This mother daughter duo is cooking up a recipe for sweet success with the opening of the City of Mansfield’s newest business, Fresh Donuts.
Mom, Moniroth Meas and daughter, Pisey Keo are up well before dawn preparing for their day. That’s because every item on their menu is prepared daily.
The team originally got their start in Waldron and soon grew into the second store, located at 221 E. Howard Street in Mansfield.
Fresh Donuts officially opened their doors on Friday, September 20. Even with little notice and minimal advertising, customers were waiting to sample their offerings.
By the close of the day, Mansfield’s Mayor Buddy Black had visited the establishment and welcomed Keo into the city. “We wish you great success,” acclaimed Black.
Fresh Donut’s store hours are: Tuesday through Saturday- 5 a.m. till noon Sunday- 6 a.m. till noon CLOSED on Monday
They offer everything from the traditional donut, cake and yeast, to apple fritters and bear claws. Additionally, breakfast and lunch sandwiches. You can sit and have your sweet treat with a cup of coffee inside the quaint shop.
Go check them out soon, you won’t be dissapointed!
When the Tigers rolled into Hillbillies stadium Friday afternoon, there could have been many reasons for gloom and doom. The Tigers were playing their third consecutive road game of the season and had yet to play at home. The previous loss to Dardanelle was a tough loss, both on the scoreboard and with the number of injuries that were mounting up. Heck, there was even a forecast of rain all day.
And now, the Tigers were about to face their second consecutive 4A opponent, ranked even higher than their last at Dardanelle. In short, a team of lesser character had every excuse to go into Friday night’s game and give less than 100% effort. Just go through the motions. Just mail it in. Any other cliche I can use for not having their heart in the game and just going in to get it over with.
But none of that is what Charleston Tigers football is all about. And it certainly isn’t what this team is about. Despite still having a significant number of players dressed in alternate black jerseys indicating their inactive status due to injury, the Tigers, with a few of their ailing players back in the lineup, went into Ozark and gave a gargantuan effort. Oh, by the way, the initial report after the game is good with respect to any injuries that may have occurred in this game. As of Friday night, it appears that no significant injuries were incurred in the game against Ozark which is very welcomed news for the Charleston players and coaching staff.
The final score was Ozark 27 and Charleston 7. But this was one of those games where the final score did not tell the entire story.
Charleston had another breakdown early in the game that allowed an Ozark touchdown. Another Ozark score was set up by a fumbled punt that gave Ozark the ball deep in Charleston territory. The offense moved the ball and drove deep into Ozark territory at the end of the first half. The drive stalled and Charleston was unable to convert the opportunity into points just before the half.
The defense, particularly the defensive line, played exceptionally well. The Tigers defense played hard-nosed, physical defense against the size and speed of Ozark’s running game. The Tigers defense produced a turnover in Ozark territory that eventually led to a touchdown.
There is never any satisfaction in a loss. You play to win the game. But for this team who has been faced with adversity since before the season due to multiple injuries, Tigers fans can take great pride in their team’s effort at Ozark. To anyone who attended the game, there was noticeable improvement with the return of a few players to the starting lineups. As even more players are anticipated to return next week, there is good reason for optimism as the Tigers enter conference play next week.
Charleston coach Ricky May was encouraged by his team’s effort Friday night. “We probably, maybe three plays in the game, if they went different, we would be right there and possibly be in a tie or go ahead. On defense, a couple of guys out of position a couple of times, and it cost us defensively. Second half, played our butt off. I thought our kids never quit, and that’s the exciting thing for me. It would be easy for somebody who is 0-2 to lay down and we never did. We’ll just start getting better Monday and get ready for conference.”
The Dardanelle loss was a tough loss. Coach May was very happy with his team’s response. “We still have seven starters out. I told them there was not a team in America that could play with seven starters out. But our hearts tonight is the reason we could have won this game. Defensive line has been there all year. But, Logan Binz, we asked him to start. He was on down in the depth chart two weeks ago, probably thought he would never start, stepped up big tonight. Made several tackles, caused several to be tackled because of his angles, and I’m really proud of that young man tonight. I felt like our offensive line played physical too. I think Brayden (Ross) may have been sacked once, maybe hurried a few times, but I thought they played really well. It’s basically the same kids playing both ways and they don’t come off the field. I thought that was a very good testament of their will.”
Charleston will return home next Friday to open conference play against the Greenland Pirates. Conference play has been the target for the Tigers as they have fought their way through a very tough non-conference schedule. The team hopes to have a few more players available for the conference opener. “Hopefully we get two more back next week, one in the secondary and a receiver, and that will be huge for us.”
