Eye On Jackson December 2014

Eye Jackson On www.eyeonmag.com

Why Downtown?

A Season of Change The Price of Character A Publication of Meadowland Media, Inc.

December 2014

Accommodating.

Kishore Gaddam, M.D. Pediatrician

Our new pediatrician understands your busy schedule.

At Newport Pediatric Clinic we understand how difficult it is to juggle your family’s busy life. That’s why our office hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. It’s also why we’re proud to introduce Kishore Gaddam, M.D., our newest and second on-site pediatrician. Dr. Gaddam specializes in treating various childhood illnesses and administering wellchild checkups and immunizations. As the only after-hours pediatric clinic in the area, we’re here to provide convenient care that fits your schedule. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can call 870-523-1008 to schedule an appointment.

2000 McLain St., Suite F Newport, AR

Need Help Unraveling the mystery of

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M rt Pa www.darlingsfinethings.com

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- Find the best Medicare plans for you in minutes - Beneet from a pharmacist's knowledge of alternative drugs and the donut hole

EST. 1975

DARLING’S CLOTHING

WE SHIP NATIONWIDE!

JEWELRY

GIFTS

1303 McLain Street, Newport 870-523-5887

Jingle & Mingle

In This Issue 6/Editor’s Note Christmas Chill

7/Great Tastes

Homemade Christmas Food Gifts

8/Seniors, can we talk?

Enrollment Time Soon Over

10/Cover Story

A Season of Change

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12/Harris Hospitality

Key to Surviving a Heart Attack: Acting on Early Symptoms

15/Newport Chamber News

Why We Love Christmas at the Chamber

16/Feature

The Price of Character

18/I Do

Clark - Honey Wedding

20/Notes from the Clearing Knight Owls

20/Things To Do 22/NEDC Report Why Downtown?

FARMERS OIL CORPORATION 101 Third Street, Newport / 870-523-6511

Congratulations Randy!

793-3303 755 St. Louis Street Batesville

Cover Photography by Cheryl Mauldin of Studio 1910 Cover Design by Joseph Thomas

Meet Your Writers...

Hunting for a Home Loan?

Julie Allen has served as the executive director of the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce since 2002. She is a 1994 graduate of Arkansas State University with a degree in Communications - Radio/Television.

Caroline Beauchamp is a local insurance agent for M & P Insurance & Investment Services. She offers personalized life and health insurance solutions and is known for her widely-published informational column, ‘Caroline, Can We Talk?’.

Jon Chadwell is the executive director of the Newport Economic Development Commission (NEDC). The NEDC is funded by a ½ cent sales tax collected in Newport and works to assist in the development of business and industry in Jackson County.

Adrienne Freeman is a Jackson County based food writer whose work is published statewide.

When not at the keyboard, she can be found in the kitchen, focusing on recipes and techniques that can be easily replicated by fellow enthusiastic home cooks. She always welcomes reader response at newport.foodies@yahoo. com.

Rebecca Pearrow is marketing director at Harris Hospital. She attained an AA at Central Baptist College followed by a BS at Arkansas Tech University.

She will complete an MBA from Harding University in December 2014. She was employed 12 years at White County Medical Center before her success in Community Relations brought her back to Newport.

She spends her free time traveling to support her kid’s athletics, gardening, raising chickens and scrap booking.

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: Kimberlee Thomas MANAGING EDITOR: Joseph Thomas ADVERTISING: Kimberlee Thomas Creative Director : Joseph Thomas AD DESIGN Department: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas

Congratulations Randy!

PROOFING Department: Joseph Thomas Kimberlee Thomas

Eye On Jackson 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 © 2013 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.

Staff PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Cheryl Mauldin PRINTING COMPANY: Rockwell Publishing

32 y ears hav e sure flown b y while we were all hav ing fun!

4390 St a t e Hwy 384 E ., Newport , AR

( 870) 523-5111

Eye On

Jackson

Editor’s Note Christmas Chill Joseph Thomas

Joseph and Kimberlee Thomas Photo by Cheryl Mauldin

Happy December everyone, hope you are all staying warm when you are not out playing in the snow.

We have a nice read for you this month for your time indoors.

Julie Allen tells us why the Chamber loves Christmas, Jon Chadwell asks why downtown and I get the opportunity to cover two local favorites, Randy Chlapecka and Price Holmes. Kimberlee brings us the Clark - Honey wedding and Caroline Beauchamp tells us more about the Medicare enrollment. Adrienne Freeman presents homemade Christmas food gifts, Rebecca Pearrow writes about heart attacks and early symptoms and we have things to do, so enjoy the read, visit all of our local advertisers and have a very Merry Christmas.

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FOR THE BEST IN-HOME SERVICES IN JACKSON COUNTY! CHOOSE WHITE RIVER AREA AGENCY on AGING!

   

877-869-7016 Our Certified Home Care Assistants help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation and light housekeeping.

