Naturally - June 2015

速

NATURALLY

JUNE 2015 DoSouthMagazine.com

CONTENTS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Catherine Frederick MANAGING EDITOR Marla Cantrell CONTRIBUTING WRITERS / PHOTOGRAPHERS Lauren Allen Marla Cantrell Catherine Frederick Rusty Henderson, DVM Lee Anne Henry Jessica Sowards Stoney Stamper Jim Warnock Glenn Wigington GRAPHIC DESIGNER Artifex 323 - Jessica Wooden PROOFREADER Charity Chambers

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EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Emma Sullins PUBLISHER Read Chair Publishing, LLC

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INSIDE 12

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LOVE & THE NFL Green Bay Packer and Fort Smith native Brett Goode knows the thrill of winning the Super Bowl. But even that pales in comparison to one day last year, when he married the girl of his dreams.

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THE ONLY CERTAINTY

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DRIVING THE BUFFALO

Stoney Stamper of The Daddy Diaries weighs in on fatherhood, the surprises that come with it, and what it's done to his formerly well-ordered world.

The Buffalo River is one of Arkansas' greatest treasures. We'll take you there and show you some stops along the way that will make your trip an even bigger adventure.

ADVERTISING INFORMATION Catherine Frederick - 479.782.1500 EDITORIAL INFORMATION Marla Cantrell - 479.831.9116 息2015 Read Chair Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. The opinions contained in Do South速 are exclusively those of the writers and do not represent those of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. as a whole or its affiliates. Any correspondence to Do South速 or Read Chair Publishing, LLC., including photography becomes the property of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. Do South速 reserves the right to edit content and images. Printed in the U.S.A. | ISSN 2373-1893

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letter from the editor

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For the past nine summers, our family vacation has consisted of a weeklong dis-

ball and his team travels pretty much every weekend — and they love it. There’ll

connect. We pack up the car and drive

be no island beverages or fresh seafood

straight through the night, headed

where we’re going. But there will be

south for sandy beaches, welcom-

plenty of overpriced nachos, hot-

ing waters, warm sunshine, and

dogs, and Gatorades. And guess

perhaps a fruity beverage or two.

what? I am not complaining. Nope, not one bit.

I've learned a lot of things on these trips.

Like, I have no qualms about stripping down a one-year-old and hosing off a car seat in a gas station parking lot after a massive diaper blowout. And, I can consume way more coffee and Red Bull than one person needs

As I sit and watch his practices each week, I see him fall more and more in love with the game. He’s putting the pieces together. It’s becoming a part of who he is. It’s as if he eats, breathes, and sleeps basketball. His effort and dedi-

in a lifetime if it means my toes hit the sand quicker. And, most

cation to something he so clearly loves has made it easy for me to

important, one basket of fried crab claws is never enough. Ever.

fall in love with the sport right alongside him. And yes, I’m that loud mom, the one yelling from the stands at every game, proud of the

I also learned that waking up early at the beach isn’t quite as

wins, and wiping away tears and building him back up after a loss.

difficult as it is back home. I guess walking five steps to your balcony to watch dolphins play in the surf as seagulls dive bomb you

Summer is a season, just like this season in our family’s life.

for a bite of your morning bagel could have something to do with it.

And this one is fleeting — I know it all too well. So I plan to

This year, however, will be quite different. We’ll be miles

grab myself a seat cushion and take it all in, holding on for as

away from the sea and sand. The vast ocean, the cries of the

long as I can. We may not be basking in the sand and surf this

seagulls, and the views of the sun setting on the horizon will

summer, but I am basking in our son’s passion for his game.

be replaced by the sound of basketballs bouncing, the she-

The beach will be there waiting for me when I’m ready.

nanigans of ten-year-old boys, and unforgiving bleachers.

You see, we will be traveling this summer, to lots of places.

Several mini-vacations, if you will. Our son plays AAU basket-

~Catherine

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cover image

DAYS ARE LONGER. SUMMER IS SWEETER.

Alex Cogbill and Ali McIntosh, King’s River, (Arkansas, 2014)

Photo courtesy Ali McIntosh Have a photo you think is cover worthy? Send it to editors@dosouthmagazine.com.

Keep in mind we do not feature people on our covers.

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calendar

JUNE 2015 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

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Monday Night Jazz, Little Rock, 8pm

Hot Springs Farmers Market, Downtown Hot Springs, 4pm-7pm

(3-30) 7th Annual Photography Exhibit and Competition, Mena

Fayetteville First Thursday, Downtown Square, 5pm-9pm

Downtown Art Walk, Russellville, 6pm-9pm

142nd Annual Southern Memorial Day, Fayetteville

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(7-12) Lorraine Cranford Summer Dance Workshop, Western Arkansas Ballet Studio, Fort Smith

Hot Springs Summer Concert Series: Big Band Signatures, Hot Springs, 6:30pm

(6/9-7/19) Dawn Holder: New Work, Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 11am-6pm

The Jack Fleck Open Charity Golf Tournament, Hardscrabble Country Club, Fort Smith 8am-7pm

Drop in and Draw!, Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 12pm-4pm

(6/11-6/13) 15th Annual Art of Wine Festival, Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville

Magic Springs Concert Series: Lecrae, Timberwood Amphitheater, Hot Springs

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Father’s Day Sunset Canoe Float, Little Rock, 6:30pm9:30pm

(15-19) Summer Camp: Art and Nature, Crystal Bridges, Bentonville, 9am-12pm

Moonflowers & Mojitos, Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Fayetteville, 6pm-9pm

(6/17-6/20) 38th Annual Turkey Track Bluegrass Festival, Waldron

Open Mic Night, Dewey's Cafe Main Library, Fort Smith, 7pm

(6/19-6/20) 36th Annual Craft Fest, Mountain Home

BBQ Western Days, Springdale, 4pm

Flag Day

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Father’s Day Fishing Tournament, Bull Shoals, 8:30am12pm

(6/22-7/17) Opera in the Ozarks, Eureka Springs

Mindbender Museum, Museum of Discovery, Little Rock, 9am-5pm

Transfigured Night Artosphere Festival Orchestra Concert, Crystal Bridges, Bentonville, 8pm

Food & Music Night, Dickson Street & Downtown Square, Fayetteville, 7pm

(6/26-6/27) Riverfront Bluesfest, Harry E. Kelley Park, Fort Smith, 5pm

(26-27) 19th Annual Mt. Magazine International Butterfly Festival, Paris

Father's Day

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Celebrate Great Outdoors Month at Petit Jean State Park

(6/29-7/2) Camp Invention Day Camp, Christ the King, Fort Smith

MAKE YOUR DAD GLAD!

“Red, White and Blooms” Concert, Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Fayetteville, 7pm-8:20pm

1. Make dinner with all his favorite foods.

2. Go hiking together.

3. Write a sappy, sweet, sincere poem.

4. Detail his car (or truck).

5. Dedicate a song to him on his favorite radio station.

View the calendar on dosouthmagazine.com for more events and details.

We hope you enjoy this issue.

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poetry

50th Anniversary LINES Glenn Wigington

How is it possible to paint in words a picture of fervent love?

Let me tell you.

You can say love is a form of heat, a tiny candle fire, a lush yellow glow that lights our faces.

You can say in the beginning, freshness pulled at the breath, the joining, new and delicate as blue morning glories calling the sun.

You can say bad luck and sorrow and stones in your path became stories in a book you read on porch chairs on sultry summer nights.

And in the candlelight love sets, dense as granite stone, sweet as ripe pears.

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UPCLOSE&PERSONAL

Scott Clark Owner, Sodie’s Wine and Spirits 5401 Phoenix Avenue Fort Smith, AR 72903 479.783.8013 sodiesliquor.com

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UPCLOSE&PERSONAL

People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care about them.

About Sodie's Wine & Spirits

What’s the best advice your dad’s ever given you? Do not major in the minors, and learn to delegate.

Sodie’s Wine & Spirits is a full-service, interactive

What got you into the most trouble as a kid? As a prank, I took a friend’s birthday money and forgot I had it until my parents found it.

non-traditional liquor store offering daily tastings of both wine and beer. You can try one of eight different wines from our Enomatic wine dispensing system or check out our Growler “beer to go”

What do you find yourself saying to your kids that your parents said to you? Do not waste all that ketchup on your plate.

Who’s your hero? Jesus Christ.

samplings, which showcase local and hard-to-find

What motivates you to work hard? Our employees. I want to make sure they have job security.

craft beers. Our bottled craft beer selection is also

What’s your favorite family vacation? We went to the Dominican Republic a couple years ago with the deMondesert family. It’s their native country and we were able to experience a lot of local flavor with great interpreters.

extensive, as is our spirits and wine selections.

We purchase our products in large quantities at wholesale discounts and pass the savings along to our customers. Also available are premium cigars in our Spanish cedar-lined walk-in humidor. We feel our store offers a buying experience unequalled in Arkansas. We’re proud to offer it to Fort Smith.

What are your proudest accomplishments? Being happily married for more than twenty-four years, raising two wonderful children, and successfully operating four family businesses.

What’s gone out of style that you wish would come back? Widespread family-owned businesses.

Favorite song from your teen years? "Ain’t Talkin' Bout Love" by Van Halen.

Last book you read? Where the Wind Leads by Vinh Chung. Awesome book with a Fort Smith connection.

What’s on your playlist now? Jason Aldean.

What are you most grateful for? Faith, family, and friendships.

3 things Scott can't live without: Music Cell Phone

What is your happiest childhood memory? Going on six ski trips with the youth group from First United Methodist Church in Fort Smith.

What was your favorite TV show as a kid? Beverly Hillbillies.

Strangest place you’ve called the Hogs? Carlos & Charlie’s in Cozumel, Mexico.

How did you meet your wife? Summer job in 1988 delivering beer to Shamrock Liquor Store.

Top three things about being a dad? Loving, being loved, and mentoring.

What’s your perfect meal? Filet on the back patio.

Do you have a nickname? Yes, "Squid", thanks to Kirk Dougherty.

Reading Glasses

What’s the last compliment you got? I receive at least one daily about Sodie’s Wine & Spirits.

What’s your favorite spot in Arkansas? County Line Cove at Lake Ouachita.

What’s the most dangerous thing you’ve ever done? Skiing double blacks.

What has being a dad taught you? Cherish each moment because it goes by way too fast.

