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PUBLISHER Jeremy L. Higginbotham EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Stefanie W. Brazile ADVERTISING SALES PHOTOGRAPHER Makenzie Evans Donna Spears, Donald Brazile and Kelli Reep FINANCE DIRECTOR Debbie Flowers FOUNDERS Donna Spears, Sonja COPY EDITOR Keith and Tracy Ferrell Andrea Miller DIGITAL DIRECTOR BRAND AMBASSADOR Levi Gilbert Lisa Hutchison

CONTRIBUTORS Editor Stefanie Brazile poses outside the Main Library of the Central Arkansas Library System in downtown Little Rock.

Talk about Peak Performance!

he Friday night lights are shining throughout the 501, and we’ve chosen a 501 Football Team. The 16th annual 501 Football magazine is waiting for you at 501lifemag.com. Meet 29 players who impressed our staff with their on- and off-the-field grit and talent.

This magazine celebrates their achievements, and we’ve filled the September issue with people we consider “Pinnacles of Success.” It begins on the cover with a gentleman farmer from Lonoke County. Arkansas boasts more than 37,700 farms, and one belongs to Rick Bransford, who carries five generations of farming knowledge and passion in his head and heart. Respected across the state and nation, he always considers how decisions affect others. We head to White County to visit the fighting Bisons and Harding University Football General Manager Paul Simmons. His pinnacle came in 2023, when he led the Bisons to the NCAA Division II national championship and earned D2 American Football Coaches Association National Coach of the Year. Then, this year, he received the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Frosty Westering Coach of the Year Award. Learn what fuels his success story in a personality sketch by Donna Lampkin Stephens. The smells of bloomin’ onions, corn dogs and cotton candy come to mind as I think about upcoming county fairs and rodeos. In Saline County, a 2026 graduate of Benton High School has a full slate of rodeo performances scheduled this fall. Eden Vansandt told writer Phyllis Ormsby that she is an adrenaline junkie who performs the death drag and shoots arrows at targets while her horse gallops at full speed. She trains her horses, sews most of her costumes and loves entertaining a crowd. 501 LIFE is also celebrating success. On Aug. 28, the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission presented the owners of 501 LIFE magazine the “Our Beloved Community” award at a ceremony at the State Capitol. Jeremy Higginbotham, our spouses and I are grateful, and we share this honor with our team. As the weather cools and community events bring us back together, I hope your favorite football team achieves new heights, and I hope our in-depth features inspire you to reach for your own pinnacle of success.

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Becky Bell Brett Battle Lori Dunn David Grimes Vivian L. Hogue Colleen Holt Mike Kemp Mark Oliver

Phyllis Ormsby John Patton Susan Peterson KD Reep Judy Riley Donna L. Stephens Rita H. Thomas

FAULKNER CO. EDITORIAL BOARD Johnny Adams Jack Bell Jessica Brown RaeLynn Callaway Glenn Crockett Beth Franks Sylvia Gauve Russ Hancock Spencer Hawks Faye Hedera Roe Henderson Summer Hoggard Maria Hoskins Antonio Jamison Mike Kemp Julie LaRue

Karl Lenser Monica Lieblong Lori Melton Deanna Ott Pat Otto Jon Patrom Amy Reed Lori Ross J.R. Runyon Sally Schanandore Margaret Smith Jan Spann Pete Tanguay Kim Tyler Stefanie Vann Jennifer Whitehead

CONWAY CO. EDITORIAL BOARD Mary Clark Shelli Crowell Dr. Larry Davis Shawn Halbrook Alicia Hugen

Alisha Koonce Stephanie Lipsmeyer Stewart Nelson Kristi Strain Morgan Zimmerman

501 LIFE is published by Make the Jump Media, LLC. 920 Locust Ave. Ste. 104 • P.O. Box 334 Conway, AR 72033, 501.327.1501 Owners Jeremy Higginbotham and Stefanie Brazile. The contents of 501 LIFE are copyrighted and materials presented may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publishers. Articles should not be considered specific advice, as individual circumstances vary. Advertisements are not necessarily endorsed by 501 LIFE.

SEPTEMBER 2026

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SEPTEMBER

2026 Volume 19 Issue 5

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Letter from the Editor Upcoming Events Loving LIFE Photos

Honored to Tell the Good

Pancakes, Pride and Panthers

Friday Night Starts Right Here

From Beaver Nuggets to Bridal Gowns

Bright and Early!

Encore

A Pawprint for the Future

Couple of the Month Kristina & Casey Buck Entertaining Charles in Charge By KD Reep Rhea Lana — A Name That Wears Well By KD Reep Dazed and Delighted! 501 LIFE meets Matthew McConaughey By Becky Bell The Gridiron Expert Alex Galbraith studies football for a living By Mark Oliver Rooted in Purpose — Rick Bransford’s agricultural legacy By Judy Riley Service in Motion — The Conway Morning, Conway Noon and Morrilton Rotary Clubs By KD Reep A Higher Calling — Harding football GM Paul Simmons By Donna L. Stephens Youth of the Month Eden Vansandt By Phyllis Ormsby Pet of the Month Smokey the Yorkipoo By Colleen Holt Every Drop. Every Hour. Protecting Conway’s most essential resource By John Patton Leaves Up, Roots Down — A guide to fall gardening By Brett Battle You Can’t Stop the Beat! Mother and daughter share a UCA band tradition By Rita H. Thomas Repeat Performance — Conway Corp wins second consecutive Telly Award By Every Measure By Vivian L. Hogue Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Haeng Ung Lee By David Grimes Author of the Month Jerry Spurgers By Susan L. Peterson Holy Chute! 90-year-old minister Jon Dewbre goes skydiving By Rita H. Thomas Person of the Month Josh Jeffers

On the cover:

Rick Bransford has spent a lifetime working thousands of acres across Lonoke County. He built a successful farming operation with cotton always at its heart.

Photo by Makenzie Evans

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36 39 40 44 50 54 70

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501 LIFE receives Beloved Community Award Greenbrier High School’s annual teacher breakfast Announcing the 2026 501 LIFE Football Team Wedding plans made at Buc-ee’s grand opening Conway Morning Optimists celebrate 60 years Conway Symphony Orchestra announces new season

Beam-signing for Cabot Animal Support Services facility

THE PINNACLE OF SUCCESS Jacksonville Mayor Jeff Elmore, Searcy Mayor Mat Faulkner, Cabot Mayor Ken Kincade, Bryant Mayor Chris Treat, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. and Conway Mayor Bart Castleberry stand before Pinnacle Mountain—a fitting symbol for Central Arkansas communities reaching for the top.

501 LIFE tells those good news success stories every month.

501 LIFE would like to thank our advertising partners. Advantage Property Management, 67 Arkansas Farm Bureau, 47 _________________________________________________ Barksdale Federal Credit Union, 8 Bledsoe Chiropractic, 43 _________________________________________________ Centennial Bank, 75 Cliff & Susan’s Ranch Gala, 9 Conway Corp, 75 Conway Morning Optimist Club, 67 Conway Regional Health System, 17, 87 Conway Regional Rehab, 77 Conway Symphony Orchestra, 25 _________________________________________________ Entergy, 14 Executive Home Care, 23 _________________________________________________ First Security Bank, 17, 88 _________________________________________________ Hartman Animal Hospital, 65 Harwood, Ott & Fisher, 57 Heritage Living Center, 5 _________________________________________________ Karen Ferguson, 26, 69 Kilwins Little Rock, 85 _________________________________________________ MSC Eye Associates, 53 _________________________________________________ North Little Rock Event Center, 51 _________________________________________________ Ott Insurance, 83 _________________________________________________ Salem Place, 49 Shelter Insurance, 81 Sissy’s Log Cabin, 15 Spark Community, 63 Superior Health & Rehab, 2 _________________________________________________ The Employers Choice, 28 The Plant Outlet, 68 TriArk Radio, 21 _________________________________________________ UACCM, 62 UCA Alumni Association, 73 UCA Public Appearances, 35 Unity Health, 3 _________________________________________________ Velda Lueders, 79 Love that social LIFE?

Rise above the noise with a 501 LIFE Subscription — only $20 a year.

Visit 501LIFEmag.com to subscribe. Catch 501 LIFE sharing your stories with our local media partners each month!

David Grimes

is a native of Conway and a graduate of UCA. He and his wife, Laura, both work in accounting and love to stay active in their community. They are parents to three children. He also serves on the Conway City Council, is a board member of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and is a big Conway Wampus Cat fan.

Judy Riley

lives in White County. She holds degrees from the U of A and Texas A&M UniversityCommerce, retiring as a full professor for the U of A Cooperative Extension Service. She currently helps her husband, Tom, with a hay production and beef cattle farm and is a board member for several nonprofit community foundations.

Mark Oliver

is an award-winning sports broadcaster and sportswriter from Garland County. A UCA graduate, he has announced play-by-play for Fountain Lake High School football since 2010 and serves as the Sports Information Director and playby-play announcer for National Park College. Mark lives in Hot Springs with his wife, Hanna, and three boys.

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“BLUEBERRY’S CLUBHOUSE” CELEBRATION

ANN WILSON OF HEART

Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad leap from the screen to the stage in Bluey’s Clubhouse Celebration, featuring larger-than-life puppets, original music and a brand-new story from series creator Joe Brumm. It’s a playful, high-energy outing for families who already know every game, giggle and “for real life?” by heart.

One of rock’s most unmistakable voices is coming to Conway. Ann Wilson, cofounder and powerhouse lead singer of Heart, brings more than five decades of music to Reynolds Performance Hall with Tripsitter — including the fire and force behind classics like “Barracuda,” “Crazy on You” and “Magic Man.”

SEPT. 10 • LITTLE ROCK

SEPT. 15 • CONWAY

WINGSTOCK

CONCERT IN THE PARK

Come hungry. Wingstock brings some of Central Arkansas’ best wing makers, backyard grill legends and serious food fans together under one roof at Simmons Bank Arena. Sample bold flavors, discover a new favorite and cheer on competitors chasing the coveted Golden Wing Award.

Spread out a blanket, settle under the stars and let the Conway Symphony Orchestra provide the soundtrack at Laurel Park. Pack a picnic or dine from a local food truck. This free outdoor favorite brings light classical music, a relaxed atmosphere and one of the prettiest ways to spend a September evening in Conway.

SEPT. 12 • NORTH LITTLE ROCK

SALINE COUNTY MUSEUM DAY SEPT. 12 • SALINE COUNTY

Turn one Saturday into a countywide history hunt during Saline County Museum Day. Explore museums and historic sites from Benton and Bryant to Bauxite, Haskell, Mabelvale and Traskwood, where local stories, rare artifacts and hands-on history make the past feel anything but dusty.

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SEPT. 18 • CONWAY

LOGAN’S RUN

SEPT. 26 • LITTLE ROCK

Run it. Walk it. Roll it. Logan’s Run at War Memorial Park celebrates athletes of all abilities with a 2K designed around movement, encouragement and personal accomplishment. It’s an uplifting kickoff to the Little Rock Marathon’s All Abilities program — and a finish line worth cheering for.

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Have a special trip, EVENT OR get-together coming up? Pack a copy of 501 LIFE in your suitcase, snap a photo at your destination and send it to us! Photos can be submitted by email to info@501lifemag.com.

LEFT: Barbara and Wayne Thorne of Greenbrier were “Loving LIFE” at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington Ridge Park in Virginia during our country’s 250th Fourth of July celebration. TOP CENTER: Claranne and Mark Ferris of Conway were “Loving LIFE” when they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in August on a Viking River Cruise from Paris to Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. TOP RIGHT: Janice Edmond (from left), Mae Saulsberry and Margorete Whitfield were “Loving LIFE” after church in Conway. BOTTOM: Brenda Wells Paladino of Houston, Arkansas, was “Loving LIFE” when she celebrated her 70th birthday and the fifth anniversary of her kidney transplant during her first trip to Florida.

This September, Central Arkansas is

Community Distribution Team Member Walker Willis of Benton was “Loving LIFE” at Buc-ee’s, which opened Aug. 17.

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Friendships were renewed at the Menifee Heritage Fest 2026 on Aug. 28-29 in the multipurpose room at Menifee City Hall. A formal banquet was held on Friday, Aug. 28, and attendees heard keynote speaker Ronnie Williams and danced to live music by Rodney Block. Community members came back together on Saturday for a car show, food trucks, vendors, games, health screenings and more. Menifee has a long history as a community, with roots at Jamison Station, but has only been incorporated as a town since 1965. At one time, Menifee had a train station and the state’s first post office with a Black postmaster. LEFT: Menifee Mayor Terry Coleman and Carolyn Donald Meeks. RIGHT: Sherry Evans (from left), Shirley Cain, Donna Murphy, Charmie Branch and Marcia Calvin. BOTTOM: Ava Rose (from left) and Rebekah Baker.

Adley “Addy” Bass (in front) was “Loving LIFE” when she and her parents were interviewed on the Centennial Bank Breakfast Club Show live from Julie’s Sweet Shoppe. Back row, from left: Martha Beal, J.R. Runyon, Tyler Bass, Jordan Bass, Springhill Elementary School Principal Holly King, Julie Goodnight and Ellen Griffin.

Conway Morning Rotary Club members were “Loving LIFE” when they served graduates and families at a cookout celebration for the Faulkner County Dolly Parton Imagination Library graduation on Aug. 1 on the UCA campus.

Students who attended Stand In The Gap Youth Basketball Camp on July 29-30 at Pleasant Branch Church in Conway were “Loving LIFE” with camp coordinators Chris Hervey, Terrence Fuller, Reuel Shepherd and Antonio Givan. Additional volunteers made the free camp possible for youth ages 7 to 16. Stand in the Gap has been offered for 23 years. SEPTEMBER 2026

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Dr. DuShun Scarbrough, executive director of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, and 501 LIFE Co-owner and Editor-in-Chief Stefanie Brazile hold the magazine’s 2026 MLK Our Beloved Community Awards following the presentation at the Arkansas State Capitol.

Honored to Tell the Good 501 LIFE receives the 2026 Our Beloved Community Award Photos by Makenzie Evans

01 LIFE Magazine was honored Aug. 28 at the Arkansas State Capitol with the 2026 MLK Our Beloved Community Award, presented in conjunction with the Nonviolence Youth Summit and National MLK Commissions Conference. The award recognizes individuals and organizations whose work reflects the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by fostering understanding, uplifting communities and strengthening the connections that bring people together. 501 LIFE was selected for its commitment to telling positive and inspiring stories about everyday Arkansans and for highlighting the people, achievements, organizations and communities that contribute to the quality of life across Central Arkansas. For Stefanie Brazile, co-owner and editor-in-chief of 501 LIFE, the recognition carried special meaning. “I will always remember where I was when I learned that our magazine had received this award. I was absolutely thrilled,” Brazile said. “Having worked with the MLK Commission staff for the past six years, I have developed tremendous respect for their dedication and leadership. That makes this recognition even more meaningful to me and to the entire 501 LIFE team. “We are intentional about telling stories that celebrate both wellknown individuals and unsung heroes, and we are deeply grateful to have that work recognized by an organization we respect so highly.”

