The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce proudly announces the date of its Business Expo, presented by Citizens Bank, scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year's theme is "Fan Zone," encouraging businesses to bring the hype, show off their brand, and turn customers into fans! Vendors are invited to tailgate, celebrate, and showcase what makes their business a champion. The event will be held at the Batesville Community Center and is free and open to the public.

Vendors are encouraged to decorate their booths with a spirited, fan-centered theme highlighting their brand and engaging attendees. An award will be given to the most festive booth. Exhibitor registration is now open.

"We look forward to hosting Business Expo every year," said Crystal Johnson, BACC's CEO. "This event allows businesses to showcase their innovative products and services to potential and existing customers, connect with other business leaders, and create lasting relationships."

Vendors are encouraged to offer giveaways, hold creative contests, or demonstrate products/services to generate traffic for their booth.

"The event is free and open to the public," Johnson continued. "Our expo is filled with excitement and entertainment. You'll find fresh insights, valuable connections, and a chance at many prizes!"

The business-to-business trade show will be available exclusively to participating vendors from 10 to 11 a.m.

The Business Expo will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A Taste of the Chamber, featuring local cuisine served by Chamber members, will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Business Expo also features a Kids Zone with activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., including a Mascot Dance Off competition.

"I am eager to see the excitement and energy our vendors bring," said Johnson. "The expo is a community tradition in Batesville and promotes the importance of businesses highlighting their products, brands, and voices."

The Chamber will once again host an interactive expo experience on its Experience Builder app, helping community members discover more local businesses and services participating in the Expo and allowing businesses enhanced ways to interact with guests.

"Our goal in creating this event has always been to spotlight our members' services and products to the community," concluded Johnson. "I am proud to be a part of the region's largest trade shows. This is a top-tier event year after year."

Citizens Bank presents the Expo with additional support from Bad Boy Mowers, the City of Batesville, Merchants & Planters Bank, Optimum, Peco Foods, RAWK Imprinting, Spartan Mowers & UTVs, the UPS Store, and White River Health. 

Learn more about the 2025 Business Expo at batesvilleareachamber.com or contact Amanda Roberts at membership@batesvilleareachamber.com.

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.

Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition at Lyon College Kresge Gallery up until April 17

Lyon College will showcase the artistic achievements of its students during the annual juried student art exhibition, set for April 3-17 in the Kresge Gallery in the Alphin Building on the Lyon College campus, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville.

The exhibition features 20 artworks by 14 students. It highlights a diverse array of pieces created over the past academic year and provides students with the opportunity to participate in a professional exhibition. A qualified juror selects the artwork and determines artistic merit awards, including the prestigious Presidential Purchase Award.

“The annual student exhibition is an exciting opportunity for our students to showcase their talents and gain real-world experience in the professional art world,” said Carly Dahl, Kresge Gallery interim director at Lyon College. “We are proud to celebrate their creativity and hard work.”

This year’s exhibition will be curated by professional artist Aneesah Rahman, programs director and director of curation at the Arts & Science Center in Pine Bluff. A Little Rock-based artist, Rahman has been creating art for most of her life. She holds both undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Rahman is currently represented at The ARTSpace on Main in Pine Bluff and Art DeCentrale in Springdale. Her work has been exhibited throughout Arkansas, including at Brandon House Cultural and Performing Arts Center and INTERFORM. A former art teacher at Mohammed Schools in Little Rock, she has been featured in multiple publications, including the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, The Idle Class Magazine, and Women United ART Movement Magazine.

For more information, contact Carly Dahl at Carly.Dahl@Lyon.edu.

Lyon College to Host 2025 Student Creative Arts and Research Forum.

Lyon College will host the 2025 Student Creative Arts and Research Forum (SCARF) on Tuesday, April 15, at 4:30 p.m. in the Lyon Business and Economics Building on the Lyon College campus, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville.

Lyon College invites the community to attend and support its talented student scholars and their mentors.

Organized by Order of the Tartan Chapter of Mortar Board Honor Society, the event will showcase 31 student oral presentations and poster sessions across various disciplines, offering a platform for students to share their research and creative work with the campus and community.

Dr. Irosha Nawarathne, associate professor of chemistry and director of undergraduate research at Lyon College, is adviser of the Order of the Tartan Chapter of Mortar Board Honor Society.

