Christmas can really put you (and your wallet) in a bind if you aren’t prepared. For big families by the time you come up with food, gifts, and decorations for all the Christmas parties you have to attend it can be overwhelming and downright expensive! Luckily I have some tips to help keeps costs low and merriment high!
1. Make gift giving more FUN! Play white elephant/dirty Santa/whatever you call it! Along with it having multiple names there are a couple variations on how it’s played as well! Essentially in this game everyone will bring a gift, the gifts are placed in a pile, and each person draws a number. Number one gets to pick a present, opens, and shares what it is with the group. Number two can now open a new present or steal the present from number one, and so on. Rather than buying multiple gifts for people, this enables gifters to bring one item and receive one item! Less clutter to take home and a happier wallet for everyone!
2. For kids (actually adults draw names too) in my husband’s large family we draw names. Rather than having to buy six gifts, my boys each draw names. Someone gets my kids one gift a piece and I get to buy two gifts in exchange! This means who we draw is getting more quality gifts but I’m still not spending a fortune.
3. Skip the formal meal. Finger foods are always a crowd pleaser. Invite your family to skip on the traditional dishes and bring hors d’ourves or appetizers to your get together this Christmas. There’s always so much eating around the holidays, it’s okay to not have a feast at every party!
4. Forget the gifts altogether! For my mother’s family we do not exchange gifts at all! We each bring a dish and have a nice meal, last year we had brunch together. I enjoyed the simplicity of it, and because it was in the morning we weren’t rushing to get to anyone else’s houses and just able to enjoy.
5. While this may not help this year, in future years check the clearance aisles frequently! There are always spectacular deals on toys, games, and household items. Shopping year round for presents keeps from causing such a shock to finances all at one time. It also allows more bang for your buck, often items are clearanced due to overstock!
The shopping season is just getting underway, and now is the ideal time to plan with your family and friends. There are plenty of ways to have a holly jolly Christmas while being a penny pincher like Scrooge- just get creative!
This year has been hard. So much has been lost- huge things like jobs and loved ones and graduations. Even down to class parties and spring breaks. Thanksgiving looked different, and Christmas will too; people are depressed.
I read something on Facebook about a person’s therapist telling them to wash the dishes twice because they were overwhelming to the person. Wow. As I did my dishes I thought about the stack of paper plates my husband just bought sitting in the cabinet and wished we had paper cups, too. Are paper pots a thing? I need those as well.
If you are entering December feeling like you have a gas tank on empty I want to invite you to run your dishwasher twice. Remind yourself there is no prize for emptying it on the days you can’t take a full breathe. If it’s ran, you have clean dishes. Running it multiple times just means they are more sterilized.
Buy the paper plates, and paper cups, and crockpot liners- it’s bad for the earth but I promise the earth is better because you are here. We can recycle and conserve water in 2021. Let’s enjoy December anyway we can, and not focus on the things giving us stress. Rewash those clothes, or run the dryer again. Get the wrinkles out. Tomorrow maybe you can fold them, but if today all you can do is set the dial and press start do it. Look! You just cleaned your family’s clothes!
One step at a time, one task at a time- this too shall pass and we will have a beautiful new year, with new experiences. Do what you need to do to get through the day. Check on your friends and family, remind them they don’t have to do it all.
I won’t tell you how to celebrate the holidays, I am not qualified to make that call. But remember it’s okay to use the paper plates, and love your loved ones, in person or at a distance, instead of doing dishes. Tell them it’s because of Covid germs, or tell them it’s because you don’t want to do the dishes. No matter what you tell them, just remember getting anything done, even with extra steps is okay. Next year we can save the earth; the rest of this year let’s save our mental health, let’s save ourselves.
Joann Johnson of Waldron, Arkansas passed from this life, Wednesday, November 25, 2020, in Waldron, Arkansas. Joann was born August 3, 1940, to James Robert Goddard and Rwilta (Johnson) Goddard in Scott County, Arkansas. She was 80 years old.
