CHANGE - September 2020

®

CHANGE

September 2020 DoSouthMagazine.com

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september

Contents 04 06

10 16

Publisher’s Letter Do South ® 10 th

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Nonprofit Spotlight:

Anniversary Celebration

Girls Inc.

Poem: To Sing in Silence Pet Adoption:

14 26

Teacher Spotlight

Special Feature:

House and Home

Shop Local

{ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT}

Recommendations

33 34 35

Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler Apple Pie French Toast Roll Ups It’s Figgin’ Time

{FICTION} {PEOPLE}

18 22 30 36

The Craftsman Home is Where the Heart Is Eye in the Sky

{ T R AV E L }

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46

The Root of It

Sister Act

Fan Mail & Contest Get Bookish: September

{TASTE}

Supersize It

3 Girls Animal Rescue

17 50

08 12

{COMMUNITY}

Fall in Love with Arkansas

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OUR COVER Image Credit: Elena Elisseeva/ Shutterstock

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Letter from Catherine

T

G R AT E F U L

This September marks our tenth year in publication! I am so grateful for the opportunity you have given me to share the countless stories of so many amazing people and beautiful places over the past ten years. It really is true what they say, “love what you do, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” I truly love connecting with people, from our loyal readers, to the incredible individuals we feature, to our supportive family of advertisers. Ten years have gone by in a flash and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!

Over the past ten years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to bringing you not only gorgeous design, but stellar storytelling, and this month is no different. We’ve crafted another amazing issue for you! I am proud to introduce you to not one, but three incredibly creative locals. One launched a cooking show right from her very own kitchen, another left a career in IT, putting

SEPTEMBER 2020 OWNER - PUBLISHER - EDITOR Catherine Frederick COPY EDITING Charity Chambers GRAPHIC DESIGN Artifex 323 – Jessica Meadors CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS AB Lewis Photography, Jennifer Burchett, Jade Graves

his hands to work with wood and creating some of the most unique pieces we’ve ever seen, and yet another takes photography to new heights – literally – and by chance no less!

The Deffenbaugh family share their heartwarming experience at Ronald McDonald Family Room and we’re sharing updates from our friends on the new Ronald McDonald House being built in Fort Smith! You’ll also meet the amazing Julie Conley and discover how the River Valley Ovarian Cancer Coalition helped her through one of the toughest times in her life.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Burchett, Jan Dyer, Catherine Frederick, Dwain Hebda, Sarah Phillips-Burger, Sara Putman, Jill Rohrbach, Liesel Schmidt ADVERTISING INFORMATION Catherine Frederick I 479.782.1500 catherine@dosouthmagazine.com

We’ve also packed in not one, but two delicious recipes, furry friends who need a forever home, four books to add to your must-read list, and last but not least, we are shining the

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spotlight on a local teacher while providing information on how you can show your support and ways all area teachers can participate!

I know times are difficult, to say the least, my friends, but stay strong. We may not all be in the same boat, but we are all navigating the stormy seas together. If you are struggling or

©2020 Read Chair Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner. Opinions contained in Do South ® 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 including photography, becomes the property of Read Chair Publishing, LLC. Do South ® reserves the right to edit content and images. Printed in the U.S.A. | ISSN 2373-1893

know of someone who needs assistance, please reach out and let me know. Now is not the time to be divided, but to reach out and help our neighbors when we can. As always, be kind, stay safe, and I’ll see you in October!

Catherine Frederick

Annual subscriptions are $36 (12 months), within the contiguous United States. Subscribe at DoSouthMagazine.com or mail check to 4300 Rogers Avenue, Suite 20-110, Fort Smith, AR, 72903. Single issues are available upon request.

Inquiries or address changes, call 479.782.1500.

Owner/Publisher/Editor

catherine@dosouthmagazine.com

To reserve this free space for your charitable nonprofit organization, email: catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.

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10 Years!

This month, Do South® Magazine celebrates ten years in publication! Our small but mighty team takes pride in creating and sharing each beautiful issue. We’ve come a long way since our inception, but our quality design, editorial standards and of course, our mission to tell stories with heart and soul have never wavered. We are blessed beyond measure to be loved by you, our loyal readers, and also supported by our valued advertisers, who are like family. It’s hard to believe ten years have passed so quickly!

We are simply overcome with all the messages from advertisers and readers wanting to express their appreciation and sending congratulatory wishes, and while we are so very grateful, it is US who should be thanking YOU! So, from all of us, we sincerely thank you for loving Do South®, for allowing us this incredible opportunity to continue to share Do South® each month, and we look forward with much excitement to all the years to come!

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fan mail

FAN MAIL Send comments and suggestions to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.

The Best of Times Thank you again for another great issue. You should have seen the look on my face when I found the article about the Kenda Drive-In. I grew up in Leslie, Arkansas, just eight miles south of Marshall. The Kenda Drive-In was the spot to go, especially during the summer months.

On Saturday nights, teenagers from all over Searcy County took up every slot. There were the groups who sat on the hoods of their vehicles. There were the sweethearts who remained in their vehicles. Then, there was me. I covered the bed of my pickup truck with brown AstroTurf.

My vehicle was the only one parked backwards so I and my friends could watch the movie and visit with each other while relaxing on a carpeted pickup-bed. Before I was able to drive, my visits to the Kenda Drive-In were limited. When we were able to go, it was the biggest treat a young boy could imagine. Once I was free to drive, the Kenda Drive-In received a portion of my weekly paycheck on a regular basis. Throughout our lives, we experience the best of times and the worst of times. My teenage years visiting the Kenda Drive-In were truly the best of times. Thank you for the article. ~ Terry T.

CONTEST (Deadline is September 18) Go to dosouthmagazine.com, click on “Contest” at the top of the page. All who enter will be subscribed to our mailing list. Please see rules and policies on our Contest page!

DO SOUTH® DELIVERED

Love Do South®? Here is your chance to have it delivered right to your door!

Two lucky readers will win a full, one-year subscription to Do South®! Visit our website at DoSouthMagazine.com to enter!

CODE: DOSOUTH

CONGRATS Congrats to our contest winners from August!

One-year subscription to Do South®: Jan McMullin and Dale King $50 gift card to El Zarape: Alretta Reese $50 gift card to Doe’s Eat Place Fort Smith: Lucia Chancey $50 gift card to R. Landry’s New Orleans Café: Diane Piercy $50 gift card to Taliano’s Italian Restaurant: Tina Kavecki

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poetry

To Sing in Silence LINES and image Jennifer Burchett

A song without words, an endless depth revealed.

Of scapes beyond the imaginable, and tendrils within actionable.

Of wonder surpassing stars, and movement bypassing ours.

Of strength foretold and bold, Under pressure the fire grows.

And a pillar of water within, Upholds the hidden gem.

Together we sing in silence, Souls in rapture hence.

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entertainment community

Get BOOKISH September Recommendations courtesy Sara Putman, Bookish

Death in Her Hands

Mexican Gothic

by Ottessa Moshfegh

by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

This stunning novel is a blend of horror, suspense, and the darkest of comedy. It begs us to look at the stories we tell ourselves and how those stories reflect the truth or simply our truth. Moshfegh’s story begins as a woman takes a daily walk in the woods with her dog and finds a note claiming “Magda is dead.” There is no body, but the mystery becomes her obsession, and strange occurrences highlighting possible suspects start to appear in her everyday life.

The unreliability of the narrator adds to the suspense while simultaneously forcing readers to question the soundness of their own stories.

Noemi receives a frantic letter from her cousin who married over a year ago and moved to the Mexican countryside.

