Owners Cliff Cabaness CEO Mathew Wester President/COO
CMC ASSET MANAGEMENT: PROFESSIONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 24/7
We work to MAXIMIZE YOUR RENTAL INCOME with expert property management while keeping your tenants happy through EXCEPTIONAL MAINTENANCE AND CARE.
YOUR CHALLENGES
Owning rental property comes with constant demands:
• Maximizing income while controlling costs
• On-time rent collection and payment processing
• Accurate, transparent reporting
• Ongoing property maintenance and repairs
OUR SOLUTION
Let us handle the headaches for you. With over 31 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE , we deliver expert property management so you can relax and enjoy the return on your investment.
BIG DREAMS DESERVE
We all have big dreams for our children and we know they’ll have dreams of their own. No matter what type of education those dreams call for, I have a plan.
The Arkansas Brighter Future 529 Plan allows our education savings to grow tax-deferred.
And every little bit helps. Help their dreams become a reality whether they study in the U.S. or abroad.
Look into opening an Arkansas Brighter Future 529 Plan – their dreams deserve it.
FEBRUARY
DDreams don’t always announce themselves loudly. More often, they begin as quiet ideas, ones that ask for commitment, patience, and the willingness to take a risk.
This month, we’re celebrating the dreamers, those whose indomitable spirit fuels the stories you’ll find in this issue. That spirit is front and center in our Women Who Lead profiles. I am honored to introduce you to this year’s class of remarkable women whose paths to leadership reflect growth earned over time, steady effort, and the impact that comes from showing up fully.
FEBRUARY 2026
OWNER
PUBLISHER - EDITOR
Catherine Frederick
COPY EDITING
Charity Chambers
From there, the issue unfolds through stories that reflect possibility in many forms. We explore what it looks like to honor the past while building something new, how creativity transforms memory and place into meaningful expression, and how discipline and tradition shape big dreams from an early age. A creative journey guided by intuition and craft follows, before we turn outward with a travel feature that encourages a more intentional approach to adventure, whether planning a future journey or simply letting curiosity lead from where you are.
February also brings moments of connection and care. Two comforting recipes and a winter cocktail offer reasons to linger around the table, while our heart health feature reminds us that the dreams we chase are supported by the care we give our bodies along the way.
I am also thrilled to feature our annual Wedding Guide. Twenty-two years ago, I said “I do,” marrying the love of my life, and this remains one of my favorite wedding photos. It reflects the love and commitment that continue to shape our lives and feels especially fitting as we celebrate our Wedding Guide and the local professionals who help couples bring their own stories to life.
Ultimately, this issue is about possibility: what we imagine, what we pursue, and what we choose to build. I hope these stories inspire you to keep moving toward whatever feels meaningful in your own life. Thank you for being part of our community. I’m always grateful to share these pages with you.
1. Delicious Bites from Amazing Graze 2. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries at Garrison Goodies
B allerinas at Western Arkansas Ballet 4. Fred Kirkwood Retiring from AOG
New Alma Head Football Coach Jeremie Burns
Desserts at Uncork’d 7. Valentine’s Day Cake by Rich Creations 8. Shower
Grape Escapes
AGED TO PERFECTION WHERE GLAMOUR MEETS GIVING
words and
images BOST
Raise your glass and your expectations, Grape Escapes is back, and this year we’re celebrating twenty-five years of unforgettable evenings and incredible impact! This isn’t just a fundraiser; it’s a full-on celebration of style, flavor, and generosity.
On March 6, from 6 to 9pm, dive into a chic cocktail-style soirée featuring wines from around the world, craft beers, and gourmet bites from the best local eateries. Feeling fancy? Stop by the cigar bar for that extra dash of sophistication. And don’t forget to strike a pose at the First National Bank 360 Photo Booth, because a night this fabulous deserves to be captured from every angle!
Looking for a little mystery and indulgence? Don’t miss the Donaubauer Group Wine Pull, featuring an exclusive, limited selection of wines. Each pull is a chance to uncork something extraordinary—whether it’s a bold red, a crisp white, or a rare vintage. It’s the perfect blend of excitement and sophistication, and every bottle supports the incredible mission behind the evening.
Then, at 9pm, the energy shifts as the ArTy Afterparty takes center stage. Explore the “Art on the Rocks” Art Show & Sale, sip something bold from the cash and coffee bar, indulge in sweet treats, and dance to the sounds of the amazing Ozark Riviera. Plus, the silent auction and art sale will be in full swing, giving you the chance to snag unique treasures while supporting a great cause.
Here’s the best part: every ticket does more than unlock two incredible parties. It helps fund essential services for those served by Bost, things like transportation, therapies, recreation, and free art, acting, and dance classes. So, while you’re sipping, bidding, and dancing the night away, you’re also giving someone the gift of independence, confidence, and joy.
One ticket. Two epic celebrations. Countless reasons to celebrate. Grab your friends, put on your party shoes, and join us for a night where glamour meets giving. Cheers to twenty-five years, and to you for making it all possible!
Enjoy incredible student performances this spring! Reserve your seat at uafs.universitytickets.com.
The Enchanted Pig
7 p.m. • Friday-Saturday Feb. 6-7
Rhinoceros
7 p.m.
Thursday-Saturday March 19-21
Women and Men’s Basketball
Feb. 5 vs Nebraska-Kearney
Feb. 7 vs Fort Hays State
Feb. 26 vs Central Oklahoma
Wind Ensemble
7 p.m. • Tuesday, April 7
Jazz Catz
7 p.m. • Tuesday, April 14
Jazz Band
7 p.m. • Thursday, April 16
For showtimes and ticket information, scan the QR code or visit uafs.edu/season
Feb. 28 vs Rogers State
Baseball
Feb. 1 vs SE Oklahoma State
Feb. 20-22 vs Emporia State
Feb. 24 vs Henderson State
Feb. 27-28 vs Pittsburg State
For game times and ticket information, scan the QR code or visit uafslions.com
4.
1.
GOODS THE
From statement jewelry and cozy layers to creative escapes and thoughtful gifts, February is the perfect time to shop local and discover something special. These handpicked finds bring beauty, creativity, and a whole lot of love to the season.
2.
&
everyday function. BLACK BISON GIFT SHOP
A brilliant diamond ring designed to celebrate love, milestones, and everyday elegance. JOHN MAYS JEWELERS
5. CREATIVE JOY Feel-good gifts to inspire creativity, calm and thoughtful moments. BOOKISH FORT
6.
SIPS Dessert-inspired spirits add rich flavor to winter cocktails and cozy nights. IN GOOD SPIRITS
LOVE LAYERED A cozy Z Supply sweatshirt perfectly paired with a poplin button up and charming necklace. HAZEL’S HAVEN
LOVE AT FIRST SIP Cheerful pours paired with a playful cup for the perfect match. SODIE’S WINE & SPIRITS
3. TRUE RED Hammitt’s Chili Red handbag and wallet add bold color with
SPARKLE
SHINE
SMITH
SWEET
TAKE HEART
UNDERSTANDING NITRIC OXIDE, BLOOD PRESSURE, AND VESSEL HEALTH
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, driven largely by uncontrolled blood pressure and damage to the blood vessel lining. Nitric oxide, a substance the body makes to help blood vessels relax and blood flow more easily, can be supported through food or supplements, offering a promising way to help address both. To understand why nitric oxide matters, it helps to first look at how blood pressure is defined, and how common hypertension really is.
BLOOD PRESSURE BASICS
Hypertension is defined as blood pressure that is consistently at or above 130/80, according to current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines. While 140/90 and higher is often used as a treatment threshold in clinical practice, lower readings can still signal increased risk. What was once called “prehypertension,” now often referred to as elevated blood pressure, includes readings between 120–129 systolic or 80–89 diastolic. Nearly half of U.S. adults have hypertension, and many more fall into this elevated range, yet fewer than half have it adequately controlled. That means many friends, neighbors, and relatives are walking around with a silent, but very real strain on their hearts and blood vessels.
ENDOTHELIAL DAMAGE AND EVENTS
The endothelium is the thin inner lining of every blood vessel and plays a key role in how vessels relax, clot, and respond to inflammation. When this lining becomes damaged, cholesterol-rich plaque and inflammatory cells can build up, increasing the risk of blood clots that block coronary arteries (leading to heart attack) or arteries supplying the brain (causing stroke).
Each year in the United States, roughly 800,000 people experience a stroke, and hundreds of thousands more have a heart attack, reflecting the enormous impact of endothelial injury and plaque buildup. While these events often occur suddenly,
words DR. KENDALL WAGNER // image 19 STUDIO SHUTTERSTOCK
the underlying lining damage and plaque buildup typically develop slowly over many years.
WHAT NITRIC OXIDE DOES
Over the last four decades, research has shown that nitric oxide is a crucial chemical messenger for a healthy cardiovascular system. It helps blood vessels relax, supports healthy blood flow, and plays a role in blood clotting and inflammation along the vessel wall.
The body produces nitric oxide in two main ways: through an enzyme system called nitric oxide synthase and through converting dietary nitrate from foods like leafy greens and beets into nitric oxide. As we age, the body’s natural production of nitric oxide declines, making diet and lifestyle choices increasingly important for maintaining healthy levels.
BLOOD PRESSURE AND NITRATE
Nitric oxide helps regulate how tight or relaxed blood vessels are, and higher availability, either from the body’s own production or from dietary nitrate, has been linked to lower blood pressure in multiple studies. In both animal studies and human trials, nitrate-rich beetroot juice and similar dietary intervention have been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure by approximately 4–10 mmHg, with smaller effects on diastolic pressure.
In older adults and in people with hypertension or peripheral artery disease, daily beetroot juice providing roughly 350–500 mg of nitrate has been associated in some trials with meaningful reductions in blood pressure, as well as improvements in blood vessel function. In certain hypertensive groups, systolic reduction of 4–8 mmHg has been observed, similar to what may be seen with a single blood pressure medication, suggesting dietary nitrate could be a useful complementary strategy when used alongside standard care and under medical supervision.
ENDOTHELIAL AND MUSCLE BENEFITS
Nitric oxide also helps protect the endothelium, or inner lining of blood vessels, by reducing unwanted clotting, limiting inflammation, and supporting normal muscle relaxation within the vessel wall. In one clinical trial, a single serving of nitrate-rich beetroot juice lowered blood pressure and helped preserve healthy vessel relaxation.
Beyond blood vessels, some studies suggest that dietary nitrate can reduce the amount of oxygen muscles need during exercise, improving efficiency and potentially placing less strain on the heart at a given workload. Other research suggests that nitrate may improve the strength and efficiency of both heart and skeletal muscle by activating chemical signals that help muscle cells perform better.
PRACTICAL FOOD AND SUPPLEMENT CHOICES
Common nitrate-rich vegetables include leafy greens such as arugula, spinach, collard greens, and various lettuces, along with celery, red beets, leeks, chervil, and watercress. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating pattern, which emphasizes whole fruits and vegetables, typically provides about 1,000–1,200 mg of nitrate per day when followed as designed and has long been associated with lower blood pressure.
For those who prefer a more concentrated option, beetroot juice or beetroot concentrates, including commercially available powdered beet products such as Super Beets by HumanN, often provide 300–800 mg of nitrate per serving, amounts commonly used in clinical research and generally well tolerated in healthy adults. Because nitrate can interact with certain medications and medical conditions, and because individual responses vary, it’s important to discuss any nitrate supplement plan with a personal physician before starting.
Kendall D.
Dr. Kendall D. Wagner, MD is a board-certified physician with expertise in lifestyle and functional medicine. He is a regular contributor to Do South. These articles are for educational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or establish a physician–patient relationship.
Wagner, MD
WOMEN WHO LEAD
A shared commitment to leadership, service, and community defines these remarkable women.
