For the semi-final round of the Regional Tournament, the Mansfield Tigers were slated to face the Mountainburg Dragons. Having already faced Mountainburg multiple times before in the season, the Tigers knew this wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. The game had its fair share of highs and lows. From the Dragons losing a starter in the first quarter due to a dislocated finger injury to the Tigers being able to hold back Mountainburg’s top two scorers, there definitely wasn’t a lack of action. After all was said and done though, the Dragons walked away with the win, 56-46 sending the Tigers to face Acorn for a third-place bid in Regionals.
Ethan Pettus
“The Mountainburg game was a tough one,” explained Coach Keith Stovall. “For the boys, when you look at the scorebook, I say we should have won by 20. We held their top two point producers to just 23 points. These two guys had been averaging around 40 + points a game combined. Then they lose a starting 5 to a dislocated finger in the 1st quarter. Everything was in our favor. All I can say is welcome to tournament play! Then their backup post came off the bench and lights us up for 23, shooting no more than 2 feet from the rim. We have certainly learned our lesson.”
Codi Chick
“The good news is that we were still playing when everyone had us counted out weeks ago. That’s what happens when the quarantines and injuries are gone and you get to have some real practices. Also, #20 for Mountainburg was able to return after the game and will be able to play in State. He came up to all our coaches and players outside the gym after the game and shook our hands. A class act that represents his school and parents well!”
Bri Sanderson
The Tigers still had one more hurdle to jump in Regional play as they came back Saturday, March 6, to attempt to overthrow the Acorn Tigers for a third-place spot. Also no stranger to conference foe Acorn, Mansfield was strapped in and ready for what was sure to be a category 6 hurricane match. As both towns packed the stands, the energy in the gym was at a high concentration. As the game tipped-off, first-time sophomore starter, Braxton Byers, launched the first two points for Mansfield. But after enduring an ankle injury, Byers was sadly out the remainder of the game.
Tyler Escalante
The Tigers shifted their game plan and got back in it. The first quarter ended with a score of 8-6 Acorn and at that moment it became apparent to Acorn that although they were able to walk all over Mansfield in their previous games, this time it wasn’t going to be that easy. Both teams remained on fire going into halftime 24-17 Acorn but as the second half of the game got underway, the tides started to change for the worse for Mansfield. Acorn was able to pull away from the Tigers and end Regional play with a winning score of 46-28 and the third-place trophy. Codi Chick led Mansfield with 9 points followed by Clint Stovall with 6, JoJo Bailey with 3, and Tyler Escalante, Ethan Pettus, Bri Sanderson, Zayne Dugan, and Braxton Byers with 2 apiece.
JoJo Bailey
With Regionals behind them, Mansfield is ready to play as they have never played before as they take on State. The Tigers will be battling the Caddo Hills Indians at 1 pm in Melbourne on Tuesday, March 9.
The year was 1877 when the war-weary German immigrant Frederich Morsbach reached the summit of Magazine Mountain and established his land claim on the hard rocky soils of the mountain top. Morsbach was tired of war. His family had sent him to Wisconsin to escape the constant warfare in Europe only to see him drafted into the Union army. At 5’2’ and weighing about 150 pounds, he probably did not appear to be an imposing or intimidating solder but he was rock-hard and tough. As a private in Company G, 11th Infantry, Wisconsin Volunteers, he fought in a number of battles along the Mississippi River and into Louisiana. He was a part of General Grants group and was involved in the battle of Vicksburg, one of the turning points of the war.
After the war, he and his family moved to Salem, Missouri only to have his son-in-law shot in the back and killed by former southern sympathizers. Seeking peace and solitude, he found the mountain.
Morsbach and his family appeared to enjoy and thrive in their new home. Prime building stone was scattered down the slope in front of the house. He and his children used it to construct a foundation, a chimney, and the front wall of the home. They built it sturdy and strong, much of the rock structure is still standing along Apple Trail today.
