Shucks - November 2015

速

SHUCKS

November 2015 DoSouthMagazine.com

CONTENTS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Catherine Frederick CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Scott Frederick MANAGING EDITOR Marla Cantrell CONTRIBUTING WRITERS / PHOTOGRAPHERS Marla Cantrell Cat Donnelly Catherine Frederick Jessica Hayes Rusty Henderson, DVM Kerry Kraus Don Lowe Jessica Sowards Stoney Stamper Heather Steadham GRAPHIC DESIGNER Artifex 323 - Jessica Wooden

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PROOFREADER Charity Chambers ONLINE ASSISTANT Emma Sullins PUBLISHER Read Chair Publishing, LLC

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INSIDE

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18 22 50 54

50 ADVERTISING INFORMATION Catherine Frederick - 479.782.1500

SPOT ON A white mug. A few permanent markers. And a lazy afternoon. That's all you'll need to create these thoughtful Christmas gifts.

Catherine@DoSouthMagazine.com

FORT CHAFFEE'S FIRST FAMILY

EDITORIAL INFORMATION Marla Cantrell - 479.831.9116

The Chaffee family can trace their continuous military service back to 1775. Find out what's being planned when this patriotic family returns to Arkansas in just a couple of weeks.

SPARKLE AND SHINE Ready to see Christmas light displays so over-the-top you'll be talking about them for months to come? We'll show you everything you need to know, so you can plan your trip across the state.

PERFECT CROCK POT PUMPKIN PECAN BREAD PUDDING This delicious bread pudding can be served as dessert, or even as a special breakfast. It's easy, absolutely delectable, and perfect for this chilly fall weather.

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Scott Frederick - 479.459.6672 Scott@DoSouthMagazine.com

Marla@DoSouthMagazine.com 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

FOLLOW US Annual subscriptions are $30 (12 months), within the contiguous United States. Subscribe at DoSouthMagazine.com or mail check to 7030 Taylor Avenue, Suite 5, Fort Smith, AR, 72916.

Single issues are available upon request for $7.

Inquiries or address changes, call 479.782.1500.

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letter from the editor

05

You know friends, if we’re not careful, the holiday season be-

And then there's the Caramel Apple Toffee Spread, and our Apple Blos-

comes more work than the blessing it’s intended to be. If we’re

soms, which are apples cut and cooked to resemble a blooming flower,

not careful, it will jump out from the shadows and swallow us

with butter, cinnamon, caramels, and brown sugar. Oh my goodness!

whole. Can you tell I’m already feeling the anxiety of the holidays?

Also this month, we stop to remember our veterans, and we have

Take for instance the menu planning. There may have been one

a story about Fort Chaffee, the military family who inspired the

year when I tried to plan a Thanksgiving menu so intricate you’d

fort's name, and the reason they're traveling here to honor others

have thought Wolfgang Puck was coming over and bringing the

who've served our country.

Queen of England as his plus-one. What was I thinking? All my family wanted was turkey, soft dinner rolls, green bean casserole,

Jessica Sowards shares her story of life on the farm, the trials it

and pie—all lined up like a buffet.

brings, and what she's learned about thankfulness from it all.

Stoney Stamper offers comic relief with his hilarious story of a

Then there’s the cleaning frenzy that takes place in the days before

runaway tiny horse, and his big day trying to catch him.

the big meal. The need I feel for everything to be perfect and in its place, and for the house to be free of any dust, lint or pet hair, is over-

With Christmas just weeks away, (Can you believe it?) we're showing

powering. We have three animals in the house, so I'm not sure who

you two stunning DIYs that are simple to make. We have a roundup

I’m kidding, thinking a home free of pet hair is ever going to happen.

of the brilliant light displays across Arkansas, the story of a couple who started a business based on their love of fly fishing, and a look at

Some years, I think I’ll just assign everyone a dish to bring. It would

a veteran who's building a lucrative business shining shoes.

be less stress on me. And less for me to clean up once the meal is over. A meal which, let’s face it, only lasts about twenty minutes

All this, plus our Gift Guide, to help you find the perfect presents for

before the napping marathon begins.

the ones you love. So enjoy, and keep it simple. Spend time with family and friends. And be grate-

But then reality sets in and I push that silly notion aside. Turns out I’m

ful even in the midst of chaos!

a bit of a control freak who would never relinquish the Thanksgiving

Wishing you and yours a very

meal to anyone else. And so I welcome in the chaos of the season.

blessed Thanksgiving.

Despite all the hustle and bustle, it really is my favorite time of the year, filled with family and friends, and lots of great food.

As we were planning this issue, we made sure we included some truly wonderful recipes. My family loved them all—it's one of the perks of my job, getting to cook these great dishes. Even my

~Catherine

Follow Do South® Magazine

neighbors got a taste of the Pumpkin Pecan Bread Pudding, made in a crock pot. You can even serve it for breakfast!

To reserve this free space for your charitable non-profit organization, email: Editors@DoSouthMagazine.com

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calendar

NOVEMBER 2015 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

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02

03

04

05

Holiday Open House, Downtown Siloam Springs, 1pm-5pm

Girl's Night Out, Bell Park Pavilion, Greenwood, 4pm-8:30pm

The Addams Family Musical: Preview Show, Fort Smith Public Library, 6pm

(4-6) Energetic Still-Life Painting/How to Market Your Art: Workshop by Qiang Huang, RAM, Fort Smith, 10am-5pm

Eagle Tour, Lake Dardanelle State Park, Russellville, 10am-11am

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09

10

11

12

13

14

Fayetteville Half Marathon, Lake Fayetteville, 8am

Spanish Storytime, Main Library, Fort Smith, 6pm

(10-15) Pippin, Baum Walker Hall, Fayetteville, 7pm

Frank Lloyd Wright House Opens, Crystal Bridges, Bentonville

UAFS Season of Entertainment 35 presents “An Evening with LeAnn Rimes”, ArcBest Corporation Performing Arts Center, Fort Smith Convention Center, 7:30pm

(13-15) Yoga on the Mountain 2015, Mt. Magazine Lodge, Paris

Veteran’s Day Parade and Fall Festival, Chaffee Crossing, Fort Smith, 12pm-4pm

(13-14) Junior League Holiday Market, Fort Smith

Kids Blitz, Eastside Baptist Church, Fort Smith, 6pm

Veteran's Day Reception and Parade, Fort Smith Museum of History, 1pm

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SATURDAY

Hot Springs Gallery Walk, Historic Downtown Hot Springs

07 FCA River Valley Run 2015, Ben Geren Park, Fort Smith, 9am

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20

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(15-17) Theatre @UAFS performs All My Sons, Breedlove Auditorium, Fort Smith, 7:30pm

Preschool Storytime with Louise Turner, Windsor Branch Library, Fort Smith, 10am

Arkansas Symphony Chamber Music - Merry Pranks, Clinton Presidential Library, Little Rock, 7pm

The Music Archeology of the Prehistoric Ozarks, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, Springdale, 12pm

Casting Crowns with Special Guest Lauren Daigle, Alma Performing Arts Center, Alma, 7pm

(20-21) 36th Annual Craft Fest, Educational Building, Baxter County Fairgrounds, Mountain Home

Lighting of the Square, Bentonville Square

America Recycles Day, Devil’s Den State Park, West Fork

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23

24

25

26

27

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Western Arkansas Ballet’s Sugar Plum Fairy Tea, Riverfront Pavilion, Fort Smith, 2:30pm-4:30pm

Lady Razorbacks v. Tulsa Golden Hurricane, Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville, 7pm

(24-29) Annie, Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville

Van Buren Farmer's Market, Public Library Parking Lot, Van Buren, 7am-1pm

Thanksgiving Day

Green Friday, State Parks throughout Arkansas

Gardenland Express, Fayetteville, 1pm

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30

16th Annual Open House, Rogers Historical Museum, Rogers, 12:30pm-4pm

(30-12) Festival of Trees, Fairfield Bay Conference & Visitors Center, Fairfield Bay

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

Did you Know?

We hope you enjoy this issue.

Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A, fiber, & beta-carotene.

GET MORE BY: Adding 1/2 cup canned pumpkin to canned chili, reduces sodium.

Make a half peanut butter & half pumpkin sandwich.

Read Do South's® digital edition at DoSouthMagazine.com.

Get one year of Do South® for just $30.

Subscribe online at DoSouthMagazine.com, or send a check to: Read Chair Publishing, LLC

7030 Taylor Ave, Ste 5

Fort Smith, AR 72916

Substitute pumpkin for butter in boxed mac and cheese, cuts fat by 75%.

Replace egg with 1/4 cup pumpkin.

Replace 1/2 the butter in baking recipes with pumpkin.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

Christmas Parade of the Ozarks, Shiloh Square, Springdale, 6pm

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08

poetry

Salvia LINES Cat Donnelly

It’s warm for the end of October

cucumber beetles have turned

the pumpkin vines

into limp brown lace,

tomatoes are in various stages of ripeness

from green to deep scarlet

under the garden’s post-harvest overgrowth.

Mistaken for a large insect at first, a hummingbird sips nectar from the crimson salvia.

It darts away, then comes back and hovers, translucent wings beating the air before alighting on the barren grapevine that snakes through the rusted wire fence nearby.

I watch the bird return again and again to the vibrant blooms amid the decaying leaves.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

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UPCLOSE&PERSONAL

Karen Hawthorne General Manager, In Good Spirits 12100 Highway 71 South, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.434.6604 |

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UPCLOSE&PERSONAL

About In Good Spirits “In Good Spirits” reflects both the name and atmosphere of this premier liquor store! We have so much to offer our customers. We’re the only store in Fort Smith with a climate-controlled wine cellar stocked with high-end wines, and we host tastings of beer, wine and liquor daily. If you are looking for something particular, just ask! We can special order for you. Also, be sure to check out our wide variety of gift items for game days and parties, including a large selection of glassware and wine accessories, as well as custom gift baskets for that special person on your list. In Good Spirits also has a selection of fine cigars, pipes and pipe tobacco!

Our friendly customer service makes shopping here a great experience. We understand if you’re in a hurry – simply call in your order for fast, convenient pick up.

Words to Live by:

"All good things come to those who wait."

3 products Karen can't live without: Prescription Glasses

Sweet Tea

What's your favorite thing about your career? Research & development, and of course our customers at In Good Spirits!

Favorite food at Thanksgiving? I love deep-fried turkey.

Most inspirational book besides the Bible? Roses in December by Marilyn Heavilin.

Favorite song when you were a teen? “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield.

When do you put up your Christmas tree? On Thanksgiving weekend.

Favorite Christmas gift when you were a kid? Ten-speed bike.

What's on your playlist? Tom Petty, Tina Turner, Cher, Bee Gees.

