Eye On Jackson March 2016

U N I T Y H E A LT H

WELCOMES Tanya Walker, APRN Is joining Unity Health – Harris Medical Center and will be seeing adults as well as children.

For appointments, call (870) 523-2320.

1200 McLain St., Ste. B, Newport

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Unity-Health.org

Dr. Gavin McDowell and Dr. Amy Tolbert

Update your look this spring. We’ve got frames to fit your fashion no matter your passion.

www.seeourdocs.com

TION C A S N TRA TROL CON

Member

FDIC

“GET WELL, STAY WELL.”

(870) 569-4909

Opening Saturday March 19 for 2016 Season We are back with your Favorites along with some new Unique Noshables for 2016!

Delicious Self-Serve Soft-Serve Cups - Waffle Cones - Pints to-go Frozen Yogurt - Gelato Custard - Italian Ice - Gelati 40+ Tasty Toppings Gift Cards Available Unique: {adj.} Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else.

Nosh: {n} A snack. {v} To eat a snack.

Sunday, Tuesday - Thursday 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm Friday & Saturday 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm Closed Mondays

220 E. Main - Batesville, AR 870-569-8050

In This Issue

6

6/Editor’s Note

Growing Together

8/Central Baptist Brief

Just as if I’d Never Sinned

9/Seniors, can we talk?

Life Insurance is for Those Left Behind

10/Cover Story

8

Carole Ann Young

THIS PUBLICATION IS PRODUCED BY:

13/Notes from the Clearing The Gathering Storm

14/In the Field with Randy Marching Orders

PUBLISHER: Kimberlee Thomas

MANAGING EDITOR: Joseph Thomas ADVERTISING: Kimberlee Thomas

17/NEDC Report

What Makes a Good Industrial Site

18/Things To Do

Creative Director : Joseph Thomas AD DESIGN Department: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas PROOFING Department: Joseph Thomas Kimberlee Thomas

19/Great Tastes

Staff PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas

Early Spring Salad

12

MeadowLand Media, Inc. P. O. Box 196, Grubbs, AR 72431 870.503.1150 kthomas@eyeonmag.com

Associate EDITOR: Kimberlee Thomas

15/Dining Guide

10

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.

22/Newport Chamber News New Businesses

23/U of A, Division of Agri, Research & Extension Need Your Soil Tested?

17

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Cheryl Mauldin PRINTING COMPANY: Corning Publishing Company

For advertising, distribution, or editorial contribution, contact Joseph Thomas, 870.252.0013 or eyeonjoseph@eyeonmag.com.

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

19

Waymon Long President

wlong1@sbcglobal.net

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

Editor’s Note Growing Together Joseph Thomas

With the recent and encouragingly successful 8th Annual Delta Visual Arts Show, the newly renovated Front Street, new bridge excitement and newly constructed dealerships in Newport, along with new additions to Tuckerman and newly paved streets in Grubbs photo by Robert O. Seat it is ever more easy to feel as if we are all growing together here in Jackson County. There is momentum and if we can keep our shoulders at the ball, we can keep our unified force going in the right direction.

In that vein, Julie Allen has more Newport Chamber news in her March article, Jon Chadwell asks, ‘what makes a good industrial site?’ and Caroline Beauchamp speaks of life insurance. Sarah Metzger talks of soil testing, Randy Chlapecka runs us through the beginning of planting season and Kacey Burge brings us Carole Ann Young, March’s Powerful Woman. Jarred Elliott shares on of his favorite parables and we have a new book that details the history of Newport and Jackson County

through pictures by Tim and Betsy Watson. There are some local ribbon cuttings, faces and things to do so read on and enjoy.

Also, you will notice some changes in this and the next few issues as we strive to clean up and improve the look of your Jackson County Magazine. We hope you enjoy our work and we look forward to seeing you all around town. N Perfect Spring Treat!

