Eye On Independence August 2012

August 2012www.eyeonmag.com

A Publication of Meadowland Media, Inc.

Coach Charlie Strong

The Little Farm That Could

The Sweetest Gift / Shopping On a Budget

Celebrating Independence and Faces, Faces, Faces.

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In This Issue6/Publisher’s Note

Dog (and Cat) Days of August7/Life in the Ozarks

Horseshoe Bend - Music and More in the Mountains8/Tourism at Home

Tami Meyer9/The Morning Line

A Remembrance12/Independent Thoughts

How Obamacare Affects The Already Insured14/Cover Story

The Little Farm That Could16/Your Health

Understanding Nutrition Labels on Food18/The Nature of Things

Sticky Toes20/Celebrate Independence 201223/Faces24/Faces26/I Do

Colton Wedding28/Batesville Area Arts Council 30/Tales Of a Transplanted Fashionista

Shopping on a Budget32/The Myopic Life

The Sweetest Gift32/Notes from the Clearing

Mantra35/We’re Still Out Here

Is There Really an Education Gap?37/Things To Do38/Feature

Coach Charlie Strong - Living a Dream40/Smith’s Verdict

Breaking Away ****

37

6

14

20

26

18 38

40August 2012

www.eyeonmag.com

A Publication of Meadowland Media, Inc.

Coach Charlie StrongThe Little Farm That CouldThe Sweetest Gift / Shopping On a BudgetCelebrating Independence and Faces, Faces, Faces.

Cover photography by Robert O. SeatDesign by Joseph Thomas

Eye On Mag.com

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Tanner Smith is a native of Manila, Arkansas. He has written movie reviews for the T Tauri Galaxy (www.ttauri.org/galaxy) for several years and is a five year veteran of the T Tauri Movie Camp. He has made a number of films, ranging from horror to documentary, and has won awards in filmmaking and screenwriting.

Meet Your Writers...

Alisa R. Lancaster is an Advanced Practice Nurse for the U of A Medical Sciences Area Health Education Center. She has been in health care since 1983, the last 17 years with the UAMS system. Alisa and husband Scott have four children and a granddaugh-ter. Alisa’s mission is to improve the health and welfare of others through education and practice. She welcomes feedback at [email protected] or 870.698.1023.

Autumn Hunter obtained a Wildlife Biology degree from Arkansas Tech University. She worked in a number of zoo organizations training birds of prey for educational performances. Currently, Autumn works for North Arkansas College as an Educational Talent Search (ETS) Counselor hosted at UACCB. The E.T.S. program is a national student assistance TRIO program. Autumn does college preparation workshops each month at Cave City, Midland, and Pangburn highschools.

Leigh Keller is now a high school Spanish teacher. She is also a colorguard coordinator for Batesville Public Schools. She received her BA in English, Spanish and ESL from Arkansas Tech University, and an MS in Counseling from John Brown University. She is married to Allen and they have one son, Cole.

Mark Lamberth is the Voice of the Pioneers on KZLE 93.1 FM Radio and Suddenlink Cable Channel 6 for Pioneer Football. He is President of Atlas Asphalt, Inc., a Member of the Arkansas Racing Commission, Member of the Board of Racing Commissioners International, and a graduate of the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Keith Sturch.

Bob Pest is the president and Co-founder of Ozark Foothills FilmFest and the T Tauri Film Festival and Movie Camp. He works as a community development consultant for First Community Bank, teaches film classes at UACCB, and currently serves as vice-president and is former president of the Ozark Gateway Tourist Council.

Kristi Price spent all her life as a transplant, having grown up military. The Ozarks have always been in her blood though, and she’s proud to call Batesville her home after many years on the move. Kristi holds a BA in English and blogs about family and other mishaps at www.themyopiclife.wordpress.com. She is married to Erin and mother to Ethan, Emily, and Maggie.

John M. Belew is a local lawyer in the firm of Belew & Bell located at 500 East Main, Suite 301, Batesville, Arkansas 72501; 870.793.4247. A seasoned attorney, Belew has been practicing in Batesville for 38 years. He handles cases involving medical malpractice, professional negligence, personal injury, banking law and products liability. He was admitted to practice in Arkansas in 1973, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western District of Arkansas and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit in 1975.

THIS PUBLICATION IS PRODUCED BY: MeadowLand Media, Inc. P. O. Box 196, Grubbs, AR 72431 870.503.1150 [email protected]: Kimberlee Thomas ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Bob PestMANAGING EDITOR: Joseph Thomas ADVERTISING: Kimberlee Thomas CREATIVE DIRECTOR :Joseph ThomasAD DESIGN DEPARTMENT:Kimberlee Thomas Joseph ThomasPROOFING DEPARTMENT:Joseph Thomas Kimberlee ThomasSTAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kimberlee Thomas Joseph Thomas Robert O. SeatPRINTING COMPANY: Rockwell Publishing

Eye On Independence is a publication of MeadowLand Media, Incorporated. Editorial, advertising and general busi-ness information can be obtained by calling (870) 503-1150 or emailing Kimberlee Thomas at [email protected]. Mailing address: P. O. Box 196, Grubbs, AR 72431.Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements, unless oth-erwise noted, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher or the staff. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information presented in this issue is accurate and neither MeadowLand Media or it any of its staff is respon-sible for omissions or information that has been misrepre-sented to the magazine. Copyright © 2010 MeadowLand Media, Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the Publisher.All pictorial material reproduced in this book has been accepted on the condition that it is reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the photographer con-cerned. As such, MeadowLand Media, Incorporated, is not responsible for any infringement of copyright or otherwise arising out of publication thereof.

For advertising, distribution, or editorial contribution, contact Kimberlee Thomas, 870.503.1150, [email protected].

Eye On

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Publisher’s Note

Kimberlee ThomasDog (and Cat) Days of August

August is all over us and releasing the Summer heat that has been setting records for thirteen months now. Albeit with sweat and heavy sighs, it has been another beautiful season in Arkansas, one month closer to the relieving breath of Fall and the glory of High School Football.

This issue has Bob Pest asking, “Is There Really an Education Gap?” He also gives us a peek into the Mountains and Music of Horseshoe Bend. Autumn Hunter takes a look at the Sticky Toes of Independence County Treefrogs. Mark Lamberth remembers Fisher as we are introduced to such a brief, beautiful life. Kristi Price gives The Sweetest Gift, Leigh Keller shares tips for Shopping On a Budget, and Tanner Smith reviews “Breaking Away”, a film I remember fondly from my youth. This month John Belew shares his first installment about Obama Care and what it really means for us. We also take a look at the Ribbon Cutting of the Humane Society of Independence

County’s Bargain Hound Boutique.So, thank you for joining us, stay

cool the rest of this Summer and we will see you around. If you have trouble finding copies of Eye On, let us know at www.eyeonmag.com and we will do our best to make sure we are more readily available to you.

We are also glad to have our daughter, CrystalAnn Sasha, home from her sophomore year at Lyon and her work with the Apple Program there. The index picture of Crystal on page 4 was taken by Mauldin Photography. N

Kimberlee and Joseph Thomasphoto by Robert O. Seat

Eye On Mag.com

Eye On Mag.com

6 Promoting the Virtues of Independence

Bob Pest Horseshoe Bend - Music and More in the MountainsLife in the Ozarks

Horseshoe Bend is named for a horseshoe shaped bend in the Strawberry River. With that pedigree, it is not surprising that the charming, peaceful planned community is well-known for its water.

The town's four lakes—Crown Lake, Diamond Lake, Pioneer Lake, and North Lake - make it the ideal destination for boating enthusiasts. Boxhound Marina offers a full-service marina, boat launch, boat and boat slip rentals, cabin rentals, RV rental spaces, a sandy beach with swimming facilities, pavilion, picnic tables, and a volleyball area.

But while the lakes have become popular tourist destinations, Horseshoe Bend has much, much more to offer. The town is home to two popular golf courses; the Golf Course on Turkey Mountain, an 18-hole championship course that hosts the annual LPGA Legends Golf Tour, and Cedar Glades, an 18-hole par three. Whether drawn by the lakes or the golf, visitors will find all of the amenities available in much larger cities. Crown Point Resort offers reasonable prices, indoor and outdoor pools, a game room, exercise rooms, spa, sauna, and hot tubs. Cedar Glade Hotel includes an on-site health spa complete with a fully-equipped exercise center, whirlpool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and tennis courts.

The area restaurants provide a variety of choices, beginning with the upscale Carriage Room Supper

Club, famed for its Friday night seafood buffet offering raw and fried oysters, coconut shrimp, broiled scallops, clams, and even chicken. There's also a menu for those who aren't into seafood overload. One satisfied customer called the Carriage Room Supper Club “most definitely a hidden pearl in middle America.” At the other end of the spectrum, Papa Dick's Pizza & Chicken, in a log cabin, next to a timeshare resort in the middle of nowhere, offer fresh and delicious food favorites. They feature pizza, calzones, pasta, and chicken wings. It smells and tastes like they smoke the chicken on site -- the chicken calzone contains huge chunks of moist, flavorful, pulled chicken. Some weekends they also feature rotisserie chicken. Definitely worth a trip if you are in the area. The Calabama, just a few miles from town, is famous for its wide variety of delicious homemade pies. This family-owned and operated country-style restaurant serves breakfast (try the pancakes), lunch, and dinner. The Saturday Night Special Seafood

Platter includes a choice of three entrees, cole slaw, hushpuppies, and choice of potato for only 12.99! There is always a large selection of seafood to choose from, all cooked fresh and made to order! The Horseshoe Lanes Bowling Alley serves a full menu for lunch and dinner.