Leadership in the law is defined by how you treat people. ~ Ashleigh Buckley
FAMILY: Husband, William; sons, Will and Ben HOMETOWN: Pocola, Oklahoma & Fort Smith, Arkansas
EDUCATION: Southside High School, Fort Smith; B.A. in Political Science, University of Arkansas Honors College; Juris Doctorate, University of Arkansas School of Law
ASHLEIGH'S FAVORITES • RESTAURANT: Anthony’s Italian Restaurant MUSIC: George Strait and Bob Dylan TV SERIES: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel TRIP: Disney World
WOMEN WHO LEAD
ASHLEIGH BUCKLEY
PARTNER ATTORNEY AT THE BUCKLEY FIRM
Raised in the small town of Pocola, where days were spent riding horses until dark, Ashleigh learned early the values of hard work, resilience, and responsibility. Shaped by two very different grandfathers—one a self-taught mathematician, the other a true cowboy—she carries both discipline and grit into her legal career. What began as an interest in theater evolved into a passion for the courtroom, where storytelling and preparation matter just as much as performance. Today, her work is driven by a deep commitment to justice, particularly for women and children. "What I love most about my work is having the ability to help people when they feel unheard or powerless," she says.
WHEN DID YOU BEGIN TO SEE YOURSELF AS A LEADER, RATHER THAN SIMPLY SOMEONE DOING A JOB?
In 2017, I was asked to serve as President of the Junior League of Fort Smith. I had always seen myself as a workhorse, not a leader. Being trusted with that role instilled confidence and sparked a desire to further develop my leadership skills.
WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE BUILDING A LAW PRACTICE?
Law school teaches you how to think like a lawyer, not how to run a business. My husband and I learned payroll, accounting, policies, taxes, and marketing. Building our firm together is one of my proudest accomplishments as it reflects our shared values and commitment to our clients.
WHAT DEFINES LEADERSHIP IN THE COURTROOM, AND WHAT MATTERS MOST IN A JUDGE?
Leadership in the law is defined by how you treat people; being prepared, listening carefully, treating everyone with dignity, and making decisions rooted in the law and facts. Diligence, fairness, engagement, and experience are essential, because judges must safeguard the integrity of the justice system, ensuring that every person who enters the courtroom leaves knowing the process was fair.
WHAT MOTIVATED YOUR DECISION TO RUN FOR CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE?
I’ve seen firsthand how deeply court decisions affect lives. I believe courts function best when judges are prepared, impartial, and grounded in courtroom experience. Serving as Circuit Judge is an opportunity to strengthen public trust and ensure fairness remains central to the process.
HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE AS AN ATTORNEY PREPARED YOU FOR THE BENCH?
Over the past 16 years, I’ve served as a prosecutor, defense attorney, federal prosecutor, and civil litigator. That breadth has given me a balanced perspective and a deep understanding of how decisions impact all sides of the courtroom.
WHAT HELPS YOU STAY GROUNDED DURING DEMANDING SEASONS?
My faith, my family, and horses. Prayer and church keep me centered, my husband and sons are my biggest supporters, and riding reminds me who I am—most at home in boots, not a suit.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF THROUGH LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC SERVICE?
I have good instincts and trusting them matters. Preparation, careful listening, and confident decision making are essential when the weight of those decisions truly matters.
This work felt less like a career move and more like a calling. ~ Melissa Curry
FAMILY: Husband, Todd; daughters, MeKale Stermetz and Bennett Teeter; son, Duncan Curry; 8 grandchildren HOMETOWN: Fort Smith, Arkansas
EDUCATION: Advanced Dementia Practitioner, Johns Hopkins – Copper Ridge Institute
WOMEN WHO LEAD
MELISSA CURRY
CEO, METHODIST VILLAGE SENIOR LIVING
Melissa Curry grew up in the River Valley in a home where faith, hard work, and responsibility were simply part of everyday life. Leadership was lived through showing up, caring for others, and doing what needed to be done. Influenced deeply by her family, especially her grandmother, Melissa learned early the value of integrity, gratitude, and stewardship. Personal experiences with Alzheimer’s and dementia within her own family further shaped her calling to lead with compassion, dignity, and grace. “I believe this work is a way God allows me to serve others with empathy born from experience,” she says, a belief that continues to guide how she leads and serves.
WAS THERE AN EARLY INFLUENCE THAT QUIETLY SHAPED THE PATH YOU’RE ON TODAY?
My grandmother influenced every part of who I am. She only went through the fifth grade and grew up very poor, but she was rich in wisdom and faith. She taught me how to whistle, the names of plants and trees, how to cook and sew. She taught me the importance of working with your hands, keeping your word, and finding joy and gratitude no matter the circumstance.
IS THERE AN EXPERIENCE THAT EXPLAINS WHY YOUR WORK IS SO PERSONAL?
Alzheimer’s and dementia have touched my family in very personal ways, my grandmother, and most recently through my father. Watching someone strong and independent struggle with fear and vulnerability changes you. It strengthened my resolve to lead with dignity, compassion, and grace, and to create spaces where people are honored for who they are.
WHAT PART OF YOUR LIFE OUTSIDE OF WORK MOST INFLUENCES HOW YOU LEAD?
Motherhood. Raising children taught me that fairness doesn’t mean treating everyone the same, but understanding what each person truly needs.
home, health, and sense of dignity. While financial responsibility matters, compassion and community must always guide the process.
WHAT HAVE RESIDENTS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT LEADERSHIP?
They’ve taught me to slow down and notice beauty, laughter, and connection. Leadership isn’t about checking boxes; it’s about honoring the people right in front of you.
WHERE DO YOU FEEL MOST LIKE YOURSELF?
When I’m with our residents; whether we are talking, laughing, playing poker, or painting our nails. In those moments, the worries of the day just fade away, and I’m reminded of why this work matters.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN STEPPING INTO LEADERSHIP ROLES?
Trust the path God has placed before you. Leadership can be lonely at times. Don’t let the opinions of others hinder what God has led you to do. Lead with humility, courage, and grace, stay rooted in your faith and values, and remember that your compassion and strength are gifts not weaknesses.
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’VE GROWN INTO VALUING MORE OVER TIME?
MELISSA'S FAVORITES • RESTAURANT: Uncork’d MUSIC: A cappella, especially Straight No Chaser MOVIE: Pride and Prejudice TRIP: Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
HOW DOES LEADING IN SENIOR LIVING DIFFER FROM MORE TRADITIONAL EXECUTIVE ROLES?
Senior living leadership is deeply relational. Decisions affect someone’s
Time. It’s precious, and once it’s spent, it can’t be replaced. I value time with family and the importance of keeping your word. Those are gifts from God.
Every trip represents meaningful moments you don’t get back. ~ Pam Kelly
FAMILY: Husband, Dr. James E. Kelly III
HOMETOWN: Fort Smith, Arkansas
EDUCATION: B.S. in Science, University of Arkansas; MBA, Colorado State University
WOMEN WHO LEAD
PAM KELLY
OWNER/ADVISOR KELLY CO TRAVEL
BY DREAM VACATIONS
Pam Kelly grew up in Fort Smith in a household where routine, responsibility, and faith shaped everyday life. Quiet as a child, she found her confidence over time, influenced deeply by an aunt who modeled grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love. Life’s challenges and personal loss reinforced Pam’s belief that work is a reflection of character and that choices matter beyond oneself. That perspective led her to open Kelly Co Travel by Dream Vacations, blending her business background with a lifelong love of travel. “Travel forces you to step outside what feels familiar,” Pam says. Today, she guides clients through thoughtful, stress-free travel planning so they can focus on making memories.
WAS THERE AN EARLY INFLUENCE THAT QUIETLY SHAPED THE PATH YOU’RE ON TODAY?
My aunt was the greatest influence in my life. She embodied grace, strength, and unconditional love. She taught me to forgive, to love without harboring resentment, and to lead with kindness, lessons that continue to shape both my personal life and the way I work with others.
IS THERE A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT HELPS EXPLAIN WHY YOUR WORK MATTERS TO YOU?
My father worked hard, taking on extra jobs to provide opportunities for us. By the age of twenty-five, I had lost both of my parents, and I was responsible for shaping my own future. That same work ethic ultimately led me to start my travel agency, using something I love to help others travel with confidence while I manage the details.
WHAT PART OF YOUR LIFE OUTSIDE OF WORK MOST INFLUENCES HOW YOU LEAD?
Personal challenges and adversity. They’ve taught me resilience, compassion, and the importance of staying calm and steady, especially when others are relying on you.
of others what you’re unwilling to do yourself, learning from mistakes, loving unconditionally, avoiding judgment, and remembering God comes first.
HOW HAS FAMILY SHAPED YOUR PRIORITIES OR PERSPECTIVE?
Losing my parents at a young age gave me a deep appreciation for time spent together. That perspective carries into my work; travel is about experiences and moments you don’t get back.
HOW DO YOU APPROACH PLANNING TRIPS WHEN CLIENTS FEEL OVERWHELMED OR UNSURE WHERE TO START?
I start by listening. Travel planning can feel intimidating, so my role is to simplify the process, anticipate details clients may not think about, and guide them with clarity and care. When people feel supported, the experience becomes enjoyable long before the trip begins.
WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DO YOU FEEL WHEN PEOPLE TRUST YOU WITH THEIR TRAVEL PLANS?
PAM'S FAVORITES • RESTAURANT: Piatto MUSIC: Country, George Strait TV SERIES: Everybody Loves Raymond TRIPS: Scotland & Ireland
WHAT VALUES WERE MODELED FOR YOU EARLY ON THAT STILL GUIDE YOU TODAY?
Respect for our elders, never asking
Every trip represents a meaningful moment, often tied to celebrations or once-in-a-lifetime experiences. My responsibility is to plan thoughtfully, communicate clearly, and remove as much stress as possible so clients can enjoy the journey.
Leadership isn’t about a title. It’s about responsibility, collaboration, and caring deeply about the people you serve. ~ Jennifer Moore
FAMILY: Husband, Ken; children, Taylor, Jason, and Micha HOMETOWN: Fort Smith, Arkansas
EDUCATION: PhD and MA in Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman’s University; B.S. in Occupational Therapy, University of Central Arkansas
WOMEN WHO LEAD
JENNIFER MOORE, PhD
FOUNDING DEAN, SCHOOL OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ARKANSAS COLLEGES OF HEALTH EDUCATION
Jennifer Moore leads with a steady belief in purpose, creativity, and connection, values shaped by watching the people around her show up with consistency and care. Her work in occupational therapy and education is grounded in the idea that meaningful participation, inclusion, and dignity matter at every stage of life. Whether mentoring future practitioners or creating spaces where individuals feel valued and supported, Jennifer’s leadership centers on meeting people where they are. “It matters to help someone not just get by, but keep doing the things that make life worth living,” she says. That perspective continues to guide how she teaches, leads, and advocates for others.
WHEN DID YOU BEGIN TO SEE YOURSELF AS A LEADER?
I began to see myself as a leader when I realized leadership wasn’t about a title, but more so about responsibility and collaboration—it's bringing people together around a shared goal and caring deeply about both the work and the people involved.
WHAT LED YOU INTO LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE EDUCATION?
While I did not pursue it, I was given opportunities by people who believed in me, and I’m grateful for that trust. I truly enjoy serving others and watching the people I work with accomplish meaningful things.
HOW HAS MENTORSHIP INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER?
My parents and sister were my first mentors. Through their actions and guidance, they taught me how to work hard, enjoy life, treat people with respect, serve others, and remain resilient when life gets tough. Those lessons continue to shape how I lead, teach, and show up for the people I work with every day.
WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?
Cuisine MUSIC: Classic Rock and Motown MOVIE: Remember the Titans TRIP: New Orleans
The next generation entering the profession; their creativity, energy, and willingness to think differently are incredibly encouraging. They challenge
systems, speak up for their clients, and imagine better ways to deliver care. OT is rooted in problem solving and innovation, and today’s students bring fresh perspectives and a strong desire to advocate for meaningful change.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FUTURE EDUCATORS?