Rush Cameron
An old road passed in front of the Morsbach home and wound around the cliff face to the home of an unlikely neighbor, Thomas R. Cameron. Thomas was a native of Georgia and, when the war began, joined the 39th Georgia infantry. In 1863, he was a part of Pemberton’s army and was expected to hold Jackson, Mississippi. When Jackson fell, hundreds of confederates, including Cameron, were captured as they retreated toward Vicksburg. Cameron spent the rest of the war as a prisoner at Camp Chase, Ohio. Camp Chase was packed with more than 4,000 prisoners and was one of the most miserable and unhealthy places known to man. More than 2,000 of the prisoners succumbed to illness while imprisoned there. Somehow Cameron survived! After the war, he moved first to Chickalah mountain and then onto the flat projection of Mt. Magazine know known as his namesake, Cameron Bluff. His daughter, Lois was the first known person to be married on Magazine Mountain.
Both men had faced hardship, deprivation, and injury from the terrible war that resulted in the death of more Americans than any other war fought. It is possible that the men even faced off in battle at Vicksburg as Grant surrounded the city and bombarded it for weeks until its surrender on July 4, 1863. Fate brought these two old soldiers to the same place to find peace, build a home, and to raise their families.
The community on the mountain was never large. Just a handful of families that forged strong ties and friendships. Together, they built a community gathering place and a school building. Neighbors would wander up and down the road from the west end of the mountain, passing by the Cameron and Morsbach homes. Old man Morsbach often sat on his front porch with his ear tube beside him so he could talk with passersby. With homes separated by a few hundred yards of winding dirt road, the two former enemies developed a friendship that lasted the rest of their lives. In our day and time, we can learn much about civility and getting along from those of our past.
It was a beautiful opening day in Paris on Monday when the Lamar Warriors came to town to open the 2021 Paris high school baseball season. Warm, sunny weather greeted the large crowd who gathered with much anticipation to the Eagles 2021 baseball campaign. The Class 4A Lamar Warriors, having already played five games previously, were playing Paris in a non-conference game.
Resident Press Photo
Sophomore Mason Bradley started the game on the hill for the Eagles. After giving up a walk to open the game, Bradley settled-in quickly and successfully retired the next ten Lamar hitters. Bradley found himself in a good old fashioned pitching dual with Lamar starter Jacob Key. The two dominant pitchers controlled the game, and as a result, there was not much offense generated by either team.
Resident Press Photo
Both team committed early-season errors that included Lamar outfielders running into each other instead of calling off the other on a fly ball to left field, and a grand ball that went between and Eagles infielder. But what proved to be most deadly to the Eagles was a sequence of passed balls / wild pitches in the sixth that broke open a 2-2 game and allowed the Warriors to manufacture two runs late in the game. Lamar relief pitcher Brady James worked quickly and threw strikes to end any hopes of an Eagles comeback in the seventh. And when the game was over, Paris had played a very good game for its first game of the season against a seasoned 4A team that had played five previous games.
Resident Press Photo
Perhaps the most exciting thing for Paris fans is the strength of the Eagles pitching with Mason Bradley and Duke Walker along with the middle infield strength of Bradley and freshman Konnor Edwards. Walker made spectacular catches in center field on fly balls that were both hit short and long against the fence. There is a lot of talent on this team, and although it is relatively young, the Eagles could make some noise this year in the conference race. Paris played well in just its first game against a quality opponent.
Resident Press Photo
Today, the Eagles will have another opportunity to play a quality opponent when the Waldron Bulldogs come to Paris. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. As of the time and date of this story, it is unknown to Resident Press who will start the game for the Eagles.
Resident Press Photo
Monday night was also the debut of new lights on the Eagles home field. The new lighting performed well and there were few, if any, dark spots anywhere on the field. The Eagles baseball program has added nice touches to the presentation of the game that makes the day a great fan experience for everyone in attendance. Great music, introductions of players, “walk-up music” as players approach the plate for at-bats, etc., have given the program a significant upgrade.