When Noemi goes to check-in on her cousin, she finds herself in a creepy English haunted mansion straight out of a Bronte novel. There is a nearby graveyard and servants who don’t speak, and Noemi is constantly admonished by the aging maid for smoking.

The longer Noemi stays, the stranger her dreams become, and soon, Noemi finds that everything she feared was nothing compared to her new reality. Haunting and beautiful, Mexican Gothic blends the atmospheric descriptions we love in classic gothic novels with the gritty social commentary we expect from modern domestic noirs.

Enjoy these four must-read books from our friends at Bookish, Fort Smith, Arkansas’s only independently-owned bookstore. Shop hours: Monday 11am-4pm, Tuesday - Friday 10am-6pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. Need curbside delivery?

Call 479.434.2917 or email orders@bookishfs.com.

The Brownsville Texas Incident of 1906

by Lt. Colonel William Baker In his remarkable memoir, Lt. Col. Baker tells the story of how he worked to exonerate the one hundred sixty-seven black soldiers of the 25th infantry. In 1906, President Roosevelt discharged them without honor and without due process. Their lives were changed forever and they often had trouble navigating a system that frowned upon dishonorably discharged service men. Through conversations with the lone survivor, Dorsie Willis, Baker forces readers to look at the systems in place that would allow such atrocities to occur, he forces us to look at the truth and recognize the effects of a terribly broken justice system. He is inspiring in his determination to let justice prevail even though the odds were stacked against him.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close

by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman This is a dual memoir that chronicles the journey of getting and keeping mature, adult, female friendships.

The timing of this release is perfect; as we strive to salvage our health and sanity, Sow and Friedman remind us that friendships are valuable but complex.

As we get older and our circumstances evolve, do we have what it takes to continue our friendships through geographical and emotional changes? What type of friendship is worth fighting for? The duo offer personal experiences and bring in experts throughout to offer a fresh look at the importance of genuine, mature female friendships.

community

Nonprofit Spotlight words Catherine Frederick with Amanda Daniels, Executive Director, Girls Inc.

DS: Who does Girls Inc. serve and in what ways?

Our programs serve girls age five to eighteen. In 2019, we served 1,441 girls.

Each week/month we serve approximately 300 – 500 girls depending on what time of year it is or if we have a recreational sports league in season. We offer after-school programming, summer programs, recreational volleyball, basketball and dance as well as outreach partnerships with schools. Of course, some of this has had to change, or at least our normal way of facilitating these programs under current circumstances due to COVID. DS: Tell us how Girls Inc. impacts our community.

Girls Inc. impacts the community in so many positive ways. Our programs offer parents an affordable option for after-school and summer care while providing a safe, girls-only environment where they continue learning even when out of the classroom. Our sports programs are a great option for girls to learn a sport and develop teamwork skills among other traits to help them become successful and confident. We also partner with schools to provide several different options for outreach programs. The Girls Inc. Experience consists of

Girls Inc.’s mission is to inspire all girls

people, an environment, and programming that, together, empower girls to succeed. Trained staff and volunteers build lasting, mentoring relationships in

to be strong, smart and bold, providing

girls-only spaces that are physically and emotionally safe and where girls find a

more than 1,400 girls in Fort Smith and

sisterhood of support with shared drive, mutual respect, and high expectations.

surrounding areas with life-changing

Hands-on, research-based programs provide girls with the skills and knowledge

experiences and solutions to the unique

to set goals, overcome obstacles, and improve academic performance. Informed

challenges girls face. Do South reached

by girls and their families, Girls Inc. also works with policymakers to advocate for

out to Amanda Daniels, Executive

legislation and initiatives that increase opportunities for girls. At Girls Inc., girls

Director, to learn more.

grow up healthy, educated, and independent.

®

DS: How can our community get involved and show support?

1415 Old Greenwood Road Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.782.0375 girlsincfortsmith.org

We always need volunteers, especially coaches for our sports leagues.

However, volunteers can come for a one-day event as well, such as speaking to our girls about their profession or a topic of interest. There are also always projects for groups such as helping with landscaping, painting, etc.

DS: What’s something many people may not know about Girls Inc.?

The most significant one, in my opinion, is our scholarship program. We’ve Next month, we’ll showcase another worthy charity in our area free of charge. If you have a nonprofit you’d like to see recognized, email us at catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.

given over half a million dollars in college scholarships to Girls Inc. girls. This year alone we gave nearly $25,000!

DS: Are there any upcoming events our readers should know about?

Unfortunately, most of our events have been cancelled. We did however make our luncheon virtual this year and we encourage everyone to go and watch it on YouTube or Facebook. It will give you a ton of insight on all aspects of Girls Inc. of Fort Smith. We do have our annual golf tournament coming up as well on October 12th at Hardscrabble Country Club.

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community

TEACHER

SPOTLIGHT MRS. TIFFANY BUSH

Do South ® has joined forces with Bo okish, our area’s only independent bo okstore, in an effort to shine the spotlight on deserving teachers in our community! Local teachers can complete the form and wish list online and then bo oks from their wish list can be purchased from Bo okish at a twenty percent discount by anyone wanting to show their support! Each month, we will feature a local teacher doing great things for area children.

This month, we are proud to introduce you to Mrs. Tiffany Bush, a 4th grade teacher at Wo ods Elementary. To all teachers, we love you and thank you for all you do!

Tell us about your teaching journey. How long have you been a teacher? Where have you taught? What grades and subjects do you teach?

I am a 4th grade teacher at Woods Elementary and this will be my fourth year at Woods, third year teaching in my own classroom. I came into teaching the non-traditional route after graduating with my Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership at UA-Fort Smith in 2013. I've always loved working with kids and worked part-time at a preschool while holding a business position. I realized business wasn't what I wanted to pursue so in 2017 I started a full-time teaching position at Woods Elementary as a special education paraprofessional.

That school year I worked hard to earn my teaching license through a non-traditional program. I completed the program in May of 2018 and earned my Arkansas teaching license, then was given the opportunity to teach 4th grade at Woods Elementary in my very own classroom for the 2018-2019

WOODS ELEMENTARY FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS

school year! I teach every subject and I love every minute of it. Being in the classroom brings me so much joy and I hope my joy transfers to my students. I plan to further my love of learning and education by earning my Master’s in Education.

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community

What do you like about being a teacher?

I love the look on their faces when the learning lightbulb goes off. When the learning concept, that was once difficult, finally clicks and the look they give you once it all comes together.

The confidence shining on their faces makes it all worth it! I love being there to watch and help

T S I L H S I W Wonder by author R.J. Palacio

them learn and grow. It's priceless.

Any book by autho r Katherine Applegate

What is your biggest concern about entering into the 2020 school year?

If we're virtual, not being there physically for my students when they need me most. Not being there physically for them when they struggle.

If we're in person, not being able to give them a hug and comfort them when they need it and constantly having to make sure we're all keeping our distance and wearing masks.

The Little House on the Prairie series

Honestly, just sad about not having a normal school year either way.

Any book by autho r Lynda Mullaly Hunt

The Harry Potter series Teachers, we encourage you to complete the short form and add your wish list! You can find the form at Bookishfs.com, on their Facebook page, and at DoSouthMagazine.com.

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pets

Fall in Love with Me M

F

Bandit

M

Haven M

F

Penny

Moon Pie M

Capuyo

Pascal

3 Girls Animal Rescue is a foster-only rescue, so there is no facility. All animals are currently in foster homes being socialized and cared for by loving families. All animals are spayed or neutered, up-to-date on vaccinations, and heartworm negative. 3 Girls is run completely by volunteers and operates solely on public donations.

