WINC November

NOVEMBER 2019

womensinc.net

Teaching, the inspiration that keeps on giving

At First Security, we’re thankful for our customers. The individuals, families and businesses we serve make Faulkner County an even better place to call home. It’s why we love doing business here – and why you won’t find us anywhere else. During this Thanksgiving season and all year long, First Security is here for you.

Member FDIC

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THE GIFT OF TEACHING

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DIY: THE JUDY BIRD

A LOOK BACK

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HOMETOWN HERO

BLACK FRIDAY

DAZZLE DAZE

Contributing Writers Hilary Andrews Cindy Beckman Andrea Champlin Melissa Gates – Cover Story Marisa Hicks Photographers Cover photos by Lulu Photography/Becké Stuart Hilary Andrews

WINC team It’s finally fall! I mean, not Arkansas’ “fake fall” but the real deal guys!

The temperature has dropped, pumpkin patches have opened, people are out in their comfy sweaters vying for their pumpkin spice lattés. It’s here. Real fall ... and we’re thankful.

This is the true theme to our November issue; being thankful for all that’s happening around us.

Life throws constant curveballs, we all know this, but this time of year always forces us to sit back and think about the things around us that bring us comfort, the moments that bless us like the cold crisp air in the morning, to gathering with friends around a bonfire to the family that graces our tables at Thanksgiving.

In this issue, we wanted to share with our readers what it is that makes people thankful.

November’s cover story focuses on two local teachers, generations apart. We all have that one teacher that forced us to think, encouraged us, made us fall in love with something and kick-started a passion, whatever that may be. In this story, that impact led to a teaching career. We can’t wait to share this fun story about mentors and mentees and how a little bit of love, goes a long way.

Speaking of love ... Black Friday shopping!

Those words don’t typically go hand in hand.

Often times, we think about Black Friday and cringe, seeing the videos of shoppers hurting

Ron Beckman

one another, chasing materialistic items and doing whatever it takes to get them. Instead, we had the opportunity to talk with one family about how their annual shopping trip has evolved from hunting Christmas gifts for little ones to now being a yearly trip intended for memories and the blessings the event has brought each family member through the decades.

One of our favorite stories we get to do is Hometown Hero. We had the chance to talk with a local Conway firefighter about his favorite parts of the job, how it’s changed over the years and more. Readers, you don’t want to miss out on this piece.

Additionally, don’t forget to dive into our A Look Back section too, which ‘looks back’ on a group of veterans in Faulkner County and their families during past wars.

With it being November, the WINC Team also wanted to share with you our favorite Thanksgiving recipes, some fun Thanksgiving facts and a few additional tidbits in our holiday spread.

We truly hope our readers are able to slow down this fall season and take in all the wonderful blessings around us all.

From all of us at WINC, we hope you have a Happy Fall and a Happy Thanksgiving. See you in December!

Andrea Champlin Advertising Sales Executives Kelly Booy Crystal Geraldson Leigh Anne Gray Editorial Board Hilary Andrews Cindy Beckman Andrea Champlin Eden Cameron Melissa Gates

Questions or Comments?

Call (501) 327-6621 e-mail: Hilary Andrews at handrews@thecabin.net or write to: 1121 Front Street, Conway, AR, 72032 www.womensinc.net

Giving the Gift of Teaching:

Being the Inspiration

By Melissa Gates Photos by Lulu Photography / Becké Stuart Take a moment to close your eyes and think about your favorite elementary school teacher.

Mine was Kathy Idso at Winnetka Elementary in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

She taught us how to use all five senses when we wrote. Imagine stepping outside into a snowy white freshly blanketed playground.

What would you hear? What would the world look like? What would the fresh snow taste and smell like? I’ll never forget that peaceful, snowy morning in third grade, or Mrs. Idso.

6 WINC. | November 2019

She was my inspiration to become the writer and journalist I am today.

Far from snowy Minnesota, another little girl’s imagination was sparked by her elementary school teacher in Conway.

Valerie Boogaerts was in Mrs. Gina (Huss) Carter’s class at Julia Lee Moore Elementary.

That’s where she decided that one day she wanted to be a teacher.

“I was always in awe of her as a first grader in her classroom,” Boogaerts said. “She was

beautiful – still is – with the prettiest hair, had perfect handwriting, and I just loved everything about her. I went home and ‘played school’ many days and of course, I was always Miss Huss in my bedroom/classroom.”

Surprisingly, Boogaerts actually had a rough start to her first grade year and dreaded the first day.

“I loved being home with my mom every day so first grade was a difficult transition for me being away from her ALL day,” she said.

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“At this time kindergarten was only half day.

Mrs. Carter – then Miss Huss – made all that separation anxiety, fear, sadness, etc. disappear immediately.”

Years later, Boogaerts’s dream to teach just like Mrs. Carter, has come true.

The 40-year-old is now teaching down the hall from her inspiration.

“Returning to ‘my school,’ a place filled with so many memories for me as a child is so special,” Boogaerts said. “Walking the halls, spending time on the playground with even some of the same equipment I played on as a child, and even working with former teachers, is something special.”

Boogaerts continued, explaining how she models her teaching methods after Mrs. Carter’s.

“There was not ONE day she didn’t greet me with a hug and the warmest greeting to make me feel special,” she said. “She has a gift with making ALL kids feel loved, even those that come back years later and teach right alongside her! I still get hugs from her on the regular and feel loved by her.”

Several years away from retirement, Gina Carter has been teaching at Julia Lee Moore since 1985. Her inspiration to teach? Her mom.

“I saw the way she interacted with the students, the love and concern she had for every one of them and her determination that

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they be happy and successful,” Carter said. “It just seemed like a special and rewarding way to spend your life. She can look at an old class photo and tell you exactly where most of the students she taught are today.

Carter brought at an old class picture.

“This one is a preacher in South Africa, this one is a teacher in Dallas, and this one’s sister went on to be Miss Arkansas! \I have ‘babies’ who are doctors, lawyers, nurses, judges, preachers, golf pros, fire fighters, serving in the military, and teachers. One of the positive things about social media is that it is easier to keep up with more than before. But there are many more I wish I was in contact with!”

Carter said she can’t express how special it is to teach down the hall from Boogaerts now.

“To say I’m proud to work with her is an understatement,” she said.

“Watching her interact with, teach, and love her students is an unbelievable source of pride and it is so much fun to be able to get to know her on a different level as an adult!”

Carter teaches third grade and Boogaerts teaches second so their schedules don’t allow for time on the playground together but, they still get to wave at each other down the hall and even enjoy the same lunch period.

After growing up in and around Julia Lee Moore, Boogaerts said it’s still tough to believe she finally gets to sit and eat in the teacher’s lounge.

“I grew up on Summerfield Drive, right behind the school,” she said.

“I was at JLM playing on the playground most weekends and walked to school most days.

JLM holds a special place in my heart, so to now be teaching there is really a blessing and something I always wanted once I became a teacher.”

As we reflect on gratitude this time of year, I’m especially thankful for the elementary school teachers that are loving on my kiddos and leaving memorable impressions on them.

