Eye On Independence April 2014

www.eyeonmag.com

A Return to Manners Reclaiming Stolen Voices The Most Wonderful Time of the Year A Publication of Meadowland Media, Inc.

April 2014

MANY HOMEOWNERS MAY QUALIFY FOR AN

INTEREST RATE REDUCTION REFINANCE LOAN THROUGH THE FHA STREAMLINE OR THE VA INTEREST RATE REDUCTION PROGRAM!

30 YEAR FIXED RATE 4.25% (5.005% APR)* • No-appraisal option • Less extensive qualification process • Reduced paperwork • No-closing-cost option • Lower rate may be available when borrower opts to pay upfront closing costs

JENNIFER SCARBROUGH CHRISTY BOLIN CINDY BARTON BATESVILLE 1325 Harrison St. 870-612-3400 Offer of credit is subject to credit approval.

*Rates as of Feb. 14th, 2014. Rates & programs subject to change at any time. APR’s are based on a loan amount of $100,000. 30 year example based on $100,000 at 4.25% with 0 down payment = 360 payments of $491.94. Mortgage taxes, pre-paid interest, mortgage insurance and escrow accounts not included, so your total payment will be higher. Single family primary residence. No cash back on this product. All proposals and approvals are subject to underwriting guidelines. Maximum loan amounts apply. Credit score and LTV may cause additional fees. As a result of refinancing, your total finance charges may be higher over the life of the loan.

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!

’

Cafe - Casseroles - Catering

NATALIE’S PLATE LUNCH SPECIAL $7.95 Plate Lunch Menu Selection Varies Daily

PANINIS $7.95 Cody’s Chicken Club / Turkey / Drew’s Hot & Spicy / Reuben Served with Potato Salad or Chips SOUP OF THE DAY Cup $2.95 Bowl $4.95 SANDWICHES Chicken Salad / Tuna Salad / Homemade Pimento Cheese Served with Potato Salad or Chips $6.95 1/2 Sandwich with Cup of Soup $6.95 DESSERTS $2.00 Take and Bake Casseroles / Catering for Every Occasion

1335 College Street (870) 698-0200

In This Issue 6/ Editor’s Note Windy Whirlwind

7/ Women in Film 11/ The Myopic Life

A Return to Manners

12/ Cover Story

7

18

11

23

12

26

14

37

Reclaiming Stolen Voices

14/ Feature

Terrence “Godframe” Ford

18/ I Do

Thomas - Cockrill Wedding

20/ Smith’s Verdict ****

The Amazing Spider-Man

21/ Notes from the Clearing Given

23/ Tales Of a Transplanted Fashionista The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

24/ Things To Do 26/ Faces

32/ Experiencing God in the Everyday Everyday Easter

33/ Batesville Area Arts Council 34/ Downtown Guide 36/ Your Health

Give me a“T”....Testosterone That Is!

37/ The Walk for the Waiting

Come Visit Our Newly Remodeled Dinning Room!

793-3303 755 St. Louis Street Batesville

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

Meet Your Writers...

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.

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.

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 Bob Pest is the president and Co-founder of Ozark Foothills FilmFest and the T Tauri Film Festival and Movie Camp. He works as a community development consultant for First Community Bank, teaches film classes at UACCB, and currently serves as vice-president of the Ozark Gateway Tourist Council.

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.

Kallsnick, Inc. A Hiland Dairy Distributor 423 Lawrence Street, Batesville, AR (870) 793-3924

Serving Batesville and the surrounding area for over 48 years Dairy Products, Deli Meat, Frozen Foods, Fresh Produce Paper Products, Concession Items . . .and More Walk-Ins Always Welcome Open Mon.-Fri. 8-5 and Sat. 8- 1

Family owned and operated Scott Kallsnick , Vickie Kallsnick Moser, Joan Kallsnick THIS PUBLICATION IS PRODUCED BY: MeadowLand Media, Inc. P. O. Box 196, Grubbs, AR 72431 870.503.1150 kthomas@eyeonmag.com PUBLISHER: Kimberlee Thomas Associate EDITOR: Bob Pest MANAGING EDITOR: Joseph Thomas

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.

ADVERTISING: Kimberlee Thomas Creative Director : Joseph Thomas AD DESIGN Department: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas PROOFING Department: Joseph Thomas Kimberlee Thomas Staff PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas Robert O. Seat PRINTING COMPANY: Rockwell Publishing

Kennadi Pretty Photo by Stacy Pretty

Eye On Independence is a publication of MeadowLand Media, Incorporated. Editorial, advertising and general business information can be obtained by calling (870) 503-1150 or emailing Kimberlee Thomas at kthomas@eyeonmag.com.

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

Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements, unless otherwise 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.

Visit us @

www.eyeonmag.com

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

Windy Whirlwind Joseph Thomas

Joseph and Kimberlee Thomas

Kimberlee and I have been renovating, magazining, running, dropping, mingling and watching our youngest daughter enjoy her Junior Prom. We also had the pleasure of adding a wonderful daughter to our family as our oldest son, Coleton, married his

sweetheart on March 8.

We hope you have been well and emplore you to tag along and read Lauren Willette’s (a new writer we welcome to our pages) article about women in film and Hannah Keller’s article about a Lyon workshop. Kristi Price misses manners, Chad Grigsby shares his thoughts on feeling Easter everyday and Leigh Keller is giddy about this Prom season.

Tanner Smith reviews The Amazing Spider-Man while Kimberlee and I bring you Faces from all over Independence.

I Cover Family Violence Prevention, Feature Godframe and Kimberlee brings you the Thomas - Cockrill wedding.

Find us at www.eyeonmag.com and look for us on facebook. Grab your own magazine to take home...oh, and please enjoy.

N

Storewide Savings going on now!

Monday - Friday 9am to 6pm Saturdays to 5pm / Just South of the White River Bridge, Batesville / 870-793-3885 6

We are word of mouth for your eyes!

Women in Film Lauren Willette

In 2013, films featuring women made quite a few bucks at the box office. Even so, films featuring women in leading roles are often hard to come by, especially in the main stream. Why is it that in the U.S., where women make up half the population, men still call the shots when it comes to entertainment? Where are all the female directors and writers? Often films created by females are lauded as “female themed” and though that can sometimes point to films which move at a slower pace and include more dialogue and less action, this isn’t necessarily the case for every film. Women have a myriad of interests, and this is easy to see when one takes the time to watch films made by women about women.

Sarah Mirk writes that out of the top 50 highest grossing films of 2013, 24 prominently feature female characters. She also notes in her article titled “Blockbuster Films Featuring Actual Female Characters Made Serious Money in 2013,” which is featured in Bitch Magazine, that “The combined box office revenue of those 24 films is a whopping $4.22 billion.” The other 26 films not featuring women prominently made only $2.66 billion. Obviously women are going to the movies, and they like to see movies about women. This doesn’t mean that those 24 films were written or directed by women, but it does show that there is a demand for more films featuring women, created by women.

Women filmmakers are certainly out there, and this year the Ozark Foothills Film Festival will be featuring some wonderful female writers and directors. Not only does the festival feature wonderful filmmakers from many corners of the world but it also features many women directors and writers. This is a refreshing change of pace when compared to the box office. The 2014 Ozark Foothills Film Festival features ten films either written or directed by women. During the panel discussion “Breaking Through: Cultural Understanding through Film” two of these women film makers will be a part of the panel discussion.

One film maker featured at this year’s festival is Sara Terry. Terry is a documentary filmmaker who directed two films to be shown at this year’s film festival. “Fambul Tok,” airs at UACCB on Saturday evening. It shows a “family talk” between both victims and perpetrators of Sierra Leone’s civil war. The act of bringing differences and grievances to the forefront is thought to heal and build community. This is certainly a film to see. Sara Terry has won multiple awards for this film including Human Spirit Award at the Nashville Film Festival and The Best of the Fest at the Global Social Change Film Festival. Another film titled “Folk” and directed by Terry will be featured on Sunday at UACCB. This film follows three folk musicians through different venues and allows the audience to see a side of the folk music scene usually only experienced by the musicians. Another film about community and communication, this one is sure to please music lovers and folk enthusiasts alike.

Another intriguing woman film maker at this year’s festival is Rola Nashef. Nashef directs a narrative feature titled “Detroit Unleaded.” This film depicts the blossoming love of two Arab-Americans and shows audiences a personal story of the difficulty this culture faces every day in the U.S. Nashef’s film will air on Saturday evening at UACCB as part of the “Breaking Through: Promoting Cultural Understanding through Film” portion of the festival.

One last female filmmaker to note is LaDora Sella.

Sella wrote the narrative short entitled, “Brightwood.”

This film is featured on Wednesday evening at the Women in film continues on page 39

Something Extra

M-F 10am - 6pm Sat 10am - 3pm

New Spring Fashions Arriving Daily

1370 Neeley Street - Batesville (870) 698-1181

Thank you to all of our sponsors and volunteers for making this event a success! www.mybatesville.org April 2014 7

Chamber Partners Regionally to Host Legislative Reception Submitted The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce partnered with area sponsors to host the 2014 White River Regional Economic Development Coalition Legislative Reception. The coalition is formed by members within counties of the White River Planning and Development District. These counties include Cleburne, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, White and Woodruff.

Crystal Johnson, President/CEO of the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce said, “Our relationship with surrounding counties is critical for community and economic development. The future of economic development focuses on regionalism. Independence County relies on some of our surrounding counties to meet our workforce needs and they rely on us to provide employment.” Many members of the State of Arkansas Senate and House of Representatives attended the

event as well as representatives from the ten county area.

N

The recent Legislative Reception was a packed house with Ambassador Alisa Lancaster in attendance. Board Members in attendance were Scott Lancaster, Chintan Patel, Vonda Crowl, Jon Vestal, and Barry Hammers.

First Community Bank Celebrates Grand Opening of Two Branches Luanne B. Gregory

In early 2014, First Community Bank added two fullservice locations to its network of branches. Joining the Jonesboro, Arkansas stand-alone mortgage loan office, the organization opened a full service branch at 1617 S. Caraway Road on January 27. The grand opening celebration for the new Jonesboro location was held on February 28, 2014. By the end of February, the Jonesboro region had already grown to more than $29 million in assets, reflecting the warm welcome the area has already shown to First Community Bank.

A fourth Searcy branch, the fifth in White County, opened on January 27 at 800 E. Beebe Capps Expressway, near Harding University. The grand opening celebration was held on March 7, 2014. The Searcy branch introduced a new style of service, best described as concierge banking.

