Most every school-aged child has had the priviledge of making the acquaintance of the larger than life figure, Smokey the Bear! Smokey, while bringing smiles to children’s faces, also introduces them to wildfire safety and prevention.
The Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign is the longest-running public service campaign in the U.S. Since his debut in 1944, Smokey Bear has taught millions of Americans about their role in preventing wildfires.
Although Smokey will turn 75 on Friday, August 9, his work in preventing wildfires is far from over. Campaigns like “Spark Change, not Wildfires,” and Smokey’s conservation pledge will continue on.
For every child who has grown up knowing the joy of meeting the legendary bear, and for every Forestry worker who was fortunate enough to don the suit, thank you! Happy Birthday Smokey Bear!
With just about two weeks left to enjoy those summer days, the dreaded back to school time is approaching fast! Are you ready? It’s time to buy school supplies, lunch boxes, and school clothes. It’s time to get back into the routine of going to bed early and waking up early. There is so much to do! As a parent of school age kids, it’s almost overwhelming! To make it easier, we have come up with a few tips and ideas to make it a smooth transition for parents and kids. In this two-part series, let’s take a look at some money saving tips first.
It seems each year the school supply list gets longer and more expensive. Times are changing, budgets are cut, and prices are raised. If you have more than one kid to buy for then that makes it even more expensive. Luckily, some area churches and organizations like United Way try to help families out during this time. Today, at Midland Assembly of God from 10-1 p.m., free school supplies will be given out as well. However, if you are shopping and looking for the cheapest places for those supplies, here are THREE tips to keep in mind while shopping:
1. Eventhough everything is a dollar at the Dollar Tree, some items are cheaper at Wal-Mart! If you are like me, one trip in the Dollar Tree can end up costing over twenty dollars when you went in for a $1 item. It’s because we love the Dollar Tree. Don’t get me wrong there are some items I do buy there and are totally worth that dollar. However, be careful on the school supplies. For example, let’s look at crayons. One package of crayons at the Dollar Tree cost $1 and at Wal-Mart one package of crayons costs 33 Cents! So, shop around. Also, don’t forget the Dollar General offers online digital coupons on select school supplies, and if you shop on Saturday, spend $25 then you get $5 off with a coupon. Don’t have the coupon? Don’t worry! Ask the cashiers. They usually always have extra coupons at the register that they will let you have for this discount. One other thing to think about is ordering online. If you hate going down each aisle and trying to mess with the crowds, order online. Some stores offer discounts, coupons, and even free pickup when ordering online, like Dollar General, Wal-Mart, and Office Depot. I did some price checking online for you! Below is a chart of price comparison to make your school supply shopping easier. Prices are subject to change, and some are offered for a limited time or until supplies last. Be sure and check the sale ads before heading to the store.
Price Comparison Chart to make YOUR shopping Easier! Prices highlighted are YOUR best deals!
2. If your kids insist on packing their lunch, I have money saving tips for you too! First, be careful about buying individually wrapped items. Although I will admit it saves a ton of time while packing a lunch, it doesn’t save in your pocketbook. If you want to save money on packing lunches, buy regular size bags of chips and place individual serving sizes in baggies instead. It is the same concept with individual packages of carrots or apples. When you buy these items prepackaged for individuals, you pay the extra for them doing the work for you. However, if you do the work, you will save money! If you are like me and always busy, plan ahead to help yourself! Last school year, I purchased a small 3 basket cart. I labeled each basket as the following: chips, desserts, snacks. On Saturdays or Sundays, whichever day I had some free time, I sat and made up snacks, bags of chips, and desserts, and I placed a week supply of each of the items in each basket. This saved me time and money! That way all I had to do (or you can make your child do it) was select one from each basket and just make a sandwich! It was so much easier for me since I pack 6 lunches every night!