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people

Love and the

NFL A Love Story

words Marla Cantrell images courtesy Kristina Lorraine Photography, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Brett and Monica Goode

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people

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Monica will never forget her first date with her now husband, Brett Goode. He'd been wooing her for a while — unsuccessfully — and he'd finally convinced her to stop by his house. In the weeks that preceded that night, she'd said no when he asked her out. He tried again, asking her to go out with a group of friends. When that didn't work, he said, "Hey, why don't you just stop by my house?" considering the invitation his last ditch effort.

What stopped Monica initially was a combination of two things. Newly single, she wasn't sure she was ready to date, and Brett had a reputation, not that it was a bad one. In fact, the Fort Smith, Arkansas native is a darling in his hometown, having made it all the way to the NFL. Former Northside Grizzly, former Razorback, he's just finished his seventh year as the Green Bay Packers' longsnapper. He played in Super Bowl XLV in 2010. And yes, the Packers won.

The thing that kept Brett trying was this: he was smitten.

He also liked the challenge. Even the fact that she didn't know a lot about football intrigued him. "You never know if somebody is hanging out with you because of you, or because of what you do," Brett says. With Monica, he didn't have to wonder.

So when he answered his door that night in March of 2014 and saw Monica standing there, he seemed to smile with every cell in his body.

And that was all it took. "From the moment he opened the door, I just knew," Monica says. "He had such a calm, down-home smile. He was holding a glass of wine.

I swear, I knew we were supposed to be together. I stayed until three in the morning, talking."

After that night, they spent as much time as they could together. The months slipped by, and then it was August and Brett had to go back to Wisconsin to train for the upcoming season.

He was gone nearly a week when Monica made a snap decision. She packed a bag, jumped in her car, and showed up in Green Bay. She planned to visit for a week, but when the week ended neither one of them could say goodbye.

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That she decided to stay after such a short courtship might seem

he'd not done before, not even when he'd had the flu, and had

risky. But by then the two were so deeply in love nothing else

rushed to the jeweler to pick up the engagement ring that he'd

mattered. Monica left behind her job in real estate, and started fo-

been planning to give her since July.

cusing on learning all she could about football and life in the NFL. Brett had made reservations at their favorite restaurant, a perfect At thirty, Brett was thinking more and more about having a family.

place to pop the question, but he couldn't wait. He dropped to

He talked to Monica and was thrilled that she wanted the same

one knee, pulled out the ring, and proposed. Monica, so excited,

thing. On September 19, he came home long before she'd ex-

kept saying, "Yes, yes, yes," and later had to ask him to repeat

pected him. He'd left the locker room early that day, something

exactly what he'd said.

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people

They planned the wedding in just twenty-five days. Monica found her dress in a week. Soon after, she visited Lake Geneva, three hours from Green Bay and the home of Brett's cousin. It happened to be Lake Geneva's wedding extravaganza weekend. Many of the boats on the lake had been turned into bridal venues, and there she found nearly everything she needed for the wedding, including the location.

They set the date for November 1, the only week during the football season Brett had off. Family and friends made plans to fly in. Four of Monica's best friends would be bridesmaids.

Brett's brother would be best man, and Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers, punter Tim Masthay, and placekicker Mason Crosby agreed to serve as groomsmen.

For two days the weather had been miserable, with freezing rain, but when their wedding day arrived the sun was shining. They'd set a heated tent up on the grounds of the Abbey Springs Yacht Club, near the water. Monica wanted it to look like something enchanted, and that's

"...From the moment he opened the door, I just knew."

what she got. There were antlers in the flower arrangements to represent the South, flower petals gently falling, barn wood accents that made it look a little rustic,

Brett and Aaron

even a flower-covered fireplace lit with candles. The fifty guests who attended were in awe.

For Brett, though, all the beauty rested in Monica. She seemed to float down the aisle, and she took his breath away. "It brought tears to my eyes," Brett says. "She was so pretty. And the way the sun was shining on her, she just lit up."

"The day we got married, and the day before, at the rehearsal dinner, were the happiest two days of my life," Monica says. "It was two families coming together and a lot of happiness."

As soon as the ceremony ended, everyone, including the bride and groom, boarded the boat that was waiting nearby, and that's where they had their cocktail hour.

In that time, the wedding tent was transformed into the reception venue with great food, lush flowers, wooden tables flanked by Lucite chairs, and lots of candlelight. It was opulent and charming. There was a band per forming and Brett joined in, playing guitar.

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people

What they wanted when they first decided to spend their lives together was a family. Just a few weeks after the wedding, Monica was pregnant. Right now they're getting two nurseries ready, one in Fort Smith and one in Wisconsin, since they'll be living in both places. Brett loves having Monica with him, seeing her in the stands, while 80,000 people watch, knowing she's cheering so hard she'll be hoarse at the end of the game.

Monica touches her husband's hand. They are a stunning couple.

Brett, dark-haired, six foot one, the kind of muscular that comes from NFL-designed workouts, and Monica, blonde, beautiful, radiant. She says, "I would have gone to Vegas and married him the first night I went to his house. I'm not even kidding. I knew the minute he opened the door. Ask anyone who knows him, and no one has a bad word to say about him. He's humble. He has faith, but he's not overly preachy. He's a family guy. He believes in doing what's right and he does it whether it's popular or not."

They are thinking now of their son who will be born this summer, and of his future, and all this love they have to give him. Will he play football one day? Brett doesn't know. "If that's what he wants," he says. "I want him to follow his dreams."

Brett is a good person to talk to about dreams. He's had his share.

And all the important ones have come true.

See more wedding photos at dosouthmagazine.com

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Harvest Time Group, Gracias, Lempira, 2013

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pets

ASK THE PET VET

Resident pet expert, Dr. Rusty Henderson, DVM, answers your questions on fireworks and dogs that hate them, why paws smell like corn chips, and why some cats like to sleep in the bathroom sink.

Have a question for our pet vet? Email editors@dosouthmagazine.com.

Shutterstock

Q: A:

Why do my fox terrier's paws smell like corn chips?

Most of the dog's sweat glands are located around its foot pads. And with that sweat comes bacteria, the same kind humans deal with. That's what's causing your pet to smell like corn chips.

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pets

Shutterstock

Q: A:

My cat likes to sleep in my tiny bathroom sink. What's going on?

The attraction could be the texture, coolness, shape, and size of the sink. It may seem odd but it's not anything to worry about.

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pets

Shutterstock

Q: A:

My dog hates fireworks. How do I get ready for the Fourth of July?

Tranquilizers can help but will often not completely eliminate the fear.

There are training programs, through trainers or behaviorists, that will help desensitize your dog to loud sounds and bright lights. Short of that, offer your pet a hiding place where he can feel safe.

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pets

Your Best Friend is Waiting!

The Humane Society of the Ouachitas has over 50 adoptable cats and dogs. Your best friend is waiting! Call to learn about monthly adoption events in Hot Springs and Fort Smith.

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Gordon

Granger

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Bernadette

F

Bess

Grady

Bridget

Humane Society of the Ouachitas Donations are always needed and greatly appreciated.

368 Polk County Road 50 | Mena, AR | 479.394.5682 | Tue. - Sat. 10am-2pm | www.hsomena.org | Each month, Do South® donates this page to local and regional non-profit animal shelters. If you work with a shelter and would like to reserve this space, please email editors@dosouthmagazine.com.

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people

THE ONLY CERTAINTY

to slowly sneak down behind the trees. I was having one of those moments. You know what I’m talking about. One of those moments when everything in life just feels perfect. Everything was in its place. I had no stress about work, no worries about money, nor was I fretting over the long list of things that needed to be done around the house. Instead, something uncommon occurred. Something that is truly very rare in my life. I felt peace.

I felt calm. My busy, crazy, anxious mind found a brief moment of wonderful solace.

words Stoney Stamper images courtesy April Stamper

I then looked around proudly at my family and my home. The older girls, Abby and Emma, were running through the green

It was a gorgeous spring evening in east Texas, and my little fam-

clover in the pasture, chasing each other and laughing as their

ily was enjoying our first taste of non-winter weather in months,

mother watched, smiling from the porch swing. Then my gaze

there in the backyard. The temperature was perfect, there was a

focused on my beautiful blue-eyed toddler, Gracee. Only a few

gentle breeze coming out of the north, and the sun was beginning

weeks had passed since her second birthday. She was a sight to

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people

behold. Her eyes caught mine and she smiled, and then in the most adorable Southern belle voice, she said, "Hi, daddy.” And just like that, my heart nearly burst with pride. How could I have possibly been so lucky to be blessed with this life? What did I do so right that the good Lord saw fit to give me this little piece of paradise?

Then, as if Gracee could hear these peaceful thoughts running through my head, she raised a chubby little hand to her lips, and staring me dead in the eyes, she put a big, steaming, fresh, wet pile of chicken poop into her cherubic mouth. Panic quickly replaced my blissful serenity.

"Gracee, no!” I yelled. Alas, I was too late. The damage had been done. I stared at her blankly, in shock at what she’d just done. She then grinned at me through poopstained teeth, smacked her lips a few times, giggled at me, and spit the remaining chicken poop into her hands, and then wiped her hands on her shirt. She said, "Eww, Gracee, no-no!” Then she laughed and laughed as she walked away, as though absolutely nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.

I wish I could say that this was the first time that something like this had happened. But that would be a lie. A big lie. Because the truth of the matter is, something like this seems to occur on nearly a daily basis. Countless times in the last five years I have been completely horrified by something I've seen these girls do.

You see, I went a long time with no children. I lived a very clean, neat life. I have admittedly not always been a "kid friendly" kind of dude. Before having my own children, I was an uncle to nephews Braden and Joby, but I don't know that I was necessarily a really good one. My brother, now he's a good uncle. He's fun and laid back and great with kids. But I tend to be uptight and, accord-

"I was having one of those moments.

You know what I’m talking about.

One of those moments when everything in life just feels perfect."

ing to Joby, "Stone's got lots of rules."

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people

Of course, here I am now in a house filled with three beautiful daughters ranging in age from two to fourteen years old.

And then, of course when you add in their beautiful mother, my life is a drifting life raft in a sea of estrogen. Where there once was order and structure, there is now only a mountain of hair bows, dirty diapers, bobby pins, smelly shoes, math homework, and science projects. In a baptism of fire, I was forced to become a kid person. I slowly but surely learned what it was to be a parent.