Joann worked at Tyson Foods for many years. Over the years she had made many many friends she loved and held dear to her heart. She was a good woman that was loved by everyone that knew her. Joann enjoyed and loved animals.
Joann leaves behind to cherish her memory, one daughter, Gwen Johnson of Waldron, Arkansas and her siblings: Sally Szabo of Missouri, Robbie Wright of Waldron, Arkansas and Doris Houston of Greenwood, Arkansas. Joann will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted, including a host of nieces and nephews, friends and loved ones.
Joann was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Rwilta Goddard, her former husband Otis Johnson and one brother, Jackie Goddard.
Joann’s memorial life celebration will be held at a later date. Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, Joann’s wish was for for donations to be made to any local animal shelter.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joann Johnson, please visit our floral store.
The Greenwood Bulldogs played host to the Marion Patriots for the 6A semi final matchup.
The first score of the game came on a 1-yard touchdown run from senior quarterback LD Richmond who went airborne for the score. The Bulldogs take an early lead 6-0.
On the next Marion possession, The Bulldog defense would force a sack-fumble and recover the loose ball in Patriot territory. Richmond would score his second rushing touchdown of the night on a 9 yard rush up the middle. Senior Hunter Wilkinson would lead his quarterback through the patriot defense and Richmond would drag the final defender for the score. Bulldogs move the score to 13-0.
Senior LD Richmond
With 4:54 left in the 1st quarter, Richmond connects with sophomore Aiden Kennon who sprung himself open in the right side of the end zone. Kennon left his defender around the 7 yard line and hauled in Richmond’s pass to extend the Bulldog lead to 20-0.
After a Marion touchdown closed the gap to 20-7, Greenwood would strike again with another Richmond rushing touchdown. With 8:18 left in the 2nd quarter, Richmond would sprint to the sideline and outrun Marion defenders as he extends his arm over the pylon for the Bulldog score. Greenwood extends their lead to 27-7.
Kennon would find the end zone for a 2nd time as the sophomore hauled in a Richmond pass and turned his defender completely around, more than once, before sprinting down the sideline for the 24-yard Bulldog score. Greenwood would take a 34-7 lead into halftime.
Sophomore Aiden Kennon
LD Richmond finished the 1st half with 3 rushing touchdowns to go along with 2 passing scores. Wilkinson would not find the end zone but had 119 rushing yards on 19 carries. Wilkinson is 1 touchdown away from breaking the school record for touchdowns in a season. He is currently tied with former Bulldog standout Drew Morgan.
After the halftime festivities, Greenwood would return to work. Richmond would find senior receiver Jase Strozier late in the 3rd quarter for a 9 yard touchdown. With their eyes on triggering the mercy rule, Greenwood would convert a 2 point conversion on a Richmond pass to Caden Brown. The Bulldogs take their lead to 42-7.
Things wouldn’t get better for Marion as they were punting deep in their own territory when a high snap went out of the back of the end zone for a safety. With the unconventional score, the Bulldogs extend their lead to 44-7.
With 6:48 left in the game, Senior running back Ty Moose would get in on the scoring when he takes the hand off 24-yards for the score. The offensive line opened up a large hole for Moose and he would shake a tackle to get in for the score. the Bulldog lead extends to 51-7.
That would be the final score of the game and the Greenwood Bulldogs advance to their 14th state championship appearance.
Hunter Wilkinson would finish with 27 carries for 146 yards while LD Richmond would complete 14/20 passes for 178 yards and 3 touchdowns. Richmond would also rush 10 times for 64 yards and 3 additional touchdowns. Sophomore receiver Aiden Kennon would lead the receivers with 5 catches for 80 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Greenwood advances to the championship game and faces Lake Hamilton at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The game is scheduled for Saturday, December 5th at 6:40 p.m.
