Darrell Spells – RP Contributor
During a recent meeting about the upcoming football season, the topic of the importance of the players staying hydrated was emphasized by the coaching staff.
The costs of water stations can range from several hundred dollars up to over a thousand. With a considerable smaller budget than many schools, the idea of seeking donations came up.
That’s when Randall Mcbride stepped up and offered to build one. Mcbride was able to secure the donation of a wagon, battery, and tank. The finished product pictured below will be a welcome sight during 100 degree practices and games! The community of Hackett thanks Randall and his willingness to go above and beyond to help!
Just another example of Hackett Pride!
Hornets Hydrated Thru Humble Donation
Weekly News from Waldron Nursing Center
Story by: Christine Lees LSW/ADC
(Referencing above image) Baking a Microwave cake is serious business for Alex Carter, Activity Assistant, as he tries his hand for the first time with residents looking on and giving pointers on how it is done.
Waldron Nursing Center residents have been having lots of fun with Alex Carter, my activity assistant, doing all of the many different activities as well as our regular favorite events of bingo on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon with our great Volunteer Doyle Wayne Dickens and Pat Morales coming to help us out at the games along with the morning crafts on Friday morning.
Residents have enjoyed the church and singing services with James Self, Keener Baptist singers, Packsaddle singers, Temple Baptist group, Grady Parker, Ray Jett and David Hines, nail painting, this is one of the activities that our ladies really enjoy, our Special activities of Balloon pop, knock ’em down were really lots of fun and well attended. Everyone likes using the pop guns with these events. The balloons contained prize slips on the inside and if that is the balloon that the resident popped they got to choose a prize from the large basket of items. Thanks to those that had donated us some jewelry items to use as prizes for our special games, the ladies really enjoyed the bracelets and rings while our guys got to choose from ball caps and other guy items. Everyone received a treat of M&M’s after the knock “em down game. The cups were stacked high with numbers on them so the score could be totaled to see who received the most points. Alex did a great job of painting the colorful cups. Another fun event was the baking of a microwave cake, this was Alex’s first experience of baking a cake in the microwave but the residents who attended had great pointers on how to bake a cake, after the cake was done some of the residents took turns putting the frosting on, adding sprinkles and M&M’s on top. The dietary brought out a bucket of ice cream to go with the cake. Everyone left stuffed to the brim and some decided they would let Alex bake something else for them. I am also in the process of training another activity assistant and will be introducing her to everyone soon. Residents are still enjoying the Monday morning Reminiscence sessions with Diane Miller. Something new is the Trivia games and Who Done it Mysteries as well as “How would you handle this” situation. The residents really get into these types of games. We also had a Crime solving activity with using stories that the residents were very familiar with, Jack & the Bean Stalk and Hansel & Gretel” Two residents had to be the attorney to argue the case, while others were the jury. To determine if Jack was justified in killing the giant or if the witch should be held responsible for what she did to Hansel and Gretel. These events really cause a lot of discussion and argument. With the group wanting to do more of these activities in the near future as they really keep the brain thinking.
Thanks goes out to those who have been bringing the jig saw puzzles, magazines and paper back books. To those that have answered our call for the stuffed animals for our bingo games. To Marie Payton for the bag of wonderful jewelry and other items.
In closing we are so fortunate to have caring folks that help us out with the much needed prizes for our activities. So if you have it and don’t want it just drop it by the Activity Office and our residents will be delighted to benefit from it.
Mansfield School District Adds Improvements
The Mansfield School district has been steadily working throughout the summer to make improvements on its football stadium, and surrounding area.
Improvements include: New visitor bleachers, laying sod (image above) on the bowl of the stadium, completing the walk way circling the stadium and finishing fencing at the base of the bowl.The bus loop and a portion of the parking lot will also be paved.
Future projects include upgrading the press box.
“We really appreciate the support given from our administration and school board to make these improvements to our stadium. The new visitor bleachers are long over due and really add a visual pop to our stadium as well as provides our visiting fans with proper seating area.The completion of the fence,concrete walk way and sodding of the bowl really are minor things that make a big difference in the pride we can take with our stadium. Within the last year we have gotten a new basketball court, new track, new baseball/softball fences and now with these upgrades to our football stadium, our athletic facilities rival any comparable school in the region. These are things the community can be proud of and we are grateful to have the ability to offer our student athletes top notch facilities.” – Coach Craig Bentley
Fellowship Baptist Sports Camp Starts TONIGHT
Witcherville based Fellowship Baptist Church hosts their annual Sport Camp, starting tonight.
