Women's Inc. July

WOMEN’S INC.

W W W . W O M E N S I N C . N E T

A

J U L Y

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By Women, For Women, About Women of Central Arkansas

THE GREEN ISSUE A little country in the city INSIDE: 2012 Women’s Inc. Reader’s Choice Awards ballot

WOMEN’S INC. Editor Lori Quinn Creative Director Stewart Cole Contributing Writers Rachel Parker Dickerson Angie Howard Dr. Patricia Knott Andrea Lennon Jill McCollum Susan O’Keefe Jennifer Stanley Chief Photographer Brandy Strain Contributing Food & Event Photographers Sara Black Laura Derden Gerald Washington Lindsey Faith Watson Retail Advertising Sales Manager Rhonda Overbey Advertising Coordinators Jackie Black Leah Brown Advertising Sales Sarah Allen Tara Mallett Jesica Talbert Betsey Willbanks Advertising Artists Jay Prince Kellie McAnulty Editorial Advisory Board Haley Crafton Fowler Beverly Freiley Mary Harlan Becky Harris Nancy Jackson Helen Lockhart Velda Lueders Misty Morse Carol Patty Lori Ross Mary Margaret Satterfield Traci Kennedy Smith Katherine Thomason Stefanie Holt Vann Jessica Zimmerman Women’s Inc. is published by the Log Cabin Democrat.

Questions or Comments?

Call (501) 327-6621, e-mail: womensinc@womensinc.net or write to P.O. Box 969, Conway, AR, 72033 www.womensinc.net 6 WOMEN’S INC. / JULY 2012

Going green

O

n our cover this month, the Gifford family, Jeff, Carrie and their girls, Emma and Laney, have found their own little slice of country living in the middle of the Conway city limits. They are raising chickens and growing a garden full of tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, watermelons, onions and strawberries.

The chickens roam on the Gifford’s 2.5 acres of land and sleep in a chicken coop fit for a queen. Jeff built the chicken coop to match the girls’ play house in the back yard. Each of the chickens and the new chicks have been given names by the girls. The family enjoys having fresh eggs and vegetables and fruit from their garden everyday. Check out the video with the Gifford’s entitled “Urban Chickens” on the Log Cabin Democrat’s website. Thanks Gifford’s!

Rebekah Scallet, producing artistic director for the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, is also profiled in this month’s issue. The summer season included an outdoor performance at The Hendrix Village. Read more about Rebekah on p. 14.

Downtown is all about the Conway Farmers Market. We have profiled local farmer Maria Bradbury. She is famous locally for her jams, jellies, butters and salsas. Stop in and see Maria or any of our other local farmers at the Conway Farmers Market every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to noon. The market is located in downtown Conway on the corner of Parkway and Main.

Our shopping spread on pages 24-25 features some great items from local merchants. Our merchants are doing a great job of bringing in items to their businesses that are organic, green, hand-made or items supporting a global cause. Lefler’s, PK’s, Laura’s Family Goods, The Kitchen Store, Branch Out and Wilkinson’s are just a few places in Conway you can “shop green and do good.”

Chef Jill McCollum, CC, has some thirstquenching recipes for some great summertime drinks: Easy Raspberry Lemonade, Sun-Brewed Mint Tea and Pina Colada Slush. (pages 30-31).

A special thanks to both homeowners who allowed us to feature their homes this month: the Harrison family’s Centennial Valley home and the Butler’s home at The Village at Hendrix.

They are beautiful homes filled with ideas for anyone looking to build, remodel or redecorate!

Finally, don’t forget to vote in our 2012 Women’s Inc. Reader’s Choice Awards. The ballot is at the very front of this issue, or you can submit your ballot online at www.womensinc. net, in person at the Log Cabin Democrat or mailed to P.O. Box 969, Conway, AR 72033.

Until Next Month,

contents

14

features

columns

8 A little country in the city Carrie and Jeff Gifford utilize resources and

18 Nutrition Can you do it ALL?

teach fundamentals.

by Dr. Christine Hurley

14 In the right direction Rebekah Scallet takes the reigns of Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre.

19 Fitness ‘I want a flat stomach!’ I want a firm, lifted butt!’

by Warren Martin

17 In the news

26 Spirituality Living with an open palm

20 Downtown

by Andrea Lennon

Fresh food and crafts and a natural alternative at the market.

27 Health Hydration is key in summertime

24 Shopping

by Dr. Patricia Knott

Shopping green and doing good.

36 Design The practice of living green

28 Food Thirst quenchers.

32 Homes: Harrison Home

by Helen Lockhart

37 Green War on mosquitos heats up in summer

by Angie Howard

38 Homes: Butler Home 46 Community Ten energy-saving tips.

44 Life Seniors beware!

by Fran Scroggins

42 Chamber CEO Luncheon

events

45 Book Review “Behind the Scenes at the Museum” by Kate Atkinson

43 UCA Night of Distinction

review by Susan O’Keefe WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 7

COVE R STORY

A little country in the city Carrie and Jeff Gifford utilize resources and teach fundamentals

By Jennifer Stanley Photos by Courtney Spradlin Amidst the subdivisions south of Dave Ward Drive in Conway, Carrie and Jeff Gifford have a private, 2.5 acre oasis. Standing on their property, it is certainly easy to forget you are within a mile of fast food, tanning salons and banks.

The Giffords purchased their home two years ago and were looking for a space that included some land. Now their peaceful property is resplendent with the sounds of Emma, 8 and Laney, 6, splashing in the pool and the family’s chickens scratching around in their coop.

Jeff, a Van Buren native, and Carrie, who grew up in Little Rock, met as UCA students. Carrie studied finance and now works at Pediatrics Plus in Conway, and Jeff studied math and is a coach and teacher for the Conway Public School system. “Jeff and I both grew up kind of outside the city, and we both always wanted some land. We love animals and gardening and just needed some room to roam,” said Carrie, who admitted finding acreage in the middle of Conway was challenging. “The land is what attracted us to this spot. It’s a rare find.”

The three bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home is relatively new but has the look and feel of an older home with its accents such as hardwood flooring and antique stained glass.

“We were very excited to find this place. Both of our parents had gardens. My dad is an outdoorsman and taught me a lot about the great outdoors and nature. My grandfather, who lives in Dover, Arkansas, has always had chickens. Every time we visited them we would see the chickens, and I just loved them,” said Carrie. One fateful visit to her grandfather’s place resulted in the Giffords bringing a few chicks back to their new Conway home.

“My grandpa had gotten in a new batch of chicks, and he could just see it on my face; I desperately wanted some. So we grabbed a box and brought four of them home and went from there,” she said. Proving you can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl, they got started by simply researching what would be involved with their new animals. “Jeff was immediately on board. He is so laid back; he’d never been around chickens, but he was totally open to it,” said Carrie. Jeff even built the mobile coop that houses their five hens. He has since added a smaller coop for their four chicks, which are about two months old. Jeff, who loves a good 8 WOMEN’S INC. / JULY 2012

Emma, Carrie, Jeff and Laney Gifford in their garden at their home in south Conway.

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Emma and Laney with one of their favorite chickens they named Yellow.

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VIDEO: Watch the Urban Chickens video on the Log Cabin Democrat’s website at: http://bcove. me/5gprp847

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construction project, even built the girls a playhouse to match the chicken coop. Both are painted blue with shingled rooftops.

The hens lay eggs daily and will until they are around three or four years-old. The chicks do not begin laying eggs until around five or six months of age. The two have to be separated because of pecking order. “You have to be really careful about when you put them together because they will fight. We don’t have a rooster, so the eggs they lay are not fertile,” added Carrie.

