In December of 2022, the City of Hartford received notification that they had been approved for a $100,000 Fun Park Grant. According to the award letter, the funds will be used to install play equipment, sunshade, interactive musical play structures, and site amenities at McClung Music Park.
McClung Music Park is located at the old Hartford Elementary School building on West Main and Maple Street.
“Before the grant, we added a playground for younger children, new swings, and currently putting in a basketball court,” stated Danielle Woodard, Hartford’s water clerk. “This grant will allow us to add a playground for older children, musical equipment, and a shade over the current playground equipment. We will also be adding trash cans, grills, benches, and other amenities…the park will be wheelchair accessible.”
Woodard stated there is no estimated start date. “We have stages that need to be completed before we move on to each step.”
She expressed the city’s gratitude towards WAPDD for their assistance with the grant process. The community is grateful for the efforts of Mayor Richard Hartsfield, and Woodard, in providing children and families with a park to enjoy.
Sitting at my table at the N.W. mall, I observed dozens of individuals sauntering by. Some were dressed in business like attire with a professional look about them. Many were casually dressed young kids with brightly colored hair and rings dangling from multiple locations. Regardless of occupation, social status, or age, the one thing they had in common was a cell phone stuck in their ear while they were carrying on a brisk conversation.
Telephones have long been a facet of Arkansas communities. As early as 1891, the Parks family started a telephone company used locally in Prairie Groove and extended it into Fayetteville the following year. By 1906, they had several hundred phones in western Washington County and had incorporated into what was known as the Prairie Grove Telephone company. Other small towns and communities across the state followed suit, resulting in a hodge-podge of local companies serving smallcommunities. Telephone companies struggled through the depression years and WWII but really expanded when Rep. Wilber Mills was successful in assisting them with low-interest loans through the Rural Electrification Act (REA). Soon, larger corporations such as ATT and others began to purchase and consolidate into large conglomerates. One of the larger companies in central Arkansas, owned by Hugh Wilbourn and Charles Miller, consolidated many small telephone companies and eventually created the telephone conglomerate, Alltell.
The year was 1967 and we had just moved into a small community that actually had telephone services. My dad, starting up a new business selling cars, had decided he needed a phone to conduct his work. We children had other ideals, our minds filled with thoughts of all the many friends we would now be connected to through this new technological marvel. Unfortunately, his dreams of increased business and ours of unlimited conversations all came to naught. In 1967, all the rural systems were hooked up to party line. Many of the “shared” lines were connected to as many as eight households. Ours was connected to only four but the four we shared our lines with were avid conversationalists. To those unaccustomed to party lines, the term meant that three other households shared one telephone line with you but only one household could use the phone at a time. Anyone picking up the phone could hear the conversations being conducted by the other line members.
The telephone company asked that people on the party line limit their calls to five minutes but our party line either had no clocks or measured time with a sun dial. I remember vividly wanting to make a call only to hear our neighbor Mildred exclaim to one of her sisters, “I’ll be right back. I’ve got to run outside and hang up the clothes.” I could hear the thump as she laid the telephone down on the table and went out the back door, leaving the line tied up while she worked. We learned quickly that we could keep up with all the news and gossip in our community by listening in to the conversations. If you unscrewed the mouthpiece from your digital phone, you could catch hours of information that was not available on channel 5 news. Telephone pranks were rampant. My brother Roger once called Mildred and posed as a telephone lineman. “Are you having some problems with your telephone clicking,’ he inquired. Everyone did of course. When she replied to the affirmative, he informed her she had entirely too much line from her phone to the wall. “Just give it a good yank,” he instructed. She must have followed his instructions because there was a sharp pop on the line as the cord was extracted. We had extensive use of the phone for a couple days until the line was repaired.
Today, according to an article I read recently, there are more telephones and cell phones in America than there are people. The mall certainly has its share!! A couple sit down at the table next to me, the woman talking excitedly on the phone. “Oh Jill, have you heard the latest,” she asked. This was too good to miss! I scooted my chair over closer, enjoying the moment. Ahh, just like ole times!!!