The importance of next Friday night’s game with Greenland cannot be overstated. It is homecoming for Charleston High School, and will also be the first opportunity for the community to see the Tigers play at home. The next seven games, starting with Greenland, will determine the success of this season. A winning season in the final seven games will more than likely land the Tigers in the state playoffs.
This is a battle-tested team. They have faced more adversity in the first three weeks of the season than some teams will face in an entire season. And through it all, the Tigers have shown their toughness, character, and heart. It is very unlikely that the team will face more adversity for the remainder of this season than they have already.
Combine these characteristics with a team’s improving health and the return to full strength on the field and much happier times could be in store for the Charleston Tigers.
And one last thing. Charleston fans should pat themselves on the back for showing up Friday night in large numbers to support these players. The Charleston fan base too showed great character and loyalty to their school and their players. I am guessing that things are going to be a lot more fun from here on out.
Cars used to be made to last. That’s why you can find one or two old vehicles still on the road around town. Marriages used to be made to last also. A generation or two ago, when they said, “In sickness or in health, till death do us part,” they meant it. When times got tough, you just hunkered down together and face the storm as one. Those are hard to find today in this world.
Actors Jennifer Lopez and Cris Judd married for a total of four months. Zsa Zsa Gabor and Felipe DeAlba were married for less than twenty-four hours! The film taken for the occasion hadn’t even been developed and the wedding cake was still fresh!
Then there are these two crazy kids: Glenda Sue Elmore and John Harold Freeman, formerly of Huntington, Arkansas. They stood in front of the preacher on September 4, 1965, and said their “I do’s, and meant it. They recently celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary! There have been good days and bad days, I’m certain, but they held on. This couple a strong family base and tremendous faith in God.
The Freeman’s are blessed to have three children: Lisa Freeman, Terri Farris, and Brian Freeman. With all that begetting going on, they are further blessed with eight grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. This couple now makes their home in Sugar Grove, Arkansas, located nine miles southeast of Booneville.
There have been times of more sickness than health, and sometimes more valleys than hills and high places. There’s been sleepless nights, tears of joy and sorrow and long hours on their knees in prayer. But, with fifty-five years behind them and a wonderful family for their trouble, I and everyone who knows and love them and wish them many, many more years of health and happiness!
After Thursday nights triumph over the Paris Eagles, the Mansfield Jr High Tigers were given a much-needed boost to their confidence which is exactly what the doctor ordered. The Tigers entered the game with three season losses against Hackett, Waldron, and Lavaca already in the books and they had tolerated enough. Mansfield was determined to win. Defending their home turf, the Tigers overpowered the Eagles 24-6.
#68 Dakota Langford
All 24 Tiger points were achieved in the first half of the game with Paris finally putting numbers on the board in the fourth quarter. Tyler Turnipseed started the game with an explosive kick return setting the Tigers up with momentum on their side. After a completed pass from Fisher Willsey to Drew Elmore for 12 yards and two rushes down the middle of the Eagles defense made by Caleb Collier, Mansfield was set up perfectly to deliver greatness. Willsey completed a first-rate spiral pass to Logan Cravey for the Tigers first touchdown of the night. Add in a Collier charge for the two-point conversion and Mansfield was in control 8-0.
#10 Tyler Turnipseed
With minutes left before halftime and successfully able to hold the Eagles to a zero count, the Tigers were feeling footloose and fancy-free. Mansfield decided to keep the touchdown two-step moving right along with Turnipseed bagging another Tiger touchdown and Tyler Woolbright locking down the extra two points bringing the score to 16-0 Mansfield. Not yet ready to call it a day, Cravey swooped in and picked off a Paris pass taking it 49 yards for a touchdown. Along with the extra two points, the Tigers entered halftime up 24-0.
After a lone Eagles touchdown in the fourth quarter, the game came to a close. Mansfield finished the match with 110 passing yards and 36 rushing yards and have upgraded their season play record to 1-3. With a total of 77 points on the season and six games left to play, the Tigers are looking to triple that number by the end of October. Next up on September 26, Mansfield will travel to West Fork in an attempt to determine who the “Big Cats” really are. Games start at 5:30 p.m.
