Eye On Jackson April 2015

Eye On Jackson www.eyeonmag.com

Cheryl Mauldin Our Jackson County Library Unity Health Harris Medical Center A Publication of Meadowland Media, Inc.

April 2015

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Toll Free: (800) 250-3664 Sales & Service: (870) 523-2792 501 Hwy 367 North Newport, AR 72112 W W W. G E O R G E K E L L M O T O R S . C O M

B r ow s e o u r e n t i r e i nve n to r y o n l i n e a n d s c h e d u l e a n ap p o i n t m e n t w i t ho u t p i c k i n g u p t h e p ho n e !

In This Issue 6/Editor’s Note Finding Outside Again

7/Great Tastes

Early Spring Salad and Veggies

8/Seniors, can we talk?

We All Need Safety Nets

7

12

8

14

9

18

10

20

9/U of A, Division of Agriculture Living Well with Diabetes!

10/Cover Story Cheryl Mauldin

13/Faces 13/Notes from the Clearing Sculpting

14/Feature

Our Jackson County Library

18/I Do

Are You the Next Wedding

20/Things To Do 21/NEDC Report

It Is a Great Big Little Bitty World

22/Harris Hospitality

Growing Healthcare Results in Name Change

Cover Photography by Hannah Mauldin 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.

Sarah Henry Metzger is County Extension AgentInterim 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.

Rebecca Pearrow is marketing director at Unity Health-Harris Medical Center. She attained an AA at Central Baptist College followed by a BS at Arkansas Tech University. She completed an MBA from Harding University in 2014. She was employed 12 years at White County Medical Center prior to returning to Harris Hospital, and is now happy to be an associate of the new Unity Health system that resulted from the alignment of the two hospitals. 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 PROOFING Department: Joseph Thomas Kimberlee Thomas Staff PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Cheryl Mauldin PRINTING COMPANY: Rockwell Publishing

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.

Editor’s Note Finding Outside Again Joseph Thomas

Joseph and Kimberlee Thomas Photo by Cheryl Mauldin

We’ve been running to and fro, but we are ready to spend some time outside again.

Fortunately for me, and my best helper Zedden, there is plenty of mowing to be done and still wood to cut for my grandmother.

We hope you all have made it through all the cold without any trouble and ask you to tag along as the pages unfold true tales spun just for you. Adrienne Freeman speaks of Early Spring Salads and Veggies while I speak to Cheryl Mauldin and learn of her adventurous path behind and the exciting one ahead. Kimberlee is in search of more weddings to share and Jon Chadwell tells why we live in a great big, little bitty world.

Sarah Metzger explains Living Well with Diabetes and Rebecca Pearrow describes the change over from Harris Hospital to Unity Health Harris Medical Center.

There are plenty of things to do, Jasmine Star makes our faces and more. Thanks for choosing us to read, when there is so much competing for your time in these busy days.

We appreciate you. N

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6 | We want to tell you what’s going on in Jackson County.

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Great Tastes Early Spring Salad and Veggies Adrienne Freeman

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:

(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

• 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.

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• 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

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April 2015 | 7

Family Medicine Cardiology

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

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

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Family Medicine Newport Family Medicine

Seniors, can we talk?

We All Need Safety Nets Caroline Beauchamp

BE SAFE! The roads may have been bad this winter but the really bad part was walking. Ruth called to tell me that David, Betty’s charming cousin she met during the holidays, fell while taking the trash out and broke his leg in 3 places! He had surgery and is recuperating with Ruth’s help.

Another friend fell on the ice and was bruised pretty badly. Let’s talk about Carol. Carol fell so hard she went to the emergency room. She had no broken bones but lots of bruises. When she left the emergency room, she had a surprise – the only insurance she has is Medicare A and Part B and she had to pay what Medicare did not.

Carol called and told me she’s a friend of Ruth’s and that she just started reading this column and needed help.

She said she enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B in June and wanted to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan now. I told her since her 6 month guaranteed issue enrollment period had expired, she will have to answer medical questions and could be accepted, denied or have to pay a higher premium. Her voice got quiet.

Carol told me she didn’t know about the guaranteed issue enrollment period and has some medical history.

She also has a limited, fixed income but too much to qualify for help from the government. She knew she needed help with her prescriptions so she did enroll in a prescription card plan.

I contacted several companies on Carol’s behalf.

Based on the information she told me, only one company thought they would be able to provide her a Medicare Supplement plan. I told Carol about the plan but the premium was very high - too high to fit in Carol’s budget.

“How was I supposed to know about the guaranteed issue enrollment period?” Carol asked. Unfortunately, Carol said she does not read all her mail and sometimes 8 | We want to tell you what’s going on in Jackson County.

Newport Family Medicine

does not even open her mail - she just neatly puts it in a stack. In the “mail never opened” stack she found information from Medicare informing her of the enrollment period and options. Carol said even if she’d read the information from Medicare at that point she would not have known who to talk with. When I asked her about her personal insurance agent, she said he helped her with a prescription plan but he never mentioned a Medicare supplement plan. Carol thought that was all she needed.