And if you cannot attend the game, tune in to the play-by-play on the sports brew. If you did not listen last night, you missed a great internet streaming of the game. In fact, the quality was so good, it sounded like a major college baseball broadcast. I listened to the game as I shot photos for this story, and I was very impressed. I recommend that fans bring their phones and headphones to listen at the ballpark! To listen to the live stream, simply go to thesportsbrew.net and follow the link to the game broadcast.
Resident Press Photo
Fans from both schools can see additional photos from this game on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports. All photos can be copied free of charge.
I will be at today’s Paris Lady Eagles softball game to cover their match-up with the Waldron Lady Bulldogs. First pitch for today’s softball game is scheduled for 5 p.m. The Lady Eagles defeated Magazine by a score of 14-0 in their game on Monday. Resident Press will have a story on the Lady Eagles game on Wednesday night in the online edition of Resident Press.
So the 2021 baseball and softball seasons are off in full swing, and as the weather improves, there will be many opportunities for fans to come out and enjoy some great weather and great baseball and softball. And Resident Press will be there to bring you all of the action throughout the spring!
The Greenwood Resident spoke with the owner of Lola’s Blessed Bean, Racheal Calderon, to discuss her upcoming plans for the new coffee. The grand opening for Lola’s Blessed Bean, located on the town square, is slated for Saturday, March 13.
(Q.): How long have you been considering opening your own business? (A): The Lord laid this on my heart almost four years ago. I spent a lot of time searching for the right location. God found the perfect spot for me on Main Street. It has been a long process to get this location ready. Being a single parent has made it take a lot longer than it should have. But, I am very blessed that the Lord has taught me patience and perseverance during this process. He has also blessed me with many wonderful people on this journey.
(Q): Is there any significance to the name? (A): Yes, Lola’s is actually named in honor of my grandmother. She introduced me to my first cup of “coffee” when I was about three. Of course, it was more milk than coffee, but it was made with so much love. To be able to sit at the kitchen table every time I visited and drink a cup of coffee with my grandparents was a special treat. The love that I felt every time I sat there with them is a memory that I cherish. I hope to share that feeling of love and hospitality with everyone who comes to Lola’s Blessed Bean.
(Q): I see that dog treats are on the menu, what a great idea! How do you make them healthy for animals? (A): The pupcakes and pupsticks will be provided by a local baker. But, they are going to be prepared with all pet-safe ingredients. I hope to expand the menu of our treats. We are also going to carry plush toys and chew bones provided by The Pupper Agency.
Lola’s Blessed Bean will provide both online and call-in ordering with curbside pickup available. Additionally, they will offer gift cards and everyday discounts.
Menu items include various types of coffee, tea, soda, a large assortment of baked goods, and many other items. Lola’s Blessed Bean is located at 9 North Main Street in Greenwood. To learn more about Greenwood’s newest coffee shop, visit their Facebook page @lolasblessedbean.
Lola’s Blessed Bean staff pictured from left: Kayla, Emma, Bailey, Racheal, and Tayler
The Tiger Market is gearing up for the opening day of the 2021 season on March 27 with an Easter egg hunt and giveaway.
Attendees can enter to win one of many prizes donated by Sonic in Mansfield, Dollar General in Midland, and Kari Dickinson Photography. The Easter eggs will be filled with candy and other great prizes. The hunt will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the gazebo.
Shop local on the downtown square in Mansfield and support your community every second and fourth Saturday 8 a.m. – noon. Plants, produce, jams, jellies, home decor and handmade crafts will be available.
Booth space is available for drop-in vendors and fundraising. Contact Kari Dickinson at 479-719-9131 for details. Follow Tiger Market on Facebook for the latest news and upcoming market events!
On Sunday morning, March 7, a Sebastian County deputy was dispatched to a Hackett residence on Plum Street. After arriving on scene, the deputy met with homeowners, Dane and Betty Goodwin, and noted the writing on both vehicles.
Goodwin, a spokesman for the Facebook group “Make Hackett Great Again,” stated that he and his wife had been up until around 2 a.m. Sunday morning and were unaware of any activity.
It was later that morning when they discovered that someone had written “STOP OR ELSE” on both vehicles. “It is a threat…It is sad too because all we are trying to do is change the town for the better.”
