Buddy Babcock, Vice President Adella Gray, Secretary
Marolyn Fields, Past President
Cathy Baird, Ned Irving, Steve Johnson, Rick Kirkpatrick, Ed Piper, Jerry Rose, Susan Rountree, Jane Shipley, Carol Spears, Sherry Young
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chuck Nickle, President Will Clark, Vice President LeRoy Duell, Treasurer Jack Mitchell, Secretary Chuck Culver, Tom Olmstead, Derrik Olsen, David Renfroe, Tim Stults, Beth Vaughan-Wrobel, Dave Williams, Jason Wilson, Marti Woodruff
Summer is heating up at Butterfield Trail Village — and so are multiple projects that mark significant progress across our campus. The new stone main entry and perimeter fence along our north border has taken shape, and it will soon establish a landmark that reflects the quality and character of our community immediately upon arrival. We're proud that visitors and future residents will be welcomed by something fitting of Butterfield’s significance.
On our northeast corner, construction of the new covered parking lot is making progress after experiencing delays. We know many are anxious to see it completed, and we look forward to having it alleviate some of our issues with resident parking availability.
Quite visibly, our Assisted Living Expansion is steadily moving forward and on track. Construction of this magnitude inevitably brings disruption, and I want to recognize the grace and patience our Assisted Living residents, their families and staff have demonstrated. That understanding means so much, and the result will be well worth the wait.
We're also in the early stages of an exciting refresh in our main building. Recently, residents had the opportunity to review and share feedback on interior design concepts for our apartment hallways, game room and library. Seeing our community members engaged in shaping these spaces not only ensures the best outcome – it also represents a dynamic that is exactly what Butterfield is all about.
This July marks a special milestone that belongs to us all — the 250th birthday of the United States of America. As you'll discover in these pages, we have the privilege of celebrating that history alongside remarkable people. The personal story of Derl Horn and his wife Marilyn is a testament to sacrifice, service and resilience. Derl is one of many Butterfield veterans to whom we owe a profound debt of gratitude. On this Independence Day, and every day, thank you.
With appreciation,
Kevin
Spears Chief Executive Officer
Butterfield Trail Village
Opened in 1986, Butterfield Trail Village is a locally governed 501(c)(3) non-profit retirement community. As Northwest Arkansas’ only comprehensive Life Plan Retirement Community, BTV offers active older adults worry-free living that is secure, independent and fulfilling –and the freedom to enjoy plentiful activities both inside and outside the Village.
Footcare (specializing in
Medication Management
Post Surgical Care
Wound Care
Private Nursing Services (up
End of life/hospice care
Medical
Life Enrichment Nursing
Medical Travel (domestic and abroad)
Derl and Marilyn Horn’s friends set them up on a blind date in November 1960. After the high school junior-senior play, they got Cokes and French fries at The Drumstick drive-in near AQ Chicken – and have been together ever since.
They both grew up in Springdale, where Marilyn’s father helped manage her uncle’s lumber company. Marilyn had an older sister and two younger brothers. In high school, she played alto saxophone in band and was in choir and several clubs. Living east of town, with an older brother and two sisters, Derl and his brother played Tarzan and cowboys, swam in the White River, and caught crawdads and minnows in a spring. His parents worked in the poultry industry, and the family eventually moved closer to town.
Derl and Marilyn had become Christians in childhood and were raised in Christian homes. Her parents had saved money for her to attend college, and she completed a year at the University of Arkansas. At that time, Derl expected he’d be drafted for the Vietnam War, and the couple wanted to get married; her parents wanted her to finish college.
“We didn’t know whether to put it off or what because the war was raging and I was at the age,” Derl said. “I was pretty sure I was going to get drafted. I wasn’t anxious about joining, but I was ready to do my part.”
STARTING OFF, TOGETHER AND APART
Marilyn and Derl got engaged the summer of 1962 and wed in November 1963. She was 19, and he was 21. “We wanted to build our lives on our faith, and having a home that represented the Lord well,” Marilyn said. After two years, Derl asked to move his name up on the draft list so he could complete his service sooner.
During the physical and check-in in Little Rock, some Marines asked for five volunteers for the Marine Corps. Derl agreed because his service would last two years – one year less than the Army. But his training in San Diego meant 17 weeks apart from his bride.
The couple spent two months stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, then Derl served a fiveand-a-half-month tour in Cuba before they got two more months together. Then came his orders for Vietnam. While training in El Toro, California, Marilyn called to tell him she was pregnant. “That was hard to deal with, because I’m going off and leaving her and she’s going to have a baby on her own,” he said.
Marilyn saw him off from the Tulsa airport, and they both kept calendars counting down the days to his return. Derl trained for a month in Okinawa, then he and other Marines traveled to Vietnam on a C-130 Hercules. The reality of the war set in for him as they first watched dozens of body bags get unloaded.
