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Bonanza PD Awarded Lifesaving Equipment Grant to Help Keep Community Safe

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Bonanza PD Awarded Lifesaving Equipment Grant to Help Keep Community Safe

Bonanza, Ark – The past year and a half have been difficult for many, impacting first responders and communities across the country. As we continue to battle health crises and natural disasters, front-line heroes constantly expose themselves to dangerous situations, creating a need for updated lifesaving equipment.

Recognizing this need, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation®continues to be a valuable resource for first responders across the nation and recently provided a $29,874 grant to the Bonanza Police Department. The funding will be applied toward the purchase of radios for Bonanza officers and patrol vehicles, which will be used to ensure greater lifesaving capabilities for first responders in the community.

“We are grateful to Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and our local Firehouse Subs in Fort Smith, for awarding us this grant,”said Bonanza Police Chief Mike Barber. “By providing radios, ourfirst responders will be able to serve the people of Bonanza duringemergency situations, especially during the upcoming holiday season.”

During the most recent grant cycle, the Foundation awarded 126grants to public safety organizations nationwide. The 126 grants totaling nearly $2.7 million were given to organizations in need of critical lifesaving equipment and resources.

To donate and learn more about Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, visit FirehouseSubsFoundation.org.

Timepiece: Everything but the Squeal

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By Dr. Curtis Varnell

As we exited the house, the cold air burned our lungs and formed clouds of steam as we exhaled. The trees and grass were covered by a glaze of alabaster frost. It was hog butchering weather and a collection of kin folk were gathered to help with the task. Lindal Parson’s, dad, and my step-grandfather William had been up early and had a fire blazing under two fifty-gallon barrels filled with water. Planks laid across two saw horses formed tables on which the men planned to work. On the tables lay the various knifes, saws, and utensils essential to completing the job.

My Uncle William James used the 22 rifle to end the life of the three hogs selected for butchering. The pigs were pulled out of the mud and mire of the pen, hoisted upside down and bleed out. Next, each hog was dropped into the steaming vats of water, scalded, and then removed and scraped. The heart, liver and other edible parts were removed and set aside.

The hog was then quartered and divided into the traditional cuts. Much of the fat was removed and thrown into the large black pots that one now sees decorating various yards. Lard was rendered from the fat and was used for cooking or to make lye soap. My grandmother even made her own lye by boiling ashes, skimming off the lye residue that rose to the top, and then mixing it with the lard and other ingredients to form soap. Crackling, the meaty material left when the lard was rendered, was kept and ate by itself or mixed with corn bread to form crackling bread.

All of the meat trimmed from the hams, shoulders, and back were thrown into a container. After going through the hand grinder, the fatty mixture was mixed with sage, salt, pepper and other spices to make sausage. Some more enterprising neighbors cleaned the lower intestine and used it to make stuffed sausage links or cooked the intestine to make chitlins. We generally just disposed of them.

The back strap was usually cut into small pieces and used first. Larger cuts, such as the hams and shoulders, were covered in sugar cure, a concoction of salt, brown-sugar, and spices. Within in a few days, the salt dried and preserved the meat because refrigeration was minimal unless one had one of the new-fangled deep freezers. Hog feet were boiled, placed in vinegar, and consumed as pickled hog’s feet. The bones were cut into pieces and cooked along with collard greens or pinto beans.

The head was boiled until all the flesh left the bones; the resulting meat, gristle, and “lord only knows what,” was mixed with spices, cooled into a gelatinous concoction and cut into a lunch meat called souse. My dad loved the stuff and I was always glad to give him, other kids, or even the dog my share. Even worse was the hog jowl which, combined with black-eyed peas, were supposed to bring you better luck in the New Year. If you had to eat jowl and peas to start the year, you needed better luck!!

As the day waned, we put up the equipment, dumped the barrels of water, and sent tired neighbors home with fresh liver and choice cuts that required immediate preparation. There was little to clean-up after they departed. As my relatives stated, “we ate every part of those pigs except the squeal.”