Try the New Chicken Bruschetta Artisan-style Sandwich

793-3303 - 755 St. Louis Street - Batesville

Tax Refund = Sitting Pretty!

Jim’s Furniture Outlet Styles may vary in store

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1807 Highway 367 N., Newport / 870-523-8882

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Images of America: NEWPORT AND JACKSON COUNTY Betsy Watson

Tim Watson and Betsy Jacoway Watson have published a book of images that traces the history of Jackson County from its beginnings in the 1830’s through about 1990. Betsy (professional historian) and Tim Watson (sixth-generation Jackson Countian) have mined numerous attics, scrapbooks and archives to locate pictures that are representative of the various stages of the county’s growth and development.

Accompanied by captions and chapter headings and

organized by decade, this slim volume gives a charming introduction to the history of our region.

The publication cost is $21.99 (plus postage).

Pre-orders are now being accepted for $20.00, with no postage added. Send your check for $20.00 made out to Betsy Watson to Betsy Watson 4 Dogwood Drive Newport, AR 72112 N

EYE ON JACKSON and EYE ON INDEPENDENCE! email eyeonjoseph@eyeonmag .com

or call Kimberlee at (870) 503-1150 July 2015

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August 2015

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March 2016 | 7

Central Baptist Brief

Just as if I’d Never Sinned In Luke’s Gospel in chapter 18:9-17 stands one of my most favorite parables that our Lord ever shared. It paints this striking picture of the difference between a life dependent upon actions and a life dependent upon mercy.

But not only that, it exalts the great truth of how a person can stand before our holy and righteous God, who accepts nothing less than perfect moral standing in His presence, as just as if they had never sinned. This theological truth is called “justification.” Justification is a word we use today to define someone who did something, or made a decision about something and had reasonable intentions for doing them. Most often, we hear it in the context of self defense with a firearm or debates between prosecutors and defense attorneys on whether a person was “justified” in protecting themselves in the manner in which they did. But how does someone “justify” themselves before God while swimming in their crimes against Him? “Perhaps more prayer will do the trick!” one might say.

“Well as long as I’m better than Joe who is a sloppy father I should be ok.” Or, “as long as I don’t cheat on my spouse and remain faithful, He’ll see right over all the other stuff.”

In other words, these remarks beg God to be like Santa Claus and capriciously determine who has been “naughty or nice.”

Praise the Lord Jesus that is not the case! Because if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably realized that not only in action but in cognizance, at times, you have been a hit-or-miss parent in desperate need of improvement. If Jesus considers lust to be adultery (Matthew 5:28), then I suppose we are all aboard the Titanic together!

This parable comes to a close with such an encouraging message. Jesus says “…standing some distance away, [the sinner] was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus said that he went home justified. Completely Justified. Made right. Perfected all at once. You may have heard it said this way: it’s just as if I’d never sinned.

N

Let us set the scene for you!

Advertise in this lofty studio, seriously, the view is amazing.

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Eye On

Jarred Elliott is the Teaching Pastor at Central Baptist Church Newport Campus. Jarred was called into the ministry in 2012 and has been pastor at the Newport Campus since the fall of 2014. When he is not tickling his son, Ethan, he enjoys flying airplanes and other types of aircraft with friends. You can learn more about Central Baptist Church and Jarred at www. centralbaptist.com.

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Jackson

Seniors, can we talk?

Life Insurance is for Those Left Behind Attending a funeral is never the highlight of anyone’s day. Ruth and I had lunch the other day after attending a funeral and she told me about her cousin, Brad, and his wife Betty. They recently bought life insurance policies. Ruth said they told her that they believe everyone should have a life insurance policy to pay for burial expenses. (In fact this is the primary reason most people buy life insurance – to cover burial and final expenses.) Neither of them had ever had life insurance and now they feel they’re getting older and it’s time. They’re ready to fill that void and have peace of mind. Yes, that peace of mind is greater than the monthly premium they’re paying.

