Adella Gray, Secretary Jerry Rose, Past President Liz Brantley, Marian Catron, Roy Clinton, Vernon Collins, Ned Irving, Lenora Metz, David Renfroe, Carol Spears
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chuck Nickle, President Will Clark, Vice-President LeRoy Duell, Treasurer Dr. Kim Chapman, Secretary Chuck Culver, Dr. Michael Hollomon, Mark McNair, Bill Mitchell, Tom Olmstead, Nina Simmons, Tim Stults, Beth Vaughan-Wrobel, David (Dave) Williams
At Butterfield, part of our calling is to challenge traditional views on aging to foster inclusivity and break down societal stereotypes. Rather than seeing aging as a reason to slow down or fade into the background, we believe in fully embracing the senior years as a time for continued growth, learning and fulfillment. By shifting perspectives to recognize that older adults should be empowered and encouraged to stay active, engaged and purposeful, we help break outdated notions and redefine what it means to age well.
Last year, a group of 14 Butterfield residents and Carriage Club members—some over 80 years old—traveled to Spain to hike 85 miles of the legendary Camino de Santiago trail. The experience was life-affirming, and plans are already underway for a second trip next spring to cover another stretch of the ancient trail. While this undertaking isn’t for everyone, it serves as both a reminder and an inspiration that, with effort and intent, age is no barrier to tackling difficult and unexpected challenges.
When we ask what attracts people to Butterfield Trail Village as a place to retire, we hear time and again that our people and our programming are key. Our community is full of residents who never stop learning, and they value having like-minded neighbors. We strive to create frequent opportunities for social engagement, travel, and the performing arts—all with the goal of cultivating curiosity and providing meaningful connections that are proven to enhance well-being in the later years.
As you read Butterfield LIFE, we hope you see glimpses of how we believe aging should be redefined. We are proud to celebrate not only the remarkable past accomplishments of our residents but also the future possibilities that await those who choose to embrace positivity, activity and engagement.
All my best,
Kevin Spears CEO 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.
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Bill & Lola Mae Shackelford
A Partnership Built on Family, Friends and Faith
Bill and Lola Mae Shackelford both grew up in northeast Oklahoma in rural communities. And they’ve seen tremendous changes in the Northwest Arkansas region since they moved to Fayetteville in the late 1960s. Then, the region’s biggest four towns were separated by copious farmland and green space, rather than bleeding into one another.
In addition to the presence of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville had several manufacturing facilities, such as Levi Strauss & Co., Baldwin Piano Company, Fulbright Industries, Campbell Soup Company, and Standard Register Co. Most of the shopping was done on the downtown square.
“It was more of a smalltown feel, and now, you know, we’re a big city,” Lola Mae said.
They settled into their new community and made it their own. They eventually started their own business, operating an insurance agency in Fayetteville for 37 years. Along the way, they stayed active in their children’s activities and involved in church and local organizations.
They’re exceedingly proud of their three children. Their son Larry is president and CEO of Washington Regional Medical Center and currently serves as
chairman of the board for the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. Larry also is a member of the Fayetteville Public Education Foundation’s Hall of Honor. Their son Loren is in a new role as senior commercial relationship manager for Chambers Bank, and after serving three terms on the Fayetteville Planning Commission, he now serves as chair of the Washington County Planning Commission.
They lost their daughter, Sonia Guillory, at age 40 after her courageous battle against breast cancer. Sonia was a high school counselor at Bentonville Public Schools before becoming a stay-at-home mom when her first son was born.
With a longtime connection to Butterfield Trail Village, the Shackelfords are among the newest residents, having arrived in February 2022.
ROOTED IN OKLAHOMA
Bill was born in Tulsa, six months before the attack on Pearl Harbor. His parents owned a trucking and road construction company, but they couldn’t keep it going during the war and rationing. So, they sold it and bought a 250-acre farm near the Illinois River west of Siloam Springs to start a dairy. Bill and his
Words by Michelle Parks
Photos by Stephen Ironside
brother helped with chores on the farm, feeding the animals when they were young, and later baling and hauling hay, cutting firewood and building fences.
For first through seventh grades, Bill attended a one-room schoolhouse near Flint Creek. He then transferred to Kansas, Oklahoma, where he graduated high school and walked two miles each way to catch the bus. He was involved in Future Farmers of America, attended church, and spent time fishing and swimming at the river. “Just a country boy,” he said.
“ I’m a firm believer, when you get older, you’ve got to keep moving ”
– Lola Mae Shackelford
The former Lola Mae Chamberlain grew up on a farm in the Chamberlain community and, through fourth grade, attended a one-room schoolhouse on land donated by her dad’s uncle. With three much older siblings, Lola Mae grew up like an only child. She helped at the dairy, worked in the family’s big garden, and she learned to clean house, do laundry and cook from her mom.
