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
At Butterfield, community is at the heart of everything we do. The concept of community is defined by more than a place or a collection of buildings. It’s people supporting and uplifting each other, walking through life’s seasons together.
That spirit of connection and care is especially meaningful this time of year, as May marks Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a timely reminder that tending to our emotional well-being is just as important as caring for our physical health – and being part of a community like Butterfield means we don’t have to navigate it alone.
In this issue, you will read about a powerful example of community in action – our caregiver support group. More than just a way to gain practical advice, this group provides a safe setting and a source of understanding, connection and shared experiences among participants who are navigating the joys and challenges of caring for a loved one.
In our cover story, we’ll offer a glimpse at the life shared by David and Jerilyn Renfroe, a couple who understands very personally the power of family and the importance of engaging in one’s community. You’ll meet Adam Fuller, who, as Butterfield’s grounds manager, sees the campus through a landscape architect’s lens of how to design and enhance outdoor spaces to bring people together.
Whether through structured groups, conversation with neighbors or the simple comfort of being known by name, the Butterfield community demonstrates daily that we are stronger together. This sense of belonging makes our Village not just a place to live – but a place to thrive. We hope this issue offers you a reflection of that.
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.
Feb
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Rick Elise
Footcare
Medication
Post
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Private
Medical
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BigAdvent ure Together Exploring L i fe’s Very David & Jerilyn Renfroe
David and Jerilyn Renfroe’s childhood homes shared the exact same number: 1725. But they were located nearly 1,500 miles apart, and the couple wouldn’t meet until college.
In 1970, while attending the University of Houston and living at home to save money, David joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He then applied and was admitted to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He was thrilled to trade in the hot, flat landscape of Texas for snow-covered mountains and skiing on the weekends.
Raised in Salt Lake City in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, Jerilyn attended the University of Utah for a year while also living at home. When her parents saw how hard she was working, in school and at her waitressing job, they agreed to help her go to BYU, her dream.
Jerilyn and David first got to know each other on the Utah ski slopes, where they found an ideal microclimate for skiing. Water evaporates from
the Great Salt Lake, and the wind blows it up the mountain – resulting in “the best powder snow in the world,” he said. Up to 11 friends would pile into David’s green Pontiac Bonneville and head to the slopes – stashing skis, poles, boots and other gear in the roomy trunk.
The pair got engaged in February 1972 while driving back to Provo after a ski trip. It was obvious to David that they would marry. “What other girl would go cross-country skiing with you?” he said. But she grew up skiing and drinking out of mountaintop streams of freshly melted snow. “What kind of a girl does this? The one I’m going to marry, that’s who.”
Thus was the beginning of their very big adventure together. Sharing a love for life, they have traveled the world, often with some or all of their children. The places they enjoy most are the ones that nature made – oceans, lakes, snow-capped mountains and countrysides. And through all the ups and downs, they have enjoyed life to the fullest.
Words by Michelle Parks
Photos by Stephen Ironside
Starting With a Strong Foundation
Both of their fathers served in World War II, and hers also in the Korean War. Jerilyn was born while her dad, a waist gunner, was home on leave, and he returned from service when she was 2. David’s dad was an airplane mechanic in the Army Air Corps.
David’s family goes back to 1839 in Arkansas; his dad was born and raised in Russellville, and his mother was raised in New Mexico, Russellville and Fayetteville. In Houston, David’s dad worked at an oil tool company, and then spent his evenings fixing people’s cars in their home garage. David helped out, and his dad advised him to become an engineer.
Building a Memorable Life Together
Newly married, the Renfroes moved to Rockdale, Texas, where David worked for Alcoa Aluminum. He felt like a maintenance engineer, while he aspired to work at the forefront of technology and discovery. Jerilyn encouraged him to get his Ph.D.
As a teen, David rebuilt the family car, a 1952 Chevrolet, six-cylinder standard – overhauling the engine and transmission, and refurbishing the interior. His dad gave him the car after he’d put in all that work. He also built a sailboat, and learned to sail in Galveston as part of a sailboat racing crew at the local yacht club.
Jerilyn learned to sew from her mother and grandmother, and selections of her smocking work have been displayed in the main building at BTV. She loved the competition of sports in her youth, and cried herself to sleep because being a girl prevented her participation in Little League baseball. She later took up tennis after moving to Arkansas.
Jerilyn started playing violin in grade school, and continued through junior high, high school, and in BYU orchestras. She also sang in choir and was part of the Highland Lassies, a dance group that marched on the field at halftime. They both learned to waterski in their youth.
After graduating from BYU, they went on church missions — her to Argentina for 18 months, him to Germany for two years — and stayed in touch by writing letters. A month and a day after he got home, they married in the Provo Temple in September 1974.
Jerilyn had begun college as a special education major, but switched to childhood development and family relations. They had married and started a family, so she would complete her degree over the next few years by long distance.
They moved to Bryan-College Station, where he attended Texas A&M, earned high grades, and got a master’s degree and a doctorate, also in mechanical engineering. David then took a job at General Motors Institute in Michigan, which was “like Disneyland for engineers.”
