FEATURES
Danyelle Musselman
The power of philanthropy
Danyelle Sargent Musselman is much more than just the first lady of Arkansas Basketball. Our community is lucky to have her unique talents and passions.
Born in St. Louis, Danyelle moved around a lot as she was growing up due to her father’s job with the Ford Motor Company. She went to high school just outside Atlanta, where her mother still lives and works as a labor and delivery nurse. “I hated moving around so much as a child,” says Danyelle. “But it turned out that it was such an advantage to me, especially after marrying Eric.”
Sports: Let the Countdown Begin
The Hogs’ hoop season is around the corner
To say there is excitement surrounding Arkansas Razorback basketball is an understatement.
Head Coach Eric Musselman went 20-12 in his first year and was in contention for a post-season bid before COVID-19 halted the season. Those 20 wins are the fewest Musselman has racked up as a collegiate head coach – while the 12 losses were his second highest.
With four starters gone from last year and the pandemic still looming large, fans may be skeptical. But there are at least four reasons fans should not lose hope; let’s count them down…
Arts & Culture:
For the Love of Live Performances
WAC adapts to pandemic by offering smaller "intermission" performances
The Walmart AMP launched its 20|20 expansion project after the final concert of last season. The goal was to improve experiences for both patrons and artists by creating flexible viewing areas and gathering spaces, increasing the number of restrooms and concession windows, and improving the artist’s experience by expanding the artist wing and backstage loading dock.
The project was completed in seven months during the venue’s off-season – just in time for what would have been the 2020 concert season.
Health: March of Dimes
Leading the fight for equal access to maternity care
It may surprise some to learn that 1 out of every 10 children in the United States is born preterm. This statistic personally affected Synetra and Airic Hughes when their daughter Airiel entered the world at 25 weeks gestation, weighing only 1 pound and 11 ounces.
Airiel spent nine long months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. When she came home in May 2016, she continued to live with a tracheostomy tube but began hitting her developmental milestones anyway.
Sadly, Airiel unexpectedly passed away in March 2019. Those who loved her say she impacted so many with her strength, resilience, grace and beauty during the 1,275 days that she lived.
Living Spaces: The Happy House
Local award-winning teacher transforms a dated house into a modern dream home
Rosemary Faucette has a gift for seeing the potential all around her. As a teacher, she always saw the best in her students.
Though she is now retired, many of the students Rosemary taught at Fayetteville’s Woodland Junior High have gone on to become doctors, lawyers and college professors – just as she predicted. “I think it’s an intuitive thing,” she says. “It’s not something I sat down and logically deduced.”
She remembers a particular student who was “a mess” and did not like school, but was an excellent writer. “I reassured his mother and said, ‘Don’t worry, he is so smart.’” Now, he has a Ph.D. and is a college professor. As an educator with remarkable vision and superb teaching skills, Rosemary was awarded both the national Milken Educator Award and Arkansas Teacher of the Year in 1993.
Eats & Drinks: Herman’s Ribhouse
A deep love of place, culture and cuisine
While hunger and a sense of nostalgia are what originally drew me back to Herman’s Ribhouse in Fayetteville, itwas the oh-so satisfying staples and soulful setting that I had really missed. And, as a lover of culture via food, Herman’s is par excellence.
The ribhouse is so much more than a restaurant. It is a cultural hub, a social epicenter and a culinary tour de force. It’s also a multigenerational destination, so undoubtedly,there are countless others who miss its welcoming atmosphere, the smell of unadulterated meat searing against a seasoned flat top or the murmurings of friendly strangers gathered around checkered tablecloths. I had missed this terribly, the edible culture of my city, the edible culture of Fayetteville.
Nonprofit Spotlight:
The Jones Center Celebrates 25 Years
25th anniversary offers a celebration of the past as well as a vision for the future
Twenty-five years ago, Bernice Jones envisioned a special place where everyone in the community could learn, play and grow.
In 1995, her vision became a reality when The Harvey and Bernice Jones Center for Families —now fondly known as The Jones Center — opened its doors in downtown Springdale. The center was built from the original facility that housed Harvey’s trucking business and has continued to serve area families through its recreation, education and health programs ever since.
The Jones Center is the result of a lifetime of giving by Harvey and Bernice – who also supported the community by partnering with various nonprofits to improve education, health and other essential needs in the region.