She transferred to Colcord, Oklahoma, in fifth grade, and graduated from high school there. In school, Lola Mae was more social, participating in choir, drill team and plays, and she was an honors student.
Lola Mae’s brother worked with Bill, and the couple met the summer before her senior year in high school. For their first date, they saw Gone With the Wind at the Siloam Springs movie theater. They married in September 1963, after dating for two and a half years.
They were the perfect fit from the start. She thought he was handsome, outgoing and dependable with good moral values. Their shared faith is deeply important to them. And they say the keys to their success as a couple include active communication, thinking about what would make the other person happy, and approaching their marriage as a partnership.
MAKING A NEW HOME IN FAYETTEVILLE
When they moved to Fayetteville in 1967, the city’s population was less than 30,000. They bought a new brick home on Berry Street for $13,000. Though Lola Mae had attended nursing school for one year, she had to drop out when she and Bill married. The nursing school wouldn’t allow married students in the program.
Once they had their daughter and two sons, Lola Mae focused on being a homemaker, wife and mom for many years. Their children volunteered her for everything between school and sports – including homeroom mom, Brownies and Cub Scouts, PTA activities and fundraisers. She also starched and ironed Bill’s shirts for work, cooked three meals a day, and washed laundry and hung it on the clothesline.
They brought up their children in the church, and aimed to instill in them Christian values, honesty, integrity and the importance of education. Bill and Lola Mae also were active in church – first at Immanuel Baptist Church in Fayetteville, when their children were young, and then later at First Baptist Church in Fayetteville.
Bill had gone to Northeastern State in Tahlequah for a year before transferring to the U of A in Fayetteville to study accounting. He had already been working for Bear Brand Hosiery in Siloam Springs, which manufactured women’s nylon hosiery and packaged it for retailers such as Sears and JC Penney. He worked nights in the plant, then got an office position thanks to his typing skills acquired in high school. He was promoted to office manager in Siloam Springs and then transferred to Fayetteville as office manager, handling payroll and inventory.
When the company started a data processing unit, he gathered data from four Arkansas plants and delivered it to the Chicago corporate office. He often traveled from Drake Field and changed planes multiple times to reach Chicago. In 1975, the company wanted him to transfer to Chicago, but he and Lola Mae opted to stay in Fayetteville.
BUILDING AN INSURANCE AGENCY
When they decided to stay in Fayetteville, Bill gave up a company car and a steady salary after 14 years at the hosiery company for a leap of faith. The couple took over an MFA Mutual insurance agency, which later became Shelter Insurance, and they ran it themselves for nearly four decades. When their
FEATURE PROFILE
youngest was in kindergarten, Lola Mae worked half-days in the insurance office with Bill, before eventually becoming full-time.
Essentially, insurance is sales and service, and Bill spent a lot of time beyond office hours building the business. His commitment paid off, and they eventually served three generations of families as clients, many of those Fayetteville residents. Countless clients also became good friends over the years.
In 1975, there were no computers. They figured rates using rate books. They filled out claims on paper and mailed those to the claims office in Springdale. Lola Mae kept the office filing up to date. They had a routine, were organized, and tried to finish things up at the end of each day. Bill was good at returning calls, even if he didn’t have the answer yet.
“When you work for commission, you have to keep everybody happy if you can,” Bill said.
In 1988, they moved from their original office along Sixth Street (now Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard) to a new office they built on the same street and closer to the then-new Fayetteville bypass. That proximity to the highway expanded their predominantly Fayetteville clientele base to also include clients from West Fork, Lincoln, Winslow, Prairie Grove and Farmington.
The work also brought travel, as they attended the company’s Conference of Champions in Switzerland, London, Paris, Rome, Rio de Janeiro, and Munich, in addition to conferences across the United States including Hawaii.
In 2012, when Bill was 70, they both decided to retire. They had goals of traveling for pleasure, which owning a business hadn’t given them the freedom to do. They have gone on several cruises in locales such as Alaska, Canada and New England, the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, and one that circled the Hawaiian islands. They’ve taken road trips to the Grand Canyon and to Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, and gone on motorcoach tours to Niagara Falls; Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.; the Great Smoky Mountains; and Yellowstone National Park.
A LONG CONNECTION WITH BTV
The couple’s connection with Butterfield Trail Village started more than 30 years ago, when Bill served as his church’s representative on the BTV board. First Baptist Church was among the five founding churches for Butterfield. And Bill was in Lions Club
with two other original board members. He served on the corporate board for 20 years and on the operations board for seven years, four of those as secretary.
With many longtime personal friends and former clients residing at BTV, the Shackelfords said they’d planned the move for years and were in the Carriage Club for six years prior. They said they wanted to relieve some strain and stress on their sons and daughters-in-law in their later years, and Butterfield’s health care program and many amenities greatly appealed to them.