Access to transportation for errands like shopping is available.

HCAs also help clients manage their household by assisting in basic needs, planning menus, essential shopping and light housework.

WRAAA serves White, Independence, Cleburne, Woodruff, Jackson, Sharp, Izard, Fulton, Stone and Van Buren counties.

    

...and all through the house...

not a creature was stirring...

New Personal Agency Opens in Newport Submitted

Absolute Care Management held the grand opening of its newest location in Newport on October 23. A personal care agency dedicated to helping the elderly and disabled, Absolute Care Management puts the clients first. Kelly Grojean Sr., company founder and Director of Operations, says, “We focus on helping the elderly and disabled stay in their homes and remain safe and healthy as long as possible.”

The Newport branch is headed by Newport native Carolyn Jackson, RN Manager. Jackson brings 20 years of experience in personal care services and says, “I believe Absolute Care Management is caregiving at its absolute best. Jackson County has a high need for the personal care and homemaker services we provide.”

The company accepts Medicaid, private pay and longterm care insurance. Clients can also qualify for Medicaid waivers such as Elders Choice, AAPD and the VA system uses Absolute Care to provide services to veterans who 6 | We Wish You A Blessed Holiday Season

need home care as well.

Services include personal care, homemaker services, adult companion services and respite services.

Headquartered in Jonesboro with twelve locations, Absolute Care Management has grown quickly since its inception in 2006 with only six employees. The mission of Absolute Care Management is based on the client, the caregiver and the agency. “Our success depends on how we prioritize the role of each,” says Grojean, “The client comes first, the caregiver second and the agency is the supporting third component.”

Jackson encourages anyone who knows of a friend or family member who is elderly or disabled and may need assistance in their homes to contact Absolute Care Management. “We will do our best to find a program that suits their needs,” she said. The local office is located at 106 Lindley Lane in Newport or call 870-523-7520.

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Great Tastes Homemade Christmas Food Gifts Adrienne Freeman

In the hustle and bustle that is the modern Christmas season, it is easy to become fixated on finding the elusive hot toy of the year or on navigating the sea of people and parties that equally entertain and exasperate us. The stores are stuffed, the shelves disheveled, and shoppers can run out of resources, monetary and mental, before each entry is crossed of the list.

Homemade food gifts can be the solution to a multitude of problems: the impossible to please, the one who has “everything”, last minute guests, hostess gifts and last but not least, a well-deserved treat for the cook!

Food gifts are the ultimate expression of friendship – a realization that someone took time out of their own hectic schedule to give something truly from the heart.

There are a few tips to working with candy recipes to keep in mind.

Chocolate – When melted, the cocoa, sugar and fat ideally mix into a smooth, silky liquid. But if the mixture comes in contact with even a drop of water, the chocolate can “seize”, rendering it unusable. Overheated chocolate can be heavy and lumpy. Don’t let that scare you off – just make sure all utensils are dry (no wooden spoons) and you take your time using a low heat setting.

Sugar – Boiling sugar can be dangerous! It is difficult to wipe or rinse off the skin quickly, making burns more serious. To avoid this painful pitfall, take care when stirring and pouring. Although cooks for generations have used the “ball method” to gauge doneness, a candy thermometer is an easy and economical way to assure success.

Weather - Clear, dry days are best for candy-making.

On rainy or humid days, the cooking time can increase or your candy may never set up at all. Sugar attracts water, so humidity can sabotage your recipe.

sides of the chocolate-coated spoons with the melted white baking bar. Drizzle remaining melted bittersweet chocolate on white baking bar-coated spoons.

Refrigerate spoons for 30 minutes to allow chocolate to set up. Wrap each spoon separately in cellophane or acrylic bag. Store in a cool, dry place. (Will last for 2 to 3 weeks.) Use for stirring coffee or hot chocolate.

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Chocolate Spoons 12 ounces semisweet chocolate pieces 20 -24 plastic spoons 4 ounces white chocolate chips Note: (holiday candy “bark” may be substituted for the chips) Line baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside.

Melt chocolate candy chips in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly OR place candy chips in glass bowl and microwave on high 30 seconds. Remove and stir until smooth.

Dip the bowl portion of spoons into chocolate, tapping handle of each spoon against side of pan to remove excess chocolate. Place spoons on waxed paper; refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow chocolate to set up.

Melt white candy chips according to package or methods above. Transfer melted candy into a small ziptop plastic bag. Using scissors, make a small opening at one bottom corner of the bag; drizzle one or both

 

 

                                                

              

December 2014 | 7

Seniors, can we talk?

Enrollment Time Soon Over Caroline Beauchamp

The elections are over and all those election ads are gone. The Annual Election Period is still going on and so are all those ads – until December 7.

