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Obituary – TH Musgrove (1931-2023)

TH Musgrove, 91 of Mansfield, Arkansas, died Thursday, March 30th, 2023. He was born November 28th, 1931 to Gertie and T.K. Musgrove in Waldron, AR. TH was a loving, devoted and generous husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He was owner of Musgrove Drilling Company, a member of Mansfield First Baptist Church, and a Gideon. He was also a 50-year member of the Reid Lodge # 163 F & AM, a Shriner, and Amrita Grotto. He served as the director of the Arkansas Water Well Commission for several years. He was District Deputy Grand Master of the Western District. He also served as a member of the Mansfield City Council. He was the founding member of the Black Jack Mountain Racing Club and an avid motorcyclist. TH also served as a medic during the Korean War.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Betty Ann of Mansfield; his sons Bobby (Deborah) of Mansfield; Harold (Janet) of Mansfield and daughter, Elizabeth Mastin (Wendell) of Fort Smith; a daughter-in-law, Pam, eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and two soon-to-arrive great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Gary, two brothers, five sisters, along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren that the Lord kept in Heaven.

TH was known by many as a kind-hearted, caring, never met a stranger, Christian man. He was someone that believed in the Lord Jesus and would talk about his Savior to everyone he met. One of his questions when talking to people was if they were a Christian. As a member of the Gideon’s prison ministry team, he helped lead many souls to the Lord. He told family every time they gathered that he prayed for them each night by name. He was a man that walked in his faith which led him on mission trips in Haiti and Guatemala to share the gospel and drill water wells.

Growing up, TH followed in his father’s footsteps in the family drilling business. If one saw him working on the rig with his sons around lunch time, TH would be holding a sandwich in one hand while wearing a glove on the other side to operate the drilling rig. The orange and blue rig that he drove to drilling sites was easily recognized by many in the area. Even after his retirement, TH still went to drill sites with his sons to give advice and enjoy being with family.

As TH grew older, his family continued to be the joy of his life. He always had a smile and a hug for each of his grandchildren. His heart grew more as each great-grandchild was born. He was awaiting the arrival of his great-great grandchildren when he passed.

Visitation will be held Sunday, April 2 from 5-7 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Mansfield, AR. Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 3 at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Mansfield Burial will be held at Coop Prairie Cemetery with full military honors. Arrangements are under the direction of Martin Funeral Home of Mansfield.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Musgrove, Timothy Musgrove, Calvin Mastin, Wesley Musgrove, Jason Bates, Gary Hunt, Bob Mask, Michael Smith and Jackie Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Betti and Lewis Farrar.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International and St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105-1942.

Online condolences may be sent at www.martinfuneralhomes.com

MMS Student Shines in Ring

Pursuing a dream at any age takes dedication and fortitude. But, for one Mansfield Middle School student, he’s making that dream a reality.

Gabe Haysmer developed an enthusiasm for boxing at an early age. His parents, Albert and Kristy, have nurtured and supported that passion. Currently, he is poised to compete across the bi-state area.

Pictured are Coach Albert Haysmer, Joseph York and Coach Terry Clark. York, 20, is headed to the mid-south Golden Glove in Memphis, TN.

He will join seven other members of the Fort Smith Boxing Club and travel to Augusta, AR, and Oklahoma City, OK to compete. Four, including Haysmer, will be boxing in the Arkansas State Junior Olympics on April 28 and 29.

Eight competitors, with Coaches Albert Haysmer and Terry Clark, who will be competing over the next few weeks in the bi-state area.

Albert Haysmer has joined the Coaching staff, alongside longtime Coach, Terry Clark. These coaches have spent countless hours volunteering their time to help the youth within the club achieve their dreams. In fact, that is the motto of the club, “Where Dreams are Made.”

Traveling with the competitors takes a great deal of resources, however. “When we travel, food and lodging costs add up,” shared Coach Albert Haysmer. The club operates on donations and support from businesses.

“We teach them how to responsibly deal with anger,” added Coach Albert Haysmer. It is a tool that is making the difference in the lives of teenagers who might otherwise be misguided.

All four competitors take the win in Augusta, AR!

The look of achievement and pride on the faces of young Gabe Haysmer and his teammates, it’s fair to say the program is a success.

If you, or your business would like to sponsor the club, or make a monatery donation, big or small, it would be extremely beneficial to these budding athletes.

For more information, contact Coach Terry at 479-226-6669 or Coach Haysmer at 479-207-0918.

Registered boxers at the Fort Smith Boxing Club.

