Mike Stiles, Vice-President Adella Gray, Secretary Doug Prichard, Past President Cathy Baird, Vernon Collins, Patty Goyette, Ned Irving, Jerre Jouett, Carol Spears, Patty Stiles, Jim Young
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chuck Nickle, President Will Clark, Vice-President LeRoy Duell, Treasurer Dr. Kim Chapman, Secretary Chuck Culver, Jack Mitchell, Tom Olmstead, Derrik Olsen, David Renfroe, Tim Stults, Beth Vaughan-Wrobel, David (Dave) Williams, Martha (Marti) Woodruff
For those who may believe that the days of summer are lazy, I would argue that’s definitely not the case behind the scenes at Butterfield! In addition to ensuring the usual things required to keep an active senior living community running smoothly are all happening, we are also very excited to be working hard on the design planning process for Butterfield's Assisted Living future expansion. The campus environment we’ve built through thoughtful preparation and investment over the years is remarkable, and this major evolution is a further testament to an ongoing commitment to enhance the lives of our residents.
I believe it is important to acknowledge that as we plan for future spaces on our campus, we understand the importance of "third spaces” – welcoming, informal gathering places where connections develop beyond the walls of individual residences. For seniors, these spaces are especially important to foster well-being, combat isolation and cultivate a sense of belonging. The plans for our Assisted Living setting are being crafted with this philosophy at its core – and we envision intentionally designed common areas to invite interaction, versatile spaces for engaging activities and accessible outdoor environments to welcome fresh air and sunshine. This expansion is about so much more than simply adding rooms; it's about creating public and private spaces that empower our residents to live their lives to the fullest.
Quality of life is always top of mind for Butterfield Trail Village, and it comes in many forms. I hope you enjoy this issue of our magazine and find inspiration in the people and activities that help to make our community what it is.
Warmly,
Kevin Spears Chief Executive Officer Butterfield Trail Village
Opened in 1986, Butterfield Trail Village is a locally governed 501(c)(3) non-profit retirement community. As Northwest Arkansas’ only comprehensive Life Plan Retirement Community, BTV offers active older adults worry-free living that is secure, independent and fulfilling –and the freedom to enjoy plentiful activities both inside and outside the Village.
Sept 26 - Oct 5
Nov 6 - Nov 16
Peter
Feb 25 - Mar 15
Apr 10 - Apr 18
Apr 15 - May 10 Adapted
Footcare
Medication
Post
Wound
Private
Medical
Life
Medical
CHARLES & SANDY WHITE
It seems like Sandy and Charles White have always been part of each other’s life. They met in fourth grade and started “going together” in eighth grade. Now married 60 years, they intend to stay together as long as they can, and Butterfield Trail Village enables them to do just that.
For the last decade, a medical condition has increasingly restricted Charles’s physical strength and mobility. The close proximity of BTV’s Health Care Center to residential apartments facilitates essential daily care for Charles, while allowing him to easily drive his Permobil power wheelchair and spend most of his day in the couple’s first-floor south apartment.
Sandy’s parents, Clarence and Dorothy Young, lived at BTV for many years, so she and Charles have gotten to know and deeply appreciate a number of the staff. Sandy also had a bench placed in the south courtyard in memory of her mother.
Many residents are close, life-long friends from elementary and high school days. Sandy calls the hallway outside their apartment their “street – and this neighborhood is fabulous.”
They’ve noticed how critical socialization is for people in their later years. “I have seen and believe
A PARTNERSHIP
WITH DEEP ROOTS
that it’s this environment that makes people have longer lives but also very fulfilling lives,” Sandy said.
Deep Family Roots
Charles’s parents, Wayne and Ruth White, were educators and first lived in West Fork after his birth. His dad became a school administrator, moving the family to Central Arkansas and Siloam Springs before becoming superintendent of Fayetteville Public Schools from 1953-1969. Many retired teachers at BTV remember Wayne White fondly and recall him leading the way for Fayetteville to be the first major school district in Arkansas to enforce integration.
During World War II, Clarence was an Army Air Corps pilot assigned to go to the Pacific. He was able to take a short leave for Sandy’s birth, which kept him from flying gliders in Europe for D-Day, but allowed him to fly transport in the Pacific. After the war, her family moved from Little Rock to Fayetteville when she was 2 so that her dad could join his brother Paul Young’s architectural firm. The brothers left an indelible imprint on Fayetteville by designing Central United Methodist Church on Dickson Street, where the brothers were members and the Whites later wed in 1965.
Charles and Sandy both lived near City Park (now Wilson Park), where they were summer lifeguards at the pool. She was very social in school, joined the synchronized swimming team, and was on the cheerleading squad in junior high and newspaper staff in high school. Charles played football and basketball, ran track and was in band. A high achiever, he received numerous academic awards. His Boy Scout troop went to Camp Orr at the Buffalo National River in the summers.