“Really the only daily maintenance is feeding, watering and gathering the eggs. Once a week we change out their bedding. They mainly sleep and lay eggs,” she added. The Gifford girls have really taken to the chickens. “The kids love it. They both like the chickens, but Laney loves the chickens. We call her the Chicken Whisperer. She can sit down, and they all gather round her. Both she and Emma feed them and collect the eggs,” said Carrie, adding, “There is nothing like the fresh eggs; they are awesome!”

In addition to their chicken coop, the Giffords have implemented a box garden. “We’ve had a garden since we got married. We’ve always dabbled in it, but we are no experts by any means. We try to keep it as organic as possible. We just love seeing something start to finish. Growing it, tending to it and then eating it. And we also love for our kids to see the process and the sustainability,” said Carrie. Their garden wares include tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, watermelons, onions and strawberries. “Jeff built everything and put in a timed watering system. We both work full-time, so we couldn’t keep it up otherwise. He made the garden mostly self-maintained. Its fun, but it’s a lot to take care of.”

One of the biggest advantages of raising chickens and growing your own food is the eating! “We buy all organic food in addition to what we get from our garden. The eggs are so fresh and tasty, and we love cooking and eating anything with eggs in it. We also enjoy eating anything from our own garden. We do a lot of grilling as well,” said Carrie.

The couple has plans to expand their operation.

“When the chicks are old enough, we would like to build a larger, more permanent structure for the hens. The one we have now is mobile. We can drag it around the yard, so the hens aren’t in one place, which also provides weed control,” said Carrie. Jeff will build the new coop as well, in which they plan to include more storage in the front for the chickens’ feed, straw, bedding and other supplies. “We’ve found some plans online. Jeff gives me a hard time about it, but we know it will be fun!”

As for advice to others who might be considering raising their own chickens, Carrie said, “There are lots of good books at the Faulkner County Library on chickens. We also did a lot of research online. I suggest starting small — maybe with two or three chickens. Also, you’ve got to love animals. Chickens aren’t a ton of work, but you have to be OK with getting out there and getting a little dirty. They are a lot of fun and even have their own personalities.”

One thing is for sure — the Giffords will definitely continue to raise their chickens and work their garden. “We are trying to keep adding a little at a time,” said Carrie. “We really look forward to many years of it and love passing it to our kids. We like for them to see the process of food moving from the garden to the table.”

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In the right direction Rebekah Scallet takes the reigns of Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre

By Rachel Parker Dickerson Photos by Courtney Spradlin Rebekah Scallet, producing artistic director for the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, has been chasing theatrical dreams since age five.

A native of Little Rock, Scallet most recently worked in Chicago as a director, dramaturge and acting teacher. She and her husband, Joe, who is also in theater, both found jobs in the industry last summer and moved back to Arkansas.

Scallet said, “I started very young. My family tells me I was very theatrical, and my friends told me I was very bossy, which it turns out is a good qualification for being a director, because you’re always telling people what to do. I always loved story time and stories, and my parents took me to plays.

“When I was five, my grandmother took me to see ‘Annie’ at the Muny Opera in St. Louis. It’s a big outdoor theater space. To my five-year-old eyes, I was blown away by everything I saw, and I couldn’t stop singing ‘Tomorrow.’”

Thus began her lifelong love of the theater. She began writing plays for her friends and teachers.

In junior high she worked with the Arkansas Art Center Children’s Theater.

“I kept auditioning and didn’t get cast. Finally, they took pity on me and offered me the chance to run sound for the show. I actually loved it, because I got to do this 14 WOMEN’S INC. / JULY 2012

AR Shakespeare Theatre’s June performance at The Village at Hendrix.

Rebekah Scallet, producing artistic director for the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre.

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cool stuff other people didn’t know about and be backstage and be part of making theater happen instead of just being onstage and knowing your one small part. I was fascinated by that.”

In high school, she had a supportive drama teacher who allowed her an opportunity to direct her first play.

“It became pretty clear that directing was the thing I liked, and that became cemented for me the first few years of college. My teachers told me I was thinking about too many other elements. I couldn’t stop thinking about the big picture. When I started directing, I saw this is where that really comes into a play. By the time I graduated college, I knew I wanted to be a director.”

Scallet spent five summers with the Illinois Shakespeare Theatre as director and assistant director. The organization has a similar format to the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, she said. She also directed in Chicago for a company called Live Wire Theatre Chicago and for one called Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, which specializes in work by and about women.

“Women are very underrepresented in theater, both as directors and playwrights, and also top administrative artistic positions in companies. To work with a company that was totally dedicated to employing women and producing work by women was something I enjoyed,” she said.

In the middle of her first summer season, Scallet said she has kept the format mostly the same.

“The previous artistic director, Matt Chiorini, did a really amazing job in putting this together and building something, and I think he built a really good format. I’ve picked up on that same format.”

One change this year is that the theater will take its production of Twelfth Night to Wildwood Park for the Arts in Little Rock.

“The idea is to pick up that production and tour it to Little Rock to attract more audiences and get them back to Conway to see more,” she said.

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IN THE NEWS

Grand Opening for Kicks Activewear Kicks Activewear will have a grand re-opening from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on July 2.

There will be giveaways, drawings, refreshments, performing dancers and a lot of sale items.

After more than 15 years, Kick’s is moving to a new location at 1014 Oak St.

Conway EcoFest plans for 2012 event

Rebekah spends time in rehearsal with the actors for an upcoming performance.

A recent survey of our community conducted

by UCA business students determined several key topics of information desired at the rain-or-shine 4th Annual Conway EcoFest event, scheduled from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Sept. 8 in Laurel Park. For those who have not attended EcoFest in the past, it incorporates music, food, fun, interactive activities and balanced environmental education, while visitors of all ages explore the connections among the many environmental issues, as well as to their daily lives.

As a result of the survey, the coordinating team has chosen to focus on “Practical Solutions for Sustainable Living,” for this year’s event.

The survey revealed the No. 1 interest of those responding was “Health Issues Related to Our Environment.”

With the help of several professionals, volunteers and organizations, a HEALTH section will be introduced at the next event.

The new Health section will feature many exhibits, including: • An exhibit on Healthy Homes by professors from the UAMS Environmental and Occupational Health; Public Health. This will deal with potential hazards within our homes that can contribute to respiratory illnesses; • An analysis of food content and economic value,

by Dr. Nina Roolf, UCA Professor of Nutrition, and student groups; • A pet section that will include pet safety and health.

Please note that EcoFest organizers recognize that pets are an important part of our families, but given the crowds, safety and other exhibited animals, we ask that pets not be brought to the event; • A prescription drug collection, conducted by the Conway Police Dept. from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and a look at the impact of drugs in our water systems.

• Exhibits that look at water quality and sources, by the Arkansas Health Department and others.

Additional volunteers and professionals are encouraged to get involved.

Other new items at the 2012 EcoFest include: • updates on new solar options and an interactive Solar Laboratory; • additional cooking demonstrations; • alpacas and watching their wool being woven into cloth; • expanded activities and information on recycling/ waste, and organic issues; and • a look at the Lake Conway watershed project.

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NUTRITION

Can you do it ALL?

By Dr. Christine Hurley

W

hat is the true measure of health? Many people think if they are not sick they are healthy. According to the definition provided by the World Health Organization: Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

If we could ask what health means to every person individually, we could potentially get a different answer every time.

Because health is a state of being, it always involves a process, the work of getting there. It takes time to grow or build every worthwhile thing. There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle of health — what we eat, how much we sleep, how we feel about the world (attitude), the people who surround us and, of course, so much more.

The big question then is do you have the health you want?

The real answer is always based in what it is you want. Do you find that you cannot do what you would like? Almost all of us find that we face some type of restriction. Many of these come in the form of illnesses, pain, difficult relationships, challenging jobs, and, it seems, lack of time.

