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Obituary – Stephanie Lynn Stipins (1975-2022)

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Obituary – Stephanie Lynn Stipins (1975-2022)

Stephanie Lynn Stipins, also known as Momma and Nana, was an exceptional human but in simple terms, a badass woman. She went on from her earthly body to her Heavenly home on July 5, 2022 at Mercy Hospital of Fort Smith, Arkansas at the young age of 47.

She was born to Angela and Steve Howard in Fort Smith Arkansas on February 3, 1975. She is a 1993 graduate of Hartford High School, where she met the love of her life, Eric, at just fifteen years old. The amazing love story of two teenagers that grew into a thirty-three year journey that was larger than life. They were married on December 5, 1992 and went off from there to have a large family of four children. Together in this time, they tackled many adventures and traveled all over but their favorite destination was Roatan, Honduras.

A mother of four that worked two jobs and put herself through college full time to graduate from John Brown University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Which led her into a very successful career as the Executive Director of the Fort Smith Home Builders Association and the State Executive Director of the HBA. Stephanie served on multiple boards and organizations including National Home Builders Association, Next Step, Manes and Miracles, Co-Founder of Influential Females, Lady River Riders, EF, Mission Work, and recently developed Stipins Construction LLC.

Stephanie had many hobbies from reading, to yoga, camping, kayaking, horseback riding, traveling, swimming, gardening, farming, cooking, and helping others. She was never content, she was always looking to be better, in her mind, things could always improve and she refused to sit still. She is well known for being generous in helping anyone in any way and expected nothing in return. She had a heart of gold and genuinely wanted the best for everyone.

The largest piece of Stephanie is her family. She is survived by her loving husband, Eric; sisters, Alicia Henry and husband, James and Heather Spencer; her aunt, Betty Jarnagin; grandma, Sumi Howard; her children, Ericka Shrum and husband, Nathan, Samantha Stipins, William Colton Stipins and Isabella Shepard and husband, Demarion; four grandchildren, Talon, Grace, Kha’dence and Delilah and one on the way, soon to arrive, Gianna; her dog, Jax and countless friends and family. Being a Nana was by far her favorite title, everyone of her babies loved her more than anyone.

There are no words to describe the woman she was and how many people were touched by her, but we will never let her memories fade as we learn how to live without her presence. Please remember Eric and the kids during this time.

A celebration of life service will be 10 a.m., Monday, July 11 at Grace Community Church in Fort Smith.

Obituary – Terri Lynette (Watkins) Jones (1956-2022)

Tammy Teague
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Obituary – Terri Lynette (Watkins) Jones (1956-2022)

Terri Lynette (Watkins) Jones of Packsaddle, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Sunday, July 3, 2022 in Packsaddle with her loving family by her side. Terri was born March 2, 1956 in Mena, Arkansas to Floyd Watkins and Martha (Newberry) Watkins. She was 66 years old.

Terri received her Associates in Nursing in 1976. She immediately began her career and
worked doing what she loved for 43 years until retirement in 2019. Terri married the love of her life, Donald Jones in 1977 and together they had two daughters they were very proud of. They then had the privilege of becoming grandparents and followed the grands all over watching them in their sports and being very involved in their lives. Terri was active in the Waldron Quadrille for many years. Riding and catching her horses for the grandchildren, camping and being on the Lake Ouachita was Terri’s hobbies. Terri was passionate about mowing and working in her well manicured lawn. Terri loved her family and cherished all the precious times she had with them.

Terri leaves behind to cherish her memory, her husband of 45 years, Donald Jones of the home, two daughters, Kristy Young and husband Matt and Kelli McCurry and husband Josh all of Waldron, Arkansas. Terri is also survived by one brother, Mark Watkins and one nephew, Evan Watkins of Waldron, Arkansas. Granna will forever remain in the hearts of her grandchildren: Ashton Young, Logan Young, Raylan McCurry and Clayton McCurry. Terri will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of extended family and friends she loved dearly.

Terri was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Martha Watkins.

