Dec 14, 2023

David Atchison

Nov 16, 2023

Nov 9, 2023

Oct  26, 2023

Stephen Lonon

Our speaker this morning is a member of our club, Stephen Lonon. Stephen is a regular in our Monday morning fly Tying class.   He also works at the fly shop at Bass Pro, but what he is going to talk to us about today has little to do with bass Pro.

Stephen is medically retired with Honors from the US Army.  He holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and is a former wilderness EMT.  He works professionally as a fly fishing guide and is passionate about outdoor conservation.

Stephen is also the Arkansas State liaison for Back country Hunters & Anglers’ Armed Forces Initiative.

Sep 21, 2023

Mike Swanner

Our speaker today, Mike Swanner, has lived in Springdale since 1987 with his wife Kathy. 

He Served in the United States Air Force for 4 years as an Auto Pilot technician.  His longest deployment was at DaNang, So Vietnam

Mike earned a MS in Management from University of Southern Mississippi in 1978.

Afterwards, he Worked as Cost/Corporate Accountant for over 40 years, retiring from Tyson Foods in 2015 after 31 years.

Mike has worked as a Volunteer with Project Healing Waters(PHW) since 2015, which is when Fly Tyer Beth Armour started the NWA Program.  

Mike Served as the Assistant Program Lead(APL) with healing Waters until they split into 2 Programs in Late 2018.  After, he took over as Program Lead of the Fayetteville Program Lead(PL).  

In 2021 Beth stepped down as Program Leader of the Bella Vista Program, for health reasons.  The Fayetteville and Bella Vista Programs were combined back together to continue as the NWA Program.

Mike and Kathy have 3 children, a son & 2 Daughters.  Our son retired from Air Force at rank of Major. Oldest Daughter runs her own hairstylist business in Tontitown.  Youngest daughter earned her PhD from U of A in Psychology.

Sep 14, 2023

Sarah Sorenson

Sarah Sorensen, guest speaker, and the 2023 recipient of the Bella Vista Fly Tyers scholarship. Sarah is currently a PhD candidate in the Arkansas Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit at the University of Arkansas. Previously, she received a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University and a Master of Environmental Science degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Sarah's PhD research is centered on how disturbances impact population and community dynamics in streams. She utilizes a combination of field work, lab work, and statistical modeling to examine how hydrologic disturbance will affect stream populations and communities. She has used stable isotope analysis to analyze how aquatic flow regimes impact food webs, specifically the food chain length of Smallmouth Bass.  Sarah is also modeling current distributions of Smallmouth Bass and how that distribution may shift in the future, with changes to temperature and hydrologic regimes. Sarah is passionate about streams, fish, mentoring, conservation, and responsible management. After completing her PhD, Sarah plans to continue to utilize a combination of field work, modeling, remote sensing, and geospatial analysis to ecological and conservation focused questions and contribute to our growing knowledge of best practices for conservation and management. Outside of research, Sarah loves hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, camping, trail running, and yoga. Sarah also reports that she is learning how to fly fish and that she caught her first Rainbow Trout this past April!

Aug 31, 2023

Diana Shearon

Drawing and painting are a passion in my life. As a little girl I would beg to be given the white butcher paper wrappings from my mother on which I would draw and color for hours. My first drawing lesson was in 1st grade in a rural Midwest schoolroom. Mrs. Olsen drew an elephant on the chalkboard using letters of the alphabet! I was thrilled to learn how to take those lines to create an image! As a teenager my frequent request for Christmas was a set of acrylic paints from the Sears and Roebuck Catalog (which I did finally receive when I was sixteen). I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the University of Arkansas in the late 90's and achieve my dream of an academic art degree. Working in the graphic design and photography field was rewarding but returning to the studio to become a full-time painter is a dream fulfilled.

Plein air painting helped make the connection between my rural background to scenes of the land and spaces around me. On quiet days in my studio, I search through my still life shelves and set up something that pleases my eye or work from one of my landscape references. Frequently I continue to develop portraits as commissioned works and well as for personal development.