Teens Sandy and Charles officially became an item the day Sputnik was launched: Oct. 4, 1957. A friend bet Charles she wouldn’t go to the Friday night school dance at at the UARK Theater, but she did. They’ve been together ever since.
When Charles’s main professor from Stanford moved to New York City, so did the Whites. They lived in Brooklyn Heights, welcomed their first child, Meegan, and Charles finished his dissertation there. His research focused on eye movement and vision –researching perception, how the eyes and brain work together, and why visual illusions occur.
In 1999, Charles inherited his grandfather’s farmhouse and adjacent 125 acres of hay fields and woods atop Grand Mountain in Madison County. Over the years, the couple came back for summer vacations and eventually renovated the farmhouse.
The original, two-story 1880s farmhouse had burned in 1948, but as a young boy, Charles watched his grandfather gather large rocks and harvest walnut, oak and poplar trees on site for the materials to build the current three-bedroom farmhouse. The old oak tongue and groove frame supports the home he finished with rock siding, in the “giraffe house” style then popular in the Ozarks.
A Lifelong Love for Learning, Teaching
With a full scholarship for college, Charles considered Rice University the best choice within driving distance of home. He was there when President Kennedy came to the university to announce the mission to the moon and the establishment of the Johnson Space Center. Sandy attended Cottey College in Missouri for two years on a scholarship, where she most enjoyed her philosophy and comparative religion classes and was on the synchronized swimming team.
At Rice, Charles studied experimental psychology — now called cognitive science — which focused on learning, perception, memory and thinking. He wanted to continue with graduate school and was accepted by several. He chose Stanford University for its toprated experimental psychology department.
While most of his peers got postdoc positions, Charles got a full-time teaching job at Duke University. There, they welcomed their son, Stephen, and started their daughter in a Quaker-led school. After six years in North Carolina, they returned to New York City, where Charles taught at The New School for three years.
Their Greenwich Village apartment was near Washington Square Park, with a view of the Empire State Building. Sandy got a job as office manager at NYU’s deafness center, where she also learned American Sign Language. But with young children, they yearned to move somewhere they’d feel safer.
In 1979, Charles secured a teaching position at Concordia University in Montreal, where several colleagues were working. As part of the extensive paperwork required to immigrate into Canada, he had to get a letter from the police chief of every city he’d lived in to affirm he wasn’t a criminal, and the entire family had to be examined by the same doctor.
Charles was chair of the psychology department for several years, then became vice-dean. Sandy finished her undergraduate degree in education and then got her master’s degree in special education. She taught at a private English school for the deaf, interpreted for deaf college students, and spearheaded a new program to improve language and job skills for international deaf teens.
After 15 years in Canada, the family was ready to return to the United States. Charles found a deanship opening at the new Florida Atlantic University branch in Ft. Lauderdale. During their 19 years in Florida, Charles served as dean of liberal arts, then of science, then of both. After his sabbatical year in Fayetteville, when they oversaw the farmhouse renovations, he returned to full-time teaching. Sandy taught history, journalism and creative writing to students with special needs, using project-based learning, and was once named teacher of the year.
A drawing made by Charles of a structure from his grandfather's property hangs on the Whites' living room wall.
Facing the Unknown Together
In 2010, Charles noticed some physical weakness, with difficulty climbing stairs and getting up from chairs, and they thought it was an issue with his knees. In 2011, a specialist at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami diagnosed the issue as Sporadic Inclusion Body Myositis (called sIBM disease), a chronic, progressive muscle disease characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy, primarily affecting the quadriceps and finger flexors. Unlike ALS, sIBM disease only affects muscles, not the nervous system. There’s no treatment and no known cause.
Soon after the diagnosis, they attended two national conferences for patients and doctors to learn more, and they met people at different stages of the disease. As a researcher himself, Charles “was very interested in being part of the latest information and embracing what was known and what wasn't known,” Sandy said. “It was so empowering; to get knowledge gives you power.” He later participated in a drug trial study in Houston and Kansas City, which gave them hope but didn’t produce a significant result.
As walking became more difficult, Charles used a cane for a year or so, then a walker, then a scooter. He’s been in his motorized wheelchair since 2018 and hasn’t stood up in five or six years, as his legs won’t support him. He can reposition himself in his wheelchair, tilting the angle of his posture. More recently, he’s begun losing upper body strength, and he has difficulty swallowing, a condition called dysphagia.
When Sandy’s dad was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, she and Charles moved back to Northwest Arkansas temporarily to spend more time with him and her mother. Her parents first lived in a Village Home, then in an apartment. Before her mother passed in 2017, she’d always raved about the community and care that BTV offered. In the end, Sandy and Charles knew it would be the perfect place for them to be supported with his care.
Charles and Sandy got on the Carriage Club list, then got a first-floor apartment in the spring of 2020 and started some renovations. They stayed at the farmhouse during the pandemic because
Charles was immune compromised, and then officially moved to BTV in May 2022.
