Coca-Cola An Original Of America Exhibit

Visitors poured into the Clinton Presidential Library to see the exhibit celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Contour Coca-Cola bottle that was created by the Root Glass Company of Terra Haute, Indiana.

The story behind the contour bottle started in the U.S. It was such a popular product that others tried to duplicate the brand. In 1915, the company put out a creative brief to 8 different glass companies. The brief ask the companies to come back with a design for a bottle that could be recognized lying broken on the ground or that you could feel in the dark.

Earl Dean sketched out the initial design of the Coca-Cola bottle in 1915. It followed the shape of the Coca Pod and it had the ribs that were vertical running up and down the bottle with a beautiful base and a spout. The sketch was turned into a patent submission. The patent was approved and granted to the Root Glass Company in November of 1915. The sketch was created into a bottle mold and in 1916 the Coca-Cola bottle was introduced nationwide.

“Great design and it appeals to all the senses,” said James Summorville, Vice President of Global Design in a video interview at the exhibit.

For 50 years, Coca-Cola was package in a six and half ounce contour bottle. In 1960, the trademark office offered trademark registration for the contour bottle. At that time coca cola was the best-known consumer package in the world.

“The fascinating thing to me about the contour bottle is that particularly today it’s a memory” said Ted Ryan, the Director of Heritage Communications in a video interview at the exhibit.

Mac Mathis works at the Clinton Presidential Library Gift Shop and he says he’s seen a lot of visitors come to the exhibit. “It’s been pretty popular, and I’ve only been here a week.” Said Mathis.

The exhibit also displayed paintings from Norman Rockwell and other iconic artist. The exhibit will go on Monday through Sunday at the Clinton Presidential Library until February 15th.

Taking The Bar

When Shannon Pollzzie took the job as Bartender at the Nines Restaurant in Greystone Country Club she had no idea what she was getting into. “My son worked here as a Cart Kid and he found out there was an opening in the bar so I came up and applied.” Said Pollzzie. Although she had no experiencing working in a bar she learned quickly that it isn’t as easy as it looks at times.

Pollzzie notes, although it is important to have a pleasant personality, there are other things just as important to know like, making sure the stock is efficient and knowing what the customers like to drink.

“It is also important to know the difference between a single and a double shot.” Said Pollzzie.

Shannon Pollzzie smiles as she works behind the bar at the Nines. (photo by: C. Flowers-Weston)
Shannon Pollzzie smiles as she works behind the bar at the Nines. (photo by: C. Flowers-Weston)

Greystone Country Club and Golfing Community has a reputation for being one of  the most prestigious golf courses in Arkansas. And their restaurant serves up some of the best food and drinks in town.

Pollzzie insists that is because they have a great cook in the kitchen and know how to prepare for their customers. “We make sure we have everything in place before we start the day.” She said.

The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday serving lunch and dinner everyday and on most Sundays, Brunch is served.

Pollzzie notes, she has fun meeting the different people who come into the The Nines restaurant and bar after a morning or afternoon of golf.

“Some days we get a good crowd of people in. And on other days we only see ten faces. But it’s always fun whether there is a big crowd or a handful of people.” She said.

Every year the Club hosts a Costume Party on Halloween with food drinks and live entertainment. The Club also host a New Years party every year.

A Photographer’s View On Lighting

 

Jacob DeNomie, is one of Cabot, Arkansas’ finest photographers. And today he is doing his first indoor shoot.

“Actually it’s called, I changed the name to Alice in Couture, so I’m doing like a vintage type, photo shoot,” said DeNomie.

He notes that there are some very important things that a photographer must do to prepare for an indoor photo shoot, and he today he talks about the importance of lighting when shooting models indoors.

“The most import thing is your lighting. Because, always make sure you have a light bulb in and it works. Never leave it on, or touch the light bulb because these types of bulbs can explode,” said DeNomie.