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Those educators are most certainly shaping their futures ... and who knows ... maybe one day my kids be teaching alongside their inspiration, remembering his or her perfect handwriting and warm greetings.

Melissa Gates has been telling stories in Faulkner County for more than a decade. She has interviewed a wide variety of interesting people from U.S. Presidents to rock stars and countless community leaders. After growing up in the Midwest, she is thrilled to call Conway home, alongside her husband and three kids.

Bringing Out The Best in Each Other

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WN METO O H

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Hometown Hero: Choosing a life of service Story by Hilary Andrews Rick Stapleton 42 years old Engineer with the Conway Fire Department Husband to Rita Stapleton, father of Katlyn and Carter

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Q: What initially drove you to this career?

Stapleton: I’ve always just kind of had a heart for people, to try to help on some level.

I wasn’t the guy who grew up knowing I was going to be a firefighter. I actually worked for Conway Corporation for about eight years before I worked for CFD. I knew about 2001 this is what I wanted to do. Started the testing process … it took me three years before I got hired on. It’s been really good.

Q: You said around 2001, did 9/11 have any type of impact?

Stapleton: It had a pretty big impact on a lot of that. I knew the military wasn’t the career path for me at that point in time, but I knew I wanted to do something on a bigger scale. CFD was definitely my route to take at that point.

Q: Talking about that switch from Conway Corp to CFD, is it everything you thought it would be?

Stapleton: It really is. In some aspects, it’s harder.

Q: What do you do everyday? When you arrive on shift, what does that process look like?

Stapleton: Our day starts at 7 o’clock.

They do roll call every morning, make sure everybody’s where they’re supposed to be.

We like to get here probably around 6:30 a.m to talk to all these guys (prior shift) to find out what they did the day before, is anything

broken down, is everything working right, do we need to take the truck to the mechanic, are we supposed to go show the truck at a church or an elementary school, all those kinds of things, so, when 7 o’clock comes, they can leave but we’ve had kind of a transition period.

That typically revolves around the coffee pot and typically making fun of each other and laughing. Then, we go get in uniform, we put all our stuff on the rig [switch equipment and check the trucks]. Once all that stuff is done, we’ll come in and cook breakfast. While one or two people are cooking, others are [doing daily chores]. Then, it’s waiting. We eat a lot of cold meals. It’s kind of a weird deal. You could not have anything for several hours and you just put your plate down for dinner and tones will go off.

Always stuff to be training on, gym time, we have to go around and talk to every business in the city, check every fire hydrant in the city a couple times a year, we break all that stuff down and each group will take certain areas. We have to log quite a few training hours, whether that be from the fire side or through the medical side for our licensure there. We do a lot of in-house medical training.

We are pretty much busy doing that kind of stuff. We go to all the high school football practices and games in town; we provide first responders. Typically, around 9-10 o’clock at night, we’ll start shutting most of those events down. Then, we’re here.

Some will catch some sleep while they can … just wait for those tones to go off. There’s actually a lot that goes on that I had no clue that we did just on a normal day. Even if we didn’t have a single call, just a lot of stuff that has to be done.

After about a year with the CFD, Stapleton decided to join SORT (Special Operations Rescue Team), which gets called out for swift water response and flooding.

He serves as a rescue diver.

Q: I’ve heard those moments are typically pretty difficult and the saddest ones?

Stapleton: Sometimes ... you can only live under water for so long. Most of the time, unfortunately, just due to how water works … those are recoveries as opposed to rescues.

Family starts getting there and they’re right there close to you … those can be tough.

Q: What about you specific role as engineer ... what does that entail and what are your favorite aspects to your job?

Stapleton: As an engineer, my first initial role is to get my crew on scene as quickly and as safely as possible. Sometimes those two … [he laughed] ... quickly and safely, there’s a certain level of urgency, but at the same time, when you have 65,000-70,000 people in the city with three colleges, you’re

always having to drive with your head on a swivel. [People not pulling over.] I understand, it happens. I used to get real twerked up about it. Now [he shrugged], they’ll eventually move. Just trying to get people to understand, when you see someone behind you, lights and sirens, you don’t have to run off the road. Just stop. That’s what I told my daughter. If you can’t figure out where to go, just stop. We’ll get around you.

So, getting my crew on scene safe and then once we get [there], I’ve got a captain and firefighter that’ll be on there. They’ll take the hand lines off and go to the front door if it’s a fire scene. My job is to get them water from the firetruck to where they’re at on the nozzle and keep them water throughout the whole scene. We have water on the truck but it doesn’t last a great deal of time. We have to hook up to a hydrant and get a line tied into the firetruck to keep us an ample supply coming in. Then, it’s just a balancing act of how much pressure you have coming in to how much pressure they need. There’s levels up there an you’re working all those … it’s not hard on a run of the mill kind of fire. On those bigger ones … it’s not as easy as you think. You’re always having to watch these gauges.

Q: Why an engineer?

Stapleton: Well, part of it is that ‘s just your next step but two, I think it’s one of those deals where … when you care about your guys, you know you’re the one up there making sure that they stay with water .. even though you’re not necessarily inside, you’re helping protect them which is also helping protect somebody else. It’s a fun job. Who doesn’t like driving around town with your sirens, honking the horn, making noise!

In addition to his role as engineer within the department, Stapleton is also a member of the Arkansas Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team and is also now a trained paramedic, one of only a handful within CFD, as part of its new initiative to provide the “highest level and best service” of care to the local community.

Q: Tell me about those first couple of calls.

Stapleton: Some have been more of the everyday, respiratory distress. I’ve had to run an actual cardiac arrest call. That was my first time ever doing that, being the one actually womensinc.net 15

starting an IV and being able to shock. I feel like it went pretty well for as best as it could go. Then, as soon as MEMS got there, it was nice. It was like “what do you want me to do?” It worked really well as a system [and a team]. When MEMS gets on scene that one medic has a lot to do in that short amount of time. All we were basically doing was getting them tools to do what they needed to do.

Q: What are some of those really good moments on the job where you have had great outcomes, ones that have stuck with you?

Stapleton: There’s some really good moments to where we’ve had people come back and visited. We have people in our immediate area, when you send them away on the ambulance, you’re not sure what the outcome is going to be. But then they’ll show up at the station two months later,

they’ll show back up and talk to you and give you a hug. Those are good moments.

There’s a young man, 16-years-old now, lives here in the city. Working him in respiratory failure at 18 months old, and still getting to see him around, he’s a super great kid … those are the ones that just make you feel good.

Q: What about some of those lows? How do you leave those at work?

Stapleton: You have to try to find a balance of separating that out, the child calls, you do think about, when you’re in the middle of it, you’ve got a job to do. You just have to push thorough all that stuff. You just have to put that stuff aside. Once all the adrenaline starts going down, it makes you think about stuff. Abuse cases, when you see people get neglected … mental health … [those are hard].

