Page 7 - TR What Women Want Feb 2016

Sunday, February 7, 2016 • An Advertising Supplement to the Three Rivers Edition • What Women Want • 7SS
“My dad’s always on my mind. He’s been gone 12 years now, but there’s probably not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him.”
MARY TWITTY
JACKSONVILLE ALDERMAN
Twitty said all the committee members are good friends and work well together, but it also takes a host of sponsors to make the event such a success.
“The whole town gets involved in this,” Twitty said. “We have lots of great sponsors, and we couldn’t do it without all of them. ... There are probably about a half a dozen other people in Sertoma who work just as hard as we do. They all do a great job, but this one here, Tara, I have a vision, and she makes it happen. She just amazes me.”
There might be times when Twitty has over-the-top ideas, such as having an ice sculpture, but she said Smith makes it happen.
“I want it all,” Twitty said. “For one night, I want it all for these girls and their daddies. ... If it wasn’t for this committee, there is no way — there’s absolutely no way — I could pull this off.”
Serving the city, seniors
“I’d love to have 100 Marys,” Fletcher said. “She’s very involved in a lot of things in the community, and as alderman, I think her constituents really respect her and know that they can call her and expect somebody who will take care of their problem.”
Twitty and Fletcher have been longtime friends.
“She and I go way back. She and my sister were best friends growing up. We called ourselves rink rats be- cause we hung out at the skating rink as kids. She’s almost like a sister to me,” the mayor said.
“Mary has always been community minded. ... Mary’s just one of those who is always constantly looking for a way to meet people’s needs, and she does that, obviously, through the Sertoma Club, but she does it through her ser- vice to the Jacksonville City Council, too. She’s a blessing.”
Twitty’s mother-in-law, Avis Twitty, served on the City Council for more than 20 years, which prompted Twitty’s interest in running for the Ward 4 alderman position.
“Every Sunday, we would get to hear about things that were going on in the city, and I’m such a big volunteer that I just wanted to be involved,” Twitty said. “Several people asked, ‘Have you ever thought about running?’ and no, really, I hadn’t, but I really enjoy helping peo- ple, and I have the time to put into it.”
She may technically work with her husband, Jeff Twit- ty, at Farmer’s Insurance in Jacksonville, but she said she doesn’t really. She is supposed to, but doesn’t really have the time. She’s too busy volunteering.
“I’ve been very blessed to be able to be a volunteer. I really enjoy it,” Mary Twitty said. “I volunteered with my kids when they were little, and all through school with them. My husband says, ‘That’s your job — you’re a professional volunteer.’ Somebody’s got to do it, right?
“I like to help a lot of people, though, and being an alderman, I’ve been able to meet a lot more people than just the circle I run in. When people call, I do whatever I can do to help. I can’t always fix it, but I can try.”
The desire to serve, Twitty said, can probably be at- tributed to her upbringing.
“My dad loved helping people,” she said. “He would give you the shirt off of his back, so I would say I learned that from my dad. He always volunteered.”
Both of her parents were, and her mom still is, a member of the Moose Lodge in Sherwood, where they were involved in organizing shows and volunteering during the holidays.
“The first time I ran [for alderman], I learned a lot,” Twitty said. “It was close, but I was beat. My opponent is one of the best aldermen we have in town,” she said.
When the next election cycle came around, Twitty ran again and won.
“I was like, if you ran the first time and you were really serious about it, then why not do it again? So I got back out there,” Twitty said.
Prior to being elected, Twitty served as a commission- er for Jacksonville Parks and Recreation, and for the past four years has served on the board of the Jacksonville Senior Wellness & Activity Center.
“During my campaign, I went out there to talk to them. I just fell in love with them. It’s like you go from one aspect with the little kids, who just melt your heart, to the seniors, who are just so knowledgeable. ... Girl, they keep me straight,” Twitty said.
The Father Daughter Banquet will be at 5 p.m. Satur- day, Feb. 20, at the Jacksonville Community Center. Only a limited number of tickets are available and will not be sold at the door. The cost for a dad and one daughter is $45, a dad and two daughters is $50, and a dad and three or more daughters is $55. For more information, find the Jacksonville Father Daughter Banquet or the Jacksonville Sertoma Club on Facebook. For tickets, see a member of the Jacksonville Sertoma Club, or call Perry at 501-529-3685 or Twitty at 501-912-9422.
More FATHERDAUGHTER events
BY SYD HAYMAN
SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
To celebrate the bond be- tween fathers and daughters, several local and state orga- nizations hold annual winter dances filled with music, food and fun, offering these pairs the chance to wear their best attire in a family-friendly, ball-like atmosphere.
CABOT
The Cabot Panther Foun- dation’s third annual Father Daughter Ball will take place from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 18 in Cabot High School’s cafeteria. The nonprofit foundation, which aims to financially support athletic, educational and re- search-based efforts in the Cabot School District, invites daughters from pre-K to sixth grade to don their best dresses as they enjoy a night filled with dancing, dining and photos with their fathers or father figures.
For more information, visit www. cabotschools.org/foundation/ father-daughter-ball.
SEARCY
To honor the relationships between fathers and daughters, while also celebrating the win- ter season, the Distinguished Young Women of Arkansas will present its annual Fa- ther-Daughter Snowflake Ball fundraiser from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Searcy Country Club. The Distinguished Young Women of Arkansas is part of a nationwide program that of- fers college scholarships and training for real-word settings to girls who are juniors and seniors in high school, though the event is open to daughters of various ages. Tickets for the dance, which offers a buffet din- ner, photographs and a live DJ, are $15 per person and can be purchased at the country club or Bobby T’s Mattress & Furniture.
CASUAL chic
Cozy couture
Just because the weather is gloomy doesn’t mean your outfit has to be, too. This spring green bag features gold accents and a green tassel that will stand out in a crowd. Add a bright-pink beanie from CC for a dash of color to your wardrobe.
TO BUY: Anita’s Accessories, Cabot
Jazzy jeans
Add some spark to your wardrobe with Kan Can jeans, which are available in an assortment of chic styles, including fashionably destroyed types with trendy rips and patches. Wherever you wear them, these dazzling denims are sure to catch the eye of onlookers. TO BUY: Dale’s Clothing and Accessories, Searcy
Denim for days
Get ready for spring with this beautiful washed-denim button-up. Tie it together with a baroque-pearl and brass-spike necklace, and you’ll be ready to get into the spring style. TO BUY: Darling’s Fine Things, Newport
Native comfort
Pamper your feet with Minnetonka’s Arizona Kilty moccasin. Its sleek design is fashion forward, yet practical and oh-so comfortable. Slip into these supple suede leather shoes with ultraflexible bottoms, and you can go all day. With a variety of colors to choose from, these moccasins will match any look in your closet.
TO BUY: Dancing Cranes, Heber Springs
You only get one heart. Let us help you take good care of it!
February is American Heart Month! Schedule an appointment today to talk matters of the heart with your family healthcare provider or cardiologist.
Need a provider or specialist?
Visit www.WhiteRiverHealthSystem.com, or call (870) 262-6149 for your free provider directory.
HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS
The 5 major symptoms of a heart attack are:
1) Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back. 2) Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint.
3) Chest pain or discomfort.
4) Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulders.
5) Shortness of breath.
If you think that you or someone you know is having a heart attack, call 911 immediately!