By Tammy Moore Teague
The Mansfield Senior Center hosted their annual Christmas party on Thursday. The packed out event got the attention of the big man himself!
Santa Claus made a surprise visit to area seniors. Mansfield Mayor Mike Gipson and his wife Karen were also among the dignitaries. Musicians Becky and Robert Walker, Buddy Elmore, Joe Morgan, Linda Blount Morgan, Bobby Johnson, Wayne Owens and Bob Garret set the festive atmosphere.
Of course what’s a party without food? The center served up ham, green beans, cheesy potatoes, hot rolls, and peppermint mousse, This, in addition to Christmas cookies, fudges and all sorts of yummy treats.
A special thanks to Site Director Candice Graham, and cooks Donna Elmore and Kandi Williams, and van driver Claudia Blum for all their hard work. Also to Gipson and his wife for the thoughtful gift of cordial cherries to all who attended. Lastly, to Santa and Mrs. Claus who took a moment from their busy schedule to be with the townspeople.
Santa Stops in Mansfield Senior Center
First Baptist Church Lavaca says goodbye to Pastor Joe and family
First Baptist Church of Lavaca Arkansas will be saying good bye and God-Speed to Pastor Joe Donahue and his family. Pastor Joe tendered his resignation back on the 18th of November and will be moving to Lake Havasu Arizona on December 27th. Bother Joe has been the Pastor at First Lavaca since September of 2014. He recently posted the following explanation of what their new adventure would look like.
“The girls will be enrolled at Calvary Christian Academy, and Kristy has accepted a Kindergarten teaching position. Each day, we will drive together to work and school! I will be the Associate Pastor of Preaching and Teaching and will transition to the co-pastor position. I am excited to grow and learn in a new environment. Pastor Chad Garrison has known Kristy’s family for decades. In fact, his wife used to babysit Kristy and her sister when they were young’uns. Calvary is in the process of launching new campuses in neighboring cities so that more people can experience a genuine life-changing relationship with Jesus. While our hearts ache a bit to leave so many friends who have become like family here in Lavaca, we are excited about making more lifelong friends in Lake Havasu City.”
First Baptist is also making preparations for this new chapter. They have formed a Pastor Search Committee and are asking for prayers as they began to search for Lavaca’s next Pastor. On Tuesday First Baptist posted the following on their Facebook page.
“Here are the men and women that have been selected to the First Lavaca Pastor search committee: Perry Newman, Darren Smithson, Justin Green, Bruce Womack, Dewayne Jones, Saundra Coble, and Sheryl Carter. Please be in prayer for our search committee as they begin the search for our new lead Pastor.”
We at Resident Press would like to offer God-Speed to the Donahues and offer our prayers for the Pastor Search committee as they seek God’s guidance to find their next pastor.
Coach Erica McKay Is Making Her Own Way
By Megan Hecox
Mansfield Coach, Erica McKay, is in her first year of coaching but that doesn’t mean that she is new to the coaching world. Erica McKay is the daughter of Mansfield Baseball Coach, Bryan McKay. While at times it was difficult growing up with a dad that’s a coach, Erica loved every minute of it, even inspiring her to follow the same coaching path. Coach McKay grew up playing softball, basketball, and volleyball, most nights and every weekend. She even spent a few years volunteering with volleyball at Girls Inc. in Fort Smith.
There are many aspects of coaching that Erica loves. “I love teaching the game and sharing my passion for the sport. While coaching, you build relationships with your athletes and get to know them better,” says Coach McKay “My favorite part about coaching is being a role model and somebody that they can come to for anything. Coaches have the chance to impact student-athletes in more than just the sport and that’s the best part.” Working at the same school as her dad is the best experience and something that Coach McKay will cherish forever. “We are constantly talking about what I could do during practice to better my girls or what I should have done during the game,” says Coach Erica McKay. “He gives constant advice. I am taking it all in and hope to be the coach that he is one day.”
Deputies Recognized Through Awards Ceremony
The Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office recognized several deputies during a small ceremony held on Wednesday evening. The event was hosted by Sheriff Kevin Nickson and Sheriff-elect Hobe Runion.
The following deputies were recognized for their actions during a 2018 SWAT callout on Highway 10.
Corporal Ron Decker-Purple Heart
Corporal Sean Wallace-Purple Heart
Lavaca Police Department Officer/Sebastian County EMS Rusty Wilson-Purple Heart
Hackett Police Department Officer Todd Johnson-Certificate of Merit
During the ceremony, several awards were given out in recognition of outstanding service to the department.
Deputy of the year: Coby Miner
The Moore You Know…about CHRISTmas
By Tammy Moore Teague
This is truly the most special time of year! For me, probably like most of you, it envokes a lot of memories. Childhood memories!
We grew up working poor, we didn’t have much. We had each other, and boy did we make the memories. I am thankful that even today, we still gather together and keep most of those traditions. There is no ribbon that will encompass the greatness of that gift! Family and faith, it’s what Christmas is all about!