Thirty-seven Arkansas 4-H members attend centennial National 4-H Congress in Atlanta

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Thirty-seven Arkansas 4-H members attend centennial National 4-H Congress in Atlanta

Thirty-seven Arkansas 4-H members are back from National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, where they were recognized for their achievements and continued learning about leadership, citizenship, global awareness and inclusion.

National 4-H Congress in Atlanta is the premier leadership event for senior 4-H members, and all attendees had winning project record books at the state level, a requirement to attend.

This year’s event was all the more special because it was the 100^th National 4-H Congress.

“We were thrilled to take a busload of Arkansas 4-H’ers to Atlanta, on our first face-to-face 4-H national event in nearly two years,” said Angie Freel, interim associate department head for Arkansas 4-H. “Our 37 4-H members joined 800 other 4-H’ers from across the country and participated in service-learning projects, international education, and workshops led by national leaders. It’s a grand tradition in Arkansas to attend Congress, and we look forward to attending many more.”

The group left early on Nov. 26, the day after Thanksgiving, from the Little Rock state office of the Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Last year’s trip was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This has been one of the best trips of my life,” said Sarah Barber, a 4-H member from Independence County. “I met people from all over the country, and now I can say I have friends in other states.”

This year’s conference theme — “A Century of Empowering Youth” — focused on leadership, citizenship, global awareness and inclusion.

The group, made up of high school students and a few college freshmen, attended numerous educational workshops, service-learning events and performed community service while in Atlanta, said Arkansas 4-H events coordinator Priscella Thomas-Scott, who organized the trip. Attendees heard nationally known speakers, including Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau, and Dr. Carrie Castille, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

“It was an incredible opportunity to network with my fellow 4-Hers from across the country,” Abby Frizzell of Johnson County said. “While at Congress there was a motivational speaker who talked about climbing your mountain, and it inspired me to choose a mountain that I want to climb — working toward the Arkansas Governor’s Award.”

The Arkansas Governor’s Award is the highest award an Arkansas 4-H member can receive. It is awarded each year at the Arkansas 4-H State O-Rama.

The Arkansas 4-H Foundation funded the trip. Highlights of the five-day trip included a tour of Atlanta, visits to the Atlanta History Center, Martin Luther King, Jr. Visitor Center, Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Zoo, Hall of College Football Fame and other attractions.

Cross County 4-H member Carlee Nguyen said a workshop called “Expanding the Horizons” made her think more about her community and her place in it.

“It opened my eyes to the fact that though we may be very different, we should work together to get to the same goal,” she said.

Arkansas 4-H events coordinator Priscella Thomas-Scott accompanied the youth, along with Dave Freeze, Green County extension agent; Jessica Street, Benton County extension agent; and Tami Barer, a 4-H volunteer from Independence County.

Congratulations to the following delegates:

Arkansas County — Rob Phillips and Magon James
Benton County — Tayte Christensen, Emma Davis, Brandt Bowen, Karlie Lindsay, Jessica Hope, Wyatt Jackson and Conner LaBrecque
Clark County — James Colby Daniell and Xander Adams
Columbia County — Mallie Dooly
Conway County — Kristin Lehmann
Cross County — Carlee Nguyen
Faulkner County — Victoria Puckett and W. Jonah-Leo Smith
Green County — Jasa Reed and Wesley Watkins
Howard County — Alexander Trombley
Independence County — Sarah Barber
Johnson County — Abby Frizzell
Madison County — Aaron Mahan and Sarah Mahan
Montgomery County — Baylie Clay
Pope County — Gracey Killins, Sidnye Nealy and Spencer Warren
Sebastian County — Jenna Frederick, Kimber Campbell and Lindsey Garretson
Washington County — Tarik Biswell, Emma Gardner and Janna Morse
White County — Annabelle Ferren, Delaney White, Aspen White and Will Pruitt

To learn more about 4-H and other extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension.

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

HOLIDAYS: Prepare Early to Make Tax Filing Easier

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HOLIDAYS: Prepare Early to Make Tax Filing Easier

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

As the year winds down, taxpayers can prepare early for the 2022 tax filing season.

Laura Hendrix, associate professor of family and consumer science for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said getting a head start on the process offers several advantages.