Ruth and her friend, Betty, are reviewing their Medicare Prescription plans. They received their annual notice of change (the packet showing the difference between the current plan and the 2015 version). Ruth has liked her prescription plan this year because it had a low monthly premium and no deductible. In 2015 her monthly premium will increase about $10 plus she’ll have a $320 deductible.

Since Ruth is not happy with these changes, she got a list of her prescriptions from her pharmacy to give to her agent.

The list also included the dosage and how often she takes each. This is all the information her agent needs to make a personal comparison.

Her agent looked at the 28 plans available. Several factors were taken into consideration including premium, deductible, copays, prescriptions covered and if there were any “management” tools. Ruth was not familiar with these so we talked about them. All prescription plans include 3 tools to help manage (reduce) the cost of prescriptions – prior authorization, quantity limits and step therapy. Prior authorization requires the pharmacist to call your doctor because specific criteria must be met before the drug can be filled. Quantity limits are based on approved dosage limits.

Step therapy requires that you try certain drugs before your prescription is filled in an effort to try to control the costs.

Medications that are most cost effective are tried first and then progresses to others more costly.

After looking at all these factors, Ruth found that her current plan will continue to be appropriate and suited for her in 2015 based on her current prescriptions and the pharmacy she prefers. She found that her current prescriptions are all Tier 1 or Tier 2 and the deductible will not apply to any of them. Unless she starts taking a Tier 3 or Tier 4 prescription she will never realize she has a deductible.

Betty’s situation is different. Her premium only increased a little and her deductible only changed from $310 to $320 – not much change. When she looked at the prescriptions that will be covered next year, she noticed that one of her prescriptions that is expensive will no longer be covered. Yes, the prescriptions covered by your plan changes every January 1. Betty found another plan that covers ALL her prescriptions and may save her over $550 compared to keeping her current plan. Just because your plan does not cover a certain prescription does not mean that no plan will cover it.

Do your homework. Everyone’s situation is different just like Ruth and Betty. Ruth is keeping her plan and Betty found a plan that will not only save her money but will cover all her prescriptions.

You have until December 7. Got questions? Call me at 870-523-6771 and say “Caroline, can we talk?” N

 

1311 N. Pecan Newport, AR 72112



870-523-9514 or 870-523-5639

  

Happy Retirement Randy From your friends at 870-523-5867 | 800-698-5867 www.agheritagefcs.com

8 | We Wish You A Blessed Holiday Season

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  

 

 

                                                

              

Happy Trails to you, Until we meet again....

Congratulations on your Retirement

Randy Chlapecka

7901 Victory Blvd., Newport 870-523-8941 Delta has been manufacturing the finest quality livestock, equipment and cargo trailers since 1971 and is the leading trailer manufacturer in Arkansas

CONGRATULATIONS Randy Chlapecka Thank for your selfless dedication to our community and the farmers of Jackson County

December 2014 | 9

Eye On Cover Story A Season of Change Joseph Thomas

While all of the fields have been harvested and lie in wait for the warmer weather to bring a new planting season, Randy Chlapecka is making a change. Many of you know Randy from his work with the Jackson County Extension Office, his County Extension News in our magazine, his broadcast segments on Cable 15’s Breakfast Bunch or even his broadcast with David Black on Greyhound Football, also aired on Cable 15. I met Chlapecka while running the camera for the Breakfast Bunch and he was always courteous and kind.

Chlapecka has removed his extension hat and has been handed a new one. He begins his work as an Agronomist (one who produces and improves food crops while managing weeds and pests), for a Farmer Supply Association headquartered out of Harrisburg (they have branches in Cherry Valley, Waldenburg, Hickory Ridge, Wynn and Hamlin), but Chlapecka will be based in the new facility in Tuckerman. “I will be basically doing the same job, just for different customers. I will travel from location to location helping whoever I can during the farming season,” explains Chlapecka.

Chlapecka grew up in Slovak, Arkansas and says you could have thrown a baseball from his parents house in any direction and hit a rice or soybean field. His father was a farmer, so he was grounded in the basics of farming from an early age. He attended and graduated school at Hazen, Arkansas and then majored in Agri-business at ASU and earned his masters there in May of 1982. By July he was working for a chemical company scouting rice fields all over Eastern Arkansas for diseases, but it was a temporary job that would last just that season. Chlapecka says he applied everywhere knowing his first job was about to end and in early August, the County Extension Service called. He drove to Little Rock and interviewed with the district director there and had the job within a week. “In

10 | We Wish You A Blessed Holiday Season

September of 1982, I started my first position with the Extension Service, but it was in Randolph County. I was asked if I wanted to know what the job paid and I said, ‘whatever you are paying, I’ll take it,’” laughs Chlapecka.