Choose education because you are passionate and sincere about mentoring students and advancing our profession. Teaching requires a lot of flexibility, preparation, creativity, and emotional energy. Remember your “why,” especially when the work feels challenging.
WHAT LEGACY DO YOU HOPE TO LEAVE AT ACHE?
I hope my legacy reflects why we built this program. Watching my father navigate life with COPD showed me how meaningful care can preserve dignity, purpose, and independence. That experience shaped my belief in preparing therapists who see people before diagnoses. I want our graduates to be compassionate, capable practitioners who make a real difference, especially in rural and under-resourced communities.
WHAT ENERGIZES YOU OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Spending time with people. Being outdoors, swimming, or taking walks also helps clear my mind. Some of my favorite days begin with my husband saying, “Let’s go for a drive and see where we end up.”
Women Women WHO LEAD CELEBRATING
We are proud to celebrate the women who lead at ACHE—visionaries, mentors, and changemakers who inspire progress every day. Their leadership strengthens our mission, shapes our culture, and drives meaningful impact across our organization. Today, we recognize their achievements and thank them for leading with purpose, integrity, and heart.
Leadership isn’t just about high standards, it’s about bringing people with you. ~ Beth Presley
FAMILY: Husband, Darryl; children, MaKenzie and Camryn HOMETOWN: Born in Fort Huachuca, Arizona; formative years in Springfield, Missouri; Fort Smith, Arkansas for the past 30 years
EDUCATION: B.S. in Education, William Woods College/ Missouri State University; M.S. in Kinesiology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign; Ed.D. in Workforce Development (ABD), University of Arkansas, doctoral coursework
BETH'S FAVORITES • RESTAURANT: Rolando’s MUSIC: ’80s rock, especially Bon Jovi, I’ve seen them 11 times MOVIE: The Lost Boys TRIPS: London, Amsterdam, Oxford
WOMEN WHO LEAD
BETH PRESLEY
CEO, FORT SMITH BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS
Growing up in a military family meant home was always changing for Beth Presley, with childhood shaped by moves across the country and overseas, she learned how to adapt quickly and confidently connect with others. Influenced by mentors who emphasized teamwork and leading with heart, Beth developed an early belief in service and advocacy. From organizing fundraisers as a child to championing causes she believes in today, she has long understood the power of people coming together. “I’ve always believed that when people are given the opportunity to help, they rise to the occasion,” Beth says, a belief that guides her as CEO of Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs.
HOW HAS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF LEADERSHIP EVOLVED OVER TIME?
I am driven and competitive, and I care deeply about doing things well. With experience, I came to understand that leadership isn’t just about setting high standards, but about bringing people along with you.
WHAT DREW YOU TO NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP?
I’ve always enjoyed working with people and helping tell stories that matter. During college, I helped lead a fundraising phonathon and saw firsthand how sharing personal experiences could inspire others to give. That experience confirmed how meaningful it can be to invite people to invest in a cause, and it ultimately led me toward nonprofit leadership.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
In youth-focused nonprofit work, results aren’t always immediate. Success shows up in relationships built, in confidence gained, and in opportunities created. When kids return years later and share their stories, you realize the impact was there all along.
HOW DO YOU ADVOCATE FOR CAUSES THAT DON’T ALWAYS HAVE LOUD VOICES?
It starts with storytelling. Real stories put faces to the need and help people understand why investment matters.
Advocacy means building relationships, educating the decision-makers, and staying consistent. Sometimes the most effective advocacy isn’t loud, it’s steady.
WHAT MOMENTS HAVE AFFIRMED YOU’RE IN THE RIGHT ROLE?
When the CEO position opened, everything in my career aligned. With experience across nonprofits, athletics, and banking, stepping into the role felt like a natural next step and affirmed I was where I was meant to be.
WHAT LEADERSHIP LESSONS HAVE COME DIRECTLY FROM THE KIDS YOU SERVE?
They remind me that every child’s story is different and success looks different for everyone. Every child needs someone to listen, believe in them, and tell them they matter. Honestly, that’s something we all need.
WHAT KEEPS YOU HOPEFUL ON HARD DAYS?
The kids. I’m also grounded by my family, our staff, and the supporters who believe in this mission. On difficult days, I remind myself that consistency and care can change a life.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FUTURE NONPROFIT LEADERS?
Find your passion, then build a team that believes in the mission. Nonprofit leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself. When passion, teamwork, and purpose align, real impact follows.
Strong Girls Become Strong Women
We help girls discover their strength early — so they can carry it for a lifetime.
The Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs provide safe, supportive spaces where girls can grow, learn, and discover who they are.
Through programs like Smart Girls, POM Squad, STEAM exploration, Adventure Club, and Athletics, girls build confidence, develop leadership skills, and discover their strengths — growing into young women ready to lead in their families, careers, and communities.
My role is to help people understand their finances, not feel intimidated by them. ~Melanie Radcliff
HOMETOWN: Fort Smith, Arkansas
EDUCATION: B.S. in Accounting, Arkansas State University
Melanie Radcliff CPA/PFS is registered with, and securities are offered through Kovack Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. 6451 North Federal Hwy, Suite 1201, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308, 954.782.4771. Investment Advisory services are offered through Kovack Advisors, Inc. Old Fort Wealth Management and Hack Your Tax are not affiliated with Kovack Securities, Inc. or Kovack Advisors, Inc.
WOMEN WHO LEAD
MELANIE RADCLIFF
FINANCIAL ADVISOR/CPA; FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL OLD FORT WEALTH MANAGEMENT AND HACK YOUR TAX
Melanie Radcliff didn’t grow up imagining a career in financial services, but life has a way of steering people toward the work they’re meant to do. Raised in Fort Smith, she learned early what it felt like to live with financial uncertainty, an experience that later fueled her determination to understand money rather than fear it. After starting over more than once, she built her own firm with a clear philosophy: education first, relationships always. Today, Melanie approaches finance with equal parts precision and empathy, helping clients replace stress with confidence. “Money doesn’t have to be scary,” she said. “When you understand what’s happening and why, everything changes.”
WHAT DO PEOPLE MISUNDERSTAND MOST ABOUT WORKING WITH A FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL?
Many people assume it’s about selling products or chasing numbers, when it should really be about education and trust. My role isn’t to talk at clients, but to help them understand what’s happening, why it matters, and how decisions today affect their future. Finance doesn’t have to feel intimidating when it’s approached with transparency, strategy, and care.
HOW DO YOU EARN TRUST IN A FIELD WHERE PEOPLE OFTEN FEEL VULNERABLE OR OVERWHELMED?
By listening first. People come in carrying stress, fear, or past experiences that didn’t go well. I focus on meeting them where they are, explaining the why behind recommendations, and making sure they feel informed rather than rushed. Trust grows when people feel seen and understood.
WHAT MISCONCEPTIONS DO PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT TAXES OR WEALTH MANAGEMENT?
Many people view taxes as something to deal with once a year, rather than an ongoing part of a bigger strategy. Wealth management works best when planning, taxes, and long-term goals are connected. When those pieces work together, people feel more in control and less reactive.
WHAT LEADERSHIP LESSON HAS SURPRISED YOU THE MOST AS YOUR BUSINESS HAS GROWN?
That systems are just as important as people. Early on, you rely heavily on hustle and personality. As you grow, structure allows both your team and your clients to thrive consistently. Good systems create space for better relationships and allow advisors to focus on people, not paperwork.
WHAT PART OF YOUR WORK BRINGS YOU THE MOST FULFILLMENT?
Taking fear away. When someone walks in overwhelmed and leaves feeling confident and clear, that shift is incredibly rewarding. Helping people feel calm and informed never gets old.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO RESET WHEN WORK GETS INTENSE?
Honestly, I head to Home Depot. There’s something therapeutic about working with power tools and building things. Using my hands clears my head and helps me reset.
WHAT’S A TRAIT YOU’VE GROWN INTO APPRECIATING ABOUT YOURSELF OVER TIME?
Persistence. I used to see it as stubbornness, but now I recognize it as resilience. I don’t quit easily, and that’s helped me keep going when starting over felt overwhelming.
ENJOY WHAT YOU SAVE!
You’ve worked hard for your money and saved diligently for a secure retirement. But have you taken the most important step? Too many people faithfully build a nest egg only to give too much of their retirement savings back in taxes. At Old Fort Wealth Management, we believe clients should enjoy what they’ve saved to the fullest. Our process, THE TAX NAV SYSTEM, creates a GPS-like roadmap to position your resources to navigate a better route and potentially minimize taxes. It may give you more security and enjoyment in retirement, plus smarter legacy planning for your future.
With many substantial changes to the tax code right around the corner, there’s never been a better time to discover the Old Fort difference. Schedule your consultation today!
OUR MISSION:
• Set the standard for meaningful client-advisor connection.
• Provide tools to help accumulate wealth, while potentially saving on taxes.
• Guide you as you navigate the future with confidence, both today and tomorrow.
Melanie Radcliff CPA/PFS - Financial Advisor
Leadership often shows up through service and a willingness to help others grow.
~ Molly Radhakrishnan
FAMILY: Husband, Dr. Muthukumar Radhakrishnan; children, Ethan, Elliot, Emelia, and Eli HOMETOWN: Fort Smith, Arkansas
EDUCATION: B.S., Cardiorespiratory Care, UAMS
MOLLY’S FAVORITES • RESTAURANT: Las Americas TV SERIES: This is Us PRINCIPLE: Stewardship TRIP: Iceland
WOMEN WHO LEAD
MOLLY RADHAKRISHNAN
EXECUTIVE BROKER, THE HERITAGE GROUP REAL ESTATE CO.
Molly Radhakrishnan grew up in a community where family, faith, and service were part of everyday life. Watching her parents and church community lead with consistency and care shaped how she connects with people today. Before entering real estate, Molly spent several years working in healthcare, an experience that continues to influence her approach to advocacy, communication, and problem-solving. She brings a strong sense of structure and reliability into her work, believing clients deserve clarity and followthrough. Family remains central to how she defines success, grounding her professional goals in values that emphasize presence, integrity, and service.
WHEN DID YOU BEGIN TO SEE YOURSELF AS A LEADER?
I never set out to be a leader by title. Through mentorship and support roles in healthcare, and now as a broker, I realized leadership often shows up through service and a willingness to help others grow.
WHAT INITIALLY DREW YOU TO REAL ESTATE?
I have always really enjoyed following market trends, open houses, and how communities evolve. What keeps me passionate is helping people navigate major life transitions with confidence, clarity, and informed guidance.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE?
My leadership style is collaborative, communicative, and very adaptable.
I believe strong outcomes come from clear communication, openness to change, and mutual respect.
WHAT DOES “BOOTS ON THE GROUND” MEAN TO YOU IN THE CONTEXT OF SERVING YOUR CLIENTS AND COMMUNITY?
To me, it means being fully present, proactive, and accessible. It is about stepping in and filling gaps. That includes attending inspections, meeting vendors, checking on properties, and handling time-sensitive details on a client’s behalf. It also means staying deeply connected to the community, continually learning, and sharing that knowledge to provide real value.
HOW HAS WORKING ACROSS MULTIPLE MARKETS SHAPED YOUR CLIENT GUIDANCE?
It provides broader perspective, stronger data insight, and adaptability. It allows me to help clients compare options and make informed decisions aligned with their goals.
WHAT RESPONSIBILITY COMES WITH GUIDING CLIENTS' MAJOR DECISIONS?
It requires honesty, patience, and discernment. Sometimes the best guidance is helping clients pause or pivot when a decision doesn’t align with their long-term goals.
WHAT’S SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR WORK THAT MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE?