“The main advantages of preparing for taxes before January 2022 are planning ahead to maximize retirement contributions and estimating taxes to plan ahead if payments will be needed,” Hendrix said.

Charitable contributions

Preparing for tax season is also important for charitable contributions, which may be tax-deductible and must be made by Dec. 31, 2021 to count as an itemized deduction for the 2021 tax year. Hendrix advised that taxpayers keep good records of charitable donations and contributions to help ease the filing process.

“Special recordkeeping rules apply to any taxpayer claiming a charitable contribution deduction,” Hendrix said. “Usually, this includes obtaining an acknowledgment letter from the charity before filing a return and retaining a canceled check or credit card receipt for contributions of cash.”

For details on recordkeeping rules for substantiating gifts to charity, see Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, available at www.IRS.gov.

Standard vs. itemized deductions

Organized recordkeeping is also critical for individuals planning to itemize deductions on their federal tax income return. Taxpayers can either itemize deductions or use the standard deduction, although itemization requires documentation for each of the items, Hendrix said.

“Deductions reduce the amount of your taxable income,” Hendrix said. “The standard deduction amount varies depending on your income, age, and filing status, and it changes each year. You should itemize deductions if your allowable itemized deductions are greater than your standard deduction, or if you must itemize deductions because you can’t use the standard deduction.”

Both standard and itemized deductions require acknowledgment of charitable contributions. To determine standard deductions, use the online form at www.irs.gov/help/ita/how-much-is-my-standard-deduction.

Retirement contributions

The end of the year is also an opportune time to plan how to maximize retirement contributions. Hendrix said there are limits to how much employers and employees can contribute to an individual retirement plan (IRA) each year.

“The plan must specifically state that contributions or benefits cannot exceed certain limits, and the limits differ depending on the type of plan,” Hendrix said. “The basic limit on elective deferrals is $20,500 in 2022, $19,500 in 2020 and 2021. Catch-up contributions may also be allowed if the employee is age 50 or older. You can make 2021 IRA contributions until April 15, 2022.”

There are several different types of employee contributions:

Salary reduction/elective deferral contributions are pre-tax employee contributions that are generally a percentage of the employee’s compensation. Some plans permit the employee to contribute a specific dollar amount each pay period. 401(k), 403(b) or SIMPLE (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) IRA plans may permit elective deferral contributions.
Designated Roth contributions are a type of elective contribution that, unlike pre-tax elective contributions, are currently includible in gross income but tax-free when distributed. 401(k), 403(b) and governmental 457(b) plans can allow them. If a plan permits designated Roth contributions, it must also offer pre-tax elective deferral contributions.
After-tax contributions are contributions from compensation (other than Roth contributions) that an employee must include in income on his or her tax return. If a plan allows after-tax contributions, they are not excluded from income and an employee cannot deduct them on his or her tax return.
Catch-up contributions if permitted by a 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457(b), SARSEP or SIMPLE IRA plan. Participants who are age 50 or over at the end of the calendar year can also make catch-up elective deferral contributions beyond the basic limit on elective deferrals.

Tax credits

Tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), can increase a taxpayer’s refund or lower the amount owed.

“If you or your child are in college, you may qualify for the American Opportunity Tax Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit,” Hendrix said. “Parents may qualify for the Child Tax Credit. Most qualifying parents received half the total credit amount in advance monthly payments. Advance payments were sent automatically to eligible people who did not opt out. The other half will be claimed upon filing the 2021 income tax return.”

Letter 6419, sent by the IRS to those receiving the Child Tax Credit, lists the total amount of advance payments that were sent in 2021. Hendrix said taxpayers should keep this letter for their tax records and to claim the remainder of the credit. If an individual’s income or family situation has changed, the IRS will reconcile the difference in Child Tax Credit payments on the tax return form for higher income earners.

Paid preparation and online filing

For complicated tax returns, a paid tax preparation service or accountant may be the best option, but paid tax preparation can be expensive, although there are low-cost and no-cost options available.

“If you are fairly computer savvy and your taxes are straightforward, you may want to file your taxes online with a purchased software,” Hendrix said. “If your adjusted gross income is $72,000 or less, you qualify to file for free using IRS Free File.”

