For as long as I can remember, coffee has always been both a necessity and comfort in my life. Growing up, my mother never left the house without finishing a pot of coffee first. Her father was the same way. So I guess I come by it naturally. It’s a running joke in my household with my 12-year-old, 14-year-old, and husband that unless you want to die, DON’T talk to mom before she has had her coffee. I even have a sign hanging in the kitchen that says “Well, bless your little heart…Did you say something before I finished my coffee?”
In my house, we drink coffee in the morning. We drink coffee in the evening. We drink coffee when company comes over. We drink coffee during birthday parties and holidays. We drink coffee during every season of every day. Coffee is not only a staple in my household, its a way of life! But I know many people who not only don’t drink coffee, but they can function without it. I know, it blows my mind too!
Not everybody in the “Coffee Club” is the same though. There are those who like their coffee strong, black, and thick like Castrol oil and then there are those who like a little coffee with their creamer. Those who drink a shot of espresso and those who drink their coffee from a bucket with a straw. Sometime drinkers and every time drinkers. With 30 types of coffee in the world and many types of flavors, variations, and aromas, a coffee lover can spend the majority of their lives trying new kinds of coffee and never get bored.
As I stated before, there are households that prefer tea over coffee. Or soda over tea. Or just plain water only. So what is it about coffee that makes a person either love it or hate it? Is it an acquired taste? Is it a habit? Or is it simply a state of mind that tells us we can’t leave the house until at least four cups of joe have been consumed? As for me, I’m going to grab another cup of coffee, fiddle-fart around, and continue pondering life’s simple mysteries!
I must have fallen a hundred times. My right leg wanted to go straight, my left leg wanted to go right and neither leg was going where I wanted them to. I had bruises on top of bruises, my arm was skinned and my tail end was numb from constantly landing on it- and I was having a ball. I was thirteen and just learning to skate. It was a Sunday afternoon and half the kids in my school were laughing at my antics; the other half were suffering the same maladies as I as we learned to skate.
Roller rinks were big time entertainment in most of the small towns around. William (Bill) Barnett had opened his rink near Subiaco a few years previously but I didn’t feel the call to learn until I found out that was where the gals hang out.
Many of the guys would buy soft drinks, watch the skating, or play pool on the table in the back room. Those brave enough or had the fifty cents could join the seventy or more people circling the hard-wood floor on eight wheels, each wheel with its own mind, or holding firmly to the rails and praying to stay upright as they pulled themselves around.
All-skate was a madhouse of individuals circling counterclockwise at every speed imaginable and with every skill range from expert to beginner. Great music played loudly over the speakers and drowned out the laughter and excited talk between the kids and adults enjoying a night out exercising and visiting. Mrs. Barnett ran the lighted board which announced the skating preference in cycles; girls skate only, boys skate, and reverse. Boys skate was a free for all with guys racing, knocking each other down, or showing off to the girls by showing how many coke crates you could jump and still survive.
And then came the couples skate, girl’s choice. Young ladies would invite a lucky guy to hold their hand while skating under the glow of a few colored lights, soft music playing in the background. For some, it was the earliest initiation into dating and we circled the floor with sweaty palms and a heart beating at twice the normal rate. Some of those encounters lead to life-time relationships, others to just an opportunity to talk and visit with the opposite sex.
For many teens of that era, dating consisted of church parties, occasional school dances, movies, and cruising up and down the streets of Booneville, Paris, or Charleston. Not to say it was always so innocent but life was much slower. Trips to Fort Smith were rare, phones hung on a wall and involved party lines, and T.V. consisted of three channels. I eventually learned to skate forward, sideways, and even backward; sometimes even the one I intended.
It’s a southern favorite, but enough to make any northerner question your sanity. Possum pie? Ewww! But there’s no playing around with this sweet treat, it’s always a hit!