501 LIFE Magazine was founded with a mission to share “The Good News of Central Arkansas.” Today, the publication serves an 11-county area and continues to focus on stories that celebrate community, service, achievement, perseverance and the people whose contributions might otherwise go unnoticed. That mission closely aligns with the work of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, which promotes and preserves Dr. King’s legacy through education, community outreach and programs centered on love, tolerance, nonviolence, service and human equality. The Commission carries that work into communities across Arkansas through youth summits, educational programs, service initiatives and efforts designed to encourage cooperation and strengthen communities. For Publisher Jeremy Higginbotham, the recognition was especially meaningful because the values cited in the award reflect choices 501 LIFE makes intentionally each month. “Receiving an award connected to Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community is both humbling and deeply meaningful to us,” Higginbotham said. “We believe we have a responsibility to notice people who may not always receive recognition, to tell the stories of work that too often goes unacknowledged and to honor the communities that trust us to tell their stories. Positivity is not something we use simply to make a magazine feel good. It is an intentional decision to show that service, kindness, perseverance and accomplishment are happening all around us, and that those stories deserve to be told.” Continued on page 14

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Higginbotham said the honor also reflects the work of the writers, photographers, advertisers, community partners and readers who have helped 501 LIFE carry out that mission. “We are sincerely grateful to the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission and especially to Dr. DuShun Scarbrough, Tiffany Pettus and Walter Washington for this recognition and for the work they continue to do across our state,” Higginbotham said. “Dr. King challenged people to imagine communities built on dignity, understanding, service and concern for one another. We are honored that the work of 501 LIFE has been seen as contributing in some small way to that legacy. This award belongs to everyone who has trusted us with a story and everyone who has helped us share the good that exists in the communities we serve.” The award presentation was part of a broader week of events surrounding the National MLK Commissions Conference, which brought participants together across Central Arkansas for programs focused on nonviolence, leadership, civic engagement and Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community. Events included a meet and greet in Little Rock, conference sessions in Maumelle, a March on Washington commemorative vigil and Nonviolence Youth Summit at the Arkansas State Capitol, and a final day of leadership programming at Shorter College in North Little Rock. Among the weekend’s highlights were appearances by Andrew Collins and Jameel Wesley, Harrison Mayor Jerry Jackson, Isaac Newton Farris — a nephew of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — and entrepreneur Rajesh Chokhani, who spoke on the Gandhi legacy. The Commission also marked Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Day with a “Legacy & Light” fireworks tribute along the North Shore Riverwalk. The weekend concluded with “From Fear to Friendship: The Dream Still Unites,” recognizing 15 years of partnership between the City of Harrison and the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission. The program reflected on how difficult conversations grew into a sustained effort centered on trust, dialogue and community engagement — a fitting reminder that the Beloved Community is not simply an idea to remember, but something communities must continue choosing to build. Rep. Tracy Steele asks students to dial a rotary phone that once hung on a wall. The students were perplexed! Steele was demonstrating that it was not easy for the 250,000 people who marched in Washington, D.C., 63 years ago to share information.

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Pancakes, Pride and Panthers

Community support fills Greenbrier High School for annual teacher breakfast

reenbrier Public Schools employees started the new school year with a reminder that an entire community is cheering them on.

The Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Back to School Teacher Breakfast and Expo Aug. 11 at Greenbrier High School, bringing school employees together with local businesses, organizations and community leaders for a morning of appreciation, connection and fun. Nearly 60 vendors participated this year, making it the largest breakfast yet. “The Back to School Teacher Breakfast is one of our Chamber’s most meaningful traditions because it brings our business community together to celebrate the educators who give so much to our students and our community,” said Greenbrier Chamber President Ashton Pruitt. “We are incredibly grateful for the longtime support of our vendors, sponsors and partners who help make this event special year after year. It’s a wonderful way to begin the school year by reminding our teachers just how valued and appreciated they are.” The event celebrated employees throughout the district, from classroom teachers to the many others whose work helps keep Greenbrier schools running each day. Businesses and organizations filled the space with booths, giveaways and opportunities for school employees to connect with community members who support them throughout the year. A raffle added to the excitement before employees moved on to a district pep rally to continue kicking off the new school year. For longtime participant First Security Bank, the event has become part of the rhythm of back-to-school season.

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“Year after year, participating in the Back to School Teacher Breakfast continues to be one of the events we look forward to most,” said Treva Branscum of First Security Bank. “It’s a tradition and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our educators, connect with the community and show our appreciation for the people who make such a lasting impact on our students.” 501 LIFE Publisher Jeremy Higginbotham, who attended the breakfast, said the gathering demonstrated something Greenbrier does particularly well. “It was wonderful to look around and see businesses, organizations, Chamber members and community leaders all coming together for one reason—to celebrate the people who take care of and educate our kids,” he said. “And what I loved most was that the appreciation extended throughout the district. It really felt like the community was saying, ‘We see what you do, and we’re behind you.’” The breakfast has become an annual Greenbrier Chamber tradition connecting the business community with one of the city’s largest groups of employees. Beyond the food, prizes and giveaways, the morning gives local businesses a chance to personally thank school staff while giving employees an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues before students return. As another school year begins, the smiles captured throughout the morning told much of the story. In Greenbrier, preparing students for success is not viewed as the responsibility of one classroom, one campus or even one school district. It is something the entire community can get behind—and with a record turnout this year, the Panthers clearly have plenty of people in their corner.

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A chance meeting at a Texas Buc-ee’s in 2021 comes full circle at the grand opening of Arkansas’ first location.

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hen 501 LIFE Brand Ambassador Lisa Hutchison headed to Benton for the grand opening of Arkansas’s first Buc-ee’s, she expected a day filled with crowds, cameras, brisket, Beaver Nuggets and plenty of excitement. She got all of that — and a love story. The new 74,000-square-foot Buc-ee’s opened Aug. 17 at 1400 Highway 229 in Benton, drawing huge crowds for the company’s first Arkansas location. Fans began lining up hours before the doors opened, and the ribbon-cutting brought together community leaders, elected officials, Buc-ee’s founder, president and CEO Arch “Beaver” Aplin III, members of the media and plenty of devoted Buc-ee’s fans. Among those fans were Marci Clayton of Texarkana, Texas, and Brody Baumann of Sulphur Springs, Texas, whose connection to Buc-ee’s goes back much further than opening day. The couple first met in 2021 at a Buc-ee’s in Royse City, Texas, when they were juniors in high school. Baumann approached Clayton while she was shopping and asked for her Snapchat. Clayton later admitted that her first impression was less than romantic. She thought he was “a weirdo.” Fortunately for Baumann, first impressions did not last. The two met again, began dating that March and attended each other’s proms. Both later attended the University of Arkansas. Today, Clayton is in Little Rock completing graduate studies in speech-language pathology, while Baumann is enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Texas A&M UniversityTexarkana. Continued on page 20

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LEFT: Marci Clayton and Brody Baumann celebrate with Buc-ee after inviting the famous beaver to be an honorary guest at their June 2027 wedding. The couple’s love story began five years ago at a Buc-ee’s in Texas. TOP RIGHT: Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Buc-ee’s founder, president and CEO Arch “Beaver” Aplin III, and other state and local leaders cut the ribbon Aug. 17 for the company’s first Arkansas location in Benton. BOTTOM RIGHT: ‘Miss Arkansas’ Teen 2026 Presley Bennett is “Loving LIFE” at the grand opening of Arkansas’ first Buc-ee’s in Benton.

Their story eventually moved far beyond the aisles of Buc-ee’s. Baumann proposed, and the couple began planning a June 5, 2027, wedding in New Boston, Texas. But they never forgot where it all started. So when they learned Arkansas’s first Buc-ee’s was opening in Benton, they arrived with a handmade sign and a question for one very important beaver. “Our love story started at Buc-ee’s,” the sign read before asking Buc-ee to become an honorary wedding guest. The answer came in the form of an enthusiastic two-thumbs-up. That simple moment quickly became one of the most talked-about stories of the opening. Clayton and Baumann were interviewed by KARK and other media outlets, posed for photographs with Buc-ee’s representatives and officials, and suddenly found their very personal story becoming part of Arkansas’s biggest grandopening celebration of the summer. Clayton plans for Buc-ee to play an important role when the wedding day finally arrives. “We hope Buc-ee will get people out on the dance floor and keep the party going all night long!” she said. The couple is already planning other nods to the place where their story began, including a Buc-ee-themed groom’s cake.

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For Hutchison, the unexpected story became one of the most memorable parts of an already exciting assignment. “I went to Benton expecting to cover this huge opening that everyone in Central Arkansas had been talking about, and there was excitement everywhere you looked,” Hutchison said. “Then I met Marci and Brody and heard how their story began at Buc-ee’s. Watching them bring that story full circle at the first Arkansas location made the whole day even more fun. It was one of those moments you could not have planned.” 501 LIFE was there throughout the celebration, capturing the opening, the crowds and many of the people who helped mark the occasion—including Aplin, Governor Sanders and ‘Miss Arkansas’ Teen Presley Bennett.. But sometimes the best story at a major event is not the one everyone expects. For Marci and Brody, a chance encounter five years ago at a Texas Buc-ee’s led to prom dates, college, an engagement and now a wedding with one unusually famous guest on the invitation list. And on Aug. 17, their story found its way back to Buc-ee’s — this time right here in the 501.

ABOVE: Marci Clayton and Brody Baumann share their story with KARK 4’s Caroline Derby. RIGHT: Buc-ee’s founder, president and CEO Arch “Beaver” Aplin III is “Loving LIFE” at the company’s grand opening in Benton.

“As a mom, there’s nothing better than watching your child’s dreams come true. Marci and Brody felt like celebrities as strangers recognized them, and the media interviews left our cheeks hurting from smiling. The highlight was meeting Buc-ee’s founder and CEO Arch ‘Beaver’ Aplin III, who gave them the answer they had been hoping for—a firm handshake and a yes! Millions of views have shown how much Buc-ee’s fans love their story, and there is more to come!” — Jenee’ Jones Clayton, Marci Clayton’s mother

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BRIGHT AND EARLY!

Conway Morning Optimists celebrate more than six decades of service

PHOTO 1: Alice and George T. Webster (from left) and Sue and Ronnie Barton. PHOTO 2: Faulkner County Judge Allen Dodson, Brenda Lawson, C.H. Turner, Jackie Turner and Mandy Long were “Loving LIFE” when Turner received an award for 50 years as an Optimist Club member. PHOTO 3: TennArk District Governor-Elect Michelle Malone (from left), Optimist Club President Rene Henderson, YARN Executive Director Maria Hoskins and TennArk District Governor Tom Rasmussen. PHOTO 4: Faulkner County Scout Troop 71 presented the colors during the ceremony: District Executive Emily Davis (from left), Troop Guide Eli Brooks, Noah Davis, Den Chief Dakota Woole, Asst. Senior Patrol Leader Caleb Brooks and Committee Chair Emily Brooks. PHOTO 5: Millia Harris (from left), Aria Maltbia and Amaya Brown. PHOTO 6: Members of the Central Arkansas Devilettes dance program performed. PHOTO 7: Lori Hudman (from left), Jackie Goodwin, Joe Miller, Michelle Malone, Tom Rasmussen, Ron and Karen Hill.

ong before much of Conway reaches for its first cup of coffee, members of the Conway Morning Optimist Club are already gathering around the breakfast table and looking for ways to help young people thrive. That commitment took center stage Aug. 22 as members, families, supporters and community leaders gathered at Bob Courtway Middle School for the club’s Celebration Brunch. The event marked more than six decades of youth-centered service while recognizing members and community partners who have helped sustain the organization and its work. For those unfamiliar with Optimist International, its mission is centered on providing hope and a positive vision while bringing out the best in youth, communities and members themselves. Each local club operates independently, allowing volunteers to respond directly to the needs of children and families in their own communities. In Conway, that mission has taken many forms.

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Through the years, Morning Optimists have supported PBS telethons, bicycle-safety rodeos, youth soccer and basketball tournaments, Camp Quality, Christmas tree sales and low-cost ice cream sales at the Faulkner County Fair. Its family-friendly fishing derbies have become one of the organization’s signature activities, bringing young people, parents and volunteers together for a day outdoors. More recently, the club has increased its support of local schools, youth-development opportunities, safety programs and other community initiatives. Members also support the Optimist International Foundation and its charitable youth and service programs. The brunch offered an opportunity to celebrate that history while honoring the people and partnerships that have kept the work moving forward. Awards recognized members and supporters whose time, resources and encouragement have helped the club generation after generation.

Club President Rene Henderson has credited the continued support of volunteers, benefactors, community leaders, former officers, scholarship recipients and partnering organizations with helping the club preserve longstanding programs while developing new ways to serve. As publisher of 501 LIFE and club member, Jeremy Higginbotham regularly sees the difference local organizations make throughout the community. “The commitment of Conway Morning Optimist members to their mission is unmistakable,” Higginbotham said. “They encourage young people, strengthen the community and turn optimism into action. Conway is better because they keep showing up.” The “Morning” in the club’s name is quite literal. Members meet at 6 a.m. each Tuesday at the Hilton Garden Inn in Conway for breakfast, fellowship, guest speakers and club business. Anyone interested in joining may call 501.585.1109 or email info@cmoc1.org. The club’s next fundraiser, a Spaghetti Dinner & Auction, will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at First Presbyterian Church, 2400 Prince St. in Conway. Reserve tickets by texting 501.472.8292. Tickets may be purchased online at cmoc1.org. Whether members are gathered beside a fishing pond, supporting a school, recognizing a young person or meeting around a breakfast table before sunrise, their work returns to the same principle: Optimism makes its greatest difference when it becomes action. LEFT: Martin Crawford Jr. and Sydney Hopson each received a $500 Scholarship from the Optimist Club. Martin is an academic scholar and football player at Conway High School. Sydney is a senior honor student at Conway Christian School who has been affiliated with CMOC since age 12. Both students participate in the Optimist Club’s annual fishing derby.

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Conway Symphony raises the curtain on a season that will leave audiences cheering for more TOP LEFT: Jeremy and Emily Walter were “Loving LIFE” at the event. TOP RIGHT: Akiko Fujimoto and her husband Israel “Izzy” Getzov were “Loving LIFE” at the event. Fujimoto is the music director of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas and the Mid-Texas Symphony. Getzov is Director of Orchestras at UCA, conductor of Little Rock Winds, and Artistic Advisor at Orquesta Filarmónica de Santa Cruz de la Sierra. BOTTOM LEFT: Carroll Williams, from left, and Suzanne Loerch were “Loving LIFE” and enjoying the hors d’oeuvres. BOTTOM RIGHT: Libby Roller (from left), Pete Tanguay and Tina McCord were “Loving LIFE” and enjoying the quartet.

he first notes of the Conway Symphony Orchestra’s new season arrived before anyone took a concert-hall seat. A quartet provided the soundtrack Aug. 13 as CSO board members, supporters and guests gathered for “Encore,” the orchestra’s 2026–27 season reveal at the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the University of Central Arkansas campus. The evening began on a relaxed note with wine, cheeses and a generous hors d’oeuvres buffet. Guests then moved into the Windgate Center Concert Hall, where an interactive presentation—punctuated by live performances from the quartet—offered a preview of the music and experiences ahead. Supporters also had an opportunity to renew their season tickets. The Conway Symphony Orchestra brings together approximately 75 musicians, including UCA students preparing for professional careers and accomplished musicians from throughout the region. Together, they provide Central Arkansas with professional performances as well as

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educational programs designed to introduce new generations to orchestral music. The coming months promise plenty of variety. The orchestra will present its free Concert in the Park on Sept. 18, followed by its first mainstage concert, “The Art of Seduction,” on Nov. 8. The season will continue with holiday favorites, unfinished masterpieces, musical portraits and a concert created especially for children and families. Also this fall, the CSO Guild will add a little mystery to the season with “Masquerade: The Phantom of the Opera” on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Reynolds Performance Hall. The fundraising event is black tie optional, although masks and costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $100. “Encore” accomplished what every good overture should: It offered an enticing taste of what is ahead—and left the audience ready to hear more. For tickets, event details and the complete season schedule, visit conwaysymphony.org.

