Free Range Conversations

Beginning this week, the Rison Clinic of Mainline Health Systems will welcome a new addition with Dr. John Austin Beatty joining the staff full-time. Dr. Beatty joins renowned Dr. Kimberly Golden, who was named 2024 Best Medical General Practitioner by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, at the clinic as a second provider. He has previously worked for Mainline’s Warren clinics since 2023. His move to Rison marks the first time two doctors have seen patients in town from one clinic. In this week’s episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast, the new doctor calls in with hosts Britt Talent, Roy Phillips and Douglas Boultinghouse to share what he looks forward to about settling in Rison. Dr. Beatty said he actually volunteered to come to Rison because he wanted to work with Dr. Golden.

When it comes to first aid, people may not think about the the need to administer first aid to an animal. Kim Bradley recently relocated to Southeast Arkansas from the Bay area of California and brought her Paws4Safety mission with her, “Because moments matter.” To reach more people with tips and safety advice geared towards caring for pets, Bradley has launched a weekly column in the Cleveland County Herald, which began in the June 4 issue last week. Last week’s column provided signs to look for with heat strokes as we lead into warm summer months. This week, Bradley brings awareness to fleas and ticks.

This week marks five years since Malinda Berry opened her florist My Berry Patch in the Emerson House on Main Street in Rison - the oldest structure in town still standing, built in the 1890s. To reflect on the past five years, as well as her childhood memories of Rison before moving to Arizona with her family at age 14, Berry joins the latest episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast. After spending her life in Arizona and working in real estate, Berry said her family wanted a simpler and more affordable life, and that called her home to Rison, a very different Rison from the one she left.

One evening of highlighting a decade of accomplishments for Kickstart Cleveland County reignited a spark for Dr. Mark Peterson. The retired professor of community and economic development from the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service had more wisdom and ideas for the kickstart initiative. After speaking at the celebratory banquet, the professor stayed in the county for a special episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast with hosts Britt Talent, Douglas Boultinghouse and Roy Phillips. Former extension agent Les Walz and current agent for Cleveland County David West also joined the episode. Talent and Walz, with the help of Peterson, were instrumental in the formation of the Kickstart Cleveland County Community Development Initiative which serves as an umbrella organization over Rison Shine, Kickstart Kingsland, Re-New-ing Edinburg, Pioneer Village, Community Theater, Fair Association, and at one time, Wake Up Woodlawn.

The third annual Cruisin’ Cleveland County Bike Ride is set to roll Saturday, June 14. Co-organizers Darren Austin and Rison Mayor Charles Roberts, join the latest episode of Free Range Conversations to talk about the ride and share some exclusive news regarding the event! The ride itself begins at 7 a.m. at Rison’s Pioneer Village. After checking in at 6:30 p.m., riders will take off on one of five routes with lengths at 21, 29, 44 and 65 miles. New this year, a 20-mile gravel route has been added for riders who prefer the extra grind of a gravel ride. The cost is $50 per rider, regardless of which route they choose. Also new this year, will be a post-ride celebration that is open to the public beginning at 1 p.m.

Lauren Threlkeld returns to the latest episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast to share her experience competing in the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon last month, and a glimpse at her next adventure. Threlkeld set out for Galveston, Texas to conquer the triathlon series, which is the world’s premier half-distance series consisting of a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. Mother nature had other plans for the thrill-seeker. Due to weather conditions, the swim portion of the event had to be canceled. Threlkeld completed the bike ride and run in a total of six hours and 36 seconds, accomplishing her goal of finishing the event. She will compete this weekend in the Memphis in May triathlon. This event is shorter than her last, consisting of a mile swim, a 24-mile bike ride and a six-mile run.

Woodlawn High School Principal (and Woodlawn School Alum) TJ Hill joins hosts Britt Talent and Douglas Boultinghouse to discuss the upcoming May 13, 2025 school election which asks for a millage increase to help fund projects at the school including a new career technology center.

RISON - When you’re in need of help during an emergency - such as a fire or a car accident - the local firefighters are the ones most likely coming to your rescue. And now, the firefighters are the ones needing your help. Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Grubb and Firefighter Keden Shrum join the latest episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast to talk about some of the needs for the Rison Volunteer Fire Department. The also share details on upcoming fundraising events the department is hosting to raise funds. While other volunteer fire departments across the county operate as non-profit 501(c)3 charity organizations, the fire department in Rison operates under the City of Rison as a volunteer municipal fire department. Because the fire department receives some funding from the city through sales tax this narrows the opportunities for grant funding to make improvements or purchase new equipment.

For anyone who has ever been interested in selling their own food products in retail stores, or even locally at markets and events, a resource to make it happen is right here in Rison. David Hill, a program associate with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension in the Food Systems and Food Safety Division, joins the latest episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast to discuss the Share Grounds Kitchen Program and Food Freedom Act. Share Grounds uses kitchen facilities located at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds to help clients develop ideas into feasible business models.

RISON - With the 2025 Pioneer Crafts Festival just weeks away, one of the organizers and current Vice President of the Pioneer Village Malinda Berry, joined the latest episode of Free Range Conversations to share what attendees can expect. The festival is set for Saturday, April 19 kicking off at 9 a.m. at Rison’s historic Pioneer Village. The night prior will feature a Beans and Greens Supper at 5 p.m. Berry encourages the public to come out and enjoy the dinner while vendors set up and mingle with guests in advance of the festivities on Saturday.