Customers are personally greeted when they walk into the lobby of the new University branch and escorted to the appropriate professional banker where they are assisted from a variety of banking requests. From opening accounts, issuing instant debit cards, handling deposits or loan payments, assisting with loan applications, lock box, etc., employees have been cross-trained in most every facet

of banking, enhancing the speed of service to customers.

“When we make plans to open a new branch, it is always our purpose to identify towns and locations which will benefit most by the community first style of banking we offer,” said Boris Dover, the bank’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “After providing home loans in the Jonesboro area for several years, it became evident that a full service branch would be welcomed in northeast Arkansas. With rapid growth in White County, an additional Searcy branch was also needed to meet the growing needs of the area. We are so grateful to our customers in every region for making us the successful bank we are today.”

As a part of the grand opening celebrations and in appreciation to the cities of Jonesboro and Searcy, First Community Bank made monetary donations to four area non-profit, charitable organizations. In Jonesboro, donations were made to the Humane Society of Northeast Arkansas and the Miracle League, and in Searcy, gifts were made to the White County Children’s Safety Center and White County Domestic Violence Prevention.

N

April 2014 9

Welcome to Independence N eawt i o n !

Loc

N eawt i o n !

Loc

Enchiladas / Burritos / Nachos Rice & Beans / Guacamole / Tortas Taquitos / Quesadila / Fajitas

(870) 698-1085 3000 Jennings Lane - Suite G, Batesville

Southern Jewelry & Loan 2517 Harrison St., Batesville We Pay the Highest Prices Gold / Silver / Anything of Value

Repairing Game Systems Computers Cell Phones

Refinery Direct Cash Today!

870-793-3498 / 870-307-1630

New Hours:

Mon. / Wed. / Thur. / Fri. 9am to 6pm Saturday by Appointment CLOSED: Sunday and Tuesday

Serenity Massage

870-307-1680 70 Batesville Blvd., Suite E - Batesville Inside Shaggy's Hair Salon & Spa Cash, Check, Major Credit Cards Accepted/ Gift Certiicates Available

Problem with your Remote Entry Key Fob? Let

on’s mps Tho ir it! a Rep

Thompson’s Jewelry 255 East Main Street Batesville, AR

870-793-7136

The Myopic Life

A Return to Manners Kristi Price

Did your high school award the distinctions of Most Athletic, Biggest Class Clown, and so on? Mine did.

And though I would have preferred being voted Most Beautiful or Prettiest Eyes my senior year, I did leave with one yearbook superlative: Most Courteous. I guess it probably fit, for I was raised with my ‘ma’ams and sirs’ intact, my ‘pleases’ plentiful, and my ‘thank yous’ in full throttle. I had manners, and I used them. But I used them intentionally, to please people and make my way easier. My goal was self-centered. Manners were also just more prevalent in my youth and the generations preceding mine. Parents raised kids in ways that would reflect well on the family.

We seem to live in a different time, where more and more often, people don’t care what others think of them. They don’t alter their behavior in ways that are false to how they feel on the inside. And there’s some good in this. As a society, we’re hungry for authenticity, not facades. We’ve lived behind masks, pretending to be happy and self-fulfilled. The world is just too broken to continue doing that. So while there’s some good that came out of the push to drop the act, the evolution needs to go further. Because frankly, we’re becoming uncivil and rude.

I espouse a return to manners, but not in order to foster our own good reputation. Manners are a gift we give to others. Manners, regardless of whether the other party has earned our respect or not, say “You are created in the image of God and possess a human dignity, whether you are acting that way or not.” We use manners to acknowledge the dignity inherent in each of us. For people who choose not to behave in positive, civil ways, the hope is that being treated with undeserved dignity sets the bar higher, and that one day, hopefully they will sense the call to rise up out of coarse, rude behavior. But if all we ever do is return rudeness with rudeness, or indignity with indignity, grace will have no place.

So please, instead of bullishly saying, “I don’t care what you think of me,” choose differently.

Choose to say, “I care what you think of yourself.” And manners – real, true, life-affirming manners – are the way to start. N

Get the card that rewards you for all your purchases.

• 25% bonus on all points earned every month, automatically, with the Citizens Bank Visa® Bonus Rewards Card1 • 50% bonus on all points earned every month, automatically, with the Citizens Bank Visa® Bonus Rewards Plus Card2 • No caps or limits on points earned3 • $25 cash back with your first Bonus Rewards purchase; $50 cash back with your first Bonus Rewards Plus purchase4 • No annual fee with the Citizens Bank Visa® Bonus Rewards Card

Apply online or speak to a representative today.

1

Bonus Rewards: The 25% more in bonus rewards consists of 1 (one) Reward Point for each dollar of Net Purchases plus an additional 25% (0.25) in points awarded based upon the total points earned on Net Purchases within a billing cycle (total 1.25%).

2

Bonus Rewards Plus: The 50% more in bonus rewards consists of 1 (one) Reward Point for each dollar of Net Purchases plus an additional 50% (0.50) in points awarded based upon the total points earned on Net Purchases within a billing cycle (total 1.50%).

3

The Elan Financial Services Rewards Program is subject to change. Points earned on Net Purchases (purchases minus credits and returns). Points expire five years from the end of the quarter in which they are earned.

4

Rewards points can be redeemed as a cash deposit to a checking or savings account or as a statement credit to your credit card account. First purchase bonus points will be applied 6 to 8 weeks after first purchase and are not awarded for balance transfers or cash advances. Monthly Net Purchase bonus points will be applied each billing cycle.

The creditor, issuer and service provider of these cards is Elan Financial Services, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.

April 2014 11

Eye On Cover Story Reclaiming Stolen Voices Joseph Thomas

Family Violence Prevention (FVP) is a non-profit that serves victims of violence, primarily domestic violence and sexual assault. They offer a full range of support services to victims and their families including: crisis intervention, emergency room intervention, court advocacy, safe shelter, support groups, one on one support hours, order protection assistance and a fresh start resale shop located at 1280 North St. Louis beside Tool Central and China Buffet. FVP was started by a group of concerned citizens in Batesville who received their 501C3 charter in 1987. FVP began by renting a two bedroom safe shelter and have progressed to owning their own 5 bedroom 4 1/2 bath safe shelter. FVP housed 75 women, 2 men and 44 children in 2013. They also served around 200 orders of protection. "Associate Professor of Psychology and Social Sciences Chair of Lyon College, Dr. Patrick Mulick, sends us interns every semester," says Executive Director Patty Dunkin. "We train them on orders of protection, safety plan and hotline training; we put them through the paces so that they are comfortable and can be of some real help because our clients need it." Dunkin believes that we all need safety plans with our spouses and children because the reality is that the world isn't always a nice place and she adds, "There is no particular demographic that make up violent people. They don't look a certain way and there are no warnings sometimes until it is too late." She says to make a safe word that only you and your spouse and children know, something common and short like, dog or cat that can be text quickly in an emergency situation.

Something else Dunkin wants to make clear is that survivors of domestic abuse are often misunderstood when they go back to their abusers, likely due to low self esteem and lack of confidence or perhaps they have no where else to go. She also says, "The hell you know is better than the hell you don't." Meaning, often abuse survivors feel like as bad as their situation is it might be worse if they call attention to themselves that might anger their abusers. Dunkin wants everyone in this situation to know that placing an order of protection against someone will not get that person arrested or in trouble unless they later violate the order in anyway.

There are chances for a situation to be worked out while survivors stay safe and keeping people safe is the mission of the FVP. "Survivors often think, 'If I hadn't made him/her mad,' that maybe they brought it on themselves and try to do better. That is often why they go back to an abusive situation and until they realize that they are not accountable for anyone's actions but their own, the cycle of abuse will continue," explains Dunkin. "They can't control someone who has an anger 12

We are word of mouth for your eyes!

problem."

The Arkansas Coalition has two projects that the FVP support every year at a candlelight vigil awareness event. The Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence has the Clothesline Project, where Arkansas victims are represented by a Tee Shirt made by the family or an advocate and they all travel the state for ten years. The second is the Silent Witness Project, which are life size silhouettes with that victims name and story that also travel the state.

There is an FVP Outreach Office in the courthouse at 192 E. Main, the Batesville Rape Crisis Center Office at 2016 Byers (which handles anger management classes and domestic violence classes for individuals and couples which are often court ordered), the Safe Haven Shelter in a confidential location and the Resale Shop.

The Resale Shop is located in the old Melton’s building beside Tool Central and the China Buffet. Thirteen inspiring individuals make these four locations operate as they should, providing these free services for those in desperate and deserving need. Grants from Independence County, Victims of Crime Act, Social Services Block, Domestic Peace (which is given out through the Arkansas State Coalition for Domestic Violence), United Way, the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault and various other grants, donations and Resale Shop monies allow for these services to be possible. From a fourth to a third of FVP's money comes from the Resale Shop, open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday through Saturday, which accepts everything from books to clothes to kitchen wares (cash or check and all donations are tax deductible). The Resale Shop has a special sale everyday, so stop by often.

This years 5th Annual Dine to End Domestic Abuse Dinner and Silent Auction is April 25 at 6 p.m. in St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 425 East Main. Tickets are $85 per person or sponsorship tables of six or eight are available. "Chef Nathan Miller, formerly of YaYa's Euro Bistro in Little Rock and currently at Pub5 in Nashville, Tennessee, had such a good time last year that he volunteered to prepare this years four course meal," Dunkin explains. "Artist Ira Poore will paint a 25"x30" live during the meal that will be auctioned off during the silent auction. This is her third year to do that for us and Photographer Beth McCollum will be on hand to take pictures for couples and diners in front of a nice backdrop." Dunkin says they typically have around eighty auction items from small massage packages to large vacations. They are set up to take credit cards at the event. Tickets are on sale now. Fifty were sold in the first ten days and there are only one hundred and twenty-five seats available; they sell out every year.

Dunkin says as a non-profit, it is a chore to maintain functionality every year and this is their only fundraiser, so it is extremely important for their mission that the Dine to End Domestic Abuse Dinner and Silent Auction be a success. "Raising the funds to keep providing the services we do," adds Dunkin, "is important to us, but awareness of the abuse that is suffered by so many, daily and how to prevent it is our key goal." Dunkin sends out an immense thanks to the community, to local law enforcement and White River Medical Center for all they do for the cause.

She also wanted to thank their sponsors for the 5th Annual Dine to End Domestic Abuse Dinner and Silent Auction: Silver / Citizens Bank, First Community Bank and Lyon College Angel / Future Fuel, Mark Martin Kia, and Merchant and Planters Bank Friend / FNBC Bank and Modern Mountain Dulcimer.