For Thursday night football the Mansfield 7th grade Tigers hosted the Paris Eagles with the intention of doing everything in their power to hold tight to their undefeated season. The game was evenly paced to start with the Tigers merely toying with the Eagles allowing them to think that they might have a chance to win. But when the Eagles least expected it. BAM! Mansfield grounded Paris from their flight and took the win 34-14 securing their undefeated title and upgrading their season record to 3-0.
#7 Jeremy Strozier
Paris was first to put points on the board mere minutes into the start of the game and by the halfway mark the score read 14-0 Paris. But in true Tiger fashion, Mansfield had their prey right where they wanted them and it was time for the takedown. Sharpshooter, Brandon Raynor, got his hands on the ball for a 60 yard run downfield snatching the first Tiger touchdown and setting the score to 14-6 Paris. With 13 seconds left in the half, Quarterback, Jeremy Strozier, threw a beautiful spiral to Austin Oldham who ran the ball in for a 59-yard touchdown and with a Strozier quarterback keeper for the two-point conversion, Mansfield and Paris walked into halftime tied 14-14.
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#2 Brandon Raynor
With fans barely able to get back to their seats for the second half of the game, the action was already kicking off. The Tigers ball got intercepted by Paris who immediately turned around and fumbled it allowing Mansfield to snatch it back up as if nothing had happened. After a Strozier handoff to rapidly charged Running Back, Trey Powell, for a huge run resulted in a Tiger touchdown, the score sat 20-14 Mansfield.
#6 Austin Oldham
Now with the upper hand, the Tigers wanted to make sure that the Eagles couldn’t come back and try to steal the victory. So dynamic duo Strozier and Winston Allison teamed up to add another touchdown to the board. Coupled with the extra two-point conversion by Strozier and the Tigers stayed in the lead 28-14. With 10 seconds left in the game, Strozier locked down a 25-yard run, perfectly setting his team up for one more attempt at glory. With the clock reading 0:00, Powell rooted down one more Tiger touchdown and the game came to an end 34-14 Mansfield. The Mansfield Tigers will play away at West Fork on September 26 starting at 5:30 p.m.
Hackett Lady Hornet Golfer, Ashley Johnson, started off the golf season with one goal in mind and that was to qualify for State. Mission accomplished! On September 18, Johnson competed against a plethora of talent at the 2A District Tournament and putted away victoriously with a score of 109. The girls’ 2A State will be held on September 30 at 9 a.m. in Salem, Arkansas at Turkey Mountain Golf Course.
First-year Hackett Hornet and Golf Coach, Kent Elmore, had this to say about the 2019 golf year. “The season has been a bit chaotic. I got the role of golf coach one week before school started and wasn’t even sure what my team consisted of. We had a few golfers who left the team with the change of coaches but overall it went well. My golfers practiced well and got better as the season went on. Next year will be much more organized and we will be able to compete at a higher level.”
Almost halfway through the volleyball season and eight games under their belt, the Mansfield Jr High Lady Tigers are shaping up to be quite the upstanding competition for any opponent lucky enough to face them at the court. The Lady Tigers force the opposing teams to either shape up or ship out by establishing the mentality of “if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”
Mansfield engaged in two away matches this past week with the first being against the West Fork Lady Tigers on September 17 and the second one played on September 19 against the Charleston Lady Tigers. It’s safe to say that Mansfield spent the entire week staying busy with plenty of catfights.
Mansfield went 2-0 against West Fork with their matches ending in scores of 25-6 and 25-10. In almost total domination, the Lady Tigers ended the night with Madelen Jones and Skylynn Harris leading the team with 4 aces each with Jones also leading with six digs and eight assists. Brooklyn Adams secured six of the 14 team kills while Harris followed with five. And Kynslee Ward added three digs of the team total of 16.
“These last couple of games, we have played really solid all around,” states Head Coach, Erica McKay. “Our weakness right now is our second set. We put ourselves in tough situations, but the girls find a way to overcome that battle and finish strong. We have been focusing hard on minimizing our errors by setting goals and I’m happy to see our numbers are decreasing in that area.”
Mansfield locked down their second 2-0 win of the week against Charleston with sets ending in 25-9 and 25-19. These two teams are usually evenly matched in almost every sport they come face to face in ensuring an always entertaining experience. And this time it was no different. Both Lady Tiger teams put their minds and bodies through the wringer which turned out to be a well-earned payday for Mansfield.
Alyson Edwards led her team with five aces. Natalie Allison led with six of the total 25 team digs with Edwards contributing five and Kynslee Ward and Brooklyn Adams combining for eight. Skylynn Harris led with 10 kills followed by Adams having six. And Allison along with Madelen Jones combined for 15 assists.
The Jr High Lady Tigers are sitting with a 7-1 total season record and a record of 5-1 in conference play. The girls will participate in the Mena Volleyball Tournament this upcoming weekend on September 21 starting at 9 a.m. Mansfield will kick off the day with three pool play games against Mena, Arkansas High, and Jessieville followed by bracket play in gold and silver categories.
Thurman “Bo” McDaniel of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior, Wednesday, September 18, 2019 in Fort Smith, Arkansas with his loving family by his side. Bo was born December 6, 1936 to Frank and Edna McDaniel in Waldron, Arkansas. He was 82 years, 9 months and 13 days old. Bo was a member of The Rock Pentecostal Church of God in Y-City, Arkansas.
As a young man of 21, Bo met and married his bride, Wanda Abbott. Together they cherished 62 years of hard work, dedication and family. They have seen the good and the bad but together they conquered it all and remained strong and committed to each other. Bo enjoyed his cows and working in the hay field. When he wasn’t chasing around after a grandchild or great grandchild on a ball field he was always busy hunting, fishing or building things in his shop. The grandchildren have cedar chest to cherish. Bo was a practical joker and loved to have fun, however his love for his family was undeniable. He treasured the time he spent his grands and great grands, they were the light of his life.
Bo leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Wanda McDaniel of the home, two daughters: Pam Mason and husband James of West Fork, Arkansas and Debra Kesterson and husband Keith of Waldron, Arkansas and one son Thurman McDaniel Jr and wife Peggy of Waldron, Arkansas. Papa will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren: William Mason, Trenton McDaniel, Kimberly Welch, Casey Mason, Stephanie Copeland, Kyle Kesterson, Jillian Franklin and great grandchildren: Hayden Shores, Bailee Mason, Heaven McDaniel, Teesa Mason, Marlen Ball, Lexee Kesterson, Branson Mick, James Mason, Paige McDaniel, Karmen Kesterson, Noah McDaniel, Mathew Franklin, Hunter Copeland Aveline Franklin and Trent Copeland. Bo is also survived by two brothers: Jimmy (Bud) McDaniel and James McDaniel. Bo will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including a host of extended family, friends, neighbors and loved ones dear to his heart.
Bo was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Edna, and his siblings: Coleman McDaniel, Mack McDaniel, Henry McDaniel, JoAnn Yancey, Hazel Trozzi and Jane Newman as well as two nieces, Brenda Payne and Mary Bard.
Bo’s life celebration will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 23, 2019 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Shaddon officiating. Interment will follow in the Centerpoint Cemetery in Hon, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Bo’s pallbearers will be Loyd McDaniel, Lonny McDaniel, Henry McDaniel, Keith Kesterson, Dennis Copeland and Hayden Shores. Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Nevills, Alvin Carnahan, Melvin Smith and James Stuart.
Bo’s visitation will be Sunday, September 22, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Lynn Marie (Epperson) Walker of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, formerly of Waldron, Arkansas, passed from this life, Wednesday, September 18, 2019 in Little Rock, Arkansas surrounded by her loving family. Lynn was born March 4,1981 in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina to her parents, Gary Epperson and Helen Marie Charton. She was 38 years, 6 months and 5 days old.
Lynn was quite a spunky and fierce woman. She loved with her whole heart, and was ever so loyal to her family and friends. To know her was to love her and probably see a little stubborn come out from time to time. It’s been said she could and would hold her own with anyone that wanted to have a heated discussion (or an argument). Lynn enjoyed anything to do with horses. She would travel miles upon miles to participate in events from showing, roping, riding however, she especially loved the chuck wagon races. As much as she loved and enjoyed her horses, the love for her children far exceeded anything else. She treasured time and memories with each of them. Lynn leaves a legacy with her family of a beautiful woman inside and out with a smile to match and a big hug for each of them.
Lynn leaves behind to cherish her memory, three children: Hunter Robinson, Jade Robinson of Oklahoma and Brady Walker of Mississippi, as well as her parents, Gary Epperson and wife Jolene of Waldron, Arkansas and Helen Charton and husband Jerry of Morrillton, Arkansas. Lynn is also survived by her siblings: Richard Epperson, Bryant Epperson, Wendy Henderson, Jesse Charton, Joey Charton and Jason Charton. Lynn will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of extended family, friends, and fellow horseman that were very dear to her heart.
Lynn was preceded in death by her grandparents: Alvin and Ruth Epperson, LD and Avenell Casey, Bud and Verna Charton, and one sister, Katrina Sowell.