The hills around Horseshoe Bend are alive with the sound of music on the third Saturday of every month when Music in the Mountains takes place in the Horseshoe Bend Theatre. The show's founder and director, Melodie Clemmons, is a multi-talented local resident with years of experience in country and western music. Melodie and the Highway 289 Band perform a wide variety of country, blues, gospel, bluegrass, and popular tunes. Each program features a house band. Special guests are not unusual and local musicians are given a chance to demonstrate their talent. The show begins at 6:00 p.m. In the Diamond B Mall. Admission is by donation and concessions are available.

Horseshoe Bend boasts “a wonderful way of life.” The natural beauty that surrounds the town, the serenity that it brings, and the opportunities it offers creates a serenity difficult to equal. The town also offers much of the excitement found in larger cities. Pleasure, inspiration, and satisfaction are, Literally, just around the bend.

For more information on the area visit www.ozarkgateway.com or call 1-800-264-0316. N

Crown Lake, Horseshoe Bend

Arkansas

znos om

I’m Tami Meyer, the Tourism Director for Independence County. I was born here in the great town of Batesville, Arkansas. My father worked construction so I grew up traveling a lot and going to a lot of different schools. No matter where I went, or how long I was gone, I always knew Independence County was home. “Cheers” was a popular TV show as I was growing up and their theme song was “where everyone knows your name.” That song always hit home for me as every time I heard it I thought of my home town, Cushman, Arkansas. Being from a small town has so much to offer, such as; knowing your neighbors, that friendly good morning, and “How is your mom doing?” Atmosphere is what I love!

When I heard that the County, City, and Chamber had come together to hire a Tourism Director, I knew that

it would be a perfect job to promote the area that I’m proud to call home.

Tourism isn’t just about huge amusement parks and big airports. It’s about traveling to a place that makes you feel welcome. It’s about us.

We have so much to offer in Independence County. We live in one of the prettiest areas I ever seen. How

many people love to drive across our White River? I know I sure do. I want to focus on us, so please help by letting me know what is unique in your neighborhood. I would love to meet with you and hear your thoughts! Next month I could be writing about your favorite place in our community. You can reach me at 870.793.2378 or [email protected].

People only remember 10% of what you say but remember 100% of how you made them feel. N

Thanks to the Christian Health Center of Batesville and their volunteer optometrist Mark Davis of the Batesville Eye Care Center, a Literacy Project student received an eye exam and much needed reading glasses this week. A combination of volunteer doctors, volunteer staff, grants and community donations allow the Christian Health Center to provide free or low-cost health services for local residents.

During weekly tutoring sessions, an Ozark Foothills Literacy Project tutor noticed her student struggling with self-prescribed over-the-counter magnifier glasses. It was difficult for the student to read for two full hours due to eye strain and headaches. A trip to the Christian Health Center led to an appointment with volunteer optometrist Mark Davis. “CHCB is so grateful to have the Optometric Physicians and staff at Batesville Eye Care as a resource for our patients. They are a true blessing,” said Christian Health Center director Kari Jones.

The Ozark Foothills Literacy Project teaches adults who seek to improve their reading skills, and adults who are learning English. “Our students need to be able to see well to succeed in their studies,” said Literacy Project director Nicole Stroud. “We are very thankful that the Christian Health Center was able to assist our student.”

The Christian Health Center of Batesville currently operates at Believer’s Community Church, 3645 N. St. Louis St., just a few miles north of Batesville. They are open the first and third Thursday of each month from 6:00p to 9:00p. For more information, please call (870) 698-1985 or visit www.chcofbatesville.com. For more information about the Literacy Project, call (870) 793-5912 or visit www.literacyindependence.org. N

Christian Health Center Provides Reading Glasses for Literacy Project Student

A Remembrance

Eye On Mag.com

Tourism at HomeTami Meyer


I have a friend who recently lost her 5½ month old grandson. There was no warning and by all appearances he was a normal and healthy baby boy. He just suddenly passed away in his crib during a nap. Obviously grief stricken, she struggled to find strength from any source in order to support her devastated son and daughter-in-law. I vainly attempted to comfort her through my words but they felt so inadequate.

Everyone has been placed in that situation in which someone has lost a loved one and we have wondered what could one possibly tell that person in order to express our sympathy? So many of life’s events make no sense concerning death. No amount of rationalizing can ever make us understand why a young and innocent life was cut short. Why did this have to happen? While we may never have the answer to that question, perhaps we can draw some comfort from another perspective – that of the departed.

The grandson is in his heavenly home, in the presence of the Father, wrapped in the loving arms of

our Saviour and attended by an angelic host. Mysteries are revealed. He would want his family to know and understand that his life while brief was not in vain. The family’s strength will be an inspiration to many. He will always be the mother and father’s son and will always be the grandparents’ grandson. That will never change. The love between the grandson and his family will endure. The family will find some semblance of peace in their faith and beliefs and be a tower of strength to those of us who wonder how we would handle a similar situation in our own life.

I never met the grandson in person. I did get to know him through pictures and the loving description and joy of his grandmother. That love and affection will always be there for the family. They will continue to benefit from the love that was created and nurtured during that 165 days span. So, Fisher, know that you were loved and revered by your family. Perhaps you understand, better that those left behind, the meaning of all this. Rest in Peace. N

The Morning Line

Mark LamberthA Remembrance

Pictured, here, in the North Arkansas Dance Theatre’s production of “Thumbelina” are 3 recipients of the Patrick Crommett Memorial Scholarship for 2012.

This Scholarship was established in 2006 to honor the memory of a gentle man who gave so very much to this community in the way of art and even more in the way of heart. Scholarships are awarded to graduating North Arkansas Dance Theatre Company Members who exemplify what Patrick stood for – hard work, professionalism, dedication, respect, a desire to learn, and a love for ballet and dance. He and Artistic Director, Cindy Hubberd, founded NADT in 1997 to give local dancers the opportunity to perform and to share their love of dance to local communities.

$500 recipient, Lauren Gunderman (far right), graduated from Batesville High School and will be attending Lyon College with plans to have a career in dentistry. She has been on the teaching staff at the NADT Dance Academy and will continue instructing there in the future. Lauren Cambias (center) also graduated from Batesville High School, received a $250 award and will be attending the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville pursuing a career in Ophthalmology. Cara Smith (far left), a $250 recipient, is a graduate from Melbourne High School and a teacher at the Izard County branch of the NADT Dance Academy. She

will be attending Ozarka College working towards a nursing degree. These girls have been an asset and an inspiration to all whose lives they have touched.

The North Arkansas Dance Theatre, a non-profit organization, performs free of charge for local organizations and events. It also puts on an annual "Nutcracker", and there will be a Casting Placement Call for ages 5-Adult for non-dancing roles. You do not have to be associated with NADT or the NADT Dance Academies to participate in this endeavor and no dancing experience is required. No one is turned away. Last year, there was a cast of over 80, ages 3-97! For more information call 866-GOT-NADT / www.nadt.info. N

Patrick Crommett Memorial Dance Scholarship Winners

August 2012 | 9

Eye On Mag.com

Moran Donation Account

Kenlee Moran, five year old daughter of Steven and Julie Moran, was recently diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumor. Wilm’s Tumor is a rare kidney cancer and it has attacked both of little Kenlee’s kidneys. Kenlee, her parents, and her two younger sisters live in Desha. Father, Steven, is employed at Batesville Poultry and his wife Julie is a teacher with the Southside School District. The family does have medical insurance but as we all know this will not cover all expenses. Kenlee and her parents have already begun the weekly trips to Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. Kenlee has already undergone 5 chemotherapy

treatments and will endure a minimum of twenty-six weeks of treatment. She could be facing as many as thirty-two weeks of chemotherapy. Family friend, Chelsea Varnell, shared that little Kenlee has already started to lose her hair. “She has an amazing strength about it” stated Varnell.

“The Moran Donation Account” has been set in place at First Community Bank for those who would like to donate funds to help the family cover expenses not covered by their health insurance.

You can follow Kenlee’s story at caringbridge.org. Under “sites” type in kenleemoran.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the community for the prayers and support they have received. N

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August 2012 | 11

Obamacare improved the benefits you already receive in eight ways:

1. It allows you to add your children up to age 26 to

your health insurance plan.

2. Your insurance company can no longer drop you if you get really sick.

3. It can’t limit the coverage you receive over your lifetime.

4. If you have a chronically ill child, you no longer have to worry about losing coverage if you change your insurance. That’s because the new insurance plan can’t deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions.

5. If you have a pre-existing condition, and you get denied coverage by a new insurance company, you can get temporary health insurance coverage until 2014. That’s when insurance companies can no longer deny coverage to adults.

