The 2020-2021 Waldron Jr Boys Basketball looks to build on a championship season from a year ago. The 2019-2020 Waldron team finished the year 24-4 and beat Elkins in the 3A-4 district title bout. “I was so proud of those guys last year who understood what it took to become champions and bought into that mindset and work ethic from day one. And by doing that laid a good foundation for the 8th Graders last season that will help us this year to continue to compete for championships here,” expressed head coach, Josh Atchley.
“The Bulldogs return several key contributors from that title team from a season ago, as well as adding some very talented 8th-Graders from the 7th-Grade squad last year. Freshmen, Chris Lopez and Kason Davis return this season to build on their successful 8th-Grade seasons, along with Scout Stinson, Kaden Rogers, Noah Patrick, TJ Olivares, Steven Newman, Lucas Nix, Logan Young, and Brayden Mays who all look poised to play big minutes this season for the Bulldogs. A talented group of 8th-Graders will also suit up for the Jr Bulldogs in Driften Wagner, Cole Bailey, Caden Hunt, Gabe Nevills, Dylan Garrett, Jessy Ogden, Levi Brown, Kaden Mai, Prestan Hutchens, Aiden Allen, and Roky Avila.”
“I am pumped for this season and even though our league changed a little bit, I think we can compete night in and night out with these guys. This year’s squad might be the tallest I’ve ever had, so hopefully, we utilize that to our advantage. Let’s GO!”
While most people wake up mumbling and grumbling about Mondays, Mansfield Lady Tiger senior, Chloe Creekmore, had much to be excited about. Not only is today Chloe’s 18th birthday but she also got signed to a softball scholarship at National Park College in Hot Springs, Arkansas this morning where she will be majoring in Education. Now, how’s that for a birthday present!
Led by head coach, Jessica Taylor, the Lady Nighthawks softball program competes as a Division II program within the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). “Chloe is a great kid that was very proactive in the recruiting process,” Coach Taylor stated. “She was actually the first in her recruiting class to reach out and come on a visit to NPC. She is a high energy player with a lot of talent behind the plate and a solid bat. I’m excited she is going to be a Nighthawk!”
Chloe signing her letter of intent
Chloe with Coach Jessica Taylor, Coach Tim Cothran, and her family
Chloe with her familyCoach Joshua Bryan, Coach Kaylie Pyles, Chloe, and Coach Tim CothranChloe with her fellow Lady Tiger softball teammates
In 1869, a match took place between college teams, Princeton and Rutgers, in what would be deemed as the first American football game. Then in 1880, a young Yale student by the name of Walter Camp came along and started laying the foundation for the football we know and love today. Over the decades, tackle football has continued to evolve and make a name for itself. One noticeable change happening though is the increase of female football players on the Little League, Jr High, and Sr High levels. Traditionally a male sport, female participation across the country continues to be on the rise with a little over 2,400 girls playing tackle football in 2018 according to the NFHSA.
But the concept of girls playing football on an all-boys team is nothing new. Especially in small towns spread across Western Arkansas. And in seven of those towns alone, there are 12 girls from Grades 2nd-9th who compete in tackle football. Brooklyn Landrum is an 8th Grader who plays on both Offensive and Defensive Lines for the Mena Bearcats Jr High team. Playing football for a year now, the idea came to Brooklyn when she was at home with her brother. “It started with me and my younger brother playing catch in the yard. I wanted to be better able to help him practice. I love everything there is to love about football and it’s a bonus that I get to have this opportunity to play for my school!” But what is it like being the only female on a football team? “For me, it was weird at first. I felt out of place and I really had no idea what I was doing. I felt really uncomfortable with the boys and them with me. But once I started getting used to things and the boys realized that I was staying and not going anywhere, they started treating me like part of the team which is what I wanted from the beginning. Now it’s all about getting on the field, hitting people, and having fun. I’m where I’m supposed to be.”
Brooklyn Landrum
Just up the road, 40 minutes north of Mena, is a town called Waldron. Waldron is home to the 4A Bulldogs football team. A team that 6th Grader, Cheyenne Fain, can’t wait to be a part of. Right now Cheyenne is in her first year of football, playing Nose Guard and on the Offensive Line for the PeeWee Bulldogs. “My brothers were the ones who started my love of the game. My favorite thing about football is the competitiveness of it and being rough like the boys. It’s all about having the determination and loving what you do. Football is my passion!”