Like everything I do in life, I tried to become a student. I read every parenting article I could find online and pored through countless books on the subject. Books on how to be a good "step" father to Abby and Emma and how to earn their trust. And how to be the right kind of dad to Gracee. How to teach all three of them to be well-mannered and kind and confident.

But it was Albert Einstein who said, "The only source of knowl-

plate of refried beans and rice in her hair. Or if she breaks wind in

edge is experience." And I have found that to be especially true

a restaurant and starts screaming, "Fart! Fart! Fart! Fart!"

when it comes to being a parent. No matter how hard you try, some things simply cannot be learned without experience. Some-

The only thing that I've found in parenting that is a certainty,

times things happen and absolutely nothing you learned in life, or

is that you'll have no idea what's going to happen next. And

in parenting manuals, articles or videos, NOTHING will ever pre-

once you're done being disgusted, flabbergasted, and em-

pare you for when your one-year-old daughter mashes an entire

barrassed, you'll smile to yourself and think, "Wow, I never saw that coming."

Stoney Stamper

is the author of the popular parenting blog, The Daddy Diaries. He and his wife April have three daughters: Abby, Emma and Gracee. Originally from northeast Oklahoma, the Stampers now live in Tyler, Texas. For your daily dose of The Daddy Diaries, visit Stoney on Facebook or on his website, thedaddydiaries.net.

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diy entertainment

Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace

By Anne Lamott Riverhead Books 304 pages | $22.95 review Marla Cantrell

Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments

Lamott, with her sharp sense of humor, writes. "A

of Grace is a collection of twenty-four essays on

lack of forgiveness is like leprosy of the insides and

love and loss and forgiveness, written by one of

left untreated, it can take out tissue, equilibrium,

the most thought-provoking authors of our time.

soul, sense of self. I have sometimes considered

Anne Lamott, now sixty-one, draws examples

writing a book called All the People I Still Hate: A

from her own relationships to show us how to see

Christian Perspective, but readers would recoil. Also,

extraordinary moments that often go unnoticed

getting older means that without meaning to, you

in our rushed and worried world.

accidentally forgive almost everyone — almost — so the book would not be long."

What makes this book exceptional is how honest Lamott is about her battle to overcome both deep

It is in her confessions that we see that the things

hurts and petty annoyances. She is irreverent

we struggle with are universal, from anger to

at times, throwing in a swear word or two. In

sorrow to jealousy. And along the way Lamott

places, she is laugh-out-loud funny. And she is

lets us step into her life. "I learned early in sobriety

consistently insightful.

that there were two points of view about me — how my close friends saw me, and how I saw myself. I figured it was obvious I was a fraud,

In her past is the alcoholism and drug use that almost

and kind of disgusting. My friends thought I was

did her in, the early years of single motherhood when she gathered a group of friends to create a stable support system for

irresistible, profoundly worthy of trust. I thought at first that one view

her only son, and her rocky start in a dysfunctional family.

must be wrong, and I made the most radical decision, for the time being, to believe my friends."

When Lamott talks about the hard road to forgiveness, she says the things we might be afraid to say, such as admitting her anger at her

When Lamott talks about her writing, she says she has a lot of

long-dead father. She talks about how thrilled she was to be given a

hope and a lot of faith and she struggles to communicate that. It

journal of his, one she'd never seen, that he'd written the year he was

may be hard for her to get the words just right, to get the stories

diagnosed with brain cancer when he was in his fifties. In his writing

to flow across the pages, but when she does they're brilliant. No

she finds snippets about herself that aren't flattering, and the passages

one else seems to be able to whittle down the human experience

crush her. She tells the story to her friends, her therapist, but nothing

into such perfectly crafted stories that touch our hearts and make

makes it any better.

our worlds a whole lot brighter.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

entertainment diy

High on Tulsa Heat John Moreland review Marla Cantrell

"Cleveland County Blues" starts out with only the thrum of Moreland's guitar. When he begins to sing, these are the words that reach out and grab you: "My baby is a tornado in the endless Oklahoma sky." And later, "I still feel you storming in my bones."

For those of us who've spent our lives watching the skies for bruisecolored clouds, who've calculated the seriousness of the weather by the way the air seems to shift and then stop, this is a song we feel in our souls. Heartbreak can roll across us like a storm. It can leave only emptiness in what had been a well-ordered life.

John Moreland, Tulsan, folk singer, prolific songwriter, says he

"You Don't Care For Me Enough to Cry" is a tearful requiem for

writes slowly and edits a lot. What comes from his method are

the brokenhearted. On "Hang Me in the Tulsa County Stars,"

intricate lyrics that seem to be steeped in the red dirt of Oklahoma.

Moreland sings about disappointments, a heart grown heavy

On this, his third solo album, his theme is home, what it means to

from living on earth, of a desire to be part of the Indian Nation

find it, and the hard places that accompany it.

sky. "White Flag Waving in the Wind" is a grittily hopeful song about a couple who've been through hard times, breakups,

Geographically, you'll feel instantly connected, since there

disappointments, but won't give up on each other.

are places in Fort Smith where you can stand with one foot in Arkansas and the other in Oklahoma. But there is also

Moreland is a big, burly guy: dark beard, dark-rimmed glasses, often

something universal about his lyrics. In them, relationships

wearing a ball cap. At thirty, he doesn't look particularly vulnerable,

go wrong; there is angst over war; and love sometimes feels

but his music is full of vulnerability, introspection, and brutal honesty

like a sickness that will do you in.

about how he sees the world, the hurt in it, and the connections we make with people who become inseparable from us.

As you listen to High on Tulsa Heat, Moreland's voice may sound familiar. It's not because he's a household name — he's not quite

High on Tulsa Heat is so Oklahoma it could not have been written

there — but FX’s Sons of Anarchy did use three of his earlier

by an artist outside the state. Those who love Moreland are

songs, “Heaven,” “Gospel” and “Your Spell" on its hit show.

overjoyed with his latest effort, and they're already waiting on the next one from a singer-songwriter who is gaining more attention

As good as those are, I think this album is even better. "Cherokee" absolutely shines. "I don't think I've missed you this much since I was seventeen. I'd call you in the morning but I think this is a dream," Moreland sings, his voice sandpaper rough, the words

with every new song.

DO SOUTH RATING: 8 OUT OF 10

lovely and lonely and perfect.

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home

Trey McCarley

Local Artists Come Home

T

words Lee Anne Henry, Whiteline Designs

The real estate agent’s mantra is three simple words: location,

Why? Look around you! We are surrounded by lush greenery

location, and yes — location! It means that if you’re not careful,

and beautiful scenic vistas. We have the Buffalo National River,

you might accidentally buy the right home in the wrong location.

our colorful four seasons, and incredible landscapes.

Here’s a designer’s take on that same statement: when it comes

We live in an amazing part of Arkansas, and it makes sense

to adding artwork to your home, search for local artists, local

that we would be neighbors with some of the nation’s most

artists, and yes — local artists!

talented artists and artisans.

Jason Sacran

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home

The artists who live here create original paintings, sculptures, and even hand-blown glass chandeliers.

It boils down to this: if you enjoy the incredible taste of locally grown food and you love supporting our local farmers at the Farmer’s Market, then I'm positive you'll be thrilled to support our many talented local artists.

It’s not every day that we get to talk to the actual people behind the products we use, the food we eat, and the art we love. Connecting with them makes our community stronger and more rooted. You will feel better, and you might just Willis Miller

make new friends in the process.

In speaking with local artisans, you will discover they are kind, flexible, and their work is affordable. Most comply to your color requests and usually offer a wide array of painting styles to fit your preferences.

Why invest in local art? Because you’ll love it! And that’s the best answer to any question in life — do it because you love it.

Lee Anne Henry, owner of Whiteline Designs in Fayetteville, Arkansas, expresses her love of art through interior design. She looks forward to getting to know her clients and creating a sense of calm in their personal spaces.

Ed Pennebaker

If you'd like to contact these local artists, visit their websites.

Trey McCarley, treymccarleyart.com Willis Miller, willismillerart.com Jason Sacran, jasonsacran.com Ed Pennebaker, redfernglass.com Duane Gardner, whitelinedesigns.net Duane Gardner

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people

The

DADS

You Will Be words and image Jessica Sowards

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people

My Dearest Sons, YOU ARE WORLDS AWAY FROM KNOWING FATHERHOOD, BUT I'M ALREADY PRAYING ABOUT THE FATHERS YOU WILL BE. I HAVE ALREADY CONTEMPLATED THE DAY YOU LOOK INTO THE EYES OF YOUR CHILDREN. I'VE IMAGINED THAT MOMENT, WHEN YOU HOLD YOUR BABY FOR THE FIRST TIME AND YOU ARE SUDDENLY AWED AT THE INTRICACY OF LIFE. It is a life-changing moment, but it’s the years that follow that really matter. Each time I was told I was having a son, my mind raced far beyond nursery décor and little league. As I have watched each of you grow, I have imagined how you will be as men.

Your strengths grow faster than your shoe size, and that’s saying something. I love to see who you are becoming. I love to daydream about you being fathers and husbands, kingdom warriors and world changers.

Jackson, when you came into the world, you took a twenty-year-old kid and turned him into a father. He had no idea what he was doing, except for the fact that he was determined to give you better than he had. He called you “Little Champion” while he shushed you to sleep and when we faced divorce, he swore that we would always parent you and Asher together. A few days ago, I watched you lay your hands on your dad and pray for him. You are nine, Jackson, and you already love so fiercely. You care for people beyond what would ever be expected of you. I pray that when you become a father, you try as hard as your dad tries for you. I pray you freely give forgiveness as you do now. And I pray that you PLAY! You are so serious! Be a dad that plays with his babies. Laugh. Be light hearted. It’s good medicine. And continue craving wisdom. Wise men are made wise by simply seeking wisdom. Just ask God for it. I am so proud of you. Keep praying. Keep seeking Him. Asher, you are eight, and for years now, whenever asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?” you have responded, “A dad.” You are tender, my love. I can just imagine you as a grown man, marveling at the tiny perfection of a baby.