DeNomie says he is a perfectionist and insists that all of his models must  be are prepared and mentally ready for the shoot before he begins.

He said it is very important that their hair, clothes, and even their jewelry is perfect. In addition, he says his subjects must be as comfortable as possible.

DeNomie has several lights to chose from. But he must chose the right one to get the shot he is looking for. He settles on the Umbrella Light.

“This Umbrella Light makes it, softer on her face, because it doesn’t bounce all over the room. It stays in that one place,” said DeNomie.

He credits most of his inspiration for photography to his cousin Mary Buffington, who is also a well known Photographer in Hot Springs, Arkansas. DeNomie said he hopes to become a fashion photographer one day, taking photos of famous models around the world. He also wants to create his own fashion magazine.

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Greystone Community Welcomes New Pharmacy

 

The new Greystone Pharmacy pass out gift bags at Grand Opening (Photo:C.Flowers-Weston)
The new Greystone Pharmacy pass out gift bags at Grand Opening (Photo:C.Flowers-Weston)

Greystone Community has proudly welcomed a new business to the neighborhood. Trenton and Michelle Shipley opened the doors to the public, for the grand opening of their new Greystone Pharmacy, located off Highway 5 in the Greystone Medical Plaza.

The couple has lived in the Greystone Community since 2010, right after Trenton graduated from Pharmacy School. Now just five years later, Trenton said he was ready to do something more for his family. Moreover, what better way to serve the community then to have a pharmacy that offers convenience and is affordable?

Trenton notes that he hopes to be a great business for the residents of Greystone and the nearby communities. “We’re really excited, and very thankful for this opportunity.”

Pharmacist Trent Shipley greets news customers. (Photo: J. DeNomie)
Pharmacist Trenton Shipley greets news customers. (Photo: J. DeNomie)

Trenton also admits that having his own business allows him to spend more time at home with his wife, and their 11-month old son Ezra Duke.

Trenton said he chose, Greystone as the perfect location for his pharmaceutical business because of it’s convenience to the residents. “There’s nothing on this side of town and there’s two big communities, Magness Creek and Greystone; just the convenience factor; people not having to go in town to get their prescriptions.” Shipley insists he wants to be a part of the community as a business owner and not just another resident.

The Greystone Pharmacy offer full prescription services as well as over the counter medicines and food items.

The Shipleys insists their goal is to please their customers as much as possible.“We’re taking suggestions on anything that would be convenient for us to carry for people in the Magness Creek and Greystone area so people don’t have to go into town. They can just swing by here and pick it up. We also have a drive through.”

Mrs. Shipley admits she is excited about serving the people in her community. “This is the absolute perfect location, for us to reach our patients, our community, our friends. This is exactly where we want to be.” She adds that living across the street from their business makes it even more convenient. Mrs. Shipley, a native of Arkansas grew up in Cabot and played basketball all throughout her school years. Upon graduating high school, she attended ULAR and received her degree in Sociology. She taught school for a few years before deciding to go into business with her husband. Nevertheless, Michelle admits it is really their son, Ezra Duke that inspires them. “We started doing all of this so that we could see him more.”

Local resident, Frankie Glover said she is looking forward to having the convenience of the pharmacy. “I am super excited about having the pharmacy here because it is so close to my house. And they also deliver.”

Christy Bryant, a former co-worker and friend of the Shipleys says they are a very special couple. “I’m excited for the faith leap they are taking. I feel like God has truly blessed them. He has shown favor over them because they are good people.”

Monique Clark says she considers the Shipleys a part of her family. “I’m excited because God allowed us to be friends with them. I am very happy tts. The lobby and Drive-Thru are open Monday through Fridays 8AM until 6PM. Saturday the Drive-Thru is open 9am until 12 PM.o be here. We’re looking for better and brighter days ahead for them.”

Other services that Greystone Pharmacy provides include: local deliveries, counseling services, medication reviews, and full immunization shots. The lobby and Drive-Thru are open Monday through Fridays 8AM until 6PM. Saturday the Drive-Thru is open 9am until 12 PM.