Finding Freedom Through Support
In their first-floor apartment, they have an exterior entrance, a patio brimming with potted plants and a garden bed populated with roses and other plants. Sandy repurposed her grandmother’s African violet stand to display a succulent garden.
Charles continues to embody a love for life and learning, even while his physical strength and control gradually fade. He reads books on his phone now that he can no longer hold a physical volume. Before he lost strength in his hands, he completed four detailed pen and ink drawings of structures at the farm: the original house, the newer one, the barn and the cellar. These hang on their living room walls, as do photos of their farm and artwork by William McNamara.
Sandy and Charles enjoy exploring the nearby paved trail, which he can easily navigate in his wheelchair. Sandy swims in the pool, joins in hikes led by Jennifer Neill, and particularly enjoys line dancing, which is good for her brain, socializing and increasing physical endurance. She also plays Canasta and Mahjong, and is part of the pen pal program with Butterfield Trail Elementary.
Charles splits his time between their apartment and the Health Care Center, which he calls his bed and breakfast. He has a room to himself, a private shower and care available 24/7. In recent months, he’s shifted to an all-liquid diet, so he goes there for meals, and Sandy usually joins him with hers.
“That's the best thing for me, and I don't know anywhere else we could actually do what we're doing now. I'm in our apartment with Sandy a lot of the day, and, at night, they take care of everything I need in Health Care,” he said.
The medical care at BTV has been important to them both, and the staff have become like family over time. Sandy has been in Health Care three times, once for two months to recuperate from foot surgery. Having a therapist just down the hall also promotes a speedier, convenient recovery process.
“It’s just such a happy safety net really,” Sandy said. “And I’m not doing the heavy lifting. The things that are important are being taking care of by professionals. I can enjoy being his wife and not just his caregiver.”
Randall & Rhoda Woods
When did you move to Butterfield? April 2025
Where are you from?
We grew up in Taylor, Texas. Actually, we met in first grade but began dating as high school seniors in 1963. Randall went to the University of Texas in Austin and Rhoda went to Texas State University in San Marcos. We married June 18, 1966. We stayed in Austin until we moved to Fayetteville in August 1971.
What did you do before retirement?
Randall is not retired! Drafted into the Army in 1969, he spent six years in the National Guard. We moved to Fayetteville in 1971, where Randall began teaching history at the University of Arkansas. He is currently Distinguished Professor and Cooper Chair in American history. He has also taught at Williams College, Oxford University and Cambridge University. He has published a number of books, including biographies of J. William Fulbright, Lyndon Johnson, William E. Colby and John Quincy Adams.
Rhoda was a medical manager for 25 years, first in ophthalmology and then in 1979 in obstetrics and gynecology at Fayetteville Women’s Clinic until retirement after 21 years. Rhoda has always been Randall’s “in house” editor and researcher. We have visited/worked in 36 countries.
Do you have children and grandchildren?
Our daughter is Nicole Woods Olmstead and son-in-law is Tom Olmstead. Our son is Jeff Woods and daughterin-law is Andrea Grimes Woods. We have four awesome grandchildren: Darcy and Avery Olmstead and Cullen and Abby Woods.
Why did you choose Butterfield?
As partners, we have always planned to take care of ourselves relying on each other. BTV was the perfect answer to our independence as we age.
July Anniversaries
Dennis and Cheri Kahle 1st
Duane and Beverly Wilson 4th
Raj and Usha Gupta 11th
Bob and Geri Bender 19th
Perry and Shirley Franklin 24th
Ned and Cathy Irving 26th
Wulf and Ingrid Polonius 29th
August Anniversaries
Joe and Judi Schenke 7th
Jimmy and Diana Horton 10th
Ray and Penny Culver 12th
Ellis and Kay Melton 19th
Richard and Phyllis Kuehl 20th
Jim and Judy Cole 22nd
Ron and Polly Hanson 23rd
Otto and Betty Loewer 28th
Neil and Judy Ingels 29th
Paul and Wyvern Beach 31st
New Neighbors
Bobby Craig
Mahlon and Sondra Gibson
AJ and Florence Anglin
A Natural Caregiver: Ali Montgomery’s Path of Compassion
At just 19 years old, Ali Montgomery may be one of the youngest team members at Butterfield Trail Village, but she’s already found a place where she feels at home – and where she is making a meaningful difference. An integral part of the Health Care Center team in just a short time, Ali’s special blend of compassion, dedication, sense of humor and a genuine interest in connecting with others has made her a favorite with residents and staff alike.
