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Celebrate Your Event in Style!
For tours or booking info call Wendy Dalrymple 501-207-1864 118 N. SpriNg • Searcy, arkaNSaS check out our new website at www.robbinssanford.com wendy@dcommercial.com • Like Us on 6 Your Hometown Magazine
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8 Your Hometown Magazine
issue 1 2014
EAST Service Based Learning
12
The Cross In The Ground
34
International Food Fest
40
Tattered Butterflies
44
White County Future Fund
46
May I Lean And Lift
50
Taking The Opportunity
52
Veteran’s Dinner
54
Is Your Hut On Fire?
57
Little Angel’s Prints
58
Finding Peace & Positivity
60
Hometown Giveaway Thanks
62
Staying Healthy During Flu Season
69
Publisher’s Note
11
Hope Believe
16
Fashion Fun
20
Living In Searcy
26
We The People
32
FAB Do It Yourself
42
Out & About
63
Over The Counter
66
Dinner & A Magazine
70
Tiny Changes
71
Games & Puzzles
72
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Henry Stanley Haskins
On the Cover
Hunter ingle haley matheny larry dicus
Photo by Taylor Howard Photography (870) 917-8012
Sketch of White County Courthouse by Howard Johnson
SearcyLiving.com 9
Publisher Christine Walker Art Director & Webmaster Garrett Johnson Graphic Assistant Ikey Ray Editorial Assistant Cherie Sewell Makeover Coordinator Christine Locke Office Manager Chasity Thomas Contributing Independent Photographers Kimberly Brackins (501)279-1515 George Dillin (501)268-9304 Cassie Jones (501)230-0539 Candace Skarda (501)281-6297 Taylor Howard Photography (870)917-8012 Feature Writer Cecelia Wilson
Searcy Living Locally Owned and Operated 812 South Main Street Searcy, AR 72143 searcyliving@yahoo.com (501) 368-0095 SearcyLiving.com For subscription information go to SearcyLiving.com
Copyright 2014 Shark Promotions LLC. Searcy Living, Cabot Living, and Your Hometown Magazine are trademarks of Shark Promotions. All rights reserved. Ownership, rights, and logos are property of their respected businesses. No part may be reproduced without written permission. Shark Promotions LLC is not responsible for claims, misprints, discrepancies, advice of any kind, or content in advertisements or editorials, but will rectify errors in forthcoming issues.
Copyright Š 2014 Shark Promotions LLC
Searcy Living Magazine is a subsidiary of Shark Promotions LLC.
10 Your Hometown Magazine
Balance
From the first time I learned of the EAST program (our cover story) I was impressed. Learning anything in life makes so much more sense when you see the purpose and use for it. And with hands on projects that are all about solving real life situations, these kids are changing our entire community one project at a time. On a different note, a random thought recently crossed my mind. On an old Seinfeld episode, Jerry notices that everything in his life is balanced out. To prove this, he throws a $20.00 bill out the window and then five minutes later finds a different $20.00 bill. About three years ago I went on a TV strike (and I have really enjoyed it), but as I was thinking about the balance subject I remembered that Seinfeld show and could not help but smile. Isn’t our life like that? You can have the most horrible day, week, month or year, yet there is not only light at the end of the tunnel, but sometimes even great joy. You can have the worst betrayal of a family member or friend, but there is always someone else who brings a blessing your way. I see this over and over again, not only in my own life, but also in the lives of my children, friends, and others. I hope your life has balance. That the good times are really good, and the not so good times have a purpose and bring bigger blessings your way. I hope that this issue and all issues of Searcy Living serve to enlighten, encourage and motivate you in some way. As always, thank you for reading Searcy Living.
Christine
Find Us On
“ Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others.”
Remember The Extras On
~ H. Jackson Brown Jr.
EAST Service Based Learning
Taking The Opportunity
“These high school students are doing impressive work serving our community.”
“If in your heart you know the results are worth the effort, then your purpose will be that much clearer...”
Page 12
Page 52
May I Lean And Lift “May I trust the One who loves me.” Page 50
SearcyLiving.com 11
Service Based Learning Article by Jennifer Skinner
It’s not often that students in high school become passionate
and excited about their homework. You don’t frequently see them admit to having life changing experiences from a high school elective course. Furthermore, it’s rare that students will give up their free time on summer break to work on school projects that will impact their community. But that’s exactly what students in the EAST Initiative (Environmental and Spatial Technology) program at Searcy High School are doing when they become inspired through their work on projects for the community. Students get to “follow their passion for positive change. When a student is passionate about a topic, it is personal and they truly want to make a difference,” says Rinda Hall, EAST Facilitator at SHS. These students are making a difference in the community in big ways by taking on some large projects in Searcy. Some of the projects include developing the Walk Through History trail with Searcy Parks and Recreation, creating a video for the White County Domestic Violence Prevention Organization, and working with the Searcy Fire Department to code the GPS locations for fire hydrants around town.
“ These high school students are doing impressive work
serving our community... ”
12 Your Hometown Magazine
Rinda Hall explains that “EAST is a service-learning based course where students learn through hands on community projects. Students are encouraged to look for problems within their community and actively work to solve them. Our classroom offers the latest in software technology to assist them in their endeavors.” These high school students are doing impressive work serving our community by developing the Walk Through History trail. Project manager and SHS junior Hunter Ingle explains in his article that, “The trail provides a means to keep in shape as well as learn about the historical properties of our great town. The Walk Through History Trail stretches from West Arch to Harding University. Famous businesses and properties such as Yarnell’s Ice Cream Company, the Benjamin Clayton Black House, Quattlebaum’s, and the Rialto Theater dot the trail. The Searcy Courthouse stands in the center. The distance is about the equivalence of a 5K, or 3.3 miles. The history of each property is on the interactive website that the Searcy EAST program is in the process of making.” The SHS EAST program has also been working with the Searcy Fire Department for about 2 years getting real world experience with technical applications. Donald Garringer, a captain at SFD, explained that the project helped students learn to put technology use to work in the field. The students learn to take a written format and transform it into technical data, creating digital maps in place of paper ones. This is beneficial to the SFD because students are able to do work that would require time and resources of the
department. Garringer says that they are appreciative of the work that the students are doing. The experiences that students are gaining and the skills they are learning in this elective course are already becoming life changing events. Hunter Ingle, who plans to be a lawyer in the future, says, “I have learned to step out of my comfort zone in EAST. I used to be a shy kid who sat in the corner of the room. Now I maintain an active role in the program. EAST has taught me about leadership roles, teamwork, innovation, and community service to help in my future. I’ve learned about innovation and great people skills in the program. The course is not a regular class with textbooks and tests. Communication skills are needed to get anywhere. These are leadership skills I would never have learned in orthodox
“ When a student is passionate about a topic, it is personal and they truly want to make a difference.” – Rinda Hall Searcy High School EAST Facilitator
classrooms.” Haley Matheny, also a junior, explains that, “This course has taught me a lot about deadlines and how projects need to be set up and carried out. The projects I have done have taught me how to better the community with technology. This class has given me a taste of what I will be learning at college, and what I will be using in my career. In one year, I learned how to write and direct a film, which is something I hope to be doing for the rest of my life.” Another eleventh grader in the program, Larry Dicus says, “EAST has taught me how to take the initiative to complete something I’ve started, what I want to get a degree in when I go to college, and self-directed learning.” Rinda Hall says that there are many very useful skills that students learn in this course including professionalism and problem-solving, but most importantly they learn self-reliance and build teamwork skills that will help them throughout their lives. She says, “I tell people that I am the luckiest person in the world to be facilitating this class. I get to witness a more powerful change, a deep-down belief in their own self-confidence, and recognition in their ability to go farther and do more than they ever would have guessed before.”
................................................... “ It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings.” – Ann Landers
SearcyLiving.com 13
A few members of the Searcy Fire Dept. pictured above. The EAST program worked with the Searcy Fire Department to code the GPS locations for fire hydrants around town.
........................................ “ EAST has taught me how to take the initiative to complete something I’ve started, what I want to get a degree in when I go to college, and selfdirected learning.” – Larry Dicus Sketch by Howard Johnson 14 Your Hometown Magazine
SearcyLiving.com 15
Hope Believe
Children enter foster care through no fault of their own. Most are in care due to abuse or extreme neglect.
* The Searcy Living Foster Care Boutique
The Searcy Living Foster Care Boutique is simply a room we have dedicated in the Searcy Living business office to helping foster families in need. Our awesome Searcy Living readers bring in donations, and DHS case workers and foster parents are able to “shop” for what they need for foster and disadvantaged children, at no cost. Our office is located at 812 S. Main Street in Searcy. We welcome gently used or new items. Thank you, Searcy, for your generosity and time spent to support the Foster Care Boutique!
A Bi
g
ou! Y k n Tha
Thank you to the Hays Family for the generous donation!