Reasons Why Some People Don’t Visit Their Doctor

As everyone likely already knows, visiting your doctor is important, especially when something is wrong. Even though the process of visiting them doesn’t sound too difficult in theory, many people struggle to do it when they need to.

There are several reasons why some people don’t visit their doctor as often as they should. We’re here to go over them as well as give some advice that should help you gain the confidence needed to plan a visit.

They Don’t Have the Money

One of the biggest reasons people avoid going to the hospital is the high expense of health care in this country. Even if you have good insurance, the cost of certain procedures might be way too high for someone to reasonably afford. This leaves people with no choice but to ignore it, which will only make the condition worse.

Unfortunately, there’s not much individuals can do about this other than vote for politicians who work toward fixing this issue. Outside of that, you can sign up for government medical programs or find companies to work for that offer great benefits.

They’re Embarrassed About What They Have

One problem that people have a lot more control over is the embarrassment of admitting that they have a problem. Certain conditions, like athlete’s foot or incontinence, can be embarrassing to admit that you have. It’s not always the doctors that people worry about when it comes to this issue either. Sometimes, it’s the fear of ridicule from friends, family, or even themselves.

Admitting that you have a problem isn’t easy, but your doctor will be the best person to talk to about these kinds of issues. For example, many people don’t know the most common mistakes to avoid with incontinence simply because they’ve never talked to a medical professional about it. Regardless of your condition, though, your doctor will be there to help and won’t make you feel bad for having it. If they do, you can find a new doctor.

They Don’t Think It’s That Important

The final reason why some people decide not to visit their doctor is that they don’t think it’s that important. While things like yearly checkups might seem like overkill, it’s the best way to ensure you’re still in good health. When it comes to personal health, prevention is the best way to fight off most issues.

Conditions like cancer and heart disease are much more maintainable if you catch them early. Finding out too late will limit your potential treatment options. So even if you feel fine, you should still try to go in once a year or so for a regular checkup. Be sure to tell your doctor about anything you might be experiencing while you’re there.

Helpful Tips for Growing Vegetables in a Big Garden

Starting a garden is always a good idea. You get to try out a relaxing new hobby and get some fresh air. Plus, it’s oh-so-satisfying to take that first crunchy bite of a vegetable that you grew yourself. However, there’s a difference between planting a small garden in a box versus taking care of an entire field of potential produce. Use these helpful tips for growing vegetables in a big garden if you’re working with a lot of space.

Using Good Soil

Soil quality is one of the most vital aspects of growing plentiful, healthy vegetables. It’s a good idea to have soil with some natural moisture that doesn’t feel too dry. You may have trouble planting crops if your soil is too dusty or compacted. You want soil that sticks when you apply pressure but easily breaks apart. Soil with natural elements such as broken leaves and ground bark helps farmers grow healthy crops.

Having Helpful Equipment

One helpful tip for growing vegetables in a big garden is to invest in anything that requires you to move around less. When you’re taking care of a large plot of land, working smarter instead of harder can save you a lot of time and hassle. We recommend investing in irrigation systems and timers that help supply steady watering to your plants. A UTV can make farming tasks easier by helping you transport things or plow fields before beginning a new harvest. Getting the right equipment for your big garden can make a significant difference.

Limiting Pesticides

There’s a lot of debate about using pesticides. Only a small percentage of the insects that visit your garden is harmful, but those unwanted visitors can cause plenty of damage. That said, many people don’t really like the idea of using pesticides on something we plan to eventually eat. A general piece of advice is that if you feel you must use insecticides, use them very sparingly and only apply them later in the day or evening. Many of the insects that may visit your garden in the early morning are beneficial insects and pollinators, and you don’t want your pesticides to remove them from the equation.

“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

By Sheri Hopkins
Lifestyle Contributor

Hello everyone! Loving this weather in God’s country here in the River Valley. Thank you to everyone who came out to the circus, it was a big success and the Chamber of Commerce thanks you.

I almost loaded up my car and followed the circus to Hugo, OK. I could have done one of three acts, the fat lady, bearded lady or a clown. They sure acted like they enjoyed doing the circus.

If ya’ll haven’t drove by my house and seen the biker rabbit you sure need to. I ordered the mask from Amazon and thought he was cute. Obviously, I was wrong because I got several comments on Facebook, also known as funny book by Phil Lowe. Here are a few of the adjectives used to describe my rabbit: creepy, spooky, scary, terrifying, a few said cute, and some loved it. So that all being said, drive by my house and feel free to take your kid’s pictures with my Easter bunny.

