Arkansas Times | October 2025

BY PHILLIP POWELL

FEATURES

25 GONE FALLOW IN THE DELTA

Tariffs and an arguably outdated Farm Bill are leaving Arkansas farmers with rising bills and shrinking opportunities.

By Phillip Powell

32 PRISONERS OF THEIR OWN MAKING

Shackled to a remote, bone-dry parcel in Franklin County, state leaders still try to make their Franklin County mega-prison dream come true.

By Matt Campbell

38 TOAST OF THE TOWN

Anyone can get sloshed, but tracking down the best possible libations and the ideal environment in which to guzzle them takes some deliberation.

40 BARKEEPS ANONYMOUS

A dispatch from the other side of the bar.

44 YOUNG AND WINEY

Raising the bar at Crush. By Phillip Powell

45 TOWN PUMP LITE

Is one of Little Rock’s favorite dive bars still a dive bar?

By Daniel Ford

46 BEER FOR EVERYONE

Barrels of barley-free beer at Bentonville’s Stoic Brews.

By Brian Sorensen

48 KISS FROM A (PRESTON)ROSE

Emu meatloaf and beer flights at Prestonrose Farm and Brewery.

By Stephanie Smittle

51 DRINK UP

Attic Bar is worth the climb. By Brock Hyland

52 THE WINNERS

A fresh directory of boozy recommendations, courtesy of readers like you.

SCENES FROM PARIS: What happens when you mash up a certified organic farm with a craft microbrewery? Find out at Logan County’s Prestonrose (Page 48).

9 THE FRONT

From the Farm: Purple prose from the Goober Gazette.

Q&A: Tasteful send-offs with Rosie Grant, author of “To Die For.”

Big Pic: Deep thoughts at Pizza D’Action.

17 THE TO-DO LIST

Hip times at Hillcrest HarvestFest; a big, gay parade; Everyone Asked About You at Vino’s; “The Fly” at Riverdale; sax and scat by Camille Thurman at AMFA; and more.

93 CULTURE

A curator chat about artists Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina, who arrived in the U.S. from Eastern Europe at the dawn of the 20th century.

By Tara Escolin

103 HISTORY

Arkansas black bears are harmless, except when they’re not.

By Daniel Grear

106 THE OBSERVER

Hipsters! You can’t get rid of them.

ON THE COVER: As fall sets in, farmers across the Arkansas Delta are reaping their harvest. For the first time in 30 years, Shannon Hall won’t be one of them. Photo by Brian Chilson.

SIX BRIDGES BOOK FESTIVAL

Where Stories Connect Us

Join more than 40 writers, illustrators, and storytellers at the Six Bridges Book Festival. Experience conversations, readings, and events that celebrate the power of words.

Dr. Carly Anne York & Jasmin Graham Wed., Oct. 1 | 6–7 PM | Ron Robinson Theater

Dr. Alex Vernon

Fri., Oct. 3 | 12–1 PM Ron Robinson Theater

Dr. Chelsea Clinton, moderator

September 28 – October 5 | Little Rock, Arkansas Register and view the full list of authors at SixBridgesBookFestival.org

Dr. Adolph L. Reed Jr. Sat., Oct. 4 | 1–2 PM Main Library

Louis Sachar Thurs., Oct. 2 | 6–7 PM Ron Robinson Theater

Wright Thompson Thurs., Oct. 2 | 7:30–8:30 PM Ron Robinson Theater

Annabel Monaghan & Regina Black Sat., Oct. 4 | 1–2 PM | Ron Robinson Theater

• Senior Citizen & Persons with Disabilities

• 1 bedroom

• Stove, refrigerator, water furnished

• Central H/A

• Laundry on-site

• Rent assistance may be available Contact:   870-448-2648

•

• Stove, refrigerator furnished

• Central H/A

• Laundry on-site

• Rent assistance may be available Contact:  870-448-5186

PUBLISHER Alan Leveritt

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Austin Gelder

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mandy Keener

MANAGING EDITOR Benjamin Hardy

PRINT EDITOR Daniel Grear

FOOD EDITOR Rhett Brinkley

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER Matt Campbell

AGRI AND ENVIRONMENT REPORTER Phillip Powell

REPORTER Milo Strain

RACIAL EQUITY REPORTER Arielle Robinson

VIBE CHECKER Stephanie Smittle

EDITOR EMERITUS Max Brantley

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Mara Leveritt

PHOTOGRAPHER Brian Chilson

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Bob Edwards

ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR Mike Spain

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Katie Hassell

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING/ SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS PUBLISHER Brooke Wallace

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Wendy Hickingbotham

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Terrell Jacob, Kaitlyn Looney

ADVERTISING TRAFFIC MANAGER Roland R. Gladden

DIGITAL MARKETING DIRECTOR Lyndsey Huddleston

DIGITAL AD COORDINATOR Sarah Richardson

EVENTS DIRECTOR Donavan Suitt

IT DIRECTOR Robert Curfman

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Anitra Lovelace

CONTROLLER Weldon Wilson

BILLING/COLLECTIONS Charlotte Key CHAIR MAN Lindsey Millar

PRODUCTION MANAGER Ira Hocut (1954-2009)

ARKANSAS TIMES (ISSN 0164-6273) is published each month by Arkansas Times Limited Partnership, 201 East Markham Street, Suite 150, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201, phone (501) 3752985. Periodical postage paid at Little Rock, Arkansas, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ARKANSAS TIMES, 201 EAST MARKHAM STREET, SUITE 150, Little Rock, AR, 72201. Subscription prices are $60 for one year. For subscriber service call (501) 375-2985. Current single-copy price is $5, free in Pulaski County. Single issues are available by mail at $5.00 each, postage paid. Payment must accompany all orders. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents without the written consent of the publishers is prohibited. Manuscripts and artwork will not be returned or acknowledged unless sufficient return postage and a self-addressed stamped envelope are included. All materials are handled with due care; however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for care and safe return of unsolicited materials. All letters sent to ARKANSAS TIMES will be treated as intended for publication and are subject to ARKANSAS TIMES’ unrestricted right to edit or to comment editorially.

©2025 ARKANSAS TIMES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

“LAWYER OF THE YEAR” 2026

Administrative / Regulatory Law

N. M. Norton

Appellate Practice

Troy A. Price

George Rozzell

Arbitration

Frank S. Hamlin

Banking and Finance Law

Jeb H. Joyce

Robert T. Smith

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Lance R. Miller

Bet-the-Company Litigation

William Mell Griffin III

Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)

David A. Smith

Civil Rights Law

Austin Porter, Jr.

Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law

David A. Smith

Commercial Finance Law

J. Scott Schallhorn

Construction Law

Patrick D. Wilson

Susan K. Kendall

Corporate Law

Paul Parnell

James W. Smith

Criminal Defense: General Practice

Annie Depper

Doug Norwood

Education Law

Missy McJunkins Duke

Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law

Michael N. Shannon

Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

Alexandra A. Ifrah

Employment Law - Individuals

H. Wayne Young

Employment Law - Management

Amber Wilson Bagley

Energy Law

Scott C. Trotter

Environmental Law

G. Alan Perkins

Family Law

Beth Echols

Government Relations Practice

Derrick W. Smith

Health Care Law

Amber Wilson Bagley

Insurance Law

Michael P. Vanderford

Labor Law - Management

Missy McJunkins Duke

Land Use and Zoning Law

J. Cliff McKinney II

Litigation - Banking and Finance

William A. Waddell, Jr.

Litigation - Bankruptcy

Stan D. Smith

Litigation - Construction

David L. Jones

Jason H. Wales

Litigation - Environmental

Julie DeWoody Greathouse

Litigation - Insurance

Barrett Deacon

Jamie H. Jones

Litigation - Labor and Employment

William Stuart Jackson

Susan K. Kendall

Litigation - Real Estate

L. Kyle Heffley

Joseph W. Price II

Litigation - Trusts and Estates

Sarah Cotton Patterson

Litigation and Controversy - Tax

David S. Mitchell, Jr.

Mass Tort Litigation / Class ActionsDefendants

Scott D. Provencher

Mediation

David M. Fuqua

Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants

Colin M. Johnson

Bradley S. Runyon

Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Rebecca B. Hurst

Thomas C. Vaughan, Jr.

Municipal Law

Gordon M. Wilbourn

Nonprofit / Charities Law

K. Coleman Westbrook, Jr.

Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

James R. Estes, Jr.

D. Michael Huckabay, Jr.

Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs

Will Bond

Jason M. Hatfield

Product Liability Litigation - Defendants

Scott A. Irby

Kyle R. Wilson

Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs

Frank H. Bailey

John E. Tull III

Public Finance Law

Robert B. Beach, Jr.

Real Estate Law

Jeb H. Joyce

Jay T. Taylor

Securities / Capital Markets Law

Robert T. Smith

Tax Law

Denton Woods

Trav Baxter

Trusts and Estates

J. Lee Brown

Christopher T. Rogers

Workers’ Compensation Law - Employers

Guy Alton Wade

IPURPLE

PASSION: Can you dig these fluorescent sweet potatoes?

THE GREENHORN GOOBER GUIDE TO PURPLE SWEET POTATOES

NAVIGATING A RIGHT-ANGLE LEARNING CURVE.

BY ALAN LEVERITT

Arkansas Times publisher Alan Leveritt has lived on his great-grandparents’ farm in North Pulaski County for more than 40 years. This is the latest in a series of columns about day-to-day life on the land where he raises heirloom tomatoes and other crops for local restaurants and the Hillcrest Farmers Market. them to the surface.

have a $25,000 Kubota tractor that I can’t operate without a $10 hammer. I shouldn’t need a hammer to operate something that expensive. I hate farm machinery and, if possible, I’ll take a 4-inch hoe every time instead. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible, as I learned in September when it was time to harvest my purple Asian sweet potatoes.

Last season I planted two 150-foot rows of beautiful, bright-purple sweet potatoes. They are colorful, delicious and nutritious, and they sold quickly. I harvested them with a shovel — a backbreaking task — and vowed never to do that again.

Sweet potatoes crisscross the ground with thick vines, creating an almost impenetrable net, and this year I planted a quarter-acre. The answer, I was told, was to drag a middle buster plow down the row with the blade digging beneath the buried potatoes, throwing

So the first Saturday in September found me sitting in an aging house trailer off U.S. Highway 62 East outside of Rogers with Casey, a young, well-spoken guy who repairs and sells used farm equipment. I had come for a used middle buster. He said he had grown up around all kinds of farm equipment and loved messing with it. It sounded like hell to me, but I didn’t say anything.

The next day I was on my back beneath the tractor trying to detach the bush hog powertrain from my Kubota so I could hang the middle buster off the back. The bush hog was about 300 pounds of iron suspended 5 inches above my face. The old powertrain had a perpetually frozen button that in theory would release it from the tractor. I sprayed 10W-40 lubricant until it was dripping on my face. I banged it and I cursed it and it finally came apart. I had the foresight to put the bush hog

up on blocks so it didn’t crush me. I’m a college man, you see.

The middle buster weighs about 100 pounds, and after about 30 exhausting minutes, I was able to walk and wrestle it into position so that I could slide in the pins and attach it to the back of the tractor. Flushed with success, I climbed up on the machine, revved the engine and bounced my way out to the sweet potato patch feeling downright jaunty. I slowly lined up the tractor with the first row of plants, dropped the middle buster and then got off to be sure the plow point was in line to dig beneath the sweet potatoes. That is when I noticed something strange.

I had put the plow on backwards.

I stood there sweat-soaked, dirt-caked and physically whipped. And then I started laughing. Laughing at the greenhorn goober who couldn’t even put on a plow facing the right way. So back we went to the tractor barn,

MIDDLE BUSTER: This tractor attachment supposedly makes the act of sweet potato harvesting easier.

where I pounded out the pins and, after another 30 minutes of alligator wrestling, got the thing on right.

Google “small farm sweet potato harvester” and it will recommend a middle buster. What it does not tell you is that it works fine for the first 30 feet, but by then the vines are wrapped around the plow point so thickly that it is no longer digging, just dragging along the soil surface. You have to climb off the tractor, unwrap the vines and drag the heavy mess to the side.

It took all day but it was also a beautiful day. Each row had to be gone over a half-dozen times but slowly the purple (and some orange) sweet potatoes began to pile up along the field. Bushels of them.

Big operations have a huge machine called a vine cutter that costs thousands. I think a flail mower will work for me next season, cutting the vines and making the middle buster more efficient. People recommend a middle buster for both Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes, but except for the buried potatoes beneath, their habit is totally different. Irish potatoes are like small bushes that are flipped up by the middle buster blade. Sweet potatoes are a thick, viney mess, the tops of which have to be dealt with before they can be dug.

Obviously I am not going to get rich in the sweet potato business. My main goal that weekend was to stay out of the emergency room. But the beauty of the purple-tinged leaves and the brilliant, electric purple of the sweet potato flesh is just mesmerizing. I am constantly learning something new and I delight in that, even if it’s just how to put on a plow properly.

I am curing my sweet potatoes in the sorting shed for about 10 days before I start selling or eating them. During that time the potatoes will convert starches into sugar, making them sweeter and extending the shelf life for months. Last year I came across a recipe by chef John Mitzewich (allrecipes. com/recipe/234805/chef-johns-sweet-potato-casserole) for a sweet potato casserole that uses pure maple syrup and a baked pistachio crust. There is no better use for a sweet potato.

YUM-MENTO MORI

TALKING GRAVESTONE RECIPES WITH AUTHOR ROSIE GRANT.

Author Rosie Grant credits covid-era compromises with her introduction to an unexpected corner of the culinary world. Grant was in pursuit of a library sciences degree and looking for some hands-on work in an archive, but found her options to be limited by pandemic protocols. But archivists at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C., were busier than ever, and happy to have her help. Grant’s work there spawned her popular social media persona @GhostlyArchive, and it was the inspiration for “To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes,” in bookstores Oct. 7.

Tell me the origin story of this crosscountry odyssey to collect recipes etched on grave markers. Back in the early days of 2020 I started a library science degree at the University of Maryland, and I had to do an archive search somewhere. Because of covid, a lot of archives were closed, so I ended up interning at a cemetery archive. They were busier than ever, unfortunately. That’s what brought me into the cemetery world. I loved it so much, the preservation and history. At the Congressional Cemetery in D.C., they do so much work telling the stories of the people there. I was very new to the death space and learning a lot. It was in that process that I learned about my first gravestone recipe.

We were all home and cooking a lot more during lockdown when I came upon Naomi Odessa Miller-Dawson’s recipe for spritz cookies inscribed on her gravestone. I wondered what they tasted like. I TikTok’d it, and overnight my world exploded. There was lots of interest.

WHAT ARE YOU READING? “Skeleton Crew,” a short story collection by Stephen King.

WHAT ARE YOU DRESSING UP AS FOR HALLOWEEN? My husband and I are going as either Gomez and Morticia Addams or Roger and Jessica Rabbit.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE IDEAL AGE TO DIE? All my grandparents lived into their 90s, and by that point they were ready to go. I would say 85. It would be good to have a really good life and then die in your sleep.

That intertwining of food and death prompted a big response, right? All of these people started sharing really personal details on how they used food to grieve. I’d hear, “My mom just died and I’m making her cookies right now to remember her.” Or, “My dad died and I make his chili recipe every year.” It opened up for me how important food is to grief and remembering.

So you took it on the road?

My mom and I drove up to New York to see Miller-Dawson’s gravestone, and I felt like I should bring a batch of her cookies to her. It felt fitting for my mom and me to have a picnic by her grave.

I knew of another woman named Connie up there and thought, “If I’m visiting Naomi, then I should visit Connie, too, and take her date and nut bread.” I made more graveside visits while traveling across the country on a move from D.C. to LA. I’ve been able to visit every gravestone in North America that’s featured in the book.

Have you found any good recipes in Arkansas? Yes! I have been to Arkansas and it was such a special time. Peggy Neal is actually still alive, but she has a gravestone in Charleston (Franklin County). Her husband died a few years ago, and they’ll share a headstone together. She has a sugar cookie recipe on it, and when I visited, we baked them together. And there’s another sugar cookie recipe on a gravestone in Arkansas.

Besides recipes, have you found other unusual features on gravestones?

Anything important to a person, you’ll see on a gravestone. I’ve seen photos, a QR code that links to a video, hobbies, funny quotes, movie quotes, odes to a love of “Star Wars” or Coca-Cola or a particular beer.

What’s your favorite recipe that you’ve found on a grave? They’re all my favorites, but the one I make most frequently is from a woman named Annabell Gunderson who’s buried in California. It’s a snickerdoodle recipe. I really love that one because it reminds me of childhood. Another woman named Helen is buried in Michigan, and she has a Texas-style sheetcake that I’ve made for friends for birthdays.

Has this endeavor changed the way you think about death? My parents are both ghost tour guides, so we love cemeteries, we love history. I always went to lots of cemeteries but didn’t really engage with mortality myself. I’m very afraid of my loved ones passing away. It’s almost unimaginable to think we all will die someday, but it’s really beautiful to think about our legacies and to consider, “How do I want to be remembered?”

You’re only 35 so you have lots of time, but have you thought about what you’ll put on your own tombstone? I would put a clam linguine recipe. I love having friends over for dinner and I’ll make my pasta. There’s butter. There’s white wine. There’s parsley.

So you visited gravesites and tested the recipes and posted it all to social media, but how did the book happen? A couple publishers reached out and said, “Let us know when you get to 100 recipes and we can do a cookbook.” I didn’t know if that would ever happen, but when I got to about 20, my current editor reached out and we envisioned something a little different that included recipes along with stories from families. I started checking to see how families felt, if they wanted to be included or if it was too personal. It’s been years of talking to people, talking to them again, learning their stories. —Austin Gelder

DRINK IN THE WISDOM

THE GENIUS OF PIZZA D’S BILLBOARDS IS 1% INSPIRATION, 99% INTOXICATION.

Pizza D’Action, the beloved Stifft Station dive bar and pizza joint, indisputably carries the title for having the most wise-crackin’ marquee sign in Little Rock. Prominently displayed near the busy intersection of Markham Street and Kavanaugh Boulevard, the sign’s playful quips command attention from both tavern regulars and drivers by. One of our favorite Arkansas Times headlines from 2011 is “Pizza D’Action shrugs off crash” after someone slammed a Toyota Camry into the dining room after hours and then backed out and drove off into the December night. With a board nailed in place of the busted window, “The D” was back open for business the next day. Almost always silly, sometimes crass, occasionally political, the bar’s landmark marquee provides the kind of levity that many of us so desperately long for when heading out for a smoky night of revelry. —Rhett

1

Brinkley

LET THE FEAST BEGIN!

BY DANIEL GREAR, STEPHANIE SMITTLE AND OMAYA JONES

HILLCREST HARVESTFEST

SATURDAY 10/4. HILLCREST. 11 A.M.-7 P.M. FREE.

In 2024, the organizers of Hillcrest HarvestFest celebrated its 30th birthday by doing something a bit radical: They invited Glass Beams, a buzzy psychedelic rock band from Australia, to perform at the annual familyfriendly street festival. The effort to bring recognizable musicians to Hillcrest wasn’t just a one-time deal, though. This year, in addition to the quaint, autumnal trimmings you’re used to — dozens of vendors, a pie contest, a dog show and more — HarvestFest will be headlined at 6 p.m. by Los Angeles indie poppers Lucius. Fronted by co-lead vocalists Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig — they dress identically on stage and “sing together like each possesses one half of a whole voice” (Paste Magazine) — the band specializes in restrained, slightly off-kilter grooves and “uncannily exact harmonies” (Rolling Stone). Chicago alt-country band Case Oats — a recent signee to Merge Records and the brainchild of Casey Gomez Walker and Spencer Tweedy (a lithe drummer who happens to be the son of Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy) — and Little Rock singer-songwriter Isaac Alexander play earlier in the day. DG

CENTRAL ARKANSAS PRIDEFEST AND PARADE

SATURDAY 10/18. 1110 W. CAPITOL AVE. 11 A.M.-6 P.M. FREE, $50 FOR VIP PASSES.

Whether you think of Central Arkansas Pride as more of a celebration or a protest, you’ll likely be pleased by the 2025 relocation of the festival and parade, which has been transported from Argenta Plaza to Capitol Avenue, just blocks away from the headquarters of the state’s most powerful (and often most bigoted) lawmakers. “By moving this year’s Pride close to the Arkansas Capitol, we are ensuring that our community cannot be ignored. We are here, we are vibrant, and we are united,” Dolores Wilk, the organization’s executive director, said in a press release. Let legislators hear and see what they’re missing by belting and boogieing along to performances by Natural State drag queens Kitty Kouture, Athena Sinclair (pictured at left) and Alura O’Shaunacy; singer-songwriter Stephanie Smittle; and trans-fronted metal band Mortalus. Plus, there’ll be vendors, activities for kids and food trucks galore. If you’re feeling extra frisky, consider attending Sunday’s Pride Brunch at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, which will include a keynote address from USA Pride co-president Eve Keller. The festival and parade are free and open to the public; brunch tickets are $20 at arpride.org. DG

‘ARCHITECTS OF BEING’: LOUISE NEVELSON AND ESPHYR SLOBODKINA’

FRIDAY 10/3-SUNDAY 1/11. ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS. FREE.

You could argue that Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina have little in common. Primarily a sculptor, Nevelson (1899-1988) was known for her imposing, mostly monochromatic structures, often made from recycled wood. Slobodkina (1908-2002), on the other hand, more freely used color in her pieces, which frequently took the form of geometrically inspired avant-garde paintings. The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts’ latest exhibition, “Architects of Being,” however, boldly presents the two artists as complementary, and will feature found object sculptures, mixed media reliefs, collage, painting, jewelry and clothing (like the dress at right, designed by Slobodkina circa 1972). Drawing threads between their shared identities as American immigrants from Eastern Europe and their common interest in the “legacy of cubism, surrealism, and constructivism,” Nevelson and Slobodkina have been “brought together in dialogue for the first time” by AMFA curator Catherine Walworth (read an interview with her on pages 93-97). After “Architects of Being” premieres at AMFA, the exhibition will head to the Chrysler Museum of Art and the New Britain Museum of American Art. DG

ARGENTA DOGTOWN THROWDOWN

FRIDAY 10/10-SATURDAY 10/11. ARGENTA ARTS DISTRICT. FREE-$40.

The last of the year’s four seasonal block parties thrown by the Argenta District is upon us, and with any luck, we’ll be favored by the whims and fancies of the Arkansas climate gods with some prime-ass jacket weather. Whether or not we’ve left summer in the rearview, expect the Argenta Dogtown Throwdown’s “fall feast” theme to spark comfort food specials at Blackberry Market, Brood & Barley, Crush Wine Bar, Draft + Table, Flyway Brewing, Four Quarter Bar, Reno’s and Skinny J’s Argenta. You’ll need something on your stomach to temper the beer you’ll swig at the adjacent Little Rocktoberfest, a beer fest thrown by Central Arkansas Fermenters at Argenta Plaza from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11; get tickets for that at littlerocktoberfest.com. Or, do some multitasking and get your exercise and drinking done all in one fell swoop with the Dogtown Beer Down, a mile-long run that involves chugging an entire brew between each of four laps on a designated race course (four beers total, with an option to do a “root beer” mile instead). Proceeds for the beer run benefit Recycle Bikes for Kids. Heats begin in staggered 20-minute intervals at noon; find registration info at facebook.com/argentabeermile. (For less boozy cardio, try the 6 p.m. yoga session with Dogtown Yoga on Friday). Elsewhere on the throwdown schedule: a Friday night concert from Whoa Dakota on the steps of Argenta Library, a noontime St. Francis-inspired Blessing of the Animals on Saturday from Argenta United Methodist Church; visits with other cute creatures at the North Little Rock Animal Shelter’s mobile adoption unit; a vintage market at Flyway Brewing; music from Chris “Bucket” Shelton in front of Blackberry Market at 5 p.m. on Saturday; and more. See the Argenta Arts District’s Facebook page for a full schedule. SS

ARKANSAS TIMES FILM SERIES: ‘THE FLY’

TUESDAY 10/21. RIVERDALE 10 VIP CINEMA. 7 P.M. $12-$14.

In David Cronenberg’s “The Fly” (1986), Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) is on the verge of the greatest scientific achievement of all time when he meets Veronica Quaife (Geena Davis), a science reporter, at a party. Would she like to go back to his place to discuss? Yes. This is not just a longshot ruse to hook up. Seth has invented a teleportation machine, but he can’t figure out how to safely transfer organic matter. Only after discovering the secrets of the flesh can he solve the problem. When Seth and Veronica eventually become romantically involved, however, a jealous spell leads Seth to test the machine on himself in private. Unbeknownst to him, a fly enters the chamber at the same time — with demented results. What makes “The Fly” so compellingly upsetting isn’t just the body horror or the gruesome transformation of Seth from man to insect; it’s the brutal extinguishing of what could have been between two people. Get tickets at riverdale10.com. OJ

‘THE CURIOUS WORLD OF HIERONYMUS BOSCH’

SATURDAY 10/11. CALS RON ROBINSON THEATER. 4 P.M. $12.

Early in August, a pink-haired harpist from Boston by the name of Melanie shattered the ceiling on her growing social media following, earning 5 million views for a video captioned “Playing the Butt Song!” The butt song in question? The sheet music tattooed on the hindquarters of a tiny figure in Hieronymus Bosch’s sprawling 15th century painting, “The Garden of Earthly Delights.” The melody’s not exactly an earworm, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is this: Bosch is still freaking people out with his electrifyingly strange depictions of the body, over 500 years after his death. (How many early Renaissance painters can you name who have their work printed across a $97 bomber jacket on Etsy?) Looking closely at his work, as does this film to be screened at CALS Ron Robinson this month, it’s little wonder we’ve remained obsessed with the Netherlands native for half a millennium. Bosch’s work is surreal and harrowing and wildly detailed, often depicting religious doomsday symbolism with imagery that resembles a medieval acid trip — figures with giant spiked strawberries growing out of their spines, orgies with demons and ducks in attendance, slit throats and spear-pierced torsos, dead-eyed fish walking through the landscape on human legs, hellscapes with smoldering city ruins and other trippy bacchanalia meant to encourage the viewer to repent from their sins and seek God. David Bickerstaff’s 2016 “Exhibition on Screen” film delves into a rare convergence of Bosch’s work that happened that year when a tiny museum in Bosch’s hometown, the Het Noordbrabants, managed to get 17 of Bosch’s 24 surviving paintings and 19 of his 20 drawings in one place, borrowing them from museums across the globe. Doors open at 3 p.m., and if you bring your ticket from the Main Library lot or the parking deck on Rock Street, staff at the box office will validate it. Get tickets at cals.org/ronrobinson-theater. SS

CAMILLE THURMAN WITH DARRELL GREEN QUARTET

THURSDAY 10/23. ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS. 7:30 P.M. $45-$50.

“Imagine if Sarah Vaughan played saxophone like Dexter Gordon.” Or, as Al Jarreau, the so-called “acrobat of scat,” put it: “I’m scared of this lady’s scatting!” Jarreau and Downbeat Magazine are talking about Camille Thurman, a New York City native who’s racking up awards for her singing and sax playing, all while building acclaim as a bandleader, a composer and — through her “Haven Hang” virtual Q&A series for women and nonbinary musicians — a career mentor. In a performance at Trinity Church NYC this summer with the Darrell Green Quartet, Thurman moved seamlessly from bop in the Jazz Messengers tradition to an only occasionally recognizable interpretation of Little Anthony and the Imperials’ “Goin’ Out of My Head,” showcasing her knack for shaping a vocal phrase, framing up her band’s meandering improvisational passages with tightly arranged hooks, and finding less-traveled paths in familiar melodies. Get tickets at arkmfa.org. SS

SO GAY, IT’S SCARY HALLOWEEN MARKET

SATURDAY 10/25. PETTAWAY SQUARE, 408 E. 21ST ST. 6-9 P.M. FREE.