Words by Michelle Parks
Photos by Stephen Ironside
DERL AND MARILYN HORN
“We knew that these men had been killed in action, and we knew that probably some of us would be coming back that way. And, sad to say, many did. It was a scary time for me,” he said.
Derl thought they’d crash landed in Da Nang when the plane touched down on metal pieces used to form an airstrip. He was assigned to Bravo Company in the Third Marine Division, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines – known as “The Walking Dead.” An E-3 Lance Corporal, Derl was a 60mm mortar assistant gunner, carrying the tripod for the mortar along with his rifle.
Throughout his service, he and Marilyn regularly exchanged letters. She wrote on the front, and he replied on the back. Their letters and faith sustained them during their greatest moments of fear and uncertainty.
THE JUNGLES OF VIETNAM
On Derl’s first day out with Bravo Company, June 6, 1967, they crossed an open field. Midway through, a mortar attack began. Shrapnel exploded. Marines pressed their bodies to the ground. None were injured. “That was my first miracle,” he said.
The second day, they walked into a Viet Cong ambush. “We didn’t have anywhere to go other than to fight our way through. And we did,” Derl said. Many Viet Cong were killed, with two captured. Derl prayed, wondering how he’d survive if every day was like that.
At the end of June, in Con Thien, they were assigned to wipe out any enemy or new positions near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The North Vietnamese army bombed the area daily, and their commander said five battalions of that army had been spotted nearby.
Bravo Company headed out early on July 2. Around 9 a.m., the enemy found them. They were outnumbered by thousands in a U-shaped crossfire ambush. They fought all day and called for support, which arrived around 4 p.m. and helped drive back the enemy. By then, the company’s 150 Marines had dwindled to 26 still standing; 59 had been killed and 65 were wounded. A grenade that exploded near Derl’s head had filled
his ears with shrapnel. And, as he helped evacuate a wounded Marine, mortar fire sent shrapnel into Derl’s left arm. He removed all but three embedded pieces, his “souvenirs.” At one point, he left behind his mortar and backpack filled with letters, Bible, camera, film, food and water and sprinted through a metal hail storm with only his .45 pistol as protection. Ronnie Fields saved Derl’s life that day, killing a North Vietnamese soldier armed with an AK-47.
The surviving Marines carried the dead — including all their officers — back to Con Thien. That night, Derl wrote to Marilyn that he’d been wounded in battle but was okay. Back home, Marilyn and her parents learned all they could through newspaper reports and watching Walter Cronkite on TV, and she feared the worst until she received his letter.
The Red Cross had trouble locating Derl that November to tell him that Marilyn had given birth. Finally, a radio call brought the message: “‘Your wife and daughters are doing fine.’” To everyone’s surprise, Marilyn had delivered twin girls, Cindy and Cathy.
In February 1968, Derl returned to American soil. Despite her parents’ concerns, Marilyn drove their tiny twin daughters through a Valentine’s Day snowstorm to meet Derl at Drake Field airport. Marilyn ran to hug and kiss him, while a crowd inside the airport formed a protective circle around the babies.
Derl spent 10 months in Vietnam, for his part in a war that lasted more than 10,000 days and saw more than 58,000 American lives lost. Some 2.5 million Americans served in Vietnam, one-third of them volunteers. About 1 million were wounded.
SHAPING A LIFE AFTER WAR
The Horns settled into their family life, and their son, Chris, arrived six years after the girls. Once the children were in school, Marilyn worked for 30 years at Cross Church, first as a preschool director and then as the assistant to the mission’s pastor. She coordinated mission trips for church members, and she traveled to Taiwan and Thailand, while Derl joined her on trips to Haiti, Brazil and China. “We both came back just humbled about how much we have compared to what most of the world has,” Marilyn said.
After the war, Derl worked for 39 years at Cooper Power, an electrical manufacturing company. He advanced from the production line to an industrial engineering role, running the incentive program for those who did piece work. Derl also operated a carpet and office cleaning business for 20 years to pay for their children to attend Shiloh Christian School and college.
The family went on several camping trips throughout Arkansas, and, for the country’s 200th birthday in 1976, they took a summer road trip to Washington, D.C. As empty nesters, the couple traveled across the United States – from the coasts of Maine and Michigan to the Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore and Zion National Park.
CONTINUING SERVICE TO VETERANS
Once home from the Vietnam War, Derl didn’t talk about his service for 35 years. Eventually, he got therapy for PTSD through the Veterans Administration and went through the REBOOT trauma recovery program for veterans.
In 2015, Derl published the memoirs of his military service in a book entitled “Blood, Sweat & Honor: Memoirs of A Walking Dead Marine in Vietnam.”
“When I started editing the book, I realized that my husband had been in battle almost daily during those 10 months [in Vietnam],” Marilyn said. “But God was good. He continually protected Derl and protected me.”
Their letters were important source materials for his book, and they helped Derl recall the life and joys that were happening beyond the horrors of war. “The book helped me more than anything because I went back through it all again, kind of relived it. I don’t know why, but it helped to do that,” Derl said.