Since Carol missed her ONE time guaranteed issue enrollment for a Medicare Supplement, her guaranteed options are limited until the open enrollment period beginning October 15. Until then she’ll continue with Medicare Part A and Part B and be “extra” careful and take really good care of herself.

Bad weather may present a need to go to the doctor or hospital. Make certain you have the insurance you need BEFORE you need it. Not sure if you do? Call me at 501-868-6650 and say “Caroline, can we talk?

N

U of A, Division of Agriculture, Research & Extension Living Well with Diabetes!

Sarah Henry Metzger

Living Well with Diabetes is a multi-session program for people with diabetes or pre-diabetes and their families.

Living Well with Diabetes Classes offer: Diabetes Overview covers clinical aspects of keeping diabetes in control including types of tests, target test values, and the importance of these clinical tests to control one’s blood sugar.

Preventing Diabetes Complications covers common complications of diabetes and ways to manage their blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol and other lifestyle factors to prevent complications.

Nutrition Management of Diabetes covers the types of foods that contain carbohydrates; how to utilize the Exchange Lists and food label to identify the amount of carbohydrate in various foods; and the variety and use of sweeteners one can use in food preparation.

Planning Healthy Meals with the Diabetes Plate covers handy tools to plan balanced meals and control portion sizes.

What you will learn…

You will learn to: * Manage carbohydrate intake using various tools including the Exchange Lists and the Diabetes Plate Method for balanced meals and portion control. * Incorporate healthy oils for cooking and seasoning foods. * Season foods with herbs, spices and flavorful fruits and vegetables instead of salt.

Diabetes is a disease with serious consequences * Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. * Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure. * Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults.

* Lower limb amputation is 10 times higher in people with diabetes. * About 60-70 percent of people with diabetes have nerve damage. * Medical costs are 2.3 times higher for people with diabetes.

The good news is…

These problems can be delayed or prevented with good blood glucose and blood pressure control.

Classes are scheduled for April 13, May 11, June 8 and July 13 at Unity Hospital Community Room at 11:00am.

Life Management tips provided by Megan Dancer, Registered Dietician.

For more information and to register for the series contact: Sarah Metzger 870-523-7450 or Rebecca Pearrow 870-512-3081 N

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We’re all in!

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

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

April 2015 | 9

Eye On Cover Story Cheryl Mauldin Joseph Thomas

There were multiple reasons that I asked Cheryl Mauldin to be our April Cover. The prevailing reason is that she seems a very unconventional and interesting person. I have always admired that she does things her own way and wanted to know more about her. She was gracious enough to invite Kimberlee and myself to her home where we enjoyed a nice conversation. After hearing more about her, it is easy to see that she loves the challenge of making her own path.

Asked about being chosen Woman of the Year, Mauldin says, “I am honored, but I know so many other people and it made me want to ask, ‘have you seen what he/she has done.’” Mauldin is so busy doing great things and learning from those that inspire her, that she doesn’t really take the time to reflect on her own accomplishments, (so we will).

Mauldin is the Vice-President of the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce; she sits on the Iron Mountain Regional Arts Council Board and has sat on the Steering Committee for the Delta Visual Arts Show for six years running. Jon Chadwell asked her to join in the second year of the Delta Visual Arts Show to have an artist perspective and that meant the world to her. “I’m so proud of what that has turned into,” says Mauldin suggesting that Chadwell has been the driving force behind its success. “The community makes it work though, with over a hundred volunteers every year,” adds Mauldin.

Mauldin’s greatest mentor was her Granddad, her mother’s father. She says she would always rather have worked with him than play with anyone else. He told her she could do anything and offered the best, common sense based advice. “When I used to stay with them, I would go to bed first. Then they would go to bed and after grandmother fell asleep, Granddad

would come get me up and we would watch Gunsmoke and drink Coke.”

It was in those late night moments that he would share war stories and his memories of growing up that mean so very much to her.

Her career mentor is Carolyn Lipp, Senior VP of Quality at Community Health Systems and Mauldin credits her with teaching her practically everything she knows. Mauldin connects with her often for advice or just a friendly voice. Mauldin also speaks of some really good friends in Dallas, JB and DeEtte Sallee with Sallee Photography and they were the first photographers to explore what she was wanting to do with photography all along.

Mauldin is a Lady Volunteers fan through and through. She admires Head Coach Pat Summitt’s courage and grit it took to drive her players from game to game on a bus, to the success that now finds them flying first class to every game. Mauldin says Summitt is a champion who produces champions.

Mauldin recently attended a business mastermind group and heard Darren Hardy, publisher of Success Magazine, speak. She was included in the pre-release of his latest book, The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster. In early February, she flew to Dallas for an intensive one-day entrepreneurial workshop led by Hardy. She said that he has helped change her view of success from ample money to freedom of time.