As the old Proverb says, sometimes it does take a village to raise a child. Not one entity can provide the resources and support for all the children in need, but we can pull together and do our part. The children that the Foster Care Boutique helps are sometimes the most extreme needs in the community. Thank you for the clothing, diapers, and volunteer hours you have provided to this project.
“ Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble.” ~ Psalms 41:1
16 Your Hometown Magazine
Thank You!
We Lost Count!
We do our best to provide “shopping� bags for the foster parents and case workers so they can fill it up for every child. This used to help us keep up with how many children were being served. We were over 1,000 bags some time ago, however we have lost count over the past year or so. Just know that your donations are helping A LOT of children!
Thank You! Gum Springs Church
We thank you for the generous donation of diapers and more!
SearcyLiving.com 17
Thank You! Thanks to Midcon Compression for gifts to the foster children!
u!
o Thank Y 18 Your Hometown Magazine
A Special
Thank You Walker and Emma Hendricks Trysten Collins Victoria Evans Miranda Webb Jayce Cofer
For Walker's Birthday
SearcyLiving.com 19
Our winter makeover, Angel Mosley, models an outfit assembled by Melissa Prince of Hays. Doris Yates at the Cosmetic Studio applied Angel's makeup, and Kim Before Grimes at Symmetrix styled her hair. Thank you, Kimberly Brackins, for the beautiful portraits commemorating Angel's day. We are so grateful for all our generous sponsors!
20 Your Hometown Magazine
mosley
SPONSORS
Christine Locke Makeover Coordinator
3005 E. Race St. • Searcy (501) 268-0800 Makeup by
Doris Yates at
In the Heart & Soul Plaza 1623 E. Beebe-Capps • Searcy (501) 279-2526 Hair by
Kim GRIMES at
2904 Hawkins Dr. • Searcy (501) 268-4540 www.symmetrixsalon.com
Turn the page for more fashion and beauty retailers. > > > > > > >>
119 N. Spring St. • Searcy (501) 279-1515 www.kbrackins.com SearcyLiving.com 21
22 Your Hometown Magazine
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24 Your Hometown Magazine
SearcyLiving.com 25
The cabin in the back of the home looks as if you have just stepped back in time with its rocking chairs, quilts, iron skillets and other cozy pieces
IN SEARCY
By Jennifer Skinner
At The Prock Home When you step into the Prock home, you step into
the extraordinary lives of John and Charlene Prock. Mr. Prock passed just a little more than a year ago, but the house is filled with the very essence of who he was, from wood carved statues to an entire cabin in the backyard to his successful football coaching career. The home tells the story of Mr. and Mrs. John Prock: married for 64 years, honeymooned during the wheat harvest, raised three children and cherished the lives they created together. Over the years, the Procks have created a home that celebrates life with memories reminding them of who they are, in the process personalizing every inch of their home with themselves. “Every item means something,” says Mrs. Prock, and there are special meanings behind every cherished item carefully placed throughout the home. In fact, Mrs. Prock says, “Our house tells a story, and hopefully when you leave our house you know us.” There are stories of Mr. Prock’s talent for carving and carpentry, as his amazing pieces with magnificent detail decorate every room of the home. In the sitting room, a beautiful cherry wood coffee table and end tables stand proudly. Mrs. Prock explains that John created every detail of the furniture from the beginning, “He even planted the cherry trees, made the coffee table, end tables and 26 Your Hometown Magazine
two chairs.” However, his skills did not stop at making furniture. Mr. Prock had a wonderful talent for carving. His carvings line shelves as Santa Clause figurines, sit statuesque as decorative floor pieces, and adorn handmade tables as centerpieces. There is even a leather belt he made in college and tin work he created himself. In fact, he was featured on television and in newspapers for this talent in woodworking skills. Most fascinating was his creation of a 15 ft. ski boat and 33 ft. party barge, both of which the family used often for recreation. He told his wife after going out on a boat with friends, “We’re going to have a boat if I have to build it myself.” Next is the Bison room, named after the Harding Bisons, which he coached. The room is a collage of Coach Prock’s talents and hard work including carvings, furniture, and trophies, as well as framed gifts from players, awards and a gift commemorating his 100 wins as coach at Harding University. Coach John Prock was inducted into the National, Arkansas, Harding and Oklahoma Sports Halls of Fame. His successful coaching career extended from 1964-1987 and created a Harding University record of career wins totaling 114. This room also has a rock fireplace built by Coach Prock. Mrs. Prock explains that he gathered “rocks
The cherry coffee table, end table, and chairs in the sitting room were made by Mr. Prock from trees he planted.
from all over White County for the fireplace.” She humbly admits, “I like to brag on my husband. He was a coach, he was a husband, he was a daddy. He was not just a coach.” And this is all commemorated on the walls of this small comfortable room in the home of John and Charlene. However, Coach Prock was not the only one with fantastic talents. Besides Mrs. Prock’s talent for creating a beautiful home full of timeless treasures in remembrance of moments passed, the walls hold pictures and awards showing Charlene as Poultry Queen. More autographed notes and pictures tell of her success at catering as a very accomplished cook. Mr. Prock even built her a catering kitchen for her work. She says, “I don’t like anything ordinary. I like funky, crazy everything,” and explains that she “found the old screen door in the trash” because “to me it’s just so history. I didn’t want a new one.” There are more photos, some autographed, and memorabilia from when she catered events for Don Williams, Lee Greenwood, The Juds, Mark Pryor, Mike Beebe, Dale Bumpers, Jim Guy Tucker and even Bill Clinton and Gerald Ford. Mrs. Prock showed us lovely pictures of her younger self as the Poultry Queen. She had entered four times and placed. Then, in 1976, she won. Looking at the wall of photos and awards she says, “This is my life story.” She reminds us that, “Everything on the walls means something.” Indeed every wall in the home is covered with photos of family, friends, and events ranging from framed invitations to Clinton’s
The Bison Room is home to Harding sports memorabilia and includes a rock fireplace built by Coach Prock.
These displays show Mrs. Prock’s success as Poultry Queen and caterer and Mr. Prock’s talent as a coach and wood carver. SearcyLiving.com 27
“Our
house tells a story and hopefully
when you leave our house you know us.” – Charlene Prock
inauguration, to her daughter’s wedding which was held in her enchanted backyard. The hangings on the walls tell of their love for each other and her admiration and respect for her husband. She took a photo of them from long ago and overlaid it with a hand written letter creating a special keepsake. She says that “Every room has its own story,” and describes them as a “picture gallery” explaining that she is a “picture nut.” In one bedroom is a dainty, white metal bed similar to the one she slept in as a child. In another bedroom she proudly pulls back the lovely green quilt and pillows to show off Mr. Prock’s skill in creating the headboard and dresser. On this too, he started from scratch with cut cherry trees and planed the wood. Additionally, her son’s talent is evident in the home as well. He knocked out walls to add on a bathroom and tiled it beautifully, cutting honeycomb shapes into the tiles because at the time he owned bee hives. Handmade by Mr. Prock, the headboard and dresser are cut from cherry trees and planed.
28 Your Hometown Magazine
The house’s side porch.
“But
Even though the home sits in a neighborhood in
the most fascinating thing of all is the two
story log cabin sitting at the back of the yard.”
the middle of town with a good view of Harding University, stepping out the back door will take you on a trip through an enchanted green wonderland. It is lush and picturesque with an arbor and metal table. But the most fascinating thing of all is the two story log cabin sitting at the back of the yard. Mrs. Prock explains that, “My husband wanted a log cabin so bad. He found it at Mt. Vernon, took it down and numbered it log by log and put it back together.” The old wooden cabin looks as if you have just stepped back in time with its rocking chair, quilts, iron skillets and other cozy pieces that would have made it a home back in the day. Not surprisingly, he built her a small kitchen at one end of the cabin. One could easily imagine John sitting in a rocking chair carving a masterpiece and her baking a delicious pie. As we enter back into the house from the side porch we are greeted by sunny yellow mums and a big orange pumpkin. The bright colors on the rug, the metal milk can, and several pieces of pottery welcome us to step back into time and sit for a spell on the bench and curl up with the pillow and a good book. I can only imagine that her grandchildren must love coming to visit, as there is a place here at the Prock home to fit every child’s personality.
SearcyLiving.com 29
“Mr.