Q: Overall, what is your favorite part about being a firefighter with the CFD: Stapleton: I think my favorite, and this is going to sound very self-serving, so I don’t know how else to say it, my favorite part about being here is the fact that I have a job that I love to come to work everyday to. Even when you’re off on vacation, after a while you’re kind of ready to go back to work, ready to see my guys, ready to get back to my group. I think whether it’s the brotherhood or the camaraderie, I think just the fact that I love what I do everyday. You don’t just hear that very much, just in today’s world. Most people don’t say that. For me personally, I really enjoy what I do everyday.

I enjoy the fact of knowing even though things may not turn out the way we would like them to, we know that we did the best job we could do to provide for those people at that particular moment.

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FAULKNER COUNTY MUSEUM 16TH 17TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL AND HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Saturday, November 9, 3, 2018 Saturday, 2019 | 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Faulkner County Museum | Courthouse Square 801 Locust Street, Conway Visit the Faulkner County Museum during our 16th 17th annual Festival and Holiday Open House for activities galore!

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The Judy Bird

By Andrea Champlin At our house, the Thanksgiving turkey is serious business.

My husband, Scott, is in charge of the turkey and he tackles it with the same intensity he tackles everything else in life, which is saying something for this combat-decorated, former Army Airborne Ranger and attorney. If he is cooking a turkey, he wants it to be the best turkey that has ever been prepared in the history of Thanksgiving. Ever. He wants the Pilgrims to be jealous.

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I am the lucky beneficiary of this pursuit of perfection.

I’ve lost count of the different ways Scott has tried cooking a turkey, but I know it’s a lot. So, I wasn’t too surprised a few years ago when he told me he was going to try something different ... the Judy Bird.

Several years ago, the Los Angeles Times published a recipe for a dry-brined turkey, known as the Judy Bird. It’s not so much a recipe as it is a process. Simply

stated, it’s the best turkey I’ve ever had. I’d never really liked Thanksgiving turkey very much, but that changed with this recipe.

The trickiest part of this recipe, according to Scott, is turning the turkey over after it’s been in the oven for 30 minutes.

Scott used his heat-resistant barbecue gloves for this, ‘cause my Memphis man is serious about barbecue too. Scott wanted me to be sure to say that he used a freerange Heritage bird. I don’t know what that is, but it sounds fancy.

The History of the Name: So, why is it called a Judy Bird? It’s named after the late chef Judy Rodgers of Zuni Café in San Francisco.

She was known for her roasted chicken, which was apparently legendary among food aficionados. In 2006, the editor of the food section of the LA Times, Russ Parsons, decided to try her technique on a turkey and it worked! If you’re anything less than thrilled with your Thanksgiving turkey, you should give the Judy Bird a try.

The recipe is below, originally published in the LA Times.

Dry-brined turkey (a.k.a. the ‘Judy Bird’)

Total time: 2 hours, 50 minutes Servings: 11 to 15 1 (12- to 16-pound) turkey Kosher salt

Note: This is more a technique than a recipe. It makes a bird that has concentrated turkey flavor and fine, firm flesh, delicious as is, but, you can add other flavors as you wish. Minced rosemary would be a nice finishing addition, or, brush the bird lightly with butter before roasting.

1. Wash the turkey inside and out, pat it dry and weigh it. Measure 1 tablespoon of salt into a bowl for every five pounds the turkey weighs (for a 15-pound turkey, you’d have three tablespoons).

2. Sprinkle the inside of the turkey lightly with salt.

Place the turkey on its back and salt the breasts, concentrating the salt in the center where the meat is thickest. You’ll probably use a little more than a tablespoon. It should look liberally seasoned, but not over salted.

3. Turn the turkey on one side and sprinkle the entire side with salt, concentrating on the thigh. You should use a little less than a tablespoon. Flip the turkey over and do the same with the opposite side.

4. Place the turkey in a 2 1/2 -gallon sealable plastic bag, press out the air and seal tightly. Place the turkey breast-side up in the refrigerator. Chill for three days, turning it onto its breast for the last day.

5. Remove the turkey from the bag. There should be no salt visible on the surface and the skin should be moist but not wet. Place the turkey breast-side up on a plate and refrigerate uncovered for at least eight hours.

6. On the day it is to be cooked, remove the turkey from the refrigerator and leave it at room temperature at least one hour. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

7. Place the turkey breast-side down on a roasting rack in a roasting pan; put it in the oven. After 30 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and carefully turn the turkey over so the breast is facing up (it’s easiest to do this by hand, using kitchen towels or oven mitts).

8. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees, return the turkey to the oven and roast until a thermometer inserted in the deepest part of the thigh, but not touching the bone, reads 165 degrees, about two hours and 45 minutes total roasting.

9. Remove the turkey from the oven, transfer it to a warm platter or carving board; tent loosely with foil. Let stand at least 30 minutes to let the juices redistribute through the meat. Carve and serve.

Nutrition Info: Each of 15 servings: 564 calories; 77 grams protein; 0 carbohydrates; 0 fiber; 26 grams fat; 8 grams saturated fat; 261 mg. cholesterol; 856 mg. sodium. womensinc.net 19

20 WINC. | November 2019

Reader’s Choice Awards 2019

Readers, vote for your favorite businesses and services for 2019 and turn this sheet of paper – found in both the November and December WINC editions – back into the WINC Team at the Log Cabin Democrat, located at 1121 Front St. in downtown Conway. Results will be announced in our January edition.

Favorite place to have a salad ______________________________ .

Most romantic dinner date restaurant________________________ .

I entertain business clients for lunch at _______________________ .

Favorite place with patio dining ____________________________ .

Best place to meet the girls for lunch ________________________ .

On my birthday, take me to dinner at ________________________ .

When I want a good burger, I go to _________________________ .

My favorite restaurant staff is at ____________________________ .

The kids always want to eat at _____________________________ .

The sweet treats are always fabulous at _______________________ .

I love to order special cakes from ___________________________ .

I find the most fabulous shoes at ____________________________ .

When I want to dress for the occasion, my first stop is __________________________________________ .

I always find the perfect piece of jewelry at____________________ .

A sharp-dressed man shops at______________________________ .

Best local hair salon is ____________________________________ .

My favorite stylist is _____________________________________ .

I love to buy cosmetics at _________________________________ .

The folks at _________________________________ do a great job cleaning my home and office.

The only insurance agent I use is ____________________________ at ____________________________________________________ .

The pharmacist with the best customer service is _______________ at ____________________________________________________ .

When I need an attorney, I call _____________________________ .

I only have eyes for ______________________________________ at ____________________________________________________ .

My favorite OB/GYN is __________________________________ at ____________________________________________________ .

For cosmetics procedures I go to ____________________________ at ____________________________________________________ .

My favorite local general physician is ________________________ at ____________________________________________________ .

The best pediatrician is ___________________________________ at ____________________________________________________ .

Our favorite nurse is _____________________________________ at ____________________________________________________ .

My favorite veterinarian is_________________________________ at ____________________________________________________ .

My pets favorite groomer is________________________________ .

When my car needs repair, I only go to ______________________ .

I only have family photos taken by __________________________ .

When my appliances need repair, I call _______________________ .

My dream home would be filled with furniture from ____________ .

I like to buy vehicles from _________________________________ .

When I need a realtor, I call _______________________________ at ____________________________________________________ .