In all of her travels, Mauldin

most enjoyed a photography job in Boston, Mass. She was invited up to shoot an engagement session for a couple where they went to school. She says she booked a couple of extra days because she’d never been there. They spent a whole day touring her around the city and all of their old haunts. Mauldin says it was beautiful. She bought some coffee and sat on a bench which was soon occupied by an older gentleman who used to sit there with his wife everyday. His friends joined them soon after and she sat and palavered with them all afternoon. She says she doesn’t have much time so she doesn’t want to go to Disneyland.

She would rather curl up with a book or watch a ballgame. “My sister and I used to play marbles for hours. I don’t need much,” says Mauldin.

Mauldin was adopted at birth.

“It was the 60’s, so adoption was far more flexible. You just really had to let doctors, nurses and lawyers know that you wanted to adopt,” explains Mauldin. She says that her parents, Lloyd and Lida Chambliss, knew a nurse that worked in the nursery, who in turn, knew a woman in labor that wanted to adopt the baby out. It was a private adoption through an attorney. Four years later, her parents adopted her sister to complete the family unit. Her parents live on Oakland Hill, where Mauldin grew up. She describes it as a very rural community and her family a very hard working, blue collar and loving one. Mauldin says, “My dad had farmland for garden crop, so when I was young, my sister and I were hoeing corn and picking up potatoes. We were always outside, working or riding our bikes.”

After graduating from Bradford High School, Mauldin says she had a brief stint at college, “My dream was to be a National Geographic Photographer, but that was my pipedream, I thought. So what is second best, to be a doctor...that was my path. So, my first attempt

at college to become a doctor failed because becoming a doctor didn’t make sense to me anymore.”

Mauldin is the kind of person that needs a plan, she admits.

Accordingly, her change in plans brought about a freakout and so she left.

She interned under a photographer before working for a photographer in Searcy while she worked as a computer programmer in the 80’s. Maudlin was programming in Basic RPG or Cobol.

She worked for that photographer for six years. “It was all in studio, with the same six backgrounds,” adds Mauldin. “The same ten poses, all day, everyday. It was before digital, so I was actually the black and white film tech. We weren’t allowed to stray from his style. That experience made me believe that photography wasn’t for me.” Mauldin says she continued her programming career, but also sold insurance for a while, sold software and worked technical

Lady Greyhounds with Cheryl Mauldin.

support for software. She moved to St. Louis in early 1990 and looking back says that she was a career nomad; finally moving back to Newport and attending nursing school at White River Vo-tech, which is now ASUN. While attending LPN school there, Mauldin began working at Harris Hospital as a nurses aid. She graduated and then attended RN school at North Arkansas Community College and was then working as an LPN in Harris Hospital’s Emergency Room.

She worked the ER for five years and loved it. She admits to being an adrenaline junky, but she loved it because trauma presents the kind of troubleshooting challenge that she is geared for and it is never routine. Mauldin worked ER for five years, the OB for several years and at Children’s Hospital for five years. Her unit took care of toddlers and infants that were ventilator dependent. “That was a great organization with a group of people that I loved working with, but it was heartbreaking. The survival rate of our patients were very low. There was one patient and his family that we all bonded with. When he died our whole unit of respiratory therapist and nurses drove to Hattiesburg, Mississippi for the funeral. I remember driving home and a girl I worked with was riding with me and had worked at Children’s in that unit for seventeen years. I asked her, ’How do you do it?’ She told me that you just can’t allow yourself to bond with any of the patients.” Mauldin expresses how difficult it was for her to shut

that side of herself off. “I decided that was my last funeral, it just broke my heart.”

That is when Mauldin returned to Harris full time. She quickly moved up to infection control manager, then managed the engineering food services and environmental services department.

Mauldin became director of quality in 2002. Her job changed slightly when Harris Hospital became Unity Health Harris Medical Center, but she still passionately believes that quality is of utmost importance when it comes to health care. “You see headlines all of the time about babies receiving one hundred times their dosage or patients getting the wrong arm amputated. Quality of care has to be our number one priority because we deal with thousands of medications and thousands of patients a year with thousands of issues. You have devices now, that used incorrectly could start a fire in surgery. It is a very delicate balance. This is a complicated system that we work in

Cheryl with another pack of Greyhounds.

April 2015 | 11

and we have to get it right 100% of the time, because the consequences are too great,” explains Mauldin.

“We started on a patient safety road three or four years ago. I am really proud of the fact that Unity Health Harris Medical Center is a safe place to get medical care and the care that is given is quality care. I am proud to be a part of this team.”

Mauldin sat photography down to raise her kids and work. She picked it up again in 2005 when her oldest daughter, Brittany was a Junior in Newport High School.