3. Let’s talk about school clothes! This is stressful for a parent. Every kid wants to look in style, but not everyone has the means for this, and I totally understand! We have four kids, so I really do get it! Some of the tips I can give you is shop in thrift stores! Sometimes, I have found brand new pairs of shoes with the tags still on them for $3 dollars! Don’t forget to look at yard sales, too. I’ve sold items at a yard sale that still had tags on them because my kids grew to fast to wear the items. So, it’s worth stopping and looking. Also, look on Facebook Yard Sale Group Sites. Parents always start selling their items to clean out the closet for the next year. However, be careful. Sometimes on this, you will pay more! Right now, at the Greenwood Wal-Mart, they have tons of kid’s clothes marked down for $2, $3, and $5 each! Let me add this too, Wal-Mart has really stepped up their game in their clothing style! I remember as a kid dreading when my mom shopped at Wal-Mart for my school clothes, but she was a single mom. It was all we could afford, and she was doing the best she could do with what money she had. However, now Wal-Mart has some great clothes for low prices. Also, check the prices and sales at JC Penny’s and Children’s Place in Central Mall. I am not a big fan of the mall. I always thought you pay way too much for clothing there, but my mother in-law is an avid shopper there, and she has convinced me that some stores are worth the trip! So, take time to compare the sales! It’s worth your dollar savings!
In closing, don’t forget that tax free weekend is August 3rd and 4th. So, if you can wait until next weekend, that will save you money too! Also, if you don’t have the means to buy school supplies for your child, reach out to your local church or school. They will help you get in touch with someone to assist you in this area. If you are unable to buy new school clothes for your kid, it’s ok! Sometimes, the money is just not there. Check with your local clothes closets. Mansfield First Baptist has a clothes closet, and they would love to help your child find some clothes for school.
Last, if you have no school age kids, help someone out! We have been blessed with wonderful grandparents on both sides of the family that have always bought clothes and supplies for our kids. If you have a friend that you know needs help, pick up a school supply list at Wal-Mart, and buy some of the items. You have no idea how you could bless them with this small gesture. Buy some clothes for their kids! It will mean so much to those kids! Stay tuned for part 2 on ways to help students get back into the routine of school! And most of all…
As with any success seen in Jr High and Sr High, it all starts with the little guys. Outside of the town of Magazine, very little is known about Magazines Little League program. For years they played the BIG teams and were merely outnumbered on the field. It’s hard to take a team that can barely get enough players and try to overcome teams who have 40 to 50 players. Having to do that year in and year out can decimate a program. But all of that is slowly changing as the Magazine Little League program is looking to get the community “rattling” again.
The Little League Rattlers made a change in leagues last season with the creation of the West Central Football League. The WCFLs creator and President is none other than Magazines own Doug Powell who gathered a hand full of small schools to help bring smaller programs in the area back to their prime. The results of that move were an immediate impact for Magazine as their fifth and sixth grade Rattlers earned a playoff berth and even made it to the WCFL Championship in 2018. Although they fell to Hackett in the championship game, they proved something to their league opponents and more importantly, the town of Magazine. These snakes are as dangerous as ever.
Josh Scott, Magazines WCFL Representative and Treasurer said, “For years we barely had enough kids to suit up a team. We had to basically beg and plead with kids to sign up. It was hard to convince a kid or parent to play football when they knew they’d be facing teams three times bigger than us. With the creation of the WCFL, that all changed for us. Our success last season showed everyone that we can compete with anyone in this league. Kids are excited to be a Rattler now and our community is rallying behind them. Even our Sr High players are excited to work with and watch these little guys. Our numbers are higher than we’ve seen in years thanks to everyone pitching in and believing in our program.”
Magazines Little League program is blessed with awesome leadership, great coaches, and very talented young athletes. They have proven that they can compete with anyone no matter how big or small. But they are still in need of more players each year to continue growing the program to its full potential. But time is running out with sign-ups closing soon. Remember, the Little League teams the community represents today will be the Senior High teams representing the community tomorrow.
