisions, even though I have never been successful in getting her actually out in the yard digging in the dirt. She suggests, I dig. At any rate her main point with the holly tree issue was that the sharp leaves would prick guests as they approached the house, and also important, tear hosiery. I was thinking about the berries. As the shrubs grew larger, her forecast came true. Even though I have tried to keep the bushes trimmed, they do have sharp stickers and don’t give a

very hospitable greeting as folks come up the front walk. So, they need transplanting, and have for a long time. This year I plan to start the process!

As I researched the best methods for transplanting mature shrubs, I found I knew some about the procedure, but not all. I have had moderate success in the past with transplanting, and I hope the additional knowledge will guarantee success.

First of all decide where you want the transplant to be.

This is important to insure you won’t waste shrub survival time trying to decide on the new location. It is never wise to leave a shrub or any plant out of the ground for long. Also, when you have decided on the location, go ahead and dig a hole unless the location is where someone might stumble into the hole and fall. You may want to adjust the size of the hole when you actually move the shrub, but at least you will be started.

The best time to transplant shrubs is in late winter or early spring. However, preparation should be made in the fall.

If you have shrubs to transplant, now is the time to get the shrub ready for the move.

In the fall, trim the branches of the shrub to be transplanted back by one-third to make it easier to manage.

Tie the remainder of the shrub with twine to make it in a tighter ball and thus easier to work with. Use a square shovel and push straight down into the ground in a circle equal to the spread of the branches after the trimming. This will cut off the longest roots and allow for the shrub to begin re-growing smaller roots to compensate. Remove the twine, water well, and leave over the winter.

Monitor moisture during the winter, then a couple of days before the actual move in the late winter or early spring, water the shrub thoroughly. Use the same procedure with the square nosed shovel to re-loosen. Next, gently dig under the shrub to loosen the bottom from the dirt. Lift carefully until it comes free. You may then lift it and place burlap under the root ball,

or lift it out onto a tarpaulin. Drag or wheelbarrow the shrub on the tarp to the new location where you have adjusted the hole to about the size needed for the new resident. Don’t be tempted to loosen the dirt at the bottom of the hole. You want soil the roots can grab hold of. Place it in the ground, and begin to backfill, watering as you work to fill in any air pockets. Tamp the dirt around the trunk, and build a berm of soil to direct future moisture to the roots. As Doug Brodie at Earth Station says, ‘most transplants die from LOW – Lack of Water!’ So following his good advice water regularly and thoroughly to get the transplant through the later spring and summer heat. Watch it the next fall and continue watering if needed. Your transplant should be successful.

The information for this article was greatly enhanced by reading two articles found online. First, the site www. hometime.com and second, the site www.landscaping.about. com. Both gave good information, and when added to my scanty knowledge gave a pretty clear picture of the correct and most successful transplanting procedures, both for trees and for shrubs.

While I’m talking about transplanting, I’ll mention the success I’ve had with one of the rose cuttings that Adele Grilli brought to our meeting when she did the program on roses.

She brought a number of cuttings. I took a pretty coral and a nice deep pink. After enjoying them in the house for a few days, I cut them back as Adele recommended, used a rooting hormone on the cut end, and placed them in potting soil in separate pots covered with plastic bags in a shady part of the garden. I want to report success with one of them. It is now about 6-8” tall, and ready to be put in a pot to mature a bit more in a shady spot. I am very pleased with the success of this because I have not had success before. Janet Carson said, I think, just to stick them in a pot under plastic. I think the rooting medium helped. Unfortunately, I don’t know if the survivor is coral or pink. It will be a happy surprise when the first bud appears in the spring!

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December 2014 17

I Do

Campbell - Forsyth Wedding Kimberlee Thomas

Bethany Grace Campbell and Robert “Bobby” Dylan Forsyth both attended Batesville Junior High, but they did not spend any time outside of school together. It wasn’t until years later when a mutual college friend re-introduced them that Bethany discovered she had apparently stood Bobby up in 2007. “For six years he was pretty sure I was not a very nice person. When we reconnected I knew he was special. It wasn’t long before I was in love,” shared Bethany.

The couple had talked about marriage and spending the rest of their lives together but Bobby’s proposal caught Bethany by surprise.

She recalled, “We were all dressed up to go out for dinner when he decided to stop at Three Rivers Park. Dusk is my favorite time of day and the weather was perfect for a pre-dinner stroll.” As the couple walked along Bobby began to tell Bethany how much he loved her and began quoting scripture from the Bible concerning marriage.

Matthew 19:5-6 states, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate,’ (NKJV). “Bobby pulled the ring from his pocket, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.” The moment was a blur and full of emotion for both of them. This was the very park where they had both told each other they loved one another for the first time. Bethany shares, “I was shaking from excitement. I loved that it was such a quite intimate moment between the two of us.” Once they caught their breath, the couple headed to Copeland’s restaurant where their extended families were waiting to celebrate with them. “It was the best of both worlds.