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Cabot Library Gets the Official Welcoming

 

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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at new Cabot Public Library (Photo:C.Flowers-Weston)

The Cabot Public Library received its’ official welcome to the community on Saturday, when Ann Parker and Branch Manager Tammie Evans cut the red satin ribbon, making the formal welcome to residents of Cabot. According to Evans, Ann Parker played a major role in making this project a success.

“She is the first librarian who started pretty much the advancement for the library from where it was on Grant Street. She was the one who talked to the Mayor as soon as he came on board. She explained to him how badly we needed a new facility, and that Cabot was growing, the community was growing, and our facility just wasn’t adequate and we needed to do something about it.” And that, according to Evans, is what got the wheels in motion for what is now the new Cabot Public Library.

Cabot Mayor, Bill Cypert said he was pleased at the outcome of the new library and he thinks it is a great asset to the community.

“I think it’s a great thing for Lonoke County, a tremendous asset to the community and a benefit to a good number of our citizens. It’s an honor to have this happening today in Cabot, Arkansas.”

Other participants on hand included Senator Eddie Joe Williams, County Judge, Doug Erwin, and Eddie Cook, the Director of Operations for the City of Cabot, who said he was thrilled to see how many showed up in spite of the weather. “The rain is going to keep people down but I am so happy who showed up today.”

Cook also notes that, since the opening of the new library in August, seventeen thousand people have visited the facility. “That’ll tell you where the library is going. It’s a good, good library for the area.”

Since it was the weekend of Halloween, there were plenty of fun games and activities for the children, who came dressed in full costumes. Violet dressed as a Spider Princess showed off her Orange Jack-O-Lantern she colored on construction paper, while Zoe the Vampire Queen made her way into the Children’s Room to visit Clifford the big red dog, who posed for pictures with the children as they collected candy.

Local Author, James Fuller was on hand for the book signing of his two books, The Long Journey Home, a story about his ancestors and various other people in his life growing up in Alabama. Fuller said his second book, Train Them Up The Way They Should Go, is about raising children, God’s way.

“My idea is to start the day they are born. And even though they may not be able to recall some things, good or bad that they experience from the day they’re born, it’s going to affect them for the rest of their lives.”

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Business Is Booming In Cabot

Business is growing rapidly in the town of Cabot, Arkansas.

Welcome Sign At Cabot (Photo:Unknown Source)
Welcome Sign At Cabot (Photo:Unknown Source)

On their website, the City of Cabot, gives you ten reasons to live there. However, as one resident, Genny Fare says, she can add to that. “Not only is Cabot a beautiful place to live, it has one of the best, if not the best, school system in state.”

There are no other towns in Lonoke County with a population as large as Cabot, Arkansas. It is a suburb of Little Rock, with a population of 23,776.

Now with the rapid growth of small businesses, Cabot’s population is expected to continue to grow. In 2014, the city Chamber of Commerce welcomed eleven new businesses to the town. Now, one year later that number has matched.

In 1862, a deadly disease struck the town before it became, Cabot. An epidemic of Typhoid Fever, killed nearly 1500 soldiers. By 1873, people began settling in Cabot. For a long time, there was only one church and one bank in the town. However, by the 50’s and 60’s the small town began to grow, mainly due to the erection of the Little Rock Air Force Base.

The Cabot School District is among the top three favored school districts in the state of Arkansas. And it is committed to providing every student a safe and cultivating environment that promises to prepare him or her for this ever-changing world.

The Cabot Community Center offers many activities for the residents. It has a tennis court, swimming pool, walking trails, a public gymnasium along with a host of other amenities.

Greystone Country Club is a beautifully landscaped community of luxury styled homes nestled on and around two 18-hole golf courses. The club has a full service restaurant that serves the best beer and choice of the finest liquors and wines. The club is also open to the public.