Ali joined Butterfield less than a year ago after learning about the senior community from her boyfriend’s sister, a former employee. “She told me there was a gym and a pool, and I thought, ‘Ooh, that sounds fancy!’” she says with a laugh. What started as curiosity about the campus soon transformed into a personal challenge once she applied to be a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Desiring to push her own boundaries and gain new skills, Ali believed an environment like Butterfield could present not just a career opportunity, but be a chance to build her selfesteem. “I felt like it was more of a challenge,” she explains. “And when I got hired, it made me believe I really could try harder and do harder things.”
often worked nights. It was a natural progression for Ali to follow in her footsteps, earning her own CNA certification in just four short weeks after graduating high school.
“Every person has a different story, and you can learn so much by listening.”
–Ali Montgomery
Ali’s service-driven spirit has inspirational roots that originate with family. Her mother has been a CNA for over a decade, and Ali grew up seeing firsthand the care and commitment required of the profession. “I used to be her practice dummy when I was little,” Ali remembers with a smile. “My mom would practice putting the gait belt on me, take my blood pressure and work on other things she needed to learn for her certification test.” These early “training sessions” weren't just lessons in patient care – they were precious bonding moments with her mom, who
Ali finds fulfillment in the relationships she’s building with fellow staff members, Butterfield residents and their families. “It’s so much easier when you have friends around you. The day goes by faster,” she says. “But I also really like getting to talk with residents. It’s not just about doing my work. Every person has a different story, and you can learn so much by listening.”
While the CNA coursework and training gave her the basics, Ali says the real learning happens on the job – especially when it comes to the emotional side of caregiving. Her natural empathy hasn’t gone unnoticed. “It means a lot when someone says I’m patient or good at what I do,” Ali says. “When people tell me they’ve heard good things about me, it just makes me want to work harder.” The responsibilities that come with being a CNA mean some days can be tough, but Ali knows that navigating the role from a place of kindness and compassion can make difficult things so much easier for everyone.
Outside of work, Ali enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, often going swimming during the summer and on outings with her mother. "I love to go hiking with my mom," she says, noting how these walks provide a special time for them to connect. Looking ahead, Ali has big dreams. She's already saving to buy and furnish her own home. And, while she briefly considered becoming a pharmacy technician, her heart remains in direct patient care. She aspires to work in a hospital setting one day, ideally supporting women. Ali’s story is an excellent reminder that compassion knows no age – and that it’s never too early to discover your purpose.
Featured Village Events
COMING IN JULY
JULY 17 | 7:00 PM
PERFORMANCE HALL
Around the Hollywood Campfire: A Two-Act
Musical
Vocalist Janet Rutland and writer-narrator John Wooley return to BTV with a footstomping celebration of Western movie music. With the incredible Shelby Eicher and Scott McQuade joining the lineup, this show promises a night of nostalgia, charm and world-class musicianship. From Gene Autry classics to cowboy tunes by Cole Porter and Johnny Mercer, it’s a journey through the wild, melodic West with the added bonus of a campfire dessert!
COMING IN AUGUST
AUGUST 15 | 4:30 – 6:30 PM
PERFORMANCE HALL
Caribbean Vibes Dinner & Dance featuring the Banana Oil Pan Band
Experience the sights, sounds and tastes of the Caribbean islands at this upbeat themed event! Caribbean music reflects a unique regional history where African, European and indigenous musical traditions converged to give rise to a diverse range of unique genres and styles. Groove to music by the Banana Oil Pan Band, a steel "pan" drum band that delivers a danceable mix of lively melodies and smooth Calypso sounds. Chef Memo will serve delicious jerk chicken, plantains, Jamaican patties, rum cake and so much more! Big smiles and fun Caribbean beach attire are encouraged!
AUGUST 18 | 12:30 PM DEPARTURE
Guided Tour of The Don Tyson School of Innovation
The Don Tyson School of Innovation is an openenrollment Springdale Public School District charter school. It is highly regarded for its commitment to innovative, competencybased education, careerfocused learning and a flexible learning environment. DTSOI focuses on community partnerships, personalized learning and early college and career pathways –offering on-site, blended and completely virtual options. Springdale School District Superintendent Dr. Jared Cleveland and Principal Amy Harrison will lead us on this informative tour.
AUGUST 23 | 7:00 PM PERFORMANCE HALL
The Ft. Smith Symphony String Quartet Presents Classic Rock in Concert!
Classic Rock? You heard right, and guests will love every minute of this performance by the returning Ft. Smith Symphony Quartet. We are honored to host violinists Jonathan Chern and Arthur Busby, violist Wanlin Ciu and cellist Nathaniel Cook. This talented quartet has presented diverse programming since 1997, and Classic Rock in Concert will bring us popular rock songs from the 70s and 80s that all ages will recognize – like the Rolling Stones' “Paint It Black” and “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Could your favorite hit be “The Pinball Wizard”, “Stairway to Heaven”, or “Purple Rain”? Look forward to a high-energy, nostalgic show that crosses all generations.