We then started talking about life insurance in general. Sometimes we need to be reminded that life insurance is not for the living – it probably won’t help you while you’re alive. Life insurance is intended to help your spouse, children, grandchildren, survivors or beneficiaries. It may help them pay bills you either had when you died or created when you died.

Ruth told me she read that 30% of households have NO life insurance at all. And half of all households feel they need more life insurance. If you are 65 years old and your parents were 30 years old when you were born, that would make your parents 95 years old. If this describes you, then there’s a good chance that, unfortunately, you have had to plan a funeral.

Do you wish you had more life insurance? “Quick money” to pay the burial and final expenses? I’ve never heard anyone say there was too much life insurance when someone died and they wanted to give the money back.

Life insurance is “quick money”. Most life insurance is paid within ten (10) days after the insurance company receives the claim form and certified death certificate.

No concerns over when and if you can sell a piece of real estate or divide a farm, is your business partner really going to buy your interest or is the stock market going to be up or . . . down.

If you “think” you have life insurance, make certain you do. Know where your policy is and tell your beneficiary. Make certain it is in effect. When did you pay the last premium? Don’t let your beneficiaries be surprised when you die to find out that policy is actually worth zero, zippo, because you forgot to pay the premiums.

Why are we talking about life insurance? Based on the calls I’ve received recently, you are interested in life insurance.

How do you want to be remembered when you die?

That you took care of your personal business or you just never got around to it and ended up creating a burden?

Is it too late to buy a life insurance policy because of your medical conditions? Some policies are guaranteed.

Call me at 501-868-6650 and say “Caroline, can we talk?”

N

326 Lindley Lane

870-523-6539

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 widelypublished informational column, ‘Caroline, Can We Talk?’.

March 2016 | 9

Eye On Cover Story Carole Ann Young

The Pink Poodle boutique: a vision to fruition Carole Ann Young never imagined she would ever leave her south central Arkansas town of Camden, with its rich history and beautiful, true southern landscape along the winding Ouachita river. It was where her family was. Where her life was. It was home. It would be 35 years before a young man by the name of Clay would sweep her off her feet… And off to his native Newport, Arkansas to be his wife.

The couple settled into their home and went on to have three children- Kortny, Kendall and Lexingtonand Carol took up work as a real estate agent. She spent her free time being active- traveling, biking, gardening - and satisfying her appetite for creativity through decorating and fashion. Carole always had an eye for fashion. She has a knack for putting things together- a chic outfit with the right pair of shoes topped off with a trendy piece of jewelry and always accessorized. She enjoyed keeping up with the latest styles.

That passion for fashion presented a bit of a problem for Carole as she started a new chapter of life in a new town. There was nowhere to shop. Newport was pretty much void of any real retail therapy. If you needed some new apparel for a work function, a LBD for a night out on the town, or just a few pieces to spruce up a wardrobe, you were out of luck. With her love of clothes and accessories, Carol was left wandering “why?”. Thus, the Pink Poodle dream began to take its shape.

The Pink Poodle dream Anyone who knew Carole knew she dreamed of opening a retail store to cater to the women in and around the Newport area and to give the town something it lacked. They even knew she had a business plan and a store name already picked out- the Pink Poodle Boutique.

The name suited her. She loved the color pink and a poodle has always been kind of an icon, or symbol of fashion. The name was fun and unique. Carole never owned a business before but when her husband Clay gave her his Blessing, she jumped at the opportunity to realize her dream. Thus, the Pink Poodle Boutique was born!

Southern hospitality meets customer service In the world today, good customer service is almost obsolete. Often times our shopping experiences don’t begin with a “welcome” and don’t end with a “thank you.” At the Pink Poodle boutique you can expect both…

And then some! Exceptional customer service isn’t just something they strive for, it’s their number one priority.

When it comes to their customers, they aim to inspire and motivate while being helpful and compassionate at 10 | Eye On Jackson

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all times.

