Reconnect and Relax: Ideas for a Fun “Family Night In”
by Pamela Ray
In today’s fast-paced world, overwork and overscheduling can take a toll on families and relationships. Between long workdays, school, and packed schedules, it’s easy to find ourselves with less time to just hang out and reconnect. That’s why setting aside time for a “family night in” can be so valuable.
A family night-in doesn’t have to be a big, elaborate production. Often, it’s the simple, relaxed activities that bring the most joy and togetherness. The key is to create an opportunity for everyone in the family to spend time together, laugh, and unwind. Try making this a monthly tradition, put it on the family calendar, and treat it as an appointment you can’t miss!
Here are some fun and easy ideas for your family night in:
- Limbo Contest with a Twist
Have a limbo contest in the yard! To up the challenge, use a stream of hose water instead of a limbo stick. It’s silly, refreshing, and perfect for warm weather. - Dream Vacation Brochure
Work together to create a brochure for your dream vacation. Gather ideas from every family member and include places to visit, activities to try, and even a pretend itinerary. Bonus: You might just discover your next real family trip! - Start a “Special Memories” Folder
Grab an accordion folder with 12 sections and label each one for a month of the year. As the months go by, save mementos like ticket stubs, invitations, and photos in the folder. Next year, take it out and relive the stories and memories as a family. - Recipe Scavenger Hunt
Turn cooking into a fun game! Assign each family member ingredients or utensils to “hunt” for in the kitchen. Once everything is gathered, work together to prepare the dish. The teamwork and laughs are as important as the meal itself. - Make Sidewalk Chalk Paint
Get creative outdoors! Mix equal parts cornstarch and water in several cups, then stir in a few drops of food coloring for vibrant shades. Use paintbrushes to decorate the sidewalk or driveway with colorful, washable art.
Keep It Simple and Enjoy the Moment
The goal of a family night isn’t to add stress—it’s to take a break and enjoy a special time together. Don’t get bogged down by over-planning or preparation. Pick an activity everyone will love, turn off distractions, and just have fun.
Whether it’s laughing over a limbo contest, cooking together, or creating a family masterpiece, these moments of connection will be treasured for years to come.
Start planning your next family night—it might just become everyone’s favorite tradition!
Arkansas 4-H Tech Changemakers program expands; more youth interested in STEM
By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Whether they’re helping adults create resumes, safe passwords or avoid phishing scams, Arkansas 4-H Tech Changemakers are using their technology skills to make a difference in their communities.
4-H Tech Changemakers began in Arkansas in 2021 with 20 participants from 11 counties. The program trains youth to teach digital skill-building workshops to adults. Participants have given presentations to Extension Homemakers Council clubs, county meetings for Master Gardeners, nursing homes and community centers, all focusing on basic internet safety.
Over the past four years, Tech Changemakers has grown significantly. Seventy-four Arkansas 4-H members from 16 counties attended the program’s Winter Training on Jan. 3. At the training, participants and adult 4-H volunteers learned how to operate recreational drones and test secure passwords. They also learned to use Ozobots, miniature robots that introduce students to coding techniques.
Cindy Phillips, extension Tech Changemakers program technician for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the program has grown, in part, because of past participants’ vocal enthusiasm.
“Our team, and past teams, have been talking to their friends about how great it is to be a Tech Changemaker,” Phillips said. “We have also set up a Tech Changemakers table at several 4-H events, so more kids are seeing us and asking questions about what we do. It’s a great way to meet fellow 4-H members and gain valuable community service experience.”
Community outreach is at the heart of Tech Changemakers. Nationally, 325 Tech Changemakers participants across 18 states reached more than 37,000 adults in 2021. Phillips said that since then, Arkansas 4-H Tech Changemakers have connected with more than 10,000 adults in the state through workshops and one-on-one tutorials.
“Our goal is to help the adults in our communities cross the digital divide,” Phillips said. “As our world becomes more and more driven by technology, Tech Changemakers help adults learn essential digital skills, including basic internet safety, phishing scams and cell phone use.”
Michelle McVay, extension STEM instructor for the Division of Agriculture, said that today’s teens are the perfect vehicles to deliver this critical information.
“These kids are what we could consider digital natives,” McVay said. “Many of them have used computers and the internet from an early age, so these technology skills are very familiar to them. We’re asking them to use their knowledge to help people in their communities live safer lives and not feel so left behind by technology — by connecting with these adults, Tech Changemakers help them connect with the world.”
Phillips said that in 2025, participants will also teach STEM classes in their local schools.