Before they retired, Bill ran several 10K races. Afterward, they both joined the Center for Exercise. Lola Mae takes Zumba classes three times a week there, and Bill worked out with a trainer for a while. Now he goes to the BTV fitness center several mornings a week to walk on the treadmill and use the weight machines. Lola Mae also gets down on the floor of their living room to do stretching exercises every morning, which helps her back.
“I’m a firm believer, when you get older, you’ve got to keep moving,” she said.
They both started reading more during the pandemic. Lola Mae enjoys novels and mysteries, while Bill gravitates toward nonfiction, history, and war stories. She has long enjoyed growing flowers, and their balconies hold begonias, geraniums, petunias, mums, and a huge fern.
As they reflect back on their lives together, one thing they are so glad they did is a special practice they had with their grandchildren, starting when the oldest was about three years old. Every Friday night, one grandchild stayed the night with them. They’d go out to eat and play games, make cookies, or go to the park, the movies or Chuck E. Cheese. On Saturday mornings, Lola Mae would prepare their breakfast of choice. She kept track of their stays on a calendar, and they both enjoyed the extra one-on-one time with each grandchild. They now enjoy spending time with their two young great-granddaughters.
“We’ve been blessed to have ours close by,” Lola Mae said. “Not everybody has that.”
Gannalyn Morris Anniversaries
When did you move to Butterfield?
My move began July 1, 2024 but wasn’t completed until September 1 so our family could fully celebrate the arrival of a new grandbaby.
Where are you from?
I am from El Dorado, Ark. but moved to Fayetteville in 1966 to attend the University of Arkansas. I graduated in 1970 and moved to Little Rock for two years. I returned to Fayetteville in 1973 and have been here ever since. I love watching this town grow –and being a Razorback fan!
What did you do before retirement?
I had the privilege to teach school in North Little Rock for two years before returning to Fayetteville to get my master’s degree in school counseling. Following the birth of my children, I taught at Fayetteville’s Asbell Elementary and then became the school counselor. Later, I moved to help open Vandergriff Elementary and serve as school counselor there. After many years, I worked as a counselor at John Tyson Elementary in Springdale. After retiring, I became an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas in the College of Education and Health Professions for a few years.
Do you have children and grandchildren?
I have four wonderful children – two sons and two daughters! Along with them, I have two lovely daughters-in-law and two great sons-in-law. My great joy is my eleven grandchildren, eight granddaughters and three grandsons ranging in age from a few weeks to 18 years old. All live here except one granddaughter in Colorado.
Why did you choose to come to Butterfield?
My mother and her husband, Mavis and Doug Dobbyn, lived here for many years. They always spoke about their wonderful experience here and great medical care. I have friends who were already here and have enjoyed meeting new friends!
November
Hansell Schaefer and Barbara Mulkey 20th
Jerry and Harriet Jansma 20th
Mike and Susan Cruse 21st
Dale and Linda Batson 23rd
Lou and Trisha Beland 23rd
Jack and Pat Smith 26th
Paul and Susan Rountree 27th
Derl and Marilyn Horn 30th
December
Gary and Adella Gray 26th
Doug and Barbara Prichard 27th
Bob and Diane Shaw 27th
Tony Stankus and Chris Soutter 29th
Jim and Nancy Blair 30th
New Neighbors
Recent Village Move-Ins
Linda Hargis
Judy Brittenum
Sue Cullum
Margaret Reid
Virginia Hargrove
Nathan Sypult
Event Technician
In Winnie-the-Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet and other characters represent wonderful archetypes we all know and love. Butterfield’s own Tigger, with his boundless enthusiasm and infectious energy, is unquestionably Nathan Sypult.
Nathan joined Butterfield in March 2019, at the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic. Before finding his place as the campus event technician, he worked in computer repair. BTV Director of Technology Gary Hodges mentioned an open event tech role to Nathan’s father, and Nathan decided to look into it. He was attracted to the position’s emphasis on people skills and commitment to customer experience—things that clicked immediately with his personality.
Nathan quickly fell in love with the world of event production and creating memorable social experiences. He thrives on seeing people smile and enjoys the BTV community’s lively gatherings. But when the pandemic hit, it took a toll. A natural extrovert, Nathan deeply missed social celebrations and seeing people in person.
Determined to stay upbeat, he focused on organizing the Village’s technology and event equipment, recording programs, and honing his video editing and production skills. He had the chance to record resident interviews, which allowed Nathan to hear fascinating stories and life experiences—even if personal interaction wasn’t possible.
[Nathan] thrives on seeing people smile and enjoys the BTV community’s lively gatherings.
A Rogers native, Nathan graduated from Fayetteville Christian School in 2015. His career took him first to Best Buy, where he learned invaluable lessons in customer service. These skills have served him well in his current role, and he cherishes the experience of meeting the talented performers who visit Butterfield’s campus. And, while setting up for large events can be a lot of work, Nathan finds the payoff of happy residents and glowing feedback completely worth it.