The Pink Poodle exists to inspire women to dress outside of the box and to experiment with different looks and styles. If a customer comes in looking for some new threads but isn’t sure where to start, it isn’t uncommon for the girls to rally around and start hand selecting pieces, bringing them to the dressing room for the customer to model. If she loves the looks, they make her feel beautiful and confident, then the Pink Poodle has done its job. Fashion is a passion and they truly love what they do.

Small town boutique with a BIG reach The Pink Poodle might be located in a small community but their presence is not bound by their geographic location. Working in the fast paced and ever- changing world of fashion, the Pink Poodle does a fabulous job of keeping up with the latest trends and it doesn’t go unnoticed. They have regular customers from all over the country and ship inventory to different places across the United States.

The Poodle is a small boutique in a small town, but they offer the exact same things as the bigger boutiques, but with better prices. They are always updating their inventory and have something for everyone. From the latest fashion apparel to shoes, handbags, jewelry and gifts, you are sure to find what you are looking for at the Pink Poodle.

Located at 223 Lindley Lane in Newport, the Pink Poodle boutique is ready to help you up your style game. You can also check them out online at www. shoppinkpoodle.com or follow them on Facebook at Pink Poodle Boutique to keep up to date on the newest trends and what the Poodle has to offer! N

Kacey Clare Burge has a Master’s degree in Professional Writing from Chatham University. She has written for a Southwest Florida lifestyles magazine and because of her outstanding work, she was featured in REAL Magazine as a contributing copy writer and editor. She has worked as a debt content writer for a financial advice website and had a successful freelance career for several years.

Kacey spends most of her free time with her husband, daugther and three rescue dogs, enjoying the outdoors and exploring what the state of Arkansas has to offer.

March 2016 | 11

12 | Eye On Jackson

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Faces

Notes from the Clearing The Gathering Storm Joseph Thomas

The pooling clouds, twisting and rolling in morph at a constant rate of change...luring us all to describe them as one thing while they are becoming something else.

That description born into each eye of each beholder leaves much room for disagreement. It is only when we become so certain of our own accuracy that these arguments become heated and start the two opposing fronts to twisting. Each position having validity and frames of good intention, hoping for the same broad outcome from two different driving forces. Destruction is born in this certainty that only our stance is correct and every other position is faulty and will only lead to downfall. We have to allow for differences of opinion and make sure our arguments against are not only articulate, but also founded in truth. One can offer theories, but these should be understood by all to be merely the assumptions of one party until it is proven otherwise, if it is a reasonable enough possibility to get that chance. May the bipartisan atmosphere that is our government, find a stable middle ground in which to agree and take action to maintain the best of America and to modify that which may need alter in a way that we all remain free from the harmful judgement of others when difference is the only crime. N

This 4th birthday party for Hunter Gage Wolf was held at Bouncin Around at 114 Front Street in Newport. A great time was had by all. If you haven’t been Bouncin Around, go give it a try, you’ll love it.

Send us your birthday, anniversary or special evet images and let us share them with your friends in Jackson County.

Email them to eyeonjoseph@eyeonmag.com.

March 2016 |  13

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Everyone’s Looking!

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in the pages of

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           

In the Field with Randy Marching Orders March is here and that means the beginning of planting season if the weather will cooperate. A lot of field preparation occurred last fall prior to October 23rd and again this February, so a lot of the fields will be ready to plant right into whenever the weather gets right.

I expect to see a significant increase in rice acreage in 2016. I’m sure a lot of these rice farmers will be anxious to get started planting early if their fields are dry. As a general rule, earlier planted rice has better yield potential. 2015 was a little bit of an exception with some of the early to mid-May yields being better than those of rice planted in mid to lateApril. The early April yields were still higher in University trials, however.

In my opinion, when late March gets here, the ground is dry and the temperature is right and the forecast is favorable, that is the time to get started. I’ve seen earlier plantings be 14 | Eye On Jackson

EYE ON JACKSON and EYE ON INDEPENDENCE!