To contact FVP, call their 24 hour hotline at 870-793-8111 or 800-894-8821 or 870-793-4011. If you need to report a sexual assault or want some one on one support for domestic violence or assault, call FVP's Batesville Rape Crisis Center at 870-698-0006.

N

We are proud to pre se nt AN GELICA, e asily adjustable brace le ts with charms that show how you fe e l, what you be lie ve in, and who you are.

These distinctive, eco-friendly bracelets are designed and made in the USA from 100% re cycle d mate rials.

A percentage of each bracelet sale goes directly to Generation Rescue to support programs that improve the quality oo ff ll ii f e f o r t h o s e a  e c t e d b y a u t i s m .

gM Creatin

s... emorie

(870)793-8287 2401 Harrison Street Batesville, Arkansas

April 2014  13

Eye On Feature Terrence “Godframe� Ford Joseph Thomas

Since August 13 of 2010, when Terrence "Godframe" Ford last performed in Batesville's Main Street Pocket Park, Ford has seen some deserving opportunities come his way. Ford notes, "My life has changed much since my last CD release concert May 22, 2010. I still can't believe that was four years ago!"

Ford continued his studies at the University of Central Arkansas. He kept himself busy with homework and ministry, driving home every weekend to serve at his church, Friendship Baptist Church. "Even though I wasn't in school for it, I started playing around with shooting and editing videos. I couldn't afford videographers to do my music videos, so I learned how to do it myself," adds Ford. "I even created a web series around the release of my last project and called it 'What a Life.'" Ford say he was so happy when he graduated. He likens it to a Hebrew slave being freed from Eygpt! "Let me just say something to all the college students out there: HANG IN THERE! You can make it! I thought I'd never graduate, but those all-nighters in the library paid off!"

In December of 2010, right before Ford left for Christmas break, he received a Facebook message from Smokie Norful. Ford describes the moment, "He told me he liked my music and loved all the videos I was creating.

He wanted me to call him and his team to talk about an opportunity in Chicago for the following summer. I hit the floor. Literally, I fell on the floor crying, and my roommate thought I was crazy." Ford says he couldn't believe that this Grammy, Stellar, Dove award winning, international gospel superstar had seen his work on YouTube, "...and actually liked it! I thought I was dreaming. Thank God for the internet."

Norful and his team had a few conversations with Ford soon after, and he was offered an internship with Norful's church, Victory Cathedral Worship Center. So in the summer of 2011, Ford participated in the Dream Team Internship, and says he loved every bit of it. He got to experience hands-on what it's like to operate a 5,000+ member church, from preaching, teaching, music production, song-writing, graphic design, social media marketing and video production. Ford was like a kid at Disneyland. Everything from ministry to the music business was right at his fingertips.

"January 2012, they told me that they wanted to offer me a full-time position as Youth Pastor and Videographer.

I couldn't believe it! I still had one more semester at UCA, and it felt good to know that I already had a full-time job waiting on me once I graduated," expresses Ford. "I know I've been blessed. While most of my peers were freaking out about 'what's next,' I felt secure, praise God. I moved to Chicago that summer and started working immediately. I still love it to this day."

On July 20, 2013, Ford married his college sweetheart, Jasmine. He explains, "Marriage has completely changed my life. She gives me a type of joy that's indescribable. It still blows my mind that God loved me enough to design someone who loves me for who I am! I've had many battles with low self-esteem, but God is using my wife to love that hurt away." Ford says of his wife, they are best friends. "We goof around together, dance, watch movies, rap (yes, I said rap) together for fun, cry together...it's amazing. I feel like I'm having a neverending sleep-over with my best bud.

She's the greatest."

Ford is the youth teaching pastor at Generation V Youth Ministry's West Campus (Bolingbrook, IL) and South Campus (Chicago, IL). He says his students keep him alive, putting a smile on his face every time he gets a chance to pour into them, whether that's from the pulpit or in personal conversations. "I know my purpose now. I'm called to speak life into young people everywhere, and I'm excited to say that I've seen God work in their lives. To see a kid transform from a rebel to a Jesus-lover...man, I don't even have words for it. I don't know what I'd do without them," says Ford.

Taking a year and a half break from music, Ford moved to Chicago. It was a hard decision, because Ford is a music fanatic. He says, "It's more than a gift. It's like an obsession.

It's normal for me to be awake until 4 a.m. creating music."

Ford chose to take that break, however, because of the demands of youth ministry. He focused on youth ministry before jumping back into "GodFrame" mode, but says he is

back now.

Being a drum major, being in band period, definitely shaped who Ford is today. "I encourage any young person who's in band to stick with it (especially since it can help you pay for college). If people are making fun of you and calling you a band nerd, get over it. Let them do their talking. Life goes on!" He learned discipline when he first picked up a saxophone in 6th grade, and realized it wasn't just blowing into the instrument. When he didn't practice, it showed. "Band also taught me to have a standard of excellence," says Ford. "If you want to perform you've gotta be the best. And if you wanna be the best, you've gotta work hard." Ford fondly remembers his very first band directors, Mike and Marcy Wells. "They were all about discipline and excellence. By holding us to a high standard and teaching us the steps to achieving the excellence they were asking for, the Wells' gave us a great experience. And I can't mention them without also thanking my instructors postBHS: Keith Matthews, Steven Smyth, Brantley Douglas, Dr. Jackie Lamar, and Dr. Ricky Brooks!" Ford says because of band, instead of spending his first day of college wandering around like a loner, he was introduced to over 200 of his peers. "And we all had one thing in common: band! Some of my strongest friendships were started in band. It was an experience I'll never forget, and one that I'll never regret."

April 27, Terrence "Godframe" Ford will perform at the Miller Community Center. He says he is super excited to come home and perform again after four years. It's special to him, because he grew up in Batesville. “I'll be releasing a new EP called "All My Friends" that night and it's dedicated

to my supporters." When Ford took a break from music, he almost didn't come back. He had a low period and didn't feel like anyone really liked his music anymore. He was afraid that no one was listening anyway. "But thank God I had some die-hard fans (whom I like to call friends) who tweeted me, facebooked me, texted me, and even sent me fan letters letting me know that they still had my back.

My friends still loved me even though I hadn't released a project in four years. That means the world to me! So I created this new EP just for them, 'All My Friends.'"

The EP doesn't release worldwide until April 29. But everyone who comes to the concert will be able to get it two nights in advance. "I know everyone's going to enjoy my friends DeJuan (www.DrivenDeJuan.com) and Prophet from central Arkansas. Those guys will be my bros for life, and they're both incredible rappers," says Ford. He has a very high-energy set planned with dancing and singing, you won't want to miss it. Ford adds, "I've even got a few surprises up my sleeve for that night."

"I'm so glad Sheila Avant contacted me to do this concert. All proceeds from ticket sales that night are going toward the Miller Community Center, and I hear they're planning to do some phenomenal things for our youth and children in Batesville," explains Ford. "What they've done in just a few short years has been great, and I forsee that in a few more MCC's, efforts will be mind-blowing."

Godframe can be found on iTunes, Amazon MP3, Spotify, and anywhere else digital music is sold. You can also discover more music, videos, photos, contests, and more at www.GodFrameMusic.com. N

April 2014  15

April 2014 Craft Classes at the Arkansas Craft School Terri Van Orman

Now that more spring-like temperatures are actually here, it’s time to start thinking of fun activities to celebrate the warmer weather – like a class at the Arkansas Craft School.

The Craft School’s new season starts April 5 – 6, with a photography workshop with Ed Alexander entitled “Basic Digital Photography.” What better way to enjoy the unfolding spring beauty than with photography sojourns in beautiful Stone County, followed by instructions on optimizing your photos? Students will be provided knowledge in the basic elements of digital photography, including subject selection, composition, use of light, depth of field, and color. Tuition is $150.00 for the two day class.

Next will be an opportunity for an extraordinary get-away to the country-side studios of two very special artists. Robert and Mary Patrick live and work in the beautiful rural area of Everton, Arkansas. They are offering the rare chance for students to not only work in their personal studios, but for a very limited number of participants; to be able to stay there as well. Mary will be presenting her class “Ozark Gizzard Baskets” April 11 – 13, with Bob conducting his “Basic Blacksmithing”

WRHS Foundation Awards Scholarships Annie McCallister-Solis

The White River Health System Foundation (WRHSF) presented scholarships totaling a record $27,500 to eight WRHS employees continuing their education and professional development. The goal of the Foundation’s Scholarship Program is to relieve the financial burden on employees seeking career advancement and encourage education among the men and women who choose to devote their careers to preserving and bettering the life of others through nursing.

Recipients were Erika Holland, Lauren Hubbard, Stephanie Cannon, Melanie Creighton, Ashton Glenn, Autumn Jones, Rebecca Lacy Sandefur, and Jennifer Sherberth.

“Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we were able to provide a record number of scholarships this year,” said Dick Bernard, President, WRHSF Board of Trustees. “We are pleased to be able to offer even more assistance to employees desiring to further their education in nursing.”

Two Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) received scholarships to further their education towards becoming Registered Nurses (RNs).

Erika Holland, LPN, was the recipient of the Bonnie J. Bernard Memorial Scholarship, established by Dick and the late Bonnie Bernard in 1996. Mrs. Bernard worked as an RN at White River Medical Center (WRMC) from 1986 until her death in 2004. During her time as an RN, she worked with many qualified and motivated nurses who were unable to advance their career due to financial issues and family commitments. For 18 years, the Bonnie J. Bernard Memorial Scholarship has provided LPNs a chance to grow

class onApril 25 – 27. Tuition for the 3-day basketmaking class is $200.00, and for the blacksmithing class is $450.00. Participants will be sent information on lodging with Bob and Mary upon enrollment.

Visit the Arkansas Craft School’s website, www. arkansascraftschool.org for more information on these and other upcoming classes, as well as registration forms and scholarship applications. Students may also sign up for classes by calling Terri Van Orman at (870) 269-8397. The Arkansas Craft School, located in Mountain View, Arkansas is dedicated to the education of aspiring and practicing craft artisans for success in the Creative Economy. The Craft School partners with Ozarka College and Pulaski Technical College, who offer Continuing Education credits for all Craft School courses. Support for the Arkansas Craft School is provided, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment of the Arts. N

both professionally and personally in their careers.

Holland joined the staff at Stone County Medical Center in 2013. After completing the RN program, Holland plans to work toward obtaining a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).

Lauren Hubbard, LPN on WRMC’s Fourth Floor East, was the recipient of the WRHS Foundation’s LPN to RN Scholarship. The WRHS Foundation hosts several fundraising events throughout the year. In addition to scholarships, gifts contributed to the Foundation are also used to assist in new clinical services and capital building projects.