CONTACT: 918.564.2483 or private message on Facebook www.facebook.com/3GirlsAnimalRescue • threegirlsanimalrescue@outlook.com Each month, Do SouthŽ donates this page to local and regional nonprofit animal shelters. If you work with a shelter and would like to reserve this space, please email editors@dosouthmagazine.com.

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shop

IT'S TIME! Shop local and discover what’s in store! We love this time of year as we transition into fall. Start early – shop our favorites and tell them Do South® sent you!

words Catherine Frederick imageS Jade Graves Photography and courtesy vendors

Arkansas Razorback Home Décor and Gift Items

Hearts On Fire “Primrose,” Available in Platinum, 18kt Yellow, White or Rose Gold

JENNIFER’S GIFT SHOP BAPTIST HEALTH FORT SMITH

JOHN MAYS JEWELERS

479.441.4221

479.452.2140

Bulleit Bourbon, Cupcake Light Hearted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Devils River Coffee Bourbon, Sqrrl Peanut Butter Whiskey, Host Whiskey Freeze Cooling Cup, Lost Forty The Hunter Oktoberfest, Batch Cocktail Book

Sunglasses by Morgenthal Frederics

DR. STEVEN B. STILES OPTOMETRY 479.452.2020

SODIE’S WINE & SPIRITS 479.783.8013

The World’s First Customizable, Rechargeable Hearing Aids that Fit Completely in the Ear, by Starkey

Barefoot Hard Seltzer, Wine-Based Strawberry, Peach, Cherry and Pineapple Seltzers

CENTER FOR HEARING

IN GOOD SPIRITS

479.785.3277

479.434.6604

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people

Julie Conley with her husband and grandchildren

Sister Act words Dwain Hebda IMAGEs courtesy AB Lewis Photography

THERE WAS NEVER a time growing up that Julie

“Mary Jane and I have always been close. Really close,”

Conley and Mary Jane Cobb had reason to feel alone.

Julie says brightly. “She’s my baby sister and the baby of the family.”

Filling two of the youngest three slots in a family of eight children—four boys and four girls—the Texas-born sisters

Distance, marriages, changing jobs and growing children did

were always in tow with siblings. Even today, in the sixth

nothing to dilute the bond between the two sisters, despite

decade of life, there’s still a protective tone that creeps into

Julie winding up in Arkansas and Mary Jane in Norman,

Julie’s voice as she talks about her sibling.

Oklahoma. Even the darkest event of their lives, ovarian cancer, found a connection there, binding them closer together.

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people

“When Mary Jane was diagnosed, I was going up and staying

Julie and Mary Jane

with her at the hospital in the ICU,” Julie says. “Me and my sister-in-law and my other sister from Florida came down and we were all taking turns.

“I would go up there on Thursday, stay up there during the weekend, and I was just dead tired. I thought, ‘Oh, I’m just being a hypochondriac.’ Then I was having this really bad pain in my side. Sometimes it hurt so bad, I couldn’t even breathe.”

Julie had been experiencing health issues on and off for about a year prior to that, but nothing debilitating enough to warrant anything more than her doctor dismissing it as menopause. But after one particularly uncomfortable trip to see Mary Jane, she couldn’t take it anymore.

“The day I went to have my scan, they called me within fifteen minutes of when I got back home and said, ‘You need to get back in. We need to talk about your scan,’” she says.

“They’d found this huge mass in my pelvic area. The woman said, ‘I don’t know if it’s malignant or not, but we’ve got to get it checked out.’”

Through a series of referrals, Julie wound up seeing Dr. Joseph Ivy of Highlands Oncology Group in Fayetteville. Ivy said based on family history and, strangely enough, due to

“The chemo was really rough, and you really have all kinds

Mary Jane’s diagnosis, the odds of the mass being cancerous

of emotions going through you at the time,” she says. “I

were almost zero.

got through with my family and through faith in God; if it hadn’t been for my faith and praying and all, I don’t know. I

“He said it would be very unusual for both of us to develop

wouldn’t have made it.”

cancer with no genetics in our family, but that we needed to remove [the mass]. I said, ‘Sure,’” says Julie. The next day she

There were other side effects too, ones that she came to

underwent surgery, after which she once again met with Dr. Ivy.

terms with through the help of a caring circle of family and friends.

“He said, ‘Well, I can’t believe it. You’ve got Stage Three 2A ovarian cancer,’” she says. “The mass wasn’t cancer, but my

“They told me I’d be losing my hair and at the end of

ovaries had cancer in them. They took and did a biopsy and

week two, my hair just started falling out. I hadn’t even

one of them came back positive.”

started my third treatment,” she says. “After Labor Day, my daughter had me a cancer party and they had little

Julie started her treatment August 13, 2018, a series of

cookies made and everything and everyone brought food.

weekly chemotherapy sessions that stretched into the week

I had about thirty ladies there and she had someone come

before Christmas, not counting the one week she was

and they shaved my head.

allowed to skip because she was so sick she passed out in the chemo center. Such is the nature of a disease that’s so

“That was very emotional because I had real big hair and

nasty it requires medicine even nastier to kill it.

all and I had to shave it all off. But I wouldn’t recommend DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

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people

“It has been an exciting adventure. It’s been bittersweet at times. I have met some wonderful people that I never would’ve met if it wasn’t for this awful cancer,” Blanche says. “We always feel so honored to be able to help somebody. We help each other and we check on each other and we find out where you are, what you need as a patient and how we can help.”

Julie’s circle has also helped her celebrate the fact that since getting off chemo in December, she’s shown no sign of the disease. And, her group has helped her deal with her grief and misplaced guilt over having come through her fight in better shape than Mary Jane, whom she was always there to protect.

“I’ve had a guilt trip. There’s a guilt there that I’m doing so anyone keeping it, because it just sheds so much all over the

well and she’s still struggling, because she’s gone through

place when it starts falling out. I would go outside and just

so much,” Julie says. “Mary Jane felt really bad when I was

shake my head and my hair would just go flying.”

diagnosed. But my sister saved my life; I caught mine at Stage Three and my surgeon said if I had waited another

Julie found she had other supporters in the community

three months, I’d have been where she’s at, at Stage Four. I

too, folks she would have never known existed had she not

caught mine earlier because of her and her symptoms.”

developed cancer, but who became an important part of her support system.

As she continues to recover, Julie has turned her focus back toward Oklahoma, rooting on Mary Jane as only a big sister

“On Facebook, I had talked to various people and asked them

can. When she meets fellow ovarian cancer patients, she

if they knew anything about ovarian cancer. I was referred

thinks of her baby sister and having learned a few things

to River Valley Ovarian Cancer Alliance, here in Fort Smith,”

on this road, gives them the shoulder they need as others

she says. “The organization provided a great deal of help to

have done for her.

me during my whole treatment.

“Never give up. Stay strong. Rely on your family and friends “They sent me cards all the time, they brought me a care

for support. Always keep your faith with God, and pray,”

bag and a chemo bag, which had all kinds of things in it for

goes her recipe, which she shares with anyone who needs

your chemo treatments to take with you. I found out they

to hear it.

have meetings once a month and just being a part of that and knowing that you’re able to help and support others is

“Life is precious, and you cannot take anything for

very satisfying.”

granted. Life can change in a flash so love and live life, every minute.”

Blanche West, who founded the alliance, says the mission of the organization was to raise awareness about ovarian cancer, provide education and serve women in their cancer battle, ranging from providing gas cards and certain kinds of emergency funding to moral support.

Learn more about the River Valley Ovarian Cancer Alliance and how you can help at rivervalleyoca.com.