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successful, but the risk of bad things happening due to cold weather can be real. Often, weed control and other costs can be more with these very early plantings. The longer a crop is in the field, the better the chance of having to spend more money to make that crop.

Rice should be seeded in a seedbed that is conducive to good seed-to-soil contact when the daily average soil temperature at the 4-inch depth is above 60 degrees. Seeding in these conditions enhances uniform emergence and reduces the potential for seedling diseases.

Assuming adequate moisture for germination, rice emergence should occur within approximately 8, 14, and 20 days after seeding when 4-inch soil temperatures average 70, 65, and 60 degrees, respectively.

I normally take soil temperatures at a 2 and 4-inch depth on most days beginning in March until they are consistently warm. I text this information to interested persons as soon as I take the temperatures.

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If anyone is interested, feel free to contact me and I will put you on my text list.

Don’t forget insecticide seed treatments, along with adequate phosphorus, potassium, and zinc based on soil samples. And remember that overlapping residual herbicides and getting them activated is a big key to good weed control.

For more information, feel free to contact me at the Farmers Supply Association store at Tuckerman (870-349-1316), on my cell phone (870-318-0739), or by e-mail at randychlapecka@gmail.com. N

Randy Chlapecka is an agronomist with Farmers Supply Association. He is retired from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension Service where he served as a County Extension Agent for over 32 years. He is an avid ASU Red Wolves fan and has announced Newport Greyhound sporting events since 1996. He also enjoys vegetable gardening.

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For information on how you can advertise your business here contact: Kthomas@eyeonmag.com March 2016 | 15

201 Hazel, Newport 870-523-1009 “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.�

NEDC Report What Makes a Good Industrial Site All companies searching for a new location start by looking for a piece of property, an industrial site, that meets their criteria. The statement may seem obvious.

However, many communities focus on selling quality of life, workforce and many other things without having a suitable industrial site. The lack of a good site cuts them out of many opportunities to sell themselves to new industries.

Newport is one of eleven communities in Arkansas that has a certified industrial site. Certification for the 96 acre site was completed in 2006 and the site has served to draw the interest of a number of industrial prospects over the last nine years. To certify a site with the state, a community must complete a large number of studies, clearances and engineering projections.

A Phase I Environmental Study and a Geotechnical Study on the load bearing capacity of the soil and the conditions of the site are primary among the needed documents. These surveys allow a company to know how the site fits their production needs and what type of construction design will be necessary for them to fully utilize the site.

Next companies want to see that a community has completed a wide range of clearances on a site so that they know there will be no surprises if they decide to build. The historical clearance gives assurance that the site has no historical value that would limit construction. The endangered species clearance allows a company to know that their new building will not negatively impact any native species in the area. One of the most important is the wetlands clearance. Wetlands protection is a high priority with the state and federal governments. Companies steer away from properties that require a lot of wetlands mitigation. By having all of these clearances in hand when a company comes calling, a community demonstrates that they understand the needs and concerns of modern industrial construction.

Newport is working on two additional certified sites. One site contains 2,700 acres and would be the largest certified site in the state. A site over 2,000 acres is called a mega-site. Having a certified mega-site will qualify Newport and Jackson County to compete for larger projects from the state and from corporate site selectors. The site also would be the largest site north of the central Arkansas metro region. “The second site contains 900 acres and has river, rail and highway access. This site will be attractive to companies that have diverse transportation needs or that need to use large quantities of untreated water.

There are very few sites in the state with river, rail and highway access directly on the property, which affords Newport a competitive edge.

Building a larger portfolio of industrial sites is just one of the strategies being employed by the Newport

Economic Development Commission to make Newport and Jackson County more attractive to prospective industries. This strategy is very important because often it is the first criteria by which a company includes a community in their list of potential locations. Using this and many other strategies the Newport Economic Development Commission works every day to bring about our bright future. Call 870-523-1009 or email director@newportaredc.org.

