Chewing the Fat

en-us©2018 (CALS) (CALS)Chewing the FatWebmasterArkansas, Food, Culture, Travel, History, CALS, Little Rock, Public LibrarynoChewing the FatCentral Arkansas Library SystemChewing the Fat with Rex and Paul features Rex Nelson, Senior Editor at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and author of the food blog, Southern Fried, and Paul Austin, former Executive Director of the Arkansas Humanities Council. Rex and Paul get together each week to talk about Arkansas food, festivals, and folks.

Chewing the Fat with Rex and Paul features Rex Nelson, Senior Editor at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and author of the food blog, Southern Fried, and Paul Austin, former Executive Director of the Arkansas Humanities Council. Rex and Paul get together each week to talk about Arkansas food, festivals, and folks.

A podcast of the Central Arkansas Library System.Fri, 26 July 2019 00:00:00 CST Chewing the Fat Summer Edition, Part II...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat as they continue to travel the highways and byways of Arkansas in search of the best of Arkansas history, culture, and (most importantly) food.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat as they continue to travel the highways and byways of Arkansas in search of the best of Arkansas history, culture, and (most importantly) food.

Chewing the Fat Summer Edition, Part II30:37Fri, 26 July 2019 00:00:00 CST Chewing the Fat Summer Edition, Part I...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat on their latest adventure travelling and eating across the state of Arkansas.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat on their latest adventure travelling and eating across the state of Arkansas.

Chewing the Fat Summer Edition, Part I33:29Fri, 14 June 2019 00:00:00 CST Arkansas Food Hall of Fame Review...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat on the morning after the third annual Arkansas Food Hall of Fame induction event. They carry on about how hard it is to be on the selection committee and all the wonderful food they get to eat and nice people they get to meet and try to make people feel sorry for them, contrast the red-carpet experience at the Food Hall of Fame event and the Academy Awards, describe the People's Choice winner and the full list of 2019 nominees and the winners in each juried category -- Gone but Not Forgotten, Food Festival, Proprietor, Restaurant (three inductees) -- talk a bit about old Orval Faubus, and set the record for the longest it ever took Paul to mention that he is from Imboden. That comes in at the 35-minute mark. Bonus: Rex does his impersonation, with sound effects, of the winner at the Hope Watermelon Festival watermelon-eating contest. Hint: It's part machine, part Sheriff.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat on the morning after the third annual Arkansas Food Hall of Fame induction event. They carry on about how hard it is to be on the selection committee and all the wonderful food they get to eat and nice people they get to meet and try to make people feel sorry for them, contrast the red-carpet experience at the Food Hall of Fame event and the Academy Awards, describe the People's Choice winner and the full list of 2019 nominees and the winners in each juried category -- Gone but Not Forgotten, Food Festival, Proprietor, Restaurant (three inductees) -- talk a bit about old Orval Faubus, and set the record for the longest it ever took Paul to mention that he is from Imboden. That comes in at the 35-minute mark. Bonus: Rex does his impersonation, with sound effects, of the winner at the Hope Watermelon Festival watermelon-eating contest. Hint: It's part machine, part Sheriff.

Arkansas Food Hall of Fame Review01:06:47Fri, 1 March 2019 00:00:00 CST Arkansas Food Hall of Fame...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about the recently released list of the 2019 finalists for induction into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame and talk about where to get great fried chicken, famous sons of Fordyce, how Rex certainly did not buy dirty books at a newsstand known for such, how classic restaurants and cafes got started, where to get the best fried pies in Arkansas, the joys of convenience-store livers and gizzards, the secret ingredient in the slaw at Craig™s Bar-B-Q, the time Paul cried over homemade sausage, and his warning about watermelon festivals.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about the recently released list of the 2019 finalists for induction into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame and talk about where to get great fried chicken, famous sons of Fordyce, how Rex certainly did not buy dirty books at a newsstand known for such, how classic restaurants and cafes got started, where to get the best fried pies in Arkansas, the joys of convenience-store livers and gizzards, the secret ingredient in the slaw at Craig™s Bar-B-Q, the time Paul cried over homemade sausage, and his warning about watermelon festivals.

Arkansas Food Hall of Fame58:07Fri, 11 January 2019 00:00:00 CST Western Arkansas Sojourn, Part II...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about their sojourn in western Arkansas (part two), starting up Rich Mountain on a cold afternoon. And being dazzled by the drive up the mountain and rapidly dropping temperatures, checking in at the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism's wonderful Queen Wilhelmina Lodge, admiring Lum and Abner at theDepot Museum in Mena, spending a little time with Y City, Waldron, Mansfield, Greenwood, and Hackett, and winding up at the spectacular Ed Walker's Drive In in Fort Smith.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about their sojourn in western Arkansas (part two), starting up Rich Mountain on a cold afternoon. And being dazzled by the drive up the mountain and rapidly dropping temperatures, checking in at the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism's wonderful Queen Wilhelmina Lodge, admiring Lum and Abner at theDepot Museum in Mena, spending a little time with Y City, Waldron, Mansfield, Greenwood, and Hackett, and winding up at the spectacular Ed Walker's Drive In in Fort Smith.

Western Arkansas Sojourn, Part II39:09Fri, 07 December 2018 00:00:00 CST Western Arkansas Sojourn, Part I...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about their sojourn in western Arkansas (part one), starting at Texarkana and heading north. And admiring four beautiful lakes, checking out the museum at Ashdown, pondering the origins of the name De Queen and admiring cool things going on there, humoring Rex's sore feelings about a football state championship of long ago, looking for Tom Cruise around Mena, not finding him but finding Ouachita Baptist University people everywhere, considering the uniqueness of border towns, and”of course”finding some great places to eat all along the way, especially Cattleman's Steak House and Johnny B's Grill in Texarkana and Stillwell's Restaurant in De Queen.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about their sojourn in western Arkansas (part one), starting at Texarkana and heading north. And admiring four beautiful lakes, checking out the museum at Ashdown, pondering the origins of the name De Queen and admiring cool things going on there, humoring Rex's sore feelings about a football state championship of long ago, looking for Tom Cruise around Mena, not finding him but finding Ouachita Baptist University people everywhere, considering the uniqueness of border towns, and”of course”finding some great places to eat all along the way, especially Cattleman's Steak House and Johnny B's Grill in Texarkana and Stillwell's Restaurant in De Queen.

Western Arkansas Sojourn, Part I44:10Fri, 23 November 2018 00:00:00 CST End of Summer Musings...in which Rex and Paul offer end-of-summer musings, describe their recent farm-to-table expeditions, and discuss Paul's award-winning pig from 4H days. Rex utters the oddest statement in the history of Chewing the Fat in reference to eating, "We had had enough,"" as the boys celebrate dining experiences at Greers Ferry Lake, Palestine, Des Arc, De Valls Bluff, Pine Bluff, Pickens, McGehee, and Lake Village. And they tell about a couple of Mississippi and Tennessee trips, to Civil War battlegrounds at Vicksburg and Shiloh, and related foody experiences. As Paul says, "There may have been salads." Paul's haunting harmonica playing at Shiloh has stayed with Rex. If you listen, you can just make it out.

...in which Rex and Paul offer end-of-summer musings, describe their recent farm-to-table expeditions, and discuss Paul's award-winning pig from 4H days. Rex utters the oddest statement in the history of Chewing the Fat in reference to eating, "We had had enough, as the boys celebrate dining experiences at Greers Ferry Lake, Palestine, Des Arc, De Valls Bluff, Pine Bluff, Pickens, McGehee, and Lake Village. And they tell about a couple of Mississippi and Tennessee trips, to Civil War battlegrounds at Vicksburg and Shiloh, and related foody experiences. As Paul says, "There may have been salads. Paul's haunting harmonica playing at Shiloh has stayed with Rex. If you listen, you can just make it out.

End of Summer Musings59:15Fri, 14 September 2018 00:00:00 CST Retirement and a World Tour of Arkansas...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Paul's retirement and the rigorous schedule he keeps now that he doesn't have to bother with going to work, their World Tour of Arkansas, going around spreading glad tidings of Chewing the Fat at various civic organizations, universities, and other unsuspecting audiences, Rex's tips on how to avoid being asked to be the chairperson of the Political Animals Club (hint: Don't take a call from Shane Broadway), the further antics of Professor Tom DeBlack, Rex's dining tours, and Paul's hometown of Imboden, which didn't appear in the conversation till about the 30-minute mark, a new record.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Paul's retirement and the rigorous schedule he keeps now that he doesn't have to bother with going to work, their World Tour of Arkansas, going around spreading glad tidings of Chewing the Fat at various civic organizations, universities, and other unsuspecting audiences, Rex's tips on how to avoid being asked to be the chairperson of the Political Animals Club (hint: Don't take a call from Shane Broadway), the further antics of Professor Tom DeBlack, Rex's dining tours, and Paul's hometown of Imboden, which didn't appear in the conversation till about the 30-minute mark, a new record.

Retirement and a World Tour of Arkansas57:18Fri, 18 May 2018 00:00:00 CST Roadtrip Recollections and Hot Springs...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about the woes of trying to lose weight while upholding the finest traditions of Chewing the Fat, relive a great trip to Southeast Arkansas and Arkansas City with notorious history professor Tom DeBlack, report on Arkansas's rapid rise as a bicycling state of national importance, recall their latest terrifying nighttime/rainstorm apocalypse, which they experienced coming back from the state high school basketball championships in Hot Springs (note: wettest February in state history), praise the latest cool places to go in Hot Springs, which they have on good authority is the most important baseball city in the entire country, and recall great moments in barbershop visits.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about the woes of trying to lose weight while upholding the finest traditions of Chewing the Fat, relive a great trip to Southeast Arkansas and Arkansas City with notorious history professor Tom DeBlack, report on Arkansas's rapid rise as a bicycling state of national importance, recall their latest terrifying nighttime/rainstorm apocalypse, which they experienced coming back from the state high school basketball championships in Hot Springs (note: wettest February in state history), praise the latest cool places to go in Hot Springs, which they have on good authority is the most important baseball city in the entire country, and recall great moments in barbershop visits.

Roadtrip Recollections and Hot Springs01:00:03Fri, 30 March 2018 00:00:00 CST Highway 7 and Arkansas Bookstores...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about travelling Highway 7, the Hollis County Store, Blytheville barbecue, independent bookstores in Arkansas, the resurgence of Wilson, Arkansas, and more.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about travelling Highway 7, the Hollis County Store, Blytheville barbecue, independent bookstores in Arkansas, the resurgence of Wilson, Arkansas, and more.

Highway 7 and Arkansas Bookstores01:00:03Fri, 01 March 2018 00:00:00 CST A Roadtrip...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat on an epic trek across Arkansas on State Highway 7. The only state-maintained roadway that runs completely across Arkansas, Highway 7 starts in the bottom lands on the Arkansas-Louisiana line and ends at Bull Shoals Lake, which sits astride the Arkansas-Missouri line, and cuts through four of the state's six distinct geographical regions. Rex and Paul's travelogue includes some stretches of commentary recorded while going down the road, their usual discourses on places to eat and the people who run them, and some wry observations about roadhouses and country stores along the way.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat on an epic trek across Arkansas on State Highway 7. The only state-maintained roadway that runs completely across Arkansas, Highway 7 starts in the bottom lands on the Arkansas-Louisiana line and ends at Bull Shoals Lake, which sits astride the Arkansas-Missouri line, and cuts through four of the state's six distinct geographical regions. Rex and Paul's travelogue includes some stretches of commentary recorded while going down the road, their usual discourses on places to eat and the people who run them, and some wry observations about roadhouses and country stores along the way.

A Roadtrip54:26Fri, 05 January 2018 00:00:00 CST A Somber Occasion and Piggott, AR...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Paul's funeral duty and the pleasures of Piggott, Arkansas.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Paul's funeral duty and the pleasures of Piggott, Arkansas.

A Somber Occasion and Piggott, AR01:00:10Fri, 03 November 2017 00:00:00 CST Religion, Food, and Football...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Paul's Rotary Club talk at the Church of Christ in Wynne and how he had to change his talk when he realized it was going to be at the church, Paul's mother's elderberry jelly, the difficulties of picking elderberries, the need to go to the Mayhaw Festival in El Dorado and Chocolate Roll Festival in Searcy County, the boys' upcoming State Highway 7 expedition, Rex's opinion that the Old South Restaurant in Russellville has the best chicken-fried steak in Arkansas, Rex and Paul's recent Civil War foray based on the Camden Expedition, the fascinating and often obscure terminology regarding Civil War fights, a weird helicopter sighting, Mark Christ's great work in preservation of Civil War battlefields, a great lunch in Camden, fried green beans at Woods Place in Camden, how Paul got street cred in Wynne for knowing about Cypress Corner Bar-B-Q in Lexa, Rex's theory that the best barbecue places usually have signs featuring rusty pigs, the Arkansas State University football stadium, the view that ASU should play football in Little Rock, the view that Arkansas State Park gift shops should sell Rex's book Southern Fried, crazy weather, Rex and Paul's idea for a hall of fame for restaurants where they get to pick the winners and put their motto "We can be bribed!" into practice, Jewish and Chinese heritage in Southeast Arkansas, Rex's urgent desire to get a spot on the Mississippi River Commission so he can go on their great riverboat tours, a tour of Arkansas City with Kane Webb, Paul's confusion about bird-watching, the Squirrel Cook-off in Bentonville, how having to eat 24 cornbread samples at a contest almost killed Paul, an invitation to go back to Piggott for another Hemingway event, gambling history in Hot Springs, great po-boys at Mr. Whiskers between Malvern and Hot Springs, how the old bath houses are getting new life, the good news that the Lyon College football team doesn't wear kilts during games but that there are plenty of bagpipes, how Rex went to four Arkansas college football games in eight days, Rex's and Paul's recent birthdays, and how 66 is the new 65.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Paul's Rotary Club talk at the Church of Christ in Wynne and how he had to change his talk when he realized it was going to be at the church, Paul's mother's elderberry jelly, the difficulties of picking elderberries, the need to go to the Mayhaw Festival in El Dorado and Chocolate Roll Festival in Searcy County, the boys' upcoming State Highway 7 expedition, Rex's opinion that the Old South Restaurant in Russellville has the best chicken-fried steak in Arkansas, Rex and Paul's recent Civil War foray based on the Camden Expedition, the fascinating and often obscure terminology regarding Civil War fights, a weird helicopter sighting, Mark Christ's great work in preservation of Civil War battlefields, a great lunch in Camden, fried green beans at Woods Place in Camden, how Paul got street cred in Wynne for knowing about Cypress Corner Bar-B-Q in Lexa, Rex's theory that the best barbecue places usually have signs featuring rusty pigs, the Arkansas State University football stadium, the view that ASU should play football in Little Rock, the view that Arkansas State Park gift shops should sell Rex's book Southern Fried, crazy weather, Rex and Paul's idea for a hall of fame for restaurants where they get to pick the winners and put their motto "We can be bribed!" into practice, Jewish and Chinese heritage in Southeast Arkansas, Rex's urgent desire to get a spot on the Mississippi River Commission so he can go on their great riverboat tours, a tour of Arkansas City with Kane Webb, Paul's confusion about bird-watching, the Squirrel Cook-off in Bentonville, how having to eat 24 cornbread samples at a contest almost killed Paul, an invitation to go back to Piggott for another Hemingway event, gambling history in Hot Springs, great po-boys at Mr. Whiskers between Malvern and Hot Springs, how the old bath houses are getting new life, the good news that the Lyon College football team doesn't wear kilts during games but that there are plenty of bagpipes, how Rex went to four Arkansas college football games in eight days, Rex's and Paul's recent birthdays, and how 66 is the new 65.