Ethel W. (Slater) Wagner, better known as Nona, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Monday, November 23, 2020, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Nona was born December 22, 1935, in Reedley, California to Okey May and Cora (King) May. Nona was 84 years old.
Nona was a faithful member of Waldron Pentecostal Church of God. She was a living testament of a Godly woman. She believed and she lived her daily walk with God. Nona was well known within the church for the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches around. She really enjoyed going to Judy’s Drive In to eat. She loved to cook and bake and be surrounded by family and friends to enjoy it with.
Nona leaves behind to cherish her memory, one daughter, Janice Isham and one grandson, Jon Isham and wife Myka and two great grandchildren, Brandon Byford and Alexis Bostic all of Waldron, Arkansas. Nona will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of extended family, friends, neighbors and brothers and sisters in Christ that she loved dearly. A special thanks to Kathy Powell for always loving my mom.
Nona was preceded in death by her husband William Slater, husband James Wagner and her siblings, Okaline Bottoms, Katy Hudgins, Betty Clinkenbeard and Wando May.
Nona’s life celebration will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 28, 2020, at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Rickey Hunt and Rev. Konnor McKay officiating. Interment will follow in the Lamb Cemetery near Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Nona’s pallbearers will be Travis May, James (Stu) Stewart, Mike Woods, Brad Evans, Cory Peel and David Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Powell and Mike Gibbs.
Nona’s visitation will be Friday, November 27, 2020, from 4;00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Standing proudly behind the new, state-of-the art football stadium at North Little Rock High school is the original building that was built by the WPA. And just as things change and never stay the same, so is the storied tradition of the Thanksgiving Day game with North Little Rock and Little Rock Catholic High School.
If you grew up in the greater Little Rock area, or, were just a fan of good high school football, you were well aware of two big high school games that were played every year on Thanksgiving Day: NLR vs. Catholic, and Little Rock Central vs. Little Rock Hall. As a kid who grew up and went to school in North Little Rock, my memories are vivid to this day of the traditional Turkey Day game with Catholic.
Although the images in my head stand out in vivid memories cast in high definition color, I was taken back recently when I began to research a game that took place 45 years from this Thanksgiving between the Wildcats and the Rockets. First of all, if you search the internet, there is not much there that documents the 1975 clash between the two schools. And most strikingly, the images that I did find were of the season with just one image from the Thanksgiving Day game. The images looked like ghosts from the past, and suddenly it hit me, that was a long time ago!
So if you will forgive me for a few minutes, I will take you down memory lane a bit. The Catholic High vs. NLR Thanksgiving Day rivalry took place from 1958-1978. Catholic played their home games at War Memorial Stadiium in Little Rock, and the Wildcats played at Wildcats Stadium on the campus of NLR High School. The rivalry and Thanksgiving Day tradition ended in 1978 when Catholic dropped in enrollment and classification. It was an ending that was coming for several years. It was thought that Catholic wanted to end the rivalry sooner, but NLR wanted to keep playing the series. The change in classification became the natural break to end the series.
But as a first semester junior at NLR (was named Ole Main High School back then) the 1975 Wildcats were one of my most favorite teams. In the 1970s, Ole Main High School was a large high school of students in grades 10-12. Their true rival was cross-town NLR Northeast High School. That was the game that fans truly wanted to see. Northeast week was always full of “extracurricular activities” around town as students from both schools would play pranks on each other’s campus. What made the 1975 season so special was that Ole Main defeated both of their rivals, Catholic and Northeast, and both were won at the last second by the most unlikely of heroes on the team, John Bannert. Bannert was the field goal kicker for Ole Main, and was, as most kickers seem to be, a bit aloof from the team. He was an excellent student, and a great kicker, but that was as close to being a football player as anyone had seen of John.