Terri’s life celebration will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 7, 2022 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Jack Smith and Rev. Wally Beckman officiating. Interment will follow in the Square Rock Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Terri’s pallbearers will be Myrtie Owens, Reggie Owens, Russell Hale, Brent Keener, Josh Hutchens and JD Newberry. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Ahmed, Pam Owens, Janet Owens, Janet Musgrove, Cathy Keener, Terri Churchhill, Tuny Hunt and the WHS Class of 1974.

Terri’s visitation will be Wednesday, July 6, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Terri’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to Dr. Nathan Bennett and Kindred Hospice.

Tips for Keeping Your Cattle Healthy This Summer

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Tips for Keeping Your Cattle Healthy This Summer

As summer approaches, farmers might feel trepidation towards their cowherd as the temperatures outside slowly rise. With high heat and stifling temperatures on some days, you must keep your cattle healthy this summer. Use our tips, and you’ll find success in keeping your livestock comfortable and safe during the warmer months.

Offer as Much Shade as Possible

To give the cattle a break from the direct sunlight, offer a shady spot near the middle of the pen. Putting the shady space in the middle of the pen provides more shade for a longer part of the day. This is because the sun moves in the sky, changing the direction of the shade; thus, having shade in the middle allows there to be shade that is easily accessible and available at all times of the day.

Have High-Quality Forage

When a cow digests food, it produces heat, while a higher-quality forage produces less heat as the cow digests. Due to the high temperatures, your cattle might not be willing to eat, so feed them in the early morning or late evening when the temperatures are at their coolest. Don’t start feeding too late in the morning, because by the time the sun reaches its highest point and highest temperature, the cow will also be at its peak point of digestion, thus producing more heat.

Have the Appropriate Amount of Water

The performance of your cattle can be affected by the water they drink. Watch out for the weather, because as the heat rises, the more water your cows must drink. A rule of thumb to follow is that when the temperature is above 90 degrees, a cow will need 4 gallons of water per 100 pounds, meaning a heavier cow could need upward of 20 gallons of water in just one day!

Watch for High Heat Stress

If you are raising your cattle for auction, their weight matters. Consider buying a livestock scale to accurately monitor your cattle and their high heat stress levels. Doing this also helps you watch their stress levels; you never want to overwork or push a cow in extreme temperatures. It is best to let them rest, or they might die from exhaustion, heat, or lack of feed or water.

Work Cattle in the Early Morning or Late Evening

When you work your cattle and perform your routine health measures, do this during a time when it is cooler, so it puts less stress on the herd. Take portions at a time instead of bunching the cattle in one area where it can get hot. The summer is more about keeping your livestock comfortable and less about working and moving them.

Make it a top priority to keep your cattle healthy this summer, so your livestock is healthy and well-maintained when fair season and auctions arrive. Never overwork them, and instead, offer tons of shade, water, and forage. When you notice the heat rising, check in every so often to ensure there are no underlying problems at stake for the healthiest cowherd.

Scott County Man Pleads Guilty to Three Counts of Trafficking Methamphetamine

Tammy Teague
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Scott County Man Pleads Guilty to Three Counts of Trafficking Methamphetamine

A Boles man pled guilty to three counts of trafficking methamphetamine and one count of simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm in a Scott County Circuit Court on Tuesday, July 5.

Dante St. Michael, 57, was sentenced to 30 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

St. Michael was arrested in January of 2022 and charged with one count of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, a class Y felony, possession of controlled substance schedule I,II meth cocaine =>10g < 200g, a class B felony, possession of firearms by certain persons, a class D felony, possession of drug paraphernalia meth cocaine heroine fentanyl, a class D felony, and theft by receiving >$1,000 <=$5,000, a class D felony.

An older suspended sentence in a case against St. Michael has also been revoked.

Tips for Staying Comfortable on the Farm in the Summer

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Tips for Staying Comfortable on the Farm in the Summer

Summer is approaching, and the temperature keeps spiking as the weeks progress. If you live and work in a rural location like a ranch or a farm, you’ll need to ensure you take the necessary precautions to prevent heat stroke or heat exhaustion from creeping up on you.

