Deb & her wife Lynn have a consulting business for ecommerce websites, as well as some graphic design and various assorted things.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m a driven Aries. I love to learn and I am my biggest critic. I love to laugh, dance, and live. I work hard and play harder. I am married to the greatest woman who puts up with me and loves me unconditionally. We have three awesome little dogs that bring much joy to life.

2. How did your work in the LGBT community begin?

My work in the LGBT community began when a friend of a friend ask me to run for a board position with TOHR. He knew I had nonprofit experience and I was active in TOHR, so it seemed a perfect fit. The rest is history. I served on the Board two different times, including being on the Board that completed the opening of the community center.

3. What prompted you to begin doing this work?

I’ve been involved in the nonprofit community for more than 35 years, mostly in the fields of health, mental health, and disability. Additionally, I am a firm believer in equal rights for everyone. I truly believe what matters is heart and soul, not ethnicity, age, ability, gender, or who you love. It seemed a perfect progression to utilize my experience and skills to do what I could to make even a small change in the world. My work in HIV began like many people; I lost too many wonderful friends too early in life. I was lucky to be surrounded by and working with like-minded people. The accomplishments are shared by many- those came before, those who worked beside me, those who lead me, and those who continue the work now.

4. How would you best describe your connection with people?

My connection with people is upfront and honest. I am who I am and I love people for who they are. Thanks to my life experiences, I am blessed with the ability to relate to many different types of people. My Mom always said to put myself in another’s shoes before making any judgments. I try in all my humanity to that every day and in every interaction. We too often project our own baggage and garbage on others when in reality we’re the ones with the issue.

5. What was the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in your work or personal life?

Oh wow, there have been so many! But the one that sticks out happened when I was the Deacon at the Parish Church of St. Jerome. It was a wedding and I was setting the altar for communion. As I went to pour the wine into the chalice, a huge spider (at least in my fear I thought it was huge) dropped into the altar. Now I’m deathly afraid of spiders, so naturally I jumped. Red wine went everywhere. I then proceeded to spend what seemed a lifetime trying to kill the spider with the patten (the little plate for the priest’s host). Suddenly I realized everyone was staring and the altar looked like I had sacrificed something on it. The whole ordeal is on tape!

6. If you could bring one person back into your life, who would it be?

I would like to bring my mother back into my life. She died when I was 36. Rarely a day goes by that I don’t want to tell her something, thank her, or ask her advice.

7. Any hobbies?

Life…really I love experiencing life and new things. I also play guitar and drums, hang with friends, love outdoor activities, and dabble from time to time in photography.

8. Goals for the future both personally and professionally.

I have four chapters of a book written. My goal is to finish it and have it published. It will be controversial as it combines two of my favorite things – religion and vampires. Other than that I’d really like to learn not to be so goal oriented and driven. LOL

9. How has living and working in Oklahoma and now in Arkansas added to your life both personally and professionally?

Tulsa was a great place to grow up. It’s a very artistic town with an amazing community spirit. I learned so much from community volunteers in so many areas. Their dedication and drive continues to inspire me daily. Living in Arkansas has been amazing but only because I live in Eureka Springs. This little haven is truly an amazing place. Sure it has its small town issues, but it really is a community where people have truly learned to live and work and play together. It’s the way the world should be. Who you are is much more important than who you love, or where you work, or the color of your skin. I invite everyone to visit this place.

10. What is the most exciting part of your life (or career)?

The people I meet and have met during my career. This is even true today as I bartend in this little tourist town. People often ask me how being a priest translates to being a bartender. I laugh and say not much different really. I still listen to people’s life issues and spiritual concerns (more often than you can know). I still make certain people get to enjoy life and remain safe. And let’s not forget the bartender’s code of ethics: what you say to your bartender when drinking remains with your bartender! LOL

11. What keeps you motivated and passionate about what you do (in any part of your life)?

I’m just a really passionate person. Lynn (my wife) and my friends tell me I’m just a dog with a bone! And I am. I will chew on something and battle for it until I believe my time with it is done. I appreciate all the things those who came before me did to help make life better for me. The way I give thanks is to do the same for those who will come after me. If we all tried to make a small difference just imagine what the world would be. I don’t think I’ve changed the world any but hopefully someone’s life is much better because of the things I have chosen to do in my life.

12. Tell us about where you grew up and about how your childhood influenced who you are today.

I was born in Coffeyville Kansas but moved to Tulsa when I was six or so. I am, in my mind, a Tulsa kid. My father had a great sense of humor, a big heart, and a hot temper. All things I inherited. My mother was sophisticated, smart, patient, and could handle anything with calm and grace. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear I inherited any of those things. My parents made certain I had every opportunity from music lessons to dance lessons and from camping to traveling. They always told me I could do anything I put my mind to and could be anything I wanted to be. I thank them every day for giving me confidence and opportunity. More than anything though, they taught me to love people for who they are. I lost them both too early in life but they live on in me.

Trigg Hirsch pointed out that people with problem feet – extremely narrow or wide, differently sized feet, or abnormalities of one sort or another that make buying shoes difficult—can benefit from knowing how to make their own footwear.