July 24th – 28th, 6:30pm-8:40pm (Registration begins at 6:00pm)
Pre-School (3-4 years old) – going into7th Grade
Activities include LOTS of sports programs, Bible study, snocones, and much more.
Fellowship Baptist Church is located at 111 College Rd, Huntington, AR 72940
For more information please call 479-461-3860
Mansfield Distance Runners Enjoying Summer Sessions
Mansfield cross country runners (Left to Right) Dru Buckner, McKenzie Griffin, Lennon Woods, and Megan Rose make a pass by the Mansfield City Lake during a team training session in July.
Mansfield’s first cross country race of the 2017 season isn’t until early September. However, several members of the team have committed to meeting up threes times a week through the month of July until school starts for group running sessions.
“Our first race is nearly two months away,” commented Mansfield cross country coach John Mackey. “But we have several veteran runners that are committed to making an impact on the season. They have been meeting late in the evening for team running sessions to better prepare for the upcoming campaign.”
Joined by Devon Pyles and Megan Rose, respectively Mansfield’s male and female cross country runners of the year last season, the team meets up every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The sessions begin at 7:30 PM at the Mansfield City Lake Park and are tailored to accommodate the varying levels of fitness of the participating runners.
“We chose the trails around the city lake because of the cooler temperatures there,” stated Mackey. “At that time of night, shade covers nearly the entire trail. With the breeze off the lake I’d guess the temperature is 20 degrees cooler than that on our campus course.”
Running sessions are geared for all returning cross country athletes as well as any newcomers. The team setting encourages the athletes through strength in numbers to get out and exercise.
“It’s tough sometimes when you’re by yourself to just get out and run when the weather is so hot,” continued the coach. “Making an effort to come together provides a real energy boost and makes the workouts more fun as a group.”
The coach was eager to announce that the running sessions are open to any age group. Current athletes, newcomers, and even those boys or girls just now entering the seventh grade can come out and get a feel for the distance training.
The coach says he typically arrives at the Mansfield City Park around 7:15 PM on the Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday sessions. Athletes sign in, do a short warmup together, and then proceed with their specific routine.
“Right now, workouts are strictly catered to each individual’s specific level of fitness. We have some that are going only 1 mile. A few others push at or above the 2 mile mark. Some of the veterans go 4 to 5 miles per session,” said Mackey.
According to the coach, the school website at mansfieldtigers.org has details regarding workout plans and team sessions. Just follow the links to athletics and then the cross country page for individualized workouts. Template workouts for three varying levels of fitness are presented. Individuals are encouraged to follow those plans or modify them to fit their needs.
Workouts are designed so an athlete can follow a plan on their own schedule with parental supervision. Team sessions are an extension of those individualized plans, and a way to monitor a player’s progress through group interaction.
Athletes interested in getting an early start to their cross country or track career can contact the coach on his school phone (479)-252-8600.
Individuals that complete the summer sessions or show evidence of competent endurance will be invited to a team trip before the start of school.
“Thank You” from Chief Boyd Farmer
You may remember Mansfield Chief of Police, Boyd Farmer who underwent heart surgery this past April.
With Chief Farmer recovering, and doing well he wanted to give thanks to the public, and citizen’s who showed not only their appreciation, but helped him and the Boyd Family in both during, and after the surgery.
Boyd’s wife, Cyndy offered this letter on her Facebook page Saturday evening.
“Boyd ask me to post this heart felt message he wrote sometime back since he doesn’t do Facebook”
Hello folks, well I’m feeling much better from my recent heart surgery, about to get back in my prime!!! Just want to send special Thanks to my God for allowing me to stay here on His earth for a while longer, don’t know why as the Dr’s told me I was one the few that make it to surgery, 70 % of pt’s that have blockage in the widow maker have the fatal heart attack and never know there’s blockage. Only God knows and I thank Him for his Grace and Mercy.
I want to thank my little buddy, my wife “Ru” for staying by my side night and day throughout this whole ordeal, for helping me up and down, lifting on my big ol butt, in and out of the shower, for praying and believing with me, constantly encouraging me everything is gonna be alright, thank you buddy, I love you. I want to thank my Bubba and Marci for being there with me during and after helping me and Ru keep things going around the place, want to thank my n laws Lei and Rusty Hill and their church for the prayers and love offering they sent and the beautiful card. I want to thank my sons and daughter n laws for the visits, the prayers, love and support you have given me.