Nathan’s enthusiasm extends beyond his work. He’s been married to his wife, Paige, for three years. They have three cats and a hedgehog named Reggie, their first pet before they married. What began as a plan for "just Reggie" quickly evolved, and the couple now enjoys doting on an expanded furry family.
Nathan credits much of his happiness at Butterfield to the leadership he works under. He feels valued as a person – and as part of a close-knit team that truly cares about people. He also treasures his interactions with BTV residents. One of his fondest memories is learning about jazz from the late Art Gust, a resident whose passion for music left a meaningful, lasting impression on Nathan, who is also a musician.
Outside of work, Nathan is an avid gamer and self-described social butterfly who treasures time with family and friends. He serves as a worship leader and pastor at Friendship Baptist Church in Springdale and owns a side business as a DJ for weddings and events. Teaching technical skills to local churches is another way he enjoys giving back to the community. And, when he has the chance, Nathan loves catch-and-release fishing –surprisingly, his biggest bass was caught right in nearby Mud Creek.
Travel is a big part of Nathan and Paige’s life. Together, they’ve explored Alaska, Cozumel, Colorado Springs, Yellowstone, and the Tetons, with Glacier National Park next on their bucket list. You can be certain that wherever the road takes them, Nathan will embrace the experience with his characteristic Tigger-like energy, sense of awe and a wide-open heart.
Featured Village Events
COMING IN NOVEMBER
NOV 7 | 6 PM WINE AND CHEESE SOCIAL 7 PM CONCERT PERFORMANCE HALL
The Butterfield Trail Village Foundation Presents: Opera Night with Latin Spice featuring Soprano Bárbara Padilla
Please join the Butterfield Trail Village Foundation in welcoming Bárbara Padilla, an award-winning soprano. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, she became a household name after receiving outstanding reviews for her unforgettable performances on “America’s Got Talent,” achieving First Runner Up.
Be our guest as Ms. Padilla performs selections such as “A Time for Us” from Romeo and Juliet and “Nella Fantasia” from The Mission.
NOV 11 | 7 PM PERFORMANCE HALL
Veterans Day: Affirming Our Veterans’ Loyalty and Service to the Nation
We are pleased to come together in honor of Butterfield residents who have served in the Armed Forces. This special holiday provides an excellent opportunity to gather and show respect for their devotion, loyalty, integrity and service to our Nation. Let’s pat them on the back, shake their hands firmly as we look them in the eyes – and let them know they matter. We will proudly recognize their strength and ability to overcome adversity, and take inspiration from their service above self today and every day! Residents and their family members, Carriage Club members and BTV staff who have served are all warmly encouraged to attend.
COMING IN DECEMBER
DEC 13 | 6-9 PM PERFORMANCE HALL
Home for the Holidays Christmas Party
Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays 'Cause no matter how far away you roam, When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly gaze, For the holidays, you can't beat home sweet home!
Join Village friends, old and new, for our popular annual Christmas Party, Home for the Holidays. This festive evening will inspire all who enter the Performance Hall to experience the space transformed into a warm, welcoming home with all things sparkly and glittering with festive lights. A delicious plated meal will be served as the joy of celebrating our unique community of friends unfolds during lively conversation among friendly faces at the dinner table. And don’t worry, dancers! You’re invited to get your holiday groove on to the lively sounds of Janet Rutland and The Mischievous Swing Band.
Bunny Cake Decorating in Assisted Living Cottage
Sock it to Alzheimer's Sock Hop and Diner Dinner Fundraiser
National Assisted Living WeekBluegrass and Mocktails
End of Summer Watermelon Party Butterfield Village Tours Visits Italy
Bill & Lola Mae Shackelford’s Apartment
The gentle, muted tones and tasteful traditional furnishings found in Bill and Lola Mae Shackelford's two-bedroom, two-bath Grand apartment are reflective of the ever-gracious demeanor of the couple themselves.
The Shackelford's curated decor represents a lifetime of hard work, cherished handmade gifts and pride in a storied family history. In the corner of the living room is a remarkable antique that belonged to Bill's great-grandfather, General James M. Shackelford of Kentucky. He served as a Civil War Union general and was nominated by President Benjamin Harrison to become the first Federal judge in Indian Territory. The piece stood in his courtroom.
The full kitchen offers ample storage and plenty of counter space to prepare meals whenever desired. A nearby cozy dining table for two is a perfect place for pretty, colorful centerpieces to mark the changing of the seasons.
Photos by Stephen Ironside
The en suite primary bedroom's warm wood finishes are beautifully accented by classic, serene colors that invite relaxation. Natural light streams into the room, offering an excellent reading spot. A beautiful photo over the dresser is a daily reminder of what the Shackelfords cherish and are most proud of – family.
The second bedroom, also with an attached full bath, features a sweet handmade "Holly Hobbie" quilt. The family heirloom was made for the Shackelfords' daughter and is now loved by the couple's two great-granddaughters when they visit.