I have to think of what I can do next. Jacob flat out told me my rabbit was creepy. Could he not just tell a small white lie to make me feel better?!! No, he can’t. Once, before he got his driver’s license, I tried to get him to run to CV’s for me and pick up something and he flat refused and said, “that’s illegal, mom.” Honey, back in 1981, I drove every road in this town without a license. My mom could have cared less, she just let me drive everywhere. I hope no police see this. Oh, I am sure the statute of limitations is in my favor.

One day my sister was coming from Waldron headed to Fort Smith and she was on 71 Highway, between Mansfield and Greenwood. She said traffic was backed up for miles. She said someone in front was going so slow. When they finally got on the four lane everyone was passing the car that was going so slow. When she looked over at them, it was Jacob leading the pack. She said she laughed so hard she about croaked. Let me tell ya he wasn’t going to go one mile over the speed limit. One time while he was still living at home, I had forgot to get his car tags renewed. I knew if I told him he wouldn’t drive the car. After he went to work up at the Heartland Pharmacy, I ran and got the new tags and I had to sneak up there and put the sticker on the car.

I guess what I’m trying to tell ya’ll is I have raised a law-abiding citizen. He wouldn’t break the law or tell a white lie to his momma. One more thing about my son. Don’t ever let him cut your hair. One day I came home from work and Jacob and his daddy were outside under the carport and Jacob had the clippers and Chuck was having him cut his hair. Why on Earth would Chuck Hopkins have Jacob cut his hair?! Needless to say, there was a big bald spot on the back and they ended up having to shave it.

Can I just tell ya’ll that Jacob did not take after his momma. Not that I break all the laws, but I do speed and I have went seven months without renewing my car tags. I guess I thought I had done it so I called over to the revenue office because I thought someone stole my sticker and she said, “no ma’am, you didn’t renew them.” Yes, penalty and all, I went and got my tags renewed. As I tell my kids, do as say, not as I do.

This week’s recipe used to be one of my favorites at Taco Bell back years ago, but this copycat is pretty close.

MEXICAN PIZZA
1 pound ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning mix
3/4 cup water
1 cup vegetable oil
8 flour tortillas (taco size)
15 oz. can refried beans
10 oz. can of red enchilada sauce
2 cups of Mexican shredded cheese
Toppings: dices tomatoes, sliced green onions, sliced black olives
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large skillet, brown and crumble the ground beef. Drain excess grease. Add taco mix and water and stir. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until thick. In a large skillet, heat up the oil over medium heat and add the tortillas one at a time and cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping frequently until crisp. Continue with the rest of the tortillas. Set aside. Heat up the refried beans. This makes them easier to spread (I use the microwave). On each tortilla, slather a generous layer of beans, then top with seasoned ground beef. Place another tortilla on top and slather with about two tablespoons of enchilada sauce. Then place some shredded cheese on top of the sauce. Continue to assembly the rest of the tortillas the same way. Place the pizzas on a nonstick baking sheet (I used parchment paper) and bake for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is melted. Serve with your favorite toppings. I like sour cream, also. Enjoy this Mexican pizza! I hope everyone has a Happy Easter!

Paris Comes Back From Big Deficit to Defeat Two Rivers, 17-14

On a cloudy spring afternoon in Paris that threatened rain for most of the day, the Paris Lady Eagles and Two Rivers moved the start time of their game from the original schedule of 5 p.m. to 4 p.m. in anticipation of a rainy forecast. Depending on what source you used today for your weather information, rain was predicted to arrive in Paris around 6 p.m. on Thursday…and that is just what happened.

But the rescheduled start time of 4 p.m. turned out to be almost 4:20 p.m. as both teams waited for the officiating crew to arrive. Valuable time was lost with the delay, and as a result, the game was called in the Paris half of the sixth inning with one out. Two Rivers would not have a chance to take their last at-bat in the seventh inning due to lightning in the area.

The Two Rivers Lady Gators entered the game 0-2 in conference play having lost to Charleston and Cossatot River. Paris, fresh off of a devasting road loss at Hackett on Wednesday, entered the game on Thursday with a 1-4 record in the 3A-4. Paris’s only conference win was at Danville. Two Rivers, Danville and Cedarville were winless in the conference going into Thursday’s games.

Paris having played division leaders Hackett and Booneville this week, were now at a point in the schedule where most observers felt they could compete and improve their conference record. But Thursday’s game did not start out that way.