What you want varies for everyone and may be vital to succeeding in life in the form of your career. If your health is holding you back physically, mentally or socially at work, you will not be capable of being fully present, accomplishing your tasks or even be promoted due to health limitations. You may be able to limp through what you have to do at work and not be able to enjoy life at home, which is a shame. We only get one go-round on this ride called life and the best time to start making positive lifestyle changes is sometime between yesterday and tomorrow — today! Your kids will only be little once, your parents won’t be here forever and those you love and care about the most need and want you to be there for all the important milestones of their lives. You do too!

So many times we put our jobs, our kids, our car and our house — everything — above ourselves until it seems too late. The good news is it is never too late to start fresh and make a change for the better for you. You deserve it! Eventually you will not be able to keep minimizing yourself, and your job will suffer, the kids will suffer and your house will suffer.

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Your health will eventually cost you time and money.

You have the amazing gift of choice as to when you spend that time and money. You can wait until you are sick and the choice has been removed or you can start now. Invest in yourself and have the ability to enjoy your renewed body and health for many wonderful years! Your family will thank you, your boss will notice and, most important, you will have a sense of pride and accomplishment that you did something just for you!

So how can you achieve your health goals and do the things you want?

Can you do all that you want to do?

The answer is yes! With focus and attention to clearly set and measure goals, you can be on your way to an optimal state of health and wellness. The first step to achieving any goal is to write down specifically what you want to achieve. The next step, which is equally important, is coming up with your own “why.” If you have a big enough “why,” you can do anything!

Your “why” may be to be more healthy so you can pick up your grandkids. You may not even have grandkids yet, but thinking ahead and anticipating the future is a great start to making permanent lifestyle changes. Often a future event is even better than an upcoming event like a wedding or vacation. Once that comes and goes, there goes your motivation!

But with children or grandchildren, they will always need you to be the best you can be for them, give you constant motivation and encourage you to reach your goals so you can enjoy a long, healthy life with them.

When it comes to your health, “If it’s important, you’ll find a way. If it isn’t, you’ll find an excuse.” -Anonymous Why not today? Whatever is standing in your way of making changes and putting yourself first, move it. It may actually be you because we are our own worst enemy at times.

It has been said, “procrastination is the thief of health!” Don’t let that be true for you any longer.

Dr. Christine Hurley is the CEO of Hurley & Wellness Center and is a wellness expert in nutrition, women’s health and many other areas. She has published articles, changed thousands lives with chiropractic care and raised three children with these and more health principles.

FITNESS

‘I want a flat stomach!’ I want a firm, lifted butt!’

By Warren Martin

T

his is the No. 1 and No. 2 request from all my clients.

Here’s a little secret: You cannot get a flat stomach by doing abdominal exercises alone — or any other exercise as a matter of fact. And there isn’t a such thing as a toning exercise that will make your butt perfect. ... Wait! Don’t stop reading this article because you dislike what I just said or because you think I’m crazy. Just hear me out. First of all, it would be unethical if I made this sound like a miracle solution to getting flat abs or a Brazilian butt (like we see with local and national level fitness claims). What I’m about to tell you will save you time and money.

There are three things that you must focus on to be successful in getting a flat stomach.

• Step 1 is getting rid the fat layer that covers the abdominal muscles. Everyone has the six-pack muscles, but to see them it takes more than crunches. It is important as well to understand all the misconceptions that lead to failure in fitness goals.

• The 2nd — but just as important — step is to focus on correcting posture imbalances that prevent exercises for those muscles groups to be effective.

• The 3rd step is hormones. DHEA, HGH and progesterone hormones maintain a woman’s leanness and disables the storage of fat in the middle part of the body.

Weight training in some form is the most important part of helping toward that flat stomach and a firm butt — at least 3-5 times per week. It is vital that in all your fitness programs there is a constant activation of your core muscles and glutes, which help develop them much faster as well. If you want to burn fat and decrease belly fat which bolsters self-esteem, nothing compares to weight lifting exercise programs (strength, metabolic and stability).

Walking is a necessity, it is not exercise! Same thing goes with the belief that a woman shouldn’t lift heavy weights, which is a statement that lowers a woman’s standards. The tricky part is that a low-calorie diet and too much of a focus on aerobic exercise makes fat loss in the mid-section worse because they do nothing to restore the powerful hormones that assist and allow fat loss and may actually worsen the estrogen-progesterone imbalance in the long run.

I’m not saying to stop doing cardio (very important for heart strength and endurance building), but weight training in some form must be a major part of your program. In addition, progressionbased interval cardio training develops those butt muscles as well as burns tons of calories. But if the waist line is increasing, the initial

cause is because you are eating more calories than you are burning.

Here are some added eating tips you can implement with your nutrition plan to assist you toward your goal. Do not think these tips will make it possible alone. Decrease exposure to all estrogenrelated factors in the diet and environment, including plastic bottles, coffee, soy, pesticides, non-organic meats, sodas, etc

AB DEVELOPMENT MYTHS: There are lower abs and exercises that flatten them This is one of the most hyped myths out there. I even hear some fitness pros teaching it. I know, I know, you are starting to get tired of hearing things that ruin the fantasy world that media and the fitness industry has ingrained into our society. My mission is to educate you so you become the professional.

Here’s how the abdominal and butt muscles function. Your sixpack muscles run from the bottom of your ribs down to your pubis bone, vertically. This means the muscle fibers run up and down, so there cannot be any lower or upper abs; it is all one abdominal muscle that contracts from top to bottom as a unit. The funny thing is this muscle does not tighten up your midsection, and most common exercises are for this muscle. It is the same thing as if you wrapped your belt through your legs and up over your shoulder — then you tighten the belt expecting it to hold your pants up.

There is one muscle though that actually tightens your midsection. This muscle is called the TVA muscle. The TVA muscle fibers run horizontal, like a belt. It attaches down the centerline of your belly and wraps all the way around and attaches down your spine.

When this muscle contracts it actually draws in your waist like a girdle. Due to us sitting and having poor posture, both the core and butt muscles become deactivated and get out of shape. Now that you know which muscles you need to develop and what has to be done to get rid of the body fat, designing an exercise and nutrition program is largely based on each individual. In a series of women’s exercise books I give great outlines to workouts to fix all your problems. Just go to my website and sign up for that information for free.

WARNING: Don’t fall for the supplement shake powders promising weight loss or muscle toning. These gimmicks are not only being pitched here in Conway but nationwide as well. So I don’t care if the “catchy” named fitness trainer told you that a certain exercise or supplement will develop your abs or tone your butt, if you have this dysfunction muscles cannot develop to full potential, period! To get moving in the right direction, sign up for the Butt and Stomach Programs at www.wm-fitness.com.

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DOWNTOWN

Fresh food and crafts Farmers Market is in full swing in Downtown Conway

By Rachel Parker Dickerson Photos by Brandy Strain The Conway Farmers Market has opened for the season and buyers are flocking downtown to find everything from blackberries to birdhouses.

Lionel Smith of Greenbrier, president, manager and longtime participant in the farmers market, said, “We’ve got everything you can think of here.”

Smith, who provides a wide variety of produce at the market, has been selling his wares alongside other local farmers for 25 years. He recalls just a few years ago when farmers were preparing to move from the former location of the fairgrounds to downtown.

“When we moved from the barn I figured we needed a plan of action to attract more people. Under the barn it was fine with eight or 10 (farmers). The plan of action was to add crafters. The arts and crafts attract more people, and while they’re shopping for arts and crafts, they buy produce.”

Arts and crafts for sale include “anything you can make with your hands,” Smith said. The variety on hand recently included jewelry, furniture, baby clothing and birdhouses. Also for sale were baked goods and canned goods, often made with local produce from farmers at the market. Other items for sale at the farmers market recently included honey, blueberries, flowers, tomatoes, okra and

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cucumbers.

Mary Garmer of Conway sells arts and crafts at the farmers market.