Religion, Food, and Football58:33Fri, 06 October 2017 00:00:00 CST Fall, Football, Famous Arkansans ... and Food...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about the fact that Paul is from Imdoden, setting a new Chewing the Fat record”nine seconds”for earliest mention, the Hope Watermelon Festival, the Hempstead County sheriff's otherworldly victory in the watermelon-eating contest, how the boys turned down the offer of a free 150-pounder, despite the generous offer of a burlap sack to carry it with, about the biscuits at Keeney's in Malvern, how Historic Washington has as good a lunch as one could get at any state park in the United States, how Paul likes well-cooked vegetables -- no crispy green beans, please! -- the greatness of catalpa worms for fishing but the grossness of the green goo that comes out when you step on one, Paul's sneaky book-buying methods, discovering Glen Campbell's grave site three days after his funeral, Rex and Paul's funeral fixation, the death of Frank Broyles, how Broyles and Campbell and Johnny Cash gave Arkansas things to be proud of in the 1960s and helped the state live down some of the national embarrassment after the 1957 crisis, Nashville versus Crowley's Ridge peaches, the Fish Net at DeGray Lake, great Arkansas football stadiums, Jeff Root (the Football Doctor), how the reinstituted Lyon College football team uses the school's bagpipe band at games but does not play while wearing kilts, the Little Rock Touchdown Club, the Last Nutt Backer, OBU's streak of winning seasons in football, the Petit Jean plant at Morrilton, SAU and President Trey Berry, Backyard Barbeque in Magnolia, McClard's barbeque sauce, the "half-spread" gut bomb, fresh-cut French fries, Scott McClard's resistance to restoring goat to his menu, the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Paul's need of a tattoo, the three great dairy bars in Hot Springs -- Bailey's, King Kone, and Kreme Kastle -- car-tag improvements, the boys' upcoming State Highway 7 trip, the Grady Fish Fry, the famous Grady hushpuppy machine and how it scares Paul, Rex's surprise for Dr. Tom DeBlack, the fact that the convicts at the fish fry all know Rex, how opening-day dove hunting is a social occasion in Arkansas, the great brunch at the Monroe dove hunt, the fact the Rex and Paul are not exactly crack shots, and how the 1992 Razorback loss to the Citadel and firing of Coach Jack Crowe squeezed Rex's coverage of Bill Clinton's upcoming election as President.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about the fact that Paul is from Imdoden, setting a new Chewing the Fat record”nine seconds”for earliest mention, the Hope Watermelon Festival, the Hempstead County sheriff's otherworldly victory in the watermelon-eating contest, how the boys turned down the offer of a free 150-pounder, despite the generous offer of a burlap sack to carry it with, about the biscuits at Keeney's in Malvern, how Historic Washington has as good a lunch as one could get at any state park in the United States, how Paul likes well-cooked vegetables -- no crispy green beans, please! -- the greatness of catalpa worms for fishing but the grossness of the green goo that comes out when you step on one, Paul's sneaky book-buying methods, discovering Glen Campbell's grave site three days after his funeral, Rex and Paul's funeral fixation, the death of Frank Broyles, how Broyles and Campbell and Johnny Cash gave Arkansas things to be proud of in the 1960s and helped the state live down some of the national embarrassment after the 1957 crisis, Nashville versus Crowley's Ridge peaches, the Fish Net at DeGray Lake, great Arkansas football stadiums, Jeff Root (the Football Doctor), how the reinstituted Lyon College football team uses the school's bagpipe band at games but does not play while wearing kilts, the Little Rock Touchdown Club, the Last Nutt Backer, OBU's streak of winning seasons in football, the Petit Jean plant at Morrilton, SAU and President Trey Berry, Backyard Barbeque in Magnolia, McClard's barbeque sauce, the "half-spread" gut bomb, fresh-cut French fries, Scott McClard's resistance to restoring goat to his menu, the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Paul's need of a tattoo, the three great dairy bars in Hot Springs -- Bailey's, King Kone, and Kreme Kastle -- car-tag improvements, the boys' upcoming State Highway 7 trip, the Grady Fish Fry, the famous Grady hushpuppy machine and how it scares Paul, Rex's surprise for Dr. Tom DeBlack, the fact that the convicts at the fish fry all know Rex, how opening-day dove hunting is a social occasion in Arkansas, the great brunch at the Monroe dove hunt, the fact the Rex and Paul are not exactly crack shots, and how the 1992 Razorback loss to the Citadel and firing of Coach Jack Crowe squeezed Rex's coverage of Bill Clinton's upcoming election as President.

Fall, Football, Famous Arkansans ... and Food56:00Fri, 01 September 2017 00:00:00 CST PurpleHull Pea Festival and More, Part II...in which Rex and Paul continue chewing the fat about the PurpleHull Pea Festival in Emerson and related fun with motorized tillers, Keeney's Food Market in Malvern and its legendary sausage biscuits, Rex's embarrassing hat, the nervous hospital, Esau's corn, the boys' disappointment at not being the grand marshals for the PurpleHull pea-rade, how they picked the Pea Goddess, Burge's in Lewisville and their fried pies, Rex's son Evan's first experience of turkey fries, how Paul discovered that 55 in a 35 is considered speeding in Stamps, the two great catfish places in Garland City (Doc's and West Shore), taking cheesy photos on either side of the state line in Texarkana, the wonderfully named Hotel Grim, the Cattleman's Steak House, and Rex's double-header of chicken-fried steak and quail.

...in which Rex and Paul continue chewing the fat about the PurpleHull Pea Festival in Emerson and related fun with motorized tillers, Keeney's Food Market in Malvern and its legendary sausage biscuits, Rex's embarrassing hat, the nervous hospital, Esau's corn, the boys' disappointment at not being the grand marshals for the PurpleHull pea-rade, how they picked the Pea Goddess, Burge's in Lewisville and their fried pies, Rex's son Evan's first experience of turkey fries, how Paul discovered that 55 in a 35 is considered speeding in Stamps, the two great catfish places in Garland City (Doc's and West Shore), taking cheesy photos on either side of the state line in Texarkana, the wonderfully named Hotel Grim, the Cattleman's Steak House, and Rex's double-header of chicken-fried steak and quail.

PurpleHull Pea Festival and More, Part II28:16Fri, 21 July 2017 00:00:00 CST PurpleHull Pea Festival and More...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about the PurpleHull Pea Festival in Emerson and related fun with motorized tillers, Keeney's Food Market in Malvern and its legendary sausage biscuits, Rex's embarrassing hat, the nervous hospital, Esau's corn, the boys' disappointment at not being the grand marshals for the PurpleHull pea-rade, how they picked the Pea Goddess, Burge's in Lewisville and their fried pies, Rex's son Evan's first experience of turkey fries, how Paul discovered that 55 in a 35 is considered speeding in Stamps, the two great catfish places in Garland City (Doc's and West Shore), taking cheesy photos on either side of the state line in Texarkana, the wonderfully named Hotel Grim, the Cattleman's Steak House, and Rex's double-header of chicken-fried steak and quail.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about the PurpleHull Pea Festival in Emerson and related fun with motorized tillers, Keeney's Food Market in Malvern and its legendary sausage biscuits, Rex's embarrassing hat, the nervous hospital, Esau's corn, the boys' disappointment at not being the grand marshals for the PurpleHull pea-rade, how they picked the Pea Goddess, Burge's in Lewisville and their fried pies, Rex's son Evan's first experience of turkey fries, how Paul discovered that 55 in a 35 is considered speeding in Stamps, the two great catfish places in Garland City (Doc's and West Shore), taking cheesy photos on either side of the state line in Texarkana, the wonderfully named Hotel Grim, the Cattleman's Steak House, and Rex's double-header of chicken-fried steak and quail.

PurpleHull Pea Festival and More27:17Fri, 07 July 2017 00:00:00 CST Iconic Eats and Drives...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about their trip to the Delta Regional Council in Cleveland, Mississippi, about the fact that there's more Delta in Arkansas than there is in Mississippi, Sonny Perdue, Rex's troubling lack of seersucker and wholly inadequate headware, the Biscoe IGA and its famous sausage biscuits and meat counter, the charms of old U.S. Highway 70, the Cache and White rivers, the Grammy Museum, a cotton-based style show dominated by political dignitaries, how Paul got to go back to the Alluvian Hotel because he took Jan there, the Viking Range corporation, Lusco's restaurant in Greenwood, halving a pompano, Turnrow Book Company, sauce acquisition, the Alluvian's library bar -- it has real books -- the Oxford book-buying experience and cool new hotels that should come to Arkansas, hanging out at famed journalist Curtis Wilkie's house, his book "The Fall of the House of Zeus", the City Grocery restaurant and fried pickled okra, how Douglas Southall Freeman overcame Rex's willpower and made him buy four books, an Earl Long biography, the published correspondence of Eudora Welty and William Maxwell, John. T. Edge, and how Paul displayed his superior willpower and restraint by buying only seven books, but don't tell Jan.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about their trip to the Delta Regional Council in Cleveland, Mississippi, about the fact that there's more Delta in Arkansas than there is in Mississippi, Sonny Perdue, Rex's troubling lack of seersucker and wholly inadequate headware, the Biscoe IGA and its famous sausage biscuits and meat counter, the charms of old U.S. Highway 70, the Cache and White rivers, the Grammy Museum, a cotton-based style show dominated by political dignitaries, how Paul got to go back to the Alluvian Hotel because he took Jan there, the Viking Range corporation, Lusco's restaurant in Greenwood, halving a pompano, Turnrow Book Company, sauce acquisition, the Alluvian's library bar -- it has real books -- the Oxford book-buying experience and cool new hotels that should come to Arkansas, hanging out at famed journalist Curtis Wilkie's house, his book "The Fall of the House of Zeus", the City Grocery restaurant and fried pickled okra, how Douglas Southall Freeman overcame Rex's willpower and made him buy four books, an Earl Long biography, the published correspondence of Eudora Welty and William Maxwell, John. T. Edge, and how Paul displayed his superior willpower and restraint by buying only seven books, but don't tell Jan.

Iconic Eats and Drives29:16Fri, 16 June 2017 00:00:00 CST A Tour and Two Southern Passings...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Sam Houston's brother's grave, Calico Rock, the River View Hotel there, Angler's Resort near Mountain View, jam sessions in Mountain View, folk festivals in the area, the JFK Overlook at Heber Springs, Wilbur Mills, Fordyce and its great sports history, the Smithsonian's Hometown Teams traveling exhibition Paul and the Arkansas Humanities Council are working on, how auctioneers always seem to be called "Colonel," how Rex became a Kentucky Colonel, Paul's odd affection for the game of cricket, Rex's love of the old Iron Bowl games, his book Southern Fried, the Southern Foodways Alliance, how Paul fought the perception that he might be a food snob by making Sloppy Joes and eating a whole box of Little Debbie cakes, stopping at the Bulldog in Bald Knob for strawberry shortcake, how the boys need to get to some food festivals to replenish their supplies of various sauces, RIP: the footbridge at Oark that got washed away in the flood about the same time they talked about it on the last Chewing the Fat with Rex and Paul, the peach-picking paradise at Clarksville, Rex's suspicions about Paul's commitment to Rex's Burger Challenge, Mennonites selling jelly, wondering if Rex and Paul might get asked to be grand marshals at the PurpleHull Pea Festival, the passing of Congressman Jay Dickey”a true Arkansas character, and RIP: Bryce's Cafeteria, which died recently at 86.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Sam Houston's brother's grave, Calico Rock, the River View Hotel there, Angler's Resort near Mountain View, jam sessions in Mountain View, folk festivals in the area, the JFK Overlook at Heber Springs, Wilbur Mills, Fordyce and its great sports history, the Smithsonian's Hometown Teams traveling exhibition Paul and the Arkansas Humanities Council are working on, how auctioneers always seem to be called "Colonel," how Rex became a Kentucky Colonel, Paul's odd affection for the game of cricket, Rex's love of the old Iron Bowl games, his book Southern Fried, the Southern Foodways Alliance, how Paul fought the perception that he might be a food snob by making Sloppy Joes and eating a whole box of Little Debbie cakes, stopping at the Bulldog in Bald Knob for strawberry shortcake, how the boys need to get to some food festivals to replenish their supplies of various sauces, RIP: the footbridge at Oark that got washed away in the flood about the same time they talked about it on the last Chewing the Fat with Rex and Paul, the peach-picking paradise at Clarksville, Rex's suspicions about Paul's commitment to Rex's Burger Challenge, Mennonites selling jelly, wondering if Rex and Paul might get asked to be grand marshals at the PurpleHull Pea Festival, the passing of Congressman Jay Dickey”a true Arkansas character, and RIP: Bryce's Cafeteria, which died recently at 86.

A Tour and Two Southern Passings33:27Fri, 02 June 2017 00:00:00 CST Snub 'n' Grub...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Pocahontas, the oddly named Sanitary Barbershop, the Lesmeister Guest House, Ninth Street in Little Rock, the Olde Stonehouse B and B in Hardy, having three doctors at dinner who couldn't do anybody any good, the Biggers B and B and steak place in Hardy, the Eddie Mae Herron Center in Pocahontas, Ravenden, Williford, Ravenden Springs, Mammoth Spring, skipping the awards banquet at the Arkansas Historical Association because Chewing the Fat with Rex and Paul didn't get an award, La Pastorella Bistro in Mammoth Spring, Fred's Fish House, Rex's college buddies and their high-class taste in fish camps, Sportsman's in Flippin, Gaston's in Lakeview, the Jim Gaston Visitor Center in Bull Shoals, Harry Truman's 1952 visit, Bull Shoals controversies, Paul's Royal Ambassadors camping trip, his contention that he was not to blame for the fishing lure that got stuck in Phil Smith's head, rural electrification, the Norfork Dam, and the Jacob Wolf House in Baxter County.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Pocahontas, the oddly named Sanitary Barbershop, the Lesmeister Guest House, Ninth Street in Little Rock, the Olde Stonehouse B and B in Hardy, having three doctors at dinner who couldn't do anybody any good, the Biggers B and B and steak place in Hardy, the Eddie Mae Herron Center in Pocahontas, Ravenden, Williford, Ravenden Springs, Mammoth Spring, skipping the awards banquet at the Arkansas Historical Association because Chewing the Fat with Rex and Paul didn't get an award, La Pastorella Bistro in Mammoth Spring, Fred's Fish House, Rex's college buddies and their high-class taste in fish camps, Sportsman's in Flippin, Gaston's in Lakeview, the Jim Gaston Visitor Center in Bull Shoals, Harry Truman's 1952 visit, Bull Shoals controversies, Paul's Royal Ambassadors camping trip, his contention that he was not to blame for the fishing lure that got stuck in Phil Smith's head, rural electrification, the Norfork Dam, and the Jacob Wolf House in Baxter County.

Snub 'n' Grub33:18Fri, 19 May 2017 00:00:00 CST Imboden and a Tour of Arkansas Food...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Paul's annual appearance at the Friends of the Library pancake breakfast in Imboden, the wonders of fried pies, Imboden war stories, how the traffic jam in front of the strawberry stand in Bald Knob thwarted Paul's best efforts, Slader's Alaskan Dumplings in Searcy, sad news about Bryce's Cafeteria in Texarkana, Rex's fears of a tomato aspic shortage, Paul's trip to Stamps and a side trip to Burge's in Lewisville and their legendary turkey salad, eating catfish in Garland City, calf fries, the need to get upcoming festivals nailed down on calendars, Paul's discovery that oysters in Georgia are no match for those in Arkansas, Rex and Paul's ideas about asphalt, how they've given up waiting for their historian friends to organize a trip to visit the Civil War battleground at Shiloh, Paul's possible status as the only person in Arkansas who's eaten German food at Hot Springs and Mammoth Spring in the same month, expansion plans for the store at Oark, good news about peaches, Paul's Cave City retirement plan, wood handles and bats in Batesville, and how Chewing the Fat with Rex and Paul may constitute the essence of the Arkansas experience.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Paul's annual appearance at the Friends of the Library pancake breakfast in Imboden, the wonders of fried pies, Imboden war stories, how the traffic jam in front of the strawberry stand in Bald Knob thwarted Paul's best efforts, Slader's Alaskan Dumplings in Searcy, sad news about Bryce's Cafeteria in Texarkana, Rex's fears of a tomato aspic shortage, Paul's trip to Stamps and a side trip to Burge's in Lewisville and their legendary turkey salad, eating catfish in Garland City, calf fries, the need to get upcoming festivals nailed down on calendars, Paul's discovery that oysters in Georgia are no match for those in Arkansas, Rex and Paul's ideas about asphalt, how they've given up waiting for their historian friends to organize a trip to visit the Civil War battleground at Shiloh, Paul's possible status as the only person in Arkansas who's eaten German food at Hot Springs and Mammoth Spring in the same month, expansion plans for the store at Oark, good news about peaches, Paul's Cave City retirement plan, wood handles and bats in Batesville, and how Chewing the Fat with Rex and Paul may constitute the essence of the Arkansas experience.