Individuals who make $57,000 or less qualify for free in-person filing with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), Hendrix said.

“Free tax volunteers are trained and certified each year by the IRS to ensure accuracy,” she said.

Hendrix said an additional advantage to preparing to file taxes before the end of the year is a swifter refund.

“The fastest way to receive your refund is to file early, file electronically, and direct deposit,” Hendrix said. “By having all of your records in order before January, you will be ready to file as soon as the IRS allows.”

Visit www.IRS.gov for more details on IRS Free File and VITA, and visit the UAEX Money Blog to learn more about online resources and tax aid.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Obituary – Rosa Lea Wagner (1955-2021)

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8:51 pm

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Rosa Lea Wagner of Walron, Arkansas passed from this life, Sunday, December 19, 2021 in Danville, Arkansas. Rosa was born May 10, 1955 at home in Parks, Arkansas to Joe Herbert Curtis and Daisy Catherine (Thomas) Curtis. She was 66 years old.

Rosa cherished time with her family. She loved to fish and enjoyed taking care of her flowers and garden. Rosa had various jobs, but the one she treasured most was being a home health aide. Her patients were like family to her and she loved to care for them. Rosa was notorious for her chocolate pie and fried chicken.

Rosa leaves behind to cherish her memory, her children: Donald Lee Slater, Melinda Kay May Slater and Fiance’ Donald Kelly and Samuel Slater and wife Amy. Grandma will forever remain in the hearts of her grandchildren: Seth (Chelsey) Slater, James Trey Ezra (Marisol) Slater, Adrianna Slater, Samantha Slater, Ethan Pritchard, Samuel Roy Allen Slater, Lindzee Slater, Donald Ray Slater, Kyra Slater, Kendra Slater and Darrenger Slater, great-grandchildren: James Trey Ezra Slater Jr. and Veronica Yazmine Slater. Rosa is also survived by her siblings: Raymond Curtis, Monette (Junior) Austin, and Linda Beth (Bubby) Rogers. Rosa 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.

Rosa was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Daisy, brothers, Henry Curtis and Paul Curtis, her sisters: Lillian (Morris) Cunningham, Daisy Oleta Shaddon, Dortha Broomfield, Wanda Rogers and her beloved granddaughter, McKayla Slater.

Rosa’s celebration of life will be 10:00 a.m, Thursday, December 23, 2021 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Mike Shaddon officiating. Interment will follow in the Chant Cemetery in Y-City, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Rosa’s pallbearers will be Joe David Curtis, Donald Kelly, David Brother Rogers, Adam Austin, Jared Wagner and Michael Curtis. Honorary pallbearers will be Roy Bo Rogers, Chad Strunk, Eddie Fisher, John Shaddon, Shawn Curtis, Billy Wayne Curtis, Brian Curtis and Billy Fisher.

Rosa’s visitation will be Wednesday, December 22, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Obituary – Earl Bates (1941-2021)

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8:44 pm

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Earl Edward Bates of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 16, 2021 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born to Royce Anthony Bates and Eva Gladys (Essman) Bates on January 27, 1941 in Waldron, Arkansas. He was 80 years, 10 months and 16 days old.

Earl loved spending time with his family, fishing, deer hunting, tinkering with his tractor, riding his four-wheeler and most of all he enjoyed taking his grandchildren hunting. He spent most of his time at his cabin and in the summer he could be found spending time in his garden.

Earl leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife Shirley Taylor Bates of 61 beloved years, of the home, two daughters, Janet Moore (Brad Evans) and Karen Bates (Robert Marsh) and one son Rickey Bates (Pam Bates) all of Waldron, Arkansas. Papaw will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren: Rachel Himes, Levi Moore, Brandy Marsh, Kasey Hurst and one grandson waiting on him in Heaven, Chase Don Bates, as well as his great grandchildren: Dalton, Ridge, Mason, Kaylee, Aaron, Tinley and Thomas. Earl is also survived by one sister, Freda Ballard, sister-in-law Mina Atnip and brother-in-law Bob Ballard. Earl will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including a host of extended family, friends and neighbors he loved dearly.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Royce and Eva Bates, brother, Mearl Bates and sister Frankie Mae Hunt.