“I do a little bit of everything,” she said. “I do sewing, macramé, jewelry, scrapbooking. I grow plants from seeds; I make handmade ornaments and antique dolls. I really enjoy it. It’s a lot of fun.”

James Boosey of Purr Fleece Farms in Mount Vernon was offering naturally grown loofahs, which come from fully mature Chinese okra, and gold zucchini, an heirloom vegetable. He said he always saves his seeds, as farmers did many years ago. He said he believes heirloom vegetables have better flavor than vegetables that have been genetically modified.

Chris Patterson of Sweet and Salty Farms at Wooster was selling pork and chicken in addition to peaches from his peach orchard.

Jean Metcalf of Conway purchased some pork chops from Patterson.

“They’re wonderful,” she said. “He won’t be here in the winter, so I’m stocking up.”

Patterson said, “We try to raise a good-tasting product and keep it at a reasonable price,” he said. “We don’t use any hormones or antibiotics or any of that stuff. We appreciate good food.

That’s why we do what we do.”

His fiancée, Natasha Issaeva, said, “We enjoy getting out, meeting the community and providing a service.”

Conway Farmers Market

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 6:30 a.m. to noon Located in downtown Conway on the corner of Parkway and Main

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A natural alternative at the market

By Rachel Parker Dickerson Photos by Brandy Strain On a warm day at the Conway Farmers Market, Maria Barbarotto Bradbury tirelessly greets every new face with welcoming enthusiasm.

Those who pause at her tent to browse through the bountiful variety of jellies, jams, butters and salsas will learn that the Maria’s Homemade Country Fare label represents much more than a tasty breakfast spread. To Bradbury, her product is about promoting sustainable farming and the local economy.

She raises her own tomatoes, peppers, apples, pears, plums and sometimes squash, all pesticidefree. What she does not grow, as much as possible, she purchases from other farmers who do not use chemical sprays.

She said, “I try to promote the farmers market and local and chemical-free as much as I can.

With strawberry and peach, you just almost can’t get an organic (product), but I make it as chemical-free as possible.”

She noted her products are also made without corn syrup, which is appealing to many consumers.

Bradbury continued, “I love making jam.

I love being able to provide a wholesome and sustainable product for local community.

Farmers at the market use the bartering system among themselves, she said. She gets figs for her fig preserves from a farmer in exchange for some of her finished product, for example.

“It’s a simpler and more sustainable type of living,” she said. “That’s one of the reasons I don’t use a commercial lid, because I’m promoting canning. I water bath everything. They say with jams you don’t necessarily have to, but I want the lid on tight.”

She continued, “It’s a legacy to pass on, because so many people don’t can anymore. To be able to pass that on for younger people who want to pick this up, it’s encouraging.”

Bradbury said she plans to compile a collection of uses for her products. Returning customers’ remarks and her own experience have taught her that the jams, jellies, butters and salsas have a variety of uses.

“Any of the jams are good on ice cream. Any of the jellies are good to heat up in the microwave for a syrup for pancakes,” she said.

Peach and plum jam can be combined for a duck sauce, she said, and pumpkin butter is good on cheesecake.

Bradbury said the first product she made was tomato sauce 24 years ago, because she wanted to be like her Italian grandfather.

“Twenty-one years ago I started making jam with wild blackberries on my property,” she said.

She has been selling her homemade country fare at the farmers market for four years.

“One of the beauties of the farmers market is you meet the most lovely people who share their stories. You lose that in the hustle and bustle of a store.”

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Beaded Belt by Erik and Mike, $28; hand-made with recycled materials; available at Lefler’s.

AND DOING GOOD

Striped Arkansas Tank by Erin Lorenzen, $44; hand-painted in Arkansas; available at PK’s.

Tea Set by Green Toys $25; made from 100% recycled materials; available at Laura’s Family Goods.

Natural Cotton Towel by Servant’s Heart, $11.99; available at The Kitchen Store.

BumGenius One-Size Cloth Diapers by Cotton Babies, $18; available at Laura’s Family Goods.

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Purses $18-$50. Scarf $22. Both handmade with organic cotton. Available at Branch Out.

Restoration Foot Balm, $9.99, Hand and Cuticle Healing Salve, $7.99, Ultra-Rich Body Butter, $13.99, Lip Balm, $3.50; all items by The Naked Bee; available at The Kitchen Store.

Reusable Snack Bags and Sandwich Bags by Itzy Ritzy, $7.75-$9.75; available at Laura’s Family Goods.

Charcoal “Natailia” Flat, $73.99, Seasonal Wedge “Cenna,” $68.99; both Styles by Toms and available at Wilkinson’s.

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SPI R ITUALITY

Living with an open palm

By Andrea Lennon

I

s it just me or can friendships be a challenge? As a thirty-six year old woman, I keep waiting for this part of my life to be easy. Don’t get me wrong, friendships are blessings from the Lord; and my life is full of wonderful friends. However, I have noticed that friendships, even at my age, can be hard to navigate.

My husband and I moved to Conway fifteen years ago. We were newly married and I had one goal in mind: to be friends with everyone.

Believe it or not, I even had a plan for how to reach my goal! I would do whatever was necessary to make a friend; and then I would go to extreme lengths in order to keep that friendship in my life.

The result of my plan will not surprise you. I was exhausted by my attempt to be “best” friends with everyone. I went to the Lord and asked for help. I needed to know how to be a Godly friend. I cannot express to you the freedom that came into my life when the Lord taught me the concept of living with an open palm.

Living with an open palm occurs as we recognize that we are not to hold on to friendships at any cost. When we do this, we treat friendships like an object. Anytime we treat friendships like an object, we display selfish tendencies by making our friendships about us and what we want to receive. Instead, we must open our palm and allow friendships to rest in our hand for however long God deems it beneficial in our lives.

If the thought of living with an open palm makes you nervous, allow me to put your mind at ease. As I have lived by this rule, I have found that God brings people into and out of my life.

But, not all of my friendships have been shortlived. Living by the open palm has produced some of the sweetest and deepest friendships I have experienced in life. I believe that this has

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occurred because I stopped trying to force friendships to work in my life and started trusting God to bring people into my life according to His plan.

Just like many areas of life, friendships come down to the issue of trust. Will we trust God to bring people into our lives and will we submit to God when He ushers them out? Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” (New International Version) Trust is hard because it forces us to give up control. Trusting God in our friendships is especially challenging because our friendships are tied directly to our hearts; so God’s Word provides profound truth. In regards to our friendships, we must trust God with ALL our hearts to the point where we give up trying to force friendships to work no matter the cost. When we trust God at this level, the Bible teaches that God will make our paths straight--- much like the straight line that is created in our hands when we move from a closed fist to an open palm.

Are you struggling with friendships? If so, take a minute and examine your life. How would your life change if you opened your palm to the Lord and invited Him to determine the friendships in your life? I can tell you from experience that freedom and joy came into my life when I started to trust God with my friendships. It might be scary; but I want to challenge you to open your palm to God and invite Him to lead you in the area of your friendships.

Andrea Lennon lives in Conway, Arkansas, with her husband, Jay, and sons, Jake and Andrew. Andrea ministers to the women of Arkansas through a speaking and writing ministry called True Vine Ministry. To learn more about this ministry, access www.andrealennon.net.

H E A LT H

Hydration is key in summertime

By Dr. Patricia Knott

I

t is not a welcoming sight when you pull into your driveway and see brown patches of grass in the summer heat. You wish then that you had invested in a sprinkler system to give the grass the necessary water it thirsts for in order to thrive. It spurs you to action, pulling out the water hose, desperately planning to revive the almost dead spots on your lawn. After days of watering, you begin to see signs of new life in the brown spots.