Mauldin began photographing Brittany dancing and playing basketball. Before long, someone from the soccer league asked her to take some shots of one of their games and it all grew from there. She shot football because Brittany would dance at half-time. Within a couple of years she was shooting Peewee through High School baseball, softball, dancing, cheer, track and basketball. She followed suit with her two younger daughters, Lindsay and Hannah, and photographed all of their athletic pursuits. Now, with Mauldin’s newly earned connections with Max Prep and Arkansas Democrat Gazette, she gets to photograph numerous sporting events, such as the AA Basket Ball Tournament in Tuckerman and numerous AAAAA Basket Ball Tournaments in Batesville and Jonesboro. She anticipates this growing.

Mauldin has many passions, including an eclectic collection of art that unfolds into her living space with enough character to go around. Her greatest passion is her fore-mentioned daughters. Brittany Mauldin Gartner is 27, living in Tulsa with her husband, Ryan. She is a pediatric physical therapist and according to mom, she is amazing at it. Ryan is a band director and gives private music lessons. Mauldin says all is well in Tulsa, but goes on to tell how hard it is to not only share her newly wed daughter, but to watch her begin to share things with others that she once shared exclusively with mom. However, she

is quite happy for Brittany and how her life is going.

Lindsay is soon to be twentyone, lives in Brookland, Arkansas and is a Junior at A-State. Lindsay is working towards a psychology degree and rarely gets a break with her workload. Lindsay moved to Brookland the same month her older sister got married and mom told them, “You guys can’t be ganging up on me like this.” She said it was an emotional month.

Hannah is a Senior at Newport High School and graduates next month. Mauldin says she cried with all of them at different times during their high school years, watching them grow, but this being the last has hit a bit harder. She is sure that she is driving her youngest daughter crazy, “Hang out with me” and “Do this with me”. Mauldin admits that it has been fun and nice to be able to focus on Hannah, like she really hasn’t been able to with Lindsay and Brittany. She does wonder what she is going to do to fill up her time when Hannah graduates and makes her way into the world. I wonder too, it is hard to catch Mauldin still with all of her photographic events, her nine to five job and her many involvements with the City of Newport. Not to worry though, Mauldin has a new goal.

The new goal, instead of National Geographic, she wants to shoot for Getty Images. Right now, Mauldin would be one of three women photographers for the company; one in New Zealand and her and another in the United States. “It would be a great opportunity to photograph professional and collegiate sports. I mean, I really do have to decide what I am going to be when I grow up,” expresses Mauldin. “I feel pressured all of a sudden to produce something great.” Mauldin laughs, but she knows she has a great body of work behind her, most importantly three beautiful women ready to better the world.

When Mauldin does find an opening in her schedule, she has an idea of what else she might fill it with. A good friend of hers started

12 | We want to tell you what’s going on in Jackson County.

the Timmons Arts Foundation (you can find them on facebook).

The Timmons Arts Foundation is a charity that Mauldin wants to put time into. They work with underprivileged kids in the Little Rock area supplying them art supplies. They offer workshops for music, sewing, fashion, painting and drawing. “They’ve given away so many instruments and supplies to keep art in these kids lives and given tuition to so many other workshops,” says Mauldin. “I really believe in what she is doing and I really want to support that more.” Also, her daughter Brittany has a patient that started the Keith Boyd Foundation to raise money for The Little Light House in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Keith is twelve, wheelchair bound and speaks through a computer that translates his eye movements into an audible voice. Boyd started Keith’s Ice Cold Lemonade, which has become The Keith Boyd Foundation and with Chick-Fil A’s and other cooperate sponsors, Keith’s Ice Cold Lemonade is now bottled and sold in stores. Boyd has raised over $100,000 dollars for the school and he host huge events. “He is such a phenomenal person and I really want to support him,” says Mauldin.

Mauldin can be found at www. studio1910.net, on facebook at 1910 Studio Photography and at most any sporting event in the area, behind the lens. N

Faces

201 Hazel, Newport 870-523-1009 Jasmine Star-Peavy signs letter of intent to play volleyball at Lyon College. Congrats to Jasmine and her family. Go Hounds!!!

Submitted by Cheryl Mauldin.

“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

Notes from the Clearing Sculpting Joseph Thomas

I perform the movements, crunching, pushing, pulling, lifting myself into a sweat. Perfecting the fuel that I take in, so that the chiseling stokes are revealed and the form shows through. It is an art of mind more than body and after the villain is vanquished every morning, the work can begin. The villain wears many masks and endeavors with great persistence to prevent my hammer from striking the tool that chips away at yesterday. It is a struggle that becomes a journey and finally an adventure worth taking.

The mountainous route is high and intimidating and the movements feel silly at first. The skill comes from consistently performing the dance that makes up the work....and so I work.

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quality of life, community aesthetics, and encourage new investment in Newport and Jackson County.�

April 2015 |  13

Eye On Feature Our Jackson County Library Joseph Thomas

Director of Jackson County Library, Tonya Ryals, was gracious enough to send us some information so you won’t miss any upcoming events. The library is a great space for reading and learning and the adventures inside each new book may be just the collection of words that inspires our next president, astronaut, scientist, teacher or librarian. Don’t miss out on the chance to find what inspires you or your child.