The real estate company I count on is ________________________ .

The best personal trainer is ________________________________ at ____________________________________________________ .

The best preschool and childcare provider is ___________________ .

When I have a problem, the plumber I call is __________________ .

If my car breaks down, I call _______________________________ .

When I need a handyman, I call ____________________________ .

When I need a unique gift, I go to __________________________ .

When I need tools or garden items, my local choice is ___________ .

The top spa in our area is__________________________________ .

I love to receive flowers from_______________________________ .

I love my pool from ______________________________________ .

My ear, nose and throat specialist is _________________________ at ____________________________________________________ .

My favorite massage therapist is ____________________________ .

I only trust my smile to ___________________________________ at ____________________________________________________ .

My favorite downtown Conway business is ___________________ .

I want to accessorize my home with items from ________________ .

womensinc.net 21

Turkey Talk 46+ mil million Turkeys eaten

$49.87

on Thanksgiving Thanksg

Average cost of a Thanksgiving Day dinner for 10 people

1621 16 21

National Turkey Federation

American Farm Bureau Federation

Gobbler or Tom: Male turkey Hen: Female turkey Poult: Baby turkey Wattle: The loose fold of red skin hanging below the chin of a turkey Snood: The red skin covering the beak of a turkey Both male and female turkeys have wattles and snoods, but they are smaller and less distinctive on females.

Who Knew?

• Only male turkeys gobble.

• Turkeys sleep in trees.

• A turkey’s gender can be determined from its droppings.

The year the first American Thanksgiving was celebrated r rated as a threeday harvest festival in November

3,000 Calor Calories in an average Thanksgiving dinner alone

4,500 Calories in an average Thanksgiving meal

50 million mill

100,000 Source: Butterball

3-12 pounds

Weight of the average gobbler

Weight of the average hen

with appetizers and dessert Source: Calorie Control Council

Turkey-related questions answered by the Butterball But ® Turkey Talk-Line Talk-L each November and December

16-22 pounds

Pumpkin pies consumed on Thanksgiving The American Pie Council

25 miles per hour

The speed at which a turkey can run

55 miles per hour

The speed at which a turkey can fly fl Sources: Smithsonian.com, MentalFloss.com

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at WINC Magazine.

{OBEY THE LAWS OF BUFFET FENG SHUI.} FORM AND FUNCTION UNITED IN A MASTERFULLY MA ARR ARRANGED BUFFET.

Vary the Height

Stack books under table linens to help elevate certain dishes (less messy ones, without sauces) and to add a litt little tle design panache.

Have a Clear Beginning

For a visual cue on where to form the line, start with a tall stack of plates. Pull table out from the wall so traffi traf c flows down both sides.

22 WINC. | November 2019

Identify Dishes

Include place cards stating sta the name of each item and any good-to-know information informat f guests for (contains peanuts, for example).

Give Some Support

Place empty saucers throughout the buffet so guests ha a spot to rest those sticky serving spoons. have

Save Utensils for Last

Place napkins and silverware at the end of the buffet ff line. Guests won’t have ffet ha to fuss with them while piling up their plates.

Position Strategically

Place food you have ha limited supply of at the end of the line. Guests will be less tempted to take ta a giant scoop if their plate is nearly full

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Brussel Sprouts

Roasted brussel sprouts are simple and lite. I don't like heavy sauces or veggies dripping in oils. These are so flavorful; and taste even better if my husband makes them. Then I don't have to do all the chopping! You can buy prepackaged, already washed brussel sprouts!

Enjoy!

A Thanksgiving Celebration Guide

Submitted by Melissa Gates

Homemade Pie Crusts • 1/2 cup + 2 T Crisco shortening > 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour • 3/4 teaspoon salt > 3 T water > Mix the flour and salt.

• Add the shortening.

• Blend all of this either with a fork or a pastry blender.

• Add the water (I use just a little more than she used).

• Stir with a fork until a dough is made. > Separate into two balls.

• Place one ball of dough on a floured paper towel or pastry cloth.

• Smash the ball!!! • Sprinkle with flour and begin to roll the dough out.

• Transfer to your dish and you are done! Makes 2 homemade pie crusts Submitted by Kaye Clampton

’Round Table Discussions

Host a lively Thanksgiving gathering with these fun conversation starters.

If you could invite anyone to Thanksgiving dinner, who would it be?

What vacation destination is at the top of your list?

What is your favorite holiday, and why?

What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition or memory?

Cherry Cheese Cake 1. Graham cracker pie crust 2. Package of cream cheese 3. Can of sweetened condensed milk 4. Can of cherries 5. 1/3 cup of lemon Combine 2,3 and 5 in a bowl, mix until smooth then pour into pie crust. Put pie crust in fridge to firm. Then, add cherries.

Easy peasy.

Submitted by Hilary Andrews

Broccoli Cheese Rice What are you most excited about doing this year?

What is arethe you most thankful What last book you read or movie you watched? for this Thanksgiving?

Pass aabowl filledfilled with conversation Pass bowl with conversation aroundCards the table, Morecards Conversations Online! cards around the table, or include one orat include one this atThanksgiving. each place setting this Thanksgiving. each place setting Go to namenewsaper.com/ Another idea?

Replace conversation ThanksgivingConversationCards Another idea? Replace conversation starters with family starters with family-friendly jokes to kick to download and print.laughs! off the celebration some laughs! friendly jokes with to kick off the celebration with some

Perfect Mashed Potatoes

4 Cups cooked rice 1 bag of frozen broccoli cuts 1 jar cheese whiz 1 small can cream of celery soup 1 small can cream of mushroom soup • Preheat oven to 350 Boil frozen broccoli until tender. Combine broccoli, rice and soups in large bowl, stir. Microwave Cheese Whiz until melty, add to bowl with mixture, stir. Put mixture in greased baking dish, bake for 30 min or until bubbly.

Submitted by Eden Cameron

“Can’t get enough” Cheese Dip!!

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, Pint of half and half Salt & Pepper Instructions: Peel and rinse potatoes before putting in a large pot with about 5-6 cups of water, lightly salted. Boil potatoes until a fork easily slides through (approximately 10 minutes). Remove from heat and drain water from pan. Add butter, salt, pepper and 1/4 pint of half and half. Cream potatoes with electric mixer. If too thick, slowly add half and half until the consistency is correct.

Add more salt and pepper to taste.

2- 8oz Philadelphia Cream Cheese 2- 5oz jars Old English spread 1- medium onion chopped (less onion juice, less liquidy the cheese dip) 1 - 4.5 oz jar dried beef finely chopped • garlic salt to taste (1 1/2 cup chopped pecans optional ) Mix together, reserving half of the dried beef to cover the top of cheese dip, or if shaped into a "ball" covering the ball with the dried beef and chopped pecans!! Serve with your choice of crackers! Wheat Thins are my pick!!