Technology skills for work and play
At the Tech Changemakers Winter Training, new program participants shared their excitement for the year ahead.
Truitt Shaw, a member of Grant County 4-H, said his older brother participated in the program previously, which got him excited to join.
“I thought it would be very interesting to do what my brother did and help people learn how to use technology,” Shaw said.
Shaw, 12, said he’s interested in becoming a professional animator when he grows up, and he’s already sharpening his skills.
“I make stop-motion videos, where you take a picture and then move an item, so it looks like it moves on its own,” Shaw said. “I also do frame-by-frame animation, where I draw a picture and then I draw another picture, and it plays together and makes it look like it’s moving.”
After the training, Shaw said he looked forward to using his skills to help people grasp concepts that may be new or intimidating to them.
“I think that if somebody like my mom or dad, or my grandma or grandpa, needs help with technology and they don’t understand something, I think I’d be able to help them understand it,” Shaw said.
Thyme Spence, a member of Clay County 4-H, said she joined Tech Changemakers because she “thought it would be a good opportunity for me to grow my 4-H experience.” As a freshman in high school, she took a class about coding, which also interested her in the program.
For fellow Clay County 4-H member Claire McKenney, Tech Changemakers presented an opportunity to learn new skills that may benefit her family’s medical practice.
“I thought it would be a cool way to branch out my learning experience and get more life experience with other kinds of jobs,” McKenney said. “I’m most interested in mechanics and coding, because while my family runs a doctor’s office, I want to become something different and learn engineering so I can be independent.
“If a printer breaks, or there’s a computer problem, I’ll know a bit more about what’s wrong with it and how to fix it,” she said.
McKenney said she thinks her Tech Changemakers experience could “definitely go into a career path and future life experiences.”
Learn more about Arkansas 4-H Tech Changemakers online, visit or contact Cindy Phillips at [email protected].
Mention of product names does not imply endorsement by the Division of Agriculture.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Obituary – Della Faye Liles (1951-2025)
Della Faye Liles of Russellville, Arkansas passed from this life on January 26, 2025. Della was born November 15, 1930, to Horace and Lena Deramus and was raised in Cherry Hill, Arkansas. She married the love of her life J. R. (Jake) Liles on April 14, 1951, and together they raised their family in Waldron, Arkansas.
Della was a faithful member of the Waldron First Church of the Nazarene the entire time she lived there. She loved working in the nursery at church and most often found holding a baby. Over the years she served in many capacities in the church including singing in the choir, being on the board and serving as treasurer. Della lived a faithful life and loved the Lord with her whole heart. Della also worked at the Petrolane/Amerigas offices for over twenty-five years. She managed the office and was a welcoming face to all that entered. Della was known and loved by everyone who came into contact with her.
Della was known by many as “Granny” whether it was her grandchildren, their friends or any of the many children she cared for in the church nursery. She loved everyone and set an example for all of us that family is about all of those people you take in and care for during life. She lived a life that was a wonderful example for us all and left us with many beautiful memories to cherish.
Della was preceded in death by her parents Horace and Lena Deramus, her husband of 57 years Jake Liles, her son-in law Thomas Akin, her daughter Sandra Liles Walker, and her brother in-law Bo Sikes.
Della is survived by daughter Karen Akin, son Rob Liles (Cathy), by her grandchildren, Kendra Jones (Ben), Michelle Holmes (Leroy), Corey Liles (Misty), Jordan Liles (Kori), Andrew Liles, Carla Wells (Richard), Shane Oswald. She was also blessed with many great grandchildren Lauren Jones, Madeline Jones, Hannah Fore, Ruger Day, Corbin Liles, Carson Liles, Jay Liles, Holly Meek (Brandon), Allie Oswald, Jenna Oswald, Miles Robinson, and a great-great grandchild, Jake Meek all of which she loved dearly. Della is also survived by her sister Mae Dell Sikes and her brother Alan Deramus (Elaine). Della was also loved by many including her daughter in love Diane Phelps, many nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.
Pall Bearers: Corey Liles, Jordan Liles, Andrew Liles, Ben Jones, Leroy Holmes, David Sikes, Bruce Sikes, Keith Sikes. Honorary Pall Bearers: Donald Sikes, Richard Wells and Petrolane/Amerigas Service Friends.
The family will be having a visitation on Thursday January 30, 2025, at the Waldron First Church of the Nazarene at 10:00 followed by the funeral service at 11:00. The burial and internment will be at 2:00 at the Cherry Hill Cemetery in Cherry Hill, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Della may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, Home – New – NWA Circle of Life Hospice, or Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance ‘ No Arkansan Should Be Hungry.