You have a special heart, Asher. You know, the moment I fell in love with Jeremiah was because I saw his love for you. He and I had been friends for a while and one summer afternoon, we took you and Jackson swimming at Grandma Jana’s house. You were having a three-year-old tantrum so he took you in the house for a snack. After you didn’t come back out, I went to check on you and I found him in a rocking chair with you asleep on his chest. He had tears running down his face and he said, “I always imagined that Christian would have been like him.” You see, Jeremiah became a dad and had to say goodbye to his son the very next day. And in you, in your sweet laugh and how easily you loved him, he found restoration. I pray that you remember when you are raising children that deep love heals deep wounds. God can do so much with a man who will love people without reserve. Show your sons how real men love. Show your daughters how they deserve to be cared for and adored. You melt my heart. Keep loving.

Tobias, my little firecracker. I have been told a thousand times in the last three years that you are exactly like your daddy was.

As you grow, I have enjoyed watching him find himself in you. My brilliant boy. You notice people. I don’t think a person could shed a tear within the same room as you without feeling your hand on their arm and hearing your sweet voice say, “Hey, it’s ok.” You are uniquely compassionate, Toby. One day you will have a little handful of a toddler. I hope he looks just like you.

And I hope that your compassion holds. I hope you teach him that he is exactly who he is supposed to be. I pray that you look into his eyes every day and tell him that God has a plan for him. And when he pretends to be a dinosaur, I hope you pretend with him. Be compassionate, honey. Even when it hurts. Your children will be watching. They will know the patience you have had with them and with others around you and they will trust you when they mess up. Be a soft place for them to land. You inspire me to kindness. Keep comforting.

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people

Ezra, my funny boy. You remind me so much of my dad. You are funny and entirely intense in everything you do. You play hard, love hard, cry hard. You are the most helpful child I have ever known. All I have to do is mention needing help with something within earshot of you and there you are, two years old, making a real effort to complete whatever task you overheard my need for.

It breaks my heart to see you upset when you are not strong enough, fast enough, or tall enough to help. I hope that as you grow stronger, faster, and taller, that you will learn that there are always tasks beyond our capabilities. Thankfully, we have a source of great strength. Jesus gave up His life for us and left us the Holy Spirit when He went home. He is always enough. Lean into Him when you fall short. I am so thankful for your heart. Keep helping.

Benjamin, baby boy. You have only been with us a few short months. It’s been long enough for you to change our family for the better. But I do not know who you will be. I don’t know if you will be hungry for knowledge like Jackson or a lover like Asher. You may be like Toby, feeling for everyone you come across, or like Ezra, ready to help. Most likely, you will be a man all of your own.

And most likely, you will spend the coming years striving to follow your brothers. You may even feel frustrated at the inability to keep up. Baby, I hope you remember that the best leaders are the ones that know what it’s like to follow. Keep your eyes on Jesus, Ben. He will point you down a way that is hard but completely worthwhile. There may be frustration on this path, but there is abounding grace. Carry it into your family. And remember, even when they are leading, true men of God are still following Him. I am cheering you on. Keep following.

My boys.

I watch your dads and your grandfathers strive to be good men for you. You are fortunate to have these men. Look at their lives. Learn the lessons they teach and learn the lessons their mistakes teach. Forgive them when they fail you. They will fail you. It will break their hearts to do it, but they will do it just the same. Because at the end of the day, all of your earthly fathers are only men. Fallible, breakable sinners. But they are not your ultimate father.

God is.

I hope you take the things I speak to heart, but even more than that, I hope you understand how completely and perfectly loved you are by our Daddy God. Because when you find yourself in manhood and you find that you have fallen short, He will still love you. When you have stopped seeking and praying, stopped loving, stopped comforting, stopped helping and stopped following, He will still love you.

He will still be there, waiting to be sought. He will still be there, showing you how to love. He will still be filling you up with His Spirit, the Comforter and Helper. And He will always be willing to stop and reach out a hand so you can get back on track and follow.

My loves, my five sons, I can only imagine the fathers you will be.

I can only pray that we successfully build you up and point you in the right direction.

But I can be sure of one thing.

We all have a good, good Father. And we are so greatly loved by Him. Teaching you, that is my greatest calling.

With all my love, Mom

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diy

Table to Table I

I love a fresh, home-grown salad. It’s healthier to eat home-grown

the ground you'll have fewer pest problems. Hoops for cloth

organic foods and when you’ve put in the time to see the harvest

covers can be added if the sun brings too much heat or when

to fruition, it just tastes better!

the weather turns much cooler.

My area for gardening is limited, so in order to include all the

Another great thing about the garden table is the portability.

herbs and vegetables we like, hubby and I built a garden table.

If you place your table on a level surface, you can incorporate

It’s a great, inexpensive way to grow fresh, flavorful salad greens,

rollers so the table is easier to move in and out of the sun, de-

herbs and shallow-growing fruits and vegetables. You may also

pending on the weather.

enjoy using the table as a means of growing transplants from your garden. It’s easy to construct (basically a shallow wooden frame

A variety of plants can be included in a garden table, wheth-

with a mesh bottom, and legs, or even one without legs and sim-

er from seeds or seedlings. Lettuce varieties are typically fast

ply set on saw horses), but it also stands waist level so it eliminates

growing and yield the biggest crops (leaf, romaine, butterhead)

bending and kneeling to weed and harvest.

as well as types of broccoli (arugula, broccoli rabe, kale, mustard, Asian greens). Chard, spinach, radishes, beet greens, ba-

This ingenious table was originally designed in 2006 by Uni-

sil, and other herbs will also grow well, but slower. Bush green

versity of Maryland gardening expert Jon Traunfeld, who got

beans also thrive. Increase the depth of your frame and you can

the idea from a metal version he saw being used on an or-

include tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.

ganic farm. The table takes up little space and it’s a great way to get into gardening at home (shorten the legs and

It costs around $35 in materials to build, and around $20 for

overall size and the kids have a perfect table to grow their

seeds or seedlings and soil. The tables can also be purchased

own veggies). The three-and-a-half inch depth is perfect for

online and shipped ready to assemble from a variety of sources.

salad greens, and the special soil mixture (fifty percent soil-

I like to create things myself and with a little help from hubby,

less mix and fifty percent high-quality compost) allows for

our table was built in a short amount of time. Following is a list

quick growth. There are no weeds and since it sits high off

of materials you’ll need to build your own garden table.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

diy

Attach the long sides (58”) to the cross sections (30”) using the

Materials

2 ½” galvanized screws (2 screws per cross section). The two interior cross sections are attached 18 ¾” from each end of the long

(for a 33” wide X 58” long table):

section (this creates three roughly equal sections).

> (2) Untreated framing lumber 10-foot-long 2x4s

NOTE YOU WILL NEED TWO PEOPLE FOR THIS STEP

> (2) Untreated framing lumber 12-foot-long 2x4s

Center the window screen on the outside bottom of the frame. Two

> 2 ½" galvanized deck screws

people are needed in order to stretch the screen taut and adhere it

> 3/8" staples

with staples to the frame bottom and sides using a staple gun.

> 1 pound of 1" roofing nails > 3-by-5-foot roll of aluminum window screening

Center the hardware cloth over the window screen, pull it taut,

> 3-by-5-foot roll of ½" mesh hardware cloth

and staple it to the frame bottom. Hammer in roofing nails around

the frame for added support. Cut the hardware cloth diagonally at

(galvanized wire mesh; comes in a roll)

> Handsaw

each corner with tin snips. Fold the cloth up and onto the sides of

> Hammer

the frame, then staple and nail it in place.

> Tape measure > Square

Attach each 32 ½” leg to a 36” leg using the 2 ½” galvanized wood

> Tin snips

screws — this will create sturdy support for your table. The table frame

> Staple gun

will sit on the shorter section of each 2-piece leg. Attach each leg, 4" in

> Drill

from the four corners, by placing three 2 ½” screws through the top of each leg and into the long side of the frame. Feel free to paint the exterior

Section Measurements

sections of your garden table with an exterior latex paint.

Tip: I had the sections cut at the hardware store. It saved time and I was confident they were measured correctly.

Handy Tips • Drill pilot holes with a 1/8” drill bit before driving in the

Cut (2) 58” sections from a 10’ 2 X 4 (long sides)

Cut (4) 30” sections from the other 10’ 2 X 4 (cross pieces)

• Use sandpaper to clean up rough edges.

Cut (4) 32.5” sections from a 12’ 2 X 4 (inside support legs)

• Cover the edge of the window screen and hardware cloth

Cut (4) 36” sections from the other 12’ 2 X 4 (outside legs)

galvanized screws.

on all four sides of the frame using inexpensive molding.

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52 40

diy lifestyle FABRIC SHEETS AND SOFTENERS: Tuck the sheets in your pockets. Wipe yourself down with them. Pin them to your hat or cap.

One gentleman mixes liquid fabric softener with water in a sprayer and sprays his yard. Said it worked for about a week.

Words Catherine Frederick

Mosquitoes MOSQUITE MASH: In a glass jar, combine ½ cup of vodka, 2-3 Tablespoons of fresh basil (1 teaspoon if dried) and 1 large cinnamon stick, broken into pieces. Steep concoction for 2 weeks, then add ½ teaspoon of lavender essential oil and stir. Rub mixture onto exposed body parts, keep it away from your eyes. NOT for human consumption!

MEOW MIX: Ellen Sandbeck, author of Green Housekeeping (Scribner, 2008), recommends catnip as a natural mosquito repellent. You can purchase it in oil form or grow your own. She recommends mixing 1-2 drops of catnip oil with 1 Tablespoon of olive or jojoba oil, applying it to exposed areas.

LAVENDER LOTION: Add 1 teaspoon of lavender essential oil to 1 cup of unscented hand lotion. Stir until blended. Apply to exposed areas, avoiding the eye and mouth areas.

REPEL WITH PEEL: Rub exposed skin with orange or lemon peels. Mosquitos hate citrus.

Hopefully these options will keep pests at bay the natural way!

Know of other tried and true home remedies? Send them to editors@dosouthmagazine.com.

Buzzzzzzz. Swat! Yep. It’s that time of year again. The insects are back with a vengeance, thanks to our mild winter and torrential rains.

I must exude tons of carbon dioxide because I attract pesky buffalo

More Tips For What Bugs You •

gnats in droves. My neighbor has learned to sit next to me as he knows they’ll attack me first and he’ll be in the clear. You could spray yourself

with foil, then poke a straw through.

•

with poison or lounge around in a full body net. Since I’m a fan of neither, I searched high and low and discovered a few non-toxic anti-

Keep bugs out of your soda cans: Cover top of soda can Keep bugs out of your pantry: Place a few sticks of mintflavored gum (wrapped or unwrapped) inside.