“I needed a job, but it worked out beautifully, because that is where I met Paula, in Pocahontas in 1986.” He married Paula in March of 1988 and his boss talked him into applying for the Jackson County Extension Service position because it fit Chlapecka’s expertise. Randolph County has rice and soybeans, but it has more hill country and cattle than fields, so in June of 1988, Chlapecka started his new job and on August 2, he moved his wife to Greyhound Country. “Paula was very supportive of my work considering I was moving her away from her home town, but the rest is history. Newport very quickly became our home town.” The Chlapecka’s have twin boys, Austin, who married in June 2013 and is teaching History and Quiz Bowl in Brooklyn, Arkansas, and Justin who is currently working on his Masters in Agriculture through a fellowship from the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Paula stayed home with the boys until they started school and then she began substitute teaching in Newport Elementary School and the last three years has been an Instructional Assistant at the Preschool.

One of Chlapecka’s new neighbors after moving to Newport was Coach Richie Mathis, who was an assistant football coach at that time. He recruited Chlapecka in 1990 to time track meets in Remmel Park, which led to Coach Bill Keedy recruiting Chlapecka in 1992 to take stats for Greyhound Football. “I helped John Minor keep stats for mostly home games. It was 1996 when I dropped the slightest hint to Paul Dugger, who was filming my Extension Service segment for Cable 15, about helping with the Cable 15 Greyhound Football broadcast and David Black called me the next day; here we are nineteen years later,” says Chlapecka. “It has been a great nineteen years, but it looks like its all about to end. Paula and I are probably moving to Jonesboro next year to be closer to our boys.” He says it has been a dream come true. Chlapecka’s presence will be missed in and out of the booth, but he says he will still come back now and again as a fan and you never know when you might hear his voice calling the Greyhound action next. Chlapecka has also done public announcements for all PeeWee game since 2000, Junior High games since 2001, for basketball since 2003 and for baseball since 2009. Chlapecka laughs when I ask how many people will be taking over his responsibilities next year, but I really wonder how he fit it all in.

Chlapecka says that in his career with agriculture, technology is the biggest change. He talks about the AutoSteer system in farming equipment and all of the GPS applications that come with it, “It is amazing the number of things that technology has advanced in the farming industry. Farms make higher yields, and cost more to

produce.� He says his favorite part of his work has been working with the farmers, being able to help them improve crops or ease their harvest. He says he enjoyed learning such diverse and complete information just to extend his knowledge to the farmers that depended on it. Luckily, his new job, which starts February 1, 2015, will allow him the same opportunities to help some of the same clients and many new ones. We wish Randy C, as he is called in his broadcasting circles all the best and look forward to seeing him around.

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Thank you for helping to keep our harvest bountiful.

Congratulations Randy!

JACKSON COUNTY LAND TITLE SERVICES, INC. NEWPORT

(870)523-8976 office / (870)523-3969 fax 600 Third Street, Suite A

ARKANSAS 72112

December 2014 |  11

Harris Hospitality

Key to Surviving a Heart Attack: Acting on Early Symptoms Rebecca Pearrow

More than a million Americans suffer a heart attack each year—and nearly twenty percent of them die, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

Unfortunately, many Americans are not familiar with the early symptoms of a heart attack—knowledge that could spur them to seek treatment earlier, minimizing heart damage and saving lives. That’s why Harris Hospital wants to increase awareness of heart attack warning signs.

“A heart attack rarely happens without warning, so it is possible to identify the signals and act in time,” explains cardiologist Samuel Mortoti, M.D. “It’s that initial confusion about symptoms that often causes people to delay seeking treatment, which is what our campaign is designed to reverse.”

Harris Hospital’s Emergency Department treats more than 10,000 patients each year, giving high priority to those who are experiencing heart attack symptoms.

Because early treatment is critical, medical intervention is initiated instantly. An efficient and timely transfer process to institutions with percutaneous coronary intervention (pci) capability (also known as angioplasty) for positive outcomes has been developed. In certain instances the hospital’s ER staff can provide clotbusting medications to dissolve clots quickly. Door to balloon time is a measurement of the time a patient arrives in the ED to the time he/she is receiving balloon angioplasty which opens a blocked artery.

Jon Chadwell experienced this process first hand last year when he suffered a heart attack. “As soon as I realized I was having a heart attack I told my wife and she gave me an aspirin and took me immediately to Harris Jon Chadwell Hospital’s ER. From the time we left our house until I was on the table at St. Bernard’s in Jonesboro receiving treatment was less than 90 minutes,” Chadwell recounts.

He credits the quick response of his wife, Harris Hospital, White River EMT and St. Bernard’s. “All of them working as a team saved my life. I didn’t realize until later that I had the ‘Widow Maker’ heart attack and that, without that quick response, I would not only have lost more heart function, but I would have lost my life,” says Chadwell.

“We see many patients in our Dr. Samual Mortoti 12 | We Wish You A Blessed Holiday Season

ED who are suffering heart attacks,” says Dr. Mortoti.

“We know we can save lives and minimize heart-muscle damage if we can get people to seek help early, but it’s crucial they don’t wait because some treatments—like thrombolytics (clot-busting drugs)—are most effective within the first hour.”