The Cabot Public Library was recently remolded into a state of the art facility that offers several free services to the community.

Out of the eleven new businesses that opened in Cabot in 2015, five are restaurants. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Grand Pa’s Bar-B-Que (now called Pa Pa’s Place), Pinoy Express, Tokyo, and Chef Shuttle.

The other businesses include, Cabot Church of Christ, Complete Family Counseling, Hope’s Pantry, Hypnosis Clinic, Global Eyecare, and Owen Orthodontics.

 

Copy of Presentation - Studio-2

Copy of Presentation - Studio

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A Weekend At Greystone

 

Saturday was a busy day for the residents of Greystone Community. The day started with the Semi-Annual Garage Sale where items went for record bargains. People came from all over Arkansas in hopes of finding items at great prices.

Andrea Callahan, of Little Rock said she was happy to make the drive for the bargains she got. “I bought a glass and brass coffee table for thirty dollars. Anywhere else it probably would have been a couple of hundred dollars”. Miss Callahan said she also found a nice wall mirror for her new home. “I know exactly where I’m going to hang it”, she said. Other shoppers left with a variety of items from household goods to toys.

“My daughter just asked for a doll house for Christmas”, said Trina Lewis, of Little Rock. Miss Lewis was pleased with the beautifully crafted dollhouse she purchased from Karen Wilkens of Greystone for $20.

Items for a steal at the Greystone Country Club Bi-Annual Garage (photo:C.Flowers-Weston)
Items for a steal at the Greystone Country Club Bi-Annual Garage (photo:C.Flowers-Weston)

The sale ended by noon leaving the sellers and buyers satisfied. In addition, as the crowd of happy buyers departed out of Greystone more cars arrived for the Couple’s Scramble and a night golfing.

Couples teamed up dressed in glowing dreadlocks, necklaces, and other glowing attire to play 18 holes.

“It was a lot of fun out there,” said Richard Johnson, General Manager of Greystone and coordinator of the event. “Everyone seems to be having a great time”.

After the games the golfers gathered back at the Nine’s Restaurant where they feasted from a Buffett styled menu that included fried catfish, creole chicken, beef tips, salad, rice, mashed potatoes, vegetables, rolls, and dessert.

Johnson said he wanted everyone to be a part of the event, even if they did not participate in the night golfing event. ” We decided to have the buffet and DJ Joe King provide music so everyone could come out and be a part of the event”, said Johnson. “I think we had a pretty good turnout”.

Golf Cart Glowing and Ready to go out for a night of Glow Golf (photo:C .Flowers-Weston)
Golf Cart Glowing and Ready to go out for a night of Glow Golf (photo:C .Flowers-Weston)

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The Trumpeters Have Arrived

 

Every year between November and February, you can cruise down to the privately owned lake located east of Heber Springs, and check out some of the most beautiful and elegantly white Trumpeter Swans swirling around the 30 acres of Magness Lake.

Lake Magness just off the Little Red River has become the famous tourist attraction to see the Trumpeter Swans in action
Lake Magness just off the Little Red River has become the famous tourist attraction to see the Trumpeter Swans in action. (Photo/C. Flowers-Weston)

Over 200 years ago, after a fierce storm, these elegant species migrated from Canada and found haven in the quiet midwestern rural town of Sugar Loaf, Arkansas, just outside Heber Springs. In 1992 these beautiful snow white Trumpeter swans were spotted in the Magness Lake area. Moreover, each year they seem to increase in number.

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Trumpeter Swans are known to make their way to Arkansas from Thanksgiving to Valentines Day when they scout for breeding partners. (Photo/C.Flowers-Weston)

The Trumpeter Swans are a large fowl distinguishably noticeable by their all white feathers and black bill maintaining an average wind span of 7′ and height reaching 4′. The make swan is called a cob, while the female swan is known as a pen. The adult Trumpeters mostly live off vegetation like, leaves, seeds, and roots of weeds found in ponds.