Hubbard has been at WRMC since August of 2012. She is currently receiving training in pediatric nursing and plans on becoming Pediatric Advanced Life Support certified.

Her future plans include completing the RN program and obtaining her BSN. Other recipients were awarded scholarships by the WRHS Foundation to further their education from RN to BSN. The scholarships are named accordingly by the generous donors who aided in the funding of the scholarship.

Stephanie Cannon, RN in Quality, is the recipient of the WRHS Foundation Education Scholarship. Cannon has been at WRMC for almost 14 years. She has worked in various departments of WRMC, including leadership roles. She currently works as a Case Manager for Quality Management. After obtaining her BSN, she plans to work towards a master’s degree in nursing.

Melanie Creighton, RN in WRMC’s Obstetric Unit, was the recipient of the WRHS Board of Directors Nursing Scholarship In Memory of Mr. Doyle W. Rogers, Sr. This

year, the WRHS Board of Directors chose to give the scholarship in of memory Doyle W. Rogers, Sr., a man who made many valuable contributions to the community, including WRMC. Creighton began her career at WRMC in 1993. She plans on graduating with a BSN in the fall of 2014. She hopes to advance her career in nursing to the management level and hopes to one day obtain a master’s degree in nursing.

Autumn Jones, RN, is the recipient of the Batesville Kiwanis Scholarship, which is made available by members of the club.

Batesville Kiwanis work to better the quality of life for the citizen’s of Batesville.

Jones is a nurse in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and has been at WRMC for a little over eight years. After obtaining her BSN, Jones plans to work toward a certification in Cardiovascular Nursing and, ultimately, a master’s degree in nursing.

Jennifer Sherberth, RN in the WRMC Intensive Care Unit, received the Carl and Amy Shaver Nursing Scholarship. Amy Shaver founded this scholarship in 2007 with her husband, the late Carl Shaver. For many years, the Shavers generously donated their time to volunteering and serving on boards at WRMC, an offering that Amy still continues today as an active volunteer at WRMC and a member on the WRHSF Board of Trustees.

From the time Sherberth started in the WRMC ICU in 1997, her dream was to become a nurse manager. She achieved that dream in 2013. After obtaining her BSN, Sherberth plans to one day pursue a master’s degree.

Rebecca Lacy Sandefur is the recipient

of the Lela Honkonen Scholarship. The scholarship was founded in 2005 by Lela Honkonen. Lela Honkonen worked for the U.S. Government for 43 years. She passed away in April of 2013 at age 100. Honkonen was deeply involved in charities throughout her life, and today, her contributions continue to make an impact.

Sandefur is an RN on WRMC’s Fourth Floor East and has been at WRMC since 2012. After obtaining her BSN, Sandefur plans to work towards becoming a Nurse Practitioner, and, ultimately, obtaining a doctoral degree in nursing.

Ashton Glenn, RN at SCMC, is the recipient of the Batesville Rotary Nursing Scholarship. The Batesville Rotary Nursing Scholarship is made available by the members of the Batesville Rotary Club and is given to a student striving for a BSN. Members of the Batesville Rotary Club work together through service and giving to make a positive impact on the community.

Glenn, who has been at SCMC since 2007, plans to finish her BSN degree and work toward a master’s degree to obtain her Advanced Practice Nursing license.

The White River Health System Foundation was established in 1992 to provide a means for charitable giving to support the present and future needs of WRHS. WRHSF is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees dedicated to its mission.

Every gift to the Foundation helps WRHS achieve its mission of providing outstanding healthcare services and programs to the citizens of North Central Arkansas. For more information about the WRHS Foundation and how your gifts can make a difference, call Matt McDonald at (870) 262-1784. N

Dick Bernard, President of the WRHSF Board of Trustees with scholarship recipient Erika Holland, LPN.

(Back Row, L to R) Dick Bernard, President of the WRHSF Board of Trustees; Autumn Jones, RN; Melanie Creighton, RN; Jennifer Sherberth, RN; Gary Bebow, WRHS CEO. (Front Row, L to R) Ashton Glenn, RN; Stephanie Cannon, RN; Lauren Hubbard, LPN. (Not pictured is Rebecca Lacy Sandefur, RN).

April 2014 17

I Do

Thomas - Cockrill Wedding Kimberlee Thomas

PJ Photography

Colby Danielle Thomas and Hayden Alan Cockrill started out being “Friends” on Facebook. They would “Like” each other’s posts and photos. After many messages were typed out between them, they decided they were ready for some real face time and had their first date.

Neither one was really clear on how they felt about the other by the end of their first date, so they let a little time pass before giving it another whirl. By February 5, 2012 the couple decided that they knew enough about each other through their continued Facebook friendship that they would try dating once more, this time they clicked.

Colby was a student at Midland and Hayden was attending Batesville so they spent the remainder of their senior year going to one another’s basketball and baseball games.

They both made plans to attend Arkansas State University in Jonesboro after graduation. Their summer was spent hanging out with each other’s families at horse shows, the lake, and the beach. One lazy afternoon in early June the two had just returned from a weekend of what Colby refers to as “glamping”, “Hayden ever so casually pulls this little red box from his pocket and asks me ‘Do you want this’ he then opened the box to reveal the most stunning engagement ring I had ever seen. I of course said yes.” The couple spent the remainder of their summer with family and friends before heading off to ASU in early August.

Colby and Hayden married on October 5, 2013 at the Eagle Mountain Golf Course in Batesville. Colby recalls, “The weather was less than perfect, there were rain showers and clouds all day. I was so happy that the rain stopped just long enough for us to get some wonderful photos before the wedding and have a beautiful ceremony.” Daryl Sellers

was the Officiate and began the double ring ceremony with a family prayer. The couple later intertwined twine to represent the marriage between the bride and groom and God. “I really love that we wrote our own vows. There were tears and laughter among our family and friends as we recited them to each other,” Colby shared. Bethany Roberson served as Maid of Honor. Lauren Carpenter, Emma Sellers, Kayla Wood, and Kerstie Bumpous served as bridesmaids. Tanner Ring stood as Hayden’s Best Man and Justin Conyers, Cody Vaughan, Chase Henderson, and Landon Gillmore stood as groomsmen.

A reception followed the outdoor ceremony. The chosen colors for the day were light blue and burnt orange. The theme was vintage-rustic. There were beautiful vintage handkerchiefs adorning the sign in table. The reception tables were decorated with white hydrangeas in vintage blue mason jars. A very special part of the decorations were the wedding dresses of Colby and Hayden’s grandmothers.

The couple took a brief honeymoon to Pudding Ridge in Greer’s Ferry and headed back to college on Tuesday.

Colby and Hayden reside in Beedeville and both attend college at ASU. Hayden is pursuing his degree in Agriculture Science and Colby is pursing hers in Business Administration. Hayden is employed at Dan Thomas Farms and Colby is a sales associate at Darling’s Fine Things in Newport.

When asked about future plans Colby responded, “For now just loving our three puppies Lucy, Dixie, and Susie, and enjoying being a young married couple.” This writer believes she will “Like” that. N

Embark on a journey of discovery VIKING RIVER CRUISES offers the best itineraries on the rivers of Europe, Russia and China. Enjoy exciting cities, rich cultural experiences, fine dining and deluxe accommodations onboard the most modern ships—with everything from meals to shore excursions included in your fare.

Ask about Viking’s 2015 Early Booking Discount: Up to 2-FOR-1 cruise plus international air discounts.

Renee Taylor Travel Co., 727 W. Beebe Capps Expressway, Searcy Call 501-305-3780 or toll free 877-305-3789, renee@rtaylortravel.com THE WORLD’S LEADING RIVER CRUISE LINE...BY FAR® *Note: Up to 2-for-1 cruise and international air discounts are considered a single offer. International air does not have to be purchased to get cruise offer. Must request offer EBD at time of booking and pay in full by current expiration date; call for details. Valid on new bookings only as of 5/1/14, subject to availability and may not be combinable with any other offers except Past Guest Travel Credit and Referral Rewards Credit. Viking reserves the right to correct errors and to change any and all fares, fees and surcharges at any time. Additional terms and conditions apply; see Passenger Ticket Contract at vikingrivercruises.com. CST#2052644-40

Smith’s Verdict ****

The Amazing Spider-Man Reviewed by Tanner Smith

Two years ago, when a friend told me that he heard that the “Spider-Man” movie franchise was being “rebooted,” I didn’t believe him. But two years later, there it was—ten years since the original film, and five years since its latest film. I was aware that 2007’s “Spider-Man 3” failed to satisfy audiences with its many plot developments, but I had a feeling that the franchise would redeem itself with a fourth entry. But no—Columbia Pictures apparently wanted to start from scratch, even with the same producer of the other films (Laura Ziskin).

Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised by this reboot of the Marvel Comics-based half-arachnid/half-human superhero. We all knew the origin story of Spider-Man/ Peter Parker, but that doesn’t mean the story isn’t told as effectively as before. There are many twists and turns in the storytelling of this retelling of Spider-Man, all executed wonderfully.

My guess is that they made this reboot because they didn’t know where to take the story from “Spider-Man 3” to a “Spider-Man 4.” But I am disappointed that they didn’t at least try—even Paramount’s “Star Trek” movies have gotten their way out of similar messes. So they better get it right this time with the inevitable sequels.

“The Amazing Spider-Man,” of course, retells the story of how high school geek, Peter Parker, became Spider-Man, but with different circumstances from the original film.

(And no, I’m not going to go into great detail to explain the comparisons and contrasts.) It begins with Peter as a little boy playing an innocent game of hide-and-seek when he enters his scientist father’s office and discovers that it’s been ransacked. The parents, hoping for the best for their son, send Peter to live with his aunt and uncle. Years later, Peter (Andrew Garfield) is seventeen, gawky, and somewhat of a loner (pretty much the last person you’d expect to become a superhero).

Peter finds an old satchel belonging to his late father and can’t help but go through it. He finds documents containing specific information about his cross-speciesintersection experiment with Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), who works as Oscorp Industries. Peter makes his way into the building to find out the real deal, when he is bitten by one of the experimental, radioactive spiders in Connors’ laboratory. On the way home, he experiences some intense side effects from the bite—he’s completely hyperactive (I suppose you’d call it “spider-like reflexes”), is unbelievably strong, and can even scale ceilings and walls.

These scenes in which Peter learns of his new abilities are well-handled and make for some very funny moments.

He at first finds these powers difficult to control (he nearly destroys his own bathroom while trying to brush his teeth—he shoots a dangerous projectile of toothpaste and also breaks the door). He does get the hang of them by taking it slowly and easily, but he uses them irresponsibly, as when he humiliates the school bully on the basketball court. This causes his fatherly Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen, 20

We are word of mouth for your eyes!

showing strong work here) to tell him that just because he can do these things doesn’t mean he can perform them whenever he wants to.