After two years, David’s parents had moved from Houston to Russellville, and he and Jerilyn wanted to escape the extreme cold of the North.
David approached the University of Arkansas about teaching mechanical engineering and was offered the job as a professor. The couple moved their family to Fayetteville in 1982, three days before Christmas. They loaded their freshly cut, fully decorated Christmas tree into the back of their truck, drove it to Arkansas, and set it up in their new home. He went on to teach full time from 1982 to 1997, and as an adjunct professor until 2015.
Early on, he started a Mini Baja project, in which his vehicle dynamics students each designed and built an off-road vehicle using an 8 horsepower Briggs and Stratton engine, and then they’d race them. “A lot of the notions and ideas about how to build a proper ATV came from the work we did with that,” he said.
With his own consulting business — Renfroe Engineering, and later Engineering Institute — they designed and built a safer ATV and started manufacturing it at a factory in Fayetteville. When the business went bankrupt in 2008, they took the design to China, where HiSun produced it. David had been in dozens of lawsuits against ATV manufacturers, and their design did everything that he said ATVs should do.
Through his consulting firm, David also did accident reconstruction and analysis for the 1997 car crash of Princess Diana and the 2013 car crash of the actor Paul Walker, and became an expert witness for plaintiffs in hundreds of lawsuits. Some of those involved the Jeep CJ7, which had a high center of gravity and narrow track width, and wasn’t designed
for high speeds. With a sudden turn and correction, it could easily flip over and cause fatalities. In 1984, Jeep produced a model with a wider track width and lower center of gravity.
David also was involved in about 250 Ford Explorer cases; though the tires were blamed for accidents, he determined that the suspension was a big factor. In his testimony, he recommended a wider track width, lower center of gravity, and an independent rear suspension – plus stronger roofs that wouldn’t collapse in rollover instances.
Family Adventures and Other Travels
The Renfroes starting using their phones’ GPS, dropping a pin at someone’s door and recording the data. He made maps and taught them how to locate their homes. He also taught them the Boy Scout trick of magnetizing a needle and floating it in water to create a compass.
From the mid-1970s to 1990, the couple had five children: Heather, Allen, Jenalyn, Kathryn and Kevin. During David’s career, Jerilyn was grateful she could stay home with them. “Sometimes society will say, you’re just a stay-at-home mom. But it was the biggest blessing to raise kids and be able to be there for them,” she said.
As they raised their children, they continued to have adventures big and small, creating memories to last a lifetime, and capturing them in photos and videos. They’ve digitized their archives for easy viewing on their big screen TV. One video shows a trip where they sailed between St. Lucia and St. Vincent though 30 miles of open ocean, built sand castles on the beach, and visited the spot where “Pirates of the Caribbean” was filmed. They also have photos from their own childhoods, and of skiing and rock climbing in Utah in college, and video of an old truck restored with a grandson – one of their 19 grandchildren.
In 2016, David sold his consulting business to his partner. He and Jerilyn spent the next two years as missionaries in Africa, doing member leadership training in Tamale, Ghana, where their church was brand new.
There are 76 languages spoken in Ghana, and English is now the national language. Jerilyn taught literacy to women who hadn’t attended school. “To teach someone to read who didn’t know her shapes was amazing,” she said. “It opened up the world to her to know what a map and a calendar and a clock were.”
Unlike the United States, residences in Ghana don’t have house numbers, making them difficult to locate.
Soon after they returned, their daughter Kathryn’s husband died in 2020, and she moved with her four sons to Fayetteville. In 2022, Kathryn was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer that was resistant to treatment, and she died in April 2024. The oldest sister, Heather, with husband Mark, with five children of their own, adopted Kathryn’s sons. “I can’t tell you what a miracle it is to have them adopting all those boys,” Jerilyn said. “We’re in a happy place, a very happy chapter. The boys feel loved and are thriving.”
New Address, Still Home Sweet Home
During Kathryn’s illness, the Renfroes sold their house in Fayetteville and moved to an apartment at Butterfield. They eventually moved into a Village Home. They had learned about BTV through fellow church members, and they got involved soon after they arrived. David served as Village Home chair, and later helped start an Energy Committee to assess potential energy savings for the village. He’s currently filling a vacancy on the Board of Directors, where he’s a conduit of information between residents and the board.
They both like to read, often with audiobooks. She enjoys Pilates and other fitness classes, including line dancing. They regularly ride their bicycles on the Razorback Greenway. And after pausing by Lake Fayetteville to watch people rowing, they decided to take lessons themselves.
Since last fall, they’ve been building a rowboat from a kit in their garage. She’s painted the interior, and he’s built new outriggers from catalpa wood. They are naming it Kathryn and plan to launch it at Lake Fayetteville on the anniversary of her death.
Barbara Hinton Anniversaries
When did you move to Butterfield?
I moved in March 2025. I committed in October 2024, but my cottage had been the Marketing Office and needed extensive remodeling.
Where are you from?