The family would also like to thank the care givers at Jamestown Nursing Home in Rogers and the Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale for their wonderful love and care.
Timepiece: The Life of Sam Houston
By Dr. Curtis Varnell
The life of Sam Houston is usually associated with that of Texas but, even before that time period, he was an influential resident of the Arkansas Territory. Houston, born in Virginia, spend most of his early life in Tennessee. As a rebellious teenager, he ran away from home and spent almost three years of his life with John Jolly’s band of Cherokee. During this time, he adopted the dress of the tribe, learned to speak the language fluently, and was given the name of “the Raven.”
After returning home, he fought in the War of 1812 as a part of General Andrew Jackson’s forces. His association with Jackson greatly influenced the rest of his life. Because of his familiarity and friendship with the Cherokee, he was hired as an Indian sub-agent to assist in relocating the Cherokee into Arkansas and Oklahoma. His friend, Chief Jolly, chose land at Spadra, near present day Clarksville. The roll call of individuals in attendance at the Spadra trading post list the Raven as present.
Returning to Tennessee, he rode Jackson’s coattails and served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1823-27. He than ran and was elected governor of Tennessee and was planning to run again when his marriage to Eliza Allen mysteriously fell apart. Devastated, he departed to Cherokee Territory to be with his adopted family. Cherokee territory at that time included most of the Arkansas River Valley and west to about Tulsa, Oklahoma. He arrived in Little Rock on May, 8, 1829, surrounded by rumors that Jackson was using him to either control Arkansas politics or to create trouble in Texas. His letter back to Jackson is not clear as to intention, “Your suggestion on the subject of my location in Arkansas has received my serious attention, and I have concluded, that it would not be best for me to adopt the course. In that Territory there is no field for distinction.”
During this time, he moved into the home of Chief John Jolly and married Tiana, (Talihinia) a niece of the chief, in and Indian ceremony. Chief Jolly lived on the west side of Spadra Creek, a mile distant from what is now Clarksville, AR. During this time, Houston spent much of his time travelling to Washington as a delegate for the Cherokee tribe as well as drinking himself into the nickname, the Big Drunk The 1830 Arkansas Gazette published five letters written by Houston defending the rights of Native Americans.
Eventually, Houston and his family moved into Oklahoma Territory near Webbers Falls where he continued to work with various Indian groups. It is of note that in 1832, he made his first foray into Texas as an Indian delegate. When Tiana supposedly refused to accompany him, he gave her the home, land, two slaves and “divorced” her. During the summer 0f 1833, he returned for a short time and then spent several days recuperating from an old injury by soaking in the waters at Hot Springs.
Most of the rest of the story, we know from history books. He returned to Texas, became the commanding general of the Texas army which defeated Santa Anna, served as Texas President for two terms, as U.S. Senator, and was governor when the Civil War began. Houston was opposed to the war and refused to take an oath to the confederacy stating, “in the name of my own conscience and my own manhood…I refuse to take this oath.” He was removed from office.
It is also worthy of note that Houston had been a lifetime slave owner. The Emancipation Proclamation was passed in 1862 but was not accepted in Texas. Houston called all the slaves in and freed them in the last months of 1862, and they lived as de facto freeman from 1862 until the war ended. Joshua and Margaret Houston, two former slaves, remained in Huntsville, Texas. Joshua worked for many years as a blacksmith and served as county commissioner, started a school, and became an influential citizen in the region. At Joshua Houston’s request, he was buried near Sam Houston in Huntsville, Walker County, Texas.
Council Votes 4-2 to Approve Fourth Police Officer Position; Increases Rural Fire Dues
The Mansfield City Council met in regular session on Thursday night, January 23, 2025, at 6 p.m. All members of the council were present including Glen Hurt, James Steele, Julie Thomas, Beverly Lyons, Sheri Hopkins and Boyd Farmer. Also present, Mayor Buddy Black and Recorder/Treasurer Joy Maly.
After the approval of the minutes and financials of the previously held meeting, Mayor Black addressed the large crowd in attendance. “We would like to recognize the efforts of Zander Walters. His actions saved a human life on December 15, 2024. Your heroic actions will always be remembered.” Walters acted bravely and without regard to his own safety to save his neighbor, Sissie Payne, from a house fire. Walters was presented with a “Life Saving” award from the City of Mansfield, and a $50 gift card from the Chamber of Commerce. Walters family and friends were in attendance to witness the presentation. Also present, Payne, who expressed her heartfelt gratitude for Walters’ heroic actions. (See related story)
Following the presentation, the council heard the city services reports.