Later, Uncle Ben is killed by a street thug and Peter realizes that he could use his powers to help people in need. So he dons a costume he made himself, creates manmade spider-web-slingers that cause him to swing around New York, and becomes a masked half-arachnid vigilante called Spider-Man. He protects people in need, keeps his true identity a secret, and of course the police see him as a menace.

But with every superhero, there must always be a villain for each tale. Origin stories are no exception.

While most are coincided with the hero’s newly-developed powers, Peter is actually the cause of the supervillain in this movie. You see, earlier in the movie, he gave Dr. Connors his father’s secret algorithm that could make Connors’ cross-species project work. What it’s supposed to do is regrow lost limbs (three-legged mice are used as experiments). Thanks to the equation that Peter gave Connors, the experiment finally works. But later in the movie, Connors decides to use it on himself to regrow his disembodied right arm. And because some of the serum comes from lizard blood (if I remember correctly), Connors mutates into a man-size lizard that terrorizes the city.

Connors makes an intriguing villain and his plan is legitimately diabolical. His plan is to take the serum to the top of the tower of Oscorp and unleash it all over the city, via a chemical cloud, so they undergo the same effects as he. He says he’s doing this to get rid of “weakness.” Connors is an interesting villain because he doesn’t do this just to be anarchic and chaotic. He’s doing it for what he thinks is for the good of mankind. This is a scientist who searches for further truth in his research and gets more than he bargained for. He becomes a monstrous beast as it all just toys with his own sanity. Rhys Ifans does a terrific job at making a three-dimensional villain, and the computereffects design of his lizard form is gruesomely impressive as well.

The effects are first-rate. Sure, most of it is CGI, but it really did look like Spider-Man was flying around the city on those spider webs. And they, along with the camerawork, make the action sequences effectively intense and a lot of fun to watch. I can think of many final action climaxes where I feel worn out, just waiting for them to end. But there were enough turns in this film’s climax to keep me invested.

And I should also mention the change of tone this movie has, compared to the other three “Spider-Man” movies. The previous three were lighthearted, energetic romps. In this reboot, the attitude is suitably more dark and dramatic with a more sleek look, although that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for comic relief (such as how Spider-Man, in a teenage boy fashion, mocks a car thief while thwarting him). Also, I have to give credit to the screenwriters (including Steve Kloves, who wrote all but one of the Harry Potter movies) for giving better reasons for Peter to become Spider-Man. Andrew Garfield has been in movies like “The Social

Network,” “Never Let Me Go,” and “Red Riding: 1974.” I can say that this actor can either be very likeable or very stiff. In some of his work, he seems to walk that line. He just seems uncertain about a lot of things his character goes through. But as Peter, he’s pretty good here. He’s very convincing and likeable, and makes for a nice hero to root for. But I have to admit, the updated Spider-Man costume looks a little silly…or sillier.

And don’t think I forgot about Peter’s relationship with Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), the pretty girl in the class. Every superhero story, as far as I’m concerned, has a girlfriend to support the hero, and “The Amazing SpiderMan” is no exception. Now, I have to admit that I didn’t really care much for Gwen in the first half of the story, nor was I interested in hers and Peter’s relationship. It was pretty awkward and they didn’t share much chemistry, mainly because Gwen wasn’t given much of a personality… until midway through the movie, when these two started to have realistic conversations and I actually started to care.

Or maybe things just get more complicated when the police chief (Denis Leary, very good), seeking to arrest SpiderMan (who is actually Peter), is Gwen’s father.

“The Amazing Spider-Man” is a welcome retelling of the Spider-Man origin story—darker, more complex, entertaining, and very amusing when it needs to be. I’d even put this in a class with “Batman Begins” (which told Batman’s origin story) and that’s a very high class indeed.

I loved this movie, and I look forward to its predestined sequel. N

Harris

Hospital

April 1 Auxiliary Fundraiser Uniforms 2 U 2 Harris Hospital community room April 2 Bingo – Newport HH Community Room 10 am April 7 Red Cross Blood Drive Noon – 4:30 HH community room April 11 Relay For Life – 6 pm Village Mall April 14 Auxiliary Fundraiser Sheets Galore 7 am – 4 pm HH Community room April 16 Lunch N Learn - noon HH community room April 17 Easter Potluck 5 pm – HH Community room

ROCKHARD April 21 Bingo - noon Tuckerman Sr. Center

POWDER COATING April 24 Movie Day 2 pm HH Community Room

Resurface / Refinish / Restore April 25 Bingo - noon Bald Knob Sr Center

Auto Chassis / Auto Parts April 28 Auxiliary Fundraiser Lawn Furniture / Garden T ools Silpada Jewelry Wrought Iron Gates & Fencing 1:30 pm –Lawn 4:30 pmOrnaments Metal

HH Community Room

April 29 Supper Club China Star 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Notes from the Clearing

For more information, contact Margaret Goodman, Senior Circle Advisor and Volunteer Coordinator at Harris Hospital in Newport, 870512-3030. N

Given

Joseph Thomas On the surface of any given day lies the possibility of an event never experienced before. Within any given breath, roams the prospect of an alien particle’s desire to explore.

Around every moment exist the chance of a world changing forever. Before your eyes lives the ethereal mist of likelihood, so stoic and clever. So inevitable are these days, these nights, and yet they are for only the few. Perhaps only for the branded eyes of the struggling Jesters. The little fighters who champion the hills in need of conquer. May we desire to enrich the path ahead for those still behind. And might we rally under that flag until the beached bon fires burn inside.

N

ROCKHARD POWDER COATING

Resurface / Refinish / Restore

3 9 9Chassis Main S t rParts eet Auto / Auto LawnO Furniture / Garden il Trou g h , ATRools Wrought Iron Gates & Fencing 8 7 0Lawn - 2 6Ornaments 4-3806 Metal April 2014 21

Workshop focuses on helping professors develop assessment skills Hannah Keller

In an effort to support the campus community members who are working on assessment reports, the Institutional Assessment Committee at Lyon College offered a hands-on workshop focusing on how to create and implement effective student learning outcomes for faculty and staff, especially those who have assessment reports due this spring or next spring.

Jeannette Youngblood, director of the APPLE Project, presented the workshop February 25. She defined a student learning outcome as measurable behavioral criteria for determining if students are achieving the educational goals of an activity in a course or program.

“The purpose of the Institutional Assessment Committee is to coordinate the campus’s assessment efforts. Because of this, we try to have several workshops each semester to promote the development of good assessment practices. It is important to create effective student learning outcomes to guide the decisions that we make in our courses as well as in the programs that serve students,” said Nikki Yonts, assistant professor of psychology/education and division chair for social sciences. Yonts also serves as chair of the Institutional Assessment Committee.

Youngblood reviewed questions professors should consider when brainstorming about student outcomes.

“We need to ask ourselves what do we want the students to be able to do after this course, what skill or ability should they be able to demonstrate, and how they will demonstrate what they’ve learned,” Youngblood said.

She added that faculty could use the acronym S.M.A.R.T to remember the key components of creating successful student learning outcomes, meaning they should be specific, measurable, attainable, resultsfocused, and tailored specifically to the program for which they are created.

“We need to ask if the outcome is ambitious and if it is attainable. We need to have to work to get it, and we should be able to get it,” Youngblood said. “We don’t want to overshoot or undershoot.”

Participants reviewed Bloom’s Taxonomy, created in 1956 under the leadership of educational psychologist Dr. Benjamin Bloom in order to promote higher forms of thinking in education, which breaks learning into six different levels.

“It got me thinking about how coursework and/or examinations could be broken down into sections which test each level. I've often wondered how to balance exams between more basic questions such as definitions and more advanced questions such as solving hard math problems,” said Joseph Stover, assistant professor of mathematics. “After studying Bloom's Taxonomy, I feel that there is a good case for including more basic questions, even on a math exam, which address questions of knowledge and understanding as opposed 22

We are word of mouth for your eyes!

to those which only address applications and analysis.

“Adapting this approach in my own classes could potentially improve the quality of my instruction as a professor and the quality of my assessment of the students. This may lead to me developing a new exam style, which could better accommodate a broader range of learning styles.”

Scott Dirksen, director of outdoor recreation and education, said the workshop provided a good starting point for learning how to develop better assessment skills.

“The Institutional Assessment Committee is doing a great job at helping us improve our assessment practices. The workshop was a great chance to give us a baseline to start from, and the tools that we will need to do assessment the correct way,” Dirksen said. “In order for us to move forward academically, we need to do a better job of assessing and then fixing the problems or issues we are having. I will use the tools they gave us to write better outcomes for the LEAP program and the academic classes I teach to enhance the learning of my students.”

The Institutional Assessment Committee has a website that has all the materials provided at past workshops. This is a password-protected site for faculty and staff of Lyon College.

For more information, contact Yonts at 870-3077285 or Youngblood at 870-307-7263.

N

Jeanette Youngblood conducts a workshop on developing student learning outcomes for Lyon College faculty and staff.

Get Ready to Show Some Skin this Summer!

Look and Feel Younger * Hair removal * Stretch marks * Acne scars * Wrinkles * Roseca * Brown spots * Like us on and then message me to receive a 10% discount!

As always consultations are FREE

Shelly Johnson: 870-805-8756 Serving the Batesville area. Call to Schedule your appointment.

Tales Of a Transplanted Fashionista The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Leigh Keller

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Emotions are high. Everyone is talking about glitter, sparkles, flowers and the perfect dress. It is time for prom. I can remember my proms like they happened yesterday, the giant hair, the fluffy dresses and pretending to be so grown up. I don’t know that we completely obsessed over prom the way that our current generation does, but prom certainly was the highlight of the spring. I could tell you exactly what I wore, the group I went with, what my date wore, the car he drove, our theme (Boyz II Men, End of the Road, how sad, really?? High School is NOT the end of the road, or it shouldn’t be, anyway) and where we ate dinner before. I wore a short dress, simply because all of my friends were wearing long ones. Another thing that I do not remember being a huge issue was the cost of prom.

My mama and I actually went and rented a gown that I had found in a prom magazine, and that was it. Of course, that was the 90s, and things have changed quite a bit.