Prock had a wonderful talent for carving. His carvings
line shelves as Santa Clause figurines, sit statuesque as decorative floor pieces, and adorn handmade tables as centerpieces.�
30 Your Hometown Magazine
Mrs. Prock reflects on a picture of her biological mother. Before we leave, we return to the living room to visit just a bit longer. There is still so much to know about the family. As Charlene Prock sits elegantly next to the piano in a beautiful armchair with a photo of her biological mother next to her on the side table, she tells us the story behind the black and white photo of the woman in a wide brimmed hat. She explains that as a very small child she hadn’t wanted to leave the care of a loving babysitter. So her mother told the couple, “If you want her, you can have her.” Charlene explains her peace with the situation by saying, “I’m good with that.” She goes on to say, “I was poverty poor, but I’m telling you I was a princess. I was the only one they had.” But she says, “I had love all the way through. I’ve had a great life.” She explains however that she “always wanted to look like somebody.” She looks at the photo of her biological mother, “I don’t look like her, but it looks like something I would have done.” Later in life she tried to find her mother but did not get far. Then someone found a lead in 2005. She says, “So I call the number. I have chills to think about it.” Her half-sister answered, telling her, “I’ve known about you all my life.” The families have reunited and visit each other at times so there is a happy ending to her story. The truth is that the beautiful, elegant Mrs. Charlene Prock looks like somebody who appreciates life and celebrates it with love and joy. The Prock home is an amazing showcase of the long productive lives that Mr. and Mrs. Prock have lived together with their children building memories and recording history for friends and family to see. It is a wonderful way to appreciate the blessings of life that God generously provides for us. I am honored to write the story of the Prock home and only regret that I could not truly do justice to the amazing people that filled the home. There is still so much more history to be told there. The home cannot be described without recognizing the lives that have turned its framework into an extraordinary story of the Prock family. If we all were to live to remember all the wonderful moments in our lives in the way that Mrs. Prock does, I know that we would indeed find a happy story there too. Thank you, Mrs. Prock, for inspiring me, to not just decorate my home, but to fill it with the important memories and stories of the lives of the family that lives there, and furthermore to live worthy of remembrance.
“The
truth is that the beautiful, elegant Mrs.
Charlene Prock looks like somebody who appreciates life and celebrates it with love and joy.” SearcyLiving.com 31
State Champions! The Optimist Club of Searcy First Community Bank 4th Grade All Stars participated in the state tournament in Little Rock November 16th and 17th. They went undefeated through the tournament and won the State Championship! The team consists of the All Stars picked from the Optimist Peewee Football Program.
Happy Birthday! Chick-fil-A recently celebrated their 3rd anniversary in Searcy.
Front row: Lawson Brooks, Isaac Gardner, Eli Wallis, Trevor Evans, Caelyn Pettis, Cache Henson, Tim Ulsperger, London Thomas, Ty Morgan 2nd row: Zimri Anderson, Jordan Gillespie, Latreal Neal, Daniel Perry Jr., Taylor McGhee, Wade Harris, Spencer Williams, Asher Norman 3rd row: Gunner Massingill, Marquise Jackson, Carson McClish, Jadyn Ramsey, Ckyler Tengler, Reid Miles, Jeremiah Bush, Tate Gibson Coaches: Tommy Lee Watson, Chris Ulsperger, Ashley Brooks, Lorenzo Pryor, and James Blankenship
32 Your Hometown Magazine
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40
Thank You! Chiropractic Care Clinic, doctors Tim Kammerman and Kristy Ward, hosted a toy drive for the Searcy Children’s Home. Everyone at Chiropractic Care Clinic thanks their patients for the great donation! Chiropractic Care Clinic also donated TONS of canned foods and a check for $1,000 to White County Domestic Violence Prevention, Inc. Thank you for your generous help!
SearcyLiving.com 33
The Cross in the Ground By Boris Willhite
Because of one little cross Someone put in the ground Others proclaimed in protest It must be taken down But one man fought back In his faith standing proud His answer to them was NO It stays in the ground To offer him support Many came from afar With many more coming Each one to do their part They’re coming by the hundreds With crosses in their hearts As that little cross still stands Where it stood from the start As God’s children Our actions speak loud With crosses going up Here and there and all around So for one man’s faith We, too, stand proud And thank God for leading someone To put the cross in the ground
Dedicated to Searcy Police Chief Jeremy Clark, the Searcy Police Department, and the person who put the cross in the ground.
34 Your Hometown Magazine
Food Drive It is such a great pleasure to be able to help those in need! Gregg Orr Auto Park sponsored a food drive to give to The Good Samaritan food bank and Searcy Childrens Homes recently. We would like to say thank you to everyone who helped us with the donations!
“You did awesome works that we did not expect, You came down, and the mountains quaked at Your presence.� ~ Isaiah 64:3
SearcyLiving.com 35
Harding University Senior Vice President Chosen For Board Leadership Roles
ASU-Beebe: Phi Beta Lambda Donates To Local Food Bank Members of the Arkansas State University-Beebe business organization, Phi Beta Lambda, delivered 759 food items to a local food bank in Beebe on Nov. 21. Pictured (from left) front row: Charlee Howard of Ward, agriculture/education; PBL advisors and business instructors Tonia Spradlin and Allyson Hendrix; Taylor Weatherly of Beebe, liberal arts; Lyndsie McGhee of Quitman, agriculture/animal science; Falanda Vanreese of Beebe, business; Shaun Crenshaw of Austin, business; Morgan McKay of Beebe, agriculture/business; back row: Kimonte Thomas of Austin, business; Loree Charleson of Ward, business; Justin Whitehurst of Greers Ferry, agriculture/business; Shirley Willis of Beebe, agriculture/business; Devin Marshall of Cabot, business; Chris Blakley of Searcy, business; Ken Feagan of Cabot, liberal arts. The non-perishable food items were donated during the organization’s annual holiday food drive. For more information on student organizations, view the website at www.asub.edu.
36 Your Hometown Magazine
Dr. Jim Carr, senior vice president at Harding University, was recently elected to three-year terms on the board of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and board of directors for Herald of Truth. Carr joins 30 other board members representing 14 cities for the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce. He is the only member representing Searcy. Herald of Truth is an organization that strives to evangelize using Internet-based outreach and communication technologies in text, video and audio on multiple electronic platforms. Carr joins 12 other individuals on this board. Carr will serve a three-year term with both organizations beginning Jan. 1, 2014, and ending Dec. 31, 2016. A 1970 Harding graduate, Carr is responsible for the offices of admissions services and financial aid, American Studies Institute, and the Walton Scholars program. He has served the University for more than 25 years.
Thank You!
Barry Brown, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones, and his family and staff thank everyone for attending their Open House.
S tudent A rtist s
Cathrine Mohr (right), age 10, donates for the second time to Locks of Love. Candace Mohr (left), age 8, donates for the first time. Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.
Southwest Middle School
Mary Julia Killough, Kade Smith, Maddie Belle Holmes (not pictured due to illness)
Sidney Deener Elementary
Sidney Deener Elementary congratulates 1st grader Madelyn Bewley for being their February Student Artist. Madelyn is in Mrs. Marian Colburn’s art class. SearcyLiving.com 37
38 Your Hometown Magazine
All Listings...One Site. SearcyHomes.com 501.268.2445 • 1560 W. Beebe-Capps, Suite A • Searcy, AR 72143 www.facebook.com/dalrympleresidential
Brenda Morea 501.322.5957
Tom Worley 501.278.0805
Kelly VanHook Exec. Broker
5 Ac. W/Pond
edge of seARcy
4 BedRoom/2 BAtH
2 AcRes
167 Fairview Rd. MLS 10333344 $124,900 David Dale 501.281.3017
272 Johnston MLS 10360136 $179,500 David Dale 501.281.3017
2028 Hwy 16 MLS 10351602 $99,900 Rebecca Stone 501.278.6669
484 Foster Chapel MLS 10369227 $49,900 Rebecca Stone 501.278.6669
Remodeled
BoAt dock
Pool
75 AcRes
3724 Little Rock Rd. MLS 10368755 $104,900 Janice Wright 501.230.7739
115 River Dr. - Pangburn MLS 10370027 $324,900 Janice Wright 501.230.7739
600 River Oaks Blvd. MLS 10371397 $224,900 Shelley Dietz 501.827.2239
160 Simpson Lane MLS 10369545 $349,900 Shelley Dietz 501.827.2239
WondeRful detAils
HigH tRAffic
HigH tRAffic
PineWood estAtes
2309 Saxony MLS 10354317 $259,900 Kelly Vanhook 501.230.4567
1310 W. Pleasure MLS 10368998 $80,000 Kelly Vanhook 501.230.4567
607 W. Beebe-Capps MLS 10372761 $99,500 Lara Beebe 501.207.1222
136 Ponderosa MLS 10362265 $135,000 Lara Beebe 501.207.1222
West seARcy
97 Ac./RiveR fRontAge
4 AcRes
cHARming Home
310 Jennifer Lane MLS 10369373 $134,900 Judy Johnson 501.305.1503
403 N. Hwy 367 MLS 10340960 $776,000 Judy Johnson 501.305.1503
164 Deer Trail MLS 1032748 $239,900 Marla Duncan 501.230.9528
1010 W. Center MLS 10362357 $86,500 Marla Duncan 501.230.9528
coRneR lot
4 AcRes
10 AcRes
sold
17 Meadow Lane MLS 10357964 $139,000 Greg Angel 501.230.9707
663 Honey Hill MLS 10359678 $159,900 Greg Angel 501.230.9707
149 Kike Acres Rd. MLS 10350820 $159,900 Roxanne Miles 501.827.5403
Triple M Road MLS 10325685 $1,230,000 Roxanne Miles 501.827.5403
oPen flooR PlAn
3 AcRes
PAved RoAd
2 AcRes W/sePtic
106 Selvidge Lane MLS 10369749 $153,000 Brenda Morea 501.322.5957
196 Spring Road MLS 10371909 $99,500 Brenda Morea 501.322.5957
112 Woodland MLS 10281373 $12,900 Tom Worley 501.278.0805
164 Cut Off Rd. MLS 10365945 $29,000 Rebecca Stone 501.278.6669
Lara Beebe 501.207.1222
Judy Johnson Exec. Broker 501.305.1503
Shelley Dietz 501.827.2239
501.230.4567
Marla Duncan 501.230.9528
Roxanne Miles 501.827.5403
Greg Angel 501.230.9707
David Dale 501.281.3017
Rebecca Stone 501.278.6669
Janice Wright 501.230.7739 SearcyLiving.com 39
sixt h annual at s t. j a m es cat ho l ic church By Kathy Giezeman
W
alking through the doors of the St. James Catholic Church Parish Hall at 1102 Pioneer Road in Searcy will be like taking a trip around the world. Those doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, February 1st, when the church will hold their sixth annual International Food Fest and Silent Auction. For the price of a ticket, $10 in advance or $15 at the door, those entering will be handed a map that will take them around the world to sample cuisine and culture from numerous countries. The rooms will represent different countries, and national flags and décor will be displayed. “That’s part of our being Catholic,” Joe Giezeman said about the diversity of cultures within the congregation of St. James. “We have a lot of immigrants from other countries.”