Cheyenne Fain
Cheyenne Fain
The next stop on the “Girl Gridders” small-town football tour, is at Mansfield, Arkansas. Mansfield is a town with a population of a little over 1,100. Home to the Tigers and Lady Tigers, sports plays a big part in this town’s youth. But for three young ladies, it’s all about laying down the Boom! on the football field. Raine Hecox is a freshman Corner on her Jr High team and is in her third year of football. “My dad and younger brother are the ones who started my passion for football. From the moment I was born, my dad had a football in my hands teaching me the ins and outs of the game. Then as my brother and I got older, he started playing football and I became a cheerleader so that I could be as close to the game as possible. The 6th Grade was when I made the decision to play football and I’m glad I did. The bond I have with my teammates and my coaches is unlike any other. We are like a family. They help me and support me when I need it. I love the adrenalin rush you get from being on the field as well as the competition. Joining was awkward at first but once everyone loosened up, I just became one of the guys!”
Raine Hecox
Raine Hecox
On the Mansfield Little League level, two 5th Grade Lady Tigers prove to be double trouble when they step on to the football field together. Tight End and Defensive End, Alivia Wilson, got into playing football three years ago because of her dad’s encouragement. “I would have to say the thing I love most about playing football is getting to tackle people! It also feels awesome being one of the few girls playing football. It proves that girls can be just as tough as the boys.” Close friend and teammate, Rylan Jones, plays in the Running Back and Defensive End positions. “This is my first year to play. My stepdad Devon and my friend Alivia were the two people who got me interested in the game and I’ve loved it ever since. Running the ball is definitely my favorite thing to do. It also makes me proud to be one of two girls on the football team!”
Alivia Wilson
Alivia Wilson
Rylan Jones
Rylan Jones
Just a hop, skip, and a jump northwest of Mansfield, lies the sleepy little town of Hackett. But where the town lacks in population, they more than make up for in school spirit. Home to the Hornets and Lady Hornets, three little league girls couldn’t wait to represent their town on the football field. Sixth-Grader, Kyah Cheatham, is in her first season of football and plays on the line. But Kyah isn’t a stranger to the field. Before taking the leap of playing football, she was a cheerleader for the Hornets. “I became a cheerleader because I love everything about this sport. But I was done watching from the sidelines and wanted to play. I just love being on the field and being able to play with my friends. Playing in a mostly male sport can be challenging because some people don’t think I should be able to play because I’m a girl. But I love being able to show everyone girls can do whatever boys can do!”
Kyah Cheatham
Kyah Cheatham
Fifth-Grader, Millie Elms, also plays on the 5th and 6th Grade little league team. “I have always loved football since I was younger but I’ve only played for a team in the last 2 seasons.” On the field, Millie plays Safety and Offensive Line. “I remember watching my mom and cousins play football all the time when I was little. It was also always on tv. With that combined, I just started loving it. My favorite thing about football is blocking and tackling. When it comes to the fact of being one of only a few girls playing football, I don’t really think about it. I just love playing the game, whether it’s on a team or in the back yard.”
Millie Elms
And on Hackett’s 3rd and 4th Grade team is Miss Bailey Wallace. Bailey is in the 4th grade and is in her first year of football playing Defensive Back for the Hornets. “Not knowing I could take my passion for football on the field, I watched a Nickelodeon show called Bella and the Bulldogs about a cheerleader turned football player, and that’s how it started. Although it’s weird at times being the only girl on the football team, that all changes as soon as the game starts and I get to start tackling!”
Bailey Wallace
Moving on, we head to a tight-knit community nestled just on the other side of Van Buren in Crawford County called Cedarville. And in that community is a little girl with big dreams of continuing to play Pirate football. Zoey Corey is your average 2nd Grader during the week but on the weekend, that all changes. Playing on the O-line for the Little League Pirates, Zoey spends her Saturdays pushing around boys twice her size. “I’ve been playing with my brother since we were little, but playing on the team for one season. When it came to being a football player, I was always playing tackle with my brother and cousins so my mommy encouraged me to do whatever I wanted. I love being able to hit the field and play with my friends. What drives me to play is when all the boys ask me what I’m doing there and tell me football is for boys, not girls. So that just makes me want to tackle them more and show them what it’s like to get hit by a girl!”