The 1975 season for Ole Main had started out with great promise. But with an early season-ending injury to its star quarterback, Ronnie Anderson, the team began a chain reaction of one crucial injury after another until the season finally came to an end on Thanksgiving Day. The team won five games that season, which was a testament to how good they could have been. Narrowly losing at Little Rock Central by the score of 10-0 was an example of how frustrating the season had become with the loss of several starters throughout the season.
Quarterback Ronnie Anderson (17), photographed here running the ball against Fort Smith Southside, was an early-day dual threat quarterback who never realized his potential due to a career-ending knee injury against Jonesboro (Photo Credit: NLR High School Yearbook, 1976)
Anderson was the team’s true leader, and his injury devastated the Wildcats. So loved was Anderson by the coaches and the players, the team presented Anderson with the game ball from the victory over Northeast, although junior Chuck Tomlinson played quarterback against Northeast, not Anderson.
Ole Main coach Henry Hawk presents the Northeast game ball to injured quarterback Ronnie Anderson (Photo Credit: NLR High School Yearbook, 1976)
On the last play of the game with Northeast, it was the unlikely hero, John Bannert, who kicked a field goal that barely cleared the cross bar to defeat the Chargers that night. So improbable of a kick, the only photo of that play that has been found depicts the celebration after the kick; John is nowhere to be seen in the photo. After the play, Wildcats players on the field goal team, and wearing white away jerseys in their own stadium, led a celebration of the win where students and fans stormed the field afterwards.
Wearing white visiting team jerseys in their own stadium, Wildcats Dennis Strom (81), Mike Claussen (48) and others celebrate John Bannert’s last second field goal to defeat the Northeast Chargers in 1975. The two schools played their home games at Wildcats Stadium and alternated being the home team each year. (Photo Credit: NLR High School Yearbook, 1976)
As Thanksgiving approached, it was clear that the Wildcats were not going to be in the playoffs that year. In fact, playoff football was something NLR was used to, so the season was very disappointing for many. Just three seasons earlier, under the guidance of then head football coach Ken Stephens, the Wildcats won the 1972 state football championship. So it had not been that far removed from having won it all, and now, the Wildcats were struggling just to finish the season.
Fast forward to Thanksgiving Day, 1975. It is a bright, clear, crisp day, and the Wildcats and the Rockets were set to kickoff at 10 a.m. Its funny what you remember, but one of my most vivid memories is meeting the rest of the team at 6 a.m. at a little diner near the stadium where the team had their pregame breakfast. It was cold and dark, and the players looked like they were sleep walking through the serving line. But these are the times that you remember; the time spent with the team, when it is just you and your team. You never forget those times.
The game was a low-scoring contest. It would not go down as the most memorable in high school football history. In fact, the game was tied 6-6 with neither team able to sustain drives on offense. Finally, NLR had the last possession of the game and struggled to make just enough yardage to give their kicker, who had won the Northeast game on a last second field goal, an opportunity to again win a rivalry game for the Wildcats. Then it happened; a bit of controversy that some people still talk about today.
NLR Ole Main kicker John Bannert (13) kicks against Catholic High School on Thanksgiving Day 1975. Photo Credit: NLR High School Yearbook, 1976
John had this quirk that he usually missed the first kick he attempted. Back in 1975, kickers did not have nets that they kicked into to warm-up on the sidelines before they entered the game. But if John could kick one first, he would be much more likely to make the second kick.
Knowing this, Ole Main coach Henry Hawk called time out and sent Bannert and the field goal team on to attempt what would be the game winning field goal. Then an interesting thing happened. John and his holder turned around and faced their own goal posts and Bannert proceeded to take a practice kick in the opposite direction during the time out. It seemed harmless at the time, but it was critical to John’s confidence and likelihood of making the field goal attempt when play would resume. The Catholic High coaches went crazy over Bannert’s “practice swing”, but at the time, there was no rule against it. So NLR was not penalized, and Bannert would get his opportunity to win the game.