This festival has become well-known and anticipated in the Searcy area community, and every year the Food Fest committee makes changes to improve the experience based on input of those participating. This year the Knights of Columbus have created an “outdoor hallway” to improve the traffic flow between the rooms. Local merchants have been generous with their donations for the huge silent auction and the cash prizes for the raffle are donated by St. James parishioners. All proceeds will go directly to the church building fund with the idea of a new parish life center. To order tickets, or for more information, email Joe Giezeman at joe_searcy@hotmail.com or call the church office at 501-268-5252.
“... will be handed a map that will take them around the world to sample cuisine and culture from numerous countries.”
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SearcyLiving.com 41
Fab
Visit my booth at The Bee’s Knees to see more projects!
TRASH TO TREASURE Owl Lamp One of my favorite things to do is give new life to outdated furniture and décor. When looking around at flea markets and yard sales, I always look for a piece that has good bones but may be a bit “past its prime.” My youngest daughter loves all things “owl,” so when I spotted this 1980’s ceramic owl lamp at a yard sale for $10, I knew I had to have it! At first glance the lamp looked ugly and outdated, but I knew that with a little TLC it would be the perfect addition to my daughter’s room.
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Before painting any piece, make sure to carefully clean it - getting in all of the nooks and crannies.
To avoid painting the cord of a lamp, put it in a bag and tape the end. I find it easiest to simply wrap aluminum foil around the light socket.
3
For this type of piece I chose to use spray paint. If your piece is very dark or slick, it’s best to spray on a coat of primer before painting. Tip: For a more professional look use a high gloss paint or spray on a protective finish in high gloss.
4 When spray painting, it is always best to do multiple thin coats. This allows the paint to dry faster, without being “tacky” and also avoids dripping.
5 After allowing the lamp to dry, I added a new white shade for a fresh, crisp look. Just because a piece is a little old, don’t dismiss it. Be sure to look past what a piece looks like, and see it for what it can become! SearcyLiving.com 43
L
ike many of you, I have a great love for butterflies.
These winged wisps of artwork, delicate as they are, flutter from blossom to blossom, from country to country. Who could ever imagine they once crawled about the earth and miraculously transformed into an expression of beauty for our unending pleasure! So you can understand how I react each time I spot a butterfly in our sunroom, battling to break through the glass, trying to reach its freedom. Its death soon follows because of an invisible killer lurking–insecticide sprayed on the window sills by our bug man. It’s in our valid pursuit to reduce the annoying insects, not butterflies.
Some survive. Some don’t. However, recently one particular butterfly taught me a lesson which made me think of many of you. You, too, are probably in the midst of a battle. Maybe it’s for your health, or a loved one’s. It could be for healthy relationships. Some of you might be struggling for freedom from the world’s grips or from your own. Some are torn by the loss of a treasured life. Yet, even in our deepest pain, we can find God if we’re looking. That day I held a most resilient butterfly, who like so many of you prove: “Greater is He that is within me, than he who is in the world.”
By Ann Elizabeth Robertson In a window sill in our sunroom, I spot A butterfly in still life rest. Lifeless, it was on the poisoned rim Meant for horseflies and wasps, My ongoing war against things that sting, Not butterflies, never butterflies. Why is the good often punished for the bad? Jiggling the key in the deadbolt, I race To gain entrance into this realm. Don’t let me be too late, I pray. What if I am too late? I pray. Into my hands I scoop this form, This lovely thing, but feel no flutter. Lord, give me flutter. Black velvet wings with mosaic patterns Flatten wide on my palm outstretched, Jaggedly torn wings frayed by life, Cats’ claws, holly leaves, wriggly pests Nature’s pinking shears, tearing, testing, Whether the innocent survive when poisoned and torn Whether wings allow flight or rest in death’s quiet morn. Wings rise, then fall, in rhythmic breaths, Wings rise, then fall, strengthening still. Up then down, to lift and lift higher, Fiber-strong, cleansed, empowered, Surprised I stand in reverent awe how Tattered butterflies do fly, Not with the ease of the un-fringed ones, mind you, but with serrated wings of eagles. What if we lived our whole lives–our earthly lives–and never realized the fullness of God’s love, thinking we are too damaged, missing His true love for us? As tattered butterflies, we must end our struggling and fly in the face of beauty. God will strengthen us to surmount our trials because He can, because He will. Wherever you are, live richly and fly free. 44 Your Hometown Magazine
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W h i t e
S m a r t
C o u n t y
future FUN D G i v i n g
t o
I m p r o v e
The White County Future Fund is a fresh and exciting approach to giving. Its mission is to provide today's young visionaries and leaders with a means to impact their community through the giving of their pooled resources, talents and convictions. The White County Future Fund was started in 2012 by White County Community Foundation and inspired by the Future Fund in Greensboro, North Carolina. The concept of the Future Fund is to educate a younger audience about philanthropy (giving) and engage young leaders in community service. The foundation provides the means and the vehicle to help obtain its mission. An anonymous donor has graciously provided a $5,000 challenge grant to help establish the Future Fund Endowment. Professional managers hired by Arkansas Community Foundation manage the money. The Steering Committee for the Future Fund acts as the "Board of Directors." Each year, a Chair and Chair-Elect preside over this committee.
From Left: Kathy Murphy, White County Community Foundation Board Member and Future Fund advisor looks over Future Fund brochure with members Jenny Simpson and Lindsey Bell at a recent Future Fund event.
The Steering Committee sets the goals and strategies for the Future Fund. Because the Future Fund is an initiative of the White County Community Foundation, the Foundation's Board of Directors ultimately governs it. Nonprofit organizations in White County are eligible to apply for the Future Fund Grants. A Grants Committee, selected by the Steering Committee from the membership, will streamline the grant proposals that are submitted and create a slate of recommendations for the full Future Fund Membership to vote on. The full membership votes to decide on who will receive the grants.
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C o m m u n i t i e s
The membership dues are annual and are tiered based on ages: • • • •
Ages 18-21, dues $25 (single) or $40 (couple) Ages 22-29, dues $60 (single) or $100 (couple) Ages 30-39, dues $100 (single) or $150 (couple) Ages 40-50, dues $125 (single) or $200 (couple)
There are also two additional levels of membership: Supporting Partners: If you're over age 50 but would still like to encourage this new generation of White County philanthropists, you can support the group by becoming a non-voting Partner with your contribution of $250 to $500. Founders Circle: Donors of all ages can also choose to provide additional support for the White County Future Fund by making a $1,000 contribution to become a member of the Founders Circle. If you're between the ages of 18-50, your Founders Circle gift covers your membership dues for the year, and you qualify to be a voting member. If you're over age 50, you'll be considered a Supporting Partner, a non-voting supporter of the White County Future Fund. Contributions are fully tax deductible. Members can participate as much or as little as they would like. At the minimal level, each member will be asked to vote for the nonprofit(s) they'd like to fund. Others may look to be more involved by participating in a committee that may focus on membership, events, or grantmaking. Additional Information: The Future Fund recently participated in their first grant cycle awarding $4,000 in Hunger Grant funds provided by WalMart. The Steering Committee met and determined the guidelines for the grants prior to providing applications to area nonprofits. Ten nonprofits applied during the specified time period. After review by the committee and voting by the full membership, four nonprofits were selected to receive $1,000 grants each. The four selected were: White County Aging, Bread From Heaven of New Bethel Church, Downtown Church of Christ Food Pantry, and Bald Knob Senior Center 55 plus. These nonprofits will be awarded the funds to fight hunger in the coming days.