N

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.

Things To Do

Seasame Street Live at the A-State Convo Sesame Street Live at the A-State Convocation Center, March 2 10:30 am & 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $15, $20, $25, $55 at Ticketmaster.com Here is a list of shows coming to The Convo: Sesame Street Live March 2 10:30 am Sesame Street Live March 2 6:30 pm Monster X Tour March 11 Monster X Tour March 12 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.

Manna Manna Food Pantry is located in the Newport Pentecostal Church of God at 205 Ray street in Newport.

They are an open door pantry which means people that are in need can come in and choose the items that their family will enjoy. They do not go by any kind of income guide lines and are open every Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. They have partnered with the NEA food bank in jonesboro and so are able to help more people in need. Anyone looking to donate to the pantry can contact Cynthia Lochridge. at 870-219-0857 or can log on to www.newportpcg.com.

They also accept food donations. N

Harris Ford ribbon cutting at their new location 3710 South Van Dyke Road.

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Great Tastes

Early Spring Salad After one of the longest winters in Arkansas’ collective memory, March 20, the first day of spring, was a welcome sight. Even with the forecast showing below average temps for the next few weeks, the longer sunny days inspire menus to evolve from hearty stews and pots of chili to lighter and livelier fare. Although not in full-on barbeque season, flavorful salads utilizing springtime ingredients like asparagus, strawberries and peas of all varieties reflect the promise of the season of renewal.

The category of “salad” encompasses a wide variety of tastes and textures. No longer is a salad just a plate of iceberg lettuce with tomatoes and a glop of bottled ranch dressing. Whether presented as a side dish or main dish, homemade salad dressings are simple to make and add personality and freshness to the dish. Fresh herbs and a squeeze of citrus add tremendous flavor.

With Arkansas being an agricultural state, we are blessed to have access to the freshest vegetables of the season. Some tips for selecting the highest quality produce, whether from the supermarket or the farmer’s market: • Artichokes: Choose globes that have tight leaves and feel heavy for their size. The leaves should squeak when pressed against each other.

• Asparagus: Choose firm, smooth, and brightlycolored stalks with compact tips. Avoid limp stalks.

Choose stalks of equal thickness to ensure even cooking times.

• Cucumbers: Choose cucumbers that are uniformly green (not yellow).

• Kale: Choose crisp, deeply-colored leaves. Avoid yellowed leaves. Smaller leaves tend to be more tender.

• Lettuce, Spinach, and Other Leafy Greens: Choose greens with fresh, crisp leaves. Avoid any that are wilted or slimy.

• Peas: Choose crisp, green pods. Avoid bulging, dried, yellow, or white pods.

• Scallions: Choose scallions with crisp, green tops and firm, white bulbs. Avoid wilted or browned scallions.

• Tomatoes: Choose tomatoes that are fragrant, smell earthy at the stem end, and feel heavy for their size. Avoid tomatoes with wrinkled skins.

CUTIE ORANGE, KIWI, PINEAPPLE AND LIME FRUIT SALAD Ingredients: ¼ cup orange juice with mango 1 Tablespoons packed light brown sugar 1 teaspoons lime zest and juice of the lime 1 teaspoon peeled and finely grated fresh ginger (from about a 2-inch piece) 1 pound “Cutie” oranges 1 pound kiwis (about 5 medium kiwis), peeled and

cut into large dice 16 ounces pineapple (from about 1 medium pineapple), skin removed, cored, and cut into large dice (pre cut and trimmed pineapple from the deli is a great timesaving substitute!)

Directions: Whisk together the passion fruit juice, brown sugar, lime zest, and ginger in a large bowl until the sugar has dissolved; set aside.

Segment the oranges, removing any thick membrane, pith or tough ends. “Cutie” oranges are simple to peel and require little additional trimming.