If it’s been more than a year or two since you spent any time in Little Rock’s Pettaway neighborhood, go look again. Pettaway Square in particular — the courtyard framed partially by Moody Brews and Pettaway Coffee — has gotten a massive upgrade, newly carpeted in soft astroturf, shaded by trees and perfumed by the sweet, sweet smells of the burgers at the Smashed N’ Stacked food truck. On top of Friday jazz nights and pop-up events at Paper Hearts Bookstore is a weekly night market, themed on the Saturday before Halloween as “so gay, it’s scary.” Halloween for queer people, market organizers Logan Van Veldhuizen and Shannon Begley told us, “is sort of like our Super Bowl. … It gives us a chance to show our creativity and personality on a more exaggerated scale.” Expect haunting artwork, inventive costumes and goodies for sale from Eliothelibrary, Long Dog Art, Shannon V Jewelry, DJ Crochet and others. “With the unsettling things that are happening to our community right now,” Van Veldhuizen added, “we feel it’s more important than ever to give queer people a place to gather where they can have fun and feel safe.” Dress up, drink an IPA or a house-made soda, be merry and buy art from your neighbors. SS

EVERYONE ASKED ABOUT YOU

THURSDAY 10/16. VINO’S BREW PUB. $20.

Since reuniting in 2022 for back-to-back gigs at the White Water Tavern, Everyone Asked About You — a late ’90s tweemo group from Little Rock that lay dormant for more than two decades, despite developing something of a cult status — has been busy. The band performed at Numero Group’s 20th anniversary festival; reissued a remastered version of their entire discography on double vinyl via the beloved archival label; and wrote, recorded and released “Never Leave,” an EP of fresh songs that perfectly captured the urgent, bittersweet and slightly clumsy magic that pervaded their early material. They also played more than a dozen shows in hubs across the country, making me wistfully wonder if they’d ever return home. With support from Little Rock post-punk band Or, Everyone Asked About You is making that dream come true. Get tickets at vinosbrewpub.com. DG

Indigenous Foodways with Chef Sean Sherman A Three-Part Community Experience

Community Panel: Our Food Systems

Oct. 21 | 6 p.m.

UA Little Rock Downtown

A conversation on food, culture, and sustainability.

Interactive Foraging Journey

Oct. 22 | 1 p.m.

Sequoyah National Research Center

Join Chef Sherman for a guided exploration of native food sources.

The (R)evolution of Indigenous Foodways

Oct. 22 | 6 p.m.

Ron Robinson Theater

Winthrop Rockefeller Distinguished Lecture

Chef Sherman shares how traditions shape the future of food.

Scan the QR code for more details and to register.

UA Little Rock: Center for Arkansas History and Culture Sequoyah National Research Center Downtown

James Beard Award-winning chef and author of The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen, Chef Sherman is a leading advocate for culturally rooted and sustainable food practices. His work empowers communities to reclaim food traditions and strengthen cultural connections through cooking.

Delta Farms Heading For

COLLAPSE

FEDERAL AID FAVORS BIG FARMS, BUT EVEN THE BIGGEST OPERATIONS IN ARKANSAS ARE IN DANGER OF FAILING.

BY PHILLIP POWELL

As fall sets in, farmers across the Arkansas Delta are reaping their harvest. For the first time in 30 years, Shannon Hall won’t be one of them.

After three decades of farming soybeans, rice, corn and other commodities in Poinsett, Craighead, Jackson and Cross counties, Hall, a 10th-generation farmer, harvested his last crop in 2024. At the height of his operation, he and his father and uncles were farming 10,000 acres across Northeast Arkansas. (Most of that acreage was rented from various landowners, as is common today.) It’s the only work he’s ever done, he said. But after a string of bad years and mounting financial challenges, Hall couldn’t find a lender willing to extend a crop loan for 2025.

Now he and his family are waiting to see how much they’ll get for their last harvest, and whether the Hall Brothers farm will have to file for bankruptcy in the near future.

Hall, 55, said his troubles started in 2022, which was an unusually strong year for many Arkansas farmers. It “started fantastic — it was going to be a great year,” he recalled. But then a “freak hailstorm” wiped out 1,500 acres

of Hall’s rice in Jackson County at the end of the harvest, about 25% of his total acreage at the time. While it was a devastating loss, the disaster was too localized to qualify Hall for emergency relief payments. He claimed crop insurance, but it only made up for some of the losses.

Still, he kept going. “I thought, ‘Well, maybe I’ll hit a home run next year,’” Hall said. “To farm, you have to be an eternal optimist.”

But 2023 and 2024 were hard years for Arkansas farmers. According to the University of Missouri Rural and Farm Policy Finance Analysis Center, farm incomes in Arkansas have been steadily declining since 2022 as commodity prices plummeted. Many Delta farms managed to turn a profit off their 2022 crop, giving them a little breathing room. But Hall went into the red and stayed there, until the lenders just couldn’t justify giving him another round of credit.

To make matters worse, his dad — who he’d been farming with for over 30 years — landed in the hospital in 2024. They only made it to harvest last season with the help of neighbors, Hall said.

TESTIFYING FOR FARMERS:

While details vary from farmer to farmer, the story is similar across the Arkansas Delta. Bankruptcies and farm auctions have skyrocketed since the COVID-19 pandemic, as commodity operations like Hall’s battled soaring costs and deflated prices. In 2025, wild fluctuations in the Trump administration’s tariffs and trade talks added more uncertainty for a farm economy geared toward exporting commodities to other countries. China, by far the largest importer of U.S. soybeans, has stopped buying them altogether in response to Trump’s tariffs.

Things would be even worse if not for emergency payments that Congress rushed to row crop farmers in December 2024. The University of Missouri report predicts Arkansas farm income will plummet in 2026 by nearly $1 billion as the payments expire and commodity prices stay low. The Agriculture Council of Arkansas says that without another round of payments from the federal government, one in three Arkansas farms could close next year.

Farming is the largest sector in Arkansas,

contributing over $24 billion to the Arkansas economy and representing 14% of the state’s entire economic output. There are fewer farmers than there used to be, but the health of the industry remains critical for the state as a whole and the Delta in particular.

Many other jobs in the Delta rely on providing services to those farms, from mechanics and crop dusters, to lenders and lawyers, to manual laborers.

Local crop duster pilots Hall knows in Poinsett County “are going up north to do fungicide treatments in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa,” he said. “Equipment manufacturers are really starting to feel the crunch that we the farmers have been feeling for the last five years.”

Those outside the industry may find it hard to understand how giant farms growing thousands of acres of crops could be struggling, especially since the federal government already puts billions of dollars toward agriculture subsidies every year. But some Arkansas farmers have been warning for years that

Newport-based farmer Jennifer James has become one of Arkansas farm country’s strongest advocates as Delta farmers weather a bad financial situation. She testified in front of Congress earlier this year, advocating for a new Farm Bill.

their industry is in a long-term crisis, with an unworkable economic model leading more and more farms into collapse. The problems, they say, go much deeper than Trump’s tariffs.

Over the last few decades, federal policy incentivized specialization in row crop farms and consolidation, pushing smaller farms out and concentrating wealth among a small number of massive farms focused on exporting to a global market. All the while, the Delta communities supporting those smaller farms struggle with population collapse, poverty, food insecurity and environmental damage. Now, even those large, consolidated farms are struggling to turn a profit as intensified global competition drags down prices and overhead stays stubbornly high. Meanwhile, the government dumps money into unsustainable operations instead of addressing the root causes of the malaise. The Arkansas Delta is facing the largest reckoning it’s seen in decades, and the way farmers and policymakers navigate it could determine the future

of the region for a generation.

GLOBAL COMPETITION AND THE FARM BILL

Farming has always been a risky and volatile business. Consider the expenses necessary to put a crop in the ground — seed, machinery, fertilizer, fuel, pesticides, water, labor and more — with no guarantee of a profit at the end of the growing season. Even farmers who work thousands of acres typically take on debt at the beginning of each season, hoping for the favor of market forces far beyond their control.

Delta farmers focus on easily exportable row crops like rice, soybeans, corn and cotton. According to the most recent agriculture census conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Arkansas farmers planted 5.7 million acres of the four crops in 2022, most of the state’s 7.9 million acres of total cropland. The 25 counties in the Arkansas Delta make up the vast majority of that acreage. (The USDA distinguishes between “cropland” and “farmland,” a broader category that includes woodlands, pastures and ranges, livestock facilities and so on. The state had 13.7 million acres of total farmland in 2022.)

American farmers may be growing larger harvests of commodities than ever before, but so are other countries. The glut is dragging down prices in the global marketplace, while Arkansas farmers still face higher overhead costs than many competitors.

“Agriculture is cyclical, and we are always prepared for ups and downs. But I’ve never seen anything this bad,” said Newport-based farmer Jennifer James. In previous slumps, farmers would “try and plant for the market,” she said — if the price of rice was low, producers might shift into corn or soybeans. “And in the past when commodity prices went down, the cost of our inputs — seed, fertilizer and fuels — went down with it, and therefore the margins were still available. And that’s just not the case now.”

Commodity prices this year aren’t looking good. Projections from August put longgrain rice at $14.10 per hundredweight, down from $15.90 per hundredweight in 2023 and 2024. Soybeans are similarly down around $2 a bushel this year, corn has deflated by 20 cents a bushel, and cotton is down 13 cents a pound.

University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service economist Hunter Biram produced a graphic using the most recent USDA data that projected massive losses for Arkansas commodity farmers this year. The average soybean farmer can expect to lose $85 per acre once rent is factored in. The expected per-acre losses on corn, cotton and rice are far higher.

Why has commodity farming become so

unprofitable? Ryan Loy, another agriculture economist with the UA Cooperative Extension Service, points to increased competition from Brazil and Argentina.

Over the last 10 years, Brazil has increased its soybean harvest from 95.7 million tons to 169 million tons, capturing 40% of the world’s production and driving down global prices. President Trump’s trade war is making things worse, at least in the short term. China has historically been a crucial market for Arkansas soybeans, but American tariffs have made Brazil China’s favored source for its livestock feed.

At the same time, Brazil and China have been dramatically increasing their corn production, making China less reliant on imports from U.S. farmers.

As for rice? Arkansas farmers have long struggled to penetrate markets in East Asia, where the vast majority of rice is grown and consumed. At the same time, they’re being increasingly undercut in markets at home by imports from India, Thailand and Pakistan.

While Delta farms may have large assets in the form of land, machinery, technology and buildings, they are increasingly cash poor. Selling off those assets means they can’t farm.

So they’re doing what any sector does in an economic crisis: lobbying the federal government for a bailout.

“We don’t expect it to be something that makes everyone whole and everyone profitable, but we do want to minimize the losses so that we can ensure that there is not a catastrophic situation in our economy,” Andrew Grobmyer, executive vice president of the Agriculture Council of Arkansas, said. “We feel that it is a small price to pay to save our national security and ability to compete with

pensation to get through it. We hope they follow through on that, and I feel like they will,” he said.

While the Farm Bill — a sprawling piece of federal legislation typically updated every five years — languished for years amid partisan gridlock, Arkansas Sen. John Boozman has used his influence as chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee to push support for commodity farmers into Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. Passed along party lines, the Republican bill cuts nearly $300 billion over 10 years from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that provides food for low-income people, while adding $60 billion in subsidies, crop insurance and conservation spending for farmers.

Boozman has insisted that Congress can still pass a “skinny” Farm Bill later this year to support programs left out of the Big Beautiful Bill, but critics say the Republicans’ approach may have blown up bipartisan support for the Farm Bill.

“We are seeing the death of a decades-long Farm Bill coalition, and cannibalizing the American food and farm system,” Mike Lavender, the policy director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, said. “You are literally taking food off the plates of children, seniors and veterans and using that to pay for increasing farm subsidies that benefit an exceeding few.”

Worse, the increased commodity payments Boozman pushed for don’t kick in until the 2026 growing season, when it may be too late for many farms struggling to get through the year. That’s why industry advocates like Grobmyer and the Arkansas Farm Bureau are advocating for something to fill the gap.

Farmers have already received massive bailouts over the last five years, though. Be-

“Agriculture is cyclical and we are always prepared for ups and downs. But I’ve never seen anything this bad.”

— JENNIFER JAMES, NEWPORT-BASED FARMER

our chief competitors and have a safe food supply and stable rural economy.”

Industry advocates are asking Congress and the Trump administration to use some portion of the billions generated each month in tariff revenue to offset farmers’ losses, as was done during Trump’s first term.

“A fraction of the amount from tariffs could provide tremendous relief,” Grobmyer said. Farmers are “sacrificing, and deserve com-

tween 2020 and 2023, the government handed nearly $3 billion to Arkansas farms as pandemic-related aid. In 2024, that aid dried up, with direct government payments going back to a lower rate of $256 million that year, mostly from conservation programs and disaster assistance. But in 2025, Arkansas farmers will see an influx of $1 billion from emergency payments authorized in 2024. Those emergency payments are driving farm income

growth this year even while revenue from crop receipts — the products Delta farmers are growing and selling — collapses.

Even if Congress does approve further payments this year, and even if it passes some version of a Farm Bill, some believe the root problems go much deeper. Hallie Shoffner, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate against Republican incumbent Tom Cotton, said the government needs to entirely reimagine how it approaches agriculture.

“They have all failed on farm policy, Democrats and Republicans. They have all failed,” she said. Shoffner grew up on a farm near Newport that she and her family sold this year as economic conditions worsened. Now, she’s looking to speak to the need for change in farm country and rural areas.

“I have so much compassion for the farmers who are still in business. I know a lot of them have said to me that I did the right thing by getting out before it’s too late,” Shoffner said. “Because now it kind of feels like it might be too late for a lot of people.”

GET BIG OR GET OUT

Back in the 1970s, the Farm Bill was still informed by the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. The New Deal-era agriculture policy encouraged a diverse farm economy with numerous small farms and provisions to control supply so prices wouldn’t crash or get too high. If supply threatened to get too high, the government paid farmers to reduce production and bought up surpluses to distribute to nonprofits for the poor, among other controls.

By the end of the 1960s, cracks started showing. As farmers produced larger yields using the tools of the “green revolution” — fertilizers, pesticides, machinery and other technology — farming became more industrialized. At the same time, the global population was booming and demand for largescale exports was rising with it.

Jared Phillips, a rancher in the Ozarks and historian who studies rural and agriculture history, said it was at this point that U.S. strategy changed dramatically. Earl Butz, President Richard Nixon’s appointment to lead the USDA, shifted policy to incentivize farms to consolidate, specialize and produce as much as possible. Butz was more responsible than perhaps any other federal official in transitioning American agriculture from small farms growing crops for local markets to large farms producing mass quantities for factories and global markets.

“The long history of agriculture in the 20th century is, ‘How do we grow more calories per acre for less cost?’” Phillips said. “That’s been the drive.”

Under the mantra of “get big or get out,”

Butz pushed farmers to produce massive corn, wheat and soybean crops, urging them to “farm fencerow to fencerow” and sell to customers overseas. Butz arranged a massive grain sale to the Soviet Union in 1972 that helped convince American farmers that all of their surplus could be exported abroad — that they could feed the world and get rich doing it.

The 1973 Farm Bill, called the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act, wed direct payments to farmers to the market price of crops. When prices for crops didn’t reach target levels, farmers would be compensated for that gap.

Between the 1970s and 1990s, Congress began slowly but surely stripping away supply controls, increasing farmers’ reliance on global markets and unleashing the productivity of American farmland.

“Consolidate was the name of the game … and from the 1980s through Biden, every secretary of agriculture we’ve had has had little interest or ability to think about a different way,” Phillips said. “The logic of neoliberalism in agriculture was fully realized. Maximize profits, minimize costs, deregulate everything that will help you and put strict regulations on everything that will hurt you. And this is the system everyone has come of age in. We don’t even know another way.”

With the focus on large-scale commodity farming geared toward exports, farmers who don’t grow commodities have little access to federal subsidies, according to Lavender.

“There needs to be a farm safety net — a federal support system to help farmers when they are down and out. When they truly need it, and when they experience an unprecedented loss through extreme weather,” Lavender said. The current system, he said, works best for farms “doing certain types of crops in certain areas. What we get from the result of that is increasing consolidation, monoculture types of farms, and more and more people growing the same things. The conversation we need to have is to think of a structure that actually delivers for farmers.”

The vast majority of payments from commodity programs go to the largest farms, with 80% of payments going to the top 10% of farmers and 90% of payments going to the top 20%, according to the Environmental Working Group.

For decades, the bipartisan consensus in Washington, D.C., has been that the point of federal farm policy is to encourage larger and larger yields of commodity crops. Not too long ago, Blue Dog Democrats like U.S. Rep. Marion Berry and Sen. Blanche Lincoln were championing big farming interests in the Arkansas Delta. Today, Boozman (who

beat Lincoln in 2010) and Rep. Rick Crawford (the Republican who now represents most of the Delta) frequently talk about how federal commodity support programs are essential for the national security goal of “securing food, fiber and fuel” for Americans.

But under the current system, the government money pouring into commodity agriculture backstops exports to other countries. The system doesn’t prioritize the farmers themselves, as much as it prioritizes the mass output of cheap consumer products, Phillips said.

“Instead of thinking about food as a nutrition issue or thinking about food as it relates to culture, human community and place, we assumed that there was just a naked value,” Phillips said. “And as soon as we did that we began to strip away the humanity and dignity of farm owners and farmworkers, because we turned something so crucial as food production into a naked commodity. And once you do that, you can excuse all manner of bad policy.”

Those policies have gradually made our entire food supply chain reliant on a small number of farms. Between 1997 and 2022, Arkansas lost 11,000 farms, according to the agriculture census. By 2022, more than 80% of all Delta farmland — 5.8 million acres — was made up of farms larger than 1,000 acres. These 2,000 “super farms” are now responsible for 90% of the corn, soybeans, rice and cotton produced in the state.

While farms got bigger and bigger, communities in the Delta shriveled. Cities like Helena-West Helena in Phillips County have seen their populations collapse even while the national population increases. In 2000, Phillips County had about 26,000 people (down from a peak of 46,000 in 1950). By 2020, it had shrunk to just 17,000. People left Arkansas farm country en masse as gigantic commodity farms took over, leaving people with few economic opportunities or reasons to stick around.

Some Delta counties have poverty rates that rank among the highest in the U.S. And in a region known for its fertile land, many of the poorest people are malnourished. The same counties that are home to the giant, industrialized farms — set to receive the most farm subsidies from Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill — will also see the largest per-capita cuts to SNAP.

Critics of a system that incentivizes commodity growing mega-farms also point out the high environmental costs. Destructive pesticides and herbicides like dicamba take their toll. Agriculture is using up groundwater in the Delta faster than it can be replaced, according to the state Department

SHOFFNER FOR SENATE:

Hallie Shoffner is running a longshot Senate campaign against Republican incumbent Tom Cotton on a message of investing in Arkansas farm communities. She was convinced to run after closing her family farm under tough economic conditions.

of Agriculture.

“No farmer woke up and said, ‘I’m going to farm badly and do something bad for the soil, bad for the water, bad for the air, and make my food less good for somebody,’... We want to take care of the land we are on, because almost all of us want to pass our land on to the next generation,” Phillips said. “But often, especially the bigger you are, you have to push, because that’s what we’ve incentivized. Farm policy has pushed farmers to do this.”

Delta communities have suffered in many ways under the “get big or get out” model of agriculture that has dominated over the last 50 years, even if many operations have managed to do well. But now even the colossal farms serving as the bulwark of the Delta economy are in danger of failing, as global competition pushes farmers to the brink. That raises the question of whether the system can change or whether policymakers will simply double down.

WHERE IS THE DELTA GOING?

A crash in commodity prices in the 1980s led to a round of farm consolidations and closures, revealing some of the risks of the export-led, commodity-focused model. The U.S. placed a grain embargo on the Soviet Union, cutting farmers off from what had been a

reliable market. High interest rates pushed thousands of farms and rural banks out of business, and thousands of farmers were estimated to have taken their own lives. Rural areas, including the Delta, continued their decline.

Jennifer James, the Newport-based farmer, remembers. “I was still a young girl during that time, but I was old enough to remember the stress my parents were under. … I can remember them saying Santa Claus isn’t going to bring as much this year!” she said. “But I’ve had conversations with my father, who struggled through that time and made it through successfully, and his comment today is that he believes this is worse than the 1980s because there are more complexities now.”

The current crisis may lead to ever bigger farms concentrated in fewer and fewer hands, with even more federal money flowing to the few farmers left standing.

“I think we are going to see a great deal of consolidation, for better or for worse,” said Grobymer, the lobbyist with the Agriculture Council of Arkansas. “We are at a crossroads on many levels and no one knows what the future holds exactly, but we feel it is important for us to advocate for our food security, for our nation’s ability to produce food and fiber. Sometimes that comes at a cost to the taxpayer, but at the end of the day that cost is very

little when you compare it to what it means to become beholden to another nation.”

Ryan Loy, the UA cooperative extension economist, thinks the crisis could lead to more land sales to outside firms and individuals who aren’t involved in farming. (It’s already common for American farmland to be owned by investors with little or no connection to agriculture, from billionaires like Bill Gates to pension funds and other institutional investors.) Because they’re facing a cash crunch, too, he doubts many larger farms will start buying up land, though he says they’re better suited to weather the economic turmoil.

“In situations like this, every farm regardless of size will likely lose money, but if you are on a large commodity scale, you have an asset base and most likely more working capital than a smaller farm has,” Loy said. “They can make it and cover losses in times like this.”

Many farmers, like Hall and James, hope that Trump will scramble trade relations and get farmers an edge in the global economy again. Arkansas farm country still supports Trump, even as his tariffs have cut into their market opportunities abroad.

After the trade war between the U.S. and China during Trump’s first term, Hall said, the two countries signed a favorable trade deal in 2020 obligating China to buy billions of dollars worth of American agricultural goods. (Exports to China did increase after that agreement was signed, but it’s not clear the deal was the reason why.) Hall said he hopes Trump can help secure a new deal that brings a new windfall to farm country.

“Farmers for the most part don’t want the government’s money, they just want a fair market to sell our product,” Hall said. “He [Trump] is about the only one in 20 years who even talks about the farmers. He’s only got four years to do it, but realistically he only has two because who knows what is going to happen in the midterm elections next year? I just hope he surrounds himself with people who are knowledgeable about the farming industry who will help get some doors open.”

Others see a very different way forward, calling for a Farm Bill overhaul to support diverse farms and production, rather than the overreliance on growing massive yields of commodities for export.

Shoffner, the Senate candidate, said she’s had many discussions with farmers around the Delta who tell her they need access to and infrastructure for new crops. Shoffner points to more diverse agriculture economies like California, where small businesses support fruit, vegetable and nut production, creating broad-based economic growth.

“It’s not that we have to stop growing soybeans or rice or corn or wheat — that’s not

the answer,” Shoffner said. “The answer is diversification. The way farming works is that if you have a certain number of crops and one is losing money and one is making money, then you grow more of the one that is making money and you offset that way. But what happens when every single crop you grow is losing money and you have no other options?”

Shoffner said she knows many farmers who are looking into growing different crops, from sweet potatoes and other vegetables to peanuts and specialty rice varieties. But the system steers farmers toward commodity crops in many ways. Granaries, mills and transportation infrastructure are built for commodities, she said; fruits and vegetables often require cold storage, more labor and different types of transportation. And federal farm policy is often stacked against diversification.

“So, when we are talking about the Farm Bill helping farmers, we cannot continue to act like we are going to be continually competitive in commodities forever,” Shoffner said. “We cannot continue to farm fencerow to fencerow and prioritize volume over everything else. We have to start thinking about: How can we add value, as a country and as a state? And that is a message that farmers are very willing to hear, because they talk about it all the time.”

Some farms in Arkansas have already changed their business models to grow crops for more niche markets, such as Isbell Farms, which now mostly grows rice for sake producers. Or Ralston Farms, which has expanded to selling Arkansas-grown specialty rice products directly to consumers. Shoffner’s nonprofit, Delta Harvest, aims to build cold storage to help Delta farmers grow fruits and vegetables to be sold locally.

tial for a truly prosperous agriculture sector.”

Others are skeptical of a shift to food crops for local markets. James said it would be difficult for Arkansas to transform its infrastruc-

Sometimes we may not be able to compete on price, but we always win on quality and consistency of service,” Grobmyer said. “I do think change will be part of it. Down cycles lead to change.”

“At some point there has to be a cultural reckoning. Farmers won’t change, not because they don’t want to change but because the market won’t allow them to change. ... The farm crisis [of the ’80s] never went away after that point, it just became a chronic crisis and we got better at not talking about it.”

— JARED PHILLIPS, RURAL HISTORIAN

ture to support more specialty crops.

Phillips, the rural historian, said American communities have lost control of their food supply and turned over the reins to agribusiness interests. “At some point there has to be a cultural reckoning,” he said. “Farmers won’t change, not because they don’t want to change but because the market won’t allow them to change.” The farm crisis of the ’80s never really went away, he said — we just got better about not talking about it. “Until there are enough people in the halls of power interested in fundamentally rethinking how we built rural America and how we are treating rural America, we aren’t going to change farm policy. And we are not going to see the poten-

“The easiest route forward would be to have demand and markets and profitable prices for what we are currently growing and the systems we are set up for … To rebuild a new infrastructure for a different kind of agriculture is possible, but it will take time. You aren’t going to take a million acres of rice and switch it to a million acres of a specialty crop overnight,” James said.

Grobmyer said the reality is that American farmers are competing in a global market. They need to market the advantages of their product vis a vis competitors like Brazil.

“We don’t have child labor, we have more stringent environmental standards …

Whatever the future holds, everyone seems to agree changes are coming. Bankruptcies and farm auctions have skyrocketed in the Arkansas Delta since the 2020 pandemic, according to data compiled by ag economists such as Loy.

Jonesboro-based bankruptcy attorney Joel Hargis told the Arkansas Times the amount of bankruptcy cases he is managing in 2025 is staggering. Little Rock law firm Lion Legal, known in the capital city for its punny animal advertisements, recently placed a billboard advertising the firm’s bankruptcy services in Lonoke County near a rice mill. (Family farmers have access to a special safety-net bankruptcy process called Chapter 12, which can allow them to restructure their debt and come out the other side still farming.)

Auctions, though, may be the real indicator of a farm economy in crisis. When a farm folds, given the large amount of assets farmers have on hand, they will typically go to an auction service to get the best price to help pay off their debts.

Kirk Witcher has run an auction company out of Wynne (Cross County) for more than 20 years, inheriting the business from his mother and father before him. He focuses on farm sales and retirements, and he said he hasn’t seen a situation this bad since the ’80s crisis.

Witcher ran the online auction for Shannon Hall’s farm in February. He estimated he has liquidated around 15 farms so far in 2025, and he predicts many more will be on the way.