Tammy Dixon, Interim Executive Director White County Community Foundation, an affiliate of Arkansas Community Foundation P.O. Box 8171 Searcy, AR 72145 501-827-4456 (office) whitecounty@arcf.org
White County Aging White County Future Fund Steering Committee members present a $1,000 check to White County Aging Program to help them with the Meals on Wheels program to feed senior citizens in White County. Pictured from left on front row: Julie Williams, Administrative Assistant with White County Aging Program and Jamie Mobley, Chairman of Future Fund Steering Committee.
Bread of Heaven White County Future Fund Steering Committee members present a check to Bread From Heaven of New Bethel Church.
Downtown Church of Christ Food Pantry Members of the White County Future Fund Steering Committee present a $1,000 grant to the Downtown Church of Christ Food Pantry to feed hungry families in White County. Pictured front row left to right: Pat Boykin, food pantry volunteer and Jamie Mobley, Chairman of Steering Committee. Second Row from left are Grant Pryor, Diane Killough, and Mickey Henard. Top left to right: Matt House, Robbye Atkinson, and Phillip Hays.
Bald Knob Senior Center 55 plus Members of the White County Future Fund Steering Committee present a check to the Bald Knob Senior Center 55 plus.
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Steering Committee Members Robbye Atkinson, Phillip Hays, Stephanie Shull, Matt House, Diane Killough, Grant Pryor, Jamie Mobley, and Mickey Henard.
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Jamie Mobley, Chair of Future Fund Steering Committee leads the meeting on November 7th. Members met to vote on the nonprofits to receive $4,000 in hunger grants. The grants were made possible by funds provided by WalMart.
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By Stephanie M. Eddleman, PhD A few weeks ago, my grandson was at our house. He’s the cutest, sweetest, smartest . . . well you know how grandparents are. He played for a while with his toys then crawled over to me and pulled himself up on my chair. He reached up with his perfect, chubby little hands and grabbed both of mine, purposefully placing one of my hands under each of his arms and letting his legs go limp. Pick me up, he was saying, and of course I did. Next he began straining upward, every muscle in his little body striving to rise. So I stood up. Then he began to lean in the direction of the door, again with his whole being. I want to go outside, his little body insisted. I want sunshine and fresh air, the smell of grass and the sounds of birds. Outside we went. Later that day I was thinking about the episode, chuckling to myself about his cleverness. Then it hit me—I should be as wise as my grandson. He raised his arms to one who loves him, who had the power to lift him up. Then, although he wasn’t able to reach his destination alone, he leaned with all his might in the direction he wanted to go, and with my help he made his way to freedom. “Except ye become as little children,” I thought. May I trust the one who loves me. May I lift my arms in supplication. May I lean with all that is in me in the way I want to go. Amen. Stephanie M. Eddleman is an assistant professor of English at Harding University and blogs at stephaniemeddleman.com.
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By Jennifer Skinner
W
hen we have the opportunity, we often don’t hesitate
to help someone in need, but taking the opportunity requires a lot more effort. Whether it’s putting money in the offering plate on Sunday morning or donating clothes to charity, we realize the importance of helping others, and we do it when we have the opportunity. However, sometimes there are extraordinary people and organizations that take every opportunity to help. Gene Thrasher and Searcy’s Woodmen of the World Lodge 68 are those very people who serve with a passion at every opportunity they can find. They take many opportunities to fill the needs of others in the Searcy area. These include supporting local foster children, Hope Cottage, Habitat for Humanity, Friends for Life and individuals and families struggling to pay the bills, to name a few. As a National Representative of Woodmen of the World/Woodmen of Omaha, Gene Thrasher works continually through the fraternal organization to support these establishments in the community. The organization is a not-for-profit company providing insurance, annuities and investments. Their profits go back to their customers and into the community. Every year, they sponsor Christmas parties for foster children, give college scholarships to local students, offer support to needy families and respond to tornado disaster areas with the Disaster Wagon. Not to mention the Woodmen of the World’s donations of flags, flagpoles, and Patriot plagues that are presented to the community in large numbers through the organization. In fact, Mr. Thrasher and his wife were told that they and Searcy Lodge #68 at one time had given out more flags than any other lodge in the organization. This year alone they have given 250 Patriot Handbooks to schools and 75 American Patriot Plaques to local facilities. In November, a group of 18 people volunteered to place 4,130 flags on Veterans graves around Searcy. Every year the local chapter honors our Veterans this way. This year the Searcy Woodmen of the World Lodge also presented and dedicated 385 American flags and 160 Arkansas flags, as well as providing 40 church flags and 75 Star of David flags to local churches. Mr. Thrasher says, “Basically any place around here that needs a flag, we get it for them.” They also dedicated numerous flag poles in White County, including those at Berryhill Park, Kensett Housing Authority, Kensett City Hall and Beebe Fire Department. Recently the organization held a Flagpole Dedication Ceremony at Pioneer Village where Boy Scouts from Troop 159 performed the flag ceremony. The Woodmen of the World organization and Mr. Gene Thrasher work tirelessly serving in the White County community. For them it is very important to honor our soldiers. He says, “They fought to keep us free, and that means a lot to me.” So why does Gene spend all of his time serving others for the organization? “We get our reward in Heaven,” he says. Before his
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“The difference between taking the opportunity and having the opportunity lies in the reason behind the action.” H H H H H H H H H H H H H
wife passed away last year, just prior to their 50th Anniversary, she told him to promise her that he would continue with their work of helping others. He explained that they worked together through the Woodmen of the World organization serving others and that “she loved it too.” Though it’s hard sometimes now to do all the work that goes into a project without her by his side, he says, “It’s worth it. It means a lot that you have done something to help.” At Christmas time when the lodge adopts a family to help he says, “The look on the little kids faces. That gives you a good feeling right there. They’ll have Christmas,” and when “you put the keys in someone’s hands, or get the gas turned on, or pay the bill. The look on the faces…it’s worth it.” Because of Gene Thrasher’s big heart, his hard work and his involvement in the Woodmen of the World not-for-profit Fraternal Organization, he is able serve the community in many ways by taking lots of opportunities. Mr. Thrasher continues taking the opportunity because he’s fulfilling his wife’s wishes and because “it’s worth it.” The difference between taking the opportunity and having the opportunity lies in the reason behind the action. The reason will determine your commitment. If in your heart you know the results are worth the effort then your purpose will be that much clearer, and your dedication will be that much stronger. Then the results will be that much better.
“They [our soldiers] fought to keep us free, and that means a lot to me.” – Gene Thrasher
HHHHHH H H H H H H H H H H Every November, Boy Scout troops in White County place 4,000-5,000 flags on veterans’ graves around Searcy. These flags are provided by the Searcy chapter of Woodmen of the World Lodge 68. National Representative Gene Thrasher explained that on Saturday, November 2nd the flagpole and flag donated by the Lodge was dedicated in honor of the veterans in the Searcy area who have served for our country. Sometimes when violence and economic hard times arise we may find it hard to see the good in our country. However, our soldiers have put their lives in danger for our freedoms and many have sacrificed their lives for the privileges that we take for granted. Mr. Thrasher’s strong patriotism and dedication to honor our vets should inspire us all.
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Elks Lodge 2247 in Searcy is dedicated in upholding the Elks pledge, “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.” Elks are known for their charitable services and the drive to strengthen community. The Searcy Elks Lodge held an appreciation dinner for local veterans and their spouses on Saturday, July 27, 2013. “Our veterans deserve to be honored for their courage and sacrifice they gave our country in order to defend our freedoms,” said Tammy Phillips, chairperson for Veteran Services at Elks Lodge 2247. “The spouses of our veterans endured much suffering having to be left behind to take care of the home front and they deserve to be recognized as well.” The afternoon began with Ritchie Varnell’s band, Homebrew, playing music for the more than 100 guests. The Elks Lodge served tender pork loin with a mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans cooked in bacon and onions, rolls that were donated by Colton’s in Searcy and colorful cake topped with whipped cream. The Elks Lodge was decorated with military flags: POW, Honor and Remembrance flag (given by the Freedom Warriors Riding
Association of Arkansas) and The United States flag. The tables were set with white linen tablecloths, white dishes, blue glasses, and red, white and blue centerpieces. Along with the food and nicely arranged decorations, Judge Michael Lincoln, Paul Bunn of the DAV 63 in Pleasant Plains, and Don Coots, first Arkansas state vice president of the Elks Lodge, all spoke of veterans’ service and how people can better help them when they return home from war. A Missing Man Table was also set up at the dinner, which was reserved to honor our missing comrades in arms. Sgt. 1st Class Jeffery Frisby, Sgt. Alfred Hobby, Sgt. Jonathan Bostic and Spc. Houston Dorman of the 39th Battalion served as Color Guard for the occasion. The Freedom Warriors Riding Association of Arkansas, whose mission is to work with all veterans and their families and fulfilling their needs, escorted several veterans and spouses to the dinner from River Oaks Village. They also helped with serving, cooking, cleaning and speaking on behalf of the veterans. Many guests were moved by the event, saying it brought back bittersweet memories.