The boot making workshop runs March 4-10, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Fire Om Earth Retreat and Art Studios, 872 Mill Hollow Rd.  Participants will create soft knee or ankle length flat-soled boots of suede or garment hide.  Instruction and studio use costs $275; materials are extra and estimated at around $100. A materials list will be provided at registration. Spaces are limited and pre-registration is required.

There is also a class March 12-16, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Trigg Hirsch will teach shoemaking, with participants creating walk shoes or flat-soled sandals.  Participants will learn hand stitching and machine stitching construction.  Studio use and instruction cost $250, with estimated material costs of $50-75. A materials list will be provided at registration. Spaces are limited and pre-registration is required.

Lodging information and registration are available by calling 479-363-9402.

Seriously Gayly readers; it’s as if it’s always Pride in Eureka Springs! Every day the businesses all over town fly their rainbow flags, gay couples can stroll down the streets of Eureka holding hands and not be judged, discriminated against or, for that matter, thrown out of town.

In fact, a popular Eureka Springs City Ads Promotion Commission (CAPC) advertising promo reads, “Eureka Springs. Not even our streets are straight!” This advertising can be seen not only each month in the Gayly, but is advertised in cities across the nation to attract LGBT and friendly visitors all year long.

On my visit to Eureka Springs last September, I was amazed at the rich diverse culture of this quaint town. I felt the excitement of this small, yet thriving gay community in this charming town.

According to “Out in Eureka,” There’s no need to look for a “gay district” in Eureka Springs. You’ll find rainbow flags flying throughout the town welcoming GLBT visitors. The majority of lodging facilities, restaurants, retail stores, and bars are MORE than GLBT friendly. As a matter of fact, they embrace diversity every day.

With a domestic partner registry, three Diversity Weekends a year, more than 50 gay-owned/friendly businesses, and a “laissez fair” feel Eureka Springs truly is a premier vacation destination for the LGBT Community.

There are also three special, “diversity weekends,” held annually in the spring, summer and fall. On these weekends, thousands of gay, lesbian, transgendered, bisexual, and open-minded straight people for a fun-filled weekend of diverse activities and events.

For information about the most gay-friendly businesses in Eureka Springs, visit the website of the official voice of LGBT Eureka Springs at www.outineureka.com

Walking along Main Street in Eureka Springs is Alvin Byrd, owner of Byrds Eye View Decor and co-owner of Magnetic Valley Resort, walks along the streets of Eureka which are always tainted in rainbow colors.

Through Christmas day, the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center will host a 350-piece lighted Victorian snow village, complete with several antique train sets running in the display. Hours are 2-7 p.m., or by appointment for special groups.

The Pine Mountain Theater offers it’s annual Christmas Show Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, starting November 10, and ending December 10.

The Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down also presents a holiday show, running Friday and Saturday nights until December 10.

Through December 24, the shops at Pine Mountain Village present “Candyland Christmas in the Village, while the ESDN Christmas Festival takes place downtown December 1-12.

On four consecutive Saturdays – November 26, and December 3, 20 and 17 – parents may drop their children off to watch free Christmas movies at the Gem, the downstairs level of the City Auditorium, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., allowing parents time to shop without the younger generation.

December 2, the downtown comes alive with Living Windows, when costumed characters take over the downtown windows starting at 3 p.m. At 6 p.m. the Annual Lighted Christmas Parade rolls, with floats, walkers, bands and thousands of lights winding through downtown in this evening spectacle. 479-253-8737 for details.

December 3, the Crescent Hotel Garden is the scene of the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, beginning at 6 p.m. Thirty trees decorated by area non-profit organizations will be lit.  From December 4 – 10 live holiday music and free Christmas films will enliven the Crescent.

Friday, December 9, the Christmas Ball, which benefits the Eureka Springs Historical Museum, takes place at the 1905 Basin Park Hotel from 7-11 p.m. Dancing to the Jack Mitchell Band, complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and cash bar are highlights of the evening. Call 479-253-9417 for information.

There are a multitude of events going on at the Crescent Hotel. For information, contact Amanda Haley: amanda.haley1@gmail.com or 479-253-9766. Their website is www.crescent-hotel.com/christmas.htm

Ongoing events:

Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10

-Christmas Show at the Hoe Down

Dec. 1-3, 8-10

-Christmas Show at Pine Mountain

through –

Dec. 24

-Pine Mountain Village presents “Candyland Christmas in the Village”

Dec. 1-12 

-ESDN Christmas Festival

Dec 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

-Free Christmas movies at the Crescent Hotel

Dec 3, 10, 17
-Photos with Santa in Basin Spring Park 10-2 p.m.

December 3, 1-3pm

Santa is on location with a professional photographer in Basin Spring Park. Contact: Jacqueline Wolven: 479-244-5074

-Eureka Springs Preservation Society Tour of Homes December 3, 3-8pm in the White Street area

December 7

-Christmas Ball

Dates: Friday, Dec. 9^th, 7-11pm

1905 Basin Park Hotel on Springs Street in Eureka Springs

www.eurekaspringshistoricalmuseum.org

A Christmas Setting for a Christmas Ball at the Basin Park Hotel. Dancing to the Jack Mitchell Band, complimentary Wine and hors d’ oeuvres’, a unique silent Auction and a Cash Bar.  Great fun along with a fabulous swing band.

Contact: Ginni Miller : 479-253 9417 or email: eshm999@sbcglobal.net