Making a Pawprint for the Future

Cabot beam signing marks a lasting commitment to animal care and veterinary education

he names and messages written across a steel beam will eventually disappear behind the walls of a new building. What they represent, however, will remain part of its framework for generations. Cabot Animal Support Services staff members, community leaders and supporters gathered Aug. 11 for a beam-signing ceremony at the organization’s future home near Exit 21 in Cabot. Once signed, the beam was prepared to become a permanent part of a facility designed to transform animal care in the community.

The more than 42,000-square-foot Cabot Animal Support Services facility will bring adoption services, community resources and a veterinary teaching hospital together in one location. It will stand alongside the Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine, creating a collaborative campus where education and compassionate care intersect. The partnership will allow Lyon veterinary students to gain hands-on experience in clinical care, shelter medicine and animal

welfare. At the same time, Cabot Animal Support Services will be better equipped to shelter strays, connect animals with forever homes and help provide veterinary services for pets throughout Cabot and neighboring communities. Lyon College President Dr. Melissa Taverner and School of Veterinary Medicine Dean Dr. Carolyn Henry joined city, county and community representatives in marking the construction milestone. “Every day, there is an animal in need. From a frightened and alone animal finding its new family, to a pet coming in for lifesaving treatment and going home to more years of loving its owner because of this facility. A young student may walk through those doors for the first time searching for their purpose and leave prepared to serve communities all across Arkansas,” said Chandler Crossen, marketing and fundraising coordinator for Cabot Animal Support Services. “For now, it begins with a single beam—a permanent mark that Cabot is building something designed to serve and teach for generations to come.”

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COUPLE OF THE MONTH

KRISTINA “KRISTY” AND CASEY BUCK C O N WAY

Photo by Makenzie Evans

HER STORY: Most of the time you’ll find me working hard in the background to get things done, avoiding the center of attention if I can. NATIVE OF: Harrison (Boone County). CHILDREN: We have two lovely daughters: Abigail, 15, and Adia, who is nearly 10. EDUCATION: I hold a Bachelor of Arts in music from Arkansas Tech University and a Master of Music in vocal performance

from Loyola University in New Orleans. WORK: I am starting my 20th year teaching music in higher education. I have taught an array of classes, including private voice lessons, vocal diction and piano, and I’ve taught across Central Arkansas at Arkansas Tech (Russellville), Harding University (Searcy), the University of the Ozarks (Clarksville), and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Being a part-time adjunct faculty member gave me more time to be a mom, especially when our girls were younger. AWARDS: I received the Adjunct Faculty Award from Arkansas Tech University and several organizational awards from Sigma Alpha Iota (music fraternity). HOBBIES: I don’t get much time for hobbies, but I have completed 2,400 days in a row of Duolingo in French! WHEN DID YOUR LOVE OF MUSIC BEGIN? I grew up in a church with hymnals. I have always had a song in my heart or a tap in my feet. I first started piano at age 10, and music has been a huge part of my life since. In junior high and high school, I was a percussionist and drum major and was in regular and select choirs. When I got to college, I fell in love with the world of solo vocal singing, and that’s where I landed.

HIS STORY: Deep down, I’m an introvert and a perfectionist who’s still learning to step outside those natural comfort zones. I hope that others find me friendly, caring and servant hearted. It’s my prayer that others would see Jesus Christ in me. I fall far short of that, but I keep pressing toward that goal through His grace. NATIVE OF: I was born and raised on Long Island, New York, and moved to the Atlanta area when I was 12. I left Atlanta for college and graduate school in New Orleans. EDUCATION: I have a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music in performance from Loyola University in New Orleans. WORK: Since 2006, I have had the privilege of teaching orchestra in the Conway Public Schools and have also been a proud member of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s cello section. I’ve also been actively involved with the College Board, grading AP Music Theory exams for two weeks each summer, which my wife and I affectionately refer to as the time I go off to “nerd camp.” I’m the state orchestra chair for the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, working closely with other music educators to put on our all-region and all-state events each year. I’ve also served as an adjudicator and clinician for various orchestra events in and out of state. AWARDS: Arkansas State Orchestra Director of the Year, 2024; guest conductor, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra “Pops on the River,” July 4, 2023; Arts Educator of the Year, Conway Alliance for the Arts, 2022; quarterfinalist, GRAMMY Foundation Music Educator Award, 2020; National Board Certification in Music, 2013; but, the most important honor is being called “dad” to our two amazing daughters!! WHEN DID YOUR LOVE OF MUSIC BEGIN? I had an incredible orchestra teacher in high school who I am still in touch with. She truly was an inspiration, and her joy was infectious! I had always liked music, but she showed me, through her example and the opportunities I had along the way, that I wanted to do this for myself. And now, what an incredible thing to be part of—not just teaching music but helping students find themselves. I think a lot about legacy and how all of us are here because of who and what came before us, and all of us leave an imprint on those who follow.

heir love story began in the music library at Loyola University, where Casey was a student worker and Kristy was a part-time staff member. They joke that their relationship began with Kristy as the boss—and not much has changed since then, although Casey is actually the bossy one! The two worked a long shift together every Sunday afternoon, giving them plenty of time to talk about church and their spiritual journeys. Kristy grew up in the church, while Casey was raised Jewish and came to Christ at 17. They were intrigued by the differences in their backgrounds, but they also saw God’s hand in bringing together two people whose paths had begun so differently. Neither has ever been particularly fancy, and they have always enjoyed the simple pleasure of being together. A quiet evening at home is much more appealing to them than a loud and expensive night on the town. In fact, their first date was a trip to the grocery store. After they sang together at Casey’s graduate recital, his father gave them his blessing, and Casey began shopping for an engagement ring. He proposed during a picnic beside Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans. The couple initially planned an October 2005 wedding in New Orleans, but Hurricane Katrina derailed those plans. By then, they had relocated to Arkansas, where Kristy’s family lived, so they moved the celebration there. Casey and Kristy were married Oct. 22, 2005.

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theemployerschoice.net

Samantha Sloan (from left), Kelly Davis and Jeanette Hurley and Veva Hartsfield.

Three decades of relationships have made The Employers Choice a trusted connection between Central Arkansas businesses and workers. By Mark Oliver • Photos by Makenzie Evans

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For 33 years, one small-but-mighty Maumelle office has helped power a successful workforce in Central Arkansas— one person, one family and one hope at a time.

elly Davis, VP of Operations and a partner at the Employers Choice, says, “Our line of work is not necessarily for the faint of heart. From transitioning professionals to firsttime employees, we see every walk of life come through our doors. Watching them overcome their unemployment and its adversity to become steady, gainful employees is so rewarding.” Known for temporary, temporary-to-hire, regular and permanent placements, The Employers Choice specializes primarily in manufacturing and distribution with positions ranging from entrylevel to technical. Their openings often include production, clerical, engineering, automation technology, management and more. They also partner with other types of Central Arkansas businesses. The staffing operation is the brainchild of CEO Veva Hartsfield, who started the business in 1993 as a Westaff franchise. Several years later, the franchisor left the field, opening the door to new opportunities. The Employers Choice was created and is now one of the 501’s most trusted and successful employment partners. “Our staffing service goes deeper than your ordinary staffing service,” Kelly said. “Our business is personal; we go the extra mile making the best fit possible. Each day feels like I’m fulfilling my life’s calling.” The founder believes in practicing the Golden Rule. “We care and we are grateful to our client companies and employees,” Veva said. “We strive to treat them the way we want to be treated. For this reason, most of our growth comes from client and employee referrals.” “We embrace the opportunity to visit our clients at their locations,” CFO Jeanette Hurley said. “When we walk in their doors, we’re greeted with hugs and hellos from employees that we hired as many as 20 years ago. They show us photos of their kids and grandkids, and some even bring them to meet us.” Veva has worked in staffing since 1982, starting several services early in her career. Jeanette was her first-ever temporary service employee, and she did such a great job that Veva hired her internally, and in 1993, they started their own venture. Veva was the idea person, and Jeanette took it and ran with it. Kelly joined the company in 2000 and now leads it with 26 years of experience. The newest addition is Kelly’s daughter, Samantha Sloan, who serves as Client Service and Recruiting Specialist. She brings energy, enthusiasm, compassion and a keen understanding of people to the workplace. Like Jeanette, she worked as a temporary employee, was promoted within that company and became a client. This experience helps Samantha understand the business from both the client and employee perspectives. “Customer service is a huge part of what we do,” she said.

“We have a chance to change so many lives,” Jeanette said. “Each day, our work serves as a wonderful resource to our clients, helping them get people in place who can succeed.” The staffing industry has changed dramatically since the early 1990s, when everything from hiring notes to payroll was done on paper. While nearly everything is digital today, one thing hasn’t changed: human connections result in the most successful hires. “While other staffing services conduct online and phone applications, we prefer to meet people face-to-face so we can better understand their needs, put them with the right client and help facilitate more long-term opportunities,” Veva said. Nearly 90 percent of their placements today are temp-to-hire roles. Employers want to get to know workers before bringing them into regular positions, and job seekers appreciate the chance to learn the company and prove themselves. “It gives companies an opportunity to see someone’s attitude, their habits and how they show up,” Samantha said. “And it gives employees a chance to grow into a role that becomes long-term, regular employment. Everyone wins.” The work isn’t always easy. Sometimes it means having difficult conversations, sending someone home, ending an assignment or helping an employee navigate a setback. “Just because an assignment ends doesn’t mean we will not work with them again,” Kelly said. Central Arkansas’ workforce needs have shifted in recent years, and the staffing business has adapted to help those businesses remain successful. Many of its clients now seek entry-level employees they can train from the ground up, hoping to build long-term stability within their teams. When applicants arrive unsure how to present themselves in a professional setting, the team steps in. From helping candidates tweak résumés to offering guidance on posture and wardrobe, they walk each employee through workplace expectations before they ever step through a client’s door. “We want people to walk into work confidently,” Kelly said. “If they’re nervous or unsure, we help them get ready. We want them to feel like they belong the moment they walk through that door.” For more than three decades, The Employers Choice team has never experienced a typical day in the workplace—and wouldn’t have it any other way. Touching thousands of lives across the 501, they help people ease into their next phase of life. Making this kind of difference for people is a driving force for The Employers Choice team. It’s the kind of story that explains why the team comes to work each day and strives for success. “Each day can change somebody’s life, and often mine as well,” Jeanette said. For more information on the staffing agency, call 501.851.4111. SEPTEMBER 2026

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Whether opening a restaurant, planning an event or welcoming friends to dinner, Charles Frost Jr. combines purpose and his passion for people into a recipe for success. By KD Reep • Photos by Makenzie Evans

utter melts in a hot skillet as onions and red and green bell peppers begin to soften. Soon, corn, bacon and blackening seasoning join the mix. Nearby, heavy cream, Parmesan, garlic and lemon become a velvety sauce awaiting perfectly seared scallops.

For Charles Frost Jr., those aromas signal more than what’s for dinner. They are the beginning of an experience. He has worked in restaurants, led teams, planned events, developed short-term rentals and launched businesses. Yet ask him what business he is really in, and his answer is simpler: people. “I realized that I thought I was a restaurant person, but I’m really an experience person,” Frost said. “My passion is providing more new, unique, fun or engaging experiences to my community or my peers.” That realization has guided a career encompassing D&C Event Services, other hospitality ventures and his newest restaurant, Roost & Tap in Hendrix Village in Conway. Frost was born in Germany while his father served in the Air Force and eventually landed in Sherwood. He attended the University of Central Arkansas and remained in Conway. Along the way, jobs in retail, fast food and restaurants taught him lessons he would later put to use as an entrepreneur. Food was already familiar territory. His parents cooked every Sunday, his grandmother prepared family dinners, and Frost remembers cooking from an early age. His first hospitality ambition, however, was to become “the world’s greatest bartender.” Continued on page 33

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New York Strip with Roasted Garlic Pepper Butter

Seared Scallops with Corn Maque Choux & Lemon Cream Sauce

See recipes on page 34

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‘There’s something impressive if someone walks into your home and sees you cooking.’ — Charles Frost Jr.

Eventually, he recognized that his calling was broader. When people gathered at his home, he cooked for them. What he enjoyed wasn’t simply feeding his guests; it was creating a memorable occasion around the meal. Today, Frost describes the foundation of his success through three pillars: purpose, passion and people. In practice, that means listening to the market, surrounding himself with people who understand the vision, caring for them and giving customers something worth experiencing. “Where I am in life is because I’ve invested in people,” he said. That investment extends beyond his customers. Frost said his companies have donated food to local shelters, supported charitable efforts and hosted free community events. He also views employing college students as an opportunity to help young adults develop, graduate and perhaps remain in Conway to contribute to the community. “We’re managers and leaders,” Frost said. “Managers control and leaders grow.” His philosophy translates easily from a restaurant dining room to entertaining at home, where his advice is surprisingly simple: Don’t make it complicated.

Frost’s scallops with corn maque choux and lemon cream sauce offer layers of flavor, from smoky bacon and blackening seasoning to rich Parmesan cream brightened with lemon. His New York strip receives its own finishing touch with roasted garlic-pepper butter, combining sautéed onions and peppers with garlic, seasoning and softened butter. Either dish can elevate dinner at home into an occasion without requiring the host to produce an elaborate four-course meal. Begin with something already prepared well, Frost advises, and take it to the next level. Add an appetizer. Plate the meal with intention. Tell guests about dessert early so they remember to save room. Most importantly, don’t spend the evening hiding in the kitchen. Frost sometimes intentionally saves a little cooking until after his guests arrive. They see the apron, hear the skillet sizzle and smell what is coming before they ever take a bite. “There’s something impressive if someone walks into your home and sees you cooking,” he said. The anticipation is part of the experience. And whether Frost is serving dinner, planning an event, operating a restaurant or developing young employees, he measures success by the people he serves, supports and helps grow. SEPTEMBER 2026

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Seared Scallops

with Corn Maque Choux & Lemon Cream Sauce Corn Maque Choux 1 ½ cups corn 1 tsp. blackening seasoning 1/4 cup each of finely diced yellow onion, red pepper, green pepper 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1/3 cup precooked & diced bacon

Melt 1 Tbsp. of butter in a skillet. Add onion, red pepper and green pepper. Sauté until onion is translucent. Add corn, bacon, blackening seasoning and an additional tablespoon of butter. Sauté corn, stirring constantly, until cooked thoroughly, about 4-6 minutes. Place to the side.

Lemon Cream Sauce Juice of 1/2 lemon ¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese 1 cup heavy whipping cream ¼ tsp. table salt ¼ tsp. black pepper ¼ tsp. garlic powder 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter In a small saucepan, add heavy whipping cream, 1 Tbsp. butter, shredded Parmesan, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Add more seasoning to taste. Heat, stirring continuously, until ingredients combine and sauce thickens. Place to the side and stir in lemon.