I grew up in Albertville, Alabama, and earned a B.S.Ed. from Auburn University in 1961. Shortly after, I married Jim Hinton, a University of Alabama graduate, and we moved to Athens, Georgia, where he earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Georgia. I worked there as a secretary in the Office of Student Affairs and later taught music at Clarke County Junior High. Our first of three sons was born in Athens. After Jim graduated, we moved to Fayetteville, expecting to stay briefly while he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Arkansas. Instead, he became a Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty member, teaching and conducting research until his 2014 retirement.
What did you do before retirement?
I was a stay-at-home mom until our youngest started kindergarten. I then earned a Master’s and Ed.D. in Adult Education at the University of Arkansas. I spent four years at Northwest Technical Institute and started its first full-time Adult Education program. I then spent 27 years at the U of A College of Education and Health Professions (COEHP) as an Adult Education professor, department head and eventually COEHP Associate Dean for Academic Affairs before retiring in 2009.
Do you have children and grandchildren?
I have three sons, five grandchildren, and two ‘bonus’ grandchildren. Two sons live locally; one lives in Australia.
Why did you choose Butterfield?
Jim had insisted we join the Butterfield Carriage Club years before his passing in 2019. I loved my home and extensive garden, but maintaining them became less of a joy and more of a chore as I aged. When a cottage became available, I took the opportunity to enjoy BTV while I’m still active and healthy. Living and working locally, I have many friends here and am delighted to find welcoming new friends at BTV. I know I made the right choice at the right time in my life.
May Anniversaries
Jim Bowles and Louise Painter 12th
Craig Brown and Laurel Ward 16th
Ken and Jan Hargis 17th
Peter and Susan Vanneman 24th
Cary Haramoto and Marlene Samuel 26th
Bobby and Doris Marks 27th
Lanny and Bonnie Ashlock 31st
James and Mary Ellen Moore 31st
June Anniversaries
Leland and Betty Tollett 2nd
Roy and Annette Penney 3rd
Ed and Jane Piper 7th
Bill and Barbara McIver 7th
Sid and Kay Davis 8th
Jim and Sherry Young 8th
Al and Lenora Metz 9th
Tom and Jill King 10th
Buddy and Grace Babcock 11th
Bill and Sabra Martin 12th
Jan and Mary Gosnell 14th
Denny Nelson and Elizabeth Houle 14th
Lyle and Sue Gohn 15th
Curtis and Jane Shipley 15th
Dick and Anne Booth 19th
Jim and Ann Newman 19th
Ron and Alice Talbert 19th
Bill and Diane Breazeale 22nd
Rick and Jo McClarrinon 22nd
Bob and Sherri Lewis 25th
Larry and Joyce Masters 26th
Steve and Sandy Johnson 29th
Jim and Andrea Romine 29th
Charles and Barbara Stills 30th
New Neighbors
Bill and Deeg Mitchell
Barbara Hinton
Janet Salazar
Bruce Strom and Susie Arnold
Randall and Rhoda Woods
Bill and Georgia Ross
Mark Cory and Judith Ricker
Adam Fuller: Viewing the Butterfield Campus as a Canvas for Botanical Art
Butterfield's Grounds Manager, Adam Fuller, didn't take the most direct path to horticulture. Initially drawn to study graphic design at Arkansas Tech University, Adam came to recognize he could potentially combine his artistic talents with a lifelong love for the outdoors. This led him to change directions and pursue a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Arkansas. He's never looked back.
Adam's passion for the outdoors was nurtured from a young age. Originally from Vicksburg, Miss., he moved to Russellville, Ark., as a young boy. His family enjoyed spending much of their time outdoors – gardening, hiking, and exploring the woods. "My folks' whole yard is pretty much a garden," Adam recalls of his childhood home. "It's a joy to go there and walk around with my dad or mom, talking about all the new things they've done." The green-thumbed upbringing has stayed with him, and his retired parents still cultivate a large, vibrant flower garden. Adam’s mother has begun to gift him many of her indoor plants, filling his home with beautiful greenery. The two enjoy occasionally propagating favorite plants to give each other.
spirit, Adam established his own CrossFit gym in 2017 and, two years later, started a company to partner with a Bella Vista developer to provide all of the landscaping and irrigation work for a 48-home neighborhood. The pandemic, however, was not kind – and he eventually had to step away from his businesses to become a maintenance operations manager for All Around Landscaping. The company changed ownership, and Adam decided to part ways for a new opportunity – and joined the Butterfield staff in November of 2024.
His initial employment journey in horticulture began after graduation when, during a job-scarce recession, Adam mowed lawns to make ends meet. He decided to move to Memphis, accepting his first professional role and gaining the chance to hone his skills in high-end residential landscaping as a designer and project manager. While there, he learned a lot about working with different materials and integrating both the form and function of landscaping.