Two young Swans identified by their grayish feathers and black bill with small yellow patch
Two young Swans identified by their grayish feathers and black bill with small yellow patch swim along Magness Lake after feeding. (Photo/C.Flowers-weston)

Madness Lake is located east of Heber Springs, Arkansas and is known to be the “most Southern of the interior U.S. that the Trumpeter Swans are known to migrate to.

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Many of the Trumpeters have been sighted in Alaska while fewer have been seen in places like Wyoming and at Magness Lake in Arkansas. (Photo/C.Flowers-Weston)
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Trumpeters scout out the best partners to breed with during November and February. (Photo/C. Flowers-Weston)

The best time to catch a glimpse of the Trumpeter Swans is in late afternoon, upon their arrival back from roaming for food and feeding. They usually return to the lake by dusk.

Madness Lake is located off the Little Red River east of 110 intersecting with Arkansas 5 and 25 east of Heber Springs. Visitors can get a view of these beautiful swans from a public road just a few miles down on Hays Road.

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Interview With Guitarist Namon Flowers Jr.

 

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Namon Flowers Jr. sits back relaxed and poised in his chair. He speaks slowly and clearly, as he reminisces about how he first began his music career. Flowers said he started out playing his first instrument when his father purchased him a used guitar from a second-hand store at the age of 8-years old.

“My first instrument was a string instrument. It was a Box Guitar, known today as an Acoustic Guitar. However, what inspired me to venture into the Box Guitar was singing at a young age through the help of an old lady by the name of Miss Barker. To this day, if I ever see that lady, I would give her a hug, because she put me where I am, and inspired me letting me know that I got something here.”

Flowers recalls that his first guitar had no strings. Therefore, he had to learn to improvise, first by strumming in the motions, until he discovered an unconventional way of creating his own strings.

“I kind of just went through the motions until I decided I could string it up with some fishing string. My dad had some fishing string in the basement of the house. I took some of that and wired it up like that, and just started going through a strumming motion.”

The first music Flowers ever remembers playing was Gospel. He credits that to his mother and father who were devout Christians, who often kept him and his siblings in church. He notes that Christmas and Easter were some of his favorite holidays to perform in church programs, and seeing the young children at his church perform in the, Annual Christmas Celebration reminded him of those good times.

“I see me and my brother and sisters participating in the programs we used to have back then. We were singing and playing in church. We were young and had a little Quartet back then too.”

Flowers recall his father, Namon Flowers Sr. as being his first inspiration because he also sang in a family Quarter, The Spiritual Homnizers.

“My dad was a song bird. He really could sing. He’d put you to tears if you let him.”

Namon Flowers Sr. said he used to talk to his sons about his Uncle John who played guitar and he thinks that had some influence on them have a desire to play.

“I also think them following us around to sing played a part too. I wanted some of my children to be musicians. I use to look at this way; the Edwin Hawkins singers were popular back then, and I could see my children and myself with a big choir doing the same thing they were doing. I just love singing. I love Gospel, but I love music period.”

Flowers said he was inspired himself to sing by going to gospel singings as a young boy growing up in Alabama. He started singing as a teenager in a gospel group called the Royal Homizers when he was 12 years-old.

“We had a group back in the forties, and we could sing like the Platters and the Drifters, but we chose Gospel.” When Flowers Sr. moved to Trenton, New Jersey he joined a family Quartet, The Spiritual Humanizers. He recalls how happy he was that his son Namon was playing guitar for the group when he was in his early teens.

“It made me feel good. That’s what I wanted to see him and James do. And I’ve lived long enough to see that.” Says Flowers Sr. now 83 years old. And he adds although he always wanted to see his sons playing in church he has seen them perform in secular groups and that made him just as proud.

“I went to hear them play a couple of times, when they were in different groups, and I was so proud. It made me feel so good to see how good they were. And now that they are back playing in church, I couldn’t ask for anything more. All I ever wanted was to see them together playing again in church.”