Raymond Chastain isn’t with us any longer, but his legacy as a member of a pioneer family is still told through his widow, Billie Jean Phillips Chastain. Billie still lives in their home in Bloomer, Arkansas. She is surrounded by memories and mementos of their lives together in small boxes, old luggage, and scrapbooks. She has kept her husband’s recollections alive in those treasured items.
In 1968, Raymond’s great uncle was visiting about how his mother and Raymond’s great-great-grandfather, Richard Turner, was one of the military men who traveled with a detachment of the U. S. Army that relocated the Cherokee Indians to new lands west from Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. This was 181 years ago at the time of today’s writing. Turner settled at the frontier army post at Fort Gibson, often traveling from Fort Gipson through Fort Smith and to Dardanelle along the Military Road.
The late Mr. J. B. Turner of Branch recalled that his own great-grandfather moved along the old Military Road, settling in the present-day South Franklin County area. His father, also named Richard Turner, was born about three miles southwest of the present-day Branch community. J. B. Turner remembered the stories that were passed down across the generations. He himself knew the route between Fort Gibson to Dardanelle just about as much as his ancestor did.
J.
B. recalled how his distant grandfather helped with the Indian removal in the
1830s. The old Military Road east of Fort Smith followed the route of
present-day Highway 22 as far as Central City, Turner accurately recalled. The route turned on Highway 255 on the left
at Central across a creek (Vache Grass) and on through present Lavaca, which
was at one time known as Oak Bower.
Turner continued in the notes, “The old routE went about a half-mile north of the community of Ursula then on through Grand Prairie and past the Hampton Cemetery, then south to the top of the ridge at Old Donald about a half-mile northeast of Branch.” The Old Donald community is reported as one of the first communities in that section of Franklin County and there is no sign of it today. It was here where the Dardanelle-Fort Smith Stage Road came across the ridge, but instead of following the Military Road northward, it continued westward, running through the old wagon campground at Spring Hill, now Barling,” Turner noted.
Arkansas state roads sometimes followed the old Military Road that was established long before Arkansas even was a state. Some portions of the Military Road follow old Indian trails.
In
Turner’s noted recollections, he wrote how there was once a big open spring on
the hill where the Barling Post Office sits. (Hence the title of Spring Hill.)
Weary travelers stopped and camped overnight here, especially those whose
journey led from present-day Branch on the way to Fort Smith and beyond. That distance was about a full day on
horseback or wagon.
J.
B. Turner’s memories record that there was three main founders of the town of
Branch: William Bradbury, Richard Turner, and J. D. Branch.
When
the post office came, it was named in honor of John D. Branch, an uncle to the
Turners. The community almost was called Turnersville, in honor of Richard
Turner, but unfortunately, there was already a Turnersville in Craighead
County. The honor then turned to J. D.
Branch. It was Branch who had built one of the first cotton gins and grist
mills. J. B. Turner wrote that more than
900 people lived in Branch (although the census doesn’t confirm that). Strip
mining for coal at Grand Prairie was strong and workers walked the five miles
northwest to their work or rode horses.
`There
used to be an old log cabin on Highway 22/Military Road that still stood
between Charleston and Dardanelle that was a major stop for fresh horses and
for feeding travelers and providing shelter for the night.
The Arkansas Central Railroad built through Branch, as well as Lavaca, in 1898. There was two daily passenger runs through Branch and to Fort Smith and back. A Branch railroad connecting to the mainline was built in 1919. Headquarters were built near where the old high school sat. (The building sits abandoned in Turner’s 1968 interview. This school, built in 1914, was consolidated and students moved to a different district.)
Passenger service slowly stopped soon after Highway 22 was paved in the 1930s. The coal slowed considerably as well and people used those paved roads to move to jobs in other locations. The population in 2010 was 341 persons. Few buildings remain from the better days but the population has remained relatively constant.
Every
town has a story. How great it is that the family of Raymond Chastain took the
time to record this history or it may have been lost to the ages.