Ryals says: Currently, we are getting prepared for our summer reading program, which will be Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and begin on June 10th and conclude on July 29th.

We will begin by having a program hosted on June 10 by the National History Educational Company of the Midsouth. They will be bringing live animals and performing a demonstration called “Underdogs” that will focus on animals that, while they seem ordinary, actually have extraordinary senses and adaptations.

Our concluding program on July 29 at 10 a.m. will be the Kinders, a husband and wife duo who sing. Our theme this year is “Every Hero Has a Story” for the kids and our teen program is called “UNMASK!” We have launched a seed library program that has been very exciting. Patrons can come in and view the collection on the second floor of the library. They are allowed to take up to 4 packets of seed and we request that they fill out a brief form. The information sessions we plan to host will help patrons in planting, caring for, harvesting, and saving the seeds from the packets they take. These events, along with classes on cooking the food they grow, will be hosted throughout the year to coincide with the planting/harvesting cycle.

Baby & Me Story Time, this will begin on March 25 at 10 a.m. and take place on the last Wednesday of each month. We will have stories and songs for babies and toddlers. On our first program, we will be unveiling our new board book collection. These books are sturdy and durable so they can be handled by little ones and are perfect for parents to take home to read to their babies.

We will have a gardening information session April 7 at 2 p.m. Sarah Metzger from the County Extension Office will be presenting the information and lead a container gardening demonstration. This event will be the first in conjunction with our seed library program.

Our seed library kicked off January 30, 2014 and was launched thanks to the generous donation from Farm Bureau; they provided seeds to us from Gilliaum’s Feed and Seed. We are very thankful to both companies for all the assistance they were able to provide. Seed libraries are sprouting up across the country and provide an excellent opportunity for citizens to begin their own garden. We are the second seed library program in 14 | We want to tell you what’s going on in Jackson County.

Arkansas and are delighted to be able to assist our community in growing their own organic produce. We plan to host additional programs through the year on such topics as composting, natural pesticides, saving seeds, proper plant care, harvesting your vegetables, and preparing what you have grown in healthy and flavorful dishes.

We will be showing “Into the Woods” on Friday, April 10 at 6:00 p.m. We plan to show one movie each month so patrons need to be sure to check our website and Facebook page regularly for all event updates.

The Jackson County Library is open Monday - Fri 9:30 - 5:00, Saturday 9:30 - 12 Noon and can be found online at https://jacksoncolib.wordpress.com . N

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERAN VAN DRIVERS NEEDED The Newport Chapter 34 of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) has been operating the Van Transportation System since 2005. They have logged over 137,000 miles and transported numerous veterans to and from McClellan and Fort Roots Veterans Hospitals in Little Rock and North Little Rock. The Nationwide DAV Transportation System recently celebrated ten million miles. The Newport Van originally ran on Tuesdays and Thursdays but only runs on Thursdays at this time because of a shortage of drivers. They had several drivers that had to quit because of age and health reasons. The van leaves Newport on Thursdays at 7:00 a.m. and makes stops in Bradford, Bald Knob, Searcy, Beebe, Cabot and Jacksonville. The van returns after all the patients have finished their appointments but no later than 3:00 p.m. There is a great need to resume the Tuesday run because of the number of veterans needing transportation and the fact that there are procedures that are only available on Tuesdays.

The van driver positions are strictly voluntary unpaid positions but drivers do receive a lunch voucher for the noon meal. Drivers must have a valid drivers license, a clean driving record, and proof of insurance to prove that you are insurable. There is no age limitation as long as the driver can pass a medical screening and a background check. Drivers can be male or female and do not have to be affiliated with the DAV or VFW, and does not have to have served in the military.

Interested drivers can contact the Voluntary Services Office at McClellan VA Hospital at (501) 2576991 or locally contact Larry Doyle at (501) 416-6257 for more information.

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www.darlingsfinethings.com

Harris Medical Center April 2 Easter potluck 5 pm April 6 Senior Care workshop 10 am – 12 Poetic Plush

April 10 Auxiliary Fundraiser (HealthWare Scrubs) 7 am – 4:00

Perfect for Baby!

April 12 – 18 National Volunteer Week April 13 Diabetic Class 11:00 am April 9 Auxiliary Taste Testing (new Cookbook) 10 am – 1:00 April 23 – 38 Washington D.C. Trip** April 30 Relay for Life Survivor Banquet ** Contact the Prime Times office 870-512-3030 for additional information N

EST. 1975

DARLING’S CLOTHING

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April 2015 | 15

S

tate Representative Michael John Gray, a lifelong resident of District 47, is committed to asking tough questions, speaking up when something doesn’t look right, and not backing down from the hard decisions.

“District 47 includes Newport and surrounding parts of Jackson County, all of Woodruff County and small portions of White and Independence counties often get lost in the fight for services and resources in Little Rock,” said Michael John.