Now, Prom is big business, and by big business, I mean expensive. A prom gown can run anywhere from $200 to as much as $1000 or more. Add in shoes, jewelry, a bag, hair and makeup, your prom ticket, dinner and prom pictures, and prom is almost unattainable for many students. I grew up in a middle class family where we did not struggle, but I always had a part time job for any of the extra fun things I could possibly need (in addition to my parents providing for my every need). I did not live in the world that so many of my students live in, where they may go home from school to a home without electricity or water, and they might not get another meal until they return to school in the morning for breakfast. I joke about my biggest complaint of adolescence being that Beverly Hills 90210 came on tv on Wednesday nights, and church attendance was pretty non-negotiable on Wednesday nights. What a tough life I had, right? So prom for me was never a struggle the way it obviously is for so many of our kids.

When I first moved to Batesville in 2010, I left behind the Fayetteville Glass Slipper Project, which was so dear to my heart. I knew that Independence County had a high poverty rate, and a large prom dress project might be needed here too, but I wasn’t sure how I would balance a new marriage, a new baby and a new life, with a pink room full

of prom dresses and happiness. Fast forward to present day, and we have the BHS Glass Slipper Project in its second year in our new space, and third year in existence. Today, on our first Boutique Day, I personally did fittings for nine beautiful girls for our prom, and twelve gorgeous models for our Prom Fashion Show on April 5th.

I realize that a project like this is just a drop in the bucket for the need in Independence County, but somehow, in a small way, I hope that by providing the gift of prom for so many Batesville High School girls, we are giving them the gift of hope. In my career as a counselor I have heard so many sad things from children, and know about so many horrible situations that I cannot seem to help them out of.

But you cannot imagine the joy in your heart that comes when you see the smile on the face of a child who has on the most gorgeous dress, a dress that they never thought they deserved, or would ever be able to have. Last year, through the Boutique, and through tuxedo sponsorships, our project was able to give the gift of prom to 82 BHS students. If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity, or a cause to support in some way, please consider our little pink world.

Our next fundraiser, the Prom Fashion Show is Saturday, April 5th in the BHS cafeteria at 6 p.m. Admission is $5.00 or a prom dress donation. I promise you will not regret investing in our students!

N

Savannah Sellers and Crystal Thomas in April of 2010 ready for their Senior Prom.

April 2014 23

Things To Do Intro to Microsoft Excel 2010 Learn to use the ribbon, toolbars and menus; open, create and modify simple workbooks and worksheets; manage files in backstage view; work with data tables; and perform simple calculations. You must be able to navigate your desktop and have basic computer skills.

No textbook required. Gayla Dahl, instructor. Fee: $55. Dates: April 8, 10, 15, 17, 4:30-6:30 p.m. UACCB Main Campus Building, Room 223. To register, contact 870-6122082 or email katrina.stevens@uaccb.edu.

Make a Burlap Wreath Deann Castleberry will show you how to make your own burlap wreath. Bring ribbon, balls, bows, decorative items of your choice and a group of friends to have fun.

Fees are $10 plus supply fee of $15, payable to instructor on first night of class. We will meet in UACCB’s Row Johns Building, Room 803 April 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. To register call 870-612-2082.

Tactical Combat Survival This is an instructional class with the goal of reducing participants’ odds of being a victim of a violent crime.

TCS combines lecture with interactive hands-on training of the physical techniques. Legal responsibilities and consequences are discussed in relation to the training provided. Ages 18 and up. Shihan Don Gregory, full range close combat instructor. Fee: $40/ individual or $60/ couple on April 5 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. UACCB Annex Building, Room 404. To register, call 870-612-2082.

Buiness Etiquette As an employee, it is what makes you stand out from the others and rise to the top. As an employer, the professionalism of your employees makes your business stand and and keeps the customers returning. Instructor Beth Bruce, for a $29 fee, covers the ins and outs at UACCB’s Main Campus Building, Room 240 on April 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. To register, call 870-6122082.

Basic Outdoor Survival / Intermediate Survival Dan Nash, a professional mountain guide, will teach phase 1 of survival training April 12 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a $32 fee. He will teach a 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. intermediate training class immediately after for another $32 fee. Bring a bandana and a steel or magnesium fire striker and participants 18 and up need to bring a pocket knife. These classes will be held in the UACCB Nursing Allied Health Lecture Hall, Room 902.

24

We are word of mouth for your eyes!

To register, contact 870-612-2082 or email katrina. stevens@uaccb.edu.

Intermediate Knitting This class will take you beyond the basic knit and purl stitches. Lisa Krause will teach you how to increase and decrease, fix basic mistakes, do the cable and additional more-advanced stitches and read simple patterns.

Knitting needles will be provided. There is a $20 fee plus a $7 supply fee, payable to instructor on first night of class.

These classes will be held in the UACCB Main Campus Building, Room 240 on April 17, 24 and May 1 and 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. To register, call 870-612-2082.

Electrical Code Update This seminar covers the most significant changes to the new 2014 National Electric Code (NEC). Registration deadline is April 11. Instructor Terry Waldrop of ACEF (Arkansas Construction Education Foundation) will require a $75 fee that will cover all course material. This class will meet in the UACCB Nursing Allied Health Lecture Hall, Room 902 on April 26 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To register, call Terry Waldrop at ACEF at 501-372-1590.

Branson on the Road What do you get when you bring together a fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, upright slap-bass, rhinestone costumes, hilarious comedy and great folk, bluegrass, rockabilly and gospel music? Branson on the Road!

Independence Hall at UACCB Thursday, April 24, 7 p.m.

Arkansas Scottish Festival The 35th Annual Arkansas Scottish Festival begins Friday, April 11 and runs through Sunday, April 13. It begins Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in Brown Chapel with a Celtic Concert!

Kresge Gallery Exhibition Lyon Students’ Senior Thesis Art Show. These Candidates for a B. A. in studio art showcase their work, Friday, April 11 and Wednesday, April 16 Kresge Gallery, Alphin Building.

Ashley-Lewis Concert An evening of Classical Music of India will take place in the Bevens Music Room in Brown Chapel. Sitar master Ustad Imrat Khan performs classical Indian music with tablaist Monir Hossain.

Recital: Lyon Senior Music Students On Saturday, April 5, 7:30 p.m., Bevens Music Room, Brown Chapel, Senior music students Konnie Wright and Patrick Houston perform musical theatre selections.

Concert: S. J. Tucker On Thursday, April 10, 7 p.m. in the Maxfield Room, Edwards Commons, S. J. Tucker, a singer-songwriter and Arkansas native whose style has been compared

to Ani DiFranco, Fiona Apple and Joni Mitchell, will perform.

Choral Concert: “Psalms and Celebrations!”

The Lyon College Concert Chorale, Batesville Choral Society and Highlander Youth Singers will perform under the direction of Dr. Michael Oriatti Sunday, April 27 at 4 p.m. at the Christian Science Society.

Student Recital Tuesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bevens Music Room in Brown Chapel.

Log onto www.lyon.edu for more information.

All Over Independence

Dynamic Design 1-Year Anniversary Ribbon Cutting This ribbon cutting will be held at the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce office Tuesday, April 1 at 3 p.m.

Easter Egg Hunt An Easter Egg Hunt and Treasure Hunt will be held at Riverside Park on April 12. There will be four different hunts broken up into age brackets starting at 10 a.m.

Each age group will do an egg hunt and then a Treasure Hunt in the sand volleyball pit. Food vendors will be onsite. Sonic and Southern Bank are currently seeking volunteers to help this event run smoothly. Contact David at 870-698-1500.

BAAC Ribbon Cutting Thursday, April 24 at 1 p.m. at 226 East Main.

Family Violence Prevention Dinner and Silent Auction Friday, April 25, from 6 to 9 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Miller’s Gym Community Center Fundraiser Terrence Ford, also known as Godframe, will be in concert benefiting Miller’s Community Center (formerly known as Miller’s Gym). Concert will take place at the Miller Community Center at 850 Oak Street on Sunday, April 27, 2014. Doors open at 6:30 concert starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $5.00.

13th Annual Ozark Foothills FilmFest Wednesday, April 2 at Noon, a free showing kicks off this amazing FilmFest at the Old Independence Regional Museum.

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, April 4 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.

N

INDEPENDENCE COUNTY LIBRARY 368 East Main Street, Batesville, Arkansas 72501 (870) 793-8814, www.indcolib.com Hours of Operation: Sun. 1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Mon. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tues. - Sat. 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

More than just Propane ad - Reeves Propane - 8/12/11 1/2 pg - 8”w x 5”h - full color - Avenues Magazine

Faces Annaleigh Mead (left), daughter of Jeff and Jana Mead, and Dawson Engles, son of Corey and Ashley Engles, thank CeeBee for coming to their school.

Students in Vanessa Lancaster’s class welcome CeeBee the Money Bee to Southside Preschool.

CeeBee the Money Bee Helps Kids Learn About Money Chuck Jones

CeeBee the Money Bee, the mascot of Citizens Bank dropped by four classes at Southside Preschool to help students learn about money. CeeBee visited the classes of teachers Rana Hilton, Vanessa Lancaster, Lisa McGhee and Jalesa Reed.

All the classes were learning about pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters, so Citizens Bank added a fun quiz on the coins they were studying and what each coin was worth. The visit included a presentation based on a series of questions, including: Why do we need money? What can we buy with money? Where does money come from? The students also discussed how money is earned and deposited in the bank.

N

Diane LaCroix

Chairman Perry Wilson & Jennifer Vess

Beatrice Moore & Arlene Martin

Airport Groundbreaking Mandi Curtwright

A Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new hangar at the Batesville Regional Airport was held on March 19 at 8:45 a.m. Congressman Rick Crawford attended the event. The new hangar will be one building with six bays measuring 48 feet wide by 41 feet deep. These bays are capable of housing most twin engine aircraft.

This will fulfill a need that up until now the airport has not been able to supply.

In the past six years there have been four large hangars. These hangars are the result of area business growth.

Bad Boy Mowers, Mark Martin Ford, Midwest Lime, and Precision Aerospace own and occupy these large

hangars. In the same time frame the airport has added 17 small T-hangars and there is still a waiting list for more.

All six bays are spoken for and will be occupied upon completion.

Last year the airport received a federal grant to add 1,000 feet of safety runoff area to the ends of the big runway as well as add security fencing to the west half of the airport grounds. By obtaining the fill dirt from onsite, the airport was able to open up more area to accommodate future large hangar growth. This also brought the large runway's sides into compliance to FAA standards as far as the landscape

grading measuring 250 feet from the centerline outward.

All these projects are made possible through Federal and State grants that have supplied the majority of the funding.

N

Lyon scholarship fundraiser raises more than $175,000 Hannah Keller

Guests at the third annual Black Tie Blue Jeans Ball showed outstanding support for Lyon College’s Annual Scholarship Fund, raising more than $175,000.

The event was held February 28 at The Cow Palace at Chimney Rock in Concord.