6. You may receive a rebate this year from your insurance company. Obamacare requires that they spend at least 80% of premium payments on medical services, instead of advertising and executive salaries. If they can’t, the money goes back to you.

7. Insurance companies must submit justification to the states for all rate hikes. Obamacare provides funding to the states to administer this.

8. You may not have to pay a co-pay for wellness or pregnancy exams. Only plans that were “grandfathered in” were exempt from this Obamacare law. Your premiums should decrease over time, as Obamacare is designed to lower health care costs. By allowing parents to add their children, more healthy people are paying premiums but not using the system as much. This adds to health insurance companies’ profits, which should mean lower premiums over the long run. Similarly, Medicare recipients now have more of their prescription costs covered, allowing them to continue taking medications needed to prevent emergency room visits.

By 2014, everyone will be required to have health insurance.

Look for part two in the September Issue of Eye On N

www.usmagazine.com

Eye On Mag.com

John M. BelewHow Obamacare Affects The Already InsuredIndependent Thoughts

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Eye On Mag.comEye On Independence - “Word Of Mouth For Your eyes!”

August 2012 | 13

Joseph Thomas

You may know Stan and Kim Hinkle, they are local business owners and warm, friendly people. They moved to Independence County in 2004 so Stan could open and manage Tractor Supply on East Harrison in Batesville. Kim bought Nora’s Boutique on Neeley Street in Batesville and made it Isabella’s Boutique with the desire to help make women feel their best with makeovers and Merle Norman products. Stan grew up on a farm and says he didn’t want anything to do with farming after leaving home. He garnered a managing background with grocery stores and CVS Pharmacy. Kim has done just about everything, including running a coffee house, portrait painting, and volunteering in an organic farm. The couple also ran an Angel Food Ministry in Atlanta, Georgia feeding 200 to 250 families every month. They are a couple with the heart and determination to be successful at whatever they do.

Stan and Kim bought Harvest Fresh Farm in December of 2007 with one purpose in mind; to make cooking easy and healthy for everyone, (“Gourmet Made Easy”, as their motto says). They have a freshness guarantee to ensure everyone’s satisfaction and to show their commitment to their quality products. “The step by step and analysis used to paint an in depth portrait is exactly the same process I use in starting a business, so my painting experience actually lends itself to all I’ve done since,” states Kim. “I was able to translate that art education to create the bones of the business and then add the layers of the business that we needed.” Kim says she is smart enough to know that she doesn’t have to know everything and has recently hired an assistant.

Harvest Fresh Farm has sold products to Walmart under the Melissa’s Produce label for years, but earlier this year was awarded the contract outright. Kim says Harvest Fresh Farm is the only company in the country that makes shelf stable herb products, which means if their herbs sit on the shelf for a year, you could open it and find a fresh tasty product. Harvest Fresh Farm is the only farm family in Independence County that makes their living strictly from the farm.

Kim talks about becoming certified to acidify their products safely to ensure shelf stability without using harmful preservatives. Kim has researched and found

programs, such as the Southern United States Trade Association, that has partially funded their hotels, trade show booths, and travel to the likes of Panama and Canada where they have attended trade shows to promote their fresh herbs and hopefully help capture an international market share. One astonishing statistic she offers up is, “4% of all goods sold around the world are bought in North America, the other 96% are sold outside of the United States, so there are huge opportunities outside of the United States and not just for the big boys. We’ve had people from Italy come up to us at trade shows and tell us they can’t get pesto as good as ours from Italy. Our ingredients are more expensive which is why other companies don’t use them anymore, but we wanted to use the best of the old world recipes.” Kim also give props to Phil Ford, founder of Bone Suckin’ Sauce, for handing them copies of some of his past contracts so they would have examples of how it was done and told them to learn from his mistakes.

Kim has a multitude of ideas for how to use each of their individual herb and special herb blends packed in high quality domestic olive oil, fine pesto sauces, herbal blends for cooking and grilling, and delicious herbal vinegars for delicious healthy meals easy for anyone to put together. She says their balsamic vinegars can be rendered down to a glaze or used to sauté your vegetables. She explains why chefs look for the residue you will find at the bottom of Harvest Fresh Farm’s herbal vinegars. Kim says, “We age our vinegar with our herbs for sixty days, so the essence of the herbs collects at the bottom and need to be shaken before use to get the full rich flavor. Stan and I came up with the vinegars because we were trying to cut salt out of our diet. Vinegar is great for blood sugar and stomach issues as well. We are also the only company in the U.S. to make fresh Herb De Provence which most chefs won’t go without. The Vice President of Marzetti Food Company was at the Canadian trade show and he tasted

Cover StoryThe Little Farm That Could

Stan and Kim both say their work crew is priceless.

Eye On

Shown above, Panama’s President Ricardo Martinelli visiting the Harvest Fresh Farm booth at Panamanian trade show. Pictured below is Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuno enjoying a cheese straw.

our Ultimate Dry Rub. I said, ‘that’s pretty good huh?’ He said, ‘No, that’s great and you need to know that.’ Liberty Bank President, Kevin Rose, says he won’t grill without it, so we’ve had much success overseas and here at home.” They also have Cheese Straws which are to die for and would go great with your favorite hop brewed beverage.

Stan and Kim have a lot of work ahead of them as their product is now sought by Riba Smith Grocery chain in Panama. Whole Foods Market has inspected Harvest Fresh Farm to begin the process of contracting their product and said that this farm was the most compliant small farm they’d seen. Harvest Fresh Farm was Global Gap Certified before they were required by law which puts their quality and safety above FDA requirements. Each country has their own labeling laws and has to be packaged according to those laws. Asked if she learned a great deal in the last two years, Kim replied with large eyes, “I feel like I never stop learning about this industry.” As president of Harvest Fresh Farm, she has learned logistics, on top of multiple layers of paper work processes and contract laws.

It is easy to understand why there might be a learning curve for her and Stan both, and even though they admit there is more to learn, Harvest Fresh Farm is almost completely self sufficient with labeling, pasteurizing, co-packing, and packing done in house.

Kimberlee and I learned a great deal just being on the farm. For instance, one person can manage 75 acres row crop farming. With Alternative Aggressive Farming, which is what Harvest Fresh Farm does, it takes one person to handle 3,000 square feet. Alternative refers to the use of hydroponics and the controlled environment in which plants are grown. Aggressive refers to the

non-seasonal growth which means no downtime while waiting for the weather to cooperate. We also learned that the Southern United States ranks fifth in exports and Arkansas is currently least involved in the Southern United States Trade Association of all Southern States.

Stan was out in the greenhouse planting and earning his sweat equity when Kim gave us a tour of their High Tunnel green houses. Kim says she loves getting her hands dirty and working along side her husband, but the paper work takes up more of her time than she would wish. Stan and Kim both say their work crew is priceless.

With all of us trying to find better food for a healthier lifestyle, these herbs and vinegars add amazing flavors without adding anything harmful. Kim gave us a tasting tour of the greenhouse and I can tell you all the flavors are here. Look for Harvest Fresh Farm herbs and vinegars at Walmart and give them a try today. These tasty products are a local gem and here for your lifestyle change today. You can find them online at www.harvestfreshfarm.com for any updates or questions you may have. N

Understanding Nutrition Labels on FoodYour Health

Alisa R. Lancaster

Nutrition labels are similar to a book’s table of contents; they detail what’s inside the food you consume. Learning how to read a label is important so that you will have a general understanding of how much is a serving, how many calories it contains, etc. Since this can be overwhelming, let’s look at some basics:

• Serving size - all the other information on the label is based on this measurement. This is the first step in healthy eating and weight management. Remember, a serving size does not a portion equal (last month).

• Calories - this is the amount of energy from fat, protein, or carbohydrates in ONE serving size. Consuming too many calories promotes weight gain.

• Fats - total fat is how much of the serving size is fat. Foods with less than 30% fat are recommended for a healthier diet. Saturated fats are considered a risk factor for heart disease. Unsaturated fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) may help protect your heart. Trans fats are chemically changed and increase cholesterol. ALL fats, even healthy ones, should be consumed in moderation.

• Cholesterol - is another form of fat and is a risk factor for heart disease. Limit your daily intake to 300 mg or use foods with 5% or less, avoiding those foods that are over 20% of the daily value.

• Sodium - research has shown that a high sodium (which includes table salt) intake can be related to high blood pressure. Intake should be restricted to 2300 mg a day. Processed foods have a high content of sodium.

• Carbohydrates - a primary source of energy for our body. They are broken down into sugar and fiber. Carbohydrate counting is used in diabetes meal planning, but is beneficial for all. Females need 45-60 grams per meal and males need 60-75 grams.

• Dietary fiber - is the indigestible portion of plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, oats, nuts, etc. High fiber has been shown to be beneficial for weight control, diabetes, high cholesterol, and some forms of cancer. Foods with five grams of fiber or more are considered “high fiber” foods.