Zoey Corey
Zoey Corey
From Cedarville, a slight detour will be taken before continuing north. Where will this detour take you, you ask? We find ourselves at a blink and you will miss is school district called JC Westside in the sparsely populated town of Hartman, Ar. But everybody knows that big things come in tiny packages and when it comes to this female football player, 6th-grader Angel Robinson has no problem laying down the law on every field she steps on. Angel plays Tight End, Left Tackle, and Safety for the Rebels. “I have been playing football for 2 years with plans on continuing my career into 7th grade at the high school next year. I play every sport but I don’t like Cheer and I got tired of missing out on entire sports seasons. My love of competition is what made me want to get out there and play instead of watching from the sidelines. My favorite thing about football is everything! I love the practices and my team and coaches. They help make me play to the best of my ability. I love getting to hit people and show them how it feels to be tackled by a girl. Being the only girl on my team is not really that much different for me. I have been with my teammates for most of my life. They were excited when I started playing because I am bigger than most of them and they know not to mess with me. I know being the biggest on my team won’t last forever, but I still plan to play for as long as I can!”
Angel Robinson
Angel Robinson
An hour north of Cedarville on Highway I-49 tucked away in the Ozark Mountains, is the home of the West Fork Tigers. And tucked away in West Fork are two young ladies whose love for football is what drives them every day to go big or go home. Miranda Denton is in the 6th Grade and plays on both the Offensive and Defensive Lines. “This is my third year of tackle football and before that, I played 3 years of flag football so I’ve been playing for a total of 6 years. And in my first 2 years of tackle, I was the only girl on the team. What started my interest in this sport was when I was in the 1st Grade and my brother started playing. I would watch him practice and decided that was what I wanted to do so I joined the team and have been playing ever since. My favorite thing about football is tackling because that’s when I get to take out all of my anger. Being a girl in a mostly male sport is pretty cool especially when people think you’re a guy and then you take off your helmet and they realize they just got beat by a girl!”
Miranda Denton
Sitting in her first season of tackle football, is 5th-Grade Receiver, Abbie Landers. When asked who or what it was that started her love of football, Abbie responded, “It was my mom who loves to watch the Cowboys and the Razorbacks. I like that with football, not only do you get a lot of exercise, but it’s a ton of fun as well. Plus I really like to win. Playing in a mostly male sport is tough at times and different. The boys usually think I am not good at it, but I am as good as them if not better!”
Abbie Landers
The final stop of the “Girl Gridders” small-town football tour, takes us right around the corner from West Fork in the ever-expanding town of Greenland. Greenland is the stomping grounds of Pirate football and among their loaded sea of talented players, is a tough as nails but sweet as honey 8th Grader named Layla Daniel Jones. “I have been playing football since I was in kindergarten which has been almost 9 years now. I play Corner and Slot-Receiver but in the past, I have played Running Back, Safety, and Outside Receiver. The first sport I ever played was soccer and my brother Seth Daniel was my coach. I played it for a little bit but it just wasn’t competitive enough for me, so my mom and I decided to put me in football. I was always tomboyish anyways so my mom and I thought it would be a good idea! I’d definitely have to say my favorite thing about football is the fact that it’s a contact sport. I love hitting people in the mouth every play, although it definitely doesn’t feel good when I get trucked. I also love that I will always have my team and my coaches behind me! They will always have my back. The fact of being the only girl on the team and most overall on a lot of teams, just makes me want to push harder and work harder! A lot of the boys will always doubt me whether they’re on my team or another. So I just go out there and prove them wrong!”
There’s a lot to do around the house. Just keeping up with washing the floors, dusting the surfaces, and vacuuming the carpets can feel like a lot. But there are some smaller tasks that could have big ramifications for your quality of life. Here are some household tasks you may forget about that are worth remembering.
Clean Your Refrigerator Coils
Imagine that one morning, you wake up and head to the kitchen to make a bowl of cereal, but you notice your milk is at room temperature. And that’s not all: the butter is melting, the crisper isn’t crisping, and there’s no cold air coming from the back of the fridge. You fear that the worst has happened: your entire refrigerator has died and that you can say goodbye to all those groceries you just bought yesterday, in addition to next week’s paycheck.
However, that is not necessarily the case. Most refrigeration failures aren’t permanent—they’re simply the result of dust accumulating along the condenser coils. As particles build up on these coils, they insulate them and prevent them from releasing necessary heat energy. This interrupts the refrigeration cycle and shuts down your fridge. If you live in a home with pets, or a heating register is located across from your fridge, it’s easy for dust and dander to collect underneath the refrigerator. Fortunately, it’s just as easy to clean. A long wire brush, along with a little water, rubbing alcohol, and the willingness to get on your hands and knees can save you thousands of dollars in repairs or replacements. You should clean your coils at least twice a year.