As much as Adam enjoyed his job in Memphis, he and his then-wife were ready to start a family and decided Fayetteville would be better suited for raising kids. He took a position as a project manager for US Lawns. Also possessing an entrepreneurial
Excited about the potential of Butterfield's grounds, Adam envisions transforming some areas into spaces with more of a botanical garden feel. He plans to enhance landscaping around major campus buildings by bringing plants closer to the walkways and away from structure foundations, allowing plantings to be more visible from inside and outside vantage points. He has ideas for how the campus main entrance on Joyce Boulevard could be enhanced once some major road work is completed by the City of Fayetteville – but in the meantime, he will work with his crew to incorporate new perennials to supplement regular seasonal installments of colorful annuals. Adam is also taking a thoughtful approach to lawn care, conducting soil testing around Butterfield’s many mature trees and considering solutions like clover lawns that may offer a more sustainable, visually appealing landscape with less need for chemicals.
Beyond his professional expertise, Adam is cultivating an interest in native plants and herbal medicine. He enjoys growing a variety of herbs to make tinctures with medicinal properties. And, Adam's green thumb now extends to his two young sons, ages 6 and 8, both willing helpers in their home garden. Just as his own parents instilled in him a love for gardening and natural surroundings, Adam is happily passing along his knowledge and appreciation to the next generation.
Featured Village Events
COMING IN MAY
MAY 6 | 8:00 AM DEPARTURE
Art Deco Architecture + History
Walking Tour – Downtown Tulsa
Art Deco, the predominant decorative art style of the 1920s and 1930s, is characterized by precise, boldly delineated geometric shapes and intense colors used most notably in New York and downtown Tulsa architecture. By 1921, Tulsa's oil boom and Art Deco buildings made it one of Oklahoma’s most vibrant, modern cities. Tulsa boasts one of the nation’s most extensive collections of Art Deco architecture, much of which can be seen in the Deco District. The Tulsa Architecture Foundation will lead us on a downtown tour featuring architectural highlights and historical accounts about the skyline that oil built, followed by lunch.
MAY 29 | 7:00 PM PERFORMANCE HALL
Lecture: Devil’s Den and the Civilian Conservation Corps
Join Professor Kimball Erdman, University of Arkansas Landscape Architecture, as he takes you back to a vital part of Arkansas history. In 1933, hundreds of men arrived at what we know as Devil’s Den State Park. They struggled during the Great Depression, but as members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), they were fed, housed and paid $30 a month to clear roads and create the park we enjoy today.
COMING IN JUNE
JUNE 26 | 7 PM PERFORMANCE HALL
May 14 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Spring Garden Tour at the Village
Butterfield residents have been urban gardening since the 1980s, sharing nature’s beauty while tantalizing our senses with florals and delectable treats. Enjoy this opportunity to view their handiwork while appreciating the hours of commitment, enthusiasm, community engagement and campus beautification they provide. Tour the Butterfly Garden, Sensory Garden, Raised Bed Garden and the Row Crop Garden – and meet their caretakers. Tour maps will be available at the Front Desk and Information Center. Springtime refreshments will be served.
MAY 30 | 11:00 AM DEPARTURE PERFORMANCE HALL
Tour: The Work of the Civilian Conservation Corps at Devil’s Den
An Arkansas icon, Devil’s Den State Park remains one of the most well-preserved Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) sites in the country, with its legacy still visible in the trails and original cabins. An outing with University of Arkansas Landscape Architecture Professor Kimball Erdman will guide us through the park’s rich history and creation. We’ll also take time to relax and enjoy a picnic lunch in this scenic setting.
International Violinist Natasha Korsakova in Concert
The Butterfield Trail Village Foundation is pleased to announce the return of international violinist and crime novelist Natasha Korsakova. An award-winning artist, she has appeared in many of the world’s most prestigious concert halls and was selected as “Artist of the Year” in Chile and Italy. Her repertoire includes over 60 concertos for violin and orchestra, plus countless works of chamber music. Korsakova was born into a musical family in Moscow and her first teacher was her grandfather, Boris Korsakova. She also received direction from her father, a well-known Russian violin virtuoso, Andrej Korsakova. She plays a precious instrument, the Stradivarius-Vuillaume Messiah, made in Paris in 1870. Limited concert tickets will be available to the public; please email rstamps@btvillage.org for information.
St. Patrick's Day Luncheon with Live Music by Ragtaggle
2nd Floor North Bingo and Soup Supper
Lake Frances Preserve Hike with NWA Land Trust
Trip to Portugal and Spain to Hike El Camino de Santiago Mardi Gras at Butterfield
David & Jerilyn Renfroe’s
Village Home
Generous natural light is one of the most noticeable features of the Renfroes' home. Made possible with plenty of windows and a skylight, the dining area next to the kitchen with its airy white cabinets, granite countertops and subway tile backsplash creates a cheerful, sunny place to convene.
Living proof that a home can feel remarkably crisp and clean while simultaneously exuding coziness and comfort, the traditional styling of David and Jerilyn Renfroe’s Village Home is instantly inviting. A timeless classic theme of blue and white flows seamlessly from room to room, creating tasteful visual impact and a sense of restfulness. Great thought has been given to the placement of special decor items and family photos, providing personal touches at every turn.
This lovely library-inspired office with a verdant view into the back yard is spacious enough for both David and Jerilyn to enjoy separate desks and work spaces – and the shelves hold an array of memoryprompting treasures.