An ingredient list is provided at the bottom of most labels. The items are listed in order of quantity. So check these ingredients to see where sugar appears. Limit those foods that mention sugar in the first few ingredients, as sugar provides little nutritional value and lots of calories! Sugar may also be referred to as high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, sucrose, glucose, galactose, and dextrose. There is much more to nutrition labels, so hopefully I’ve piqued your interest to do some more exploring of what you actually consume. Happy eating! N

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A Race Against Crohn’sKimberlee Thomas

Batesville resident Suzy Taylor Oakley has committed to run her very first half-marathon as part of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s, “Team Challenge”. She is running to help raise awareness. Oakley’s husband, Bruce, and her young cousin, Spencer, both suffer from the Crohn’s Disease. “Because this disease has changed both of their lives and the lives of their loved ones in countless ways, I was excited to be presented with an opportunity to help find a cure. I’m running for Bruce, Spencer, and the more than 1.4 million American adults and children who suffer from this terrible disease. I’m on a mission to see it eradicated in my lifetime”, Oakley explained. She will be participating in the Ladies Speedstick Women’s Half Marathon in Nashville, Tennesse on September 22.

Oakley hopes to raise $4000 with $3,200 of that being raised by September fifth. “Help me race toward a cure. Any amount you’re able to donate will help, and we will be so grateful” Oakley commented. If you would to like to share in Oakley’s fight against this debilitating disease you may send your contributions to: Suzy Taylor

Oakley 475 Fayrene Street Batesville, AR 72501. You may also donate through the Crohn’s fundraising page https://www.active.com/donate/nationalNASH2012/SuzyOakley. You may also follow Oakley’s blog: http://www.suzyandspice.com

Oakley shared, “I am very excited and nervous all at the same time. Eight kilometers is the longest distance I have ever raced. This is huge for me, but I’m determined to do it. Lord willing, I will cross the finish line to a high-five from Bruce!” N

Success at Second Friday Frolic

Main Street Batesville and its partners have renamed, revamped, and re-energized what was previously known as Second Friday; it became Second Friday Frolic on July 13. “The new name reflects our

new focus on providing interesting things to see and do, such as family programs presented by Vanessa Adams, our new Independence County Librarian. Some businesses were open until 7:00 pm.” says Paula Grimes, Main Street Director.

On the eveing of the 13th, the Batesville Area Arts Council Gallery featured an impressive selection of art by Arkansas artists. The gallery also hosted a preview of the Batesville Community Theatre/Star Project presentation of the Disney version of Beauty and the

Beast. The play, with a cast of approximately 50, opened July 26. The gallery is located at 246 E. Main and is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and until 8:00 pm on the second Friday of every month. For information call 870-793-3382 or visit www.batesvillearts.org.

Simply Southern Play House at 201 E. Main Street hosted Big Creek Country Band, featuring Justin Wilson on keyboard and vocals, Jeff McKenzie on fiddle, James Headley on lead guitar, Jim Baxter on rhythm and vocals, Harrison Townsley on bass, Evonne Baxter on rhythm and vocals, and Mike Higginbottom on rhythm and vocals. The popular band unleashed a variety of country tunes along with a touch of bluegrass and gospel. Doors open at 6:00 pm at the Play House and seating is limited so early arrival is recommended on upcoming Second Friday Frolics; music begins at 7:00. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children under 12, and concessions are available.

Fox Creek BBQ, located at 129 Lawrence in the old Railroad Depot Station, featured free live music by David Grimes from 5:30 to 9:00 along with its award-winning BBQ, beef brisket, burgers, nachos, and ribs. They will be a regular part of the Second Friday Frolic with Grimes as a main stay. Elizabeth’s Restaurant was also open during the Second Friday Frolic and offered dinning specials, they will continue to be a part of the festivities. The Independence County Public Library had a table offering information about their hours and the new programs available for all ages. A contest was held and whoever came closest to guessing the number of titles on the shelves won a gift card from Hastings. Head librarian Vanessa Adams was on site in the Pocket Park.

Main Street businesses within easy

Sticky ToesThe Nature of Things

Autumn HunterA

Eye On Mag.com

Recently, I came home at dusk and noticed the very loud sound of frogs coming from overhead. Then, I found a Green treefrog in one of my Canna plants, got a great picture, and decided it would be my next subject. Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians. Amphibians include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. Amphibian means “double life”. This refers to animals that live sometime on land and partly in water.

In North America there are 26 species of treefrogs. The website www.herpsofarkansas.com revealed 9 in Arkansas and 6 are found in Independence County. Blanchard’s Cricket, the Cajun Chorus, and the Spring Peeper can be found state wide in Arkansas. The Common Gray, Cope’s Gray, and Green treefrogs are common in our area too. The Blanchard’s Cricket has a dark triangular mark on the head

and sounds like a cricket. The Cajun Chorus has dark stripes and its pitch ascends from low to high like a “thumbnail raking a plastic comb”. Many warm weather lovers anxiously await that first “peep” call of the Spring Peepers that signals spring is almost here. They are easily identified by the X on their back. Cope’s Gray and Common Gray treefrogs have many color variations and can even change color. The inside of their legs are yellow-orange, their back has dark blotches, with a white spot under the eye. We learn why they are considered different species at www.herpedia.com. “The two species of Gray treefrog have identical appearance and their ranges overlap. However, the Cope’s has a faster trill and only half as many chromosomes.” Finally, the bright Green treefrog with white side stripes and a call similar to a duck quack is the species

that first comes to our mind. In daylight this species is often found sleeping in moist, dark spaces like the underside of leaves (or inside Cannas). The same website tells that they “congregate in large choruses of several hundred.”

Frogs have interesting anatomy. Most animals vocalize for two main purposes, to find a mate and to establish territories. Vocal cords vibrate and muscles contract to push air and produce a sac at the throat when they call. In the field guide Wildlife Habitats of the Eastern U.S. we discover the purpose. “The balloon-like sac allows the frog to emphasize certain frequencies or filter out others. Treefrogs inner

Nutcracker Casting CallAug. 25 at 2 pm - Batesville Academy

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A.) Blanchard’s Cricket. B.) A Green Treefrog Autumn found in her back yard. C.) Cajun. D.) Chorus Frog. E.) Grey Treefrog. F.) Spring Peeper. All of these picture, save for the Green Treefrog, were found at www.herpsofarkansas.com<http://www.herpsofarkansas.com/

ear is specially tuned to pick up the frequency that is unique to the species.” When you think of frogs you automatically think of muscular legs for jumping. However, living high in the trees you need thin, long

legs for walking, balancing, and climbing. The “suction-cups” or small round pads on each toe help them cling to surfaces like tree limbs that are rough and dry. Treefrogs also have an adhesive substance that helps with sticking to slippery surfaces, like leaves or

our windows. “Cartilage between the last two bones of their toes allows the toe tip to swivel backward and sideways to hook around twigs.” Besides jointed toe tips, these frogs can flatten their bodies to distribute weight evenly to aide in hanging vertically.

Treefrogs are a wonderful component to our Arkansas landscapes. Since 6 kinds are found here in our county, you don’t even have to leave your yard to explore and learn more about nature and our native wildlife. N

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August 2012 | 19

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July 4th at Riverside Park thanks to Citizens Bank and all the fine local sponsors that helped light up Independence County.


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August 2012 | 21

H.

Faces

A.) 2012 BBB Biker Babe - Shannon EdwardsB.) Balloon Toss Game at BBB.C.) Bike Show at BBB.D.) Bike Parade down Main Street led by Mayor Rick Elumbaugh.E.) The White River Water Carnival Mascot on the back of a motorcycle at BBBF.) Stillwater Hardy Band at Batesville, Bikes, & Backroads on June 9th.G.) Matt Dame performs at BBB on June 8thH.) Finalists for Hot Wing Eating Contest to be held on September 8th at the WRWC.Photos submitted by Batesville Chamber.

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August 2012 | 23

Faces

Eye On Mag.com

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A.) Community School Ribbon Cutting was held on June 7th.B). Michael & Jill Johnson pictured with Sarah Westervelt (Serenity Massage Ribbon Cutting). C.) Ambassador personnel ribbon cutting was held on June 7th.D.) Batesville Outstanding Teen, AshLynne King.E.) Miss White River, Helen Wisner.F.) Miss Batesville, Norma Lopez.

G.) White River Outstanding Teen, Shree Govindarajan.H.) Miss White River Pageant Director, Holly McCall Wilkerson, and Water Carnival Dance Chairman, Chris Caruthers.J.) The First Annual Bad Boy Kids Triathlon took place the morning of July 14, 2012 at Lyon College. Kids swam, biked, and ran to benefit the Ozark Foothills Literacy Project. It was a warm day with plenty of local support on hand.

I DoColton WeddingKimberlee Thomas

Kendra Willis and Jeremy Colton are what some might say a match made in Heaven. The two first met while attending youth group activities at West Baptist Church. Kendra admits it was not love at first sight. “We were friends long before we started actually dating,” states Kendra.