If you could learn anything at all, what would it be? To speak another language.

Farthest you've been away from home? Antigua!

Last movie you saw? It’s Complicated.

Favorite place in Arkansas? Fort Smith, because “life’s worth living in Fort Smith.”

Strangest place you've called the Hogs? In Cabo Wabo Cantina, Cabo San Lucas.

What are you looking forward to this fall? Fall colors, cool evenings, pumpkins, and fall decorations!

When's the last time someone surprised you? Fourteen years ago when my husband proposed after dating for only two months.

What's one thing people would be surprised to learn about you? My parents opened the very first novelty gift store in Fort Smith, The Funky Candle.

What are you most thankful for? Jesus Christ and my family.

What's gone out of fashion that you wish would come back? I miss BIG hair!

What's in your car's console right now? CDs, change, toothbrush.

What do you love about living in Arkansas? Being a Razorback, and Southern hospitality like you find when shopping at In Good Spirits!

Most sentimental thing you own? My teapot collection my mother started for me years ago.

My mother passed away in 1996, so these are very dear to my heart.

What would you do if you could take a year off from work? Travel the world and rescue animals.

What's the nicest compliment you've ever received? My kids always tell me I'm the best mom and their best friend.

Who was your favorite teacher in grammar school? Mr. Bill Spicer, who's the current principal at Cook Elementary School in Fort Smith.

What was your first job? I was a lifeguard at Creekmore Park when I was sixteen. I bought eight-track tapes with my first paycheck!

Do you have pets? Spunky and Tusk are Yorkshire terriers; Brutus and Miss Sassy are parti Yorkies; and Jovi is a rescue kitty.

Angel Perfume

What wine do you serve at Thanksgiving dinner? I serve Belle Glos Meiomi and Mer Soleil Unoaked Chardonnay.

What’s your favorite cocktail for Fall? It's called Cheer, Baileys & Coffee. We like to serve it when we're entertaining our friends on the back patio.

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12

people

words and images Jessica Sowards

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

people

I always thought that being thankful meant just being appreciative.

Receive something, express gratitude, thankfulness complete. Not so much.

T

Thanksgiving stirs something up in me. Of course, I want to be thankful

I always thought that being thankful meant just being appreciative.

year-round. I want to take it slow and enjoy what really matters. This time

Receive something, express gratitude, thankfulness complete. Not so

of year amplifies that desire. Every year, I go into the holiday season with

much. It’s good to be appreciative. It’s perfectly appropriate to praise

a deep longing to get it right, to linger on the important things and pass

the people around you to let them know you see them, need them

over the distractions. Usually, I get caught up, though. I have the best of

and love them. It’s wonderful to praise God for what He has done for

intentions in October but by the end of December, I’ve spent too much,

you, because that is how we share His love.

gotten too stressed, and ended up frustrated.

However, being thankful, being really, truly grateful is a deep-rooted

This year, something shifted in our life and in us. We went from peo-

thing. It’s not something we just celebrate in November. And it cer-

ple who harbored a dream of going back to the basics and raising our

tainly isn’t just for when things seem to be going all right. Thankful-

own food to people who actually had a working homestead. There is

ness is meant to create a concrete foundation for us to hunker down

a red egg basket on our kitchen counter now. It’s a romantic thing,

to when the storms of life come. True gratitude happens when no

at least in my terms of romance. The eggs are all different colors

one is looking, and before it benefits anyone else, it has to change our

because our flock of chickens contains many different breeds, and it

outlook and the groundwork of our own lives.

is more beautiful to me than any flower bouquet. The hens started laying over a year ago and I wondered if it would become common-

Homesteading is hard. This summer was so hot, the rabbits refused

place, if it would just be a thing we were used to.

to care for their young so the babies grew cold in the nest boxes while their mothers panted on the other side of the cage. We lost

It hasn’t. I still catch myself pausing in the kitchen, reaching in the

chicken after chicken to heat stroke. Extension cords ran across the

basket and rolling an egg around in my hand, feeling so deeply happy

front and back yards, fueling fans on all of the animals, but we still

to call it mine. I wanted this life for such a long while. For years I read

had to pick up bodies. Then the truck broke down. Our finances were

books and followed blogs about hobby farming. After we bought

lacking. The chickens got mites and the goats got worms. I hatched

our property and moved in, I felt my dream begin to form into reality

an incubator full of eggs and the heat lamp was too hot, so when I

when my aunt gave me three chicks and I found a twenty-five dollar

excitedly came to check on them, none moved. Let me tell you, there

chicken coop on Craigslist.

is nothing romantic about homesteading when all your stuff is dying.

That little coop was the most thrilling thing I’d ever had, and as I

It was about that point that every bit of passion I’d had for this life

cared for the coop daily, I thanked God for hearing my prayers. I

dried up. I felt like the worst farmer in the history of the world. Surely,

felt so grateful. I shared photos and wrote about it, I posted about

surely, no one had ever made as many mistakes as us. I wanted to

it on Facebook. A month or two later, my dog killed those chickens.

give up. I wanted to send all our animals to a farm that could keep

I sat on the front steps of my house and cried, feeling like God had

them alive. I wanted to question God. But then I remembered crying

forgotten me, feeling like He didn’t actually hear the desires of my

on my steps over my first lost chickens, feeling hopelessly forsaken.

heart. I felt foolish for being so enthusiastic in expressing thanks for

And I remembered how just a few weeks later we were blessed with

something that turned out to be so fleeting.

thirty new chicks, and how a couple months after that we built our big coop. I went inside and looked at my red basket, and though it

Since starting our little farm, I have learned a great lesson in thankful-

was nearly empty (as the hens laid very little due to the heat and the

ness. It was a lesson I didn’t know I needed. I thought I was a grateful

mites), there were eggs. So I said, right then with a pile of losses and

person before. I have always reflected on my blessings and vocalized

an almost empty basket of eggs, “Thank you, God, for this farm.”

my thanks. But it was a surface-level gratitude.

And I meant it.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

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14

people

It was the kind of deci-

die in the heat, how

sive moment that stays

much effort went into

with you. I didn’t feel

protecting them. Now,

like I needed to share

before they are even

it with the world or

brined and braised, I

even my family. It ac-

can say I have never

tually didn’t even feel

been more thankful

like a grand gesture.

for a turkey.

But it was the moment I made a choice that

Yes, there’s a twinge

even if my life was not

of sadness to living

going how I wanted, I

life like this. Because

still wanted it exactly as

while

it was. I decided not to

born in a choice, it is

jump ship and blame

cultivated in learning

God for the failure but

to honor and value

to instead hang on

our blessings. While

and embrace what He

I will be immensely

would teach me. I’m

proud to serve a bird

gratitude

is

that was ethically and

not entirely sure, but I think if there were a scale for these things, that would be the instant that

naturally raised by our own hands, it will be sad to no longer have

I actually became a really, deeply, genuinely thankful person.

the silly things gobbling around the yard. Thankfulness is bittersweet, and we live in a society that will cheer a person on as they

The heat broke. Things stopped dying, new chicks hatched and

disconnect from the cost of things. Everything costs something,

lived and the rabbits gave birth and cared for their kits. We

and we are made better when we seek to stay aware of that.

fixed the truck, built a greenhouse and filled it with promises of provision. I know everyone has their horror stories of their first

As I enter this season of gratitude and celebration, I’m hoping and

year of homesteading, and ours is no exception. It’s almost like

praying to carry these things I’ve learned. I’m hoping it may spur

an initiation is required to enter into this life. It’s like any person

me to give canned jams and tokens of our labor as gifts, under-

with this dream has to relinquish control and understand real

standing the cost of them and the value. I may not get it all right,

gratitude before they can accomplish anything. I have been ini-

I may get caught up in the buying and the planning. But I feel like

tiated, hazed even. I have learned true gratefulness should not

as the years go by, as we make it through more hard summers and

leave me feeling forgotten by God. Instead, it should propel me

hard winters, this thankfulness will grow.

to remember the good He’s done for us before and encourage And one day, it won’t be something I have to choose. It will just

me to believe He will do it again.

be who I am, a woman deeply rooted on a strong foundation.

I expect the holidays this year to be quite a bit different. I can al-

Whether or not the egg basket is full or empty, I will stand firm

ready see the changed mindset of my family. We’ve taken strides

and be thankful. And I will thank God for the privilege of living this

to live simply and learned to give thanks for when things are pros-

beautiful, bittersweet, completely romantic life.

pering and also when they are not. It makes life slower, more worthwhile. Nothing is for granted.

This Thanksgiving, we are butchering turkeys we’ve spent the last six months raising. All of us are aware of how many hours of hard work went into them. We remember how we prayed that they wouldn’t

Follow Jessica on her blog @ thehodgepodgedarling.blogspot.com

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entertainment

A Man Called Ove review Marla Cantrell

most definitely not a Saab). And as much as Ove tries to shoo them away, in the days that follow they show up at his door, asking to borrow things, asking for help with home repairs, and finally asking if he can teach the very pregnant wife, who's foreign to Sweden, to drive.

Little by little, this curmudgeon is drawn into the world, and along the way he begins to open his heart to those around him.

Still, he battles his temper and his affinity for bad language.

Often, he's hilarious, although he doesn't see the humor, even though his new friends certainly do.

As the book unfolds, we find out what made him isolate himself, the hard knocks that formed his life. And we learn about

T

By Fredrik Backman Washington Square Press 337 pages | $16

the love of his life, Sonja, and how she softened him up and made the world an easier place for him to live. It is through her that Ove's true heart is revealed.

Before the book ends, Ove becomes an unlikely hero, takes in a bat-

The novel starts like this. "Ove is fifty-nine. He drives a Saab. He's the

tered old cat, and befriends a motley crew of outcasts who need

kind of man who points at people he doesn't like the look of as if they

someone like Ove to make their lives better. And in what becomes

were burglars and his forefinger a police officer's flashlight."

possibly his greatest act, he reaches out to his ex-best friend, using his bullying nature to protect him, when no one else can.

In those three sentences, much of what you need to know about Ove is revealed. He has no patience for anyone driving cars that

The self-taught author, Fredrik Backman, studied comparative re-

aren't made in Sweden, where he lives. He is opinionated and

ligion but dropped out and became a truck driver instead. But the

doesn't care a thing about being politically correct.

need to write was always there, and now, at thirty-four, he's one of Sweden's most successful authors. In fact, in 2012, he published

At fifty-nine, he has little else to occupy his time. A hard worker

his first two books on the same day: this novel, A Man Called Ove

since he was a teen, he's recently been forced to retire. At home,

(U.S. release in 2014), and Things My Son Needs to Know About

the emptiness follows him like a fog. He gets up early every morn-

the World, a book of non-fiction. His second novel, My Grand-

ing, patrolling his neighborhood, looking for those who've vio-

mother Sent Me to Tell You She's Sorry, came out in 2013.

lated the tenets set down by the homeowner's association, ready to call them out.