Seared Scallops 16 oz. sea scallops 2 Tbsp. blackening seasoning 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter To create 2-4 appetizer servings: Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a skillet, preferably cast iron, and heat. Pat the scallops dry and season generously with blackening seasoning. Sear/blacken scallops on one side for presentation and flip to finish cooking (3-4 minutes total). Spoon the sauce onto each plate, arrange the scallops over it and hug with corn.

New York Strip with Roasted Garlic Pepper Butter New York Strip 12-16 oz. steak 2 tsp. blackening seasoning 2 tsp. kosher or table salt 2 tsp. black pepper 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 2 Tbsp. olive oil

Roasted Garlic Pepper Butter ½ cup unsalted butter 1 tsp. blackening seasoning 1/4 cup each of finely diced yellow onion, red pepper, green pepper ¼ tsp. table salt ¼ tsp. black pepper ¼ tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. fresh minced garlic

To cook one steak: Rub both sides of the steak with olive oil. Season both sides generously and let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. To create 3-4 servings of Roasted Garlic Pepper Butter: Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a skillet and set aside 3 additional tablespoons of butter to soften. Add onion, red pepper, green pepper, table salt, black pepper, garlic powder and minced garlic to the skillet and set aside. Sauté until onion is translucent. Let mixture cool. Combine cooled mixture with softened butter. If butter melts, place it into the refrigerator to harden. Melt butter in cast iron, flat top, or skillet on high heat. Add steak and sear on one side. Reduce heat and flip to finish cooking to desired temperature. Let the steak rest and then top with roasted garlic pepper butter and serve with preferred side dishes.

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name

that always wears well From three racks of children’s clothing in a Conway living room to a national business, Rhea Lana Riner has built a reputation for more than resale— one grounded in trust, perseverance and serving families. By KD Reep • Photo by Makenzie Evans

n the fall of 1997, Rhea Lana Riner had three children, a limited family budget and three racks of children’s clothing in her Conway living room. She also had 11 friends willing to trust her with the things their own children had outgrown. Before Rhea Lana’s, the nation’s leading children’s consignment event, there was no business plan, no corporate strategy and certainly no vision of a national franchise. As a stay-at-home mom who loved shopping secondhand, Riner believed her shopping experience could be better: more organized, more inviting and, especially, more trustworthy. “I simply saw an opportunity to serve other moms and families in a way that was meaningful to me and helpful for my family,” Riner said. So she created what she wished existed. She washed and ironed clothes when needed, wrote tags by hand and carefully displayed the merchandise. She even prepared handwritten reports for consignors showing what happened to their items. There was just one problem—hardly anyone came. “My very first Rhea Lana’s event was actually a complete failure,” she said. Rather than give up, Riner called all 11 consignors, apologized and asked for another week. She had concentrated so intensely on making the event perfect that she had neglected to market it. “I promised them I would figure out the marketing side of this,” she said. “And I did.” That early glitch became a lesson in accountability that still shapes the company nearly three decades later. “When people entrust something valuable to you, you have a responsibility to honor that trust,” she said.

Riner continued holding sales twice a year, and gradually they consumed more of the family’s home, including the living room, kitchen, garage and even her youngest daughter’s bedroom. Then shoppers she didn’t know began arriving, like a customer’s child playing with her daughter’s American Girl doll collection without asking. Riner remembers thinking, “These aren’t just my friends shopping in my house anymore!” Eventually, a neighbor complained to the city about traffic, and the little consignment sale had officially outgrown the Riner home, and it became more sophisticated. Riner’s husband, Dave, suggested she computerize the handwritten tags to streamline and provide the accountability Riner wanted by tracking individual items and giving consignors detailed reports. “I understood what our moms needed and the experience I wanted to create for them,” she said, “and Dave had the vision and technical ability to build systems that could make it possible.” That combination helped make the concept scalable, and by 2004, Riner was ready to take another risk: Little Rock. She had saved $5,000 from her Conway events to finance the expansion. Some warned that a second location could hurt her original sale. Instead, Riner saw families already traveling from Little Rock to Conway and believed the need existed there, too. But her confidence was tested quickly. By then, Conway presales attracted long lines. As Riner looked through the glass windows before her first Little Rock presale, she expected a crowd. Three women were waiting. One was her friend. “It was incredibly disappointing,” she said. “But I had to remind myself that Conway had started small, too.” Continued on page 38 SEPTEMBER 2026

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‘I’ve always believed women shouldn’t have to fit into one definition of success.’ — Rhea Lana Riner

She began again, building relationships one family at a time. Meanwhile, the business was asking more of her. Riner was learning marketing, leadership, technology and financial management while raising three children. There were missed birthday parties, empty refrigerators and mountains of laundry. Bills were sometimes late. On occasion, she even forgot to pick up her child from school. For a woman accustomed to keeping everything under control, those moments felt like failure. Eventually, she and Dave had a difficult conversation: Had the dream become too much? “I told him I was willing to give it up if that was what was best for our family,” Riner said. “For me, it felt like putting my tiny dream on the altar.” They decided together to continue, but her perspective changed. “The dream was valuable, but it could never become more valuable than the people I loved.” Other difficult seasons followed, including an eight-year dispute with the U.S. Department of Labor over whether certain event participants were employees under federal labor law. Court records confirm Riner’s companies challenged the department’s determination; a 2016 appellate decision revived the company’s challenge after a lower-court dismissal, while a 2019 appellate ruling ultimately upheld the department’s determination. Riner adapted and kept going. Today, according to Riner, the company has grown to 125 franchises in 28 states. Yet, ask what makes her proudest, and she doesn’t begin with numbers. She talks about people. She has watched franchise owners become confident entrepreneurs and community leaders. She has watched women on the corporate team grow into positions of greater responsibility. Her definition of opportunity has broadened, too: she wants women to know entrepreneurship is not the only measure of professional success. “I’ve always believed women shouldn’t have to fit into one definition of success,” she said. Perhaps that belief reflects her own unlikely path. She began with an exercise science degree, no business background and no expectation of becoming a CEO. “I just kept learning,” she said. And after nearly 30 years, Riner knows what she would say to that young mother standing among three racks of clothing in 1997: love your children well, worry less, enjoy the ordinary days and don’t wait until you know everything or feel completely confident. “She only needs enough courage for the next step,” Riner said.

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Dazed and

DELIGHTED! A little red-carpet luck brings two 501 LIFE representatives face-to-face with Matthew McConaughey—and gives them a greeting to remember.

Story and Photos By Becky Bell

ttending events is nothing new for my dear friend Lisa Hutchison, 501 LIFE’s brand ambassador, or me. But on Aug. 14, we found ourselves in uncharted territory: a red carpet and a chance to meet Matthew McConaughey. We originally thought we were simply attending an onstage conversation between the Academy Award-winning McConaughey and filmmaker Jeff Nichols. And let’s face it—that would have been a dream come true on its own. But a last-minute arrangement meant we would also have a chance to speak with the star. McConaughey was visiting the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock for the Arkansas Cinema Society’s annual Filmland festival. The day’s events included a screening of his new film, “The Rivals of Amziah King,” and recognition with Variety’s Legend & Groundbreaker Award. Before claiming our places on the red carpet, Lisa and I caught part of his conversation with Nichols, who directed him in “Mud.” A film montage revisited some of McConaughey’s most memorable roles, from “Dazed and Confused” and “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” to “A Time to Kill,” “Interstellar” and his Oscar-winning performance in “Dallas Buyers Club.” Talk about range. The conversation also offered a surprising look at the work behind those performances. McConaughey explained that romantic comedies presented a particular challenge: making the leading man’s attempt to win back the woman he loves feel believable without turning him into a pushover. He found that harder than some of his dramatic work. There was plenty for aspiring actors to take away, too. In its coverage of his Filmland conversations, MovieMaker reported that McConaughey emphasized the freshness of a first take—the moment before an actor starts anticipating what comes next. He recalled that both his famous

“Alright, alright, alright” and his closing argument in “A Time to Kill” came from first takes. Even his mother figured into the discussion. MovieMaker reported that she helped inspire his character in “The Rivals of Amziah King,” particularly the way he encourages others to believe in themselves. McConaughey described how she lifted her children’s spirits when they felt insecure, celebrating them until their confidence returned. Behind the movie-star stories was a familiar influence: a mother who believed in her children. Lisa especially enjoyed his behind-the-scenes stories about life on movie sets. We were hanging on every word, but we couldn’t linger. There was a red-carpet spot to claim. And boy, did we need to claim it. Members of the media were packed together like sardines, all hoping for a few moments with the movie star. Filmmakers and actors moved through the line. Then there he was, dressed in black from head to toe, right down to his cowboy boots. We had been nervous about meeting him, but as he approached, our reporting instincts took over. We wanted to bring a greeting back to 501 LIFE readers. Luckily, the hat I had bought as a fan—bearing his familiar “Alright, alright, alright”—was about to come in handy. Just as he reached us, word came that he needed to move on. Our planned questions would have to wait. I raised my hand and called out for one more. He looked toward me. I handed him the hat and asked for a greeting. Without hesitation, he obliged. “Alright, alright, alright, 501 LIFE, y’all have a good one.” The conversation with Nichols was supposed to be my belated birthday treat. Instead, I got a red-carpet adventure and a personal greeting from Matthew McConaughey. Now that’s what I call a happy birthday. SEPTEMBER 2026

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the gridiron expert Alex Galbraith sees what others miss, turning his deep understanding of football into a worldwide success story. By Mark Oliver • Photos by Makenzie Evans

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LEFT: Galbraith recently published “Woo Pig Misery: A Consistently Inconsistent History of the Arkansas Razorbacks.” Galbraith has interviewed sports greats like Barry Switzer, Bret Bielema, Jerry Jones Jr. and Sidney Moncrief, and recorded content in some of the most famous college football stadiums across the country.

ome people watch football. Alex Galbraith studies it for a living. What began as a personal love of researching and understanding the game has grown into one of Maumelle’s most unique entrepreneurial success stories. Like many Arkansans, Razorback football was a Saturday staple in the Galbraith home. Playing football video games with his dad drove him to learn the game inside and out. That curiosity turned into something more in 2016. While watching the College Football Playoff rankings, Galbraith couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “I thoroughly disagreed with what the analysts were saying,” Galbraith said. “I had to share my thoughts and someone needed to hear why they were wrong.” Galbraith grabbed a camera, recorded his reaction and posted it to YouTube. That video became the first post of The Gridiron Expert. The breakthrough came a year later. After posting his 2017 season predictions video, Galbraith woke up to 200 new subscribers overnight. Today, the Arkansas State University graduate has thousands of subscribers from all 50 states and several countries. As his audience grew, so did the work of delivering content they trusted.

That trust has become the heart of his business. “Professional bettors (Vegas handicappers) have long-term win rates of 53-55% while the break-even odds are right about 52.5%,” he said. “My long-term against the spread is 57% and long-term straight up (or money line) is 79%, with more than 3,600 victories, which are both well above national averages. That’s why fans send him helmets from their favorite teams, write letters and keep coming back for more. “The Gridiron Expert is more than just football,” Galbraith said. “It’s about relationship building. When you come to our website, you’re a member of our community, not just a number.” Galbraith’s work opened doors he never expected. He has interviewed sports greats like Barry Switzer, Bret Bielema, Jerry Jones Jr. and Sidney Moncrief, and recorded content in some of the most famous college football stadiums across the country. Through it all, he credits his family and friends for helping him build something bigger than himself. “I’ve had a great support system,” Galbraith said. “From my mom and dad to my brother, Carter, my wife, Sarah, and even my best friend, Josh, I couldn’t have done it without them.”

“I always joke that I have to work on Saturdays because college football is on,” Galbraith said. “From Ohio State vs. Texas to Akron vs. Eastern Michigan, you have to know the ins and outs of every team. My family and friends understand that this isn’t just being a fan, it’s a job, and my subscribers are counting on this data.”

The Gridiron Expert has been named a top college football channel on YouTube. “Seeing who we were grouped with or ahead of was incredible,” Galbraith said. “It was truly an honor.”

The Gridiron Expert operates on two levels: free daily video and livestream content and paid subscriptions that offer weekly picks for the NFL and college football. Each pick comes with written analysis explaining why he recommends it. “We show our work instead of asking you to blindly trust the numbers,” Galbraith said. “That’s what sets us apart from others like us.”

“Football is more than just a sport; it’s a lifestyle,” Galbraith said. “The emotion that fans pour into the game is what you live for. The fact that I can cover it and share my love with a wide audience makes it really special.”

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He recently published his first book, “Woo Pig Misery,” a look at the Razorbacks’ tumultuous football history. He hopes to write more in the future.

For more information, visit thegridironexpert.com.

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Rooted in

Purpose By Judy Riley • Photos by Makenzie Evans

Rick Bransford’s lifetime in Arkansas agriculture has produced a legacy measured not only in acres harvested but in lives lifted.

ick Bransford has spent a lifetime working the ground. Across thousands of acres in Lonoke County, Bransford built a successful farming operation with cotton always at its heart. Yet the truest measure of his life can be found on higher ground. His influence extends far beyond the fields he cultivated. It can also be seen in the farmers strengthened by his leadership, the communities fed through his generosity and the children given safety and hope through the work he shares with his wife, Susan. Stability, perseverance and service have remained at the center of their lives. Why did he choose cotton? Maybe because it is complicated and expensive to grow, or maybe because it is a time-honored way of life. Cotton, unlike many agricultural crops, is deep-

rooted, having one long taproot. Like the cotton they grow, the Bransford family has deep roots in Lonoke County, dating back before the Civil War. Family history traces those agricultural roots to the mid-19th century and includes former Arkansas Gov. James P. Eagle, who served from 1889 to 1893. That farming legacy and desire to serve others survive and prosper in the lives of Rick and Susan Bransford of Lonoke. Bransford is quick to give credit to others. “We did not get here by ourselves, but by those who preceded us and those who helped us along the way,” he said. Bransford farmed with his dad until his father’s death, and he continues the commitment and dedication passed down through generations. The crops they grew on 3,000 to 4,000 acres, depending on land availability, included rice, soybeans, corn, even green beans, but always cotton.

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LEFT: Rick (from left) with his parents, Dick and Johnnie Bransford, and his siblings Roger and Becky. CENTER: A recent photo of Rick with Johnnie. RIGHT: Rick and his parents surveyed a crop in Lonoke County. The father and his son farmed together for years until Dick passed away in 2015.

Farming has obvious complications and difficulties. The costs of materials, seeds, equipment and energy are constant challenges, as is the weather. Observers often say that farmers have either a gambling spirit or a deep faith. Bransford is the deep faith variety, but 2016 was extra challenging. “My dad, Richard Bransford, had just died; he was the patriarch of our family, a larger-than-life person. When he entered a room, his booming voice commanded attention. The year after Dad’s passing in 2015, two of our best and longest-serving men died,” Bransford said. Suddenly, Susan had to take charge of the books for all the family entities. That included bookkeeping for a cooperative that owned the cotton gin and for the various pieces of ground the family farmed, both owned and leased. “Mostly, we had to step up to take care of my mother who was showing signs of dementia,” Bransford said. “I can honestly say, with everything in my life, God had a hand in it. Susan maintained her job as Executive Director of the Open Arms Shelter. She managed to juggle all her normal and new farm jobs. I continued to farm, and life went on,” Bransford said. Bransford is a farmer’s farmer. He is the one to emulate, partly because of his success, but mostly because of his willingness to try new things and freely share the results with fellow farmers. His peers say it best. “We always value Rick’s opinion. I’ve served with him on several statewide agricultural boards, and when he speaks, we listen,” said Marty White, a fellow row-crop farmer in Craighead County. “He is level-minded, always thinking before he speaks. He is not selfish, thinking only of his farming operation. He is an all-around good person.” Bransford is positive. When asked what he would say to a young farmer who is discouraged by increasing production costs and unstable world markets, he responds with faith and confidence. “There is still hope. I am counting on good science to pull us through. We need to grow rice with less water, soybeans with fewer pests, irrigation with less water loss, and alternative crops, much like we do with cover crops in cotton,” said Bransford, ever the optimist.