If you are a regular reader of Eye On you will recall our cover story from August 2011. Local Special Olympian, Chelsea Willis, traveled to Athens, Rome and won Gold. Well it just so happens that Chelsea and Kendra are sisters and so the family flew to Rome for this once in a lifetime event. While in Rome the family decided to take in the sights while Chelsea spent her days training for her events. Kendra, Jeremy, Kendra’s parents and grandparents set sail on a one day three island cruise. The isle of Hydra was the second stop of the day. The young couple and their family decided to venture towards the top of the little island to better take in the surrounding view. Kendra recalls, “We were ahead of everyone else so I decided to stop and take a look back at the port view, when I turned around Jeremy was standing there with the ring. I was thrilled. My family was there to share the moment. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful spot.”

Kendra has grown up in the West Baptist Church so it seemed only fitting to be married there. On May 19, 2012 Kendra and Jeremy were joined in holy matrimony by their youth pastor, Brother Cory Majors. The couple’s wedding colors were yellow and gray. A close friend sang, “In Christ Alone.” A video of photographs from the couples

past five years together was shared during the ceremony.

The reception was held at the University of Arkansas Experiment Station in Bethesda. There was a white tent which housed a dance floor and a DJ was on sight for an evening full of fun. Kendra’s father and uncle performed a special dance for the newlyweds to Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music.” “It is one of their favorite songs, it was so funny,” shared Kendra.

Since their wedding plans began with a cruise it seemed only fitting that a cruise should finish them out. The young couple sat sail for a honeymoon in the Bahamas on a fun filled Disney Cruise.

Kendra has just finished her first year of physical therapy school at ASU in Jonesboro and will graduate with a Doctorate Degree in May 2014. Jeremy works in the sales and marketing department for Professional Credit Management in Jonesboro and is pursuing his Master’s Degree in Business Administration at ASU. The couple currently resides in Jonesboro. They look forward to traveling as much a possible throughout the marriage. Kendra notes that they are huge Razorback fans and love traveling to Fayetteville for games as often as they can. N

Photography by Robert O. Seat

Eye On Mag.com

Batesville Students Act Out LoudBatesville Area Arts Council is offering half-day

drama camps July 30 - August 3, 2012. Artists from Trike Theatre, Northwest Arkansas Professional Theatre for Youth, will be in residence and teaching the camps. These camps use drama skills to build life skills and are for ages Kindergarten through 8th grade.

Session I, “Young Artists Camp”, is from 9:00 am – noon. Students entering K through 2nd grade will create a script of a familiar fairy tale incorporating acting basics, making props and costumes. A public performance will be scheduled on the last day of the camp. Cost is $90 Session II, “Acting Out Loud”, is from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Students entering grades 3rd – 8th will develop an original script incorporating some singing and dancing. A public performance will be scheduled on the last day of the camp. Cost is $95. “We are excited to work with Batesville area students.” said Kassie Misiewicz, Artistic Director and founder of

The Trike, “Our drama camps introduce students to basic acting skills while they work as a team to

creatively solve problems and tell stories.” For more information about the artists, visit their website at www.triketheatre.org.

All registered participants will receive a BAAC Summer Art Cap T-Shirt. Registration Forms are available at the BAAC Art Gallery on Main at 246 E. Main Street or through the Independence County Library on Main Street or the Old Independence Regional Museum. For further information, contact BAAC at (870) 793-3382. We have a limited number of scholarship openings for those meeting the criteria. BAAC’s Summer Art Camp is sponsored in part by the Batesville Area Arts Council, First Community Bank, Future Fuel Chemical Company and Bryant’s Pharmacy.

Drawing WorkshopThe Batesville Area Arts Council will be

offering a DRAWING WORKSHOP with Arts on Tour artist, Sheila Parsons during the evenings beginning July 9th through July 11th from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the BAAC Art Gallery on Main. This drawing workshop is geared for the beginner to advanced artist who wants to improve their drawing skills. Her informal, relaxed and entertaining classes are geared to making the student feel confident and comfortable as they learn new skills. The three evening class will meet at the Batesville Art Gallery at 246 E. Main Street. The fee for the class is $65 for the three evenings. A $25 deposit is required.

This workshop is sponsored in part by Arts on Tour grant award through the Arkansas Arts Council. To register or find out more information, contact BAAC at (870) 793-3382 or [email protected] Parson’s has been a professional artist and workshop instructor since 1976. She received her Master’s in Art Degree from the Pratt Institute in New York and has studied since then with many great watercolor artists. She has been an assistant to Milford Zorne on over 30 watercolor workshops and has led her own workshops all across the United States, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Wales, Greece, Spain and France. Her work is included in public and private collections in Europe, Mexico and the United States. She is primarily a watercolorist and creates works using vibrant colors. Sheila is a signature member of the Mid Southern Watercolorists, member of the Oklahoma Watercolor Association and the Midwest Watercolor Association and has served on the faculty of the Arkansas Arts Center. In 1996, Sheila received the Arkansas Governor’s Award for Outstanding Individual Artist. In the fall 2000 issue of Watercolor, an American Artist publication, an eight page feature article showcased her paintings and information about the artist and her work. Sheila currently resides and works in her studio in Conway, Arkansas.

Become a Friend of BAAC - by providing financial assistanceFinancial assistance within the community is

essential to maintain and improve BAAC activities such as exhibits, educational programs, and other projects.

- by volunteeringThere are a variety of volunteer opportunities

within BAAC. You may want to do a one time project or help with ongoing activities.

Friday Painters: This group, made up of cancer survivors, care

givers, and friends, meets for the purpose of using art as therapy. The group meets each Friday to paint and share experiences within the casual atmosphere of friendly conversation and encouragement. Materials for beginning painters are provided by the WRMC Cancer Care Center. Participants usually enjoy a lunch together at Elizabeth’s Restaurant across the street from the gallery. N


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Below, Katie Milum’s Art Club Students at BJHS designed and built a cardboard replica of a sculpture learning the process of creating sculptures. Danny Ramsey, adjunct welding instructor at UACCB worked with BAAC to take the students cardboard structure and weld it into a work of art. The finished work was placed in BJHS courtyard on June 13th. This Arts In Education project was done in partnership through the Batesville School District and the Batesville Area Arts Council.

E.) BAAC’s Summer Celebration with entertainment by Reunion Bank. Then Linda Creighton and Norma Story taking tickets at the door. Next is a photo of folks with silent auction items. And last photo is Connie Schirmer, Polly Livingston, and additional unnamed individuals discussing Silent Auction items at BAAC’s Summer Celebration.- Fundraiser for the Arts.

A.) There was fun to be had at the Kid's Summer Art Camp. B.) BAAC’s Print Making Workshop held on June 30th with instructor, Dustyn Bork. You can see students printing designs of what they created.C.)Welding project for Katie Milum’s Art Club.D.) Sheila Parsons.

August 2012 | 29

Tales Of a Transplanted Fashionista

Leigh Keller

Eye On Mag.com

Shopping on a Budget

It’s safe to say that most working women today are on a shopping budget. If you add being a mommy to that equation, your budget is automatically smaller. I love fashion magazines and anxiously await the arrival of every month’s InStyle magazine and People magazine’s Stylewatch magazine that comes out every season. While I dream of having an unlimited shopping budget, I also love amenities like electricity, water, a roof over my head at night and a car to drive, you know, just the basics.

In Independence County, accessibility to shopping is an issue. In fact, sometimes I still mist up when I think about that in Fayetteville, I was five minutes away from Target, TJMaxx, the mall, Mason’s, and basically anything else I wanted. Here, I have to try a little harder to find what I want, but obviously, living with my little man and my big man do make the trade-off worth it.

Without sacrificing too much quality, I gave myself a budget of $100 and wanted to see how much I could buy at JCPenney. I buy most of my son’s things there, because their little boy clothes seem pretty durable (and durability is really all that matters when clothing a two year old tornado). When shopping on a budget, I try to stick to the following four main rules:

1. Look at the sales racks. Never buy something you would never wear simply because it is on

sale.2. Always try on. You cannot eyeball sizes, because

each designer and garment is different. It may look better or worse on you than on a hanger.

Try to imagine this garment with other items in your wardrobe that you currently have. Can you wear it with other pieces of clothing? Will it work for other seasons with layering options?3. If you don’t love it, don’t buy it! If you spend

your money on a garment, thinking that maybe it could work if you lose five pounds, or have your spleen removed, then chances are you will not ever wear it.

4. Look for pieces that go with things you already have in your wardrobe. I need a closet full of items I can grab in a hurry while I am drinking coffee, blowdrying, intermittently riding a stickhorse and dancing to the Hot Dog song.

On my shopping trip to JCPenney, my tornado stayed home with his daddy, so that my shopping would not consist of me grabbing a random garment off of a rack, chasing the tornado, catching him, giving up and hoping that the garment fits, talking in a church whisper to the tornado, making empty promises of ice cream and ponies, and buying one single garment that more than likely will fit him instead of me. With my


Pictures pulled from tsue-thatswhatshesaid.com and bizme.biz

$100, I bought (drum roll please);Colored denim- cobalt blue (I might wear them

every day, everywhere), Bright yellow tailored skirt- Can be dressed up or down, Yellow sleeveless silk blouse- Can be worn with colored denim, or a thousand other items in my closet, Blue short sleeved blouse with bird print- Can be worn with yellow skirt or khaki shorts or pants, One shoulder print top- Can be worn with colored denim, black skirt, or suit for work, Gold long necklace- Can be worn with anything, Gold stacked bangles- Also worn with anything.

