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Obituary – James Arnold Cheesman (1961-2022)

James Arnold Cheesman of Waldron, Arkansas passed from this life, Friday, November 4, 2022 in Waldron, Arkansas. James was born June 8, 1961 in Waldron, Arkansas to Dempsie Cheesman and Maxine Waite Cheesman. He was 61 years old.

James was a man who was never married and had no children. However, he enjoyed being with his large extended family and friends. He was also up a trip to go fishing or hunting and in the summer he loved going swimming. 

James leaves behind to cherish his memory, his long time girlfriend, Linda Ragland, and siblings: Barbara Scott, Mayrene Payne, Louis Swafford, Mary Ann Manning, John Ed Cheesman, David Cheesman and Dean Cheesman. James will forever remain in the hearts of a host of nieces and nephews. James will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including many friends and neighbors he loved dearly.

James was preceded in death by his parents Dempsie and Maxine, brothers Jerry Dale Cheesman and Dempsie Ray Cheesman and sisters, Judy Cox and Jane Underwood.

James’ graveside celebration of life will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery near Waldron, Arkansas. Interment will follow. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

James visitation will be Monday, November 7, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.

Why You Should Buy Solid Wood Furniture for Your Home

There are many options for furnishing a house on the market these days. While there’s a fairly even spread across all types of furniture, solid wood options tend to be one of the lower-selling choices. The biggest reason for this usually comes down to price, but there are many benefits that most people overlook when considering solid wood furniture. That’s why we’re taking the time today to explore why you should consider buying this type of furniture for your home.

It’s Extremely Durable

The most notable benefit of wooden furniture is its exceptional durability. Wood furniture is a generational part of the home. Thanks to the material’s structural integrity, you can pass it down to your kids, and they might even be able to pass it down to the next generation. You’ll rarely have to worry about parts of the furniture breaking; even if a crack does occur, wood is extremely easy to fix. Granted, some types of wood are stronger than others, but most variations will hold strong for many years.

It’s a Worthwhile Investment

As previously mentioned, the high price tag of solid wood furniture can scare people away. Once you consider the wood’s durability, that investment becomes worth every penny. When you buy a wooden table or desk, you can rest easy knowing you’ll never need to buy one again.

Even if the day comes when you no longer want this piece of furniture, you’ll be able to make most of your money back, if not more. People recognize that this secondhand product won’t break and value that investment. It will last them as long as it lasted for you, if not longer.

It Adds a Touch of Nature

Most of today’s furniture options lend a more modern or industrial look to a space. While this isn’t necessarily bad, homeowners who prefer a more simplified, natural look should opt for wood furniture instead. There’s a reason why using furniture pieces featuring wood is one of the main ways to make your home feel more rustic. Allowing wood to be the centerpiece of your home adds warmth and familiarity to a living space.

It’s Environmentally Friendly

The final reason you should buy solid wood furniture for your home is that it can be the most environmentally friendly option. While people don’t like the idea of cutting down trees to craft furniture, the bigger problem is what happens after people throw furniture items out. Most synthetic materials used in other furniture aren’t biodegradable, unlike wood.

If you want to avoid contributing to deforestation, you can still pursue alternatives when obtaining wooden furniture. Some companies only use reclaimed wood for their new furniture, while others only sell preowned wooden pieces. Regardless of which option you go with, you can rest easy knowing that your choice didn’t hurt the environment.

Timepiece: Vacation Arkansas Style

By Dr. Curtis Varnell

Vacationing growing up did not have the same connotations as it does today.  My children think vacation means a week-long trip to the beach, a journey on a cruise boat, or Disneyland.  I am not sure they would appreciate the great times we had as a family growing up.  

Like many families at that time, we had more children than money so most of our trips were restricted to small one-day journeys or to staying at homes of relatives.  I was twenty-two years old and a teacher before I spent my first night in a hotel.

Our first big theme park vacation was a one-day visit to Dogpatch.  We loaded up the car with parents, five kids, and Connie, our next door neighbor.  I am not sure how we managed in the days before the mini-vans but we definitely had togetherness.