There are several ways to stay comfortable, avoid these conditions, and make your work easier so that you don’t wear down so quickly. Here are just a few tips for staying comfortable on the farm in the summer so that you can get the most out of your sunny days.

Take Breaks

You must know your limits, especially in the summer heat. You’ll need to plan the times you’re working outside. Make sure you check the weather forecast to know when it will be more relaxed.

The best times to get things done are usually in the mornings and late afternoons. You might have to break up your jobs into increments this way, but it will prevent you from getting into trouble with the heat. If you feel yourself getting weak or dizzy, you need to stop, find some shade, and hydrate as much as possible. Spend a few minutes cooling off before going back to work.

Check Machining

If we had to do everything by hand, we might have a much more challenging time getting things done. Another problem is that it would eventually take a toll on our health. This is why it’s essential to do routine maintenance on our machinery to ensure that things are working properly. That way we can make an easy day out of what otherwise might work us to death.

Protect Yourself

Ensure you’ve dressed appropriately for your tasks. If you’re going to be in a heavily wooded environment or somewhere where dirt and brush or grass are common, you might need to invest in a pair of coveralls and a nice wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself from the elements.

You’ll appreciate these little things as you go along your workday. Leather work boots are also necessary if you want to work on a farm. Protecting your feet and keeping them comfortable will keep you from exhaustion. Cowboy boots are have several benefits.

If you need tips for staying comfortable on the farm this summer, look no further. This article has everything you need to cover you from head to toe so that you can enjoy your summer.

Obituary – Mary Wanda Williams (1938-2022)

Tammy Teague
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Obituary – Mary Wanda Williams (1938-2022)

Mary Wanda Williams, better known as Wanda, of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Thursday, June 30, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. Wanda was born October 5, 1938 to Lewis Cates and Pearl Lee (Sexton) Cates in Boles, Arkansas. she was 83 years old. Wanda was a faithful woman of God and was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Waldron, Arkansas.

Wanda was a sweet and caring person. She had a zest for life and doing all things fun. She enjoyed painting, bowling, golfing and traveling with her friends. One of the high lights of her year was attending the annual Class of 55 reunion. Wanda especially looked forward to spending time with her girls, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grands. She loved being surrounded by those she loved and making precious memories.  

Wanda leaves behind to cherish her memory, two daughters, Carla Ennis and Sharri Kopf and husband Bryan all of Waldron, Arkansas. Granny will forever remain in the hearts of her grandchildren: Dr. James Russell and wife Rachel of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, Charla Hutchens and husband Josh of Waldron, Arkansas, Brandi Shelton of Greenwood, Arkansas, Kristi Franklin and husband Neil of Booneville, Arkansas and Kelsie Kopf and fiance’ of Waldron, Arkansas as well as 14 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. Wanda will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of extended family and friends.

Wanda’s was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Pearl Cates, her loving husband Tommy and one sister Erma Harberson.

Wanda’s life celebration will be Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Wally Beckman officiating. Interment will follow in the Buffalo Cemetery. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Wanda’s pallbearers will be James Russell, Gunner Perkins, Justyn Turpin, Leonard Russell, Robert Wagner and Bryan Kopf. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Nathan Bennett, Jerrell Plummer, Curtis Hudson and the Class of 1955.

Wanda’s visitation will be Tuesday, July 5, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Leave No Trace

Madison VanRavensway
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Leave No Trace

If you have heard hiking lingo, you have likely heard the concept of “Leave no Trace”. Really, anyone involved in the outdoors needs to adopt this philosophy about adventuring in the great outdoors. But what are the principles of leave no trace? Great question! I would love to tell you.There are seven principles of the leave no waste idea. 

  1. Plan ahead, and prepare

When getting ready to go out into nature, begin by adequately packing and researching where you will be. Make sure all trail requirements are being met if there are any. Verify that everything that goes in with you is coming back out. Have a method of bringing all waste, including food waste, back out.