An intimate proposal followed by celebrating with so many people that we love,” shared Bethany.

The couple was wed on May 31, 2014 at the bride’s parent’s home in Batesville. “My parents live in a Victorian style home built in the 1800s. The house has a twin or mirror image of itself directly across the street. They were originally built by brothers.” Brent Swanson, Minister at Fellowship Bible Church presided over the double ring ceremony. The couple wrote their own vows which they did not share with one another until the wedding. “It was all I could do to keep from crying when Bobby began to recite his vows to me.” Bethany’s sister, Kambri Davidson, served as her matron of honor. Caroline Walton, Kelsey Hopkins, Ali Roush, and Hannah Baker stood as brides maids.

Bobby’s brother, Kyle Forsyth, held the honorable position of best man. Kashelle Gourley, Josh Raney, Andy Johnson, and Troy Warden stood as groomsmen.

A reception was held at the Fellowship Bible Church on Main Street immediately following the ceremony. “We had a wonderful time dancing and celebrating with family and friends all night long,� recalls Bethany.

The couple opted for a belated honeymoon and will be ringing in the New Year in the Bahamas.

Bethany holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She is a Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Specialist at Pathology Partners Toxicology Lab. Bobby holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. He is the Assistant Superintendent at the Bear Den golf course at Chenal Country Club. The couple currently resides in the North Little Rock area. N

Robert O. Seat Photography

Smith’s Verdict ***1/2

Elf

Reviewed by Tanner Smith Movies with fish-out-of-water stories—sometimes they work, depending on the execution, central characters, and settings. Sometimes they don’t work.

“Elf”—which features an elf who visits New York City at Christmastime—does work. It has a lovable main character, a pleasant setup, and a sense of holiday cheer.

The main reason “Elf” works so much is because of Will Ferrell’s performance as the lead character—a human named Buddy who thinks he’s an elf. Well actually, that’s the first ten minutes. For the entire movie, he realizes for the first time that he’s a human and sets out to find his real father. You see, Buddy was an orphan baby who crawled into Santa Claus’ bag and was accidentally brought back to the North Pole. There, he was adopted by Papa Elf and raised to live with the elves. This makes him several feet taller than the others, it’s difficult for him to create toys with the other elves, and he has to sleep in three small beds put together. He’s about 30 years old before he finds out that he’s indeed a human, not an elf. So he decides to go to New York City to find his birth father.

It turns out his birth father is an uptight publisher named Walter Hobbs who works in the Empire State Building, neglects his wife and pre-teen son, and is basically a Scrooge. He’s not thrilled about this strange man in an elf costume that seems to stalk him. But when Buddy mentions his college girlfriend (Buddy’s birth mother), Buddy is able to convince his father to let him live in his family’s apartment. He gets on Walter’s wife Emily’s good side, as well as the son named Michael who becomes Buddy’s best friend.

He also tours around the city to discover everything new to him and pays many visits to a department store, where he is able to spot out a fake Santa Claus in one of the funniest scenes in the movie. Also at the store is a beautiful worker named Jovie who eventually develops a

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May the seasons find you blessed

relationship with Buddy.

A lot happens in “Elf,” which is just flat-out funny and very charming. And a lot rides on the performance of Will Ferrell as Buddy. Will Ferrell is absolutely amazing— he’s very likable, delightfully annoying, and so full of good cheer. This is not the Will Ferrell people were used to seeing on SNL. He’s also a great physical comedian in which he tries to blend in (or, forgive the pun, fit in) at Santa’s workshop, tries to figure out a mall escalator, or even wearing that ridiculous elf costume! He has a great personality that makes it impossible to dislike his character.

And then there’s the delightful (and much unexpected) supporting cast. We have James Caan as the Scrooge of a father, Mary Steenburgen as the sweet Emily (I really love how she gets used to the fact that Walter had a child out of wedlock and that the child is a full-grown man who thinks he’s an elf—and also, the way it seems strangely credible), and Zooey Deschanel as Jovie, the beautiful, fun love interest. Oh yeah, and Papa Elf is played by Bob Newhart, who narrates the story in deadpan delight— he’s wonderful here. We also get a nice cameo from Peter Dinklage as a business dwarf who doesn’t like being called “elf” (there’s also a nice cameo from “A Christmas Story” star Peter Billingsley as the head elf Ming Ming). What a cast there is!

If that’s not enough, the movie is well-made and fantastically-written. It was directed by actor Jon Favreau and written by David Berenbaum. We get walk-ons by the characters from the cheesy animated Christmas TV specials (including that snowman that still slides instead of walks and talks like a bluesman). And there are so many gags in which Buddy is in the city for the first time and checks out everything that it’s hard to stop laughing or even smiling. The whole movie is like that—laughs and smiles. The movie is full of in-jokes, surprises, and satire.