My grandbabies for visiting and bringing Papa his lap dog to keep him company. For loving me through all of this. You all are my children and grandchildren and I am blessed beyond measure, you helped this ol heart heal. My daughter for calling and checking on me. Thank you Peg and Thurman for being there and Scott while I was in surgery. Thank you Chris and Audrey for the visits, prayers, Christy and Robert, my Auntie Rita and Benny, cousins the Andys, Rindy and children, Mike Shelton, Uncle Ronnie, Sara and lil Ronnie, all of my brothers and sisters in blue, Mansfield PD, Sebastian Co, Scott Co, Hartford PD, Huntington PD, Ashdown PD, Nashville PD, Arkansas State Police, dispatchers,Mansfield and Huntington Fire Dept, EMS, for the love and prayers. All of the preachers, Brother Kennedy, Brother Elmore, Mercy Chaplain, Methodist preacher, that visited and stood in the gap praying and believing for Gods healing. My friends and neighbors here in Mansfield and surrounding area, Udouj’s, Hanley’s, Blythe’s, Mayor Hurt and Jan, Morgan’s,Walkers, Lyons, Johnson’s, Browns, Richard Henson, Mark Harris for mowing my yard,Carmen Oxford, Jen Jen, Godwin’s, all council members and mayor, ladies at Mercy clinic, pharmacies Healthwise, Cornerstone for the gift bags and prayers, Subway for the gift, Bea at Simple Simons, Anza and Gail, Dave, Christy and Toby and ladies at the Shell, Ladies at Farmers, Today’s bank and Chambers, folks at C.V’s for your prayers and support, people that took time to send all the text, prayers and phone calls are to numerous to mention each one.
All of my friends and family down South. I want to thank everyone near and far for the love shown to me and Ru. If I overlooked anyone it was not intentional. I am soon to return to being your Chief and back to keeping our town and people as safe as we can. And last but definitely not least my beautiful red Heart Pillow to hold on to and get me through!!!!
God Bless you each and everyone, your forever in my Heart, Boyd”
Continued prayers and healing, Chief Farmer.
NBCH Holds Town Hall Meeting
Community members joined New Beginning Children’s Home Executive Director, Anthony Christopher, as he welcomed several of NBCH employees, and the area residents to the town hall meeting which was held last Friday night at the Mansfield High School cafeteria.
After the staff introductions, Christopher began explaining the ins, and outs of NBCH, which began with the quote, “We are Faith based to the core, and are unwilling to compromise our mission/vision.” Pretty powerful, backed with strong results.
The primary reason for the meeting was an opportunity for NBCH to openly answer questions from the public, as well a brief understanding of the work they do, and how they will not only positively impact numerous children’s future, but also be neighbors, and community members to the Mansfield area.
Two common concerns were addressed surrounding the NBCH coming to Mansfield.
- NBCH is NOT a juvenile rehabilitation center.
- NBCH is NOT a teen pregnancy center
We previously covered the details of what NBCH is, and what they actually do. You can read that article here… http://bit.ly/2sg9jOy
If you would like more information on New Beginning Children’s Home, to become a foster parent, or if your Church is interested in partnering with NBCH, please contact Anthony Christopher at his EMAIL or Wanda Eash at EMAIL. You can also visit their website at www.newbeginningsar.com
Baggett Steps Down from Mansfield Soccer
Article by Ali Bryant, Resident Press Contributor
When Mansfield Soccer was first established, many didn’t expect it to take, let alone have a single winning season. Contrary to the initial opinions, Mansfield Soccer has grown each year, with players coming from Hackett, Hartford, and the surrounding communities. Several teams have experienced undefeated seasons, including Head Coach, and Mansfield Soccer Director, Jason Baggett.
Baggett along with his wife, Lesli have managed the program, and five undefeated seasons since the beginning. But, the Fall season will need a new figure head, and program manager. Baggett is stepping down to focus on the future growth of this program, but at a higher level.
“Our goal (pardon the pun) for Mansfield Soccer was to get it into the Mansfield School District as a sport. That’s still my goal. With the talent we have, we could definitely compete against bigger schools; we’ve done it, and we’ve won. These kids not only know how to play, but have played together since they were 6yo, and have had multiple undefeated seasons, and it’s time for me to make the push to get it into our school system, as a sport.” added Baggett.
Mansfield Soccer ranges in age from U6 (4-5yo) to U14+ (12-14yo) playing teams from Paris, Ozark, Booneville, and Mountainburg each season starting in early September, thru the 2nd weekend in November. The program has seen an average of 14-16 players in the older teams, and 6-7 in the youngest.