Dr. Brendan Connell, assistant professor of political science at Lyon College, will deliver the keynote address titled, "The Importance of Research and Community in American Democracy."

The program for the 2025 SCARF event is as follows:

• Introduction: 4:30 p.m.
• Oral Session One: 4:40 p.m.
• Poster/Demonstration Session: 5:30 p.m.
• Oral Session Two: 6:20 p.m.
• Keynote Address: 7:10 p.m
• Awards Ceremony: 7:45 p.m.

The SCARF Committee includes Dr. Wesley Beal, Dr. Brendan Connell, Dr. Brittany Florkiewicz, Maggie Gayle, Dr. Anthony K. Grafton, Dr. Maryline Jones, Dr. Irosha Nawarathne, Dr. Wesley Perkins, and Don Ray.

SCARF judges for this year’s event include Dr. Wesley Beal, Kevin Bledsoe, Suzanne Blair, Fable Sonia-Bolduc, Dr. Maggie Campbell, Dr. Jeremy Chapman, John Christian, Dr. Brendan Connell, Dr. Pietro Dall’olio, Dr. Mayron Faria, Dr. David Hutchison, Dr. Melissa Johnson, Dr. Maryline Jones, Dr. Jason Kennedy, Dr. Matthew Lebrato, Dr. Melissa Merte, Kassandra Meyer, Cody Norton, Benjamin Norton, Dr. Kieran J. O’Keefe, Dr. Cassia Oliveira, Don Ray, Dr. Monica Rodriguez, Dr. Eric South, Dr. Peter Staples, Dr. Jaeyun Sung, David Taverner, Dr. Melissa P. Taverner, Donald R. Taylor, Dr. Shensi Wang, Dr. Tharanga Wijetunge, and Dr. Mengfan Zhu.

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 Children's Advocacy Center of Independence County (CACIC) is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural Pinwheels for Prevention campaign in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month this April. By reserving a pinwheel for your home or business, you are standing against child abuse and helping children in our community. Through the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign, individuals and businesses can publicly show their support by displaying a large, bright metal pinwheel featuring the message: "We Stand with The Children's Advocacy Center of Independence County Against Child Abuse." Pinwheels will be placed at donors' locations—either in a yard or a flowerpot—at the beginning of April and collected at the end of the month. Our staff and volunteers will deliver them and collect them. Participation is $75 for individuals and $250 for businesses. Businesses that participate will also receive recognition on our website and social media platforms. Join the fight against child abuse today! Reserve your pinwheel today: visit www.cacindependence.org or scan the QR code on our flyer. Prefer to call? Reach us at 870-569-8099. Together, we can protect our children and give them a safe child-friendly space to be heard--and to heal.

Dr. Mónica Rodríguez Explores Latinx Identity Through Food in Annual Lamar Williamson Prize Lecture at Lyon College

How can food serve as a powerful tool of cultural identity preservation?

Dr. Mónica Rodríguez, the 2024 recipient of the Lamar Williamson Prize for Faculty Excellence at Lyon College, tackled this question in her recent lecture, “Resisting Assimilation and Preserving Identity through Food in Latinx Communities,” at Lyon College.

Dr. Rodríguez’s presentation explored the cultural significance of food as a means of maintaining identity and resisting societal pressures to assimilate. Her research focused on U.S. Latino literature, depictions of Latinx individuals in film, and the role of food as a vital link to cultural preservation.

Dr. Rodríguez received the Lamar Williamson Prize for Faculty Excellence from Dr. Melissa Taverner, president of Lyon College, and Dr. Kurt Grafton, provost. The prize is awarded annually to a Lyon College faculty member who exemplifies outstanding teaching, scholarly achievement, and service to the college and community.

Born in Lima, Peru, Dr. Rodríguez joined the Lyon College faculty in 2001. She serves as adviser to Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish honor society, and the Spanish Club. Her commitment to academic excellence was recognized when she was named Alpha Chi Professor of the Year for 2012-2013.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Rodríguez has been an active member of the Batesville community. She has served on the Humane Society of Independence County Board of Directors and has volunteered with the organization for more than a decade. Additionally, she has provided translation services at parent-teacher conferences alongside her students and was a former volunteer fitness instructor at the Batesville Community Center.

The 2025 Lamar Williamson Prize recipient will be named at the spring 2025 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17.

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.