Just like the grass that blankets our lawns, our bodies need fluids to thrive, especially in the summer heat as we enjoy sports, summer vacations and travel. If we are not careful, we could easily end up in a state of dehydration.

Our bodies need water and other fluids to function properly. When we put out more fluids than we take in, we risk having a deficit that prevents our bodies from functioning normally, causing us to develop dehydration.

When we lose water from our bodies we need to replace it. This may not happen if we are too busy or sick or travelling and don’t trust the water.

This could also be a problem while hiking or camping. More causes of dehydration could include — fever, diarrhea and vomiting. In all of these cases, the body is losing fluids. Excessive sweating in the summer months is common. You sweat more with vigorous activities such as work, sports and exercise, especially if done outside in the hot weather. Increased urination can occur from diseases such as diabetes, medications such as diuretics and from alcoholic beverages — all of which can lead to dehydration.

Symptoms of dehydration could include thirst, dry mouth, dry skin, dizziness, headache, fatigue, constipation, decreased urine and decreased tears when crying. As the dehydration worsens, you might notice confusion, rapid heartbeat, fever, sunken eyes, no sweating, increased thirst, no urination and possibly unconsciousness. If you pinch the person’s skin and it doesn’t bounce back, this could be a symptom as well. You might also notice that the person’s urine is darker than usual. The healthy person with mild symptoms of dehydration can be helped by drinking more fluids like water or Gatorade. For more severe symptoms, or in children and older adults who are showing even mild signs of dehydration, a doctor should be consulted.

Some people are at increased risk for dehydration: • Infants and children are more likely to lose fluids through diarrhea.

• Older adults may not respond to changes in temperatures as well as younger people. In summer months they may attempt to save on electric bills and not use their air conditioners, becoming overheated. They may forget to drink fluids. This population tends to be on various medications

which cause dehydration. They may not feel thirsty as readily as younger people do.

• Athletes in training are at high risk for dehydration as their body will tend to lose more water than it can take in. Hot weather can cause increased fluid loss in anyone who exercises, so care should be given to replacement fluids such as sports drinks.

• People working in hot weather sweat, but if the weather is humid, the sweat does not evaporate and cool you as it usually does. So as the body temperature increases, you need more fluids.

• People at high altitudes breathe more rapidly causing a loss of water vapor each time they exhale.

Your doctor will diagnose dehydration based on symptoms, exam and possibly more tests such as blood work that allows him to look at the levels of your electrolytes and kidney functions.

Your doctor will treat dehydration by replacing lost fluids. He will make choices based on age and the severity and cause of the dehydration. In children it is best to replace fluids with solutions such as Pedialyte and not sports drink, milk, sodas or fruit juices. Water does not replace electrolytes.

Most adults with diarrhea, fever or vomiting can improve with water. Water and sports drinks are beneficial in the athlete. Persons with severe dehydration should be treated emergently with special fluids through the veins.

If left undetected or untreated, dehydration can lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. It can also lead to seizures, shock from low blood volume, kidney failure, coma and death.

The best way to prevent dehydration is to stay on top of your body’s need for water. Recognize the risk factors and take the proper precautions. Drink plenty of fluids. Foods such as fruits and vegetables have high water content. Also, the fluids that are in beverages other than water count as well.

You may need extra fluids when sick or exercising. You will also need extra fluids when you are in hot weather, high altitudes, sweating while wearing insulated clothing in cold weather or when using heat indoors during winter months. Beware of overdrinking, since this can lead to a decrease in important electrolytes such as sodium.

As we go about all of our fun summer time activities, let’s remember that our bodies need watering just as much as our front lawn does.

Patricia Knott is a graduate of LSU Medical School in New Orleans and is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She serves as the Medical Director for Conway Regional Rehabilitation Hospital.

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FOOD

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Thirst

Quenchers

By Chef Jill McCollum, CC Photos by Lindsey Faith Watson

Sun-Brewed Mint Tea Pina Colada Slush Easy Raspberry Lemonade

Chef Jill McCollum, CC is the Caterer and Food Service Director for Central Baptist College. Jill is the owner of Jill McCollum Catering in Conway. She can be reached at jmccollum@cbc.edu or (501) 730-4422

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The history of iced and sweet tea There are two traditional iced teas in the United States. The only variation between them is sugar!

Southerners swear by their traditional sweet ice tea and drink it by the gallons. In the South, ice tea is not just a summertime drink, it is served year round with most meals.

When people order tea in a Southern restaurant, chances are they will get sweet ice tea.

1904-It was at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis that iced tea was popularized and commercialized (not invented). Due to the hot summer in 1904, people ignored any hot drinks and went in search of cold drinks, including iced tea. Because of this, it changed the way the rest of Americans thought of tea, thus popularizing iced tea. Outside of the Southern states, iced tea is served unsweetened or “black,” and most people have never even heard of sweet tea.

1917-By World War I, Americans were buying special tall iced tea glasses, long spoons, and lemon forks. By the 1930s, people were commonly referring to the tall goblet in crystal sets as the “iced tea” glass.

1920-1933-The American Prohibition helped boost the popularity of iced tea because average Americans were forced to find alternatives to illegal beer, wine, and alcohol.

Iced tea recipes begin appearing routinely in most southern cookbooks during this time.

Easy Raspberry Lemonade

1928-In the Southern cookbook, Southern Cooking, gives the recipe that remained standard in the South for decades thereafter. It’s a regional book that resembles many “church” or “ladies society” cookbooks of that era.

1 (12 oz.) can frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate 3 cups water ¾ teaspoon lime juice 1 (12 oz.) can or bottle lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage 1 cup crushed ice 1 cup fresh raspberries, garnish 18 mint leaves, for garnish

Now Americans drink nearly 100 million glasses of iced tea every day!

In a large punch bowl, combine raspberry lemonade concentrate, water and lime juice.

Stir in lemon-lime soda and crushed ice.

Garnish each glass with a fresh raspberry and a mint leaf.

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Sun-Brewed Mint Tea

Pina Colada Slush

2 quarts water ¼ cup honey 1 regular tea bag 1 large lemon 2 punches fresh mint leaves

2 cups cubed fresh pineapple 1 ½ cups pineapple juice, chilled ¼ cup cream of coconut 1 cup ice cubes 1 cup vanilla fat-free frozen yogurt

Pour the water into a large glass container with a lid; add tea bag. Stir in honey until dissolved. Zest the lemon and juice the lemon. Combine the zest and juice with the honey water mixture. Hold a bunch of mint in one hand; use your other hand to twist and squeeze the leaves, slightly bruising them to release their fragrance and oils. Immerse the bunches in the water mixture. Cover the container and place in direct sunlight for two hours. Remove the mint leaves, shake and serve over ice in tall glasses. Garnish with mint sprig.

Place pineapple into freezer; freeze until firm (about 1 hour). Remove from freezer; let stand 10 minutes. Combine juice and cream in a blender.

With blender on, add pineapple and ice cubes, one at a time; process until smooth. Add yogurt, and process again until smooth. Serve immediately.

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HARRISON HOME

““We like to entertain, and we wanted a big, open room where people could be in different areas but still be together.”

-Wendy Harrison”

Reid, Joe, Wendy and Riley Harrison

‘COASTAL FLAIR’ BRINGING AN OCEANSIDE FEELING TO WEST CONWAY

By Jennifer Stanley Photos by Courtney Spradlin Joe and Wendy Harrison have built the quintessential Florida beach home ... at Conway’s The Fairways at Centennial. With its stark white exterior and modern accents, the home stands out in a beautiful, unique way.

The couple and their children, Reid and Riley, have always lived in Conway and previously had a more traditional residence, but when they decided to build their new home, they wanted to bring the feeling of the beach houses at their favorite destination — Rosemary Beach — to their everyday lives.

“We built in Centennial to be on the golf course and to be close to the club and the pool.