I don’t have to tell you, but John Bannert, once again, kicked the game winning field goal on Turkey Day to defeat Little Rock Catholic 9-6 on that bright and crisp day in 1975…45 years ago this week. I have heard some mention a “John Bannert rule” that may exist today, prohibiting kickers from taking practice kicks on the field. And frankly, I don’t know if such rule exists. Perhaps a coach out there can tell me and our readers.
But on that glorious day in 1975, John Bannert was the hero in a long-standing series between the two schools. Arkansas congressman French Hill was a student at Catholic that year, and many others have gone on to have great careers. But some, like John Bannert, have faded into the past. So John, this story is for you.
From me and my family, I wish all of our readers out there a very Happy Thanksgiving Day.
Even though the temperatures are dropping playing outside is still important for kids. A fun idea for sending them out for a short time period and giving them a task to do is a scavenger hunt! What they are looking for can be tweaked depending on the age of the child, and the method of sharing their finds would depend on age as well.
My nieces enjoyed our scavenger hunt!
Some examples of things to look for could be a crunchy leaf, a bug, a pinecone- all excellent for littles. For older kids their tasks could be more detailed or specific- a bug with 6 legs, a nail, or a specific, hard to find item that is on the property.
This would be an excellent opportunity to add some fun to learning. Count the items found, talk about the textures of the items, or the letter each word starts with. Another scavenger list topic could be a specific number of things or finding something for each letter of the alphabet.
The girls admiring their black walnuts they found for their lists.
For children who have a phone or the capability to take a photo can snap a photo of their finds. Another idea for children to work on spelling and writing would be to give them a general description of what they are to find and have them write out what they found to mark that off their list. Smaller children could collect their treasures to share.
My three year old “crossed off” on our list.
Fresh air is important even when the weather gets cool, it just may need to be enjoyed in smaller doses. A scavenger hunt is a great way to get out for short periods of time but have a lot of fun!
Arkansas people, in fact people everywhere, are products of their upbringing and their cultural past. Most of our beliefs, many of our sayings, and virtually all of our traditions are hand-me downs from our ancestors.
Nowhere is this more evident than in some of the traditions surrounding the most important events in our lives; birth, marriage, and death. In our region, it is commonly believed that birth order brings good or bad luck with the seventh child having especially good luck. My father was born with a caul or covering over his face that was removed by the midwife who immediately declared he would be special and blessed throughout life.
Others felt that during pregnancy, one must avoid certain activities such as handling dead animals or you would permanently mark the child. My oldest uncle was born without a left ear, something my grandmother was sure was caused by her pulling her hair back from her left ear while skinning a squirrel.
Marriage contained all kinds of odd and unusual customs including the chivaree. Chivaree is virtually unheard of today but was a noisy celebration by unwanted guests who showed up at the newly-weds home in the middle of the night with horns, tin cans, pots and anything else that could be beat upon to produce noise. Sometimes, guns were fired into the air as the riotous crowd forced their way into the home to wreak havoc on the new couple.
My parents, Ray and Lavada Trusty, Duck (Ed) and Pat Rhineheart, and Ewell and Betty Bowman all got married around the same time. People from around the community gave them a joint chivaree. The bridegroom was especially put upon by the group, sometimes ridden on a greased rail, dunked in a water barrel, or worse. Our group got away fairly easily; they just had to push their wives around the house in a wheel barrow and then share in the refreshments brought by the revelers; all at about one in the morning.
Until recently, rules surrounding death and burial were the most prescribed rituals. When a person became seriously ill, family members would have a period of “setting” up or remaining with the person until death arrived.
Upon death, the body was prepared by the mortuary for burial and then was brought back to the home for several days of viewing. Everyone wanted to be buried on Sunday if possible so this was sometimes an extended wake. The body was placed in the parlor and family members would sit around the coffin and exchange life experiences. People from miles around would pay respects and bring food to the grieving family. When the burial date arrived, everyone in the community would show up at the church for the ceremony which consisted of several songs, primarily of a religious nature but sometimes a good country and western tune thrown in, and then the sermon.