At reunions, Marilyn and Derl have seen how some veterans turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the war, damaging their health and relationships. She is proud that Derl found other ways to cope, such as writing the book and sharing his story with many civic groups, schoolchildren and others.
They both have volunteered at the VA Hospital since 2013. She takes veterans’ vitals before doctor visits. Derl works in the pharmacy, but finds the most reward in talking with other veterans. He also meets regularly with groups of veterans from different branches of service and with fellow members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
MAKING THEIR HOME A RETREAT
The Horns moved into their apartment in May 2023. After caregiving for Marilyn’s mother, they wanted peace of mind for their children as they aged. They rave about the BTV staff and enjoy the meals, performances, games, parties and the friends they’ve made. They volunteer in the sensory garden and stay active by walking and attending balance class. Derl's service dog, Gracie, is constantly by his side.
They treasure the retreat of their home, where she likes to knit, crochet and bake sourdough bread. During the COVID pandemic, she also started painting watercolors and learned to play piano. In frequent phone and video calls with their children and five grandchildren, they catch up and take prayer requests. For Derl’s 70th birthday, Marilyn created a shadow box showcasing his military photos and medals.
Derl’s brother served in the Army; Marilyn’s two brothers served in the Marines, and her dad and an uncle served in the Army during World War II. Derl and Marilyn in their own ways understand what it’s like to serve and protect American freedoms. In this year of America’s 250th birthday, they see faith, service and freedom as intertwined parts of their lives.
A few years ago, the couple visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The two black granite walls bear the names of more than 58,000 men and women who gave their lives, including 749 Marines from Derl’s battalion. “On section 22E, there are 59 of my brothers killed on July 2 in a battle called Operation Buffalo. It really is an honor to visit, but it’s very difficult,” Derl said. “It’s a reminder that freedom is not free.”
Ray & Brenda Boudreaux Anniversaries
Where are you from?
Brenda is a Fayetteville native, born in the old City Hospital, and has lived here most of her life. She graduated from FHS in 1966, and attended the University of Arkansas. Ray was born and raised in Houston, Texas and ended up in Fayetteville in 1961. He graduated from FHS in 1962, the U of A in 1966, and entered the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Ray served all over the country and overseas until 1991.
What did you do before retirement?
Brenda managed rental property and did architectural drafting and design. She was elected and served three terms on the Fayetteville City Council from 2000-2012. Ray served in the USAF from 1966-1991, retiring as a colonel. He was an air refueling pilot supporting SR71 missions and later a special operations helicopter pilot supporting intel teams in Vietnam. Ray also commanded rescue forces in support of the first four space shuttle launches. Later he served as Security Police Commander and Installation Commander at Strategic Air Command bases. Ray then worked to redevelop a closed military base in Illinois. In 2001, he returned to Fayetteville to be Aviation and Economic Development Director at Drake Field Executive Airport. He retired in 2015.
Do you have children and grandchildren?
We have four sons, four daughters-in-law, nine grandchildren, five step-grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Why did you choose to come to Butterfield?
We wanted to maintain our lifestyle without the “labor” necessary to support the upkeep of a home in a residential neighborhood – and to ensure, as we age, we have the care needed to continue to lead our best lives. We love the benefits of the activities, our friends and living on Mud Creek Trail. We have friends here that we love and respect and who encouraged us to join the Butterfield community. In addition, our children are secure in knowing we will be cared for.
July Anniversaries
Dennis and Cheri Kahle 1st
Duane and Beverly Wilson 4th
Raj and Usha Gupta 11th
Bob and Geri Bender 19th
Perry and Shirley Franklin 24th
Ned and Cathy Irving 26th
Wulf and Ingrid Polonius 29th
August Anniversaries
Joe and Judi Schenke 7th
Jimmy and Diana Horton 10th
Ellis and Kay Melton 19th
Jim and Judy Cole 22nd
Ron and Polly Hanson 23rd
Otto and Betty Loewer 28th
Neil and Judy Ingels 29th
Paul and Wyvern Beach 31st
New Neighbors
Donna Dover and Ann Teague
Joanne Olszewski
Jay and Navam Hettiarachchy
David Gay
Michael Milton Shifting Gears into Project Management
Some résumés read almost like a blueprint, with each experience laying groundwork for what’s to come. Michael Milton’s is one of those. Butterfield residents already know Michael from his nearly three years as a shuttle driver. He recently stepped into a new opportunity as the community’s first-ever Special Projects Coordinator – a role he was built for. Michael brings a depth of experience that helps him look at almost any task and think, “I’ve done something like that before.”
Michael spent 34 years with Whirlpool Corporation, working his way from production through skilled trades. After earning a fully accredited apprenticeship in industrial maintenance, he became a controls technician overseeing three major assembly lines, then advanced through roles as maintenance supervisor, planner and manager. Along the way, he gained something textbooks don’t tend to teach: a ground-level understanding of how complex systems work and what it takes to keep them running.
