The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Evolve Therapy Solutions, PLLC, marking a significant milestone for the mental health practice.

Originally opened in 2023, the practice has been dedicated to providing high-quality mental health care to the community. Now rebranded as Evolve Therapy Solutions, PLLC, the new name reflects its mission to support individuals on their growth, healing, and transformation journey.

“When I started my private practice in 2023, my goal was simple—to create a space where people could heal, grow, and truly evolve,” said owner Mary Banks, LCSW. “Over time, that vision became even clearer. Today is not just a rebranding but a reaffirmation of my commitment to providing compassionate, effective therapy for teens and adults.”

Led by Banks, Evolve Therapy Solutions offers a range of services, including individual counseling, family therapy, and personalized support to help clients navigate life’s challenges. Their approach integrates evidence-based practices with a warm and welcoming environment, ensuring every client feels heard, understood, and valued. Whether managing stress and anxiety, overcoming trauma, or facing major life transitions, Evolve Therapy Solutions empowers individuals and families to thrive.

“Whether it’s trauma, anxiety, depression, or other challenges life brings, my mission remains the same—to help people navigate their journey toward healing and transformation,” Banks added.

Located at 235 S 3rd Street in Batesville, Evolve Therapy Solutions is open Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled at marybankslcsw.clientsecure.me.

“Evolve Therapy Solutions represents growth, strength, and the power to change,” Banks concluded.

Ambassadors in attendance included: Silje Antonsen (Venture Realty Group), Lori Campbell (Batesville School District, Adam Curtwright (Centennial Bank), Katelyn Holt (Family Chiropractic Care), Tammy Jeffrey (First Community Bank), Alexandra McClain (Myers-Davis Life Coaching), Brenda Rivera (First Community Bank), and Lori Tacker (Batesville Eye Care Center).

Introducing the all-new Experience Builder app—your ultimate guide to Batesville!
 
Plan personalized itineraries, explore top attractions, and stay updated on local events. With features showcasing the area’s culture, history, and natural beauty, you’ll never miss a thing.
 
Now available on the Apple and Google Play stores, the app enhances visits while supporting local businesses with exclusive deals and prizes for those who check into destinations with the Batesville Insider’s Pass.

Lyon College to Host Journalist and Cave Science Expert Michael Ray Taylor for Convocation and AAS Conference

Lyon College will continue its spring 2025 Convocation speaker series with a presentation on "Exploring a Biological Frontier" by science journalist and caver Michael Ray Taylor on Thursday, April 3, at 4 p.m. in the Nucor Auditorium of the Lyon Business and Economics Building, located at 2300 Highland Rd. in Batesville. 

The event is free and open to the public.

Taylor has explored unusual cave systems worldwide and will discuss three ongoing projects that shed light on how large mammals survived past climate changes, the existence of a deep hidden biosphere and the potential for microbial life on other worlds in the solar system. He will share images from recent cave discoveries not yet made public.

The lecture will precede the 108th annual meeting of the Arkansas Academy of Science, scheduled for April 4-5 at Lyon College. The Academy aims to promote and disseminate scientific knowledge while fostering collaboration among researchers in the state. The conference will feature more than 120 research presentations and poster sessions. Taylor also will be a featured speaker at the conference.

Taylor, a professor emeritus of communication at Henderson State University, is an acclaimed writer specializing in caves and cave science. His books, "Cave Passages," "Dark Life" and "Hidden Nature," explore the world beneath Earth's surface, with "Hidden Nature" being a 2021 finalist for the Reed Environmental Writing Award. His cave-related articles have been featured in The New York Times, Audubon, Sports Illustrated, National Parks and numerous other publications. 

A fellow of the National Speleological Society, the Cave Research Foundation, and The Explorers Club, Taylor has spent years investigating exotic microbes deep within Tennessee caves with biologist James Engman of Rhodes College. This research is detailed in "Hidden Nature."

The Red Hot Ladies Luncheon silent auction, donated by local businesses, is always a showstopper. 🙌⚡ You won't want to miss the chance to snag some of these gorgeous finds! And all the proceeds go to the White River Health Oncology & Infusion Center expansion project. Swing by Citizens Bank Headquarters to secure your seat!

Lyon College to Present ‘An Evening of Jazz’ with Jerry Fields Trio

The Lyon College Convocation Committee will present “An Evening of Jazz” with the Atlanta-based Jerry Fields Trio on Monday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Sloan Auditorium of the Brown Fine Arts Building, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville.

The free event is open to the public.

The evening will feature a diverse selection of jazz classics and contemporary pieces, including Mongo Santamaria’s "Afro Blue," Thelonious Monk’s "Well You Needn’t" and John Coltrane’s "Impressions." Other selections include "Beignet Boogie" by Bill Anschell, "The Love Theme from Spartacus" by Alex North and "Moose the Mooche" by Charlie Parker. 