A Man Named Ove is a surprising book that starts out almost like a fairy tale and ends with a lesson we all need. We all have

But then his new neighbors come crashing in, hitting his mailbox

the capability to save someone else’s life, it tells us. We all have

as they try to maneuver the trailer attached to their car (which is

the ability to shine.

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18

diy

SPOT ON words and images Catherine Frederick

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

diy

WE HEART THIS DIY! IT’S SUPER EASY TO CREATE AND IS A PERFECT, PERSONALIZED GIFT FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND TEACHERS. MAKE SURE YOU PURCHASE OIL BASED SHARPIES®! ADD A DESIGN OR LETTERS, SOME DOTS, AND VIOLA! YOU HAVE THE PERFECT HANDMADE GIFT.

MATERIALS

METHOD

» White ceramic mugs

Prep: Remove all labels. Wash and dry mugs. Wipe surface with vodka or rubbing alcohol to remove any oils. Allow to dry.

» Oil based Sharpies® » Adhesive letters

NOTE: The directions below are for the heart mug; however, the same principles apply for words or other letters.

1 Apply heart template to mug, using tape.

2

Dot around the edge of the heart using a red oil based Sharpie®. Allow to dry.

Remove heart, discard.

3 Apply letter to center of heart.

SEE OUR STEP BY STEP PHOTOS ON THE BLOG AT DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

4 Evenly apply dots inside the heart from top to bottom, leaving a fair amount of white space. Allow to dry.

5 Apply more dots to the inside of the heart. The dots should be dense on the bottom of the heart and around the letter, and farther apart the further you go up. Allow to dry.

Tips: Mistakes can be easily corrected with vodka or rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip® or toothpick.

6 Bake mug in oven for twenty minutes at 350°. Turn oven off and allow mug to cool while inside. Repeat the baking process to cure the paint.

7 Once cooled, spray with light coat of sealer, I like Modge Podge® Clear Acrylic Sealer. Be sure to tape off the top portion of your mug and turn mug upside down before spraying. This is to ensure that your mouth will not come into contact with any area that has been painted or sealed. Hand wash only!

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20

diy

PUMPKIN EVERYTHING! words and images Catherine Frederick

Pumpkin is everywhere this time of year - from lattes to food, to room fragrance – it’s the flavor and scent of the season! I love giving homemade gifts, so I thought why not Pumpkin Spice Hand Soaps? Perfect for hostess or teacher gifts or even great stocking stuffers!

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

(makes 4 large, 4oz. bars)

Cube soap base, place in microwave safe dish. Microwave in 30-second intervals

1lb Shea butter soap base

until completely melted.

Red and yellow soap colorant Soap mold

Add a couple drops of each colorant and 2 Tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice to the

Pumpkin pie spice

melted soap base. You can alter the amount of colorant to reach the desired shade.

Microwave safe dish (I used a 4-cup Pyrex®)

Pour mixture into soap mold. Let sit for 30 minutes, remove and package for gifting!

PEPPERMINT SOAP DIY ON THE BLOG AT DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

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22

people

Soliders at Camp Chaffee, 1942

MG Adna Chaffee, Jr.

words Marla Cantrell images courtesy Chaffee Historic District

The long history of Fort Chaffee begins with an equally long name:

of Pearl Harbor on December 7. The fort has been used as, among

Major General Adna Romanza Chaffee, Jr. Born in 1884, in Kansas,

other things, a German prisoner of war facility, a training site for field

he died in 1941, in Boston, and was buried at Arlington National

artillery, and a temporary home for 51,000 refugees from Southeast

Cemetery. He served in the U.S. Army for thirty-nine years, two

Asia, and later for 25,000 Cubans.

months, and seventeen days, and was called the "Father of the Armored Force" for his role in developing the U.S. Army's tank forces,

In 1995, the powers that be ordered the closure of Fort Chaffee,

a move he rightly predicted in 1927 would be key to winning future

leased 65,000 acres to the Arkansas Army National Guard, and

wars. He even had a tank (the M24 Chaffee) named after him. The

turned the remaining acreage (7,000+) over to local communities

one thing this military mastermind was not able to do was visit the

for redevelopment, a program overseen by the Fort Chaffee Rede-

fort that bears his name.

velopment Authority.

Fort Chaffee covered 72,000 acres, in and around the Fort Smith/

When the Major General died, his grandson, Adna Romanza Chaffee

Barling, Arkansas area, and was established as a training camp in Sep-

IV, who goes by Chad (his family combined the first two letters of

tember 1941. Major General Chaffee, Jr. died of cancer on August 22

Chaffee and the first two letters of Adna), was only two years old.

of that year, the same day Nazi troops reached Leningrad, and just a

He has a few pictures of his grandfather holding him, but no clear

few months before the U.S. entered World War II, after the bombing

memories of his own. As he grew older, he heard the stories, not only

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people

Now, retired and at home in Hinesville, Georgia, Chad still finds ways to serve. Its been forty years since the Vietnam war ended on April 30, 1975 when Saigon fell to the Communists. President Obama has been vocal about the way the vets were treated, saying this in 2012: "You were often blamed for a war you didn’t start, when you should have been commended for serving your country with valor."

On June 19 of this year, Chad was able to take part in a "Welcome Home" tribute to Vietnam vets at Fort Stewart. "I was proud to help lead a formation of 500 vets on the parade field," the Sergeant Major says.

He describes the ceremony: the men from all over the country congregating on this piece of land in Georgia, the crowd cheering and waving flags.

"We had a tent for the disabled vets, with canes and walkers, and they looked at it and said, 'We aren't staying in this tent. We're going to walk formation.' You should have seen them come across the field as fast as they could. It's hard to Sgt. Maj. Adna "Chad" Chaffee IV

describe, but I'll tell you, it meant so much."

Lately, his attention has turned back to Arkansas, and the

about his grandfather but about his great-grandfather as well, who

upcoming Veterans Day Parade at Chaffee Crossing Historic District on

was also a decorated soldier.

November 14. He and his wife will be bringing several family members, including two sons, two daughters, two sons-in-law, and his nephew.

It seems reasonable that Chad would find his footing in the military—his father was a West Point graduate—and he did, joining the Army Reserves

The theme of the parade is "Welcome Home, Vietnam Veterans."

in high school, and serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1968-1970

Those attending will be able to make signs that show support for

and again from 1971-1972. Many who returned home from that war

vets, and the plan is to have this group escorted to a place of honor,

did not receive a hero's welcome. The War sent millions of Americans

after the parade, where they can be told what their service in Vietnam

into service, taking the lives of 58,000 of them. Our involvement caused

means to the country.

great discord at home, and anti-war demonstrations grew, one turning deadly at Kent State University after certain Ohio National Guard mem-

Chad is thrilled to be part of the Chaffee event. There is something

bers opened fire, killing four students on May 4, 1970.

about returning to this place that humbles him. He remembers his first trip to Chaffee, four years ago."I thought about what it would

Even today, when Chad talks about that era, the memories are sharp

have meant to my father, to be able to walk this land named after his

with emotion. Many faced ridicule when they came home. "A lot of

father. I was close to my dad, so I can just imagine. And every day I say

the soldiers were also dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,

thank-you to the Arkansas National Guard for taking over so much of

but you had families, and you had to go on," Chad says. For him,

Fort Chaffee and maintaining it. It's a great feeling knowing it's still

making a career in the military seemed like the right thing to do, and

serving its purpose all this time since it began in the 1940s."

eventually he earned the rank of Sergeant Major. He met his wife, Gabrielle, when he was stationed in Germany, and brought her back

He can't wait to bring his children there, to show them this part of

to the States with him.

their legacy. For one of his sons, Daniel, it will be the second time he's

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people

Daniel is looking forward to returning to the fort in the light of day, to be surrounded by other veterans, and to honor Vietnam vets, including his dad. As for his father, Chad is hoping for just one thing. He wants the younger generation (anyone under forty) to take one hour out of their lives and go to a Veterans Day ceremony, or an MIA/POW ceremony. "We've got to remember who's making your life possible in 2015," Chad says. "It bothers me that we're not taking the time.

We need to go to Arlington Cemetery. We need to go to places with historical significance."

Camp Chaffee, 1942

For the Chaffee family, this land in Arkansas that was set aside as a seen Fort Chaffee. The first time was when he parachuted in when he

training ground for those getting ready to defend our country is of

was with the 82nd Airborne Division. "We dropped into Rattlesnake

monumental significance. It is a reminder of their heritage, and of the

Drop Zone on a rainy, nasty night, and we flew out the next day, so I

cost of freedom, and of why serving their country has played such an

didn't see anything but deep woods and mud," Daniel says.

important role in who they've always been.

Since Daniel was a child, he's been interested in military history, and fascinated by his family's role in it. "We have a slide, the kind you put in a projector, of [General George S.] Patton,[ Jr.] sitting in a chair, my grandfather on his knee, and my great-grandfather standing behind him.

"My great-granddaddy [and Fort Chaffee's namesake] was Patton's mentor. He taught him everything he knew about tank warfare. My great-granddaddy was in the Calvary in World War I and he was fascinated by tanks, and he sat down and wrote out the plan for tank warfare. Great-granddaddy died right before World War II started.

So when Patton went around conquering places, from Egypt to the European Theater, he named places after him. You've got Chaffee

Sgt. Maj. Adna "Chad" Chaffee IV as Grand Marshal at Chaffee, 2013

Field, Chaffee Hall, Chaffee Lane, a place in France, because he loved the old man so much.

"And my great-great-grandfather [the first Adna Chaffee] was a wild-

Veterans Day Events at Chaffee Crossing Historic District

cat. He was a fresh lieutenant at the Battle of Gettysburg, along with a blond-haired lieutenant named Custer. My great-great-grandfather

November 14, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

and Ted Roosevelt were friends. They rode up San Juan Hill together.

Veterans Parade begins at noon in the Historic District,

After Ted had been elected president, he put my great-great-grand-

followed by the "Welcome Home, Vietnam Veterans"

father in charge of the inauguration parade. There are pictures of it.

ceremony, and the groundbreaking of the Veterans

Then he made him Chief of Staff of his army.

Memorial Plaza at 7313 Terry Street, Fort Smith.

"Even as a kid, I knew I was going to be a soldier. Every first son in the

Military medals will be presented to two veterans.