Imboden and a Tour of Arkansas Food29:00Fri, 28 April 2017 00:00:00 CST The Delta Food Tour...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Rex's recent Delta Food Tour, in which he samples the three Delta Food Groups -- barbecue, catfish, and tamales -- in the same trip.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Rex's recent Delta Food Tour, in which he samples the three Delta Food Groups -- barbecue, catfish, and tamales -- in the same trip.

The Delta Food Tour28:43Fri, 14 April 2017 00:00:00 CST Pork in Pocahontas and the Arkansas Hall of Fame...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Paul's recent visit to the Eddie Mae Herron Center's annual hog killing and auction in Pocahontas, how he made off with a fresh ham, a shoulder, some sausage, pork chops, and about a four-pound slab of pork belly, as well as the first Arkansas Food Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which turned out to be a very successful evening celebrating Arkansas food culture and a lot of fun for Miss Rhoda.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Paul's recent visit to the Eddie Mae Herron Center's annual hog killing and auction in Pocahontas, how he made off with a fresh ham, a shoulder, some sausage, pork chops, and about a four-pound slab of pork belly, as well as the first Arkansas Food Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which turned out to be a very successful evening celebrating Arkansas food culture and a lot of fun for Miss Rhoda.

Pork in Pocahontas and the Arkansas Hall of Fame36:40Fri, 31 March 2017 00:00:00 CST Hot Springs and High School Basketball...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat cool things in Hot Springs and how people really are starting to see the importance of the city and park to the state and the nation, seeing about a hundred games at the Arkansas state high school basketball tournament and its fascinating mix of urban and rural Arkansas, how the old Baptist expression "Every head bowed/every eye closed" became a basketball benediction, Paul's latest distressing trend and Rex's deep sense of disappointment about it, travel tips on how to get to Hot Springs, and Paul's rant about the best way (his) to present the National Anthem before sporting events (hint: tell Aunt Martha to stay home that night).

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat cool things in Hot Springs and how people really are starting to see the importance of the city and park to the state and the nation, seeing about a hundred games at the Arkansas state high school basketball tournament and its fascinating mix of urban and rural Arkansas, how the old Baptist expression "Every head bowed/every eye closed" became a basketball benediction, Paul's latest distressing trend and Rex's deep sense of disappointment about it, travel tips on how to get to Hot Springs, and Paul's rant about the best way (his) to present the National Anthem before sporting events (hint: tell Aunt Martha to stay home that night).

Hot Springs and High School Basketball28:27Fri, 17 March 2017 00:00:00 CST Oysters, Duck Clubs, and the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about the annual Slovak Oyster Supper, visiting a duck club, participating in the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame, and more.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about the annual Slovak Oyster Supper, visiting a duck club, participating in the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame, and more.

Oysters, Duck Clubs, and the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame27:30Fri, 3 March 2017 00:00:00 CST Hunting Quail and Hemingway in Arkansas, Part II...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat a little more about their remarkable quail-hunting trip with the grandson of Ernest Hemingway and the granddaughter of Hemingway's famous editor, Max Perkins (and we use the word "hunting" somewhat loosely), some embarrassing moments involving clay pigeons, how Paul shamelessly exploited his time in the U.S. Navy to learn about bullfighting while stationed in Spain, Rex's lack of experiences on topless beaches, taking city folks to dinner at a bait shop, the alarming news that Paul talks in the sleep while driving, and how sometimes Lackey's tamales in Newport are all you need.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat a little more about their remarkable quail-hunting trip with the grandson of Ernest Hemingway and the granddaughter of Hemingway's famous editor, Max Perkins (and we use the word "hunting" somewhat loosely), some embarrassing moments involving clay pigeons, how Paul shamelessly exploited his time in the U.S. Navy to learn about bullfighting while stationed in Spain, Rex's lack of experiences on topless beaches, taking city folks to dinner at a bait shop, the alarming news that Paul talks in the sleep while driving, and how sometimes Lackey's tamales in Newport are all you need.

Hunting Quail and Hemingway in Arkansas, Part II31:27Fri, 3 March 2017 00:00:00 CST Hunting Quail and Hemingway in Arkansas...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about their epic trip to Piggott to participate in a quail hunt and dinner with the grandson of Ernest Hemingway and the granddaughter of Hemingway's legendary editor, Max Perkins, who hunted there in 1932 while Hemingway was married to Pauline Pfeiffer. The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum preserves much from the couple's time in Arkansas and the Pfeiffer family's remarkable business and farming activities in the area. Rex and Paul tell about a chance visit with a famous football hero, getting lost on Crowley's ridge, Paul's desire not to shoot Hemingway's grandson, concerns for the birddogs (given the poor shooting abilities of most in the party), and their general relief to have survived the trip and had a good time, finishing with rum. "No quail were harmed in the making of this podcast."

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about their epic trip to Piggott to participate in a quail hunt and dinner with the grandson of Ernest Hemingway and the granddaughter of Hemingway's legendary editor, Max Perkins, who hunted there in 1932 while Hemingway was married to Pauline Pfeiffer. The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum preserves much from the couple's time in Arkansas and the Pfeiffer family's remarkable business and farming activities in the area. Rex and Paul tell about a chance visit with a famous football hero, getting lost on Crowley's ridge, Paul's desire not to shoot Hemingway's grandson, concerns for the birddogs (given the poor shooting abilities of most in the party), and their general relief to have survived the trip and had a good time, finishing with rum. "No quail were harmed in the making of this podcast."

Hunting Quail and Hemingway in Arkansas29:54Fri, 03 February 2017 00:00:00 CST A Little Bit of Everything...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat on holiday cooking, Paul's specialties, Rex's love of mincemeat pie, biscuits and country ham, Paul's problems with rodents, eggnog, oyster loaf and Richard Allen, the old Des Arc fish market, fiddlers, the Emerson Purple-hull Pea Festival, Mississippi roast, Gillette and Slovak festivals coming up, how a heated throw changed Paul's life, memories of Bibles, the King James Version, sword drills, the OBU-Henderson State rivalry, the Church of Shakespeare, Newton County, what's going on in the hills of Arkansas, how Pocahontas used to be wet, and the need to get to Blytheville and eat some barbecue.

in which Rex and Paul chew the fat on holiday cooking, Paul's specialties, Rex's love of mincemeat pie, biscuits and country ham, Paul's problems with rodents, eggnog, oyster loaf and Richard Allen, the old Des Arc fish market, fiddlers, the Emerson Purple-hull Pea Festival, Mississippi roast, Gillette and Slovak festivals coming up, how a heated throw changed Paul's life, memories of Bibles, the King James Version, sword drills, the OBU-Henderson State rivalry, the Church of Shakespeare, Newton County, what's going on in the hills of Arkansas, how Pocahontas used to be wet, and the need to get to Blytheville and eat some barbecue.

A Little Bit of Everything31:01Fri, 20 January 2017 00:00:00 CST Small Town Basketball and Tamales... in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about their first year of Chewing the Fat, the NEA basketball tournament and small-town basketball fans, hill school teams versus Delta teams, tamales, how Paul broke a kid's arm and Paul's mother ran over the same family's dog on the same day, record-setting basketball performances, Cave City, squirrel dinners at Gene's Barbecue in Brinkley, Tommy Robinson, and having a pretty good Arkansas day.

... in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about their first year of Chewing the Fat, the NEA basketball tournament and small-town basketball fans, hill school teams versus Delta teams, tamales, how Paul broke a kid's arm and Paul's mother ran over the same family's dog on the same day, record-setting basketball performances, Cave City, squirrel dinners at Gene's Barbecue in Brinkley, Tommy Robinson, and having a pretty good Arkansas day.

Small Town Basketball and Tamales25:07Fri, 13 January 2017 00:00:00 CST Best of 2016A special end-of-the-year edition featuring some of our favorite Chewing the Fat segments with our old friends, Rex and Paul. And did we mention that Paul is from Imboden?

A special end-of-the-year edition featuring some of our favorite Chewing the Fat segments with our old friends, Rex and Paul. And did we mention that Paul is from Imboden?

Best of 201623:45Fri, 30 December 2016 00:00:00 CST Christmas...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Christmas, the smell of cedar trees, quail hunting and tree gathering, shooting mistletoe out of trees, the timing of gift opening, working on Christmas Eve, .22 rifles, weird plastic squirrel gifts, the ill effects of early discovery of gifts, stockings, Paul's conviction that Jesus wanted him to get a lot of gifts, Paul's uncle Conway and his status as a serious Baptist, The Black Stallion, the Lighthouse Bookstore in Jonesboro, Christmas cantatas, Paul's advancement through roles in the Christmas play at Imboden, Rex's church in Arkadelphia and some nerve-wracking performances, visits of random Methodists, Mrs. Shamburger: choir leader and sparkle specialist, Youth Sunday tensions, getting Santa's presents in the middle of the night, Santa's big mistake regarding Paul's son Josh's first set of golf clubs, stressful times trying to assemble presents, more weird presents, Rex's grandfather's toe problem and resulting stocking designs, yard sweeping, special Christmas food, fried quail and grits, peppermint cake, egg custard pie, Karo syrup uses, the shocking realization that Catholic Midnight Mass really starts at midnight, the earlier (wimpy) services Rex attends, and checking out the Pope.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Christmas, the smell of cedar trees, quail hunting and tree gathering, shooting mistletoe out of trees, the timing of gift opening, working on Christmas Eve, .22 rifles, weird plastic squirrel gifts, the ill effects of early discovery of gifts, stockings, Paul's conviction that Jesus wanted him to get a lot of gifts, Paul's uncle Conway and his status as a serious Baptist, The Black Stallion, the Lighthouse Bookstore in Jonesboro, Christmas cantatas, Paul's advancement through roles in the Christmas play at Imboden, Rex's church in Arkadelphia and some nerve-wracking performances, visits of random Methodists, Mrs. Shamburger: choir leader and sparkle specialist, Youth Sunday tensions, getting Santa's presents in the middle of the night, Santa's big mistake regarding Paul's son Josh's first set of golf clubs, stressful times trying to assemble presents, more weird presents, Rex's grandfather's toe problem and resulting stocking designs, yard sweeping, special Christmas food, fried quail and grits, peppermint cake, egg custard pie, Karo syrup uses, the shocking realization that Catholic Midnight Mass really starts at midnight, the earlier (wimpy) services Rex attends, and checking out the Pope.

Christmas23:25Fri, 23 December 2016 00:00:00 CST Bowl Season...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about feeling the pressure to get home from church in time to see the Cowboys game, difficulties staying up till midnight on New Year's Eve, Rex's adventures doing press relations at the Cotton Bowl, his best Christmas stocking gift ever, the old Alps Restaurant, the old Baker Hotel in Dallas, former LSU coach Charlie McClendon and Rex's boyhood refusal to shake his hand, Rex's coverage of other bowl games, freezing at the Liberty Bowl, Paul's viewing of the second Ali-Frazier fight while AWOL from the Navy, Pete Fountain in New Orleans, legendary Forrest City sportswriter Raoul Carlisle at the Kentucky Derby with Red Smith, how Lou Holtz messed up E.J. Junior's name, Rex's near-death experience swallowing a bay leaf at a restaurant in the French Quarter, the need to go to Northeast Arkansas while the leaves are off the trees, George's Fish Market in Marvell, and getting caviar and tamales in Helena.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about feeling the pressure to get home from church in time to see the Cowboys game, difficulties staying up till midnight on New Year's Eve, Rex's adventures doing press relations at the Cotton Bowl, his best Christmas stocking gift ever, the old Alps Restaurant, the old Baker Hotel in Dallas, former LSU coach Charlie McClendon and Rex's boyhood refusal to shake his hand, Rex's coverage of other bowl games, freezing at the Liberty Bowl, Paul's viewing of the second Ali-Frazier fight while AWOL from the Navy, Pete Fountain in New Orleans, legendary Forrest City sportswriter Raoul Carlisle at the Kentucky Derby with Red Smith, how Lou Holtz messed up E.J. Junior's name, Rex's near-death experience swallowing a bay leaf at a restaurant in the French Quarter, the need to go to Northeast Arkansas while the leaves are off the trees, George's Fish Market in Marvell, and getting caviar and tamales in Helena.

Bowl Season14:44Fri, 16 December 2016 00:00:00 CST Thanksgiving Recap...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Thanksgiving in Imboden, Paul's famous three-turkey plan, the glories of fried turkey, oyster dressing, trmmings, pies, pecans, the Baucum Nut House in North Little Rock, Rex's mincemeat pie frenzy, hunting mince, Rex's wife Melissa's fruitcake pecan frenzy, Burge's in Little Rock, fruitcake sales in Arkadelphia, the Civitan Club and the hierarchy of civic club attendance, the absence of such clubs in Imboden, Paul's brief but exciting magazine-selling career, Rex's mania for magazine subscriptions, Argossy fantasies, Red's and Woody's News Stands in Arkadelphia, sales of questionable magazines, Pete's News Stand in Pocahontas, Rex's souvenir from Woody's last day in business, highway joys on the way to Imboden, Walnut Ridge, Amagon, Weiner, Brinkley, Cherry Valley, country ham, Paul's memories of food in Spain, Baptist prayer traditions and Paul's moment of panic, Rex's eccentric great aunts and their bad influences on him, Royal Ambassadors and the ban on reciting short passages of Scripture, naps, football, and why holidays are great.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Thanksgiving in Imboden, Paul's famous three-turkey plan, the glories of fried turkey, oyster dressing, trmmings, pies, pecans, the Baucum Nut House in North Little Rock, Rex's mincemeat pie frenzy, hunting mince, Rex's wife Melissa's fruitcake pecan frenzy, Burge's in Little Rock, fruitcake sales in Arkadelphia, the Civitan Club and the hierarchy of civic club attendance, the absence of such clubs in Imboden, Paul's brief but exciting magazine-selling career, Rex's mania for magazine subscriptions, Argossy fantasies, Red's and Woody's News Stands in Arkadelphia, sales of questionable magazines, Pete's News Stand in Pocahontas, Rex's souvenir from Woody's last day in business, highway joys on the way to Imboden, Walnut Ridge, Amagon, Weiner, Brinkley, Cherry Valley, country ham, Paul's memories of food in Spain, Baptist prayer traditions and Paul's moment of panic, Rex's eccentric great aunts and their bad influences on him, Royal Ambassadors and the ban on reciting short passages of Scripture, naps, football, and why holidays are great.

Thanksgiving Recap17:27Fri, 9 December 2016 00:00:00 CST More with Jan Austin...in which Rex is out of town, so Paul begins a conversation with Jan Austin, his patient spouse, whom Paul often mentions in the broadcast, as they talk about Helena, Jan's suspicions about Paul's admiration for vinegar pie, pecan pie, mincemeat, butter the secret to pecan pie and life, Paul's convenience-store chicken livers, Paul's decision to take Jan home to meet the folks, Paul's and Jan's accents, their competing theories about the relative virtues of Delta and hill folk, gun-toting mosquitos, Paul's uncle's farm, the disappearing art of making candy, Paul's aunt's remarkable diary, her staunch union loyalty, Lawrence County the "mother of counties," Paul's declaration of ASU as the Harvard of Arkansas, changes on campus, Imboden and its attractions for kids, church and school the source of social life in the town, the resultant scrutiny of teenage behavior, Paul's admirable seriousness as a student, fun at the races, Oaklawn burgers, corned beef, pizza, and Jan's expert theories about picking race horses.

...in which Rex is out of town, so Paul begins a conversation with Jan Austin, his patient spouse, whom Paul often mentions in the broadcast, as they talk about Helena, Jan's suspicions about Paul's admiration for vinegar pie, pecan pie, mincemeat, butter the secret to pecan pie and life, Paul's convenience-store chicken livers, Paul's decision to take Jan home to meet the folks, Paul's and Jan's accents, their competing theories about the relative virtues of Delta and hill folk, gun-toting mosquitos, Paul's uncle's farm, the disappearing art of making candy, Paul's aunt's remarkable diary, her staunch union loyalty, Lawrence County the "mother of counties," Paul's declaration of ASU as the Harvard of Arkansas, changes on campus, Imboden and its attractions for kids, church and school the source of social life in the town, the resultant scrutiny of teenage behavior, Paul's admirable seriousness as a student, fun at the races, Oaklawn burgers, corned beef, pizza, and Jan's expert theories about picking race horses.

More with Jan Austin18:23Fri, 2 December 2016 00:00:00 CST Jan Austin...in which Rex is out of town, so Paul begins a conversation with Jan Austin, his patient spouse, whom Paul often mentions in the broadcast, as they talk about Helena, Jan's suspicions about Paul's admiration for vinegar pie, pecan pie, mincemeat, butter the secret to pecan pie and life, Paul's convenience-store chicken livers, Paul's decision to take Jan home to meet the folks, Paul's and Jan's accents, their competing theories about the relative virtues of Delta and hill folk, gun-toting mosquitos, Paul's uncle's farm, the disappearing art of making candy, Paul's aunt's remarkable diary, her staunch union loyalty, Lawrence County the "mother of counties," Paul's declaration of ASU as the Harvard of Arkansas, changes on campus, Imboden and its attractions for kids, church and school the source of social life in the town, the resultant scrutiny of teenage behavior, Paul's admirable seriousness as a student, fun at the races, Oaklawn burgers, corned beef, pizza, and Jan's expert theories about picking race horses.

Jan Austin12:47Fri, 25 November 2016 00:00:00 CST Thanksgiving...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Thanksgiving, which Rex calls the ultimate men's holiday because of its lack of expectations on males, the love of leftovers, Paul's two-turkey philosophy, smoked turkey gumbo, turkey soup stock, dressing sandwiches, the critical role of side dishes at Thanksgiving, the prominence of pie, the impossibility of having too many potatoes, casseroles as the symbol of Southern Protestantism, Baptist camps, duck camps, shooting skeet, hunting rabbits, squirrel cook-offs, the loss of Thanksgiving Day football games, the Battle of the Ravine, a turkey snack Paul invented, the Wings over the Prairie Festival in Stuttgart, the Des Arc alumni reunion, Paul's mom's deck and his excellent contributions to its construction (mostly imaginary), how weird weather ruined Paul's plans for a toasty Thanksgiving Day fire, Razorback-LSU games, the Miracle on Markham, and juggling dove hunting and football.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Thanksgiving, which Rex calls the ultimate men's holiday because of its lack of expectations on males, the love of leftovers, Paul's two-turkey philosophy, smoked turkey gumbo, turkey soup stock, dressing sandwiches, the critical role of side dishes at Thanksgiving, the prominence of pie, the impossibility of having too many potatoes, casseroles as the symbol of Southern Protestantism, Baptist camps, duck camps, shooting skeet, hunting rabbits, squirrel cook-offs, the loss of Thanksgiving Day football games, the Battle of the Ravine, a turkey snack Paul invented, the Wings over the Prairie Festival in Stuttgart, the Des Arc alumni reunion, Paul's mom's deck and his excellent contributions to its construction (mostly imaginary), how weird weather ruined Paul's plans for a toasty Thanksgiving Day fire, Razorback-LSU games, the Miracle on Markham, and juggling dove hunting and football.

Thanksgiving16:11Fri, 18 November 2016 00:00:00 CST College Athletics, Southern Barbecue, and Sir Sid...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about the Battle of the Ravine and Rex's continuing attempts to get ESPN's Game Day broadcast to come to Arkadelphia for the annual football class between Henderson State and Ouachita Baptist, how Rex talked essentially non-stop for seven and a half hours during a recent football Saturday, pleasant college campuses in Arkansas, old Arkansas college mascots, the rise of cricket teams at Southern Arkansas University, how there used to be polo matches at Wilson, how William O. Darby's knowledge of polo got him friendships with important military leaders, the Wilson Café and nice developments around town, the Delta School, the Southern Barbecue Trail, Dixie Pig sauce, the Cream Castle in Blytheville, the jumbo pig sandwich, Rex and Paul's unholy quest to consume five pig sandwiches in one day, Paul's visit with Sidney Moncrief, comparing notes on barbecue places with Sidney, improvements in U.S. Highway 67 on the way to Imboden, and the remarkable apparent confirmation of one of Paul's usually crackpot theories by an independent observer (Jim Shenup), this one having to do with the claim that Hall of Fame baseball player George Kell was really from Imboden, not Swifton, as often said.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about the Battle of the Ravine and Rex's continuing attempts to get ESPN's Game Day broadcast to come to Arkadelphia for the annual football class between Henderson State and Ouachita Baptist, how Rex talked essentially non-stop for seven and a half hours during a recent football Saturday, pleasant college campuses in Arkansas, old Arkansas college mascots, the rise of cricket teams at Southern Arkansas University, how there used to be polo matches at Wilson, how William O. Darby's knowledge of polo got him friendships with important military leaders, the Wilson Café and nice developments around town, the Delta School, the Southern Barbecue Trail, Dixie Pig sauce, the Cream Castle in Blytheville, the jumbo pig sandwich, Rex and Paul's unholy quest to consume five pig sandwiches in one day, Paul's visit with Sidney Moncrief, comparing notes on barbecue places with Sidney, improvements in U.S. Highway 67 on the way to Imboden, and the remarkable apparent confirmation of one of Paul's usually crackpot theories by an independent observer (Jim Shenup), this one having to do with the claim that Hall of Fame baseball player George Kell was really from Imboden, not Swifton, as often said.

College Athletics, Southern Barbecue, and Sir Sid17:44Fri, 11 November 2016 00:00:00 CST Arkansas Sports and ROTC...in which Rex and Paul talk about coaches and broadcasters of college and high school football and baseball, Bill Johnson, Bennie Ellender, Bill Burgey, the Slovak Oyster Supper, Freddie Lisko and his fame as a punt blocker, Clovis Swinney, the old ROTC requirement at ASU, President Reng's prediction that making it optional would not decrease the size of the ASU cadet corps (wrong), Rex's ROTC sharpshooter award at Ouachita, the gloriously named Sergeant Major Penanganang, Paul's plentiful Army ROTC demerits and dismal service in the Arkansas counter-guerilla unit, which contributed to his decision to join the Navy, Estes Stadium in Conway, the effects of 9/11 on college football, Rex's strenuous preparations to broadcast games, Jeff Root, Vin Scully and the L.A. Dodgers, the decreased celebrity of radio play-by-play announcers in college football, Paul's claim that Detroit Tigers great George Kell was really from Imboden, the 1968 World Series, the first time a Sloan-Hendrix High School basketball game was on the radio, the Witt brothers, the Memphis Chicks on WREC, announcers who recreated baseball games for radio broadcast, Jim Elder, and Paul and Rex's plan to attend the NEA basketball tournament, provided food can be worked into the trip.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about coaches and broadcasters of college and high school football and baseball, Bill Johnson, Bennie Ellender, Bill Burgey, the Slovak Oyster Supper, Freddie Lisko and his fame as a punt blocker, Clovis Swinney, the old ROTC requirement at ASU, President Reng's prediction that making it optional would not decrease the size of the ASU cadet corps (wrong), Rex's ROTC sharpshooter award at Ouachita, the gloriously named Sergeant Major Penanganang, Paul's plentiful Army ROTC demerits and dismal service in the Arkansas counter-guerilla unit, which contributed to his decision to join the Navy, Estes Stadium in Conway, the effects of 9/11 on college football, Rex's strenuous preparations to broadcast games, Jeff Root, Vin Scully and the L.A. Dodgers, the decreased celebrity of radio play-by-play announcers in college football, Paul's claim that Detroit Tigers great George Kell was really from Imboden, the 1968 World Series, the first time a Sloan-Hendrix High School basketball game was on the radio, the Witt brothers, the Memphis Chicks on WREC, announcers who recreated baseball games for radio broadcast, Jim Elder, and Paul and Rex's plan to attend the NEA basketball tournament, provided food can be worked into the trip.

Arkansas Sports and ROTC16:10Fri, 04 November 2016 00:00:00 CST Halloween...in which Rex and Paul talk about Halloween, especially how big a deal it was in Imboden, the Halloween carnival at Sloan-Hendrix High School, similar doings in Arkadelphia, the good trick-or-treat neighborhoods, the scary but fascinating Sturgis house in Arkadelphia, the beyond-creepy gym dressing room at Sloan-Hendrix, hijinks of older kids, water-balloon wars, running from the police, who only pretended to chase the kids, Imboden's car-less sheriff, how Arkadelphia's police chief got so excited about the opening of Interstate 30 that he drove the wrong way onto the freeway in an Arkadelphia police car, trick or treating at the museums and the zoo in Little Rock, Jan's Helen of Troy costume and Paul's unfortunate but prize-winning contest entry, the fuzzy monster Rex encountered in D.C., Jan and Paul's Top Gun-themed costumes, and Halloween movies.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about Halloween, especially how big a deal it was in Imboden, the Halloween carnival at Sloan-Hendrix High School, similar doings in Arkadelphia, the good trick-or-treat neighborhoods, the scary but fascinating Sturgis house in Arkadelphia, the beyond-creepy gym dressing room at Sloan-Hendrix, hijinks of older kids, water-balloon wars, running from the police, who only pretended to chase the kids, Imboden's car-less sheriff, how Arkadelphia's police chief got so excited about the opening of Interstate 30 that he drove the wrong way onto the freeway in an Arkadelphia police car, trick or treating at the museums and the zoo in Little Rock, Jan's Helen of Troy costume and Paul's unfortunate but prize-winning contest entry, the fuzzy monster Rex encountered in D.C., Jan and Paul's Top Gun-themed costumes, and Halloween movies.

Halloween13:10Fri, 28 October 2016 00:00:00 CST A Foodie Tour of Arkansas...in which Rex and Paul talk about a new book on the Arkansas Grand Prairie, duck hunters, Craig's barbecue and Murray's catfish places in DeValls Bluff, master cook Stanley Young, the old Journey's End, Dondie's in Des Arc, the Tamale Factory in Gregory, the old Sportsman's One Stop in Des Arc, the old Rice Motel and the Paddy restaurant in Gillette, the old W.O.'s Riverfront in Brasfield, fresh-water caviar, the old Little Chef and Pam Pam Club (a class joint) in Stuttgart, Spradlin's Dairy Delight in England, rival claims of inventing the Frito chili pie, the Dairy Bar in Portia, the old Georgetown One Stop, Gene's in Brinkley and his 22-year streak of never closing, the Grasshopper in DeValls Bluff and its "Arrive grumpy and leave happy" sign, the old 11-70 Club in Hazen, KAAY, ASU's work on rockabilly music and U.S. Highway 67, Newport and Swifton music joints, the Silver Moon, Walnut Ridge's visit from the Beatles, the Parachute Inn, Williams Baptist College, Mena and the upcoming movie about Barry Seal, the Cave Court in Cave City, Airline Highway in Louisiana, the old Holidomes and Paul's crisis at a conference in New Orleans when they ran out of plates, fire ants floating around in the water, the old Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference, the University of the Ozarks, Coach Jack Holley and his cyclops interpretation of sports officials, UCA's surprise victory over ASU in football, the time Rex essentially abandoned Melissa (his brand-new wife) for six hours at a football game he had to broadcast at UCA, and Rex and Paul's amazement that she has stuck with him nonetheless.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about a new book on the Arkansas Grand Prairie, duck hunters, Craig's barbecue and Murray's catfish places in DeValls Bluff, master cook Stanley Young, the old Journey's End, Dondie's in Des Arc, the Tamale Factory in Gregory, the old Sportsman's One Stop in Des Arc, the old Rice Motel and the Paddy restaurant in Gillette, the old W.O.'s Riverfront in Brasfield, fresh-water caviar, the old Little Chef and Pam Pam Club (a class joint) in Stuttgart, Spradlin's Dairy Delight in England, rival claims of inventing the Frito chili pie, the Dairy Bar in Portia, the old Georgetown One Stop, Gene's in Brinkley and his 22-year streak of never closing, the Grasshopper in DeValls Bluff and its "Arrive grumpy and leave happy" sign, the old 11-70 Club in Hazen, KAAY, ASU's work on rockabilly music and U.S. Highway 67, Newport and Swifton music joints, the Silver Moon, Walnut Ridge's visit from the Beatles, the Parachute Inn, Williams Baptist College, Mena and the upcoming movie about Barry Seal, the Cave Court in Cave City, Airline Highway in Louisiana, the old Holidomes and Paul's crisis at a conference in New Orleans when they ran out of plates, fire ants floating around in the water, the old Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference, the University of the Ozarks, Coach Jack Holley and his cyclops interpretation of sports officials, UCA's surprise victory over ASU in football, the time Rex essentially abandoned Melissa (his brand-new wife) for six hours at a football game he had to broadcast at UCA, and Rex and Paul's amazement that she has stuck with him nonetheless.

A Foodie Tour of Arkansas17:10Fri, 21 October 2016 00:00:00 CST Sentimental Flavors and Arkansas Alcohol...in which Rex and Paul Rex and Paul tell about how olive loaf lost its charms for Rex, Vienna sausage, fried bologna, the old Po Boy Supper at Coy, Chicken Jeans, the wrong (Yankee) pronunciations of Southern foods, Spam, dangers of slicing things, kinfolks from off, Rex's Kansas cousins and their confusing drink requests, the bourbon in Rex's grandmother's pantry, Paul's dad's World War II buddy, "nickel-beer" joints, wet-dry elections, blue laws, Altus wineries, Grape Fest at Tontitown, Wiederhehr, grape stomping, how the New York Times ran a story on fried chicken gizzards at the convenience store at Marvel, calf liver, wild "goat," barbecued goat, McClard's in Hot Springs, Craig's in De Valls Bluff, and the shocking revelation that Rex and Paul can be bribed with food.

...in which Rex and Paul Rex and Paul tell about how olive loaf lost its charms for Rex, Vienna sausage, fried bologna, the old Po Boy Supper at Coy, Chicken Jeans, the wrong (Yankee) pronunciations of Southern foods, Spam, dangers of slicing things, kinfolks from off, Rex's Kansas cousins and their confusing drink requests, the bourbon in Rex's grandmother's pantry, Paul's dad's World War II buddy, "nickel-beer" joints, wet-dry elections, blue laws, Altus wineries, Grape Fest at Tontitown, Wiederhehr, grape stomping, how the New York Times ran a story on fried chicken gizzards at the convenience store at Marvel, calf liver, wild "goat," barbecued goat, McClard's in Hot Springs, Craig's in De Valls Bluff, and the shocking revelation that Rex and Paul can be bribed with food.

Sentimental Flavors and Arkansas Alcohol13:54Fri, 14 October 2016 00:00:00 CST Arkansas Food Hall of Fame...in which Rex and Paul talk about the new Arkansas Food Hall of Fame and describe their expert status in helping select inductees, the Lassis Inn in Little Rock, buffalo ribs, Elihu Washington, the Southern Foodways Alliance, Sam Walton's desire to keep his kids down to earth, Alice Walton fishing at Beaver Lake, Gene's at Brinkley, fiddlers, Doc's at Garland City, how Paul wimped out - again - and got the small order of catfish, burgers at Oark, how Rex shamed Paul, the store at Oark, Catalpa, their nominees for the quintessential Arkansas food, Imboden, when going out to eat catfish was a special treat, Rex's definition of "cuisine," "light" bread, sausage sandwiches, having game-day meals at Gable's in Arkadelphia, anti-bug strategies in old restaurants, cutting meat, and the miraculous nature and odd shapes of Paul's mother's fried potatoes.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about the new Arkansas Food Hall of Fame and describe their expert status in helping select inductees, the Lassis Inn in Little Rock, buffalo ribs, Elihu Washington, the Southern Foodways Alliance, Sam Walton's desire to keep his kids down to earth, Alice Walton fishing at Beaver Lake, Gene's at Brinkley, fiddlers, Doc's at Garland City, how Paul wimped out - again - and got the small order of catfish, burgers at Oark, how Rex shamed Paul, the store at Oark, Catalpa, their nominees for the quintessential Arkansas food, Imboden, when going out to eat catfish was a special treat, Rex's definition of "cuisine," "light" bread, sausage sandwiches, having game-day meals at Gable's in Arkadelphia, anti-bug strategies in old restaurants, cutting meat, and the miraculous nature and odd shapes of Paul's mother's fried potatoes.

Arkansas Food Hall of Fame14:45Fri, 07 October 2016 00:00:00 CST Jan Austin Tells All...in which Rex is out of town, so Paul begins a conversation with Jan Austin, his patient spouse, whom Paul often mentions in the broadcast, usually about how he was supposed to bring her a fried pie but ate it on the way home, as they talk about Rex, about going on some of Rex and Paul's adventures, getting to know each other's families in Helena and in Imboden, how she once picked out her own present, how Paul got his first television when he got out of the Navy and the smelly box it sat on, the window-rattling train that goes right by Paul's family home in Imboden, how some friends there helped build a deck for Paul's mother and the pressure they felt to get it square and level, the flood of 1982, Paul's father's scary but award-winning beard, charming Jan's Yankee relatives, and meeting her favorite teacher.

...in which Rex is out of town, so Paul begins a conversation with Jan Austin, his patient spouse, whom Paul often mentions in the broadcast, usually about how he was supposed to bring her a fried pie but ate it on the way home, as they talk about Rex, about going on some of Rex and Paul's adventures, getting to know each other's families in Helena and in Imboden, how she once picked out her own present, how Paul got his first television when he got out of the Navy and the smelly box it sat on, the window-rattling train that goes right by Paul's family home in Imboden, how some friends there helped build a deck for Paul's mother and the pressure they felt to get it square and level, the flood of 1982, Paul's father's scary but award-winning beard, charming Jan's Yankee relatives, and meeting her favorite teacher.

Jan Austin Tells All14:27Fri, 30 September 2016 00:00:00 CST Variations of Pop...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Hope, Pop Cola, Mr. Cola, Nesbit, Sundrop, Pepsi a Yankee drink, scary gyms, Shirley, Emmett, Emerson, Clover Bend, unusual home-field advantages, Ashdown, Camden, paper mills, fighting mosquitos, concrete gym floors, aborted plans to dam the Eleven Point and Strawberry rivers, and highlights of the summer, including the fact that the Butler Center needs to field a team in next year's motorized tillar race at Emerson.

...in which Rex and Paul chew the fat about Hope, Pop Cola, Mr. Cola, Nesbit, Sundrop, Pepsi a Yankee drink, scary gyms, Shirley, Emmett, Emerson, Clover Bend, unusual home-field advantages, Ashdown, Camden, paper mills, fighting mosquitos, concrete gym floors, aborted plans to dam the Eleven Point and Strawberry rivers, and highlights of the summer, including the fact that the Butler Center needs to field a team in next year's motorized tillar race at Emerson.

Variations of Pop14:23Fri, 23 September 2016 00:00:00 CST Hot Springs and Sports...in which Rex and Paul talk about the Arlington Hotel, development in downtown Hot Springs, the Medical Arts Building, the Park Hotel, bath houses, Central Avenue real estate, outdoor thermal pools and visitor expectations, Lewis Grizzard's formulation on the word "naked," Major League spring training in Hot Springs, Larry Foley's film, the end of summer and the transition from baseball to football, Paul's basketball career at Sloan-Hendrix High School in Imboden, Dyess, the Clover Bend and the New Deal settlement community there, and the Sloan-Hendrix rivalry with Black Rock.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about the Arlington Hotel, development in downtown Hot Springs, the Medical Arts Building, the Park Hotel, bath houses, Central Avenue real estate, outdoor thermal pools and visitor expectations, Lewis Grizzard's formulation on the word "naked," Major League spring training in Hot Springs, Larry Foley's film, the end of summer and the transition from baseball to football, Paul's basketball career at Sloan-Hendrix High School in Imboden, Dyess, the Clover Bend and the New Deal settlement community there, and the Sloan-Hendrix rivalry with Black Rock.

Hot Springs and Sports9:40Fri, 16 September 2016 00:00:00 CST Melons, Melons, and Melons...in which Rex and Paul talk about how Paul wimped out on going to the Hope Watermelon Festival because of a little rain, the growing watermelon rivalry between Hope and Cave City, Hope watermelon promoter Pod Rogers, getting the attention of Today Show weatherman Willard Scott with a 200-pound watermelon, the Smothers Brothers, Glen Campbell, the Bright family, "black diamond" melons at Cave City, the old Fourth of July picnic at Portia, melon-protection measures, Rex's Delta barbecue tour and seven stops in one day (Mack's IGA in Biscoe, Jones's in Marianna, Cyprus Corner near Lexa, Larry's and Abe's in Clarksdale, Lena's and Craig's at De Valls Bluff), Tums, pecan pies, sweet-potato pies, tamales, soul food, duck-camp adventures, Beulah, sauces, and Paul's ideas about vinegar.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about how Paul wimped out on going to the Hope Watermelon Festival because of a little rain, the growing watermelon rivalry between Hope and Cave City, Hope watermelon promoter Pod Rogers, getting the attention of Today Show weatherman Willard Scott with a 200-pound watermelon, the Smothers Brothers, Glen Campbell, the Bright family, "black diamond" melons at Cave City, the old Fourth of July picnic at Portia, melon-protection measures, Rex's Delta barbecue tour and seven stops in one day (Mack's IGA in Biscoe, Jones's in Marianna, Cyprus Corner near Lexa, Larry's and Abe's in Clarksdale, Lena's and Craig's at De Valls Bluff), Tums, pecan pies, sweet-potato pies, tamales, soul food, duck-camp adventures, Beulah, sauces, and Paul's ideas about vinegar.

Hushpuppies, Woodpeckers, and Catfish16:07Fri, 09 September 2016 00:00:00 CST Hushpuppies, Woodpeckers, and Catfish...in which Rex and Paul talk about the Grady Fish Fry, the fact that Rex couldn't make it this year, Paul's sub-standard traveling companion who took Rex's place, the famous Grady Hushpuppy Making Machine, Cool Hand Luke images, Mockie and Raymond Abramson, Holly Grove and its record-setting trees, Pine City, the red-cockaded woodpecker, the possibility that Rex might have run into the last ivory-billed woodpecker with his car, the Cache River, Gene's Restaurant in Brinkley, fiddlers (the fish), and catfish steaks and places that sell them .

...in which Rex and Paul talk about the Grady Fish Fry, the fact that Rex couldn't make it this year, Paul's sub-standard traveling companion who took Rex's place, the famous Grady Hushpuppy Making Machine, Cool Hand Luke images, Mockie and Raymond Abramson, Holly Grove and its record-setting trees, Pine City, the red-cockaded woodpecker, the possibility that Rex might have run into the last ivory-billed woodpecker with his car, the Cache River, Gene's Restaurant in Brinkley, fiddlers (the fish), and catfish steaks and places that sell them .

Hushpuppies, Woodpeckers, and Catfish14:08Fri, 02 September 2016 00:00:00 CST Uncle Ozro, Grandma Goody, and Vinegar Pie...in which Rex and Paul talk about St. Mary's Catholic Church above Altus, the Coal Miners Memorial, the museum in Altus, German and Swiss immigrants, the Catfish Inn at Dardanelle, the Council Oaks, Pottsville, Russellville, Paul's visit to the Goodwin family reunion, his Uncle Ozro, the Black River, Lawrence County migration to Illinois after World War I, Paul's fractured sense of privilege and rediscovery (invention?) of his French ancestry and resultant special abilities, the Dry Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Paul's Grandma Goody, Highway 25 between Strawberry and Batesville, Cave City watermelons and tourist courts, "marker tree" legends, Diaz vs. Dyess, the transition from Delta to uplands, the ingredients for vinegar pie (it's better than it sounds), blackberry cobbler, Rex's life as a chigger and tick magnet, crabapple jelly, Cracker Barrel, and how Rex and Paul and Paul's son, Josh, decided not to joke around on the swinging bridge between Oark and Catalpa.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about St. Mary's Catholic Church above Altus, the Coal Miners Memorial, the museum in Altus, German and Swiss immigrants, the Catfish Inn at Dardanelle, the Council Oaks, Pottsville, Russellville, Paul's visit to the Goodwin family reunion, his Uncle Ozro, the Black River, Lawrence County migration to Illinois after World War I, Paul's fractured sense of privilege and rediscovery (invention?) of his French ancestry and resultant special abilities, the Dry Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Paul's Grandma Goody, Highway 25 between Strawberry and Batesville, Cave City watermelons and tourist courts, "marker tree" legends, Diaz vs. Dyess, the transition from Delta to uplands, the ingredients for vinegar pie (it's better than it sounds), blackberry cobbler, Rex's life as a chigger and tick magnet, crabapple jelly, Cracker Barrel, and how Rex and Paul and Paul's son, Josh, decided not to joke around on the swinging bridge between Oark and Catalpa.

Uncle Ozro, Grandma Goody, and Vinegar Pie20:35Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Oark, Hamburgers, and Arkansas Wines...in which Rex and Paul talk about going to Oark on State Highway 103, visiting the Oark store, Horsehead Creek, Catalpa, a half-pound hamburger, the Juicy Lucy hamburger, eggs Benedict, motorcycle riders, Paul's wimp-out moment, the beauty of the drive on State Highway 215 from Oark to Cass along the Mulberry River, music festivals at Byrd's Adventure Center, the Turner Bend Store, the Pig Trail, Arkansas wines, wine-tasting at Chateau Aux Arc, Wiederkehr Village, and the Winekeller Restaurant near Altus.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about going to Oark on State Highway 103, visiting the Oark store, Horsehead Creek, Catalpa, a half-pound hamburger, the Juicy Lucy hamburger, eggs Benedict, motorcycle riders, Paul's wimp-out moment, the beauty of the drive on State Highway 215 from Oark to Cass along the Mulberry River, music festivals at Byrd's Adventure Center, the Turner Bend Store, the Pig Trail, Arkansas wines, wine-tasting at Chateau Aux Arc, Wiederkehr Village, and the Winekeller Restaurant near Altus.

Oark, Hamburgers, and Arkansas Wines12:35Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Arkansas Visitor Centers, Arkansas Peaches, and Tortoise PEDs...in which Rex and Paul discuss Arkansas's great visitors centers, historical tourism, Murry's on old U.S. 70 near Hazen, the concerningly low supply of crappie, Mack's in Stuttgart, Pasquale's tamales in Helena, Rex's Delta food tour, the three Delta food groups, onion rings, the Johnson County Peach Festival, Peach Pickin' Paradise near Clarksville, fried peach pies, how Paul's wife Jan only got half of one, the Pig Pit in Arkadelphia, the turtle race at the peach festival and the possibility that one of the turtles was using a performance-enhancing drug, Rex's earlier visit to the festival with State Trooper Bubba Stotts, and why you sometimes have to administer lie detector tests at bass fishing contests.

...in which Rex and Paul discuss Arkansas's great visitors centers, historical tourism, Murry's on old U.S. 70 near Hazen, the concerningly low supply of crappie, Mack's in Stuttgart, Pasquale's tamales in Helena, Rex's Delta food tour, the three Delta food groups, onion rings, the Johnson County Peach Festival, Peach Pickin' Paradise near Clarksville, fried peach pies, how Paul's wife Jan only got half of one, the Pig Pit in Arkadelphia, the turtle race at the peach festival and the possibility that one of the turtles was using a performance-enhancing drug, Rex's earlier visit to the festival with State Trooper Bubba Stotts, and why you sometimes have to administer lie detector tests at bass fishing contests.

Arkansas Visitor Centers, Arkansas Peaches, and Tortoise PEDs15:46Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST David Solomon, Ed Bethune, and a Trip to Helena...in which Rex and Paul discuss the 100th birthday party of attorney David Solomon in Helena (not forgetting to mention the lunch they enjoyed at Craig's Bar-B-Que in DeValls Bluff before the party), houseboats on the White River, former U.S. congressman Ed Bethune's latest book and Bethune's special relationship with Pocahontas, the button industry of yore and the mounds of stamped out mussel shells left behind, Biscuit Row, new restaurants and other improvements in Helena, the remarkable Solomon family, notable guests of David Solomon's birthday party including Dick Hatfield, other famous people from Helena including seven Civil War generals, the beautiful historical interpretation at Battery C in Helena, the surprising nature of Crowley's Ridge geography, and much more.

...in which Rex and Paul discuss the 100th birthday party of attorney David Solomon in Helena (not forgetting to mention the lunch they enjoyed at Craig's Bar-B-Que in DeValls Bluff before the party), houseboats on the White River, former U.S. congressman Ed Bethune's latest book and Bethune's special relationship with Pocahontas, the button industry of yore and the mounds of stamped out mussel shells left behind, Biscuit Row, new restaurants and other improvements in Helena, the remarkable Solomon family, notable guests of David Solomon's birthday party including Dick Hatfield, other famous people from Helena including seven Civil War generals, the beautiful historical interpretation at Battery C in Helena, the surprising nature of Crowley's Ridge geography, and much more.

David Solomon, Ed Bethune, and a Trip to Helena16:16Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Texarkana Fairgrounds, Stateline Stories, and Competing Watermelon Festivals...in which Rex and Paul talk about their visit to the Purple Hull Pea Festival and World Championship Rotary Tiller Race in Emerson, Arkansas, and discuss their trip home, including information on the geography of Garland, Arkansas, (hint: it looks like Crowley's Ridge), the Four States Fairgrounds in Texarkana, the desire to get home before dark, the rough appearance of stateline beer joints, Paul's memory of a humanities trip to Oklahoma and his attempts to blend in at the Idabel Country Club, Rex and Paul's shared appreciation for the Idabel Comfort Inn and its Italian restaurant, ideas for a movie to preserve unique Arkansas culture, the remarkable basketball traditions of Magnolia and surrounding towns, notable writers and an opera singer from Emerson, the surprising information that Geoffrey Beene is from Haynesville, Louisiana, the proper pronunciation of Paul's hometown, Imboden (emphasis on the "Im-"), the unfortunate closing of Maxine's in Prescott, the sad fact that Rex and Paul ate only four meals during their daytrip home from Emerson, their plans for eating many more meals on Radio CALS' tab, the indescribable nature of the World Championship Rotary Tiller Race, the competitive scheduling of Hope and Cave City's watermelon festivals (on the same day!), and much more.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about their visit to the Purple Hull Pea Festival and World Championship Rotary Tiller Race in Emerson, Arkansas, and discuss their trip home, including information on the geography of Garland, Arkansas, (hint: it looks like Crowley's Ridge), the Four States Fairgrounds in Texarkana, the desire to get home before dark, the rough appearance of stateline beer joints, Paul's memory of a humanities trip to Oklahoma and his attempts to blend in at the Idabel Country Club, Rex and Paul's shared appreciation for the Idabel Comfort Inn and its Italian restaurant, ideas for a movie to preserve unique Arkansas culture, the remarkable basketball traditions of Magnolia and surrounding towns, notable writers and an opera singer from Emerson, the surprising information that Geoffrey Beene is from Haynesville, Louisiana, the proper pronunciation of Paul's hometown, Imboden (emphasis on the "Im-"), the unfortunate closing of Maxine's in Prescott, the sad fact that Rex and Paul ate only four meals during their daytrip home from Emerson, their plans for eating many more meals on Radio CALS' tab, the indescribable nature of the World Championship Rotary Tiller Race, the competitive scheduling of Hope and Cave City's watermelon festivals (on the same day!), and much more.

Texarkana Fairgrounds, Stateline Stories, and Competing Watermelon Festivals15:21Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Tiller Races, Tiller Accidents, and "Till-Billies"...in which Rex and Paul talk about their visit to the Purple Hull Pea Festival and World Championship Rotary Tiller Race in Emerson, including an out of control tiller, the "Till-Billies," a potentially lethal tiller wreck and an announcer who didn't bat an eye, rumored controversy as to the actual winner of this year's race, the interminable heat that Rex and Paul faced, their side trip to charming Haynesville, Louisiana (where they were invited to view a stranger's plentiful catch of the day), their return to Arkansas and their drive west on US-82 through south Arkansas, the proper pronunciation of Lafayette County, Paul's first meal at the original Burge's in Lewisville (where Paul purchased six fried pies to take home, only one of which made it to Paul's wife Jan), Rex's history of working up an appetite to take advantage of his trips past Burge's when he was a sportswriter, the truly red hue of the Red River, Garland "City" which boasts 300 residents and two beloved catfish restuarants (Doc's and Westshore), Rex's memories of the old Haley's Fish Market in Des Arc and its "fiddlers" (small catfish that are cooked whole), and Rex and Paul's inability to eat anything else after this leg of their journey.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about their visit to the Purple Hull Pea Festival and World Championship Rotary Tiller Race in Emerson, including an out of control tiller, the "Till-Billies," a potentially lethal tiller wreck and an announcer who didn't bat an eye, rumored controversy as to the actual winner of this year's race, the interminable heat that Rex and Paul faced, their side trip to charming Haynesville, Louisiana (where they were invited to view a stranger's plentiful catch of the day), their return to Arkansas and their drive west on US-82 through south Arkansas, the proper pronunciation of Lafayette County, Paul's first meal at the original Burge's in Lewisville (where Paul purchased six fried pies to take home, only one of which made it to Paul's wife Jan), Rex's history of working up an appetite to take advantage of his trips past Burge's when he was a sportswriter, the truly red hue of the Red River, Garland "City" which boasts 300 residents and two beloved catfish restuarants (Doc's and Westshore), Rex's memories of the old Haley's Fish Market in Des Arc and its "fiddlers" (small catfish that are cooked whole), and Rex and Paul's inability to eat anything else after this leg of their journey.

Tiller Races, Tiller Accidents, and "Till-Billies"14:01Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Purple Hull Pea Festival, Hoo-Hoo, and the Gurdon Lights...in which Rex and Paul talk about their foray into Southwest Arkansas to attend the annual Purple Hull Pea Festival and World Championship Rotary Tiller Race in Emerson and talk about papermill construction in Gurdon, the importance of the timber industry in the southwest part of the state, tourist traps, Paul's parents' one and only almost-argument, which consisted of one word, Witt Stephens and Arkla Village, the Hoo-Hoo Monument in Gurdon, the old Hoo-Hoo Theater, the Gurdon lights phenomenon, Prescott, the Magnolia town square, Waldo, baseball hall of famer Travis Jackson, the antique car contest at the PurpleHull Pea Festival, the pea-shelling contest, a fellow Navy veteran Paul encountered and their visit about the U.S.S. America, bumping into a stunned-looking reporter from the Wall Street Journal, lunchroom ladies, the pie and cake auction, the Million Tiller Parade, Little Rock TV personality Steve Sullivan's puzzling turn as "pea-rade" grand marshall, which didn't involve riding in the parade, and Rex and Paul's visit to the festival "command center".

...in which Rex and Paul talk about their foray into Southwest Arkansas to attend the annual Purple Hull Pea Festival and World Championship Rotary Tiller Race in Emerson and talk about papermill construction in Gurdon, the importance of the timber industry in the southwest part of the state, tourist traps, Paul's parents' one and only almost-argument, which consisted of one word, Witt Stephens and Arkla Village, the Hoo-Hoo Monument in Gurdon, the old Hoo-Hoo Theater, the Gurdon lights phenomenon, Prescott, the Magnolia town square, Waldo, baseball hall of famer Travis Jackson, the antique car contest at the PurpleHull Pea Festival, the pea-shelling contest, a fellow Navy veteran Paul encountered and their visit about the U.S.S. America, bumping into a stunned-looking reporter from the Wall Street Journal, lunchroom ladies, the pie and cake auction, the Million Tiller Parade, Little Rock TV personality Steve Sullivan's puzzling turn as "pea-rade" grand marshall, which didn't involve riding in the parade, and Rex and Paul's visit to the festival "command center".

Purple Hull Pea Festival, Hoo-Hoo, and the Gurdon Lights15:10Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Purple Hull Pea Festival, Highway 67, and Arkansas Archeology...in which Rex and Paul talk about their trip into Southwest Arkansas to attend the annual Purple Hull Pea Festival in Emerson and talk about old U.S. Highway 67, the Arkansas "nervous hospital," Sling Blade, Billy Bob Thornton, Perla, the Acme Brick Company and Brickfest, the Keeney Food Market and cafe in Malvern, Paul's father's sausage recipe, Imboden, Paul's father's trick of restoring old hamburger meat to the appearance of edibility, butcher's caps and aprons, the Morrilton Packing Company, B and B Grocery, Breitweiser's Meat Market in Benton, the essential role of fat in the creation of sausage, the DeSoto Bluff Trail in Arkadelphia, Hernando DeSoto's driver's license, the Hunter-Dunbar Expedition, Ouachita Baptist University, Rex's Eagle Scout project, Henderson State University's collection of Caddo artifacts, the Arkansas Archeological Survey, Ann Early, and achievements in interpreting Native American experiences in Arkansas.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about their trip into Southwest Arkansas to attend the annual Purple Hull Pea Festival in Emerson and talk about old U.S. Highway 67, the Arkansas "nervous hospital," Sling Blade, Billy Bob Thornton, Perla, the Acme Brick Company and Brickfest, the Keeney Food Market and cafe in Malvern, Paul's father's sausage recipe, Imboden, Paul's father's trick of restoring old hamburger meat to the appearance of edibility, butcher's caps and aprons, the Morrilton Packing Company, B and B Grocery, Breitweiser's Meat Market in Benton, the essential role of fat in the creation of sausage, the DeSoto Bluff Trail in Arkadelphia, Hernando DeSoto's driver's license, the Hunter-Dunbar Expedition, Ouachita Baptist University, Rex's Eagle Scout project, Henderson State University's collection of Caddo artifacts, the Arkansas Archeological Survey, Ann Early, and achievements in interpreting Native American experiences in Arkansas.

Purple Hull Pea Festival, Highway 67, and Arkansas Archeology15:10Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST B.B. King, the Mississippi River, and Cotton...in which Rex and Paul talk about their epic trip to the annual meeting of the Delta Council in Mississippi and head back toward Arkansas, stopping first to remember the time they more or less accidentally crashed B.B. King's funeral, the nice memorial to King in the Indianola cemetery, King's tour bus, Lake Village, Arkansas, the "Three O's" (Doe's, Little O's, and Lusko's), Muppet guy Jim Henson, the Cow Pen, the beautiful new Mississippi River bridge, Lake Chicot's record as the largest oxbow lake in the U.S., Miss Rhoda's tamales, Ruth Hawkins and the Heritage Studies program at Arkansas State University, the Lakeport Plantation restoration, the Angel and Epstein families, the Mississippi River Commission, tours on the riverboat Mississippi, how air conditioning made life bearable in the South in summer, chopping cotton, and a planned museum to honor cotton pickers.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about their epic trip to the annual meeting of the Delta Council in Mississippi and head back toward Arkansas, stopping first to remember the time they more or less accidentally crashed B.B. King's funeral, the nice memorial to King in the Indianola cemetery, King's tour bus, Lake Village, Arkansas, the "Three O's" (Doe's, Little O's, and Lusko's), Muppet guy Jim Henson, the Cow Pen, the beautiful new Mississippi River bridge, Lake Chicot's record as the largest oxbow lake in the U.S., Miss Rhoda's tamales, Ruth Hawkins and the Heritage Studies program at Arkansas State University, the Lakeport Plantation restoration, the Angel and Epstein families, the Mississippi River Commission, tours on the riverboat Mississippi, how air conditioning made life bearable in the South in summer, chopping cotton, and a planned museum to honor cotton pickers.

B.B. King, the Mississippi River, and Cotton13:55Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Billie Joe McAllister, Robert Johnson, and a One-eyed Waiter...in which Rex and Paul talk about their invasion of Mississippi and talk about the Crystal Grill in Greenwood, the Yazoo River, the Tallahatchie River, Bobbie Gentry, wondering why Billie Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge, the three rival claims for the grave of Robert Johnson, the Little Zion Church, the Money Road outside Greenwood, the murder of Emmett Till, pecan orchards, Bacon's Nut House in North Little Rock, Lusko's, Rex and Paul's favorite one-eyed waiter, the advantages of eating a whole fish, Galatoire's in New Orleans, and conking out early and waking up hungry.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about their invasion of Mississippi and talk about the Crystal Grill in Greenwood, the Yazoo River, the Tallahatchie River, Bobbie Gentry, wondering why Billie Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge, the three rival claims for the grave of Robert Johnson, the Little Zion Church, the Money Road outside Greenwood, the murder of Emmett Till, pecan orchards, Bacon's Nut House in North Little Rock, Lusko's, Rex and Paul's favorite one-eyed waiter, the advantages of eating a whole fish, Galatoire's in New Orleans, and conking out early and waking up hungry.

Billie Joe McAllister, Robert Johnson, and a One-eyed Waiter12:04Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Italians in the South, Literary Correspondences, and the Art of Whole Fish...in which Rex and Paul talk about Italians in the Mississippi Delta, tamales, oysters, shrimp, bacon, book shops, hiding book purchases from the prying eyes of disapproving spouses and sneaking books into the house, "comeback" sauce, remoulade sauce, Willie Morris, Haley Barbour, the Emmett Till story, wild hogs, the book Paul got on seersucker suits, the Eudora Welty-Ross Macdonald correspondence, the Walker Percy-Shelby Foote correspondence, literary letter writing, the Cotton Row Club and Ramcat Alley in Greenwood, Mississippi, the Southern Foodways Alliance, Delta bookies, eating a whole fish, turning a whole fish over, and southern accents.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about Italians in the Mississippi Delta, tamales, oysters, shrimp, bacon, book shops, hiding book purchases from the prying eyes of disapproving spouses and sneaking books into the house, "comeback" sauce, remoulade sauce, Willie Morris, Haley Barbour, the Emmett Till story, wild hogs, the book Paul got on seersucker suits, the Eudora Welty-Ross Macdonald correspondence, the Walker Percy-Shelby Foote correspondence, literary letter writing, the Cotton Row Club and Ramcat Alley in Greenwood, Mississippi, the Southern Foodways Alliance, Delta bookies, eating a whole fish, turning a whole fish over, and southern accents.

Italians in the South, Literary Correspondences, and the Art of Whole Fish16:54Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Seersucker, Political Storytelling, and the Beatles...in which Rex and Paul talk about their epic adventure in the Mississippi Delta, discussing awards for seersucker outfits, hearing great stories from Mississippi politicians, how political storytelling as an art form seems to be on the decline, Little Rock's superiority over Jackson, Mississippi, the Grammy Museum in Cleveland, wondering why the museum neglected to cover Paul's rendition of "When a Man Loves a Woman," the time Rex's sister saw the Beatles in Memphis, the time Rex rode in a GTO, how Imboden girls lip-synched Beatles songs, how Paul missed their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show because of Sunday night church, Memphis in May, the Mid-South Arena, and the wonders of the Alluvian Hotel.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about their epic adventure in the Mississippi Delta, discussing awards for seersucker outfits, hearing great stories from Mississippi politicians, how political storytelling as an art form seems to be on the decline, Little Rock's superiority over Jackson, Mississippi, the Grammy Museum in Cleveland, wondering why the museum neglected to cover Paul's rendition of "When a Man Loves a Woman," the time Rex's sister saw the Beatles in Memphis, the time Rex rode in a GTO, how Imboden girls lip-synched Beatles songs, how Paul missed their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show because of Sunday night church, Memphis in May, the Mid-South Arena, and the wonders of the Alluvian Hotel.

Seersucker, Political Storytelling, and the Beatles13:07Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST The Delta Council, Bygone Restaurants, and Chamoun's Rest Haven...in which Rex and Paul talk about their second consecutive trip to the annual meeting of the Delta Council in Cleveland, Mississippi, and what they ate on the way; "the store" in Biscoe and its tempting sausage biscuits; the closing of Riverside Catfish, Shadden's Barbecue, the Sno-White Grill, and other iconic restaurants; what Paul calls "the Biscoe phenomenon" where one may purchase 'maters, 'taters, and refrigerators; the traditional yuletide Helena oyster loaf; the existential nature of a bed'n'breakfast that doesn't serve breakfast; Chamoun's Rest Haven in Clarksdale, offering both Lebanese fare and traditional Southern breakfast; and Abe's Barbecue where one may procure barbecue, stuffed grape leaves, and tamales.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about their second consecutive trip to the annual meeting of the Delta Council in Cleveland, Mississippi, and what they ate on the way; "the store" in Biscoe and its tempting sausage biscuits; the closing of Riverside Catfish, Shadden's Barbecue, the Sno-White Grill, and other iconic restaurants; what Paul calls "the Biscoe phenomenon" where one may purchase 'maters, 'taters, and refrigerators; the traditional yuletide Helena oyster loaf; the existential nature of a bed'n'breakfast that doesn't serve breakfast; Chamoun's Rest Haven in Clarksdale, offering both Lebanese fare and traditional Southern breakfast; and Abe's Barbecue where one may procure barbecue, stuffed grape leaves, and tamales.

The Delta Council, Bygone Restaurants, and Chamoun's Rest Haven15:45Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Cream Castle, Arkansas History, and the Mississippi Delta...in which Rex and Paul talk about their constant pursuit of good southern food with only the purest research interests, the Cream Castle in Blytheville, Revis Edmonds and his article on the Cream Castle in the Arkansas Historical Quarterly, the mobile barbecue stand in the parking lot at the Hays store and Penn barbecue in Blytheville, Paul's suggestion that the Arkansas Historical Association (AHA) adopt barbecue, if not his hometown of Imboden, as the theme for its 2017 meeting, new AHA president Mark Christ's quest for the best Arkansas hamburger, Civil War arguments about events that might not have taken place and the plaques commemorating them, the Battle of the Bees, Rex's phantom memories of broadcasting a football game he didn't do, when Miss Arkansas Elizabeth Ward became Miss America in 1982, and the upcoming meeting of the Delta Council and Rex and Paul's plans to eat their way through the Mississippi Delta on the way to and from the meeting.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about their constant pursuit of good southern food with only the purest research interests, the Cream Castle in Blytheville, Revis Edmonds and his article on the Cream Castle in the Arkansas Historical Quarterly, the mobile barbecue stand in the parking lot at the Hays store and Penn barbecue in Blytheville, Paul's suggestion that the Arkansas Historical Association (AHA) adopt barbecue, if not his hometown of Imboden, as the theme for its 2017 meeting, new AHA president Mark Christ's quest for the best Arkansas hamburger, Civil War arguments about events that might not have taken place and the plaques commemorating them, the Battle of the Bees, Rex's phantom memories of broadcasting a football game he didn't do, when Miss Arkansas Elizabeth Ward became Miss America in 1982, and the upcoming meeting of the Delta Council and Rex and Paul's plans to eat their way through the Mississippi Delta on the way to and from the meeting.

Cream Castle, Arkansas History, and the Mississippi Delta15:33Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Lit Fest, Barbecue, and Fish...in which Rex and Paul talk about barbecue, Rien Fertel, the Arkansas Literary Festival, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, the concept of whole hog barbecue, buffalo ribs (a form of fish), catfish (a slice of pork), attendant confusion about that, Craig's at DeValls Bluff, famous pie lady Mary Thomas, Lena's fried pies, the White Pig Inn, Caddo Valley, the Pig Pit, Mrs. Jack Frost, Burge's in Little Rock, Lewisville, Prescott, Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Maxine's, the White House in Camden, El Dorado, the Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street program, the Lassis Inn in Little Rock, Central Fish Market in Pine Bluff, Greider Field, Saracen Lake, Ruby Jones, the Produce Shed, the Bulldog in Bald Knob, strawberry shortcake, Shane Broadway, Whole Hog Barbecue, the Dixie Pig in Blytheville, hot sauce, chicken livers, Doe's Eat Place, and Bill Bryson.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about barbecue, Rien Fertel, the Arkansas Literary Festival, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, the concept of whole hog barbecue, buffalo ribs (a form of fish), catfish (a slice of pork), attendant confusion about that, Craig's at DeValls Bluff, famous pie lady Mary Thomas, Lena's fried pies, the White Pig Inn, Caddo Valley, the Pig Pit, Mrs. Jack Frost, Burge's in Little Rock, Lewisville, Prescott, Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Maxine's, the White House in Camden, El Dorado, the Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street program, the Lassis Inn in Little Rock, Central Fish Market in Pine Bluff, Greider Field, Saracen Lake, Ruby Jones, the Produce Shed, the Bulldog in Bald Knob, strawberry shortcake, Shane Broadway, Whole Hog Barbecue, the Dixie Pig in Blytheville, hot sauce, chicken livers, Doe's Eat Place, and Bill Bryson.

Lit Fest, Barbecue, and Fish13:40Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Railroads, Pancake Breakfasts, and Razorback Football...in which Rex and Paul talk about railroads, Rex's first solo train ride, the Imboden station, Hoxie, Gurdon, the beauty of old train stations, Arkadelphia, Prescott, Mena, Little Rock, how the Imboden town marshall got around not having a car, Merle Haggard, hobo "hotels," how Paul scared himself while reading In Cold Blood, the Sloan family of Northeast Arkansas, Sloan-Hendrix Academy, the Imboden library's pancake breakfast, how Paul swiped fried pies at the pancake breakfast, the Lion's Club pancake breakfast in Arkadelphia, Des Arc, Paul's theory about the poor effects or air conditioning on small towns, Christ Church in Little Rock, Douglas MacArthur's baptism there, Rev. Rufus J. Womble, Richard Butler, Catholic Bishop Andrew McDonald, Will Stephens, Mr. Stephens's driver's habit of adding "Jesus wept" to the end of every prayer, former coach Ken Hatfield's use of Bible verses in his TV program about Razorback football, and the crushing effects of football losses on the Arkansas psyche.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about railroads, Rex's first solo train ride, the Imboden station, Hoxie, Gurdon, the beauty of old train stations, Arkadelphia, Prescott, Mena, Little Rock, how the Imboden town marshall got around not having a car, Merle Haggard, hobo "hotels," how Paul scared himself while reading In Cold Blood, the Sloan family of Northeast Arkansas, Sloan-Hendrix Academy, the Imboden library's pancake breakfast, how Paul swiped fried pies at the pancake breakfast, the Lion's Club pancake breakfast in Arkadelphia, Des Arc, Paul's theory about the poor effects or air conditioning on small towns, Christ Church in Little Rock, Douglas MacArthur's baptism there, Rev. Rufus J. Womble, Richard Butler, Catholic Bishop Andrew McDonald, Will Stephens, Mr. Stephens's driver's habit of adding "Jesus wept" to the end of every prayer, former coach Ken Hatfield's use of Bible verses in his TV program about Razorback football, and the crushing effects of football losses on the Arkansas psyche.

Railroads, Pancake Breakfasts, and Razorback Football16:31Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST B and Bs, Southern Railroads, and an Airplane Ride...in which Rex and Paul talk about the Lesmeister Guest House in Pocahontas, Paul sets a new record for mentioning his hometown of Imboden early in the conversation (30 seconds), they go on to talk about dinner theater, Black River Technical College, the Rice-Uphsaw House, Looney Tavern, Old Davidsonville, the Dalton Store, the Bluebird Tea House, B and Bs in Eureka Springs and Hot Springs, El Dorado, Richard Mason, the Edwardian Inn in Helena, the Henderson House in Arkadelphia, Carnall Hall in Fayetteville, Elkhorn Tavern, Queen Wilhelmina State Park, Mount Magazine, Rich Mountain, the train ride from Van Buren to Winslow, April in Paris (Arkansas), the Kansas City-Southern Railroad, bears, deer, State Highway 10, chicken houses, Bob Cowie, wine production, Petit Jean State Park, Bud Cummins, and a budget-busting airplane ride when Rex worked in the Governor's office.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about the Lesmeister Guest House in Pocahontas, Paul sets a new record for mentioning his hometown of Imboden early in the conversation (30 seconds), they go on to talk about dinner theater, Black River Technical College, the Rice-Uphsaw House, Looney Tavern, Old Davidsonville, the Dalton Store, the Bluebird Tea House, B and Bs in Eureka Springs and Hot Springs, El Dorado, Richard Mason, the Edwardian Inn in Helena, the Henderson House in Arkadelphia, Carnall Hall in Fayetteville, Elkhorn Tavern, Queen Wilhelmina State Park, Mount Magazine, Rich Mountain, the train ride from Van Buren to Winslow, April in Paris (Arkansas), the Kansas City-Southern Railroad, bears, deer, State Highway 10, chicken houses, Bob Cowie, wine production, Petit Jean State Park, Bud Cummins, and a budget-busting airplane ride when Rex worked in the Governor's office.

B and Bs, Southern Railroads, and an Airplane Ride16:54Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Southern Newspapers, Stage Stories, and Strawberry Shortcake...in which Rex and Paul talk about the arrival of TV in certain parts of rural Arkansas, Paul's first trip to Memphis, radio stations in northeast Arkansas, the Ozark Journal, Times-Dispatch, Memphis Press-Scimitar, Commercial Appeal, Jonesboro Sun, Sentinel Record, Hot Springs New Era, Texarkana Gazette, Paul's paper route, Oaklawn, Pete's Newstand in Pocahontas, Red's and Woody's in Arkadelphia, drink boxes and questionable magazines at newstands, Jeff Root's discovery of a signed copy of the play Our Town at Woody's on its last day in business, Rex's performance in Our Town at Ouachita Baptist University, Paul's award-winning performance in Grandpa's Red Pajamas at the Lawrence County 4-H festival, Rex's taxing performance in Damn Yankees, Paul's disastrous experience playing the male lead in Our Miss Brooks at Sloan-Hendrix High School in Imboden, how Rex and Paul made it onscreen in Larry Foley's documentary First Boys of Spring, on spring training in Hot Springs, the Bulldog, Who Dats, and Kelly's in Bald Knob, strawberry shortcake, catfish, Trio's in Little Rock, and the proper base for strawberry shortcake (pie crust, not cake).

...in which Rex and Paul talk about the arrival of TV in certain parts of rural Arkansas, Paul's first trip to Memphis, radio stations in northeast Arkansas, the Ozark Journal, Times-Dispatch, Memphis Press-Scimitar, Commercial Appeal, Jonesboro Sun, Sentinel Record, Hot Springs New Era, Texarkana Gazette, Paul's paper route, Oaklawn, Pete's Newstand in Pocahontas, Red's and Woody's in Arkadelphia, drink boxes and questionable magazines at newstands, Jeff Root's discovery of a signed copy of the play Our Town at Woody's on its last day in business, Rex's performance in Our Town at Ouachita Baptist University, Paul's award-winning performance in Grandpa's Red Pajamas at the Lawrence County 4-H festival, Rex's taxing performance in Damn Yankees, Paul's disastrous experience playing the male lead in Our Miss Brooks at Sloan-Hendrix High School in Imboden, how Rex and Paul made it onscreen in Larry Foley's documentary First Boys of Spring, on spring training in Hot Springs, the Bulldog, Who Dats, and Kelly's in Bald Knob, strawberry shortcake, catfish, Trio's in Little Rock, and the proper base for strawberry shortcake (pie crust, not cake).

Southern Newspapers, Stage Stories, and Strawberry Shortcake16:46Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Back Roads, Sunday Drives, and Lunch with the Preacher...in which Rex and Paul talk about Chafik Chamoun's Rest Haven in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the Klappenbach Bakery in Fordyce, the Sno-White Grill and Fino's in Pine Bluff, repeating oneself, Sunday afternoon drives, Baptist Training Union, Ravenden Springs, the Devil's Bathtub, the Needle's Eye, Crowley's Ridge, cemetery visits, Arkansas back roads, Des Arc, Carlisle, Lauratown, the collie who caught chickens so its owner could fry them, eating at boardinghouses, having the preacher over for Sunday lunch, a troublesome uncle who was afraid of mice, and the disaster that befell a visiting preacher when Rex's uncles tried to make wine in the attic in summer.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about Chafik Chamoun's Rest Haven in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the Klappenbach Bakery in Fordyce, the Sno-White Grill and Fino's in Pine Bluff, repeating oneself, Sunday afternoon drives, Baptist Training Union, Ravenden Springs, the Devil's Bathtub, the Needle's Eye, Crowley's Ridge, cemetery visits, Arkansas back roads, Des Arc, Carlisle, Lauratown, the collie who caught chickens so its owner could fry them, eating at boardinghouses, having the preacher over for Sunday lunch, a troublesome uncle who was afraid of mice, and the disaster that befell a visiting preacher when Rex's uncles tried to make wine in the attic in summer.

Back Roads, Sunday Drives, and Lunch with the Preacher10:36Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Parks and Tourism, Arkansas Mountains, and the Breakfasts of Politics...in which Rex and Paul talk about Mount Magazine Lodge, the Paris Chamber of Commerce, Constitutional Amendment 75 and its effects on tourism in Arkansas, the transformation of Arkansas's Department of Parks and Tourism, Mountain View, the Little Red River, the need to pay attention to electrical power generators when fishing downstream from them, Village Creek State Park, peaches, Uncle John's at Crawfordsville, West Central Arkansas, Queen Wilhelmina Lodge, Rich Mountain, Mena, bears, once-frequent plane crashes on Rich Mountain, Oliver North, DeGray Lake, the Shangri La Resort, Mount Ida, Paul's Tom Sawyer experience featuring a run-in with a barge on the Mississippi River, Snow Lake, White River Refuge, Desha County, Imboden, crappie, smallmouth bass, Crooked Creek, fishing the White River before the dams were put in, Jerry McKinnis, Lake Chicot, De Valls Bluff, Pocahontas, the Current River, Stoby's in Conway, old-time breakfast places and political discussions, Wallace Grill in Little Rock, Thelma's in Imboden, the Grill in Walnut Ridge, Paul's initiation into the grown-up world of coffee breaks, Waffle House, the back booth at the Snow White in Pine Bluff, the round table in the corner of the caf� at the State Capitol, and the Pancake Shop in Hot Springs.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about Mount Magazine Lodge, the Paris Chamber of Commerce, Constitutional Amendment 75 and its effects on tourism in Arkansas, the transformation of Arkansas's Department of Parks and Tourism, Mountain View, the Little Red River, the need to pay attention to electrical power generators when fishing downstream from them, Village Creek State Park, peaches, Uncle John's at Crawfordsville, West Central Arkansas, Queen Wilhelmina Lodge, Rich Mountain, Mena, bears, once-frequent plane crashes on Rich Mountain, Oliver North, DeGray Lake, the Shangri La Resort, Mount Ida, Paul's Tom Sawyer experience featuring a run-in with a barge on the Mississippi River, Snow Lake, White River Refuge, Desha County, Imboden, crappie, smallmouth bass, Crooked Creek, fishing the White River before the dams were put in, Jerry McKinnis, Lake Chicot, De Valls Bluff, Pocahontas, the Current River, Stoby's in Conway, old-time breakfast places and political discussions, Wallace Grill in Little Rock, Thelma's in Imboden, the Grill in Walnut Ridge, Paul's initiation into the grown-up world of coffee breaks, Waffle House, the back booth at the Snow White in Pine Bluff, the round table in the corner of the caf� at the State Capitol, and the Pancake Shop in Hot Springs.

Parks and Tourism, Arkansas Mountains, and the Breakfasts of Politics15:51Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Elvis, Jesus, the Moon Landing, and Fish Stories...in which Rex and Paul talk about Cherokee Village, the sales force at the Village and their sometimes-shady techniques involving Elvis and Jesus, an outstanding collection of shag carpet, the emergence of retirement communities, Paul's viewing of the moon landing in July 1969, John Cooper and his other developments at Bella Vista and Hot Springs Village, messing with salesmen, Horseshoe Bend, Holiday Island, the ferry at Norfork, the beginnings of tourism in North Arkansas, Imboden (a new record: Paul took seven minutes to mention his hometown), the great rivers and streams of Arkansas, fishing for smallmouth bass, the Eleven Point River, the Spring, the Strawberry, the Current, trout fishing in the cold water from Mammoth Spring to Hardy, Black Rock, the South Fork of the Spring, drum, perch, catfish, spring break on the Spring River, jon boats, the Many Islands, the use of hammers and electricity in catching and preparing fish, W.O. Prince's place on the Cache River, Murray's at De Valls Bluff, the Caddo River, Caddo Gap, how a longnose gar frightened a fellow from Virginia who thought it was a dinosaur, the Little Red River, and Lindsey's trout resort near Heber Springs.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about Cherokee Village, the sales force at the Village and their sometimes-shady techniques involving Elvis and Jesus, an outstanding collection of shag carpet, the emergence of retirement communities, Paul's viewing of the moon landing in July 1969, John Cooper and his other developments at Bella Vista and Hot Springs Village, messing with salesmen, Horseshoe Bend, Holiday Island, the ferry at Norfork, the beginnings of tourism in North Arkansas, Imboden (a new record: Paul took seven minutes to mention his hometown), the great rivers and streams of Arkansas, fishing for smallmouth bass, the Eleven Point River, the Spring, the Strawberry, the Current, trout fishing in the cold water from Mammoth Spring to Hardy, Black Rock, the South Fork of the Spring, drum, perch, catfish, spring break on the Spring River, jon boats, the Many Islands, the use of hammers and electricity in catching and preparing fish, W.O. Prince's place on the Cache River, Murray's at De Valls Bluff, the Caddo River, Caddo Gap, how a longnose gar frightened a fellow from Virginia who thought it was a dinosaur, the Little Red River, and Lindsey's trout resort near Heber Springs.

Elvis, Jesus, the Moon Landing, and Fish Stories15:43Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Dutch Ovens, Cast-iron Cooking, and More Camp Stories...in which Rex and Paul talk about antique shops, Dutch ovens, Arkansas expert John Ragsdale and the possibility that sales of his several Dutch oven books to Boy Scouts have made him the best-selling author in the state's history, the care and usage of cast-iron cooking implements, scouting adventures and disasters, Troops 23, 24, and 64, the great egg fight at Paul's last Boy Scout campout, Camp Winnamocka, Camp Ozark, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, Baptist camps in New Mexico and North Carolina, Boy's Life magazine, FFA camp at Couchwood, Harvey Couch, Boys State and Girls State, Paul's expertise with parliamentary procedure, Camp Robinson, the Arkansas National Guard, former Sunday school teachers, the 1997 tornadoes, archaeology in Arkansas, the amazing and almost artistic lineup of abandoned cars and trucks outside of Biscoe, W.O.'s Arkansas caviar from the Lower White River, turtle eggs, and standing in line to get catfish steaks at the airport at Pine Bluff.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about antique shops, Dutch ovens, Arkansas expert John Ragsdale and the possibility that sales of his several Dutch oven books to Boy Scouts have made him the best-selling author in the state's history, the care and usage of cast-iron cooking implements, scouting adventures and disasters, Troops 23, 24, and 64, the great egg fight at Paul's last Boy Scout campout, Camp Winnamocka, Camp Ozark, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, Baptist camps in New Mexico and North Carolina, Boy's Life magazine, FFA camp at Couchwood, Harvey Couch, Boys State and Girls State, Paul's expertise with parliamentary procedure, Camp Robinson, the Arkansas National Guard, former Sunday school teachers, the 1997 tornadoes, archaeology in Arkansas, the amazing and almost artistic lineup of abandoned cars and trucks outside of Biscoe, W.O.'s Arkansas caviar from the Lower White River, turtle eggs, and standing in line to get catfish steaks at the airport at Pine Bluff.

Dutch Ovens, Cast-iron Cooking, and More Camp Stories15:46Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Camp Stories, Rock Crushers, and the Coca-Cola Cure-all...in which Rex and Paul talk about Girl Scout and Boy Scout camps, Cedar Valley, Camp Tula, Camp Orr, the Buffalo River, Viola, the Baptist camp at Ravenden Springs, Siloam Springs, Methodist camp meetings, the Methodist camp at Davidson, kids and camp jokes about food - "This is Sue; she makes our stew" - the Cedar Glade camp, Baptist Royal Ambassadors, getting poison ivy and poison oak and chigger bites at the same time, hauling hay, BLTs, Vienna sausage, homemade chocolate rolls, the "rock crusher" near Imboden and the perils of working at a gravel pit, Bauxite, "alum teeth," the Alum Fork of the Saline River, Black Rock, Herschel Bryant, Paul's friend who rode his bike into a flooded gravel pit for a dollar, the Devil's Bathtub, the Needle's Eye, Watauga Springs, Cave City, people who get gallons of water at the public fountains in Hot Springs, the believed medicinal properties of the water at Heber Springs, eating Vicks VapoRub, Rex's grandfather's obsession with Alka-Seltzer, Paul's run-in with a lady who got him to take turpentine and sugar for a stomach malady, and using aspirin and Coca-Cola as a cure-all.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about Girl Scout and Boy Scout camps, Cedar Valley, Camp Tula, Camp Orr, the Buffalo River, Viola, the Baptist camp at Ravenden Springs, Siloam Springs, Methodist camp meetings, the Methodist camp at Davidson, kids and camp jokes about food - "This is Sue; she makes our stew" - the Cedar Glade camp, Baptist Royal Ambassadors, getting poison ivy and poison oak and chigger bites at the same time, hauling hay, BLTs, Vienna sausage, homemade chocolate rolls, the "rock crusher" near Imboden and the perils of working at a gravel pit, Bauxite, "alum teeth," the Alum Fork of the Saline River, Black Rock, Herschel Bryant, Paul's friend who rode his bike into a flooded gravel pit for a dollar, the Devil's Bathtub, the Needle's Eye, Watauga Springs, Cave City, people who get gallons of water at the public fountains in Hot Springs, the believed medicinal properties of the water at Heber Springs, eating Vicks VapoRub, Rex's grandfather's obsession with Alka-Seltzer, Paul's run-in with a lady who got him to take turpentine and sugar for a stomach malady, and using aspirin and Coca-Cola as a cure-all.

Camp Stories, Rock Crushers, and the Coca-Cola Cure-all17:13Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Cypress Corner, Coke and Peanuts, and Cherokee Village...in which Rex and Paul talk about mercantile stores that have become restaurants, Cypress Corner, the Caskey store at Des Arc, drinking Coke with peanuts in the bottle, Woodell's drug in Arkadelphia, "wiggling" as a method of determining who would pick up a lunch tab, the Pickens store near Dumas, Cherokee Village, Hardy, the Sitting Bull restaurant at Cherokee Village, developer John Cooper, Paul's attempts to disguise a disgusting odor in his car using Hai Karate cologne, and the existence of dancing at Cherokee Village and accompanying belief that it was a den of iniquity.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about mercantile stores that have become restaurants, Cypress Corner, the Caskey store at Des Arc, drinking Coke with peanuts in the bottle, Woodell's drug in Arkadelphia, "wiggling" as a method of determining who would pick up a lunch tab, the Pickens store near Dumas, Cherokee Village, Hardy, the Sitting Bull restaurant at Cherokee Village, developer John Cooper, Paul's attempts to disguise a disgusting odor in his car using Hai Karate cologne, and the existence of dancing at Cherokee Village and accompanying belief that it was a den of iniquity

Cypress Corner, Coke and Peanuts, and Cherokee Village10:31Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST General Stores, Boy Scouts, and Lawrence County Sailors...in which Rex and Paul talk about the St. Joe Mercantile and other general stores in Arkansas's past, including McLeod's and Matthews's at Imboden, Calahan's at Black Rock, Perry's at Ravenden, and Ernie Dunlap's at Kirby, going to Boy Scout camp at Lake Greeson, the Chidester store, Congo Mercantile, the Burdell store near Pocahontas, the Eleven Point River, the Spring River, the Hankins family store at Oil Trough, how Paul found 11 sailors from Lawrence County serving at the same time aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga, the 1992 election campaign, wood stoves, whittling benches, quail hunting, the Dalark stores, Sugar Jones, a man who fed his cow Oreo cookies, the Jingles store at Benton, and Walnut Ridge.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about the St. Joe Mercantile and other general stores in Arkansas's past, including McLeod's and Matthews's at Imboden, Calahan's at Black Rock, Perry's at Ravenden, and Ernie Dunlap's at Kirby, going to Boy Scout camp at Lake Greeson, the Chidester store, Congo Mercantile, the Burdell store near Pocahontas, the Eleven Point River, the Spring River, the Hankins family store at Oil Trough, how Paul found 11 sailors from Lawrence County serving at the same time aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga, the 1992 election campaign, wood stoves, whittling benches, quail hunting, the Dalark stores, Sugar Jones, a man who fed his cow Oreo cookies, the Jingles store at Benton, and Walnut Ridge.

General Stores, Boy Scouts, and Lawrence County Sailors14:21Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Franke's, Father Tribou, and Fat Boy's Barbecue...in which Rex and Paul talk about chicken livers, gravy, Franke's in Little Rock, Gables in Arkadelphia, Wallace Edwards and Sons, Petit Jean meats, Yarnell's ice cream, bygone soft drink brands, the best Big Mac Paul ever ate (he was in the Navy), weird methods of school discipline, Little Rock's Catholic High School for Boys, legendary headmaster Father George Tribou, Paul's Uncle Conway and how preachers "curse," the Battle of the Ravine in 2013, and Fat Boy's Barbecue in Arkadelphia.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about chicken livers, gravy, Franke's in Little Rock, Gables in Arkadelphia, Wallace Edwards and Sons, Petit Jean meats, Yarnell's ice cream, bygone soft drink brands, the best Big Mac Paul ever ate (he was in the Navy), weird methods of school discipline, Little Rock's Catholic High School for Boys, legendary headmaster Father George Tribou, Paul's Uncle Conway and how preachers "curse," the Battle of the Ravine in 2013, and Fat Boy's Barbecue in Arkadelphia.

Franke's, Father Tribou, and Fat Boy's Barbecue15:22Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Ernest Hemingway, Carving a Chicken, and Fried Squirrel...in which Rex and Paul talk about apples, peaches, salt pork, buttermilk pie, sausage sandwiches, fried baloney, Ernest Hemingway and the Hemingway-Pfeiffer House museum in Piggott, and Paul's ability to carve a chicken in 15 seconds, a skill that helped win him the love of his wife, along with fried squirrel, squirrel brains, and where to get great chicken livers; places mentioned include the Shiloh Museum in Springdale, the communities of Opposition, Annieville, Nashville, Bald Knob, Clarksville, Brinkley, Batesville, Mena, and � of course � Paul's hometown of Imboden.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about apples, peaches, salt pork, buttermilk pie, sausage sandwiches, fried baloney, Ernest Hemingway and the Hemingway-Pfeiffer House museum in Piggott, and Paul's ability to carve a chicken in 15 seconds, a skill that helped win him the love of his wife, along with fried squirrel, squirrel brains, and where to get great chicken livers; places mentioned include the Shiloh Museum in Springdale, the communities of Opposition, Annieville, Nashville, Bald Knob, Clarksville, Brinkley, Batesville, Mena, and � of course � Paul's hometown of Imboden.

Ernest Hemingway, Carving a Chicken, and Fried Squirrel15:15Fri, 26 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Frito Pies, Watermelon, and Ernest Hemingway...in which Rex and Paul discuss the Dairy Bar at Imboden and the Daisy Queen at Arkadelphia; the effectiveness of a banana split in bribing a youngster to "act good" at church; Frito Pies, which may have originated in Arkansas; watermelon harvests at Portia, Cave City, Hope, and others; homecoming picnics at Corning, Piggott, Rector, and other cities in Northwest Arkansas; Civil War parks and restored buildings in Northwest Arkansas; a bobwhite quail demonstration project; efforts to replant native grasses; and Paul's quasi-rational proposal that his hometown, Imboden, is the true inspiration for Ernest Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms."

...in which Rex and Paul discuss the Dairy Bar at Imboden and the Daisy Queen at Arkadelphia; the effectiveness of a banana split in bribing a youngster to "act good" at church; Frito Pies, which may have originated in Arkansas; watermelon harvests at Portia, Cave City, Hope, and others; homecoming picnics at Corning, Piggott, Rector, and other cities in Northwest Arkansas; Civil War parks and restored buildings in Northwest Arkansas; a bobwhite quail demonstration project; efforts to replant native grasses; and Paul's quasi-rational proposal that his hometown, Imboden, is the true inspiration for Ernest Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms."

Frito Pies, Watermelon, and Ernest Hemingway11:16Fri, 19 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Fried Chicken, Arkansas Inns, and High School Memories...in which Rex and Paul sing the praises of fried chicken in Northwest Arkansas and talk about Monte Ne Inn near Rogers, the Venesian Inn in Tontitown, Stubby's in Hot Springs, the AQ Chicken House in Springdale, Paul's experiences frying chicken at Luby's in Jonesboro, skillet-fried versus deep-fried, the Old South Restaurant in Russellville, Coursey's Smoked Meats near St. Joe, hauling hay at Ravenden, the Dairy Bar in Imboden, the resort at Ravenden Springs, the Gables in Arkadelphia, Paul's appearance as the last commencement speaker -- ever -- at Sloan-Hendrix High School, his father's work at the butcher's shop in Imboden, and the disastrous time he scored a basketball goal for the opposing team.

...in which Rex and Paul sing the praises of fried chicken in Northwest Arkansas and talk about Monte Ne Inn near Rogers, the Venesian Inn in Tontitown, Stubby's in Hot Springs, the AQ Chicken House in Springdale, Paul's experiences frying chicken at Luby's in Jonesboro, skillet-fried versus deep-fried, the Old South Restaurant in Russellville, Coursey's Smoked Meats near St. Joe, hauling hay at Ravenden, the Dairy Bar in Imboden, the resort at Ravenden Springs, the Gables in Arkadelphia, Paul's appearance as the last commencement speaker -- ever -- at Sloan-Hendrix High School, his father's work at the butcher's shop in Imboden, and the disastrous time he scored a basketball goal for the opposing team.

Fried Chicken, Arkansas Inns, and High School Memories13:39Fri, 19 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Food Festivals, Arkansas Politicians, and Northeast Arkansas Communities...in which Rex and Paul talk about the Slovak Oyster Supper, one of Arkansas's legendary food festivals. They also discuss former Governor Mike Huckabee, former Senator Blanche Lincoln, Catholic food festivals around the state, the Tollville Turkey Fry Supper, Des Arc, the White River Journal, the communities of Imboden, Gregory, Opposition, Ravenden, Republican, and the Grady Fish Fry.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about the Slovak Oyster Supper, one of Arkansas's legendary food festivals. They also discuss former Governor Mike Huckabee, former Senator Blanche Lincoln, Catholic food festivals around the state, the Tollville Turkey Fry Supper, Des Arc, the White River Journal, the communities of Imboden, Gregory, Opposition, Ravenden, Republican, and the Grady Fish Fry.

Food festivals, arkansas politicians, and northeast Arkansas communities.11:30Fri, 19 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Potluck in Pocahontas, Italian Arkansans, and Delta Food...in which Rex and Paul talk about the Arkansas Delta, including Paul's Italian Delta in-laws, the best places to get barbecue, the annual potluck dinner at the Eddie Mae Heron Center in Pocahontas, two great "eating routes" through the Delta, Piggott, Crawfordsville, Haynes, DeValls Bluff, Cypress Corners, Moark, Marianna, and the Mississippi River State Park.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about the Arkansas Delta, including Paul's Italian Delta in-laws, the best places to get barbecue, the annual potluck dinner at the Eddie Mae Heron Center in Pocahontas, two great "eating routes" through the Delta, Piggott, Crawfordsville, Haynes, DeValls Bluff, Cypress Corners, Moark, Marianna, and the Mississippi River State Park.

Barbecue, potluck, and Delta Food.15:30Fri, 19 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Fish Fry, Oyster Supper, and Hushpuppies...in which Rex and Paul talk about the Dalton Fish Fry, the Mennonite store in Dalton, the Strawberry River, Tollville, the Slovak Oyster Supper, the Grady Fish Fry, Mike Huckabee, Blanche Lincoln, a hushpuppy machine, the Eddie Mae Heron Center hogkilling in Pocahontas, making cracklins, sausage, mincemeat pie, and a disastrous experience Paul had trying to make piecrust one time when he got the balance wrong between lard and water.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about the Dalton Fish Fry, the Mennonite store in Dalton, the Strawberry River, Tollville, the Slovak Oyster Supper, the Grady Fish Fry, Mike Huckabee, Blanche Lincoln, a hushpuppy machine, the Eddie Mae Heron Center hogkilling in Pocahontas, making cracklins, sausage, mincemeat pie, and a disastrous experience Paul had trying to make piecrust one time when he got the balance wrong between lard and water.

The Dalton Fish Fry, a hushpuppy machine, making sausage, cracklin's and pie.17:28Fri, 19 August 2016 00:00:00 CST Holiday Traditions, Barbecue, and Small Town Restaurants...in which Rex and Paul talk about holiday traditions, Bryce's Cafeteria in Texarkana, the King of Clubs roadhouse in Swifton, basketball, revivals, the annual Wilson Brothers barbecue in Staves, the timber industry, and the varied geography of Lawrence County.

...in which Rex and Paul talk about holiday traditions, Bryce's Cafeteria in Texarkana, the King of Clubs roadhouse in Swifton, basketball, revivals, the annual Wilson Brothers barbecue in Staves, the timber industry, and the varied geography of Lawrence County.

Featuring Bryce's Cafeteria in Texarkana, the King of Clubs roadhouse in Swifton, and the varied geography of Lawrence County.16:24Fri, 29 July 2016 00:00:00 CST Tamales, Football, Auction BarnsThe first installment of Chewing the Fat with Rex and Paul, featuring tamales, memories of high school football, auction barns, and travels in southwest Arkansas.

The first installment of Chewing the Fat with Rex and Paul, featuring tamales, memories of high school football, auction barns, and travels in southwest Arkansas.

Featuring tamales, memories of high school football, auction barns, and travels in southwest Arkansas.16:24Fri, 29 July 2016 00:00:00 CST

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