One of the standout features of the Shackelfords’ Grand apartment is its unique floorplan, which includes two spacious balconies. Nestled on the third floor, these outdoor spaces offer a peaceful, elevated retreat that mimics the feel of a sunlightdappled treehouse. The couple enjoys frequently spending time there together, taking in the fresh air, tending to potted plants and watching as birds and squirrels visit from the nearby trees.
Giving Back Creating a Lasting Impact Through Year-End Donations
As 2024 comes to a close, many people reflect on the impact they've made throughout the year. Charitable donations not only help those in need or enhance the quality of life for a community – they also offer personal fulfillment and financial benefits. Supporting initiatives like those funded by the Butterfield Trail Village Foundation is a personal way to express gratitude and pay it forward.
Benefits of Charitable Giving
Giving back is more than just a kind gesture; it’s a way to create a lasting legacy. Providing resources to organizations and causes of personal importance offers the satisfaction of helping to shape a better future for generations to come and the sense of fulfillment that comes from contributing to something greater than self. Studies even show charitable giving can reduce stress and boost happiness – proving kindness is indeed good for the soul!
For seniors, charitable giving can also be a way to foster a sense of connection to the community. It builds bonds with like-minded individuals who share similar values and goals. And from a practical standpoint, many donations are tax-deductible, making year-end gifts a smart financial choice.
Donations to the Butterfield Trail Village Foundation Make a Meaningful Difference
The Butterfield Trail Village Foundation was established in 2012 by Truman and Sylvia Yancey as a trust to enhance the quality of life for residents. As a 501(c)(3) supporting organization, the Foundation ensures all contributions directly benefit Village residents and staff.
Since 2014, the Foundation has funded over $550,000 in projects that have tangibly impacted the community. Contributions have supported initiatives ranging from major landscaping, art installations, a grand piano and stage lighting for the Performance Hall – to the David Lashley Boardroom, a front security gate, the chapel, fitness and healthcare equipment, and more. A generous $250,000 planned gift helped fund the renovation of the Special Care Center completed in 2024, improving services for residents with cognitive disorders. And, the next major project will be the installation of noise-absorbing panels to improve sound quality in the BTV Dining Room. Regardless of size, each gift has helped enhance the everyday lives of residents, proving every donation can have a far-reaching effect.
How to Support the Butterfield Trail Village Foundation
The BTV Foundation offers several ways to give, ensuring contributions align with donors' charitable goals:
Cash Donations: Simple and direct, cash gifts are the easiest way to support the Foundation’s various initiatives, providing immediate benefit to chosen funds.
Stock and Security Gifts: Donating appreciated stocks or securities can have a significant impact while offering tax advantages, like potentially avoiding capital gains taxes.
Planned Gifts: Donors can include the Foundation in their long-term financial planning through charitable trusts, gift annuities or bequests, ensuring their legacy continues.
Endowments: By creating or contributing to an endowment, donors help provide long-term stability for initiatives they care about – now and well into the future.
The Butterfield Trail Village Foundation distributes donations into designated funds, each established to enhance the lives of residents and assist with specific employee needs:
Beautification Fund: Finances improvements to the campus grounds.
Birds & Wildlife Fund: Nurtures and cares for birds and wildlife located on Butterfield’s 44-acre campus.
Chapel Fund: Helps maintain and furnish a space dedicated to prayer, meditation and remembrance.
Employee Care Fund: Provides critical financial support to employees facing unexpected hardships during times of need.
Employee Scholarship Fund: Supports relevant BTV staff education and training.
Gardens Fund and Butterfly Garden Fund: Supports campus gardens and courtyard projects.
Health Care Center Fund and Special Care Center Fund: Focuses on resident well-being by supporting a high-quality healthcare environment and medical equipment.
Library Fund: Keeps the campus library collection dynamic and current.
Music & Performance Fund: Brings entertainment and cultural enrichment to Butterfield, fostering a vibrant arts and lifelong learning environment.
Recycle Fund: Provides resources to support resident-managed recycling and sustainability efforts.
Unrestricted Gifts: Allows donations to be directed by the Foundation to where the need is greatest.
If you have questions or wish to make a donation, please contact BTV CFO Kim Moore at kmoore@btvillage.org or mail donations to her attention at Butterfield Trail Village, 1923 E. Joyce Boulevard, Fayetteville, AR 72703. Secure online giving is also available at butterfieldtrailvillage.org/about-us/btvfoundation-donate. All donations are taxdeductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
The SoNA Season Continues!
Symphony of Northwest Arkansas Presents First-Ever Sci-Fi Concert, Followed by Holiday Favorites and More
Performing under the baton of SoNA Music Director Paul Haas, and fresh on the heels of a stellar season kickoff in September, the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) continues its 2024-25 mainstage season at Walton Arts Center on Saturday, Nov. 9 with Futuristic Fantasia: SoNA Goes Sci-Fi! – the orchestra’s first-ever pops concert exclusively featuring classic pieces from science-fiction movie soundtracks.