Chaffee family, from the time the Army started in 1775, has been a sol-

Other activities: Food, music, kids' activities, helicopter

dier. I spent twenty-three years as a paratrooper. Recently I read a biog-

rides, free flu shots, and a coat and blanket drive for home-

raphy of my great-great-grandfather. It brings great pride. The history of

less veterans. The Vietnam Veterans Museum, Barbershop

my family always led me. There was a time that my dad and I were in the

Museum and the Museum of Chaffee History will be open.

Army together, and that was something, being in uniform together."

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DO SOUTH® MAGAZINE CONGRATULATES

PHILIP MERRY

2015 LILY AWARD WINNER!

Each year, the Lily Award is given to a person or persons whose work has impacted those who stay in the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Mercy Fort Smith. This year’s honoree is Philip Merry. He was recognized at this year’s Red Shoe Shinding, held October 10th.

The Lily Award is named in memory of Lillian Page Pruitt, infant daughter of Susan and Clay Pruitt.

Since it opened in December 2010, there have been nearly 30,000 visits to the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Mercy Fort Smith.

2336

Families served since opening

326

Families served in 2015

5.8

Average length of stay

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DVD Movies (G, PG/PG-13)

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Snacks For more information, please call 479.314.8030.

Wish List Items can be dropped off at the Family Room anytime!

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pets

WE’D BE FOREVER THANKFUL TO HAVE A FOREVER HOME The loving dogs are looking for a place to call home. Please consider adopting from the Sebastian County Humane Society in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

M

M

F

Jack & Clyde

Rio

F

M

Harley

F

Honeybear

Patrick

GG

Sebastian County Humane Society 3800 Kelley Hwy, Fort Smith | 479.783.4395 |

| SebastianCountyHumaneSociety.org Harvest Time Group, Gracias, Lempira, 2013

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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pets

ASK THE PET VET

Do South's ÂŽ resident pet expert, Rusty Henderson, DVM, answers your questions about feeding pets from the Thanksgiving table, nervous cats, and dogs that smell like, well, dogs!

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

Q A Q A Q A

images freeimages.com

My extended family is coming for Thanksgiving and my dog goes crazy every time the bell rings. What can I do?

The answer begins with basic behavioral skills.

Most remedies require you to have your dog in a controlled posture before guests are introduced, or the doorbell rings. It is imperative to teach them to sit, stay, etc. You have to teach them you are the boss. The rest will fall into place after you begin the desensitizing therapy chronicled in volumes across the Internet.

Michelle Seixas

Is it OK to feed my cat some Thanksgiving turkey?

Turkey is not bad for your cat, and most cats really, really like smoked turkey. But if they conclude that the turkey comes from your plate via you, they will soon cut out the middle person and jump right in the middle of the holiday fun. mooncross

My dog smells so bad I’m thinking of spraying him with my cologne before my in-laws come for Christmas. Is that OK? Within reason, you can use human cologne on dogs. Usually, however, the cologne just makes a stinking dog smell like a stinking dog wearing cologne. If you overdo it, the alcohol in the cologne might irritate the skin, or your pup might be allergic. So proceed with caution. However, dogs that stink might have a problem that is easy to resolve. Anal glands to fungus can cause this issue. Check with your vet.

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Mariana Figueroa

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sports

Seth Youngblood

words Don Lowe images courtesy UAFS Sports Information

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sports

As the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) Lions men’s

for us,” Coach Newman says. “We go to Wilmington (Delaware),

basketball team starts its seventh year of Division II competition,

Missouri Southern (Joplin, Missouri) and Northeastern State (Tahle-

there sure seems to be plenty of excitement about what could be

quah, Oklahoma), so we will test our basketball team early in Novem-

accomplished in 2015-16.

ber. We’re not being bashful (about playing difficult opposition).”

Heading into his tenth year at the helm of UAFS men’s hoops fortunes,

Coach Newman suggests that by playing top-notch competition

head coach Josh Newman believes there’s a whole lot to like about

right from the get-go, in “early December we should be able to

this group of players. “It’s early, but the thing that has impressed me

figure out what group (of individuals) plays well together.”

so far is our maturity and commitment level,” Coach Newman says.

“The best strength of our program is our depth.”

Without a doubt, developing much-needed continuity and chemistry will be vital, because, the way he sees it, “if you get behind (by the

Having depth is most definitely a plus for Coach Newman’s Lions,

time league play starts), it will be tough to turn it around. We just

particularly with the tempo he prefers his guys to maintain from

have a very good league and its tough because of the travel as well.”

the opening tip. “The best thing our team does is play fast. Both offensively and defensively, we want to be at a pace that’s uncomfortable (for opponents),” Coach Newman says, adding that “defensively, we’ll be very aggressive (with a 30-second shot clock) and we want a lot of possessions (on offense).”

The faster style for UAFS seems to be ideal with a trio of backcourt mates (juniors Seth Youngblood and Alex Cooper, along with sophomore DaVaunta Thomas) who have tremendous familiarity with one another. “We have three guards who have played together two full years,” Coach Newman says. “There’s just so much understanding of each other and that will be invaluable for us.”

The best thing our team does is play fast. Both offensively and defensively, we want to be at a pace that’s uncomfortable (for opponents).

Head Coach Josh Newman

Coach Newman goes on to say that with UAFS’ entire roster “the camaraderie and the relationships” of his players are truly

Coach Newman and the Lions have some lengthy road trips as

special and that “they don’t want to let each other down.”

they trek to several cities in Texas (Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Laredo, Odessa and Lubbock), as well as Wichita and Oklahoma City.

While there are a number of players who will be counted on heavily to produce, there’s no denying that the Lions’ Heartland Conference

No matter how tough it may get over the next four months or so and

first-team selection is a focal point. “It will all start with Seth Young-

regardless of all their frequent journeys away from Fort Smith, Coach

blood,” Coach Newman assures. “A lot of things go through him for

Newman says that “we’re excited about the season. I think our guys

us.” Likewise, UAFS expects big things from Thomas.

are ready for it. We just have to learn from our mistakes last year.”

Overall, though, he points out that “we have a lot of really good guys

Ultimately for UAFS, this winter it’s all about closing the deal.

coming back.” Regardless of who returns, Coach Newman recog-

In a word, Coach Newman phrases it rather emphatically in say-

nizes full well that his Lions will be battle-tested virtually from the very

ing that this squad must be able to ‘finish.’ "We did not finish

beginning of their non-conference slate in mid-November and con-

games a lot of times last year,” Coach Newman remembers.

tinuing all through a tougher-than-nails Heartland league schedule.

“We would have a team down by four or five points and not end up winning the game. That memory is lasting and we are

“We play twenty (regular-season) league games and it will be brutal

using that as motivation this year.”

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sports Kenny Martin

It is clear that under his watch, this is a Lions' program that is motivated to be successful year after year. “As a junior college, we were a perennial Top 5 program (in the country),” Coach Newman says. “When we made the transition (to Division II), we wanted to be a perennial Top 25 program at this level and I think we are getting close.”

DaVaunta "Spider" Thomas

This could very well be the season that propels these Lions to national notoriety on an annual basis. Only time will tell. Either way, UAFS begins to find out exactly how things might unfold with its season opener against visiting Western State Colorado on Friday, November 13, in the friendly confines of Stubblefield Center in Fort Smith.

There was a glimpse of just how close, perhaps, when he led UAFS to the Heartland regular-season championship and a berth in the NCAA Division II National Tournament two years ago, while putting together a 21-7 overall record.

Fast Facts – UAFS Head Coach Josh Newman Years at School: 10 Overall Record: 168-99

In six years playing at this level, and under Coach Newman’s watch, the Lions have put together a very respectable 98-74 record.

Even more impressive, there have been three league titles (2011, 2013 and 2014) in a five-year span. While there’s no denying UAFS has made tremendous strides, the goal is still to produce winning results and create a championship-contending club every year.

Previous Coaching Experience: Assistant at University of Nevada (2003-2006); South Plains College (2001-2003); McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas (1999-2001)

Education: Bachelor's Degree in History from Arizona State University; Master's Degree in Sports Studies from Texas A&M-Commerce

Family: Wife, Rita; three children (Troy, Alexis & Daniella)

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

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SHINING

The

34

words Heather Steadham images courtesy Laura Carlton

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I

t was a hot Arkansas Saturday, the first time I saw Russell Steed.

inspections, they’d come to me wanting to know how I did it, and I

I was ambling along President Clinton Avenue, fresh from a

never gave away my secrets. In fact, I got paid for doing it for other

morning of buying homemade soap and organic hummus

people! So I guess that was my first professional shoe shining career.”

at the Little Rock Farmer’s Market. Russell was outside Barakat Bespoke (the boutique that labels itself “the ultimate gentleman’s

A year-and-a-half later, after traveling with the Navy to exotic locations

haberdashery”), sweating over a brilliantly shining pair of shoes,

like China and Australia, Russell was given a medical discharge. He settled

persisting in his buffing until he could just about see his reflection in

in Savannah, Georgia, and began working for an old Arkansas friend—

the mirror-like sheen.

Walmart—and, luckily for him, met Tane, the love of his life.

“I’m gonna put everything I have into it,”

“We had our first date on September the tenth;

Russell, who's turning fifty this month, says.

on October the tenth I asked her to marry me,

“My first pair of shoes are gonna look as

and we were married on November the tenth. I

good as my last pair of shoes. Everything in

knew. And it’s been—fixing to be sixteen years.”

between is gonna look the same. Because I’m really hard on myself. If it doesn’t look

It wasn’t until their first son came along that

good, I’m gonna start all over. I’m not letting

a return to Arkansas even crossed their minds.

you out of my chair until I’m satisfied with

Born with a low birth weight and multiple

how it looks. That’s just how I am. You know,

congenital issues, their son had special needs

an average shine lasts ten minutes. But if I’m

that required specialized care. Russell and

not happy, it could last up to fifteen.”

Tane were in a quandary: “In Savannah, the doctors were going, ‘We don’t know what

This desire for excellence began early for Russell.

to do.’” Fortunately, Walmart was able to

“I’ve been shining shoes my whole life,” he

transfer Russell to Benton in 2000, which is

tells me. While growing up in Houston, Texas,

near the world-renowned Arkansas Children’s

with his mother, Russell spent summers with his

Hospital. “Fifteen years and fourteen surgeries

grandfather, a World War II veteran, in Mena,

later,” Russell smiles, “he’s doing great.”

Arkansas. “His shoes were always immaculate,” Russell remembers. “And on Saturday evening he’d jerk them all out and

Working for various retailers kept the family afloat until 2013 when

throw them down on the floor, and we’d sit there and shine shoes to get

Russell was laid off. But that was just the chance needed for serendipity

them ready for Sunday.”

to pop up. “My wife and I were getting ready to go to a Valentine’s thing and my wife said, ‘Shine my shoes up for me.’ So I shined her shoes up

But it wasn’t the shoeshine business that Russell first pursued when

for her, and she said, ‘Why don’t you do this?’ And I was like, ‘I do do

it was time for him to get a job. In 1984, he joined the Navy, actually

this.’ And she said, ‘No no no. For a living.’ And I was like, ‘Well, there’s

graduating from high school while he was in boot camp out in San

not any shoe shiners.’ And she said, ‘Well, that’s the point.’”

Diego, California. “I don’t think you can do that anymore, but since they knew I was going into the military they let me go early,” he

So Russell began researching the market, and he says he came

explains. But even then, his shoeshine destiny gleamed through: “The

across a magazine article that declared the shoeshine business was

Navy gave us two pairs of boots. On the first day of boot camp, I got

the fastest growing entrepreneurship in the United States. “So

a pair looking like mirrors. I just kept them that way. ‘Cause once

that’s where I started. I just got all my stuff together, got a stand

you do it, maintenance is easy. And so, when people started flunking

built and went to Rhea’s Menswear in Benton.”

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Since his time at Rhea’s Menswear, shoeshine aficionados have found him at places like the Art of Men’s Cuts in Bryant, the Electric Cowboy in Little Rock, and Galaxy Furniture in the Argenta District of North Little Rock. He’s even built a portable shoeshine stand, which he’s carted to conventions like the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association in Fort Smith.

“Everywhere I’ve been I’ve gotten better at my craft,” Russell says of the many places he’s worked. “You know, I don’t call myself a shoeshine ‘man.’ I’m a shoeshine ‘artisan.’ Because it is an art. And every shine that I do I get better! I love it. My mission statement when I started this was, ‘I want to have a positive impact on every person that sits in my stand.’ And I believe I do. You know, people can tell where you stand by looking at your feet. So if you take care of your shoes, people notice that. And there’s another article that says that women—that’s one of the first things they look at in a guy, their shoes. So there you go. Gents, get your shoes shined.”

And some pretty famous gents have indeed had their shoes shined by Russell. “I don’t really look at people. I look at their shoes. So I’m shining

Russell Steed

this pair of shoes and I look up, and there’s Judge Reinhold [of Beverly Hills Cop and Gremlins fame] in my chair. And so I just went on and we sat and chit-chatted and I could tell at any minute he knew I was gonna

and where they’ve developed a clientele. He’d also like to own

ask for an autograph, but I didn’t. He actually lives in the Heights. The

and operate a fleet of mobile shoeshine stands. He can see it now:

other famous person that I’ve shined his shoes is Bubba [Alan Autry] from

“People would just file out of their office buildings into the chair and

In the Heat of the Night. I did his shoes over in Benton.”

go back to work. But I want it to be run by vets because I am one.”

Are those the only famous folks Russell has seen?

He even has a name for his fledgling business: The Shining. He got it from the Stephen King book (“not the movie,” he insists), and smiles

“The one that I didn’t get to take a picture of is . . . Governor

while he tells me, “I’m just kind of macabre.”

Asa Hutchinson came and sat in my chair, and I couldn’t take his picture. They said it wasn’t an official photo op. But anyway, I got

It’s not the macabre I see when I look into his eyes, framed by wire-

the governor in my chair.”

rimmed-glasses and his jovial face; it’s joy. “I’m thankful that I live in a country where I can go, and I can work for myself. I can do my

Russell enjoys the traveling shoeshine lifestyle well enough, but he’s

thing, and if it doesn’t work, I can move on to something else. But

got a bigger plan in mind. “My ultimate goal is to have places that I

I’m not exactly ready to give up on this yet. My day’s gonna come

can put a stand, go to the VA [Veterans Administration], and say, ‘I

and I’m gonna be able to do what I wanna do. I’ve always felt that

need a vet that has PTSD [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder].’ Because I

if the good Lord wasn’t too good to wash the feet of his disciples,

have it and we don’t handle stress. We just don’t. And so I can go to

then I’m not too good to shine a few shoes.”

the VA and say, ‘I need a vet—male or female, I don’t care.’ And I can say ‘Okay, here’s you a stand, you go.’”

After training these vets for six months at no charge, Russell then plans for the vet to either buy or lease the stand from him so that they can stay in the same spot with which they’ve become familiar

You can contact Russell at theshiningshoeshine@gmail.com.

You can also follow him on Instagram at TheShiningShoeShine.

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sister kevin

words Jessica Hayes images courtesy Nikita Glendenning and Sister Kevin Bopp

I

In Fort Smith, Arkansas' modern history, there is an educator that

Little Rock. She taught in Conway, Saint Joseph’s Orphanage (later

has achieved somewhat of a cult status. From 1969-1986, Sister

Saint Joseph’s Home) in North Little Rock, and in a small school

Kevin Bopp served as founder, master teacher, and directress of St.

in Slovak, near Stuttgart. When she returned to Fort Smith, close

Scholastica Montessori School. During that time, she was regularly

friends introduced her to the Montessori approach to education

featured in the newspaper and on television.

and Sister Kevin knew she found her calling. She left for training at the Mid-America Montessori Teacher Education Center in Kansas

Born Betty Jean Bopp in 1939, Sister Kevin grew up in Little Rock and

City, Missouri.

moved to Fort Smith in 1956 to board at and attend St. Scholastica High School for her senior year. Her education with the Benedictine

Sister Kevin fell in love with the work of Dr. Maria Montessori, an

Sisters began in kindergarten, and she always knew she would join

Italian physician who spent decades studying child development,

them when she finished school. In 1959, she took her final vows.

observing children, giving lectures around the world, and training teachers. At the heart of Dr. Montessori’s work is the belief that all

Sister Kevin spent her early years with the Sisters as an elementary

children have within them the adult they will become. It is the job

teacher for the Catholic Schools of Arkansas, part of the Diocese of

of the teacher to help that child develop to the best of his or her

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people

potential. This development occurs through respecting the child's abilities, and instilling a sense of responsibility and intrinsic motivation.

The subsequent closing of St. Scholastica High School in 1968 left a large amount of vacant space, and after her training was complete, Sister Kevin received the okay to open her school. In the midst of transforming the classroom, she was called to Mena, Arkansas to stay with another sister for six months. During this time, she scoured yard sales looking for just the right teaching materials. Friends helped her make matching sets of aprons and build a sink that was just the right size for a three-year-old. Sister Kevin had a vision for her school, and she ensured it came to fruition. When St. Scholastica Montessori School opened in the fall of 1969, it was the second Montessori school in Arkansas.

Sister Kevin had eighteen students her first year, and she was the only teacher. By 1971, she had more than 100 students and seven teachers. When her Primary program reached 120 students, she capped the enrollment. The demand for Sister Kevin’s program was obvious. In 1979, the Southwest Times Record reported that it was common for new mothers to call her from the hospital to put their child on the waiting list. Parents, enamored of Sister Kevin and their child’s progress, requested an elementary program. The first year there were seven first graders. She added a class each year following until the school went through sixth grade.

Many of the materials used in the classrooms at St. Scholastica were handmade by Sister Kevin. The classrooms also included pieces from her childhood. Students learned to make a bed using Sister Kevin’s original baby bed. She taught them “respect for oneself, respect for one another, and respect for things,” the things being the materials in the classroom. Jack Blessington, a Montessori pioneer in America, visited the school once. Sister Kevin recalls that when he opened the door to the classroom he said, “My God, people must stand here and drool.”

Sister Kevin’s memories of the children of St. Scholastica Montessori School make it obvious that her students blessed her life as much as she impacted theirs. Her voice becomes more and more animated as she recalls her years with them, and her smile is impossible to miss. She remembers greeting them each morning, on her knees, with a handshake and “good morning.” Students were always spoken to at eye level, never from above.

Sister Kevin left St. Scholastica Montessori in 1986 to attend a two-year retreat in St. Paul, Minnesota with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ). She stayed and on May 1, 1996, joined the CSJ and left the Benedictine Sisters.

In St. Paul, her many years at St. Scholastica were put to use when she was asked to establish a preschool. Although it was not a formal Montessori program, she used the philosophy and made materials for the classroom.

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Today, Sister Kevin, at seventy-six, serves as the assistant

made him feel like the most important one, although I knew he

to the Associate Community Living Coordinator at the

was not.” Sister Kevin thought all of the children were important.

Carondelet Village, a position she formerly held. Carondelet Village is a joint partnership between the Sisters of St. Joseph

Sister Kevin is remembered for many things, including her ability to

of Carondelet and Presbyterian Homes & Services in St. Paul.

convince adults to do what she wanted and the family she created

She supports her fellow sisters who are in assisted living or

at the school. According to Carol Harper, also a former parent under

nursing care services. It keeps her busy and allows her to

Sister Kevin, she made parents responsible, too. Everyone had a role

continue ministering to others.

to play in making both the students and the school successful.

After her departure, the Sisters of St. Scholastica made the

One of the school’s biggest fundraisers was selling cookies on

decision, in spring 1988, to close the Montessori School.

a stick at the Old Fort River Festival. Parents used the kitchen

Because of the school’s impact, through Sister Kevin, on their

at Kentucky Fried Chicken and baked loads of cookies to Sister

children, a small group of parents banded together and kept

Kevin’s specifications. The cookies were then sold during the

the school alive. The hard work and dedication of those parents

festival, by the children dressed as elves. Sister Kevin insisted

resulted in the opening of Fort Smith Montessori School in the

the children should be the face of the operation.

fall of 1988 in a house on Duncan Street.

She had a gift for bringing families together in a way that With materials purchased from the Sisters and many of the

not many people can. Friendships that formed all those years

same teaching staff, the house on Duncan Street served as the

ago continue to grow and strengthen with each passing

school’s home for a handful of years. As the school grew, they

year. The bonds formed at St. Scholastica Montessori are still

moved to a former church on Jenny Lind Road where it remains

strong today. Sister Kevin keeps in touch with as many of

today. Sister Kevin returns to Fort Smith occasionally to visit.

her students as possible, and nothing thrills her more than

Showing her around the school can be quite nerve wracking.

locating another one. Her goal was to give children a solid

Always a perfectionist about her former school and the children’s

foundation that would serve them later in life. Parents like

environment, she keeps the tour guide on her toes.

Carol and Kathy, who see the results in their children today, say she was absolutely successful.