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people

THE CRAFTSMAN words Liesel Schmidt IMAGEs courtesy Aaron Price

Over the past twenty years, we’ve become increasingly reliant on technology. We can’t seem to function without our cell phones, tablets, and computers, depending on them for everything from simple communication to more crucial things that greatly impact the way the world works. It’s a complicated balance, and when one thing breaks down, it can have enormous consequences. It was while facing some of those consequences after his laptop was stolen from his car one night in 2017 that brought software developer Aaron Price to the realization that he wanted to get back to basics and create something more tangible. “I lost five years of software development on that laptop,” says Price, recalling the incident that inspired him to make a drastic life change. “I should have backed it up, but I didn’t.”

Not backing it up, while no doubt seemed catastrophic at the time, was actually an Aha! moment for Aaron, making him see that he could do something with his life that had absolutely nothing to do with computers. Having spent decades in technology—first, building laser engraving machines, then as the co-founder of a successful cell phone repair company in addition to developing software—his fate seemed inexorably written in code. But when the wakeup call

came,

Aaron

realized

that

he

could go offline and use his talents on something decidedly more old school.

A

self-starter

entrepreneurial Aaron Price

with side,

a

very

strong

Aaron

taught

himself woodworking, utilizing as many resources as he could find to learn the best practices and refine his techniques.

“I've taken a few online courses and

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people

watched many, many YouTube videos,” Aaron says with a

Like any truly devoted woodworker, Price knows which

smile, no doubt aware of the irony of using technology to

types of wood are best for his projects and offer the

teach him something so low-tech. “Whether it's software

most beautiful end result. “I love using walnut for its

development, technology repair, or woodworking, I love

dark chocolate color and beautiful grain patterns. Maple

unraveling processes and figuring out how things work. For

is a stark contrast, with a very light color and buttery

instance, there is a very old technique from Japan called

texture; and the natural color of purpleheart is just fun!”

kumiko, which was traditionally used for shoji panels—room

Those different woods give his pieces the characteristics

dividers and doors. This process has been exceptionally

of strength, quality, and beauty that his customers love;

fun to dissect. It's a lattice structure in which each piece

and since starting Craftsman James Woodworking, he’s

interlocks with the other; and after the base grid is finished,

made those standards his hallmark.

each infill piece is hand carved to the correct angle to fit Named for the forename that has been passed down

snugly in place.”

through generations of his family and is Aaron’s middle Clearly, the intricacies of woodworking fascinate rather

name, Craftsman James is quickly becoming a local

than overwhelm him, and his captivation has turned into

favorite for those who love high quality pieces made of

a passionate dedication to create beautiful things that will

handcrafted wood. “So much of our options these days

last. Now, his favorite tool has nothing to do with wireless

are mass produced, chemically treated, wood-derivative

transmissions of data and has no operating system. It

products that are neither sustainable nor environmentally

doesn’t need to be updated, synced or backed up. It simply

friendly,” Aaron says. “Natural wood is a temperamental

needs the direction and guidance of his hands and a quality

material

piece of wood. “I have a beautiful antique Stanley #45

Temperature, moisture content, grain patterns, and knots

plane with a floral design produced from 1897 to 1904. I

are all variables that don't easily fit with mass-production.

found it at Belle Starr Antiques, my favorite little antique

It's my goal to create products that people will love and

mall in downtown Fort Smith,” Aaron notes. Plane in hand,

care for while doing so in a sustainable way. I'm also a

Aaron is ready to make the things he’s becoming known

big believer in supporting our local economy, so I try to

for locally: home accent pieces including cutting, serving,

source hardwoods grown, cut, and milled locally. When I

and charcuterie boards; keepsake and gift boxes; plant

make my pieces, I use techniques that, with proper care,

stands; and lighting and art pieces. He’s also in the process

will last for generations. Each one is handcrafted and

of designing a few furniture pieces and he's working on

takes a lot of time and attention.”

and

converting some antique radios into Bluetooth stereos.

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doesn't

work

well

with

automation.

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people

All of that time and attention shows in the finished product, and his boards are quickly becoming a hot commodity due in part to his partnership with Amazing Graze, where customers can buy his wooden boards and have them filled with premium charcuterie assortments. Aaron also has a booth at his wife’s store, Belle Starr Antiques, where the full range of his talents is on display.

Naturally, sawdust and wood shavings are a regular part of his daily life, their fine particles and small bits coating the surfaces of his workshop as a testimony to his hard work. Each pass of his plane, each cut of his saw, each thump of his mallet is a note in the soundtrack of his new life—one far away from the confines of a computer.

He’s back to basics, working with his hands and getting calluses that speak to his days spent communing with the grain of the wood. And while he may spend most of his time working on his next piece, he’s careful to maintain a healthy balance and enjoy a life away from his work.

As one might expect from his willingness to get his hands dirty, Aaron is a lover of all things nature and has been since childhood. “My twin brother and I are the youngest of four rambunctious boys. We all have a love for the great

Aaron and Beth

outdoors, which is one hundred percent inspired by my father, who's always had a thirst for life and adventure.

My mother gifted me with her enterprising spirit and taught us never to be afraid to try new things.” Reflective of that, he is an avid hiker, fisherman, camper, swimmer, and scuba diver. “I've been diving for a few years and have been working with Ocean Impact Dive Shop in Fort Smith to get my Dive Master certification. Joining the Ocean Impact staff has provided me with ample opportunities to share my passion for scuba diving with new divers.”

Regardless of whether he’s at work or at play, Aaron shows a clear passion for the things he pursues. That passionate nature is what makes his pieces so special; and whatever he puts his hands to, he works hard to create something that he can be proud of—something that will last. Unlike the software he once developed, he’s making things no virus can hack and no glitch can destroy. He’s making pieces to treasure and pass down, and no technology can make that obsolete.

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Find Craftsman James on Instagram, Facebook or online at craftsmanjames.com.

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community

Supersize It Ronald McDonald House Rendering

Drew and Brandi Deffenbaugh and their twins

Words Dwain Hebda images Virgila Dale’s Photography and courtesy Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma

A

As the incumbent parents of five children, Drew Deffenbaugh and his wife Brandi are no strangers to the arrival of babies. But last year, when their first set of twins arrived six weeks early, they discovered just how much they didn’t know.

“Our twins started having issues back and forth,” Drew says. “They took them straight back to the NICU and that’s where they stayed.”

The Deffenbaughs, both educators in the Van Buren Public School District, thus began an around-the-clock vigil, while physicians monitored little Kylie and Kade and addressed various health issues as days turned into weeks.

“We really didn’t know what we were in for, dealing with all the issues that preemies deal with,” Drew says. “It was stressful; we were there seeing the babies whenever they would let us see them. I could not drag my wife away, you know, we’d hold them whenever we could.”

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community

Early on, a nurse told the couple about the Ronald

The stand-alone house is only the second in Arkansas, the

McDonald Family Room, operated by Ronald McDonald

other residing in Little Rock, operated by Ronald McDonald

House Charities of Arkoma. The room provided the weary

House Charities of Arkansas. In addition to the Family Room

parents a place to sleep, grab something to eat, get a shower

within Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, the Arkoma group also

before going back on baby watch. Drew says the Family

operates a similar set-up at Washington Regional Medical

Room was a godsend under such stressful conditions.

Center in Fayetteville, opened in 2016. Erin says while the purpose is the same, the difference in definition between a

“Keep in mind, we were gonna be there regardless, but we

house and a family room boils down to capacity.

would’ve been sleeping in waiting rooms, sleeping on chairs, if we had not had Ronald McDonald Family Room,” he says.

“At the Family Room that we have in Fort Smith right now,

“It was such a blessing.”

there are four rooms and we are constantly having a wait list to serve families,” she says. “Having to turn people away

The Deffenbaughs’ story mirrors that of countless other

from staying with us who have driven from thirty minutes, an

parents and families of children with serious health

hour, two hours away is really tough.

problems who have all benefitted from the presence of the Family Room. And soon, the

TheDeffenbaugh DeffenbaughFamily Family The

nonprofit organization will be able to help even more families at a time, having announced the construction of a stand-alone Ronald McDonald House, to break ground this fall.

Erin Farrah, community outreach and volunteer manager

with

Ronald

McDonald

House

Charities of Arkoma, says a capital campaign got off to a fast start last year with the arrival of a substantial anonymous donation. That, as well as brisk donor participation since, reinforces how eager people are to see the house get built.

“We started our private campaign in the spring of this year and made our public announcement on July sixth,” she says. “We have currently raised two-thirds of the funds to build this house. It’s a $3 million campaign and we have raised just about $2 million.

“A lot of the people who donate with us have had an experience with the Ronald McDonald House. They understand the impact that it can have on families that have children in the hospital. We get a majority of families from the NICU, but we don’t just serve NICU families; it’s available to anyone with a child in the hospital twenty-one years of age or younger.”

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community

“This house will have eleven bedrooms in it, so we will be able

COVID-19 pandemic. So far, supporters have responded

to serve a total of fifteen families whose children are in the

well; a virtual event in June was a big success and organizers

hospital. Getting to expand our services to more people who

are hoping the group’s largest event, October’s Red Shoe

need it is really what fueled us wanting to build this house.”

Shindig, also to be held virtually, will follow suit.

Plans call for a one-level, eight thousand-square-foot house,

“Fundraising can be really difficult right now, especially for

featuring state-of-the-art kitchen, laundry room, media

a lot of nonprofits, but people in the community are very

room and playroom in addition to the bedrooms. Outside

aware of how big of a need this is,” Erin says. “At our virtual

will feature a number of spaces including a front and back

fundraiser in June, we ended up raising about $80,000 just

patio, the latter adjacent to the inside dining area making it

from ticket sales and individual donations, which was really

easy for people to go eat outside.

amazing. We’re really grateful for that.

“We’ll also have a playground on the outside and what we’re

“A lot of the push for the campaign is through the media

calling a serenity garden,” Erin says. “The serenity garden is

right now. We’ve had really great feedback from social media

for adults only to be able to relax in those stressful times.”

from the announcement itself. We are also doing donor videos. We have t-shirts that we gave out to people to wear

In order to commence building, Ronald McDonald House had

around town with our campaign hashtag #BuildTheHouse to

to reach at least the two-thirds mark of its campaign goal.

spread the word in their own personal circles.”

Besides the initial anonymous gift, that requirement was advanced considerably by Mercy Hospital Fort Smith donating

As you might expect, the Deffenbaugh family can’t say

the ground upon which the house will be built, a footprint

enough about the new project, given the month they spent

where the Mercy Educational Center currently stands.

tending to their newest family members. Drew says while the tots have rebounded incredibly well – to the point you would

"The new Ronald McDonald House will be a tremendous

never guess they were preemies – he and Brandi remember

gift to families whose infants are being cared for at Mercy

well the mental and emotional toll their births took and

Fort Smith," says Ryan Gehrig, president of Mercy Hospital

how much easier the experience was thanks to the Ronald

Fort Smith. "The opportunity to provide families with a free

McDonald Family Room.

place to stay while their infants are in Mercy's neonatal intensive care unit is something we have embraced from the

“It was priceless, especially because we were able to go

very beginning. The new Ronald McDonald House will be

through that experience with other people who truly

just behind our Labor and Delivery Department, which allows

understood what we were going through,” he says. “That

easy access to and from the medical center.

really helped us cope. [Families] were able to minister to each other at different times. We'd be going through something,

“We have had a wonderful relationship with Ronald

having a rough night, and other couples would be there to

McDonald House Charities over the years and have been able

encourage us and vice versa.

to help so many families through their Family Room at Mercy Fort Smith. During that time, the community has stepped

“We got to meet people that we probably would never have

up and become involved by donating things such as meals

met, and we created a bond like no other, simply because

and snacks for these families. We are pleased to be able to

they could really empathize with us and we with them.

continue and expand this relationship with Ronald McDonald

Emotionally, that helped us quite a bit.”

House Charities as we provide space for the new location."

As with many organizations, Ronald McDonald House has had to think creatively about fundraisers, given the

To learn more about Ronald McDonald House Charities and how you can be of service, visit rmhcofarkoma.org or call 479.756.5600.

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people

Words and images Jennifer Burchett

HOME IS WHERE THE

Heart Is

Walking into Jan Dyer’s kitchen is like taking a trip down memory lane. Freshly ground nutmeg and sautéed peaches bring to life a bouquet of aroma that transports you back to the good ole days, when relatives scurried and laughed their way around the kitchen as they made southern classics for the entire family to share. Though an executive realty broker by day, Jan’s side project of making cooking videos is quickly growing in popularity and has become a wonderful way to

Jan Dyer

be with loved ones while harnessing the true power of southern comfort food.

On any given week, Jan makes between three and four cooking videos. Each is produced with the assistance of her husband, Bobby, who has a long career in video production at Channel 40 News and as the media director for First Baptist Church. Though the recipes vary, Jan’s charisma is steadfast throughout. She speaks as if she’s known you for years; you can almost see her in your kitchen, chatting away and shooing curious little fingers desperate for a taste. Her arms work as if the recipes were written on the back of her hand, and with hardly giving a second glance, she glides around her kitchen, from here to there, preparing the meal as she tells stories and gives

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people

instruction in classic southern style. It

True to her mission as a daughter, friend,

doesn’t take long for Jan’s videos to give

and servant of God, Jan makes it a point

viewers the confidence they need to take

to take food to her mother as often as

the plunge and put her cooking methods

she can. She has also found herself at

to good use.

the disposal of those in need, including for members of her long-time church,

“Anybody can cook,” smiles Jan as

First Baptist. In fact, it was through being

she shares her broad range of home

saved that Jan’s life became so strongly

experiences. “Really, anybody can do

oriented around service.

this! I started these videos because I wanted to show how easy it is... I love

“I was saved when Mandi (Jan’s eldest

cooking and was lonely for my family.

child) was born. Members of the church

Making the videos and knowing that

came to our home as part of their New

the food will bring joy to others makes

Baby Visitation ministry. In those days,

me feel better about not seeing my own

births were printed in the newspaper.”

family during the pandemic.”

At twenty-one years of age, Jan was Since beginning the video project in

saved shortly after becoming a mother.

June of this year, Jan and her production

As a homemaker in her early years

team (Bobby) have made and posted

of growing a family, food became

roughly twenty videos to Facebook. So

inextricably tied to service and family,

far the meals include smothered steak,

both of which emanate as Jan smiles

chicken spaghetti, and peach cobbler, to

gently in her videos. It isn’t simply how

name a few. With every meal, watching

to cook the meals that Jan is teaching

Jan is like bringing her classic southern

her viewers – she connects them with

style straight into your kitchen. In that

a joyous service to others, one that

respect, though people are separated

started many years ago.

due to the pandemic, they may still share in the joy of food. No matter the recipe,

“My inclination toward service happened

it’s always served with a side of comfort.

immediately

upon

motherhood

and

being saved. The world was bigger, and Whether cooking or eating together,

I realized that there is more to life than

there’s no doubt that the power of

me and my husband. I gained a sense of

food extends beyond nutrition. And it is

responsibility, and service was the gift I

that deeply spiritual aspect of cooking

could give. I couldn’t give material things,

that puts the cherry on top of the

but I could give the gift of service.”

metaphorical cake that makes Jan’s act of service even sweeter.