Add the kiwis and pineapple to the bowl and gently mix until the fruit is evenly coated. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours before serving. Squeeze the lime juice over the salad or toss it right before serving for extra freshness and flavor. N

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.

March 2016 | 19

“Would Dad have wanted it that way?”

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Jackson-Griffin Insurance Company 1900 Malcolm Ave Newport, AR 72112-3628

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ON FUNERAL SERVICES WITH THIS COUPON WHEN YOU PLAN IN ADVANCE

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Opening Saturday March 19 for 2016 Season We are back with your Favorites along with some new Unique Noshables for 2016!

Delicious Self-Serve Soft-Serve Cups - Waffle Cones - Pints to-go Frozen Yogurt - Gelato Custard - Italian Ice - Gelati 40+ Tasty Toppings Gift Cards Available Unique: {adj.} Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else.

Nosh: {n} A snack. {v} To eat a snack.

Sunday, Tuesday - Thursday 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm Friday & Saturday 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm Closed Mondays

220 E. Main - Batesville, AR 870-569-8050 20 | Eye On Jackson

www.eyeonmag.com

eyeonjoseph@eyeonmag.com

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George Kell Motors ribbon cutting at their new location at 3808 South Van Dyke Road.

March 2016 |  21

Support Our Advertisers

Newport Chamber News New Businesses

Batesville Spine & Health Solutions-------------- 4 Custom Eyes Vision Care--------------------------- 3 Debra Thompson, CPA-----------------------------18 Dillinger Funeral Home----------------------------12 Dining Out Restaurant Guide--------------------15 D Q Grill & Chill-------------------------------------- 6 Eagle Pest---------------------------------------------- 5 Fortune Inn and Suites-----------------------------16 George Kell Motors, Inc----------------------------21 Jackson’s Funeral Home---------------------------20 Jim’s Furniture Outlet------------------------------ 6 KBAP 88.1 FM--------------------------------------23 Lindley Health & Rehab Center, LLC------------- 9 Merchants and Planters Bank--------------------- 3 N E D C------------------------------------------------16 Newark Furniture, Flowers and More----------- 6 Ozark Foothills FilmFest--------------------------- 3 Purdy’s Flowers and Gifts-------------------------- 6 Robert O Seat Photography Workshops--------11

The Newport Area Chamber of Commerce is experiencing an increase in the number of people, both local and from out of town, interested in opening businesses in Newport. Some are in the very early stages of research and others are already seeking property or buildings that may work for their new business needs.

If you know someone who is interested in opening a business in Newport, we can help!

For those early in the planning stages of a new business, materials can be picked up from the Chamber office including the Doing Business in Arkansas booklet distributed by the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office. This contains helpful steps including the selection of an entity name and entity type (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLP, LLC, corporation, nonprofit, etc.) and a checklist for mandatory document filings.

For additional assistance with business startups, the Chamber can connect you with free one-on-one business consulting services through partnerships with Communities Unlimited and the ASU Small Business and Development Technology Center.

When looking for options for where to open your business, we maintain an available buildings database for what may be available for rent, lease or purchase. We can also help identify what properties are available on which to build a new business.

Our office sponsors training workshops on a variety of topics including marketing, website development and social media that can help a business owner get started.

The Chamber can also help make local connections by identifying service providers in our area and facilitating introductions to community members through various networking opportunities.

For more information about starting a business in the Newport area, call us at 870.523.3618 or stop by the Chamber office, 201 Hazel Street, in downtown Newport.

If you would like to know more about Chamber or 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. Be sure to “Like” the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook for the most up-to-date community announcements.

N

Southern Tire Mart---------------------------------- 3 T-L Irrigation Company----------------------------14 Unique Nosh Frozen Delights----------------4, 20 Unity Health Continuity Care Clinic------------24 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.

Unity Health Welcomes Tanya Walker, APRN-----------2 WRMC Tuckerman Clinic--------------------------17

22 | Eye On Jackson

www.eyeonmag.com

eyeonjoseph@eyeonmag.com

U of A, Division of Agri, Research & Extension Need Your Soil Tested?