The exact figure is 726.7 miles. That’s
how many miles the collective effort of the Mansfield cross country team has
put in during their first three weeks of pre-season training.
Leading the way has been Faith
Rainwater. The tenth grade Lady Tiger was the 2018 MHS female cross country
runner of the year. Close behind have been fellow sophomores McKenzie Griffin
and Hope Rainwater.
Faith Rainwater has logged 74 miles
since the start of organized team activities. Just barely behind is Griffin at
72 miles. Both have only missed one practice since the summer schedule began.
Both incidents were due to illness.
Hope Rainwater hasn’t trailed her Tiger
running mates by much. Since the first full week of July, she has reached 69.5
recorded miles.
“The sophomore girls have been really
motivated,” stated Tiger cross country coach John Mackey. “They are an exciting
bunch. They fit nicely with our older and younger core.”
For the Tiger men, Ashton Hinkle has
recorded the most miles. The cross country check in/out sheet as of last week
showed Hinkle at 66.5 miles.
“Some of the guys put in a lot of miles
even before training camp began,” expressed the coach. “Our sign in sheet
doesn’t reflect all the numbers. There’s probably a lot more miles that have
been run that didn’t find the sheet.”
What is known is that Hinkle put in the
most non-stop miles of any player just the other day. On Thursday evening with
temperatures at a moderate level, the ninth grade athlete ran 7.5 consecutive
miles before being stopped by his coach due to darkness.
“You could tell he wasn’t fatigued in
the least,” offered the coach. “He was gonna just keep going. He typically runs
home after practice. I didn’t want him out on the streets after dark so I made
him stop.”
The coach noted the progress of the 2018
Mansfield male cross country runner of the year, Ethan Chapman, as well.
According to his coach, Chapman has been running the majority of the summer.
“Ethan started back in May,” said
Mackey. “He only writes down his lake runs. I’m sure his total for the summer
would be substantial if he recorded everything.”
On more than one occasion, many of the
cross country athletes get extra work after evening weight sessions. The Tiger
weight room opens about an hour and a half before team sessions begin at the
city park. To get extra road work, most of the athletes just run the extra mile
to the lake.
So far, 35 different athletes have made an appearance at the Tiger lake runs. Not all of those will make the final cross country roster according to the coach. However, he felt it was a positive sign that the Tigers are trending in the right direction as the 1,000 mile mark is well in sight.
2018 MHS female cross country athletes of the year Faith Rainwater.Eleventh grader Renden Emery does a light lift before running to the city lake for cross country practice.Tenth grade cross country runner Ethan Chapman set the school record in the junior high 1600m run last season. In the center of the team warmups is Mansfield sophomore McKenzie Griffin. Freshman Ashton Hinkle looks at ease after completing 7.5 non-stop miles of cross country training.
The Mansfield School District has found a new Tiger to add to their roster. Mr. Mark Tolton has been hired on to be the new assistant football coach, math teacher, and to teach PE. When it comes to coaching, Tolton is no stranger to the game. “I’ve played football since I was eight years old,” Tolton says. “I volunteered in college and even after graduation, I continued to volunteer in the sport. I played for Fort Smith Southside and was on their first state championship team in 1983.”
“I was fortunate to have been hired at Hackett as an assistant coach for both football and baseball. I became Western Yell County’s Head Coach the first year they played a varsity schedule and then moved back to Fort Smith and became Head Coach at Trinity Junior High. Now, I’m very honored to have been hired on at Mansfield High School.” Coach Tolton knew from a young age that coaching was what he wanted to do in life. When he 13, Tolton had to fill in as head coach for his brothers’ boys club basketball team. It was at that moment that he knew coaching was where his heart was.
Mark Tolton and his significant other, Kristy, share four kids and seven grandkids between them. Growing up in Fort Smith, Mark attended Bonneville Elementary, Chaffin Junior High, and Southside High School. Coach Tolton graduated from ATU with a Bachelor of Science in Health/PE along with graduating from Southwestern Oklahoma State with a Masters in Educational Administration.