It is terribly bad luck to stop a funeral procession; a custom that probably resulted in a police escort to the cemetery. In Arkansas, all vehicles pull over as a sign of respect to the dead. All dead were faced with the head to the west, feet to the east as prescribed in Matthew 24: 27. Times changed and our language even reflects that change. To show we are more modern and do not hold wakes in our house, or parlors name has been changed to the “living room” and we take our deceased to be cared for and the viewings at the funeral “parlor.”
“This was a year where a play or two could have literally changed the whole outcome,” expressed head Cedarville football coach, Max Washausen when giving his thoughts on the year. “We lost 34-36 at Charleston and 26-28 at Greenland. Six points gave us a conference championship and a home playoff game. We overcame a lot of adversity, things I really haven’t talked about. Things like losing three starting Lineman throughout the season due to injuries and another two that moved out of the district. At Melbourne for our final game, we had a freshman and two sophomores on the line.”
#8 QB, Cody Dickens handing the ball off to #22 Darryl Kattich
The Cedarville Sr High Pirates lived this past football season as a true to life Cinderella story. They finished with a 7-4 total season record (the best record since 2008), 4-3 in conference play, consistently improved their record during four consecutive seasons “(I’ve done the research and only 3 or 4 schools out of 200 can say that)” stated Washausen. And for the first time since 2015, made it to the first round of State. On Friday, November 20, the Pirates season came to an end when they fell in Round 1 of the State Playoffs to Melbourne 38-8. Leading tacklers in the Melbourne game was Darryl Kattich with 9, Hayden Partain with 9, Hayden Morton with 7, and Tommy Metcalf with 6.
Coach Washausen with the Sr High Pirates
The 2020 end of season stats have Darryl Kattich with 216 carries for 2,007 yards and 27 TDs, Hayden Partain with 122 carries for 668 yards and 8 TDs, Hayden Morton with 40 carries for 442 yards and 8TDs, Cody Dickens with 50/105 passes for 946 yards, 7 TDs, and 7 INT, and Bruce Turney with 18 receptions for 441 yards and 4 TDs. These starters will also be returning next year. “I didn’t want this season to end but the shining light is that we have numerous starters returning on both sides of the ball.” The 2020 Pirates will be saying goodbye to seniors, Kelin Mitchell, Tommy Metcalf, Caleb Franklin, William Henson, Max McGill, Elijah Cox, Taylor Humble, and Landon Hopewell. “I’m proud of all the seniors for their contributions to our program. They will all be greatly missed!”
#7 Kelin Mitchell with the ball
“This season I have had an overwhelming amount of support not only from players I have coached, but also from the coaches I have coached with, and the coaches I have competed against over my 13-year coaching career. Taking that along with the support from my wife Charis and my brothers is an incredible feeling. I can’t say enough about my assistant coaches Matt Chandler and Jarrod Remer either. They have been absolutely amazing. We love our players. Everything we do out there, we do to see them succeed on and off the field!”
A hunting accident in Sebastian County resulted in the death of a teenager and the wounding of his brother on Monday, November 23 at approximately 5:30 p.m.
According to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Chief of Communications Keith Stephens, the brothers were hunting near Hartford in southwest Sebastian County. As they were attempting to load a deer, a gun that was leaning on the truck fell and accidently discharged, striking both boys. The bullet hit 14-year-old Newt Hodge in the back and passed through his body and struck his brother 19-year-old Kasey Hodge in the shoulder.
Newt Hodge was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. His brother Kasey Hodge was taken to a local hospital, and is expected to survive. The incident remains under investigation.
“This is the second hunting fatality so far this year,” added Stephens. “So far, there have been a total of eight accidents during the 2020 hunting season with six of those involving falls from deer stands. Last year there were 22 hunting accidents with two fatalities.”