The Road to Health: Eureka Springs Railroad Outing Memphis BBQ Dinner with Oreo Blues Band
Spring Garden Tour at the Village
End-of-Year Celebration
Butterfield Pen Pals
Butterfield Tours Visits Sedona, Arizona
Susie Arnold & Bruce Strom’s Apartment
Thanks to a winning combination of perfect warm, buttery yellow walls and a generous supply of natural light, the elegant one-bedroom deluxe apartment shared by Susie Arnold and Bruce Strom is instantly inviting. The floorplan the couple selected is popular with those who value the flexibility of a generous, roomy open area within an efficient overall space.
Bathed in sunshine, a generously-sized built-in corner desk in the living room offers lots of great storage. This cheerful, centrally located spot helps with staying organized – as well as provides a perfect visible display area for cherished family photos.
Throughout the apartment, colorful still-life paintings by Susie adorn the walls and counters. Her skillful use of bold hues brings tasteful pops of color to a neutral backdrop.
The spotless white kitchen in Susie and Bruce's residence is well-appointed with full-sized appliances and plenty of storage. The counter extends out to provide a small, casual dining space – in addition to their cozy table for two that fits perfectly against the opposite wall.
Located on the third floor, the apartment's breezy balcony is up among the trees, overlooking the south courtyard. This outdoor extension of the living room is just made for enjoying a cup of coffee while bird and cloud-watching.
The beautifully furnished bedroom is reminiscent of traditional cottage style, with its cozy and inviting charm. The gentle color palette and soft textiles are exactly what's needed to turn the room into an oasis for respite and relaxation. Built-in cabinets offer plenty of room to tuck extra belongings out of sight.
The full bath connected to the bedroom is one of two in the apartment. In keeping with the lovely yellow tones throughout the residence, this bright room helps make rising, shining and greeting the day a little bit easier.
Fresh Picks From Our Resident Gardeners
Plus two recipes inspired by the Butterfield Bounty
Home-grown cucumbers, bundles of vibrant Swiss chard, shiny fat onions, cheerful bouquets of vibrant blooms – when these items line the hallway at Butterfield, it means it’s a weekly farmer’s market day! Resident gardeners rise to gather morning harvests of a wide range of vegetables, berries and flowers they’ve lovingly tended in the large community row garden on the east side of campus, and then bring their vine-ripened items to sell to eager neighbors. A line typically forms before the selling officially begins, promising first pick of the bounty for the early birds. Every purchase directly supports the continued cultivation of this thriving garden, ensuring an array of fresh, seasonal goodness for everyone to enjoy now and in the future.
In honor of our green-thumbed resident growers, here are two fresh, healthy and flavorful recipes inspired by what is currently in seasonal abundance – featuring crisp cucumbers and nutrient-rich Swiss chard.
Asian Cucumber Salad with Roasted Peanuts
Yield: 2 to 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
6 cucumbers (about 1 pound), sliced thin
Kosher salt
¼ cup salted, roasted peanuts
¼ cup cilantro or mint leaves
1 tsp red-pepper flakes (adjust for taste)
3 Tbsp unsalted peanut butter
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar
1 tsp granulated sugar
1 small garlic clove, grated Chile oil, for serving (optional)
Adapted from cooking.nytimes.com
INSTRUCTIONS
Toss cucumbers with ½ teaspoon kosher salt in a colander. Set aside to drain.
Chop peanuts, cilantro and red-pepper flakes together until very fine. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Add up to 1 tablespoon water, if needed, to thin mixture. Transfer salted cucumbers to the bowl with dressing and toss to coat.
Spread half of the cucumber salad on the serving plate and sprinkle with half of the peanut mixture. Repeat with remaining cucumber salad and peanut mixture. Drizzle with chile oil, if using, and serve immediately.
Lemon & Parmesan Swiss Chard Salad with Garlic Breadcrumbs
INGREDIENTS
Lemon Vinaigrette
2 ½ Tbsp lemon juice
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
¼ tsp salt or to taste
Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Toasted Garlic Breadcrumbs
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
3 small cloves of garlic, minced
Salad
1 bunch swiss chard (approximately 12 oz.)
¾ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more to serve
INSTRUCTIONS
For the vinaigrette, add lemon juice to a small bowl. Slowly whisk in olive oil until emulsified. Whisk in honey. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside.
Prepare the breadcrumbs by preheating a frying pan over medium heat. In a small bowl, mix together breadcrumbs, oil and garlic. Add the breadcrumb mixture to the hot pan, stirring often to brown the crumbs evenly. Set aside to cool.
Wash and pat swiss chard dry and remove stems. Stack the leaves and roll, chopping them into thin ribbons. Add to a large salad bowl with grated parmesan and toss with the lemon vinaigrette and toasted breadcrumbs.
Serve immediately, garnishing with more freshly grated parmesan.