“What we’ve got going on right now is … basically three years of depressed commodity prices, and it’s not getting better,” Witcher said. “Farming has always been subject to swings in markets and prices, and since the pandemic things started sliding. And there just hasn’t been a bounce back. There seems to be a perfect storm culminating, and there just isn’t any sign of hope in the near future.” Hall, meanwhile, is moving on with a new job at Axis Seed supplying seed to farmers across Northeast Arkansas. He’s settling into the role, he said, but he mourns the loss of his farm. “I never wanted to quit. Never. I love what I’m doing now, but if I were still farming I wouldn’t be doing this job.”

AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN DRY ENOUGH: A year since Arkansas purchased land for a new prison in Franklin County, no construction has started due to a lack of water and other necessary infrastructure.

WILL A LACK OF WATER LEAVE THE GOVERNOR’S PRISON PLANS ALL WET?

BY MATT CAMPBELL

In

the 2015 Hollywood blockbuster

“Mad Max: Fury Road,” the film’s villain, Immortan Joe, is a post-apocalyptic warlord who wields power over his followers and the regional economy by controlling the Citadel, a fortress-like structure that contains the last source of fresh water in the wasteland. At one point, after briefly letting water flow to the throng of people begging for it below, Joe shuts off the supply and warns them, “Do not, my friends, become addicted to water; it will take hold of you, and you will resent its absence!”

It’s a silly line — warning people not to get addicted to water is like telling folks not to become reliant on oxygen — but it both shows the total control Joe has over the populace and underscores the scarcity of water in the wasteland. So precious is water in the “Mad Max” universe, in fact, that obtaining it provides the film’s climax: “Fury Road” ends shortly after Joe is killed and the film’s heroes capture the Citadel and provide water to the people. Simply having access to water changes everything.

That is a lesson that the people of Franklin County know well and that state officials are quickly learning, as a predictable lack of water at the site of a proposed new prison threatens to derail the project entirely, at least once the state stops wasting money looking for water that isn’t there.

‘THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS WORK’

When Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced last Halloween that the state had purchased 815 acres in Franklin County on which to build a 3,000bed prison, she painted a picture of a decision made after months of careful deliberation. A press release from Sanders’ office said the location “offers the infrastructure needed for a new prison, including cell reception, water lines, electricity, and a nearby fire department, and is also close to more than 100,000

workers who could staff the new facility.”

The following week, at a town hall in Charleston, state officials were already backing off these claims. Joe Profiri, Sanders’ former corrections chief and current corrections adviser, told the crowd the state “clearly understood that every location will require investment in infrastructure” and that surveys had shown the workforce was great but “the infrastructure needs work.” Benny Magness, longtime chairman of the Board of Corrections, answered a question about wastewater management dismissively, saying he was “sure the professionals who looked at the site considered it.”

In the year since the governor’s announcement, it has become clear that the infrastructure Sanders said was in place was not, in fact, in place. There are no water lines sufficient to supply what construction or prison operation will require. There is also no wastewater treatment or disposal on-site.

The most pressing problem, though, is water. Experts estimate that a 3,000-bed prison like the one the state hopes to build in Franklin County would use a minimum of 360,000 gallons of water per day, just for the inmates. Add employees and staff, and the daily need rises to close to 500,000 gallons per day.

That will be nearly impossible to collect at the proposed prison site, experts say, because the aquifer underneath the property is tainted with sulphur and other pollutants to such an extent that it can’t even be used for evaporative cooling for chicken houses. Rather, the only source of water for wells on Mill Creek Mountain, where the prison property is located, is underground faults that have filled with water. Those sources are finite, and even from the get-go are likely inadequate to produce the volume needed.

The state’s own site survey bears this out. Three wells around the prison property that were drilled in the 1970s produced between 13 and 33 gallons per minute. Two new wells dug in the area in 1997 were less productive, yielding 8.5 and 13 gallons per minute, respectively. Two wells dug in the early 2000s continued the downward trend, producing 3.5 and 10 gallons per minute. And two wells dug in 2009

In the year since the governor’s announcement, it has become clear that the infrastructure Sanders said was in place was not, in fact, in place.

managed only .5 and 5 gallons per minute.

“At [two gallons per minute], to get to 300,000 [gallons per day], you would have to have 104 wells,”

Bobby Musgrove of Musgrove Drilling told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in May. “That figure would be 42 wells if each drew 5 gallons per minute,” he said, “but you don’t know until you drill how much water you’ll get or how deep you’ll [have to] go.”

Musgrove’s warnings were borne out in June, when the Board of Corrections authorized spending up to $50,000 to drill two test wells on the site to find out if there is enough water to support construction and, potentially, to supply the prison once it has been built. Those test wells ultimately produced 2 gallons per minute and 10 gallons per hour, respectively, for a total sustained flow of 2.17 gallons per minute.

The typical American home needs 6 to 12 gallons of water per minute; a 3,000-inmate prison will need between 200 and 350 gallons per minute.

The news is no surprise to people who live there.

Don Sosebee, whose property shares a mile of fence with the prison site, has lived on the mountain for more than 20 years. Every other day, he told Bolts Magazine in September, he has to drive a mile and a half to the one working well on his property and fill barrels of water to bring back to his house for his family to use.

‘WORKFORCE NUMBERS ARE NOT GREAT, AND ACCESSIBILITY IS NOT GREAT’

The supersized prison is a cornerstone of the Protect Arkansas Act, a far-reaching omnibus bill passed in 2023 that drastically overhauls parts of the state’s incarceration system and increases the length of time many prisoners will serve, requiring additional beds as more people are locked up. The act and the prison are the most visible aspects of the governor’s tough-on-crime persona.

In March 2023, Sanders scrapped plans developed under former Gov. Asa Hutchinson to spend $75 million to expand existing prisons in the state, telling the Legislature that she wanted to build a new 3,000-bed prison, instead. But where? The Franklin

County property didn’t initially get rave reviews. On July 3, 2024, Shelby Johnson, the state’s director of geographic information services, sent an email saying that the workforce numbers and accessibility of the Franklin County location were “not great.”

A week later, Anne Laidlaw, director of the Shared Administrative Services Division of Building Authority, emailed Joe Profiri regarding the inadequate infrastructure on and around the site. Profiri responded with an offer to meet with Laidlaw to give her “additional info” about the location and “the LLC,” though he did not say what LLC he was referring to. Laidlaw met with Profiri on July 12, though no notes exist for that meeting.

Whatever Profiri told Laidlaw apparently did the trick. By July 22, Johnson was referring to the Franklin County property as the “new front runner.” By mid-August, Laidlaw was emailing Mark Conine at the Arkansas Development Finance Authority, asking when the purchase of this specific piece of land would need to be discussed by ADFA.

Despite having chosen the Franklin County location months earlier, barely two weeks before the governor announced the purchase last October, Laidlaw told lawmakers with the Arkansas Legislative Council that the state did not yet have a location in mind for the prison. She said so three separate times in that meeting.

Upon the governor’s Halloween announcement of the purchase, public outcry was immediate, as residents expressed concerns over everything from the unsuitability of the site for construction to impacts on local basketball teams from prisoners’ families moving to the area. Locals began organizing, exploring legal options to fight the project, and sending Freedom of Information Act requests for state records.

Within weeks, intrepid citizens unearthed records showing the state had hidden details about the land

Despite all the ruckus, the Franklin County property looks almost the same today as it did a year ago.

search from the public, mocked locals’ concerns and made comments about how important it was to “protect the governor” from any blowback over the decisions. Emails also showed that an architect who discussed the project with state officials in late 2023 quoted a price of $1.2 billion to build a 3,000-bed facility like the governor wanted. That’s more than double the estimate of $470 million that Sanders had given lawmakers.

Questions over what the prison would really cost lingered. Late in the 2025 legislative session, when legislators friendly to the governor tried to pass a $750 million appropriation to build the prison based on a revised $825 million estimate from Vanir — the California-based company hired by the state to represent the Board of Corrections during the construction process — enough senators opposed the appropriation to defeat it in five separate votes. By the time the session ended, Sanders still had nothing more than the original $75 million that had been appropriated previously for jail expansion.

In June, the state announced it had hired architects to work on the prison design at a cost of $57 million. Combined with the $16.5 million price tag for hiring Vanir, that would seem to take up most of the money currently appropriated for the project. The need for an alternate source of funding might explain why Profiri was reportedly meeting with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at the Franklin County site in September.

‘THERE WAS A HOUSE THERE, SO THERE MUST BE SOME WATER’

Despite all the ruckus, the Franklin County property looks almost the same today as it did a year ago. There’s been no construction. No plans for the facility have even been drawn, according to state officials.

Corrections officials say a major reason for this delay is the lack of water. Corrections Board Chair Magness noted that “some of the residents in Franklin County … say there’s no water [on the site] as far as digging a well,” but he disputed that conclusion.

“There was a house there,” he said, “so there must be some water.”

Unfortunately for Magness, decades of evidence appear to prove him wrong. An engineering report commissioned by the state in April, two months before Magness made the above comment, suggests wells aren’t going to do the trick: “Due to the predominance of shale in both the surface and subsurface rocks in the Arkansas River Valley region, as well as the low porosity of many of the interbedded sandstones, few rock units qualify as aquifers. Because most wells yield less than 600 gallons per hour, most communities rely on surface-water supplies.”

Board member William “Dubs” Byers asked what will happen if the proposed test wells don’t find water.

“It’s not necessary [to have working wells],” Magness said. “We’ve got other options of water — Fort Smith, Ozark, the Arkansas River — but we have to have water there to even start the construction.”

None of those alternative plans is likely workable, however. At least not in the near future.

Piping water in from Fort Smith, roughly 30 miles away, has been mentioned more than once as an alternative. Fort Smith already provides more than 10 billion gallons of drinking water annually to various locations within the River Valley. While it remains unclear what it would cost, Fort Smith city officials have said that building the necessary infrastructure to pump that much water to the prison site would take between three and five years. If water is necessary to begin construction and the test wells don’t reveal adequate water for that, Fort Smith would not be an immediate solution to the problem.

Additionally, while Fort Smith might have enough water to supply the prison’s needs, adding 500,000 gallons per day would strain the city’s current water-treatment capacity, Fort Smith City Director Neal Martin said.

“We don’t want to get in a situation of water rationing because we added a prison to our system,” he said.

The other options Magness listed — piping in water from Ozark or from the Arkansas River — appear less feasible than the Fort Smith plan.

Ozark, roughly 20 miles from the site, lacks the capacity to supply the prison with 500,000 gallons a day, the mayor said.

“In talking with the water superintendent and the former superintendent,” Ozark Mayor Roxie Hall said, “the city of Ozark could not service that amount of water.”

The typical American home needs 6 to 12 gallons of water per minute; a 3,000-inmate prison will need between 200 and 350 gallons per minute.

THE ADVENTURES OF AQUAMAN: Despite experts and historical data saying he’s wrong, Board of Corrections Chairman Benny Magness believes additional drilling will find adequate water on the prison site to begin construction soon.

Why would prison officials claim otherwise? Perhaps because no one ever asked Ozark or RiverSouth, a rural water district that services the area around the prison site currently, if this plan would work.

In March, the Oxford American reported that state officials had still not spoken to RiverSouth.

In July, the mayor of Ozark said she hadn’t been asked, either. “No one has contacted me about the city of Ozark being able to service water to the proposed prison,” she said.

Magness’ other idea — pulling water from the Arkansas River — would require the state to untangle a whole new layer of red tape.

For one thing, the federal government — mainly through the Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency — has a lot of control over water usage on the Arkansas River. Anything that would impact those federal agencies’ plans for flood control, navigation, Clean Water Act regulations, pollution control generally or recreational access would require federal approval and ongoing federal oversight. That is true whether the effects were upstream or downstream of the prison.

Using the river to supply that much potable water would also require building a water treatment facility and pumphouses, in addition to laying pipelines.

A plant approved recently in Gretna, Virginia, to treat roughly the same amount of water is expected to cost that city $10 million to complete, and it is being built on the site of an already existing treatment plant and will be able to tie into existing infrastructure. Gretna officials said building a new plant from scratch would have cost more than $15 million.

Additionally, building a treatment plant and the rest of the necessary infrastructure would take time. Obtaining state and federal permits, designing and getting approval for the proposed plant, and building the plant would take years. The new Gretna plant, for instance, is expected to take four to five years to complete.

‘I DON’T HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN THE PROCESS’

In early September, the Arkansas Legislature’s Joint Performance Review Committee held a hearing on a complaint, signed by more than 1,200 opponents of the proposed prison, that the property was purchased with-

out due diligence and in violation of certain procurement rules and policies.

During that four-hour hearing, Rep. Jon Eubanks (R-Paris) asked Laidlaw and Johnson whether the state had spoken to Fort Smith or Ozark about getting water to the site before the land was purchased. He said the news about water availability now makes him question whether the state even looked at the available infrastructure before buying the land.

“My frustration is, I don’t have a lot of confidence in the process,” Eubanks said, adding that the governor’s office “seems to have a lot of issues” when it comes to policy decision-making.

Eubanks asked Johnson and Laidlaw whether they were still convinced that this was the best location for the prison.

“Yes, sir, I am,” Johnson said. “Especially after reading the consultant report from McClelland,” he added. “That report affirms that our work was sound, our site selection was sound.”

But the McClelland Consulting Engineers report does not say that. It says it was nearly impossible to drill in much of the ground on the site due to rocky soil, notes that the report was a preliminary report based on incomplete data, and said a final report was necessary before anything could begin.

Additionally, McClelland was responsible for the April report that said property owners in the area rely almost exclusively on surface water being pumped in and no aquifer exists under the property.

Despite that study, the state corrections board spent thousands more dollars to drill additional test wells. Other legislators at the September hearing also asked about the lack of water. Johnson and Laidlaw deflected, saying water availability was outside the scope of their duties when locating property for the prison.

“I’m not a member of this committee, but I’m here today to find a reason to vote for the appropriation,” Sen. Jimmy Hickey (R-Texarkana) told Johnson and Laidlaw. “But I keep getting pushed further and further away ... We made a misstep, and someone needs to say that.”

“We made a misstep, and someone needs to say that.”

— Sen. Jimmy Hickey (R-Texarkana)

WITHERING SUPPORT: Sen. Jimmy Hickey (R-Texarkana) said he’s looking for reasons to support the prison, but state officials’ non-answers and refusals to consider alternative plans keep pushing him “further and further away.”

RAISE A GLASS TO THE BEST BARS AND BOOZE IN OUR ANNUAL TOAST OF THE TOWN POLL.

nyone can get sloshed, but tracking down the best possible libations and the ideal environment in which to guzzle them takes some deliberation. Thanks to readers like you, who voted for their favorite beers, bars and booze in our annual Toast of the Town poll, the Arkansas Times is proud to present a fresh directory of statewide recommendations. Plus, a handful of our staff writers and freelancers uncovered a set of stories about the Arkansas drinking scene that’ll have you out and about, either to drop by that old familiar haunt or to try something new.

Rhett Brinkley got chummy with a veteran Arkansas bartender who, on the condition of anonymity, offered an unfiltered perspective on his decades of experience in the industry. Phillip Powell reckoned with his dwindling youth at the always-classy Crush Wine Bar in North Little Rock. Brian Sorensen stopped by Bentonville’s Stoic Brews, the state’s first dedicated gluten-free brewery, and found a product that easily rivals malt-based beers. Stephanie Smittle packed up for Paris (Logan County) to visit Prestonrose Farm and Brewing Co., where the beer is mighty artisanal and the tables are about as close to the farm as it gets. Brock Hyland climbed the stairs at Back Home BBQ and discovered Attic Bar, an eclectic, ’70s-inspired spot that might be the most aesthetic barroom in Little Rock. And Daniel Ford walked down memory lane at the Town Pump to see if any vestiges of the dive bar’s crusty charm remain following a renovation and acquisition by the Stephens family-owned Barnaby Group. Read on for these stories, plus the list of winners and finalists in our sudsy survey.

Over the years, the Arkansas Times has published several “Little Rock Confidential” cover stories, giving people in various industries the opportunity to dish about their jobs anonymously in exchange for candor. We thought this transparent exercise would be perfect for a bartender — a personable figure that uninhibited people often open up to. Like the janitor in “The Breakfast Club,” bartenders are “the eyes and ears of this institution.” They know more than they’re letting on.

Editor’s note: Names of local restaurants and bars have been redacted to protect the identity of the generous bartender who agreed to speak with us. Job security, you know.

y first bartending job was at a pretty legendary neighborhood dive bar. I went there on my first day in town to celebrate moving to Little Rock, saw a help-wanted sign on the door and the next day I went up there and they pretty much hired me on the spot to work in the kitchen. I wanted to bartend there after I saw how much money the bartenders were making … and the kitchen was pretty shitty. It was a turbulent place, so I didn’t have to wait too long.

I worked there for four or five years. I lived that stereotypical bartender lifestyle when I was younger — hanging out after hours, taking shots, smoking a ton of cigs.

I didn’t really learn about cocktails there; it was mainly shots, learning lemon drops, mind erasers, Long Island iced teas. There was one dude who would come in and order a martini or a Midori sour. It’s like “OK,” then pull the glass off the rack with the nicotine stain on it, like, “Here you go, man. Enjoy.”

My next job was at a restaurant with a higher-end clientele. It was so much more work for less money. There wasn’t a whole lot of guidance there, so a lot of it was me learning stuff on the fly. I stupidly accepted the bar manager job, so there was some leeway trying to figure drinks out. If I had to give a job description, it was making syrups, juicing gallons of citrus with a hand juicer, washing glasses by hand, batching out mixes to make the job easier for the bartender later, not having a barback, making drinks for a ticket rail.

It made me faster. At my first job I could sling drinks, but wasn’t in charge of everything going on. I feel like that’s only gotten worse since COVID. Restaurants in general are cutting staff. They can’t cut the bartender, so they just keep adding more responsibilities. The bar where I’m at right now, if there’s not a host — which there usually isn’t — you’re answering the phones, taking to-go orders and employee orders, barbacking on top of taking care of the bar and restaurant drinks.

I moved to a trendy city of about a million people in 2015 and got a bar job at a popular restaurant. It was a lot smoother than I was used to. It was a city

that had so many restaurant bar jobs that the owners have to treat you well. It still had its bullshit, but it was a really smooth work experience. It was busy, though. I was making hundreds of cocktails a shift. You’re expected to be able to make a drink in five minutes, and it’s six to eight cocktails at once and never stopping. Saw lots of celebrity actors working there: Connie Britton, Alicia Silverstone, Kirsten Dunst. I carded Tessa Thompson and felt like an idiot.

I got a bad review online once while working there. Every weekend there was a line out the door for brunch. The restaurant would fill up right when we opened. It was the kind of town where nobody working there was going to sleep and getting a bunch of rest to work the brunch shift the next day. When the incident happened, we weren’t even open yet. I just saw someone standing at the bar when I was setting up for service. The review said I took his order as if I were doing him a favor. And apparently I forgot what he ordered.

I feel like restaurants and bars in bigger cities kind of stick to a niche thing — you can afford to do that there. In Little Rock, they’re like, “We have to be the dessert spot, the coffee spot, the steak spot — we’ll make whatever you want.” They don’t tell people “no” ever. In a bigger city they’re like, “No, we do this.” In Little Rock you have to be a catch-all. After that I moved back and got my first hotel bar job in Northwest Arkansas. Served [actor] Stephen Dorff a bunch of Casamigos Anejo shots while he was up there filming the third season of “True Detective.” He was doing those on the rocks with orange. I had to serve the “Bar Rescue” guy Jon Taffer and luckily he doesn’t drink. I was nervous. He’s super loud and intimidating on the show, but he was chill. Working at the hotel you kind of walk into the shift and have no clue what’s going on. It’s like, “Oh, we have two wedding parties and an art tour coming in.” It could be exciting, but then it gets old after a while.

I worked at a craft cocktail place in Bentonville that was like a hangout for service industry people. It was the only bar open past 10 p.m. on the square at

I lived that bartenderstereotypicallife- style when I was younger — hanging out after takinghours,shots, smoking a ton of cigs.

the time, so it was just fucking slammed, and when I worked I was usually the only bartender most of the night.

I was getting paid more than I ever made to sit on my ass during COVID for at least two months. I took my dogs on a 7-mile walk every day. The bar where I was working before the pandemic was a COVID casualty.

The most I’ve made bartending in one night is pretty close to a grand. But that was insane. There was a Christmas parade going on and multiple wedding parties, and I was the only bartender. I wouldn’t do it again for $1,000. I’d do it again for $2,000.

I work in a Little Rock bar and restaurant right now. Customers generally stick to classics. Old Fashioneds, Cosmopolitans, dry martinis, which in Little Rock is typically just a straight-up double shot of vodka shaken, usually served with olives. People from here ask for “ducks on the water.” That means they want the little ice chunks floating on top from when you shake it. That’s a thing particular to here. In Little Rock, when people order a martini, nobody wants vermouth. Or they say they want a rinse, and then I don’t give them a rinse. They’d never know. If they’re in front of me, obviously, I do it.

The biggest cocktail trend recently is the espresso martini. Old Fashioneds are kind of the standard nice restaurant bar drink. It’s always Old Fashioneds. I’ve made a million Old Fashioneds.

I feel like restaurant owners in Central Arkansas have

Best Cocktail

Best Happy Hour

Best Martini

Best Bar for Nondrinkers to Tag Along

Best Mocktails

Best Bar to Bring Your Kids

Best Bartender Taylor Clark

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Thank you for also making us finalists in these cat

Best Bar, Best Bar for Food, Best Bar to Take Your Restaurant), Best argarita, Best eigh orhood Bar, Best atio or Deck for Drinking, Best icku Bar, Best Theater Bar oldest Beer

Best Bar, Best Bar for Food, Best Bar to Take Your Restaurant), Best Margarita, Best Neighborhood Bar, Best Patio or Deck for Drinking, Best Pickup Bar, Best Theater Bar & Coldest Beer

REFUGE: The dim lighting and peaceful music at Crush Wine Bar make it an ideal spot for catching up with friends.

Old at Heart

CRUSH WINE BAR OFFERS A REFRESHING ALTERNATIVE TO YOUTHFUL DEBAUCHERY.

BY PHILLIP POWELL

Ayoung person can most certainly find some kinship in the cheap drinks and rowdy crowds of known locales like the White Water Tavern, Midtown Billiards, Brewski’s Pub and Grub, Town Pump, Four Quarter Bar and Discovery Night Club.

But what a young person cannot find in those often loud, messy and overpacked rooms is a chance to embrace their inner millennial Wine Mom — and to do so at an affordable price that aligns with an entry-level salary.

Enter your savior: Crush Wine Bar of Argenta, with a staff and wine selection that seems almost clinically engineered to make you feel at home. The front room greets you with warm, comfortable dim lighting, and wine bottles stacked on shelves behind the bar let you know you’re in the right place even if somehow you missed the glaring red sign out front. At first, I was skeptical of a wine bar, and skeptical of what regular attendance at a wine bar might say about me and my alleged youth. But after one too many times trying to have conversations at reasonable volumes with eccentric Little Rock strangers in the aforementioned dens of debauchery, Crush Wine Bar started feeling like a refreshing refuge.

Why stay out all night becoming prematurely deaf at Four Quarter with the grayhaired loons and silver-tongued chain smokers? Why spend weekend after weekend slipping on sweat, sparkles and god knows what in the hallowed halls of Discovery?

To my exhausted but no less vibrant friends, a better option awaits you: inner peace and eight hours of sleep. And Crush Wine Bar is more than ready to be that option for you, even if that means you can no longer call yourself young. I love Crush Wine Bar as my “catch up” place.

Inside, there’s always peaceful music filtering in and out of conversations that you can hear without your companions yelling. Grab a slice of cheesecake or a charcuterie board for the table and a full-bodied red. After an hour of good conversation, it’ll put you right to sleep. Consider stopping by on a Tuesday, when you can score any bottle $50 or less for $25. Best case scenario: The weather will be just right for you to sit out on their ambient little patio, look up at the stars and pretend like you’re a fancy European who knows things about wine.

Even if you plan for your evening to eventually descend into degeneracy, I’ve always found Crush Wine Bar to be a good starting place.

they can out of a bar menu. In Northwest Arkansas, there’s a lot more play money. Like, you might work for someone who opened a bar because they were trying to impress somebody. It’s a lot more fun to work up there because there was a lot less pressure. You’re not saving their profit margins. You could try to make weirder shit and they kind of let you do what you wanted if it was cool.

I worked at a swanky bar in Northwest Arkansas that would clarify lime juice using enzymes in a centrifuge and use directional freezing to get perfectly clear ice. And it wasn’t even a huge investment in gear, but there’s not a single place that would want to do that in Central Arkansas. That is sort of refreshing about Little Rock, nobody’s trying to really impress you. I feel like that’s even looked down on here. In Northwest Arkansas, you’re making drinks for people from all over the country that come there, and they’re trying to make it appeal to people from all over the world. I feel like some of it’s aspirational, but it did make a more vibrant cocktail culture there. Even little dive bars did Old Fashioneds.

In Little Rock, the need and want for it is not there. There aren’t many standalone bars doing craft cocktails here. The craft bars you go to here are restaurants doing cocktails as an enhancement to people’s dining experience. There aren’t late-night spots that do craft cocktails for a reason. If Four Quarter starts doing Last Words (industry standard for craft cocktails), then that might be a sign that something has changed.

Craft cocktail bartenders don’t make enough money to care as much as they do. You have to love doing the craft cocktail aspect of it. Because you can make more money bartending at neighborhood dives, or serving soda gun drinks at a music venue or just waiting tables at a restaurant that does craft cocktails. I still enjoy making cocktails. If I made more money, I’d be into it.

If I was younger, I’d go to a late-night spot like Brewski’s. Four Quarter does what they do right. But day-to-day bartending nights at a place that doesn’t close super late is pretty fucking awesome. You go in at 3 [p.m.] and you have your whole day to do things. Usually you’re off work at 10 or 11 [p.m.], and once the shift’s over, it’s over. You don’t take it home with you.

— As told to Rhett Brinkley

Town Pump 2.0

CAN A DIVE BAR SURVIVE CORPORATE ACQUISITION?

BY DANIEL FORD

Since visiting the latest reincarnation of Little Rock’s storied Town Pump, which first opened in 1969, I’ve been trying to figure out what feels off about it.

Purchased earlier this year, temporarily closed, lightly renovated and reopened in August by the Barnaby Group, a restaurant group led by Mary Olive and John Stephens that also owns Heights Italian restaurant George’s, the new Pump shows a lot of promise and admirably appears to have left more of the old Pump intact than I might have initially thought upon hearing the news of its acquisition.

The bar’s Instagram bio — “We messed it up just enough” — acknowledges both public skepticism around the new owners and their efforts to hew closely to the bar’s divey aesthetic.

The wood paneling and bar configuration remain unchanged, the drink menu is unfussy and beer-centric, and burgers and wings remain central to the menu. The major renovations were mostly nondecorative: deep cleaning, desperately needed plumbing fixes, a kitchen upgrade.

And yet, something feels slightly off. It feels less like the actual Town Pump and more like a restaurant going as the Town Pump for Halloween.

It could be the prices. Five average-sized wings and a 16-ounce PBR will run you $15 before tax and tip. A perfectly fine cheese dip is $11. A basic frozen margarita will set you back more than the same drink at Heights Taco & Tamale Co.