Two more children followed Mandi; Bobby

Joe

and

Nicholas

Preston.

“I make food and I take food. Being a

Cooking together helped them build

servant helps people. When you make

loving, lasting relationships. In no time,

food it feels good, but when you see

all the children became experts at adding

people enjoying it, it’s wonderful.

ingredients to the Crockpot or cookie

Taking food is a way of loving them,”

dough,

shares Jan.

had a way of diminishing before being

which,

incidentally,

always

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Bobby and Jan Dyer

baked. Cooking together engaged the family and brought

Today, the Dyer nest is empty, aside from their two fur-babies.

them together in more ways than just sitting around the table

Jan and Bobby have taken the next step in their life. Amazingly,

and eating the food. For the Dyer family, it was the process of

they found something to do together that utilized both their

cooking, the journey, that was just as fulfilling.

skill sets and brought them together at the same time: the cooking videos.

Jan describes how thankful she is to have been given the opportunity to teach her children how to cook. “Sharing the

“It’s a team effort, just like marriage,” describes Jan. Together

kitchen was so important for our family. It was a nice activity

with Bobby, they coordinate her videos around the specific

to do with the children, and one of the most important things

meal to be made, and afterwards Bobby takes the time to

I gave my family.”

professionally edit them. Together, from their home to yours, they’re serving up a slice of heaven, which seems only natural.

When the youngest of their three children started school, Jan

Whether a homemaker, realtor, or chef extraordinaire, home

returned to work at First Baptist Church and continued to

is where Jan’s heart has always been.

build upon the skills that make her so proficient at stabilizing the home. Her husband continued his work in I.T. and in 2006 Jan became a licensed real estate agent, which she continues to do today. It seems service, home, and food have been beautifully woven together for Jan. Helping people find their

Follow Jan’s cooking channel!

Find her on Facebook at Jan Bonner Dyer.

forever home is simply another act of service she provides.

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OLD FASHIONED

Peach Cobbler Words and RECIPE Jan Dyer image Jennifer Burchett

Peaches scream summer! And a cobbler – it’s just about the most southern dessert you can have. This is simple and delicious – with local peaches it’s the star of the meal. Full disclosure – I found this recipe online several years ago and have made a few changes – it is beyond delicious. Add a scoop of ice cream – this must be what heaven is like.

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted

Step 1: To a food processor add sifted flour, 3 Tablespoons sugar, shortening,

• 3 Tablespoons white sugar

and salt. Pulse until it resembles coarse meal, pour into medium bowl. In a

• 1 teaspoon salt

small bowl, whisk together egg and cold water. Sprinkle over flour mixture,

• 1 cup shortening

and work with hands to form dough into a ball. Chill 30 minutes.

• 1 egg • ¼ cup cold water

1 Step 2: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out half of dough to ¾ 8 inch thick.

• 3 pounds fresh peaches

Place in a 9x13 inch baking dish, covering bottom and halfway up sides.

– peeled, pitted, and sliced

Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

• ¼ cup lemon juice • ¾ cup orange juice

Step 3: In a large saucepan, mix peaches, lemon juice, and orange juice.

• ½ cup butter

Add ½ cup butter and cook over medium-low heat until butter is melted. In a

• 2 cups white sugar

mixing bowl, stir together 2 cups sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cornstarch;

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

add in peach mixture. Remove from heat, pour into baked crust.

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch

Step 4: Roll remaining dough to ¼ inch thick. Cut into ½ inch-wide strips.

• 1 Tablespoon white sugar

Weave strips into a lattice over peaches. Sprinkle with 1 Tablespoon sugar

• 1 Tablespoon butter, melted

and drizzle with 1 Tablespoon melted butter.

Step 5: Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until top crust is golden brown.

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taste

APPLE PIE French Toast

ROLL UPS Recipe biancazapatika.com image Aris Setya/Shutterstock

Ingredients (makes 10-12 roll ups) • 2 medium apples, peeled, cored and cut in small pieces • ½ teaspoon cinnamon • 2 teaspoons lemon juice • 2 eggs • 3 Tablespoons milk • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 10-12 bread slices • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature • ∕ cup white sugar • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 2 Tablespoons butter

Method Cook apples, lemon juice and cinnamon over low heat, about 3 minutes, remove.

Mix sugar and cinnamon in small bowl, set aside. Whisk together eggs, vanilla and milk in separate bowl, set aside. Remove crusts from bread, flatten with rolling pin. Spread cream cheese evenly on each slice of bread.

Place 1-2 teaspoons of apples on bread slice and roll up. Heat non-stick pan to medium, melt 1 Tablespoon butter. Dip each roll in egg mixture and cook on each side until golden brown, cooking 3-4 at a time. Wipe out pan, repeat with remaining rolls. Place finished rolls in the sugar-cinnamon mixture, remove and serve warm. Top with whipped cream, honey, caramel sauce, syrup or powdered sugar.

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Ingredients •

½ cup super fine sugar

•

½ cup water

•

4-5 sliced figs, more for garnish

•

2 thyme sprigs, more for garnish

•

1 ¼ oz. gin

•

2 ½ Tablespoons fig syrup

•

1 teaspoon honey

•

juice of half a lemon

•

apple cider

•

soda water

•

cinnamon stick

It’s Figgin’ Time Recipe adapted craftingclub image Victoria Kondysenko/ Shutterstock

Method (simple syrup) Heat sugar, honey, water and figs over low to medium heat for 5-10 minutes, until sugar dissolves and figs soften.

Remove from heat, add thyme – let infuse for 30 minutes. Strain mixture into a clean jar – mixture will keep for 3-4 weeks in the fridge. (cocktail) Fill glass with ice, add gin, fig syrup, lemon juice and a splash of apple cider. Stir gently, top with soda water, garnish with fresh fig, thyme sprig and cinnamon stick.

Please drink responsibly.

Never drink and drive.

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EYE IN THE SKY words Dwain Hebda image courtesy Joel Ledbetter, Sky Vantage Photography

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ONE GLANCE AT JOEL LEDBETTER’S WORK

into it, people would say, ‘Wow, I like what you do.’ I’d be

reveals the eye of an artist. The New Jersey native launched

like okay, that’s just me.

Sky Vantage Photography eighteen months ago and has already built a catalog of beautiful images including

“Then over time it became about fine tuning those things and

weddings and landscapes. Even his industrial photos

over time I was able to develop that skill better and better.

of decidedly un-artistic subjects like power plants and

Now, I go out and I’m driving down the road and it’s like wow,

electrical towers ooze their own brand of artistic quality.

look at that. I already see the picture and me taking it before

So, when you find out that he got into photography more

even getting the drone or getting the camera out.”

or less accidentally, it’s a revelation that defies belief.

Joel says keeping up with advancements in both aircraft and “I’d never been into photography, I never was interested in

camera technology is a major challenge in his line of work.

it,” he says. “I never was into drawing, either. I was a terrible

“It’s kind of like a cell phone; they come out with something

drawer.” One thing he did have a passion for was flying

new every year,” he says. “They could be releasing a new

aircraft, particularly the remote-control kind, which led him

counterpart to the one that you bought two or three years

to drones. He bought one, more for the aircraft than for the

ago and all of a sudden yours is the old model.”

built-in camera, and started to play around with it.

Now living in Winslow, Joel stays busy full-time shooting “I started taking pictures and videos of different things

primarily weddings, new construction and surveying. Most

around the house, then turned to weather events. The

jobs are within a fifty-mile radius of home. His dream is

Weather Channel would pick up my stuff,” he says. “Then,

to one day combine his love for outdoors and his skill as

I got calls from people, ‘Hey, will you take pictures or

a photographer.

videos of this?’ That got me into photography.”

“I’m a huge outdoor person. The Buffalo River area, I love Joel’s timing was perfect and jobs began piling up fast. At

to kayak and just explore Arkansas and find new places,” he

first, he was merely technically capable, but as time went

says. “Where I’d like to go professionally is Arkansas state

on he began to develop a photographer’s eye for framing

tourism. I’d like to show off Arkansas, or even surrounding

and lighting. “I started doing videos for anything and

states for that matter, showing the beautiful places and the

everything, whether it was weather-related or weddings

beautiful things that they have to offer. Getting people to

or new construction. You name it,” he says. “When I got

go, ‘Wow, we need to go here and visit that.’”

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The Ledbetters

Sky Vantage Photography skyvantagephotography.com | 501.760.8487 |

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travel

Fall in love with Arkansas words Jill Rohrbach, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism images courtesy Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

O

One of my favorite things about Arkansas is that it gives the best

Arkansas has more than 250 hiking trails totaling over 1,500 miles.

of every season. When the heat of summer arrives, there are pools

Trails accommodate all skill levels and allow for day hikes and

and lakes to cool off in. The perfect temps of spring bring the fun of

multi-day backpacking. Campgrounds and RV sites are located

festivals and flowers. The cold of winter is meant for visiting cabins

across the state in Arkansas State Parks, U.S. Army Corps of Engineer

with fireplaces and sledding in the snow. And then there’s fall.

areas, three national forests, and along must-see destinations like the Buffalo National River.

While camping and hiking can be enjoyed in The Natural State any time of year, there’s just something about the crisper mornings of

Here are five places to consider when you hear Mother Nature

autumn that give way to warm afternoons and settle into an evening

beckon you to enjoy the great outdoors and her showcase of falling

aglow with golden hues of changing leaves. Nature’s call is strong in

fiery leaves.

the fall. Campers and hikers can hear it well.

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Bear Hollow Trail Hiking – Located at Mount Magazine State Park, the upper part of the hollow has never been logged and is some of the last remaining virgin hardwood forest in Arkansas. Some of the mountain’s most beautiful scenery is found along this trail with points of interest at Sunrise Rock, Inspiration Point, Bear Head Bluff, and Shoal Creek.

The first part of this trail was originally constructed by the Works Progress Administration in 1938. The trail is moderate in difficulty.

The length is 2.8 miles with an option of starting at the picnic area or near the visitor center to create a 7.5-mile loop connecting four other trails.

Trailhead Location - On Scenic Highway 309, 17 miles south of Paris.

Camping – The park campground contains 18 campsites with water, electric, and sewer hookups, a barrier-free bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets, and an RV dump station. Park campsites may be reserved online at MountMagazineStatePark.com, or by calling 479.963.8502. Additional campsites can be found down the mountain at Cove Lake, run by the USDA Forest Service, and at Blue Mountain Lake, administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Whitaker Point Hiking – If you haven’t, you really must hike to Whitaker Point, one of Arkansas’s most iconic spots. Near the Buffalo National River, the sweeping view from the rock outcropping that juts over the valley is incredible, especially in autumn. Don’t forget your camera. It’s only a short 1.5 miles (3 miles round trip) on a looping trail. The terrain is easy, but do be careful along the bluff portion and on the crag.

Trailhead Location – From Highway 43 South to left onto Highway 21. Go about two miles to the Boxley Bridge that crosses the Buffalo River. Turn right onto gravel road #9560 and go about 6 miles.

Pass the Cave Mountain Church and Cemetery on the right and the trailhead is about ¼-mile further. Trailhead parking is limited, so if you're arriving on a Saturday, especially in the fall, expect to park along the roadside. When the trailhead parking area is full, be sure to park your vehicle so that it does not obstruct through-traffic.

Camping – Steel Creek Campground is about 3 miles east of Ponca off of Highway 74. The tent campground has 26 campsites and the horse campground has 14 sites. Water and restrooms are available.

Kyle’s Landing Campground is also located off Highway 74.

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King’s Bluff Loop Trail Hiking – Considered moderately difficult, this trail is a short 1.7-mile hike to the awe-inspiring King’s Bluff, a large flat bluff top with a waterfall that flows over the ledge. Enjoy views of the large hardwood forest as well as views of the surrounding valley. If you’re taking kids or animals, be careful around the bluff line. Featuring weathered rocks that form pedestals, the 2.5-mile Pedestal Loop Trail also starts here. There are cool caves to climb around in, but camping is not allowed.

Trailhead Location – Approximately 6 miles east of Pelsor on Highway 16; both the Pedestal Loop and the King's Bluff Loop Trails are accessed from the Pedestal Rocks Trailhead.

Camping – Within about a 20-mile radius is a variety of primitive and modern campsites. Haw Creek has nine primitive sites, with tables and fire pits. There is a vault toilet but no running water.

Richland Creek contains a vault toilet and running water; plus, there are two hiking trails that also have waterfalls in the wet season. Moccasin Gap has 13 sites with a vault toilet, three water spouts, and electricity for camping trailers. Long Pool Recreation area has the most modern sites for tents and RVs with water and electricity, flushable toilets and showers.

Lost Bridge Hiking Trail Hiking – Relatively flat and easy, the 6-mile hike winds through a heavily wooded area containing overlooks and rock outcroppings as well as bluffs that served as prehistoric shelters for Native Americans. A section of the trail also runs along the lake. Around the midpoint of the trail are the remnants of the Old Schrader Homestead. Kid friendly. There is a nominal day use fee at the park.

Trailhead Location – Located at Lost Bridge recreation area. From Rogers, take Highway 62 east for about 13 miles to Garfield. Turn south on Highway 127 and continue for 6 miles. Turn left on Marina Road and follow the signs to the North park.

Camping – Located in the Beaver Lake area of Northwest Arkansas, the campground has 36 large campsites and is steps away from the lake shore. Sites accommodate one RV and one tent, or three tents.

Other amenities: shade trees, fire rings, picnic area, drinking water and flush toilets. Reserve a spot online at recreation.gov.

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Ozark Highlands Trail Hiking – Known for its scenery, the OHT runs east across the entire Ozark National Forest, turns north to end up on the Buffalo National River as it heads downstream to Tyler Bend Campground. It’s one of the most spectacular trails in the U.S. because of its mountainous terrain, scenic views, lush upland hardwoods, unique rock outcroppings, and clear streams. At 210 miles total, the trail is perfect for extended backpacking or day-use hiking. The hike is considered strenuous and white rectangular paint blazes are the official marker.

Trailhead Location – Western terminus: Lake Fort Smith State Park, 8 miles north of Mountainburg on US 71. Eastern terminus: Tyler Bend Campground on the Buffalo National River; U.S. 65 at Silver Hill. Other access points are found at major National Forest Recreation Areas such as Shores Lake, White Rock Mountain, Ozone, Haw Creek Falls, Fairview and Richland Creek.

Camping – Pitch a tent anywhere outside of the recreation areas; although trail etiquette encourages camping at least 200 feet away from the trail and water sources, and preferably out of sight of the trail. If a previous campsite (one that has been used before) is available, make camp there to lessen impact on the environment. Camping is also available at each terminus. Lake Fort Smith State Park has 20 campsites with full hookups and 10 campsites with water and electricity. Two sites are barrier-free. Also enjoy hot showers in a heated bathhouse. Tyler Bend Campground is comprised of 10 walk-in and 28 drive-in sites. The campground provides flush toilet restrooms, one with hot showers. Water faucets are located throughout the campground. A dump station and tank filler is located near the park entrance at Highway 65 but there are no RV hookups in the campground.