He later joined and eventually retired from Tyson Foods as a reliability engineer, traveling to plants across the country to help maintenance teams make better use of their management systems. His work evolved into corporate training – developing curricula, instructional videos and leading week-long classes for maintenance planners. “I realized I really enjoyed relating to the team,” he says. “We all learn differently. Some want a printed guide, others want someone to show them, and some need to see a video. Once you figure out how a person learns, you can reach them.”
got their area of expertise and a full-time job,” he explains. “There’s not enough time to get their arms around something more. That’s kind of where I come in.” Working three days a week, he’s already juggling more than a dozen active projects – a far cry from the “one project at a time” mentioned in his interview. Current priorities include helping the maintenance team better utilize their work order management system and supporting the integration of new software platforms so information flows efficiently between departments.
“It’s an honor being around folks with such a zest for life.”
It didn’t take long after first taking the wheel of a shuttle van for Michael to discover what makes Butterfield truly special. “The best part is the people,” he says. “It’s an honor being around folks with such a zest for life. Most of society thinks once you reach 60, you’re done. The people here prove that wrong every single day.”
–Michael Milton
Away from Butterfield, Michael is likely found on a disc golf course. A devotee since the mid-1980s, he serves on the Global Senior Committee for the Professional Disc Golf Association and is headed to the Masters World Championship this September. He loves the sport for its simplicity: “It’s essentially a walk with purpose. You throw your disc, walk over and find it (hopefully) and then throw it again.” With nearly 140 courses across Arkansas, he’s rarely far from a fairway.
His instincts for connection and problem-solving are what drew Butterfield leadership to consider Michael when the Special Projects Coordinator role began taking shape. As operations grow more complex, valuable improvements and opportunities can get quietly sidelined – not because initiatives aren’t worth doing, but because everyone is already at full capacity. Michael steps into that gap. “Everybody’s
For those curious about his new role, Michael’s message is straightforward: he’s here to support the people who support BTV residents, working behind the scenes to keep Butterfield running at its best. With a career built on exactly that kind of work, his “retirement failure” is very much Butterfield’s gain.
Featured Village Events
COMING IN JULY
SATURDAY, JULY 4 | 10:30 AM
PERFORMANCE HALL
America: 250 Years Young
Today, we commemorate the 250th birthday of the United States of America. This historic milestone allows us to pause, reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans and look ahead with hopeful anticipation. It is our responsibility to support the vision of our Founding Fathers as articulated in the Declaration of Independence – and there’s no better way than to come together as neighbors and family. Join us for a morning of patriotic celebration, featuring a tribute to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, followed by a beautiful and uplifting musical performance by a talented duo, Chris and Sara Broome Jones.
THURSDAY, JULY 9 | 7 PM
PERFORMANCE HALL
BTV Luminary Series: Celebrating 40 Years of Butterfield with A Midsummer Night's Glow
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8 | 7 PM
PERFORMANCE HALL
BTV Foundation Stage Series Presents: The Claudia Burson Jazz Trio with guest artist Andrew Melton, Vibraphonist
When American jazz is featured at Butterfield, it is always an honor to host acclaimed pianist Claudia Burson, whose soulful style and charisma highlight her mastery of the piano. Claudia is among the great artists who transcend technical skills to deliver music that comes from a deep place within her. Stylistically, she excels in both jazz standards and ballads, as well as free improvisation.
We are proud to host our second event celebrating Butterfield’s rich history of achievement: Midsummer Night’s Glow This enchanting social gathering, specially curated for our residents and their families, promises an evening of delightful activities and community spirit.
Festivities begin with a cozy, traditional summer cookout at The Lodge, where the air will fill with laughter and the irresistible aromas of grilled delicacies. As the sun sets, we will transition to a more reverent atmosphere – with a concert titled Declaration in the BTV Performance Hall, renowned for its superb acoustics. This captivating event showcases the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas’ string ensemble through a thoughtfully curated program of American music to honor the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Directed by SoNA’s Principal Violist, Jesse Collett, attendees will be treated to works by renowned American composers like George Gershwin, Aaron Copland and John Williams. The program also features two esteemed composers with deep Arkansas connections — Florence Price and William Grant Still — whose contributions continue to resonate within our musical heritage.
FRIDAY, JULY 17 | 2:30 PM
PERFORMANCE HALL The Good, The Bad and The Bots: The AI Dilemma with Steve Krogull, Executive Director, University of Arkansas High Performance Computing Center
Join Steve Krogull for an enlightening presentation on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in our daily lives. Explore emerging trends in AI and the importance of critically evaluating AI and online content. This presentation clarifies machine learning concepts, showcases real-world applications and discusses ethical guidelines and accountability regarding fairness, reliability, privacy and security. Is AI intended to enhance and support human abilities rather than replace human empathy and creativity? Join us for an engaging conversation.