Earl’s life celebration will be 11:00 a.m, Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Jack Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Grove #3 Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Earl’s pallbearers will be Kelley Hunt, Mike Bates, Rick Black, Miles Dozier, Lewis Wayne James and Stanley Brewer.

Earl’s visitation will be Tuesday, December 21, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Obituary – Loyd Leon Moore (1944-2021)

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8:33 pm

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Loyd Leon “Shorty” Moore, 77, departed this life for his Heavenly Home on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. He was born October 29, 1944 in Waldron, AR to Loyd and Ruby Moore.

He later joined the United States Army and was deployed to Korea during the Vietnam War. It was during this time he would begin writing letters to his Sweet Suzy. When at last they met, it was a surprise. He showed up at her doorstep and caught her in hair rollers. He always said that she was a beautiful sight!

In 1967 the couple would marry and make their home in Mansfield, AR. Together they had three daughters, Lisa, Angie and Tammy. This beloved son, husband and father would work hard to provide for his family, often working several jobs to make ends meet. With a house full of girls, he never wavered from his loving disposition. He led his family in Godly paths, leading them in church. He left a wonderful Christian legacy, an example for ALL of us to follow. He taught his daughters the importance of hard work, dedication and integrity.

In his earlier years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. Later in life, he would take up tractor restoration and become a proud member of the Arkansas Valley Antique Tractor Club. He was a jack of all trades, if he couldn’t fix it, it couldn’t be fixed. One of his favorite hobbies was serving as the community mechanic, keeping the teenagers’ cars running and on the road. When his daughters learned his handy ways, he would beam with pride when they would declare, “it’s because we’re Shorty’s daughter!” He worked at Southwest Rebuilders in Fort Smith, AR until they closed their doors. He would then go to work at Whirlpool Corp. until he was eligible for retirement in 2004. In 1996 his first grandson, Matthew, was born. The two shared the same birthday and a special bond. In 1997, another grandson, Zachary, was born. Both boys were the apple of his eye.

Leon is survived by his wife and best friend of 54 years, Sue Norris Moore. Additionally, three daughters and their spouses, Lisa Sue Moore Nichols and Nelson Nichols, Angela Christine Moore Brown and Donnie Brown, Tammy Leann Moore Teague and Jason Teague, all of Mansfield, AR. Leon is also survived by two grandsons, Matthew Nichols and his wife Kimberly Nichols, and Zachary Brown, three sisters, Darlene Jacobs, Charlene Alewel, both of Kansas City, KS, and Julia Moore of Crossville, TN, a cousin, Tommy Baker of Arizona, and a host of other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Loyd and Ruby Moore, a twin brother, Leonard Moore, two brothers, Howard Moore and Terrell Moore, and a sister Jane Yancey.

Leon’s Celebration of Life will be held at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 21 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Donnie Wagner and Rev. Les Elmore officiating. Interment will be at Pine Log Cemetery, near Booneville, AR.

Visitation will be at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home on Monday, December 20, from 5-7 p.m.

Pallbearers are Nelson Nichols, Jason Teague, Matthew Nichols, Zachary Brown, Tommy Norris and Kevin Jolley. Honorary Pallbearers are Donnie Brown, Bill Weaver, Carl Nichols, Bill Mullens, and Advel Ricks.

If Leon were here, his parting words to you would be “make sure your life is right with Jesus so that it’s not goodbye, but see you soon.”

Lavaca Tops the Tigers in Friday Conference Match-up

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8:17 pm

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Lavaca Tops the Tigers in Friday Conference Match-up

Mansfield and Lavaca got together on Friday night to play a conference game before heading into Christmas Break. Lavaca came out on top 75-40. Coach Brown stated “We knew coming in they were really good and that we would have to have a great game. They play really good defense, physical and in your britches, and they execute offensively on the other end of the floor. They did that tonight very well. I have a lot of respect for Coach Reed and the program that he has helped build.”