The secret is always to have fun with fashion, and remember that you can live on a budget, even if you have limited shopping options. N

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August 2012 | 31

Eye On Mag.com

The Sweetest GiftThe Myopic Life

Kristi Price

Notes from the Clearing

Joseph Thomas

Mantra

We are approaching Dairy Queen, me and my leggy, blonde, turning-six daughter. Two days earlier, we had dropped by and requested a birthday cake. We had no picture, no design to which we could point and say, “Make it exactly like this.” Emily simply said, “Please put a rainbow on it and make it colorful.”

Had this been my son on cake pick-up day, I would have chattered the entire drive over, “Aren’t you excited!? We’re getting your cake! You’re going to love it!” And he would have walked in already gushing about how he loved his cake, because his default setting is to love life. Every day is a masterpiece waiting to unfold.

But this is my middle daughter. My always-watching-the-horizon-for-rain daughter. She’s a risk assessment expert in Keds, keenly aware of the four thousand ways disaster can strike from something simple. She carries a heavy burden. And she requires a completely different approach in parenting.

So instead of gushing, I stop her outside DQ and quietly say, “Emily, you may hate the cake. In fact, they

may have even forgotten to make it.” And because these are ideas she has already been considering, she nods her beautiful head in resignation. Then I add, “No matter. We can pick any old cake off the shelf and it’s going to be delicious. And remember, birthdays aren’t about the cake anyhow. They are about thanking God he gave you to us.”

We go inside. Of course DQ had remembered her cake. And of course Sharon Strecker had done her best work ever. But Emily, prepared for the worst, experienced rare exultation when she saw her rainbow. Her lip quivered and she whispered, “It’s prettier than I could have imagined.”

I’m no parenting expert, but I’ve heard that being the middle child is a hard row to hoe. I’m going to do everything I can to make the work easier. It’s pretty simple: know your child, and see the world through her eyes. It’s the sweetest gift you can give. Even sweeter than a DQ ice cream cake. N

I strive to appreciate the moments in between the traffic of life more, but as a human I ask myself, “How?” I try to give every sunrise and sunset it’s due. I linger on the face of a friend when he speaks to see the truth behind the words and hold the bond a bit tighter for the value it adds to my existence. I achieve the act of doing for others in labor and monetary aid but I see what I write and it is full of, “I’s” which makes me question if I indeed am vain. I also concede that I have always been the center of my universe, in so much that in my every thought, I exist and influence any moment I am apart of merely by being there. Perhaps the desire to be more appreciative is all we can give and in the end enough to grant us access to more simple moments that mean so much. I seek to see past myself and ensure that my actions benefit more than, “I.” I should have a mantra to remind myself of this and to focus my intentions. Perhaps it should be silence. N

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Welcome to Independence

Is There Really an Education Gap?We’re Still Out Here

Bob Pest

A recent article in the Daily Yonder by Robert Gallardo at the Southern Rural Development Center at Mississippi State University and Bill Bishop, co-editor of the magazine, contained what seemed to be some alarming data about the growing education gap between urban and rural Americans. Their research showed that although the percentage of rural adults with college degrees increased dramatically between 1970 and 2010, the gap between urban and rural increased.

Even though the percentage of adults in rural counties with college degrees increased dramatically between 1970 and 2010, the gap between rural and urban increased. So even though, though rural communities made significant progress during that period, urbanites with college degrees still outnumber their rural counterparts by 2 to 1.

Gallardo and Bishop set out to measure the changes in educational achievement in rural America over the last 40 years. They discovered that “On most measures, rural America has caught up with the cities. The increases in educational attainment among rural adults over the last 40 years have been astounding.”

However, the duo also learned that “When it comes to college-educated adults, urban counties have increased their advantage.” From 1970 to 2010, urban

adults with at least a BA degree increased from 11.6% to 30% while rural adults with degrees increased from 5.7% to 15.4%.

In my earlier article, “The Exodus,” I discussed the fact that “the best and the brightest” tend to leave their homes to pursue educational opportunities elsewhere. The loss of these talented young people has been a problem for rural communities for decades. To quote Judith Stallman, an economist at The University of Missouri, “Once you leave, that introduces you to other opportunities you might not have seen had you not left.” In my follow-up article, “Stopping the Exodus,” I laid out strategies that rural communities might use to retain their young scholars, but the fact is that a bright future is hard to turn down.

Although rural communities lag behind in college graduates, they have caught up in every other measure of educational achievement. Gallardo and Bishop's research reveals that rural America now has about the same percentage of adults with some post high school education. They also learned that rural counties now have about the same percentage of adults with less than a high school education.

Community colleges and trade schools that provide certification programs are largely responsible for the progress being made in rural counties. Most two-year colleges offer GED programs to help students get their high school diplomas so they can move on to higher education. Two-year colleges cost much less than four-year colleges and also provide a variety of grants and loans. They also offer certificates and degrees in fields like Nursing, Culinary Science, Banking and Finance, Criminal Justice, Welding, Aviation Technology, Physical Therapy, and on and on. Many of these fields offer positions that are comparable with those that require a four-year education. Plumbers, for example, make considerably more than high school teachers. Trade and vocational schools also offer opportunities, but only provide certification. Lucrative fields like Real Estate, for example, require a license.

Many rural citizens without any formal education live far from a school of any kind; some have no means of transportation. Others struggle to care for their families, frequently working several jobs. Still others lack the financial resources to attend school. Not only do two-year colleges provide reasonable financial packages, a steadily growing number offer online courses, available to students with regular computer access. Others create “branch campuses” which offer a limited number of classes, usually the basic requirement courses, at remote locations.

There is another way to look at the big picture. For decades, the four-year degree has been the barometer of success. “You'll never get anywhere without a degree,” my generation and subsequent ones were told. But

August 2012 | 35

Eye On Mag.com

the astronomical costs of a four-year degree have led an increasing number of high school graduates to pursue other paths to a career. Many traditional college courses seem obsolete: Why study math when your computer will solve the problems for you? Why try to learn French when Google will translate for you. I am not dismissing four-year college educations; I still consider mine to have been among the best years of my life.

It may just be the case that the number of four-year degrees is not as meaningful a measure as Gallardo and Bishop suggest. Yes it is a significant measure but no, it's not the only one. Two-year college students I have taught have gone on to success in the areas of commerce, nursing and the health-related, computer maintenance, and the arts. They have become leaders and enrich the quality of life in their communities. There are

many ways to measure progress in a community, including the number of people with four-year degrees. But if we look a little deeper we can see how other pathways can lead students to success. To quote Judith Stallman again, “Rural people have responded to the demand for increased job skills by increasing their post-secondary education.” That's what counts! N

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Find more at www.mybatesville.org

Mountain View Events for AugustAugust 17-19 Join us for Mountains, Music, &

Motorcycles. This is a one of a kind event for Mountain View. With biker games, a poker run, and a bike show. There is something for the biker in everyone. Prizes, Games, Music, and Good Food for the whole family. For more information call the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce @ 870-269-8068 or visit www.yourplaceinthemountains.com.

1st Annual Hot Wing Eating Contest Finale coming soon.

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce and Liberty Bank of Arkansas are proud to present the 1st Annual Hot Wing Eating Contest. The grand finale will be held on September 8th at 7:00pm during the 69th Annual White River Water Carnival. The wings will be prepared by US Pizza of Batesville. There were two preliminaries held before the final competition at Riverside Park Amphitheater in Batesville. These preliminary were held on June 9th at 8:00pm during Batesville, Bikes & Backroads. The top five “gurgitators” eating the most wings will proceed to the grand finale. The overall winner will receive a championship belt, $500 cash, and claim the title as “The Bone Collector”.

Contestants must be 18 years of age or older. The registration fee is $20. For complete rules and registration visit www.mybatesville.org or call Mandi at the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce at 870.793.2378.

White River Water CarnivalThe White River Water Carnival

will be Saturday, September the 8th, 2012 from 2:00pm to 11:00pm in Riverside and Kennedy Parks. Mark your calenders and come join us for the fun.

The Water Carnival committee has put “a new spin on an old tradition” that will make you proud to be part of our community.

If you have questions please feel free to contact Tami Meyer at 870-793-2378 or email [email protected] for additional information. www.mybatesville.org

Dale Carnegie TrainingTuesday, August 7th at 8pm through Thursday,

August 9th at 5pm in the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce offices located at 409 Vine Street Batesville, AR 72501. For more information call Jessie Wilson

at 501-224-5000 ext. 116www.midsouth.dalecarnegie.com

RockHard Powder Coating FWD Special plus Mods, Street Stock, and Factory Stock

Friday, August 10 at 6 pmBatesville Motor SpeedwayFor more information call 870-251-0011E-mail: [email protected]

20th Annual Comp Cams Topless 100Aug 16- Comp Cams Topless 100 PracticeAug 17- Time Trials & Heat Races/ Full show for

ModsAug 18- 100 Lap Feature $40,000 to win- $2,000 to

Start + B-Features & Full Show/ ModsThursday, August 16 at 6pmthrough Saturday, August 18 9pmBatesville Motor SpeedwayFor more information call 870-251-0011

Karaoke for a Cause 2012 to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Central Arkansas is presented by Citizens Bank on Saturday, August 18th. The event will take place in the former location of Aaron’s Furniture at 2485 Harrison Street located next to Jonathan’s Fine Jewelry. Doors open at 6:00. Buffet is 6:30 to 8:00. The show starts at 8:00. Tickets are $40 per person and include meal and show! This year’s event celebrates the 80’s decade and all that was awesome and rad. Contestants can sign up to perform 80’s music through August 11th. Contact Amanda at 870-612-8888 to order tickets, sign up to sing, and get more information about the event. Prizes will be awarded to individuals and groups dressed up as their favorite rock star or band, movie and tv show casts! Get creative and win fun prizes from the decade that brought us the rubix cube and swatch watches!