Following in the footsteps of his grandfather Joe Stanley and father David Stanley, Michael John, along with his mother Penny Stanley, operates Wakefield Partners, a family farming operation in Woodruff County. Wakefield Partners is a diverse operation that produces a variety of crops including cotton, corn, rice, and peanuts. Michael John is active in the agricultural community and currently serves as Secretary of the board of the Woodruff County Farm Bureau. As a charter member of the Arkansas Peanut Growers Association, he serves that organization as Secretary as well.

“I ran for State Representative to be an advocate for our part of the state in the state capitol. Communities like Newport are often left out of key conversations and decisions when it comes to resources and programs. I hope to bridge that gap and make sure we always have a seat at the table.”

“This legislative session I have done my best to build relationships and start conversations with economic development and education leaders to ensure our part of Arkansas gets what we need and deserve.”

In the Arkansas General Assembly, Michael John sits on the House Education and City, County, and Local Affairs Committees. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee on Advanced Communications and Information Technology and as a first alternate on the Legislative Council.

Michael John and his wife Amy Gibson Gray, a native of Judsonia, welcomed their son John Major to their family in October. They are both small business owners and serve on the board of the Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to operating a successful small business, Amy takes time out to participate in fundraising and organizing events for the Woodruff County Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.

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16 | We want to tell you what’s going on in Jackson County.

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April 2015 |  17

I Do Do

Are You the Next Wedding Did you say “I Do” within the past six months? Do you currently live in Jackson County? Would you like to see your wedding featured in the pages of Eye On Jackson? If you answered yes to all three questions simply email Kimberlee at Kthomas@eyeonmag.com. Put the words “I Do” in the subject line. She will reply with a list of questions and instructions. It is that simple. Congratulations on your recent wedding! We look forward to sharing your story.

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18 | We want to tell you what’s going on in Jackson County.

Better Dance Hall Sound – In The “Big Halls” What to expect at the 64th National Square Dance Convention® Al Rouff, Services Chairman, 64th NSDC®

A few years ago, I attended a National Square Dance Convention where I overheard two couples having a conversation in the hallway. One couple told the other “We just left the Plus Hall with a headache after three tips.” So, why did they have a headache?

These days, convention centers are frequently being used for National Square Dance Conventions and the acoustics in those big concrete exhibit halls are extremely harsh. The sound systems are set up at the front of the dance hall and the caller turns up the volume until the dancers at the back of the hall indicate they can hear. The speakers are mounted on stands, but not really high enough for the size of the hall.

The “Nationals” hire contractors to provide sound in the dance halls. The 64th NSDC® will hire two sound contractors, one for the “big halls” and another for all the other halls.

At our convention, the contractor for the 2 biggest halls will be a local company that provides sound systems for concerts, college graduation ceremonies, etc. In June 2013, we invited the company owner to a benefit dance that we ran in the venue that will be our big Plus hall so that we could teach him a few things about our activity. The most important thing we taught him was the importance of every dancer being able to understand every word spoken by the caller. We had him come back with a sound system for our PreConvention dance in the same venue in February 2014.

In between June 2013 and February 2014, a concept for sounding the same hall was discussed at length. There were two serious problems that needed mitigation: In a typical large hall, the dancers at the front of the dance floor are blasted with high volume in order for the dancers at the back to be able to hear.

In a hall with poor acoustics, the sound that reflects from the hard surfaces will produce standing waves that result in unintelligible speech, especially near the back.

Two of the speaker arrays shown were used, each one supported high above the floor: At the top is a mounting bracket, to which 4 separate speakers are attached and hanging. The mechanical supporting arrangement is such that the 4 speakers are at different angles relative to the dance floor. The top speaker is projecting towards the back of the dance floor, the bottom speaker is projecting towards the front of the dance floor, and the 2 middle speakers are projecting towards intermediate areas of the dance floor. The sound system provides for individual control of the volume for each speaker. This results in the ability to push more sound towards the back of the hall, less towards the front, etc. Because of the speaker height, each dancer has a direct, unobstructed path between their ears and the speakers.

Elevating the speaker arrays high above the dance floor, and tilting them at an appropriate angle, achieves mitigation of the reflected sound. Think about this.

What if the sound coming from the speaker was angled downward and reflected from the floor rather than reaching the back wall directly. The sound reflecting from the floor would be traveling upwards when it reaches the back wall. That sound is now traveling upwards towards the ceiling where it will be reflected again. This third reflection sends any remaining energy down towards the front of the dance floor (where the sound from the speakers is the loudest). The reflected sound that reaches the front of the dance floor has bounced 3 times and is so weak that it is barely noticed.

The results achieved with this approach were outstanding. The same arrangement of 4 speakers in a stack, with a stack on each side of the caller, will be used in our big Plus Hall. This is Exhibit Hall B in the MassMutual Center.