Dad liked to leave early; probably because we were half-asleep and quiet and then, he would bring us back late when we were too tired to fuss.  Traveling north of Dover, we journeyedthrough metropolitan Booger Hollow with its fame to notoriety of having seven inhabitants counting the one coon dog.  We would stop at some of the overlooks, stretch and find a restroom and, eventually, we would find a location with a picnic table to use for lunch.  Bologna sandwiches, soda, chips followed by watermelon was a real treat.  Stopping in a sit-down restaurant is just not the same as sharing a picnic table while looking out over the deep valleys far below the Ozark mountain peaks.

What Dogpatch lacked in size, it made up for in availability.  After arriving, a tram delivered you to the charming hillbilly village of Dogpatch, made famous from a cartoon strip created by Al Capp.  Complete with moonshiners, hayseeds, and lazy backwoods hillbillies, the town offered a variety of rides and entertainment.

No standing in lines for a half-hour or more, we often could get off and right back on many of the rides.  My favorite ride was Hairless Joe’s Kickapoo barrel. Rotating rapidly, the centripetal force of the barrel would force you against the wall and hold you firmly in place while the floor below you disappeared.  Once, after two or three consecutive ride, one of my friends threw up with typical results.  Vomit clung to the wall until the machine slowed, at which time it slowly slid down the wall with us.  Needless to say, several others on the ride developed the same stomach symptoms.  The log ride, stage coach, and the Po’kChop railroad were prime entertainment followed by blue-grass music in one of the several theaters.  

Daisy Mae Scragg, Li’l Abner, Mammy Yokum and other characters from the comic strip wandered around the park, presenting short skits and generally entertaining the crowd.  I could never, ever understand Li’l Abner trying to escape from the beautiful Daisy; I guess that demonstrated that the boy just wasn’t all there. 

On a later, longer trip, we traveled to Silver Dollar City.  An overnight trip, we spent the night camping at Marvel Cave, sleeping under the stars in pallets. Whipoorwills sang in the darkness, joined by a myriad assortment of insects, and the gentle snores of family members.  

My kids are typical in that they travel in a mini-van, i-phones in hand, and with a video player in the back seat.  Interstate highways, chain hotels, and fast food are major components of today’s vacations but I sometimes feel my family miss out on some of the best opportunities to share life together as a family.

Don’t Sass The ‘Squatch! The Hunt Is On For Blood Donors

Arkansas Blood Institute is on the hunt for blood donors to make a lifesaving difference for their fellow Arkansans.

Join the Walmart Greenwood at a blood drive with Arkansas Blood Institute from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., on Saturday, November 19, on the bloodmobile. 

Successful blood donors will receive a free limited-edition, Bigfoot-inspired t-shirt.

“Blood donation has always been an easy way to help a neighbor,” said Dr. John Armitage, President and CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute. “While the search for Bigfoot continues, in the meantime you can find him on our t-shirts while helping save lives in our local hospitals.”

Arkansas Blood Institute is the local, non-profit blood supplier, supporting the inventory for patients in more than 40 hospitals, medical facilities, and air ambulances statewide.

Anyone 16 years old* or older is encouraged to donate. Appointments can be made by calling 877-340-8777 or visiting arkbi.org. Blood donation typically takes only about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives.

How To Prepare Your Family for a Tornado

Tornados aren’t common in all areas. But if you live in Tornado Alley, chances are you frequently experience storms with the potential for tornados, especially in the spring and summer. For reference, Tornado Alley starts in the southern plain region and stretches up through the Midwest of America. If you live in tornado-prone areas, it’s necessary to take precautionary steps to stay safe. Here’s how to prepare your family for a tornado.

Build an Emergency Kit

Building an emergency kit is essential in any natural disaster. You want to ensure that you have the necessary tools and supplies in the event of an emergency, accident, or injury. There are several helpful tips for building an emergency kit on a budget. You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money on your supplies, but you should make sure you have the essentials. You should include things like bandages, gauze, medical tape, scissors, antibacterial ointment, flashlights, batteries, and a radio.

Create a Safety Plan

Another way to prepare your family for a tornado is by creating a safety plan. Having a plan ensures that you and your family will know what to do if a tornado occurs in your area. Your plan can include things like what to do, what to grab, and where to go during and after a tornado. It’s helpful to write this plan down so you can reread it if you ever need to.