Karaoke for a Cause

August 2012 | 37

Ribbon Cuttings

Eye On Mag.com

Coach Charlie Strong - Living a DreamKimberlee Thomas

FeatureEye OnTenacious, passionate,

persuasive, humble, and inspiring are just a few of the words that come to my mind when I think of University of Louisville Head Coach and Batesville native, Charlie Strong. Saturday, July seventh, marked a very special occasion for Strong and his family. Amongst a standing room only crowd of friends, family, and fans Strong was presented with a Key to the City by Batesville Mayor Rick Elumbaugh. “I have given very few of these awards away as Mayor of Batesville. The Key to the City is only awarded to outstanding citizens and outstanding people who make a difference not only in our community but in other parts of our great nation. I would like to present Coach Charlie Strong with his Key to the City of Batesville. You know the gates are always open for you here in the city Coach

Strong, Congratulations.” Mayor Elumbaugh also read a proclamation declaring July seventh as Charlie Strong appreciation day.

Coach Mark Rush opened the ceremony with a review of Coach Strong’s impressive twenty-five year career. “Charlie Strong was born here in Batesville on August 2, 1960. He is a 1978 Batesville High School Graduate. In high school he lettered in football, basketball, track, and summer baseball. It is also important to know that he was an honor roll student. He worked at NH Strong’s Phillip 66 Gas Station and had a great work ethic. After high school he walked on at the University of Central Arkansas for Coach Ken Stevens. After graduating from UCA he went to Henderson State for a month. He then traveled to Florida. He still holds the UCA record for distance on an interception returned for a touchdown. The record books show 100 yards. We all know it was 102 yards; the ball was two yards deep. This was during the 1980 game vs. South East Missouri State. Charlie also lead the team with 7 interceptions in 1981, was sixth in total tackles with sixty of those as defensive back.” Rush then proceeded on into Strong’s coaching career, “Charlie began as a graduate

assistant at the University of Florida from 1983 to 1984 and at Texas A&M in 1985. From 1986 through 1987 he coached the wide receivers at Southern Illinois. 1988 to 1989 he coached the line backers at Florida. 1990 found him at Ole Miss working once again with the wide receivers. From 1991 through 1994 he was back at Florida serving as Assistant Head Coach and defensive

tackle coach. In 1995 he went to Notre Dame and was there through 1998 coaching the defensive ends and defensive tackles. In 1999, Strong joined the South Carolina Gamecocks as defensive coordinator, becoming the first African American coordinator

Coach Mark Rush reviewing Coach Strong’s career Stats.

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in Southeastern Conference (SEC) history. In 2002 he returned to Florida as defensive coordinator and defensive end coach. He was also interim Head Coach, assistant head coach, Co-offensive coordinator and linebacker coach. In 2010 Charlie accepted the head coaching job at Louisville and is coaching there currently.” A standing ovation followed this impressive listing of Strong’s accomplishments as Coach Rush gave the floor over to Mayor Rick Elumbaugh who proceeded to present Strong with his very own Key to the City.

Strong accepted his key very graciously and with much emotion. “When you grow up here you never know the road you are going to take, there are so many opportunities out there for you. I’m just so blessed. Each day I tell my guys and my family, “I live a dream; it’s a dream for me. When you grow up in a small community like this and you look at where you have come from and

see what you have now, you feel so fortunate. Each day is a dream for me.” Strong stated as he wiped tears from his eyes.

He then spoke of his life journey; the highs and lows, the disappointments, the challenges, the struggles, the friendships made, the doors opened and closed, and of living his dream. Strong also challenged those in attendance to step up and make a difference in the lives of the people around them each and every day.

There were stories of coaches and players and how they touched his life and how he touched theirs. When asked by an audience member which head coach he felt he learned the most from Strong replied, “Out of all the Head Coaches I’ve been around I’ve taken the most from Coach Holtz. It was his organization, how he went about running a program that has stuck with me. That’s probably why when I got my head coaching job it was so easy for me, because of just being around the guys I’ve been around. It’s all about how you treat people. There is not anyone out there better than Coach Holtz. We have such a great relationship it is like a father son relationship.”

A young man in attendance asked Coach Strong, “What advice do you have for young African American Males who may be dreaming of becoming a head coach?” Strong replied “A lot of times what happens when you are African American and you want something and things don’t happen the way you want, it’s easy to blame somebody else. You really can’t blame anyone else. Because what you are going to have to do is continue to work for it. I saw another coach with less time under his belt take a head coaching job after we won at Florida. But you just have to keep working, eventually it is going to happen. I always said this about myself: If I don’t become a head football coach at least I have paved the way for someone else. Don’t blame the system; you’re going to get knocked down, get back up. It doesn’t always happen the way you want it to happen, but if you stay at it and you fight through it, if you put in the hard work, success is going to happen for you. Good things happen for good people.”

Coach Strong went on to say, “You can say you come from poverty, that you come from a terrible home life, you can say you come from a drug and alcohol infested environment, you can make any excuse you really want but, at the end of the day it is totally up to you to go be successful. Because there are people out there willing to help you. It’s our responsibility to go change another person’s life. I wouldn’t be standing here if someone hadn’t changed my life. I had the Miller Gym. You know Loucile Sherrill, bless her soul; she opened the gym every night for us. Sometimes there were only 6 of us in there. She opened the gym so we had somewhere to go, somewhere off the streets. She gave us a safe place away from the alcohol and drugs. That is why we were able to go change our lives and go change other people’s lives. We have all been blessed. We all have talent; we all have

coach charlie strong continues on page 44“When you grow up in a small community like this and you look at where you have come from and see what you have now you feel so fortunate. Each day is a dream for me.” Strong stated as he wiped tears from his eyes.

Breaking Away ****Smith’s Verdict

Reviewed by Tanner Smith

Eye On Mag.com

“Breaking Away” is a funny, cheerful, and unpretentious movie that is one of the great feel-good movies that I’ll always remember. It has a wonderful screenplay, great acting, sharp direction, and most importantly, it has a spirit that leaps out at you, but doesn’t seem to slam in your face and force you to be pleased by what it has to offer. That’s what makes “Breaking Away” a small masterpiece. It’s a coming-of-age tale featuring four kids living in Bloomington, Indiana. These kids are just out of high school and labeled as “cutters.” A “cutter” is a slang term to describe the workers of the town’s limestone quarries; most of them are “townies” who never went to college. That fits these four nineteen-year-old boys who want to spend one last summer with each other before making valuable choices in life, like college and jobs. They’re slowly but surely breaking away from each other, as it seems.

The main focus of the lead characters is Dave Stoller (Dennis Christopher), who not only wants to be a champion bike racer, but an Italian one. He has it in his head that he can simply be Italian and drives his father (Paul Dooley, who is easily the standout of the actors in this movie) to near madness. His mother (Barbara Barrie) is more passive, but his father can hardly seem to stand to further hear Italian opera, eat “ini” foods (zucchini, fettuccini, etc.), and listen to his son talk in an Italian accent, saying words like “ciao” and calling him “papa.” Dave has his own racing bike and trains for a big race against some Italian champions, who are coming to town for a big race. But in the meantime, he sincerely tries to win his father’s respect again (and even works at the car lot where his father cons college students into buying lousy used cars). And he also is hopelessly in love with an attractive college student named Katherine (Robyn Douglass), who really believes that he’s an Italian exchange student. That’s how far Dave has taken his Italian interests. Dave’s friends each have some sort of ambition in life. The former high school football jock Mike (Dennis Quaid) would love to play college ball, but may just stick around town. He likes to say he isn’t interested in playing college ball, but he really is. The tall, goofy Cyril (Daniel Stern) has very little ambition in life, but wallows in knowing so. And the short-for-his-age Moocher (Jackie Earle Haley) is secretly planning on marrying his girlfriend. But for them, it really does feel like something is missing in their lives and we wonder, as much as they do, what really is in store for them in the future.