A Grand New Stage for Opera in the Ozarks
Celebrating 75 Years with a New Theater and a Blockbuster Summer Season
This summer, Opera in the Ozarks turns the page to an exciting new chapter. The beloved summer music festival and professional opera training program celebrates 75 years of artistic excellence with the grand opening of its brand-new 300-seat theater, Inspiration Point Center for the Arts – a breathtaking mountaintop venue located just five miles west of historic Eureka Springs. The 2025 season raises the curtain on this milestone with a vibrant mix of performances, expanded state-of-the-art facilities, and a bold vision for the future of opera in Arkansas.
2025 Mainstage Schedule:
Carmen
July 2, 6, 11, 14, 19, 25
Into the Woods
July 3, 7, 9, 13, 18, 23
The Merry Widow
July 5, 8, 12, 15, 20, 24
Running through July 25, the season features 18 fully staged and costumed performances of three celebrated operas this month: Georges Bizet’s Carmen, a smoldering tale of passion, jealousy,
and fate set to unforgettable Spanish rhythms; Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, a witty and poignant musical journey through fractured fairy tales and the complexity of human desire; and Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow, a sparkling romantic operetta brimming with charm, intrigue, and lavish Parisian elegance.
Opera in the Ozarks General Director Nancy Preis describes the season as “a transformative moment” for the organization. “For 75 years, Opera in the Ozarks has been a beacon for aspiring opera artists,” she says. “The opening of this new theater is a powerful step forward – providing artists with a stage that reflects the caliber of their talents and offering audiences an immersive operatic experience like never before.”
The new theater, designed by Polk Stanley Wilcox architects and built by Crossland Construction with acoustic and theater design expertise from Jaffe Holden and Schuler Shook, was made possible by a $34 million grant from the Walton Family Foundation. Alongside the performance space,
the new facilities also include expanded rehearsal and production areas, practice rooms, and faculty housing – ensuring that the program continues to attract and nurture the next generation of opera singers and musicians.
The season’s mainstage productions will rotate throughout the month, with performances most evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m.
Beyond the mainstage performances in Eureka Springs, the season also features more than a dozen performances of The Bremen Town Musicians, by John Davies, at locations throughout the Northwest Arkansas region, including area libraries and community centers. Featuring Opera in the Ozarks’ Studio Artists, these traveling performances are free of charge.
Prior to the
Other season highlights include the beloved Chamber Music Concert on July 21 at Inspiration Point, and two not-to-be-missed Broadway Cabaret events –one in Springdale on July 17 at The Medium (with heavy hors d’oeuvres), and one in Eureka Springs on July 22 (with a buffet dinner). Both feature company members performing musical theatre favorites in a relaxed and festive setting.
“The opening of this new theater is a powerful step forward – providing artists with a stage that reflects the caliber of their talents...”
- Nancy Preis, Opera in the Ozarks General Director
Whether you're a longtime opera lover or a curious newcomer, this historic season offers the perfect opportunity to experience Opera in the Ozarks at its very best – in a stunning new home, high on a mountaintop, where music soars and stars are born.
Tickets for the 2025 season are on sale and moving quickly. Single tickets to mainstage opera performances range in price from $30 to $50 depending on seat selection, with special $10 pricing available for children and students under 18. Tickets for the Springdale cabaret performance are $60. Tickets for the dinner-inclusive Eureka Springs cabaret performance are $80. Tickets for the Chamber Music Concert are $25.
Tickets may be purchased online at opera.org, or by calling the box office at (479) 253-8595
new season launch, the celebration began early with a sold-out and star-studded gala in May, marking the official grand opening of the new theater and featuring performances by more than a dozen world-renowned opera stars including Leona Mitchell and Mark Delavan (shown here), all distinguished Opera in the Ozarks alumni.
Raise Your Glass for a Night of Fun and a Fantastic Broadway Season
This summer, Walton Arts Center invites you to lift a glass and grab your ticket for a season of fun events and exciting performances. Don’t miss out on the fan-favorite Art of Wine event in July followed by WAC’s biggest Broadway season yet!
Come one, come all! Walton Arts Center welcomes you to sip, savor and step into something spectacular at the 23rd Annual Art of Wine on Friday, July 11. This event will be a circus of flavor, featuring bites from your favorite Northwest Arkansas restaurants, hundreds of curated wine samplings and innovative non-alcoholic options from local vendors.
As the summer heats up with the excitement of Art of Wine, Walton Arts Center is also setting the stage for more unforgettable Broadway performances. With a record-breaking Broadway season to come, you won’t want to miss out.
This year, the grand tradition of wine tasting meets the whimsical spectacle of a bygone era where velvet-draped mystery, gilded charm and the thrill of discovery await. Guests will swirl, sip and savor selections from more than 100 vendors as they wander through a world of dazzling performers, rich aromas and timeless indulgence. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or an eager enthusiast, prepare to be captivated.
Want to have full access to all the spaces (and wines) at this event? A Reserve Room ticket gets you access to both the general admission spaces and to the exclusive Reserve Room with backstage access to premier selections of wines and restaurant options.