The last several years has been extremely rewarding with multiple acceptances into national juried exhibitions and being selected for a solo exhibition/artist in residence at P. Allen Smith’s Moss Mountain Farm; Steamboat Art Museum National Plein Aire, Southwest Artists National Small Works Show, Missouri Valley Impressionist Society 6th National Juried Exhibition, The Randy Higbee Gallery 8th Annual 6 x 6 National Show, The National Oil and Acrylic Painters Holiday Small Works Exhibition, The Rice Gallery of Fine Art 3rd National Juried Plein Air Exhibition, 1st Place Portrait/Figure Arkansas League of Artists and the “Best of Show” award in the Memphis Germantown Art League 41st Annual Juried Star Exhibition. I am very honored to have my landscape "Bluffs at Buffalo Point" selected by the Arkansas Community Foundation permanent collection.  Arkansas Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts' 2019-2020 Artists Registry selected my work for their registry.

I am always continuing to search new approaches and techniques through workshops with artists that inspire me. Continuing education is a very important aspect of my development as a painter and instruction on a national level has been a priority since returning to fine art, bringing me to Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia to study figure and portraiture with Darren Kingsley and Stephen Early. My studies include still life and portraiture with Jeff Legg – OPAM, Landscape with Roger Dale Brown – OPAM, Patrick Saunders - OPA, Elizabeth Robbins - OPA and Kathy Anderson - OPAM. Early workshops at the Scottsdale Artist School included studying portraiture and still life with David Leffel, Sherrie McGraw and Jackie Kamin of the Bright Light Artist Guild. 

2021 - Steamboat Art Museum National Plein Air - Award of Excellence - Juror Jane Hunt OPA

2020 - Exhibitions and Events

2020 - Randy Higbee Gallery 6 x 6 National Show

2020 - The Rice Gallery Sunrise and Sunset National Show

2020 - Arkansas League of Artis Members Show 1st place Portrait/figure 

2019 Exhibitions and Events

2019 - Celebration of Art - Artists of NW Arkansas National Juried Exhibition

2019 - Southwest Artist National Juried Small Works Exhibition

2019 - MGAL Juried Members Show - Memphis Botanic Garden

2019 - 42nd Star Artist Exhibition, Shainberg Gallery, Memphis, TN

2019 - Solo Exhibition, Memphis Botanical Gardens Fratelli Gallery, Memphis, TN

2019 - Selected for Arkansas Chapter - National Museum of Women in the Arts

2019 - Artists of Northwest Arkansas Juried Exhibition - Faulkner Performing Arts Center Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

2019 - Arkansas League of Artist Juried Exhibition - Jason Sacron Juror, Butler Center Galleries, Little Rock, AR

2018 Exhibitions

2018 - Oil and Water, New works by George Artaud and Diana L. Shearon, Red Door Gallery, 3715 JFK Blvd. North Little Rock

2018 - Arkansas League of Artists Members Show, Matt McCleod Gallery, Little Rock, AR

2018 - Oil Painters of America Wet Paint Competition - Steamboat Springs, Colorado

2018 - Arkansas League of Arkansas Signature Member Exhibition, Patrick Hayes Center, North Little Rock, AR

2018 -Missouri Valley Impressionist Society 7th National Juried Exhibition, Gallery 1516 Omaha, Nebraska

2018 - The Rice Gallery of Fine Art 3rd National Juried Plein Air Exhibition, Overland Park, Kansas

2018 - 41st Memphis Germantown Art League Star Artist Juried Exhibition - Best in Show

2018 - Artworks - Arkansas Repertory Theatre

2017 Exhibitions

2017 - Randy Higbee Gallery Costa Mesa, CA - 6x6 National Juried exhibition

2017 - National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society  National Small Works Juried Exhibition

November/December/January- Cathy Kline Gallery, Parkville, MO

2017 - P. Allen Smith Solo Exhibition - Moss Mountain Gallery

2017 - Southwest Artist National Smallworks Juried Exhibition - Mena Art Gallery

2017 - Missouri Valley Impressionist Society 6th National Exhibition Juried - Rice Gallery

2017 - Memphis/Germantown Art League 40th Annual Members Juried Exhibition

2107 - Artworks - Arkansas Repertory Theatre

2016 Exhibitions and Recognitions

2016 - Plein Air Magazine 6th Annual Juried Salon August-September - Juror Kathy Anderson