VILLAGE SNAPSHOTS
BTV Garden Tour:
Le Dîner en Blanc:
Village Homes and Health Care Center Resident Coffee & Donut Social:
Employee Appreciation Committee's 40 Years of Butterfield Celebration Cookout:
Derl and Marilyn Horn's Apartment
The Horns’ living room sets a gracious tone from the moment you step inside, with a classic blueand-white palette woven through each thoughtfully designed room. Plush seating and traditional Southern furnishings invite guests to settle in, while soft natural light from the south-facing windows adds warmth and encouragement for Marilyn’s happy plants. Subtle expressions of faith are tucked among the décor. A wooden shelf, handcrafted by Marilyn’s maternal grandfather, holds a collection of vintage Fenton hobnail milk glass.
Just inside the entry, beautifully aged antique oak furniture with a rich patina anchor the space with quiet elegance. The buffet has been skillfully outfitted with interior lighting to cast a glow over a curated display of Marilyn’s crystal and her cubistpatterned Fostoria American glass. It’s a fitting welcome to visitors, both personal and polished, inviting a closer look and sparking conversation.
The primary bedroom offers lovely morning sun that filters in to meet warm lamp light. Timeless, tasteful décor enhances a genuinely restful place of retreat at the end of the day. The room flows conveniently into an en suite bath, combining comfort and practicality.
Bright and cheerful, the kitchen features white shaker cabinets, crisp countertops and full-sized stainless steel appliances – everything needed for an afternoon of baking or creating a favorite dinner. The open floor plan connects it naturally to a nearby dining table for four, a welcoming spot for meals shared with family or friends.
The Horns make excellent use of the space their second bedroom offers, using it as a home office and a space for Marilyn to practice piano – a room that works hard but feels personal.
On the office wall, a framed display of Derl’s military ribbons and medals tells a story of service and sacrifice, including a Purple Heart, a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross and a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Its deeply meaningful presence prompts both reflection and respect.
Blooming Where They’re Planted
Green-Thumbed Residents
Cultivate More Than Flowers
THE SENSORY GARDEN
Tucked inside Butterfield Trail Village's Health Care Center and Special Care Center courtyard is a garden that was never meant to be ordinary. The Sensory Garden is designed with a specific, heartfelt purpose: to bring the healing power of the outdoors to residents with limited mobility, low vision or cognitive disorders. By engaging every sense – basking in the warmth of the afternoon sun, smelling fragrant herbs, observing vibrant blooms, hearing visiting songbirds, touching cool, silky flower petals – the garden personifies life.
More than a decade ago, three BTV residents – Karen Crocker, Beth Vaughan-Wrobel and Ardith Wharry – looked around campus and found a courtyard with untapped potential. They saw possibilities for sunshine and shade, a safe place to stroll or be assisted where color, scent, and texture could thrive. They envisioned a garden that could extend its reach through the Health Care Center windows, easily visible to those unable to come outside. So, they got to work.
The group found ways to create shade structures. They added furniture, cleared and established planting beds, and installed colorful perennials and herbs specially chosen to be touched, smelled and experienced. The intentionality of their planning has
paid off. "As staff and companions bring health care residents to the garden, our volunteers often hear how much they appreciate our work," says Karen Crocker.
Over time, what began as three neighbors with a vision grew into an enduring weekly tradition. A dedicated group of volunteers now gathers each Tuesday morning – spring, summer and fall – to keep the Sensory Garden looking its best. They don't do it alone. Butterfield Grounds Manager Adam Fuller and his team provide critical support by maintaining the watering system, hedges, drains, mowing the grass and spreading mulch – while the Butterfield Trail Village Foundation provides funding for plants, gardening tools and birdseed.
The team has added labels throughout the beds, helping visitors connect names to the plants. It's a small touch with a meaningful impact, turning the beautiful space into a learning garden as well.
Sensory Garden volunteers: (left to right) Bimmy Currie, Karen Crocker, Sara Brown, Rebecca Summerlin, Derl Horn, Marilyn Horn, Jacqueline King. Not pictured are Christine Klinger and Kathy Malstrom.
The Raised Bed Garden:
Fresh Start, New Energy
Ask Linda Batson what she hoped for when she took over leadership of the BTV Raised Bed Garden, and her answer is simple. "I wanted it to be more welcoming." Linda stepped into the coordinator role after longtime garden leader Judy Doyle passed the torch following 13 years of service. Linda's instincts leaned toward the idea of community – more gardeners, an eye for aesthetics, a warmer gathering space.
This spring, those instincts intersected with a transformative opportunity. Thanks to a generous gift from the BTV Foundation, the raised beds are brand new – freshly constructed, filled with quality soil and ready for many new chapters. The change required a carefully planned transition, so ahead of the renovation, gardeners dug up established bulbs and perennials to prevent anything precious from being lost. Butterfield’s grounds team set aside a sheltered spot under nearby pine trees to store plants over the winter season, and a small army of helpers got the work done. Once spring arrived, 18 gardeners received assigned spaces to cultivate, with four residents on a waiting list.