It’s normal to look at your backyard and wonder what you can do with this space. Many people choose to install a deck with some patio furniture or a pool. Those are fine ideas, but if you’re looking for something different, here are some great backyard projects to undertake in 2023.
Firepit
A firepit is a great project because it’s beginner-friendly, fully customizable, and it adds a relaxing element to your backyard. You can create firepits out of almost any size or shape of brick or paving stone, allowing you to match the style to the aesthetics of your home. You can also create a nice seating area around it for people to gather. Consider adding some fun extras, such as a grill top, if you want to use it for outdoor cooking.
Shipping Container Structure
Shipping container structures are a growing trend, and nearly anyone can install one in their backyard. Recycled shipping containers are low cost and come in different sizes to suit your yard or the scale of your project.
People often wonder whether or not shipping containers are a sustainable option for their backyard. Shipping container structures are a growing trend, and nearly anyone can install one in their backyard. Ultimately, shipping containers are low-maintenance and a great choice for adding a unique space to your home’s exterior.
Chicken Coop
One great backyard project to undertake this year is to build your very own chicken coop. The size, shape, and style may vary depending on how many chickens you plan to get. However, chickens are social creatures, so you should expect to get a small group of them.
You can design your coop from scratch, build one based on pre-existing blueprints, or buy a kit to put it together yourself. Chickens are a great source of entertainment, companionship, and responsibility, so the fun lasts longer than the time it takes to build the coop. Plus, free eggs are a nice bonus!
Mansfield Middle School 6th grade students, Lily Dyer and Rylie Moore, recently started a secret mission to make one fellow student’s dreams come true. In September, while sitting in history class, their teacher, Mrs. Holland, called upon Thomas Boyd to answer a question about a map they were studying in class. Thomas told the teacher he was unable to answer the question because he was color blind. With the help of his classmates, they answered the questions altogether. After class, the girls discussed how they wished Thomas could see color just like they could. Lily and Rylie decided on a secret mission to help Thomas to see color just like them. They went home that day after school and asked their parents if they could do a secret fundraiser to raise money to buy Thomas a pair of glasses that would allow him to see color like others. After getting their parents on board, the two girls went to work baking cookies, and Lilly even invented her own secret sugar cookie recipe to make the perfect delicious sugar cookies. The girls raised over $300 dollars to buy the special glasses for their classmate by selling 44 dozen sugar and chocolate chip cookies to friends, neighbors, teachers, and students. Once the money was raised, Lilly’s mother, Shenae Sanders, did the research and ordered Thomas the Enchroma glasses that would allow him to see reds and greens as we see color within our eyes.
Today, principal, Josh Brown, called the students out of class so that the girls could present Thomas his glasses and see a whole new world. Thomas’ reaction brought tears to everyone’s eyes as he was in awe that his fellow classmates would do such a sweet and kind gesture. He held back the happy tears as everyone told him the surprise. He thanked and hugged his friends for all their hard work. He also couldn’t believe the Razorbacks were red, a basketball was orange, and even the color of school bricks weren’t green anymore but finally red! His reaction was priceless and he couldn’t wait to see a Kansas City Chiefs’ logo and go home and look to see what color his dogs really are!
Eligible single parents are invited to apply for Summer 2023 scholarships at aspsf.org/applynow. The deadline to apply is March 15. Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) awards scholarships up to $1,200 to eligible single parents who are attending college or obtaining technical training. A full list of eligibility guidelines is available at aspsf.org/eligibility.
“ASPSF has helped me by showing support, lending an ear, and taking me as I am. I do not have to worry about hiding who I am and my troubles. Being a single mother can feel lonely sometimes but it’s good to know this organization exists to help support and uplift parents,” said recipient Myranda, who’s studying psychology at the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith.
ASPSF recipient Myranda with volunteer Dave Stevens.
If awarded, recipients can use the funds for any combination of school and/or household expenses that remove a financial burden and help the student stay in school.