Paris took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and seemed to be off to a very good start. But the Lady Gators would answer…and answer big. Two Rivers amassed a 10-run lead in the third inning, and Paris was again in jeopardy of being in a run-ruled, shortened game.

But the young Lady Eagles, who have continued to fight through adversity against very good competition, fought back and eventually tied the game in the fifth inning at 14-14. By this time, the weather was threatening with dark clouds, thunder, and lightening that seemed to be moving toward the ballpark.

Paris would eventually score three more runs and take the lead 17-14. Two Rivers was visibly shaken after seeing their big lead evaporate in the misty rain that was beginning to fall.

With Paris batting in the bottom half of the sixth, and with one out, the umpire crew called the game. After discussions with both coaches, the game went final, and the Paris Lady Eagles had clawed their way back from a huge deficit to win their second conference game.

With the win, Paris improved their conference record to 2-4, three and a half games behind conference leader Hackett. Two Rivers dropped their conference record to 0-3 along with Cedarville and Danville. The Lady Eagles are currently fifth in the conference behind leaders Hackett, Charleston, Booneville, and Cossatot River.

The Lady Eagles showed great character and competitive sprit on Thursday. After many hardships on the road this week, it felt great to see the team have some success and fun on the field. Paris fans hope to see the fun continue next Tuesday, April 4, when the Lady Eagles host Cedarville at 5 p.m. RNN Sports will be in Paris next Tuesday to bring you coverage of the Lady Eagles’ conference softball game with Cedarville.

Stamping Out Hunger

Every second Saturday in May, letter carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America collect the goodness and compassion of their postal customers, who participate in the NALC Stamp Out Hunger National Food Drive — the largest one-day food drive in the nation.

Carriers collect non-perishable food donations left by mailboxes and in post offices and deliver them to local community food banks, pantries and shelters. 

To donate, just place a bag of non-perishable food next to your mailbox before your letter carrier delivers mail on the second Saturday in May. The carrier will do the rest. The food is sorted, and delivered to an area food bank or pantry, where it is available for needy families.

One in eight Americans face hunger every day in America. This drive is one way you can help those in your own city or town who need help.

Nearly 400 single parents receive Spring 2023 scholarships from ASPSF

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) awarded 383 scholarships to single parents for the Spring 2023 semester.

Totaling just under $400,000, the scholarships are combined with services, such as mentoring and financial planning. ASPSF’s model creates a support system designed to help low-income single parents stay in school, graduate with a degree or certificate, and start a professional career with higher wages.

“This scholarship has helped greatly with the financial burden that comes with being a single parent. The money from the scholarship has helped making ends meet in time of hardships,” said Spring 2023 recipient Latisha French, a social work major at University of Arkansas–Fort Smith.

Supporters who funded the Spring 2023 single parent scholarships include individuals, churches, small businesses, and various banks and United Way organizations across the state.

In addition, funding is provided in part by Arkansas Community Foundation, Arkansas Division of Higher Education, Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation, Charles A. Frueauff Foundation, Conway Corp, Entergy, First Electric Cooperative, Union Pacific, and the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation to name a few.

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund recipient Devin Bray (left) celebrates his Spring 2023 scholarship with his family and ASPSF Program Manager Sandy Nelson. Devin is working on a nursing degree at Arkansas Tech University. (Photo Courtesy ASPSF)

Single parents are eligible for ASPSF scholarships if their household income is typically not more than 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, and have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree, among other requirements. The scholarship aid is flexible for recipients to use to pay for the biggest barriers between them and their education.

ASPSF’s next scholarship application period is April 15-June 15 for the Fall 2023 semester. Scholarship amounts will increase for all eligible full-time and part-time single parents to a maximum of $1,600 (up from $1,200).

For more information about the nonprofit — which has awarded more than $35 million in scholarships across the state to single parents since 1990 — contact ASPSF Communications Director Jen Para at jpara@aspsf.org or 479.318.2885.

About Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund:  For more than 30 years, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund has worked to create stronger, more educated, and more self-sufficient families. Through scholarships and services, ASPSF opens doors for low-income single parents, helping them pursue education, secure employment, and transform the future for their families. With the help of volunteers and community support, ASPSF creates multigenerational change, transforming lives for both single parents and their children. For information about scholarships, volunteer opportunities, and ways to give, visit www.aspsf.org.