2016 - Fourth of July and Other Things - Solo Exhibition 

2016 - Arkansas League of Artists Annual Juried Competition - Juror Joe Lampo

2016 - Missouri Valley Impressionist Society 5th National Exhibition - Albrecht Kemper Museum St. Joseph, MO Juror Kathy Lio 

2016 - Arkansas League of Artist Spring Show - Cox Center Gallery

2015 Exhibitions and Recognitions

2015 - Oct/Nov 5th Plein Air Salon Juried- Plein Air Magazine

2015 - 21st ANA Regional Exhibition Juried- Fayetteville Underground Gallery, Fayetteville, AR Juried

2015 - Memphis Germantown Art League National Exhibition Juried - WKNO Gallery 1091, Cordova, TN Juror Paul Jackson, AWS

2015 - 1st Place June Competitive Arkansas League of Artists - Cantrell Gallery, Little Rock, AR

2015 - Arkansas League of Artists Spring Show - Argenta Gallery, North Little Rock

2015 - Missouri Valley Impressionist Society 4th National Exhibition - St. Louis, MO

2015 - Quapaw Quarter Figure Drawing Group - Rivermarket Artspace, Little Rock, AR

2014 Exhibitions

2014 -Arkansas Repertory Theatre Featured Artworks Artist - Main Lobby

2014 - Quapaw Quarter Figure Drawing Group - Mugs Café Artspace.

2014 - Arkansas League of Artist Spring Members Show 2nd Place Landscape - Juror Kevin Kresse

2014- Missouri Valley Impressionist Society 3rd National Juried Show – Juror Dr. William Eickhorst Park University

2014 - River Market Art Space Featured Artist Solo Exhibition

Organizations and Boards

Memphis Germantown Art League - Gold Star Member

Arkansas League of Artists – Signature Member

Missouri Valley Impressionist Society

Oil Painters of America – Juried Associate Member

American Women Artists

American Impressionist Society

Fine Arts Club Board Arkansas Arts Center - Lifetime Sustaining Member

Prior Exhibitions

2013 - Arkansas League of Artist 4th Annual Juried Show 1st Place Still Life  – Juror Dr. John Kellar Harding University

2013 - Arkansas League of Artist 1st Signature Members Show – Juror Katherine Strausse Hendrix University

2012 - Arkansas League of Artist Winner’s show – Juror Endia Bumgardner

2011 - Arkansas League of Artist 2nd Annual Juried Show – Juror Stephen Cefalo - Signature Member Status

2011 - Arkansas Art Center Museum School Juried Ceramic and Sculpture Exhibition

2011 - Arkansas Pastel Society 4th National Exhibition – Juror Doug Dawson

2010 - Pastel Society of the Southwest 29th National Juried Show finalist – Juror Kathleen Cook

2010 - Arkansas League of Artists 1st Annual Juried Show – Juror Townsend Wolfe 2nd place award floral/still life

2010 - Arkansas Pastel Society 1st Annual Juried Show finalist– Juror David Mudrinich, Professor of Art, Arkansas Tech University

2009 - Arkansas Pastel Society National Juried Show finalist – Juror Doug Dawson

Noted Collectors

Ann Bogle McKenzie, McKenzie LLC

Mostyn and Prettyman, PLLC

Bob and Dottie King, King Philanthropies

Arkansas Community Foundation 

University of Arkansas Medical Sciences

Joi and Fmr. Senator Mark Pryor  

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Diana Shearon

501.590.5934 cell 

Aug 24, 2023

Aug 17, 2023

Eric Gates

Aug 10, 2023

Mike Taggert

Director MAC, Water Utility & Lakes Division

Bella Vista Property Owners

• K-Muelburger Concrete Contractors.

• Viscosity Oil Company Asphalt Paving & Lot Sealing.

• Project Manager Herzog Paving Contractors.

• KTR Construction Commercial and Residential Construction.

• Employed with Bella Vista POA for the last 39 years. 

Licenses and Certifications:

• Master Electrician and Plumber.

• Journeyman Electrician.

• Arkansas Certified Pesticide Applicator.