Half of it is for kids and the other half is for parents. This is a great family entertainment.

If there is a problem with “Elf,” it’s that the ending

feels somewhat rushed. It’s not the ending I would’ve gone with if I was in charge of production…then again, if I was in charge, I’m not sure I would make “Elf” as pleasant as it is by Jon Favreau and acted with a lovable, highlycharismatic persona by Will Ferrell.

NOTE: I have a confession to make—I was almost about to rate this movie three stars. But while I was writing this review, I quickly changed it to threeand-a-half stars. That’s how charming the movie was for me. N

only ere’s

one

Chalk Paint Th

- but it offers -

endless possibilities

Notes from the Clearing

Joy

Joseph Thomas I lie down, just after midnight, having tucked all of our grown babies in for the night and double check the doors and windows to ensure safety from the darkness outside. Now that they all have their own lives, it is such a gift to have them all here again, the laughter is plentiful, the tears are just behind the trimmer of my mouth, but they are tears of joy. I fight to keep them hidden because I was raised to do so, but why shouldn’t my babies know how very much it means to me to just exist within their presence, their voices all colliding in the air around me, holding me together like the perfect woven sweater. That is my wish for Christmas, every Christmas for ever more until this present made of time winds down for the last time and opens like a jack-in-the-box to thrust me into the vapored mist that hides the journey onward. N

“From Our Family to Yours Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”

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December 2014 21

Tales Of a Transplanted Fashionista

Garden Love (In November?)

Leigh Keller

Somehow when I am canning vegetables that I grew in our garden, I feel like I am channeling my beautiful mother, amazing aunts and beautiful grandmother.

I love knowing that canning is a craft perfected by my grandmother and practiced by almost all of my aunts.

I often say that I would not have made it a day living as a pioneer woman, because let’s face it, I am pretty particular about my coffee creamer, and I like my fur faux, not straight off of some animal I just hunted for my dinner. But growing and keeping our vegetables has become one of my favorite hobbies since I entered into mommy life.

I have written before about my deep love of the Farmer’s Market in Batesville, and really, any Farmer’s Market anywhere. So, I gave Cole his own money to spend, and he bought the saddest looking tomato plants I have ever seen in my entire life. I am convinced he bought them because the man selling them looked like Thor (boy mom problems, everything is about a superhero). Needless to say, I did not have a lot of faith in the future of those tomatoes. But we watered them and loved on them every single day.

Since our summer/fall (winter?) lasted until early November this year, so did most of my vegetables

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May the seasons find you blessed

growing in my little garden (my pallet garden that everyone said “you will never grow anything in that”, but I digress). All summer long, my loyal assistant gardener, Cole, watered, weeded and loved on all of our plants right beside me. So I like to think that he feels just as invested as me in the final products of our summer of work. Our little garden ended up producing enough cucumbers and jalapenos for ten pints of spicy pickles, enough jalapenos for several dinners of a variety of stuffed peppers, ample ripe tomatoes for tomato sauce, salads, omelets and salsa, and finally, in the end, enough gorgeous green tomatoes (that I saved from this bizarre November arctic blast) for eight pints of pickled green tomatoes. Everyone on our Christmas list is getting something from our garden (just a warning to Cole’s beloved teachers, Ms. Molly and Ms. Tara, we hope you love tomatoes like we do) because our vegetables have so much of us invested in them.

Gardening is such a labor of love, and a metaphor for life (or life as a high school counselor, anyway). You can purchase the most beautiful plants, water them, feed them, weed them and dote on them, and they do not produce any vegetables in the end. But our sad little tomato plants, the plants that Cole selected merely because the man selling them did look an awful lot like Thor, created the most beautiful, tasty tomatoes I have ever eaten. The moral of our gardening love story is, don’t judge a garden by its ugly pallet beginnings, and always purchase your tomato plants from anyone resembling a superhero.

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Independence County Recycle Center

We Recycle:

Plastic Bottles Steel Cans Aluminum Cans Cardboard Newspaper Glass Magazines

870 793 8892 110 Environmental Drive Batesville, AR Call to receive your FREE RECYCLING BIN today!

December 2014  23

Things To Do All Over Independence

United Way Angel Tree Program Tour of Trees Local businesses and organizations will enter their Christmas tree - large or small - traditional or nontraditional - in the “Tour of Trees” and community members will vote by monetary donation for their favorite tree. Entry fee for trees is $20. Votes can be cast with any monetary amount. As votes are cast, community members may enter their name for a Christmas surprise. December 1 - 12 from noon to 3 p.m. Contact Deanna Green at 870793-5991 or email unitedwayindcty@gmail.com.

Ice Skating Anyone?

The city of Batesville, with the assistance of a sponsorship from First Community Bank, has announced a new addition to Riverside Park’s White River Wonderland.