But there are daily and happy hour specials galore (plus an “Amaro Hour” special that feels a little off-brand), food prices are up at all restaurants, and it’s unreasonable of me to judge the Pump’s current prices based on the prices drilled into my head from frequent trips there more than a decade ago.

It could be some of the design changes, which tend to lean trendier. It’s hard to imagine someone like famous former regular Charles Portis drinking his whiskey at a bar cast in the glow of a neon sign spelling out the word “Cheese Dip” or overhead lights fashioned to look like solo cups.

The pool table and shuffleboard table upon which I’ve lost many a game have been sacrificed in favor of increased seating. This makes the place feel less like a bar with surprisingly good food and more like a traditional restaurant, raising the bar for how good the food needs to be.

And the food could be better, at least right now. Nothing I ate was anywhere close to bad, but everything was closer to fine than great. The burger, perhaps as a tradeoff for a cleaner kitchen, didn’t have the same flavor or crispy edges that I remembered it having. The wings, smoked rather than breaded, had good flavor, but many of the flavors ran too close together in taste, and the texture, for someone who prefers breaded wings, verged on slimy. But on a positive note, many of the menu’s new, more creative additions, such as the Chicken Caesar Wrap and the Chili Cheese Crunch Wrap Supreme, received glowing reviews from our table.

Then there’s the GOP elephant in the room: It takes some cognitive dissonance to believe in the authenticity of a restaurant historically described as a dive bar that is now being owned and operated by the uber-wealthy son and daughter-in-law of Little Rock billionaire Warren Stephens, Trump’s ambassador to the United Kingdom.

But in the end, I think my misgivings with the new Town Pump are likely a me problem. I’m unable to fairly evaluate what might be a positive development for Little Rock’s food scene because my memories of the Town Pump are clouded by nostalgia. Was the Town Pump really a beacon of dive bar perfection in 2012, or was I just a grad student drinking a lot of PBR? Is there something ineffable missing from the current version, or do I just miss being 24 and making a fool out of myself on a karaoke stage with my friends?

Like with most new restaurants, the food and service will continue to improve. The new owners’ efforts to thread the difficult needle between new and old will become less pronounced, and the passage of time will lessen the weight of comparison to past iterations.

Ultimately, there’s something to be commended in the Barnaby Group pouring its resources into a local cultural institution that, if we’re being honest with ourselves, has been on a steady decline over the last decade. And ownership fit aside, a successful Town Pump will steadily employ lots of managers, servers, bartenders and cooks who are not millionaires.

I look forward to giving it another chance, and then probably another, and then probably a few dozen more.

Brewing without Barley

STOIC BREWS CRAFTS BEER SO DELICIOUS YOU PROBABLY WON’T NOTICE IT’S GLUTEN-FREE. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN

SORENSEN

n a busy street just off the Bentonville square, inside a building that once housed a popular beer and pizza joint called Pedaler’s Pub, something new is brewing. Stoic Brews Alternative (410 SW A St.), the state’s first dedicated gluten-free brewery, opened its doors in March with fresh energy, a serious mission and tasty beers.

Walk through the front door and you won’t find much that remains from the previous tenant, and the mood is remarkably different. “We wanted it to feel like its own place,” co-founder Jay Davitt said. “Stoic Brews isn’t trying to be the old pub. It’s something new.”

With warm wood accents, clean branding and an inviting bar, Stoic has quickly become the talk of the town, even among folks who aren’t gluten intolerant.

Owners Jay and Rebecca Davitt didn’t always see beer in their future. In fact, their most recent business venture was a chain

of boxing gyms, which they successfully ran before selling everything off and, for a time, stepping back.

“We thought we were retiring,” Jay Davitt said with a laugh. The couple is nowhere near the traditional retirement age, and it didn’t take long before ideas on next steps came to mind. “We didn’t do anything for a year and a half, and honestly, I was happy. But one night I said, ‘Let’s brew beer.’”

There was just one hitch. Rebecca Davitt can’t drink beer with gluten.

That could have stopped the idea cold in its tracks. Wheat, rye and barley are cornerstones of the beer world, after all, inextricable from beer’s history and fundamental to most taproom inventories. But instead, Rebecca Davitt did some research and discovered that there were only 23 dedicated gluten-free breweries in the entire country (Ground Breaker Brewing in Portland, Ore-

gon, was the first, opening in 2011). “That’s when I said, ‘If they can do it, we can do it,’” she said.

Rebecca Davitt, who has a background in food science, took charge of production. Brewing gluten-free isn’t as simple as swapping grains, though; it requires rethinking the entire process. The overall procedure looks similar to traditional brewing, but each step involves a subtle (and sometimes substantial) tweak. Ingredients, gear and times/ temperatures/measures can vary to different degrees, depending on the type of beer being brewed and the outcome desired.

Instead of the traditional barley and wheat, Stoic’s beers start with grains like millet, buckwheat and rice. The mash, the process of soaking the grains in hot water to convert starches to fermentable sugars, is done at higher temperatures — as high as 175°F (compared to a range of 144-158°F for tradi-

tional beers) — requiring added enzymes to ensure proper starch conversion. Equipment modifications were also needed: custom false bottoms to handle the finer grain sizes, and a one-barrel system from Spike Brewing Equipment designed to keep things manageable.

Despite these differences, Jay Davitt insists the goal isn’t to make “gluten-free beer”; it’s to make great beer.

“We get people in here all the time who are shocked,” he said. “They say, ‘This tastes like beer,’ and I have to explain that it is beer. It just happens to be gluten-free.”

As far as taste goes, the distinction is barely noticeable. If anything, malt-free brews are a bit thinner on the palate with less foam retention. Yes, the process is slightly more complicated and a bit more expensive to produce, but the average beer drinker would struggle to contrast a gluten-free beer with a traditional malt-based brew. It seems likely that consumer demand will grow as more people are exposed and realize it’s a quality alternative to regular beer.

The tap list rotates, but some early favorites are already emerging. The Hazy IPA, with its juicy hop aroma and smooth finish, is one of the most popular. The Blonde Ale is a hit as well. But it’s the stout that gets the most love, and the most surprised reactions.

“It’s dry and roasty, with chocolate and vanilla on the nose,” Rebecca Davitt said. “There’s no coffee in it, but it tastes like there is.” Without barley or roasted malt, the deep color and rich flavor come from roasted rice sourced from a California supplier since Arkansas, despite being the country’s top rice producer, doesn’t yet have a roasting facility.

The couple had no idea the stout would be such a hit. “We made bets on which beers would be most popular,” said Rebecca Davitt. “The stout wasn’t one we expected to win, but people threaten us if we take it off the menu.”

For the Davitts, Stoic Brews isn’t just about beer. It’s about creating a place where everyone feels welcome.

“There was a guy in here the other night and he hadn’t had beer in 10 years,” Rebecca Davitt said. “He had tears in his eyes. His wife was teasing him, but he was genuinely emotional. He finally had something he could enjoy again.”

That type of reaction is part of what makes Stoic different. Gluten sensitivities can be isolating, and a place like Stoic provides a home for people who’ve felt left out of taproom fun for too long.

Even for those who aren’t gluten-free, Stoic’s friendly staff and low-key vibe make it a great place to grab a beer. “You can sit at the bar, strike up a conversation, or not. Our staff is great at reading people,” Jay Davitt said. “They make everyone feel welcome.”

And there’s food, too. Pizzas, calzones and Salvadoran pupusas (quite the combination!) highlight the menu. It’s the kind of place you can drop in for a drink, or order some food at the bar and stay for dinner.

The inspiration for the brewery’s name comes from the ancient philosophy of perseverance, wisdom and the pursuit of joy in everyday life.

It’s also a subtle nod to the couple’s journey. They stayed the course while navigating personal change, government bureaucracy (they endured a frustrating permit mix-up that delayed sales) and the steep learning curve of gluten-free brewing.

For now, Stoic Brews is focused on its taproom and serving the local community. The Davitts have secured federal approval for canning and hope to sell select beers to-go at some point soon. There are also mocktails for nondrinkers, and maybe, at some point in the future, a gluten-free non-alcoholic beer.

But Jay and Rebecca Davitt have no plans to expand production or distribute widely. “We don’t want to haul kegs or clean lines for other people,” Jay Davitt said. “We built this place to be here, for people to come to us.”

And they are coming in droves, thanks in part to the booming population of young workers in Northwest Arkansas seeking the next great trend, but mostly because the beer is flat-out good.

Whether they’re gluten-free or just curious, visitors to Stoic Brews find more than good beer. They find an environment that welcomes people traditionally excluded from taproom merrymaking. Those with a sensitivity to gluten finally have a place to frequent, and regular beer drinkers will hardly know the difference.

October

3rd - Jimmy Lynn’s Psychedelic Velocity

4th - Ed Bowman and the Rock City Players

10th - Dogtown Throwdown w/ Whoa Dakota (outside 7pm)

11th - Dogtown Throwdown w/ Black River Pearl (outside 7pm)

17th - Magnolia Brown

18th - Korey McKelvy Band

24th - Big Dam Horns

25th - FreeVerse

31st - The Rocky Horror Pickin’ Show feat. The Crumbs

EVENING AT PRESTONROSE: Supper on the farm means General Tso Emu Meatloaf, spring rolls with smoked tofu and Prestonrose’s sampler flight.

Rose in the River Valley

AT PRESTONROSE FARM AND BREWING CO., THE DISTANCE BETWEEN FARM AND TABLE IS A FEW FOOTSTEPS. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE SMITTLE

hat happens when you mash up a certified organic farm with a craft microbrewery and serve up small-batch saisons alongside emu meatloaf on a screened-in patio in rural Arkansas? The answer to that question: Prestonrose Farm and Brewing Co. in Paris (Logan County). Incidentally, the answer remains the same when you ask what might happen if you mashed up the left- and right-brained tendencies of Liz Preston, who started out her professional life as a scientist in Santa Cruz, California, and continues it as the mastermind behind Prestonrose’s meticulously crafted beer list.

“My brain’s about split down the middle,” Preston told us. “In high school, I wanted to

be an artist or a designer, and then got into science and it kinda went in a different direction. So science and art are my two places, and brewing is where those two meet.”

Some breweries might lean toward “only weird beers,” Preston said, “and sometimes they’re good, sometimes they’re not. Or you can only have cookie-cutter beers that are very scientific and precise. Mine are just down the middle. And there’s this great freedom in brewing to do that.”

A 2014 graduate of “beer school” at the American Brewers Guild in Vermont, Preston follows the “three-pint rule.” If you taste a beer and can imagine yourself wanting three pints of it, you’ve got a winner. If not, keep tweaking it.

Along with her husband, Mike Preston, Liz Preston opens up the Logan County brewery and restaurant a few evenings a week (plus Sunday afternoons) and serves up an ever-changing menu that leans almost exclusively on ingredients grown on the 10-acre property and fellow farms in the region. For example: a mushroom masala served over rice from Ralston Family Farms, osso bucco made with Hoien Farms beef shanks, red and blue corn tamales made from nixtamalizing Marlow’s Happy Horseshoe Farms corn into masa, Origami Sake, wine from Rusty Tractor Farms.

As the “farm-to-table” designation goes, the tables are about as close to the farm as it gets. Among other crops, tomatoes, figs and

Olallieberries — “a cool California blackberry hybrid,” Liz Preston told us — are grown a few steps away from the dining hall in one of Prestonrose’s two 3,000-square-foot greenhouses. That emu meatloaf, as it turns out, is made from birds raised at nearby Gum Creek Farms — about a mile up the road, and within earshot if you yelled loudly enough from your table at Prestonrose, Liz Preston said. Emu as it may be, it’s surprisingly evocative of your grandma’s beef meatloaf, and that’s by design. Amy Hall, the owner at Gum Creek, got interested in emu after developing alpha-gal syndrome, which left her with an allergy to red meat. Eventually, demand grew so much that Hall left her career as a commercial pilot to become a full-time emu farmer.

The dish is one of many on the Prestonrose menu designed to accommodate diners with specific food allergies; a note at the bottom of the menu encourages diners to speak up about their allergies or dietary restrictions, in the event that a dish can be adjusted or modified. A standout on our visit: the vegan and gluten-free plantain mousse, a dreamy whipped custard of plantains, brown sugar and coconut milk garnished with quinoa-salted maple popcorn and pomegranate molasses.

Omnivore, vegan or otherwise, this is the kind of food worth driving across several counties for — or several states, if you’re a Garden & Gun reader who caught wind of Prestonrose this summer when the magazine named it one of the country’s 31 Best New Southern Restaurants. Better yet, buy dinner and a craft kombucha for your designated driver so you can lean into the taproom offerings with a flight, which gets you a sample size of every beer on the menu. When we visited, that included Prestonrose’s flagship pale ale, a nutty “Farmer Brown” ale evocative of Newcastle, a Belgian golden and a kicky dark stout with cocoa and chile. Our favorite: the Sorbaer, a Norwegian Kveik beer, sweet and tart from a preserved bumper crop of blueberries, peaches and strawberries. And while there’s no substitute for a visit to the farm, you can get a pint of Prestonrose in Little Rock at spots like El Sur Street Food Co, Rex’s Restaurant, Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom, Sterling Market and The Root Cafe’s Breckenridge

location.

CRUSH WINE BAR

Above all, try to time your trip around sunset for maximum magic hour scenery. The sun was dipping low and the frogs and crickets were beginning their evening serenade when we pulled up the dirt road to the farm, approached the gate and spotted Mike Preston, who had paused long enough between waiting on tables in the dining room to enjoy a peek across the rolling farmland. In response to our introductory “How ya doin’?,” Mike Preston hollered back, welcoming and jovial: “Well, I’ve got a brewery in my front yard, so I’m doin’ all right!”

He seemed perfectly at home in his front-of-

house role, sauntering between patio tables as Liz Preston helmed the kitchen. Answering questions about the menu and playfully bemoaning the dearth of locally sourced cinnamon and vanilla — two of only a few things Prestonrose has to buy from an actual grocery store — it felt as if Mike Preston might have farmed that land his whole life. In fact, he and Liz bought the place in 2013, sight unseen, from a Craigslist ad. Disenchanted with New York life after moving to the East Coast from California, Mike Preston’s job offered a handful of alternatives for relocation in the South. “They were showing us a lot of stuff that was newer construction,” Liz Preston told us, “like a McMansion-with-2-acres-in-town sorta thing. And we wanted an old farmhouse that was a fixer-upper on 10 acres.” Sure enough, they found a farm for sale, previously owned by the Rose family, from whom Prestonrose took part of its name, and opened up the farm brewery in February 2016. After a yearlong experiment operating a satellite restaurant in downtown Clarksville, Prestonrose’s operations have moved back to the farm, but the collaborations are no less lively from their rural hilltop spot. When we spoke in mid-September, Liz Preston was awaiting a special-order shipment of family-farmed New Brunswick oysters for “Oyster Night on the Porch,” to be followed the next evening by “Sip & Snip,” a pop-up event with Clarksville-based flower farm Blossomberry Nursery, at which visitors could have a drink on the porch while they build their own bouquet. Meanwhile, hundreds of local or independently crafted goodies line the shelves at the brewery’s mercantile: dried beans, chutneys, honey, pantry goods, pasta and spices among them.

There are three words that appear routinely in the comments section of Prestonrose’s Facebook and Instagram accounts: “worth the drive.” Asked whether the Prestons, after a decade, found the farm brewery worth the drive to Paris, Arkansas, from Santa Cruz (via New York), Liz Preston said: “Absolutely.”

“There’s a million different ways that we’ve grown,” she said. “And we’ve seen the needle move, you know. There were nine breweries when we got here, and now there are 80. There were no breweries near us, and now there are dozens. I feel like we’ve inspired a lot of entrepreneurs to take the leap that they were scared to take.”

Above the Smoke

ATTIC BAR SNEAKS INTO DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK.

BY BROCK HYLAND

There’s something about Attic Bar that feels like the kind of speakeasy-type joint you’d stumble upon after midnight in New Orleans. Perhaps it’s the unassuming entrance in an old downtown building made of brick west of Broadway, a few blocks from Doe’s Eat Place. Perhaps it’s the long flight of stairs leading up to its unexpected location above Back Home BBQ, which debuted in April. Perhaps it’s the feeling you get when you reach the top of the stairs and you’re suddenly transported into your quirky grandma’s den — full of eclectic antique furniture, Art Deco-style light fixtures, funky wallpaper adorning the ceiling and a decidedly ’70s feel that makes one want to sit and have a cocktail or four. To put it simply, Attic Bar is a total vibe.

Having one of the best barbecue joints in the state downstairs and possibly the most aesthetic barroom in Little Rock above it almost feels unfair to the competition — whoever that might be. According to Adam Murray, co-owner of Back Home BBQ and Attic Bar, the dual concept was always the plan. “Originally, [co-owner] Chase [Rittelmeyer] and I thought it would be great if we had a space where there was a cool cocktail program that was separate from the barbecue. Look, the barbecue is great,” Murray told me during a recent interview near one of the Attic Bar windows overlooking West Markham Street, “but look at this beautiful second-story space we’ve got now.”

And beautiful it is. Prior to opening, Murray and Rittelmeyer worked with local interior designer Shelby Cotton, who also designed the interior spaces of Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom and downtown’s Big Bad Breakfast. The first question she asked, according to Murray, was, “What are you going to name the place?”

“Attic Bar,” Murray told me, “and she just ran with it. The idea was to bring the vibe of someone’s house who has collected stuff over the years. Maybe the attic of a generational house where you’ve got a grandma area over here, Victorian area over there, the cool uncle’s place over on the side … little cigarette couches and ’70s-style furniture. Just fun and quirky and eclectic. You can always just look around and see something new every day, every time you’re here.”

But vibes are only half of the equation for a good drinking establishment. Attic Bar’s cocktail program is totally dialed in, especially for a joint that’s new on the block. For this we have bartender Jared Browner — the ever smiling and gracious spirit guide who captains the bar with ease — to thank. He’s the type of barkeep that, upon my ordering a Negroni, asked if I would like it mixed with a special chai-infused sweet vermouth he’s been tinkering with

lately. And, of course, the answer should always be enthusiastically, “Yes!” Jared flexes his mixology skills by creating cocktails of the month that are more creative and fresh than stuffy and pretentious. During my last visit to Attic Bar he told me that he’s working on a tiki menu for October, complete with classics like Zombies and Pain Killers, and teased special pufferfish glasses that resemble the type of whimsical creation that would come from a ceramics art class. I’m told there are even plans for a speakeasy menu soon.

Not a cocktail drinker? All good. Attic Bar also offers an array of local craft beers, domestic longnecks and wine. This isn’t the type of spot where you’re “supposed” to drink Old Fashioneds or have a Ph.D. in chemistry to appreciate a nice beverage.

“We want it to be a networking area for people who are living and working downtown,” Murray said.

There’s a couple of TVs behind the bar if you need to check the score of the game, but Attic Bar is the kind of place you could visit if you want to get away from sports everywhere you turn.

“This is all about appreciating the movement of the room and the way you have to go to the bar to order — it encourages people to bump into each other and strike up conversations and just be social,” Murray said.

Though Attic Bar is physically separated from Back Home BBQ downstairs, guests are encouraged to grab some food and bring it upstairs to enjoy. That said, devotees of outstanding barbecue and interesting menu creations will rejoice in the small food menu offered upstairs, which features dishes that aren’t offered on the standard Back Home menu: a thoughtfully curated charcuterie board with house-made sausage and crackers, a fried bologna sandwich featuring house-made beef bologna that nearly knocked me out of my chair, smash burgers that rival any in this town, cold-smoked catfish dip, and — my personal favorite — the chopped brisket crunchwrap, an elevated take on the fast-food favorite. These creations are the work of pitmaster Curtis Guerrero, the barbecue wizard who runs the food program downstairs.

“The menu will be updated with new items as time goes by,” Murray reported. “And that’s the fun part about it, too. We do barbecue day in, day out, but up here it gives us a chance to experiment and just have some fun.”

In downtown Little Rock, where so many buildings sit empty for far too long, Attic Bar offers a clever, well-curated choreography of all the moving parts that make a truly great bar. It’s the kind of place that feels like it always should have been there.

Toast of the Town Winners

BARS

BEST BAR

Winner: Four Quarter Bar (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock), Ciao Baci, Midtown Billiards, Petit & Keet, Rock Town Distillery

BEST NEW BAR

Winner: The Pizza Pub (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Mr Brews Taphouse, Rex’s Restaurant, Southern Tail Brewing

BEST BARTENDER

Winner: Taylor Clark (Brood & Barley, North Little Rock)

Finalists: Kolleen Elbert (The Hillcrest Fountain), Cody Grace (Brood & Barley, North Little Rock), Lawrence Thompson (Midtown Billiards), David Timberlake (The Pantry)

BEST BAR FOR NONDRINKERS TO TAG ALONG

Winner: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Midtown Billiards, Petit & Keet, The Hillcrest Fountain, The Pantry

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

Winner: Four Quarter Bar (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock), Crush Wine Bar (North Little Rock), Midtown Billiards, Rock Town Distillery, The Pantry Crest

BEST BAR TO BRING YOUR KIDS

Winner: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Bark Bar, Flashback Pizza & Milkshakes (Rogers), Flyway Brewing (North Little Rock), Gotahold Brewing (Eureka Springs), Hill Station

BEST DRINKING BRUNCH

Winner: Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom

Finalists: Bread Cheese Wine (BCW), Big Bad Breakfast, Copper Grill, Four Quarter Bar (North Little Rock), Rex’s Restaurant

BEST PATIO OR DECK FOR DRINKING

Winner: Cypress Social (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock), Ciao Baci, Crush Wine Bar (North Little Rock), Four Quarter Bar (North Little Rock)

BEST HOTEL BAR

Winner: Capital Bar & Grill

Finalists: AC Hotel & Lounge, Agasi 7 Rooftop Bar & Kitchen, The Lobby Bar at the Arlington (Hot Springs), Aloft Hotels WXYZ Bar

BEST BAR FOR POOL, DARTS OR SHUFFLEBOARD

Winner: Four Quarter Bar (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Midtown Billiards, Pizza D’Action, The HIllcrest Fountain, The Pizza Pub (North Little Rock)

BEST DIVE BAR

Winner: Four Quarter Bar (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Grumpy’s Too Neighborhood Bar & Grill, Midtown Billiards, Pizza D’Action, The Hillcrest Fountain, White Water Tavern

BEST PICKUP BAR

Winner: Four Quarter Bar (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock), Midtown Billiards, Petit & Keet, The Hillcrest Fountain

BEST BAR FOR LIVE MUSIC

Winner: White Water Tavern

Finalists: Four Quarter Bar (North Little Rock), Midtown Billiards, Southern Tail Brewing, Vino’s Brew Pub

BEST GAY BAR

Winner: Discovery

Finalists: 610 Center, Club Sway, Hairpins

BEST WINE BAR

Winner: Crush Wine Bar (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Bread Cheese Wine (BCW), Ciao Baci, Copper Grill, Petit & Keet, The Pizza Pub (North Little Rock)

BEST BAR FOR FOOD

Winner: Four Quarter Bar (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock), Ciao Baci, Midtown Billiards, Rex’s Restaurant

BEST HAPPY HOUR

Winner: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Copper Grill, Crush Wine Bar (North Little Rock), Cypress Social (North Little Rock), Midtown Billiards

BEST SPORTS BAR

Winner: The Pizza Pub (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Brewski’s North (North Little Rock), Grumpy’s Too Neighborhood Bar & Grill, The Hillcrest Fountain, Waldo’s Chicken & Beer

BEST BAR TO TAKE YOUR DOG

Winner: Bark Bar

Finalists: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock), Gotahold Brewing (Eureka Springs), Rock Town Distillery, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe

BEERS

BEST ARKANSAS BEER

Winner: Flyway Brewing Bluewing

Finalists: Moody Brews Earl Grey ESB, Lost Forty Brewing 2nd Rodeo, Lost Forty Brewing Love Honey Bock, Gotahold Brewing Oktoberfest

BEST ARKANSAS PALE ALE

Winner: Flyway Brewing Peregrine Pale Ale

Finalists: Superior Bathhouse Brewery Candy Mountain Pale Ale, Gotahold Brewing Love One Another, Ozark Beer Co. Hardwork Pale Ale, Diamond Bear Brewing Victory Pale Ale

BEST ARKANSAS SELTZER

Winner: Black Apple Hard Cider

Finalists: Lost Forty Brewing Punchy, Core Brewing Scarlet Letter

BEST ARKANSAS PILSNER

Winner: Moody Brews New Ground Pilsner

Finalists: Gotahold Brewing Devil Put Aside, Diamond Bear Brewing Southern Blonde, Lost Forty Brewing Bare Bones Pilsner, Ozark Brewing Co. Pilsner

BEST ARKANSAS IPA

Winner: Flyway Brewing Early Bird IPA

Finalists: Southern Star Brewing Co. Buried Hatchet, Lost Forty Brewing Rockhound IPA, Lost Forty Brewing Trash Panda IPA, Gotahold Brewing Downhill Ride IPA

BEST ARKANSAS LAGER

Winner: Lost Forty Brewing 2nd Rodeo

Finalists: Gotahold Brewing Benison Country Lager, Ozark Beer Co. Lager, Flyway Brewing Quetzal Mexican Lager

LITTLE ROCK’S LATE NIGHT BAR

BEST ARKANSAS SEASONAL BEER

Winner: Moody Brews Earl Grey ESB

Finalists: Flyway Brewing Watermelon

OCTOBER

SAT 10/4 STAGEFRIGHT

FRI 10/10 7DJ YK

SAT 10/11 7DJ YK

SAT 10/18 CHRIS BAKER BAND

FRI 10/24 7DJ YK SAT 10/25 7DJ YK

LIVE TRIVIA

EVERY TUES. AT 6 P.M.

Gose, Moody Brews Half Seas Over, Lost Forty Brewing Ice Day Arkansas Winter IPA, Gotahold Brewing Oktoberfest

BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES

BEST ARKANSAS BREWERY

Winner: Moody Brews

Finalists: Flyway Brewing (North Little Rock), Gotahold Brewing (Eureka Springs), Lost Forty Brewing, Southern

BEST NEW ARKANSAS BREWERY

Winner: Moody Brews

Finalists: Southern Tail Brewing

BEST ARKANSAS DISTILLERY

Winner: Rock Town Distillery

Finalists: Butler Creek Distilling (Eureka Springs), Delta Dirt Distillery (Helena-West Helena), Origami Sake (Hot Springs)

BEST BREWPUB

Winner: Flyway Brewing (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock), Gotahold Brewing (Eureka Springs), Lost Forty Brewing, Southern Tail Brewing

DRINKS

BEST MARTINI

Winner: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Four Quarter Bar (North Little Rock), George’s Little Rock, Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom, The Pantry

BEST MARGARITA

Winner: El Sur Street Food Co.

