Resident News Network

Just A Small Town Boy

Lifestyle

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10:25 am

Matt, a young college student at the University of Central Arkansas, found himself in tears as his plane began to take off and head back to the United States. He never cries but God was tugging at his heart as he looked out the window over Africa. He just couldn’t shake the words spoken to him earlier by a Pastor in South Africa as he was on the plane leaving Mozambique. “Matt, God has huge plans for you on this continent.”

Was God truly calling him to be a missionary? Was he really ready for this type of ministry and faith?

Matt returned to the states, and he continued on with his classes at UCA. He had another opportunity arise to return to Mozambique, Africa for a year of mission’s work. He accepted. Little did he know that this trip would change his life forever.

During this year, Matt saw so many deaths and spiritual warfare was extreme. His parents and his girlfriend, Andrea, made a trip to visit him mid-way through his yearlong stay. It was during this time, he proposed to Andrea before she returned to the US. His last night in the country of his year-long tenure was in the capital city, Maputo. While waiting on his flight to go back to America, God told him, “This is your city.” Matt knew God was preparing him to make Africa his home, but he worried about Andrea. Would she be willing to live here? Would she be willing to give up everything and come to Africa with him?

Matt returned back to the United States, and he asked Andrea to meet with him. Andrea asked if they could meet in the prayer room at 3 a.m. at the Chi Alpha house, which was the campus ministry house they were both involved in. She had signed up to pray during that hour during their campus ministry’s 24-hour prayer time. They met in the prayer room, and Matt began to tell Andrea the words God had spoken to him. He knew he was putting his heart on the line, and he knew his future was about to change dramatically. As he spoke the words, Andrea’s soft smile shined in the dim lit room. She looked at him as he stumbled over his words trying to explain everything that God had done in him in the past year. She couldn’t help but to fall more in love with him as he spoke with passion about how God had called him to Africa. Then, he asked her if she was willing to come with him to Africa to make it their new home. Andrea replied with no hesitation, “Ok! Let’s go.”

Andrea had never felt called to missions before, and she knew her calling in life was so different than Matt’s call to missions. However, she knew she loved him so much that she was willing to follow him as God would condition her heart for the call as well. For Andrea, it was “see a need, fill a need.” She began to think of all the college students in Africa, and she was heartbroken thinking that these students in Africa did not have the same opportunity she had had in college. She wanted them to have the chance to be part of a community like she had experienced. It was like having a bonus family being part of the Chi Alpha ministry at UCA. So, together, Matt and Andrea decided that that’s what their missions work would be… Campus Ministry in Africa.

Now, years later, God paved the way for Matt and Andrea. They run many successful Chi Alpha Campus Ministries in 30+ campuses in three different cities! They have worked hard hanging fliers all over the city inviting college students to be part of the campus movement. Students’ lives are changing.

God is moving but in the midst of all this…

Tragedy struck…

Cyclone Idai hit the central part of Mozambique, Africa.

Over 80 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds more are still missing and cannot be located or identified.

Matt and Andrea’s GodWink Story To be continued…

Sometimes in life things will seem to be going great. Life is perfect. Then, tragedy will strike. Out of nowhere, a storm will hit. We could probably all recall a moment in our life when this has happened. It feels as if the wind has been knocked out of our sail. Sometimes, it just leaves us in shock. In those moments, it’s hard to stay calm and keep our focus on Jesus. However, it’s in these times, we have to! You can choose to give up and give in, or you can choose to press on. I want to encourage you to press on! Don’t give up. You’ve got this! Let your story be your testimony of overcoming the biggest battle that seemed impossible to man to become possible with God!

2 Corinthians 4:18~ So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.

GodWinks: the unexplainable moment in life when it can only be GOD!

Photo credit given to Matt and Andrea Marlin

Spike in Armyworm Activity as Summer Picks up Steam

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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4:17 pm

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Spike in Armyworm Activity as Summer Picks up Steam

April showers have brought forth a lot of things in 2019, some of them more welcome than others. Among the less desirable, perhaps, was a sharp spike in armyworm activity in pastures in the northern half of the state.