2(3 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3⁄4cup powdered sugar
1(9 inch) graham cracker crust
1⁄4cup chopped pecans
1⁄3cup instant chocolate pudding mix
1⁄4cup vanilla instant pudding mix
1 3⁄4cups cold milk
3⁄4teaspoon vanilla extract
1⁄2cup whipping cream, whipped
12 -16 pecan halves
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Spread onto bottom of crust. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. In another mixing bowl; combine pudding mixes. Add milk and vanilla; beat on low speed for 2 minutes. Spoon over the pecans. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Top with whipped cream and pecan halves.
It’s a southern favorite, but enough to make any northerner question your sanity. Possum pie? Ewww! But there’s no playing around with this sweet treat, it’s always a hit!
2(3 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3⁄4cup powdered sugar
1(9 inch) graham cracker crust
1⁄4cup chopped pecans
1⁄3cup instant chocolate pudding mix
1⁄4cup vanilla instant pudding mix
1 3⁄4cups cold milk
3⁄4teaspoon vanilla extract
1⁄2cup whipping cream, whipped
12 -16 pecan halves
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Spread onto bottom of crust. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. In another mixing bowl; combine pudding mixes. Add milk and vanilla; beat on low speed for 2 minutes. Spoon over the pecans. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Top with whipped cream and pecan halves.
On July 20 at approximately 9 a.m., a Greenwood officer made a traffic stop on a silver Pontiac Grand-am for having no rearview mirror at the intersection of S. Coker and Old Hackett Road. The officer explained the reason for the stop, and asked for the occupant’s information. The officer was advised that there was a warrant for passenger Christopher Carter, 36, of Waldron. Carter was taken into custody and transported to the Sebastian County Detention Center without incident.
On July 21 at approximately 5:45 p.m. day shift officers received a call in regards to a disturbance at Eastside gas station where a man by the name of Brandon Spence, 28 of Van Buren, ran from the scene as officers arrived. Officers searched the area but did not locate him. The department received several calls about him being spotted at various locations in the area including Forrest Park Way and Eastside gas station. At approximately 9:50 p.m., an employee of Eastside gas station called and stated a man wearing blue shorts and no shirt walked east past the store. An officer was dispatched to the scene and walked the area of the apartment complex next to the gas station. The officer made contact with the individual fitting the description, and placed him in handcuffs. Spence had numerous scratches on his arms, legs, and back. He told the officer that he “got cut up by briars after he ran from us.” Dispatch returned with two warrants on Spence, both failure to appear. He was then transported to the Sebastian County ADC where he was booked on those charges.
Leon Silas Peoples, 32 of Greenwood, was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 24 at 12:00 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Peoples was charged with failure to appear – class C felony.
On July 25 at approximately 10:15 a.m. a Greenwood officer initiated a traffic stop and advised the driver Justin Robbins, 27 of Greenwood, of the reason for that stop. Dispatch advised that Robbins had two confirmed warrants out of Fort Smith. Robbins was placed under arrest and transported to the Sebastian County Detention Center without incident.
Gabrielle Paige Epps of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 22 at 2:55 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Epps was charged with domestic battering in the third degree – second offense (recklessly,) and endangering the welfare of a minor in the third degree.
Tyler J Steel of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 23 at 2 a.m. and released on bond July 23 at 10:48 a.m. Steel was charged with assault on a family or household member – third degree.
**The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts.**
Christopher Lee Carter of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 20 at 9:46 a.m. and released on signature bond July 20 at 11:19 a.m. Carter was charged with failure to appear – class B misdemeanor.
Tyler Lane Chappell of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 24 at 12:52 a.m. and released on signature bond July 24 at 1:35 a.m. Chappell was charged with public intoxication – danger to self or others.
Tomina Rachelle Danner of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 25 at 4:42 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Danner was charged with petition to revoke – felony, and contempt – willful disobedience (failure to pay fine.)
James Edward Goines of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 24 at 3:30 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Goines was charged with aggravated assault on a household or family member.
Manuel Grantham of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 24 at 10:03 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Grantham was charged with drug court sanctions.
Shannon Monroe Haysmer of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 22 at 9:30 p.m. and released on cash bond July July 22 at 10:17 p.m. Haysmer was charged with petition to revoke – misdemeanor.
Jason Lee Hicks of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 25 at 4:30 p.m. and released on signature bond July 26 at 1 a.m. Hicks was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia – ingest meth/cocaine, possession of controlled substance – schedule I/II felony <2g, and assist outside agency – felony.
Ivery Thomas of Barling was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 26 at 11:25 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Thomas was charged with battery in the third degree – purpose.
Billy Ray Johnson of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 20 at 10:30 a.m. and released on bond July 23 at 3:05 p.m. Johnson was charged with criminal trespass, and aggravated assault on a family or household member.
Roy Alvin Lewis of Barling was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 20 at 9:30 p.m. and released on signature bond July 21 at 1:33 p.m. Lewis was charged with contempt of court – child support, and contempt willful disobedience to pay fine.
Lynn Eschol McAnelly of Mountainburg was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 21 at 2:10 p.m. and released on signature bond July 21 at 3:21 p.m. McAnelly was charged with contempt willful disobedience to pay fine.
Roger Dale Norris of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 21 at 11:10 p.m. and released on signature bond July 22 at 1:16 a.m. Norris was charged with public intoxication – danger to self or others.
George Bradley Pfeifer of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 26 at 8:05 a.m. and released on signature bond July 26 at 12:40 p.m. Pfeifer was charged with failure to appear – class C felony.
Justin Tirrell Robbins of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 25 at 10:55 a.m. and released on signature bond July 25 at 3:22 p.m. Robbins was charged with failure to appear, class A misdemeanor, and failure to appear, class B misdemeanor.
Lance Daniel Smith of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 20 at 2:21 a.m. and released on signature bond July 20 at 3:02 a.m. Smith was charged with failure to appear, class B misdemeanor.
Peter Samuel Spanel of Charleston was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 20 at 7:40 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Spanel was charged with contempt – willful disobedience (failure to pay fine,) contempt of court – child support, forgery in the second degree, and assist outside agency – misdemeanor.
Brandon Ray Spence of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 21 at 10:43 p.m. and released on bond July 22 at 8:38 a.m. Spence was charged with fleeing on foot – misdemeanor, failure to appear – class B misdemeanor, and assist outside agency – misdemeanor.
Jeffery B Ward of Parks was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 23 at 10:13 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Ward was charged with failure to appear – class B misdemeanor, aggravated assault, domestic battering in the third degree – purposely, and criminal use of prohibited weapons – brass knuckles.
Clifford Louis West of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 24 at 6:45 p.m. and released on signature bond July 25 at 1:53 a.m. West was charged with two counts of failure to appear – class B misdemeanor and an assist to an outside agency – felony.
Heather Denise White of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 26 at 12:53 a.m. and released on bond July 26. White was charged with driving while intoxicated – first offense, and refusal to submit to a chemical test.
Martez Williams of Barling was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 26 at 11:25 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Williams was charged with domestic battering in the third degree – purposefully.
**The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts.**
There are a few people in this world who make it a better place simply by being who they are. This month’s Hometown Highlight features just such a couple.
Paul and Donna Crelia of Huntington are some of the most humble, and good hearted people you will ever meet. Paul’s laugh and Donna’s smile make you feel like all is right in the world. They quietly serve in their community and church, making a difference wherever, and whenever they can.
Members of Dayton Baptist Church, Paul and Donna minister faithfully with the annual backpack program. Each Friday throughout the summer, the Crelias, along with other church volunteers, hand out sacks of food to children at the park in Mansfield. The local church has been stepping up to the plate over the past few years to help meet the needs of children facing food insecurity.
In addition to the ministry in the church, the couple also cherishes time spent with family. This patriarch and matriarch are the very center of their children and grandchildren’s lives.
It is a great honor and privilege to feature the Crelias in our Hometown Highlight. If you know of an ordinary person doing extraordinary things, we want to feature them – contact us!