•

beast remedies I’ll be trying this summer.

Keep bugs out of your yard: Chop 1 small onion and 1 head garlic, mix with 4 cups water, 4 teaspoons cayenne pepper, and 1 Tablespoon dish soap. Spray around decks or places

Buffalo Gnats

where humans lounge.

BANANA BOAT SPORT SUNSCREEN: Evidently, it’s the one in

•

an orange bottle. They say it’s worked for everyone who tried it in Natchez, Mississippi.

Keep aphids away from plants: Chop onion, add 1 cup water. Puree until liquid. Place in sprayer and mist plants.

•

Keep Japanese beetles away from roses: Dust entire plant with self-rising flour.

VANILLA: Not the cheap imitation stuff. Pure vanilla. Dilute with water in a spray bottle and spritz away. Must reapply throughout the day.

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diy travel

DRIVING THE

BUFFALO words Jim Warnock images courtesy Eric D. Scowden and Jim Warnock

As I approached the edge of the bluff, an expanding view took my breath away. Stepping closer, I saw the silver-jade ribbon of water below as it flowed toward towering bluffs in the distance. It was the late 1970s, and I was falling under the spell of Arkansas' Buffalo River. That infatuation continues today, growing stronger with each visit.

The Buffalo River originates in the Boston Mountains near Fallsville in southwest Newton County and flows 150 winding miles east to where it connects with the White River at Buffalo City. I've spent a good deal of time in this area, hiking the trails along the river, and I've found that the roads to and from it offer so much to explore. Here are a few of my favorites.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

travel Eric D. Scowden

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travel

BOXLEY BAPTIST CHURCH The Boxley Baptist Church is just a few minutes southwest of Ponca on AR 21. The church, built in 1877, is located on the west side of the road. It was originally used as both a place of worship and a school. The school eventually consolidated with the adjacent Jasper district, but the church remains just as it was when it was first built. It has no plumbing, for instance. It is cared for so that it will remain in Boxley Valley for future generations. The “new” church, built in 1951, sits next door and is now the worship center.

VILLINES HOMESTEAD Intersection of AR 43 and 74 | Ponca At the intersection of AR 43 and 74 in Ponca, you’ll see a structure built by Jim Villines.

He constructed several buildings in the area between 1880 and 1940. He was known as “Beaver Jim” because of his prolific trapping. He almost single-handedly decimated the beaver population from his section of the river. However, he was a resourceful individual who pulled neighbors’ teeth for free and built a fourteen-foot dugout canoe to ferry people across the river during high water.

BUFFALO OUTDOOR CENTER 1 Main St, AR 43 | Ponca | buffaloriver.com The Buffalo Outdoor Center began when Mike Mills started outfitting canoes on the Buffalo River in 1976. He built a thriving business in the small town of Ponca, a few hundred yards from the water. The staff loves to talk trails, and they can direct you to some beautiful areas to explore. They also have good food, books, and maps, and they run river shuttles. To find them, go to downtown Ponca.

ELK EDUCATION CENTER AR 43 | Ponca | agfc.com Across the street from the Buffalo Outdoor Center, you'll find the Ponca Elk Education Center, which has everything from nature displays to books. Elk were native to the Ozarks but disappeared after 1840. Between 1981 and 1985, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission reintroduced elk to the area, and they are thriving. If you have the time and are lucky, you might see an elk herd in the Boxley Valley nearby.

LOST VALLEY CANOE AR 43 | Ponca | lostvalleycanoe.com Continuing past the Elk Center, you’ll come to Lost Valley Canoe. They’ve been providing canoe rentals since around 1987. They have groceries, a campground, showers, cabins, and bunkhouse accommodations for groups. Trails close to Ponca include Lost Valley, Hawksbill Crag, Glory Hole Falls, Hemmed in Hollow, Goat Bluff, and the Buffalo River Trail. Buffalo River Hiking Trails by Tim Ernst is a good resource for exploring these and other trails in the region.

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travel

LOW GAP CAFÉ AR 74 | Low Gap | facebook.com/pages/Low-Gap-Cafe/ Gourmet food, live music, and a family-friendly dining experience! The Low Gap Café, located on AR 74 between Ponca and Jasper, serves up some seriously good food in this low-key location. I had their catfish after a full day of hiking, and it was delicious! An outdoor dining deck overlooks the Steel Creek Valley to the north west. Steel Creek is one of many beautiful tributaries flowing into the Buffalo River.

LOW GAP CHURCH While visiting Low Gap Café, be sure to walk next door and have a look at the historic Low Gap Church, built by the WPA (Works Progress Administration) in 1939.

Members must show some commitment to attend worship services. Outhouses are located on each side of the building, one for the ladies and one for the men.

OZARK CAFÉ 107 East Court Street (Highway 7)| Jasper | ozarkcafe.com A stop in at the Ozark Café, located on the Newton County Square in Jasper, is a must. Good food, history, and live music in small town Arkansas! While it's a lively nighttime location, there’s nothing like their Rise and Shine Combo or blueberry pancakes after several days on the river or trail. Anticipating an Ozark Burger has quickened my hiking pace on several occasions.

ARKANSAS HOUSE CAFÉ 215 East Court Street (Highway 7) | Jasper | arkansashouse.net Another great stop in Jasper is the Arkansas House Hotel & Café, one block off the Newton County Square, where you'll find dishes like wild-caught razorback and freerange buffalo. The Elk Chili was a treat! Strike up a conversation with the café owner, and you’ll pick up some local history and gain a greater appreciation for the beauty of the Buffalo River. Gould Jones built the Arkansas House Hotel in 1933. Jones also built the waterwheel now on display in front of the café. The Roundtop Mountain Trail is a five minute drive south of downtown Jasper on Scenic Highway 7.

TYLER BEND 170 Ranger Road | St. Joe As you explore the Buffalo River region, you’ll want to see the river up close. Tyler Bend and Buffalo Point both offer easy access to the Buffalo’s glassy clear water. You’ll also see examples of the river’s signature weathered bluffs and eroded caves. Sit and let the water wash your cares downstream or share a hike and picnic with family and friends. Both Buffalo Point and Tyler Bend feature visitor centers with maps of the area for deeper exploring. Buffalo Point is seventeen miles south of Yellville on AR 14. Turn east onto Highway 268. Trails in the area include Indian Rock House Trail, Buffalo River Trail, and Rush Interpretive Trail.

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travel

HOMESITE IN RUSH Rush is a ghost town located south of Yellville on Marion County Road 6035, five miles northeast of Highway 14. Rush was a mining community that sprang up in the 1880s and thrived through the 1920s because of its rich deposits of zinc. Demand for zinc, used in the manufacture of copper and brass, peaked during World War I. Neil Compton, who led the effort to designate the Buffalo River as a national river, wrote this in his book, The Battle for the Buffalo River. “There had been another flurry of mining activity during and after the Second World War, but by 1969 Rush was bereft of inhabitants except for Gus Setzer and Fred Dirst, an old miner who conducted tours into the mines for wandering visitors…” You won’t get any tours today, but you can walk through history on a trail leading past old structures, equipment, and many abandoned mines. You might also rest your feet in the frigid “Boiling Springs” next to Rush Creek.

COLLIER HOMESTEAD Searcy County Hwy 281 | St. Joe Sod Collier and his family arrived here with only fifteen cents in 1928. He built a home and provided for his family by living off the land and working as a fishing guide on the river.

Several kid-friendly loop trails are found at Tyler Bend.

The Collier Homestead is a 1.4-mile walk on the River View Trail from the Tyler Bend Visitor Center. You may also walk a few hundred yards to the homesite from where the Buffalo River Trail intersects with the entrance road to Tyler Bend. Tyler Bend is located 6 miles south of St. Joe on AR 65.

Whether you view the Buffalo River from the top of a bluff or the top of a canoe, her beauty will captivate you. Select a couple of locations and make a day of it, or explore more sites over the course of a week. You may find yourself falling under her spell, a spell that will add enjoyment and fascination to your life for years to come.

Trails Illustrated Buffalo River Regional Map Buffalo River Hiking Trails by Tim Ernst The Battle for the Buffalo River by Neil Compton Buffalo River Handbook by Ken Smith Website: nps.gov/buff Jim Warnock’s blog: OzarkMountainHiker.com

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taste

WE BE

Jammin' words & images Catherine Frederick

I figure canning must be somewhere in my genetic makeup. My grandma used to can everything under the sun and stack it up on tall, green metal shelves which lined the walls of her laundry room. She’d have row after row of Mason jars with everything from spicy peppers to relish to jams and jellies. What she didn’t can, she bagged up and popped in the deep freeze. That thing was so big she could have fit a whole cow in there. Nothing went to waste.

If you ask me, preserving fruits and vegetables is a dying art. I was sitting outside with a neighbor while I capped strawberries, and there happened to be several girls over for a swim party. They took one look at the berries and thought they were ready to eat. I explained these berries were for canning. A few quizzical looks later, one of the girls said, “You make your own jelly?” “Yes,”I answered.

Silence. Then, “Cool.” Cool is right — especially when you know

grabbed some jar tags and fabric squares to decorate my jar

all that goodness was homegrown, handpicked and homemade.

lids. Don’t be greedy — share your jam with friends and family.

I guarantee it will make them happy and it could just make you

If you didn’t make it out to pick your own berries this year,

famous around your neighborhood. What are you waiting for?

don’t fret; store-bought berries are just fine. Canning kits are

Start jamming — just don’t forget the butter and biscuits!

readily available, too. I’m all about making things cute, so I

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

taste

Fill canning pot and a saucepan each ¾ full of

Supplies

water and bring both to a simmer. Submerge

Large canning pot

while you prepare the jam. Wash and cap straw-

jars in the canning pot and add center lids to the saucepan. Leave the jars and lids in the water berries, then pour them onto a large baking sheet.

Tongs

Mash them with a potato masher, but leave large,

12 - 8oz. Mason jars with lids and screw rings (I love the quilted jelly jars)

visible chunks. Add 7 ½ cups of strawberries to a large pot. Pour in the fresh lemon juice, stir, then bring to a boil over high heat. Add in the fruit

Wide-mouth funnel

pectin, stir, then add your sugar. Taste the mix-

Canning rack to go inside the pot

ture and add more sugar if you think it needs it.

