I am on my third cup of coffee for the day. I usually drink two, but today definitely felt like a three cup day, one for each child. Something like that anyway.
Social media has been full of the “only 18 summers” narrative for as long as I’ve had it. Even before I had children I recall reading it. It’s hauntingly true, but also not really the point. It makes it seem like every single second of summer should be more cherished than the last. It puts pressure on mommas (and daddies and kids and everyone) that’s already feeling the pressure of time passing. What if we looked forward to every season like we do summer.
This year has been a hot one. My oldest’s fourth summer, and it was too hot to do anything. Only fourteen more, it really is terribly sad when I dwell on it. But I’m not raising him to grow up and run away, never to return. I’m aware that could happen, but I try to keep the thought at bay. My other children are on their third and first summers, time ticks away at the summers they have left. I hope they grow up and come back home.
As I sip on my coffee and watch my boys wrestle in the floor, even though I’ve asked them not to several times; I revel in the knowledge that years have more than one season. Summer is great, no school and all that, but we also get eighteen springs, falls, and winters. There are memories to be made on Sundays in the spring, and Wednesdays in the fall. There is always something to enjoy with childhood. And as long as there is coffee to give me the energy they have, I’m ready for the years ahead.
Much to the delight of area families, the Boles FUN Park has been completed. It took ACS Playground Adventures only five days to complete installation of the brightly colored playground, but the process began in 2019 and was a true community project.
In addition to making generous donations to fundraisers, State Senator Terry Rice and State Representative Marcus Richmond wrote letters in support of our FUN Park application for the grant committee.
Scott County Judge James Forbes offered encouragement and support throughout the process. He helped with fundraisers, provided equipment and operators to remove the older playground equipment and do dirt work at the site. All grant funds go through the county judge’s office, and Judge Forbes has taken care of invoices, payments, and maintaining records for the project.
The concrete work was done by Chris Allen and his building trades students. Wade Ridenhour used his tractor to move the original swingset to its new location by the merry-go-round. Area parents provided input about the needs of the community. Several businesses and countless individuals donated to various fundraisers. Now, local families have a place to take their children to play, have fun, and make memories.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas soccer earned a No. 8 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll that was released Tuesday afternoon.
The Hogs are ranked the highest among the four SEC teams featured in the poll, and all four fall within the top 20. Arkansas is set for a top 10 match-up when it faces No. 3 BYU on Sept. 8.
The Razorbacks already got their first crack at a top opponent when they split with TCU in the spring season. The Horned Frogs come in at No. 7 in the poll.
Last season, head coach Colby Hale guided the Razorbacks to their most successful season in program history, in which they won a season record 19 matches, earned their first trip to the NCAA Elite 8 and secured the team’s third straight SEC regular season title.
Arkansas opens the 2022 season on the road at Saint Louis on Thursday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. The Hogs’ first home match is set for Sunday, Aug. 21 at 12 p.m. Season tickets can be purchased here.
Note to Our Readers: This story was sourced from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications / Fuller Birch
Criselda Ozuna of Arkoma, Oklahoma passed from this life Wednesday, August 3, 2022 with her loved ones by her side. Criselda was born March 18, 1954 in Alamo, Texas. She was 68 years old.
Dios vio que ya su cuerpo estaba cansado y el ser sanada no era la opcion. Entonces la tomo en sus brazos y le susurro al oido, “Ven Conmigo”. Con lagrimas en los ojos, la vimos sufrir, y lentamente se nos fue. Aunque la amabamos profundamente, no la pudimos retener. Dios quebranto nuestros corazones para mostrarnos, que El solo so lleva lo mejor.
Criselda leaves behind to cherish her memory, two sons, Juan Ozuna Jr. and Martin Ozuna and one grandson, Juan Ozuna IIIL She is also survived by her mother Manuela R. Garcia and her brothers and sister: Juan Ramon Garcia, Benito Garcia, Maricela Garcia, Angelica Garcia, Isidro Garcia, Ismael Garcia Jr., Maria Noelia Garcia, Israel Garcia. Criselda will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of nieces, nephews and loved ones.
Criselda was preceded in death by her husband Juan Ozuna, one daughter Yolanda Ozuna and her father, Ismael Garcia.
Criselda’s life celebration will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, August 8, 2022 at the Centro Cristiano Hispano, in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Jose Banderas officiating. Interment will follow in the Bush Cemetery near Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Criselda’s pallbearers will be Juan Ozuna Jr., Martin Ozuna, Guillermo Ozuna III, Jose Banderas Jr., Joel Diaz and Guadalupe Ozuna.
Criselda’s visitation will be Sunday, August 7, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Trinity Triska, Jadelynn Wood, and Laney Wood make the turn around the Mansfield High School cross country course.