Visitors will have access to a synthetic ice-skating rink, located in the Riverside Park amphitheater, from Dec. 1 to Jan. 4.

A nominal maintenance fee of $5 per skater will be charged for a 30-minute session. Skates are included in the price, but visitors are welcome to bring their own ice skates. Discounts are available for schools, churches and other groups of 25 or more. Group accommodation can be scheduled by calling the city of Batesville at (870) 698-2427.

The rink’s hours of operation are 1 until 10 p.m.

Sunday to Friday and 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday.

It will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Children under 18 should be accompanied by an adult.

Batesville Christmas Parade Join the festivities and watch for Santa Monday, December 1 beginning at 7 p.m.

Caring Hands Hospice Memorial Service The Caring Hands Hospice Memorial Service celebrates the lives of those who were cared for by hospice and all loved ones from our area who have died in the past year.

Keepsake ornaments can be purchased for $10 at the ceremony or in advance at Caring Hands Hospice, located at 2000 Harrison St. in Batesville. All Proceeds will be used to provide services and items to patients with no payer source. This ceremony will be held in the White River Medical center Conference Room C on Thursday, December 4 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Kid’s Gingerbread House Workshop Enjoy the holidays with your child by creating a gingerbread house out of graham crackers, icing and various candies. Parents are welcome to create with their child or drop them off for this hour long workshop.

Students 4 and younger must be accompanied by a 24

May the seasons find you blessed

parent. Sign your child up for one of four sessions: 9 to 10 a.m. / 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. / noon to 1 p.m. / 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The cost is $5 per student in the Batesville Area Arts Council on Main on Saturday, December 6. Contact Paige Dirkson at 870-793-3380 for more information.

Ladies’ Craft Night Enjoy a relaxing evening with friends at this Ladies’ Craft Night! Participants will be creating a homemade candle (perfect for that last minute Christmas gift!), and some handmade holiday gift tags for all of those presents that you have yet to wrap! The cost is $30 per person at the BAAC on main December 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. Contact Paige Dirkson at 870-793-3380 for more information.

Monthly Fish Fry and Chicken Dinner The Hutchinson Mountain Community Center at 3370 Camp Tahkodah Road will be hosting their monthly Fish Fry and Chicken Dinner on Friday, December 5 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Cost for adults and children 12 and up is only $10.00. Children 11 and under eat FREE. Buffet, drink, and dessert are included. Take-out is available $10.00 for adult and $5.00 for children. For more information you may call 870-251-3458. The center is also available for rental by contacting Lea Barber at 870-612-4718.

Student Recital Monday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bevens Music Room in Brown Chapel.

Concert: Lyon Band Tuesday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Brown Chapel.

Basketball Doubleheader and Toy Toss Night Thursday, December 4, (women at 5:30 p.m.) (Men at 7:30 p.m.) in the Becknell Gym. Bring a stuffed toy and “Let the Fur Fly” when the men’s team scores its first basket. The toys will be donated to needy children in the region.

Christmas Choral Concert: The Lyon College Concert Chorale Friday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Brown Chapel.

They will perform Handel’s Messiah. Audience participation is welcomed. Dr. Michael Oriatti directs.

Festival of Lessons and Carols Sunday, December 7 at 4 p.m., Christian Science Society building. The Lyon Flute Choir, directed by Laura Stinson, presents Christmas music interspersed with traditional scripture readings. Dr. Russel Stinson plays the church’s renowned Flentrop pipe organ.

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December 2014  25

Faces Absolute Care Management's home office is in Jonesboro and their first branch is now open in Batesville. Here are photos of their ribbon cutting submitted by the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Photo by Stacy Pretty

American Home Patient celebrated the opening of their new location at 1009 Chaney Drive. Thank you to everyone who attended!

Above, Zombie Bankers participated in the Relay for Life Bowling benefit for the American Cancer Society. Left and below are Halloween Costume Contest participants at Citizens Bank.

Angela Wilcoxon - Maleficent Citizens Bank Halloween Costume Contest Individual winner was Marcia Roberts who dressed up as the vintage doll from the recent horror movie, “Annabelle.�

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May the seasons find you blessed

Account Services - Cellar Dwellers

Seen above are members of the WRMC Cancer Care Center and Batesville Oncology at the Annual Pink Bake Sale for Ribbons of Hope.

In October, WRHS Employees raised more than $4,500 for the Ribbons of Hope fund through the bake sale, T-shirt sales, fun photo booth and annual yard sale. Ribbons of Hope is a fund to assist patients receiving cancer treatment at WRMC Cancer Care Center and Batesville Oncology. To learn more about Ribbons of Hope or to help, call 870-262-1750.

Experience Batesville’s White River Wonderland Luanne Gregory

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Batesville invite you to experience a magical Christmas on the White River!