Bring the mixture to a hard boil — meaning you can’t stir the boiling down. Let the mix remain at

Ingredients

a hard boil for about a minute and a half. Turn off the heat and skim the foam off the top, discard.

7 cups mashed strawberries (5 pints)

(TIP — add ¼ teaspoon of butter to the mixture to reduce foaming).

9 cups sugar (more to taste) 6 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice, strained

Remove jars one at a time from the hot water.

Place your funnel in the first jar and use a measuring cup to pour the jam into the jar. Stop when

1 - 49g package fruit pectin

the jam is ¼ inch from the top. Use a damp cloth and wipe off any sticky residue from the jar. Slide a knife around the inside of the jar to remove any air pockets. Place a center lid on top of the jar and screw on a ring. Don’t over-tighten. Repeat until all the jars are full. You may have a little extra jam in the pot — don’t be afraid to scoop up a big ole spoonful and eat it. No one’s looking!

Turn up the heat on the large pot of water. When boiling, add all of the filled jars and let boil for 15 minutes. Turn off heat and leave the jars in the pot for 15 minutes more. Remove the jars and let stand on the counter for 24 hours — you might hear the lids popping — that’s a good thing!

After 24 hours, check the jar seals. Remove the rings gently and press your finger in the center of each jar. There should be no give to the center lid when depressed. If any of the jars did not seal, simply store them in your fridge. Refrigerate jam after opening.

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taste

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

taste

WOW 'EM

THAI CHICKEN TACOS WITH PINEAPPLE SLAW words and images Lauren Allen, tastesbetterfromscratch.com

I have a bit of an addiction to Thai food. Adding Thai flavors to ordinary treats like pizza and tacos kick them up a notch and always leaves me wanting more. These Thai Peanut Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Slaw are To. Die. For. I never have leftovers after I serve this meal to my family — we pretty much inhale it all.

For best results, I like to use a one-to-three ratio with the chicken mixture and slaw. Layer your tortilla with just a spoonful of the peanut chicken, and then several spoonfuls of slaw. The flavor combination is amazing, and the fresh, tangy crunch from the slaw goes perfectly with the creamy chicken in peanut sauce. I hope you love these as much as my family and I do!

THAI PEANUT CHICKEN INGREDIENTS

PINEAPPLE SLAW INGREDIENTS

Serves 4

2 cups fresh chopped pineapple

8-10 flour tortillas

3 cups packaged broccoli slaw

2 chicken breasts, chopped into bite-size pieces

1/2 of a cucumber, peeled and sliced into matchsticks

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/4 of a red bell pepper, chopped

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 Tablespoons chopped green onion

2 Tablespoons lemon or lime juice

1 Tablespoon brown sugar

2 Tablespoons fish sauce

1 Tablespoon lemon or lime juice

2 teaspoons fresh ground ginger (or 3/4 teaspoon

Salt and pepper

dried ground ginger) 4 cloves garlic, minced 1-2 teaspoons Sriracha hot sauce ®

1 Tablespoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon cornstarch 1/3 cup crunchy peanut butter

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52

taste

METHOD Slaw

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Stir well and refrigerate for 30 minutes or more.

Thai Peanut Chicken

In a medium size bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, fish sauce, ginger, Sriracha速, dried basil, black pepper and cornstarch. Add chicken pieces and marinate for 15 to 20 minutes.

When ready to cook, add 1 Tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken and marinade to the hot pan. Cook, stirring, until chicken is cooked through and sauce has slightly thickened. Add peanut butter and stir until incorporated and smooth. Remove from heat.

To serve, spoon the chicken mixture into your tortilla and spoon the slaw on top. Top with a drizzle of Sriracha速, if desired. Eat immediately.

Lauren Allen is the creator of TastesBetterFromScratch.com, an exciting and beautiful food blog dedicated to sharing her love of cooking and creating new recipes.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

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taste

Asian Pear Martini Ingredients

> Absolut Pears Vodka > Sake > Liquor 43

> Finest Call Passion Fruit Puree > Pear Cubes (optional for garnish) > Large Toothpick

Method

Fill cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Add 1 oz. Absolut Pears Vodka, 1 oz.

Image Catherine Frederick

Inspired by The Cheesecake Factory

Find All of These Ingredients at Sodie’s!

Sake, ¾ oz. Liquor 43, and a splash of Passion Fruit Puree (more or less to taste). Shake until well chilled and combined. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with cubed pear on long toothpick.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

Please drink responsibly.

Never drink and drive.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

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lifestyle

BIGin little HOUSE Hardy words Marla Cantrell images courtesy Amy Long

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

S

lifestyle

Some of the prettiest land in Arkansas is in and around Hardy,

an outdoor kitchen, a tennis court, a billiards room, a twelve car

population 772. The town sits in the Ozark foothills on the Spring

garage, and a pool with a grotto you can swim beneath. There's

River in Sharp County. If you've heard of Hardy in recent days, it's

even a deer processing plant on the grounds.

likely because of Discovery Channel's (Clash of the Ozarks), which follows two longtime feuding families.

During construction, the house drew so much attention that the owners, who are not releasing their names to the media, had

But there's another reason Hardy is making news, and that's a

to block the road and put up "No Trespassing" signs. Once the

43,000 square foot house that's a technological wonder. One

sprawling estate was finished, in the spring of 2013, it was a

of the people who knows the house best is Ryan Heringer,

thing of wonder. "When you drive up to it, it looks like a hotel,"

who's with Sound Concepts in Jonesboro. The owners came in

Ryan says. "It was the largest non-commercial job by square

to buy a TV in early 2009, and started talking to Ryan about

footage we had done."

an automation system for the new home they were planning.

He expected, at the most, a 3,000 square foot house. When

The home uses a system called the ELAN g! that allows each family

they brought in their floor plans, he was startled. "It was like

member to regulate much of what happens on their property.

four levels, and I thought, Wow! How big is this house?" Ryan

"They can use their iPhones or iPads or Droids to control the heat

says. After careful calculation, he estimated it would take thirty

and air, the lights, operate the shades," Ryan says. "There are also

minutes just to walk through every room, and forty-five if the

forty touch screens, in the walls and on tabletops."

homeowner was stopping to switch on the lights.

There are thirty TVs, three surround systems, including a home While it is a mammoth, it's not a fussy house, meaning it is not filled

theater with a 3D projector, and twenty-six video zones with

with delicate fabrics or furniture that appears to have once been

fourteen available video sources, meaning the family chooses what

owned by royalty. What it does have is lots of exposed wood, tall

they watch in each of those zones and which source that video

windows, open spaces, and chandeliers made out of antlers. There

comes from. The same is true for the thirty audio zones, where they

are even antlers used as railings on the staircase. The eight bedroom

listen to everything from downloaded music to Pandora to Sirius XM

house also has: a rock climbing wall, a golf simulation room and

radio. Twenty-four surveillance cameras protect the property, and

putting green, a barber shop, a gym, a tanning room, a poker room,

there is Wi-Fi available everywhere.

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lifestyle

So much high-tech equipment has been installed that in some

it also gives the parents easy access to see what their kids are

areas of the house, tucked away from view, there are places

watching and listening to, as well as to see who is coming and

that look like the workings of a television control room. Ryan

going through the surveillance cameras.�

says installing the equipment wasn't the biggest challenge.

The wiring took the most effort, and his crew spent two weeks

And that, he says, could well be seen as the greatest asset of all.

getting it done. When the project was complete, Ryan toured the house. It felt like something out of a movie, and Ryan was proud to be part of it. Given the chance, he would live in a house like this one without hesitation, but only with the system Sound Concepts installed. The reason? He laughs and mentions again

What's in This House?

the forty-five minute walk-through just to switch on every light.

Barber Shop

Archery Range

More and more, he's seeing other homeowners in much smaller

Billiard Room

Kids’ Shuffleboard Room

houses asking for smart systems, although on a lesser scale.

Gym

Rock Wall Room

our smart phones, tablets, and Droids. Most of us already have

Tanning Room

Deer Processing Plant

TV remote control apps on our phones, for instance. It seems

Poker Room

Gun Storage Vault

alarm systems and adjust the heat and air from wherever we

Conference Room

12 Car Garage

happen to be.

Putting Green

RV Garage

Ryan says there's another benefit to the ELAN g! system. "Not

Golf Simulation Room

Pool

We're growing accustomed to being able to control devices from

inevitable that we'd want to do things like easily monitor our

only does the system make it easy to manage the large house,

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

60

southern lit, a fictional tale

THE ROAD THAT

Leads You Back FICTION Marla Cantrell

MARLA CANTRELL IS AN AWARD-WINNING WRITER AND AN ARKANSAS ARTS COUNCIL FELLOW FOR HER WORK IN SHORT FICTION.

I

can see Ira from our bedroom window. He is out in the corn patch a few yards away, and it's past midnight. He gets off work at the feed mill at ten, and it takes him twenty-five minutes to drive to the house. He didn’t come straight home.

That much I know. If I ask, he’ll say “overtime,” but his check won’t show an extra dime, so I won't say a word. He stands beside his silver pickup, a yellow moon above him, and he smokes a cigarette that glows orange as he inhales, over and over, until the thing is gone.

He is moving now, to the three rain barrels in the back of the truck. This is something Ira loves, gathering rain that would otherwise soak through the red clay earth, would pool around the scooped out place at the foot of our front steps where we’ve worn it down with our comings and goings. Ira is not much taller than me, maybe five eight, five nine, and he struggles with the first barrel, working it from side to side, easing it down on two boards that lean between the tailgate and the ground. He loses his footing on the new grass, and the barrel thumps, tumps over, spills everywhere.

Ira is cussing now, loud, and he scrambles, grabbing the tailgate, lifting himself from the mud he's made. I step back from the window — no need for him to see me there — and crawl back into bed and wait for him to come to me, but he never does.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

southern lit, a fictional tale

I don’t know how other marriages end, but ours is ending in a

"That road is gone," he says, and his voice catches.

cornfield that I’m not even in. Six months ago, shoot, even four months ago, I would have been out the door the second I saw his

That entire week is hell. I wander at night. I walk down our street,

truck pull up. I would have wrangled the rain barrels with him,

and then down Cherry, and over to Wire Hill. I look at people's yards,

shimmied up on the tailgate, pushed from behind while Ira wrapped

see bicycles leaned against houses, unusable cars up on cinderblocks,

his arms around their round bodies. If he had fallen we both would

truck tires painted blue, laid flat on the ground with petunias planted

have laughed. We would have told the story later, to the waitress at

where the wheel ought to be.

