THE STORY: I was born and raised in Valley, Alabama, where my mother still lives. She is a retired educator, but is still active in the community. She and my dad were influential in my educational goals; they also encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and take chances. I attended the University […]
THE STORY: As we age, we tend to go through phases. In our 20’s, we start to plant the roots of our own family and set ourselves up for the life we imagine. Our 30’s tend to be about growing that family to be happy and healthy; we make sure our loved ones are set […]
THE STORY: We are shaped by the impact and influence of people, lessons learned, the values we hold, the roads we travel, suffering and loss, and the memories we choose to keep. My story is colorful. I have dived for lobster, herded cattle in Oklahoma, snow skied above clouds, hiked 13,000-foot mountain ranges, traveled to […]
THE STORY: Originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, I moved to Marietta as a kid and went to Sprayberry High School. Growing up, we often went to visit my grandfather, Jack Skyles,— he was a Korean War veteran and Mayor of Lakeview, Arkansas (pop. 512). He would always take me to city meetings and functions (when […]