If you haven’t already made Batesville a holiday destination, we hope you will this year! Once you experience the magical ambiance of this community during the holiday season, you will definitely want to make it a Christmas tradition.

The City of Batesville, with the assistance of a sponsorship from First Community Bank, has announced a new addition to Riverside Park’s White River Wonderland. Visitors will have access to a synthetic ice skating rink, located in the Riverside Park amphitheater, from Dec. 1 to Jan. 4.

“We are excited to enhance the already spectacular White River Wonderland,” said Mayor Rick Elumbaugh. “People come from across the region and neighboring states to visit our spectacular light show and to ride carriages through Riverside Park. Johnathan Abbott, the mastermind behind the project, has managed to create a breathtaking light display on the banks of the White River, which has quickly become a holiday must-see.

The entire community has embraced the effort, and many local businesses have offered financial support for the project. First Community Bank has generously offered to sponsor the ice skating rink, allowing us to offer yet another dimension for

visitors and hometown residents alike.”

“Working together on community projects is at the heart of what we do,” said Dale Cole, chairman and chief executive officer of First Community Bank. “Our hope is to give the community something to enjoy but to also promote tourism and draw visitors to the area. The addition of an ice skating rink is a great way to complement what has already been done in creating the community’s White River Wonderland project. The Parks and Recreation Department has been very gracious to coordinate the skating rink project, they hope to have it ready on Dec. 1 when the lighting ceremony takes place at 6 p.m. in the park.”

A nominal maintenance fee of

$5 per skater will be charged for a 30-minute session. Skates are included in the price, but visitors are welcome to bring their own ice skates. Discounts are available for schools, churches, and other groups of 25 or more. Group accommodation can be scheduled by calling the City of Batesville at 870-698-2427.

The rink’s hours of operation are 1 until 10 p.m. from Sunday to Friday and 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday. It will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Children under 18 should be accompanied by an adult.

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December 2014 27

Sulphur Rock News Pam Baxter

Sulphur Rock Stem Magnet 5th grade student, Merra McGowen, sets a candy corn pumpkin in her own designed catapult to see how far she can chunk the pumpkin. The activity was part of Mrs. Melissa Mergy's 5th grade science unit on Force, Motion and Energy. They each engineered their own catapults to carry the weight of the pumpkin, then measured each pumpkins chunking distance several times to get an average.

Mark Alan Rorie, a local book author recently visited Sulphur Rock Magnets Library classes premiere his latest book, "The Polk Bayou Kids and the Ghosts of the State Capitol". He shared his writing experiences in writing and his process. He gave every student in grades 4th-6th grades and their teachers a copy of his new book. The event was sponsored by First Community Bank, Colton's Steakhouse and Batesville Printing.

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Pumpkin Chunking

Sulphur Rock Magnet After School 4-H Students, Daniel Latus, club president(left) and Emma Ramsey, club vice-president(right) presented Mrs. Stacey Lindsey, principal of Sulphur Rock Magnet and board member for Independence County 4-H, a few gifts for being such a good friend to the 4-H clubs. Also, being presented a Friends of 4-H gift was Mr. Jack Sanders, past principal of Sulphur Rock Magnet and 4-H board member. All clubs were presenting gifts to 4-H Friends in October as part of a month long celebration.

Daniel Latus and Emma Ramsey

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May the seasons find you blessed

Author Mark Rorie premieres his new book, The Ghosts of the State Capitol.

Rorie hands Austin Scott his copy of the new book while John Paul Morgan(left)looks on and waits his turn along with Kaylee Clark(left to right), Brianna Blakley, and Kinley Stevens.

Live Conndently Realize Your Dreams Age nt L ic.# 4 3 6 0 4 2

Providing Insurance and Financial Services 2860 Harrison Street, Batesville 870-793-5422 Office / 870-793-3039 Fax

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“No space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunity misused” - Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

First Community Bank Contributes to K-9 Fund Luanne Gregory

Dale Cole and Boris Dover of First Community Bank met with representatives of the Independence County Sheriff’s office on Wednesday, November 12, to donate $1,000 to help the sheriff’s department in their goal to obtain a new K-9 partner.

“Independence County is fighting a major battle on a daily basis against the use and distribution of illegal drugs,” said Steve Jeffery, Independence County Sheriff. “Our K-9 partners are an invaluable resource in our effort to combat this and other problems in our community. When we were forced to retire Crook, the K-9 partner of Deputy Chris Toland, we started immediately searching for ways to replace him. First Community Bank was one of the organizations to step up and help us.”

Dale Cole, Chairman and CEO of First Community Bank immediately responded to the request for help from the sheriff’s office and challenges other local businesses to do the same.

“Replacing a K-9 partner isn’t cheap,” said Cole.

“It will cost the sheriff’s department approximately $11,000 to get a properly trained and equipped police K-9. Everyone who lives or works in Independence County receives the benefits from the hard work of our police force. Our hope is that individuals and business owners will join us in helping the county obtain a new

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K-9 partner.”

Boris Dover, President and COO of First Community Bank referred to a recent article on the importance of K-9 partners in law enforcement. “On the front page of a local paper, an alleged drunk driver was captured with the use of a K-9 partner. We’re interested in keeping our area safe, with a low crime rate. The K-9 unit certainly contributes to that goal.”

Donations can be made to the Independence County Sheriff K-9 fund at 1750 Myers Street, Batesville, AR 72501; or, the department can be reached at 870-7938838.

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Pictured left to right: Chris Toland, Independence Co. Deputy; Boris Dover, First Community Bank President and COO; Jeremy Quall, Independence Co. Chief Deputy; Dale Cole, First Community Bank Chairman and CEO; Steve Jeffery, Independence County Sheriff.

December 2014 29

Welcome to Independence New Hours: Monday - Friday 9am to 6pm Saturday by Appointment CLOSED: Sunday

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May the seasons find you blessed

Accepting New Patients (870) 569-4909

Call to Schedule your FREE Consultation

920 Harrison St., Suite A Batesville, AR

Dr. Dustin Taylor , D.C., CCEP The Second Annual Pillar Party of the United Way of Independence County was held October 27 at Natalie’s Restaurant. The photos below show moments from that event and were submitted by Deanna Green

December 2014  31

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May the seasons find you blessed



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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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$6.99 Weekday Lunch Specials Monday: Cheeseburger and French Fries, with a drink

Tuesday: Our famous homemade Meat loaf with homemade mashed potatoes and your choice of green beans or corn

Back In Time Antiques

Wednesday: Hand breaded chicken tenders, homemade mashed potatoes and gravy and your choice of green beans or corn

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Open faced roast beef, homemade mashed potatoes and gravy and your choice of green beans or corn

Live entertainment most weekends!

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Wild Card, it’s a great meal at a great price but you have to come in to find out!

(Inside Batesville’s historic train depot)

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Providing quality hair care for the entire family

Home Instead Senior Care encourages residents of Independence County to join in bringing Christmas cheer to seniors in our area who may not otherwise enjoy the Christmas season due to lack of finances or family and friends.

The Program is simple, yet effective We are receiving names of seniors who need a gift. These coded names and basic requests have been placed on ornaments displayed by local merchants and the Batesville Chamber of Commerce. Simply take an ornament, shop for the senior, return the gift and ornament to the place where you obtained it. Gifts will be collected and those

Professional Floor Care

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not wrapped will be prepared at wrapping parties and distributed. You can also sponsor a tree or a wreath in their business, volunteer for a gift wrapping party, supply money and help with delivery.

Gifts need to be returned to merchants or the Chamber of Commerce by December 8 and will be distributed December 18 - 23. Questions may be addressed to Jerry Strobel at 870-404-7115, Bradan Pitts at 501-557-8355, or Sharon Sutherland at 501206-7870. Log onto beasantatoasenior.com to learn more.

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December 2014 33

“For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.�

- Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

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May the seasons find you blessed

 ’ 

"Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14)

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231 East Main St. - 870-698-0903 December 2014 35

Experiencing God in the Everyday Good News, Great Joy Pastor Chad Grigsby

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

(Luke 2:10-11 ESV) Of all the birth announcements in the world, it’s hard to top this one. And yet, it is announced in an impressive and unimpressive way at the same time. In one way, it’s glorious. It’s filled with awe, wonder, singing, and bright lights. God has taken on flesh and entered the world he created as a human being. This cannot be overstated.

On the other hand, this announcement of the coming King is not declared to kings, rulers, politicians, or governments. Instead, angels appear in such a spectacular way to a group of unspectacular people; shepherds in fact.

A group of shepherds in the middle of nowhere are the first ones told of this birth of a Savior. It doesn’t get much more common than that.

And this is reflected in the saying of the angel. “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” All people, including shepherds. Everyone needs this good news, and everyone is a candidate for this great joy. From the lowly, common shepherds to the kings that sit on thrones and rule nations. Even the kings now have a king that is greater than they.

And this is what makes this announcement one of such good news and great joy. It’s good news because it’s for everyone. It doesn’t matter where you come from, what your family of origin is, what your socioeconomic status happens to be, or what mistakes you have made in the past. Good news and great joy are here, and they are found in a person.

In the religious south, we have heard this story a lot.

It’s extremely familiar. And because of how religious we are, we can often assume we know what good news and

great joy are. But this Christmas, we would do well to consider it.

When most people in the south hear about the good news, about what Christianity is all about, a lot of people think about it as something they have to do. They think that as long as they are a good person and do good things then they will be ok with God or go to heaven when they die. But is this why the angel is saying that the coming of Jesus is one of good news and great joy? Is it good news about what we have to do? Is that good news at all?