When it comes to a heart attack, there are three educational components that will save lives: know your risk factors, recognize “triggers”, and understand the early signs and symptoms.

Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, stress and a family history of heart disease.

Triggers are situations that can make a heart attack more likely for people with risk factors, and include lack of sleep, overeating, stress or unusually heavy exercise.

Early signs and symptoms include: * Chest discomfort, such as uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain * Pain in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach * Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort * Cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness Additional heart attack symptoms include a weak feeling, sudden dizziness, a pounding heart, a feeling of impending doom, fatigue, indigestion, and nausea and vomiting.

Notably, women and men often experience different heart attack symptoms. The National Institutes of Health reports that only half of women who have heart attacks have accompanying chest pain. However, they are likely to report fatigue, indigestion and sleep disturbances. Women who experience these nontraditional symptoms often do not identify them as a heart attack and delay seeking medical attention – decreasing their chances for preventing, or surviving, the attack.

If you or a loved experiences any of these warning signs, even if you don’t have any risk factors for heart disease, it’s important to act quickly and dial 9-1-1.

Harris Hospital is a 133 bed Joint Commission Accredited hospital providing a full-range of healthcare services including an Emergency Department with a 30 Minute Pledge and ARSaves Telemedicine Program, Intensive Care Unit, Labor & Delivery, Inpatient Geropsychiatry, Inpatient and Outpatient Surgery, Acute and Outpatient Rehabilitation, Imaging (CT scanner, MRI, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, Bone Densiometry), and Cardiac services (CCU, Telemetry).

Technology and 10 skilled outpatient clinics come together to provide compassionate, customer-focused care. In addition, Harris Hospital offers Senior Circle and Healthy Woman community outreach programs.

For more information, visit www.harrishospital.com.

Heart Attack Triggers Commons situation that can trigger a heart attack in a person with risk factors include: * Waking up from sleep – The body releases stress hormones into the bloodstream just before we awaken, which helps us to wake up but can also place stress on the heart. This, along with overnight dehydration, may explain why heart attacks commonly occur in the morning. * Heavy physical exertion – Unusual bouts of heavy exercise can cause a heart attack in people who are not

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

accustomed to that level of physical activity. However, regular exercise can also protect your heart. * Stress, anger or grief – Harvard researchers report that an attack of anger can increase the risk of heart attack by more than 14 times in the two subsequent hours. And a negative personal relationship can also hurt the heart. According to a study by epidemiologists at University College London, relationship problems can increase heart attack risk by 34 percent. * Infections – Illnesses such as the flu and pneumonia can trigger heart attacks and strokes.

Other potential triggers: overeating, drug abuse and lack of sleep.

(Source: Harvard University Medical School Research).

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

7:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

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

7:00 a.m.

Noon 2:30 pm Noon Noon

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

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December 2014 | 13

Accepting New Patients (870) 569-4909

Call to Schedule your FREE Consultation

920 Harrison St., Suite A Batesville, AR

Dr. Dustin Taylor , D.C., CCEP

12.23.2014 14 | We Wish You A Blessed Holiday Season

Newport Chamber News Why We Love Christmas at the Chamber

Julie Allen, Newport Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director The Newport Area Chamber of Commerce loves the holidays, and here are a few reasons why!

The Newport Christmas Decorating Committee, Jackson County Council on Tourism and ASU-Newport have put on display over 100 pre-lit Christmas trees throughout the Newport community. Thanks to the local fundraising efforts of these dedicated volunteers, the six to ten-foot trees will be a must-see for families in the region.

The Chamber’s Retail Merchants Committee has kicked off the 2014 “Shop Til You Drop” holiday promotion at participating locations in Newport. By visiting local retailers, everyone 18 and older will be eligible to register for dozens of great prizes including a $150 shopping spree and a $1,000 grand prize shopping spree. Drawings will be held on Friday, December 5 and December 12. Increase your chances of winning by visiting all participating stores.

Remember, it pays to shop locally!

The Newport Chamber and City of Newport will host the annual Newport Christmas Parade on Thursday, December 11 at 6 p.m. The parade travels down Malcolm Avenue from Hwy. 69 to the Village Mall. Contact the Chamber to sign up your float, antique vehicle, beauty queen or community organization. Entry is free!

You may also enjoy: Weekdays through December 18 – Festival of Trees Display, Newport Business Resource Center December 5 – Jackson County Courthouse Open House, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Courthouse Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m.

December 5 – Merchants & Planters Bank Holiday Open House, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Newport December 5 – Jackson County Library Open House, 3 to 5 p.m.

December 6 – Breakfast with Mrs. Claus, 9 a.m. at

ASU-Newport December 6 – Victorian Style Christmas Ornament Workshop, 9 a.m. at Jacksonport State Park December 7 – Newport Service League Tour of Homes, 1-4 p.m.