Lavaca got the night started off with a baseline drive from Kolby Glidwell. Jetson Wagner would hit the first of 12 Arrow three pointers, making the score 5-0. Zayne Dugan would get the Tigers on the board with a put back basket making the score, 5-2, with 4:37 left in the first quarter of play. Drake Grantham would hit another 3 for the Arrows and Tyler Escalante would add two free throws for the Tigers. Alex Hobbs would hit a three on the next possession for Lavaca extending the lead to 11-4. With 1:20 left in the quarter Luke Watson would score his first field goal of the game but Clint Stovall would answer for the Tigers with a three point basket, making the score 13-7, Lavaca. The Arrows would end the first quarter on a 7-0 run, ending the first with a 20-7 lead.

The Tigers would start the 2^nd quarter on an 8-0 run led by back to back threes from Travis Tobey and a jumper from Zayne Dugan. This would be the closest the Tigers would get as the score was 20-15 with 5:26 to go in the half. The Arrows would use a 20-0 run over the next four minutes, knocking down four threes in that stretch. Drew Elmore would stop the run with a turnaround jumper, making the score 40-17. After two free-throws from Watson, Clint Stovall would hit a three from the corner. With 4.5 second sot go in the half, Grantham would add two free throws for the Arrows. Clint Stovall would take the inbound and watch a half-court heave, bank in, to make the halftime score, 44-23.

Glidwell would make a free throw for the Arrows to start the second half. Tyler Escalante would add a three for the Tigers, netting the score at 45-26. Lavaca would use an 11-3 run to make the score 56-29 with 2 minutes left in the third quarter. Stovall would hit his fourth 3 of the game. The Arrows would outscore the Tigers 5-1 from that point to end the third, 61-33.

The teams would exchange points from the free throw line to begin the fourth quarter. J. Wagner would hit his third 3 pointer of the game to extend the lead, 66-35. The Golden Arrows would outscore the Tigers, 12-5 over the final five minutes, giving us the final of 75-40.

“We will get back to practice next week before giving our guys some time off for Christmas. I thought our guys played really hard tonight. Thought they never gave up. Lavaca is a great team and I think you will see them in the conversation come March. With that being said I think we could be a great team. We just have to continue to improve each day and I believe our guys will“, stated Mansfield Coach Brown.

The Tigers will be back in action against Paris in the first round of the Bill Frye Invitational on Tuesday December 28^th.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	FINAL
Lavaca	20	24	17	14	75
Mansfield	7	16	10	7	40

Mansfield: C. Stovall (16), T. Escalante (7), T. Tobey (6), Z. Dugan (4), E. Pettus (2), D. Elmore (2), G. Baggett (1), Z. Hayslip (1), B. Byers (1)

Lavaca: K. Glidwell (13), J. Wagner (13), D. Grantham (10), L. Watson (10), A. Walker (9), A. Hobbs (6), J. Armistead (6), P. Owen (2), J. Johnson (2), A. Johnson (1)

A Trip to Da’Bayou

Lifestyle

Madison VanRavensway

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8:15 am

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I love finding new places that I want to go to 100 times. With this weird weather we are having here this December a snoball and milkshake sounded good.

While we were finishing up Christmas shopping this past week we made one last stop in Greenwood at the sweetest candy store, pun intended.

Bottlecaps is an adorable store with a wall of specialty sodas and a variety of candies both known and new. Attached is a vintage game arcade. We didn’t make it in the arcade this time since we were just there to pick up candy for gifts.

On the way out I stopped and stared in the window at the (also attached) snoball and ice cream shop. Since we were out celebrating my birthday on this trip, too, my husband insisted we pop in.

With a theme that transports customers to Mardi Gras and a multitude of combinations for snoball and many also for ice cream we were both overwhelmed at the possibilities and excited to try anything!

With a slogan like “Better than Snocones” you just know it’s going to be tasty. The sweet worker on their “Krewe” helped us make our selection- a Bougie Christmas Tree Snoball for my husband and a Bougie Voodoo Elf Shake for me.