Finalists: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock), Midtown Billiards, Rex’s Restaurant, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, The Fold Botanas & Bar

BEST COCKTAIL

Winner: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Ciao Baci, Petit & Keet, Rock Town Distillery, The Pantry

BEST MOCKTAIL

Winner: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Baja Grill, El Sur Street Food Co., Rock Town Distillery, The Pantry

COLDEST BEER

Winner: Four Quarter Bar (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock), Flyway Brewing (North Little Rock), Midtown Billiards, The Pizza Cafe

BEST BLOODY MARY

Winner: Four Quarter Bar (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Brewski’s North (North Little Rock), El Sur Street Food Co., Midtown Billiards, Rock Town Distillery

RESTAURANTS, LIQUOR STORES AND GROCERY STORES

BEST BEER SELECTION (LIQUOR STORE)

Winner: Colonial Wines & Spirits

Finalists: Lake Liquor (Maumelle), Legacy Wine & Spirits, Springhill Wine & Spirits (North Little Rock)

BEST BEER SELECTION (BAR OR RESTAURANT)

Winner: Fassler Hall

Finalists: Brood & Barley (North Little Rock), Gothold Brewing (Eureka Springs), The Pantry, The Pizza Pub

BEST BEER SELECTION (GROCERY STORE)

Winner: Whole Foods

Finalists: Kroger, Edwards Food Giant, Crystal Food Market (North Little Rock), Fresh Market

BEST WINE SELECTION (LIQUOR STORE)

Winner: Colonial Wines & Spirits

Finalists: Legacy Wine & Spirits, O’Looney’s Wine & Liquor, 107 Liquor (Sherwood), Springhill Wine & Spirits (North Little Rock)

BEST WINE LIST (BAR OR RESTAURANT)

Winner: Crush Wine Bar (North Little Rock)

Finalists: Copper Grill, George’s Little Rock, The Pantry, The Pizza Pub

BEST WINE SELECTION (GROCERY STORE)

Winner: Trader Joe’s

Finalists: Edwards Food Giant, Kroger, Walmart, Whole Foods

BEST COCKTAIL LIST

Winner: Rock Town Distillery

Finalists: Fassler Hall, George’s Little Rock, Rex’s Restaurant, The Pantry

BEST LIQUOR STORE

Winner: Colonial Wines & Spirits

Finalists: 107 Liquor (Sherwood), O’Looney’s Wine & Liquor, Springhill Liquor

BEST LIQUOR STORE DELIVERY

Winner: Colonial Wines & Spirits

Finalists: 107 Liquor (Sherwood), Legacy Wine and Spirits, O’Looney’s Wine & Liquor, Stratton’s Market

Special Advertising Section of the Arkansas Times

FACES OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS 2025

First launched in 2016, our Faces of Central Arkansas series aimed to highlight individuals in our community who truly stood out, uplifting and excelling in their fields.

Whether in senior care, interior design, or non-profit banking, these individuals exemplify dedication, impact, and collaboration. As neighbors, friends, and family, they help keep Central Arkansas a premier destination in the region.”

Just as our initial spotlight shone on these exceptional people, we invite you to delve into their stories and celebrate their impactful work.

FACES OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS 2025

The Faces of Craft Cocktails.

Perched above Back Home BBQ, Attic Bar is providing an eclectic ambiance meant to encourage patrons to get up and mingle with each other. A far cry from your grandma’s attic, this new bar is looking to be the go-to place for an after work wind down session. Owners Adam Murray, Chase Rittelmeyer, and Victoria Liu saw a gap in Little Rock’s bar scene — a need for a spot where people could relax over the finer things in life — specialty cocktails, bites, and good company. While it’s the sister of the restaurant downstairs, Attic Bar has its own personality. Much of its furniture comes from the owners’ attic and flea markets, creating a cozy, home-like lounge. Though a few of the menu items are borrowed from the restaurant, guests can enjoy unique offerings, like the Catch 22 cocktail served in whimsical puffer fish glassware. If that isn’t your thing, maybe give the charcuterie board a try.

Office Technology & Innovation.

Datamax Inc. delivers a powerful portfolio of business technology and office equipment solutions — including copiers, multifunction printers, production print systems, managed IT services, document management, and unified communications. As a Canon Advanced Partner and Microsoft Cloud Partner, and through additional alliances with Konica Minolta, Lexmark, Kyocera, Intermedia, and PaperCut, we provide proven expertise across every solution we deliver.

What sets us apart is local service. From self-funded in-house leasing and proactive service monitoring to hands-on installation and responsive support, our teams live and work in the communities we serve. This local commitment helps clients improve productivity, streamline workflows, and control costs.

Best Place to Work in Arkansas in 2023 and 2024, Datamax proudly serves the entire state of Arkansas with local offices in El Dorado, Fort Smith, Little Rock, Hot Springs, Jonesboro, and Russellville. We also have outof-state locations in Dallas/Fort Worth, Longview, Lufkin, Sulphur Springs, Texarkana, and Tyler, TX.

Since 1983 in Arkansas, Datamax has earned a reputation for service excellence by building lasting local partnerships — all with a focus on

ARKANSAS

The Faces of Residential and Commercial Interior Design.

Founded in 2019, Central Arkansas–based Shine Interior Design Studio creates beautiful, functional, and empowering spaces that reflect each client’s unique personality and lifestyle. Co-owners Stacey Breezeel and Natalie Biles bring more than 30 years of combined experience to their award-winning team, specializing in new construction, remodeling, and full-service design for both residential and commercial projects. Their portfolio ranges from luxury homes to restaurants, hospitality, retail, and corporate interiors. Guided by a commitment to health, sustainability, and longevity, Shine ensures every detail supports both beauty and well-being in both home and business.

The Face of Non-Profit Community Banking.

People Trust Community was founded by Arlo Washington, the subject of the Oscar winning documentary, The Barber of Little Rock. This non-profit brings banking and loan services for families and small businesses to underserved neighborhoods in Central Arkansas.

The People Trust Community has stepped into the banking desert that was created by decades of redlining that denied mortgage and other lending services to low income neighborhoods in Little Rock and North Little Rock. By placing branches directly in these underserved areas, Arlo and his team are ensuring that families have access to the financial resources they need and deserve.

The non-profit People Trust Community welcomes philanthropic support that helps us further our mission. For more information or to make a donation in support of this initiative send inquires to People Trust Community at 501-404-4857 or email at info@ptcfcu.org.

Locations: People Trust Community Credit Union, 4103 E. Broadway St., North Little Rock People Trust Financial Loan Fund, 5300 W. 65th & 4000 W. 12th St., Little Rock

ptcfcu.org |

The Face of Senior Services.

Since 1979, CareLink has risen to meet the challenges and opportunities of aging in central Arkansas by helping seniors remain independent, connected, and cared for at home. The organization provides homebound seniors with services such as Meals on Wheels, in-home care, wellness programs, and much more. CareLink also empowers family caregivers with counseling, support groups, and self-care programs to ensure that they can provide the best care for their loved ones and themselves. Across six counties, the nonprofit coordinates staff, volunteers, and mission partners with the goal of building a community where every senior lives a vibrant, independent life, enriched by reliable support.

Whether you’re the queen of cupcakes, the king of construction, or the boss of balance sheets— we’re looking for standout pros from every corner of the community. From finance to food trucks, architecture to aesthetics, FACES OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS is your chance to be celebrated for doing what you love.

Be the face of your field. Be featured in print. Be recognized for your passion.

We’ve got more faces to feature—and one of them could be yours! Don’t miss this chance to stand out among Central Arkansas’s best and brightest.

Contact your sales representative or Brooke Wallace, brooke@arktimes.com, 501-658-7483 for details.

NURSING SPECIALTIES IN DEMAND

NURSING IS FOR EVERYONE | YOUR PATHWAY TO NURSING

From a mission that matters, competitive pay, development opportunities, and meaningful benefits, a career at Arkansas Children’s is filled with purpose and fulfillment. Our Total Rewards program includes benefits that go above and beyond to take care of team members at work and at home!

Arkansas Children’s achieved Magnet Status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), for nursing excellence and patient outcomes. We are nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for 7 pediatric specialties and were recently named one of America’s best large employers by Forbes.

CAREER MOBILITY

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2025 NURSES GUIDE

Mandy Keener

Brooke Wallace

Terrell Jacob

Kaitlyn Looney

Wendy Hickingbotham

Roland R. Gladden

MARKETING DIRECTOR

Lyndsey Huddleston

Sarah Richardson

DIRECTOR

Bob Edwards

ADVERTISING

Mike Spain EVENTS DIRECTOR

Donavan Suitt IT DIRECTOR

Robert Curfman

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Anitra Lovelace

CONTROLLER

Weldon Wilson

BILLING/COLLECTIONS

Charlotte Key

WHY NURSING?

THE CALL.

Nursing stands at the core of health care, a profession driven by compassion, expertise and a deep sense of duty to help others. For those who choose this path, the rewards reach far beyond a paycheck. As one of the most trusted professions in the world, nursing is more than just a job — it is a calling.

A CAREER THAT GIVES BACK

Nursing is more than administering medicine or checking vital signs. It is about fostering connections with patients and meeting their physical, emotional and mental needs. Whether comforting a child before surgery or guiding an elderly patient through the complexities of chronic illness, nurses serve as the human touchpoint of health care.

Recent studies have shown that nurses often rank among the most trusted professionals in the U.S., with 76% of Americans reporting in a 2025 Gallup poll that nurses have “very high” or “high” ethical standards. This trust is built on nurses’ abilities to provide care and offer empathy and emotional support during life’s most challenging moments.

Choosing a career in nursing means stepping into a role that gives back to the community every day. Nurses are often the linchpins of health care teams, coordinating between doctors, patients and families. This crucial role has lasting effects, with studies indicating that positive nursing interventions can reduce hospital stays and improve patient outcomes.

GROWING OPPORTUNITIES IN AN AGING POPULATION

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in nursing will grow by 5% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. Much of this growth is driven by an aging population, with more baby boomers entering retirement age and requiring long-term care and chronic disease management.

In particular, specialized fields such as geriatric nursing, hospice care and home health services are expanding rapidly. The aging population presents a growing demand for nurses who can provide skilled, compassionate care to older adults. In fact, the number of people aged 65 and older is projected to increase from 17% to 23% by 2050, creating unprecedented opportunities for nurses to step into critical roles.

Moreover, with the health care industry facing ongoing shortages of nurses due to retirements and the increasing demand for health care services, nursing professionals entering the field today are well-positioned to secure stable, fulfilling jobs with long-term growth potential upon their graduations.

FLEXIBILITY AND DIVERSE LIFESTYLES

One of the most appealing aspects of a nursing career is its flexibility. Nurses have the unique opportunity to tailor their careers to suit a variety of lifestyles. With diverse shifts — ranging from traditional 9-to-5 jobs to 12-hour shifts that allow for extended time off — nursing offers a work-life balance that can be diffi-

cult to find in other professions. This makes it an attractive option for those seeking to manage personal and professional commitments.

Beyond the hospital, nursing careers offer various settings, from schools to corporate environments, cruise ships to research labs. For those who prefer autonomy, travel nursing provides the chance to explore different cities or even countries while earning a competitive salary. Nurses can work in specialty areas such as trauma, pediatrics, public health or administration, allowing them to pursue passions that align with their personal interests.

MORE THAN A CAREER

Nursing is more than a career; it allows individuals to make a profound difference in people’s lives while securing a stable, growing profession in an evolving health care landscape. Ready to dive into the world of nursing? This guide offers those first steps toward a bright future. Whether at the start of your nursing journey or looking to take your career to new heights, the following pages include an insider’s look into the profession that touches lives every day.

NURSING NUMBERS ON THE RISE IN ARKANSAS

NURSING EDUCATORS DISCUSS AREAS OF GROWTH, OPPORTUNITY.

With the Arkansas State Board of Nursing reporting 71,723 active licenses as of July 2025, nursing is already the largest statewide group of health care practitioners, but the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services is also calling it the fastest growing occupation in Arkansas.

According to a report from the ADWS, nursing numbers in Arkansas are projected to increase by 54% by 2030 and placing it in the top three growing industries statewide.

With nursing numbers on the rise, growth opportunities are expanding in a variety of specialty areas and providing prospective students with many new, exciting avenues to explore as they consider their educational pursuit and professional development.

EMERGENCY NURSING

Nathan Ernst, BSN, RN, CEN, has worked in the UAMS Emergency Department since graduating from the university’s nursing school in 2018 and says the experiences have resulted in many opportunities for career growth and professional fulfillment.

“Every day in the ED, we are tasked with caring for the young and old, the critically ill, those with socioeconomic disparities and those who may just be scared and need assurance,” says Ernst. “The variety of patient populations and the support of an excellent team surrounding me is what makes me love to come to work in the emergency department.”

“As the state’s only level one trauma center, we are afforded every resource to care for even the most critical patients,” Ernst says. “Now, as a recently Magnet-designated organization, UAMS has proven its commitment to supporting nurses and helping them continue to develop their practice.”

Ernst considers himself fortunate to have worked closely with the UAMS ED management in facilitating training for new graduate nurses in the Transition to Practice RN New Graduate Residency Program. Although every ED faces challenges such as bed shortages, workplace violence and over-crowding, working in the UAMS ED has proven to be extremely rewarding.

“Emergency nursing is an ever-changing field, and teaching new nurses ensures I continue to learn myself,” says Ernst, the recipient of the 2025 UAMS Excellence in Nursing Education Award. “I also advocate for nurses to join professional organizations to promote the growth and improvement of their specialties.”

Practicing what he preaches, Ernst traveled earlier this year to Washington, D.C., as the Government Affairs Chair for the Arkansas Emergency Nurses Association to advocate for legislation directly affecting health care worker safety and mental health in the ED.

“Becoming a mother shifted my perspective by highlighting the critical need for balance. I strive to be fully present – both at work and at home – and to appreciate the importance of each role. Recognizing its profound impact on my personal and professional life, I am committed to continuously refining my approach to work-life balance. Achieving worklife balance has been a journey, but I have learned it is not only possible, but essential for overall well-being."

—Sheurika McKeever, MSN, RN, CMSRN Director of Nursing, Baptist Health Extended Care Hospital

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NURSING HERO

CAROLYN E. HUNTER LAYNE

DNP, MSN, RN, Assistant Professor of Nursing UALR

How did you initially get into nursing?

I began as a high school graduate pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. I have continued to pursue education and certifications that have significantly advanced my career, including studying for the Certified Nurse Educator examination.

How does clinical nursing compare to the classroom?

The academic setting in health care, which focuses on theory and education, stands in contrast to the clinical setting, where practical skills and direct patient care, especially in nursing, take center stage.

What advice do you have for those considering a career in nursing?

Begin by identifying the best starting point for each individual and then build upon that choice. Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability to change as necessary. Always recognize and value the unique contributions you will bring to the nursing profession.

What observations have helped guide your career in nursing?

Change is a constant, both personally and professionally. Persevering through challenging circumstances helps us recognize what truly matters in life. Everything is subject to change and learning is continuous. We will never know everything, and many important lessons are not found in textbooks.

What are some of the challenges nurses should expect?

Understanding the mission, vision and values of the organization you work for is important as it empowers you to align your goals and contributions effectively. Regardless of the setting in which you work, there will always be challenges in your role as a nurse. Teamwork always involves dynamics, and when managed properly, conflict can be beneficial. Using the right approaches for resolution can enhance team dynamics. Ethical decision-making is essential and applies to everyone, especially when there is a risk of wrongdoing.

What are some of the changes you have seen in the nursing profession?

Significant changes include travel nursing, electronic documentation, self-scheduling and float pools. Information technology also improves timely communication while still valuing face-to-face interactions that show listening, caring and compassion among family, patients and colleagues.

MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

According to UAMS nursing instructor Christie Keller, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, an increased awareness of mental health in recent years has created several growth opportunities and funding for services and treatment of mental health conditions across all settings.

“The mental health field encompasses a variety of diverse environments, including inpatient hospitals, intensive outpatient treatment centers, outpatient clinics, telemedicine, substance abuse clinics and rehabilitation centers and school-based treatment,” Keller explains.

Mental health nursing, of course, is not without its challenges.

“The mental health field can be frustrating and mentally and emotionally draining,” Keller admits. “While awareness has increased, there is still a cultural stigma surrounding mental illness, which can be a difficult barrier to overcome and may prevent people from seeking care. Additionally, insurance reimbursement issues can further limit treatment options. These barriers commonly lead to provider burnout.”

HELPING OTHERS IN THIS WAY CAN HAVE AN ENORMOUS IMPACT ON THEIR LIVES, AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE IS ITS OWN REWARD.

—Christie Keller “ ”

Even so, Elizabeth Riley, DPN, RNC-NIC, CNE, a clinical assistant professor at UAMS, believes the overwhelming positives to be found in mental health nursing careers tend to outweigh any potential negatives and offer exciting and rewarding prospects for those heeding the call.

“Proper treatment of mental illness can lead to pervasive changes in a person’s life in a variety of areas,” says Keller says. “Helping others in this way can have an enormous impact on their lives, and making a difference is its own reward. It is a major reason why many people are drawn to this field.”

NURSING INFORMATICS

Riley points to nursing informatics as another growing field presenting new opportunities for nurses with an understanding and appreciation of technology and how it can be used to impact and improve health care.

Nursing informatics is a growing area of nursing that combines the science of nursing with information technology. Those with excellent computer and problem-solving skills can certainly use them for nursing informatics jobs in the hospital setting and with companies that program electronic medical records.

“As health care becomes more efficient and advanced, we are seeing more patients with multiple, chronic illnesses who are living longer and requiring complex management,” says Riley, observing that nurses in the field are being required to use more critical thinking skills and clinical judgment to make the best patient care decisions.

“This requires nurses to combine both sound clinical judgments, as well as individualized patient preferences for patient-centered care that is inclusive to patients from diverse backgrounds with multiple chronic conditions,” Riley explains.

Source: ASBN Update, July 2025; AR Long-Term Projections 2020–2030, Division of Workforce Services

I’ve Learned About...

"Managing my mental health can be challenging. I balance my work and personal life by establishing and maintaining firm boundaries. It is important to create clarity between the realms of work and personal life to reduce stress and burnout. I handle stress on the job by talking to my peers. We are very supportive of one another and look out for each other's mental and emotional well-being. At the end of the day, we are all humans...and life happens."

—Tanisha Phelps, MSN, RN Nurse Manager, Behavioral Health,Baptist Health

AR SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL

NURSING SPECIALTIES IN DEMAND

Top Jobs and Growing Opportunities in 2025.

NURSE PRACTITIONERS

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who provide primary and specialized patient care. With the autonomy to diagnose, prescribe and treat, NPs are essential in various health care settings, including family practice, mental health and women’s health. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for practitioners is expected to grow by 35% between 2024 and 2034. This increase is largely due to the rising need for accessible health care services, particularly in rural or underserved areas where practitioners may serve as primary care providers. Nurse practitioners also enjoy some of the highest salaries, with the median pay hovering around $132,050 annually, depending on the area of specialization. Specialties like psychiatric-mental health and neonatal care are in demand, offering challenging work and strong compensation.

CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHETISTS

CRNAs represent the highest-paid nursing role, with annual salaries often exceeding $212,650. CRNAs are responsible for administering anesthesia during surgeries and other medical procedures, a critical task that requires extensive training and certification. CRNAs play a vital role in surgical and emergency care settings, working alongside surgeons and anesthesiologists to ensure patient safety. As health care facilities look for cost-effective solutions, the demand for CRNAs continues to grow. Additionally, the increasing complexity of surgeries and medical treatments boosts the need for this highly specialized nursing profession.

INFORMATICS NURSES

As health care technology advances, informatics nurses are increasingly in demand to manage and optimize the use of electronic health records and other digital systems. These nurses bridge the gap between clinical care and IT, ensuring that health data is efficiently recorded, stored and accessed. With the rise of telehealth, mobile health applications and electronic record-keeping, informatics nurses help improve the quality and efficiency of patient care. Informatics nursing also offers strong salaries, with median earnings typically ranging $85,000-$113,000. The role is ideal for those who have a passion for both health care and technology and want to shape the future of digital health.

Source: Nurses.org and the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics

For those entering the field or looking to advance, understanding which specialties are in demand can guide career decisions and provide pathways to higher earnings and job stability. What I’ve Learned About...

GERIATRIC NURSES

As the U.S. population ages, the demand for geriatric nurses is rapidly growing. These nurses specialize in the care of elderly patients, often managing chronic illnesses and providing long-term care. Geriatric nurses work in hospitals, long-term care facilities and home health care settings, ensuring that older adults receive the specialized attention they need.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, the need for senior care will continue to rise significantly in the coming years, making it one of the most stable and essential fields within nursing. Salaries for senior nurses average around $77,000 annually, but there is ample room for growth, particularly in leadership and management roles within elder care facilities.

“Nurses are natural caregivers, so we tend to take care of everyone else and forget about ourselves. Taking time for self-care, no matter what that looks like for you, is so important to prevent burnout. It is important to invest in caring for yourself so that you can continue to care for others.”

—Britt Beasley, Ph.D., RN, CNE Clinical Instructor/Clinical Coordinator, UAMS College of Nursing

HIGHEST RANKING NURSING JOBS IN 2025

CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHETIST (CRNA)

$223,210

Administers anesthesia and manages patient care during surgical procedures.

GENERAL NURSE PRACTITIONER

$129,210

Administers patient care – including examining, diagnosing and prescribing treatment – without the supervision of a physician.

CERTIFIED NURSE MIDWIFE

$128,790

Monitors, accesses and assists patients during labor with pain management and delivering newborns.

NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (NICU) NURSE

$128,211

Provides care for premature and critically ill newborns in neonatal intensive care units.

PAIN MANAGEMENT NURSE

$125,412

Helps patients manage acute and chronic pain through various treatment plans.

PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER

$122,097

Specializes in mental health care, diagnosing and treating psychiatric disorders.

NURSING

$117,960

ADMINISTRATOR

Manages nursing departments, overseeing budgets, staffing and operations.

HEALTH POLICY NURSE

$117,469

Focuses on health care policy, advocacy and system improvements at a broader level.

REGISTERED NURSE FIRST ASSISTANT (RNFA)

$116,000

Assists surgeons during operations, performing critical roles in surgical procedures.

GERONTOLOGICAL NURSE PRACTITIONER

$107,990

Specializes in providing care for aging adults and addressing complex health issues.

Source: Nurses.org

NURSING

HERO

ASHLI NICHOLAS

BSN, RNC OB Labor and Delivery UAMS Medical Center

What do you enjoy most about being a labor and delivery nurse?

Pregnancy and labor can make people feel a complexity of emotions: joy, excitement, anxiety, vulnerability and fear. I love being with patients and families in those moments and offering compassionate care to ease concerns.

What type of specialized training is required to work as a labor and delivery nurse?

At UAMS, there are no additional education requirements. Once in this specialty area, a nurse will be equipped with neonatal resuscitation training (NRP) and fetal monitoring training, requiring recertification. There is also the ongoing opportunity, though not required, to become nationally certified.

What advancement opportunities exist for labor and delivery nurses?

I recently advanced to RNIV status, choosing the clinical expert track. This progression is available to nurses who have years of experience in their specialty, specialty certification and a dedication to quality improvement and the betterment of their unit and specialty.

What type of continuing education is required to stay current in the field?

I maintain my Inpatient Obstetrics Nursing certification (RNC-OB). I also look for opportunities to attend seminars and presentations relevant to my practice and address current research and evidence-based care.

What are some of the challenges of working in labor and delivery?

One of the challenges is patient acuity. At UAMS, we take care of women from across Arkansas with high-risk pregnancies, acute and chronic illnesses, fetal anomalies and more. It can be a challenge to meet the diverse needs of such a population, but therein also lies the reward. It is such a gift and a blessing to walk with people and families on the best and hardest days of their lives, and to meet them with compassion and care in both their joy and fear.

Why do you recommend labor and delivery nursing to others?

Women have babies all over the world. Obstetrics is such a vital, useful and meaningful specialty for any location or culture where you find yourself, wherever you go in the world. I have enjoyed using the knowledge and skills of my specialty area in many different countries and cultural contexts.

NURSING IS FOR EVERYONE

Male Nurses Contribute to Gender Diversity in Arkansas Health Care.

Baptist Health College Little Rock graduated its first male nurse in 1950.

Ten years later — in 1960 — male nurses represented only 2% of the national nursing population. Jump forward to 2025, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports men comprise around 13% of registered nurses and nearly 9% of licensed practical and vocational nurses in the United States.

While the growth is best described as slow but steady, gender statistics for The Natural State paint an even more encouraging picture for male nursing prospects with Arkansas Minority Health Division reporting 36% of all RNs statewide are men.

More and more men are now choosing careers in nursing for many of the same personal and practical reasons women have for years.

With LPN programs that can be completed in as little as 14 month and RN programs taking just 24 months, nursing provides interested candidate with a quick and speedy track almost directly into the workforce. Whether you are a newly graduate high school student or a compassionate profession seeking a mid-life career change, nursing can appeal to whatever level of urgency you bring to becoming a health care worker.

With the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting the demand for registered nurses across the board to exceed 3.4 million by 2033, career stability is among the most attractive perks for anyone exploring the profession as a viable option.

Figures provided by Nursa, a national health care staffing platform based in Utah, report the national average salary for registered nurses to be $98,430. By comparison, the September 2025 Nursa figures also show the average salary for registered nurses in Arkansas as $77,720, reflecting a projected earnings rate of more than $36 per hour.

With statistics from the Health Resources and Services Administration suggesting a holding trend resulting in a 10% national nursing shortage through at least 2036, salary stability may also factor into

potential nursing recruitment decisions both in Arkansas and across the country.

Professional flexibility is another consideration often found in nursing careers that allows for greater opportunities for convenient full-time, part-time, variable, per diem or combination shift scheduling conducive to active single or family lifestyles.

Nursing recruiters also identify travel opportunities as another area appealing to single males with an interest in learning new skills and the flexibility to practice in new places.

Because men are considered a professional minority in the nursing field, a great number of advantageous scholarships, such as those offered through the American Association for Men in Nursing, are also available to attract prospective male students to the field.

Gender diversity in nursing has been shown to result in improved outcomes when patient care teams are more diverse, balanced and inclusive. Much like how race, ethnicity and language are factors that serve to reinforce nursing teams, gender can contribute by adding to the range of backgrounds and making the team even better prepared to administer culturally competent, individualized care.

Much like their female counterparts, many male nurses ultimately find their way into the profession rooted in a genuinely personal desire to help people. Because of the intimacy involved in developing real, ongoing relationships with patients, families and colleagues experiencing intense and highly charged circumstance, nursing is a unique profession that can offer both emotional and professional rewards.

Even so, nursing recruiters and professional advocacy groups acknowledge that when it comes to nursing, male candidates face challenges entering a female-dominated profession in which societal norms can flip and result in men facing stereotypes and discrimination.

Rightly or wrongly, nursing has long been perceived as a feminine profession, making it even more

IN

ARKANSAS, 36% OF ALL REGISTERED NURSES ARE MEN — FAR ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 13%.

difficult for male nurses to find their footing and be taken seriously. While male nurses are represented in greater numbers in health clinic and hospital settings across the globe, many myths and inaccuracies surround the idea of men in nursing.

According to a study by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, several common gender stereotypes still exist surrounding the idea of men in the nursing profession. Mistaken perceptions of male nurses as weak or effeminate are likewise ill-informed and easily disproved.

Male nurses may be viewed as less compassionate or empathetic than women, but nursing is both a physically and emotionally demanding career that requires nurses to demonstrate the strength of character, regardless of sex, to face joy or trauma with nerves of steel and the patience of a saint.

Male nurses — and female nurses — are there to hold a hand, comfort a fear, wipe a tear and fight against the odds as the situation warrants.

CULTURAL AWARENESS

INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT TO PATIENT CARE.

Population growth and evolving demographics make cultural awareness and diversity a key component in providing effective health care in Arkansas.