• Class A State of Arkansas HVAC Contractors License.

• EPA Refrigerant Certification.

• Asbestos's Inspector Certification.

• Certified Welder.

July 27, 2023

Jeff Walton

Law Enforcement for a long time.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE SECURITY POLICE 1979 - 1985
RAF Upper Heyford England 20th Tactical Fighter Wing TAC
Dyess AFB Texas 96th Bombardment Wing SAC
Riyadh Saudi Arabia USCENTAF ELF ONE Command

FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS 1986 - 2015
Federal Correctional Institution El Reno OK - Officer
United States Penitentiary Lewisburg PA - Lieutenant
Federal Correctional Institution Bastrop TX - Lieutenant
Federal Correctional Institution Greenville IL - Captain
United States Penitentiary Terra Haute IN - Captain
Federal Correctional Institution Sandstone MN - Associate Warden
Federal Prison Camp Duluth MN - Associate Warden
Federal Correctional Complex Petersburg VA - Associate Warden
Federal Correctional Institution Milan MI - Warden
United States Penitentiary Marion IL - Warden
Retired from Federal Service

GEO GROUP FEDERAL CRIMINAL ALIEN CONTRACT 2015 - 2017

Reeves County Correctional Institutions 1-3 Pecos TX - Warden

CABELAS’S SPORTING GOODS 2018

Compliance Officer Gun Vault, Rogers AR

BELLA VISTA POA LAKES & PARKS 2020 - Present
Lake Ranger

July 20, 2023

Mike Dyer

Marc started in the commercial fish industry in 1992 on a catfish farm in Northeast Arkansas as a high school and College student. After finishing his degree at Arkansas State University he began his career in the fire

fighting service, working at the Rogers Fire Department. 

But the fish were calling.  in 2012, Marc took a job at The Joe Hogan State fish Hatchery in Cabot, AR where he worked  in the fish culture section of the 

fisheries division of Arkansas Game and Fish. In late 2019, he transferred to the Education division as an Education Program Specialist in Fishing Education.

July 13, 2023

Jack Kilsdonk

In 1989 Jack was invited to hunt on a Montana cattle ranch.  He has become a friend of the family and gave the current owner who is the daughter of  the prior owners, her first doll when she was 1 year 

old.  He visited her annually at her  1 room schoolhouse in Montana, and visited her during the 

years when she was attending college in Iowa. And being a friend of the family he helps with whatever 

needs to be done on the ranch when he is there. For the last 2 years, that has been to help with the 

roundup. 

June 1, 2023

Michelle Bailey

Michelle Bailey has been a Fly Tyers member for a couple of years. She has a BA in Clinical Psychology, and is a certified Personal Care Assistant through the Schmieding Center for Senior Health and Education in Springdale Arkansas. She currently works for Seniors Helping Seniors of Northwest Arkansas. Her incentive for working here, as stated by her, is because she enjoys caring for people. And, that is why she is here with us today, to tell us a little more about her program. 

May 11, 2023

Austin Fowler

Austin Fowler started working part -time at the C.B. “Charlie” Craig State Fish Hatchery, a/k/a The Centerton Fish Hatchery, four years agowhile finishing his B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Science at the Arkansas Tech University.  After graduating, he was hired full time and has been a Natural Resources Program Technician with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.  He currently works at and represents the C.B. Craig State Fish Hatchery.   ( Cenerton Fish Hatchery ) 

April 27, 2023

Rick Vollmer, Fly Fishing Film Festival 

VP Rental Operations at Hugg & Hall Equipment ( construction and Industrial equipment ) 40 year employee

Two beautiful, talented, smart and fantastic daughters in their 20’s, that spend all my money, but that’s ok

Hobbies and interests:

Private pilot, avid fly fisherman, wingshooter and shotgunner, bowhunting, travel and traveling with my daughters, green and tan vintage vehicles, all things vintage

I took on the project promoting the fly fishing film tour because it has always been something I have enjoyed attending in the past. The film tour had recently changed ownership and I didn’t notice that Northwest Arkansas was on the calendar, so I reached out to the new ownership asking if I could help make it happen and they allowed me to do that.