Scholarships are combined with wraparound services — including workshops, mentorships, and tutoring — to create a support system helping single parents along their higher education journey to graduation and professional employment.
If a single parent is not attending summer school, he or she can apply later for another semester. Here are upcoming ASPSF scholarship application openings and deadlines: • Fall 2023 Semester: Apply between April 15-June 15, 2023 • Spring 2024 Semester: Apply between Aug. 15-Oct. 15, 2023 For more information about Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund — which has awarded more than $30 million in scholarships across the state to single parents since 1990 — contact ASPSF Program Manager Sandy Nelson at snelson@aspsf.org or (479) 551-2134.
About Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund: Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund works 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.
Linda Alice Robertson of Waldron, Arkansas passed from this life, Sunday, January 15, 2023 in Waldron, Arkansas with family by her side. Linda was born April 9, 1951 in Waldron to Theo Pete Leeper and Catherine (Rogers) Leeper. She was 71 years old.
Linda loved to watch cooking shows on television. Linda’s most precious gift was spending time with her family and especially her great-grandsons. Being a Granny to them meant the world to her.
Linda leaves behind to cherish her memory, 2 bonus grandsons: Kevin Schafer, and Brent (Amy) Riddle, two great-grandsons: Anthony and Axle Schafer, two sisters: Jody (Loyd) McDaniel and Larrain Smith all of Waldron, Arkansas and special caregiver and daughter of the heart Dawn Payne Taff. Linda, better known to most as Meme, will forever remain in the hearts of a host of extended family and friends she loved dearly.
Linda was preceded in death by her husband David, one son Christopher and one granddaughter Mallorie Schafer as well as her parents, Pete and Catherine Leeper, and siblings: Cathy Payne, Rogers Leeper and Glen Leeper.
Linda’s family will host a private memorial service at a later date. Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas.
You may leave words of comfort and remembrance for Linda’s family by visiting: www.heritagememorialfh.com.
FAYETTEVILLE- If you have not yet caught the Lady Razorbacks in person or on television this season, you are missing a real treat. Arkansas is off to its best start in almost fourteen years, and the Lady Razorbacks are shooting their way into contention in the SEC.
In a dramatic contrast to the Lady ‘Backs last home game that saw Arkansas rout Florida, the Vanderbilt Lady Commodores, led by head coach and former UConn assistant, Shea Ralph, gave Arkansas all they wanted before the Lady Razorbacks finally won on a buzzer beater by Makayla Daniels. Daniels’ shot from approximately 35 feet out with one second remaining in a tied game, banked off the backboard and into the net for an explosive win for Arkansas.
Senior veteran Makayla Daniels delivered when the Arkansas women’s basketball team (17-3, 4-1 SEC) needed her, banking a shot at the buzzer to elevate the Razorbacks to an 84-81 victory. With Arkansas up by three points with 10 seconds left and no timeouts for either team, Vanderbilt tied the game off a banked 3-pointer, their 13th triple of the night. Daniels took the ball down the other end and banked a halfcourt shot with one second on the clock to call the game, The win matches last year’s regular season win count at 17, while marking the best start for the Razorbacks in SEC play since 2005-06. All five starters reached double digits in scoring for the second time in three games.
Vanderbilt kept earning second-chance opportunities off attacking the glass, leading the Razorbacks 7-4 just four minutes into the game. With the Commodores still ahead, Chrissy Carr knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the game at 9-9. Both teams were held into a scoring drought for over two minutes, but Arkansas broke its drought first with a Maryam Dauda layup to help the Razorbacks lead for the first time in the game. Vanderbilt hit a 3-pointer for the last score of the quarter, as the Razorbacks trailed, 12-11.