Dust in High Places
When we dust, we can be in a hurry—and why not? All that dust is liable to make you sneeze, and it’s best to get it over with as quickly as possible. As a result, we often only dust off the surfaces at about eye level. Over time, this means dust can really build up on the tops of bookshelves, the blades of ceiling fans, and along curtain rods. But neglecting this dust can be just as bad as not keeping your desk and nightstand clean. Air ducts near the ceiling can exacerbate the problem as well. Don’t forget to get a boost if you need one and make sure every surface from ceiling to floor gets dusted.
Replace Your Air Filter
Whether you have a finished basement, an unfinished basement, or no basement at all—your furnace can pick up a lot of dirt and dust from the air. That dirt can get sent through your ducts along with the warm air, or it can gum up your furnace and stop warm air from getting anywhere. Much like cleaning under the fridge, it’s a simple task that can make a big difference. Monthly air filter replacement can certainly be among the household tasks you may forget about, especially if you’re not experiencing a rough winter. However, remembering to change your air filter every thirty days will ensure that your furnace stays functioning and keep your allergies from getting bad this winter.
It wasn’t until I had my second child that I understood the beauty of coffee. I’ve always enjoyed a cup here and there, but I didn’t *need* it until I had two children. The time change only furthered my need, we were sleeping until 8 am, now we sleep until 6:30. I don’t know why the extra thirty minutes- my theory is just to make me insane. So now I’m just in a zombie state without coffee. I digress.
I’m a huge fan of iced coffee. I sort of just chug coffee. I don’t understand sipping on it for a long time, I just drink it really fast. So I like not having to wait on it to not scald my mouth. Plus iced coffee has a smoothness and flavor hot coffee does not.
This recipe is for ICED coffee, not cold brew. Cold brew is brewed longer. (Though I do love cold brew and need to mix some of that up soon!) Actually, this is made from instant coffee, rather than traditional coffee grounds, which is why I can’t make it in under a minute.
Ingredients
-Instant coffee -Sugar -Milk -Water -Ice -Vanilla
The amount of everything can be tweaked to taste, and that is why I didn’t put exact measurements with the ingredients. I do 1 cup of hot water. I just get hot water from the tap, but you could always boil or microwave your water. I add 2 teaspoons of instant coffee and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Those are different amounts, TEAspoons coffee, TABLEspoons sugar. I’ve made the mistake of switching the amounts, don’t be like me it was very strong. Mix those in first so they will fully dissolve. Now I add 3/4 cup of whole milk- but any kind of milk works here! Then I add 2 teaspoons of vanilla flavoring- you can add any syrup or flavoring you like! This is a very loose and easy to adapt recipe which I love! Last I add ice, I just grab some, I don’t have a measurement on this. Stir, stir, stir between each thing you add. And enjoy!
Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, will be collecting shoe box gifts between November 16-November 23 throughout 4,000 locations across the US.
These shoe box gifts are a tangible way to show God’s love to children around the world. These gifts contain toys, school supplies and hygiene items to children in need.
In Scott County, First Baptist Church Waldron will be a local drop-off location. Shoe boxes can be dropped off at the west wing of the church at the intersection of Washington and 6th Street. Volunteers will accept shoe boxes November 16-November 20 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., November 21 from 9 a.m. until noon, November 22 from 9:30 a.m. until noon, and November 23 from 8 a.m. until 10 am.
Samaritan’s Purse is also offering an online option for giving shoe boxes. If you are interested in this option go to https://samaritanspurse.org/occ for more information.
On call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Affordable Outdoor Services was established in our community in 2015. They are proud to offer services including tree-trimming, removal, and stump-grinding. Owned by Tiree Freeman, they can be reached at: 479.719.5567 -or- 479.285.1819.
The Family Dollar Store has announced their newest location, 720 Highway 71 N. in Mansfield.
Engineering plans for construction and remodeling the former Walmart Express location are currently underway.