The trio’s performance will highlight the rhythmic complexity and improvisational spirit of jazz. Dr. Eric South, who serves on the Lyon College faculty, will be a special guest performer.

About the Jerry Fields Trio

Jerry Fields is the percussionist and music director of the Afro-Cuban Jazz ensemble, Vecinos Del Mundo (Neighbors of the World). Known as the premier Latin jazz ensemble in the Southeastern United States, Vecinos del Mundo has shared the stage with Latin jazz giants, Tito Puente, Poncho Sanchez and Eddie Palmieri. In addition to Latin jazz, Fields also served as music director, composer and arranger for the Atlanta-based Calo Gitano Flamenco Dance Theater Company, as well as the flamenco fusion group, ¿Qué Compás?

Chris Riggenbach has a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music from Georgia State University. He has played double bass and electric bass with Josh Groban, Matt Catingub, Steve Moretti, Macon Pops, Jerry Fields and Vecinos del Mundo, Ted Howe, Gary Motley, Wycliffe Gordon, Jens Lindemann, Victor Goines, Geoff Haydon, Keith David, Karla Harris, Chloe Agnew, Sarah Partridge, Katie Deal, Orquestra Macuba, 4th Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra, Gold Sparkle Band, Marcus Lewis Big Band, Jazz Legacy Big Band, Larry Camp, Atlanta Pops Orchestra and the Atlanta Opera among others.

Born in the New Orleans’ cradle of jazz, pianist Tyrone Jackson embodies the spirit of the Crescent City. Blends of jazz, funk and Afro-Caribbean melodies are ever present in his work. Jackson’s teachers are a virtual Who’s Who of great jazz piano players, ranging from Ellis Marsalis and Kevin Bales to gospel legend Moses Hogan. His improvisational skills allow him to become a part of the song whether he softly highlights ballads or tears through fast-paced standards.

For more information, please contact Carol Langston at Carol.Langston@lyon.edu or (870) 307-7075.

Funding Your Business
A-State Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center director Laura Miller will be hosting a "Funding Your Business" seminar at the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, April 9. This session is designed to help you separate fact from fiction when it comes to business funding. We will cover specific loan programs and other financing options for both startup and existing businesses.

Topics: Business loan and guaranty programs, including SBA loans, Micro-loans, grants, and other options, and Business funding challenges and barriers and how to overcome them

To sign up visit: https://asbtdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/70372262 Or call: 870-972-3517

Lyon CollegeTheatre will present Yasmina Reza’s acclaimed comedy "Art" on Thursday through Saturday, April 10-12, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m. in the Holloway Theatre on the Lyon College campus, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville.

Directed by Professor and Director of Theatre Dr. Fonzie Geary, the production explores themes of art and friendship through the story of three longtime friends, Serge, Marc and Yvan. When Serge indulges his passion for modern art by purchasing a large, expensive, completely white painting, Marc is appalled, leading to intense debates about what constitutes "art." Caught in the middle, Yvan attempts to mediate the escalating conflict.

The cast features Lyon College senior Liam Selhorst of Sherwood as Marc, junior Weston Derden of North Little Rock as Serge and senior Luke Bridges of Lakeland, Tennessee, as Yvan. Senior Lillie Hall of Ash Flat serves as stage manager.

Originally premiering in 1994 at the Comédie des Champs-Élysées in Paris, "Art" has received widespread acclaim, including the 1995 Molière Award for Best Commercial Production, the 1997 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and the 1998 Tony Award for Best Play. The play has been staged in London’s West End and on Broadway, earning multiple accolades.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and students. Lyon College students, faculty and staff receive free admission.

Due to mature content, the play may not be suitable for all audiences.

Join Lyon College for the Annual Scots Spectacular!

Presented by Bad Boy Mowers, this unforgettable evening is set for Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 6 p.m. in Becknell Gymnasium. Get ready to celebrate Lyon College Athletics with all the fun, excitement, and delicious food you’ve come to love!

🎟 Denim & Diamonds – Dress to impress and embrace the theme for a fantastic night supporting Lyon College student-athletes!

🎶 Live Music by KC Johns & other talented artists
🎁 Silent Auction & Raffles with incredible prizes
🍸 Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres to sip and savor
👨‍🍳 Live Chef Stations serving up delicious bites all night

All proceeds directly support our amazing student-athletes—help us make this year’s event bigger and better than ever!

👉 Secure your table or tickets now: Click here!

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s Quapaw Quartet will perform a selection of classical music at Lyon College’s annual West Endowed Concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, in the Bevens Music Room of the Brown Fine Arts Building on the Lyon College campus, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville.

Thanks to the generosity of former Lyon president Dan West and his wife, Sidney, who endowed an annual classical music performance, the concert is free and open to the public.