As early as May 1, Cooperative Extension Service agents in several counties began receiving calls from producers as the pest made its annual appearance, chewing its way through one bermudagrass field in Crawford County. Over the following two weeks, the pest — alternately referred to as the “true armyworm,” and not to be confused with the “fall armyworm” — also stirred the ire of growers in Searcy, Boone, and Randolph counties, among others — all in fescue fields.

Kelly Loftin, extension entomologist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the pest’s appearance isn’t unusual for this time of the year.

“It’s pretty typical, to have a spike like that in early May,” Loftin said. “They’re normally found in pastures, north of the River Valley.”

The armyworm, which takes several forms throughout the course of its brief life, primarily inflicts its damage while a caterpillar, spending about two weeks feeding on grasses before getting back to transforming to a moth.

“It’s basically an issue of forage loss,” Loftin said. “They infest the field and reduce yield. It can be quite devastating. In fescue, if the timing’s just right, the invasion can affect seed production.”

Loftin said that damage from only one generation of true armyworms is inflicted per season, unlike the fall armyworm, which can rally multiple generations to attack a crop simultaneously.

He said the unusually wet conditions this May have likely not had any effect on the true armyworm populations in the state one way or another. While Arkansas doesn’t usually see true armyworms in the sheer numbers that fall armyworms present, the treatment threshold is two to three caterpillars per square foot to justify the use of pesticides.

Luckily, the populations are likely on their way out, Loftin said.

“It’s mostly passed now, or will be, shortly,” he said.

To learn about integrated pest management in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.

Smith Named Mansfield Fire Chief

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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3:58 pm

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On Friday, May 24, Mansfield Mayor Buddy Black administered the oath of office to newly named Fire Chief, Michael Smith.

Smith has worked in the fire service since 1979, as a first responder for over twenty years and in law enforcement for almost a decade.

Smith retired from the city four years ago, but felt a “moral obligation to return to the department.”

He and his wife Tina have two children, Jared and Taylor Smith as well as two grandchildren, Everleigh and Leighton.

Smith said his goals for the department are, “to try to get it (the fire department) back to where it was in the past. It will take team work and effort to get the trust back with the people, not only in Mansfield, but also the outlying community as well as the general public.”

Rodeo History in the River Valley

Resident News Network

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2:34 pm

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The life of a cowboy has always been a country music writer’s passion.

One of the most popular songs about cowboys in my day was “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” sung by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings in the 1970’s. Of course, there’s Chris LeDoux’s “The Cowboy’s Hat” in the early 1990’s, who was also a Hall of Fame rodeo champion.

America has a history with rodeos, roping cattle, chasing cattle, breaking and buck-breaking a horse. Over time, these enjoyments have been replaced by more modern past-times.

However, there are still some cowboys around who love to get on a bucking horse, training them to do what comes naturally. Yes, even in Arkansas.

Talking with Dustin Dunn of DD Rodeo, he says “Bucking doesn’t come naturally to all horses, some just do not want to buck. You can’t train them to buck, they are bred to it.” And yes, I know it personally!

Dustin and a few friends plan and promote rodeos in Arkansas and Oklahoma. You may not realize it, but there are a lot of girls, boys, women and men who bronc horses, bull ride and love it.

One notable for Arkansas is that of Denny Flynn of Charleston, who was born in Paris, who was considered the most talented bull rider, but he never won a world title, but qualified for Nationals Rodeo ten times.

Rodeos are coming up, there have already been two in this area with more coming this month, June, August and September for Mena (this weekend), Greenwood, Paris, Lavaca, Muldrow and Waldron.

We encourage you to grab your family, lasso them if you need to, and go enjoy a good rodeo.