“The City of Mansfield is extremely happy to welcome our newest business,” stated Mansfield Mayor Buddy Black. “Family Dollar has announced that they will be opening in the former Wal-Mart…This building is relatively new with Wal-Mart occupying it for just over one year before closing the Wal-Mart Express operation. Renovations are underway for the new Family Dollar which has a targeted opening date of January 7, 2021. Welcome to Mansfield, Family Dollar!”
The 2020-2021 basketball season is just around the corner for several area teams including Mansfield. With that, Mansfield Public Schools has issued some protocols that should be followed when attending home basketball games.
Because of limited seating due to Covid-19 health regulations, Mansfield will go to a voucher system for admission into home games. This will actually be the case for most away games as well.
If you plan on entering a home game for the Tigers, plan on securing a voucher beforehand. Those printed documents will be made available through the two Tiger head coaches or from the high school office.
With a voucher, a fan may purchase a ticket to a specific event at the Tiger Ticket Window on the night of the game. General admission price will be $5 with the voucher.
If all vouchers are not distributed beforehand, it is possible extras will be available at the door. This is not a guarantee. Those wishing to attend home games should be aware they may be turned away at the door if they do not have a proper voucher for that game.
School officials do however guarantee that holders of current Mansfield season passes, student discount passes, school employee passes, or senior citizen passes will be admitted without vouchers.
Fans should also be aware that in some cases when high occupancy games are anticipated the gymnasium may be cleared between specific games. In that case, a fan would need to have a voucher for each contest that night. This is to ensure the opportunity for families to see their specific children who may be participating.
For example, a fan wants to watch the junior girls game and the senior boys game of a three-game night that includes the senior girls. That fan would need both a junior girls voucher and a senior boys voucher to enter as each contest is about to take place.
The fan would enter for the first game, exit for the second, and re-enter for the start of the third contest. Only a one-time admission fee per person for the night would be required regardless of how many vouchers a person had on that date.
All people entering the gymnasium will be required to wear masks at all times. Masks may only be removed when consuming food or drink. Children under grade six must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Seating will be prohibited in the marked off blue rows. Family units may sit together in the open occupancy rows. Non-family units should maintain a 6-foot social distance in open row seating.
There is absolutely no loitering in the lobby or common areas. Maintain social distance anywhere lines may form such as at the concession area or restrooms.
It should be noted, the women’s restroom near the visitor’s stands will be converted to a girl’s locker room on game nights. Ladies will be diverted to the women’s restroom near the entrance and close to the band room.
Only authorized school officials are allowed along the rail near the concession stand except those that are waiting in line to purchase food or drink. As soon as concession purchases are made, a customer must return to their seat immediately.
Fans are not allowed on or near the playing court or locker room areas. All people are asked to leave the building immediately after the contests through the designated exits.
No one should enter the Mansfield gymnasium if they are experiencing any symptoms associated with the Coronavirus. Those include unexplained coughs, difficulty breathing, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, close contact with an infected person (Covid-19) within the previous 14 days, or fever of 100.4 within the last 48 hours.
Questions may be directed to the high school office or athletic department.
Fans that follow the Tigers on road games should be aware similar requirements are being implemented at all area schools. Some schools on the Mansfield basketball schedule have very limited seating. In these specific cases, only immediate family members of players will be allowed a visiting voucher.
It has been expressed that some gyms are restricted to as few as 14 visitor seats. Please communicate with the Mansfield coaches or school officials before making a trip to an away game this season.
When we found out our second baby would be another boy I knew we wouldn’t have to buy very much in terms of gear! We saved all of our oldest’s, well, everything. I also knew I wasn’t planning to go back to work. I needed something that would allow us to get out of the house, and could hold both kids.
I often use a baby wrap with the baby still, but I found a stroller-wagon that would hold his car seat should I need to not be holding him. I also knew I wanted a wagon despite us already having two regular strollers from my first. I wanted it to have the ability to grow with us, and last a long time.
I chose a Jeep stroller-wagon, but there are lots of stroller-wagon options.
So we bought a Jeep stroller-wagon- it hit all my marks! It allows us to walk to the pond to go fish, we take it for a lot of walks when everyone is crabby and we need outside. It also has enough room that I can add our portable baby bed and allow the baby to nap outside in it.
It’s not marketed as an all terrain wagon, and it shouldn’t be. It’s really not the best going through cow pastures unless we are on a trail. But that’s not stopped us from going!
A wagon allows me to keep adventuring with my kids and save my sanity. We love ours and recommend wagons over strollers every chance we get now! It’s just much more practical for outdoor families.