The program will feature Joseph Haydn’s String Quartet Op. 20, No. 4 in D major, including the movements "Allegro di molto," "Un poco adagio affettuoso," "Allegretto alla zingarese" and "Presto scherzando." The performance will continue with Philip Glass’ String Quartet No. 3 "Mishima," featuring "1957 Award Montage," "November 25 – Ichigaya," "1934 – Grandmother and Kimitake," "1962 – Body Building," "Blood Oath" and "Mishima/Closing." The concert will conclude with Darius Milhaud’s String Quartet No. 1, Op. 5, with movements "Rythmique," "Intime contenu" and "Vif tres rythme."

The Quapaw Quartet consists of Charlotte Crosmer, violin; Meredith Maddox Hicks, violin; Timothy MacDuff, viola; and Travis Scharer, cello.

About the Musicians

Hicks joined the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in 2002 after receiving her master’s degree in Music Performance and completing doctoral work at Florida State University. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, she graduated from Belmont University with a bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance before studying at the Russian Academy of Music. She has held positions with the Memphis, Jacksonville, Naples and New World symphony orchestras. Hicks is also an instructor of violin and viola at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a member of Meshugga, Arkansas’ only Klezmer band.

Crosmer, an Arkansas native, began her violin studies at age four and has a background in both classical violin and old-time fiddle music. She completed a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance at the University of Central Arkansas and later earned master's degrees in Chamber Music and Violin Performance from the University of Michigan. Crosmer has performed with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra since 2009.

MacDuff discovered his passion for chamber music at the New England Music Camp in Maine. He has performed with various chamber ensembles, including the Anacostia String Quartet and Loon Lake Live. MacDuff joined the Quapaw Quartet in 2019 and has performed in orchestras such as the National Repertory Orchestra, the National Orchestra Institute Philharmonic and the Texas Festival Orchestra at Round Top.  He is also an experienced music educator.

Scharer grew up in Salem, Oregon, and studied at Indiana University and the New England Conservatory. He has taken part in many music festivals, including the Marrowstone Music Festival, and the Meadowmount School of Music. Scharer joined the Arkansas Symphony and the Quapaw String Quartet during the 2023-24 season.

Founded in 1980 as the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s resident string quartet, the Quapaw Quartet provides musical and educational entertainment to thousands of music lovers each year. From school programs to full-length recitals, the Quapaw Quartet is considered an Arkansas treasure.

The Dan C. and Sidney Childs West String Endowment was established in May 1981 to offer live musical performances and stringed instrument instruction at Lyon College. Since then, the endowment has supported free concerts by many distinguished ensembles. Dan West served as president of Lyon College—then Arkansas College—from 1972 to 1988.

For more information about the West Endowed Concert at Lyon College, please contact Carol Langston, director of college communications, at Carol.Langston@Lyon.edu or (870) 307-7075.

Hop on over to Pioneer Stadium on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 10 a.m. for the Easter Egg Drop! This free community event will feature 20,000 eggs, delicious food, fun games, exciting prizes, bounce houses, and more! Bring your baskets and get ready for an egg-citing day of family fun! 🐣🎉

The City of Batesville has been awarded a $250,000 matching grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism to enhance outdoor recreation in our community! 🌳🏞️

This funding will help construct a new inclusive play area at Riverside Park and install a new swing set at Westside Park, creating more opportunities for families to enjoy the outdoors together.

This is part of $3.85 million in FY2025 Outdoor Recreation Grants awarded across Arkansas, supporting projects that enrich communities and strengthen local economies.

📸 Pictured: Mayor Rick Elumbaugh alongside Director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation Katherine Andrews, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism Shea Lewis.

We’re excited to see these improvements come to life! Stay tuned for updates. 🙌

The Batesville Preservation Association has an exciting opportunity to present to the downtown residential and business district. The Sulphur Rock Elementary EAST Program has approached us with a project to create virtual tours for our historic homes and businesses within the historic district. This is at no cost and brings the benefit of access while promoting our area. I have attached an infographic with more details and included the links to apply for this service and an example tour. You may choose a portion, single room, exterior only, or entire structure. These tours will be uploaded to the brand-new BPA website www.historicbatesville.org. We are very proud to bring this initiative. These girls are very talented and we wish them success in their endeavor to create Timeless Tours. You can sign up today! Please share this as you see fit for any of your historic home/business owners. Thank you for your support of this BPA + EAST Collaboration. 

• 6,654 visitors walked through our doors—an average of 317 per day
• 7,151 items checked out, including 4,720 eBooks
• 99 new library cards issued to eager readers and learners
• 28 programs brought in 647 attendees of all ages
• 223 volunteer hours donated to support patrons and programs
• 246 computer sessions provided vital tech access
• Genealogy help offered to 12 patrons researching their roots
• Over 43,000 social media views, including 41,348 on Facebook and 2,381 on Instagram

There is Hope. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to connect with compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, 988 provides a 24/7 connection to confidential support.

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading voice of business in Independence County, providing chamber members advocacy, promotion, and resources. The Chamber works to set the standard for service, collaboration, growth, and high quality of life in the Batesville area. We are unwavering in our commitment to strengthening our business community.