Growing up, I thought being a Christian was all about me. I had to do this and do that or avoid this and avoid that.

I thought following Jesus was all about my performance.

So I tried my hardest. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get my life together. I was constantly failing at something. I felt the need to repeatedly recommit myself only to fail again shortly thereafter. For me, the good news wasn’t very good!

But the problem wasn’t with the message, it was with me. I didn’t understand what was good about the good news. The good news is good because there is a Savior who has come to do everything that we have failed to do. He is the perfection that we cannot attain. He is the fulfillment of all the things we have tried to do and failed.

The good news is not about us and what we have to do, but it’s about Jesus and what he has done. That’s what makes it good! Otherwise, it would be bad news. That’s why the angel told the shepherds, “I bring you good news of great joy about a Savior!” He was telling them about a Savior that had come to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

So this Christmas let us remember what is good about the good news. It’s about Jesus and what he has done for us. This is great joy!

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“It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.”

- Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Wilson Named Director Annie Solis

Karla Wilson, RN at White River Medical Center (WRMC) has recently been promoted to Medical Surgical Nursing Director, announced Gary Bebow, CEO. Wilson has 17 years of nursing experience, and has been at WRMC for 13 years.

As Director, Wilson is responsible for managing clinical staff and developing policies and procedures to ensuring patients receive quality, safe, efficient healthcare.

Wilson received her education from the Arkansas State University and is currently enrolled in Chamberlain College of Nursing to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing. She is a Certified Medical Surgical Registered Nurse and a Crisis Prevention Intervention instructor.

“Karla has always excelled in her nursing career here at WRMC. She is wellexperienced in her profession and puts great emphasis on promoting positivity,” said Bebow. “We look forward to having her as a leader in our organization.”

The Medical/Surgical Unit consists of 78 rooms on the third and fourth floors where patients recover from illnesses such as COPD, influenza, complications from diabetes, and others, as well as, postoperative care.

“I am honored to be chosen for this position,” said Wilson. “I work with an awesome team dedicated to providing excellent care to our patients at WRMC and I look forward to continuing the contribution with them.”

Wilson and her husband, Dr. Michael Wilson, live near Cave City and have four daughters and one granddaughter.

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THE MAIL MUST GO THROUGH! Submitted

Strategic Book Publishing & Rights Agency is pleased to announce the release of its newest title, 72058: The Many Mini Adventures of a Small-Town Mailman, by author Jesse Lee Hatfield. This humorous look at the real-life experiences of rural letter carriers in a small Arkansas town comes by special delivery!

“Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds” reads the unofficial motto of the U.S. Postal Service. But see what happens when the unexpected occurs! Every day mailmen must deal with kids, pets, critters, and wildlife. Some days it’s crazy weather, and heavy mail volume during the holidays. Each day has its own adventure!

In Greenbrier, Arkansas, zip code 72058, mailman Jesse Lee Hatfield discloses what it’s really like behind the scenes in the post office where he’s worked for 23 years. The book is embellished with photographs and all the zany experiences he and his co-workers have shared over the years.

Jesse Lee Hatfield and his wife, Suzy, are both mail carriers in Greenbrier, Arkansas. This is his first book.

72058: THE MANY MINI ADVENTURES OF A SMALLTOWN MAILMAN (ISBN: 978-1-63135-231-7) is now available for $12.95 and can be ordered through the publisher’s website: sbprabooks.com/JesseLeeHatfield or at www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com.

This book is distributed by Ingram Books and other wholesale distributors. Contact your representative with the ISBN for purchase. Wholesale purchase for retailers, universities, libraries, and other organizations is also available through the publisher; please email bookorder@sbpra.net.

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Karla Wilson, RN

Jesse Lee Hatfield

Lyon Board of Trustees Approves Additon of New Member Hannah Keller The Lyon College Board of Trustees approved the addition of Dr. Rick Niece to the board at its fall meeting October 17 on campus. The board met after a fall retreat to discuss items of business. Niece, vice president of the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation Inc., retired in July 2013 as president of the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville. The university named him President Emeritus after his retirement. Niece earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University, a master’s and doctorate from Kent State University, and has won several awards both as an author and an educator.

“I am delighted to have Dr. Niece on our board. He will be a great addition to the Lyon board; he knows the issues confronting higher education today and the challenges unique to private, church related institutions. In additions to his rich background in higher education he is a fine person to have involved in the college,” said Lyon President Dr. Donald Weatherman.

In other business, the board: • Approved sabbaticals for Dr. David Sonnier and Dr. Tim Lindblom. Sonnier will take a sabbatical in the fall 2015, and Lindblom will take his in the spring 2016.