The first month of preseason training is in the books. With that being said, the Mansfield High School long distance runners now turn their focus towards the start of 2022 cross country season.
Mansfield seventh graders Rylan Jones and Abby Smith rest after pace work at cross country practice.
Pushing past the hot weather workouts and dual sport conflicts, the Tiger distance team has invested many miles since team sessions began on July 11. According to their collective log sheet, the last 12 days of team practices have produced nearly 550 road miles.
Hopes are to turn the preseason conditioning into more race specific training as the beginning of school changes their workout schedule.
Lady Tiger runners Adeline Bray, Bailey Quick, and Miley Clopton discover the rigors of distance training along the school’s outdoor trails.
Laney Wood, one of two All-State runners off last year’s Lady Tiger team, hopes the July workouts have prepared her for the upcoming season.
“I feel pretty good,” stated Wood after the team’s twelfth practice together. “Honestly, I’d like to make the top five in the state once again. I want to make sure I’m fully dedicated. Jay and I are going to push each other.”
Tiger freshman Joey Williams beams with confidence as he prepars for the upcoming cross country season.
Jay is Laney’s older sister, Jadelynn Wood.
According to the elder of the Wood sisters, it’s their constant connection that makes them push each other to reach their goals.
“We are around each other all the time,” said Jadelynn Wood as she looked towards her younger sibling. “We might fight, then we hug it out. We’re all good. This summer we’ve been pushing each other to run.”
As close as a sister, sophomore Trinity Triska has fit in well with the Wood clan. Triska stays pretty connected to the cross country routine of her teammates despite a concentrated schedule with the high school volleyball team.
No stranger to running, Mansfield’s Austin Ruiz is shown in this file photo from track season.
“Trinity has been amazing despite the challenges,” said John Mackey, Mansfield’s head cross country coach. “Even when she misses practice for a volleyball camp, she gets some running time. Those three players Laney, Jadelynn, and Trinity work well together. They bring out the best in each other.”
Triska says the busy schedule is just routine for her.
“I’m used to it,” expressed Triska, a first time River Valley All-Star off last year’s team. “It keeps me active. It lets me have something to do. I’d rather be busy.”
Busy has been the theme for a number of potential players on the cross country team. According to the coaches predicted roster, up to 12 athletes could be involved in simultaneous activities during the season.
Newcomer Miley Clopton has discovered that first hand. The seventh grader that joined during cross country’s second week of practice has had to navigate volleyball conflicts as well. Not alone in that regard, seventh grade teammates Adeline Bray, Bailey Quick, and Abby Smith also pull off the double duty.
“It’s going good,” noted Clopton. “It’s a little harder than I thought. I’m enjoying both sports right now. I went three miles today at cross country practice. It felt good.”
Rylan Jones, another seventh grade girl that once played little league football, has also found the running task somewhat difficult. However, like Clopton, she too is looking forward to what will come from the hard work.
“Mondays have been the hardest,” explained Jones. “If you run on the weekend, you don’t get a break. I’ve been taking Wednesdays and Fridays off most of the time so Mondays are the hardest. I’m hoping to get a medal at the first race. If not, I’ll try harder.”
Getting medals hasn’t been a problem for third year runner Joey Williams off the junior boys team. The freshmen runner was last year’s 2A-4 Conference individual champion and 10-time medalist throughout the 2021 season.
“My goal is to win the junior boys championship then turn around and win the senior high,” announced Williams. “I’m pretty excited. It’s something I’ve looked forward to for the last couple of seasons.”
Should the freshmen meet his goals in 2022, he will need to contend with newly acquired teammate Austin Ruiz. Ruiz, a sophomore talent that excelled during track and field season last spring, will run cross country for the first time on the senior boys team this fall.
“Austin has had a good camp so far,” said Mackey. “He’s missed a few days because of his job. However, you can tell he’s still getting in miles. He led the pace during mile repeats at the beginning of the week. He and Joey will definitely make each other better.”
The Mansfield runners will take a small break before the start of school. Individuals will continue a maintenance schedule on their own but will not run again as a team until the first week of school.
The Mansfield senior girls display their 2022 ATCA Indoor Track and Field State Championship trophy on the campus of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
The wait is over! After a long string of production delays, the 2022 Indoor State Track Championship Rings have finally arrived. Delivered to Mansfield High School just this week, the symbols celebrating the school’s most recent track and field accomplishment are ready for distribution.
Plans are being made for a reception to be held in honor of the MHS Lady Tiger Track team and to distribute the championship rings. The informal gathering will be held at the MHS cafeteria on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 6:00 PM to introduce the players and staff responsible for winning the school’s 25th overall state championship.