Determine a Shelter

Determining a shelter is another important preparation tip for tornados. A safe shelter is one of the most important elements of preparing your family for this type of natural disaster. Tornadoes cause a lot of damage and destruction, so it’s necessary to find a safe place to go during one of these storms. When choosing your shelter, avoid upper floors and rooms with windows. You should always stay on the ground level of your home if possible. Basements are also a fantastic choice if that option is available.

Practice Tornado Drills

It’s also beneficial to practice tornado drills. At-home drills are a great way to prepare your family for emergencies, especially fires and tornados. Run through your tornado safety plan with your loved ones at home and practice what you would do in the event of a tornado. Make sure everyone knows where the emergency kit and the designated shelter are, and practice hiding in the shelter together. Going through these drills will help you to prepare and work out any kinks in your plan so you can make it more effective.

Now that you have some essential safety tips for preparing your family for a tornado, you can utilize these strategies in your home today. Make sure everyone you live with knows what to do in these situations so you can keep your family safe and secure during emergencies and natural disasters.

Signs That You May Need To Upgrade Your Light Fixtures

How often do we replace the lighting in our homes? Depending on when your place was built, it may have been decades since anyone made any upgrades or adjusted the fixtures. Here are a few signs that you may need to upgrade your light fixtures to try and illuminate your home in a more vibrant way.

You Don’t Have Enough Light

If your home is using older fixtures, it’s likely that you’re not getting as much light as you’d like. You might be able to get a little more by upgrading your bulbs to a higher lumen. However, if it seems like no matter where you’re standing in a room, it’s just not getting enough light, you may want to consider getting some new fixtures. You can swap out existing lights and work with an electrician to possibly install a few extra ones to shine some light on darker parts of the room.

They Clash With Your Design

Many residential areas come equipped with flush-mount dome lights. Plenty of people don’t enjoy these lighting options. Many homes have them because they’re often a cost-effective option, but that doesn’t mean they go well with your home décor.

When you design your home, you want complete control over the aesthetic. We recommend finding some lights that work for your style.

Old and Faulty Lights

One of the most telltale signs that you may need to upgrade your light fixtures is when you notice they’re not performing as well as they used to. The fixtures in your home or apartment have likely been there since the home was built. Do you ever notice your lightbulbs buzzing or flickering? These symptoms could be a sign of worn-down fixtures. Even if you decide to upgrade to something in the same vein or style as what you have, you can rest easy with modern fixtures installed by a professional electrician.

Things To Consider Before Getting Barn Animals

Many people tend to assume that owning and caring for animals will be a walk in the park. After all, how difficult can it be? However, one thing barn owners will tell you is that owning animals comes with a plethora of responsibilities you must know before getting into this lifestyle. Animals can be finicky and high-maintenance, requiring as much attention and care as a human. That is why it is useful and important for you to consider certain things before getting barn animals.

Consistent Commitment

Whether you are thinking about obtaining barn animals for business or personal use, one thing remains the same: they are a huge commitment. If you have ever owned a house pet, you can understand that there are no days off when it comes to caring for them. When you own barn animals, that sentiment increases tenfold. As such, it is useful to ask yourself if you are ready, able, and willing to take on the 24/7 commitment that barn animals require.

Choose Best Shelter

One important thing to understand before getting barn animals is that the most unassuming choices you make could negatively affect their health. Something as simple as choosing the right shelter size for your animal is important, as there are several aspects to consider.

For example, owning barn animals comes with the ever-present danger of exposure to toxic levels of ammonia. That is why you must choose a shelter with natural ventilation or ensure you take the proper actions to have a high-quality ventilation system in your shelter.

Consider the Costs

A huge aspect that many people miss is the fact that owning barn animals can be quite expensive. That is why you should consider the potential costs down the line before getting barn animals. Keep in mind the continual costs of feed, vet visits, barn repairs, and overall care that your animals will always need.

Moreover, unexpected situations can always arise with animals, so you can find yourself having to spend hundreds of dollars on an emergency vet visit. It is important to ascertain whether you can accommodate the various costs associated with owning farm animals.