Now let me tell you about that snoball- it had Christmas Tree cakes blended up into it, cream cheese was in it, it had sprinkles and we chose vanilla as our flavor. It was Heaven.The ice cream in my shake was Blue Bell and glorious. The shake was also incredible, and had we not tried the snoball the shake would probably be worthy of more praise. But the snoball was just unlike anything else.

When everything opened back up in 2020, there was a big push to help see small businesses through the rest of the pandemic. The support was there, and now that a new normal has started coming many are forgetting to shop small. It’s okay to support big corporations, too, but remember your friends and neighbors and those bold enough to create something on their own.

Lady Tigers Quiver Lavaca Golden Arrows

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8:25 pm

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Mansfield versus Lavaca. The End……basically everyone knows that when these two programs go at it on the court that they better get to the stadium. On Friday, December 17, with the stands so packed the humidity level rose 5%, the Lady Tigers tipped off the night and finally, the game was on.

After the tip-off, both teams traded turnovers as both tried to get a feel for each other. The Lady Tigers not only fought a very physical game against the Lady Arrows but also showed their passion for the game when each play got harder and harder. With temperatures rising and players getting heated, the Lavaca Arrows scored the first free throw point of the first quarter. With “when and doubt shoot” on Alyson Edwards mind, the powerful #12 was the first to show her true intentions on the Tiger scoreboard. Defense is usually the downfall of most teams but was most definitely not the Lady Tigers as they fought hard with the Arrows only scoring points via free throws. The Lady Tigers controlled the scoreboard as they slowly took charge of the Arrows leaving the first quarter 16-15.

Even with arrows lodged in their backs, the Lady Tigers still managed to throw the Lavaca Golden Arrows off their target as the second quarter ensued. Although the Lady Tigers had the lead, the fouls started building up for Mansfield after each possession. The best way to deter heavy aggression is to challenge it with power. Since power is what the Lady Tigers needed, power is what they got as Seven Sanderson stepped on the court. Sanderson blocked shots, drew fouls, rebounded, and was a pure backboard beast. With great power comes great responsibility and Sandersons responsibility was to build to get her team on their feet and boy did she ever do that. The Tigers were so hyped Natalie Allison showed her excitement with a B-I-G block from behind. Although the Lady Tigers were on fire when the halftime buzzer sounded, the Lady Tigers walked into the locker room with a 31-27 lead.

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To start the third quarter off the Lady Tigers come out on fire with an explosive 3 pointer by Senior Sadie Roberts. With a five-point lead, the Lady Tigers were running fast and playing hard causing Lavaca to turnover the ball not once, not twice, but multiple times. Mansfield might have gotten a little carried away with creating turnovers as they began to make a few of their own. Skylyn Harris and Sadie Roberts quickly make up for it and put the steals back into Mansfield’s identity by creating turnovers against Lavaca again. Lavaca kept Mansfield All-Star Alyson Edwards shut down for most of the night but they didn’t keep her down for good. Edwards was left open and sank a “nothing but net” shot proving she could no longer be contained. Natalie Allison got into the mix with sweeps in and steals and even jumped Lavaca for an exciting layup ending the quarter 43-31.

The Lady Tigers opened the final quarter with a powerbomb group consisting of Skylynn Harris, Seven Sanderson, Alyson Edwards, Sarah Fisher, and Natalie Allison. Once seeing the Mega Powers on the court, the Lady Golden Arrows might as well have grabbed the keys and started the bus. With many of the Tigers in foul trouble including Sadie Roberts and Kynslee Ward, the Tigers still fought a hard and physical fourth quarter. It was Sanderson who stepped up to the plate yet again to shut down Lavacas advances so who else but her to make the final shot of the game to send the Lady Tigers to victory with a hefty win of 57-42.

Sadie Roberts and Allyson Edwards led the team in scoring with 14 points apiece. Good things come in pairs because Natalie Allyson and Seven Sanderson hung up 10 points a piece. Skylynn Harris rounded out the points for Mansfield by putting up 8 points on the night. Mansfield won’t be taking their win over Lavaca as a one-and-done. Next up for the Lady Tigers will be the Bill Frye Invitational and Mansfield intends on defending their home court to the max in the tournament.

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