A similar system will be used in the Arena where the Live Music dancing will take place with the Ghost Riders Square Dance Band. In this case, the speaker stacks will be increased from 4 speakers in a stack to 8 speakers in a stack. The band will be located at one end of the Arena with a stack on each side of the stage. In this case, the speaker stacks will be “hung” from above rather than using a Genie Lift as we are doing in the Plus Hall. N

April 2015 | 19

Things To Do

Mother's day will be here before you know it!

Free Health Care Power of Attorney Sign-Up Celebrate National Health Care Decisions Day by allowing the staff of Harris Senior Care to help you. What does health care proxy mean? What is power of attorney? Who will take care of you when you can no longer care for yourself? Finding answers to your question now will assure you peace of mind later. You or your primary care physician can call Harris Medical Center anytime.

Stop by the Harris Medical Center community room on Monday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to Noon to complete your Health Care Power of Attorney for free.

Watersheds of War: Weapons on the Riverbank Here is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the weapons used by the Confederate troops that operated in the area of Jacksonport and Jackson County. The maintenance and operation of antique black powder weapons will be discussed in the park courtyard. At the end of the program you could even get a chance to see one of the black powder weapons fired. April 11 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Jacksonport State Park.

Masters of Soul The ASU-Newport Patron Series features Masters of Soul on Saturday, April 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. Masters of Soul is a 10-person ensemble and a celebration of the legendary songs and performers that defined Motown and soul music. This 90-minute show features stylishly costumed, fully choreographed performances of both male and female groups backed by a live band. The show will feature hits from such artists as Diana Ross and the Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, the Four Tops, the Jackson 5 and many others. To purchase tickets, call (870) 512-7802.

And More 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

Hohn’s Nursery & Landscaping Hand Painted Art

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

20 | We want to tell you what’s going on in Jackson County.

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NEDC Report It Is a Great Big Little Bitty World

Jon Chadwell, Economic Development Director Every two years Newport hosts the Community and Economic Development Session of the LeadAR program, a two year leadership training program conducted by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

From 2001 to 2003, I had the honor of being a participant in the program and the things I learned really changed my life. One reason we host LeadAR is that we realize how important it is for future leaders in the state to know about Newport and to know the people who live and work here. At the end of the program, the class goes on an international study tour to find out what things are like in other countries. My class went to Scotland and Belgium.

An amazing opportunity was given to me this month.

This LeadAR Class visited Newport in December and their international trip was scheduled for March 7th through 17th to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Two class members had to back out of the trip, so the spots were offered to Joe Rennicke and me. We traveled with the class to visit economic development officials, agricultural leaders and educational institutions in the three countries. The trip was fantastic and we made a lot of wonderful contacts in that part of the world. Our visits reinforced several things that made us realize how similar the issues are around the world and how fortunate we are in the United States.

Their issues, much like those in Arkansas, revolve around being a rural area working hard to provide opportunities for their citizens. They deal with the fact that their per capita income is lower than many neighboring nations, much like Arkansas does in relation to other states. Brain drain is another struggle for them.

Many of their best and brightest leave the country to find opportunities that are more financially rewarding; again communities in Arkansas regularly deal with this issue.

And they deal with having to find money and means to deal with infrastructure upgrades and maintenance with a smaller population than they once had, problems also faced by rural Arkansas communities.

However, they deal with all these things in the immediate threat of an unstable world. While we were

there Lithuania was celebrating the 25th anniversary of their re-establishment of independence after 50 years of occupation by the Soviet Union. The recent actions of Russia against the Ukraine have all three countries very nervous. Each country is a member of NATO, however, they wonder whether the world powers will have the resolve to confront Russia if three small countries become the object of aggression. Having fought for their freedom in the lifetime of most of the adults, they treasure it more than anything else. As we visited with leaders from communities throughout these countries, we were often struck by their resilience and realized that though we confront many of the same problems, in Arkansas we don’t have to work on our communities with the fear that in a month we might not be in a free country anymore. The trip helped us realize that while our issues make this world feel small and close, our safety and freedom in America makes us seem a million miles away to the rest of the world.

For more frequent updates follow the NEDC on Instagram at nedc_newport_ar, like us on Facebook or sign up for our email list. Also remember, download the Newport App on your smart phone so you can have local business information at your fingertips!

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793-3303 755 St. Louis Street Batesville

April 2015 |  21

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Harris Hospitality

Growing Healthcare Results in Name Change Rebecca Pearrow

Batesville Spine & Health Solutions-------- 3 Darling Pharmacy--------------------------- 15 Darling’s Fine Things----------------------- 15 D Q Grill & Chill----------------------------- 21 Eagle Pest------------------------------------- 7 ENG Lending--------------------------------- 5 George Kell Motors, Inc--------------------- 3 Greenway Equipment, Inc.----------------- 17 Hohn’s Nursery and Landscaping---------20 H & R Block Tax Services------------------- 18 Lindley Health & Rehab Center, LLC------ 6 Merchants and Planters Bank--------------- 6 MFS Insurance - Julia Brand-------------- 18 Michael John Gray - State Representative-- 16 NEA Baptist Clinic--------------------------- 8 N E D C--------------------------------------- 13 Newark Furniture, Flowers and More----- 6 Ozark Foothills FilmFest-------------------20 Purdy’s Flowers and Gifts------------------ 11 Renee Taylor Travel Company-------------20 Unity Health Prime Times----------------- 15 Southern Tire Mart-------------------------- 17 St. Michael’s Place---------------------------24 Studio 1910 Photography-------------------23 T-L Irrigation Company--------------------- 9 Unity Health Harris Medical Center------- 2 WRMC Newport Diagnostic Clinic-------- 17