“Our veterans deserve to be honored for their courage and sacrifice they gave our country in order to defend our freedoms...” – Tammy Phillips
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Sgt. 1st Class Jeffery Frisby, Sgt. Alfred Hobby, Sgt. Jonathan Bostic and Spc. Houston Dorman of the 39th Battalion served as Color Guard for the occasion.
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“The spouses of our veterans endured much suffering having to be left behind to take care of the home front and they deserve to be recognized as well.” – Tammy Phillips
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A Missing Man Table was also set up at the dinner, which was reserved to honor our missing comrades in arms.
Is Your Hut On Fire? The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and everyday he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames. The worst thing happened—everything he had left in the world was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. “God, how could you do this to me?” he cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. “How did you know I was here?” asked the wary man of his rescuers. “We saw your smoke signal,” they replied. It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we should not lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember the next time your hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
For all the negative things we say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it: We say, “It’s impossible.” God says, “All things are possible.” (Luke 18:27) We say, “I’m too tired.” God says, “I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28-30) We say, “Nobody really loves me.” God says, “I love you.” (John 3:16 – John 13:34) We say, “I can’t go on.” God says, “My grace is sufficient.” (11 Cor. 12:9) We say, “I can’t figure it out.” God says, “I will direct your steps.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) We say, “I feel alone.” God says, “I will never leave or forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5) Pass this on; you never know whose life may be in need today. There are some weeks we all feel our huts are burning.
“ Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” ~ John Wooden
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By Jeff Everetts Little Angel’s Prints was developed with our children in day I saw children in different situations of abuse. I woke one day mind. We offer a variety of services that promote family peace and said, “These kids are going through the same thing I did and of mind. Little Angel’s Prints follows a community approach that they should not feel this kind of pain.” Abuse is such a strange places primary responsibility for child safety with adults. Our word. What does it mean? I thought I just had to be physically company was developed with the goal of preventing predators hurt to be loved, but it was abuse? I learned abuse comes in many that prey on our children from having the upper hand and giving forms - verbal, emotional, physical and neglect, as well as sexual, parents, children, and community leaders a better approach, with to name a few. I thought, “I’m helping these kids.” And I did what I could while education as to some of the dangers that are in our society. Our company came about after years of wondering how to change serving and protecting, but I knew in my heart I could do more. My things and what to do to help families feel safer. There were over wife and I raised three children over 31 years. I thought, “WOW, I made it. I pulled myself out of 2 million reports of children under the ditches and I’ve done well.” 18 being sexually exploited and Only to have my world shattered. over 800,000 missing children. To “ My wife noticed that my oldest is here to make it us this is unacceptable and has to ” daughter did not want to spend time stop. Little Angel’s Prints is here harder for predators to target with her grandparents, particularly to make it harder for predators to her grandfather - my father. After target our children. questioning my daughter, she My story began like lots of other told us that my father had been touching her in a sexual way. kids. I started out at a very young age finding out about abuse. Her grandfather, the same man who had physically and mentally My parents divorced when I was very young, and my mother had substance abuse problems that created an unacceptable abused me, was now starting on my children. I had failed to protect environment for me to live. I went to live with relatives, where her or to see the signs. This was a new low in my life. I had tried I learned that hands can hurt you. I then went to live with my so hard to have a complete family, burying what had been done to father and his new wife who were supposed to provide me with me. I felt like I had put my family and daughter in harm’s way. a loving home, but the abuse continued. I learned quickly what So I took a stand and did what I had to. I turned it over to God pain felt like. I learned how words can hurt as well. I didn’t know and the police. My father confessed, was arrested and listed as a that children were supposed to be loved without pain. Back then, sex offender. My step mother, who had also abused me, blamed it we didn’t know about child protection services or Department of all on me. It was my fault. “Your father retired from the Air Force Human services. I didn’t have anyone that told me I had choices. and was getting ready to retire from the Post Office.” What would I didn’t have an adult to step in and say that my life was wrong, this do to them? How would it make my parents look? There was I thought it was normal. I took their inflicted pain as long as I never any concern from them as to my daughter and/or the family could, until I could take it no more, and I left. I joined the United that had been crushed. My parents worried about themselves. Years passed, the kids grew up and my wife passed away from States Marine Corp. The Marines taught me things I had never been taught as a child. They taught me how to take care of myself cancer. Still my mind kept going back to my childhood and my daughter, wondering how things could change. What could I do? and how to have a life. I remarried a wonderful, loving woman who had a loving I was one of the lucky ones, or so I thought. I left the Marine Corp a man ready to take on the world. I began a carefree life in law family. She had the childhood I dreamed of with loving supportive enforcement. I got married and started a home and a family. Every parents, loving supportive grandparents. She and her family had taken in children from homes such as the one I grew up in. She
Little Angel’s Prints
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our children.
adopted a baby and after our marriage I too adopted her. Lorelei and I had known each other for 16 years before we married. Her whole life had been about protecting children. During college she worked as a nanny, and after graduating went to work for Children and Family Services, investigating and working with children of abuse and neglect. From there she went to work for the Arkansas State Police as a Trooper/ Special Agent working in the Sex Crimes unit. She left when her daughter started school and she needed to be at home nights to be there for her. She then went to work for the Department of Corrections, working over three mental health departments. She works with inmates to help teach them to become more productive citizens and works with sex offenders to help them stop offending. One night we sat talking about how many repeat offenders there were and how many sex offenders there are. Currently there are over 2,000 men and women incarcerated for sex offenses, and over 16,000 have been registered since 1997, in Arkansas. Every five seconds a child is abused. We sat there saddened by what children had to endure at the hands of people who claimed love and concern for them. We said enough is enough. There has to be more ways to protect our kids. I have owned and operated a background company since retiring from law enforcement. My company runs background checks, does drug testing and DNA testing, as well as electronic fingerprinting; but still it wasn’t enough, because it centered on adults. So we came up with Little Angel’s Prints. We began to develop programs to educate people. Little Angel’s Prints offers an age appropriate educational program for pre-school through high school. Our classes teach kids about their bodies and about choices and the right to say no. We teach what a good touch is and what a bad touch is. Our program teaches children how to protect themselves in a manner that their age group can understand They learn how to stay safe from all types of predators: from bullies, to kidnapping, to the dangers of social media, to sexual predators. We also offer programs to churches, parents and educators and anyone else working with children to learn the warning signs and how to protect kids. We offer anger management classes to help adults learn to control their anger and modify their behaviors. Little Angel’s Prints offers education in parenting and dealing with divorced parents and families. Little Angel’s Prints offers child fingerprinting with several ways to store the fingerprints and vital information regarding your child. The most common is a card which has the child’s fingerprints and current picture and information such as medical, dental and identifying information to help law enforcement in case the child is missing or the worst happens. Law enforcement needs this information within the first few hours to help locate the child. Our system gives a readable print of all ten fingers. We even give you ways to preserve DNA. We then give the prints and information to the parent to keep in a safe place. The information can be placed on a card, thumb drive or CD and placed in a safe place in case of emergencies. Our system is a clean and easy way for parents to have identification of their child. Little Angel’s Prints goal is to create a world safer for children and parents so no child has to endure abuse. If you would like more information regarding fingerprints or would like our program to come to you, contact us at 870-613-0509 or email me at jeffe53@gmail.com and help keep kids safe.
“We said enough is enough – there has to be more ways to protect our kids.”