UAFS Drama Club to Present Student-written, Devised Theatre Performance

The Drama Club at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith will be presenting an original, student-written, devised theatre performance in November.

“Hartseer” will be performed Nov. 17-19 at the Breedlove Auditorium on the UAFS Campus, 5210 Grand Ave.Performances will be at 7 p.m. each evening with an additional matinee performance on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 3 p.m.

In devised theatre, a group working together creates the script and performs it, often with improvisation.

“Devised theatre is a vital and enriching step in any actor’s education,” said Cody Banning, adjunct theatre professor. “Shows like these teach the true value of ensemble and improv in a narrative setting. These shows also allow the cast and crew to truly be creative, collaborative, and let their talent soar above a common bound.”

“Hartseer” explores themes of grief and trauma and highlights the importance of support structures, coping, and coming out on the other side of the process.

Students involved in the production are

Griever 1: Laura Bennetzen, Poteau, Oklahoma; Isabel Cenobio, Green Forest, Arkansas; Morgan Whalen.

Griever 2: Robert Montgomery, Fort Smith; Tate Carnley, Patterson, Louisiana.

Griever 3: Kenzi Sutherlin, Baltimore, Maryland.

Griever 4: Bradyn Sanders, Velma-Alma, Oklahoma.

Chorus: Ace Motley, Fayetteville, Arkansas; Zoe Russ, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Hat: Jamarion Davidson, Poteau, Oklahoma.

Scarf 1: Shayla Woodley, Greenwood.

Scarf 2: TJ Dudley, Miami, Florida.

Boot 1: Alyssa Foley, Greenbrier, Arkansas.

Boot 2: Res Smith, Poteau, Oklahoma.

Tickets are required and can be purchased at uafs.universitytickets.com or 479-788-7300. General admission tickets are $10 and $8 for seniors. Tickets are free for members of the UAFS community but must be reserved.

The Dogs are BACK!

Contributed by Coach Atchley

The Bulldogs may have graduated the winningest class in school history, with the class of 2022 being a part of 76 wins and three league titles, but this year’s squad look to add to their resumes as well. Coming off a 24-10 record and their second consecutive state tournament appearance, these Bulldogs are on the move from 3A to 4A. Waldron finds itself in the ultra-competitive 4A-4 conference that has featured five state champions within the last ten years. “Just like any challenge these guys face, they aren’t going to back down. These dudes don’t care who they get to play, they just want to compete,” added Coach Josh Atchley concerning their new league. 

Returning for the Dogs are all-conference players seniors Lidge Stinson and Ethan Mayberry, as well as junior Chris Lopez. In addition to an all-conference selection, senior Trenton Hunt also earned all-state honors a season ago. “I’m looking forward to watching these guys take a bigger leadership role this year.” Kason Moudy, Forrest Efurd, Payton ‘Petey’ Justice, Trevor Hunt, and Jacob Daggs add to the already sizable senior class. “This group is full of guards who have high basketball IQs and athleticism. Each player possesses a different strength and brings toughness to the floor. True competitors! Some of them will play multiple positions this year to add some range across the floor.”

Steven Newman, Lucas Nix, Kason Davis, Kaiden Johnson, along with Chris Lopez make up the junior group. They all will see increased roles from last season and Coach Atchley thinks their length and athleticism will prove beneficial in the 4A-4. “This group is full of great competitors and they never miss a day to work on their game. Length, toughness, and athleticism is the makeup of the juniors and I’m excited to see what the year holds for them as a group.  

The sophomore group moves up to senior high after capturing a conference title last season as members of the junior high team. In addition to bringing that championship experience, they also own a great skill set and have worked to add those skills to this year’s team. Roky Avila, Aden Allen, Prestan Hutchens, Caden Hunt, Driften Wagner, Cole Bailey, Levi Brown, Keegan Lynch, and Landon Defoor all have been working this off-season to add value to this year’s squad. “The sophomores are a nice large group that loves the game of basketball. I really saw a ton of growth as a group. Coach Twigs worked those guys every day and they were playing some of their best basketball by the season’s end. Need those guys to keep that fire as we tip off this year.”