Hartford Community Garden Supports Local Residents

Lifestyle

Resident News Network

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11:50 am

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Hartford Community Garden Supports Local Residents

Driving down historic Hartford, a community that is 20 miles southwest of Greenwood, you will find a couple of businesses, a food pantry, library, police station, bank as well as a new store and café.

What you may not expect to find is a community garden on the corner of McCloud and Hazel started by long-time resident Jeff Ward.

Jeff, who has always gardened, made a decision to turn his passion for gardening and having the availability of fresh produce into helping the community.

In early March, the ground was turned, tilled and gotten ready by volunteers. There have been donations of seeds and plants to help offset costs.

How does a community garden work? Since it’s for the community to utilize or use the produce from it, the people in the community donate some of their time to weed, to till, harvest and keep the garden going. In return, they receive some produce to feed their family.

What can you do to obtain this fresh produce free of charge? Show up and volunteer a little time. This is great for your children to help with and shows them about gardening and physical work.

The Hartford community garden is a great resource, but it needs your help to make it the best in this area.

Volunteer to help your friends and family, reap the benefits and share with others.

Memorial Day

Networks

Resident News Network

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11:47 am

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It was three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, when Maj. John A Logan, the head of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. He declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

In 1968 the first large observance was held at the Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The ceremonies centered around the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, which was once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. Children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns.

More than 25 local towns claim to be the first to have been the birthplace of Memorial Day. Shiloh and Richmond, Macon and Columbus, Boalsburg and Carbondale all claim to be the first. In fact, there is a stone in a Carbondale, Illinois’ cemetery that carries the statement the first Decoration Day ceremony took place there on April 29, 1866. Carbondale was the wartime home of Gen. Logan.

Local Observances Claim To Be First Local springtime tributes to the Civil War dead already had been held in various places. One of the first occurred in Columbus, Miss., April 25, 1866, when a group of women visited a cemetery to decorate the graves of Confederate soldiers who had fallen in battle at Shiloh. Nearby were the graves of Union soldiers, neglected because they were the enemy. Disturbed at the sight of the bare graves, the women placed some of their flowers on those graves, as well.

Regardless of where the first observation took place, the Official Birthplace was declared In 1966, by Congress and President Lyndon Johnson as Waterloo, N.Y. There, a ceremony on May 5, 1866, honored local veterans who had fought in the Civil War. Businesses closed and residents flew flags at half-staff. Supporters of Waterloo’s claim say earlier observances in other places were either informal, not community-wide or one-time events.

By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation. State legislatures passed proclamations designating the day. It was not until after World War I, however, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May, as were some other federal holidays.

Gen. Logan’s order for his posts to decorate graves in 1868 “Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.” Then, as now, small American flags and flowers were placed on each grave — a tradition followed at many national cemeteries today. In recent years, the custom has grown in many families to decorate the graves of all departed loved ones.

After World War I, Calvin Coolidge, as part of his acceptance speech for the Republican vice-presidential nomination on July 27th 1920, “The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.” While his sentiment was a caution to the country against abandoning its social contract with its warriors, the same can be applied to a day of remembrance, or memorial.

Honoring the war dead dates back to the beginning of recorded time. The Athenian leader Pericles offered a tribute to the fallen heroes of the Peloponnesian War over 24 centuries ago. “Not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions, but there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men.”

To date there have been 1,354,664 US war dead. This is the high cost of freedom. There is nothing wrong with backyard barbecues and ball games in the park. There is nothing wrong with celebrations and parades. However, do not forget to remember those who provided those freedoms, that we all enjoy. Spend time with your family. Teach your children that while the day is fun, it came with a price. We all live on borrowed freedom and we all owe future generations the freedoms that were provided for us. The way we honor the dead is to live our lives in a way deserving of the sacrifices made and to pay it forward.