Photos by Stephen Ironside
Beautiful furnishings, elegant bedding, custom Roman shades and bedside pendant lights all work in concert to create a wonderfully restful primary bedroom. A glass-fronted cabinet holds shelves of pretty collectibles and colorful quilts.
The primary bedroom’s en suite bathroom provides a spacious and bright area to prepare for the day. A double vanity ensures ample room for storage.
A sweet guest bedroom and bath offers lucky visitors a welcoming place of privacy and respite.
The Renfroes' back yard offers a view toward the nearby Mud Creek Trail that borders the Butterfield Trail Village campus. A sunny patio off the dining room provides a perfect spot to enjoy fresh air and the changing seasons.
Dark blue lower cabinets provide a perfect accent in the roomy kitchen, without diminishing the upper light that is so helpful for preparing food. This particular floor plan features a wonderful large pantry to ensure no clutter makes its way to work spaces.
A place for nurturing Jerilyn's musical talents, the music room doubles as practice space and a display area for stringed instruments and a gorgeous upright piano.
You’re Not Alone: The Power of Caregiver Support Groups
At Butterfield Trail Village, a monthly caregiver support group provides emotional relief, practical wisdom and lasting connections for those who give so much of themselves.
Every caregiver’s journey is different, but for those who join a caregiver support group, the walk is not taken alone. Looking after a spouse with declining health can take an enormous emotional and physical toll – as well as feel very isolating. At Butterfield, a monthly caregiver support group facilitated by staff social workers Patricia Poertner and Heather Edge offers much more than advice; it provides a space for relief, honesty and healing.
where the support group steps in, creating space for participants to share their personal experiences without fear of judgment. "We want caregivers to have a safe place to let it all out," Heather says. "To cry, to laugh, to be perfectly, bluntly honest about how hard it can be – without worrying that others might be offended or just not understand.”
Once a person experiences the power of being understood,
“They come to realize they’re not alone,” Patricia says. “Even though everyone’s situation is different, the feelings are often the same, and that shared understanding is powerful.” The group blends laughter, tears and practical wisdom, all under an umbrella of empathy and trust. For resident Sandy White, the support group is a lifeline: “I find solace in realizing I’m not making this journey alone, and experience comfort by sharing experiences with others facing many of the same challenges. Patricia and Heather offer us many helpful tips to relieve stress and take care of ourselves, as well as our spouses.”
The Heart of the Group
supported
and embraced by others who have
traveled
a similar path, it’s easier to realize there are friends who are ready and willing to take that walk together.
Some members come mostly to listen, while others open up about the day-to-day trials they face. The beauty of the group is that it's driven by those who attend. "We just facilitate," says Patricia. "The caregivers lead the way."
Wisdom Shared
Each meeting is a treasure trove of practical tips. From sharing routines that help keep a loved one calm or occupied to clever ways of creating meaningful engagement at home, participants walk away with ideas they can try. "Everyone needs purpose," Patricia explains. "Even someone with dementia can fold laundry or check the mail. It gives them dignity and helps the caregiver, too."
Whether navigating the early stages of a partner’s diagnosis or facing the challenges of long-term care, caregivers often feel emotionally depleted. That’s
Members also learn how to adapt traditions, especially around holidays and while traveling. The group reassures each other that it’s okay to make tough calls – to cancel plans, ask for help and actively prioritize what’s best for everyone involved.
Caring for the Caregivers
One of the group’s strongest messages: Caregivers need care, too. "If you're not filling your own cup, you won't have anything left to give," says Heather. Whether it's setting aside quiet time or simply taking a walk, self-care looks different for everyone – and it matters.
The support group provides not only encouragement but also permission. "There’s a lot of guilt in caregiving," Patricia says. "But hearing from someone who’s been through it helps. They can say, 'It's okay. You're doing the best thing for your loved one.'"
A Culture of Compassion
The caregiver support group isn’t new to Butterfield – it’s part of the Village’s long-standing culture of care. Because members live in the same community, connections form more easily, and proximity means support naturally extends beyond the meetings. “They form friendships,” Patricia says. “They check in on each other, they share resources, and they remind each other that there is life beyond caregiving.”
For Sandy White, the group is just one example of the many ways she believes Butterfield helps sustain her. “I feel the support of so many outstanding professionals on a daily basis. The caregivers group offers me yet another wonderful resource to feel connection and support with this special community,” she says. “I’m very grateful to be living here.”
Finding Strength Together
The journey of caregiving can feel overwhelming, but it becomes a little lighter when it’s shared. "You can just come and listen," Heather says. "You don’t have to talk. You don’t even have to keep coming. But we hope you will."
The Butterfield Caregiver Support Group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 3pm in the Villa Room.
For more information, please contact Patricia Poertner, Senior Director of Resident Services, at (479) 695-8032 or at ppoertner@btvillage.org
Once a person experiences the power of being understood, supported and embraced by others who have traveled a similar path, it’s easier to realize there are friends who are ready and willing to take that walk together.