"This is a new page, new beds, a fresh start," Linda recalls telling the gardeners at the season's opening meeting. With the garden now in its growing-season glory, visitors have commented on the renewed energy – the freshly powder-coated iron furniture donated by generous neighbors, the cheerful planters Linda sourced resourcefully and frugally, the pergola paint brightened. The inviting space now has a greater sense of permanence.
For those who garden there, the raised beds offer more than just soil and sunlight – it’s a place to make friends. For those who can't garden anymore, the setting offers a calm, accessible space to linger, observe and remember. Linda nearly teared up recently when a resident thanked her and the other gardeners for making the space accessible for neighbors and friends who can't grow anymore. "I see residents from the Health Care Center who come every day to sit, walk around and look. If you were a gardener at one time, and you can no longer do that – that's got to be fulfilling."
Rosa Lee Layne: Gathering Goodness Every Day
Most spring and summer mornings, Rosa Lee Layne makes her way down to Butterfield's large row garden – not just to tend her blooms, but to gather and share the garden’s bounty. She cuts fresh flowers daily from her garden plot, as well as from areas managed by other generous growers, and sells them to fellow residents to help support the garden's ongoing expenses. It's a steady, quiet ritual that has earned her the admiration and appreciation of her neighbors.
Whether you catch her midharvest or spot her little bouquets for sale in Butterfield’s commons, Rosa Lee’s work is a daily reminder that a garden's gifts are meant to be shared.
Beds Gardeners: (left to right) Linda Batson, Susan Bakke, Marilyn Horn, Judy Doyle, Grace Donoho, Elizabeth Houle, Patty Goyette, Marcia Morris, Bimmy Currie. Not pictured are Barbara Brannon, Craig Brown, Janee Crotts, Linda Hayes, Rick Kirkpatrick, Kathy Malstrom, Char Olsen, Debbie Santeford and Elizabeth Woods.
Raised
TheatreSquared Launches 21st Season with
Stories of Family, Connection, and Belonging
what it is because of the amazing community and family that surrounds us,” says Executive Director . “Our Season 21 lineup is a love born into, or the ones we choose — and all of the incredible, complex, meaningful connections that
The MainStage Series At-A-Glance
August Wilson’s
TheatreSquared production directed by Dexter J. Pittsburgh, the play follows Negro League baseball player whose dreams and disappointments shape the life he has built for his family. Both heartbreaking human, Wilson’s
offers a powerful portrait of pride, sacrifice, and the complicated legacy of unrealized dreams.
Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women
Nov. 18–Dec. 13, 2026
Proudly sponsored by Butterfield, and just in time for the holiday season, T2 brings the beloved March sisters to the stage in Lauren Gunderson’s adaptation of Little Women. Adapted from Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, the production follows Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy as they navigate sibling rivalry, ambition, creativity, first love and the process of growing up. Warm, lively and timeless, this adaptation invites audiences to gather with loved ones and rediscover a story cherished across generations.
Cowboys and East Indians
Feb. 3–28, 2027
A story with deep TheatreSquared roots returns home in February. Written by Nina McConigley and Matthew Spangler, Cowboys and East Indians was developed at T2’s Arkansas New Play Festival before premiering at Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Warm, funny and deeply recognizable, the play follows characters caught between worlds –between India and Wyoming, between generations and between the expectations of others and the pull of their own identities.
The 39 Steps
April 7–25, 2027
For a burst of theatrical invention and pure fun, The 39 Steps brings Hitchcock-style suspense together with Monty Python-style comedy. Adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan and the film by Alfred Hitchcock, this two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning play is a fast-paced love letter to spy thrillers. With a small cast playing more than 150 characters — including heroes, villains, sheep and inanimate objects — the production turns theatrical limitations into comic possibility.
Eureka Day
June 2–20, 2027
The MainStage Series closes with Eureka Day, Jonathan Spector’s razor-sharp satire and winner of the 2025 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Play. Set among five well-meaning parents trying to make the best decision for their school community, Eureka Day explores what happens when people who genuinely want to do the right thing cannot agree on the facts. Nobody is the villain, and everyone has a point – which is exactly what makes the play so timely, funny and revealing.
A New Family Series
In addition to the MainStage productions, TheatreSquared’s new Family Series features three productions designed to welcome young audiences and families.
Disney’s Newsies Jr.
July 17–19, 2026
Based on the true story of the 1899 Newsboys Strike, Disney’s Newsies Jr. is a high-energy musical about young people finding their voices and standing up for change.
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)
Dec. 10–24, 2026
Back by popular demand, this off-the-rails holiday comedy follows three actors who decide they have performed Dickens’ A Christmas Carol one too many times, and have set out instead to perform every Christmas story ever told. Family-friendly matinee performances will be offered, with an adult evening remix.
