Burlsworth backers get preview

Hydration foundation comes home

The Cool Summer Homecoming benefit Aug. 20 netted a cool $60,000 for the Kendrick Fincher Hydration Foundation. Some 400 guests joined the nonprofit organization at the Fayetteville Town Center for the annual fundraiser.

No homecoming is complete without a homecoming court, which consisted of eight area young professionals. Members of the court spent the last several months trying to raise the most money for the foundation, and thus being crowned king or queen.

J.P. Lascalere earned the king’s crown, and Brandi McKinney was named queen.

Cool Summer Homecoming court candidates were: Andrea Albright, Walmart; Alex Ahmad, Whyte Spyder Inc.;

Corey Ball, Sam’s Club; Ashley Batchelor, University of Arkansas Alumni Association;

J.P. Lascalere, Snyder’s Lance;

Brandi McKinney, McGhee Insurance Company;

Blue Mhoon, Farmers Insurance Agency; and

Shea Nuckols, on IT. The 20-year-old foundation works to “promote proper hydration and prevent heat illness through education and supporting activities.” Rhonda Fincher, founder, told me staff members and volunteers are available for fall health fairs and classroom and athletic team hydration and heat illness presentations.

Among those attending the homecoming were Meredith and Andy Wiktorowski, Meggan and Nathan Kring, Jennifer and Dan Skoff, George Schaefer, Elliott Schaefer, Karen and Joey Walters, Peggy and Brian Arend, Heather and Jason Foitek, Tonya and Patrick Skinner and Tara Thibodeaux and Eric Howerton.

The Brandon Burlsworth

Foundation welcomed foundation backers, crew and cast members to a special preview of Greater, the biographical film about the late Brandon Burlsworth, on Aug. 23 at Malco Razorback Cinema in Fayetteville.

Guests were treated to the preview as well as a post-screening Q&A session with cast and crew members.

Next up for the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation is the Legends Dinner on Oct. 20 at the Fort Smith Convention Center. The 2016 Legends honoree is Judy McReynolds, ArcBest Corporation president and chief executive officer. Proceeds from the dinner will go to support programs that include Eyes of a Champion, Burls Kids and scholarships.

Celebrating the film’s release were Vickie and Marty Burlsworth, Barbara Burlsworth, Ashli Eaves, JoAnn and Tommy Tice, Kathy and Gary Meeks, Brian Reindle, producer, and wife Missy Reindl, Kevin Trainor, Marcheita and Mike Anderson, Karen and Dave Van Horn, Rep. Ron McNair and wife Phyllis, Gabe Mayhan, cinematographer, and David Hunt, director. Cast members joining the preview included Chris Severio (Brandon Burlsworth), Josh Emerson (Ward), Nick Searcy (the Farmer), Peter Lewis (Coach Tom Tice) and Grant Cook (Grant Garrett).

For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Marty and Vickie Burlsworth (from left), Josh Emerson, Barbara Burlsworth, Ashli Eaves, Peter Lewis and Tommy and JoAnn Tice gather at the preview screening of Greater on Aug. 22 at Malco Razorback Cinema in

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Paul Marinoni (left) and Mark Marinoni attend the Greater opening. Mark appeared in the movie.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Eric Howerton (from left), Nathan Kring, Brian Arend and Don Paul, Fincher board members, attend a Cool Summer Homecoming.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Meredith Wiktorowski (from left), Nevada Efird, Amy Combs, Heather Foitek and Andrea Morris, Fincher Foundation board members, welcome guests to a Cool Summer Homecoming.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Josh Emerson (from left), Brian Reindl, Greater producer, David Hunt, director, and Gabe Mahan, director of photography, stand for a photo at the movie premiere.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Van Stumon (from left), Trey Ware and Grant Cook gather at the Greater screening. They appeared in the movie as Brandon Burlsworth’s Razorback teammates.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Chris Severio and his mother, Dawn Tate, attend the Greater VIP screening Aug. 22. Severio played the role of Brandon Burlsworth in the biographical movie.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Carl and Tammy Shipley (from left), Nick Searcy, Brian and Missy Reindl and Marcheita and Mike Anderson attend the screening of Greater on Aug. 22.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Shea Nuckols (from left), Corey Ball, Brandi McKinney, J.P. Lascalere, Ashley Batchelor, Alex Ahmad, Andrea Albright and Blue Mhoon, Cool Summer Homecoming court candidates, gather for a photo at the Kendrick Fincher Hydration Foundation benefit Aug....