December 9 – A Christmas Carol, 7 p.m. at ASU-Newport December 9 – Holiday Open House, 2 to 7 p.m. at participating Newport Retailers December 11 – Newport Christmas Parade, 6 p.m.

December 12 – Merchants & Planters Bank Holiday Open House, Tuckerman December 12 through 14 – Live Nativity Scene, 6 to 9 p.m. at First Freewill Baptist Church Dec 13 – Making Christmas Stockings Workshop, 10 a.m. at Jacksonport State Park December 13 – Tuckerman Christmas Parade, Noon December 15 – Senior Circle Christmas Potluck, 5 p.m. at the VFW December 18 - Festival of Trees Reception, 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Newport Business Resource Center December 21 – Candlelight Service and Church Choir Performance, 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church December 24 – Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church December 24 – Christmas Eve Communion and Family Service, 5:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church December 25 – Merry Christmas!!!

If you would like to know more about information about these community events in and around Newport/ Jackson County, call (870) 523-3618 or email director@ newportarchamber.org to sign up for our free “Upcoming Events” email.

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Family Medicine Cardiology

Roddy Lochala, DO • Matthew Jackson, MD • Matthew Haustein, MD

Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Newport

1500 McLain • 870-523-9337 NEABaptistClinic.com

Family Medicine Newport

December 2014 | 15 Family Medicine

Eye On Feature The Price of Character Joseph Thomas

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

Within two weeks of graduating from Batesville High School, Holmes enrolled for summer classes at the University of Arkansas (U of A), and walked on as a Razorback. “I was a preferred walk on, but walking on is walking on. You have to earn a spot on the team and pay for school. It is a tough place until you earn your way on the team,” admits Holmes. He says it was tough the first year anyway, getting acclimated to his college courses, red shirting (which means he practiced ever day with the rest of the team, but during game day only got to watch), and fighting to earn that spot he wanted so badly. The second year made it all worth it, he says, “I remember running through the ‘A’ for the first time. I will never forget how gratifying that was. That is probably my favorite memory from college.

I’ve watched the Razorbacks play my whole life and could name each player as they ran out from the ‘A’ and tell you where they were from. It was amazing to be one of them.” He says he was relieved, excited, motivated and amazed all at once. Holmes earned a scholarship from his work on the team and started the last two

games of his senior year against Mississippi State and LSU. Holmes graduated in December of 2013 and had been leaning towards a career in the medical field, after his father, “I realized how much time I had invested in sports and football and didn’t want it to end. When Coach Bret Bielema and his staff came in with this family oriented program, it made me want to join them.

I called around to all the coaches I’d ever played for and was looking for a spot when Head Coach Bielema and Ben Herbert, the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, called me in and offered me a position on the Strength and Conditioning staff. I couldn’t have been happier. They’ve really helped me transition into the position. It is a very positive atmosphere under Coach Bielema’s reign.” He says it came out of the blue and luckily he gets to work with the new players so he doesn’t get put in a position to ever have to reprimand any of his peer players. Holmes says there were three staff changes during his enrollment at U of A and it was hard to start all over with each change of faces, but now that he is coaching, he sees it as an asset and good lesson of what works and what doesn’t. “I remember after I began playing with the Razorbacks, coming home and kids asking for my autograph and I gladly gave it, but I was thinking, ‘man this isn’t worth the paper its printed on.’” He says, “It is amazing to be on that side of it and see kids, like I was, look up to me. It’s kinda crazy.”

Holmes called Coach Smith in 2013 during filming for the Pioneer Football cable program and we actually used the audio of that call on the broadcast.

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

16 | We Wish You A Blessed Holiday Season

December 2014 |  17

I Do Do

Clark - Honey Wedding Kimberlee Thomas

Arkansas State University Newport has prided itself on being a “Great Place to Start.” While I am sure their main thought is to education, the campus has been the starting point for more than one wonderful relationship. Savannah Beth Clark and William Patrick Honey attended high school together but with two years separating them they did not share classes and did not truly know each other. They would encounter one another during history class at Arkansas State University Newport.

On the first day of class William sat directly behind Savannah and took the opportunity to introduce himself. They would spend the year chit chatting a bit before and after class getting to know each other.

Savannah recalls, “By the end of the semester I was really starting to like Will but we were still only friends.

I figured summer would come and that would be the end of our history class friendship.” To her surprise he followed her to her car the final day of class and asked for her phone number.

They started spending time together and on May 12, 2012 William asked Savannah to be his girlfriend.

The two spent the next year and a half dating and growing as a couple.

The topic of marriage had come up a few times and they both knew they wanted to someday be married to one another. William took Savannah ring shopping, “I picked out one I absolutely loved.” After looking at rings William explained to Savannah that it would be a while before they would be engaged. He knew she was about to enter nursing school and he wanted the proposal to be perfect and a surprise. On Tuesday, August 20 Savannah was returning home from her second day of nursing school, as she turned the bend to pull into the drive she saw William kneeling in the middle of the driveway. “I immediately busted out bawling and jumped out of the car. I was very surprised. We were so excited we started calling everyone we knew!”