Racial demographics from the Arkansas Minority Health Division indicate 83% of registered nurses in the state are white while only 10% are African American, thus leaving 7% representing other ethnic or multiracial diversities. Females account for 64% of Arkansas RNs compared with males at 36%. Seventy-eight percent of Arkansas RNs are under the age of 50, with 36% categorized between the ages of 30-39.

The religious composite of Arkansas as reported by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center in Washington, D.C., shows 79% of adult Arkansans identifying as Christian, 3% attributed to other religions and 18% with no religious affiliation.

As population growth continues to evolve, it is becoming increasingly important in clinical settings for health care providers to be keenly aware of the various cultural considerations that can sometimes impact patient care.

Patients from a multicultural population often bring their own histories, influences, customs, traditions and beliefs into the health care setting, making it more important than ever for nurses and other health care providers to incorporate an awareness of and appreciation for such factors into the diagnosis and treatment process.

Any number of cultural considerations can impact or influence a patient’s responses to illness and treatment, and lack of awareness concerning deeply held and intrinsic customs can sometimes lead to confusion, which erodes trust and patient adherence.

Earning a patient’s trust can be a key element in providing effective health care, so it is imperative for nurses to be aware of cultural components that can impact their ability to communicate and care for a patient. Demonstrating an appreciation of potential areas of concern that may include language barriers, cultural customs, religious traditions and communication preferences can contribute to creating a more inclusive care environment for patients.

What I’ve Learned About...

PATIENCE & COMPASSION

PATIENTS BRING THEIR OWN HISTORIES, CUSTOMS, AND BELIEFS INTO THE HEALTHCARE SETTING, MAKING CULTURAL AWARENESS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.

According to Quality Interactions, a Boston-based firm specializing in cultural competency research and training in health care, ways in which nurses can implement cultural awareness into patient care include:

• Establishing clear communication, and trying to become aware of nonverbal cues without jumping to conclusions.

• Making sure you are aware of a patient’s preferred method of communicating and arranging professional interpretation if necessary.

• Not making any assumptions without knowing the person's customs. Ask openly about potentially relevant traditions and customs that might include spiritual/religious practices, dietary considerations and other cultural norms applicable to the patient’s clinical situation.

Sources: Arkansas Health Workforce Report, Arkansas Minority Health Division; Pew Research Center; Quality Interactions

NURSING HERO REBECCA GIFFORD

MSN, RN, CMSRN Nurse Manager, Baptist Health

How important is the work of a medi- cal-surgical (med/surg) nurse?

Without a solid base, any structure will crumble. The same is true in nursing, and med/surg is the foundation of nursing.

What is your favorite thing about being a med/surg nurse?

As a med/surg nurse, it is just you and your patient. There are no machines telling you your patient is crashing – it is just your instinct and assessment that notifies you if something is wrong. This is one of my favorite things about this field of nursing. As a med/surg nurse, you work tirelessly to make a patient better and ready to go home.

What has been your most memorable experience as a med/surg nurse?

I remember a patient, years ago, who had an anoxic brain injury and an unstageable pressure injury. This patient was on my unit for nearly six months. Every staff member grew attached to this patient and his family. Day after day, we cared for him and watched him get better. I have never felt more fulfilled as a nurse than when he spoke for the first time. It was at that moment I knew I was in the right field of nursing.

What are some of the challenges about working in med/surg?

Med/Surg positions can be hard to fill because of the workload. We expect excellence and expedience simultaneously. While it may seem impossible at times, the bonds you create at work will become some of your most valued treasures. You will hold these closest to you, right beside the faces of the patients you have impacted, for the rest of your life.

What advice would you share to nursing students preparing to graduate?

As you begin your career as a nurse, always remember your "why.” In moments of doubt, cling to that “why” and, above all, remember you are doing great, and you can do this.

“As nurses, we must remember our everyday routine at work can often be a patient’s worst time of their life. Give patients grace and understanding even when they are difficult to handle. They will remember the nurse who tried to understand and care for them during the hardest time of their life.”

— Britt Beasley, Ph.D., RN, CNE Clinical Instructor/Clinical Coordinator,UAMS College of Nursing

YOUR PATHWAY TO NURSING

The Quick Route From Class to Clinic.

To become a nurse, you must complete a nursing program, pass the required licensing exam, and you're ready to work. The good news? Arkansas offers a wide range of nursing degrees and designations, providing students with multiple pathways to enter the nursing profession and advance their careers. Each level of education and certification is designed to meet specific needs within health care sectors, allowing aspiring nurses to choose a path that aligns with their professional goals.

1. CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA)

The CNA certification is often the first step for individuals interested in the nursing field. CNAs assist patients with such daily activities as bathing, dressing and eating, and they report changes in a patient's condition to nurses. This role requires a high school diploma or equivalent and completion of a CNA training program, typically lasting 4-12 weeks. Many programs provide the necessary training. After completing the program, students must pass a competency exam to become certified.

2. LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE (LPN)

Licensed practical nurses provide basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and doctors. LPNs work in long-term care facilities, hospitals and clinics. In Arkansas, aspiring LPNs must complete an accredited practical nursing program, which usually takes about a year to complete. Some schools offer LPN programs that combine classroom instruction and clinical experience. Graduates must pass the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse) to obtain licensure.

3. ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN NURSING (ADN)

The ADN is a popular option for those looking to become registered nurses (RNs), and a twoyear program is offered at many community colleges and universities. The curriculum combines coursework in nursing theory, anatomy and pharmacology with clinical experience in hospitals and health care settings. After completing the program, graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse) to become licensed RNs. ADN programs are often shorter and more affordable than bachelor’s programs, making them an attractive entry point into the profession.

4. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (BSN)

A BSN is a four-year degree that provides a more comprehensive education than the ADN, preparing nurses for leadership roles and specialized positions in areas like public health, critical care and pediatrics. Institutions like UCA and UA Little Rock offer BSN programs that include both classroom instruction and clinical practice. A BSN is often required for advanced nursing roles and is recommended for nurses looking to further their education with a master’s or doctoral degree. Hospitals seeking Magnet status often prefer hiring nurses with BSNs because of their comprehensive training.

5. RN TO BSN PROGRAMS

For nurses who have already earned an ADN, Arkansas offers several RN to BSN programs. These are typically online or hybrid programs designed to accommodate working professionals who wish to advance their careers. UAMS and Baptist Health provide flexible RN to BSN pathways that allow RNs to complete their bachelor’s degree while continuing to work. Completing a BSN opens the door to higher-paying roles and leadership positions.

7. DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE (DNP)

For those looking to take their education even further, DNP is the highest level of nursing education available in Arkansas. UCA offers a comprehensive DNP program, preparing nurses for leadership roles in clinical practice, health care administration and policy-making. UAMS also offers a DNP program with tracks for both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses. DNP graduates work as nurse practitioners, health care executives and educators, playing key roles in shaping health care practice and policy across the state.

I’ve Learned About...

6. MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (MSN)

An MSN is designed for nurses seeking advanced practice roles or leadership positions within health care. Common specialties include nurse practitioner (NP), clinical nurse leader (CNL) and nurse educator. UAMS and UCA offer MSN programs with various specialties. MSN-prepared nurses take on higher-level responsibilities, including diagnosing and treating patients, prescribing medication and managing teams of nurses.

“Sick people can take on many faces at times, and their normal selves may be slightly altered. You must gauge what is a personal attack from those that are a result of a patient’s uncertainty of the future. Take a moment to listen and try problem-solving or offering resources.”

—Renee Wells, BSN, RN, CDCES, CGW

H9 Solid Organ Transplant – Clinical Specialist, UAMS Medical Center

To find the most up-to-date Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) programs, Scan the QR code links below!

PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAMS

REGISTERED NURSING ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

REGISTERED NURSING BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

POST-BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

Source; Arkansas Department of Health/ASBN

LIFE HAD OTHER CAREER PLANS FOR UAMS NURSING PROFESSOR.

Life, we are often told, is what happens while we are busy making other plans.

Take Pearman Parker, for example. With an educational background that included both a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s in public health from the University of Georgia, a career in nursing had not been part of the plan. But as the old saying goes, “It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.”

“In my case, the catalyst was the 2008 recession,” says Parker. “I finished my MPH in 2009 and was devastated to find a scarce job market. The more I poured over job search websites the more I realized that everyone seemed to want a nurse. I was encouraged and impressed, so I channeled my youthful optimism and quickly changed my career path to nursing.”

Returning to the classroom, Parker earned another bachelor’s degree in nursing and a doctorate in nursing science before embarking on a successful health care career that ultimately has led her to Little Rock, where she is an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Nursing.

“Nursing school was an academic marathon where my goal was just to no longer have to answer weirdly worded, find-the-best-right-answer questions,” she recalls. “But while I was just trying to get through the program, I also fell in love with nursing science. Finally, the sky parted, and I saw my path — nursing research.”

While working on her doctorate at the University of South Carolina, Parker was also a psychiatric nurse on an acute inpatient adolescent unit.

“That was my first job as a nurse, and those patients truly gave me a heartbeat,” she says. “I found my identity as a nurse in working with the adolescent patients, and they taught me more about life and myself than I ever could have anticipated. It was such a privilege to be their nurse, and those memories with my patients ground me when research becomes challenging.”

In addition to her work in teaching and research, Parker is currently a KL2 Scholar, having received a two-year postdoctoral grant from the Translational Research Institute at UAMS to study perceptions of cancer education materials for young breast cancer survivors.

“I love teaching more than I expected,” Parker admits. “The students are such a bright spot, and I am grateful to be a nurse in all these different roles.”

" FINALLY, THE SKY PARTED, AND I SAW MY PATH — NURSING RESEARCH . "

—Pearman

Parker, PhD, MPH, RN Assistant Professor at UAMS

What I’ve Learned About... MY PURPOSE

“I have learned that caring for patients brings a sense of accomplishment and purpose to my life. I truly care for the patients and their families and try to accommodate my patients’ needs. The first step in doing that is to listen and be patient.”

—Renee Wells, BSN, RN, CDCES, CGW H9 Solid Organ Transplant – Clinical Specialist, UAMS Medical Center

What I’ve Learned About... MYSELF

“I don’t have to be the smartest person in every room, know all the answers or be perfect. I do have to form strong relationships, know how to utilize my resources, think outside of the box and be honest and authentic with others.”

—Holly Taylor, DNP, RN, CNOR, NPD-BC, CNAMB Quality Management –Manager, UAMS Medical Center

How did you come to select nursing as a career?

I decided I wanted to be a nurse when I was in high school. During my senior year, we had a career day with a number of profes sionals speaking on a variety of different professions. When the nurse presented, I decided at that moment that is what I wanted to do. My mother was diabetic and had fre quent doctor appointments and interactions with health care. This made me even more aware of how I could help people and was one of the deciding factors in me deciding to become a nurse. I have always enjoyed helping others, and nursing was a perfect fit.

How has you career evolved from clini cal nursing into classroom nursing?

One of the things I like the most about nursing is the opportunity to keep learn ing and branching out into different areas. When I first started my career, I worked on a medical-surgical ward before moving into an intensive care environment. I was then able to transfer to the emergency room and then into trauma. I worked in an adult and pediatric trauma facility for several years and then decided that I wanted to work in the operating room. That is when I discovered nurse anesthetists. I went back to school to specialize in nurse anesthesia, and I have been doing it ever since. I also now teach in the same specialty.

What are some of the challenges and rewards you have experienced as a nurse?

There is always a new opportunity and challenges, some I found and other found me. I love to learn, so this role is the perfect blend for me between a clinical practice and as an educator. There are so many options in nursing: from bedside nursing to administration, to case management, to becoming and advanced practitioner. The only limits are those that we place on ourselves.

What advice would you offer those considering a career in nursing?

Always be willing to be teachable and learn something new. Just because I have been doing what I do for a long time, it does not mean I have all the answers, because I don’t. But, I am willing to learn what I don’t know or don’t understand.

IN THE NEWS

UALR ASSISTANT PROFESSOR NAMED AMONG 100 GREAT NURSES FOR 2025

Dr. Shelia Brooks, clinical assistant professor of nursing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has been selected as one of the 100 Great Nurses of Arkansas of 2025.

Presented and selected by the 100 Great Nurses Foundation, the award recognizes nurses who exemplify humanitarian values, contribute significantly to the profession, and serve as mentors to others.

A native of North Little Rock, Brooks began her nursing career as a nursing assistant after graduating high school in 1988. She earned her associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from UA Little Rock, followed by a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Grand Canyon University.

Brooks previously held leadership and clinical roles at UAMS, Doctors Hospital and Chenal Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.

UALR NURSING INSTRUCTOR INSPIRES STUDENTS WITH BUTTERFLIES

Nursing students at UA Little Rock recently released about 30 monarch butterflies as part of a surprising classroom activity designed by their instructor to inspire and educate the future health care professionals.

DeeDee Moline, UALR, assistant professor of nursing, has been raising monarch butterflies at her home in Greenbrier for the past four years and brought the butterflies to her Nursing Fundamentals II class to connect with students and share a deeper lesson about growth and transformation.

“Nursing school is hard,” Moline said. “I tell my students that, like these butterflies, they have not flown yet. They are still in the chrysalis. But look how beautiful you will be when you emerge. When you become nurses, you will be carrying people’s hopes and prayers on your backs.”

What I’ve Learned About... THE FUTURE

“Health care organizations are seeing the value of recruitment strategies to aid with retaining nurses. COVID-19 challenged us to provide patient-centered care in extreme situations, such as the many stories of dying patients who were not allowed to see loved ones due to social distancing restrictions. Nurses were on these front lines and faced extreme situations. This has taught us that mentorship of new nurses and nursing students is vital. Collaboration has always been important to nurses, but COVID-19 taught us that we must continue to do more mentorship and foster/maintain self-care programs for all nurses.”

—Elizabeth Riley, DNP, RNC-NIC, CNE Clinical Assistant Professor, UAMS College of Nursing

WINDGATE FOUNDATION AWARDS NEARLY

$1 MILLION TO BAPTIST HEALTH FOUNDATION

Baptist Health Foundation was recently awarded $998,000 from the Windgate Foundation in support of significant innovative equipment and life-like medical simulation programming upgrades at Baptist Health College Little Rock (BHCLR).

Funding equipment and programming upgrades, which include the addition of several new high-fidelity medical manikins into the BHCLR training experience, the grant will also allow for the expansion and reconfiguring of existing classroom and skills training spaces, and will include the installation of a 12-room Simulation Center.

Grant funding will support student experiences within the new state-of-theart medical simulation areas to make them look and feel like real clinical environments, including critical care, labor and delivery, pediatrics and adult medical/surgical, clinic/telehealth, nuclear medicine and sleep technology.

Arkansas-based Lewis Architects Engineers has been approved to renovate 122,750 square feet of existing space at BHCLR. Demolition is slated to begin during the fourth quarter of this year, with renovation and expansion to follow. Classes at BHCLR will continue throughout the construction process.

The Windgate Foundation, based in Little Rock, is a private foundation established in 1993, whose purpose is to advance contemporary craft and strengthen visual arts education in the United States. Education, health and community initiatives are an additional area of focus in Arkansas.

NURSING HERO

SAMANTHA BROSCH

MSN, RN, CEN Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas at

Little Rock

What motivated your decision to pursue a nursing career?

As an impoverished stay-at-home mother with two children, ADN was the choice for me due to having the choice of working while obtaining a BSN shortly after. The ability to get paid and have the hospital you choose to work for supplement the cost through several different scholarship funds was a smart financial choice for my family.

How did your career evolve from nursing practice into nursing education?

I was in the emergency department before moving to the education realm of nursing. The fast-paced emergency environment is great for neurospicy individuals and keeps you on your toes since you never know what will walk through the doors. My current work environment has been nothing but a godsend. My colleagues in education are so understanding and supportive of our educational endeavors. I have never worked with a better group of people.

What is the most important thing you have learned from your experience?

Most valuable lesson I have learned is being able to see the patient as a person and not just as a task list. This can take time depending on the nurse, but realizing that your workflow or task list is attached to someone's mother, father, grandma, papaw, husband, wife or child was a lightbulb that, for me, just clicked one day. You can be compassionate while performing your tasks, but to practice with humility, respect and the ability to hear and see your patient as another human needing help is an art. When we can relate to our patients, we can provide safer and more effective care.

What advice would you share to nursing students preparing to graduate?

Do not overwork yourself the first few weeks off orientation to get overtime. You are still learning. Give yourself grace, and remember your “why” even during practice. Burnout happens when we are chasing a paycheck and forget that patients are humans who need help.

Do you feel satisfied with your career choices?

There are so many things you can do with a nursing degree. As for my journey, I would not change a thing. I would not be the nurse I am today without all those experiences.

What I’ve Learned About... TEAMWORK

UCA NURSING STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM NABHOLZ SIMULATION CENTER

Nursing students at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway can take part in realistic clinical experiences that may not otherwise be available or safe enough for participation thanks to the Nabholz Center for Healthcare Simulation.

The 20,000-square-foot Nabholz Center provides students with a high-tech, real-world environment designed to improve clinical reasoning, critical thinking and confidence to make judgments and key decisions that impact patient care.

The School of Nursing, Interprofessional Teaching Center and Nabholz Center for Healthcare Simulation are all housed in the UCA Integrated Health Sciences building on campus. The 80,000-squarefoot building provides students with comprehensive opportunities for interprofessional teaching experiences, research and health care services.

BAPTIST

HEALTH COLLEGE

LITTLE

ROCK

INTRODUCES SCHOOL’S FIRST MASCOT

Baptist Health College Little Rock (BHCLR) unveiled the first mascot in the institution’s history this past summer at a special birthday party and celebration to introduce Bo, the Lion.

Drawing inspiration from the biblical story of Ruth, Bo — short for Boaz — is said to symbolize the strength, protectiveness and integrity of BHCLR students. Like Boaz, who led with compassion, confidence and strength, students are poised to become selfless leaders in the workforce, driving positive change.

Described as embodying the courage students demonstrate as they pursue their dreams, the BHCLR mascot will be seen at a variety of events such as family night and student appreciation days as well as during recruitment events.

UALR PROGRAM COORDINATOR RECEIVES NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Fairah Solomon, MSN, RN, CNE, associate of applied science program coordinator at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has been named a recipient of the National League for Nursing (NLN) Foundation Nursing Education Faculty Scholarship Award.

Nineteen advanced degree nursing students from across the U.S. have been awarded $125,000 in collective financial support awarded by the NLN Foundation for the coming academic term.

Among them are 14 winners of scholarships of up to $8,000 each, along with recipients of named scholarships awarded to students representing special sectors of the graduate nursing degree pool of candidates.

Solomon is the sole 2025 recipient from Arkansas, alongside fellow winners representing schools in Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Scholarship winners were formally recognized in September during the 2025 NLN Education Summit in Orlando, Florida.

“No one person can do it alone. It takes a team to provide the best possible care to our patients. This is a vulnerable stage in their lives, having to depend on us for their health outcomes. Everyone on the team matters and should

be valued.”

—Renee Wells, BSN, RN, CDCES, CGW H9 Solid Organ Transplant – Clinical Specialist, UAMS Medical Center

1. Baptist Health College Little Rock

Benefits of earning a nursing degree at BHCLR:

• Only 3 semesters to become an RN with prerequisites

• Hands-on instruction - highest number of clinical hours in the state, multiple hospital instruction

• Large pool of nursing instructors, mentors & advisors within the program with Masters & Doctorate education

• Christian compassion & loving environment

2. New RN Grads Hired at Any Baptist Health Hospitals

• Senior Assistance Bonus

• 12 Month Residency Program

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Comprehensive Benefits and 401K

• 12 month Fellowship in ER, W&C, and PeriOp

3. Advance your career with Baptist Health Experienced

COLLEGE & HOSPITAL PROFILES 2025

From the bustling hospitals of Little Rock to the community clinics serving rural areas, Arkansas provides diverse opportunities for nurses to practice their craft. The state's growing health care sector, coupled with an aging population, creates a strong demand for skilled nursing professionals.

The accredited nursing programs found within this Nurse’s Guide equip students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to excel in this rewarding field. Whether you are a recent high school graduate or a seasoned health care professional looking for a career change, Arkansas offers a welcoming environment for aspiring nurses.

In this guide, you will find firsthand accounts from Arkansas nurses on just how impactful their roles have been, news within the nursing industry and detailed descriptions of each program throughout the state. Join us in making a positive impact on the lives of Arkansans.

As one of the state’s leading institutions of higher learning in the health care space since 1921, Baptist Health College Little Rock proudly serves students and the community alike by offering high-quality instruction and producing graduates that serve the health needs of people statewide.

Offering instruction in nine critical areas of medicine, Baptist Health College Little Rock is a longstanding and well-respected institution with thousands of graduates at work throughout Arkansas in a wide range of rewarding health careers.

Baptist Health College Little Rock, a part of Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock, shapes the health of Arkansans by educating and mentoring health care professionals with excellence and Christian compassion.

EDUCATIONAL FOCUSES

Baptist Health College Little Rock offers 10 programs of study in a variety of medical fields. Each program offers excellent opportunities with real-world experience. These include:

• RN Accelerated: Nurses provide and direct others in the provision of nursing care to patients in an acute care setting and a variety of other health care settings. This accelerated track is an option for paramedics and LPB/ LPTNs who wish to become a nurse.

• Medical Laboratory Science: Medical technologists perform tests on blood and body fluids to determine the presence or absence of disease, monitor response to treatment and aid in health maintenance.

• Nuclear Medicine Technology: Nuclear medicine technologists use small amounts of radioactive pharmaceuticals for diagnosing and treating various diseases.

• Occupational Therapy Assistant: Occupational therapy assistants help clients of all ages learn or regain the skills required to function as independently as possible in self-care, work, play and leisure activities.

• Patient Care Technician: Patient care technicians work under the supervision of nurses, advanced practice personnel and physicians to provide direct patient care of basic needs, phlebotomy and perform electrocardiograms.

• Practical Nursing: Under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN), a licensed practical

nurse provides direct patient bedside care such as personal hygiene, treatments and medication administration.

• Radiography: Radiographers are licensed medical professionals who perform diagnostic X-ray examinations using ionizing radiation, MRIs and CT scans to assist physicians.

• Sleep Technology: Sleep technologists are medical professionals responsible for patient care and outpatient procedures associated with the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.

• Surgical Technology: Surgical technologists, under the supervision of a surgeon or RN, set up and maintain the sterile field and anticipate the needs of the surgeon.

• Traditional Nursing: Nurses provide and direct others in the provision of nursing care to patients in inpatient, outpatient, clinical and community health care settings.

ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Baptist Health College Little Rock assists students wishing to continue their education in the health sciences by maintaining a robust slate of partnerships with other institutions of higher learning in Arkansas. The college is proud to coordinate with these colleges and universities to provide seamless online options for graduates to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Partnering with Baptist Health College Little Rock School of Nursing in this arrangement are Arkansas Tech University, Ouachita Baptist University, the

University of Arkansas, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Capella University and the University of Central Arkansas. These agreements serve current and historical graduates from the Baptist Health College School of Nursing program.

Other transfer partnerships exist between Baptist Health College School of Practical Nursing and Arkansas Baptist College as well as a general education support agreement with Geneva College-Portage Division.

Baptist Health College Little Rock maintains an affiliate network with numerous schools of allied health, including Arkansas State University, and Arkansas Tech University, Geneva College-Portage Division, Henderson State University, Southern Arkansas University, Ouachita Baptist University, Harding University, Louisiana Tech University, Missouri Southern State University, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College and the University of Central Arkansas.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES

Little Rock | 501-686-7000 | uams.edu

One of the most advanced and well-recognized names in medical care and education in Arkansas, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is a cornerstone of the state’s health and wellness. The mission of UAMS is to improve the health, health care and well-being of Arkansans and others in the region, nation and the world by:

• Educating current and future health professionals and the public.

• Providing high-quality, innovative, patient- and family-centered health care while providing specialty expertise not routinely available in community settings.

• Advancing knowledge in areas of human health and disease and translating and accelerating discovery into health improvements.

As Arkansas’s only academic health system, UAMS resolves to deliver dramatic and lasting health and health care improvements. Assisting in this area are: its statewide health system, UAMS Health; a statewide network of campuses for public education and clinical outreach; and expertise in medical specialties, population health, digital health, health informatics and translational research. Based in Little Rock, UAMS enjoys a statewide reach thanks to a network of regional campuses throughout the state and a comprehensive rural hospital program, 11 KIDS FIRST program sites and other facilities.

In November 2024, the UAMS Medical Center was awarded the highest international recognition for excellence in nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), achieving designation as a Magnet® hospital. Approximately 615 hospitals in the United States representing less than 10% of U.S. health care organizations have earned Magnet® designation. UAMS is now one of only five hospitals in Arkansas to hold this distinction.

This year, U.S. News & World Report rated UAMS in the top 10% nationally for both cancer and orthopedic care. Additionally, Arkansas Money & Politics recognized UAMS Medical Center as a Champion of Care.

NURSING EXCELLENCE

UAMS recognizes the value of our nurses as an integral partner in strategic planning, quality outcomes and patient experiences. UAMS has a culture of excellence exemplified through programs that support nurses’ shared decision-making, professional development, advancement of nursing practice and collaborative interprofessional partnerships.

UAMS and the Center for Nursing Excellence support many programs, including but not limited to our Clinical Care Assistant, Clinical Ladder, National Certification, New Graduate Residency (RN and LPN), Nursing Grand Rounds, Professional Nursing Awards, Resource Nurse Program, Social Media Recognition and Tuition Discount for undergraduate degrees. Our programs significantly benefit not only our nurses, but also other UAMS employees, our patients and the community.

The University of Central Arkansas, a four-year institution of higher learning, boasts a rich 118-year tradition of educational excellence. Through innovative and collaborative teaching, UCA ensures each student is immersed in a challenging yet supportive culture.

TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

Founded in 1967, the UCA School of Nursing is one of the state’s most recognized and distinguished educational institutions. Located within the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, UCA welcomed nearly 400 nursing students in 2025, including 250 bachelor’s degree (BSN) candidates; 30 RN to BSN students; and 100 combined graduate nursing students.

Classes are a healthy mix of traditional and nontraditional students, providing quality instruction to nurses wherever they may be in their personal and professional journey. The School of Nursing also goes to great lengths to make education affordable, boasting 17 named scholarships to help students achieve their dream of earning a nursing degree and serving their communities.

With a 94% graduation rate for BSN students, a 98% NCLEX-RN licensure pass rate and 100% employment rate within 12 to 18 months of graduation, UCA continues to set the bar for innovative and challenging nursing education in Arkansas. Average starting salary for UCA nursing alums ranges from $62,400 to $84,400, depending on medical specialty. Moreover, 90% of UCA nursing students remain in Arkansas following graduation, improving the lives of patients right here at home.

EDUCATION WITH A PURPOSE

Learning is a lifelong endeavor that fosters intellectual and personal growth through critical thinking, active inquiry and creativity. The School of Nursing is committed to educating students at the undergraduate and graduate levels as leaders in the delivery of quality health care and advancement of the nursing profession.

UCA’s program begins with the quality of the faculty and their ongoing commitment to teaching/learning, student success, scholarship and service to the community. The process of learning involves student-teacher partnerships and cooperation in meeting student and program goals.

Nursing faculty members serve as role models who guide students in developing an understanding of the discipline and in developing leadership, accountability, cultural competence, safe and ethical practice and interdisciplinary collaboration.