Sister Kevin has been described as a “motivator,” “visionary,” a “mover and shaker.” The love she felt for her students was

Sister Kevin, in looking back on those days at St. Scholastica, said,

obvious to everyone, especially the parents. Kathy Coleman, a

“There were no bad days. It was all just wonderful.”

former parent under Sister Kevin, recalls, “She loved my son and

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people

You Can't Keep a

Good Unicorn Down

words Stoney Stamper images courtesy April Stamper

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people

My family seems to have a never-ending fascination with ani-

stall with him nearly all day the first few days we had him, play-

mals. We've had pretty much every breed of every species you

ing with him and petting on him. She did her best to make him

can think of, and I really don’t see any end in sight. Animals

feel at home on our little farm. One of these times, she made

come, and occasionally go, on a fairly regular basis. It’s some-

a mistake. A horrible mistake. She didn’t shut the gate behind

thing I've had to get used to, because my girls don’t take the

her. Being that he was still pretty nervous and anxious in his

word "no" very well. Not when it comes to animals. Luckily,

new home, when he saw an open gate, he made a break for it.

we live on a nice seven-acre piece of ground. It's big enough to be a pain to mow and keep the fences mended, but it's small

Interesting fact #1: A scared baby pony can run as fast as a

enough so I can tell them we can't buy every cotton pickin’

cheetah chasing a gazelle. I’m not even kidding. He was like a

animal they want.

little pint-sized rocket shooting across our field.

So last month, my lovely wife made a horse trade.

Interesting fact #2: I am not as fast as a cheetah chasing a gazelle. It was like a race between

She does this occasionally, and it’s an ador-

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in his NASCAR and me

able trait. She wheels and deals, and even sometimes makes a good deal.

This was one of those times. She traded a miniature horse that we had named Sparky for two smaller miniature horses. You see, April is a photographer, and a good one, if I do say so myself. She does a lot of mini-sessions with children. And one of her most popular mini-sessions is with a real, live unicorn. Yep, you read that right, she gives little girls a chance to

She did her best to make him feel at home on our little farm.

One of these times, she made a mistake.

A horrible mistake.

trying to keep up on a tricycle.

It wasn’t even close. I was 100 yards behind him within a matter of two seconds, and he wasn’t slowing down. I was, however. I was wheezing like John Goodman running a triathlon. I couldn’t have been more sweaty. And the little guy was gaining ground with every freaking stride. I hollered back at April, “Go get my rope!” So she headed back to the barn to get it, while

dress up as their favorite storybook prin-

I continued to chase the tiny runaway.

cess and take a picture with a living, breathing unicorn. OK, it’s not really a unicorn. It’s a miniature horse with a glittered cone strapped to his

Although I was clearly slowing down, the pony wasn’t.

head, gold spray paint on his feet, and colorful hair extensions.

In fact, he caught another gear like he’d been hit in the hind-

But to these little girls, he is a magical creature.

end with a hotshot. Little dude was gone like the Road Runner.

Well, if you're going to take these pictures, you need your own

Interesting fact #3: Fences mean absolutely nothing to a horse

unicorn. So she bought Sparky. He was a good horse, but not

the size of a small dog. They can go through a fence, or under

exactly the unicorn that she was wanting. So she made a trade

it, without even the slightest hesitation. He never broke stride.

for these two others. They were a little smaller and just what she was looking for. One of them was a red dun. He is a little

Meanwhile, the neighbors had a new dog that did not approve

older and still a stallion. He will undoubtedly make a perfect

of my presence on their property. He was all over me, but I was

unicorn, someday. We decided to name him Dink.

too tired to even care. If he was going to bite me, he was just going to bite me. My legs were mostly numb anyhow, so it

The other one was only four months old and we’d yet to name

shouldn’t even hurt.

him. He was weaned right before we got him, and he was really missing his mama. A lot. It was sad to hear him cry and neigh

Thankfully, once the dog realized that I appeared to be suffer-

for his mother. My eleven-year-old daughter Emma was in the

ing from emphysema or some other lung malfunction and was

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people

no danger to anyone, he went home. I went on back to another

But no. He whinnied. He struggled a bit more, but apparently

house behind the neighbors', and there stood the little pony.

realized that I would sooner die than let go of him.

Smug, seemingly smiling at me, as he ate grass by their propane tank. But more important, he was standing still. I eased up on him like a mongoose on a cobra, walking ever so gently, although I’m sure my incessant wheezing wasn’t helping my sneakiness.

I got within ten feet of him and saw April coming up behind me.

She couldn’t find my rope. Well, that was just dandy.

I was quietly talking to the colt, and he was just staring at me. I inched closer. He made a run for it. I hurled my body at him and somehow caught him by the front leg. You may think to yourself, Oh good! He caught him. It’s over. No way!

Interesting fact #4: A tiny pony may be small in stature, but they are still as strong as Andre the Giant.

He hit me full force. Our heads butted. I bit my lip. He hit me in a

It was a mighty long walk back to our barn. As we approached the

very tender “man” part with his front foot. I moaned. He jerked

house, Emma was sitting on the porch swing. She said “Sorry, Stoney.”

back. I fell forward. I grabbed another leg, and finally wrestled

I’m not sure that I replied, but it was less out of aggravation and more out

him to the ground. Again, I started wheezing and sweating. I

of my continued heavy breathing and possible cardiac issues.

actually feared for a moment that I was suffering from a massive myocardial infarction. I held on with all the strength that I

April walked up to us and said, “That little guy sure flew the

had left, and finally he stopped fighting. I had won. Either that

coop, didn’t he?” We chuckled and looked at each other and

or he had died under my weight.

knew that we had just found our newest family member’s name. His name is Coop.

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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people

AND THEN THERE WAS

Hollofly Lydia Holloway

words Marla Cantrell images courtesy Hollofly Fishing Outfitters

J

Josh and Lydia Holloway believe in the romance of fly fishing. Wading in the chilly waters, fly rod in hand, they tend to get caught up in the majesty of it. For Josh, it's the rhythm that lures him in. Often, fly anglers talk about the beat of casting a fly rod, similar to music. Four counts: rod back on the first beat, pause on the second, forward on the third, then back again on the fourth, just before casting. "Sometimes I have to tell myself to stop for a minute, to look up, to look at the trees and water, and to see what's around me," Josh says. "You get in the zone when you fly fish. When I plan a day of fishing, I usually get up at three-thirty in the morning, start fishing at dawn, and don't stop all day, not even for lunch. But Arkansas is such a beautiful place. Lately, I've been reminding myself to look around. To really see where I am."

Josh Holloway

Lydia, who's sitting next to Josh, is smiling while he talks. At twenty-eight (he's thirty), she's been married to Josh for five years, and she realized early in their relationship that fishing would play a role in their life together. "On one of our first dates, when we were both students at UAFS, Josh took me fishing with his friends on the Arkansas River," Lydia says. "He asked me if I wanted to go and I told him I'd grown up fishing with my dad and brother, so I would love to. Of course, for a lot of that time I was more interested in being in charge of snacks," Lydia says, and then laughs. "What I remember about that date was how nice all Josh's friends were to me, and how they made me feel comfortable, and of course, how nice Josh was."

The couple lives in Fort Smith, where Lydia grew up, but Josh grew up in Booneville. "My dad was a pastor DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

people

47

and a coach and he loved fishing," Josh says. "When I was really

ArcBest Corporation, who knew about design, and she was able to

little we fished in ponds. I'd catch little perch and think I'd caught

take our ideas and turn them into what we had envisioned.

the big monster. I remember being ten years old, on the Little Red River, and I was fly fishing

BEFORE THE ORDERS ARE SHIPPED

with Dad. He missed a fish, and the fly came at him and got stuck in his lip and he handed me

OUT, LYDIA AND JOSH DO TWO

a knife and told me I was going to have to cut

THINGS. THEY WRITE A THANK-YOU

it out." Josh tugs the brim of his cap, and says,

NOTE, AND THEY ADD A HANDMADE

"I didn't think I could do it, but we finally got

LURE THAT JOSH MAKES, FOR FREE.

it worked out.

"I "I fished, and I grew up and played baseball,

JUST

WANT

CUSTOMERS

TO

KNOW HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE

and football, and basketball." Josh laughs.

"In a town that small if everybody doesn't

THEM, AND WE WANT TO SPREAD

play, you might not have a team. I played

THE LOVE OF FISHING," JOSH SAYS.

baseball at UAFS, and then transferred to Arkansas Tech [in Russellville] and played baseball there. Now, I coach football at Greenwood Junior High, a job I just love. I think I may have turned out a little like my dad."

Josh and his dad still spend a good deal of time together on the water, and he and Lydia plan trips around the sport. So it wasn't a big surprise when Josh said to Lydia one day a couple of years ago that they should start a company that would showcase both Arkansas and fishing. "We have such great trout fishing, rainbow, brown cutthroat, and brook. And you can fish for trout here year-round. The White River is world-class. The world-record brown trout was caught at

"We'd been posting a lot of pictures on Instagram, showing us

Little Red River at Heber Springs. But that's not all. A few days ago

fishing, showing fish we'd caught, and people were really re-

my dad and I caught small-mouth bass at Lee Creek. Around here,

sponding to that. We felt like that was a good sign people would

you have lakes and creeks and ponds, so fishing's everywhere."

respond to our products."

After brainstorming, the two came up with a name, Hollofly Fishing

On December 1, 2014, they unveiled their website, which also

Outfitters, a play on their last name, Holloway, and fly fishing. And then

includes information on fishing and fishing guides, and set up

they came up with a product, a T-shirt design that showed an outline

shop. They converted a bedroom at their house into the Hollofly

of Arkansas and a trout. "I was looking at a map of Arkansas one day,

Fulfillment Center, with boxes of T-shirts and caps ready to go, a

and I looked at the upper right corner, and I thought that corner looked

desk where Josh makes lures, and a long table where they could

like the mouth of a trout, and that seemed perfect, so the first design

pack their orders. They found local screen printers to print their

had the trout's mouth right on that corner," Josh says.

products, and they crossed their fingers.

Our first drawings were not very good," Lydia says. "One of Josh's

At first, all the orders came from family and friends. Each

fish looked more like Pac-Man. But I had a friend where I work, at

night, when their day jobs were over, they rushed home,

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people

logged on, and read through all the correspondence on their Hollofly site. When the first order came in from someone they didn't know, they celebrated. "We got an order from California, and we were thrilled," Josh says.

Arkansas has a great population of trout and year-round fisheries. These three rivers are world renowned in the fly fishing world and are in our

Lydia remembers the first time she saw a customer wearing one of their T-shirts. She and Josh were trout fishing and she'd gone back to the truck for a minute. She looked up and saw the guy and her

backyard. I have included great access points and tried-and-true flies for each river.

—Josh Holloway

heart swelled. "I almost said something to him, and then I almost took a picture of him and the shirt with my phone. Finally, I just LITTLE RED RIVER

texted Josh to tell him what I was seeing."

Best Access Points: JFK Park, Cow Shoals, Their next big moment came at the Angler Expo in Heber Springs, in

Swinging Bridge, Libby Shoals, Pangburn Bridge

March of this year. They set up shop, met people who had been fol-

Flies to try: Red or Orange Soft Hackle, Sow

lowing them on Instagram, and sold out of all their caps and T-shirts.