Lynn’s life celebration will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Bro. Jerry Grimes officiating. Interment will follow in the Square Rock Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Lynn’s pallbearers will be Hunter Robinson, Richard Epperson, Bryant Epperson, Jesse Charton, Jason Charton and Joey Charton.
Lynn’s visitation will be Saturday, September 21, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
It was the battle of the Tigers as the sixth ranked Charleston Lady Tigers hosted the Mansfield Lady Tigers Thursday night at the Charleston gymnasium. Charleston battled to a conference win over Mansfield to improve their record to 5-1 in conference play and 9-1 overall.
Mansfield went after Charleston in the first set and fell just short, 25-20. From that point, Charleston settled down and took advantage of some unforced serving errors by Mansfield. Charleston went on to win the second and third sets. Coach Ryan Rachuy paid respect to the competitiveness and the tradition of the Mansfield volleyball program. “The first set was a little bit rough. Had a few errors, but it came down to Mansfield, came in here and they’re not afraid of anybody. They gave Paris a good run in the first set against them. So, they’re going to come in and swing. Brooke Wright, #17, she hits from every position. Tonight she hit from the outside, she hit from the middle, from the opposite, and she puts balls down. She’s very athletic, gets up really high, blocks the ball really well, and had a number of kills in that first set. She was their main point getter all night long. What we did is we finally settled down and started to find the little spots, had better communication on the court. A few of our girls, Jaydn and Khiley, were communicating with our girls on where the open spots were.”
Mansfield has steadily improved as a team over the course of the season and could be a factor in the district tournament. Mansfield coach Kaylie Pyles has her team on an upward trajectory for not only this year but for next year, as well. When I asked Coach Pyles for her reaction to last night’s match, she said, “I thought we came out strong and competed in the first set. But, we have got to make less errors, consecutive errors, and finish throughout the set. Charleston is always a competitive team and game for us to play. I thought it was a good competitive game going back and forth, we just have to work on our second set. We always come out strong in the first set, and then, depending on how the game goes, we tend to relax in the second set. We really need to work on that. We have improved from the beginning of the season, and I see us continuing to improve with every game like we have been. I believe that our team continues to fight no matter what the outcome of a set or match may be, but, the girls work hard every day and they compete in each game and I think we will continue to do that. I think we will surprise some people in the district tournament.” Coach Pyles went on to mention Charleston hitter Jadyn Womack. “She’s (Womack) a great player. We had issues getting out and getting touches on her. She deserves the credit of being a great player. And that’s what I see and expect from Brooke Wright (Mansfield). She (Wright) has great work ethic, she’ll continue to improve, and be in the gym as much as she can. She is a junior and I think next year she will have an outstanding senior year.”
Charleston faced two regional teams this week in Lavaca and Mansfield who brought their best efforts against Charleston. Charleston responded well and was up to the challenge. “There’s good volleyball all around our state. The history that Mansfield has, the teams that Paris has, this area has really good volleyball. If you don’t play good volleyball you are going to get run out of the gym very quickly. We spotted them four points in the third set again, and I am not happy about that. I feel like we relax a little bit. We have spotted teams this season by two, three, or four points, and we have settled down and played well. We’ve just got to stop those little runs at the beginning of games. Teams like Mansfield, you are just a few mistakes away from losing sets.”
The second half of the conference season starts next Thursday after a Tuesday conference game at Elkins. “We’re trying to push practices a little bit, make them go a little bit harder, and a little bit longer. We are going to be playing some tough teams and tough matches every time. We’ve got to be ready to do that each night.”
At the beginning of the season, I asked Coach Rachuy about his team. He spoke very respectfully and affectionately about each player, particularly his seniors. As the season has progressed it is very apparent that this team is special. Although it may be premature to discuss this team’s accomplishments, it is a point in the season where Charleston fans can reflect on what a special group of girls, particularly the seniors, are on this team. They are having a good season, and if they keep their focus, it could be a historical season for this young program. “Our seniors are coming in, and when they are not playing their best, they are still cheering on the girls out there. They’re trying to keep that family atmosphere, that “we” before “me” attitude. Whoever is on the court are the girls we cheer for. One player can’t hit every ball. One player can’t pass to everybody. One player can’t serve every time. Everybody has got to do their part. I am very proud of our girls, very proud of every one of them.”
Charleston fans, if you have not had a chance to watch this team in action, you need to do so before the season ends. This is truly a very special team that is led by a very special group of seniors.