Someday I want to put in our own pool and pool house. We looked at several different areas, but we loved it out here,” said Wendy. “We wanted to live in town but have the feel of an open area.

It feels a little like we are outside of town here, and with the golf course we will always have some green space,” added Joe. The Harrisons enlisted the help of local builder Steve Boone in constructing their new three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath, 3,100-square-foot home. “When we met with Steve, we knew we wanted something different. We love the feel of the homes in Rosemary Beach and Seaside and always enjoy staying there. We thought, ‘why can’t we have that type of house here?’ We conveyed that to Steve, and he was so easy to work with.

He has a little of that coastal flair as well and had traveled to some of the same areas,” said Wendy.

They truly succeeded in bringing the beach to the golf course. Upon entry to the home, the brightness and airiness are immediately evident.

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The kitchen features a large granite island, stainless steel light fixtures, and open-faced cabinets.

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“When we first started, we were going with slightly warmer tones, but when we actually started building, we made the decision to go completely white!” said Wendy. All walls and trim throughout the home are painted white, and the flooring is a stained concrete throughout. The staircase is just past the entry, and an armoire filled with beach memorabilia from the Harrisons’ vacations is directly past the staircase.

The kitchen, dining area and living room are one huge, bright space with tall windows and beach-inspired accessories and furnishings.

“We like to entertain, and we wanted a big, open room where people could be in different areas but still be together,” explained Wendy.

The kitchen features a large granite island, a framed built-in chalkboard for family messages and completely open-faced cabinets. “People were a little worried about the open cabinets, but it has been really easy,” said Wendy. The Harrisons got the idea from pictures they had taken at different beach homes. Several built-in shelves are also included, as are white tile and white wooden surfaces. The monochromatic façade is accented with touches of turquoise and green.

The dining area visually separates the kitchen from the living area. Large windows with light, airy window coverings allow natural light into the space, and a large pendant light hangs above the table. All lighting in the home was provided by Hambuchen Lighting.

“Jill at Hambuchen was great as far as helping us pick things out,” said Wendy. Large, exposed beams in a dark wood finish run the width of the ceiling and include stainless steel accents. The beams, while necessary to retain the outer wall, add interest by breaking up the brightness of the white walls and ceiling.

Joe and Wendy did all of the interior design and even kept an inspiration book during the building and design processes. “Joe and I both like design. We got ideas from coastal magazines and the beach homes, of course. We did get some assistance with paint color from Joe’s sister, Heather Mainord, who is a local

painter. She did most of the paintings in the house as well, so of course she is really good with color and we valued her opinions,” said Wendy. Though the décor is predominately coastal, they mixed in some French cottage and modern elements.

A sliding, gray barn door leads from the living area to the man cave. The door was Joe’s design, which Steve brought to fruition. “The man cave was more of a library in the house plans. Though it is a man cave, I wanted it to have more of a design,” said Joe of the modern and cozy space. “The kids have really overtaken the man cave, anyway,” he added, laughing.

Their sister-in-law, Heather Harrison, created the canvases with sayings that are used in the living room, man cave and master bedroom.

Another barn door leads from the opposing wall of the man cave into the master bedroom, which is also resplendent in white. However, the room does include bedding in yellow and gray and some natural wood elements, including a bench made for Wendy by a former student, which sits at the foot of the bed. “We really wanted an open and bright bedroom,” said Wendy. The room’s minimalist décor works perfectly with the aesthetic of the home, and the white wood used in the kitchen, living room and entryway is also featured as a custom headboard, made by Steve, which continues the effortless flow of the home. This same wood is also used in the master bathroom as a custom frame for their mirror. The bathroom features white tile, floors and walls, which are broken up by a few yellow accents. The overall effect is very simple and modern.

The entire home is light, airy and open — all goals of the Harrisons. “Working with Steve was great. He never said that something couldn’t be done; he found a way to make sure the details were in code and would work structurally. There was nothing we came up with idea-wise that he couldn’t do,” said Joe. The family truly enjoys their beach-inspired home, saying, “We don’t have the ocean, of course, but we now have the feel of being there all the time!”

Heather Harrison, sister-in-law to the homeowners, created this canvas and others throughout the house, painted with meaningful sayings to the family.

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DESIGN

The practice of living green

By Helen Lockhart

L

iving “green” isn’t just a fad anymore, it is a way of life. Everywhere you look there are product choices that promote being ecofriendly — low VOC paint, tankless water heaters, products made from recycled materials — the list goes on and on. With all these choices it can be confusing to know how and where to incorporate green design into your home in a way that makes sense for your life and how you live it.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that going green doesn’t happen overnight. That said, here are a few things to consider to help in the greening process.

Avoiding the tendency to have everything match allows flexibility for green design and adds some character to your space.

• An eclectic mix of dishes purchased at Goodwill can add some personality to your table • A dining room with an antique sideboard or one made of reclaimed wood tells a much more interesting story.

• Miscellaneous hand-me-down furniture in a infant’s room can be tied together by painting the pieces pastel colors.

Being environmentally-friendly doesn’t mean sacrificing good design. Just take it one step at a time, and remember that every little bit helps!

Flooring is an area of design that has made great strides in the availability of trendy green options.

• If looking to do new flooring in your home, consider using Bamboo or Cork. Both are made from an easily renewable resource and give an updated look to any space.

• Stylish tiles and carpet made out of recycled material are readily available now at any flooring store.

• For a client looking for a mid-century modern look, I would recommend true linoleum. Made from linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, tree resins, ground limestone and pigments, all pressed onto a jute backing, it is naturally green and very retro.

If it is time to change out your furnishings, consider looking for items made as locally as possible. This reduces the gas emissions created to deliver your furniture while supporting your local businesses.

Ready for a change in your home but aren’t sure where to start? Try updating with some low VOC paint from your local paint store. You get a new look and your air quality is completely unaffected.

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Sometimes the best way to live a green lifestyle is to remember to reuse. A brass light fixture on Craigslist can be completely updated with some green spray paint and yellow Chevron-striped shades. Similarly, a plain dresser can be updated with a dark stain and stainless drawer pulls for a modern twist to a plain piece.

Helen Lockhart is the owner of Red Chaise Designs, a full service interior design firm. Red Chaise Designs is located in Conway, where she lives with her husband, Paul, and two children.

You can reach her at: helen@redchaise.com.

GREEN

War on mosquitos heats up in summer

By Angie Howard

E

arlier today we loaded the kids up in the car (I use the word “car” loosely, it’s actually more like a huge playpen on wheels as was pointed out to me by a close friend) and we headed out to grab a quick lunch.

Unknown to us, while piling up our children and locking in our seatbelts, another passenger decided to hitch a ride to Chick-fil-A in the kid wagon with us. As we pulled out of the neighborhood my nine year old discovered the hitchhiker, and true to his “calm and quiet” nature (every pun intended) nearly caused us a head-on collision amidst the ruckus in the middle seat that ensued.

The hitchhiker was a mosquito. But by the level of commotion back there you’d have thought it was a grizzly bear.

To his defense, my poor guy is one of those horribly unlucky fellas that once bitten by a mosquito, in a matter of minutes, will swell up to twice his natural size. They search him out and bite him five times, whereas the same mosquito will fly right past my other two kids never so much as even looking sideways at them. So naturally, upon first sight of one his little arms and hands start swatting and flailing like wild, and I really can’t blame him, most likely because he gets his crazy mosquito magnetism from yours truly, his Momma.

Unfortunately, in Arkansas, the fact of it is we have our fair share of mosquitoes, and they do their fair share of biting. The question becomes how do we manage to stave off the blood-thirsty little beasts without exposing our children and ourselves to chemicals that can be quite alarming once you read the fine print on some of those repellent bottles.