One gets the sense this guy is not only a smart businessman but a humble one. He speaks of the farm as a shared effort, even though he was the principal. One of Bransford’s more interesting enterprises was raising 300 acres of green beans. He marketed those, but not without keeping a truckload. With a slight grin and a twinkle in his eye, he admitted those went to food banks, shelters and food pantries across Arkansas. Bransford has been a champion for agriculture at the state and national levels. His board service included Arkansas State Plant Board, Agricultural Council of Arkansas, Boll Weevil Eradication, Cotton Board, Cotton Council, Lonoke County Farm Bureau, Lonoke County Extension Council and L and P Pest Management. If there was an organization empowering farmers, he was involved. “I worked with Rick Bransford on the State Plant Board during one of the most complex and challenging issues facing agriculture in the state, the beginning of the use of dicamba-resistant cotton and soybean crops,” said Dr. Rick Cartwright, former senior associate vice president for agriculture–extension and director of the Cooperative Extension Service. “Dicamba is a herbicide used to kill broadleaf weeds. There was huge potential for off-target injury to other crops. His reasoning revolved around not only new technology, but being a good neighbor. Even when his term expired, Rick continued to be the level head for all concerned. He was not another bureaucrat in the room. Rick and his many leadership roles in Arkansas agriculture remind me that a single good person willing to do the right thing regardless of personal cost can make a lasting impact. He will always have my admiration for his servant leadership and character.” Bransford’s service to the Agricultural Council of Arkansas included several leadership roles. “As president, he offered a steady hand and temperament to all issues, seeking solutions that worked for the group ahead of any personal interests,” said Andrew Grobmyer, executive director of the Agricultural Council. “He brought a passion to the group, showing up ready to work. He constantly maintained an eye on the future as he helped our industry navigate challenges. His faith helped guide him in efforts to help us evolve and grow stronger.” Continued on page 48

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‘We did not get here by ourselves, but by those who preceded us and those who helped us along the way.’ — Rick Bransford

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Through difficult seasons and abundant ones, Rick and Susan Bransford built their legacy together—rooted in faith, strengthened by perseverance and devoted to serving others.

The Bransfords measure success by how much they help others, and the ultimate example of that in their lives is their work for Open Arms Shelter for children. They wanted a big family, but that was not to be. They had only one child, but it did not stop them from investing in other children. Susan’s degree is in social work; she worked various childcentered jobs with area nonprofits as well as the Arkansas Department of Human Services. She could clearly see the need for short-term shelter for children in Lonoke County. Don Spence, county judge at the time, came to her asking for help. Even with help from Pulaski County, there were not enough places for Lonoke County’s abused or neglected children. Over time, the original home the county donated became too small to meet the need. The shelter moved to an abandoned nursing home. It is now in a new building, a modern-day facility with 24 beds. The Bransfords donated and volunteered throughout the development. Since Susan was a licensed master social worker, she was an obvious choice to be the first executive director of Lonoke County’s Open Arms Shelter. The work was, in their words, a way to give back. They felt God had called them to do it. Many former residents have success stories and return to share. Success is defined in many ways. Rick Bransford retired in 2021 as a highly successful farmer. He generously shared his time and resources to support and improve farming for everyone. “He’s proved time and time again that kindness opens doors, fills hearts, and that to give is to receive. He and Susan are proof that these qualities and gifts work wonders,” Grobmyer said. They have given back, not just to the agriculture industry, but to scores of kids in need. Rick spent a lifetime cultivating the ground beneath his feet. Together, he and Susan chose to stand on higher ground. That is the pinnacle of success.

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service in motion

Three Central Arkansas Rotary clubs put a shared ideal into action—each in its own way. By KD Reep • Photos by Makenzie Evans

Conway Noon Rotary President Melissa Dyson (from left) , Morrilton Rotary President Kara Jones and Conway Morning Rotary President Mike Altland gather beside Rotary’s Four-Way Test, which guides members in the things they think, say and do.

hree presidents. Three clubs. Three distinct ways of serving Central Arkansas. On the three pages that follow, 501 LIFE turns its attention to the Conway Morning Rotary Club, Conway Noon Rotary Club and Morrilton Rotary Club. Each has its own history, traditions and personality, but all three are guided by the ideal Rotary places at the center of its work: “Service Above Self.”

where help is needed and respond—not simply once, but consistently. Presidents Mike Altland of Conway Morning Rotary, Melissa Dyson of Conway Noon Rotary and Kara Jones of Morrilton Rotary represent clubs that understand service is both practical and personal. It may address an immediate need, but it also creates relationships, restores confidence and reminds people they belong to a community that cares.

For Conway Morning Rotary, that service can begin with a dictionary placed in the hands of a third-grader or a birthday card sent to a child in foster care. Conway Noon Rotary builds on more than a century of community involvement through scholarships, food assistance, student recognition and partnerships that meet needs throughout Faulkner County. In Morrilton, Rotarians transform an ordinary night at the laundromat into something meaningful, providing quarters, meals, books and conversation through the club’s Wash Night.

Rotary’s familiar gear wheel suggests movement, and these clubs keep service in motion across Central Arkansas. Their members bring different professions, experiences and perspectives to the table, then leave the meeting ready to work.

The projects differ because the communities and needs differ. What connects them is a willingness to look closely, recognize

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In an issue celebrating the Pinnacle of Success, they offer a meaningful measure of achievement: not how high one person rises, but how many others are lifted along the way. Through different projects and a shared commitment, all three clubs are helping their communities move forward—one neighbor, one relationship and one act of service at a time.

hen people think about making a difference, they often assume it takes a large organization with abundant resources.

The members of Conway Morning Rotary would disagree. With just 49 active members, the club has embraced a simple philosophy: a small group of dedicated people can create an outsized impact through consistent service and meaningful relationships. “Being a small club, we have a big heart for service,” said President Mike Altland. Founded in 1990, Conway Morning Rotary has become known for projects that meet practical needs while creating lasting connections throughout Central Arkansas.

Conway Morning Rotary

SMALL CLUB, BIG HEART

Among its signature efforts is the annual dictionary project. Last year, Rotarians personally delivered 1,348 paperback dictionaries to every third-grade public school student in Faulkner County. This year, the project is expanding into Arkadelphia through partnerships with remote club members, and the club is exploring the addition of SpanishEnglish dictionaries to better serve area students. The club’s Arkansas Foster Child Birthday Card Program has become another hallmark of its commitment to encouraging others. Over the past four years, members have prepared and mailed more than 10,000 birthday cards to foster children across Arkansas, ensuring young people receive a personal reminder that someone is thinking about them on their special day. Both projects demonstrate the club’s belief that even simple acts of kindness can leave a lasting impression. Continued on page 52

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Those ongoing initiatives are only part of the story. During the coming year, members will continue developing new service opportunities while exploring an annual community fundraiser designed to expand the club’s ability to support local and international projects for years to come. For Altland, Rotary’s influence extends far beyond Conway. He pointed to Rotary International’s longstanding effort to eradicate polio as one of the organization’s defining achievements and said members are confident their contributions are making a measurable difference because of Rotary’s strong financial stewardship and commitment to accountability. “In essence, we have the opportunity to effectively live out the Rotary motto of ‘Service Above Self’ daily with high confidence and conviction,” he said. That same commitment attracts people looking for more than volunteer hours. Altland believes Rotary offers opportunities to build lifelong friendships, develop leadership skills and work alongside people who are passionate about solving problems both locally and around the world.

Members also participate in Rotary fellowships, action groups and training opportunities that connect them with other Rotarians across the globe, broadening both their perspective and their impact. The Conway Morning Rotary Club has also embraced innovation. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the club adopted a hybrid meeting format that welcomes both in-person and virtual members. That flexibility has expanded its reach, allowing remote members and guest speakers from around the world to participate while maintaining strong roots in Conway. The club also sponsors a Rotaract chapter, introducing college-age adults to Rotary’s tradition of service and leadership. For Conway Morning Rotary, success isn’t measured by membership numbers alone. It’s measured one dictionary, one birthday card and one act of service at a time. Through those efforts, the club continues proving that a small club with a big heart can make an extraordinary difference.

Conway Noon Rotary Club

A CENTURY OF SHOWING UP

or more than 100 years, members of the Conway Noon Rotary Club have turned concern for their community into action. Founded in 1921 as the 16th Rotary Club established in Arkansas, the organization has built its legacy one scholarship, food drive, service hour and community partnership at a time. Today, that tradition continues under President Melissa Dyson, whose own commitment to service reflects the values the club has carried for generations. “I am a committed Rotarian because I believe in what Rotary stands for,” she said. “I love being part of the service projects we do each month and seeing how my fellow Rotarians consistently show up to support and make a difference in our community.” That willingness to show up is at the heart of the club’s success. Each year, members organize the Freed Duncan Pancake Breakfast, one of the club’s best-known community traditions. Proceeds support scholarships for students attending local colleges, extending the impact of a single event far beyond the breakfast table. The club’s service calendar also includes preparing a meal at Bethlehem House, collecting food for the Sharing Fridge, recognizing outstanding eighth-grade students from county schools and supporting the Pine Street Backpack Program and United Way through a backpack drive. Members also organize winter supply collections, assemble Thanksgiving meal bags through Peace Lutheran Church and raise money each month for different organizations. Those efforts create measurable results. During the past year, the club contributed more than 500 volunteer hours and helped more than 1,000 community members through food assistance, school support and seasonal drives.

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Members collected more than 1,000 pounds of food and supplies and raised more than $5,000 for charitable organizations. The club’s impact has grown through partnerships with Bethlehem House, United Way, Peace Lutheran Church, the Pine Street Backpack Program, local schools and other community organizations. While the numbers are significant, the people behind them remain the club’s focus. By serving meals at Bethlehem House, members help provide both nourishment and a welcoming environment for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Donations to the Sharing Fridge provide round-the-clock access to free food and necessities while helping reduce food waste. The club also invests in future leaders. Its Outstanding Eighth Grader Awards recognize students for academics, leadership, citizenship and service, encouraging young people to remain active in their schools and communities. Through its Service Above Self Awards, Conway Noon Rotary also recognizes individuals serving through the Conway Fire Department, Conway Police Department and Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office. These honors celebrate exceptional community contributions while inspiring others to find their own ways to serve. Dyson believes that spirit of cooperation makes Conway stronger. “When we work together and give back, we make our community stronger and better for everyone,” she said. “It is also a great way to build relationships with others who truly care about making a difference.” Since 1921, Conway Noon Rotary members have demonstrated that lasting success is not only about what an organization achieves. It is about consistently answering the call to serve.

Morrilton Rotary Club

MAKING SERVICE PERSONAL

uccess isn’t always measured by numbers. Sometimes it looks like a family leaving a laundromat with clean clothes, a full stomach and renewed confidence. That simple but powerful idea captures the spirit of the Morrilton Rotary Club. Since its founding in 1922, the club has built a reputation for meaningful service, lasting relationships and finding practical ways to strengthen the community. As President Kara Jones begins her term, she said the club’s mission extends well beyond completing projects. Members are committed to creating opportunities for neighbors to connect, encouraging one another and making Morrilton an even better place to call home. “Our club is known for being fun, fostering relationships and meaningful service projects,” she said. Perhaps no project reflects those values more than the club’s quarterly Wash Night, now entering its third year. Hosted at a local laundromat, Rotary members add quarters to washing machines so families can do laundry at no cost. But the evening quickly becomes about much more than clean clothes. Members provide meals, read books with children, play games and spend time talking with families while they wait for laundry to finish. Jones says those conversations often become opportunities to encourage neighbors through employment challenges, educational opportunities and even health concerns. “I could tell you how many families are served and how much money is saved,” Jones said. “Instead, I’ll tell you the impact is family time and supporting confidence.” She has watched families intentionally save their laundry for Wash Night, knowing they will be welcomed with kindness, conversation and encouragement. The club has even donated a washer and dryer to a family in need.

Wash Night is only one example of Rotary’s ongoing commitment to the community. During the coming year, members will continue improving Morrilton City Park, partnering with the Morrilton Civic Alliance for the Back to School Bash, decorating the historic train depot for Christmas, participating in Adopt-a-Highway and volunteering at local athletic tournaments. For Jones, Rotary has been part of her life for decades. She remembers attending meetings as a Junior Rotarian in 1994 while her father was an active member. She also remembers the excitement surrounding the first woman admitted to the Morrilton Rotary Club. Today, she leads a club filled with men and women from diverse backgrounds who share a passion for service. “Our club members genuinely enjoy each other’s company,” she said. “You cannot stop their excitement when anyone mentions a service project, bringing in a new member or cheering for each other.” Rather than meeting in one location every week, the club often gathers throughout the community, giving members opportunities to discover local businesses, organizations and people while building new relationships. Jones believes civic organizations remain essential to healthy communities because they bring together people who are willing to solve problems instead of simply talking about them. “Active civic organizations are the backbone of supportive communities,” she said. That philosophy continues to guide the Morrilton Rotary Club as members embrace Rotary International’s motto, “Service Above Self,” one relationship, one project and one neighbor at a time.

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calling

a higher

By Donna Lampkin Stephens • Photos by Makenzie Evans

After leading Harding football to a national championship, Paul Simmons finds a new way to serve the program that helped shape his life.

aul Simmons is a winner on and off the football field. While coaching at Harding Academy of Memphis, he met a young woman taking a graduate class on campus. “She had a really serious boyfriend,” he remembered. “Over the next few weeks, I talked to her in the hall at school twice, once at church, and the next time I saw her, I told her, ‘You need to get rid of that guy. I’ll love you forever.’ We had never had a romantic word ever. But I was 27, and I didn’t have time to waste.” Apparently, Kimberly listened. More than 20 years later, the couple have three children. Simmons brought that same conviction to coaching, eventually leading the Harding University Bisons through the most successful era in program history. Leading the program from 2017-25, Simmons put together a 92-16 record (.852), including a 15-0 NCAA Division II national championship run in 2023 and a 15-1 runner-up finish in 2025. His .852 career winning percentage is the highest of any coach in Arkansas college or university history. Simmons was named the American Football Coaches Association’s 2023 Division II National Coach of the Year. He also received the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ 2026 Frosty Westering Coach of the Year Award. In January, he transitioned to the new position of general manager of Harding football, where his duties include fundraising, roster management and community engagement.