Submitted by Jeanette Anderton

Submitted by Kelly Booy

womensinc.net 23

The Alphabet Soup of Medicare My apologies in advance to you younger folks who aren’t close to Medicare age for the content of this article, but regardless of age, all of us are being subjected to an onslaught of advertisements on television and radio about Medicare. I have a mental image of people with confused looks on their faces swimming through a mine field with insurance company names on the mines. If you’ve ever watched a World War II movie with submarines, battleships, and destroyers you can visualize those round bombs with spines guarding harbors and shipping lanes.

Those of us who already have, or soon will have, one of those red, white, and blue Medicare cards open our mailboxes every day to find enough junk mail from various insurance companies to have killed half of the Amazon rainforest! Sadly, it’s not going to get any better until after Pearl Harbor day because it is now officially open enrollment time for Medicare drug plans. As usual, open enrollment is from October 15th – December 7th.

It is very important for people to understand their options and choose the best plan for them and their healthcare provider, because with a few exceptions, once they opt-in to a plan, they are locked into that plan through the entire upcoming calendar year.

I titled this article the way I did because Medicare has so many letters that apply to its different components it reminds me of the Post Alpha-Bits cereal I used to love when I was growing up. Yeah, I know, it had way too much sugar, but I sure loved it. For the record, my favorite now is Frosted Mini-Wheats – still too much sugar but at least I’m getting my fiber.

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Seriously though, let’s take a look at what those letters mean.

Medicare Part A covers inpatient care in a hospital, some skilled nursing services, some hospice services, and some home health care services. Most people qualify for Part A at no charge when they reach the age of 65.

Medicare Part B is more complicated to explain but covers some medically necessary services or supplies and some preventive health services like flu shots or pneumonia shots. Most of these preventive services are free if the provider accepts assignment from Medicare. Part B also covers things like ambulance services, certain DME (durable medical equipment) products, and some mental health services. Part B also covers a limited number of outpatient drugs. An explanation of those drugs would require much more room than I have for this article.

Part B is not free and the premium for most people is less than $140/month but is adjusted upward based on your income.

Most people also buy a Medicare Supplement (Medigap policy) from a private insurance company to pay for co-payments, co-insurance costs, and deductibles that are not covered by original Medicare. You must have both Medicare Part A and Part B before you can buy a supplemental policy. There are several Supplemental Plans available, the two most common ones being Plans F & G. Plan G was the best one for Shirley and me, but you really need to consult with a reputable agent before deciding which is best for you.

As a pharmacist, the most important letter of the Medicare alphabet is the letter D. Medicare Part D plans pay for prescriptions

and monthly premiums vary widely from one plan to the next. There are dozens of Medicare Part D plans out there, each one claiming to be the best one. Simply put, there is not one best plan. The most important part of choosing the best plan for you is comparing your medication list with the plan’s formulary, and that can be challenging. Most pharmacists carve out time to help their patients analyze the plans each year so they can make an informed choice. Plans change their formularies from year to year so your current plan may not be the right one for you for the coming year.

Here’s one final thought about Medicare.

You’ve no doubt noticed all of the hoopla about Medicare Advantage plans. The federal government pays private insurance companies a set monthly amount to take care of all medical services for each member. Typically, these plans have very restrictive networks of providers like an HMO, so make sure your doctor and pharmacy are in their network before you choose to enroll in one of these.

Generally speaking, I am not a fan. The plan has all the advantage – not the patient.

Just my honest opinion.

David Smith is the owner and chief pharmacist at Smith Family Pharmacy where he works with his wife Shirley and staff. He graduated from the UAMS College of Pharmacy in 1974 and has been taking care of people in the Conway and surrounding areas for more than 43 years.

Have questions about which Medicare Part D plan is right for you? We’re here to help!

Download our app for convenient pharmacy access.

24 WINC. | November 2019

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Photo by Hilary Andrews

Clockwise: Linda Driggers, Alice Ward, Tammy Driggers, Ashley Ward, Carrie Bingham, Grace Driggers, Brittany Durnal and Ellie Bingham, Carrie’s daughter.

Family above all else Story by Hilary Andrews Years ago, Arkansas couple Bill and Fay Driggers made it a point to instill the importance of family in their children.

Decades later, that life lesson has trickled down to their children, their children’s children and all that have followed.

“My parents told me and my brothers growing up, when nobody else is around, your family will be there for you,” Alice (Driggers) Ward said. “They’re your back, they’re the ones who have you. So, you better make sure your relationship with your siblings are always good.”

As the years went by, more family was added to the mix through marriage. If they had children, it didn’t matter, they were a part of the family, no questions asked.

Let me introduce you to the members of the family that are going to be pertinent to this story: Alice Ward, her two daughters, Ashley Ward and Brittany Durnal, Tammy Driggers (who is married to Alice’s brother John) her two daughters Carrie Bingham and Grace Driggers and Linda Driggers (who is married to Alice’s brother, Michael).

26 WINC. | November 2019

Every Thanksgiving, these seven can be found making a plate of yummy holiday foods. But it’s not just them. Add spouses, grandkids, friends and more, and the total reaches 40 plus guests that fill Bill and Fay’s house, everyone gathering around the kitchen to fill up on the Thanksgiving feast.

After, though, is when the real fun begins … Black Friday planning.

“As soon as they table was cleared, the newspapers were out and on the table,” Carrie said.

The annual tradition began around 25 years ago with Alice, Linda and Tammy.

“It’s been a long time,” Tammy said. “In the beginning, the reason I know we three started to do this … we were on limited incomes. We had to budget our money and you got good deals at 5 a.m.”

That first year, they asked Fay to watch the kids. That’s become her role.

“Grandmother would send her money with us,” Alice said. “She would tell us what each person got and said ‘Buy for the kids, I’ll keep the kids here.’ She hated to

shop. So, we bought her Christmas for the kids.”

As for the guys, the Driggers are a hunting family.

“We all eat a huge meal and then they sit around and watch football, take a nap, then wake up, get their hunting gear and leave,” Grace said.

The men called the Black Friday shopping, “a hunting trip” as well.

At first, that’s exactly what it was.

Alice said they’d start by asking the kids what their No. 1 toy wish was. Then, they’d get out the sales papers and search and look for that item.

“We were trying to find that bargain,” she said.

Alice remembers the year of the see-andsay, a top item among the kids, and all the, “Toy Story,” memorabilia that came out … had to get it all.

“Not the ruby red slippers that I wanted … nooooo,” Ashley said, laughing.

“Excuse me,” Alice replied. “You got your ruby red slippers!”

“Yeah,” Ashley yelled back at her mom.

“When I was 27!”

That’s what it’s like to be a guest around the table with this group … no filters, constant laughing, making you feel like a part of the family.

The younger girls, Ashley, Grace and Brittany, know what it’s like to be on both sides, the three recalling their times at grandmother’s house, waiting on the moms to get back with the loot.

When they got home, all the kids had to pile into one room to keep their gift surprises.

“Until we got smart!” Grace said. “Ashley said, ‘let’s pretend we’re asleep on the couches. We would snore just a little bit and we’d all peek out, spy on them and see where they hid it.”

That first year they were allowed to go is Photo by Hilary Andrews a big memory.

Front row: Grace Driggers, Carrie Bingham, Tammy Driggers, Alice Ward and Brittany Durnal.