Seasoned runners off the Mansfield track team helped the school to 1 indoor state track title, and 2 cross country state runner-up finishes in the past two years. Pictured are Darby Jones, Katlynn Moore, Faith Rainwater, Jadelynn Wood, McKenzie Griffin, and Hope Rainwater.
Family, friends, and fans of the program are encouraged to join the school’s newest champs by attending the celebration.
Light refreshments will be served. A short DVD production featuring player accomplishments will be broadcast. Finally, each of the individual players off the 16 player roster will be presented their much anticipated rewards.
Mansfield won the class 1A-2A Arkansas Track Coaches Association State Indoor Track and Field Championship back in February. Members of the team collectively scored 183 points to outdistance their nearest competition by 65 points and win the title.
The Lady Tiger’s most recent state track trophy is the program’s 13th such award. Throughout the history of the Mansfield senior girls track team, eight different times they have won the indoor state title. Five different times they have won the outdoor state title.
Executive producers involved in the team’s success this past season included West Fraser, Chambers Bank, Today’s Bank, Roger Thompson of Farm Bureau Insurance, and the Mansfield Track Boosters. Hopes are that representatives of each will be in attendance and assist in the presentation.
Mansfield’s 2022 senior girls indoor track roster included seniors Shelby Cole, McKenzie Griffin, Darby Jones, Katlynn Moore, Faith Rainwater, and Hope Rainwater; juniors Seven Sanderson and Jadelynn Wood; and freshmen Addie Bowman Stover, Summer Frazier, Kaylie Lowery, Ashley Martin, Azlynn Stover, Trinity Triska, Carter Whiley, and Laney Wood.
Mansfield’s track coaches this past season included Ethan Bowman, Josh Brown, and John Mackey.
The 2022 edition of the Paris Eagles football program will host the Magazine Rattlers at Eagles Stadium on Tuesday, August 16. A junior high school scrimmage will be played, followed by the senior high.
The controlled scrimmage will be the first opportunity for both Eagles and Rattlers fans to see their teams before the seasons open on August 26. Paris will travel to Waldron to open the season and will return home the following week to host the Mansfield Tigers.
This is all the information on the scrimmage that was available at press time for this story. Eagles fans should check Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports for the exact time of the junior high school scrimmage on August 16.
Note to Our Readers: The following story and accompanying photo was contributed in its entirety by Ms. Celia Looney, Yearbook Adviser, County Line High School. RNN Sports welcomes Ms. Looney and the County Line Schools to our sports coverage, and we know Indians fans will enjoy her stories this year! Welcome County Line to RNN Sports!
The County Line junior high cheerleaders met for uniform fittings and their first practice of the season last Tuesday. Five returning cheerleaders and five new girls will make up the team this year. Celia Looney is their coach.
The Indians will open the 2022-23 basketball season this year on October 18 at Wonderview. They will return home for their first home game on October 21 when they host Guy-Perkins.
If you have not already subscribed to Logan County’s new weekly newspaper, just go to residentnewsnetwork.com and click on the “Subscribe” link.
Welcome County Line to RNN’s sports coverage area!
Schools throughout Logan County will open school on or around August 15, depending on your child’s school district and / or school. Some schools will open with a “staggered start” where not all grades will attend on the first day. Parents can call their child’s school for specific opening of school information.
Logan County patrons will also notice school buses starting to run their regular routes starting August 15. Please observe state laws with respect to stopping and passing school buses to protect our communities’ children.
On behalf of all of us at RNN, we wish all of our students and families a very happy, safe, and productive 2022-23 school year!
Note to Our Readers: This story and photos were contributed to RNN by Ms. Celia Looney, Yearbook Adviser, County Line High School. RNN thanks Mrs. Looney for her contributions to this and future stories, and we hope the patrons of the County Line School District enjoy her future stories!
It’s the start of a new school year, and for area schools, that usually means that the many student organizations and clubs have been busy during the summer with events that help them lead up to the start of school. For the County Line High School FFA organization, their officers have been busy having fun and planning their organization’s events for the 2022-23 school year.
County Line FFA officers enjoyed hiking Lost Valley Trial to Eden Falls last week at their annual officer retreat. While on the retreat to Jasper, the officers planned their Program of Activities for the upcoming year; conducted team building challenges, and experienced the beauty of the Buffalo River National River.
The 2022-23 County Line FFA officers include Braden Shotzman, Madelyn Phillips, Ethan Plowman, Trent Johnston, Sunshine Xiong, Clayton Foley, and Nathan Gattis.
RNN welcomes the County Line Schools to our coverage area, and we hope the residents and patrons of the district enjoy our new coverage of the Indians! If you have not yet subscribed to the Logan County weekly newspaper that will include future County Line coverage, just go to residentnewsnetwork.com and click on the “Subscribe” link on the page. Thank you, and welcome County Line to RNN coverage!