“I wanted to come to Mansfield especially after I knew that Mr. Eveld was Principal. I have great respect for him and knew I’d like to work for him if given the opportunity. I enjoy coaching and working with young people while watching their growth academically and professionally.” We’d like to welcome Coach Tolton and family to the Resident Press area.
Have you ever seen a rattlesnake hunt? They use stealth and speed and strike their prey with extreme precision and force. A rattler’s prey never knew what hit em’ until it’s too late. That’s exactly what Magazines Sr High Running Back, Caleb Hyatt, does to defenders week in and week out. At 6’1 and 200lbs, senior Hyatt excels at playing ground and pound football which is something rarely seen on the field these days with spread offenses taking over the game.
Many overlook small-town players deeming them as weak due to a “lack of competition.” The Rattlers defeated 2A powerhouses such as Hackett, Hector, and routed Carlisle last season on their way to the second round of State Playoffs. But in Caleb Hyatt’s case, the numbers speak for themselves, not the competition. In the Rattlers 2018 season, Hyatt rushed for 1,328 yards averaging 6.6 yards per carry and scored an astounding 16 touchdowns. He also accounted for 14 catches for 148 yards and a touchdown in the Rattlers passing game.
Head Football Coach, Doug Powell, has been coaching this football dynamo since he was in the seventh grade. “He is goal-driven and loves challenges,” Powell says of Hyatt. “I think his best strength is his competitiveness but play wise he works hard for extra yards.” Those close to Caleb would say he is what I like to call a Super S3 Player. Someone who is overly blessed with size, speed, and strength. From the day he could pick up a football and start playing, Caleb has become as successful as he is because of his inspiring work ethic that is easily noticed by those around him. That coupled with his drive to be better than he was the day before, is what makes him a force to be reckoned with.
Caleb Hyatt started playing football when he was in the first grade. He decided to give it a shot when some of his friends signed up to play. And it’s a good thing that he did because since then, Caleb has been crushing the competition while leaving everyone in his dust. Along with football, Caleb also enjoys participating in track and spending time with his dogs and friends in his free time. After high school, Caleb has plans to attend college.
Over a period of three days, the Waldron Lady Bulldog 7-12 grade volleyball teams took part in an informational and encouraging volleyball camp. The Jane Sargent Camp was a great way to get the girls prepared for the upcoming season. Over 20 Lady Bulldogs showed up ready to fine-tune their skills while having fun in the process.
During the course of the camp, the girls were able to learn several new drills from the basics of volleyball. The camp was informational for the coaches as well because they got to learn new drills that can be incorporated into their daily practices. The camp starts from the bottom and breaks down the basic volleyball fundamentals. Each day the Lady Bulldogs worked their way through certain skills and on the last day a scrimmage was held where the girls were able to show off everything that they have been working on. The Lady Bulldogs will get their volleyball season underway with the Varsity squad participating in a benefit game against Lavaca on August 20 at 430 pm in Lavaca.
Dianna Hewitt Ladd has announced that she will be a candidatefor the Sebastian County Judge’s position, which was just recently added by the Arkansas Legislature. “I am very excited that the Arkansas Legislature has added another Judge’s position to help relieve our current caseload in Sebastian County. This will mean quicker and better access to the Courts for Sebastian County residents.” The election for the new position will be held on March 3, 2020. This particular position will hear family law cases such as Juvenile cases, Adoptions, Guardianships and Probate, as well as Civil disputes. “It is important that that Sebastian County elects someone who has professional and personal insight into these very emotional cases.”
“For nearly 20 years, I have been helping Sebastian Countyfamilies and individuals through complex and emotional legal matters. More often than not, the Courts are involved. Helping people move through the Courts and to the other side of a problematic situation is very rewarding. The most natural next step for my work in the community is public service.”