Fire Chief Michael Smith stated that they had a busy month with 52 total calls, nine fire and 43 medical. Smith stated that they have had to work on the heaters in both stations, and that the E One pumper was down due to the ABS braking system going out. Last, Smith stated that he needed to order AED batteries, pads, flashlights, and pike poles. Smith had gotten an estimate to purchase the batteries and pads for $2,116.53. The council voted to approve the purchase of those items. Smith stated he will get the estimates on the flashlights and pike poles.
Police Chief Wyatt McIntyre gave his report, noting a total of 16 traffic stops for the month. Those included three citations, and four warnings in Scott County and two citations and three warnings in Sebastian County. There were 17 total calls, four agency assists in Scott County and eight in Sebastian. There were four incident/arrest reports, one accident report, one school call, three medical and one fire call.
McIntyre displayed the “less lethal” option he stated agencies have moved to, JPX OC spray. He stated that he had been visiting with Lavaca Police Chief Randy Toon and sought the council’s permission to donate the department’s tasers to Lavaca. McIntyre noted that the officers will be receiving training on the use of these pepper guns.
Public Works Director Derrick Pollard presented his departmental report which included 154 service orders and eight One Call requests. Pollard stated that the R&R gas line project remains ongoing and is in the third stage. Lastly, Pollard noted that the new water pump/motor had come in and that they are working on that replacement.
Alderman Boyd stated that citizens had inquired about the city clearing streets after the snowfall. Pollard responded that they do not have the equipment to do it. Mayor Black noted that it had been done previously by the former public works director with his personal equipment.
The council then moved on to items of unfinished business, which included the approval of resolution 2025-1, resolution 2025-2, and resolution 2025-3. All three resolutions were passed unanimously.
In matters of new business, the approval of moving $20,801.21 from the waste fund to the general fund in order to pay former Police Chief Wayne Robb’s final pay, including accrued PTO time. The motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously.
Next, Mayor Black stated that the former recorder/treasurer had closed the city’s credit card account before leaving office and that the city needed one to use for normal business activities. The motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to open a new credit card account at Farmer’s Bank.
The council then considered a mutual aid agreement for police with the City of Hartford. Mayor Black stated that the Hartford Mayor had contacted him during the time their police chief had been placed on administrative leave. After a brief discussion, the council ultimately decided to take no action. However, noted that the Mansfield Police Department would assist Hartford Police when needed.
In other matters of new business, the consideration of allowing D.L. Upton to live in a travel trailer on 6th street (not zoned for mobile housing). The council, however, decided against making the exception.
Additionally, the council discussed raising rural fire dues, noting the small percentage of those who are paying. Councilwoman Thomas made the motion to raise the annual rural fire dues from $40 to $50 a year.
Mayor Black suggested a future study session to consider water tap increases. The date of that study session is yet to be determined.
In the last item of new business, the council considered adding a fourth police officer. “We have discussed this ad nauseum,” stated Black. Members who had historically voted against the addition were open to the idea with the new chief in position. “Under the former leadership I was against hiring a fourth officer,” declared Councilwoman Thomas. “However, since that time I gave my word that I would vote for it, and I am going to stick to it.” Also voicing approval, Councilman Farmer.
“We did not give city employees raises because we said we did not have the money,” responded Councilwoman Sheri Hopkins. “I will not vote for it…This report (holding up the police report) does not demonstrate the need for a fourth police officer.” Councilman Steele countered Hopkins, asking is she was “waiting for the city to burn down.”
Farmer maintained that he would approve the addition in order to have 24-hour police coverage. Councilman Steele motioned to approve the fourth officer position, and Farmer seconded the motion.
Before an official vote, McIntyre addressed the council stating, “you all don’t know me very well, but I have worked hard to have a good reputation…I have had several people, one a veteran officer, let me know they want to work for me…I want to have training programs…small but mighty.”
Mayor Black inquired of McIntyre if those people would be willing to work part time. He responded that he had not asked but would. With a motion and a second on the floor to move forward with the addition of a full-time, fourth officer position, the roll call vote proceeded: FOR – Hurt, Thomas, Steele, and Farmer. AGAINST – Lyons and Hopkins. The motion passed, 4-2.
With no other items of business on the agenda, the meeting of the Mansfield City Council was adjourned.