Namon Flowers Sr. (2nd to left) with his family Quartet, The Spiritual Hominizers.

Flowers recalls that his inspiration did not stop with his fathers Quartet. He notes that there were Uncles and Cousins who also played a role.

“My cousin, Brenda Flowers inspired us so much because she played an instrument and her brother Kenny, he inspired us also, as far our peers. Without them participating in it so much, I don’t think we would have bothered about it so, because they were excellent players, and still are today. But bless Kenny, he is no longer with us.”

Flowers’ younger brother James also plays the guitar. He notes they both got their inspiration around the same time. “There were other ones around our time like, Dennis Rogers, who inspired us both quite a bit because he was playing guitar back then.

“When I first met Namon Flowers we met at Jerusalem Baptist Church.” Recalls Dennis Rogers. Rogers said that by the time they reached high School, he and Namon formed a Gospel group called the Jerusalem Allstars. However, it did not stop there.

“We also teamed up in Trenton High School and played with the TNJ’s which turned from, Funky Music Machine, to the well-known music hit band,  Instant Funk. We also played with brothers, Albert and Arthur McCoy in a band called the Fitzerald 201 Band.”

James Flowers recalls playing in his first  band with his brother and a group of other teenagers in their neighborhood.

“We were the Junior Meditators, playing alongside, Keith Williamson and his brothers, Vernel, and Wayne. Gregory Bronner, and a drummer, ‘Hickey’ were in the band too. When I first met Keith, he wasn’t playing Bass, he was playing Congo. He wanted me to teach him how to play the Bass, but he didn’t need me. He actually picked it up all by himself. And now Keith is awesome. Keith is off the charts. He is one to he baddest Bass players you will find out there.”

Flowers notes as he got older and continue to pursue his music career, there were many other musicians that influenced him.

“An older gentleman by the name of Mr. Mayfield also inspired us because he played the bass guitar. We took a liking to the Bass because we liked the heavy sound it gave. I started out with it and James started out with guitar. But we switched up because I liked playing guitar and James liked that bottom so we wound up switching up.”

Flowers insists that he still enjoys playing the bass, however, James professes to be the master of it. In addition to the guitar, Flowers also plays piano and the Kalimba, an African musical instrument. Flowers recalls he first learned about the instrument through the music group, Earth, Wind, and Fire.

Maurice White was one of the first who introduced it. It had this unique kind of sound that touches your soul.”

Flowers notes that, Latin guitarist Carlos Santana was also a big influence in his music career in addition to Jimmy Hendrix who became one of his favorite guitar players.

“He really inspired us because we were rocking back then as youths and it was something about the way he played.” Flowers adds that there were many Motown Artists who also played a role in his decision to branch out and explore other genres of music.

Flowers has performed on stage and toured with many music greats such as Blues legend, Marvin Sease, David Brinston Reggae Artist, Yellowman, and the R&B, soul group, Kool and The Gang. And he says he has grown in his craft over the years.

“Because the inspiration God continues to inspire me to write for my own content; for my love of just the music itself. And without it, I don’t think I would be at peace right now. To have this tranquility right now and to have these moments to just say, heaven, and happy and all that good stuff. I just thank God for all this, all the music and all that I’ve been through with it. And I think I do pretty good with it. I love playing the music. I love it. I just love it.”

Don Perez played percussions along side Flowers in the R & B band, New Solutions in the late seventies into the early eighties. He said he’d like to work with Flowers again.

“Namon is one of the most round-about, methodic, rhythmic, guitarist that I have ever played with.” Perez also played alongside Flowers in the Reggae Band, Kayawah & The Movement Band.

Flowers says although he has a passion for playing the music, he also enjoys writing, producing in the studio, composing and collaborating with other artists as well.