“For the third year in a row we had a great Black Tie/ Blue Jeans event at the Cow Palace in Concord. This year the Honorary Chairman was Dr. Carolyn Holloway, a former first-lady and 2000 graduate of Lyon. We are blessed to have a great staff to organize this event and great community support. It is a special evening for all who attend and for Lyon College,” said Dr. Don Weatherman, president of Lyon College.

The ball was a sold-out event with more than 300 guests in attendance.

“We couldn’t do this without our corporate and

individual sponsors, as well as our many guests, donors and alumni that bid on items in the silent and live auctions and generously gave in the Dollars for Scholars reverse auction,” said Jon Vestal, vice president for institutional advancement. “All of our students receive scholarships, and about a third are the first in their families to enroll in college. We award $7 million a year in scholarships and grants to our students. Lyon doesn’t want to see any student denied a quality education because of financial need.”

“The Annual Scholarship Fund is a vital resource that without which some students would be unable to attend college. We cannot thank Lyon’s supporters enough for their overwhelming generosity.”

The event included a gourmet dinner, silent and live auctions, raffle drawings, live music, and dancing. N

Libby Jackson, Cindy Davis, and Fred Gray and Beth Boyce Ricky Davis

Mary Catherine Harbison, Lynn Weatherman, and Clarinda Foote

Jon Vestal and Gail Davis

Perry Wilson, Jon Vestal and More than 300 guests attended Josh Tate Lyon College’s third annual Black Tie Blue Jeans Ball held at The Cow Palace at Chimney Rock in Concord Feb. 28.

Carl and Jean Garner

Carolyn Holloway & Valerie Skinner

See more of our FACES at www.eyeonmag.com/photo album.

Lots going on at White River Health System! Guadalupe

“Lupe” Gray, RN, stands beside a collage of photos taken throughout her 38 year career at White River Medical Center. The collage was displayed during her retirement reception last week. Gray was one of WRMC’s first employees when it opened in 1976.

A & B Custom Meats Retail Outlet Ribbon Cutting.

Bigs Restaurant ribbon cutting. Ambassadors in attendance were Michelle Reichardt, Alisa Lancaster, Cara Moss, Cindy Cooke, Joel Williams, Randy Seale, Tony McGuffey, Michael Ferry, Janelle Shell, Adam Curtwright, Kyle Garner, Chad Grigsby, Chris Dickie. Board Members in attendance were Randy Reichardt, Jon Vestal, and Chintan Patel.

Lee Melton, Lead Radiology Technologist in WRMC’s Mammography Department, places the American College of Radiology accreditation sticker on the Stereotactic Breast Biopsy equipment.

Etc on Main Ribbon Cutting.

Ambassadors in attendance were Joel Williams, Adam Curtwright, Lori Woodruff, Brenda Henley, Jennifer Corter, Cara Moss, Janelle Shell. Board Member in attendance was Shaun Robinson.

Spinal Decompression

White River Chiropractic Life Center Dr. Thomas D. Taylor, D.C., FICA & Dr. Dustin Taylor, D. C., CCEP

1361 White Drive, Batesville, AR 72501 Call 870-698-1650 to Schedule Your FREE Consultation

Nguyen Promoted To Director Annie McCallister - Solis

Gary Bebow, CEO of White River Health System (WRHS), is pleased to announce the promotion of Jamie Nguyen, RN,BSN,CCRN, to Director of Critical Care Services at White River Medical Center (WRMC).

Nguyen’s new responsibilities include planning, directing, and controlling operations for the Intensive Care Unit, the Progressive Care Unit, Observation, and Vascular Access. She has twelve consecutive years of Critical Care Nursing experience and has been the Clinical Lead nurse in the Intensive Care Unit for several years before advancing to the Clinical Manager.

During her role as Clinical Manager, Nguyen assisted with implementing Electronic Intensive Care Unit (eICU) at WRMC, a program through Baptist Health that immediately links patients to Intensivists, or physicians who specialize in treating the most critically ill patients, via two-way video. She has participated in evidencebased practice presentations at the state and national level and has implemented best practice protocols and policies with an emphasis on infection prevention for mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU. Nguyen is nationally certified as a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) and has been recognized for her work on increasing the number of nationally certified nurses within the organization.

“Jamie has a natural understanding of patient care, which is evident through her dedication and compassion,” said Bebow.

Jamie “Her knowledge and skill will be essential

in directing the teams that care for our most critical patients.”

Nguyen received her Registered Nursing license at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington.

She is currently enrolled in the masters program at the University of Texas with an expected graduation date of July 2014.

“Patient and family centered care is crucial for restoring health,” said Nguyen. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to implement best practices that benefit our patients and their families. Delivering great quality healthcare and having positive outcomes are top priorities for our healthcare team.”

Nguyen is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and the American Organization of Nurse Executives.

Nguyen and her husband Vinh have 2 children Elly, age 3, and Ty, age 8.

WRMC is a 235-bed regional referral center and the flagship facility of White River Health System (WRHS). WRHS is a not-for-profit healthcare system serving residents throughout North Central Arkansas. The system includes hospitals, outpatient facilities, primary care and specialty physician office practices. White River Health System is a member of the Premier Alliance, the American Hospital Association, and the Arkansas Hospital Association and licensed by the Arkansas Nguyen Department of Health.

N

The Recreation Complex Groundbreaking was a joyfull event. Ambassadors in attendance were Alisa Lancaster, Chris Dickie, Jennifer Corter, Wiley Osborn, Janelle Shell, Adam Curtwright, Joel Williams . Board Members in attendance were Scott Lancaster, Stan Fretwell, Kevin Rose, John Dews, Chintan Patel, Barry Hammers, and Shaun Robinson.

The Best of Modern Praise and Worship Independence Counties very own local, contemporary worship station

Like us on Facebok!

Listen Online: www.kbapfm.org Phone: 501-203-6953

See more of our FACES at our PHOTO ALBUM at www.eyeonmag.com

Carlee’s Hallmark 870-793-8086 / 682 Harrison Street Batesville, AR

Gifts for all Occasions

Chamber and WRHS Foundation Partner to Host Meeting Mandi Curtwright

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce and White River Health System Foundation partnered to host the first Batesville Area Non-Profit Coordination meeting. The meeting was held on March 12 at the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce. Mandi Curtwright, Membership Director at the chamber said, “The group agreed that it is important to use a common community calendar in order to avoid booking similar events on the same date.”

All events are welcome to be posted on to the community calendar which is provided on the chamber website. Visit my www.mybatesville.org to add events. N

Imaginations Spring Open House was March 13th. Ambassadors in attendance were Joel Williams, Janelle Shell, Cara Moss, Adam Curtwright, Cynthia Harris, and Wiley Osborn.

Inside Imaginations Spring Open House.

Chamber Leadership Program Underway Crystal Johnson

The top fifteen applicants from throughout Independence County were selected in January to participate in the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce 2014 Leadership Program. The Leadership program is designed to identify, educate and prepare potential leaders for leadership roles in our community.

Crystal Johnson, President/CEO of the Batesville Area Chamber, said “It is crucial to our success as a county that we are led by educated and qualified leaders in business and government. This program has been designed specifically to do just that.”

The ten month program includes agenda items such as industrial tours, community and economic development, leadership and board training. The participants will also focus on local and state government. The class traveled to Little Rock March 5 to meet with Senator David Wyatt and Representative James McLean at the Arkansas State Capitol and represented Independence County at the White River Regional Economic Development Coalition Legislative Reception.

2014 Leadership Class Roster: Jonathan Abbot, City of Batesville; Michael Barnes, First Community Bank; Matt Carter, Southern Bank; Kyle Christopher, Centennial Bank; Brian Coltharp, Health Resources Arkansas; Nancy Elam, Crouch Insurance; Jason Horan, Independence Wholesale Supply; Ben Hunter, City of Batesville; Gina Garrett, Lyon College; Crystal Johnson, Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce; Alisa Lancaster, UAMS North Central; Beverly Lane, New York Life Insurance Company; Matt McDonald, White River Medical Foundation; Matt Martin, Citizens Bank; Chintan Patel, US Pizza; Leadership Chairman Randy Willison, Batesville Public School District.

N The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2014 Legislative Reception on Wednesday, March 5th in Little Rock.

Alisa Lancaster, Matt Martin, Arkansas Leadership Academy Facilitators Belinda Sullivan Akin and Blaine G. Alexander, Jason Horan, Kyle Christopher, and Chintan Patel.

Dawn Fires, RN with WRMC’s CommHealth program, prepares a participant for a cholesterol reading during a recent screening event at Crown Point Health and Rehab Center in Horseshoe Bend. Roughly 30 participants were screened during the event.

CommHealth conducts on-site screening events at worksites and health fairs throughout the region.

More at WRHS! D.L. "Doc " Spurlin, Ph.D., White River Health System (WRHS) Pastoral Care Coordinator, visits with a patient at WRMC during his rounding. WRHS Pastoral Care was recently recognized by and granted membership in the American Academy of Bereavement (AAB). The recognition verifies the credibility of WRMC’s Pastoral Care to compassionately care for patients and families in times of critical need, loss, grief, and bereavement.

Experiencing God in the Everyday Everyday Easter

Pastor Chad Grigsby The Easter season is in full swing. I know this because everything chocolate is now in the shape of an egg or bunny rabbit! Lent has begun and Easter is little more than four weeks away. Holidays and special times of the year are very helpful for giving us an intentional time to reflect and remember. But what about the rest of the year? Is the resurrection of Jesus just something we are to celebrate on one Sunday in the spring? Or is it more? What does the resurrection mean for us on just an average Tuesday in the summer? Surely Easter isn’t significant in winter is it?

For the Christian, every day is Easter. We live every day in the reality and power of the resurrection. But do we realize this?

When most of us think of Easter in the south, we think about dressing up and attending worship and hearing a sermon on how Jesus rose from the dead. We are convinced that the pastor only has one sermon since we hear the same theme every year! We also dust

off some old songs like “Up From the Grave He Arose.”

But surely there’s more to Easter than this? There is!

We not only need to focus on the fact that Jesus rose from the dead, but we also must see the implications that his resurrection has for today.

The resurrection means that death has died in the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are no longer under the curse of death if we know Jesus. The resurrection means that Jesus is alive and everything he said is true. He is Lord, Creator, and worthy to have our lives, our everything. The resurrection means that Tuesday morning can be filled with resurrection power just like Easter Sunday.

Because every day is Easter for the Christian, every day is filled with life and hope no matter what. Jesus’ resurrection is just the beginning. It is just a taste of what’s coming. His kingdom is coming and we are citizens of that kingdom forever because every day is Easter!