The amount of time I spend educating, listening, and guiding rather than selling often surprises people. Relationship building matters just as much, if not more, than the transaction itself.
WHAT HAS LEADERSHIP TAUGHT YOU ABOUT YOURSELF?
I’ve learned to trust my instincts, embrace growth through discomfort, and remain grounded in my values as responsibilities expand.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER WOMEN CONSIDERING A CAREER IN REAL ESTATE?
Build confidence through education, stay consistent even when progress feels slow, and surround yourself with people who support both your personal and professional growth.
by Molly Radhakrishnan
Leading with empathy instead of judgment changes everything. ~ Emily Treadaway
FAMILY: Husband, Chad; children, Brandon and Alicen
HOMETOWN: Alma, Arkansas
EDUCATION: B.S. in Marketing, University of Arkansas–Fort Smith; Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management (in progress), Arizona State University
WOMEN WHO LEAD
EMILY TREADAWAY
DIRECTOR, UAFS CENTER FOR NONPROFITS
Emily Treadaway grew up in Alma, Arkansas, surrounded by family, community, and a strong sense of fairness. From a young age, Emily was aware of how inequality and circumstance could shape opportunity, an awareness that gradually guided her toward a life rooted in service and advocacy. Experiences within her own family deepened that perspective and reinforced the importance of empathy and understanding. Guided by faith and a strong work ethic, she brings compassion and purpose to her leadership. “Where I’m at today is really the culmination of many experiences that encouraged me to use my voice and influence to help others,” she says.
HOW DO YOU SUPPORT NONPROFIT LEADERS WITHOUT LEADING FOR THEM?
I see my role as a connector. My job is to help leaders build relationships with one another and with the resources they need to succeed. It may be organizing trainings, hosting workshops, or creating space for collaboration. The most rewarding part is watching leaders solve problems together and strengthen their organizations.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP TO BE EFFECTIVE LONG TERM?
Sustainability starts with planning. Leaders benefit from clear goals, a strong financial foundation, and contingency plans for change. Long-term success also requires adaptability and collaboration. Nonprofits don’t operate in isolation, and shared solutions often lead to the greatest impact.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE NONPROFIT LEADERS JUST STARTING OUT?
Clarify your mission and explain it simply. Take a close look at your board and make sure they are engaged and supportive. Most importantly, build relationships. Nonprofit work thrives on connection, and partnerships are essential for growth.
WHAT PART OF YOUR WORK FEELS MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU?
Making connections that matter. When I can introduce a nonprofit to a resource they didn’t know existed
and it truly helps them move forward, that’s incredibly rewarding. Recently, I connected a nonprofit with a local consultant who provided free grant services, and I was just as excited for them as if I had won the grant myself.
WHAT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES SHAPE HOW YOU LEAD?
I’ve had so many experiences I could write a book. At the root of everything for me is family. I’ve seen loved ones struggle with addiction, disability, foster care, and poverty, and those experiences remind me to lead with empathy instead of judgment. Everyone is someone’s mother, brother, aunt or cousin and I try to remember that. My faith also guides how I show up for others, encouraging me to lead with love, patience, kindness, and self-control.
HOW HAS YOUR ROLE CHALLENGED OR STRETCHED YOU SO FAR?
Building something new requires patience, trust, and a willingness to listen. I’ve been stretched to think more strategically, balance urgency with sustainability, and stay focused on longterm impact rather than quick wins.
HOW DO YOU RECHARGE AFTER A CHALLENGING DAY?
Spending time with my husband, a good meal, and a hot shower. Sometimes simple routines are exactly what I need to reset and show up ready to do the work again.
Listening is at the heart of good medicine. ~ Merit Turner, MD
FAMILY: Husband, Landon Turner, DPT; son, LJ, daughter, Maeve, daughter due in April HOMETOWN: Fort Smith, Arkansas
EDUCATION: B.S. Science in Psychology and Biology, minor in Chemistry, University of Oklahoma; Doctorate of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Science
WOMEN WHO LEAD
MERIT TURNER, MD
INTERNAL MEDICINE PHYSICIAN, BAPTIST HEALTH ADULT MEDICINE SPECIALISTS
Growing up in Fort Smith in a busy household with four siblings, Dr. Merit Turner learned early the value of connection, commitment, and showing up for others. While she didn’t always plan to follow in her parents’ footsteps as physicians, watching them build lasting relationships with patients left an impression. Over time, she discovered that listening, continuity, and genuine care were just as important as diagnosis and treatment. Today, Dr. Turner approaches care with curiosity and compassion, focused on understanding the whole person behind the chart. “I want my patients to feel heard, supported, and confident we’re working through things together,” she says—a philosophy that guides her work every day.
WHAT SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT BEING A PHYSICIAN ONCE YOU STEPPED INTO THE ROLE?
That it truly is a 24-hour responsibility. Even when I’m home or not on call, I’m still checking labs, vitals, and following my patients’ progress. There’s a constant sense of responsibility, and I take that very seriously. These patients are trusting me with their care, and that commitment doesn’t end when I leave the office.
WHEN DID YOU SEE YOURSELF AS A PHYSICIAN SHAPING LONG-TERM CARE, RATHER THAN SIMPLY TREATING SYMPTOMS?
During residency, I realized how much I valued long-term relationships. I often wondered how patients were doing after seeing them just once in the hospital or a specialty clinic. I wanted to be someone in their corner for the long run, not just during a single episode of care.
HOW DO YOU HELP PATIENTS FEEL HEARD WHEN ANSWERS AREN’T IMMEDIATELY CLEAR?
MERIT'S FAVORITES • RESTAURANT: Pho Vietnam
TV SHOW: Outlander MOVIE: Harry Potter
TRIPS: London & Scotland
I focus on listening. I want patients to share their concerns and ideas and know I’m committed to seeing things through with them. I tell them we’re on the same team. Every patient is someone’s parent, child, sibling, or
spouse. That perspective keeps me grounded and reminds me to care for people the way I’d want my own loved ones treated.
WHAT HELPS YOU MAINTAIN PERSPECTIVE DURING EMOTIONALLY DEMANDING DAYS?
Going home to my family and giving my full attention to my children helps ground me and reminds me why I do this work. It’s important to care deeply for patients, but also to maintain perspective so you can continue showing up fully for each person. Every room holds a different story, and each patient deserves my best, every time.
WHAT MOMENTS HAVE AFFIRMED THAT YOU’RE EXACTLY WHERE YOU’RE MEANT TO BE?
When patients tell me they were referred by a friend or family member, it means everything. That kind of trust is incredibly meaningful.
WHAT’S SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE?
My husband and I won our honeymoon to Thailand on The Price Is Right. It was unexpected, but it turned into an unforgettable experience we’ll always laugh about. Also, my husband and I rescue animals regularly; 4 dogs, 1 cat and a guinea pig - even the guinea pig is a rescue!
The Magnolia Social House A
LEGACY REIMAGINED
Kevin Hickey steps into stewardship of a Fort Smith icon, honoring its past while creating a space for the future.
words DWAIN HEBDA // images PREMIER PHOTOGRAPHY
There are those who pursue passion projects, those who dream big, and then there’s Van Buren native attorney Kevin Hickey, who has brought those attributes together on a grand scale in Fort Smith.
Kevin is a man of several loves, starting with his family and extending to the law, where he has built a successful practice. He also loves food, and he’s developed a reputation as an accomplished chef whose The Lawyer’s Table private dinner parties—an intimate series of multi-course dining experiences—fill up quickly. Finally, he loves Fort Smith for its ability to honor its past without being defined by it, a city shaped by history but driven by what comes next.
So, when Joe Caldarera, owner of longtime dining staple Taliano’s Italian Restaurant, announced the closure of one of Hickey’s favorite local restaurants, it was a hard blow. But when the news came that the historic building that had housed the establishment was up for sale, Kevin saw an opportunity that perfectly combined all his passions—too perfectly, in fact, to be ignored.
“I had grown up eating there and was just in love with that place,” he says. “When they were closing it down, it crossed my mind, well, could I get that place? The more I drove by it, I kept telling my wife, ‘I’m gonna kick myself if somebody else gets that building.’ It was just calling to me.”
Kevin wasn’t in the grips of a midlife crisis, wanting to chuck the law to follow his dream of opening a restaurant. In fact, he’s adamant in the retelling that he had zero interest in actually operating a dining establishment, knowing how risky those ventures can be. What he was absolutely committed to, however, was preserving a beloved piece of Fort Smith history, the Sparks Mansion, in which Taliano’s had resided for fifty-five years.
“That building is a Fort Smith icon,” Kevin says. “For decades, it was the place to go if you were going to have a special event, a rehearsal dinner, celebrate an anniversary, or enjoy a special night out with friends. People in Fort Smith just fell in love with the Caldarera and Cadelli families, and that place.”
In fact, people of Kevin’s generation and younger were just the latest in a long line of Fort Smithians to take civic pride in the esteemed landmark. The building, also known as the James Sparks House, dates back to 1887. Located at 201 N. 14th St., it was initially the home of James M. Sparks, a local druggist and businessman who immigrated to Fort Smith from Ireland.
A prolific entrepreneur, Sparks, alone and in partnership with others, held several business interests, including merchandising up and down the river, banking, and the wholesale drug business. Working out of a building at 718 Garrison Avenue, he developed and marketed proprietary medicines, one of which was Sparks’ Tasteless Chill and Fever Tonic.
A 1902 write-up in the Fort Smith Times on his products, more commonly known today as patent medicines, claimed “his healing medicines, based on the most approved prescriptions and the most careful compounding of drugs, have become household words in thousands of families in Arkansas...”
While the actual efficacy of the company’s medicines is left to history, the family’s commitment to local health care was apparently the genuine article. In 1908, James’ brother, George Sparks, bequeathed $25,000 in memory of his wife to a local effort to improve St. John’s Hospital, a gift that facilitated renaming the facility Sparks Memorial Hospital, now Baptist-Health.
The house, which would later be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, became synonymous with Fort Smith dining
when Tom Caldarera Jr. bought it in the 1960s, and then along with business partner Jim Cadelli opened Taliano’s in 1970. The five and a half decades that followed saw an untold number of celebrations and special occasions and developed legions of devoted fans like Kevin, who can recall eating there for the first time when he was nine years old.
"I think it was a combination of many things,” he says of the restaurant’s appeal. “It was Jim and Tom, and Tom’s son, Joe, who later took it over, and the way they would greet you like family when you came in. Everybody liked them, they liked everybody, and everyone in Fort Smith knew them. I think that, along with the warmth of the house, made people fall in love with it. When the closure was announced, people understood, you know, but obviously hated to see it go because they just loved that place.
The house offers just under five thousand square feet of space, which Kevin says has been so well cared for that it has no significant structural needs beyond the upkeep one would expect of a nearly one-hundred-forty-year-old structure. No structural changes are planned for the interior, but there will be updates along with restoration of certain areas. There are various rooms in the house converted into dining areas, allowing it to maintain its history, even though it has a brand-new name.
“I had never really noticed through all the decades I’ve been there, that there are two massive magnolia trees right in the front of the house,” Kevin says. “Once I realized it, I told my wife, ‘Magnolia has to be in the name of what we’re doing.’ It will now be known as the Magnolia Social House.
“It’s interesting; I talked with Joe about it, and he told me there was an arbor society, years and years ago, that proclaimed one of the trees the biggest magnolia tree in Sebastian County. It made the name feel even more right.”
As for what Magnolia Social House will be home to, Kevin envisions it as a venue for many more generations of special occasions. He’s brought in local chef Melody Smith, who relocated her business, Mel’s Creative Catering, to the location in November.
“That’s another reason we chose the name Magnolia Social House, it’s meant to be a place for our community,” he says. “We’ll host rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, baby showers, weddings, company Christmas parties, and family gatherings. It’s designed to be available to rent for all kinds of occasions.”