COMBINING ART AND SCIENCE

Professional nursing is an art and a science, grounded in general education and derived from the synthesis of empirical knowledge, aesthetics,

personal knowledge and ethics. Caring and empathy are also fundamental to nursing, with the characteristics of compassion, sensitivity and the ability to connect with patients with thoughtful attention to the patient’s needs, interests and values.

UCA prepares students to meet the challenges of nursing as a professional discipline concerned with meeting the health needs of a diverse and changing society. Nurses are legally and ethically accountable to society for the integrity and outcomes of its practice, and the School of Nursing helps students meet this standard through scholarly inquiry and study, self-reflection and a variety of clinical and professional experiences.

“Nursing is not a static profession,” said Leslie Blackwell, a faculty member. “Patient situations are constantly changing. It is important that the student knows the standards of the profession, but then they must analyze a particular situation. At UCA we help students develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to make decisions regarding how to best meet the needs of the patient.” UNIVERSITY

Established in 1927, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) is a dynamic, metropolitan research university committed to providing accessible, high-quality education. Our flexible learning options and unparalleled internship opportunities empower students to achieve their goals.

With a diverse student body of more than 8,000, including a significant population of parttime and nontraditional learners, UA Little Rock caters to individuals from all walks of life. Situated in the vibrant heart of Little Rock, our campus offers a rich urban environment with endless opportunities for professional growth, cultural exploration and networking.

As a cornerstone of the city and state, UA Little Rock is a driving force in research, technology, economic development and job creation. Our commitment to excellence prepares students for successful careers and positions us as a regional leader in innovation.

A STRONG FOUNDATION IN NURSING

Our rigorous curriculum prepares you for a successful nursing career by equipping you with the knowledge, skills and critical thinking abilities essential for providing high-quality patient care. Our faculty members are experienced professionals who are passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of nurses.

Our Center for Simulation Innovation (CSI) provides a realistic and immersive learning environment where you can practice your skills in a safe and controlled setting. Equipped with high-fidelity manikins, virtual reality technology and advanced simulation equipment, the CSI offers a unique opportunity to develop your clinical judgment and decision-making abilities.

At UA Little Rock, we believe in creating a supportive and engaging learning environment where you can thrive. Our small class sizes allow for personalized attention from faculty members, and our student-centered approach fosters a sense of community and belonging.

MILESTONES AND PARTNERSHIPS

The UA Little Rock School of Nursing has a proud history of excellence, marked by numerous achievements and milestones. Our commitment to academic excellence is evident in the outstanding success of our students.

We have invested significantly in our facilities to provide our students with the best possible learning environment. In recent years, we have allocated nearly $100,000 to purchase new hospital beds for our CSI, ensuring our students have access to state-ofthe-art equipment.

We have formed strong partnerships with local health care facilities, providing students with valuable clinical experiences and job opportunities. Most recently, UA Little Rock received a $970,000 federal grant from the Arkansas Department of Commerce and the Arkansas Linking Industry to Growing Nurses (ALIGN), as well as announced several corporate partnerships, including several health care facilities. These partnerships contribute to our students’ success and help to meet the health care needs of our community.

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS

We are committed to staying at the forefront of nursing education by investing in the latest technology. The addition of the $96,000 high-fidelity manikin, Apollo, to our CSI provides students with advanced simulation experiences. We are constantly exploring new and innovative ways to enhance our students' learning experience. JohniBeth Teague's research grant has enabled us to purchase six MetaQuest virtual reality headsets, expanding our virtual simulation offerings.

RECOGNITION AND PHILANTHROPY

Our CSI has been recognized for its excellence by the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL), receiving the prestigious Frontline Simulation Champion Excellence Award. Our students have achieved remarkable success, both academically and professionally. Amanda Trickey was named one of the Arkansas Center for Nursing's 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40, highlighting the exceptional leadership and clinical skills of our students.

The generosity of our donors has been instrumental in supporting our programs and students. A recent gift from retired health care administrator Sean Riggins has created the Don and Dee Riggins Endowed Scholarship in honor of his parents. The Bill Stovall Endowed Scholarship, established through a planned gift of $300,000, also provides financial assistance to deserving nursing students, and the Roy & Christine Sturgis Foundation recently donated $25,000 for new EchoMask manikin face skins, supporting our efforts to provide realistic simulation experiences.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS LITTLE ROCK

Little Rock | 501-916-3000 | UALR.EDU

FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS

Our faculty members have made significant contributions to the nursing profession through their research, publications and leadership. Joanna Hall, director of simulation, is president-elect of the Arkansas Center for Nursing board of directors and class president of Leadership Saline County. Heba Sadaka, associate professor, was honored with the Honor Society Sigma Theta Tau Gamma XI at Large Practice Award and presented at Sigma's 35th International Nursing Research Congress in Singapore.

Our faculty members have also contributed to the nursing literature through their research and publications. Recent examples include:

• Dr. Shelia Brooks: "Implementing the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to Identify and Refer Adults with Depression,” International Journal of Depression and Anxiety

• Carolyn Hunter-Layne and Dr. Lindsey Baertlein: "Redefining Teamwork: Inter-Professional Collaboration" and "Conflict Resolution: The Soft Skills for Nurses,” Healthcare Journal of Arkansas

• Jennifer Bridges: "Emerging Technology: Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare"

A NURSING EDUCATION THAT SETS YOU APART

By choosing the UA Little Rock School of Nursing, you are investing in a quality education that will prepare you for a successful and fulfilling career in nursing. Our commitment to excellence, our state-of-theart facilities and our supportive learning environment make us the ideal choice for aspiring nurses.

Join us and discover the difference a UA Little Rock nursing education can make.

Contact us today to learn more about our programs and how to apply.

The Harding University Carr College of Nursing’s (HCCN) mission statement is “Developing Nurses as Christian Servants.” The HCCN fosters a supportive environment that challenges professional and advanced practice nursing students to reach their full potential. The programs' purposes are to provide an excellent transforming professional nursing education that leads to an understanding and philosophy of life inspired by Christian ideals.

Undergraduate tracks are designed to meet the needs of all students. There is a four-year, traditional BSN track on our main campus. We offer the opportunity to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing through a 16-month accelerated track located at out Northwest Arkansas campus.

The Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing (MEPN) — the first program of its kind in Arkansas — prepares students to become advanced entry-level professional nurses ready to work in direct or indirect care and with patient populations across the lifespan. Graduates will earn a Master of Science in Nursing and be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN national licensing exam. The MEPN program has had a 100% NCLEX pass rate with our first three cohorts.

The Master of Science in Nursing program prepares registered nurses who already hold a Bachelor or Master’s of Science in Nursing as future family nurse practitioners. Delivered in a hybrid format with full-time and part-time options, the curriculum consists largely of online delivery and three on-campus intensives. Our curriculum prepares registered nurses to be future family nurse practitioners who can provide care to patients across their lifespan in outpatient care settings.

Since it was founded in 1909, Arkansas Tech University (ATU) has been a place of opportunity for hard-working families seeking to improve their lives through education.

ATU academic offerings at the doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s and associate’s levels on the Russellville campus are organized under the College

of Arts and Humanities, the College of Business and Economic Development, the College of Education and Health, the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and the Graduate College.

U.S. News and World Report named ATU the No. 1 regional public university in Arkansas for 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25.

ATU is nationally recognized for its student outcomes. CollegeNET ranks ATU as the No. 1 institution in the state on the Social Mobility Index.

In the most recent rankings, ATU was among the top 3 percent of all U.S. institutions of higher education on the Social Mobility Index, which looks at the economic background of a university's student body and compares it to the institution's tuition rate, graduation rate, and endowment as well as the early career salary of its young alumni.

As part of its mission of access through affordability, ATU was the only public four-year institution of higher education in Arkansas that committed to zero increase in tuition, mandatory fees, and student housing during the 2024-25 academic year.

ATU had one of the two lowest tuition and fee increases in the state for 2025-26. In addition, Arkansas Tech is in the top two in the state for most affordable tuition for graduate students.

As a result of these and other factors, enrollment at Arkansas Tech is up 4 percent in 2025-26.

ATU is a small school that thinks big. Students enjoy award-winning instruction and a full suite of activities on a cozy campus that feels like home. ATU has two campuses that offer nursing options: the main campus in Russellville and the technical campus in Ozark. ATU Ozark offers LPN and LPN-to-RN programs. The Russellville campus offers BSN and MSN programs. BSN options include an in-person, traditional pre-licensure program and two online options for licensed nurses, a hybrid LPN-to BSN and a fully online RN-to-BSN program.

These programs allow working LPNs and RNs to continue their education in a flexible format close to home. The BSN curriculum prepares students to be competent for professional nursing practice, self-directed, and able to apply clinical judgement in a variety of healthcare settings. The online Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Administration and Emergency Management (NAEM) program is designed to offer students a specialized program of study to serve the educational needs of professional nurses actively engaged or planning to enter a healthcare profession related to administration, leadership, and/or emergency management.

OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

Welcome to Ouachita Baptist University! For more than 135 years, Ouachita has been committed to encouraging a love of God and a love of learning.

As a leading Christian university in the liberal arts tradition, Ouachita has earned a strong academic reputation. Combine all that with a close-knit campus community and you have a setting where students thrive academically, spiritually and personally.

Year after year, Ouachita is ranked among the nation’s top colleges by such publications as U.S. News & World Report and Forbes. We're also AY Magazine's Best Private College in Arkansas two years in a row.

We invite you to discover the exceptional education Ouachita provides. Our 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio makes a huge difference. Our students get to know their professors on a personal level as role models and mentors. Beyond the classroom, campus life always is busy with a variety of ways for students to engage.

Maybe you have contemplated a career in nursing, or are confident that nursing is God’s career calling for your life. Regardless of where you are, we would love to share with you our passion for showing God’s love to others through the ministry of nursing. With more than one million new nurses needed in the U.S. by 2030, Ouachita’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is answering the call for innovative health care education, while preparing graduates for a life of meaningful work as compassionate caregivers.

Ouachita’s Department of Nursing prepares students with curriculum and clinical experiences that set graduates up for success, both on the NCLEX-RN licensure examination and in the profession. You’ll learn from and be mentored by distinguished faculty who are devoted to you as an individual. Curriculum and class discussions will develop in you critical thinking, a service-oriented attitude and an appreciation for cultural diversity – all valued by both the nursing profession and Ouachita.

The program has a state-of-the-art Nursing Education Center that incorporates contemporary nursing practice utilizing advanced high-fidelity simulation and technological training in telehealth, along with the incorporation of education surrounding the use of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare, an area many programs are hesitant to integrate.

Check out the link below to learn more about our BSN program. I know you will find that Ouachita has a nursing program like no other – amazing faculty, amazing students, amazing graduates, and amazing outcomes!

Want to see for yourself? Let us show you our beautiful campus and state-of-the art Nursing Education Center! We know you will love it here! We hope to see you soon!

Go Tigers!

obu.edu/visit.php

NURSE RECRUITER PROFILES

Visit a recruiter and start planning your future.

Dustin Evans, Nurse Recruiter

BAPTIST HEALTH RECRUITMENT

Our belief at Baptist Health is that we are more than patient care; we are a healing ministry. That is why we are Arkansans’ choice for their health care needs. We have a variety of nursing opportunities for new grads and seasoned nurses. Baptist Health offers quality benefits for employees and assists with continuing education. Please apply online at baptisthealthcareers.com. Baptist Health is here — For You. For Life.

Belinda Kaye Nix, Academic Counselor and Enrollment Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL OF NURSING

For more than 50 years, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Nursing has inspired and guided individuals toward the dynamic profession of nursing. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to improving the health care of all Arkansans by educating professional, thoughtful and compassionate nurses. We offer an Associate of Applied Science (AAS), BSN, LPN/Paramedic to RN and online BSN completion programs. Visit ualr.edu/nursing, call (501) 916-3081 or email bknix@ualr.edu.

HARDING UNIVERSITY

Harding University Carr College of Nursing offers four nursing degree programs. Our outstanding BSN in program and direct Master’s Entry to Professional Nursing are located in Searcy, AR. The Family Nurse Practitioner program is offered online with three required visits. In Northwest, AR we offer a Hybrid Accelerated BSN tract. Our fabulous faculty bring a multitude of experience to learning. See our website harding.edu/nursing to find out more or call 501-279-4829 for our MSN programs and 501-279-4682 for our BSN programs.

Ava Coleman, MS, Assistant Director of Student Enrollment

UAMS

COLLEGE OF NURSING

The only health sciences university in Arkansas, UAMS includes five colleges and a graduate school along with a hospital, statewide network of regional centers and seven institutes. The UAMS College of Nursing offers several degree programs — Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Nursing Science (MNSc), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) — to more than 800 students. For more information on our programs, contact us at 501-686-5224, by email at conadmissions@uams.edu or visit our website at nursing.uams.edu.

Susan Erickson, MNSc, RN, BC-NA, CHCR, Senior Nurse Recruiting Manager

UAMS HEALTH

Whether just graduated, pursuing a second career or looking for a new work family, at UAMS you will practice in the state’s only academic medical center that supports a culture of nursing excellence through career advancement, professional development and recognition in a Magnet-designated organization. We offer up to a 50% tuition discount throughout the UA System, competitive salary and benefits, 11 paid holidays, separate sick and vacation accruals and up to a 10% percent retirement match. Visit nurses.uams.edu and join our Facebook/Instagram pages by searching UAMSNurses.

Amy

Morris, DNP, RN, APRN, CPNP, CNE

Director of Nursing

OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

At Ouachita Baptist University we are excited for you to explore our on-campus BSN program. We have a state-of-the-art facility, passionate faculty dedicated to your personal and professional growth, and a curriculum that has supported a 100% first-time pass rate, this past year, on the NCLEX-RN examination! At Ouachita, you are more than a number! Our nursing faculty invest in each and every student as academic advisors and mentors from pre-registration through graduation! In addition, our program offers exciting opportunities for medical missions both nationally and internationally! At Ouachita, students find more than a degree, but an experience that truly does fulfill the university mission of preparing graduates for ongoing intellectual and spiritual growth, lives of meaningful work, and reasoned engagement with the world. Check us out at obu.edu/nursing or make an appointment to come see us in person at obu.edu/visit.php

Teri McKown, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Professor of Nursing, Assistant Head

ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY

Arkansas Tech University Expands Nursing Pathways

Arkansas Tech University (ATU) offers multiple pathways for students to achieve their nursing goals.

At our Russellville campus, students can choose from:

• The traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program

• LPN-to-BSN programs, available in both traditional and hybrid formats

• A RN-to-BSN program offered fully online

• Traditional and accelerated BSN-to-MSN options with concentrations in Nursing Administration and Emergency Management

Our sister campus, ATU-Ozark, provides additional opportunities, including the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program and an LPN-to-ADN pathway. ATU’s faculty bring real-world expertise into the classroom and clinical settings, ensuring students graduate prepared for success. ATU has taken intentional steps over the past two years to reinforce its commitment to affordability with no tuition increase in 2024 and one of the two lowest tuition increases in the state in 2025.

Join us at Arkansas Tech University—where Every Student Counts.

Apply today or call 479-968-0383 for more information.

Taylor Nardi, MS, Undergraduate Education Counselor (Last Names A – K)

Gabriel Foreman, MS, Undergraduate Education Counselor (Last Names L - Z)

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS

The University of Central Arkansas School of Nursing is committed to educating students at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the delivery of quality health care and the advancement of the nursing profession. UCA offers on-campus and online programs, including BSN, RN to BSN, MSN Nurse Educator, Post Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and BSN to DNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) degrees. Whatever your goals, UCA School of Nursing offers affordable and highquality nurses education. uca.edu/nursing.

THAT’S WHEN I KNEW... I WAS MEANT TO BE A NURSE

“Witnessing the nursing staff's lack of compassion and rough handling of my ailing grandmother in 2000 deeply affected me. In that moment, I knew I wanted to be part of the solution and to provide the gentle and empathetic care that every patient deserves. I have always said I didn’t choose nursing... nursing chose me."

—

Sheurika McKeever, MSN, RN, CMSRN Director of Nursing, Baptist Health Extended Care Hospital

“I remember my first patient who passed away. She had made the decision for comfort care. Within minutes of stopping medication, she began panicking when she could not catch her breath. Without thinking, I said, “Relax, it will be OK.” Her eyes took me to task as we both knew she would die soon. She squeezed her husband’s and my hands, and together we breathed in synchrony, comforting her as she faded away. I will never forget her grace. Since then, I have been with many patients in their final moments, and I remember her eyes, and I am careful with my words.”

— Carol Brizzolara, BSN, RN, CCRN-CSC, TNCC H4 Surgical/Trauma/Cardiac ICU, UAMS Medical Center

“The first time I discharged my patient home from the Neonatal ICU, it was a grounding moment in my nursing career. I had consistently cared for this 23-week, critically ill neonate from birth, navigating all the ups and downs along the way. As this neonate was finally discharged home after 120 days, I had the profound realization that I had personally played an integral part of this infant’s amazing success story."

— Catherine Prowse, BSN, RN, RNC-NIC F/H5- Neonatal ICU UAMS Medical Center

“Nursing became real for me when I began working in the NICU at ACH. Nursing premature babies far beyond their life expectancy and building bonds with their families was an experience I will always cherish. I’m now a family nurse practitioner teaching in the graduate nursing program at UAMS. Teaching students the science, skills, and concepts of nursing necessary to excel in their educational programs is extremely gratifying. I’m truly living my passion.”

— LaKendra S. Ready, DNP, CNP, FNP-BC UAMS College of Nursing

UA Little Rock’s 100% online RN to BSN program is built for working nurses ready to move up. Finish in just two semesters with flexible online courses and support at every step.

Our AAS in Nursing helps students grow into competent and caring RNs — and the RN to BSN takes you even further. Gain the skills, confidence, and credentials to open new doors in your career.

Expect More with UA Little Rock.

Get Started Today: ualr.edu/nursing

‘TIDE

GARDEN IV’ (1964): Artist Louise Nevelson gained renown for her monumental, pediment-like sculptures formed of salvaged wood fragments and unified in monochromes of black, white and gold.

‘ARCHITECTS OF BEING’

A Q&A WITH CURATOR CATHERINE WALWORTH ABOUT AMFA’S LATEST EXHIBITION.

BY TARA ESCOLIN

“Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina,” a new exhibition opening at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts on Oct. 3, explores how two groundbreaking emigré artists worked against the grain in mid-20th century America to achieve innovation in sculpture, painting and beyond — inventing, then reinventing, themselves along the way.

Born in present-day Ukraine in 1899 as Leah Berliawsky, Louise Nevelson immigrated to Maine with her family as a small child — fleeing political instability in Russia. Esphyr Slobodkina was born in Siberia in 1908 and similarly fled to China with her family after the Russian Revolution, later landing in New York on a student visa.

Nevelson and Slobodkina were influenced by early 20th century avant-garde movements such as Constructivism, Cubism and Surrealism — but neither was constrained by them or by a single medium — and both artists would go on to forge singular legacies in abstraction.

After studying modern dance, and following decades of artistic experimentation, including work with the Works Progress Administration, Nevelson gained renown late in life for her monumental, pediment-like sculptures formed of salvaged wood fragments and unified in monochromes of black, white and gold.

In her early career, Slobodkina had stints in dressmaking and textiles, and organized tirelessly with the Artists’ Union and American Abstract Artists to garner support for her peers. Her paintings contain a whimsical but potent form of abstraction. Slobodkina also had acclaim as an illustrator and created the children’s classic “Caps for Sale.”

To discuss the genesis of the exhibition “Architects of Being,” as well as the gritty art of self-invention, the Arkansas Times sat down with AMFA curator Catherine Walworth, who joined the museum in 2022 after previously working at the Columbia Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Art and others.

‘ABSTRACTION WITH RED CIRCLE’ (1938): Esphyr Slobdkina’s paintings contain a whimsical yet potent form of abstraction.

Louise Nevelson said, “I think there’s something very important about character. Character is structure. Character is the architecture of being.” In the exhibition catalogue [published by the University of Arkansas Press in September], you wrote about the “connection between inner self and outward manifestation” in relation to art and self-fashioning. What made Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina exemplary “architects of being”?

When I talk about architecture and self-fashioning, I mean how these women built their lives and art — using parts of demolished buildings, designing new ones, but also how they dressed and moved through the world. In Esphyr Slobodkina’s case, she made her own clothing to survive.

This exhibition is also, in a sense, about my own self-fashioning, as it brings together many interests I’ve worked with for years. When I switched the focus of my master’s degree from Renaissance to modern art, I ended up working with an architectural historian, so architecture has always been a gentle envelope around my work. I see anything built or constructed — how design shapes our experience, my obsession with vintage fashion — as related. Clothing is like architecture in the way it’s constructed. I always joke that a zipper is really an elevator, and so all of these things are intertwined for me.

You called these artists “twin stars” in the New York art world. Can you talk about the parallels in their trajectories and how they influenced their period — and the development of American abstract art — despite the sexism of the time?

I call them “twin stars” because they orbited each other, though they weren’t friends. I started this exhibition with Louise Nevelson and her clothing, then learned about Slobodkina. Since early 2020, I’ve thought of them in parallel. There are many exhibitions of Nevelson alone, and sometimes she’s paired with contemporary artists, but I wanted to put these two together because they had so much in common: They came from the same part of the world, became artists in New York during the Great Depression, were Jewish, and were divorced women at a time when that was rare. Both made the radical decision to leave their marriages of convenience.

While Slobodkina’s career had an earlier momentum — she even made wood assemblage sculptures before Nevelson — Nevelson later attained celebrity. When the term “assemblage” became common in the 1960s, Slobodkina was already doing it, but Nevelson became the face of it. Neither fully left Cubism for gestural abstraction; both used a soft geometry in their work. Their careers and art are in conversation, even if they weren’t personally close. I think their personalities were both so strong that they almost repelled each other, in a sense — because they were both so incredibly audacious.

They were both immigrants, and both divorced at a time when that was very much considered taboo. How did they navigate these realms of marginalization, and what did their outsider positions bring to their perspectives?

They navigated it by making themselves indispensable. Slobodkina created posters, costumes and decorations for artist unions and events, which helped her get noticed. She was known for hosting big Russian dinners, which brought artists like Piet Mondrian to her home. Nevelson never turned down an opportunity to exhibit, showing her work in unexpected places and publications. Women artists of their era often had to exhibit in women-only shows, which wasn’t their preference but was necessary for visibility. They worked twice as hard to be seen. Nevelson hosted the Four O’Clock Forum at her house, where abstract expressionists and Indian Space Painters came and had panel discussions. She made sure she was always in the room.

How did Nevelson and Slobodkina use fashion as self-armoring to navigate social hierarchies?

Their approaches to clothing were similar, yet different in essential ways. Nevelson collected and assembled her clothing from found objects, much like her art. Slobodkina sewed her own clothes, a skill learned from her mother, who was a dressmaker supporting the family after they fled Russia during the civil war. Neither believed artists needed to look impoverished or bohemian. Slobodkina aimed to look polished and adaptable, making her own clothes from affordable materials; it made her feel like she could enter any room — with collectors, publishers and other artists.

Nevelson’s style became iconic when her career took off and she was in her 60s. Earlier, she dressed more mainstream, though there is an iconic photo of her in a man’s suit. Everyone talks about how she assisted Diego Rivera in the early 1930s on a mural, but what I took from that story is that she was also hanging out with Frida Kahlo and was influenced by her self-fashioning. Also, Nevelson learned early that dressing differently could be a tool for standing out, and she later used it intentionally. Her mother came from Ukraine — with all these small kids — to Maine, where the norm was WASPY sports attire, casual chic. Her mother wore heavier makeup, and dressed for the Old World in a way that made her stand out, and that imprinted itself on Nevelson. Neither Slobodkina or Nevelson were trying to be simply fashionable; they were both self-fashioning. It was about self-sufficiency, and for Slobodkina especially, it was about her labor.

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What was the discovery or flash of inspiration that catalyzed this exhibition, and how did you know it would work between these two artists?

I didn’t know it would work; you have to trust your instincts. If you don’t feel like you’re failing, you’re not trying hard enough. You have to believe in the idea long before it’s real, and convincing others is part of the process. I invited other curators and an architect to collaborate as writers, and we met regularly to shape the exhibition catalogue. The flash of inspiration was adding Slobodkina. After working on my book “Soviet Salvage” (2017), which focused on post-revolutionary creative reuse, I saw these women through the fragments they assembled and their Eastern European backgrounds. They fit together perfectly. What I can’t believe, though, is that Louise Nevelson’s clothing has never been shown with her artwork before.

How is the language of assemblage and architecture manifested in both artists’ work?

Slobodkina wrote an 1,100-page memoir detailing her life and every apartment she lived in — how she redecorated and repurposed furniture, using fragments to create assemblage sculptures. She painted walls with stripes and bright colors, creating a living space that was both like painting and sculpture.

Nevelson’s home was filled with art, not domestic comforts. When her home was threatened with demolition for a development project, she went out with a wheelbarrow and collected architectural fragments from nearby buildings that were being torn down. So when you see her sculptures, you see things like banister railings, moldings and even deconstructed clothespins and spools.

Slobodkina actually wanted to be an architect but couldn’t due to the era’s restrictions for women, so she designed her own home and her sister’s, though she needed a male architect of record. Both women’s art and lives were deeply architectural.

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What did you learn from studying these two women that could be applied to our historical moment?

One thing I hope people take away is a sense of moxie and grit. Real grit doesn’t mean not being vulnerable, but pushing through and doing the work. That’s why people fall in love with these women. Not everything they made was perfect; they were always trying new things. Slobodkina, for example, would essentially make an archi tectural model of a painting before the paint ing itself, working through ideas in multiple stages and planes. Not everything is pristine because she’s working it out. The willingness to experiment and persist is inspiring.

In your writing on the exhibition, you raised questions about the parameters of art, how art history is made, and asked, “What is success?” What answers did

OPENING NIGHT GALA

LOST WOLVES OF YELLOWSTONE

Director: Thomas Winston

Friday, October 10 at 7 PM

Oaklawn Event Center

By the mid-1920s, all known wolf packs had been systematically eliminated from Yellowstone. On January 12, 1995, in an audacious plan launched by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alpha Female Wolf No. 5 from Canada was carried into Yellowstone National Park, the first step in a project that would dramatically change the course of wildlife restoration in America’s most popular national park.

Thomas Winston’s inspiring film captures the wolves’ remarkable journey and the courageous story of Mollie Beattie, director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who led the way. Featuring never-before-seen footage shot at the time but believed lost forever and compelling interviews with those who, against all odds, re-introduced the wolves to Yellowstone and turned back time.

Director Thomas Winston and special guest in attendance.

BOX OFFICE INFO

The easiest and best way to purchase tickets for the festival is to visit www.hsdfi.org and follow the link to our festival Eventive site. Tickets may be purchased on our website up to 15 minutes prior to showtime. Afterwards, tickets must be purchased in-person at the Box Office.

Tickets and passes may also be purchased in person at our Box Office at any time during the available hours.