On the eve of the 2026 campaign, Simmons, 53, was quick to deflect attention from himself. “The focus doesn’t need to be on me,” he said. Simmons’ parents met as Harding students and spent six years serving as missionaries in Zambia, where he was born. After their service, they settled in Ashdown in Southwest Arkansas, and despite his Harding roots, Harding was the last school to offer him a scholarship. He accepted and became the only Harding player to earn first-team All-America honors three times. After a year as defensive coordinator at Harding Academy of Memphis, he returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant under Randy Tribble. He returned to Harding Academy as head coach for eight seasons before Tribble talked him into returning home again as a Bisons assistant coach—despite a 25 percent pay cut. He never hesitated, relishing the chance to work under his mentors, Tribble and Ronnie Huckeba. After 11 seasons, he succeeded Huckeba as head coach. “I never envisioned coming back as head coach,” Simmons said. “I never dreamed of being a head coach. I never wanted any promotion I ever got. I did not want to be the head coach at Harding.” When Huckeba retired after the 2016 season, Simmons was the heir apparent. “I felt a responsibility,” he said. “This place had done so much in my life. So much of who I was as a husband, father and leader, I learned right here. I needed to do it.” Continued on page 56

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TOP RIGHT: Paul Simmons was head coach of Harding University Football from 2017-25. He put together a 92-16 record (.852), including a 15-0 NCAA Division II national championship run in 2023 and a 15-1 runner-up finish in 2025. BOTTOM RIGHT: Of four finalists, Simmons was named the D2 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) National Coach of the Year in 2023. AFCA Convention Assistant Daniel DaPrato presented the award at the 2024 AFCA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

But it wasn’t a seamless transition. Huckeba stepped down following a 13-1 season that ended in the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs. In 2017, Simmons’ first squad started 0-3. He remembers that “dark but amazing” time. “I was a walking zombie,” he said. “I could barely function. I was on anxiety medication; I thought I was going to die. This program that had meant so much to me is going to fall apart on my watch.” During an already scheduled meeting, then-Harding President Bruce McLarty told the downcast coach, “We’ve got your back.” “He said, ‘Keep loving these boys and keep pointing our young men to Christ, and you’re going to have a job here forever,’” Simmons remembered. “That was a unique message to a coach who’s 0-3.” The same week, he received a handwritten letter from a Bison alumnus and assumed it was critical. But he was wrong. The former player wrote, “It’s really evident that you’re the guy to lead us for the next 20 years. We’ve got your back. Here’s a check; take your wife to dinner. We’re fixing to roll.”

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“I sat there with tears in my eyes,” Simmons said. “That’s the way this community has always been to me. This job has always been extremely high pressure for me because I want the very best for the entire Harding brotherhood, those who came in and committed and sacrificed. It’s always felt really personal to me.” From there, the Bisons reeled off 11 consecutive wins before falling in the national semifinals. Simmons credits Huckeba for two keys to the program’s success. “Just a relentless pursuit to have an elite culture above everything else, going all-in on trying to be a program that honors God,” he said. “That was a giant part of how we recruited and pursued players, pursued coaches. Over the last 10 years, we’ve had an elite bunch of young men, great players but really special leaders who had the ‘it’ factor. “And his decision to become a flexbone program was certainly a giant part of our success. I’m a defensive guy; I had nothing to do with that. But it would’ve been very arrogant and very foolish to have left that system.”

“This place had done so much in my life. So much of who I was as a husband, father and leader, I learned right here.” — Paul Simmons

As GM, he has more time to do a lot of the things he was already doing. “I want to do everything in my power to give Coach (Roddy) Mote and his staff every single resource they need to take this program to a higher level,” Simmons said. “My job is to do all those things so that these guys can simply coach, recruit, love on those kids, pour into them and not worry about whether they have what it takes to succeed.” Stepping into the new role, though, has been bittersweet. “I’m still around the guys and love them deeply, but clearly the relationship is different now,” he said. “I miss so much of it. But I’m really going to miss Saturday nights when the young men are going to war for a big game. When you’re playing a December playoff game on the road at Pitt State or Grand Valley, walking into a traditional powerhouse with people hanging off the rails, cussing and spitting on you. When you lead your young men into battle in that environment and come out with a win, nothing can replace that feeling.” In the days Simmons needed reassurance, the Harding community told him, “We’ve got your back.” Now, as general manager, he is helping provide that same support for Mote, his staff and the young men still chasing championships.

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HONORING THE 501 YOUTH OF THE MONTH

DRAWN TO DARE

Taking aim at challenges most people would never attempt, Eden Vansandt combines mounted archery and trick riding in a rodeo act all her own. By Phyllis Ormsby • Photos by Makenzie Evans

den Vansandt doesn’t remember exactly when she fell in love with horses, but she does remember what went through her mind the first time she hit the ground. “The first time I fell off, I was little, and I remember thinking, ‘Well, this isn’t easy, and I’m going to have to work for it.’ I think the fact that it was something I had to work for just made it even more exciting,” she said. Now 18, Eden has turned that willingness to tackle difficult things into a rodeo career that combines trick riding, mounted archery and fireworks. With horses she trains herself and costumes she designs and sews, the Saline County performer brings both athletic skill and artistry to the arena. “We just happened upon horses and it stuck,” said Eden’s mom, Abria, an occupational therapist who also loved horses as a kid but was never able to have them. Eden’s dad, Jonathan, who works at the Little Rock Air Force Base, grew up with cows, and his family had horses, but the kind of horse journey Eden started was new territory for the family. “I feel like God gave her a gift, and I tell her that a lot,” Abria said. Eden started riding around age 6, when the Vansandt family moved from Little Rock to Scott. Behind their subdivision was a quarter-horse racing operation. Eden’s parents talked to the owner about lessons and soon Eden was riding. She

went on to compete in ranch riding and reining. When she was around 10, the family traveled to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington for BreyerFest, a festival celebrating horses and the famous Breyer model horses. It was there that Eden saw a team of trick riders and found a new passion. “Well, initially, we thought there’s got to be a better way to ride a horse,” said Jonathan, laughing. “But knowing her and her tenacity and determination and the way she goes about doing things, we decided it was probably best for us to just get her some professional training and figure out how to go about this as safely as possible.” The Vansandts contacted the drill team and spent the next 18 months driving to South Mississippi for clinics and lessons and performances after Eden became a sponsored rider on the team for two years. When she was 13, she started her own solo career as a rodeo trick rider. On social media, she uses her first and middle names, Eden Hollis Performance. Her season started Aug. 22, and until mid-October she will perform just about every weekend with a few performances during the week. “My ultimate goal is to put on a good show, entertain the crowd, spread the joy,” Eden said, adding that one of her biggest thrills is when excited youngsters crowd around her following a performance. “My parents go with me. It’s a family affair. I’m an only child so it’s what we do.” Continued on page 62

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Eden designs most of her one-of-a-kind riding costumes. Her latest includes the lace from her great-grandmother’s tablecloth.

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Her act includes plenty of action and thrills to captivate the crowds. It includes the usual trickriding feats, plus mounted archery and fireworks. At times, Eden stands at the front of the saddle in the traditional hippodrome stand, or drags her hands in the arena dirt in the death drag, or shoots arrows at targets, all while her horse is galloping around an arena at full speed. Is that scary for parents to watch? “We knew she had the training and we were confident in the horses she was riding and in the people who did the training,” Jonathan said. “Just as in a lot of things in life, you have to let them go. As crazy as it sounds, whatever she does, whether it’s hanging upside down or shooting, it’s just our new normal. I was in the military and I’m always like, let’s go fast, let’s go hard and let’s blow stuff up. It’s right up my alley,” he said, laughing. “I’m kind of an adrenaline junkie, so going out there and knowing the thrill of getting to hang upside down is just, like, it just fulfills that adrenaline rush that I want,” Eden said. “I can get a little nervous behind the chutes, but as soon as I’m in the arena, I know why I’m there and it’s to entertain people and to put smiles on their faces. It’s all about making it a good show.” She has two performing horses, Alley, 9, and Remi, 12, and she trained them herself. They have to be safe to ride, but they also have to perform in a loud arena with lots of distractions. When Eden is hanging off the side of her horse, she can’t hold the reins. “Before I consider them sound to perform in a rodeo, I am shooting fireworks off around them, jumping them over stuff, getting them used to gates swinging, all the things,” she said. “It’s kind of a feeling you get when you know they’re ready. They can be nervous in a certain scenario; they just have to be able to know how to handle the nerves. They can’t freak out because they still have to take care of you.” Eden has become known as the “rodeo archer” and believes she is the only rodeo trick riding act that includes mounted archery. “The archery just

kind of came about. I shot in school, but then I started doing it off horses and realized my horses were all good with it,” she said. “I can shoot behind my head; it has evolved into something pretty cool.” Because trick-riding costumes aren’t something you can order off of Amazon, Eden makes most of her own outfits. “My mom taught me to sew when I was really little,” she said. “I design them all, I have a little notebook where I draw them out. My most recent one is kind of my favorite. It’s denim, pearls and lace, and the lace is from my greatgrandma’s tablecloth. So it’s kind of got a family story behind it.” Any activity involving horses can be dangerous and the Vansandts have fielded their share of questions about safety. “We’ve done it for so long now, I tell them I trust my child and trust the horses,” Abria said. “I know it’s not conventional but I just trust them and I trust Eden. With her background and her knowledge, I know she has a good handle on her horses.” Over the past few years, Eden has performed at rodeos in Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri. Her schedule includes Aug. 22 at Yellville, Ark.; Aug. 28 in Star City, Aug. 29 in Pocahontas, Sept. 1 in Wynne, Sept. 7 in Paragould and Sept. 25-26 in Sheridan. “We’re still on the journey,” Jonathan said. “She’s done really well. We’re just proud parents getting to watch her go out and do something she loves and she’s good at.” Eden hopes people who hear her story will be inspired to fulfill their own dreams. “I wasn’t born into a farm/ranch family, but here I am,” she said. “Don’t give up. If you put your mind to it, you can do it.” Behind every performance are horses she has trained, costumes she has created and skills she has worked to master. Eden remembers what it felt like to hit the ground. Now she’s discovering how high she can go.

Follow Eden’s rodeo journey on Facebook at Eden Hollis Performance and on Instagram at @ehv.trickrider.

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‘I think the fact that it was something I had to work for just made it even more exciting.’ —— Eden Vansandt

PET OF THE MONTH

SMOKEY

THE YORKIPOO FROM WOOSTER

Smokey takes center stage with Jacorey (from left), Victoria and Corey Toney at their Wooster home. The 1 1/2-yearold Yorkipoo has brought laughter, comfort and companionship to the family.

With a mean southpaw and a tender heart, Smokey brings laughter, comfort and plenty of personality to the Toney family. By Colleen Holt • Photos by Makenzie Evans

Yorkipoo named Smokey brought his own brand of humor, love and healing to a Wooster family just when they needed him most.

Smokey lives with Victoria Toney, her husband, Corey, and their son, Jacorey. He arrived after the family lost another beloved canine family member and while Corey was recovering from serious health issues. A few years ago, the Toneys lost Bodacious, their Cane Corso, a mastiff breed. His death was a painful loss for the family. “He is still dearly missed,” Victoria said. In January 2025, Corey underwent surgery for a brain hemorrhage. As the family faced a stressful and uncertain recovery, they decided to welcome a puppy into the mix. Smokey, now 1 1/2 years old, came to the Toney home from a breeder in March 2025. Since then, he has brought comfort in a way only a canine companion can.

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“From the day I brought Smokey home, they have been inseparable,” Victoria said of her husband and Smokey. “His arrival gave Corey a distraction from the stress and anxiety he was experiencing around his health issues.” Corey considers Smokey’s companionship a form of therapy, she said. “He gave us another reason to smile and offered so much joy.” Smokey’s personality is equal parts loving, funny and entertaining. “We love playing with Smokey and allowing him to entertain us. As a person who didn’t grow up with pets, I didn’t understand how big a dog’s personality can be,” Victoria said. Smokey can also be a little possessive when it comes to his toys. “He loves to play with his toys, and he isn’t a big fan of sharing them. He is kind of like an only child; he thinks he should have all of our attention.”

One of Corey’s favorite activities with Smokey is teaching him how to box—and we hear Smokey has a mean southpaw. “Corey is a major boxing fan, so he taught Smokey how to box, as he loves to stand on his back legs,” Victoria said. A very well-mannered dog, Smokey can accompany the family on many outings. He recently flew on an airplane for the first time. He also enjoys road trips and, when pets are permitted, joining the family on other adventures. “He is very quiet in public places, so most times you never even realize that he is there,” Victoria said. Jacorey, Smokey’s human brother, is a sophomore at Greenbrier High School. He loves Smokey and especially enjoys letting the dog chase him around the house. Smokey also spends quality time with his human grandparents—Victoria’s mother, as well as Corey’s mother and grandmother.

“He is truly loved and equally spoiled by our family,” Victoria said. Although Victoria didn’t grow up with many household pets, Corey developed his love of animals from his mom, Pamela. He grew up in Plumerville and is vice president of HCC Pumping, a commercial concrete construction and pumping company in Conway. Victoria was raised in Mayflower. She is a senior brand manager at AARP and a family caregiver to her older sister, Christina, who has lived with limited mobility since age 15. “Smokey hates when we are not home, so we recently noticed that he will sit in the laundry room on top of our shoes while we are gone so he can be close when the garage opens,” Victoria said. For a little dog who waits on top of his family’s shoes, Smokey has become one more reason the Toneys are always glad to come home.

SEPTEMBER 2026

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every drop

every

hour h

As drought tightens its grip, Lee Tedford, Daniel Lawrence and the Conway Corp water team work around the clock to protect the community’s most essential resource. By John Patton • Photos by Makenzie Evans

Conway Corp Water System Manager Lee Tedford (from left) and Water Plant Superintendent Daniel Lawrence.

ost Conway residents rarely have to think about the work that keeps clean water flowing from its source to their faucets. Lee Tedford, Daniel Lawrence and 50 others do—and during a major drought, that responsibility follows them around the clock. Conway Corp entered Phase III of its water conservation plan on Aug. 19, and the water system is top of mind for 70,000 customers. Tedford, water system manager, and Lawrence, water plant superintendent, are working urgently to preserve the supply. Conservation became a higher priority in April when Brewer Lake, Conway County’s main water source since 1983, entered the spring season with below-average levels. Besides serving Conway residents, the Conway County Regional Water Distribution District serves another 21,500 people in Conway and Perry Counties, according to the Conway Corp website. “My decisions impact 70,000 residents here,” Tedford said. “I don’t make them lightly. This isn’t a nine-to-five job. We run 24-7 and are always trying to stay ahead of the curve.” Brewer Lake’s water level is monitored from Tedford’s office, while Lawrence and his crew track water quality at the treatment plant around the clock. “The water treatment plant always has someone on-site,” Lawrence said. “It is very important to me that we save as much water as we can.” Phase III prohibits filling residential swimming pools from empty and limits lawn watering to one designated day per week. “We are in this water shortage because of a drought and not due to population growth,” Tedford said. “We were 17.5 inches below average at Lake Brewer through June.” The 28,500-acre-feet lake near Plumerville has a 36-square-mile watershed, smaller than some other lakes. “The watershed is small, so we don’t capture as much runoff during rain events,” Tedford said. Conway Corp entered Phase I in April after officials realized the lake had not completely filled for the first time since it was built in 1983. Tedford said the phases are meant to preserve the water that remains in Brewer. Phase II followed in June and Phase III in August. In April,

Tedford asked Lawrence to develop a treatment plan for a secondary water source to help the community through the shortage. Conway Corp has an emergency intake on the Cadron Creek and a connection to Community Water System, which is supplied by Greers Ferry Lake. Cadron Creek served as Conway’s water source until Brewer Lake was built and gifted to the city by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1983. Tedford said Conway Corp began blending Cadron Creek water with Brewer water at the treatment plant and purchasing approximately a million gallons per day from Community Water System. Those sources save about 7 million gallons of water withdrawal per day from Brewer Lake, roughly half of its normal daily summer demand. Tedford said having alternative sources for Conway has been critical. “If Brewer Lake runs dry, all of Conway County is out of water. Having two alternative water sources is a blessing for Conway.” He said the added cost of buying water from Community Water System is not being passed on to Conway customers. Using Cadron Creek requires careful treatment to ensure the water remains safe. “The water chemistry between Brewer Lake and Cadron Creek is very different,” Lawrence said. “Our team works tirelessly to prepare for any treatment change, and we constantly adjust because Cadron Creek changes by the hour.” He said treating Cadron Creek water consistently for the first time in his nine years at Conway Corp has required expanded lab procedures and adjustments for pH, turbidity and other factors. Daily samples are sent to the state Department of Health to double-check water quality, and Lawrence said the water has met all EPA requirements. Conway Corp is also planning for future growth with a new plant, expected to open in 2035, to provide water from Greers Ferry Lake. For now, the 24-7 guys are counting on Conway Corp customers to conserve water and help the city through the next few months. “Seeing the water levels change, we are very appreciative of customers conserving water,” Lawrence said. “It helps us tremendously.”