True to his word, Kevin has not quit his day job to become a restaurateur—at least not entirely. He plans to continue The Lawyer’s Table dinners at Magnolia Social House, along with the occasional special event or benefit.
“I’ve cooked for years, and my friends always told me, ‘You need to do something more with this, open a café or a restaurant or something,’ which I never wanted to do,” he says. “Instead, I started hosting private wine and multi-course dinners in people’s homes, and it really took off. People loved it. Now I’ll be doing that, along with other special event dinners at Magnolia Social House – ticketed events built around a special five-course meal.”
Given the fervor with which Kevin speaks of the place and its potential for the future, one can’t help but believe that the man and the mansion were somehow destined to wind up together, but he wasn’t taking any chances. The building was initially slated for auction, but Kevin moved ahead of the process and purchased it privately, closing the sale in October. He says his admitted enthusiasm probably wasn’t the shrewdest negotiating tactic. Still, it is a primary reason why he is now in the driver’s seat to bring about the building’s next chapter.
“I’ve known Joe Caldarera for years, and I believe he knew I truly understood the history and spirit of the place,” Kevin says. “I think he was glad I ended up with it, knowing I’d cherish it.”
Follow Magnolia Social House on Facebook for updates and grand opening details.
KEVIN HICKEY
Visual Ballads
MYTHOLOGY, AMERICANA, AND PERSONAL FOLKLORE INSPIRE ARTIST NEAL HARRINGTON’S WORK
words STACEY BOWERS // images NEAL HARRINGTON
It happened in slow motion. Neal Harrington, then a tween, was changing for basketball practice in the locker room at school. He pushed his hand through the sleeve of his shirt and felt something slide out with it—a pair of his older sister’s underwear.
“It gets worse,” he warns, reliving the mortification. In a rush to make it to practice, Harrington had let his mother pack his bag to save time. She apparently had not seen the stowaway underwear clinging by static to her son’s gym clothes. “These panties fly out and float down,”
he continues. He saw the other boys in the locker room, all of whom crushed on Harrington’s older sister, watch the contraband descend. “They all go to grab them. A fight ensues. We're all punching each other. I finally get them back and I throw them in the locker.”
After practice, he recounts walking home in the South Dakota snow, hot with embarrassment. “I was steamed,” he says. “I get back, and I see through the sliding glass doors my mom and sister talking at the dinner table. I came in hot. I slammed the door open…and I tell them what happened. They just bust up laughing. And I said, ‘What's so funny?’ And my mom goes, ‘I was just telling your sister that the same thing happened to your dad the other week at racquetball. He played a whole match with my panties on his back.’”
Moments like that—awkward, funny, and rooted in family and place—are the same kinds of stories Neal Harrington returns to again and again in his work, transforming personal memory into visual folklore. It’s just one of “millions” of stories from growing up in South Dakota that Harrington plans to immortalize in an autobiographical graphic novel, something he is working on during a sabbatical from teaching art at Arkansas Tech University. He plans to call it Welcome to North Rapid, after the town where he
grew up, eventually adding to the series Welcome to Wichita and Welcome to Arkansas, two more places that shaped his career and perspective.
At the University of South Dakota, where he received his BFA in painting, he fell in love with fellow South Dakotan Tammy, now his wife of twenty-eight years. Then, at Wichita State University in Kansas, he fell in love with printmaking. “I was sick of painting. I was over it,” he recalls. “I didn't really jive with the painting faculty, and I was going to quit school, and Tammy said, ‘Well, you should try printmaking.’ I said, ‘Yeah, but that's what you do.’ She goes, ‘I don't care.’ And so, I moved over into printmaking.”
The two earned MFAs in printmaking, acting as each other’s strongest champions and critics. “I'm fortunate— and she is, too—that we both are really honest, but it comes from when she succeeds, I succeed, and vice versa,” he explains. “I wouldn't be the artist I am without Tammy. She’s contributed 100 times—100,000 times—to everything I've ever done with a comment or observation.”
He was also motivated to take the leap to printmaking when he learned the medium’s history. “I mean, it was the internet of its day. It really created the middle class and gave people a chance to experience how to read, and to own art,” he expounds. “I still really enjoy that printmaking is a lot about disseminating information and letting a lot of different social groups enjoy art and be in on the joke.”
In 2001, the couple landed in Russellville, Arkansas, where Neal got a one-year
NEAL HARRINGTON — “ARKANSAS AS HOME”
visiting position at Arkansas Tech University. Tammy teaches art at nearby University of the Ozarks in Clarksville. The pair have since exhibited their art individually across the United States and won numerous awards for their work. The Annual Delta Exhibition has awarded Neal multiple times, and in 2023, he won a competition that came with a cash prize and the honor of having one of his works on permanent display at the Clinton National Airport in Little Rock. The piece, dedicated in October of 2025 and titled “Arkansas As Home,” is a triptych of carved woodcuts that tells a story of the state in three parts.
“I thought, I’m going to separate the state into these three different regions,” he explained. “And the first panel will be the mountainous region. The middle panel will be the wetlands/ waterways region, and then the third will be like the Delta city regions. And then I just kind of made little lists and tried to make my own icons of what would fit into those [places], just like what I'm interested in. You know, that Americana kind of feel.”
The three 3.5-by-4-foot birch panels carve a portrait of Arkansas: applepicking and the dense loblolly pine forests of the Ozarks and Ouachita regions; rich wetlands teeming with wildlife, from great blue herons to armadillos; the storied culture of music along the banks of the muddy Mississippi. Harrington’s distinct style and perspective don’t get lost in his ode to the Natural State. The panels are packed with movement, drawing the viewer in to leap with a whitetailed deer, take flight with an egret, chase kite strings with running children.
Everywhere you look, there is something to see, and the more you look at it, the more you discover. It is illustrative, incredibly detailed, and Harrington’s comic book influence shines through.
He says that studying classic mythology, Americana, and regional lore lead him right back to where he started as a young artist, reading and drawing comics. “You know, the tropes of comics are also kind of like modern day myths and legends, these heroes that we look up to,” he articulates. “And I would say I really am drawn to Americana and those tales of feats of overcoming great odds like John Henry,
or even just the myths from Sasquatch to Paul Bunyan, all that kind of stuff.”
Harrington’s works are what he calls “visual ballads.” The story may be carved into birchwood or inked onto comic book cells, but it isn’t set in stone.
“I lay out a pretty illustrative situation. And, you know, people are going to bring whatever they want to it. Some people think it's dark, some people think it's just weird, or some people think it's funny, and it really is all of those things. It's what the viewer brings to it,” he says. “It tells a story, and what that story is, is up to anyone but me.” Keep track of Neal Harrington’s progress on “Welcome to North Rapid” via @nealkharrington on Instagram. View his works at nealharrington.com, at M2 Gallery in Little Rock, and at Clinton National Airport.
Roping Toward the Horizon
At just ten years old, Tucker Harris is already a world champion shaped by family, discipline, and life on an Arkansas farm.
words MARLA CANTRELL // images courtesy LYNDSEY HARRIS
IIt’s a mild winter afternoon in Dardanelle, Arkansas, and ten-year-old Tucker Harris has just come inside after riding calves on his family’s farm. He looks every bit the cowboy, right down to the ornate belt buckle at his waist, embedded with red stones and engraved with words that still feel a little unreal: World Champion.
Tucker has only had the buckle since December 2025, when he and Randon Ben of Arizona, were randomly paired up at the 7K Team Roping Lil’ Something Championship World Finals in Las Vegas. The competition uses lifelike dummy steers that mimic the movement of live cattle. Ropers compete on foot, with the dummies propelled through a hydraulic chute. One teammate ropes the head and turns the “steer,” while the other ropes the back feet.
Those practice steers play an important role for ropers. “That’s what you’re doing every day at home when you don’t have time to catch and saddle your horse to go out and rope a real live steer,” Tucker’s mom, Lyndsey Harris, says. “You practice on foot with a dummy.”
Twenty-seven teams competed in the ten-to-twelve-year-old division. Tucker
TUCKER HARRIS
and Randon posted the fastest overall time across four steers, finishing considerably faster than the second-place team. In a sport where wins are often decided by fractions of a second, the margin was decisive.
Tucker remembers the moment it became official. “In my head, I was going crazy,” he says smiling. “I was jumping up and down— everything.” Along with the buckle, he took home a haul of prizes, including a new rope.
Qualifying for the world championship was a victory in itself. Tucker earned his spot earlier in the year at the National Championship Chuckwagon Races in Clinton, Arkansas, where months of steady practice paid off.
While in Las Vegas, Tucker and his family spent time at the South Point Hotel, a massive resort known for hosting equestrian events. “They had a big team roping going on,” Lyndsey says. “We sat there for an hour or two watching the adults rope.” Tucker watched closely.
“I told Mom, ‘I want to be in those boxes one day.’”
Back home, the attention followed him to Dardanelle Intermediate School. “It was kind of weird,” Tucker admits. “Kids I’d never even talked to told me good job.” Then he shrugs. “I’ve got a bunch of friends there.”
Though he’s only ten, Tucker has been training for this moment nearly his entire life. He was just weeks old the first time he sat on a horse. By three, he could ride on his own. By four or five, Lyndsey realized he could rope better than most kids his age. At eight or nine, he started roping off horseback.
Rodeo runs deep in the Harris family. Tucker’s father, Jordan, roped and still works as a pickup man at rodeos. His older sister Hayden— “HayHay,” as Tucker calls her—is a barrel racer.
Tucker knows how rare that foundation is. “I thank my dad the most,” he says.
Lyndsey sees it clearly. “His favorite thing is roping off horseback with adults. When he gets to take part with the cowboys—he calls them ‘the big boys’—someone who’s a good roper that he looks up to, he just eats that up. He absolutely loves it.”
Tucker already carries himself like someone thinking long-term. He brings his dummy steer with him to rodeos and spends time teaching younger kids how to rope. “I like helping them,” he says. “If they don’t know how to rope real good, I’ll show ’em, and they figure it out pretty quick.”
Asked what roping has done for him so far, Tucker turns practical. “Won me about two hundred dollars,” he says seriously. It’s a lot of money for a ten-year-old, but he doesn’t spend it casually. “When I win prize money, I save it for the next rodeo. That’s my entry fee.”
Lyndsey says entry fees typically range from twenty to one hundred fifty dollars.
Last year brought a string of firsts: Tucker’s first world championship—and his first plane ride. In classic ten-year-old
TUCKER HARRIS AND RANDON BEN
THE HARRIS FAMILY
"I was in the ten-to-twelve age group last year, and I can compete for two more years,” he says. “I’m only ten.” Long term, his vision
stretches even farther.
“When I’m about twenty, I’m going to a thousand big ropings. I want to go to the National Finals Rodeo.”
fashion, he checks with his mom before sharing one more detail. Then he laughs. He threw up twice on the trip—once on the way to Vegas and once on the return flight to Tulsa.
Back on solid ground, home came into focus again. The Harris family lives on eighty acres, where Tucker recently got a new palomino named Flash. “He’s yellow and super nice,” Tucker says. Before Flash, he rode his mom’s horse.
There are nine other horses on the property, and Tucker rattles off their names without missing a beat: “Anchor, Biscuit, Tallulah, Freckles…”
Life here follows a steady rhythm. Tucker says “Yes, ma’am” so often it’s hard to keep count. He owns one handheld game console for trips, but otherwise his afternoons are spent outdoors. “When I get home from school, I change shoes, feed my pony Piper and the goats, then feed Flash and Bicardi and the chickens,” he says. “After that, I rope or ride the jersey calves.”
“We’re not against video games,” Lyndsey explains. “We just don’t really have them. We don’t sit inside. After chores, we unwind and get ready for the next day.”
The next world championship is already on Tucker’s mind. “I was in the ten-to-twelve age group last year, and I can compete
for two more years,” he says. “I’m only ten.” Long term, his vision stretches even farther. “When I’m about twenty, I’m going to a thousand big ropings. I want to go to the National Finals Rodeo.”