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Finding
I
Peace and Positivity
am an adoptee who has found peace and positivity in my life. It didn’t come easy and it didn’t come fast. There were many trip-ups in my life and unknowns that caused fear and doubt, not only about my life, but about myself as a person. Most of my life was spent in search of my birth mother, thinking she was the answer to who I am, but what I found out in the end was that I had the answers all along. She simply provided me a piece of the puzzle that is Liz Story. Brenda and Howard Williams tried for many years to have children but were unable. After eight miscarriages, my mom and dad had enough of the heartbreak and decided to adopt. They adopted my brother first and when he was six years old, they got the call that their baby girl was awaiting them in Jackson, Mississippi. Their family was now complete and my life began at six weeks old, when they picked me up from the hospital nursery. I grew up in West Point, Arkansas. My parents had been born and raised there and now they were raising their own family in the cabin on the river that my grandfather had built. I was surrounded by a big family with lots of cousins with lots of space to play, because my parents had seven acres of woods surrounding us and the Little Red River ran right behind our house. I went to the small West Point Elementary school and had a lot of close friends who also grew up in the country and on farms. We were all very close in our little community and life was good. Because it was a small community, most adults knew that my brother and I were adopted. My mom didn’t want us to hear it from anyone else, so one day as I sat practicing the piano she came in and sat down on the bench next to me. She put her arm around me
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By Liz Story
and told me that I was special. Well, I knew that because she made me feel that way my whole life. She went on to explain that out of all the little boys and girls in the world, they chose me to be their daughter. She then simply told me that they had adopted me. She told me that I was born from her heart and not her tummy. I was so excited to hear this news! I couldn’t wait to get back to school and tell everyone at show and tell. I was in the fourth grade. I had been excited and intrigued to hear that there was something special about me that made me different from everyone else. In the sixth grade, the West Point kids were sent to Searcy Middle School. It was a hard adjustment for us as we felt like outsiders to the “big city” kids. I did have a hard time and wanted desperately to fit in, but in doing so I began to drift from the country life and wanted to be more like the city kids. I believe this is around the time that I began to wonder more about my birth mother, who she was, what was she like, and if I was more like her. Even though there was some adjustment time, I soon ingratiated myself with the Searcy kids and new friendships were made. By the time I got to high school, I had become a little rebellious and more determined than ever to find my birth mother. The day after I graduated high school, my best friend and I drove to the adoption agency to see what we could find out. It was a trip of self discovery and unfortunately, disappointment. The agency was unable to release my original birth certificate with the birth mother’s name on it. I started a new chapter in my life and headed off to college with a tuition scholarship! My new-found freedom in the college life was really too much too fast and I quickly reeled out of control. By halfway through the second semester I was forced to drop out
and I lost my scholarship. I was lost and alone and came clean to my parents about what had been happening. I had gotten caught up with the wrong people and was drinking and doing drugs. Before I careened completely out of control, they brought me home. It was a dark and sad time in my life. I had a lot of soul searching to do and anytime I did that, my birth mother always came to the forefront of my mind. I somehow thought if I knew who she was it would be the answers to all my problems. But, of course, I had to pull myself out of this time on my own, so that is what I did thanks to a lot of tough love and encouragement from my ever strong and supportive parents and family. It wasn’t long until I had two great jobs and had pulled myself out of debt and despair. Just as things were going smoothly, I got a call from an Army recruiter that changed my life forever. I joined the Army at the age of 21 and finally felt like I had found somewhere I belonged. I loved being in the military and seeing the
“I always say, the more people you have in your heart the happier your life will be.”
world. I was a Signal Intelligence Analyst and Arabic Linguist and was stationed in Germany. I also had one deployment to Sarajevo, Bosnia. When I came back to Germany, I met a man that I fell in love with. After four short months together, I unexpectedly became pregnant. It was the most confusing and scared time of my life when I got the news. I initially even considered placing my baby up for adoption, but decided against it. When I was eight months pregnant, my time in the Army was over and I came back home to have my daughter. She was born in Searcy, Arkansas in 1999. It turned out to be the biggest blessing of my life. Shortly after she was born, I ramped up my search for my birth mother, now knowing what it felt like to be scared and pregnant and a single parent, because her father and I had a very rocky and tumultuous relationship. Luckily, the state of Alabama had just opened their birth records. I sent my request, and a week later finally had my birth mother’s name. It was surreal to be looking at her name on paper and know that I had something tangible to search! However, there were discrepancies on the adoption paperwork versus the birth certificate. On top of that, I worried that it wasn’t her real name and that she was also probably married by this time, so the last name was probably not valid either. I was at a loss and hit another wall. When my daughter was 18 months old, we moved to her father’s hometown in Florida. I had gone back to college and continued on in Florida. Thanks to my Army career and security clearance, I was able to land a job at a really good defense contractor. I finally finished with a bachelor’s degree in 2004, and in 2005 I was making big changes in my life. I received a promotion, sold my townhouse and bought another house. With the sale of my townhouse, I had some money that I decided to use to pay for a private detective to search for my birth mother. I gave them all the documents I had and within 4 weeks, they found her! A few weeks later, I physically met her, her husband and my half brother! It was amazing, and when we met for the first time, it was like two old friends coming together again. It wasn’t awkward, it was natural. We spent the next year getting to know each other and I met the rest of the family. It was so fun for me, and the whole family is so great! I felt so blessed to have added all of these great people to my life! My mom, though, was having scared feelings about all the time I was spending with my birth mother, so it took some time to make sure my mom was comfortable and knew she wasn’t going to lose me to the birth mother. I always say, the more people you
have in your heart the happier your life will be. Five years after meeting my birth family, it was time for my birth aunt, who suffered from Polycystic Kidney Disease, to be put on the critical needs list for a new kidney. Although my birth mother tried to talk me out of it, I went to get tested to see if I would be a good match. Others within the family also went to get tested. A week after the blood test, I got the call that I was an initial match but would have to go to Alabama for more in-depth medical and psychological testing. I was the only one out of the whole family. I also passed all of the other tests with flying colors and we set a date for surgery. In April of 2010, I successfully donated my kidney to my birth aunt and she is now living an amazing and fruitful life and no longer living a life of pain and worry. During this time, I met a man who would also change my life, my current husband. He was there for me through all of that and stood by my side tirelessly. He has been another blessing in my life and one of the best things to ever happen to me! We got married in 2011 and, this year, he opened up his own glass business. I have written a book about my life and all of the crazy decisions that have gotten me to where I am today, at peace. I have also started a blog that I hope helps other adoptees find peace within themselves, no matter what their circumstances. I have embarked on several book signing events in Alabama and Arkansas and have even been featured on the Mobile, Alabama local Fox news morning show, Studio 10. It has been an amazing experience and I have found a purpose in this book and my blog. Whether you have any connection to adoption or not, you might enjoy my articles so please go check it out at www.adopteesearchingforself.com.
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Thank you to all of our sponsors for the Searcy Living Christmas Catalog’s Hometown Shopping Giveaway!
Package 1
Package 3 Searcy Athletic Club
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Cosmetic Studio The Bee’s Knees
Package 2 Dr. Bolding Lori’s Grill Euro Style Salon and Spa Bliss Salon and Boutique Symmetrix Salon and Spa Sassy Sweets Artistic Florist The Flavor Station The Warehouse Hays The Bee’s Knees Stott’s Drug
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Package 4 Byron’s Jewelry Lori’s Grill Euro Style Salon and Spa Bliss Salon and Boutique Symmetrix Salon and Spa Sassy Sweets Artistic Florist The Flavor Station The Warehouse Fran’s Frame The Sassy Stitch Cosmetic Studio Stott’s Drug
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Understanding Arkansas Requirements for the Sale of Pseudoephedrine-Containing Products
Over The Counter Harding University Center for Drug and Health Information By Haley Hiland, PharmD Candidate and Rodney G. Richmond, RPh, MS, CGP, FASCP
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Looking for some relief from your seasonal congestion? You may have noticed in recent years that pseudoephedrine, a common over-the-counter nasal decongestant, is only available through limited access at the pharmacy counter. Many people have expressed a lack of understanding regarding this restriction, so here is a brief summary that will help you to understand the requirements regarding the sale of pseudoephedrinecontaining products in Arkansas. Pseudoephedrine, a nasal decongestant, is the active ingredient in many popular overthe-counter cold products. This ingredient, however, is also the key component needed in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine. There has been a significant increase in ‘meth’ use—even in our local community— and it is because of this ‘meth epidemic’ that patients who have a legitimate need for a pseudoephedrine may consider it to be more challenging to gain access to the product. In an effort to combat methamphetamine abuse in Arkansas, strict guidelines have been established that pharmacists must follow before selling an over-the-counter pseudoephedrinecontaining product. Before purchasing any of these products you’ll need a valid
Arkansas driver’s license/ID card or military ID. The current law also restricts the amount of pseudoephedrine that can be sold in one transaction, as well as within a rolling 30-day period. In some instances pharmacies have found it appropriate or necessary to curtail all over-the-counter pseudoephedrine sales and instead require that it be made available for purchase by prescription only. So what does this all mean for you? In addition to these noted restrictions, Arkansas regulations also require that a patientpharmacist relationship exist, and that each patient be screened to assess the appropriate need before selling pseudoephedrinecontaining medications. Ultimately, it is left to the professional judgment of the pharmacist to determine whether a legitimate need for pseudoephedrine exists. When in doubt, it wouldn’t hurt to have a prescription order from your doctor. For more information on methamphetamine abuse, visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/ meth or Google “Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act.” And remember, if you have any questions or concerns about these issues please talk to your pharmacist—they will be happy to assist you!