Thankfully, there are a few proven mosquito repellent measures that are 100% eco-friendly and non-toxic to consider: • A green thumb is better than a red whelp!

Plants such as ageratum and marigolds are not only aesthetically pleasing, but known mosquito repel-

lents. Plant these around your yard and be sure to crush some of their leaves when you go outside to release their repellent powers and keep the mosquitoes at bay!

• Get your mosquitoes out of the gutter! We all know that standing or stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquito larvae, but many people do not realize that clogged rain gutters atop your house could be providing the perfect habitat for hatching the next generation of baby mosquitoes. A check to see if your gutters are clean can make a huge difference in the amount of mosquitoes around your home.

• Bring on the birds! Keep in mind, not every living creature that takes to the air is a vampire.

Consider encouraging birds such as Purple Martins (who feast on mosquitoes) to inhabit your yard by installing bird houses and nesting sites on your property.

• Precautions for the use of DEET: If a chemical repellent is absolutely necessary, it is suggested to search for a product with the very lowest concentration of DEET as possible (10% or under), and it is strongly recommended that DEET not be used on children under 2 years of age.

So, I’m sorry to say for our passenger mosquito that he met his maker before we made it even a fourth of the way to Chick-fil-A. We pulled off the road into a church parking lot to ban together as a family and protect our mosquito-magnet member by all launching a swat-attack at the ill-fated blood sucker. No doubt we looked like a bunch of crazies to any passersby, but nonetheless we accomplished our mission in an eco-friendly way and smashed that menace before he had the chance to leave any of us whelped up and worse for the wear.

Angie Howard is a wife and mother of three.

She is recycling coordinator for the city of Conway and the Faulkner County Solid Waste District. Angie can be reached at angela.howard@conwaycorp.net.

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“I wanted antiques, and I wanted it to look contemporary and clean. I like blue, white and cream. It feels very practical and simple and meaningful.”

-Jenny Butler

The Butler’s home in The Village at Hendrix boasts an open floor plan with several sitting and conversation areas.

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BUTLER HOME

Stan and Jenny Butler

PRACTICAL & MEANINGFUL HOME IN THE VILLAGE AT HENDRIX OFFERS CLEAN, CONTEMPORARY FEEL

By Rachel Parker Dickerson Photos by Courtney Spradlin With a few modifications and lots of personal touches, Jenny and Stan Butler have made a home that fits their lifestyle in The Village at Hendrix.

The couple moved in right before Christmas after a decision to downsize from a 3,000-square-foot home in Conway. Jenny said the new 1,640-squarefoot construction meets their needs perfectly.

“We have a cabin at Buffalo Point on the lower end of the Buffalo River. Because we had the cabin, and we do outside things there — hiking and canoeing and fishing, a lot of family activities — we didn’t mind this place being smaller, where we don’t really get outside a lot here. We’ve used every inch, and it really does work.”

When looking over floor plans, she said, “We had a certain amount of space to work with, and we changed it to fit our lifestyle.”

Like other homes in The Village, the Butler home has a raised front porch. However, they found another use for a four-foot-wide section of what would have been porch. Part of the roughly 10-foot-long area became an entry, and the remaining portion was enclosed with access off the kitchen for use as a walk-in pantry. The couple also opted to add eight feet to the back of the house, which provided additional room to create a cozy office space for Jenny in the master suite.

With construction decisions made, Jenny turned her attention to interiors. She had help from Helen Lockhart of Red Chaise Designs and also from friends Beth Horton and Wanda Fulmer. Jenny wanted to move away from a traditional, formal WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 39

40 WOMEN’S INC. / JULY 2012

style of decorating.

“I wanted antiques, and I wanted it to look contemporary and clean. I like blue, white and cream,” she said. “It feels very practical and simple and meaningful.”

In the dining area, her mother’s table, a square antique craftsman piece, is the focal point.

“My sons ate around this table. My sisters ate around this table. We have lots of stories around this table. Lots of beans, cornbread, fried potatoes.

My mother would sling everything on the table and sit down, wipe her forehead and say, ‘I’m not even hungry now.’ She thought food was important because food was the way you showed people you loved them.”

A white Roman shade with a navy stripe adds a contemporary look to the dining area, as well as draperies with a floral print featuring a complementary blue.

“I think the one thing I did that was really different and risky (is) I did white paint on white trim. I was kind of tired of the tan on white and

the gold colors. I was kind of a risk taker anyway,” she said.

In the kitchen, Jenny chose white for her cabinets and the brickwork-style tile backsplash.

An island topped with granite is painted in Oyster Bay, a peaceful blue with a hint of green. The color carries over into striped chairs in the living area.

For a contemporary look, she selected basket weave barstools and echoed the look in the living area by placing a variety of baskets on bookcases.

In the living area, which is defined by a white shag rug, sits a coffee table that is wholly appropriate for the Butlers’ new décor. From IO Metro on Highway 10, it is a reclaimed wood piece on an iron frame.

“We like (the coffee table) because we can play cards on it with the grandkids. We don’t have to worry about food getting spilled on it. Even my couch has the Everyday Suede from Pottery Barn.

They say you can spill red wine on it, and it won’t stain. We just went with a lot of things we can be comfortable in.”

Builder Goodman likes the challenge Brian Goodman likes the challenge of solving problems. He’s a multitalented builder who was hooked on the profession as a teenager, helping his granddad building custom homes in San Diego.

He came to Conway “in the year of Katrina,” 2005, and was immediately busy, helping people with water damage from burst sinks and water heaters.

“I like remodeling jobs better than handyman service. There’s a

challenge in bringing back to life something that’s been destroyed or in need of severe repair,” Goodman said.

Last year, he rebuilt two houses on Lake Conway that flooded, four feet of water inside the houses, causing a 100 percent loss.

Last summer he repainted four schools in Greenbrier, where he and his wife, Vicki, live.

“I want to keep on helping people, solving their problems,” Goodman said.

WOMEN’S INC. DI R ECTORY OF SE RVICES

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chamber ceo luncheon

Anna Lee Carter, Aaron Throneberry, Kim Williams, Bart Shaw

Phillip Hiegel, Tonya Thomas

Dr. Michael Hargis, Jan Davis

Joan Shofner, Lori Ross

Lauralee McCool, Susan Jarvis

Rep. Linda Tyler, Jennifer Allison, Laura Grimes 42 WOMEN’S INC. / JULY 2012

UCA NIGHT OF DISTINCTION

Helen Lockhart, Paul Lockhart

Mayor Tab Townsell, Donna Townsell

Steve Griffith, Lou Strain

Tom Courtway, Melissa Courtway

Bob Barham, Betsy Willbanks

Shelly Young, Max Young

Sen. Gilbert Baker, Susan Baker

Sen. Stanley Russ

Kelli Wells, Johnnie Wells WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 43

LIFE

Seniors beware!

By Fran Scroggins

D

uring the recent economic downturn or recession, people talk a lot about the depression in the 1930’s. I have heard my father talk many times about things he and his brothers did during that time and the way that people helped each other. It was not unusual for people to open up their homes and vehicles to complete strangers in distress. This was a great time of trust between strangers, and the thought of something being dangerous was unheard.

Living during that time must have been wonderful in many ways. Although the times were financially tough and most people were poor, they did not have to fear their neighbors and other people. Unfortunately, that is not the case today.

I had frequently talked to my father prior to his death about locking his door at night and when he was gone. Although there was little in the home which most burglars and thieves would have found worthwhile, I was concerned for his safety. I feared someone could target him as an easy mark for a scam, or someone who could be easily overtaken with force while trying to find cash.

Admonitions to be careful are almost trite in our society. We hear so much about crimes that we have turned a deaf ear and think about it being something that happens to others. This particular thing came home to our area with the recent murder of anchorwoman Anne Pressley.