There will be no stoppage from football to basketball season for the Bulldogs. The season tips off with the annual Orange and Black scrimmage on Monday, November 7th. The night will start at 5:00 o’clock with junior girls, followed by junior boys, senior girls, and senior boys. Admission will be a $2 donation at the door and those proceeds will go to the basketball programs. The rest of the week will continue to be busy at the Waldron Activity Center. Defending 2A state champion Lavaca will visit on November 8th, the junior high Bulldogs will play rival Mansfield on November 10th, and the week will conclude with the Paris Eagles visiting on November 11th. “If you get a chance, catch some action the first week as we host a defending state champ for the first time in a decade, and showcase all these dudes who have been working so hard. Fly the W!” 

All-Star Race Coming To Mansfield Campus

Mansfield’s Joey Williams receives his Top 10 All-State medal in Hot Springs. Williams is among 50 All-Stars headed to Mansfield’s home course for the Farm Bureau River Valley on Saturday, November 12.

On the heels of a very productive cross country season, Mansfield continues to keep the home fires burning by hosting the 2022 Farm Bureau River Valley All-Star race on Saturday, November 12. The 10:00 AM start along the MHS campus will bring together 50 of the top small school distance runners in the greater River Valley area for a two race lineup.

Among the top 25 women and top 25 men invited to participate will be Mansfield products Joey Williams, Laney Wood, and Jadelynn Wood. On the short list of alternates that have potential to move up to All-Star status are three more Mansfield players. Trinity Triska, Raine Hecox, and Jonah Martin are on that waiting list.

This is the fourth consecutive year Mansfield has elected to play host to this exclusive event. As the original brainchild of Magazine Coach Randy Bryan, the postseason finale is conducted one week after the state finals. It brings together some of the best small school runners from classifications 1A – 4A for one last competition for the season.

Farm Bureau Insurance agent Roger Thompson is the exclusive sponsor of team uniforms and awards for the FBRV All-Stars. The River Valley FCA and the Mansfield FCA Huddle group will provide the post race All-Star luncheon.

Mansfield sisters Laney Wood (center) and Jadelynn Wood (right) are among the FBRV All-Stars scheduled to compete at Saturday’s All-Star Event. Trinity Triska (left) is among the first alternates list.

A larger radius of schools stretching from DeQueen to Clarksville was included in the invitation pool. A weekly watchlist was generated from that collection of 35 schools. As the weeks moved along and top times were monitored. A final ranking of seasonal bests was established after the state meets last Thursday and Friday to determine the final invite list.

The Top 25 women accepting invitations will run the first race. The Top 25 men accepting invitations will run the second race.

All players will be introduced and awarded participation medals and keepsake uniform tops before their particular race. Runners will be divided equally among three competing teams for a chance to win a team award as well as a Top 10 race medal. 

The top five scoring players from each winning team will appear on a perpetual trophy to be housed by the host team. Individual overall champions will take home an exclusive Farm Bureau medalist trophy.

Mansfield along with schools from their district and region will be well represented. Magazine, Mt. Ida, and Clarksville all offer individual state champions to the mix. Acorn, Bigelow, DeQueen, and Pottsville bring players off their runner-up state team finishes in their respective divisions.

“This event has really evolved over the years,” said meet director John Mackey. “Mansfield has tried to upgrade the experience from its origins. We’ve added a team element to this year’s race along with even more individual accolades.”

Mansfield freshmen Joey Williams brings with him the sixth best qualifying times among the men All-Stars at 17:47.80. Sophomore Laney Wood is rated 11th among the women while older sister Jadelynn Wood comes in at 20th position.

Among the women runners are 11 All-State athletes, 2 individual state champions, and a state runner-up. Magazine’s Elizabeth Merritt and Mt. Ida’s Peyton Macejewski are the class 2A and 1A state champions respectively. Acorn’s Bella Tedder was the class 2A runner-up.

The men’s race is equally populated by star power. Seventeen All-State runners, a state champion, and a state runner up are among the top 25 invites. Clarksville’s Matthew Dunsworth headlines the group with the top time at 16:01.90. Scranton’s Peyton Jones is the fastest 1A competitor at 18:13.35. Class 4A DeQueen has seven All-Star invitations.

General admission is free. Races begin near the MHS storm shelter.