  1. Travel and camp on durable surfaces

When trails are available, it is absolutely best to stay on them. The likelihood of trampling precious plants on the forest floor goes down tremendously. And for individuals, it’s a matter of safety. There can be holes that are hard to see until your foot finds its way inside and your ankle is hurting. Also camp in campsites that are existing whenever possible to avoid damaging the undergrowth by creating a new spot. If no premade campsites are available, choose a place not right at the water’s edge, or on top of the trail. Following the leave no trace method when camping in an undisturbed location calls for moving the tent each day to keep from completely killing out the undergrowth below.

  1. Dispose of waste properly.

If it goes in with you, bring it out. Yes, even biodegradable things like food scraps. Leave no trace, and your trace is all over that apple core. 

  1. Leave what you find

Observe, like my kids hear often “look with your eyes”, and then go on. If it wasn’t yours before you started the day, it’s not yours now. There are lots of ways to say this and think about this, but leaving nature where it was and in the same condition it was in.

  1. Minimize campfire impacts

Choose campgrounds with lots of wood available if you plan to build a fire. Use an existing fire ring if there is one. Always put out fires before going to bed or leaving campsite. Finding wood around the campsite is ideal to avoid introducing pests from wood brought in from elsewhere.

  1. Respect wildlife

It is always fine to watch animals from a distance, but don’t disturb them. Don’t feed, scare, or handle any animals you find while out.

  1. Be respectful of others

Being outside in nature is great. Remember to share the trail, and give space to others you encounter while out exploring the great outdoors.

“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

Tammy Teague
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“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

Hello everyone! We had such a beautiful week. The mornings reminded me of fall. Summer is back today.

I didn’t do my article last week due to the death of my oldest brother, Jerry Wagoner. It’s been hard, he had lung cancer. I am just thankful he did not suffer and had his sweet wife Rhonda with him. I remember when we found out he got shot in Vietnam. I remember my momma and granny started praying. I remember when he gave me my first record album, it was the Four Seasons. He gave it to me because it had the song Sherry on it. I listened to it over and over. Lots of good memories.

Just a little tidbit after writing my article about Tonya Wagoner, I was at their house and she was going to cook supper. I’m not lying she opens the freezer and gets out a box of corndogs and shakes it and asks “does anyone want a corndog?” Boy did I give her a hard time. I told her just more communication for my article. I have a real good story on Judge Wagoner but I have to get permission first. It’s a good one.

I guess this week I will tell on myself. I was at the doctor’s office and walked across the floor and a dryer sheet fell out of my skirt and was in the floor. I just kept on going, how embarrassing. I was at a funeral today and I felt something in my shirt, and low and behold it was a dryer sheet. What is the deal with me and dryer sheets? They stick to my clothes badly. I guess if I would wear my clothes wrong side out like I have in the past I would be able to see them.

I was at Walmart one day and this man kept staring at me. In my mind I’m saying “take a picture it will last longer.” He just kept staring. Well, I finally figured out I had my shirt on wrong side out and I guess he was looking at the big old 2XL that was on my back. He was probably thinking wide load. I have plenty more I could tell but will save for later.

This week’s recipe is good for hot temps, Oreo Pie!
OREO PIE
1 premade Oreo pie crust
1 8 oz. of cream cheese
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 cups Cool Whip
10 Oreo cookies
Crush the Oreo cookies in a Ziplock bag with a rolling pin or however you want to do it. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until soft. Fold in the whipped topping and crushed Oreos. Put the mixture in the Oreo crust and chill for an hour before serving. You can also use a graham cracker crust and use lemon Oreos. Use a chocolate crust and use mint Oreos. You can change it up however you want to. Enjoy!