All Arkansas State Parks remain available to visitors in a limited capacity during the COVID-19 public health emergency. We encourage you to visit ArkansasStateParks.com for updated information on what is open, limited, or closed prior to travel.

Camping and hiking this fall? We'd love to see your photos.

We might even use them in an upcoming issue. Email them to catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.

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THE

Root OF IT

words Sarah Phillips-Burger image Walter Bilotta/Shutterstock

When she reached the place where the tree joined their yards, she found him still on his knees. He picked weeds from the ground, his light blue shirt rolled at the sleeves, oblivious to the dirt accumulating on the knees of his khaki pants.

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fiction

“I’M GOING TO TAKE Tilly to your mother’s for

Lana sighed. She still couldn’t believe they were in the process

the morning,” Jacob announced before kissing Lana on

of selling their cottage. But it was true, they would need more

the forehead. Lana, lying in bed, simply nodded in reply.

room with the addition to their family. She just couldn’t imagine finding a home that she would love as much as this one, one

“Is there anything you want me to pick up after my game?”

that seemed to have loved them back over the past twelve years.

he asked as he pushed pieces of her blonde hair away from her eyes. “Some Sprite, or maybe some more crackers?”

Lana took her dishes to the sink, her eyes catching the view outside the window, and felt her mood sink. Over

She shook her head. “I’ll feel better this afternoon.”

the privacy fence, she could see her neighbor, Mr. Martin, in his front yard. “There’s something I won’t miss about

“I don’t remember the morning sickness being this bad with

living here,” she thought as she rinsed off the last coffee

Tilly," he offered with a small pout.

mug. Her eyes followed the fence line until it abruptly stopped at the thing that had caused so much animosity

“It was,” she started, pausing to think back. “I was just

between the two neighbors, an Eastern Redbud growing

younger, then.”

through and pushing down their barrier.

Lana lay in bed for an hour, occasionally sipping from the

Two years into living in their home, the fence had

glass of water Jacob had brought her, until she felt it was

started to bow under the pressure of the growing limbs.

safe to get up. After a quick, warm shower, she dressed in

Concerned, Jacob had taken a look and figured that the

leggings and a blue sweatshirt, her typical Saturday outfit,

problem would not be easily solved on their side.

and headed to the kitchen for some toast.

She never forgot the reaction their old neighbor had Walking down the hall, she passed photographs displayed

as they stood on his front step to resolve the issue, her

on the wall in chronological order. At one end of the hall,

husband politely suggested trimming the branches to

their wedding; at the other, a portrait of Lana, Jacob, and

relieve the burden against the fence. Mr. Martin looked

ten-year-old Tilly surrounded by sunflowers, taken earlier

over his bifocals, his salt-and-pepper eyebrows sticking

that summer. Every picture in between documented the

up like the hair on a mad dog, and said, his voice full

years and the growth of their little family.

of indignation, “No.” He slammed his door, leaving them startled and wondering what to do next.

On the refrigerator, held with colorful magnetic letters that spelled BABY, was the first and only picture they had

Jacob tried to place metal support beams along that part of

of their little surprise. She touched the small white blob

the fence, but over the years, the wooden pickets next to

the shape of a kidney bean on the ultrasound and smiled,

the tree rotted and gave way, leaving gaps that reminded

feeling her spirits lift.

Lana of Tilly’s missing teeth. Soon, the branches worked their way through, taking space in their driveway. Then,

Lana sat at the breakfast nook, surrounded by windows

this past year, the concrete driveway started to crack from

that gave her a view of their tidy backyard, the sun

the roots growing along the edge.

filtering in through the yellow gingham curtains. This small area was one of her favorite parts of their home.

Jacob returned, again and again, pleading for the tree to be

Sitting there now, she could picture her daughter on the

dealt with, but each time he was met with the same irrational

bench in the corner, eating pancakes on Sunday mornings.

refusal and a door slammed in his face. They had talked

She could hear her friends laughing over coffee while their

multiple times about getting a lawyer to force their neighbor

kids played on the swing set. She could feel her husband

to cut the tree, but Lana could not justify taking an old man

reach across and touch her hand after an argument. This

to court. “I just wouldn’t be able to live with myself,” she

room she would miss the most.

decided, imagining Mr. Martin walking into a courtroom.

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47

48

fiction

It wasn’t until they met with a realtor that she reconsidered

“She planted this tree,” he explained in a calm voice. “She

her stance.

had looked forward to seeing it bloom one day, but…”

“People might not want to buy if they know that they

Lana knelt on her side of the fence, joining the old man

will have to replace the fence and the driveway sometime

beneath his wife’s tree, unsure of what to say. Her hands

soon. You will probably get more money for your house if

unconsciously traced the cracks in the broken concrete as

you fix that beforehand,” he cautioned.

Mr. Martin continued.

Shaking his head, Jacob grumbled, “Easier said than done.”

“Every year, I see those blooms and it reminds me of how beautiful she was,” he said, a hint of marvel in his voice,

The realtor gave them the name of a lawyer who

the corners of his mouth rising slightly.

specialized in property disagreements, and they were due to meet with him on Monday to try and put the matter to

Lana took a deep breath, pushing down the urge to cry.

rest. They would need every penny that they could get for their home to be able to afford something bigger for their

Mr. Martin looked at Lana. “You must think I’m a senile

growing family.

old man. And maybe I am,” he said shaking his head. “But I just can’t bring myself to cut this tree.”

Lana saw something move by the fence and was brought back from her memories. Through the heart-shaped leaves,

Lana looked down at the tree root that had found its way

she saw something bright yellow which then disappeared.

into their yard, breaking through concrete, determined to

Then, between the gaps of the warped fence, she saw Mr.

grow no matter what it faced. Now, more than ever, she

Martin bend down to his knees and the yellow reappeared.

understood that force of life.

Lana finally recognized the source of the color, a bouquet of roses. Curious, she watched the old man, even standing

“You won’t have to,” she decided. “I’ll make sure of it.”

on the tips of her toes to get a better look.

The following spring, Lana walked around their now-empty house, reliving every special memory that it held. Finally,

After a few minutes, a strange feeling began to develop

she exited through the sliding glass door, her baby bump

deep inside Lana, telling her that she must go outside and

taking the lead.

try once more to convince Mr. Martin of the inevitable.

This feeling pulled her like a magnet as she opened the

She walked down the new pathway that led to the garden

sliding glass door and stepped out into the sunlight.

that was beginning to bloom. The fence that had once separated the two yards was gone, as was the broken

When she reached the place where the tree joined their

concrete. Under the tree, between the two neighbors, sat

yards, she found him still on his knees. He picked weeds

a bench. She often found Mr. Martin quietly sitting there,

from the ground, his light blue shirt rolled at the sleeves,

but not today.

oblivious to the dirt accumulating on the knees of his khaki pants. The bouquet of roses, held together with brown

Before getting in her car, she stopped and looked one last

twine, lay beside him on the ground.

time at the cottage, saying a last farewell, finally ready to set down new roots. That was when she saw Mr. Martin

A sense of unease radiated from him as he became aware

standing at his front door. She smiled and brought her

of her presence, hesitating for a moment before placing his

hand up, waving goodbye, to which he simply nodded.

hands on his lap. He looked up at her through a missing picket, his eyes peering over his bifocals before returning to the tree in front of him. His forehead creased as if

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considering what to do, then he let out a sigh of resignation.

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