Flowers notes there is more he would like to do in the music business but for now he is content playing alongside his brother, James at the Hines Chapel AME Church in Dothan Alabama. The Reverend, Paul Horn is the Pastor. Pastor Horn’s daughter, Raven sings with the Praise Team while musicians, Namon, James, and Keyboard Player, Alvin Wigeons,  Drummer, Courtney Joyner, and Congo player, and youngest of the musicians, Tyler Williams, render powerful Gospel music.

“It might be AME, but it has a Pentecostal atmosphere at times, ” said Flowers.

Flowers currently lives in Ozark, Alabama with his wife of 38 years, Denise, who says she has never heard anyone play guitar like her husband. She notes that she fell in love with the person he was but once she heard him play the guitar, she feel even deeper in love.

“It made me love him more. He is so good he makes the guitar play by itself” And when asked what great guitarist she would compare her husband to?  She replied, “BB King. That’s who I will compare him with.”

Flowers says although he has a passion for what he does, it has not always been easy to be in such a competitive field. He gives strong advice to anyone thinking seriously about pursuing music as a career.

“You can live a certain life where you’re comfortable in the music business. However, All that glamour and glitter is a fad; an illusion. There are levels of the industry where you can live very good and comfortable. And you can have more control, which is what you want to do; have control of the business. You want to be able to, ‘call the shots’ as they say. Cut out all those middle people. You have to have people who work with you. However, be very particular about who those people are. Follow that passion, if that is your quest; this music business. Like I said it’s rough, but I would tell anyone, also, have you some back up. You can’t just rely just on that. You gotta have a balance, so you need to work, you need to have a job, you need to get schooled. You need to have all these things that make this character which calls himself a musician.”

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Pro Golfer Richard Johnson Talks Golf

 

Arkansas has some of the most scenic golf courses throughout the state, and Greystone Country Club and Golf Course possesses all the criteria to be among the top ten elite of them. However, the course has had its share of misfortune when in 2012 it sold through public auction.

The comeback and success of the winning 18-hole golf course owes much of its achievement to Welsh Pro Golfer Richard Johnson who became co-owner of the course with Jim Cooper in 2012.

Johnson has made several improvements in the country club, but says he would like to see its’ member number increase. “Greystone is a semi-private club with 285 members and we are open to the public also.”

Born and raised in Cardiff Wales, Johnson said he has seen his share of golf courses. He watched his father Peter Johnson play and notes that is where his first inspiration came from.

“My dad’s a PGA Professional so I lived around the golf course when I was a kid. When I turned 10 that was the first time you were allowed to play in the U.K. so, off I went into the sport.”

Johnson won his first big tournament, the British Boys Championship when he was 13 years old, and he notes he still remembers how good it felt.

“Winning is part of a process. It is just something that happens. It’s more of the pride and continuing to get better that manages you to win, and makes you feel good about it.”

Johnson has won several tournaments including four PGA tour sanctioned tournaments. He represented Wales in the World Cup in 2008, and became the second golfer in the 2009 Michael Hill New Zealand Open to score a hole-in-one on a par.

Golf is a highly competitive sport and according to Johnson, you have to be willing to work hard to become good at the sport…

Sports Psychologist, Justin Hill has been teaching golf for more than a decade and says it is not enough to be physically in shape for the sport. In addition, Hill insists there must be a level of positive energy and belief in oneself to be successful in Golf. “Some people give up after one loss because they can not except failure. But for those who are willing to keep at it and train hard mentally and physically, they will succeed.”

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Waterfalls nestle between the courses at Mystic Dunes Golf and Resort much like the course at Greystone Country Club and Golf. Photo by Charlotte Flowers-Weston

Johnson continues to find time to play golf in spite of his busy schedule of managing and hosting events at the Country Club. And he insists, in spite of a shoulder injury he will continue to swing as long as he can. “I love playing Golf. Always have, and always will.”

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Inside Kenzie’s Restaurant at Mystic Dunes. Richard Johnson manages The Nines Restaurant at Greystone Country Club. Photo by: Charlotte Flowers-Weston

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