HSDFF BOX OFFICE HOURS & LOCATIONS

October 10

3:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Oaklawn Event Center

October 11-18

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa 2nd floor

October 18

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Oaklawn Event Center

CENTERPIECE GALA

THE COWBOY

Director: André Hörmann

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

Wednesday, October 15 at 7:15 PM Arlington Resort Hotel - Cinema 1

Comparable in scope to such epic longitudinal portraits as 7 Up and Boyhood, director André Hörmann’s The Cowboy sets its sights on the most iconic of all American archetypes — the Western cowboy. In 2015, when we first meet 11-year-old Crowley McCuistion, he’s riding horses and learning how to rope on a Colorado ranch. Over the course of the next ten years, we bear witness as Crowley grows from boyhood to early adulthood and sees his dream of being an American cowboy prove as elusive as a runaway bull. At turns light and dark; intimate and vast, The Cowboy takes us on an unforgettable journey, ultimately earning its place in the pantheon of great Western sagas.

Director André Hörmann and special guest in attendance.

CLOSING NIGHT GALA

MOVE YA BODY: THE BIRTH OF HOUSE

Director: Elegance Bratton

Saturday, October 18 at 7 PM

Oaklawn Event Center

Tracing the roots of house music, the irresistible form of synth-based dance music that exploded out of Chicago’s underground music scene in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, this electrifying documentary celebrates the pioneers and marginalized youth who transformed struggle into rhythm, igniting a joyful revolution that continues to move bodies and inspire people worldwide.

Director Elegance Bratton and Producer Chester Algernal Gordon in attendance.

SCREENING AND CONVERSATION: ARMED ONLY WITH A CAMERA: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF BRENT RENAUD

Tuesday, October 14 at 5:45 PM, Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, Cinema 1 Director: Craig Renaud

Film Running Time: 38m

In March 2022, Little Rock-raised filmmaker Brent Renaud was tragically killed by Russian fire while documenting the invasion of Ukraine — the first American journalist killed in the war. Now, three years later, his brother Craig has completed an extraordinary and deeply personal portrait of Brent’s life, career and legacy. The film honors Brent’s unwavering dedication to his craft and sheds light on the dangerous realities faced by journalists working in conflict zones.

Following a screening of the short film, Jon Alpert, HSDFF’s 2025 Brent Renaud Career Achievement Award recipient and mentor to Brent and Craig, will moderate a conversation with Craig and photojournalist/filmmaker Juan Arredondo, who was with Brent at the time and also sustained a gunshot wound.

Co-presented by the Clinton Presidential Center

Note: This program immediately follows the Career Achievement Awards presentation and screening of Jon Alpert’s work in progress The Raging Rabbi A regular single screening admission price will be charged that admits the holder to all of these programs.

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

FRIDAY | OCTOBER 10

6:15 PM Champagne Toast | Oaklawn Event Center

7:00 PM Opening Night Gala: Lost Wolves of Yellowstone | Oaklawn Event Center

9:00 PM Opening Night Party | Oaklawn Event Center

SATURDAY | OCTOBER 11

9:00 AM Wellness Series: Yoga on the Rooftop | Arlington Hotel Rooftop

10:30 AM The Balloonist | Cinema 2

12:00 PM For Venida, For Kalief | Cinema 1

12:30 PM Mr. Scorsese | Cinema 2

2:30 PM Ask E. Jean | Cinema 1

4:30 PM The Inquisitor |Cinema 2

5:00 PM Diamond Diplomacy | Cinema 1

7:00 PM ESPN 30 for 30 Panel - The ’85 Bears with Dan Hampton | Cinema 2

7:15 PM Never Get Busted! |Cinema 1

9:00 PM Party at ESQ | ESQ Realty Group

SUNDAY | OCTOBER 12

9:00 AM Wellness Series: Inspiration Hike and Meditation | Arlington Hotel Front Steps

11:30 AM Backside | Cinema 1

2:30 PM All the Empty Rooms and “Top Docs” Live Podcast Conversation | Cinema 1

4:30 PM Shorts Program: Crossing Borders | Cinema 2

4:45 PM The Perfect Neighbor & Impact Award Presentation | Cinema 1

7:00 PM Shorts Program: The Natural State | Cinema 2

7:15 PM Natchez | Cinema 1

9:00 PM Party at Deluca’s | Deluca’s

MONDAY | OCTOBER 13

10:30 AM Widow Champion | Cinema 1

12:30 PM Powwow People | Cinema 1

2:30 PM Shorts Program: Life In Focus | Cinema 2

5:00 PM Remaining Native | Cinema 1

7:15 PM Yanuni | Cinema 1

7:30 PM True Stories: A Live Storytelling Event | Cinema 2

9:00 PM Party at Superior Bathhouse | Superior Bathhouse

TUESDAY | OCTOBER 14

9:00 AM Student Screening: Remaining Native | Cinema 1

11:30 AM Emerging Filmmakers Program | Cinema 1

12:30 PM The Track | Cinema 2

1:00 PM Brent Renaud Mentorship Program | Arlington Hotel

2:15 PM Drowned Land | Cinema 1

2:45 PM State of Firsts | Cinema 2

4:30 PM Career Achievement Award Ceremony and WIP Screening | Cinema 1

5:45 PM Armed Only With A Camera; The Life and Death of Brent Renaud | Cinema 1

5:45 PM Remaining Native 5K Run with Spa City Pacers | Arlington Hotel Front Steps

7:00 PM Shorts Program: Looking Forward | Cinema 1

7:15 PM Holding Liat | Cinema 1

9:00 PM Party at the Rooftop at The Waters Hotel | The Waters Hotel

WEDNESDAY | OCTOBER 15

10:30 AM Life After |Cinema 1

12:00 PM The End of Gambling in Hot Springs and the Man Who Transformed the State of Arkansas | Cinema 2

12:45 PM K-Number | Cinema 1

1:30 PM Ghost Elephants | Cinema 2

3:15 PM A Brief History of Storm Chasing | Cinema 1

3:30 PM Shorts Program: Family Bonds | Cinema 2

5:00 PM We Are Pat | Cinema 1

7:00 PM Shorts Program: Creating Change | Cinema 2

7:15 PM Centerpiece Gala: The Cowboy | Cinema 1

9:00 PM Party at Ouachita Bar and Grill | Ouachita Bar & Grill

THURSDAY | OCTOBER 16

10:30 AM A Healing Journey - Comanche Academy | Cinema 2

10:45 AM Cutting Through Rocks | Cinema 1

12:30 PM Welded Together | Cinema 2

12:45 PM Love+War | Cinema 1

2:45 PM A Life Illuminated | Cinema 1

3:00 PM The Gas Station Attendant | Cinema 2

4:00 PM Student Screening at National Park College | NPC Student Commons Building

4:45 PM Apollo 1 | Cinema 1

5:00 PM Just Kids | Cinema 2

7:15 PM Come See Me in the Good Light | Cinema 1

7:30 PM Shorts Program: Modern Reflections | Cinema 2

9:00 PM Gangster Museum Party | The Gangster Museum of America

FRIDAY | OCTOBER 17

11:00 AM Man on the Run | Cinema 1

11:30 AM Shorts Program: Across Time | Cinema 2

1:30 PM Seeds | Cinema 1

1:45 PM Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk | Cinema 2

4:00 PM Cover-Up | Cinema 1

5:00 PM The Dating Game | Cinema 2

7:00 PM The Librarians preceded by The Treasures Of Mrs. Grady’s Library | Cinema 1

7:15 PM Girl Climber | Cinema 2

9:00 PM Karaoke Party at Whittington Place | Whittington Place

SATURDAY | OCTOBER 18

10:30 AM “Secret Screening” | Cinema 1

11:00 AM Cecil | Cinema 2

1:00 PM Riefenstahl | Cinema 1

1:00 PM Hot Springs Village Shorts Program | Woodlands Auditorium, Hot Springs Village 1:30 PM Jimmy & the Demons | Cinema 2

3:30 PM The Tale Of Silyan | Cinema 1

3:45 PM Shorts Program: Creativity Unbound | Cinema 2

7:00 PM Closing Night Gala: Move Ya Body: The Birth of House | Oaklawn Event Center

9:00 PM Closing Night Party | Oaklawn Pool Deck

SCREENING OF ALL THE EMPTY ROOMS AND “TOP DOCS” PODCAST CONVERSATION

Sunday, October 12, 2:30 PM, The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, Cinema 1

Director: Joshua Seftel Film Running Time: 34m

Following a screening of his powerful new documentary short All the Empty Rooms, Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning director Joshua Seftel (Stranger at the Gate) participates in a live podcast conversation with Michael Merrill and Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute Executive Director Ken Jacobson, hosts of the “Top Docs: Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers” podcast.

All the Empty Rooms

Boasting more than 250 episodes over five seasons, Top Docs has featured deep dive conversations with a wide range of international directors and creatives, including Questlove, Alex Gibney, Laura Poitras and virtually all the recent Oscar and Emmy-nominated directors. Join us for this special screening and conversation and go behind the scenes of the podcast that documentary filmmakers are talking about.

2025 BRENT RENAUD CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Winner of a staggering 17 National Emmy Awards, Jon Alpert has been making extraordinary documentaries on a wide range of topics for six decades. Nominated for two Academy Awards, Jon has won four DuPont-Columbia Awards, a Peabody Award, and was the first Inductee in the National Emmy Awards Golden Circle (Hall of Fame). Whether shooting films in war zones or capturing intimate and largely overlooked stories at home, Jon has demonstrated documentary filmmaking’s unlimited potential to educate, engage, and enlighten. Besides his unparalleled career as a documentary filmmaker, Jon has also had an immeasurable impact on the field, as a mentor to up-and-coming filmmakers (including Brent and Craig Renaud) and as co-founder of Downtown Community Television Center, one of America’s oldest and most honored community media centers.

Jon Alpert will be in attendance for the Brent Renaud Career Achievement Award presentation, which follows a special work-in-progress screening of Jon’s new documentary short The Raging Rabbi on Tuesday, October 14 at 4:30 PM at the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa. Note: Immediately following the Career Achievement Award presentation, we will screen Craig Renaud’s new documentary short, Armed Only With A Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud. A single regular screening admission price will be charged that admits the holder to all events.

2025 IMPACT AWARD

Geeta Gandbhir is an award-winning filmmaker who began her career in narrative film under the mentorship of Spike Lee and Sam Pollard. After more than a decade in scripted film, collaborating with masters such as the Coen Brothers and Robert Altman, she transitioned to documentary filmmaking. Geeta directed Katrina: Come Hell and High Water (Netflix, 2025) alongside Spike Lee and Samantha Knowles, a three-part series revisiting post-Katrina New Orleans. Her current documentary The Perfect Neighbor won the directing award in the U.S. documentary category at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and will premiere on Netflix later this year. Other directing credits include The Devil Is Busy (HBO) — which screens at this year’s HSDFF — How We Get Free (Oscar-shortlisted, HBO), Born in Synanon (Paramount), and Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power (Emmy Award Winner, 2023).

Geeta Gandbhir will be in attendance for the Impact Award presentation, which follows the screening of The Perfect Neighbor on Sunday, October 12 at 4:45 PM at the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa.

OCTOBER

FOR MORE INFO AND TICKETS, VISIT HSDFI.ORG

Remaining Native

NATIVE / INDIGENOUS FILM SECTION

Marking Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, October 13th, the festival will screen the features Powwow People, a joyful new film by HSDFF’s 2023 Career Achievement Award winner Sky Hopinka; Remaining Native, directed by Paige Bethmann, which chronicles the story of an inspiring young athlete who honors his great-grandfather’s legacy; Colleen Thurston’s captivating Drowned Land, which follows a diverse group of allies who come together to protect the Kiamichi River in southeastern Oklahoma; and Richard Ladkani’s riveting and panoramic Yanuni, which focuses on the courageous leadership of Indigenous chief Juma Xipaia as she fights to save the Xingu peoples’ tribal lands in the Brazilian rainforest.

FEATURES:

DROWNED LAND

Director: Colleen Thurston, USA

Tuesday, October 14 at 2:15 PM

A HEALING JOURNEY - COMANCHE ACADEMY

Director: Kathryn Boyd-Batstone, Comanche Academy, USA

Thursday, October 16 at 10:30 AM

POWWOW PEOPLE

Director: Sky Hopinka, USA

Monday, October 13 at 12:30 PM

REMAINING NATIVE

Director: Paige Bethmann, USA

Monday, October 13 at 5:00 PM

YANUNI

Director: Richard Ladkani Austria, Brazil, USA, Canada, Germany Monday, October 13 at 7:15 PM

SHORTS: CARLY BUCKETS

Director: Mark Williams, USA

Tuesday, October 14 at 7:00 PM | Shorts Program: Life In Focus

KANENON:WE - ORIGINAL SEEDS

Director: Katsitsionni Fox, USA

Sunday, October 12 at 7:00 PM | Shorts Program: The Natural State

STANKFACE STANDING SOLDIER: THE RISE OF MATO WAYUHI

Director: Josiah Jones, USA

Saturday, October 18 at 3:45 PM | Shorts Program: Creativity Unbound

TIGER

Director: Loren Waters, USA

Wednesday, October 15 at 3:30 PM | Shorts Program: Family Bonds

THE END OF GAMBLING IN HOT SPRINGS AND THE MAN WHO TRANSFORMED THE STATE OF ARKANSAS

Wednesday, October 15 at 12:00 PM - The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, Cinema 1

In this special presentation, Rex Nelson, Senior Editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and noted expert on Southern history, culture and politics, will discuss Hot Springs’ history of illegal gambling through the lens of famed gangster Owney Madden and reflect on the transformative leadership of Governor Winthrop Rockefeller. In part one, Nelson will interview Robert Raines, founder and director of The Gangster Museum of America, about Raines’ current documentary film project about Madden. In part two, Nelson will focus on Gov. Rockefeller, who, in his two terms in office, moved the state of Arkansas from the Old South to the New South and, in so doing, became the most important figure in 20th Century Arkansas history

Admission to this event is free and open to the public

Co-presented by the Garland County Historical Society

ESPN FILMS’ 30 FOR 30 PANEL - THE ’85 BEARS WITH DAN HAMPTON

Saturday, October 11 at 7:00 PM - Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, Cinema 2

In 1985, the Chicago Bears dominated the NFL and embodied everything that encapsulated that memorable decade: flash, chaos and a get-out-of-my-way attitude. Their Super Bowl winning season had it all — the birth of Buddy Ryan’s 46 Defense, the “Super Bowl Shuffle” and a colorful group of misfits who became the toast of football. ESPN Films’ 30 for 30 series released The ’85 Bears documentary in 2016.

Join us for this special event celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of the greatest teams in NFL history. In addition to showing clips from the film, members of the 30 for 30 team will be in conversation with one of the team’s defensive stars, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Razorback great, Dan Hampton.

HSDFF FILMMAKER FORUM

Now in its third year, the HSDFF Filmmaker Forum is a three-day filmmaker/industry conference and convening to be held October 12 – 14, 2025 during this year’s Festival. In this unprecedented year, in which federal government funding has been stripped from CPB and public media, there is no more urgent time for filmmakers and industry leaders to meet, discuss and raise critical questions about where the documentary field stands and where to go from here.

The Forum offers dynamic programming focused on the art, craft and business of documentary storytelling with a focus on public media, and a wider lens on the nonfiction ecosystem as a whole.

The Filmmaker Forum is sponsored by CPB, Wyncote Foundation and MacArthur Foundation. Partners include Video Consortium, IMAS, and Southern Documentary Fund.

Note: The Forum is intended for filmmakers and documentary industry representatives. Registration is required and ends on October 10th. See hsdfi.org/filmmaker-forum/ for details.

WHEN BEARS ATTACK: ARKANSAS EDITION

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BEAR ATTACKS IN THE NATURAL STATE.

BY DANIEL GREAR

On Sept. 3, a young black bear weighing about 70 pounds attacked a Franklin County man. The mauling was so severe that it necessitated an emergency airlift and surgery for the victim, 72-year-old Vernon Patton, who was reportedly working outside in the Mulberry Mountain area when the incident occurred. Though there was initially some hope that Patton might pull through, he died Sept. 14.

What provoked the attack remains unclear. The bear was killed by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission officers at the scene of the crime, and testing revealed it did not have rabies or distemper.

Bear attacks are exceedingly rare, especially in Arkansas. So rare, in fact, that the title of our first story about the incident was “Arkansas bear attack may be the state’s first since before the Civil War.” Full transparency: We had some doubts that the attack was quite as anomalous as our headline suggested, but proof of incidents from decades or centuries ago isn’t easy to put one’s hands on. And, at the time, Arkansas Game and Fish spokesman Keith Stephens said the last bear attack in the state he was aware of happened in the mid-19th century.

The commission’s records don’t date back that far, Stephens said, but “there’s some news articles that talk about bear attacks in the 1850s. I’ve been here 25 years and we haven’t had one.”

Our brief online search turned up nothing that contradicted him. A provocative headline, we thought, might provide readers with

an opportunity to prove us wrong. And it worked!

An email from Encyclopedia of Arkansas Editor Guy Lancaster yielded a plethora of information about multiple bear attacks in Arkansas. What his staff historian Mike Polston dug up in the newspaper archives is a thrilling glimpse into the writing style of past generations of journalists and an important reminder of how easy it is for newsworthy moments to get lost to time.

It’s also packed with danger, adventure and cautionary tales.

The earliest reported attack that Polston uncovered doesn’t refute our initial headline. According to the Hempstead County-based Washington Telegraph, a 16-yearold boy in Pulaski County sent out to the corn field for some “roasting-ears” was killed — “a large portion of the body of the unfortunate youth had been devoured” — by an “enormous bear” in August 1852.

The most disturbing account of an Arkansas bear attack more recent than the 1850s comes from the May 10, 1892, edition of the Arkansas Democrat. Lancaster sent the article — a wild journalistic masterpiece that ChatGPT could never — in its entirety:

“Mountain Home, Ark., May 10 — Mrs. Mary Carter, a widow, with a small family of children, is a raving maniac, as the result of a raid upon her little cabin by a half-starved black bear, in which two of her children lost their lives and one [was] half devoured before assistance arrived. Her five children were playing in the yard while the mother was engaged in scrubbing. Suddenly the

screams of the children startled her. She saw an enormous bear strike down her oldest boy, who had bravely attempted to defend the children in his charge. The beast seized the baby and ran rapidly away. The animal tore the little one to pieces before the mother’s eyes and escaped to the forest.”

Polston also found news articles detailing Arkansas bear attacks in 1902 (Garland County), 1942 (Phillips County), 1997 or 1998 (Madison County), 1999 (Scott County) and 2006 (Polk County).

The 1902 incident involving a bear held in captivity, reported in the Arkansas Gazette and also preserved here in its entirety, goes like this:

“Hot Springs, Feb. 24 — James E. Griffin narrowly escaped being killed by a bear in what is known as “Happy Hollow” midway today. He went to feed the animal, which, instead of being caged, was chained to a tree. The bear had not before made any efforts to harm his keeper, and Mr. Griffin walked boldly within reach of his stride. The bear jumped on Griffin suddenly, planting his teeth in the right thigh. After a desperate effort the bear was shaken off and Griffin borne out of reach of the animal. When Griffin recovered from his shock he was so enraged that the [sic] grabbed up a large stool and started after the bear again. This time the bear caught him on the arm, almost severing the member. The bear was beaten back by attendants, who had reached the scene at this time. The physician who attended Griffin thinks he will recover.”

The attack in May 1942 was considerably

less violent. According to the Northwest Arkansas Times, the “small” unnamed boy who was “attacked and mauled by a young bear seven miles from Wabash in the river bottoms” of Phillips County “escaped unharmed although his overalls were badly torn.”

On Sept. 20, 1998, The Jonesboro Sun published a story about a man in Madison County who was attacked by a bear “last June.” Whether that means June 1997 or June 1998 is subject to interpretation, but the article’s particulars are interesting nonetheless: During a morning barefoot stroll, David Mincks noticed his dog “barking ferociously at a clump of blackberry bushes. A few seconds later, a bear ran out of the bushes at the dog, only 20 feet from Mincks.” Mincks then proceeded to climb a tree and started yelling at the bear. “Up the tree the bear came, and grabbed one of Mr. Minck’s bare feet in its mouth,” the story continues. “A considerable scuffle ensued, and finally the bear tore some flesh from Minck’s foot and fell down the tree.” After some more barking from the dog, the bear climbed the tree once more and “grabbed Minck’s other foot, ripped away some more flesh and fell to the ground again.”

Just one year later, in September 1999, the Log Cabin Democrat wrote about a 69-yearold woman named Ingrid Schutt in Scott County who “suffered a badly gashed right hand, deep bruises on the left bicep and bruised ribs” after attempting to feed a female bear and its three cubs with a “bucket of sunflower seed.” The woman had been feeding bears on her property for six years despite multiple requests from Game and Fish for her to stop, the Log Cabin Democrat reported.

“My friends and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission have been telling me I was likely to get hurt, and they were right,” Shutt said. “I’m ready for the bears to leave now.”

The most recent attack found by the Encyclopedia of Arkansas reportedly took place in July 2006 in the Ouachita Mountains and involved a 2-year-old boy, according to the Log Cabin Democrat. A family was camping in an “extremely remote and scenic little spot in the southeastern corner of Polk County” when a bear stumbled upon the scene, entered their tent and “grabbed sleeping Aden by an arm.” The bear was soon scared away by a man from a neighboring campsite, who revved the engine of his pickup truck until the bear ran off. Fortunately, the toddler was “not seriously hurt.”

There are currently more than 5,000 black bears living in Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

DON'T MISS THIS!

PORK PARTY

MEAT ME AT PIG & SWIG.

Calling all pork and whiskey aficionados! The Arkansas Times is once again hosting the ultimate culinary adventure, Pig & Swig. Held from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, this annual greasy-fingered shindig is a hog heaven for foodies and a whiskey lover’s dream.

Gather your fellow swine-loving friends and prepare your taste buds for a night of culinary bliss at the River Market Pavilion in downtown Little Rock, where you’ll sample high-end whiskey drinks from top-notch brands like Knob Creek, Jim Beam Black and Basil Hayden and indulge in mouthwatering, pork-based delicacies from Wright’s Barbecue, Back Home BBQ, Fassler Hall and more of Arkansas’s finest restaurants. Featured libations include Basil Hayden Dark Rye, Jim Beam

Black 7, Knob Creek Bourbon and Knob Creek Rye. General admission is $40 in advance, or $45 at the door. Proceeds go to the Arkansas Times Investigative Reporter Fund. To support quality journalism in a big way, upgrade to a $100 VIP ticket and experience the event in style. Get in 30 minutes early, hang out in the exclusive VIP area and sample high-end whiskey from a private bartender, snacks included. Special thanks to Edwards Food Giant and Arkansas Style.

So, what are you waiting for? Get your tickets and prepare for a night of food, fun and libation! Remember, this event is strictly for hogs 21 and over, so leave the piglets at home. Get tickets at CentralArkansasTickets.com.

THE OBSERVER

THE HIP, YOUNG, ARKANSAS MILLENNIAL

You’re cruising down Interstate 630. “Hellooo, Woodrow Street.” Two minutes later, you’ve just crunched through the gravel lot and made your way into the White Water Tavern. Ten-dollar door paid, step up onto charmingly creaky floorboards. You fix your corduroy ballcap, never sure of who you might run into that night. Mustache? Perfectly mowed. The Phlegms are tearing up the stage, full blast, kicking ass. You fix your hat again. All right. “Hey, yeah, I’ll take the Bluewing.” You’re on your way to a night that will almost certainly rock. You are the hip, young, Arkansas millenial.

Now, before you get all up in arms and start assuming that this is some sort of hit piece, relax! As The Observer sits here and bangs this thing out, my Flyway Brewing growler is staring me down across the kitchen, much like yours probably is. I too look forward to enjoying many fall nights out on the Hill Station patio. I’m also the sort of dipshit who loves a Razorback tailgate and has no idea what’s going on during the game. Who talks about Jasper’s Ozark Cafe like I’m the one that discovered it. Who brags about going to the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts’ day-early screening of “The Brutalist” like everyone else in the circle wasn’t also there. Seventy-five-cent PBRs — you and I both know where to find them. We all saw King Gizzard take glorious flight at JJ’s in Fayetteville back in November.

Loads of people might say, “Hey buddy, you’re just talking about hipsters.” You would be right … sort of. Drop into any capital city or big old college town and you’ll find these folks everywhere. The staches (you can’t mention these enough), the cuffed jeans — these sorts of features abound whether you’re in Fayetteville or France. We’re like roaches for communities, burrowing into every cultural, hoppy and aesthetically appealing nook and

cranny that we can find. Pick up a rock at a local brewery and we scatter. It’s just what hipsters do. We’re not all the same, though. Like every state, Arkansas has its own special brand of pushing-middle-age-millenial.

The hip, young, Arkansas millennial is a staunch supporter of everything Natural State. They want to “save the Buffalo River” and even have that cool bumper sticker to back it up. They, or someone in their friend group, certainly rocked something Fayettechill in college. In their early teens, they probably informed someone that Evanescence is from Little Rock. They likely owe a good chunk of their bookshelf to a certain shop off of Dickson Street. They’ve spoken the name “Jeff Nichols.” They know the drive between Fayetteville and Little Rock — as well as the hike to Hot Springs — like the back of their hand, all while looking forward to various landmarks along the way. We all know what I mean when I say, “Two presidents and a king.” We’re caffeinated. We’re cultured. We’re outdoorsy. We’re Arkansas.

I spoke with a few buddies around the state to see if anyone had thought about this much. The one thing that everyone agreed on was that, growing up, we all found ourselves turning into the Arkansas millennial hipster by experiencing some of the same Natural State gateway drugs. Your first Vino’s show. Sitting outside at Puritan Coffee & Beer in Fayetteville on a sunny, 70-degree day. Climbing Chenal Mountain and pitching a hammock. The romance of throwing up on Dickson!

On the other side of things, there are those that I spoke to who don’t enjoy our generation’s very loud, shared local cultural interests. It isn’t surprising that biting words like “performative” and “cliquey” have been thrown around. Not only are you going to find plenty of close-knit, monolithic scenes, but you’ll also find the annoying person who tries

to out-Arkansas everyone in the room. We all know the guy who goes as far out of his way as possible to thrift old Razorback gear. That person who posts visits to cool Natural State spots a few times a day, essentially shouting, with hoarse digital paranoia, “I support local, I swear! See??” Of course, we can’t forget the sweet soul who shames you for ever falling into the sin of convenience, otherwise known as ordering a cup of coffee from Starbucks. You know the aggressive and unnecessary side-eye, the haughty tone of voice. “Oh yeah? Man, I hate Starbucks. It’s terrible. It’s either local or I brew it at home.”

That obnoxious blowhard doesn’t need to taint the image of our people, though. We share our commonalities, not only because of our age, but because we kick ass! Sure, every so often, folks will pack it up and move on to “bigger and better things.” New York City. Nashville. LA. There’s some sort of mirage on the horizon that has promised many Arkansans a community and culture that they, apparently, won’t find here. The Observer has a hard time believing that.

At the end of the day, Arkansas is a pretty big small town. Everyone knows everyone. People can actually add some flair and difference to our culture with very little effort. What’s so great about surrounding yourself with thousands (or millions) of more people and spending way more money? In the meantime, sure, you might keep running into that insufferable barfly with the irony-tinged mustache. Your friends might not always get down with your favorite local coffee shop. The Razorbacks might not always win. Yes, we all need to look in the mirror and accept the fact that many of us have thrifted our personalities and presentations, but we’ve found the right people in the right place. I’d rather push 30 in Arkansas than anywhere else. One more Bluewing, please.