A Year with Frog and Toad April 23–May 2, 2027
Based on Arnold Lobel’s beloved books, A Year with Frog and Toad follows two best friends through the changing seasons, reminding audiences that life’s best moments are often the ones shared with someone we love – even when that someone is very different from ourselves.
A Season Rooted In Community
Since its founding, TheatreSquared has grown into Arkansas’ largest professional theatre, offering more than 350 performances annually from its home in downtown Fayetteville. The playwright-led company has also become one of mid-America’s leading laboratories for new work. Season subscriptions are on sale now, with packages starting at $134. To learn more or reserve seats, visit theatre2.org/subscribe or call the T2 box office at (479) 777-7477.
Broadway is Here and Your Seat is Waiting!
By Grace Lindquist
You are invited to Broadway’s most fabulous party. Six irresistible shows are headed to Walton Arts Center as part of the Procter & Gamble Broadway Series, including five productions that are making their Arkansas debuts, and one returning classic for a new generation to enjoy. Get ready for a season that will move you, thrill you and leave you wanting more.
The season starts out strong with two big-name musicals.
The winner of four 2024 Tony Awards®, including best musical, The Outsiders will make its Arkansas debut Sept. 1-6. This classic coming-of-age story takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1967, where Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade and their family of Greaser “outsiders” dream about who they want to become in a world that will never accept them. The Outsiders features Danya Taymor’s Tony Award-winning direction that’s “refreshing, gritty and endlessly effective” (The New York Times). With “high-octane choreography” (New York Magazine), The Outsiders has been described as “more pulse-pounding than anything else on Broadway!” (Time Out New York).
Here for eight performances Dec. 15-20, Buena Vista Social Club is “a jaw-dropping, soul-stirring mustsee,” says The Washington Post. It’s been years since legendary singer Omara Portuondo last entered a recording studio. Once known as the “Queen of Feeling,” her voice was celebrated throughout Cuba – until she vanished from the spotlight. But when an ambitious young record producer brings her a rare opportunity, the elusive diva must finally reckon with her past. This Tony Award-winning production is a journey through music and memory into the beating heart of Havana. A world-class company brings the story of the iconic album to thrilling life in this tale of big dreams, second chances and music that needs no translation.
Get your Procter & Gamble Broadway series subscription and see these shows as well as The Notebook, Feb. 24-28; The Sound of Music, April 13-18; Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical, May 25-30 and Just in Time, July 6-11. Subscribers keep their same seats for each show, plus get other benefits like fee-free exchanges into another performance of the same show, and first access to
purchase tickets to the Northwest Arkansas debut of Wicked when you renew your subscription in 2027.
Subscribers can also add-on up to five Broadway Bonus shows before single tickets go on sale. Choose from several returning fan-favorites including Dirty Dancing: The Musical Oct. 21-25, Jersey Boys Nov. 27-29, Hadestown Feb. 5-7, Kinky Boots April 30-May 2 and Beetlejuice June 4-6. Subscriptions are only available until Sept. 1, so don’t miss this opportunity.
For the busy Broadway fan, the Create Your Own package offers the most flexibility to curate your own season across most of the series. Choose shows from any series except Starrlight Jazz Club, West Street Live and the new Songbook Salon Series, to make your three, five or seven-show package. The more shows you add in the Create Your Own package, the more you save. Three show packages get $2 off each ticket, five-show packages get $3 off each ticket and seven-show packages get $5 off each ticket. When you Create Your Own, you get early access to the season’s shows before single tickets go on sale to the general public in late summer. If you’ve been eyeing tickets to a popular show, this is a great opportunity to secure your seat.
View a full lineup of shows and create your perfect season at waltonartscenter.org or by calling (479) 443-5600 weekdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Operation Mincemeat
The Outsiders
Buena Vista Social Club
The Notebook
Five Below and Four Days: The Ozarks’ Bicentennial Trek
By Sandra Cox Birchfield, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
Wagon drivers and horseback riders are bundled up in frigid weather along Springdale’s Emma Avenue as they embark on a more than 80-mile journey to Fort Smith.
The wind chill dipped to five below when they embarked. Later, a cold rain greeted them on their four-day, 80-mile journey. The horseback riders wore ponchos and raincoats while passengers in the covered wagons hunkered down to stay dry.
This was how the northwest Arkansas delegation of the Bicentennial Wagon Train traveled from Springdale to Fort Smith in early March 1976 as part of a nationwide pilgrimage in observance of the nation’s 200th birthday.
While the nation’s pioneers traveled from east to west, the Bicentennial Wagon Train consisted of several trains traveling from west to east. Originating from all corners of the nation, some journeyed as early as 1975 in their trek to Valley Forge, Pa., with a few reaching their destination as late as summer 1976. Smaller, regional wagon trains, like northwest Arkansas’, greeted them with celebrations and ceremonies at stopping points along the way. The train to be greeted in Fort Smith originated from Houston.