If you’ve ever wanted to “go where no one has gone before,” this is your concert, and SoNA will be your guide!
Having received so many requests over the years for a sci-fi film-based concert, the orchestra’s programmers finally obliged and have gathered together everyone’s favorites – from music featured in iconic movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Everything Everywhere All at Once, to original scores from some of the greatest sci-fi films of all time.
“For this upcoming concert, our mission is to explore strange new worlds and to go where no orchestra has ever gone before!” says SoNA Executive Director Ben Harris. “Join us as we present an exciting program of original music from classic sci-fi movies and TV shows like Star Wars and Star Trek, as well as beloved selections from the classical canon that have been featured in sci-fi films, like Claire de Lune and The Blue Danube Waltz. This performance will be out of this world – literally!”
The program will also include selections from contemporary movies such as Independence Day, Captain America and X-Men, as well as from popular video games like Halo. If you love SoNA and you love sci-fi, this is a concert you will not want to miss!
"Our mission is... to go where no orchestra has ever gone before!"
- Ben Harris SoNA Executive Director
Following the November performance, the season continues in December with the return of two audience-favorites: SoNA celebrates the magic and beauty of the holidays with two performances (matinee and evening) of A Very SoNA Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 7 – a pops concert showcasing holiday classics, featuring the SoNA Singers and special guest soloists. And on Sunday, Dec. 8, The Snowman: A Family Concert features a special screening of the runaway hit film complete with live orchestral soundtrack – perfect for an outing with the grandkids!
And in 2025, the season concludes with two more concerts: Jupiter Rising, a special Sunday matinee performance on Feb. 16 featuring Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C Major (Jupiter), and American Voices: Rhapsody in Blue on Saturday, April 19 featuring George Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue
Single ticket prices for SoNA’s mainstage performances range from $37 to $62, based on seating preferences. SoNA also offers a sampler subscription giving patrons the chance to save money while also securing the best possible seats at three or more of the season’s remaining concerts. Discount student tickets are also available with a student photo I.D, and children under 18 are free with the purchase of an adult ticket (limited quantities).
To purchase tickets, visit sonamusic.org, or call the Walton Arts Center box office at (479) 443-5600
Enjoy the Winter Nightlife at Walton Arts Center
By Anna Buie
‘Tis the season to enjoy jolly holiday performances, sip on festive drinks and enjoy evenings out with your friends or family. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly holiday activity or a "girls’ night out" performance capped off with some festive beverages, Walton Arts Center has just the ticket!
KRISTIN CHENOWETH
Emmy® and Tony®-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth is making her Walton Arts Center debut Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 7 pm. Tickets prices start at $59 and are on sale now.
Chenoweth’s career spans film, television and stage with iconic roles including Glinda the Good Witch in the Broadway phenomenon Wicked and a recurring, Emmy-nominated role in the hit TV show “Glee”. She has performed for sold-out audiences around the world in coveted venues from Carnegie Hall to Royal Albert Hall. Now, Northwest Arkansas audiences will be treated to a special concert celebrating Chenoweth’s favorite songs from her career on stage and screen as well as some holiday favorites from her 2021 album HAPPINESS is…Christmas!
Chenoweth’s most recent album, , debuted at No. 3 on the current pop albums chart Billboard top
For the Girls pays homage to Chenoweth’s favorite female singers, with covers of songs made famous by Barbra Streisand, Patsy Cline, Judy Garland, Carole King and more.
WINTER NIGHTS
To really get into the holiday spirit, don’t miss Walton Arts Center’s annual holiday gathering space,
Winter Nights. Pop by Thursday through Saturday from Nov. 14 to Dec. 21 (closed on Thanksgiving) for no admission cost. Walton Arts Center is decking the halls throughout their garden and indoor spaces, offering the perfect backdrop for family and friends to make holiday memories.
New this year, Winter Nights is hosting free, family-friendly activities from 6-8 pm including story time, movie nights, crafts and more. From 8 pm to close, the indoor pop-up bar will host free activities for adults including trivia, karaoke and live music to enjoy along with a brand-new holiday menu full of toasty holiday drinks and snacks.
Upcoming Shows
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical Nov. 12 – 17 8 performances!
Mark Morris Dance Group: The Look of Love
Wednesday, Nov. 20 $10 tickets
Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar Thursday, Nov. 21 $10 tickets
The fully-enclosed snow globes are back this season and include blankets, a loaded s’mores kit, three kettle corn sample packs and a dedicated cocktail server. Snow globes can be reserved for an hour and a half for $200 and hold four to eight people. After making a reservation, you will be able to prepurchase additional festive concessions to make your night merry, including beer and cocktail flights, bottles of wine or Prosecco and pizza from Marley’s Pizzeria.
No reservation? No problem! Walk-ins are always welcome. Themed drinks and snacks, firepits for s’mores making, comfy snow globes and festive décor will give you some quality time with your loved ones this season.