The couple was married in a

Natalie Curtner Photography

double ring ceremony on April 19, 2014 at Central Baptist Church in Newport. “I was raised in this church.

My entire family attends here, it was the perfect venue.” Savannah’s uncle, David Burgess, united the couple in holy matrimony. William’s parents, Michael and Sandy Honey, along with Savannah’s parents, Steve and Debbie Clark, and a host of family and friends were in attendance to witness the union. “The ceremony was everything I dreamed it would be, thanks to my sister in-law, Shannon Haigwood.”

Savannah and Shannon spent countless hours planning everything.

The theme was rustic county décor with bright summer colors. Prior to the ceremony guests were treated to a slide show of Savannah and William’s lives from birth through their engagement photos. The newlyweds walked up the aisle as husband and wife to Tim McGraw’s, “Where the Green Grass Grows.”

A reception followed at The Depot on Front Street. Tim McGraw’s, “My Little Girl” filled the air as Steve Clark held his daughter in his arms, “My favorite part of the reception was the father-daughter dance with my sweet daddy. My dad kept saying, ‘I am just going to keep looking at the wall so I don’t cry.’” After the father-daughter dance Savanah and William shared their first dance to “My Best Friend”, another McGraw tune. “The evening was absolutely perfect,” shared Savannah.

With planting season in full swing and Savannah still in nursing school the couple waited until August to slip off to Branson for their honeymoon.

Savannah explained, “We had visited Branson for the first time the year before and had the best time, so we were excited to go back!”

Savannah graduated from ASUN as a Licensed Practicing Nurse in July.

William farms in Amagon and around Stegall. The couple resides in Amagon in the Honey family home, “William’s parents lived here when they were first married. This is where Shannon, Kristin, William and his twin brother, Alan were all brought home as babies.”

Sounds like another “great place to start” to this writer. N

Hohn’s Nursery & Landscaping

Beautiful Handcrafted Christmas Decor

1002 Malcolm Avenue Newport 870-523-3514 facebook.com/hohnsnursery

Eagle Pest

Management, LLC 1775 Porter Street, Batesville

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

wlong1@sbcglobal.net

Notes from the Clearing Knight Owls Joseph Thomas

Things To Do

The cold winds howl stirring up the snow in a fury of weathered playfulness, hot chocolate in hand and warmed tootsies before the fake fire of the heater. Quiet conversation drifts through the upstairs between husband and Queen, words strung together like the popcorn tree decor of old that speak of a late night of wrapping, soon to be unwrapped, presents between friends.

They flirt and steal the tape from one another and quietly think of the excitable morning to come, hoping all the children can make it from their own worlds, so that we may grasp them all in loving embraces and fill our hidden mugs of wholeness that have evaporated nearly empty within their absence. And when the wrapping is done and jokes all told out, the knight owls collapse upon the bed and put all the candy in all of the stockings and only when they are precariously propped about the room, awaiting presentation, the two fall together, hands held and sleep pleasantly purchased.

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Holiday Open House The Jackson County Courthouse will have a Holiday Open House on Friday, Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy refreshments and live entertainment.

Courthouse Lighting Ceremony The Jackson County Courthouse will have the Courthouse Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. Enjoy holiday decorations, live entertainment, refreshments and bring the kids to meet Santa Claus.

Breakfast with Mrs. Claus Local children will be treated to Breakfast with Mrs. Santa Claus when the ASU-Newport/Iron Mountain Regional Arts Council Children’s Series continues Saturday, Dec. 6 on the ASUN campus. Registration is now open and the breakfast is free, but is limited to the first 50 children registered.

Please, children age 4-8 only. The event runs from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Larry N. Williams Student/Community Center. To reserve a space for your child, call 870-512-7800.

Tour of Homes Newport Service League will host a Tour of Homes on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the following homes: Josh & Jenna Austin, #5 Virginia; Dr. Jing Fuentes & Billy Parks, 414 Willow Bend Cove; Donnie & Deborah Bennett Jackson, 2820 Ami; Dr. Roddy & Mary Katherine Lochala, 5406 W. Main Street. Tickets are$20 each and can be purchased at Merchants & Planters bank or from any Newport Service League member.

The ASU-Newport 2014-15 Patron Series Join us Tuesday, December 9 when the musical A Christmas Carol brings the Charles Dickens classic to life. To purchase season tickets, call 870-512-7802.

Festival of Trees The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service 4-H program is sponsoring “Festival of Trees” through Dec. 18 at the Newport Business Resource Center. Youth Groups, Non-Profit organizations and Businesses will display a 6’-10’ artificial Christmas Tree in the following four categories: most comical, most traditional, most unique and best business.