Celebrating Two Decades of Bold Theatre in NWA
TheatreSquared Marks a Milestone Season
In 2005, a small group of dreamers believed Northwest Arkansas could sustain a professional theatre. Twenty years and thousands of performances later, TheatreSquared (T2) is celebrating a milestone anniversary with a season that’s equal parts adventurous, heartfelt, and groundbreaking.
"This season isn’t just an extension of our mission – it’s a celebration," says Amy Herzberg, T2’s cofounder and associate artistic director. "It’s a love letter to this community and a testament to what 20 years of dreaming big can create."
From literary classics to world premieres, the 202526 season lineup encapsulates TheatreSquared’s signature blend of intimate storytelling and boundary-pushing creativity.
THE SEASON AT A GLANCE
Ken Ludwig’s The Three Musketeers
Aug 20 – Sep 7
The season opens with a high-octane romp through Alexandre Dumas’ swashbuckling classic. Packed with duels, disguises, and derring-do, Ludwig’s witty adaptation promises to sweep audiences into a world where friendship and bravery reign – "All for one, and one for all!"
Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem
Oct 1 – Oct 26
A standout world premiere from playwright Jonathan Norton, this T2-commissioned play chronicles the unlikely friendship between two future legends, formed over fried chicken and dirty dishwater. Set in 1943 Harlem, this poignant story explores how a summer of strife and self-discovery shaped two young men into icons.
It’s A Wonderful Life
Nov 19 – Dec 24
An original adaptation of the beloved holiday classic arrives just in time for the season of giving. Written by TheatreSquared Artistic Director Robert Ford, T2’s version features a nimble cast of eight actors performing over 65 roles. With warmth, heart, and just the right touch of magic, this family-friendly show is a celebration of life and the people who make it worth living.
The Book Club Play
Jan 21 – Feb 8, 2026
Karen Zacarías’ smart comedy takes a playful jab at literature lovers and the drama that unfolds when private lives become public. When a documentary film crew joins Ana’s book club, buried secrets come bubbling to the surface in this witty, insightful romp.
The Garbologists
Mar 4 – Mar 29, 2026
Ford and Amy Herzberg. This fresh take on Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s charged courtship is also the debut of a partnership with the University of Arkansas’ Department of Theatre, incorporating the talents of emerging MFA artists.
“[This season is] a love letter to this community and a testament to what 20 years of dreaming big can create.”
In this unexpectedly touching two-hander by Lindsay Joelle, a seasoned blue-collar NYC sanitation worker and his Ivyeducated rookie truck-cab partner find common ground as they collect trash and hunt for discarded treasures. Part buddy comedy, part soulful character study, The Garbologists is a heartfelt look at the things we hold dear, wrapped in humor and humanity.
Arkansas New Play Festival
March 2026
- Amy Herzberg, TheatreSquared Co-Founder & Associate Artistic Director
Eugene Onegin—A
Bluegrass Musical
June 3 – June 21, 2026
Closing out the season is a bold musical reimagining of Alexander Pushkin’s classic novel and Tchaikovsky’s opera, transported to 1940s rural Arkansas, where a girl who dreams of writing songs falls for a magnetic touring musician. Created by Sarah Gancher and developed at the 2024 Arkansas New Play Festival, this world premiere blends bluegrass and country, barbecue, and feverish young love for a down-home theatrical crescendo.
A SEASON WORTH CELEBRATING
With a full slate of innovative productions and a continuing commitment to new work, T2’s 20th anniversary season underscores what has made it a cornerstone of Northwest Arkansas’ cultural scene.
A hallmark of T2’s mission, the festival returns to spotlight original voices and the next generation of great plays. Offering unique opportunities to experience new works in progress, staged readings, post-show discussions, and behind-the-scenes insights, audiences are invited to be part of the creative process.
Pride and Prejudice
Apr 15 – May 10, 2026
Fall in love again with Jane Austen’s timeless romance, newly adapted for T2’s stage by Robert
TheatreSquared has grown to become the state’s largest professional theatre, offering more than 350 performances annually. The company’s reputation for championing original plays, intimate staging, and community engagement continues to attract national attention while staying rooted in its founding belief: that “theater — done well and with passion — can transform lives and communities.”
Season subscriptions are on sale now, with packages starting at $104. Subscribers enjoy early access, ticket savings, and flexible scheduling – including options for evening and matinee performances.
To learn more or reserve your seats, visit theatre2.org or call the T2 box office at (479) 777-7477.
By Anna Buie
Presented by Walton Arts Center, Artosphere, Arkansas’ Arts and Nature Festival, celebrates art, music and nature with exciting performances, activities and events that the whole family can enjoy. Each year, Artosphere spotlights artists and performers from around the world who are inspired by nature and provides opportunities to experience art in a variety of settings, including outdoors.