More than just a fun event, you’ll also be raising your glass to a good cause – proceeds from Art of Wine support arts education programming at Walton Arts Center. As a nonprofit arts presenting organization, WAC has been serving the region for more than three decades. Tickets to Art of Wine are available at waltonartscenter.org.
Walton Arts Center’s 2025-26 Broadway Series lineup is the biggest yet with 11 productions –the most Northwest Arkansas has ever seen in one season. Five of the shows are coming straight from Broadway on their first national tours and will make their Arkansas debut at Walton Arts Center. Featured shows include: A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, Oct. 14-19; Kimberly Akimbo, Dec. 9-14; Water for Elephants, Feb. 24-March 1; Some Like it Hot, March 17-22; MAMMA MIA!, April 21-25; and & Juliet, May 26-31.
Broadway subscriptions are available now, and subscribers receive first access to five Broadway Bonus shows, along with getting spectacular benefits like no exchange fees and keeping the same seats for every show. Bonus shows include Clue, Mrs. Doubtfire, Merideth Willson’s The Music Man, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Can’t make it to all six of the featured Broadway productions? Pick three or more of the weeklong shows to get a mini-subscription and get a five percent discount.
Patrons may purchase tickets or subscriptions at waltonartscenter.org, by calling the subscriber concierge at (479) 571-2785, or in person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Some Like it Hot & Juliet Art of Wine
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical
Directory Pointed Black Motorists to Fayetteville
During segregation, African American travelers couldn’t rely on finding billboards directing them to where they could safely dine or lodge. Instead, they turned to The Negro Motorist Green Book, commonly referred to as The Green Book. When visiting Fayetteville, Black travelers were in luck.
In its pages, they learned that a neighborhood a few blocks east of Fayetteville’s downtown offered places where they could get a hot meal and even stay the night. In 1946, for example, they might stop at the homes of Susan “Susie” Marshbanks Manuel at 313 N. Olive St. (it became an “avenue” later) and Naomi Smith at 259 E. Center St. Also listed was a two-story hotel with a rock exterior operated by Baptist preacher James Webb (incorrectly published as “Mebbs” in the directory) at 105 N. Willow Ave., which was a popular haven for Black truckdrivers commuting along U.S. Highway 71. That building still stands. Manuel’s granddaughter, Betty Davis, recalled that notable musicians stopped at her grandmother’s home, including Fletcher Henderson, Cab Calloway and his sister Blanche, when they performed for University of Arkansas students.
Otherwise, the nearest businesses listed in The Green Book were in Fort Smith, while northbound travelers
By Sandra Cox Birchfield, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
could stop in Carthage, Joplin and Springfield, Missouri. Westward, The Green Book listed several establishments in Muskogee and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The Green Book was created in 1936 by Victor H. Green, an African American postman from Harlem who collected names and locations of Black-friendly businesses to include in his directory. The Green Book also listed Black-operated beauty parlors, barbershops, service stations, garages, drug stores and even tailors, though no such Fayetteville businesses were listed. Names and locations of Black-run newspapers and colleges were also provided.
Early in its publication, The Green Book offered points of interest and general safety tips on car maintenance for traveling without noting the dangers Black motorists might face from breaking down in an unfamiliar area. In 1948, the guide’s introduction noted, “There will be a day sometime in the near future when this guide will not have to be published. That is when we as a race will have equal opportunities and privileges in the United States.”
By 1966, two years after The Civil Rights Act became law, the guide added a list showing states’ anti-discrimination laws, if they had them, in relation to their respective accommodations. (Arkansas was omitted.)
It was The Green Book’s last issue.
Shiloh Museum – Hotel
This building once served as a hotel that was listed in The Green Book. Located on Willow Avenue in Fayetteville, it was operated by Baptist preacher James Webb.
Shiloh Museum – Susie Manuel
Susan “Susie” Marshbanks Manuel stands in the doorway of her Olive Street home in Fayetteville that was listed in The Green Book as a tourist home in this undated photo. She died in 1952.
Shiloh Museum –The Green Book
The Negro Motorist Green Book, commonly referred to as The Green Book, began in 1936 by Victor H. Green, an African American postman from Harlem.
Shiloh Museum – Page from The Green Book
This page, taken from The Green Book’s 1946 edition, shows three places in Fayetteville that catered to Black travelers, all located in the same neighborhood.
Coming This Fall: Walks That Slow Us Down – and Wake Us Up
New mindful hiking program invites deeper connection to nature and self
This fall, the seasonal hiking program at Butterfield Trail Village is taking a thoughtful new direction. Rather than focusing on mileage or pace, the upcoming series will emphasize stillness, sensory awareness and the restorative power of moving slowly and deliberately through nature.
Wellness Director Jennifer Neill, who recently completed her certification in Forest Therapy, is bringing this evidence-based approach to the community’s fall hikes. Her goal is to create space for all residents, not just the swift or sure-footed, to reconnect with the natural world in more meaningful ways.