Awards will be given to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. All entries will be voted on by the public. Judging and a reception will be held Thursday, Dec. 18 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. For more information contact Sarah Metzger at 870-523-7450 or smetzger@uaex.edu.

Newport Christmas Parade The Parade is on Thursday, December 11 beginning at 6 p.m.

Jackson County Book Nook The Jackson County Book Nook, located directly behind Umsted Methodist Church on McLain St., is open each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They offer a wide range of books for all ages.

Friends of the Jackson County Library operate the Book Nook and all proceeds go to help with programs and needs of the library.

Tuckerman City Council Meeting The 2nd Tuesday of each month. Tuckerman Water & Sewer 870-349-5336. N

20 | We Wish You A Blessed Holiday Season

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

M

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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December 2014 | 21

Support Our Advertisers Batesville Spine & Health Solutions------- 14 Brand Commercial Realty------------------ 21 CustomEyes Vision Care of Newport------23 Darling Pharmacy---------------------------- 3 Darling’s Fine Things------------------------ 3 D Q Grill & Chill------------------------------ 4 Eagle Pest------------------------------------ 19 ENG Lending--------------------------------- 5 George Kell Motors, Inc-------------------- 13 Harris Hospital------------------------------- 2 Hohn’s Nursery & Landscaping------------ 19 H & R Block Tax Services-------------------- 9 Lindley Health & Rehab Center, LLC-----20 Living Spaces-------------------------------- 17 Merchants and Planters Bank--------------- 3 NEA Baptist Clinic-------------------------- 15 N E D C---------------------------------------23 Newark Furniture, Flowers and More---- 19 Purdy’s Flowers and Gifts------------------23 Senior Circle--------------------------------- 13 Southern Tire Mart--------------------------- 3 St. Michael’s Place---------------------------24 Studio 1910 Photography------------------- 14 Tickled Pink Boutique---------------------- 17 T-L Irrigation Company--------------------- 7 White River Area Agency on Aging--------- 6 WRMC Newport Diagnostic Clinic-------- 17 22 | We Wish You A Blessed Holiday Season

NEDC Report Why Downtown?

Jon Chadwell, Economic Development Director A question we get asked on a fairly regular basis is “Why are we spending money in downtown Newport when there isn’t any business down there?” While the concern behind the question is a desire to be prudent with our investment of public dollars, there is more to the development of downtown than most people might think of at first glance. So let’s think for a minute about downtown Newport and what is being done in the downtown area.

First, the designated downtown revitalization area for downtown Newport is a fourteen block area that stretches from the White River to the alley behind Third Street and from the Blue Bridge to Highway 69. A non-profit group called Downtown Revitalization and Improvement Volunteer Effort, or D.R.I.V.E. for short, works with the City of Newport to seek grant funds and development plans for the revitalization of downtown Newport. Several years ago, D.R.I.V.E. secured a $50,000 grant from Union Pacific Railroad to create a Master Plan for the redevelopment of the downtown area. The activities that you see happening in downtown are consistent with that plan.

Second, there are more businesses than you might imagine in the downtown area. At last count there were 61 different businesses, organizations or government agencies that have separate offices or locations in the fourteen block downtown area. That means there are on average 4 and half businesses per block! And that count only includes the city and county offices as one unit each. If you were to count every office in the courthouse and city hall, the number would increase even more! So already there is more activity in the downtown area than most people know. Granted, few of these businesses are retail, most are lawyers, accountants, financial institutions, real estate related companies, churches and other service type businesses.

Which brings us to our third point for the article. Very few downtowns are retail destinations in today’s world. Look at the wonderful job that Jonesboro and Little Rock have done revitalizing their downtowns. Both have done it by making the downtown more of an entertainment district than a retail destination. And both spent a lot of public money to improve the area to get the progress started.

You may say that downtown Newport will never be a downtown Jonesboro or a downtown Little Rock and you’d be correct. However, what worked there can work here on a smaller scale. Of the things residents and visitors alike say they’d appreciate seeing in Newport, more opportunities for entertainment ranks very high on every single list. And downtown Newport is a perfect place for that development to start. We already have event locations like the Depot and the Brick Terrace Gardens in the downtown area. We have meeting spaces in the Newport Business Resource Center and are developing park areas.

With a little more work we can create some event locations, get groups to schedule regular events and have a more active downtown.

However, it all starts with making downtown look better, making it more accessible and providing the space for events to happen. So watch what happens over the next few years. I think in the end you’ll not only see why we are spending money in downtown Newport, you’ll also like what it has produced. We will take the assets of our proud past and make them tools to reach our bright future.

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“The mission of the Newport Economic Development Commission is to facilitate an environment that will be conducive to economic growth and stability. The commission will work to enhance, promote, and create increased opportunities for economic well being by developing and implementing strategies that will improve quality of life, community aesthetics, and encourage new investment in Newport and Jackson County.�

201 Hazel, Newport 870-523-1009

December 2014 |  23