Part of both the Walton Arts Center 10x10 Arts Series and Artosphere this season, Nimbus Dance takes the stage on Friday, May 9 at 8 p.m. Nimbus Dance bridges the gap between worldclass performances and community engagement by presenting work that challenges while also speaking to and elevating the core beliefs of its diverse audience. Founded in 2005 by visionary artistic director Samuel Pott (former soloist in the Martha Graham Dance Company) and based in Jersey City, Nimbus stands at the forefront of excellence in the arts, civic engagement and equitable impact. With a highly physical and visually engaging aesthetic, Nimbus’ international company of dancers “split the difference between traditionalism and modernism ... A Nimbus piece can pivot from ballet to Broadway to Beyoncé in just a few beats” (Jersey City Times). A returning Artosphere favorite, the Grammy®-nominated Dover Quartet, will take the WAC stage on Saturday, May 17 at 8 p.m. Named one of
Experience the Magic of Artosphere
the greatest string quartets of this century by the BBC, the ensemble will perform alongside Grammy®nominated American composer and bassist Edgar Meyer. In demand as both a performer and a composer, Meyer has formed a role in the music world unlike any other. Hailed by The New Yorker as “the most remarkable virtuoso in the relatively un-chronicled history of his instrument,” his unparalleled technique and musicianship, in combination with his gift for composition, have brought him to the fore, where he is appreciated by a vast, varied audience.
Running throughout the month of May, Artosphere’s Tunes on the Trail is back again this year. Music, nature and movement collide in this interactive listening experience! All month long, you can enjoy curated playlists when you use any of these trail systems: Lake Fayetteville, Mount Kessler, Mount Sequoyah, Cato Springs, Frisco and the Lower Ramble, Wilson Springs Preserve, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and the entire Razorback Greenway. Experience art in nature when you scan the QR code on the signage placed at each trailhead.
For a full festival event listing and ticket information, visit artospherefestival.org
More Artosphere Events:
Trout Fishing in America
Tuesday, May 6 at 6:30pm
Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
Free with registration
Trail Mix
Friday, May 9 at 5-7pm
Lower and Upper Ramble Free
Chapel Concert: March to August at Cooper Chapel Tuesday, May 13 at 6pm Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel Tickets: $10
Jazz on the Mountain: The Eli Dranow Trio Thursday, May 15 at 6pm Mt. Sequoyah
Free with registration
Yoga on the Mountain Thursday, May 15 at 7:15pm Mt. Sequoyah
Free with registration
Taking Flight: Restorative Mindfulness Woodwind Quartet & Bird Watching Friday, May 16 at 6pm
NWA Land Trust Arboretum at The Smokehouse
Free with registration
Pickin’ and Grinnin’ Community Jam on the Lawn
Sunday, May 18 at 2-8pm Folk School of Fayetteville Free
Nimbus Dance
L-R: Trout Fishing in America, Dover Quartet, Trail Mix
Fayetteville’s Lost Resort: The City Park Tourist Camp
By Sandra Cox Birchfield, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
Three rock buildings are all that remain of the tourist camp at what was then called “City Park.”
Located about four blocks northeast of the University of Arkansas’ Fayetteville campus, Wilson Park, as it’s known today, is a longtime gathering place for swimming, tennis, picnicking, ballgames and more. During the first half of the 20th century, lodging in a cabin was also an option.
The park began in the early 1900s when A.L. Trent gave the community free access to his property for recreation (a swimming hole named “Trent’s Pond” once existed where there is now a baseball field). He sold the land in 1926 to The City Park Company, a group of local businessmen and investors formed by Noah Drake, a civic leader and former geology professor. They built a large, concrete swimming pool and an adjacent tourist camp, which, by 1930, consisted of 18 cottages, some wood and others stone. Accommodations included a central kitchen, a stone laundry building, electric lights, showers and some with gas heating. Frank Barr, the tourist camp’s manager, reported in 1928 that 4,500 people had registered to stay at the camp and came as far as Florida and Washington State.
Yet, by 1933, the City Park Company was in debt by about $20,000 ($483,000 in 2025). Concern was evident in 1941 when the company placed an ad in the Northwest Arkansas Times urging people to swim no more than 90 minutes twice per day and then leave to keep the area from becoming a “loafing place.” The company soon dissolved, and the property fell to Drake, who sold it to the city of Fayetteville for $16,000 in 1944.
Top Photo: The City Park Company tourist camp, shown here in this undated photo, featured wooden and stone cabins inside what we know today as Wilson Park in Fayetteville. This was taken looking north near the west end of the public swimming pool.
Bottom Photo: Today, three rock buildings remain from the tourist camp. Foundation remnants from the wooden cabins can be found to the left of the road facing north.
Writer Charles Morrow Wilson sold and donated his pasture adjacent to City Park on the condition it would be named for his mother, which it eventually did.
The cabins became long-term rentals until the early 1950s, when the remaining seven wood-frame buildings were publicly sold to a tourist operator and relocated south of town. The remaining rock duplexes took on various purposes, from housing Girl Scout meetings to serving as a polling place.
Today, the three surviving rock structures function as service buildings and are connected by thin roofs and locked wooden gates, which partially obscure a greenhouse from behind. The garages that once sheltered visitors’ cars are sealed by cinderblocks. A lone, concrete “City Park” marker rests near one of the buildings’ entrances, a relic from its past.
City Park Marker: In front of one of the former tourist camp buildings is a relic from the past: an old “City Park” marker placed near its entrance.