The Roasted Ear where we go every Thursday for chicken pot pie, a habit we can’t seem to break even though we don’t have one good

The only place I'm any good is at work. I answer the phones. "Good

word to say to each other anymore.

morning," I say. "Cowan's Construction." As soon as June came around, business picked up, and now we have six jobs going, and

The next morning he calls. “Had to pull an extra shift,” he says. “Near

all the sub-contractors are calling, looking for their checks, or putting

about fell asleep in my truck on the way home, so I pulled over and

in change orders, sometimes just calling to complain about the heat.

slept." I don't say a word, don't call him out on this lie, so he says, "You still there?”

On Monday I can't get out of bed. I consider calling Ira, but the thought makes my stomach hurt. Instead, I call my boss, and he asks

“Still here,” I say.

if I need anything and I cry like I'm six, because there's so much I need that I couldn't begin to tell him.

“Probably just gonna get some breakfast at Mickey Dee’s,” he says, and I don’t answer. In the silence between us I hear traffic, a distant

By nine, I will myself to get up. I shower, shave my legs, wash my hair.

horn, Ira’s radio blasting Big Country 107.3.

The sun is gigantic and the wind is blowing. I sit on the porch and look at Ira's corn. It is not doing any better than I am.

“Well,” he says finally, and then nothing else.

My swimsuit is on the clothesline, where it's been since before this “Goodbye,” I say.

trouble began. I take it down. And then I go inside and put it on.

By ten I'm in my car. I stop at the store and get chips and cokes and

Ira breathes heavy, sighs, hangs up.

sunscreen and a raft that's bright pink. I head to Bluff Hole on the Mulberry River where I used to swim when I was a kid.

Falling out of love makes you sick, and so I am, all morning. I go through Ira’s dresser. I look inside his shed, for love letters,

The water is what my daddy calls creek-water green. The limestone

for pictures of another woman, for anything that would explain

bluffs shimmer in the morning light. A group of teens is here, and

how the man who promised me forever is backing out after

one of the boys calls out, "Looking fine like sweet cherry wine." I look

sixteen years.

around to see who he's talking to, and then I realize it's me. I laugh, feel my face go red, shake my head.

There is nothing there that shouldn’t be. I do find one photo. It is of his sister, Evelyn, when she was in first grade. She was not a

The wind catches in the treetops, whooshes and then dies. Clouds roll

remarkable child. She is not a remarkable woman.

across the sky, birds call out, traffic thumps across the nearby bridge. I lie on my raft and listen to it all.

Still, that is where he goes, to Evelyn's, when he decides to leave.

He doesn't take so much as an extra undershirt. And when he calls,

The teens are joshing on the bank, pushing each other in. They've

he says, "I don't know how to come home again."

tied a rope to an oak tree, and the boy who called out to me is hanging onto it, about to swing out and jump. When he lands,

"You get in your truck," I say. "You put it in drive. You follow the road

he surfaces quickly, shaking his head like a wet dog, the water

that leads you back."

shimmying off his long blond hair.

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southern lit, a fictional tale

He causes waves that make my raft rise and fall. I slide off, feel the

He runs his fingers through his slick hair. He scuffs the ground. He

chill of the water, and start to swim. It's been too long since I've

doesn't say a word.

spent a day like this. I leave the raft behind. I let it go. I can feel my muscles working, the fine way the water moves around me.

"Go," I say, and turn my back.

I am out of breath by the time I get to shore. The blond guy has

That night I bury his class ring. I walk all the way to the high school

rescued my raft, has brought it to me like a trophy. I point to the

to do it. I take it out on the football field and I rip through the perfect

brooding dark-haired girl who is scowling at us, and I say, "Give it

grass. Class of 1999 is now on the fifty-yard line.

to your girlfriend," and I turn to wave to her, smile, wave again.

I am eating tacos the next night when Ira calls. His message says, "Do At home, the phone's message light is on. I hit 'play' and hear Ira's

you need any money?"

voice. "Are you there?" he asks, and then he asks again.

I go out on Friday, with three of my girlfriends from work. We drink That night, when the neighborhood settles in, I go to Ira's shed.

too much. We end up singing karaoke. I sing "I Will Always Love

I take his dirt bike trophy he won when we were sixteen. I grab

You," and I break down in tears.

his camping shovel. I bury the trophy three streets over, in the soft dirt beneath an elm that's taller than the abandoned two-

At home, I hit the play button on the machine. Ira says, "Word is you

story house that stands behind it. It feels good to bury something

were out tonight. I don't want you going out." There's a long pause,

Ira loves. The next night, I take his pearl-handled pocketknife

and then he says, "I guess it's none of my business."

and dig a spot in the corn patch with my hands. It slips easily I bury Ira's wrenches behind Auto World, back where the blackberry

beneath the crumbling earth.

bushes scramble up the hill. I get chiggers in the process. The next In the morning the phone rings. I let it go. Ira's message is almost

night I soak in a tub of bleach water. The phone rings and I wait for the

the same. "Are you there?" he asks. He says something else I can't

message. "There's a lady at work that thinks I'd be quite the catch,"

make out and then he adds, "Rayanne, please pick up the phone."

Ira says. I can hear him sigh. "Rayanne," he says, "just pick up the phone."

At the grocery store I buy kettle corn and the crunchy taco shells Ira hates. I buy name-brand paper towels and two gossip magazines.

I bury his underwear at his old girlfriend's house, in the flowerbed. The

When I get home, Ira is leaning against his truck, his arms crossed,

porch light comes on just as I finish. I hear the creak of the front door,

his feet crossed at the ankle. He is newly shaved, his hair shorter

and I crouch behind the Japanese maple, my whole body shaking. Her

than it used to be.

cat comes out, finds me, sniffs, walks across my feet.

"You won't pick up," he says, when I get out of my car.

There is no message when I get back. I check the machine to make sure nothing's wrong. I dial Ira's number, then hang up quickly. No calls the next day either. When I come home from work on the third day, the

"I'm not the one who left."

phone light blinks and my heart lifts. Ira says, "I'm getting in my truck.

"It was getting hard to be here," he says.

I'm putting it in drive. I'm following the road that takes me back."

"Who said every day was going to be easy?"

I look at the time of Ira's call. By my calculations it will take him another forty-five minutes to get home. I brush my dark hair, paint my lips red.

"I miss you," he says, and the sound of it doesn't mean a thing to me.

I rummage until I find the Elvis ashtray Ira picked up in Memphis on our honeymoon. I bury it beneath the blue hydrangeas near the well

"What do you want?" I ask.

house, in a spot where I could find it again if I wanted to. If I ever needed to remember that far back, before we lost our way.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

MEN'S GUIDE We've got you covered, from tips on staying fit to finding the perfect cooler to take to the lake. We've even asked our local experts to tell us what's hot right now in men's jewelry, backyard grills, and what's new and exciting in the world of pools. Men's health is especially important, and we're sharing some great information from local doctors. All this, plus gift ideas for the men on your list this Father's Day.

—COMING NEXT MONTH—

HOUSE & HOME If you sell anything for the house & home, this is the guide for you. Don't miss your chance to get your products and services in front of our loyal audience this July! Find out about our great rates and digital extras. Give us a call — I’d love to hear from you! Reserve your space TODAY!

JULY

House & Home

AUGUST Back to School

Catherine

Owner/Editor-in-Chief • Do South Magazine • 479.782.1500 P.S. Check out our Summer Fun Special Advertising Section from May, 2015, available online at DoSouthMagazine.com/Guide.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

The Do South Man

Local experts weigh in on how to keep fit, how to stay healthy, and what's trending in pools, grills, coolers, libations, as well as jewelry and accessories.

Father's Day arrives on June 21, and while we're celebrating

Americans love their grills. A 2013 study conducted by the

this great day, we're also thinking about the men in our lives,

Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association shows that eighty percent

their specific health concerns, and the products and services that

of all American households own a grill or smoker. Top days for

make their lives better.He runs his fingers through his slick hair.

barbequing? Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Labor Day.

He scuffs the ground. He doesn't say a word.

Camping is another popular pastime. The 2014 American Camper Report, issued by The Coleman Company, Inc. and The

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Outdoor Foundation, shows just how much we love it. More than 40 million of us went camping in 2013. Hiking was the

Luther Stem, with Luther Stem Pools & Spas, knows a thing or

favorite daytime activity. Hanging out around the campfire

two about enjoying the outdoors. One of his favorite products

was the favorite nighttime activity, and our favorite camping

is the Primo Ceramic Grill (a grill, an oven, and a smoker, all in

companions were friends.

one). Steaks and burgers are go-to favorites for most folks, but One of the key pieces of camping equipment is the cooler. Take

even make pizza. Get adventurous and smoke ribs, roasts, hams or

the wrong one and you'll be sorry. Ice can melt, food can go

turkeys. Since the grill is oval, you can add extended cooking racks

bad, your whole trip can be ruined.

for things like shrimp and veggies. "Because you're cooking with the lid closed, you're not flooding the grill with oxygen, so the food

Deborah Clark, of Yeager's Hardware, says buying a Yeti cooler

stays moist and retains juices and flavor." Luther says.

is a wise investment. "Yeti coolers are a one piece, seamless construction and have a full two inches or more of polyurethane

The Primo Grill uses lump charcoal (wood burned down to charcoal),

insulation in the walls and lid in most sizes. They have a

which doesn't require lighter fluid, a big plus in the world of grilling.

freezer-quality gasket, molded-in full-length hinge that won’t

Primo Grills are not just for summer. Customers use them year-round.

hyper-extend or break. They have non-slip, non-marring feet,

DO SOUTH MAGAZINE

you can also bake bread, bake potatoes without using foil, and

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

a leak-proof gasket, rope handles with rubber grips, and a limited

suit almost any backyard," Caleb says. "The size and shape are

five year warranty. Funny but true, the International Grizzly Bear

dictated by a number of factors, with available backyard space

Commission states, 'The (locked) Yeti Tundra coolers withstand

being a major one.

smashing, prying, scratching, biting and tossing by hungry bears.'