Twenty-five wagons departed from Springdale’s rodeo grounds shortly after 8 a.m. Friday, March 5, with four more joining along the journey, accompanied by some 300 horseback riders. The
first night, they stopped at Sundowner Ranch near Prairie Grove. On Saturday, they made it to Natural Dam and then to Lake Louemma in Van Buren on Sunday.
Two wagon drivers encountered problems and turned back. Wagons broke down and had to be repaired. Horses exhausted from hauling another wagon uphill lagged behind to rest. A driver fell from his wagon uninjured. Fortunately, people along the route prepared camping areas and provided services to help ease the discomfort of traveling 1770s-style.
By Monday, the northwest Arkansas wagon train arrived in Fort Smith at the foot of the Garrison Avenue bridge in time to be part of a downtown parade to Kay Rodgers Park.
A Bicentennial logo is visible on this wagon in its journey to Fort Smith as part of the northwest Arkansas delegation of the national Bicentennial Wagon Train.
The celebration included a presentation of state scrolls – a collection of signatures by local citizens rededicating themselves to the principles of the Declaration of Independence to be carried to Valley Forge. Singers with Pennsylvania State University and Ozark folk musician Jimmy Driftwood serenaded the weary travelers.
The next day, the Houston wagon train set out across central Arkansas on its way to Valley Forge, making stops for similar celebrations.
“I wouldn’t take a million dollars for the experience,” said Roy Bowman, the northwest Arkansas’ wagon train general chairman. “But I wouldn’t do it again for five million.”
Every Move Counts Your Brain on Exercise:
Research from the National Institute on Aging continues to show that movement may be one of the most powerful tools we have to protect the aging brain. Their studies suggest that people who exercise regularly may prevent brain deterioration during middle and older adulthood – while potentially reducing the risk of conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, improves communication between brain cells and stimulates the release of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor). One of the brain's key memory centers, the hippocampus, naturally shrinks with age – but regular exercise can help slow that process and support healthier brain function.
the body than regular walking, it effectively boosts cardiovascular demand and brain-body coordination.
Did You Know?
The hippocampus, one of the brain's primary memory centers, naturally shrinks with age – especially in people who are sedentary. Research shows regular aerobic and strength exercise can help slow shrinkage, preserving memory and cognitive function over time.
The Butterfield wellness team is focusing over the next few months on how exercise supports brain health – and how to move the body in ways that optimize cognitive function, memory, balance, mood and long-term independence. Because different forms of exercise support the brain in different ways, a well-rounded program matters. Butterfield’s classes are intentionally designed to support both body and brain.
Water Aerobics safely raises the heart rate while remaining gentle on the joints. Cardiovascular exercise is strongly linked to increased BDNF production, improved blood flow, better mood and stronger memory.
Get Fit with Jennifer combines cardio, strength, coordination, and rhythm. Changing movements while exercising to music stimulates attention, reaction time and executive function.
Hiking and Urban Pole Walking challenge balance, coordination and sensory awareness outdoors. Because urban pole walking engages far more of
Functional Fitness and Machine Circuit Classes build strength now linked to improved executive function, focus and cognitive resilience. Circuit-style training helps challenge the brain through constant movement variation.
Pilates, Tai Chi, Yoga and Chair Yoga strengthen the mind-body connection through focused movement, breath and body awareness. This combination supports balance, concentration and emotional regulation.
Balance Class incorporates coordination drills, reaction exercises and cognitive dual-tasking –simultaneously challenging the brain, improving stability and helping prevent future falls.
Ping Pong and Open Skill Activities combine physical movement with intense cognitive stimulation. Researchers often call ping pong "aerobic chess" for its demands on processing speed, reaction time and strategic thinking.
Every class at Butterfield does more than strengthen muscles. Each one helps support the brain for sharper thinking, better movement, improved mood and greater independence throughout life.
Move your body. Strengthen your brain.
The Butterfield Trail Village Foundation is grateful for the gifts received between April 10, 2026 and June 10, 2026, from the following donors:
Butterfly Garden Fund
Perry & Shirley Franklin in memory of Linda Denson
Gardens Fund
1st Floor North Residents in honor of Faye Edmondson
Health Care Center Fund
Susan Rieff in memory of Ray Culver
Bill & Sabra Martin in memory of Ray Culver
Deanna Speer in memory of Ray Culver
LeAnn Underwood in memory of Ray Culver
R.D. & Anita R. Shores in memory of Ray Culver
Vernon Collins in memory of Ray Culver
Ann Henry in memory of Ray Culver and Joan Armstrong and in honor of Penny Culver
Valerie Harlan in memory of Ray Culver
Jane Shipley in memory of Ray Culver
Library Fund
Ron & Polly Hanson in memory of Linda Denson
Music & Performance Fund
Doug & Barbara Prichard in memory of Curtis Shipley