To me , flyfishing has many facets, it’s therapy, its challenging, it’s rewarding. I feel like I’m never an expert, I’m always learning and attempting new methods. Fly fishing also puts me in some amazing surroundings. And for those reasons and many more I want others to experience, so the film tour is a way to bring the sport to those that think like me and to those that haven’t experienced fly fishing and hopefully it encourages them to try it.

Also being a pilot you do a lot of what is called “hangar Flying” which is essentially bringing fellow pilots together to share stories, ideas and knowledge when they aren’t in the air, for reasons of enjoyment, and in

flying it promotes safety as well. To me the film tour brings fly fisherman and potential fly fisherman together and giving them an opportunity to do the same when they aren’t on the water. So its a type of hangar flying.

So I carry no qualifications to do this other than the willingness and the means to promote the sport. I feel like these talented people have put these amazing films together and people need to see them to gain the same enjoyment I get when I see them, which helps keep the sport alive.

April 20, 2023

Mike Young - Father of Scholarship Recipient Maggie Young. 

Mike Young, married to Teresa, they have four adult children, son and three daughters.

A Native Texan, they've lived in New Mexico, S. California, Lubbock and McAllen Texas, (where Maggie was born), and have resided in Bella Vista for the last 24 years. Mike spent a large portion of his career in agri-business with the Texas & Florida Citrus Growers. 

Mike has been asked by Maggie to express her appreciation for Bella Vista Fly Tyer's scholarship support 10-years ago and the impact its' had on her and how she gives back.

April 13, 2023

Jack Kilsdonk- Club Member

Montana Cattle Round up (rescheduled from January for bad weather-Thank you, Jack, for being flexible on this!) In 1989 Jack was invited to hunt on a Montana cattle ranch.  He has become a friend of the family and gave the current owner who is the daughter of  the prior owners, her first doll when she was 1 year old.  He visited her annually at her  1 room schoolhouse in Montana, and visited her during the years when she was attending college in Iowa. And being a friend of the family he helps with whatever needs to be done on the ranch when he is there. For the last 2 years, that has been to help with the roundup. In 1989 Jack was invited to hunt on a Montana cattle ranch.  He has become a friend of the family and gave the current owner who is the daughter of  the prior owners, her first doll when she was 1 year old.  He visited her annually at her  1 room schoolhouse in Montana, and visited her during the years when she was attending college in Iowa. And being a friend of the family he helps with whatever needs to be done on the ranch when he is there. For the last 2 years, that has been to help with the roundup. 

March 30, 2023

Joan Glubczynski

Joan is the Director of Recreation & Wellness for the Bella Vista POA and is responsible for all things active in Bella Vista including project managing the Riordan remodel, and other major projects like the Branchwood renovation; Pickleball court construction; the trail infrastructure and the Tiny Cabins at Blowing Springs Park. She leads a team of6 managers who help run 3 Rec Centers; Blowing Springs Park & Campground; the Tennis Center; The Marina; 2 outdoor pool complexes; the Beach at Lake Avalon; trail maintenance and the major parks. She is passionate about helping people of all ages stay active and enjoy our great outdoors.

Joan designed and implemented primitive camping at
Blowing Springs Park which she also manages as another gateway to having fun.

Joan is a mountain biker, and also enjoys getting out on Lake Windsor with her two dogs Pedro and Maggie Mae.  She has been with the POA for almost 7 years and has worked in the field of Health, Fitness & Recreation for 30 plus years.  She is currently pursuing her200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification.

Click image below to view Joan's Presentation

March 23, 2023

Corporal Haley Evans

Corporal Haley Evans transplanted to Northwest Arkansas from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to finish her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Arkansas.  After graduating she began her career with the Bella Vista Police Department in July 2017.  Haley has spent the majority of her career on the evening shift, just recently making the transition to the day shift.  Haley works as one of the patrol corporals, but also as the community outreach officer, handing out stickers and smiles whenever possible!  Haley recently completed her master’s degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security.  In her downtime, she enjoys spending time at her home in Oklahoma with her fiancé and dogs (she’s working on convincing her fiancé to get her a donkey or a goat….it’s not going well!).   