SEPTEMBER 2026

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leaves up

roots down

Tips to keep your Southern garden thriving through fall and beyond. By Brett Battle

s I write this, we are experiencing terrible heat, but we are right around the corner from cooler days. The summer heat will finally chill, and fall will sneak in. Now is the perfect time to plan all your fall garden activities. Fall is a very busy time in the garden and there are many things to consider: planting cooler-season veggies, amending your soil, mulching beds, fall color flowers, fall container gardens, bulbs, bed cleanup to reduce bugs and fungus, moving indoor plants back inside without too much stress, reducing watering, dividing perennials, planting new trees and shrubs, and more. Here are some reminders that will make your fall garden successful:

Love your soil: The growing season has used many of the

nutrients from your soil. Now is a great time to add some compost and garden manure to your soil. Don’t till it in, as you want the helpful soil worms to hang around. Just place a few inches of good compost on top of your beds.

Mulch and water: We need to start reducing overall watering duration and frequency. We do not want to overwater plants and cause root rot. Now is a good time to apply a new layer of mulch to help retain moisture. Continue watering anything newly planted in your beds, but cut back the time. Cool Season Vegetables: Start planning your fall veggie garden.

With cooler temperatures and shorter days, you can plant now for a longer harvest. Good choices are kale, cabbage, spinach, collards, lettuce, carrots, beets and radishes. Think fresh salads, hearty soups and plenty of homegrown flavor.

Add fall color to beds and containers now: Even though your summer annuals still look good, remember your fall and winter plants need to be planted well before the first frosts so they can establish a strong root system. Pansies, violas, snapdragons, asters, ornamental kale and cabbage will all do well through fall and winter if planted early enough to establish a strong root system. I get asked all the time why customers’ fall annuals are not doing well or flowering after a few frosts. Usually, it is because they were planted too late.

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Mums: One of fall’s biggest uses of color for containers and patios is mums. Here are a few tricks most people do not know. Most mums bloom around five to six weeks, depending on the daylight hours. Mum varieties have four blooming cycles: the early, mid, late and late extender. Usually, the first mums you see in your garden center are early. When they have finished blooming, the mid mums are in full bloom. When they finish, the late mums are in full bloom, and so on. This means each mum will bloom for about five weeks, but you will see mums blooming over 10-12 weeks due to the different varieties. Also remember mums are perennial, so when they have finished blooming, cut them back and plant them in your perennial bed, and they will come back next spring. After blooming in the spring, cut them off again and they will grow out and bloom again in the fall. Houseplants: Many of you moved houseplants outside during the spring and summer. Now is the time to start planning to move them back inside. Once the nighttime temperatures drop to 50 degrees, houseplants will need to be back inside. Start moving them to a shadier location now. Treat the soil and foliage for any potential pests. You do not want to bring spider mites or mealybugs inside with your plants. Place plants that need full sun near south-facing windows and plants that need more shade near east-facing windows. Remember, when you move plants indoors and start heating, the air gets drier and less humid, which can cause many of them to start dropping leaves. They will recover; just do not overwater them. Let the soil dry out to the touch before watering again. Quick tips: There are many fall gardening tips I didn’t touch on, but plant bulbs now until the first frost ccording to guidelines for each type of flower. Plant all your new tree selections and shrubs, as this is the best time of year to install them. Divide your perennials and replant now for stronger spring roots. Clean up your beds; keep leaves away from plant material, as this may produce fungus and pests. September is a golden time for Southern gardeners. Plan ahead, prep your soil, plant your veggies and color, and water wisely. Follow the above tips, share them with your gardening buddies and neighbors, and keep your outdoor space looking fabulous all year long.

A bold rebrand to LPT Realty has helped Karen Ferguson reach new heights in an already successful real estate career. At the beginning of 2026, Karen Ferguson partnered with LPT Realty, the fastest-growing national real estate brokerage known for innovative marketing and cutting-edge technology to help homebuyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals. The move quickly created new momentum. When the overall real estate market has slowed, Karen has experienced some of the strongest months of her career. “After closing more than $20 million in sales in 2025, the ‘Go-Getter Real Estate Agent’ is on pace to surpass that mark this year.” Karen credits the combination of local relationships, marketing and negotiations expertise, and LPT Realty’s expanded marketing resources with helping her provide stronger service and greater exposure for home sellers’ listings. “I chose to rebrand with LPT because I wanted to give my clients stronger services, more innovative marketing, greater listing exposure and better overall results,” Karen said. Her success has also earned national attention. Karen was recently selected by LPT Realty’s CEO as one of only 20 top-producing LPT agents to participate in its Solo Practice Growth initiative, designed to help successful solo-producing agents with support systems continue growing. Karen has also been recognized by RealTrends among leading real estate professionals in Arkansas and nationally, while LPT Realty has received recognition for innovation in the real estate industry. But for Karen, success is about more than transactions. She remains active in the communities she serves, supporting local schools and churches, the Conway and Greenbrier chambers of commerce, Harbor Home for Women, and The Ministry Center for the Homeless to name a few. Karen and her husband, Robert Ferguson, a licensed REALTOR®, work together running her successful real estate business, serving clients across Faulkner County and Central Arkansas. With new resources, national recognition and continued momentum in a challenging market, Karen’s rebrand to LPT Realty is helping take both her real estate business and her clients to the next level.

Want to buy or sell with confidence? Put a Go-Getter to work for you.

SEPTEMBER 2026

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you can’t stop the beat!

More than three decades after Marcy Wells made history as UCA’s first female drum major, her daughter Taryn is leading the band—and the family tradition—forward. By Rita Halter Thomas • Photos by Makenzie Evans

n a hot late-summer day in Conway, Taryn Wells stepped onto the field at Estes Stadium as drum major of the University of Central Arkansas Bear Marching Band. More than three decades earlier, her mother, Marcy McArthur Wells, stepped onto the same field as UCA’s first female drum major. Taryn, a senior, never set out to inherit that legacy, but she is making it her own. Marcy deliberately left the decision to Taryn. “I did not push her to audition for drum major,” she said. When Taryn chose to try, Marcy was thrilled and confident. “I knew from the beginning that she would make it. And here she is, and here we are.” In 1993, Marcy did not audition to break a barrier. “I just wanted to be the drum major. I was a drum major in high school, and I just felt a calling to do that. I knew I wanted to be a band director, and to me that was just part of it,” she said. Once she earned the role, however, she became aware of the added pressure and scrutiny that came with being the first woman to hold it. Mistakes just felt heavier. Marcy served as UCA drum major for four years, from fall 1993 through fall 1996, first under Director Russell Langston and then Dr. Ricky Brooks. She has since spent 29 years as a band director, including 20 years at Greenbrier, where she directs the junior high band and assists senior high band Director Jennifer Church. Marcy wanted her children to experience music because she believes band develops skills such as teamwork, leadership and perseverance. “I always knew I wanted my kids to be band kids,” she said. “Band makes great humans.” “My mom raised me to be a music lover,” Taryn said, citing piano lessons, youth choir, band rehearsals and performances.

She credits her mother’s work with giving her and her younger brother, Tyson, a childhood steeped in music. As a band director’s kid, she spent hours at rehearsals and rode the bus to football games as early as age 7. “She was the person I saw the most, and that is what I gravitated toward.” Being included also strengthened their relationship: “I was there for everything. It allowed me to spend time with my mom, and when you spend time with someone, you grow closer.” As drum major for the Greenbrier High School band, Taryn learned that being the band director’s daughter brought accountability, not special treatment. “I couldn’t get away with goofing off and not doing my job just because I was Ms. Wells’ daughter,” she said. The experience also changed how she understood her mother’s leadership. “It showed me that being a parent or being a role model isn’t just love and affirmation. She can get onto me and critique me and not love me any less.” Taryn hesitated to audition for UCA drum major, despite feeling the same call to leadership her mother had felt. In her senior year, Marcy’s example settled the question. “I was like, Mom did it, so I can do it,” Taryn said. After the first rehearsal, as the musicians put away their instruments, Taryn finally paused long enough to absorb what earning the position meant. Tears began to fall. “Oh, my goodness. I’m really doing this,” she recalled thinking. Where Marcy’s leadership is quiet and steady, Taryn brings visible energy. “I’m so excited to be here that I’m just bouncing off the walls,” she said. Continued on page 73

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‘Mom did it, so I can do it.’ —— Taryn Wells

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Marcy believes her daughter is a natural ambassador for the band. “She reaches out and connects with all kinds of people, and that is a great trait for a drum major to have,” she said. Although Taryn knew about her mother’s history as drum major at Carlisle High School and UCA, that connection became more significant when she earned the position at Greenbrier. “She was so excited that we both have gotten to do this,” she said. The two have a genuine friendship that extends beyond the field, but Taryn is clear that Marcy is a parent first and an adviser when music is involved. Since earning the UCA position, Taryn has reached out often. “I’ve texted her for advice, like constantly,” she said. Both women understand the responsibility of leadership. “I’ve always been conscious that girls were watching me,” Marcy said. “That hits home even more when you have a daughter. You realize your kids are watching you: Are you setting a good example, and are you living the life you’d want them to live?” Watching her mother lead with confidence in a maledominated profession showed Taryn what was possible. “When you see that you can do all those things as a woman, why would you not?” she said. As Taryn begins her journey as UCA drum major, Marcy looks forward not only to watching from the stands but also to sharing the experiences that once shaped her own life. “I look forward to being able to have conversations about what it is like for her,” she said. The role may be part of Marcy’s legacy, but Taryn is making it her own. The beat, it seems, was never meant to stop.

Marcy McArthur Wells was UCA’s first female drum major, serving from fall 1993 through fall 1996. She has spent 29 years as a band director, and the past 20 years at Greenbrier Junior High. This fall her daughter, Taryn Wells, is a drum major at UCA.

SEPTEMBER 2026

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REPEAT PERFORMANCE Conway Corp’s video production team brings home a second consecutive Telly Award

in By Judy Riley • Photos by Makenzie Evans

From left, back row: Scott Taylor, Justin King, Javan Massey, David Tooley, Alex Ockenfels and Kyle Croft; front row: David Green, Alex Douglas, Levi Gilbert, Kara Kirby, Ashtyn Brown, Wayne Bailey, Jeff Matthews and Tim Roach.

onway Corp’s Video Production and Local Programming team has earned its second consecutive Telly Award, receiving a Bronze Telly Award in the Sports Series category for their coverage of Wampus Cats athletics. The award recognizes excellence in television series consisting of two to five episodes pertaining to sports. Presented during the 47th Annual Telly Awards, the competition honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks, production companies and creative agencies. This year’s winners include Paramount TV, Warner Bros. Discovery, FOX Entertainment, MoMA, Mayo Clinic, Sony Music, TED, Al Jazeera, Variety, ABC News, Dude Perfect and many other nationally recognized organizations. Nearly 14,000 entries from 55 countries were submitted for this year’s competition. “Winning a Telly Award for a second year in a row is a great honor,” Conway Corp Video Production & Local Programming Manager Jeff Matthews said. “We are incredibly grateful to our viewers who welcome us into their homes and trust us to broadcast Conway High sports. To be recognized alongside names like Paramount TV, Warner Bros. Discovery, and FOX Entertainment is an incredible honor, and it speaks to the quality of people we have here.” The award-winning production team included Producer Justin King, Co-Producer and Talent Levi Gilbert, Talent Tim Roach, Line Producers Wayne Bailey, Ashtyn Brown, Javan Massey and Executive Producer Jeff Matthews. “This award is meaningful because it shines a spotlight on what can be accomplished by a local team working together with passion and purpose,” Matthews said. “We don’t have the budgets of the big networks, but we do have a community that believes in what we’re doing and a crew that gives their best every single week.”

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“Video has never been more contested, more creative or more consequential than it is right now,” Telly Awards Managing Director Amanda Needham said. “The Telly Awards has had a front-row seat to this industry for 47 years, and today’s entertainment is happening in multiple formats, across every screen and at every budget level.” The 47th Annual Telly Awards also introduced new categories recognizing excellence in generative artificial intelligence, animation and creator-driven content. Winners were selected by the Telly Awards Judging Council, a panel of more than 250 industry experts representing organizations including Google, HBO, Netflix and the WNBA. Conway Corp’s Video Production and Local Programming team produces live broadcasts of Conway High athletics, local events and original programming for ConwayCorpTV, connecting viewers with the people, stories and events that make Conway a vibrant community. Preparation for the season begins several months before the first kickoff. In late spring and early summer, the team plans schedules, refines workflows, updates equipment, and builds graphics and promotional pieces. “Once the season is underway, we devote several hours each week to the project,” Matthews said. “Our team combines professionals with decades of experience and recent graduates who have a desire to work in video production. It takes a dream team,” Matthews said. “They bring creativity, technical skill, and a problem‑solving mindset to every game. What I’m most proud of is their commitment to our athletes, coaches, schools, and community. They treat every production—no matter the size—as if it’s a network‑level broadcast, and that mindset is what makes our work stand out.”

SEPTEMBER 2026

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BY EVERY

MEASURE

From founders and landmark builders to inventive neighbors and one observant stranger, Conway and Faulkner County show that achievement can take many forms — and its influence can reach across generations. By Vivian Lawson Hogue

George Washington Donaghey

George Washington Dalton Asa Peter Robinson

here have been many successful people in the city of Conway and Faulkner County since their beginnings of a few thousand residents. The meanings of the word “success” can be “the achievement of a purpose; the attainment of wealth or status” or an actual person who has attained such purposes. By my observations, I have seen that many people have success in one field and find themselves pursuing another. Thus, I believe we can say that there is really no cutoff for success! Published sources covering Conway’s history will always focus on the man who founded it. Asa Peter Robinson was a Connecticut native and a civil engineer graduate of Yale University. He came to Little Rock in 1869 to build a railroad. As chief engineer, the rails reached a prairie in 1871 and he often admired it because of his love of nature and hunting. Upon retirement, he was gifted a section of land and he selected that prairie, which became Conway. He first named it Conway Station and reserved the south half for his personal hunting grounds. The rest held his desire to build a town called Conway. As the plan transpired, streets were usually named for trees and city officials. One was named Deer for the salt lick that deer frequented. He built his own house facing the railroad so he could wave as it passed. When he donated land for the courthouse, he stipulated that only city officials could govern the cutting of trees, and that “no trees on said land or surrounding streets shall be cut, maimed or

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destroyed except for embellishment or opening roads or paths to said building or views to the same, unless such trees are decayed or dangerous.” The same stipulation was in deeds for town and residential lots. He achieved his purpose of building a town and donating to the establishment of churches and schools. And he saved trees. Oak trees on my property and others in Old Conway are 300 to 400 years old. A young boy from Louisiana made his way through years of family trials and no money, but gained valuable experiences leading to three successes. In his youth, George Washington Donaghey would make his way to Little Rock, where he saw the Old State Capitol and marveled at the architecture. His next stop was Conway, where he met a carpenter whose work he admired. His carpentry interest and newfound related abilities grew into a successful career, which led to a second career as a builder. He built the Faulkner County Courthouse, was the original builder of the Arkansas State Capitol building, Hendrix College’s Old Main, Central Baptist College’s Old Main and the University of Central Arkansas’ Old Main (originally Arkansas State Normal School), among many other prestigious structures. He became Arkansas’ governor in 1909. Even with no college degree, his successes were many. I was told that my parents climbed up into the Capitol dome in 1925 while they were on their honeymoon trip to Little Rock. My mother made the ascent wearing her tealength wedding dress and heels.