The truth is, a crime is committed about every two seconds. A criminal planning to commit a crime, looks for someone who will make his work lucrative. That criminal also wants someone who is not challenging and someone from whom they can easily escape. In addition to alarm companies who can install security systems in the home for your safety, there are also personal alarms which can be used in the event of a fall or some illness which can be used to summon help if you think that you may be a victim.

There are some simple rules which you each should consider to keep yourselves safe in your homes as well as when you go out. Some of these are costly, but others are relatively low-cost items.

1. Install solid-core or metal doors in your home. These are much harder for someone to break and enter.

2. Replace or rekey all locks when moving into a new home. You never know who may have a key to your new home. Prior owners may have given keys to service companies, cleaning companies or others which were never returned.

3. Install ground glass peephole viewers in your doors. Look outside, and know who you open the door and allow access into your home.

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4. Do not open the door to strangers. If someone claims to be a service man, police officer or someone else you are not expecting, ask to see identification before opening the door, or call and find out if that company sent someone to your home or apartment.

5. Keep shrubbery trimmed away from doorways. Being able to see is important.

6. Make your home appear occupied when you are gone. You can put lights on timers and have lights turning on and off so it will appear someone is there.

7. Never enter your home if you suspect someone is inside. If you believe someone may be breaking into your home, call 911 and go to a safe house such as a neighbors to wait for police.

8. Walk confidently on the street with your head up. Make sure that you are aware of your surroundings. If it is at night, stay in well lit areas.

9. Carry a dependable protective spray. However, be sure you know how to use it prior to needing it so you do not harm yourself. Test the spray frequently.

10. Use the buddy system when you are out at night. Make sure someone knows you are out and can call family or law enforcement if you do not return when expected.

11. When leaving your car or a store, have your keys in your hand before you start for the door. This will allow you to enter quickly if someone is following you.

12. Park your car only in well-lit places. If you leave a key, leave it only with a parking attendant.

13. Don’t be afraid to call 911. It is better call if you think law enforcement may be needed than need them and not call. I know many law enforcement officers and they would rather you be safe than sorry.

The most important thing for you to remember is to be aware of your surroundings even if you are in the car. When selecting a target, the criminal is looking for someone who is not paying attention and from whom they can easily get away.

Hopefully these ideas will help you stay safe and happy. If you have ideas for other articles, please feel free to contact me at scrogginslawfirm.com.

Fran Scroggins is a graduate of the Bowen School of Law at UALR. She has been practicing law in Conway since 1996.Voted Best Attorney in Faulkner County by readers of the Log Cabin Democrat, Fran resides in Conway with her husband of nearly 35 years.They have five children.

BOOK REVIEW

‘Behind the Scenes at the Museum’

by Kate Atkinson

By Susan O’Keefe

A

bove the Shop. ... In this novel, that phrase is a proper noun. “Above the Shop” serves as home for much of the first part of the story. Abiding there, in the English city of York, are George, Bunty and their division of daughters. British author Kate Atkinson’s witty humor is woven throughout her debut piece in ways that evoke laughter, even when tears seem the proper protocol.

Ruby Lennox is George and Bunty’s daughter and also the story’s main character. She shares an insightful tip right out of the gate. “As a family, we are genetically disposed towards having accidents,” she says without flinching. Thus begins the formidable journey clambering through Ruby’s family tree in the novel “Behind the Scenes at the Museum.”

Although she receives few other honors, Ruby has the distinct privilege of narrating her life story in this novel. She dutifully tours branches of her family tree and discovers they’ve been battered and broken, confronted and contested, tried and torn; yet still, there is resilience in the soil. The tree continues to produce.

Announcing herself at the beginning of the book, Ruby simply says, “I exist!” It’s 1951, and the chimes on the clock on the mantelpiece announce her existence in utereo. Nine months later, Ruby explains how she is “squished beyond belief, and there is no more room in the inn.” Being severely squeezed is a clue that there’s another baby in utero with Ruby. Her twin, Pearl, is nearly a silent character, yet carries the strength of an undertow when finally introduced.

Before her birth, Ruby was privy to her mother’s thoughts and dreams. Realizing that her mother was less than thrilled to be pregnant with another child, Ruby fantasizes that perhaps this isn’t her real mother.

Maybe she’s in the wrong tummy! Mother Bunty’s shortcomings and shenanigans are shared with the reader, and very early on there’s a cheering section reserved for Ruby, even before her physical entry into the world.

Every person, place and thing mentioned in “Behind the Scenes at the Museum” has precise value.

There are no fluff words, nothing unnecessary. The intricate web of connectivity is masterful.

Recall the mantelpiece clock previously mentioned?

That museum piece belonged to Ruby’s greatgrandmother, Alice, who was married to Frederick, a gambler. Alice left her dank York home one night to run away with a romantic French photographer.

It’s simply one branch of Ruby’s family tree that was clipped, but not killed.

When Alice’s children were left behind, a glass button hiding on the dusty floor became a prized possession. Once the “Snow Queen,” Rachel, moved in to assume step-mother duties, Alice’s daughters kept the glass button in an apron pocket. It is another museum piece, as the reader discovers — one that represents the past and its inextricable link to the present.

In one particularly dark comical scene, “The Floo-

zy” is coerced to chaperone a holiday for Ruby and her two sisters. It appears that Bunty has “had enough” and is on sabbatical.

Had enough of what Ruby isn’t quite sure. But “The Floozy” sure made for a grand guardian at the beach — so grand that the sisters were sad when life returned to normal “Above the Shop” and the holiday ended. George warned them never to speak of “The Floozy” again.

The “Lost Property Cupboard” is another favorite proper noun. It’s the place where sentimental family heirlooms wait to be reunited with their rightful owners. The button will once again find its blouse. Lost teddy bears and trinkets (such as the rabbit’s foot that receives much attention in the novel) find their proper proprietor.

In your family, who is the keeper of the cupboard?

Who holds on to Grandma’s antiquated pictures or a Great Uncle’s first set of golf clubs? And what memories are released from such precious parts of the past?

With a dysfunctional sense of warmth, this tragic comedy is a great book to pack for the beach. It’s constantly developing. It’s continuously challenging readers to examine what’s behind the scenes of their own lives. And there’s a steady introduction of new characters. Our club was grateful to our leader, who came armed with a poster, laden with Ruby’s family tree and who connected with whom!

As the last few pages approached, readers tended to slow their pace. There was a craving to hang on to Ruby Lennox for just a bit longer. For a woman born into less than ideal circumstances, Ruby accepted lemons, and then made tart lemonade.

Never fortunate to have a trousseau, but friendly with a young woman who did, Ruby was asked what she would collect and keep if she had that opportunity. Without a doubt, Ruby said she would keep her sisters, victims of her family’s genetic predisposition to accidents, and her connection to all things that are “Behind the Scenes at the Museum.”

Susan O’Keefe is a wife to Jack, mother to four children, and eager to face the crazy, awesome, fun things God delivers daily. She and her family recently moved to Oxford, Mississippi, where Susan will continue to read and review, instruct fitness classes, and embark on this next adventure in life.

WWW.WOMENSINC.NET 45

COMMUNITY

Donation to Conway Cradle Care The Conway High School Chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America recently donated $500 to Conway Cradle Care. High School students enrolled in Sarah Fisher’s Child Care Program volunteer at Cradle Care once a week.

This enables the students to earn lab hours needed for the class. The mission of Conway Cradle Care is to help teens who become pregnant or have a child complete their education by supporting their academic and emotional needs, as well as the developmental needs of their children. Cradle Care will be using the money to purchase supplies, books and equipment

At left, Emilie Sanders, CHS student; Mrs. Diana Byrd, Director, Conway Cradle Care; Caitlin Avant, FCCLA President; and Mrs. Sarah Fisher, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Conway High.

46 WOMEN’S INC. / JULY 2012