In February, Harris Hospital was excited to announce a name change of its organization to Unity Health in order to encompass recent growth. White County Medical Center announced in December 2014 its plan to purchase Harris Hospital and its 11 affiliated clinics in Newport, encouraging a system name change, which was already being considered. The purchase was finalized on February 1, 2015.

“As we partner with Harris Hospital, a name change has become a clear next step,” said Ray Montgomery, President/CEO of Unity Health. “Before we made any move in that direction, we wanted to be sure that the communities we serve were included in the discussion. WCMC conducted focus groups that consisted of community members and hospital associates. The outcome was not only that this makes sense – if we plan to expand – but also that the name ‘Unity Health’ would convey our unifying front with a neighboring hospital and multiple clinics; as well as our service standards to our communities.

We are excited about the future of healthcare in our region. The compassionate care that has always been provided will remain the same.” The name Unity Health signified the combined missions of White County Medical Center (now Unity Health-White County Medical center), White County Medical Center South Campus (now Unity Health-Specialty Care) and Harris Hospital (now Unity Health-Harris Medical Center).

In addition to the new name, a new logo has also been created to represent the growing changes, services and locations. The “Unity” symbol is an artistic representation of a medical cross. The components of the new logo represent the campuses and clinics uniting to

22 | We want to tell you what’s going on in Jackson County.

form one medical network and represent the strength of the Unity Health organization as a whole.

The four links also symbolize the areas of health and wellness Unity Health strives to help heal: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

The alignment of the two neighboring hospitals and the recent addition of a family practice clinic in Heber Springs brings changes and opportunities for healthcare to citizens in White County, Jackson County, Cleburne County and the surrounding region. The two hospitals will utilize their combined talent and resources to enhance access to care and improve clinical quality and service to their communities and decrease costs through shared efficiencies and purchasing opportunities.

“Healthcare is undergoing major changes,” Montgomery said. “In order to position our organizations to continue providing the best care possible for our communities Unity Health – White County Medical Center and Unity Health - Harris Medical Center are joining forces which will in turn enhance our communities.

Each hospital has a long tradition of providing healthcare for their respective communities. Our goal is to support and enhance local services.”

Unity Health – White County Medical Center is among the state’s most comprehensive rural not-forprofit healthcare providers, which includes; two hospital campuses in Searcy as well as multiple physician clinics and centers. With the addition of Unity Health – Harris Medical Center, Unity Health will be positioned to provide even broader reaching services to Jackson County and surrounding areas.

ABOUT UNITY HEALTH – WHITE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER (SEARCY) As the leading healthcare provider in a six-county area, Unity Health associates strive to improve the quality of health and well-being for the communities it serves through compassionate care. Unity Health – White County Medical Center is the largest employer in a six-county area with more than 1,750 associates.

The facility has a combined total of 438 licensed beds and a medical staff of 150 physicians that specialize in various areas of healthcare.

In addition to Unity Health - White County Medical Center and Unity Health - Specialty Care, Unity Health includes Clarity Health and Wellness, Family Practice Associates, McAfee Medical Clinics, Orthopaedic and Spine Center, Searcy Medical Center and Searcy Medical Center – West Clinic, Westside Family Medical Clinic, Unity Health Cardiology Clinic (formerly WCMC Cardiology Clinic) and Unity Health Oncology Clinic (formerly White County Oncology). All will adopt the

addition of “Unity Health” to their clinic names.

ABOUT UNITY HEALTH - HARRIS MEDICAL CENTER (NEWPORT): Unity Health – Harris Medical Center is a 133bed facility with complete inpatient and outpatient care. The Unity Health - Harris Medical Center staff believes in the power of people to create great care.

Unity Health – Harris Medical Center is more than 225 healthcare professionals strong and works hard every day to create a place of healing, caring and connection for patients and families in the community they call home. In addition to the main campus, Harris Hospital’s network includes, Harris Medical Clinic, Harris Family Practice Clinic, Green Family Practice Clinic, Harris OB/ GYN Clinic, Harris Orthopedic & Podiatry Clinic, Harris Surgical Clinic, Harris Pediatric Clinic, Harris Internal Medicine Clinic, Newport Cardiology Clinic, Newport Pediatric Clinic, Newport Primary Care, which will also adopt the addition of “Unity Health” to their clinic names.

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Harris Medical Center

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