It’s hard not to believe him.
When he’s not preparing for a rodeo, Tucker is often on the baseball field. The skills overlap, he says. “Throwing a baseball far is kind of like throwing a rope.”
Asked to imagine his perfect day, he doesn’t hesitate. “Eighty degrees,” he says. Not warmer. Not cooler. “I’d do everything. Rope. Ride jersey calves. Go fishing. Maybe hunt.”
Such are the dreams of a ten-year-old cowboy.
As the sun lowers, the temperature settles at sixty-four degrees, cooler than Tucker’s ideal, but still a fine Arkansas winter day. A friend is waiting outside, and there’s daylight left to use. The farm feels like the center of the universe, full of work and wonder.
At night, stars fill the sky, bright as the lights of Vegas. Tucker can’t rope them down—not yet anyway—but standing on eighty acres in Dardanelle, it’s easy to imagine he’ll keep trying.
THE ART OF INTENTION
AAs any artist in any medium will tell you, inspiration, even for one’s greatest masterpiece, can often come from virtually anywhere. It’s a reminder that creativity doesn’t always arrive fully formed — and that sometimes the most meaningful work grows out of unexpected pivots.
Such was the case with Joseph Todd, pastry chef extraordinaire, whose delicacies are creating legions of fans in central Arkansas. While many might assume his love for pastry took root early in life, its origins lie in the world of mixology.
“Well, it's funny because my first love, my first passion, was mixology,” he recalls. “Back
words DWAIN HEBDA // images courtesy JOSEPH TODD
JOSEPH TODD
in 2019, I fell in love with flavors, the balance of garnishes and the aesthetics of a cocktail. I started a private event mixology company in November 2019, and I thought 2020 was gonna be the year of JTC Mixology. Then the pandemic hit.
“So, there I was, 2020, and I'm at home more. I was watching a lot of cooking shows, and I started experimenting with candies and chocolates and caramels.”
Baking had never seriously entered Joseph’s mind at that point, in part due to a few fundamental facts about the art form. Where cooking allows for experimentation and adjustments on the fly, baking employs more science, demanding the right combination of heat and ingredients to form desired chemical reactions, usually with a narrow margin for error. For Joseph, that degree of precision had never been a strong suit.
“Math and science were my worst subjects, truly. I loved English, I loved literature, I loved that side of my brain,” he says. “It’s funny though, as I have gotten older, especially through COVID, I really started to dig into science, chemistry and physics, and learning how things work. Maybe it was my time in the military, you know, I learned attention to detail, discipline, organization, and time management.”
By November 2020, a year after launching his mixology company, Joseph agreed to bake a cake for a friend’s daughter, who chose Ariel from The Little Mermaid as her theme. It was, by his own admission, not a success.
“I’d never thought of myself as a quote-unquote artist, but I’m so glad I didn’t give up on that Ariel cake — because I wouldn’t be where I am right now.”
Even Joseph’s educational path was of the unconventional variety as it is safe to say relatively few aspiring pastry chefs attend culinary school on the GI Bill. But as a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, that’s exactly what he did.
“It was a fifteen-month pastry program, super fast paced,” he says. “This was in 2021, so COVID was still creating challenges. The school had pivoted completely online, offering the same curriculum you’d receive in person, but every six weeks was a different course, a different class.”
Despite the challenges, Joseph excelled, graduating with honors. His ability to work independently, even while in the learning stage, particularly impressed his instructors.
“It was my first time using fondant, and it turned out so badly, it honestly looked like a Pikachu with a red wig. I kid you not,” he says, laughing at the memory. “Two days later I tried it again, and this time I stopped worrying about perfection and just let my intuition and creativity take over.”
What followed was a revelation. “I spent twelve hours straight decorating that cake from start to finish,” he says. “I got completely lost in the process. By the end of it, I had created a huge mermaid fantasy cake covered in seashells, pearls, glitter seahorses, mermaid tails. That’s when I realized not only that I loved baking, but that I was enthralled with the artistry behind it.
“They loved how I did everything my own way,” he says. “It’s hard to describe. I can’t really explain it, but baking is where my mind goes quiet. It helps me focus; it’s peaceful, therapeutic.”
Raised in North Little Rock, Arkansas as the oldest of five in what he describes as a large Hispanic family, Joseph says food was always central to celebration, even if he didn’t recognize its influence at the time.
“We were always celebrating something — birthdays, reunions, graduations,” he says. “Hispanics, we’re known for our big parties, and food was always at the center of it.”
One memory stands out vividly. “I remember my brother’s first birthday party; I was nine. There was a huge hog hanging from a tree in the backyard and the biggest Tres Leches cake I’d ever seen, still to this day, the biggest I’ve ever seen. And that was for a one-year-old’s birthday,” he laughs.
“Maybe subconsciously, watching my mom or my grandma in the kitchen, seeing how food brought everyone together — sharing, laughing, storytelling — it stayed with me. It’s not just
about eating; it’s about community through food. That shapes how I approach the pastry and hospitality world today.”
Joseph’s giving spirit often manifests itself in food. One of the most memorable stories came during the initial days of his military training.
“I joined five days after turning nineteen. I did not tell my grandma; I did not tell my mom. I grew up very, very sheltered and for me, joining the military was a way to really experience the world. I remember going to the recruiter and saying, ‘Just sign me up for anything with a bonus,’ and for me, security forces was that job. I had no idea what security forces was, but I quickly learned.
“Anyway, it’s funny; I remember my first drill weekend, I brought flautas and after that I was always bringing some type of dish. At that time, I didn't see myself as a chef, it was just something that I did. I'm a gift giver; I've always been good at giving and that interaction, just seeing people light up, it feels good. It may not be the most expensive gift I’m giving to a person, but it still creates a great memory.”
Today, Joseph is an independent pastry chef in high demand among Little Rock restaurants. His passion for what he does and his natural ease with people makes him a compelling salesman to restauranteurs looking to provide patrons a chefcrafted finale to their meals.
Joseph’s story matters because it reflects a shift in how we experience food — where dessert is no longer an afterthought, but a final expression of creativity and intention. “I love talking with restaurant owners, and explain to them, ‘Look, it’s 2026. Desserts shouldn’t just be a frozen cheesecake or a brownie you warm up,’” he says. “They bring me in a few days a week to create something intentional, something unique to their menu. They’re happy, their customers are happy, and I get to do what I love.”
Joseph is currently back in school at the University of Arkansas–Pulaski Technical College, broadening his culinary foundation beyond sweets. More than a story about pastry or cocktails, Joseph’s journey is about finding purpose through discipline, creativity, and service — one plate, one moment, at a time.
“I’m working toward an Associate of Science in Culinary, and I’m planning to take some dietician classes too,” he says. “I don’t want to be limited. I want to be versatile.”
At the thought of what lies ahead, he laughs.
“My whole journey — the training, the experience — it’s all possible because of the GI Bill. I really believe I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be,” he says. “I want to do it all — incredible cocktails, intricate desserts, a perfectly cooked steak. I want to be the best.”
Find Joseph Todd on Instagram and Facebook to view his latest creations.
Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs with Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Slow-braised short ribs are the kind of meal that turns a cold February evening into something memorable. Rich, deeply flavored, and meant to be enjoyed slowly, this dish is perfect for a cozy dinner at home or an unhurried weekend meal.
recipe DO SOUTH
INGREDIENTS
(serves 4-6) for the ribs
° 4 pounds bone-in beef short ribs
° kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
° 2 Tablespoons olive oil
° 1 large onion, chopped
° 2 carrots, chopped
° 2 celery stalks, chopped
° 4 cloves garlic, minced
° 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
° 2 cups dry red wine
° 2 cups beef broth
° 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme
° 1 bay leaf for the mashed potatoes
° 2 ½ pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
° 4 cloves garlic
° ½ cup heavy cream
° 4 Tablespoons butter
° salt and black pepper, to taste
METHOD
Preheat oven to 325 ° . Season short ribs generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown short ribs on all sides, working in batches if needed. Remove and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium. Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and tomato paste and cook another minute. Pour in red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly. Add beef broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Return short ribs to the pot.
Cover and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2 ½ to 3 hours, until the meat is fork-tender and pulling away from the bone.
About 30 minutes before the ribs are done, prepare the mashed potatoes. Boil potatoes in well-salted water until forktender, then drain. Meanwhile, gently simmer garlic cloves in cream for 10 minutes until softened. Use a ricer or hand mash potatoes with butter and garlic cream until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm until ready to serve.
Remove ribs from the oven and set aside, loosely tent with foil. Skim excess fat from the top, then simmer sauce briefly on the stovetop if you’d like it slightly thicker. Serve ribs over mashed potatoes, spooning sauce generously over the top.
Chocolate Cherry Crumble
Tart cherries and dark chocolate come together under a buttery crumble topping in this rustic dessert that feels indulgent without being fussy. Served warm, it’s perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
recipe DO SOUTH // image ANNA SHEPULOVA
INGREDIENTS
for cherry filling
° 4 cups frozen or fresh pitted cherries
° ½ cup granulated sugar
° 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
° 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
° ½ teaspoon almond extract
° ¾ cup chopped dark chocolate
METHOD
for crumble topping
° ¾ cup all-purpose flour
° ½ cup brown sugar
° ½ cup old-fashioned oats
° ½ teaspoon cinnamon
° ½ teaspoon salt
° ½ cup cold butter, cubed
Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly butter a 10-inch cast-iron skillet. In a large bowl, toss cherries with sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, and almond extract. Fold in chocolate. Transfer mixture to prepared skillet.
In another bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over cherry mixture.
Bake for 40–45 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top. Let cool slightly before serving. Serve warm, with vanilla ice cream or lightly whipped cream.
Black Cherry Wine Smash
A winter-forward sip that blends red wine and dark cherry with just enough brightness to balance a rich, cozy meal.
words DO SOUTH
INGREDIENTS
° 4–5 fresh pitted or thawed frozen cherries
° 1 Tablespoon honey or simple syrup
° 1 teaspoon lemon juice
° orange peel
° 1 cup dry red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
° ice
° splash of soda water (optional)
METHOD
Add cherries, lemon juice, and honey or simple syrup to a rocks glass. Gently muddle to release the juices. Add ice, then pour in red wine. Express an orange peel over the glass and drop it in. Stir gently. Add a splash of soda water if desired. Garnish with an additional cherry.
NEW YEAR NEW ADVENTURES
WHERE 2026 IS TAKING TRAVELERS NEXT
words DO SOUTH
Anew year welcomes a familiar sense of possibility, and in 2026 travelers are redefining what meaningful travel looks like. Instead of rushing from place to place without a solid plan in place, many are choosing trips that feel intentional; journeys designed around pace, experience, and connection rather than hurried itineraries. Travel has become less about checking boxes and more about choosing destinations that allow time to settle in, explore thoughtfully, and truly experience a place.
As these priorities shift, so does the way trips are planned. Many travelers are turning to professional travel planners to handle logistics while keeping the experience flexible and personal. From flights and lodging to excursions and timing, planners help shape trips that feel seamless without adding complexity to the journey.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that working with a travel advisor costs more,” says Pam Kelly of Kelly Co Travel. “With us, it doesn’t. What it does is save time, reduce stress, and help travelers avoid costly mistakes.” Pam encourages travelers planning for 2026 to start with intention. “Think about how you want the trip to feel,” she says. “When you begin there, everything from destination to timing falls into place more naturally.”
The destinations that follow aren’t meant to define where everyone should go, but to reflect how people are choosing to travel, thoughtfully, intentionally, and at a pace that allows the experience to unfold.