Bugs, Scuds, San Juan Worm, Egg Patterns,

Now, the two are in talks with five retailers, working on a plan to

Streamers, with high water.

get their products in brick-and-mortar stores, as well. And they're working on new designs, one that shows a compilation of all the kinds of trout you can find in Arkansas. Josh is beaming as he describes it. "We'll call that the grand-slam," he says.

WHITE RIVER Best Access Points: State Park Dam, Wildcat Shoals, Cotter, Rim Shoals, Cartney

As they talk about the future of Hollofy, their thoughts return to

Flies to try: Ruby Midge, Zebra Midge, San Juan

their childhoods. Lydia talks about what her dad taught her, out

Worm, Egg Patterns, Caddis Pupa, Scuds, Sow Bugs

on the boat, fishing. She learned to enjoy nature, to be part of this grand world, and love its beauty. Josh grew even closer to his dad on their outings, and now the two have bought a piece of land

NORFORK RIVER

north of Booneville, where there's a lake and the fishing's great.

Best Access Points: Dam, Ackerman Handicapped Access

They want everyone to feel what they do. The breeze lifting off the

Flies to try: Ruby Midge, Redneck Midge, Root

water, the thrill of catching the big one, the feel of the sun as morning

Beer Midge, San Juan Worm, Egg Patterns

morphs into noon. "It's something you can do alone, or with your family and friends," Lydia says. "Either way, it's a wonderful experience."

Josh tugs at the twine bracelet he's wearing, and says, "There's no better way to catch a fish than on a fly rod, especially if you tie your own flies and you make the flies that you catch the fish with. It connects you to everything."

Josh and Lydia are smiling at each other. And then Josh touches the spot where his heart is. He is wearing a gray Hollofly T-shirt with the state of Arkansas in yellow, and a fishing fly at its center. It is an innocent gesture—his hand on his chest—but it seems monumental

You can buy Hollofly Fishing Outfitters T-shirts and caps at

in the moment. Here is the state he loves, he seems to be saying.

hollofly.com. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Here is one of the best reasons to love it.

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travel

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travel

SPARKLE AND SHINE!

Arkansas Trail of Holiday Lights Celebrates 20 Years words Kerry Kraus, travel writer, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism images courtesy Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

W

What comes after Thanksgiving in Arkansas? The Arkansas

NORTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Trail of Holiday Lights! This year will be the twentieth anni-

In North Central Arkansas, Batesville shines with thousands of

versary of the program, which highlights more than sixty com-

lights throughout downtown. Ark. 178 and the city limits of Bull

munities around the state. Plot your course now, noting the start

Shoals will be twinkling, as will Cotter and Gassville. The strik-

dates, to see as many of the sparkling communities as you can.

ing Cleburne County Courthouse in Heber Springs is decked out again this year, as is the historic court square in Mountain

The Trail of Holiday Lights brochure is available both online at

View. If you’re in town on the appropriate dates in Mountain

Arkansas.com and in printed version. Printed copies are avail-

View, available in the brochure, you can listen to the glorious

able at all Arkansas Welcome Centers and at participating

sounds of Caroling in the Caverns at Blanchard Springs.

Shell, Subway, Bank of America and Best Western locations.

You can also request a copy by calling 1-800-NATURAL or

UPPER DELTA

e-mailing info@arkansas.com.

One of the largest light displays in The Natural State is based in the Northeast corner of Arkansas. The Lights of the Delta

Whichever version you prefer, get a copy and start planning

are Blytheville’s contribution, with six million sparklers and

your trip or trips. There’ll be lights, lights, and more lights

more than forty-eight major motion displays. The drive-thru is

waiting for you. Be on the lookout for Jingle, our holiday hog.

1.5-miles in length. Jingle Bell Park has Santa’s Workshop and

He’ll be popping up at various celebrations across the state.

hayrides are also offered. Santa will have bags of candy for every good little boy and girl in Corning that comes to see him

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

during their holiday celebration. Newport offers something

Twenty-one communities in the Northwest Arkansas area are

new this year: seven giant nutcrackers lining Front Street near

participating in the Trail of Holiday Lights and the events run the

the Iron Mountain Depot.

gamut from the huge Lights of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, complete with live camel rides, to ice skating at the outdoor rink in

LOWER DELTA

Bentonville. In Jasper you can get a look at “Arkansas Reindeer”

Christmas Wonderland is a half-mile of lights, animated dis-

— the elk living around the Buffalo National River. Fort Smith

plays, a thirty-foot oval train, drive-through lighted tunnel,

offers miniature train rides, while Ozark has horse and buggy

bubble and snow machines, a light show and an appearance

rides. Even Paris gets in on the action with the lighting of the

by Frosty the Snowman. All this, and more, is three miles north

town square, featuring over 100,000 shimmering lights.

of Crossett. Marianna has a lighted downtown square and

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a Victorian theme in the city park. Floating lighted displays are the town of McGehee’s way of celebrating at the Wiley A. McGehee Memorial Park. Pine Bluff’s Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends is a drive-through with more than 240 displays along the 1.3-mile route in Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Regional Park.

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS The Southwest area boasts numerous events along the trail.

Courthouses, town squares, parades, city parks, and streets will be glowing for the season. Historic Washington State Park lights its preserved cityscape with luminaries and offers candlelight tours. Take a horse-drawn surrey ride throughout town. Hot Springs festoons its historic downtown with lights, while Garvan Woodland Gardens features more than four million lights throughout seventeen acres. Magnolia highlights its picturesque courthouse square with lights which the Greenhouse Cottages of Wentworth has their annual drive-through display. In El Dorado you can drive under one of the largest man-made Christmas trees in Arkansas. At nearby Smackover, the Museum of Natural Resources turns Oil Field Park into a winter wonderland of animated displays and lights. The world-famous Clydesdales pulling a stagecoach provide transportation for Santa in Texarkana’s Christmas parade.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS The Arkansas State Capitol lighting is a tradition dating back more than seventy-five years. The Big Jingle Jubilee Parade ends at the capitol for the throwing of the switch by Secretary of State Mark Martin. The River Lights in the Rock will once again be in holiday colors. The Historic Argenta District of downtown North Little Rock is where you’ll find the Northern Lights Christmas tree. Sherwood’s annual lights through Sherwood Forest feature a mile of displays and the Santa Express while Jacksonville offers its annual setting downtown aglow.

The Saline County Courthouse in Benton is lighted for the season and offers a gazebo for visits with Santa. One of the pioneers of holiday lighting in Arkansas, Searcy, returns after a brief hiatus. All new lighting displays will be in Berryhill Park while the campus of Harding University is ablaze with more than 100,000 lights.

We'd love to see photos of your Christmas lights!

This is a brief overview of just some of the communities taking part this year. Complete information is available at Arkansas.

Send them to editors@dosouthmagazine. We'll share as many as we can through social media.

com/TrailOfHolidayLights.

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taste

Perfect Crock Pot

PUMPKIN PECAN BREAD PUDDING Words and images Catherine Frederick

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taste

Just when I thought this recipe couldn’t get better, I discovered it’s cooked in the crock pot! My family would probably starve if crock pots hadn’t been invented. What’s not to love about placing a few ingredients in a pot, leaving the house for several hours, only to return to a house that smells divine and dinner waiting? Well, this recipe may not be dinner, but it is delicious! Serve it up for breakfast or dessert — it’s perfect for family and friend gatherings too!

INGREDIENTS » 8 cups day-old bread cubes

» 1 teaspoon vanilla

» ½ cup toasted pecans, chopped

» ½ teaspoon cinnamon

» ½ cup cinnamon chips

» ½ teaspoon nutmeg

» 4 eggs

» ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

» 1 cup canned pumpkin

» ½ teaspoon ground cloves

» 1 cup half and half

» Vanilla ice cream

» ½ cup brown sugar, packed

» Caramel topping, optional

» ½ cup butter, melted

METHOD

Prep work: toast pecans and grease side and bottom of crock pot. Make sure you use day-old bread and have enough to make eight cups cubed.

Cube bread and place into crock pot. Add chopped pecans and cinnamon chips. In medium bowl, add cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, brown sugar, melted butter, half and half, eggs, and pumpkin. Whisk to combine.

Pour mixture over bread cubes. Stir, coating bread cubes. Cook on low temperature for three to four hours, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Serve while hot with toppings of choice. We love it with ice cream and caramel. And sometimes with syrup!

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taste

Apple Blossoms Words and images Catherine Frederick

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taste

A couple years ago, a sweet friend introduced me to Honeycrisp apples. They are, by far, the crispest, sweetest apples on the planet, with just a hint of tart. I’ll warn you, they are a bit pricey, but in my opinion worth every extra cent. They are the perfect apple for this decadent recipe, where the apples seemingly bloom in the warmth of the oven. Enjoy with ice cream and caramel sauce, of course!

INGREDIENTS » 2 Honeycrisp apples (other crisp apples will work fine) » 2 Tablespoons butter » 3 Tablespoons brown sugar, packed » 1 Tablespoon flour » 1 teaspoon cinnamon » 4 caramels » Optional Toppings: vanilla ice cream cinnamon

METHOD

Prep work: preheat oven to 375°. Butter bottom of oven-safe dish.

Cut off top ¼ of apples, discard top and remove core. Cut two deep circles inside each apple – don’t cut all the way through. Flip apple over, starting about an inch from the top of apple, make slices all the way around the apple – about one inch apart – all the way to the bottom. Flip back over and place in dish. Add 2 caramels in center of each apple.

Combine butter and brown sugar, microwave for 30 seconds.

Remove, stir, heat for 30 more seconds. Remove and add in flour and cinnamon. Spoon mixture on top of each apple.

Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes. Check after 25 minutes and continue cooking in 5 minute intervals until softened.

caramel sauce Once out of oven, transfer apples to bowls. Top with ice cream or place ice cream on the side as it will cause caramel in center to harden.

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taste

Caramel Apple

Toffee Spread THIS THREE INGREDIENT SPREAD IS BEST SERVED WITH HONEYCRISP OR GRANNY SMITH APPLES, AND IS THE PERFECT DISH TO SNACK ON WHILE ENTERTAINING FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces cream cheese Caramel sauce (store bought or homemade) Toffee bits Apples, sliced (pears and pretzels are tasty too)

METHOD

Turn cream cheese out onto serving platter. Drizzle caramel sauce over the top of cream cheese (amount of caramel depends on your personal taste).

Sprinkle toffee bits over caramel sauce.

Serve immediately with sliced apples.

Tip: If you aren’t eating the sliced apples immediately, be sure to toss the slices with lime juice to prevent browning.