“We waited and waited to be able to go Back row: Linda Driggers and Ashley Ward. shopping with them,” Grace said.

“We were so excited to go Black Friday shopping,” Brittany said. “We had our lists made. So, we decided to stay up all night, so they couldn’t leave us. We were all dressed, ready to go.”

Alice piped up at this time and laughed.

They were ready but because they had only heard it called a “hunting trip” by the boys, came decked out in camo.

Brittany continued.

“We finally made it to Target,” she said.

“We were sitting in the food court, we were so tired from staying up all night long.

These sweet girls came up to us, and said, ‘we just thought you guys looked so tired, and it’s Black Friday and we just wanted to do something nice so we bought you guys these [energy] drinks.”

“Yes, they took energy drinks from strangers!” Linda screamed.

“We downed those suckers” Grace said.

By the time they made it to Walmart, the duo was hyped up on sugar and caffeine and started singing Christmas carols in the middle of the store with shoppers even joining in.

“To be real, you guys would’ve done that without the energy drinks,” Ashley laughed.

The group has countless stories like that.

One in particular stands out the most.

It was the year the portable DVD player came out. Everybody wanted one.

“We get into Walmart,” Ashley began.

“They’ve got all those strips, all those yellow tapes everywhere, you could only get in certain places. We all went in different spots but me and mom were closest to the portable DVDs. We had to get around five. Right when it [opened] they cut the thing and my mom pushes me and she was like, ‘Get up there quick!’ I’m the first one there.” womensinc.net 27

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this stuff and I’m standing in the line and if y’all want to leave and come back and get me, you can,’” Linda said, cracking up.

While the annual trip started as a bargain hunt, over the years, it’s changed.

“It’s our family time,” Alice said. “It’s our special time together with our kids, with our nieces. With us three [Alice, Linda and Tammy] … I never grew up with sisters. They’re my sisters. My brothers say all the time, ‘I think you would like them if we weren’t even around.’ They are like my blood. It’s just that special time.

We’ve gotten to the point where we don’t let much come between us. I mean, we’re going to go shopping. The last couple of years, we really don’t have stuff we’re looking for except now, some of the grandkids.

It’s not about that, ‘we’ve gotta get that bargain,’ [anymore].”

It’s at this point, the conversation got a little emotional. Apparently, Tammy, Grace and Carrie are the cryers of the family.

“There’s not another group of women on this Earth at all that I can laugh with as much as y’all,” Grace said.

That type of functioning, family dynamic is rare in today’s divisive culture.

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The entire family doesn’t take that blessing lightly, making sure they gather together at least once a month to spend time with one another.

“It’s like this little hub,” Alice said.

That type of love is what Tammy said makes the annual Black Friday trip so special.

“There’s no pretenses,” Alice said. “When our family is together, you are who you are. You don’t have to pretend to be anything else.”

Last year was Brittany’s first without the group. Recently married, she and her husband decided to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with his family.

That didn’t stop her from getting up at 3 a.m. and hitting the stores, though the trip was quite different.

“I got a FaceTime call from all the girls,” she smiled. “We got to walk through Target and all the stores [together]. I was with them but I wasn’t. It makes me a little emotional. It was a hard holiday.”

Grace and Linda said it was hard on the group back home too.

“Part of our heart was missing,” Linda said.

“I felt like my other half was [gone],” Grace added.

Over the years, the ads have gone from newspaper to magazines to online and through phone applications. Stores have started opening earlier too.

Regardless of the changes, some things stay the same: the annual Black Friday trip which starts at McDonald’s and ends eating salsa and chips at a Mexican restaurant and the love the Driggers family shares with one another, and truly, everyone else.

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Ashley said she was around 15-years-old at the time.

“I grab them and was like, ‘Mom I got them!’” she said. “Right as I said that, all these people came up on me! They spread me out! I was over all the DVD players, I was spread eagle over all of them, and I was like ‘how am I going to get out of this!’ I finally grabbed four and then rushed out.”

At the same time, apparently Linda and Carrie were going through a mess of their own, the two hunting down another big ticket wish, the Spongebob Squarepants TV/DVD combo.

“A lady was taking her cart and shoving it into [Linda’s] butt, trying to [get her out of the way],” Ashley said.

Over the years, the group has also worked out what kind of shoppers each are as well.

“Linda and I are one of those shoppers where we know what we’re going in for, we can go straight to it and we can get it,” Alice said. “We scan, they don’t have it … let’s go. Tammy ….. she looks at every shirt, every dish, every little thing. We’re through, ready to go, and we’re texting the girls, they’re all up front ready to go. Then, here comes Tammy and Carrie with a basket full of stuff.”

Ashley said she feels the two do that a lot.

“Y’all put the stuff in the basket to ‘think about it,’ and then Aunt Linda and Mom will come up and go, ‘ya’ll don’t need that,’” she said, everyone rolling at this point.

“Then they’ll go, ‘have you seen the line’ and bully them into putting their stuff back.”

Tammy finally put her foot down.

“A couple of years ago, we were at Kohls and Tammy goes, ‘Now y’all, I really want

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womensinc.net 29

A College, A Store, An Agency and A Manufacturer A College, A Store, An Agency and A Manufacturer That sounds like the start of a joke or maybe a country song but it’s neither. It is actually a partnership developed in Conway to provide real world marketing experiences to a group of college students at Central Baptist College, a partnership between the college, Ace Hardware, Dave Creek Media and Emerge Surfacescapes.

The Process

to people of all ages and genders. You can The class was split into teams and each team buy commercial lawn mowers, air filters for you home, designer dog collars for your pet, has to design an ad. Dave Creek Media met candles and décor for your home or take with the class to explain the components of the ad and to provide access to resources, video, advantage of their free, best in Conway or images, etc. to help with the creation of the ad. Morrilton popcorn. Brian also hosted the class in the store and stressed that they In addition, two of the owners of Emerge focus on providing exceptional customer Surfacescapes, Cameron Trudell and Tim service.

Sanderson and Brian Porterfield, COO of Students can request feedback at any time Haynes Ace Hardware, attended the class to during the development of the ad and will share more information about their companies.

The Challenge Cameron and Tim discussed the inspiration visit the Dave Creek Media office to review The students in Dr. Katya Pitchford’s their work prior to the ads going live. marketing class were challenged to develop behind the wall covering and described the process on how the product is manufactured The Winner a social media ad that would run live for and the benefits that their product has over The teams will be scored based on the about two weeks on Facebook and Instaother products, especially actual barn or pallet number of clicks on the ad. There will be gram promoting Emerge Surfacescapes wood. Emerge surfacescapes is light weight, a check point about halfway through to faux barn wood wall covering. The “call to allow the students to adjust the ad based action” is to go to the Emerge Surfacescapes splinter free, bug free, toxic chemical free, on results. The winning team will be given website to learn more about the product and water proof and fire rated.

Brian provided information on the many something special as well as getting a good then to shop at the Ace store in Conway or grade in the class.

Morrilton. departments within the store that appeal

30 WINC. | November 2019

A Look Back...