Goodwin, who addressed the Hackett City Council on February 25 (see related story), felt it was a threat in retaliation for his speech.
“It just makes us more determined than ever to keep moving forward,” Goodwin stated. Adding that since this incident, five more residents have asked for yard signs advertising the Facebook group. “Whoever did this wants to Make Hackett Great Again stop, but we will not be detoured in our efforts and will continue attending the council meetings to let our voices be heard.“
SCSO Captain Philip Pevehouse stated that criminal mischief is a misdemeanor.
Resident News Owner/Publisher Jason Baggett and Editor Tammy Teague presented the 2020 Media Awards on Thursday, March 4 and Monday, March 8.
The recipients were Waldron Police Department’s Detective Horacio Gonzalez and Huntington Police Chief Stacy Wieburg.
“This award is only a symbol of our appreciation for you and the work you do for our community,” Teague stated. “We value the relationship between the press and law enforcement. Today we honor you for your dedication and outstanding efforts to ensure that the information we provide our readers is accurate.”
Gonzalez, who was hired by current Waldron Mayor David Millard, has been with the department since 2016. He has outstanding rapport with the community and is well-respected by his constituents. “It is unheard of for an officer to make an arrest, and have that individual later come to their aid. That is simply the kind of officer Gonzalez is…He always has time to make sure the information I have is accurate and true. I’ve called him on vacations and plenty of his days off. His response to me, after I apologized profusely, was the same. ‘Call or text me anytime!”
Wieburg has served as Chief of Police in the City of Huntington since 2019. “We appreciate all that you do for Resident Press,” shared Baggett. “We are thankful for the relationship that we have fostered throughout the years, and the assistance you have provided to us. Without it, we cannot provide our readers with relevant and factual information.” Wieburg, who got his start in law enforcement in Huntington as a reserve officer, has worked hard over the past several years to continue building the department while fostering community relations.
Thank you both for the work you do and the difference you make!
Pictured from left: Waldron Police Chief Jeremy Hunt, Waldron Mayor David Millard, Detective Horacio Gonzalez, and Editor Tammy Teague.
Pictured from left: Resident News Owner/Publisher Jason Baggett and Huntington Police Chief Stacy Wieburg.
Joseph Gerald Essman went to his heavenly home on March 6, 2021. He was born on May 28, 1947, to Joseph Dee and Bessie Elizabeth (Lewis) Essman in Waldron, Arkansas. He was 73 years old.
Gerald was the Owner/operator of Essman Trucking, Essman Towing, and Recovery and an army veteran of the Vietnam war where he served in the 101st airborne division. He loved drag racing, hunting and fishing, breakfast at the local cafes, sharing stories with his friends, and keeping his family laughing with his antics. His smile and sense of humor were contagious and his wink always let you know that he was up to something.
Gerald leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 43 years, Joni of the home, daughters: Ladonna Evans and husband Dave of Dardanelle, Arkansas, Michelle Edwards and husband Rick of Chester, Arkansas and Amy Russell of Greenwood, Arkansas. Grandpa/PaPaw will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren: Ryan Scantling and wife Allie, Dalton Russell, Joseph Russell, Kaitlen Miller, Paige Provost and husband Ethan, Allie Cathey and Jessie Whitten as well as 6 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters, Vera Artzer of Topeka, Kansas, and Marilyn Johnson of Blue Eye, Missouri and one brother, Dale Essman of Van Buren, Arkansas as well as his furry friends, his dogs, DJ, Julie and runt. Gerald will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including a host of extended family, great friends, and neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his parents(Joseph and Bessie), his mother-in-law Estalee Simpson, his brothers Allan Essman, Jim Essman; and sisters Paula Piles and Janice Weston; daughter Anette Essman, grandson Sean Wesley Miller, and granddaughter Meagan Scantling.
Gerald’s graveside life celebration will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at the Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas with Ryan Scantling officiating. Interment will follow.
Gerald’s visitation will be Monday, March 8, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gerald Essman, please visit our floral store.