“The perfect scenario for this program is to be included under the Mansfield Ball Association umbrella, and not managed individually. Having it all together, we keep our kids here, in one place, and preparing them for upper level play in our school system. It’s a Win-Win for everyone” said Baggett.
Open letter from Coach Craig Bentley
Dear Mansfield Tiger Fans,
On July 11 ,2016 we embarked on a journey to turn around the Mansfield Tiger football program. We had seventeen kids show up for summer workouts on that day. There was no spring football and no workouts in the month of June. To say we were behind, was an understatement.
Six weeks later, we began our football season, where six months of work had to be squeezed into six weeks. Establishing both a new offense, and defense, we also had to create a new culture of our intentions, and what we could do personally, and publically.
We were behind in strength and it showed. We had grown our numbers from seventeen to 28. We played with 26-28 throughout most of the year. Despite all the challenges these kids faced, it was week 8 we were still in the playoff hunt. Unfortunately we did not win that game and our hopes for the playoffs were eliminated. We finished the season 2-8. It was tough, it wore us out, but they never gave up. The week leading up to our last game , a community member talked to our seniors and told them how proud he was of the whole team. That many in the community didn’t expect them to win a single game. The 2016 team may not have made the playoffs and they may not have won very many games, but they saved the football program. The ship wasn’t sinking, it had sunk. However, they brought it back up, patched it and made it float. That is a true testament to them and our coaches.
We hit the ground running, by starting our off season within a week after our last game. We knew we had to get stronger, that was obvious throughout the year. We implemented in season lifting for basketball and baseball and it has paid off. We started out with 3 who could bench press 200+, now we have 11. We started out with 3 who could power clean 200+, now we have 14. We started out with 6 who could squat 300+, now we have 16. We have had a fantastic off season and have gotten so much stronger. That is a testament to those boys and the football, basketball and track coaches that have worked hard to help them improve in the weight room.
In addition to the weight training, we held speed camp twice a week after school to teach the boys how to run the proper way. Upper and lower body mechanics were the focus. We had fantastic attendance and it was and huge success.
Not only were we working hard to improve our strength and speed but we also knew we had to improve our fundamentals as football players. We had to become better tacklers, better blockers, needed to catch the ball better. We had to learn our schemes and how to play our roles within that scheme both on offense and defense. We started morning practices during the month of March that continued through the end of the season. By the time spring football was here we didn’t have to install anything, just fine tune it and continue working on fundamentals.
Culture is a hard thing to change. The number one goal in our program is to develop young men who are respectful and hardworking, who simply put,are working towards being the best humans they can be. Every player chose a core value that they wanted to represent our team. They then voted on a top 5. Respect, Loyalty, Determination, Dedication and Brotherhood. These define our program. We talk about them daily, we repeat them in order. They are not just words on a wall, they are what defines our program.
Following a successful two weeks of spring football we have had a busy June filled with team camps, 7 on 7 tournaments and team workouts. July will be much of the same until we start fall camp on July 31.
The 2017 Tigers have come a long way in a year. We have doubled our numbers from that first day on July 11 2016. We are stronger, faster, and better football players. They understand the game better from scheme to terminology. We will be young and inexperienced in many positions, but the future is bright. We will no doubt have some bumps in the road as we continue to build our program, but with the continued efforts of our athletes and coaches as well as the tremendous support we receive from our parents, administration, school board and the community we will build a program that develops great young men and puts a competitive team on the field each and every Friday night. The best is yet to come. Go Red Tigers! #RLDDB
-Coach Bentley
Hackett City Council Meeting (June)
RP Staff Contributor, Darrel Spells
The Hackett City Council held its monthly meeting on June 15th.
The department heads gave the council their monthly reports. The fire department spoke to the city council about financing options regarding the new fire truck. Chief Spells of the police department gave the council a report for the month of June. Chief Spells commended the work of the reserve officers for their efforts this month. Chief Spells also mentioned numerous arrests had been made for drug charges and warrants.
The water department also gave the city council an update for the month of June. Hackett resident Trini Harper addressed the council about the possibility of a splash pad being installed at the city park. Harper noted that a splash pad is the most requested item from citizens regarding future park upgrades.
The council agreed to look into the costs of a splash pad. Harper also reminded the council of the upcoming Fourth of July Celebration that will be held July 1 from 7:00pm-9:00pm with fireworks beginning after dark.