Saylor Poffenbarger tied the game in the opening minutes of the second quarter with a free throw, and on the next possession, Carr hit her second triple after reaching 500 rebounds in her career shortly before that. Vanderbilt tied the game off a successful and-1, but Makayla Daniels answered on the other end with a triple. The Commodores responded again with another 3-pointer, showing that once Arkansas started to get in a groove offensively, Vanderbilt would answer. At the media timeout, Arkansas had the slight 23-22 advantage. Arkansas closed out the quarter making 5-of-7 field goals, including an Erynn Barnum layup, but a Vanderbilt jumper just before the half cut the deficit and Arkansas led 27-26 at the half.
The lead changed twice until Vanderbilt tied the game at 31 with a 3-pointer. Arkansas pulled ahead once again, but Vanderbilt responded again with a triple. At the media timeout, the game was tied at 37. Arkansas went three of four from the charity stripe to go up by three, but once again, Vanderbilt knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the game. Samara Spencer went up to double digits with a layup to pull the Razorbacks back ahead. Another Barnum layup and two Spencer free throws elevated the Razorbacks ahead by six, but a Vanderbilt 3-pointer cut the lead to three, as Arkansas went into the fourth quarter with a 50-47 edge.
Vanderbilt opened the final quarter with a jumper, but Spencer responded with a deep 3-pointer. Spencer did it once again with another deep 3-pointer after the Commodores cut the lead to one once again. After Spencer’s second triple, Vanderbilt called a timeout and Arkansas led 58-54 with 7:53 left in the game. Carr hit a huge 3-pointer and after an empty possession by Vanderbilt, Spencer came up with a layup, as the Razorbacks led 63-54 with seven minutes remaining in the game. Vanderbilt scored three unanswered points to cut into the lead with Arkansas leading 63-57 with six minutes and some change to go. A Barnum free throw put the Razorbacks up by eight with 4:31 left in the game. Vanderbilt would not go away, continuously cutting the deficit by making 3-pointers. The Commodores would go 7-for-7 from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter. With Arkansas up by three, 78-75, with 20 seconds left in the game, the Commodores banked a 3-pointer to tie the game at 81 with 10 seconds left in the game. Daniels charged the ball down the court to knock down a tough shot to send the Razorbacks out with an 84-81 win.
Samara Spencer (2) led Arkansas in scoring on the night with 23 points (RNN Sports Photo / Jim Best)
HOG HIGHLIGHTS
All five starters earned double digits in scoring for the second time in the last three games
Spencer led the Razorbacks with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the floor. She added five rebounds and three assists
Barnum had a solid night with 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks. She continues to perform on both ends of the floor
Daniels, the hero of the night, finished with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists
Poffenbarger logged 13 points and five rebounds
Carr reached 500+ rebounds in her collegiate career, finishing with four boards on the night. She also put up 11 points, four rebounds and two blocks
Arkansas went 25-for-35 from the free throw line
UP NEXT
Arkansas is up to its biggest tests of the season, starting with a road game at No. 3/5 LSU on Thursday, Jan. 19. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, with coverage of the game being broadcast on SEC Network.
Watch for more photos from Arkansas’s win over Vanderbilt later this week on RNN Sports’ “Team Press Pass” page on Facebook!
Note to Our Readers: Portions of this story were sourced directly from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Kylie Magar.
The Shawn Gauthier lead Impact included a High School 7v7 tournament with their Youth Showcase program
A vision that started as an alternative fall league, then a spring league, and now youth showcases. Has evolved once again. Included in this weekends Showcase at Greenland High School is a High School 7v7. While slightly an 11th hour decision it still brought in several of Northwest Arkansas and River Valley talent. Gentry All-Conference QB Senior Chris Bell and Elkins All-State RB Junior Da’Shawn Chairs joined Rogers All-Conference Freshman Linebacker Braxton Lindsey being the notables from Northwest Arkansas. Out of the River Valley a host of Greenwood Bulldogs made the trek up I-49.
Split into three teams Red, Black, and White. Team Black looked to be the most complete set of athletes that had played together at their local school with all but one member (FS Northside) hailing from Greenwood.