March 9, 2023

George Feller

         A.     George Feller, SHEEP DOG Impact Assistance 

         B.     George is with Sheep Dog volunteers in our area.

1. He shared what they do with veterans as the core of their outreach.

2. George shared a testimony from a person impacted.

3. Sheep Dog Impact Assistance is always looking for volunteers, and

BVFT members were encouraged to join the team.

C. APRIL 22, 2023  6:00 to 11:00 pm “Heroes Gala”:

1. Event Cards were made available for more information.

2. This event is their major fund-raiser for the year.

3. George asked for any donations, such as TIED FLIES to be put

on a presentation board, which will be auctioned at the event.

a. Jim Hershey has already agreed to donate flies.

b. Other members are being asked as well.

4. George was very grateful for any other donations to help them.

D. George shared he has been with Sheep Dog since 2017, and shared about

a recent area they went to for Disaster Relief:

1. They helped in an area of flooding.

2. Sandbags were removed/ trees were removed/ traffic directed/ etc.

3. This is all at the expense of their membership, so any donations help.

4. George shared their main focus is to encourage folks when they go out

and help in any way.

E. Sheep Dog works with local police and fire, as well as other organizations to

help promote what Sheep Dog Impact Assistance is all about.

1. The organization was founded in 2010 by Sgt. Major Lance Nutt.

2. Last year, they were donated a Mini Excavator, which has been a 

huge help in every place they have gone to assist.

3. George explained their main purpose is to help clean up an area in 

need their services, but they do not rebuild.

4. Their headquarters is currently in Rogers at the Non-Profit Building.     

5. All proceeds and donations go directly to the local chapter of Sheep

Dog Impact Assistance.

F. George answered a few questions, and was presented with a Certificate of

Appreciation for his presentation today, as well as a Club Hat.   A bucket

was passed around for donations, and the proceeds were given to George.

February 23, 2023

John Sampier

Born in Rogers, AR.  Been here his whole life.

Biology and Ecology Teacher at Rogers HS

First full time Training Officer at Rogers Fire and Emergency Services

Elected Mayor of Rogers, served 12 years

Government Affairs Manager for Waste Management of NW AR

Marketing Manager for PBA Architects (Rogers)

Exec. Director for NW AR Conservation Authority (includes 10 cities)

Developed and opened the $60m Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility

Owned Dean’s Men’s Wear (Rogers)

Fly Fishing for 64 years, in NW AR and as manager of his uncle’s boat dock and guide on Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)-11 summers.

Part time fly fishing outfitter and instructor at Cabela’s/Bass Pro since the store opened in 2012.

 John is married to a lovely woman named Janet.  The two of them have five children and nine grandchildren (ages 4-17)

February 16, 2023

Jim Potts

Jim Potts is a successful entrepreneur and business consultant from Ada, Oklahoma. Born and raised in a small town, he was an exceptional athlete and a standout basketball player in high school. He went on to attend college at Oklahoma State before transferring to East Central in Ada, where he met his wife, Beth, of 57 years this coming May.  They then transferred to Ouachita Baptist University where he finished his formal education. Jim paid for his education while working his way through school by selling books door to door during the summer for the Southwestern Company while also building an organization of over 60 OBU students by his third year there.   

After college, he went to work for the company before moving to Springdale in 1973 and starting his own financial consulting business. His biggest accomplishment came in the form of his design of the first profit-sharing plan for Tyson Foods' blue-collar workers, which continues to serve tens of thousands of Tyson employees to this day. His experience there earned him an opportunity to serve what would become one of his favorite clients, Forest Wood and Ranger Bass Boat company in Flippin.

Jim eventually entered the world of retail, founding 21 chain, Crossroads Entertainment, and  then in 2000 Malone with family members, Lewis and Clark Outfitters. 

In his later years, he and his wife Beth, founded have shifted their focus founding on his 77th birthday last November,  Heartsgood Farms  inspired by the words, “For I was hungry” with the goal of finding ways to feed others or provide them with the tools to feed themselves. Jim's drive, entrepreneurial spirit, and passion for helping others has been his focus in life.  He and his wife reside outside Springdale in Benton Country. They have three sons and their wives and 8 grandchildren, 6 of which are still in the area.