Photo Credit: Cindy Beckman

This photo of James Burnett, who served in the Gulf War as a tank commander with the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, was in the October 7, 1991 issue of Newsweek magazine. Burnett commanded one of the first tanks that went into Kuwait.

Lest We Forget

By Cindy Beckman

Throughout history, Faulkner County has been extremely supportive of its soldiers and the war effort, caring of native sons and doing its best to provide needed war funding and supplies.

During every war, the Log Cabin Democrat reported the names of every soldier leaving to serve his or her country. The daily paper was also filled with letters from soldiers, accounts of valor, war bond ads and reports of how many medical items had been produced at the local Red Cross room.

The little community of Pleasant Valley, north of Conway, was no exception. It sent its sons to fight in every one, beginning with the Civil War. Many of those Confederate veterans would come back and play a significant role in building the community in the years after the war.

Riley Thompson “Uncle Tobe” Hankins, who served the Confederate Army in Alabama, was among early settlers who moved to the Pleasant Valley community in 1889. There he operated a store, “Tobe Town,” and was the

last surviving Confederate veteran in Faulkner County. Neighbors honored him annually with a birthday party, Hankins ultimately living until 94-years-old. He was buried in Pleasant Valley Cemetery.

Several Pleasant Valley men like Ronald Patton, Otis Burchfield and Mack Burchfield served in World War I, but the community made its greatest sacrifice during World War II, sending many of its young men off to fight while raising victory gardens and canning.

Many would commute to work in the Jacksonville and Marche ordinance plants.

During World War II, the Pleasant Valley correspondent for the weekly Log Cabin kept all apprised when a soldier’s letter was received or if he was home on furlough. In succeeding wars, residents continued to keep each other informed regarding soldiers’ health and welfare.

Even after war subsided and men came home, this little community continued to highly regard and honor its veterans, keeping an account of all the men who had served in the military. A large framed list of all Pleasant

Valley veterans was hung on the wall of the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church fellowship hall, encouraging all to remember the sacrifice of those who served. Today, it hangs in a central hallway of the church.

In the 1980s and 1990s, when the U.S. began sending troops to the Middle East in wake of terrorist attacks, Pleasant Valley sent a new generation of sons, as did all of Faulkner County. A list of those serving was displayed on a billboard along Harkrider Street in Conway to remind all to pray for their safety.

Yellow ribbons were hung all about the county to remind us of their sacrifice.

My cousin James Burnett, a career Marine, saw service in Lebanon and Grenada before going to the Middle East to serve in the Gulf War in 1991 as a tank commander with the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. He was on one of the first tanks that went into Kuwait.

Steve Hankins, another cousin, served a tour of duty in the Army before joining his cousin James in the Marines. Hankins served

womensinc.net 31

Photo Credit: Cindy Beckman

During the First Gulf War, a list of those from Faulkner County serving in the military was displayed on a billboard along Harkrider Street in Conway to remind all to pray for their safety.

as a Lance Corporal with the Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion during the Gulf War, with the vanguard of troops moving into Kuwait after the tankers breached the obstacle belts filled with mines and other barriers.

Both Burnett and Hankins came home to a hero’s welcome. A community-wide fish fry was held at Carlton Burnett’s home in April 1991 to welcome the two sons home. Burnett would later serve in the Second Gulf War, as would his son, Boe. In 2000, the Pleasant Valley community decided to remember its veterans in a more permanent way. A veteran’s memorial was established on the grounds of the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. The monument includes the names of over 180 area veterans who served in the military. Above it flies the U.S. flag, flanked by POW-MIA and Arkansas state flags.

A number of local veterans donated work toward the construction of this monument and multitudes donated funds. A dedication ceremony was held on Veteran’s Day 2000 with James Harley Glover, Jr. leading in the Pledge of Allegiance. His father was killed in action in Europe about one month before the war ended, never living to see his son born shortly thereafter.

John L. Havens, Jr., former Conway postmaster who spent two years in the Pacific theater during World War II, was the dedication speaker.

Havens, who wanted to do something for the veterans of Pleasant Valley where he grew up, first mentioned the idea of a memorial to his uncle, Joe B. Havens, after serving on the committee for the veterans memorial that stands on the grounds of the Faulkner County Courthouse.

At the dedication service, Havens explained his motive, “For too many years, our veterans have been relegated to barely a faint memory, and then only to those families who provided these men and women who have served our great country with dignity and courage. We gather here today to dedicate this monument to our veterans as the inscription says, ‘Lest we forget.’”

Photo Credit: Cindy Beckman

A large framed list of all Pleasant Valley veterans hangs in a central hallway of the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church fellowship hall, encouraging all to remember the sacrifice of those who served.

32 WINC. | November 2019

Cindy Beckman is a local freelance writer and columnist who has authored several local history books and articles. Her weekly History Mystery and Artifact of the Week columns appear in the Tuesday edition; the A Look Forward column appears bi-monthly in the Sunday edition; and the Yesterdays column appears daily in the Log Cabin. She is also editor of Faulkner Facts and Fiddlings, the journal of the Faulkner County Historical Society. She may be reached at beckman@windstream.net.

Photo Credit: Cindy Beckman

In 2000, a veteran’s memorial was established on the grounds of the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. The monument includes the names of over 180 area veterans who had served in the military. womensinc.net 33

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Dazzle Daze is like family for volunteers Holiday market look to debut this year

Dazzle Daze, Conway’s largest holiday shopping event, will celebrate its 18th year with a Christmas market theme and new ticket offers and prizes. The holiday shopping event will be held Nov. 21-23 with a variety of merchandise on site at the Conway Expo Center.

“We are really excited about the Christmas market theme,” said MissE Newton, a Dazzle

Daze co-chair. The Christmas market theme will mimic a Christmas wonderland look with park benches, large Christmas trees, vendors selling food and lights. The site will be reconfigured to provide more space for the 81 holiday vendors that are expected this year.

Newton and co-chair Shelia Isby have been volunteering at Dazzle Daze for numerous years. “It is important to me to help my com-

munity. To be honest, it’s become like a family to me,” said Newton, an eight-year volunteer.

Isby said, “Dazzle Daze is important to me because it helps raise funds for the hospital. It enables the Women’s Council to be in place to make women aware of their health and provide much needed funds to help with women’s health and the community as a whole. This is a great event for a great cause.” womensinc.net 35

MissE Newton and Shelia Isby are this year’s Dazzle Daze co-chairs.

Proceeds from Dazzle Daze will help purchase 3D mammography equipment at Conway Regional, supporting women from all walks of life. This equipment provides superior screening and diagnostic capabilities and can increase the detection of invasive breast cancer by 41 percent, according to studies reported by WebMD and the American Journal of Medicine. Conway Regional is the only provider of 3D mammography in the health systems service area.

A human resources specialist for Counseling Associates and an alderman for the City of Conway, Isby has spent part of her free time volunteering with the Women’s Council and Dazzle Daze since it began 18 years ago.

She discussed some additional changes this year.

One of the biggest is to the event’s signature raffle. The raffle has more prizes than ever. “We have actually doubled the number of prizes. I think it offers a much wider variety for people as well as a better chance of winning,” said Isby.