Timepiece: Hippie Generation

By Dr. Curtis Varnell

The young man lay on the shoulder of the road, his thumb projected up into the air.  Nearby, a sign was propped against the street sign with the message, San Francisco or bust.  My dad was not impressed, “One more hippy that will go bust.  No-one in Arkansas is going to pick up a hitchhiker too lazy to at least stand up and ask for a ride.”  I am not sure if my dad was right or wrong but the young man on the side of the road was representative of a generation of youth that wanted to tune in, turn on, and drop out of a society they disagreed with.

The 1960’s was a period of social unrest with civil rights and opposition to the Vietnam War as the rallying points of protest.  Centered in San Francisco and the urban East Coast, many young people were attracted to the music, life-style, and ideals of the hippie community.

Arkansans, more conservative and rural, were probably less sympathetic and less politically affected by the generation but yet were influenced by what has become known as the “hippie generation.”  Groups of hippies saw rural Arkansas as an ideal place to form rural self-supporting communes.  Often distrusted by the locals, it was difficult for them to fit into the clannish communities of the Ozarks and Ouachita’s.  One such group, the Dan Blocker Singers made it big as performers in Hollywood, eventually moved to Greer’s Ferry and started a commune.  Not the typical long-haired, pot growing or free-love group, the word “commune” still invoked visions of what Arkansans viewed as the far-left.  The group performed around the state, including at the lodge at Mt. Magazine, but were blamed for everything from vandalism to murder.  Eventually, community antagonism resulted in the dissolution of the commune.  Dixon Bowles, one of the group leaders, remained in Little Rock and founded the well-known Aristotle internet service.

One communal group moved into our community and started a small rural farm enterprise.  Using an old chicken house, they began raising animals, tilling the land in pioneer fashion, and rebuilding the old run-down farmhouse.  Knowing little about rural life, communal farming was not the ideal lifestyle and it ended rather quickly when winter approached.  Deciding to use a wood stove for heat, they ran the stove pipe into the ceiling like they had seen locally.  Never dawning on them that an exit chimney or flue was required, the attic soon caught on fire and ended their communal experience.  I always felt sorry for them.  They were a friendly group and always yelled and waved at we kids’ as they drove past in their psychedelic painted van.

A little later than main-stream America, the hippie influence filtered into our schools.  Guys began wearing pants with large flared bell bottoms, letting their hair grow long, and dressing in brighter colors.  I vividly remember my purple and white striped bell-bottom pants, my dark purple shirt, and my natural fro.  Even more vivid in my remembrance of those mini-skirts, getting increasing shorter as the girls mimicked some model called Twiggy.  Eventually, to counter the effects of the scarcity of skirt length, our local schools allowed girls to start wearing, of all things, pants.  Of course, the top still had to be of such lengths that the girls could grasp the bottom of the tunic when their arms were full extended. 

Lucy in the Sky and Looking out my Back Door were just great songs to me, not a part of a psychedelic drug music industry.  I still list Credence Clearwater Revival as one of my favorite singing groups. As the Arkansas 70’s kids reached draft age and began entering college, the words pot, LSD, and draft cards became a more familiar part of the vocabulary. 

The hippie movement of the 60’s resulted in improvements in Civil Rights, perhaps hastened the end of the Vietnam War, and then gradually faded into our collective memory.  Replaced by the more starched-collar, get-ahead Yuppie generation, it remains as a unique period in American and Arkansas history.

Wash Their Feet

Early in my time as a momma I read some wonderful advice on calming a cranky child or influencing a mood shift in general towards a happier one- add water. It’s worked countless times, and I’ve shared that before in this space.

At some point later came a different advice, still with water but deeper- wash their feet. 

I can’t say I’ve used that advice as much as I have the add water one. My “big kid” has had a lot of baths and showers in his life to influence a shift in attitude. It’s not always I will take the time to wash their feet, probably because it shifts my mood. Sometimes I am stuck in my own mood and projecting, or influencing, my children to turn sour themselves. It’s much easier to “fix” the kids attitudes by putting them in water and keep my own bad one.

Washing someone’s feet is humbling. Jesus washed the disciples feet. He showed us his own humility that he would take the place of a servant by washing their feet before he would take the place of our sins on the cross.

My youngest is loud. She’s the only girl, and she screams. She usually doesn’t cry, it is very much a scream. Recently she had been screeching all day and I was exasperated. She’s a baby, 16 months. There’s only so much I can do. I plopped her up on the bathroom cabinet and dangled her feet into the sink. She giggled as I washed her little feet in the sink. Both our moods shifted, she screamed less, and I no longer felt like screaming. 

Thank you Jesus for the demonstration not only on the cross but also before.

Thank you for foot washing, water, and the ability to shift our moods.