In the first game Da’Shawn Chairs quickly showed why he was an All-State selection for the Elks finding his way through the Team Black secondary and handling defensive duties. The Kane Archer led Team Black would show the same prowess that Greenwood fans saw a few times this past fall. Cash Archer made his presence known early with a couple QB rushes (a rule that was quickly changed) and then an interception. An interesting fold to the 7v7 tournament was a One on One competition to decide the winner of Game 1. Team White would pit their best receiver against Greenwood’s All-Conference Cornerback Landon Nelms. An underthrown pass was broken up by Nelms. Team Black had to score to win the game as Greenwood Sophomore Isaiah Arrington would get the pass from Archer for the T.D.
The 2nd game had Team Black facing the Chris Bell led Team Red that included Braxton Lindsey and Van Buren’s Jadyn Johnson. Chris Bell would go to Braxton Lindsey several times, but it was a catch by Isaiah Arrington that set the tone for the game. Jumping one handed in the back of the end zone while covered for the score got the biggest reaction. Team Black would go on to win Game 2.
Game 3 was Team Red vs Team White. Bristow, Oklahoma’s Darien Dansby would be the go to receiver early on mounting a large lead that would be erased with Chris Bell finding Braxton Lindsey several times in the end zone. This set up a Team Red vs Team Black Championship.
In the 4th game, Team Black and Team Red traded scores with Archer and Bell trading touchdowns. From there Team Black took a convincing win with TD passes to Arrington, L.J. Robins, Kaylor Jasna, and Cash Archer. Noah Chaser and Northside’s Issac Wright would have several clutch catches throughout the tournament as well. Team Black would be crowned the Champions of the first Impact 7v7 Tournament.
While the Tournament still has some kinks to work out, it accomplished the biggest part of the vision of Impact Sports. To bring something different for the Athletes of the four state area.
The Greenwood Lady Bulldogs added another 5A West Conference win with a 89-32 win.
Tuesday night the Lady Bulldogs beat the Van Buren 60-28. The Harrison Lady Goblins took the nearly 3 hour trip to the legendary H.B. Stewart Arena and did not fair much better.
In the first period Greenwood jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead until Harrison’s Brooklyn Mitchell would get them on the scoreboard. Greenwood would get a 26-4 lead at the end of the period with Anna Trusty getting 16 points, Brooklyn Woolsey with 6, Mady Cartwright had 4, and Carley Sexton and Izzy Smith adding 2 each. On the defensive side they absolutely stifiled Harrison from mounting any sort of consistency in shooting.
The 2nd period saw the starting 5 of Cartwright, Trusty, Woolsey, Sexton, and Adriana Rusin rotate out for the remainder of the half at the 4:59 mark. It did not slow down the Greenwood bench from showing how deep it was, adding 8 points to push the lead to 55-15. Freshman Kylah Pearcy got 6 points and Liddie-Ann Adams with 2 points.
Coming out of halftime saw the starting 5 putting up 17 more points to push the Greenwood to 72. They gave way to the bench again and with Pearcy taking advantage of the opportunity to get 7 more points.
4th period the Lady Bulldogs went deeper on the bench getting everyone on the 23 athlete roster in the game. Pate Jones came in a let her presence known with a 6 point effort, Madelyn Wilkinson added 2 points and Soraya Garcia also added 2.
Anna Trusty led with scoring 19 points, with Mady Cartwright getting 18. Brooklyn Woolsey and Kylah Pearcy with 13 each. Carly Sexton and Adriana Rusin both had 5 points.
“We came out and played well. We’ve got great kids that work hard everyday. We compete in practice, we’ve got a lot of players that can play and they all compete against each other every day.” Coach Reeves said after the game. “Fortunately, tonight, we played all 23 players. A lot of them scored and got up and down the floor a lot.”
Asked about the depth of bench coming in and being able to make an impact. “We mix ours up every day. If you’re not ready, our players in practice. If you are not focused and ready, somebody will take it from you. We try to stay after them to play hard, play defense. Always be ready, because you never know when your chance will be there.”
Up next the Lady Bulldogs take on Siloam Springs on Tuesday.