A lot happens in “Breaking Away” and most of it is with offbeat humor and characterization. All of the characters are fully realized

and have their own quirks and personalities. The dialogue in the screenplay by Steve Tesich mixes realism with comedy to make it seem like these are everyday jokes that young people trade amongst each other in reality. We know the film is scripted, but it doesn’t seem so, even though the dialogue includes some weird humorous lines of dialogue. But the film has moments of cheerfulness, including one sequence in which Dave races a semitrailer truck on his racing bicycle, along the highway. That scene is wonderfully directed by Peter Yates, who knows how to direct action scenes (one of his films is “Bullitt”). That scene, and a few others, takes a hint at potential disaster that doesn’t occur. They’re well-directed moments of pure pleasure. And then, we get to a big bicycle race—not with Dave and the Italians, but with the four cutters and the college students. This would have been impossible to direct, even after the scene I mentioned before with the truck, but it’s shot and directed with as much high energy to make us want to cheer for the cutters to win the race.

On to the acting—this is a wonderfully acted ensemble piece. Dennis Christopher is likable and gets our attention in his misadventures, whether it’s with his father, with his new girlfriend, or with bicycle racing. He’s great here, and so are the actors playing his friends—Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern, and Jackie Earle Haley. They effectively capture the lack of confidence they have in their lives as they watch, with resentment, what college students have for themselves. Paul Dooley is hilarious in the role of Dave’s father who just can’t seem to take anymore of Dave’s Italian attentions to family. He rants and raves, even yelling to the cat that his name is “Jake” and not “Fellini,” as if he’s about to explode. It’s a very funny running joke. But he’s also a “cutter” just as much as his son and his friends. There’s a cute scene in which he and his son walk around a college campus and he and his son talk about what has been, what could be, and what could have been—these are two generations of Bloomington natives talking about their thoughts of a big university. And last but not least, Barbara Barrie, as Dave’s mother, is sweet and loving, but she also has to play straight to Dooley’s outbursts. When that is done, she’s quite funny too.

“Breaking Away” is a wonderful, endearing movie—one of the best coming-of-age films I’ve ever seen. It made me feel good inside and it has a sincerity that comes with quirkiness, realism, and high spirits. Count that with the acting, writing, and direction and “Breaking Away” is a small masterpiece. N


Bargain Hound Boutique

For several years the Board of Directors of the Humane Society of Independence County had discussed starting a thrift store to generate a steady income for the shelter. That dream finally became a reality in May 2012. Bargain Hound Boutique was opened at 228 Ramsey Street in Batesville, Arkansas thanks to the generous support of the community and area businesses. Donations have been steady and customers abundant. Look for our newsletters and please come and visit our boutique...It’s really gone to the dogs...and cats. N

Above The Batesville Chamber Ambassadors and Humane Society Volunteers cut the ribbon for the opening of Bargain Hound Boutique. Below Bev May Finch, Jo Arnold Spinks, and Kristy Campbell posting an ADOPTED sign on Gravy’s picture in the Bargain Hound Boutique. Shown right Shoppers are finding lots of BARGAINS!

August 2012 | 41

Eye On Mag.com

Upcoming Classes at the Arkansas Craft School

It’s not too late to top off your late summer travels with a class at the Arkansas Craft School.

August 13 – 17, Vanessa Kamp will be teaching “Leather: Surface and Form”. In this class, students will be exploring basic leatherworking skills - such as basic leather dyeing, stamping, tooling, and traditional hand sewing. In addition, experimental leather embellishment techniques will be covered and used in making projects. Vanessa is an American studio artist living and working in Barcelona, Spain where she runs a small custom shop dedicated to motorcycle gear and seats. She currently collaborates with local and national motorcycle builders, showing her work at national and international motorcycle events. She received her MFA in Fiber from Cranbrook Academy of Art. Tuition for the 5-day class is $250.00.

September 8 & 9, students can explore the wonderful world of Ukrainian Egg Painting, also known as ‘Pysanky’. The process is simple - batik with beeswax and dyes on an eggshell - but the results are fascinating and can be stunningly beautiful. The artistic possibilities are endless and some techniques are adaptable to pottery and other substrates. The thrill of removing the wax and revealing the hidden designs underneath is hard to replicate and every egg will surprise and delight you. Supplies are inexpensive and most artists create their art on the dining room table, so it’s a perfect family activity. The class will be taught

by Bob Byers, Director of Operations at Garvin Woodland Gardens, the Botanical Gardens of the University of Arkansas System. Bob has been creating Pysanky since 2004. He studies both traditional and modern designs and techniques. Tuition for the two-day class is $100.00.

September 14 – 16, Pop Wagner will return to the Arkansas Craft School to teach ‘Mohair Saddle Cinches’. If horses could talk, they would tell you why mohair makes them so happy. Besides being strong and dirt

resistant, mohair wicks off moisture and, when properly fitted, will not chafe or pinch. The longer a horse wears a mohair cinch, the better it feels, because over time, the back felts to a soft, smooth finish. In this three day workshop, students will learn the basic techniques in the art of traditional cinch-making. All tools and materials needed to complete your cinches, including the

100% mohair that makes these cinches so special, will be supplied by your instructor. Besides being a master of the art of cinch weaving, Pop Wagner has quite the reputation as a singer, picker, fiddler, lasso twirler, poet and downright funny guy. He appeared frequently on Public Radio’s A Prairie Home Companion during the show’s formative years and for the last four decades he has worked his cowboy magic throughout 44 states and ten countries. This three day class is $250.00.

The Arkansas Craft School, located on Main Street in downtown Mountain View, Arkansas is dedicated to the education of aspiring and practicing craft artisans for success in the Creative Economy. The Craft School partners with the Arkansas Craft Guild and Ozarka College; and offers Continuing Education credits for all of its courses. Scholarship grants are available for most courses. Support for the Arkansas Craft School is provided, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment of the Arts. Visit the Arkansas Craft School’s website, www.arkansascraftschool.org for more information on these and other upcoming classes; as well as registration forms and information on scholarship applications.

ACS 2103 offered Fall Semester 2012

Are you an artist, artisan or craftsperson; or would you like to be? Perhaps you are already an artisan, but would like to know more about how to promote yourself and your work. Or, you would simply like accreditation for all the hard work you have done as an independent artist or craftsperson.

If so, Ozarka College in Mountain View offers an innovative new program on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 pm - 8:20 pm beginning this Fall that may be pursued either as an elective class, or as a certification program. Entitled ‘Craft and Entrepreneurship’, the program offers training in the business and marketing aspects of the arts and craft world. Students also study the history of craft from the industrial revolution to the present time and receive training in a chosen media

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- culminating in a portfolio exhibition for the public in the spring. Part ‘A’ of this two part class – ACS 2103 ‘Craft and Entrepreneurship’ begins in the fall 2012 semester, and is a prerequisite to ACS 2803 ‘Portfolio’ which will be offered for the spring 2013 semester. Teaching the two courses will be Ozarka social sciences instructor John Van Orman and Arkansas Craft School Executive Director, Terri Van Orman.

Students may enroll in the class, or receive more information by contacting Gin Brown at Ozarka College (870) 269-5600. N

August 2012 | 43

something that we can give back. Let’s not be afraid to give it back. I coach because I like changing young people lives. That is the only reason I coach.”

I spoke briefly to Strong’s cousin, Tommy Neely. He shared with me how many people thought he and Strong were brothers. They were always together. He talked about how they came from broken homes and were raised by single mothers. He also stated that the two are more than just cousins, “He is my best friend.” Neely echoed Strong’s sentiment when it came to Loucile Sherrill and the Miller Gym. “The Miller Gym kept us out of trouble. That was our way out; we could go there and play basketball or just run around the gym having a good time. Loucile Sherrill was like a second mother to us. Out of the kindness of her heart she would go down and open the gym. We never asked her, but she knew that somebody had to do something for the children otherwise we would be lead astray.”

Neely told me that even as young men they both knew what they wanted to do with their lives. He wanted to go into the military and Strong wanted to Coach. Neely now lives in Gulfport, MS. He is retired from the Navy after 32 years of services but still works for them through Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC).

Coach Strong took several questions, signed autographs, and posed for photos during the two hour meet and greet. He is genuinely adored by those who know him. He has a passion for helping others that goes beyond the young men on the field. He and his wife are a part of several wonderful charitable organizations in Louisville and the surrounding area.

“I look around me now and see all of you here to honor me, and I appreciate you so much. I am so blessed. Every day is a dream.” – Coach Strong N

Charlie Strong poses with his beautiful family above. Below Coach Strong is presented the Key To The City by Mayor Rick Elumbaugh.

coach Charlie Strong continued from page 39

Coach Strong took several questions, signed autographs, and posed for photos during the two hour meet and greet. He is genuinely adored by those who know him.

“I wouldn’t be standing here if someone hadn’t changed my life. I had the Miller Gym. You know Loucile Sherrill, bless her soul; she opened the gym every night for us.” , says Coach Strong pictured here with cousin Tommy Neely.

2080 Harrison Street, Batesville 870-793-2161

August 2012 | 45

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Fashion jewelry / Accessories / Purses2235 Harrison Street Batesville, AR

(870)283-1802Open: Mon - Fri 10am - 5:30pm

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Photo by Kimberlee Thomas

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August 2012 | 47

Spinal Decompression

White RiverChiropractic Life Center

Dr. Thomas D. Taylor & Dr. Dustin Taylor1361 White Drive, Batesville, AR 72501

Call 870-698-1650 to Schedule Your FREE Consultation

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Eye On Independence August 2012