Over the years, Neill has observed that many older adults begin to feel a quiet disconnection from
The objective [isn't] about how far or fast a person can go, but how deeply they can experience the journey itself.
nature as changes in their sensory perception emerge. High-frequency hearing loss can make birdsong harder to detect. Reduced visual contrast can dull the brilliance of colorful foliage. Even the feel of a breeze or the scent of the forest can seem more distant, but research shows that mindful, immersive time in nature can help rebuild those bridges.
The Science Behind the Benefits of Outdoor Immersion
Multiple research studies confirm that slow, sensory-based nature experiences can:
• Redirect attention and help compensate for sensory decline by guiding awareness to subtle details
• Engage multiple senses, enriching perception even when one sense is diminished
• Lower cortisol and reduce stress to improve mood and overall well-being
• Support cognition, including memory, attention and executive function
• Improve sleep by regulating the circadian rhythm through more exposure to natural light
These benefits will form the foundation of the fall hiking series. Each weekly walk will include time
for gentle movement, moments of stillness and guided invitations to engage with the environment through touch, smell, sound and sight. Walks will take place in a variety of accessible natural spaces, and some will include short talks from guest naturalists to enrich the experience. Additionally, outings will incorporate different subjects, ranging from topics like birding and forest floor biodiversity to indigenous lore and nature as medicine.
Participants will gather for a shared reflection and outdoor lunch at the end of every walk. Whether it’s mindfully noticing the rustle of leaves, the play of shadow and light or recognizing the rhythm of birdsong in the distance, the goal will be to help residents experience the joy of noticing the nuances of their forest surroundings.
This program will start in September and welcomes walkers of all levels. The objective won’t be about how far or fast a person can go, but how deeply they can experience the journey itself.
The Butterfield Trail Village Foundation is grateful for the gifts received between April 9 and June 5, 2025 from the following donors:
Unrestricted Fund
Carolyn Smart in memory of Marian Catron
Aletha Johnson in memory of Marian Catron
Ellis Trumbo in memory of Lewis Epley
Ellis Trumbo in memory of Don Hunnicutt
Ben and Martha Shreve in memory of Don Hunnicutt
Barbara Counce in memory of Patricia Smith
Barbara Counce in memory of Mary Vaughan
Bill and Bimmy Currie in memory of Martha Brewer, Lewis Epley, Morriss Henry and Don Hunnicutt
Kay Brewer in memory of Shirley Chewing and Martha Brewer
Ann Henry in memory of Don Hunnicutt, Pat Smith, Martha Brewer and Marian Catron
Butterfield Trail Village Farmer’s Market Anonymous
Butterfly Garden Fund
Jerre R. Jouett in honor of Jo and Rick McClarrinon
Garden Fund
Lyle and Sue Gohn in memory of Martha Brewer
Lyle and Sue Gohn in memory of Evan Bukey
Lyle and Sue Gohn in memory of Lewis Epley
Lyle and Sue Gohn in memory of Don Hunnicutt
Lyle and Sue Gohn in memory of Margaret Hunt
Lyle and Sue Gohn in memory of Mayme Strange
Health Care Fund
Anne and Dick Booth in memory of Martha Brewer
Beth Vaughan-Wrobel in memory of Lewis Epley
Roy Clinton in memory of Don Hunnicutt
Vernon Collins in memory of Margaret Hunt, Mary Vaughan, Martha Brewer and Lois Ferguson
Library Fund
Roy Clinton in memory of Martha Brewer
Ann Henry in memory of Don Hunnicutt, Pat Smith, Martha Brewer and Marian Catron
Music and Performance Fund
Lyle and Sue Gohn in memory of Jo Anne Brown
Yaoliang Chen and Minting Liu in memory of Mayme Strange
Jan and Mary Gosnell
Recycling Fund
Lyle and Sue Gohn in memory of Shirley Chewning
Special Care Remodel Fund
Mahlon and Sondra Gibson in memory of Don Hunnicutt
Andrea and James Romine in memory of Don Hunnicutt
Brian and Susie Rosenthal in memory of Don Hunnicutt
Bill and Lola Shackelford in memory of Don Hunnicutt
Curtis and Jane Shipley in memory of Don Hunnicutt
Elizabeth and Sam Weathers Jr. in memory of Don Hunnicutt
Margaret M. Whillock in memory of Don Hunnicutt
Ann Henry in memory of Don Hunnicutt, Pat Smith, Martha Brewer and Marian Catron
Crystal Bridges Presents The Van Cliburn Concert Series
Experience an unforgettable evening of extraordinary classical music from award-winning musicians.
Clayton Stephenson | September 5
Yefim Bronfman | December 18
Limited tickets available. Reserve in advance at CrystalBridges.org/VanCliburn
The Mary Ann Greenwood Fund for Van Cliburn at Crystal Bridges