Pictured: Mansfield senior high participants Darby Jones, Harleigh Mars, Faith Rainwater, Jadelynn Wood, and Hope Rainwater share a moment at the Bearcat Relays. The MHS girls took second place in the team standings at the Booneville Track meet.
A week after winter storms covered the area with snow, Mansfield gathered early season track results with trips to Booneville and Van Buren.
Because of the winter white-out and MHS’s highly successful basketball season, the Tigers’ normal track and field roster and preseason preparations were limited. Despite the unusual circumstances affecting the start of the spring sport, Mansfield still forged ahead to post competitive results in meets scheduled for all levels last week.
The Tiger thinclads opened the 2021 season with a road trip to Booneville on Monday, March 1 for junior high action. They returned to Bearcat country over two of the next three days with meets featuring the seventh-grade prep team on March 2 and the senior high squad racing on March 4.
Jadelynn Wood studies her triple jump off the track iPad
With a handful of athletes, Mansfield’s senior girls went back to back with limited entries at the Van Buren runners only meet on March 5.
The senior girls and junior girls made the most noise with top-three finishes in the team rankings. The boys showed extreme potential especially compared to their new 2A league foes. The seventh-grade girls grabbed two individual trophies while the prep team boys showed flashes of extreme speed.
Mansfield’s senior girls took second place in the team standings with 106 total points. Host Booneville won the outing with 171 behind its full complement of players. Clarksville came calling at third while Ozark, Pottsville, and Lamar sparked the top six.
The Lady Tiger tracksters plugged in where they could as dual sport cheerleaders and basketball players competed at nearby Magazine in the first round of the regional tournament.
Seventh-Grader Dominic Shores
Short handed or not, Tiger veterans like Faith and Hope Rainwater, Harleigh Mars, Shelby Cole, and Darby Jones made an impact. Sophomores Alayna Tuner, Madelen Jones, and Jadelynn Wood also came through.
Faith Rainwater scored 20 points with a pair of second-place finishes in the pole vault and 3200m run. She was also anchor leg to the 4x800m relay that won the long-distance cooperative and started the third-place 4x100m team.
Hope Rainwater, Darby Jones, and Wood completed the 4x800m team. Mars, Cole, and Wood finished the makeshift 4x100m squad.
Mars took second in the 300m hurdles after a year off from that race. Madelen Jones won the event after coming over to the track meet after basketball filming obligations. Cole also placed in the hurdles. Hers was a second place mark in the 100m highs.
Sophomore Alayna Turner takes fourth in the discus and second in the shot at the Booneville Bearcat Relays
Wood placed second in the triple jump at 28-10. It was a personal best for the sophomore. Turner was second in the shot put and fourth in the discus by competing as the meet’s earliest thrower. Turner then bused over to the basketball game for cheerleader responsibilities at the regional tournament.
Cassidy Carlton played the back and forth game as well by competing in the long jump, going to the basketball game to cheer, and returning back to the Booneville track to complete the 4x400m relay that took third.
Katlynn Moore and Alyssa James pulled double duty as well with a return from cheer to offer help in the late distance events.
Shawn Brown won the men’s discus throw. He posted the highest mark at 110-0 as the meet’s first thrower. As the only class 2A thrower present, his mark could not be touched by any of the large school competitors that remained.
Seventh grader Rylan Nichols won the pole vault at the Bearcat Relays for seventh graders at Mansfield’s first meet of the year for underclassmen
Brown also placed among the top 8 in the shot put.
Senior Victor Steffan had his best outcome in the high jump for the senior high men’s team. His 5-8 measure was good for second place among the many vertical leapers.
Sophomore Tommy Phang did well in the sprint races and the horizontal jumps. His personal records in the 100m dash, long jump, and 200m dash all scored.
John Branche and Ethan Streets both made strong pushes in the 400m dash. Branche doubled up in the 1600m run as well.
Mansfield’s junior girls tied for third in the team standings with Booneville. Only Russellville and Waldron bettered the junior Lady Tigers. Waldron barely clipped the Tiger claws for the runner-up plaque. Waldron had 94.5 points while Mansfield and Booneville tied at 93 points.