Trailblazing Health: The Real Benefits of Hiking for Seniors
Imagine a light morning breeze, the soft crunch of leaves underfoot, sunshine filtering through towering trees, accompanied by a gentle background of laughter and conversation with friends. For many seniors, hiking isn’t just about enjoying the great outdoors – it’s a powerful way to stay physically and mentally healthy. A growing body of credible research shows regular hiking can reduce the risk of heart disease, improve balance and even slow cognitive decline. Butterfield’s residents and Carriage Club members are happily proving that the trail to well-being can be as fun as it is beneficial.
the merits of traditional walking. Natural terrain variations help strengthen muscles, improve bone density and enhance joint flexibility – all of which can help maintain mobility as we age. According to the Mayo Clinic, 30-minute hikes can potentially lower systolic blood pressure by four to ten points and diastolic by five to eight points, making hiking a worthwhile habit to create and sustain.
Hiking offers physical benefits that extend beyond the merits of traditional walking.
The Science Behind the Steps
Studies published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine reveal that seniors who hike regularly can lower their risk of heart disease by up to 35%. Hikers can potentially improve their balance by 21%, significantly reducing the likelihood of falls – the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations and ER visits for adults aged 65 and older. And, Harvard Medical School research indicates hiking can boost memory by 20%, thanks to increased blood flow to the brain.
Hiking offers physical benefits that extend beyond
Butterfield resident Mike Wavering is a frequent participant in the BTV hiking program. “I like walking and being outdoors, and it helps me physically to work out the stiffness I experience from sitting around. I would encourage anyone to try it,” he said.
More Than Just a Walk in the Woods
Beyond the physical perks, hiking fosters a sense of connection with nature and other people. Studies show seniors who hike in groups are 30% more likely to maintain an active lifestyle long-term. As a social activity, hiking has the power to reduce feelings of loneliness, and time spent in nature has been linked
Lake Frances Preserve, Siloam Springs
to a 25% decrease in depression rates.
Frequent Butterfield hiker Jerilyn Nicholson agrees with the social benefits and value of immersion in nature. She said, “I have always enjoyed hiking and the inevitable change of scenery that goes with it. My husband and I have discovered beautiful places we didn't know existed, so my knowledge of Northwest Arkansas and even Oklahoma has expanded. It is a great social occasion as we visit with others on the bus, along the trails and while enjoying lunch. Hiking is great exercise, but our Director of Fitness and Wellness Jennifer Neill always respects our differences in abilities and plans hikes accordingly. It's not a competition.”
Whether exploring scenic trails or trekking through local parks, hiking offers seniors a simple, effective way to stay fit, sharp and engaged. Lace up your walking shoes – BTV is committed to taking an outdoor path to better health!
The Foundation is grateful for the gifts received between February 5 and April 8, 2025 from the following donors:
Donations/Memorials
Tom and Jill King in memory of Glen Fincher
Roy Clinton in memory of Lee Bodenhammer
Scott and Pam Covington in memory of Lewis Epley
Tom and Jill King in memory of Lewis Epley
Susan Rieff in memory of Lewis Epley
Roy Clinton in memory of Lewis Epley
Kay Brewer in memory of Lewis Epley, Margaret Hunt and John Brewer
Tom and Jill King in memory of Margaret Hunt
LeAnn Underwood in memory of Margaret Hunt and Marian Catron
Ann Marie Ziegler in memory of Margaret Hunt, Glen Fincher, Marian Catron, Suzie Jones, Phil Phillips, Seth Young, John Brewer, Mary Meyer, Maurice Rankin and Vi Witherspoon
Anonymous in memory of Marian Catron
Charles and Barbara Stills in memory of Marian Catron
Pat Cornish in memory of Marian Catron
Neil and Judith Ingels in memory of Morriss Henry, Pete Crippen and Neil Schmitt
Bill and Sabra Martin
Nick and Jerilyn Nicholson
Kacee Klamm
Anonymous
Beautification Fund
Mike and Patty Stiles in memory of Marian Catron
Garden Fund
Charles and Barbara Stills
Health Care Fund
Marie Breuer in memory of Donna Horne
Kay Brewer in memory of Donna Horne
Roy Clinton in memory of Donna Horne
Vernon Collins in memory of Donna Horne and Glen Fincher
Gaye Cypert in memory of Lee Bodenhammer, Donna Horne, Margaret Hunt and Lois Ferguson
Dick and Anne Booth in memory of Lois Ferguson
Library Fund
Barbara Counce in memory of Margaret Hunt
Ayleen Bequette in memory of Margaret Hunt
Sandi Villinski in memory of Margaret Hunt
Deb Santeford in memory of Margaret Hunt
Hugh Kincaid in memory of Margaret Hunt
Roy Clinton in memory of Margaret Hunt
Richard and Ardith Wharry in memory of Margaret Hunt
Ronald and Polly Hanson in memory of Margaret Hunt
Music and Performance Fund
Deb Santeford in honor of Ann Marie Ziegler
Doug and Barbara Prichard in memory of Lewis Epley