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
IDEAL STAY: 5-7 days
BEST TIME TO GO:
Late May through early October
WHY IT WORKS: Scenic coastline, walkable towns, outdoor adventure
PERFECT FOR:
Couples, friends, and families
Along Maine’s rugged coastline, Bar Harbor and its neighboring towns invite travelers to slow their pace and settle in. Harbor views, fresh seafood, and coastal landscapes set the tone, while the rhythm of the destination encourages lingering rather than rushing from one highlight to the next.
Days often begin quietly — coffee by the water or a morning walk — before unfolding into hikes through Acadia National Park, scenic drives along the coast, or afternoons spent exploring charming downtowns filled with independent shops. Boat tours, lobster straight from the docks, and sunset harbor views round out experiences that reward longer stays.
For travelers in 2026, this corner of New England reflects a broader shift toward intentional travel. It’s a destination that balances activity and rest, structure and spontaneity, making it especially appealing to those who want to feel truly connected to a place.
SCENES FROM THE JOURNEY
Page 56, Bass Harbor Head Light Station (Image: Visit Maine) • Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island • Mount Bar Harbor Desert Island and Acadia National Park (Visit Maine) • Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay • The Bar Harbor Inn and Spa (Image: Visit Maine) • Downtown Bar Harbor Shops and Cafés (Image: Visit Maine) • Fresh Maine Lobster (Image: Visit Maine)
BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA
IDEAL STAY: 4–6 days (often paired with nearby destinations)
BEST TIME TO GO: April–June and September–October
WHY IT WORKS: Dramatic landscapes, wellness-focused travel, restorative luxury
PERFECT FOR: Couples and small groups seeking reconnection
On the West Coast, Big Sur delivers a dramatically different coastal experience. Towering cliffs, winding highways, and sweeping ocean views create a setting that feels both grounding and awe inspiring. In 2026, Big Sur continues to attract travelers looking for balance, between outdoor exploration and intentional downtime.
Here, travel is less about checking off landmarks and more about presence. Mornings might include coastal hikes or yoga overlooking the ocean, followed by leisurely lunches and afternoons exploring scenic overlooks along Highway 1. Evenings are often spent dining at destination restaurants or unwinding at boutique lodges tucked into the cliffs.
In 2026, Big Sur continues to resonate with travelers seeking balance — between activity and stillness, adventure and restoration. It’s a destination that encourages reflection and reconnection, making it an ideal escape for those looking to step away from routine and fully immerse themselves in the moment.
WHY IT WORKS: Walkable cities, rich culture, strong value
PERFECT FOR: First-time and seasoned international travelers
Spain offers an international experience that feels both immersive and approachable. From vibrant cities to relaxed coastal regions, the country invites travelers to settle in rather than rush through highlights. Efficient transportation, walkable neighborhoods, and a culture built around shared meals make it easy to experience multiple regions without feeling overwhelmed.
Days often revolve around simple pleasures: morning walks through historic streets, afternoons spent exploring museums or local neighborhoods, and long, lingering meals that stretch well into the evening. Whether wandering city plazas, exploring coastal towns, or pausing for café culture, Spain rewards travelers who move at a thoughtful pace.
In 2026, Spain continues to stand out for travelers seeking cultural depth without complexity. Its balance of history, modern energy, and excellent value makes it an ideal choice for those venturing abroad for the first time, as well as for seasoned travelers looking to return with a fresh perspective.
SCENES
JOURNEY Plaza de España
Costa Brava
Dalt Vila, Ibiza
Cala
IRELAND
IDEAL STAY: 10–14 days
BEST TIME TO GO: May–September
WHY IT WORKS:
Scenic landscapes, rich storytelling, welcoming pace
PERFECT FOR: Couples, families, and cultural explorers
Ireland invites travelers into a journey shaped by landscape, history, and story. Rolling green countryside, rugged coastlines, and centuries-old towns create an experience that feels cinematic yet comfortably approachable. Rather than rushing between landmarks, travel here encourages flexibility and curiosity, allowing each day to unfold naturally.
Days often revolve around scenic drives connecting small villages, historic sites, and coastal viewpoints. Travelers linger over conversations in local pubs, explore castle ruins and walking paths at an unhurried pace, and pause often simply to take in the scenery. The rhythm of the country rewards those who allow time for discovery rather than rigid schedules.
In 2026, Ireland continues to resonate with travelers seeking depth without complexity. Its manageable size, welcoming culture, and strong sense of place make it ideal for immersive travel that feels both meaningful and relaxed, especially when planned to balance movement and rest.
SCENES FROM THE JOURNEY
St. Colman’s Cathedral • Dunluce Castle • The Temple Bar Connemara • St. Patrick’s Cathedral • Cliffs of Moher
THE WEDDING GUIDE
Every wedding begins with a vision, and the right team helps bring it to life. From the ring to the honeymoon, our Wedding Guide connects couples with local professionals who make planning seamless and personal. Trust our experts to guide you through every step, offering creativity and thoughtful support as you plan a celebration that reflects your story.
Creating a wedding registry is one of the first opportunities couples have to think intentionally about their life together. More than a checklist, a registry serves as a reflection of daily routines, shared tastes, and the home they’re building side by side.
At Black Bison Gift Shop, couples are encouraged to begin the process by walking through their home together. Taking stock of what’s already owned, and what’s genuinely used, helps shape a registry that feels practical rather than excessive. From there, a thoughtful mix of essentials, meaningful upgrades, and fun accent pieces creates balance and allows guests to shop comfortably at a range of price points.
Home décor often plays a key role in that mix. Items chosen for a registry don’t have to be limited to traditional basics. Decorative pieces, serving items, and unique accents can help
Black Bison Company
personalize a home and make everyday spaces feel intentional. These selections also give guests insight into a couple’s personality and style, even if they choose a gift inspired by the registry rather than directly from it.
Shopping locally adds another layer of meaning. Guests can see registry items in person, select a gift with confidence, and leave with a beautifully wrapped present in hand. That tangible experience creates a stronger connection between giver and couple, something that can feel lost in online-only registries.
Ultimately, a registry is as much about guidance as it is about gifts. It helps loved ones celebrate the couple in a way that feels personal, useful, and lasting. With curated options and a welcoming in-store experience, Black Bison Gift Shop helps couples create registries that feel true to their home and the life they’re building together.
THE SPACE
“A well-designed space allows the celebration to flow effortlessly from start to finish.” ~ ACHE Event Center
Selecting a wedding venue is about more than finding a beautiful backdrop; it’s about choosing a space that supports the rhythm of the day. From ceremony to cocktail hour to reception, the best venues allow events to unfold smoothly, without disruption or unnecessary transitions.
ACHE Event Center is designed with flow in mind. The expansive main hall offers ample space for ceremonies and receptions, while adjacent gallery areas create natural opportunities for cocktail hours, guest mingling, and room resets without guests leaving the property. Built-in lighting and audiovisual systems allow the atmosphere to shift throughout the evening, supporting everything from intimate ceremonies to lively receptions.
Flexibility is a defining feature of the venue, particularly for larger weddings and formal celebrations. Adaptable floor
plans allow couples to customize layouts based on guest count, design vision, and event style. Included banquet tables and chairs, a built-in bar, and a full commercial kitchen provide the infrastructure needed to work seamlessly with the caterer of your choice.
The event center also plays an active role in helping couples prepare. Venue guidance includes assistance with layouts, timelines, and vendor coordination, ensuring logistics are handled well in advance.
For off-site ceremonies, the space is fully prepared upon arrival, creating a smooth transition into the reception portion of the celebration. Outdoor patios overlooking the surrounding landscape offer additional options for guest flow and gathering, allowing couples to focus on celebrating while the space works seamlessly behind the scenes.
THE RING
“Craftsmanship plays a huge role in long-term value.” ~ John Mays Jewelers
For many couples, choosing an engagement ring or wedding band is the first tangible step in their wedding journey, and one of the most personal. The process begins with the center stone, which serves as the focal point of the ring and guides every design decision that follows. Shape, quality, and longevity all matter when selecting a piece meant to last a lifetime, especially for couples thinking beyond the wedding day itself.
At John Mays Jewelers, that process is intentionally hands-on. As a bench jeweler and stone setter, Kevin works closely with clients to select a center stone that fits both their lifestyle and budget, then builds the ring around it. Natural diamonds remain a popular choice for their rarity, intrinsic value, and trade-in potential for future upgrades, allowing rings to evolve alongside a couple’s life together.
While round brilliant diamonds continue to lead in popularity, recent trends show increased interest in radiant and oval cuts.
Every ring created is custom, whether handpicking a center diamond, building from an image found online, or designing something entirely original. John Mays Jewelers also works frequently with generational heirloom rings, modifying settings or reimagining original stones in modern designs that honor family history while fitting today’s style. These pieces often carry stories that make the finished ring even more meaningful.
Craftsmanship plays a critical role in long-term value. Highquality settings in 18-karat gold or platinum help ensure rings are built to withstand daily wear while preserving both beauty and worth. Thoughtful design and skilled setting elevate each piece beyond aesthetics alone, transforming it into something meant to be worn, treasured, and passed down.
For Kevin, the most meaningful part of the process is deeply personal: knowing each ring is shaped by his own hands and becomes part of a couple’s life for generations to come.
THE HONEYMOON
“After the wedding, the journey should be about connection, not logistics.” ~ Kelly & Co Travel by Dream Vacations
While honeymoon planning can be exciting, choosing destinations, coordinating flights and transfers, and managing details can quickly become overwhelming. Working with a professional travel advisor allows couples to step away from logistics and focus on the experience itself.
Kelly & Co Travel specializes in thoughtfully planned honeymoons built around how a couple wants to feel, whether that means complete relaxation, adventure, cultural immersion, or a blend of all three. The planning process begins with understanding personalities, interests, and travel goals, allowing each itinerary to feel intentional rather than generic.
One of the greatest benefits of working with a travel advisor is peace of mind, and with Kelly & Co Travel, there’s no premium. Partnering with Kelly & Co Travel costs the same as doing it yourself, while leaving the details to the
experts. Flights, accommodations, transfers, excursions, and travel insurance are carefully coordinated, while industry partnerships often unlock added perks such as room upgrades, resort credits, and honeymoon amenities not available to the general public. Just as important, a travel advisor serves as an advocate when unexpected issues arise, handling changes or challenges so couples can stay present and enjoy their time together.
Honeymoons in 2026 continue to trend toward quality over quantity. Couples are choosing fewer destinations with deeper experiences, from romantic beach escapes to culturerich European journeys and thoughtfully planned U.S. travel.
After the whirlwind of wedding planning, the honeymoon should feel like a true exhale, a beginning marked by ease, connection, and shared adventure.
THE SPACE
“You feel like you’re walking into a warm, welcoming home.” ~ Magnolia Social House
For couples planning the first events of their wedding weekend, setting the right tone matters. Rehearsal dinners and bridal showers are meant to feel personal and relaxed, bringing families and friends together before the pace of the wedding day begins. Magnolia Social House offers a venue that feels intimate, character-filled, and thoughtfully designed for meaningful gatherings that encourage connection and conversation.
Located in a 137-year-old home, Magnolia Social House blends original architectural details with carefully considered updates. Two large magnolia trees frame the entrance, while inside, a collection of distinct rooms creates a house-like atmosphere that feels comfortable rather than commercial. The entire downstairs and much of the upstairs are available for rehearsal dinners, receptions, and showers, while an upstairs bridal suite provides a dedicated space for brides and bridesmaids to gather and get ready away from the flow of the event below.
Different areas of the home naturally lend themselves to smaller group conversations, making it easy for guests to connect throughout the evening. Hosts are encouraged to decorate and personalize the space, allowing each event to reflect the couple’s style and vision rather than a preset template or one-size-fits-all layout.
Magnolia also offers the convenience of in-house catering through its expansive commercial kitchen. Couples can work directly with Kevin Hickey of The Lawyer’s Table or Melody Smith of Mel’s Creative Catering to design a menu that fits their celebration, from casual fare to elevated, multi-course dinners prepared onsite.