Tucked away on a quiet street in the City of Greenwood, a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who despite her age and physical limitations continues to care selflessly for her family.
Janice Franklin will tell anyone, she’s lived a blessed life. Her children and extended family treasure her, and her greatest moments in life have been spent with them. Particularly, gathered around the table filled with homecooked food. Fluffy homemade biscuits, breakfast ham, gravy and some of the best chocolate pie you’ve ever eaten.
Franklin is also the caregiver for her adult disabled daughter, Sandra. Although her own health has continued to deteriorate, she has found strength in her faith and as a mother to care for the daily needs of her daughter.
She finds no sacrifice in her day-to-day life, but rather continues to shine with joy and a positive spirit.
It is with great pleasure we feature Franklin in our Hometown Highlight. If you know of an ordinary citizen doing extraordinary things, we want to hear about them! You can send your nomination -HERE.-
Janice Franklin is pictured with her daughters Sandra (left) and Raylene, son-in-law Kevin Brock and niece Sue Moore.
It is important to be vigilant and do your homework when donating to a new charity for the first time. Scammers have been stealing money from Arkansans by posing as veterans’ charities and often requesting charitable donations. Even though these bad actors can leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth, it is important to note that there are still many well intentioned military and veterans charities across Arkansas and the country doing tireless work for our nation’s heroes.
“Arkansas is just one big small town and the fantastic people of our state have a giving spirit, especially when it comes to our men and women in uniform,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “But, I want to make sure Arkansans’ generosity is not taken for granted by con artists looking to make a quick buck posing as a fake military or veteran’s charity.”
Attorney General Rutledge released the following tips to help consumers ensure an organization’s legitimacy before giving money:
Ask questions before giving. Only give when comfortable that the donation will support a trustworthy organization or activity. Refuse high-pressure appeals. Legitimate charities will not rush a donation.
Ask for written information or research the organization online. A legitimate charity will send information that provides the organization’s mission and how the donation will be used, along with proof that the contribution is tax deductible.
Call the charity directly. To avoid falling victim to sham solicitors, personally contact the charity before giving a donation by email, to the person knocking at the front door or to a telephone solicitor to ensure it is not a scam.
Do not send cash. For security and tax records, make donations by check or credit card.
Search the Arkansas Charities Database for more information on charities in Arkansas, including those benefiting service members and their families.
The FTC has released a video to highlight tips on how to research charities on giving wisely to veterans organizations.
In 2015, Rutledge launched the first-ever Military and Veterans Initiative at the Attorney General’s office to assist active duty military service members, reservists, veterans and their families with consumer-related issues and many other collaborative efforts.
For more information and tips to avoid scams and other consumer related issues, contact the Arkansas Attorney General’s office at (800) 482-8982, consumer@arkansasag.gov or visit ArkansasAG.gov.
The first of fraternal twin sisters arrived with little complication at 11:36 PM. The second inadvertently flipped in the wrong direction making it much more difficult to meet the world. Anxious moments persisted before the younger sibling would join her big sister. By stopwatch, the two births were 1 hour and 39 minutes apart. By calendar, it was the next day. The official birth time of baby number two was 1:15 AM.
Sixteen years have passed since that frightening yet wonderful two days in late June brought Mansfield Lady Tiger cross country runners Faith and Hope Rainwater into the world. Faith, the oldest, accepts the mantle of big sister with pride. Hope, technically the youngest by a day, settles into her role quite nicely as well. Together the two fit perfectly into the plans of Mansfield long-distance runners.
“I remember when they came into junior high a few years ago,” Mansfield cross country coach John Mackey explained. “I was checking birthdays for AAA eligibility and thought there was a clerical mistake. They said they were twins but their birth dates were different.” As it turned out, Mackey was not the first to assume the two Lady Tigers were born on the same day. A common misperception, given that twins are most commonly born within the same 24 hour period.