Obituary – Andy Wayne Taylor (1974 – 2019)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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6:10 am

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Obituary – Andy Wayne Taylor (1974 – 2019)

Andy Wayne Taylor, 45, of Mansfield, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2019, in a Ft Smith Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his mother Janell Taylor and father Leslie Taylor, both of Mansfield, Arkansas. He is survived by his daughter Destiny Stone, his sister Angela Taylor, and brother in law Victor Wallace, nieces Angel Turner and Bella Wallace, and aunt Barbara Williams, all of Mansfield, Arkansas and a host of cousins and friends.

Andy was a graduate of Mansfield High School and a proud Mansfield Tiger. He was always active with his family and community and loved all Tiger sports. He rarely missed a Tiger football game. He was a loving father, brother, uncle and nephew. He was loved by many and will be missed dearly.

A family led memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 25 at Sugar Grove Cemetery in Booneville, AR. Cremation was under the direction of McConnell funeral home in Greenwood, Arkansas.

Four Escaped Juveniles Remain at Large

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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5:54 am

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Around 6 p.m. four males, one white, one Hispanic and two black, escaped the Mansfield Juvenile Treatment Facility.

Multiple law enforcement agencies were on scene, but as of 6:30 a.m. on Friday, those four remain at large.

At approximately 4:30 a.m. a white, 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe was stolen off Highway 378. Additionally there has been a report of a door being kicked in at Northwest Scott VFD.

Three of the four boys are from areas outside west central Arkansas and range in age from 14-16.

We will continue to follow this breaking story and bring you the developments as they happen.

Bulldogs Futures Camp A Success

Sports

Megan Hecox

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11:31 am

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It was an uplifting and successful three days for the Waldron Bulldog basketball program as they hosted their 5th Annual Futures Camp. The goal of the camp was to have each camper leave with a positive basketball experience. By the end of the camp, the Bulldogs had achieved that goal tenfold.

In attendance this year were 32 enthusiastic 4-7 graders which was double from what they had on the roster last year. During the course of the camp, the players were taught the fundamentals of passing, shooting, dribbling, and defense through fun and structured instruction.

Sr High boys’ basketball coach, Joshua Brown, expressed his thoughts on the Futures Camp. “Getting to work with our youth is the best thing about camp. We got to see where they were skill wise and was able to work on some of the basics of basketball for a few days. Every kid competed and worked hard. Getting our Sr High guys involved and giving back to the youth is awesome. The younger kids want to be where they are and be like them so them getting to be the role model was great to see.”

Farmers Markets Are Full of History

Lifestyle

Resident News Network

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11:30 am

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We see them and hear about them. You may have gone to some in the past.

But did you know that these little markets were a necessity even as far back as ancient Egypt over 5,000 years ago.

Farmers markets have many benefits:

They help maintain important social ties, linking rural and urban people
Markets bring more awareness to the area businesses
Allows vendors to share proudly what they have grown or make
Fresher food when in season
A place to meet friends

Farmers Markets have evolved over the years from only fruits and vegetables to including handmade crafted items. Some even provide information for purchasing grass-fed animals.

Today, in the United States, there is a greater need for fresh produce. There is also a greater interest to purchase unique handmade items, jewelry, skin care and soaps, home décor, plants and seeds, fresh eggs, jams and jellies (even the spicy ones), food, embroidered items, quilts, cakes, muffins and cookies … and more.

A Farmers Market supports the community and gets young entrepreneurs started with support from the community. Anytime there is a large group of people together in a community and they feel welcome, it encourages growth in that community and people return again and again.

Why should we shop at the local Farmers Markets when our local grocery stores also carry the same items? First, most grocery stores cannot bring in fresh to your table produce and fruit. Second, the quality of these items from a grower far surpasses those in the grocery store.

In addition, with people outside of their homes going to the Farmers Market, 70% of them will also bring customers into neighboring businesses.

Greenwood’s next Farmers Market is on the square on June 1 from 8am-1pm and will include the items listed above and more. There will be more than 40 vendors. Come and support your friends and neighbors.

See you there.

R

RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK