Ascend Wealth Management

05/25/2026

Today we remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Wishing everyone a safe Memorial Day 🇺🇸

05/15/2026

Had a great morning at Coffee Connection with Ascend Wealth! Trevor gave a quick market update, and we enjoyed gathering over some really good coffee and amazing treats provided by Tammy Hazel, owner of Wonderfully Made.

Tammy sets up at the Cotter Market, so be sure to check her out and support her business. Great people, great conversation, and a great way to start the day!

We hope everyone has a great weekend!

05/15/2026

Baxter Health Foundation Donors Set New Record with $3.8 Million Raised in 2025

The Baxter Health Foundation is proud to announce that its generous community of donors raised $3.8 million in 2025, a new record in the Foundation's 37-year history. The milestone was celebrated on May 7 at the Foundation's Annual Donor Banquet, where supporters from across North Central Arkansas and South Central Missouri gathered to mark another year of extraordinary community commitment.

Among the highlights of 2025 was the successful completion of the Heartbeat of Hope capital campaign, which raised $2.5 million to fund Baxter Health's newest cardiac catheterization laboratory. The campaign stands as a testament to the community's deep commitment to ensuring that life-saving cardiac care remains available close to home.

"This community shows up for each other in a way that is truly remarkable," Ron Peterson, President and CEO of Baxter Health, said. "Because of your generosity, families across 12 counties and two states have access to world-class care close to home. You are the reason Baxter Health is still here, still growing, and still serving."

The $3.8 million raised in 2025 brings the Foundation's cumulative total to more than $22 million invested in Baxter Health over its 37-year history. Those gifts have funded advanced surgical technology, cancer care facilities, cardiac services, community clinics, and $450,000 in annual scholarships for healthcare workers, all in a region where the nearest large hospital is nearly 90 miles away.

"We can't thank our donor family enough for the remarkable year of giving in 2025," said Sarah Edwards, Executive Director of the Baxter Health Foundation. "They are the heartbeat of our hospital and truly prove that philanthropy can save lives. We are excited to see what we can do together again this year."

The Baxter Health Foundation Board of Directors is grateful to every donor, volunteer, and community partner who made this record year possible. Your investment is felt every day, in every exam room, every operating suite, and every family that does not have to travel hours from home to receive the care they need.
To learn more about the Baxter Health Foundation or to make a gift, visit https://www.baxterhealth.org/foundation/or call 870.508.1770.

05/14/2026

3 Financial Mistakes That Quietly Destroy Wealth.

05/07/2026

    Mountain Home senior JR Free has been named the Jim Holsted Athlete of the Year following a record-breaking season on the track. Free has turned in one of the top distance seasons in school history, setting

04/28/2026

Ladies and gentlemen, every so often, a performance comes along that doesn’t merely win a race—it rewrites history. And that’s exactly what Gus Wilber has done.

The junior standout shattered a 22-year-old school record in the 300 hurdles, blazing to a remarkable 39.17 at the Senior Bomber Invite. That mark not only erased the previous standard of 39.48, it now stands as the best time in the state and punched his ticket straight to the 5A State Meet on May 7th.

And as if that weren’t enough, Gus is also part of the record-setting 4x200 relay squad. Speed, excellence, and a flair for the dramatic—sounds like an Athlete of the Week to me. Congratulations, Gus Wilber.

The Athlete of the Week is proudly sponsored by Mike and Susan Stockton of Ascend Wealth Management.

04/23/2026

Athlete of the Week: Brody Brown – A Timely Swing, A Steady Presence

Baseball has long celebrated the dramatic hit, the moment when one swing can alter the direction of a game. But those within the sport understand that victory is just as often built on quieter contributions—steady defense, situational at-bats, and readiness when opportunity arrives.

For the Bombers, Brody Brown provided all of it in a pivotal stretch of the season.

The sophomore delivered the game-winning RBI against Russellville, stepping into the moment with the composure of a veteran. He followed that by driving in key late runs in a win over Harrison, contributions that proved decisive as the Bombers continued to build momentum. Just as importantly, Brown’s strong defensive play helped secure those victories, reflecting the kind of complete performance coaches value most.

Off the field, Brown maintains a 4.0 GPA and is active in National Honor Society and BEAC. He also competes in basketball and track, balancing multiple sports while excelling in the classroom. He is the son of Bill and Jessica Brown.

Some players stand out because of one moment. Others because they can be trusted in many. For Brody Brown, this week offered clear evidence of both.

The Athlete of the Week is proudly sponsored by Mike and Susan Stockton of Ascend Wealth Management.

04/16/2026

Athlete of the Week: Avery Guthrie – Grace, Grit, and the Measure of Leadership

Some athletes are remembered for their performances. Others are remembered for the standard they leave behind. For the Mountain Home dance program, Avery Guthrie has become both.

A dedicated member of the program for the past five years, Guthrie served as the high school Gameday Captain for the 2025–2026 season, continuing a leadership path that began earlier as a junior high captain. Throughout that time, she has led with accountability, determination, and an expectation of excellence that elevated not only her own performance, but the effort of those around her.

Yet perhaps the clearest measure of her character came during adversity. After undergoing hip surgery in her junior year, Guthrie returned to the floor ahead of schedule, performing through ongoing discomfort with the same commitment that had long defined her career. It was a display not simply of toughness, but of devotion to teammates and program.
Away from competition, she maintains a 3.7 GPA and is active in National Honor Society and FBLA, while also performing with The Artistic Dance Competitive Company.

Her next chapter is already taking shape. Guthrie will continue both her academic and dance career at Arkansas Tech University, where she has earned a place on the 2026–2027 ATU Dance Team.

Success can be measured in trophies or titles. But in the end, leadership, resilience, and example often endure longer. By that standard, Avery Guthrie’s legacy is already secure.

The Athlete of the Week is proudly sponsored by Mike and Susan Stockton of Ascend Wealth Management.

04/09/2026

In softball, the difference between a good performance and a memorable one often lies in timing. For the Lady Bombers, Daelyn Harper provided both consistency and perfectly timed impact during a standout week before Spring Break.

The senior batted .470 and drove in 10 runs, but her week was defined by moments that shifted outcomes. Against Batesville Southside, Harper delivered a late-game grand slam, turning the tide with a single swing. Not long after, she found herself in another pivotal situation—this time against Tuckerman—where she stepped in and delivered a walk-off two-run double, bringing the game to an immediate and dramatic close.

It is one thing to produce over the course of a week. It is another to do so when the game is most uncertain. Harper’s performances reflected both preparation and composure, the hallmarks of a player who understands the significance of the moment.

Off the field, she maintains a 4.0 GPA and is active in BEAC, FCA, and HOSA, while also competing in volleyball, balancing multiple commitments with consistency and discipline. In a sport defined by opportunity, Daelyn Harper has shown a clear ability to meet it.

The Athlete of the Week is proudly sponsored by Mike and Susan Stockton of Ascend Wealth Management.

04/05/2026