• Approved naming proposals for two athletic facilities on campus. N

Mon - Thur 10am to 10pm Fri & Sat 10am to 11pm Sunday 11am to 9pm

60 Batesville Blvd.

870-569-4894

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May the seasons find you blessed

kings men continues FROM page 13

admits that it is nice that he gets to have a whole community come out and watch him do his job; King and Smith both have always been quick to give a large Pioneer audience props for helping the players win a game.

Smith actually began coaching a Little League Baseball team when he was thirteen years old in Jonesboro.

He was playing on a Babe Ruth Baseball Team called the Sheriffs at the same time, and didn’t get to coach the last Little League game because he was playing a game across town. Smith explains that he was coaching the Day League because Jonesboro only had one field with lights, and even though he was playing in the older night leagues, it was killing him to play that Babe Ruth game at the same time as the team he was coaching made it to the championship game and got to play under the lights.

Dennis Myers, who was an All American at Arkansas State and later played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, talked him into that first coaching position and it was a huge push into a coaching career for Smith. He has coached Girls Softball, American Legion Baseball, in addition to Girls Track, Football and Baseball. He is the President of the Batesville Area Athletic Hall of Fame, he is on the American Legion Board, he has been a Youth Minister at the Catholic Church, President of Leagues in the Independence County Youth Athletic Association, has worked with the United Way of Independence County, the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce as a membership drive recruiter, Arkansas Eastman teaching motivational techniques for leaders, and is in the Batesville Area Athletic Hall of Fame and the Lyon College Hall of Fame for coaching. He is the only Hall of Fame member still active in coaching. Smith smiles and quotes Joe Walsh, “Life’s been good to me so far.”

Getting to know these gentleman has been an honor and it has been a pleasure to spend

time filming with them over the last eight years. The young men that we have met while filming the Star Senior segments have all held themselves with a confidence and dignity that speaks of great leadership and has made us respect these coaches even more. With two magazines and more to come, 2014 will likely be our last year to film Pioneer Football and we will miss the time we have shared with King, Smith and legendary voice of the Pioneers on KZLE, Mark Lamberth, who is a grand gentleman in his own right. Knowing community leaders that carry themselves with such grace and poise as these three men, make it easy to hold this community so fondly in our hearts and understand why so many great things are happening on a daily basis in Independence.

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American Floor Care--------------------- 33 Anytime Fitness-------------------------- 30 Autry’s------------------------------------ 34 Back In Time Antiques------------------- 33 Bad Boy Mowers------------------------- 11 Batesville Poultry Equipment, Inc.------ 30 Batesville Spine & Health Solutions----- 31 Batesville Title Services----------------- 33 Blush Salon and Boutique--------------- 3 Brand Commercial Realty--------------- 10 Carlee’s Crown Shop--------------------- 8 Citizens Bank----------------------------- 7 CustomEyes Vision Care of Newport---- 40 Downtown Guide------------------------- 33 DQ Grill & Chill--------------------------- 15 Eagle Pest ------------------------------- 5 Elizabeth’s Restaurant & Catering------- 35 Etta’s Attic-------------------------------- 33 First Community Bank------------------- 2 Flowers Baking Co.---------------------- 3 Fox Creek BBQ--------------------------- 33 Harris Hospital Podiatry----------------- 5 He Delivers------------------------------- 34 Heritage House-------------------------- 21 Independence County Recycling Center-23 Janet Smart Farmers Insurance Agency-30 Jonathan’s Fine Jewelry----------------- 6 Kallsnick, Inc.---------------------------- 15 Kent’s Firestone-------------------------- 9 Living Spaces---------------------------- 19 Mark Martin Kia-------------------------- 25 Merchants and Planters Bank----------- 9 Mexican Mamas-------------------------- 30 NADT Dance Academy------------------- 3 Natalies Restaurant and Catering------- 21 Newark Furniture, Flowers and More--- 30 Purdy’s Flowers and Gifts---------------- 23 Renee Taylor Travel Company----------- 21 Robert O. Seat Photography------------ 23 Robert’s Photography Workshops------- 38 Serenity Massage------------------------ 30 Southern Bank--------------------------- 28 Southern Tire Mart----------------------- 22 State Farm Agent, Carter Ford---------- 29 Studio Salon----------------------------- 33 The Batesville Chamber of Commerce-- 4 The Property Shoppe-------------------- 20 Thompson’s Jewelry--------------------- 30 Thompson’s Jewelry--------------------- 33 Thompson’s Jewelry--------------------- 35 U. S. Pizza-------------------------------- 38 Welcome To Independence-------------- 30 White River Area Agency on Aging------ 16 White River Health System-------------- 6 Wood-Lawn, Inc.------------------------- 17

December 2014 39

Vision Care of Newport Annual vision exams are an important part of preventative health care. Many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms.

Early diagnosis and treatment of eye and vision problems are important for maintaining good vision and eye health and possibly preventing vision loss.

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(870) 523-3333