The Grand Raffle has expanded from five to ten prizes this year. The grand prize is a 36 WINC. | November 2019

$9,000, 5 carat diamond tennis bracelet from Lee Ann’s Fine Jewelry.

In addition to the bracelet, a lucky shopper could win the second place prize, a Spartan zero turn mower from Moix, Etc.; third place, a winner’s choice travel package to either Costa Rica, Disney or a Sonoma California wine tour; fourth place, a Louis Vuitton package from Braswell & Sons; fifth place, a Traeger wood fired grill from Moix, Etc. The sixth through 10th place prizes are $200 in cash for each winner. “People will have 10 chances to win raffle prizes,” said Newton. Five hundred $100 tickets will be sold again this year. Raffle tickets must be purchased from a Women’s Council member, at ticket outlets in Conway, Greenbrier, and Vilonia or at Dazzle Daze.

Conway Regional will provide a teddy bear clinic again this year with nurses and a doctor as volunteers. Clinic hours will be from 10 am to noon and 4 to 8 pm Friday, Nov. 22 and from 10 am to 3 pm Saturday, Nov. 23.

Changes will also be made to the Dazzle Deli with food being provided exclusively by Stoby’s restaurant. The deli will also feature

the Zeteo coffee shop and pies from burgers, fries and pies.

“The other thing we have added this year is an Ultimate Girls Nite Out ticket for Girls Nite Out,” added Isby.

Girls Nite Out The Conway Regional Women’s Council is selling 100 exclusive Ultimate Girls Nite Out tickets for $100 each.

The Ultimate ticket includes early entry into Dazzle Daze for Girls Nite Out (GNO) beginning at 5:30 pm, a reserved swag bag, free entry into a drawing for jewelry from Sissy’s Log Cabin valued at $1500, 12 complementary Reindeer Raffle tickets, and a reserved coupon book for deals from merchants. Exclusive GNO door prizes include laser gift certificates from Conway Women’s Med Spa, a date night package and more jewelry items.

Ultimate GNO ticket holders also get free admission to Dazzle Daze on Friday and Saturdays. Regular admission to Girls Nite Out is $30 online and $40 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.DazzleDaze. com.

18th Annual

NOVEMBER 21 - 23

CONWAY EXPO CENTER DAZZLEDAZE.COM

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womensinc.net 37

ERA TEAM Real Estate celebrates National Pasta Day Do you know what national holiday is October 17th? No? Well allow me to enlighten you! October 17th is National Pasta Day! This year on Thursday, October 17th ERA TEAM Real Estate celebrated National Pasta Day in a BIG way! Before I fill you in on all the details of the amazing Pasta Day celebration let me give you a little back story.

ERA TEAM Real Estate is in fact exactly what it sounds like, a real estate company.

But once you walk inside the doors of 1600 Dave Ward Drive (Suit A7) you will find it is so much more than just a business. ERA TEAM Real Estate is proudly comprised of 60+ agents that share like-minded hearts and passion for serving and giving back to our community.

It was ERA TEAM’s mission on the 17th to share our hearts and show that passion to our beloved Conway and its residents.

This was only made possible through the outstanding support, donations, love and encouragement from our families, friends, fellow real estate companies and agents as well as from our incredible hometown, that we were able to serve together in a mighty way by hosting Pasta for a Purpose.

38 WINC. | November 2019

Pasta for a Purpose was an event created by ERA TEAM agents in order to raise funds for two local organizations near and dear to our hearts. Our mission was to reach a total of $2,000 to be divided equally between the men’s Renewal Ranch and the lady’s Harbor Home right here in Conway, AR. These are two local, faith based, addiction rehabilitation organizations that do amazing work in and throughout our community as well as Central Arkansas. Did we reach our goal, you ask??

Just keep reading…

ERA TEAM Real Estate agents sold meal and raffle tickets and on Thursday, October 17th prepared a total of 600 pasta meals for either pick up or delivery. Every last noodle, spot of sauce, piece of bread and sweet, savory cookie were all donated by wonderful people and businesses in our incredible town!

Not only that, but through even MORE unforeseen generosity of countless other local business establishments, items to our raffle prizes were also donated. I’m not talking like prizes from a Happy Meal here either, people. I’m talking concert tickets, a Kindle Fire, jewelry, countless gift cards and so much more that ended up being three gift baskets!

And, not done yet… EACH basket con-

tained prizes worth OVER $1,000 EACH!!

Did you notice that I said EACH?? Because I said it two, now three times so you can fully comprehend the amazing serving hearts we have right here in Conway and yes, also for dramatic affect.

2019’s National Pasta Day’s, Pasta for a Purpose was a tremendous success for a multitude of reasons. But the biggest and best blessing at the end of the day, after months of work and preparation, was being a part of a community that came together and was able to present both Renewal Ranch and Harbor Home with a $2,000 check!! WE DOUBLED OUR GOAL!!! In a short time, a small group of local agents were able to rally fellow citizens together, raise $4,000 for organizations that are being the hands and feet of Jesus all the while knowing that Pasta for a Purpose would only ever succeed if we did the work believing that the end goal was always bigger than the event.

ERA TEAM Real Estate agents learned a great lesson through the months of preparing for this act of service. That lesson was, “every little bit helps… but it only helps if EVERYONE gives back a little bit”. Thank you, Conway. You gave A LOT!!!

Voted Best Real Estate Company in 2018 and 2019’s Best of Faulkner County!

1600 Dave Ward Dr, Conway, AR 72034 501-327-6731 | 501-327-3838 www.erateamrealestate.com

Jim Houston 501-400-5556

Awarded First in Service in 2016 and 2017 with ERA’s Jim Jackson Memorial Award!

Bill Tobias 501-358-0023

David Patty 501-951-2419

Greg West 501-269-3644

Kathy Nickles 501-339-6928

Kay Osborne 501-339-8779

Kelli Small 501-472-8399

Leah Brown 501-733-2093

Pam McDowell 501-269-3838

Pat Buck 501-287-7611

Pat Edwards 501-514-3837

Phil Dayer 501-733-1790

Richard Henley 501-472-4225

Sena Crafton 501-764-7262

Sharon Rietzke 501-269-3028

Tanya Moix 501-339-4952

Tracy Tidwell 501-472-4709

Will Henley 501-908-1599

Milicent McDonald Morgan Jessup Tidwell 501-269-4423 870-509-0536

ERA TEAM Real Estate has been proudly serving Central Arkansas since 2002. Our number one focus is serving our customers with the highest level of customer service. ERA TEAM Real Estate works hard to train and educate our brokers and agents so that every ERA TEAM agent is equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to be the best of the best for you! womensinc.net 39

A Growing wing Health System for or a Growing Community

Left to Right: Dr. J. Tod Ghormley, Dr. Grant W. Bennett, and Dr. H. Scott Smith

More Specialists

Innovative Services

A growing community deserves innovative services. Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery is the latest approach to joint replacement, and Conway Regional is proud to be the only hospital in Conway to offer it. We're bringing you more specialists, expanded access, and the services you need.

We’re not just growing—we’re growing together.

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