BEWARE of Duplicate Ingredients in Over-the-Counter Products Runny nose? Bad cough? Under the weather? Cough and cold season is a time when there is increased use of over-thecounter products. It is important to understand that, just because certain medications are over-the-counter, it does not mean they are without harm at any dose. Take for example ingredients such as Dextromethorphan which is the ‘DM’ in Robitussin-DM®, or Acetaminophen which is the active ingredient in Tylenol®. Both can be frequently found in other popular cough and cold products, and could result in doses higher than necessary. Ever found yourself in the following situations... ? ■■
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You have a cold so you go to the pharmacy and grab a multi-symptom cold tablet and some cough syrup. What you might not realize is that both of these products could contain the same active ingredient, dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that can commonly be found in nearly all products aimed at controlling cough, and it has a maximum dose of 120mg per day. By receiving dextromethorphan from both the multi-symptom cold tablet and the cough syrup, it would be easy to exceed this maximum dose. You have a sinus headache and are running a fever. You grab a bottle of acetaminophen for your headache and a cold formula that should take care of your congestion and fever. However, this too could be a situation where both products contain the same active ingredient, acetaminophen. Acetaminophen can be used to treat both pain and fever, but it has a maximum daily dose of 3,000 mg per day. This is another common scenario where someone could end up taking Acetaminophen from products with duplicate ingredients end up exceeding the maximum daily dose.
Because active ingredients can often be found in different products that are used for the same or overlapping purposes, the potential exists to take an inadvertent overdose. In fact, according to the Food and Drug Administration, overdoses from over-the-counter products account for 40.1% of all medication overdoses. Other popular ingredients contained in cough and cold products that you should watch to avoid duplication include Phenylephrine (decongestant), Diphenhydramine (antihistamine/sleep aid), and Guaifenesin (expectorant) to name a few. Because there are many over-the-counter products available that might match your symptoms, you should ALWAYS read the information printed on the container. This way you can ensure you are using the medication correctly and that you are not duplicating active ingredients. If you have trouble choosing an over-the-counter product or generally have questions about which one to choose—make it a point to talk to your pharmacist.
By Lindsey Strong, PharmD Candidate and Rodney G. Richmond, RPh, MS, CGP, FASCP
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Simple Ways to Stay Healthy During Flu Season By Casey McLeod, Medical Center Pharmacy
Many of us are unaware of the link between our digestive system and our immune system. Your stomach, small and large intestine, and the rest of your digestive tract make up 70 to 80% of your immune system. This is one of the many reasons upkeep of digestive health is important in overall health, especially during cold and flu season. The digestive system is contains about 500 species of bacteria called micro flora, most of which work to fight off “bad” bacteria and help your body absorb essential nutrients. When your body is low on the “good” bacteria, “bad” bacteria and viruses have a greater opportunity to grow and, therefore, cause you to become sick. Keeping the digestive system loaded up on the right amount of good bacteria can help you avoid many of the common illnesses during cold and flu season. You can build up your immune system by replenishing your good bacteria in two simple ways: nutrition and probiotic supplements. Proper nutrition is always the starting place for good overall health. Taking in good bacteria, or foods that promote the growth of good bacteria, is step 1 in boosting your immune system. The table below gives some ideas of what foods to take in and which foods to avoid for immune health. Foods that boost immune health: Yogurt (live cultured) Soft cheeses
Dark chocolate Pickles
Foods that suppress immune health: Foods high in sugar Processed foods Alcohol
Sauerkraut Probiotic supplements boost your immune system by directly replacing the good bacteria your body is lacking. Probiotics not only boost immune function, allowing your body to fight off infections such as seasonal flu and the common cold, but they also aid in digestive health. If you suffer from chronic diarrhea or constipation, probiotics adjust your normal gut bacteria to keep your digestive tract moving properly. Lactose intolerance can also be eliminated by proper use of probiotics. Probiotic bacteria also extract essential nutrients from food. Without that bacterial help, you can eat lots of “good for you” foods but not experience their benefits. The build-up of toxins from processed foods wreaks havoc on our bodies, causing headaches and muscle pain. Probiotics aid in eliminating toxins that are harmful to our bodies, preventing something as minor as headaches and as complex as some cancers. Since there is a laundry list of different bacteria in your immune system (about 500 of them), it is easy to get overwhelmed in looking for the right probiotic supplement for you. We know what the specific job of some micro flora is, so let’s focus on taking in what we know works. The supplement I recommend contains most of those bacteria. On the right is a chart of those bacteria and exactly what each will do for your immune system.
“Good” bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus Lactobacillus rhamnosus Bifidobacterium lactis Lactobacillus casei Bifidobacterium breve Bifidobacterium longum Bifidobacterium bifidum Streptococcus thermophilus Fructooligosaccharides*
Benefit Neutralizes yeast and some flu strains Fights off bacteria that cause urinary tract infections Promotes antibody production Fights “bad” digestive bacteria, like H.Pylori Promotes antibody production Neutralizes toxins from processed foods (nitrates) Protects the body from cancer causing toxins Aids in digestion of lactose Prevents growth of “bad” bacteria, increases calcium absorption
*These are PRE-biotics that stimulate growth of “good” bacteria Remember that nothing replaces a healthy diet. Use of probiotics with proper nutrition is a simple and easy step in the right direction for a happy, healthy you.
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Jalapeño Bacon Soup
It’s funny how these recipes become the topic of conversation when I run into friends during a shopping trip. Recently, my friend Jan asked me what recipe I would be putting in the next Searcy Living. I responded, “Well, I’m not sure. What would YOU like to see in there?” She immediately came up with, “Something HEARTY!” Okay Jan, here's what you asked for. If you really like your soup to have some kick just add more jalapeños, but be careful. I'll tell you like I tell my daughter, “You can always add more later, but you can’t add less.” So start with a normal amount, then add more later if you need to. Don’t cause your dinner guests to faint, for pity’s sake! This makes enough soup for 6 people. I normally serve it with a good loaf of homemade French bread. You can use whatever bacon you prefer, but I’d be lying if I told you there was better bacon out there than what the Lattures have out at Freckle Face Farm. If you don’t use theirs, consider using one of the brands with no nitrates or nitrites. Enjoy!
COOK
1 Onion, Diced
In a stockpot cook bacon until crispy then remove from pan; leave bacon drippings in pot.
2 Stalks Celery, Diced
Sauté
1/2 Lb. Bacon
2 Fresh Jalapeños, Seeded And Chopped (Wear Gloves While Seeding And Chopping!) 2 Cloves Fresh Garlic, Minced 1 Tsp. Thyme 2 Tbsp. Butter 1/4 C. Unbleached All Purpose Flour (Or Rice Flour If Going Gluten Free) 4 C. Good Chicken Stock Or Broth (Preferably Organic) 1/2 C. Heavy Cream 1 Tsp Dijon Mustard 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce 2 C. Cheddar Cheese, Shredded (Or Cheddar/Monterey Jack Combination) Cayenne Pepper, Salt, & Black Pepper (To Taste)
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Sauté onion, celery, and jalapeños in bacon drippings until tender and add garlic and thyme.
STIR
Add butter and flour and stir to make a roux (a paste), then whisk in chicken stock, heavy cream, mustard and Worcestershire, stirring until mixture becomes slightly thicker. Stir in cheese to melt and crumble reserved bacon into soup.
SERVE
Add cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste and serve warm. Tanya Turner Leckie’s cookbook Cartwheels In The Kitchen, is available at Tonya’s Consignment, Midnight Oil Coffee House, as well as through Tanya by e-mailing her at lazydaygourmet@sbcglobal.net. Partial proceeds through sales benefit the Makonde Team mission work in Tanzania, Africa.
Find More Recipes On
Take time to pray for someone close to you and/or write them an encouraging note.
By Beth Dargis of the My Simpler Life blog. www.mysimplerlife.com
Plan an evening at home where all electronics are turned off and not used.
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Across 3. Pre-biotics stimulate the growth of _____ bacteria. 5. Boy scout troops in White County place _____ on veterans’ graves. 6. This table honors missing comrades in arms.
Down 1. Little Angel’s Prints goal is to create a world safer for _____ and parents. 2. The Prock home has a _____ _____ in the back yard. 4. The EAST program worked to code the GPS locations of fire _____.
Find The Answers On
Where does a peacock go when it loses its tail?
What are the science teacher’s favorite states?
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Keep your head up. God gives His hardest battles to His strongest soldiers. Show your support for life and help raise money at the same time! Purchase an Official Choose Life Arkansas License Plate for the rear of your car. You can obtain one through direct purchase from the Department of Finance and Administration. Let’s make the readership of Searcy Living the BIGGEST supporters for life in the state! SearcyLiving.com 73
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