For Magnolia Social House, hosting wedding-related events is about continuing a long tradition of community—providing a space where couples can gather, celebrate, and feel at home as their wedding weekend begins.
THE REHEARSAL
“We’re luxury, but casual—focused on hospitality and the experience.” ~ BluPoint Seafood & Steak
For many couples, the events leading up to the wedding day set the emotional tone for everything that follows. Rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, and bridal showers are about bringing families and friends together, and choosing the right setting can relieve stress while making the celebration feel intentional.
BluPoint Seafood & Steak is particularly well suited for these moments, offering an atmosphere that feels elevated without becoming formal or intimidating. The restaurant balances luxury with approachability, creating a space where guests can relax, connect, and enjoy the experience without distraction. Thoughtful hospitality and seamless service allow hosts to focus on what matters most: time together.
Food and service play a key role in shaping that experience. A well-planned dinner helps ease pre-wedding nerves and turns what could feel like another obligation into a genuine
celebration. BluPoint works closely with the bride and family to accommodate group needs, craft specialty menus, and ensure the evening flows smoothly from start to finish, whether the gathering is intimate or includes a larger guest list.
When selecting a location for a rehearsal dinner or weddingrelated gathering, couples should consider more than just the menu. Atmosphere, accommodations, and a team willing to collaborate with the bride and family are essential to creating a memorable evening. Flexibility, attention to detail, and a clear understanding of the event’s purpose can make all the difference. BluPoint’s elegant setting paired with casual, unpretentious hospitality strikes that balance naturally.
For BluPoint, hosting wedding-related celebrations is about participating in the excitement surrounding couples as they begin their journey together, creating space for connection, conversation, and celebration before the big day arrives.
An
Setting for Meaningful Moments
THE SPACE
“Hosting
For couples drawn to weddings that feel deeply personal and rich with meaning, a historic venue offers something special: a true sense of place. Choosing a setting with history adds depth and intention, allowing the celebration to feel rooted in something lasting.
At the Fort Smith Museum of History, weddings unfold within walls that already carry stories, adding character and a quiet sense of significance to the day. Housed in a grand early20th-century building, the museum’s primary event space blends an industrial feel with old-world architectural details.
Original 1906 pine wood floors, corbeled brick, and exposed wooden beams create a warm, welcoming environment that feels timeless yet flexible. Couples are given creative freedom to design the space, often incorporating personal pieces such as framed photos, heirlooms, or statement décor.
A wedding already marks a singular moment in a couple’s story and celebrating it in a place with history helps anchor that moment in a meaningful way. The venue becomes part of the narrative, remembered not just for the celebration, but for the space that held it.
The museum balances preservation with modern wedding needs by clearly defining its event areas. Weddings are hosted within a dedicated space, while guests are encouraged to explore the surrounding galleries.
Weddings and receptions often take place after hours, when the museum belongs solely to the couple and their guests. The quiet galleries, softened lighting, and sense of being immersed in history create moments that linger long after the evening ends, adding a new chapter to a place already rich with stories.
THE PHOTOGRAPHY
“When couples trust their photographer, it allows them to relax and truly be present.” ~ Premier Photography
Photography plays a central role in how the wedding day is remembered long after it ends. For many couples, choosing a wedding photographer is about more than finding a style they love; it’s about trust and feeling at ease throughout one of the most important days of their lives.
Premier Photography approaches weddings with a documentary-style mindset, allowing moments to unfold naturally while remaining attentive and prepared. Rather than directing every interaction, the team offers gentle guidance only when needed, creating space for couples to feel relaxed and present. Formal portraits and family photos are handled thoughtfully, while the rest of the day is captured as it happens.
Some of the most meaningful images are often found in moments couples don’t anticipate: small interactions,
emotional reactions, candid expressions that happen in between scheduled events. These fleeting details help tell the full story of the day, creating a collection of images that feels authentic and deeply personal.
Careful planning and communication play an important role in that process. Premier Photography emphasizes timelines and preparation, arriving early to capture important details such as the venue, décor, rings, vows, and other meaningful elements. Even candid images are captured with intention, supported by thoughtful preparation behind the scenes.
When galleries are delivered, they are curated to follow the natural flow of the day, from getting ready through the ceremony, reception, and final moments of celebration. The goal is simple: to help couples relive their wedding day through images that reflect how it truly felt.
THE BEAUTY
“When brides feel confident in their hair, everything else falls into place.” ~ Salon Elements
Hair and beauty are among the most personal decisions a bride makes during the wedding planning process. More than a finishing touch, bridal hair sets the tone for the entire day, shaping how a bride feels as she walks into each moment, from getting ready to the final dance.
At Salon Elements, preparation begins well before the wedding day itself. Brides are encouraged to begin planning hair at least six months in advance, allowing time for thoughtful conversations, scheduling, and a dedicated hair trial. That trial is a key step in the process, helping determine which styles work best with the bride’s hair texture, length, and overall vision, while aligning with her makeup goals and the aesthetic of the day.
Longevity is just as important as style. Creating looks that last requires more than a single product or technique, it’s about layering the right products and building structure that
Your Way
Your wedding day is one of life’s biggest milestones, and you deserve to feel beautiful from every angle Our 100% European human hair wigs, toppers, and extensions are crafted for refined luxury, offering naturallooking solutions for fine or thinning hair
supports the bride’s natural hair needs. The goal is a style that holds up through photos, ceremonies, celebrations, and long hours without feeling stiff or overdone.
For bridal parties, coordination is handled with both efficiency and individuality in mind. Multiple stylists allow each member of the bridal party to feel confident in their own look, while still maintaining cohesion with the bride’s overall style. Increasingly, weddings are embracing intentional mismatching, styles that complement one another without being identical.
On the wedding day, organization and flow are essential. Salon Elements focuses on creating a calm, steady environment, allowing brides and their wedding party to relax and trust the process. When the beauty experience feels seamless, brides are free to stay present and enjoy every moment of their day.
THE BAR
“Helping celebrations feel effortless is what we love most.” ~ Sodie’s 2 You
When couples begin planning their wedding celebration, beverages are often one of the last details considered, but they play a major role in setting the tone of the event. From the first toast to the final song, a well-planned bar helps guests relax, connect, and enjoy the celebration without interruption.
Sodie’s 2 You approaches wedding beverage service with the guest experience in mind. Planning begins by considering the type of celebration a couple envisions, along with factors like season, time of day, and overall energy. Lighter, refreshing options often work best for daytime or summer weddings, while evening receptions can support bolder selections. The focus is always on making drinks approachable and easy to enjoy.
One of the most common concerns couples have is knowing how much to provide. Sodie’s 2 You helps take the
length, and drinking preferences to build a thoughtful, realistic plan. This approach helps couples avoid overbuying or running out, offering peace of mind during an already busy planning season.
Signature cocktails are a popular choice, especially when they reflect the couple’s personality or the season. Sodie’s 2 You also emphasizes the value of a curated menu—pairing beer, wine, and one or two standout cocktails rather than overwhelming guests with too many options. A streamlined bar keeps lines moving throughout the night.
Beverage service is about more than drinks alone. Smooth, efficient service helps the celebration unfold naturally, allowing guests to stay present and engaged. When that happens, guests are free to laugh, toast, and celebrate together, moments that often become some of the most memorable parts of the day.
THE FLORALS & THE SPACE
“When creativity and functionality work together, the result feels effortless.” ~ The Barn by Two Brothers & L Designs
When couples imagine their wedding day, they’re often picturing more than just a venue, they’re envisioning how the space will feel once it’s transformed through thoughtful design. Venue and floral design work together to create weddings that feel cohesive, intentional, and deeply personal, regardless of setting.
While The Barn by Two Brothers and L Designs operate as separate businesses, their shared ownership and proximity offer couples hosting weddings at The Barn a unique advantage. L Designs provides full-service floral design for weddings and events at venues throughout the region and beyond, while being located right next door allows for seamless coordination and a design process rooted in a deep understanding of The Barn’s space when it is chosen as the venue. That familiarity makes it easier to create florals and installations that complement The Barn’s lighting, layout, and historic character rather than compete with it.
Floral design plays a powerful role in shaping the atmosphere of a wedding. From ceremony arrangements to reception details, flowers introduce color, texture, movement, and emotion, helping transform a structure into an experience. Whether designing for The Barn or for celebrations elsewhere, L Designs approaches each event with the same attention to balance, scale, and story.
The Barn is well suited for intimate weddings. Originally built in 1910 as a hay barn, the space carries a sense of history and authenticity that many couples intentionally weave into their celebrations. Thoughtful updates ensure modern comfort while preserving the building’s soul.
By approaching weddings with creativity and function in mind, The Barn by Two Brothers and L Designs help ensure celebrations feel effortless for couples and welcoming for guests, beautiful not only to look at, but meaningful to experience.
THE ATTIRE
Wedding attire in 2026 is all about balance: marrying classic silhouettes with intentional details that reflect each individual’s personality. Bridal fashion continues to honor tradition, but with thoughtful twists that make every gown feel one of a kind.
Silhouettes are diverse, from minimalist column gowns and sleek sheath styles to romantic ball gowns with modern finishes. What unifies the trend this year is comfort without compromise: light, breathable fabrics that flatter and move beautifully, designed for long wear through ceremony and reception.
Texture is having a moment, especially lace mixed with unexpected fabrics, soft tulle overlays, and hand-embroidered details that create depth and visual interest without heaviness. Minimalist brides are choosing gowns with architectural lines or subtle embellishment that photograph beautifully, while others are embracing soft drama through volume and light layering.
On the men’s side, 2026 is seeing a shift toward tailored ease. Slim, well-cut suits and tuxedos in rich neutrals such as charcoal, deep navy, and muted earth tones give classic menswear a refined, contemporary edge. Optional touches such as velvet jackets, subtle patterning, and select statement accessories add personality without overpowering the ensemble.
Matching bridal party attire is trending away from strict uniformity in color and pattern in favor of coordinated palettes. Think varying shades of a single color or complementary styles or fabrics, which allows for individual expression, yet still feels intentional.
In 2026, couples are increasingly letting who they are guide every choice. Whether peak elegance or personal expression is the goal, wedding attire blends tradition and individuality, ensuring couples look timeless while honoring who they are.
2026 wedding fashion blends timeless elegance with expressive personal style.
THE CAKE
Desserts are no longer an afterthought; they’re a memorable part of the wedding experience. In 2026, couples are embracing wedding cakes and dessert tables that reflect personality, seasonal inspiration, and shared tastes with their guests.
One of the strongest cake trends this year is textured and sculptural design. Bakers are moving beyond smooth buttercream toward organic edges, carved tiers, and sculpted floral motifs that read beautifully in photos and tie directly into overall décor.
Flavors are expanding well beyond vanilla and chocolate. Think honey-lavender, lemon-thyme, brown butter-apple, chai spice, and tahini-date — combinations that surprise and delight while still feeling timeless. Couples are increasingly incorporating local and seasonal ingredients into fillings and frostings, bringing a sense of place to the dessert table.
Mini cakes and dessert assortments are also seeing tremendous popularity. Instead of one large, tiered cake, some couples opt for a variety of bite-size desserts ranging from individual mini cakes and cupcakes to macarons and plated dessert tastes.
Another growing trend is interactive dessert stations, such as build-your-own dessert bars, late-night sweet bites, and paired desserts with dessert wines or coffee service. These unique touches turn dessert into a moment of experience, not just presentation.
Even if a couple chooses a classic tiered cake, personalization is key: texture, hand-painted details, edible florals, and unique fonts or toppers ensure the design feels bespoke. In 2026, the best wedding cakes don’t just end the meal, they tell a story and extend the celebration’s personality to its final bite.
Wedding cakes in 2026 are as much about personal expression as they are about taste.
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