Reservations, schedule of activities and more information are available at waltonartscenter.org.
Kristin Chenoweth
The Foundation is grateful for the gifts received between August 10, 2024 to October 8, 2024 from the following donors:
Donations/Memorials
Gift of proceeds from Butterfield Trail Village Gardeners’ Farmers Market
L. Wayne Britt
Roy Clinton in memory of Beverly Bodenhamer
Jane Shipley in memory of Beverly Bodenhamer and Seth Young
Ayleen Bequette and Pam Walsh in memory of Seth Young
Richard and Ardith Wharry in memory of Betty Stewart and Pete Crippen
Susan Rieff in memory of Pete Crippen
Carolyn Hierholzer in memory of Pete Crippen
Ray and Penny Culver in memory of Pete Crippen and Morris Henry
Anne Booth in memory of Morris Henry and Judy Carey
Kay Brewer in memory of Morris Henry
Barbara Counce in memory of Morris Henry
Scott and Pam Covington in memory of Morris Henry
Earlene Henry in memory of Morris Henry
Roy Clinton in memory of Morris Henry
Health Care/Special Care Remodel/Sensory Garden Fund
Vernon Collins
Anne Booth in memory of Pete Crippen
Marie Breuer in memory of Betty Stewart and Pete Crippen
Kay Brewer in memory of Betty Stewart and Pete Crippen
Pat Jahoda in memory of Morriss Henry and Pete Crippen
Beth Vaughan-Wrobel in memory of Morriss Henry and Pete Crippen
Jan and Mary Gosnell in memory of Morriss Henry, Pete Crippen and Arlene Daut
Lyle and Sue Gohn in memory of Morriss Henry and Judy Carey
Charles and Sandra White in memory of Morriss Henry
Birds and Wildlife Fund
Elizabeth Houle
Music and Performance Fund
Helen McElree
Bill and Sabra Martin
Jan and Mary Gosnell
Carol Sonnenberg and Jane Coffin in memory of Morriss Henry
Programs
Elizabeth Houle
Library
Margaret Blair in memory of Morriss Henry
Ron and Polly Hanson in memory of Morriss Henry and Judy Carey
Ann Waligorski in memory of Morriss Henry and Judy Carey
Fayetteville Abuzz with Former President’s Visit in 1917
By Sandra Cox Birchfield, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
The initial announcement was buried deep on the second page of the Fayetteville Daily Democrat. Perhaps committee members for Fayetteville’s 1917-1918 lyceum series weren’t ready to announce it. If so, the newspaper kindly did it for them.
William Howard Taft, the nation’s 27th president, was coming to town! The former president was a scheduled speaker in a town with only 5,000 residents at the time.
Taft, president from 1909 to 1913, was now a law professor at Yale and the star lecturer for the season’s cultural series that was typically presented at the Ozark Theatre, a historic building that exists today at 2 N. College Ave.
Tickets ranged from 50 cents to $1.50 ($12 to $35 today) to see Taft give an afternoon lecture titled “The League to Enforce Peace” and then, that evening, another titled “The Great War,” as World War I was underway.
On November 7, 1917, Taft’s arrival to the Fayetteville Depot was 40 minutes late as throngs of people gathered to get a glimpse of the former commander in chief. From there, Taft and his bodyguard traveled by convertible automobile for a luncheon at the home of University of Arkansas President John C.
Futrall near the southeast corner of Dickson Street and College Avenue. People stood along a decorated Dickson Street as a car loaded with police officers tailed the automobile carrying Taft and his crew.
presumably, his bodyguard get situated in a convertible after arriving at the Fayetteville Depot on November 7, 1917. They were headed to the home of University of Arkansas
Following his afternoon lecture at the
Theatre in Fayetteville, former President Howard Taft and his entourage headed toward the Fayetteville Square, where Taft spoke a few words before returning to the theater to speak that evening.
That afternoon, Taft spoke loudly, sometimes interjecting humor, to a captive audience of nearly 1,000 at the nearby Ozark Theatre. He was then whisked back in the car, escorted by the University of Arkansas Cadet Band and police, for one slow trip around the Fayetteville square and a brief stop to address the crowd. He returned that evening to the Ozark Theatre with 1,200 in attendance with 300 seated on the stage. A vocal group introduced Taft by leading the crowd in a singing of “America.”
Though Taft told the gathering he believed “The Great War” would be long, the audience rallied around his words of unity. Then, after speaking, he was back on the train, headed to Washington for government business.
Taft would continue to have a prominent role in shaping U.S. history. Four years after his Fayetteville visit, President Warren Harding appointed him as Chief Justice of the United States, which he served until shortly before his death in 1930.
Then, in the 1970s, a young law professor named Bill Clinton moved to Fayetteville…
Left Photo: Former President
William Howard Taft and,
president John C. Futrall for a lunch engagement before Taft spoke at nearby Ozark Theatre.