Bioblitz Summer Teacher Program

Tammy Teague
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Bioblitz Summer Teacher Program

Guy Fenter education cooperative and the Janet Huckabee Nature Center recently hosted the first bioblitz teacher professional development in the region.  Bioblitzes are community efforts to engage the public in connecting with the local environment through intensively investigating a selected location and recording information about all matter of plants and animals that are found there. During a bioblitz, citizens work alongside of scientists to discover the biological diversity within the community.  The activity provides a snapshot of the local ecology to the scientist while, at the same time, allowing teachers and students an opportunity to develop knowledge and to develop a stronger connection to their home environment.

Mrs. Amber Cobb and Dr. Curtis Varnell of the educational cooperative organized the regional workshop which was attended by 23 area teachers. During the two-day bioblitz, the teachers teamed with area experts as they examined and identified a recently cleared area at the nature center.  The local bioblitz concentrated in examining three specific biological studies. Ethan Parker, an employee of the U/A agriculture extension service, assisted the teachers in learning about insects and bugs.  Chad Lowe, a game and fish expert, assisted the teachers in discovering and identifying the myriad trees, plants, and shrubs found in the area and Patrick Millard of Waldron assisted in the identification of birds and wildlife.

Each of the instructors provided needed information and field guides to teachers and followed up with an intensive outside investigation of the selected region to be studied.  The activity proved a great learning experience and a lot of fun.  Teachers ran back and forth, swinging catch nets and identifying species of insects they captured.  Others beat the brush around the lake, identifying the species of organisms both in and out of the water.  Equipped with binoculars, magnifying glasses, field-books, catch bags, and field guides, they looked like tourists on safari but were having a wonderful time learning!

Teachers will take the experience and activities back to area schools as the reopen in mid-August.  Working with the educational cooperative, they are already planning school wide bioblitzes in their communities.  Additionally, the Fenter cooperative and the Huckabee Center will be hosting a student version of the bioblitz this fall.  Dozens of students from throughout the River Valley will journey to the Nature Center to experience their own version of the bioblitz.  Not only will they collect data valuable to the community, they will learn biology, learn to work cooperatively with other students, and discover the type of work done by scientist.

Area schools are continually changing and developing new and better techniques to educate our youth.  Bioblitzes are just one more facet that will add excitement and interest to the education of our students.

Dog Days of Summer Are Upon Us

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Dog Days of Summer Are Upon Us

It is a phrase that we hear every summer. And when we do, it is usually blistering hot, and we assume that it means that the hot weather makes all of us just want to stay inside and lay around the house, just like our dogs. But of course, if you know our dog Sophie who is pictured in this story, laying around the house is something she enjoys year around. So, what does the phrase “dog days of summer” mean? Where did this phrase originate?

I must confess that I did not know how this phrase evolved over the years. In fact, I too just assumed that it meant that we and our dogs just wanted to lay around and pant during the days of extreme heat. But when I did a little review of the online literature, I was surprised to find the answer.

First, there is an official calendar period for the dog days of summer. I did not know this either, but I found that the official time is between July 3 and August 11, according to Wikipedia. Why?

The answer lies in astronomy, which is something else I did not know. According to the Farmers Almanac (farmersalmanac.com), “The period from Jully 3 to August 11th is referred to as the Dog Days of Summer. Some say that it signifies hot sultry “not fit for dogs” weather in which dogs go mad. The Dog Days of Summer describes the most oppressive period of the summer. But the phrase is actually a reference to the fact that, during this time, the Sun occupies the same region of the sky as Sirus, the brightest star visible from any part of Earth and part of the constellation Canis Major, The Greater Dog. That is why Sirus is sometimes called the dog star.”

Image Credit: AstroBackyard.com

So, my take from the literature is that the phrase is associated with very hot weather, and it would be easy for anyone to assume that is the meaning and /or the origin of the phrase. But, again, I must confess, I did not know it was based in astronomy with the star Sirus being dubbed as “The Dog Star.” We learn something everyday.

So, for the next four to five weeks, if you catch yourself gazing at the evening sky along with your dog on a hot and humid Arkansas night, you may have more in common with your dog than you already think you do.

And that leads me to another catch phrase…”Man’s Best Friend”. Now, I realize our bond is universal. No wonder dog owners have such a strong connection with their four-legged friends!

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