Because of different conditions, Yeti declines to say how long ice

There are other factors, such as access to the job site with heavy

will last, but I've heard that seven days is not uncommon."

equipment, underground utilities, and the slope in the yard. These factors will not necessarily make or break a pool project, but they often have a direct bearing on cost. On average, a pool with

How to Pack a Cooler

concrete decking will take up a 25’ x 45’ area. Again, this is for an

1. Pre-cool the cooler and the food and drinks going into it.

average-sized pool. They can by much smaller, if needed."

2. Layer ice and sealed food items as you go. Drinks should

go near the top.

As for trends, Caleb is seeing a lot more people asking for

3. You can also use frozen water bottles for excellent freezing

saltwater pools, something he calls a game changer in pool

care. "By using dissolved salt to continually produce free

that will last longer.

4. Pack tight and full. Excess air space hurts ice retention.

available chlorine, you're able to keep pool water looking,

5. Keep your cooler out of the sun and out of the trunk of

smelling, and feeling great.

your vehicle. Store in the shade.

Saltwater chlorination has made water care a more hands-free

DO SOUTH MAGAZINE

and pleasant experience. The technology has been around Summer is on our doorstep, and more and more people are

for decades (since the sixties and seventies), and has been

thinking about the benefits of having a pool. Caleb Burton, of

in the United States since the eighties, and today has grown

Burton Pools & Spas, says what's great about in-ground pools is

exponentially in popularity. According to data published in Pool

that they're totally customized. "We are able to build pools to

& Spa News, there are more than 1.4 million saltwater pools in

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•

Dr. Matei Andreoiu specializes in the evaluation and treatment of urologic conditions for both men and women. He is Fellowship-trained in both Urology and Urologic Oncology. Dr. Andreoiu has received training and is skilled in the use of the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System.

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Medical Building, 7001 Rogers Ave 479.274.3700 | 800.333.1305

DO SOUTH MAGAZINE

• • • • • •

Cancer of the male/female urinary system or male reproductive system Enlarged Prostate Voiding Dysfunction Erectile Dysfunction Incontinence Kidney Stones Permanent Male Birth Control

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use in the United States, and an estimated seventy-five percent of all new in-ground pools use this technology, compared to only fifteen percent in 2002. We are seeing a similar, if not higher, percentage with our new in-ground pools."

Craft beers are all the rage right now, and no one knows that better than Scott Clark, of Sodie's Wine & Spirits. "Craft beer seems to trend toward seasonal flavors," Scott says. "Ciders, sours and IPAs have been the favorite but we’re beginning to see the trend toward

JEWELRY AND ACCESSORIES

more summer flavors. Things like strawberry, citrus or blueberry mix are becoming popular as the weather heats up."

According to market research by the NPD Group, men (and those who love them) are buying more jewelry and accessories. As of May

As popular as craft beers are, wine never goes out of style. "Our

2014, sales were up nine percent in the twelve preceding months.

number one selling item is Rubino Sweet Red Moscato wine. It historically has been difficult to get, but Sodie’s just got in eighty

John Mays, of John Mays Jewelers says, "We're seeing an increase in sales in men's Shinola watches, leather wallets

DO SOUTH MAGAZINE

WINE AND SPIRITS

cases and it’s flying out the door."

and phone covers; and William Henry knives, money clips

Stocking Your Home Bar

and pens."

Vodka & Gin

Bourbon & Scotch Whiskey

Both Shinola and William Henry are American companies

Tequila & Rum

known for their exquisite craftsmanship. William Henry was

Mixers like tonic water, club soda,

founded in 1977 and uses natural materials, precious metals

cranberry juice and cola

and gemstones. Shinola was founded in 2011, with the

Garnishes like lemons, limes and olives

promise to bring fine watch-making on a large scale back

Glassware including martini glasses,

to the USA.

highball glasses, beer mugs and rocks glasses

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SPARKS UROLOGY GROUP 479.709.DOCS | SparksPhysicians.com Specialized Urology Care Close to Home Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among

surgery and quicker recovery time for the patient. Dr. Terrell

men in the U.S. Often thought of as an older man’s disease, the

has performed almost 100 cases with the robotic device in

number of cases of prostate cancer in men under the age of

the River Valley.

50 has dramatically increased over the last 20 years.

“This kind of surgery for prostates and kidneys is really a remarkable John David Terrell, MD, with Sparks Urology Group, says early

option for both men and women in our area,” Dr. Terrell said. “Our

detection and treatment of prostate cancer is key to survival.

residents are hardworking and active. With smaller incisions and

Men with a family history of prostate cancer need to be vigilant

less recovery time, they can get back to living their lives.”

with their screenings.

Dr. Terrell offers a wide range of services including kidney “One of the best ways to fight this disease is to catch it in the

and prostate cancer, surgical removal of the prostate, partial

early stages, when it’s more treatable,” said Dr. Terrell. “With

or total surgical removal of the kidney, treatment of kidney

a simple blood test in our office, we can detect the amount of

stones, prostate enlargement,

prostate-specific antigen or PSA in a man's blood.”

penile implants and treatment for erectile dysfunction.

For those diagnosed with prostate cancer or other urological to home. Sparks Regional Medical Center houses the area’s

Sparks Urology Group

only robotic surgery system used to effectively treat prostate

John D. Terrell, MD

cancer. In the hands of specially trained surgeons like Dr.

John L. Lange, MD

Terrell, robotic surgery offers a number of advantages.

Ronald P. Knobloch, MD Gerald E. Wahman, MD

Benefits include better freedom of movement, more control and a magnified view for the surgeon and less invasive

Lauren M. Smith, PA 5500 Ellsworth Road - Fort Smith

DO SOUTH MAGAZINE

problems, Sparks Urology Group offers specialized care closer

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

FITNESS

MEN'S HEALTH

Finding time to work out can be a challenge, but it is so important.

One of the concerns men can face is prostate problems.

That's one of the reasons Randy Hilmer, of River Valley Fitness &

John David Terrell, MD, Board Certified Urologist with Sparks

Training Center, keeps his gym open twenty-four hours a day. By

Urology Group, says, "The older you get, the higher the

doing that, even those who work in the evenings or overnight can

incidence of cancer and benign enlargement." The good news

fit exercise into their schedule.

is that prostate cancer is extremely curable.

Randy finds that the busiest time is from 3:00 to 9:00 PM. "All

"Early detection is the key to survival. There are different grades

other times are less crowded," he says. "With 16,000 square

and stages of prostate cancer. They require different levels of

feet, the gym up is split up into sections so it really does not

treatment. The diagnosis and stage determines the treatment

seem that crowded."

indicated to maximize the chance of cure."

He encourages newcomers, no matter their age or fitness level,

Since early detection is so important, all men should be

to come try River Valley Fitness. "You will begin to see results in

getting regular screenings. If you or someone you love has

just a couple of weeks," he says. And those results will keep you

been putting off an examination, now's the time to schedule

motivated.

that appointment.

One word of advice: You need to also eat healthy foods for the best

When the decision is made to have a vasectomy, there are

results. "The cleaner the diet the sooner you’ll see that infamous six

naturally many questions. Alan Beachy, MD, with Cooper Clinic,

pack every man is searching for," Randy says.

is ready to answer them. He says it's an excellent option for

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permanent birth control.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

ALLEN BEACHY, MD When You’re Ready for Permanent Male Birth Control For some parents, there comes a time when they feel their family is complete.

A woman can then choose to continue with her prior birth control method.

While being effective, that method may be inconvenient for long term use and have potential side effects. She may also have the option of tubal ligation.

That procedure offers maintenance free birth control, but carries certain risks and requires abdominal surgery under general anesthesia in the hospital. A man has one excellent option for long term family planning—vasectomy—an office procedure, requiring only a local anesthetic. Vasectomy is more than 99% effective, and therefore is considered permanent birth control.

Dr. Allen Beachy is a Board Certified physician who has more than 25 years’ experience performing vasectomies with excellent results. You can rely on his experience and training— when you’re ready for permanent male birth control.

Fianna Hills Family Practice 9101 Jenny Lind, Fort Smith

cooperclinic.com 479.274.6000 | 800.333.1305

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There are many positives associated with choosing a vasectomy. It is virtually painless and does not affect sexual performance. Sex drive is unchanged by the procedure, although it may increase when the fear of pregnancy is removed. Most vasectomies are performed on a Thursday or Friday since it is necessary to be off work for two days following the procedure. It can be scheduled on another day, if preferred. Most health insurance policies cover the cost.

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Often, men are worried that the procedure is painful, but Dr. Beachy

dads a wonderful day, filled with the people you love, and

says, "It is only associated with minimal discomfort following the

overflowing with happy memories. Take it easy, forget about

procedure, so that most men don’t need any pain medication.

the lawn, for at least one day, and accept a few compliments.

Although one needs to take it easy for a week following the

You've certainly earned it.

procedure, most men are able to go back to work after only two days off from work."

As for how Father's Day started, that credit goes to Sonora Louise Smart Dodd, who lived in Spokane, Washington, but was

A subject that can be difficult to discuss with your doctor is

born in Jenny Lind, right here in Sebastian County, in our grand

erectile dysfunction. Matei Andreoiu, MD, with Cooper Clinic,

state of Arkansas. The story goes something like this: Sonora

wants you to know you're not alone, and there is help for you.

heard a sermon that centered around Mother's Day and she

"While Erectile Dysfunction may not be a topic a man enjoys

started thinking about her dad. His name was William Smart,

talking about, it is a common condition that is quite treatable.

and he'd raised Sonora and her five brothers alone after their

The first important step is discussing the problem with a urologist

mom died. She thought he, and all the other fathers, deserved

experienced in the evaluation and treatment of ED."

a day of their own, and so she made it happen in June 1910.

The subject of kidney stones brings with it a lot of questions. Dr.

What a sweet tribute to an extraordinary dad!

Matei Andreoiue describes what to watch for. "The first sign of having a kidney stone is usually pain, often severe, in the side or

Be sure to check back with us next month for our House & Home

back that often moves to the genitals and/or abdomen."

Guide. And, as always, we'll have lots of great stories, two must-

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see summer travel destinations, great recipes you'll want to try, There you have it, information on men's health, fitness, and

and a new feature that takes you inside the life of one of the

products ranging from grills to a great bottle of wine. Finally,

most interesting people we know. We're having a great time

with Father's Day approaching, we'd like to wish all the great

putting July's issue together. We can't wait for you to see it.

Read Chair Publishing, LLC 7030 Taylor Avenue, Suite 5 Fort Smith, AR 72916