The 4x100m relay team of Daisy Nelson, Carter Whiley, Addie Bowman, and Aaliyah Summers took the team’s highest finish in a running event. The crew squeaked out the narrow victory over a strong field that included Booneville, Pottsville, and Waldron among the field of 10 teams.
Seventh-grader Kaylee Ward dominated the shot put with back-to-back victories over two consecutive nights. The seventh-grader won the junior high contest with a 30-8 toss on Monday. She followed that with another blue ribbon on Tuesday at the seventh grade meet with an even larger throw of 31-7.
Daisey Nelson
Ward actually tied for high point honors in the seventh grade meet at 26 points. Her victories in the shot and discus along with high marks in the high jump, 4x100m, and 4x400m relays pulled off the reward.
Fellow newcomer Daisy Nelson of Mansfield shared the high point plaque with Ward along with a third competitor from Booneville.
Nelson won the seventh grade 100m hurdles at 18.84. She was second at the pole vault (6-6), second in the long jump (12-8.5), and shared the baton with Ward in the same two relays.
Nelson also vaulted in the junior thigh meet for third place and was the lead leg in the junior high 4x100m relay victory.
Laney Wood starred individually for the junior high team with a second-place pole vault of 6-6 and a third-place 1600m run of 6:38.30. Summers was third in the 100m dash. Trinity Triska was fourth in the 800m run. Whiley was fifth and seventh in the high jump and 100m dash respectively.
Joey Fildes
Addie Bowman and Rachel Johnson scored for the junior team in the hurdles. Raine Hecox, Aidan Fildes, Azlynn Stover, Bowman, Triska, and Wood supported scoring relays.
Kaylie Lowery took fifth in the discus while Ward was second in the junior discus and first in the seventh-grade discus.
Madison Hearron and Chloe Whiley showed flashes in the seventh-grade pole vault and 4x100m relay. Hearron scored in the 100m hurdles and long jump. Mackenzie Robinson went for sixth place among the seventh-grade discus throwers.
Trey Powell and Tyler Turnipseed off the junior high boys’ team and Dawson Robinson and Dominic Shores off the seventh-grade boys’ team placed well in the sprints. Among their class 2A peers, the Tigers looked to be head of the class.
Powell and Turnipseed also placed among the top 8 in the horizontal hops among a field flooded with mostly class 3A jumpers.
Aidan Fildes
Mansfield gave promise of having strong pole vaulters as Peyton Martin, Austin Ruiz, Boston Elmore, Rylan Nichols, and Josiah Fildes all registered marks inside the top 8. Among the vertical leapers, Martin was top Tiger at 9-0 for second place in the junior boys. Nichols won his seventh-grade division at 6-6.
Trey Vaughn and Sammy Sellers were among the top four discus throwers for the ninth grade, Vaughn went 107-0 for third place. Sellers went 102-3 for fourth.
Ruiz also was among the best 800m runners. The eighth-grader ran a 2:30.30 half-mile equivalent. Josiah Fildes was among the top four seventh-grade milers at a time of 6:07.
Mansfield only took a handful of distance racers and 300m hurdle participants to Van Buren for the senior girls at the end of the week. The very cold and very windy meet was looked at as another practice opportunity for the team.
This past Christmas I discovered the beauty of dump cakes. With four ingredients I get a delicious cake, and my in-laws were asking for the recipe. My husband’s grandfather told me I cheated when I told him how easy it was.
This recipe can be replicated with any kind of pie filling! Simply replace the can of pineapples with a second can of the pie filling of your choosing. I’ve made it with apples and it was just as delicious.
Ingredients
-1 box yellow cake mix
-1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
-1 can cherry pie filling
-1 can chunk pineapples, drained
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350*.
2. Pour can of cherries and pineapples in a greased 9×13 pan.
3. Top with yellow cake mix, dice up butter into large chunks and spread evenly over the top of the cake.
4. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
This cake is delicious topped with ice cream, whipped topping, or all on its own! It comes together in minutes but tastes excellent.