Right Photo:
Ozark
Butterfield Residents Are Making the Grade with Senior Fitness Testing
Senior Fitness Measures assessed at Butterfield:
• 30-Second Chair Stand
• Arm Curls
• 2-Minute Step Test
• Hand Grip Strength
• Chair Sit and Reach
• Back Scratch
• 8-Foot Up and Go
• One-Leg Stand
For many Butterfield residents, the Village’s fitness and wellness program is considered a top campus amenity. Participants know anecdotally that regular exercise can have a great impact on their physical and emotional health, but receiving personalized data about their performance can be especially motivating.
After a four-year hiatus, the BTV wellness team is excited to reintroduce the Senior Fitness Test for all interested residents. The entire process takes just 20 minutes and is designed to evaluate key areas of fitness for each individual – including aerobic fitness, muscular strength, endurance, balance and flexibility. Performing well with these components can contribute
to maintaining independence and reducing the risk of falls, a leading concern for seniors. Regular fitness testing also helps detect potential health issues early, enabling timely interventions that could prevent more serious problems later.
For several years, BTV partnered with the University of Arkansas exercise science program to assess residents on six standard fitness measures. Butterfield’s longstanding reputation for its robust fitness offerings made the residents appealing research subjects – and, unsurprisingly, resident data collected multiple times over a few years told a great story: Village residents performed significantly better overall than the national average in multiple age categories.
Butterfield’s plans to return to a biennial testing schedule will not only help participants better track and monitor fitness progress. Test results will be prescriptive, with suggestions of individualized options to help maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. Personalized exercise plans will be tailored to target unique needs, such as improving balance, boosting endurance or building strength. In addition to tracking
progress, regular testing can be a strong motivator to stay active. Anticipation of being re-tested every two years encourages consistency in embracing a fitness routine and helps people stay on track with measurable goals.
The testing of all eight physical measures only lasts about ten minutes, and the results are reviewed with each participant by a Butterfield fitness team member immediately afterward. BTV residents are encouraged to sign up for an appointment at the Transportation Desk. The timeline for testing will extend through December 2024.
Discover how a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust can enhance your financial well-being and make an indelible difference on the area of campus that means the most to you.
Interested? Have a confidential conversation with one of our Planned Giving specialists. 479-575-7271 legacy@uark.edu
holiday season
holiday season
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical Nov. 12-17 | 8 shows!
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical Nov. 12-17 | 8 shows!
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical Nov. 12-17 | 8 shows!
Winter Nights
Winter Nights
Winter Nights
Nov. 14-Dec. 21
Nov. 14-Dec. 21
Nov. 14-Dec. 21
Mark Morris Dance Group: The Look of Love - An Evening of Dance to the Music of Burt Bacharach
Mark Morris Dance Group: The Look of Love - An Evening of Dance to the Music of Burt Bacharach
Mark Morris Dance Group: The Look of Love - An Evening of Dance to the Music of Burt Bacharach
Nov. 20 | Tickets $10!
Nov. 20 | Tickets $10!
Nov. 20 | Tickets $10!
Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar
Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar
Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar
Nov. 21 | Tickets $10!
Nov. 21 | Tickets $10!
Nov. 21 | Tickets $10!
The Comedy Zone: Rodney Perry
The Comedy Zone: Rodney Perry
The Comedy Zone: Rodney Perry
Nov. 21
Nov. 21
Tinsley Ellis
Tinsley Ellis
Tinsley Ellis
Nov. 23
Nov. 23
DECEMBER
DECEMBER
DECEMBER
Cirque du Soleil Songblazers
Cirque du Soleil Songblazers
Cirque du Soleil Songblazers
Nov. 27-Dec. 1 | 8 shows!
Nov. 27-Dec. 1 | 8 shows!
Nov. 27-Dec. 1 | 8 shows!
Kristin Chenoweth: For the Girls
Kristin Chenoweth: For the Girls
Dec. 3 | Limited Tickets!
Kristin Chenoweth: For the Girls Dec. 3 | Limited Tickets!
Dec. 3 | Limited Tickets!
Jonathan Kreisberg
Jonathan Kreisberg
Series Sponsors:
Jonathan Kreisberg
Dec. 6
Dec. 6
The Snowman: A Family Concert
The Snowman: A Family Concert
The Snowman: A Family Concert
Dec. 8 | Tickets $10!
Dec. 8 | Tickets $10!
Dec. 8 | Tickets $10!
Blippi: Join the Band Tour
Blippi: Join the Band Tour
Blippi: Join the Band Tour
Dec. 10
Dec. 10
Dec. 10
Jim Brickman: Comfort & Joy
Jim Brickman: Comfort & Joy
Jim Brickman: Comfort & Joy
Dec. 12
Dec. 12
Dec. 12
Ben Folds: Paper Airplane Request Tour presented by Live Nation
Ben Folds: Paper Airplane Request Tour presented by Live Nation