Other successful persons of the city included those not so well-known, but still of high respect. George Washington Dalton came to Arkansas from Kentucky. In 1862 as a teenager, he joined the Union Army and served until the Civil War ended. G.W. married Adaline Henry in 1867 and they lived in the Crossroads community. When his children began attending school, he taught himself to read so he could become a preacher. In his elder years, after moving to Enola, he often wrote articles for the Log Cabin Democrat, acquired many “firsts” in farming equipment and techniques, and owned an electric “icebox” and radio. He made his own soldering iron and soldered canning lids for neighbors. His inventions were submitted to the U.S. Patent Office. Recently, on a 95-degree July day, I remained in our car in a store’s massive parking lot while my husband went in to make a purchase. With windows lowered, I closed my eyes when a welcome breeze drifted in. While leaning back, I relished the rare coolness. I was soon jolted by the sound of a male’s voice saying, “Ma’am, are you OK?” I turned and said I was, appreciating his response of, “Just checkin’ cause it’s hot out here.” I gave him a smile and a big thank-you, feeling impressed with his expressed concern. Here was a well-bred man who could have simply and uncaringly walked on by. There are two successes here–one was good parenting still evidenced a generation later, and a son whose success, in my mind, was still following their teachings. He may have a child in his life who will receive and exhibit the same wisdom through another generation. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” The prodigal son learned that the hard way, but learn it, he did.

SEPTEMBER 2026

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LITTLE RO CK’S

HAENG UNG LEE By David Grimes

aeng Ung Lee was a pioneer in the world of martial arts, founding the American Taekwondo Association and eventually locating its headquarters in downtown Little Rock.

Lee was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame (ASHOF) in 2011 as part of the 53rd class, along with Calvin Borel, Dick Bumpas, Jerry Carlton, Ben Cowins, Bill “Sleepy” Curtis, Quinn Grovey, Cliff Horton, Cliff Lee, Carolyn Moffatt and Forrest Wood. Lee was born in Manchuria, China, in 1936. Soon after World War II, his family moved to Korea, where he began training in martial

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arts. He advanced to the rank of first-degree black belt in 1954. After graduating from high school, he entered the Korean Army as a taekwondo instructor in 1956. While teaching at a military base, Lee met and trained an American serviceman named Richard Reed. The two became close friends, and when Reed returned to the United States in 1962, Lee joined him. They established a martial arts school in Omaha, Nebraska. Lee became a U.S, citizen in 1973, and in 1975, he married Sun Cha Lee, with whom he had four children.

Haeng Ung Lee founded the American Taekwondo Association and located its headquarters in Little Rock. He died of lung cancer in 2000, and in 2007 his family sent Little Rock a traditional Korean gate to honor him. Weighing about eight tons, it stands next to the Statehouse Convention Center. In 1982, the writer met Master Lee and the Master autographed an edition of Kick magazine on which he appeared.

In 1969, Lee founded the American Taekwondo Association (ATA), and taekwondo schools began opening all over the country. In 1977, the ATA was relocated to Little Rock. Lee said he chose Little Rock because of its geographical similarities to his homeland of Korea and the friendly people he met here. The ATA headquarters is still in Little Rock, now on Riverfront Drive. Back during these early years in Omaha, Lee wrote the first instructor manual, which provided information and procedures to standardize each ATA school. One such school was opened in Conway by brothers Bob and Wyck Blankenship. ATA Fitness Center was located downtown, upstairs in the historic Halter Building. The business also featured a room full of weightlifting equipment, featuring those cool state-of-the-art Nautilus machines. Both advanced black belts, the Blankenships instructed classes ranging from beginning white belts to high-level black belts. For a brief period in the early 1980s, I took taekwondo lessons at their academy. I was average at best, but I remember having fun. That is, until after about a year, when I advanced to the level where you started actually fighting against other students. It did not take me long to figure out I needed to find another hobby. But during that time, I participated in a taekwondo competition that was held in Little Rock. Although I barely remember it, I actually met Master Lee and got him to autograph a magazine cover for me.

Since moving to Little Rock, the ATA has had a tremendous impact on the capital city. In 1978, the ATA held its National Championship event at UALR’s old gym with about 400 contestants from 25 states. By 1990, the event had grown into the World Championships with an estimated 6,000 contestants from all over the globe. Lee died of lung cancer in 2000. An estimated 3,000 people attended his funeral in Little Rock. His brother Soon Ho was later promoted to ninth-degree grand master. In 2003, Lee was posthumously promoted to 10th-degree black belt and awarded the title of “Eternal Grand Master,” the highest rank in Songahm taekwondo. He is the first to attain this rank in the ATA. In 2007, Master Lee’s family decided to give a tribute to his home in the U.S. in the form of a traditional Korean gate. Weighing about eight tons, the gate was built in Korea and shipped to Little Rock, with the overall cost said to be more than $1 million. It stands at the end of the Main Street Bridge in the heart of downtown Little Rock, right next to the Statehouse Convention Center, which has hosted numerous ATA events over the decades. The H.U. Lee Classic is held there each year in December. The gate is a symbol of friendship between South Korea and the United States and a tribute to martial arts. Behind the gate is a garden filled with items representing Arkansas and Korea, including vegetation, water features and statues.

SEPTEMBER 2026

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Retired FBI Special Agent Jerry Spurgers, of Greenbrier, wrote a book about events surrounding a 2016 murder in Central Arkansas. His true-crime narrative has received strong reviews. A second book has been written and Spurgers hopes to publish it soon.

hat makes crime stories so appealing to readers? Suspense, psychological tension, intricate investigations, and colorful characters are all hallmarks of successful crime dramas. Yet stories can become even more compelling when the crime unfolds in familiar surroundings. That is the case in “Murder at Midnight: The FBI’s Battle with Violence and Drugs in a Small Southern Town,” recently released by retired FBI Special Agent Jerry Spurgers of Greenbrier. The book recounts the events surrounding the murder of Susan Cooper, which took place in Malvern in September 2016. Spurgers was the lead case agent for the investigation, which took more than two years to complete. Spurgers’ true-crime narrative has received strong reviews for its detailed portrayal of the investigative process involving multiple law enforcement agencies. As one reviewer noted, “He sorts through the myriad pieces of opinions, rumors, and facts in a multidimensional chess match involving the guilty, the innocent, and the law — not just working to figure out who did what, but also being able to prove the case in court.” Spurgers began writing about his experiences because he thought his children might someday want to hear stories about the cases he worked on while serving with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His FBI career began after he left the Air Force in May 1997, when he headed directly to Quantico for training. He was later assigned to the Violent Crimes Squad in Little Rock, where he worked on nearly 30 death investigations during his 24-year career.

He readily admits he considers himself more a storyteller than a writer, so he initially spent a year crafting a series of short stories. When the response from publishers was not what he had hoped for, a friend encouraged him to expand one of those stories into a fulllength nonfiction book — a process that took another year to complete. Spurgers ultimately chose to self-publish through Amazon. Before publication, however, he remembered signing a disclosure agreement with the FBI upon retirement. To move forward with the release, he was required to obtain clearance from the agency to ensure the manuscript contained no classified information or details that could identify confidential witnesses. Once that approval was secured, the book was published. Since the release of “Murder at Midnight,” Spurgers has spoken to Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, libraries, and community groups across the state. He can be reached through his Facebook page, Jerry Spurgers – True Crime Author. He hopes to publish a second book soon, though he admits it is a “hard read” because it deals with crimes involving children. A third book, centered on gambling and public corruption tied to the Boston Mafia, promises to be “more lighthearted.” Spurgers and his wife, Wendi, have been married for 38 years. He enjoys caring for their horses and spending time with their two sons and two grandchildren, who live nearby. For readers interested in true crime, ‘Murder at Midnight’ offers a firsthand account of the investigation and the work required to build a case. SEPTEMBER 2026

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holy

chute!

He’s ninety going on 10,000 feet, retired minister Jon Dewbre celebrates a milestone birthday with the leap of a lifetime. By Rita Halter Thomas

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A Texas native, Jon Dewbre was voted “Mr. Brookdale” this year at Brookdale Senior Living in Conway. His wish for his 90th birthday was to skydive so his daughter, Carol McBay, set it up. Many of the residents and staff came to see him jump. Dewbre loves life and having fun.

t 10,000 feet above the Arkansas River Valley, Jon Dewbre arched his back on his instructor’s command near the open side door of an airplane. In a heartbeat, the wind yanked them through the door and toward earth at more than 100 mph. Rather than celebrate his birthday with dinner and cake, 90-year-old Dewbre decided to skydive. Why? “Thirty years ago, I dreamed I was floating down through the sky [with] a parachute, and I came between two trees. It was just so beautiful. When I woke up, for a few seconds I thought I had actually done it because it [felt] so real,” he said. After the dream recurred, he decided to skydive on his 90th birthday. “I really had no idea I’d still be living at 90,” he said, laughing. A Texas native, Dewbre had reason to expect a shorter life. Beyond risky motorcycle rides as a teen and two years in the Army, he served 13 years as a deputy in Arkansas and Louisiana and was a pulpit minister for 50 years, retiring at 76 from the Church of Christ in a, Louisiana. Much of his adult life was spent carrying a badge or a Bible, behind a pistol or a pulpit. Both are callings that can put a person in precarious positions. When his April birthday approached, Dewbre talked about skydiving, but the weather was unsuitable. Talk continued, and weeks later, one of his best friends told him to either put up or shut up. So, being a man of his word, Dewbre put up. Way up. At his request, Dewbre’s daughter, Carol McBay, arranged the lateJune adventure with Paradise Valley Skydiving at the Clarksville Municipal Airport. “I was happy to help him fulfill a long-time dream to skydive. I loved seeing him excited about it,” she said. For two weeks, they planned and watched jump videos. By the time he suited up for the jump, Dewbre was calm, his heartbeat steady. The hot, humid day brought mostly cloudy skies, which created a hiccup. The cloud cover delayed the jump by about three hours. “He

was more worried about the people waiting on the ground than he was jumping,” McBay said. Brookdale Conway, the assisted-living facility where Dewbre lives, brought about 15 residents and staff to join McBay and her daughter, Audrey, in cheering for Brookdale’s 2026 Man of the Year, an honor given to him in February. He is fondly called “the man in the hat” because he always wears a cowboy hat. During freefall, the wind roared past, Dewbre’s clothing popped, and his cheeks flapped from the velocity for 30 seconds before the chute opened. “When he opened that chute, we came to a screeching halt. Then you’re down to 15 [mph],” he said. “The rest of the trip was beautiful. I just loved it.” He praised the instructor’s expertise in steering their drift while he enjoyed the view. As the airport slowly came into view, he waved at those waiting and cheering below. Dewbre’s daughter and granddaughter wore red shirts and red ball caps that read “Jump for Jesus.” Although he hates heights, he was prepared and prayed up. His years as a deputy taught him to control fear, and preaching sometimes made him more nervous than skydiving. During the two weeks before the jump, he hoped he wouldn’t freeze, but there was no time. “I thought we’d jump, but we didn’t. We just shot out of there,” he said. “Heights don’t play any part of it. You’re just too high up.” While they didn’t glide between two trees like in his dream, Dewbre said the rest was pretty much like it. “It was just a fantastic experience. I’m so happy I did it. I enjoyed every minute of it,” he said. “It’s been really heartwarming to me for him to have enjoyed the whole experience so much,” McBay said. She has enjoyed reliving the day through pictures, videos and sharing stories. Would he do it again? Absolutely, and he recommends it. His next adventure? “How about ziplining?” he said, joking. Or maybe not.

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PERSON OF THE MONTH

JOSH

JEFFERS

PARK SUPERINTENDENT OF PINNACLE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK Photo by Makenzie Evans

“Pinnacle Mountain is one of the busiest parks in the state, seeing more than 600,000 visitors annually. It is also one of the most diverse parks, from the mountains to the rivers and wetlands to the different people who visit. As we like to say at Pinnacle, ‘We’re more than a mountain.’” —— Josh Jeffers

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In 2017, I was promoted to park superintendent of Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Under my leadership, the park expanded and began providing new recreational opportunities for the public. In 2021, we added almost 20 miles of Monument Trails. The multi-use and mountain bike trails quickly became some of the most popular in Central Arkansas. In 2023, we opened the stunningly beautiful new park visitor center at the base of Pinnacle Mountain. We also took over management of Lake Sylvia Recreation Area and Historic Camp Ouachita, which the U.S. Forest Service previously operated. This added camping, cabins and swimming just 30 minutes west of Pinnacle. On Jan. 1, we opened our newest trail, Owl Pass, a mile-long, ADA-accessible trail that links the West Summit Picnic Area to the Arkansas Arboretum. Other accomplishments include receiving a Director’s Special Commendation in 2024 in recognition of my dedication to professionalism and demonstration of our department’s core values. I have also received Life Saving Awards for my actions as a first responder that have led to saving a life. The park was honored this past year with the Arkansas State Parks 2025 Exceptional Experience Award.

I could not have achieved any of these accomplishments without the hard-working staff at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. As a leader, you are only as good as the people who work for you. HOMETOWN: I grew up in Bismarck (Hot Spring County), where I first discovered my enthusiasm and passion for Arkansas state parks. Growing up, my mom served as the facility manager of the marina at DeGray Lake Resort State Park. My family spent many hours fishing, boating and exploring DeGray Lake. I live in Roland near the base of Pinnacle Mountain, where I’ve lived since 2008, when I accepted the assistant superintendent position at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. FAMILY: The following year, I met my wife, Maggie, at the park. On our first date, we hiked the Rocky Valley Trail; a few trail hikes later, we married in 2013. Since then, we have had two rambunctious sons, 86 | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 6

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Wyatt, 8, and Parker, 6. Both are outdoor enthusiasts, and luckily for them, we have a 2,600-acre state park in our backyard to explore!

EDUCATION: I graduated from Bismarck High School in 1999 and from Henderson State University in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in recreation: parks management with a minor in social sciences. I began my state park career in 2005 at DeGray Lake Resort. In 2006, I accepted a park superintendent trainee position and worked at several parks. In 2008, I graduated from ALETA (Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy). From then until November 2024, I served in a dual role as a state park officer and administrator. I recently retired from my role as a park officer to focus on the growing demands of the park superintendent position.

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