Ladd, 50, earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1996 from John Brown University where she was on the Dean’s and President’s Academic lists. She graduated with a Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2000.
“As a Judge, I
would ensure integrity and fairness are paramount. It is critically
important that Sebastian County residents have confidence that they will
receive a fair day in Court, without politics or favoritism playing a
part, and that they have a Judge who has real experience.”
Ladd has been a resident of the River Valley for about 40 years. After graduating from law school, she resided in Greenwood andworked in private practice. “While District Court and Circuit Court are very different, I have extensive experience in both Courts. I have tried hundreds of cases in Sebastian County Circuit Court and have served as the District Court Prosecuting Attorney for several area cities within and outside of Sebastian County for approximately 17 years. I have also served as a Special Judge numerous times during my legal career. “
She currently serves on the School Board for Immaculate Conception School in Fort Smith and she actively volunteers for the Don Reynolds Crisis Intervention Center as a Sexual Assault Response Advocate. After serving as an active member for the Junior League of Fort Smith from 2008-2015, she continues to support the non-profit as a Sustainer. She has also served as a member of Women with A Mission for the Mercy Health Foundation and was a former Cabinet Head for Greenwood Division of the United Way, as well as a former President of the South Sebastian County Lion’s Club. Ladd received an award for Best Oral Advocate in law school and was in the Time Record Best of the Best top 3 for 2018. She is licensed to practice law in all Arkansas trial Courts, the Arkansas Court of Appeals and the Arkansas Supreme Court, as well as the 8thCircuit Court of Appeals. She and her husband Jeff Laddcelebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in July. They reside in Fort Smith with their two children, Reece and Knox.
Recently, our family traveled to Tampa, Florida to visit my brother and his family. We arrived late that night after 18 hours on the road, and we were ready to sleep. The next morning, we woke up to this sweet aroma cooking in the kitchen! Of coarse, my nose had to follow the smell. My sister in-law was cooking this delicious Healthy Breakfast Hash. At first, I was a little nervous to try it since I’ve always been a picky eater, and I usually stick with “my ingredients” when creating dishes. However, the smell to this dish was so good that there was no way I could turn it down! Even my kids woke up talking about how wonderful the smell was as it was cooking in the skillet. They couldn’t wait to try it and they are picky eaters too! This is a perfect dish to cook for a lot of people as there was ten of us to feed. Also, when you indulge in it’s goodness, you won’t feel guilty eating it since it’s all healthy and cooked in coconut oil! It’s not a messy prep, and it’s not expensive either! Also, if you have leftovers, this is great warmed up. You could cook it up on Sunday and eat this healthy breakfast all during the week! So, who’s ready for this yummy healthy breakfast? I know I am!
Time to cook up some healthy yummy Breakfast Hash!
Ingredients:
2 Granny Smith Apples (cored and diced into cubes)
1 Large Sweet Potato (diced into cubes)
2 Tablespoons Of Coconut Oil
1 lb. of Ground Sausage
Extra: This is great to serve with a side of scrambled eggs!
Directions:
In a large skillet, place two tablespoons of coconut oil. Once the skillet is warmed, placed the diced sweet potatoes in the skillet. Cook on a medium heat for approximately 10 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are close to becoming soft. You don’t want to cook it too fast, because it will burn. You also don’t want to cook it too long and become mushy. While this is cooking, begin to cook and brown the ground sausage in a separate skillet. After about 10 minutes of cooking the sweet potatoes, add in the diced apples. The apples will cook faster than the sweet potatoes. Make sure you are stirring the skillet frequently so that the apples and sweet potato cubes are not sticking, and everything is being evenly cooked in the heat. During this time, it would be great to cook scrambled eggs to accompany your Healthy Breakfast Hash. Once the sausage is finished, browned, and drained, add it to the skillet with the apples and sweet potatoes. Place the heat on low, and simmer for about 3 minutes with all ingredients together. Then, you are ready to serve!