Arkansas gardeners have many trials to overcome, including rocky soil, Bermuda grass, and invasive insects; but through careful attention and proper maintenance, healthy productive soil is attainable. Winter is the best time to test soil and see if it lacks nutrients, has a desirable pH level, and to plan accordingly when thinking about the next season’s garden layout, considering crop rotations and re-energizing soil through adding materials to the ground. Tomatoes and corn are notoriously heavy feeders, so an easy way to replace the nitrogen they took from the soil is to simply plant nitrogen enriching plants, such as beans or cover crops, in their place. With regards to soil health, other ideas to think about are aeration and water retention capabilities. Worms provide aeration to soil by tunneling through the depths in search of organic matter, but sometimes more drastic methods are necessary. For soils that are mostly clay based, peat and straw are excellent amendments which can be worked into the soil to loosen it and improve drainage are ideal. On the other hand, sandy soils having issues retaining water may also use peat or vermiculite. When applying these amendments, they should be well-worked into the ground, unlike mulches which stay on top of the soil to prevent weeds and act as landscape barriers. Many mulches can be used as amendments, especially if they have decomposed to the point that they are no longer effective as mulches.

A great reason to be a gardener in Arkansas is the fact that, all over the state, soil tests are free at local Extension offices. The most important tip to remember with the soil tests is that it is a representative sample of soil and is necessary to get a good sense of a garden’s state of health, thus samples should come from several areas in a garden and should have detailed information about what has been grown there. The tests will check for the presence of major chemicals: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K), among others and give fertilizer and lime treatments for pH recommendations where needed. County extension agents can give more detailed information about fertilizers

on request and provide further information to make this year’s crops, soil, and future crops better than ever before. For example, it is important to turn the soil.

Though soil shouldn’t be packed hard, it may be slightly compacted from the fall and winter rains, making the level of the soil less than it was when the bed was originally created. Turning the soil will raise the level a bit. Then any necessary amendments can be added: potash, peat moss, composted manure, and soil. Additional soil can come from your compost pile, potting soil, and/or topsoil. Raised beds can be a great gardening solution for those of us with rocky soil and poor drainage. Placing a sheet of hardware cloth along the bottom of the bed can thwart subterranean creatures such as moles and voles. And, once established, raised beds require a minimal amount of upkeep. However, their upkeep is not labor free. Before spring arrives, the main chore is assessing the need for soil amendments.

After taking a soil sample, all of these additions should be thoroughly incorporated into the existing soil in order to distribute them evenly and to raise the level of the bed.

Just don’t forget to leave room for a thick layer of mulch to go around your precious seedling once they break through the soil. This mulch will hold in moisture and keep the weeds at bay. Contact Sarah Metzger or John McFarland at 870-523-7450 or visit our office at 649 Jackson 917! N

Sarah Henry Metzger is County Extension Agent-Interim Staff Chair for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. She has worked for Extension the last 9 years, after obtaining a BS and MS from the University of Central Arkansas. She works in the following 4 initiative areas: Food and nutrition, health & aging, resource management and Marriage, parenting and Family Life. Also, 4-H is another important program she oversees. Her free time is spent with her two boys.

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

World Wide Live Internet Stream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/kbap-88-1-fm Phone: 501-203-6953

March 2016 | 23

Continuity Care Clinic.

Newport: The New Portal to Medicine Unity Health-Continuity Care Clinic Primary Care has been expanded by four in Newport with the addition of Internal Medicine Residents at the new Continuity Care Clinic.

Located at 1200 McLain St., Suite G, these fully licensed doctors are now available to care for your health needs. Appointments are available every Thursday by calling 870-523-9852.

CONTINUITY CARE CLINIC

Unity-Health.org | (870) 523-9852 1200 McLain Street | Newport, AR