N

April 2014 33

Studio Salon 870-698-9998

141 W. Main Street, Batesville

Providing quality hair care for the entire family

s ’ h t e b Eliza

atering C & t n a r u Resta 231 East Main St. - 870-698-0903

        34

We are word of mouth for your eyes!

Owner

April 2014 35

Your Health

Give me a“T”....Testosterone That Is! Alisa R. Lancaster

Testosterone has quickly become one of the more commonly prescribed hormone medications. Sales have soared in the last decade as it’s widely marketed for symptoms of decreased testosterone (fatigue, decreased libido {sex drive}, etc.). But, does it actually have meaningful use and legitimacy or is it a gimmick to play upon normal symptoms?

There doesn’t appear to be a clear answer, though two studies done within the last six months (JAMA Nov 2013 and PLoS ONE Jan 2014) questioned whether the benefits outweighed the potential risks of this highly promoted hormone in certain populations.

These studies showed a significant increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and even death in older men and in middle aged men who have a history of heart disease.

These findings have re-emphasized the urgency for a previous call for clinical trials by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Several class action lawsuits have recently been filed against the drug manufacturers related to the potential misuse of this product.

Let’s look at the facts. Testosterone is a hormone that is produced primarily in the testicles. The testicles are controlled by the pituitary gland. It helps maintain bone density, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, red blood cell production, sex drive, and sperm production. One’s testosterone level peaks

during adolescence and early adulthood. It gradually declines at a rate of about one percent per year after the age of 30, which is a normal aging process.

Testosterone replacement therapy is only approved for use in men with hypogonadism (small testicles) signs and symptoms AND with consistently subnormal testosterone concentrations which require a blood test.

A review of literature shows that 25% of men prescribed testosterone therapy don’t have their levels checked.

This test must be done before 10 a.m. at the latest, and low levels should be confirmed with a repeat test done on a different occasion. If the repeat test is also low, then patients should have a luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin level drawn prior to therapy. All patients that begin therapy should have a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a PSA drawn. These patients should be monitored with follow up at 3 months after initiation or any change in dose. Once stable, a six to 12 month follow up is recommended.

Bottom line is that testosterone therapy can be beneficial for patients correctly identified as needing treatment. Before undergoing therapy make sure that your healthcare provider has discussed all aspects of treatment as they pertain to you. As with all drugs and treatments the risks vs benefit must be individually evaluated for patients. Patients should not start or stop any drug or therapy without the advice of their healthcare provider.

N

A BETTER BUILT MOWER FOR A BETTER PRICE. PRICES START AT

or low APR Financing

36

We are word of mouth for your eyes!

The Walk for the Waiting Submitted

Walk for the Waiting is an annual event hosted by The CALL of Arkansas in April each year. The event is held in order to create awareness for children in foster care and up for adoption in the state. This year the Independence County chapter of The CALL will host its 2nd Annual Walk for the Waiting here in Batesville. This year’s event will kick-off on the evening of April 25 with a Gala to be held in the West Annex building at the First Baptist Church located at 610 E. Main Street. Dinner and entertainment will begin at 6:30 p.m. Compass Church Pastor Chad Grigsby will be the guest speaker for the evening.

The walk will be held Saturday, April 26 at Riverside Park. The fun begins at 9:00 a.m. Keller’s Bounce Houses will be on site with lots of fun. Many other activities are planned for the day.

All proceeds from the weekend’s event will go to support The Call of Independence County, a local non-profit Christian organization that helps to equip

and train Christian families to become foster parents.

The Call also provides additional support to families, including a clothes closet.

If you or your church is interested in being a part of this year’s event or for ticket information you may contact Danielle Johnson at daniellejohnsonot@gmail. com.

Teams are asked to have a chairperson and help by sponsoring a table at the kick-off gala. Teams will walk on Saturday and are welcome to sponsor an event by volunteering to work at a booth. Each team may fundraise in advance of the main event.

T-shirts may be ordered through March 30 at: https:// www.booster.com/thecallofindcowalkforwaiting2014.

N

April 2014 37

Arkansas Grown Revamped to Expand Markets For State’s Farmers Submitted

As interest in local foods surges, the Arkansas Agriculture Department stands ready to meet the public’s demand with a revamped edition of its Arkansas Grown program. In partnership with P. Allen Smith, the program connects Arkansas farmers with a range of buyers, such as restaurants, schools and grocery stores. The program’s ultimate aim is to increase the quantity of locally produced food in the state’s market.

“We’re excited about the changes we’ve made to the program that will benefit consumers and producers,” Butch Calhoun, Arkansas Agriculture Department secretary, said.

“Arkansas Grown will help consumers more readily identify locally grown foods so they can make informed choices and stimulate their local economy by keeping their food dollars in the community. The program will bring more awareness to Arkansas’ wonderful producers and help create more markets for their products.”

Benefits of a strong local food system include economic gains for smaller farmers and the state, a reduction of environmental pollution by decreasing food transportation distances and increased access to fresher, healthier and better-tasting foods for the public.

“Farmers and producers want to farm and produce,” Smith said.

“That’s what they’re good at and how they want to spend their time.

Now, they have an advocate, Arkansas Grown, that’ll step in and get them plugged in to the state’s market. It’s a win for farmers, consumers and Arkansas’ economy.”

Often small growers do not have the resources to spend much on marketing, making the state infrastructure-building program an essential partner to help the farmers compete in their native market. In addition to working to connect producers with buyers, the program assists small farmers with marketing efforts that increase visibility, including placing an Arkansas Grown label at point of sale or on the product.

Arkansas Grown offers tiered options for farmers and producers: a free option that also includes special labeling for restaurants, one for $25 and another for $50 with increasing exposure and benefits accompanying each. Many states, including Georgia, Texas, Missouri and New Jersey, have successful comparable programs. For more information or to sign up, visit www.arkansasgrown.org.

N

Third annual Celtic Poetry Contest accepting entries

Hannah Keller The third annual Celtic Poetry Contest sponsored by the Arkansas Scottish Festival is now accepting entries. The entry deadline is March 31.

Entries into the free contest may be any style and any length. Poems must have a Celtic theme or be in traditional Celtic form. The seven Celtic nations include Ireland, Galicia, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Brittany, Scotland and Wales. Entries will be judged by two-time contest winner, Kenton Adler.

“I will only have access to the content, so I won’t have any knowledge of who the author is during the judging,” Adler said. “Our plan is that the winner of each year’s contest will be the succeeding judge for the next competition. We had 11 entries in last year’s contest. We’d like to see 20 to 30 this year.”

The winning poem will be read, by the author if possible, at the Celtic Concert April 11 during the Scottish Festival. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. First place prize is $100.

To submit poems, email entries to james.bell@lyon.edu and include “Poetry Entry” in the subject line.

N 38

We are word of mouth for your eyes!

The Eyes have it!

Promote your business

with Independence.

EYE ON INDEPENDENCE

Let us be the word of mouth... for your EYES!

Footnote.

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.

Jason T. Smith, DPM Board-Certified Podiatrist

75912_HARR_Smith_2_34x4_83c.indd 1

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

Member of the Medical Staff at Harris Hospital

3/19/14 12:14 PM

Support Our Advertisers

Here! Let us introduce you! in the pages of EYE ON INDEPENDENCE and EYE ON JACKSON email kthomas@eyeonmag .com or call Kimberlee at (870) 503-1150

Women in film continued from page 7

former Lander’s Theatre in downtown Batesville. This film follows a young girl who ventures on her bicycle through a forest, a beach, and a field picking up treasures on her way. She keeps her findings in a special spot in the forest, a refuge where she can get away from the rest of the world. At the end of the film her routine finally makes sense, and lets the viewer in on her need to escape.

Each of the these films feature a look at different types of communities and how community or the lack of affects people in profound ways. The women directors and writers have brought the theme of community to the forefront, and this subject is certainly one of merit in a rural area working on building a community of its own.

I personally am very grateful to the Ozark Foothills Film Festival and Bob and Judy Pest for bringing such strikingly different yet similar films to Batesville, AR. Not only is Batesville building community but it is also placing women at the forefront of this undertaking and certainly helping to show that women’s interests are simply human interests. Each of the women mentioned will be in attendance at the film festival which takes place April 2-6, 2014.

For more information about the schedule and the films shown, visit www. ozarkfoothillsfilmfest.org. N

American Floor Care--------------------- 34 Anytime Fitness-------------------------- 10 Autry’s------------------------------------ 35 Back In Time Antiques------------------- 34 Bad Boy Mowers------------------------- 36 Batesville Furniture---------------------- 6 Batesville Poultry Equipment, Inc.------ 10 Batesville Printing------------------------ 5 Batesville Title Services----------------- 34 Carlee’s Crown Shop--------------------- 30 Citizens Bank----------------------------- 11 Dairy Queen------------------------------ 4 Divine Studios---------------------------- 35 Downtown Guide------------------------- 34 Elizabeth’s Restaurant & Catering------- 34 Etta’s Attic-------------------------------- 34 First Community Bank------------------- 2 Harris Hospital--------------------------- 38 Imaginations----------------------------- 40 Independence County Recycling Center--- 3 Janet Smart Farmers Insurance Agency-- 10 Jonathan’s Fine Jewelry----------------- 13 Kallsnick, Inc.---------------------------- 5 KBAP 88.1 FM---------------------------- 29 Kent’s Firestone-------------------------- 9 Living Spaces---------------------------- 3 Merchants and Planters Bank----------- 19 Mexican Mamas-------------------------- 10 NADT Dance Academy------------------- 35 Natalies Restaurant and Catering------- 3 Purdy’s Flowers and Gifts---------------- 23 Reeves Propane-------------------------- 25 Renee Taylor Travel Company----------- 19 Richard Hawkins, Modern Woodmen---- 10 Robert O. Seat Photography------------ 32 Rockhard Powder Coating--------------- 21 Serenity Massage------------------------ 10 Skin Vitality------------------------------ 22 Small & Hip Children’s Boutique-------- 34 Something Extra------------------------- 7 Southern Bank--------------------------- 15 Southern Jewelry and Loan------------- 10 Southern Tire Mart----------------------- 27 Studio Salon----------------------------- 34 The Batesville Chamber of Commerce--- 7 The Property Shoppe-------------------- 37 Thompson’s Jewelry--------------------- 9 Thompson’s Jewelry--------------------- 10 Thompson’s Jewelry--------------------- 34 Welcome To Independence-------------- 10 White River Chiropractic----------------- 28 White River Health System-------------- 3 Wood-Lawn Nursing Home-------------- 17 April 2014 39