“When you think about it, it’s pretty cool,” the coach insisted. “It’s a fascinating story about two terrific talents.” When asked if Faith plays the part of the big sister well, Hope responded with an unexpected comparison. “She more or less mothers me,” Hope admitted with a sheepish grin. “She wakes me up, fixes my food, and does my hair. Pretty much anything a mother would do, she does it.”
Mackey admits he sees the motherly instinct in the older of the two siblings. Not just in regard to the relationship between sisters but with the team as well. “Faith is a natural-born leader,” the coach expressed. “She doesn’t mind being in charge. I put a lot on her shoulders as far as team responsibilities. I guess she got that motherly instinct on day one.”
Hope did say the two share a common trait experienced by many multiple birth babies. The two routinely can finish each other’s sentences and often say the same thing at the exact moment. “It happens all the time,” Hope confessed when asked about the phenomenon. “Although I’m nocturnal and Faith is a morning person, we think and do a lot of things the same.”
“It takes the whole world to get her up in the morning,” Faith declared when speaking about her younger sister by one calendar day. “It’s a love-hate relationship. We do share a lot of the same thoughts, but I do most of the prodding.” As far as the Lady Tiger long distance team, the two sisters have found summer practice sessions another commonality. Working out with teammates on a regular basis since the start of preseason training in early July, the junior classified athletes have made real progress.
“I feel like I’m getting a lot accomplished,” Faith divulged after one particularly hard practice last week at Mansfield City Lake Park. “I’ve been more motivated this year because both of my seasons got cut short last year.” Faith experienced plantar fasciitis along the sole of her foot during her sophomore cross country season. That injury took her away from the sport for several weeks before a modest return to the state finals closed the 2019 season. Not quite the outcome the former All-State athlete expected after a highly successful freshman season.
Another bitter pill saw the Covid-19 crisis cancel both Rainwaters’ track seasons. Like other athletes around the nation, the pair were unexpectedly sent home unable to complete their spring sport. “I think this year we are gonna have a killer cross country team,” the older sibling announced. “Both the senior and junior high teams are going to be good.”
“Personally, I’d like to run 22 minutes for the 3 miles,” the collegiate hopeful continued. “I’d like to get first place overall sometime this season as well.” Hope, who favors track season’s 4x800m relay over the long-distance racing of cross country, had a more immediate goal for the upcoming season. “My goal is to not get hurt,” the younger and equally talented runner exclaimed with a slight giggle. “Seriously, I want to just help out and share the load.”
Hope took an innocent looking tumble last season just days before the first cross country meet. The result was an unfortunate head injury that took her away from running competition for nearly all of the fall season. Although her injury was on the opposite end of the body from her sister’s, Hope’s dreams elevated by last fall’s rigorous conditioning routine were dashed. The derailment was an eerily, twin-like fate similar to Faith’s.
Along with the twins, Mansfield’s senior girls return last year’s Player of the Year, McKenzie Griffin. They also have River Valley All-Stars Darby Jones, Katlynn Moore, and Jadelynn Wood in the fold. Cassidy Carlton, Lita Hecox, and Alyssa James, a trio of sophomores Mackey says are reaching their best conditioning, complete the high school roster.
The junior girls are headlined by All-Region and All-District eighth-grader Trinity Triska and All-Region eighth-grader Laney Wood. They are supported by rising talents Addison Bowman, Aidan Fildes, Azlynn Stover, and Summer Frazier. Adding the marks produced by Tiger men John Branche, Ashton Hinkle, and Jonah Martin, the Mansfield cross country teams collectively ran 283.7 miles last week. “Faith says we are going to be good,” Mackey summarized the message expressed by the motherly twin and team leader. “Baby sister and the rest of the team usually take her lead. Right now they are doing the things it takes to accomplish our goals.”
Mansfield eighth graders Addison Bowman, Azlynn Stover, and Aidan Fildes pose a cross country run
Alyssa James, Ashton Hinkle, and John Branche practice social distancing as part of their MHS cross country pre-season workouts
Mansfield cross country runners work on their abs before practice