Words and image Catherine Frederick

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taste

Words and image Catherine Frederick

APPLE CIDER INGREDIENTS Apple Cider Extra Dry Champagne Gold edible sugar for rim of glass (optional) Agave nectar (if dipping in sugar) Apple slices for garnish (optional)

METHOD

Pour agave nectar onto small plate.

Twist rim of Champagne glass through nectar. Dip rim into sugar to coat. Fill glass ½ full of cider and top with extra dry Champagne. Garnish with apple slice (we prefer Honeycrisp apples).

Always drink responsibly.

Never drink and drive.

Tip: If not serving immediately, toss apple slices in a bit of lime juice to prevent browning.

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taste

CHAI PUMPKIN

HOT BUTTERED RUM Words and image Catherine Frederick

INGREDIENTS

(enough Chai mix for 14-16 drinks)

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature 1 cups brown sugar ¼ cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) 1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon ginger ¼ teaspoon ground cloves ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom ¼ teaspoon black pepper Favorite rum Cinnamon sticks (for garnish) Whipped Cream (optional)

METHOD For Chai Mix: Using a hand mixer, combine butter and brown sugar in medium bowl. Add pumpkin, mix well. Add spices, stir. Place mixture in freezer safe bowl, cover. Will keep in freezer for up to one month.

For the Drink: Make sure Chai mix is room temperature. Place a generous shot of rum in a mug along with 1-2 Tablespoons of Chai mix. Add boiling water, almost filling mug. Stir gently to combine. Top with whipped cream if desired and garnish with a sprinkle of ground cloves and a cinnamon stick.

Always drink responsibly.

Never drink and drive.

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southern fiction

Mama Said She Loved Me But She Lied FICTION Marla Cantrell

M

"My mama says said loved me but she lied," Wesley Kidd,

"Get on out of the street, Honey," his mama says. "Let these

near about thirty years old, calls out to anybody that'll listen.

good people pass."

He's standing in the middle of Talawanda Street, right where it crosses Main, and two cars are stopped now, waiting him

Wesley shakes his head no and his blond hair falls across his

out. This is a small place, and if you're downtown on a Tues-

eyes. He bends over, puts his hands on the knees of his over-

day like this particular one, at one-thirty in the afternoon, you

alls. "Mama says she loves me," he says again. "Lies," he says.

probably ain't got nowhere else to be.

"What part is a lie, Wes?" his mama asks.

Wesley's mama is sitting on the one bench we got, a few feet away, there by the stop sign. Wesley has caused her trouble

Old Mr. McKinnon in the yellow Ford truck has been listening

before; Wesley don't think like a full-fledged grown person.

through his open window. He cuts off his ignition. He gets out,

His mama sits with her flowerdy cotton dress pulled down

puts his hand across his shiny forehead, like a salute, to shield his

tight across her knees, a ratty sweater slung across her shoul-

eyes, says, "Wesley, son, I would give a truckload of dollar bills to

ders. Her back is straight like a flag pole: her hands in fists

have one more minute with my dearly departed mama."

in her lap. She watches Wesley with her pale blue eyes as he paces back and forth across Talawanda.

Wesley stops his pacing, says, "Did she love you?"

"Come on now, Wes," his mama says. "You know that ain't true."

"Oh, my, how she loved me," Mr. McKinnon says, and then he knuckles under the weight of that sentence and has to

"You lie so much the truth looks the other way when it sees

wipe his eyes.

you coming," Wesley says.

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southern fiction

just our insurance agent from two towns over, discussing our

"Might she have lied about it?" Wesley asks.

coverage, and I chose to believe her. And so I quit talking to my mama, for three years, and when they told me she was in

"Not a chance," Mr. McKinnon says.

the hospital, I didn't go for two whole days."

Wesley points to the bench where his mama is thumping one foot against the grass like a guilty person. His mouth is turned

Wesley is swatting a fly that is buzzing his right ear. "I don't

down and he drops his fist to rub his eyes, and he is clumsy

like that story," Wesley says, and he begins to rock on his big

when he does it. "That one lies when the truth stands beside

feet, the laces of his work boots undone and hanging loose.

her yelling, 'Boo!'" Wesley's mama is standing on the curb now. In two steps she Bessie Thorton is in the car behind Mr. McKinnon. She hits

could touch her boy, but she stays put.

reverse, puts her arm up on the seatback and scoots down the road until she can swing it around and head away from here.

"I've never told a living soul that story," Mr. McKinnon says.

She has a husband who expects his dinner on the table by

"I have wanted to, over the years, especially after Maren left

four. She has obligations.

me. In the end, she said she hated the ground I walked on."

Mr. McKinnon laughs, a sharp, unhappy laugh. "My mama

Wesley's mama waves at Bessie as she retreats. She gets up

was right about her. Not up to snuff, after all."

off the bench, using the arm of the thing to help hoist her up. At forty-seven she's not an old woman, but she looks like

A dog howls, and Wesley says, "Your wife didn't love you.

one, her hair already mostly gray, and when she stands she is

She lied."

stooped, her shoulders pulling in toward the earth.

Mr. McKinnon says, "A wife's love is not like a mama's love.

"Seems like we've run off Mrs. Thorton," she says.

It can go cold as soup on a January night over the least little thing. Or your wife can love you like Christmas when she first

"Never you mind," Mr. McKinnon says. "She wouldn't want

meets you and then forget what all the fuss was about before

you to worry about her when you have your own trouble." And

the next spring comes. But a mama, now that's a horse of a

when he says this, he points to Wesley, who points right back.

different color. Your own mama," he begins, but Wesley puts his hands over his ears and starts to hum.

Wesley has found three smooth stones and he is pitching them toward the streetlight, pinging the wire cage that pro-

"What's gotten into him?" Mr. McKinnon says to Wesley's mama.

tects the light bulb.

Wesley's mama tugs a hanky from her dress pocket, twists it "Sugar," his mama says. "What have I told you about throw-

into a small rope. "He heard me talking on the telephone,"

ing rocks?"

she says. "I was talking to my sister, Levita, and I was saying how I always dreamed of going to Maine and eating a lobster

Wesley has another stone in his hand and he lets it fall to the

the size of a housecat, and then I said the next wrong thing,

street. "I could hurt somebody," he says.

that I truly regret, Mr. McKinnon, I do. I said, 'But all my traveling days ended when Wesley was born. All my days from

"You could hurt somebody," Wesley's mama says.

then on out were set in stone.' And then Levita asked me why I wouldn't go ahead and put Wesley in a home, and I told her

Mr. McKinnon speaks up. "My mama and I had a falling out.

I thought about it sometimes, like I thought about taking a

She didn't like Maren, my wife. She had seen Maren outside

long bubble bath, but I couldn't do it as long as I had strength

the Majestic Theater with a gentleman who seemed quite

enough to carry him along. When she pushed me, I said, 'I'd

interested in her. When I confronted her, Maren said it was

be lying if I said it was easy. I'd be a hypocrite if I said I didn't

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southern fiction

think about another life, with Wesley altogether whole and

Wesley seems to consider this. He tugs at his ear, then says

living on his own, and happy, and me getting on with the little

in a voice that breaks my heart, "But do you lie when you say

bit that's left of life."

you love me?"

Wesley picks up a stick that's fallen in the road. He whips the

Well, Wesley's mama comes undone at this. I think for a min-

air with it, says, "See there! Mama hates my guts!"

ute her knees might buckle. Wesley must think so too because he runs to her, pats her hair, then takes her hand. When she

"The tongue of man," Mr. McKinnon says, "is as an untrained dog."

recovers her wits, she says, "I have never once lied about that, Baby Doll, not one time in my long, sorry life."

The A&M train rumbles by, on the tracks three blocks over, shouting with its whistle. When it stops, Mr. McKinnon says,

Sheriff Comstock, a squat man with dentures, has gotten

"My own mama was too far gone when I got to the hospital.

wind of the trouble on Talawanda Street and heads this

She was breathing with a rattle. She had gotten so old in the

way. He does not like confrontation, which is a problem

time I'd neglected her. I have not recovered from it, not in all

for a lawman. But before he gets all the way up here, Mr.

these years."

McKinnon calls out, says, "We're all right, Sheriff. Just had a bit of a philosophical conversation going, trying to find

I have never seen a grown man cry until now, and it is worse than

the root of a mother's love. Trying to find the depth of it."

the screechy sirens on the one ambulance we got here in Lurton.

And then Wesley says, "Mr. McKinnon and me was about "When I went to clean out her house, she still had pictures of

to take Mama over to the Shiloh Cafe, see if she could find

me hanging on the wall, and one by her bedside table," Mr.

her a big ole lobster, a big ole red bug of a lobster, because

McKinnon says. "That's how a mama loves, Wesley."

my mama always wanted one of them things, and sometimes you got to get your mama what she wants because

A dump truck rumbles up, sees Wesley in the road, and the driver

life is not easy for mamas, even when you think it is. Even

calls out, "Y'all got trouble?" And Mr. McKinnon sniffs, wipes his

when you do everything you can to make them happy."

wet eyes, says, "Just the normal amount, sir. And we're figuring it out as we speak." The driver honks his horn twice, waves, then

"Well, go on, then," the Sheriff says, his hands on his wide hips.

backs up and takes Ridge Road out of here.

"Go eat some lobster and let this town get back to its business."

Wesley's mama says, "I give up, Wesley, I really do. I can't think

Wesley's mama says, "Oh, Mr. McKinnon, Wesley was just

of another thing to say. Maybe you should go live with Mr.

joking. We'll go on home now." But then Mr. McKinnon

McKinnon. Maybe you'd be happier without your old ma."

says, "All this talk of lobster has made me a bit peckish myself. And I could do with a little company, and I'd love to

Mr. McKinnon stops his crying on a dime, says, "Now, now. No

buy y'all some supper." He smiles then, the first time I recall

need for drastic measures. I have found that a good meal, a little

seeing him smile in years, and then he opens the passenger

rest, fixes just about everything." He scratches his head, walks up

door on the cab of his truck, and sweeps his other hand

to Wesley, who lets him put his arm around his shoulder.

real theatrical like. And Wesley and his mama climb in, thinking their own thoughts, maybe thinking a good meal,

"No," Wesley's mama says. "I am not fit, I don't believe. Wesley's

a little rest, will fix every hurt thing that ever happened. It's

right to be mad at me. And I've lied a lot in my life. Every day, practi-

not likely to be so, but who has the heart to tell them?

cally. I tell Thomas down at Humpo's Quick Stop that I am fine when I'm not fine. I tell the Good Lord I'm grateful when I truly am not.

I tell Wesley we're living on Easy Street, when mostly I don't know how we're going to get through the next week."

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