One memory in particular I wanted to share. As children, before we would open up one gift, we prayed. A prayer of thanks and gratitude. It will always remain in my heart, every Christmas morning. That prayer!
My prayer for you this Christmas, is that you are with the ones who mean the most to you. Also, that you find health and happiness in 2019. Lastly, that if you dont know Him, the One whom we celebrate this season, that before this year, this day ends, you do!
Jesus came into this world so that you might live! I am so thankful for our Savior! As my precious Sunday School students say…accepting Him is as easy as ABC: A, admit that you’re a sinner, B, believe that Jesus came to give you life, and C, confess that Jesus is the Lord of your life!
Thank you for all you’ve given me throughout 2018! I look forward to all that the new year brings! Merry Christmas my friends!
Great Week for Golden Arrow Basketball
It’s been a great week for Lavaca Basketball. The week got started Monday night when the Lavaca 7th grade boys and girls and the Junior High boys and girls teams took on the Danville Little Johns. All four of the Lavaca teams won. Then on Tuesday night the Lavaca Junior Girls and both Senior high teams traveled to JC Westside to take on the Rebel’s. This will be the last High school game before the Christmas Tournament.
In the Junior High game Riley Green led the team to victory with 23 points. The high school Lady Arrows played a hard fought battle. Skylar Hyatt and Hope Headley combined for 26 points, with 13 each to lead the team. BethAnn May had another 10 despite being in foul trouble most of the night. This was a great team win for the Lady Arrows who went on to overpower the Lady Rebs 51-36. The Lady Arrows are now 4-0 in conference play.
The boys also saw both of their bigs in foul trouble. Mark Miller and Cayden Hearn were called early and often for fouls and had to sit out for much of the game. But Jordan Fenner and Matt Melton really stepped up in the paint to keep the game close. In the end, the Arrows were able to hit free throws when needed to keep the Rebels at bay and remain undefeated in conference play. Arrows won 44-37.
The Junior High will play tonight at Chaffin Junior High. They will play the 8th grade team as well as the full Junior High teams. Games will start at 4:30. The Senior High will both play West Fork in The Airedale Classic in Alma. Both senior high teams will play Thursday, December 27th. Girls play at 3:30 and Boys play at 5:00.
Hackett Robotics Team Finish in Top 10
By Tammy Moore Teague
The Hackett Robotics Team is only in its second year and is already outperforming their competition. In fact, they are the only school in the River Valley that competes elementary students in robotics! Most of the teams the school have competed against are seventh-ninth graders. This, in comparison to the Hackett teams fourth-sixth graders.
“Our kids finished in the top ten in coding which is awesome,” stated Elementary Principal Tura Bailey. “I don’t understand coding at all and these kids are competing against much larger schools doing a task I can’t do!”
The Robotics Facilitator is Michelle Lasiter. She along with “Team Terminator” coaches, Gail Pelham and Shannon McKnight, and “Dabbin’ Dragon” coaches Erica Cooper and Shirley Davis have assisted the students in this endeavor. Parent mentors include Chelsea Gordon and computer programmer Andrew Velosky.
The First Lego League Competition teams are given a problem they are to find an innovative solution for. “This year’s problem was how to make life better for astronauts that stay in space for a year or longer,” stated Lasiter. “The teams them research several different ideas before settling on the one that they want to do. The teams then come up with a way to present their innovation to the judges. So far all out presentations have been in skit form.”
Then, they present core values, which are all about teamwork, cooperation, and things learned outside FLL. The third set of judging is for robot design. “There the students explain their robot attachments and plan of attack for the robot game,” Lasiter explained. “Then there is the actual robot games where teams try to have their robot accomplish as many missions in 2.5 minutes as they can.”
This year “Team Terminator” came in fifth and “Dabbin’ Dragons” came in ninth place out of the 19 participating teams.
Hackett Volleyball All-Stars
By Megan Hecox
Sr Tiger Teams Racked By Elks
By Megan Hecox
The Sr Boys Tigers headed Northbound last Tuesday to take on an undefeated Elkins team. The Tigers Boys squad went into Elk territory looking to take down a trophy bull but came out with a 56-30 loss. Mansfield was outmatched overall in the game and just couldn’t seem to get things rolling in their favor. Tigers Sr Boys Coach Keith Dake said “There’s really no way to sugar coat this one. We did not execute this past Tuesday. Elkins came out hot from the start and played a fast-paced, physical game. A combination of turnovers, getting pushed around on the boards, and Elkins flawless offensive execution contributed largely to the loss. Those guys are 13-0 for a reason and it was evident with our loss. This was a team effort and loss in Tuesday nights game. I know I personally have to do a better job. We have no excuses to perform so poorly, and that falls back on me.”
The Sr Lady Tigers fell to the Lady Elks 46-30. The Lady Tigers were absolute beasts on the board driving hard to the rim on offense and rebounding almost everything that came their way. Unfortunately, the Lady Elks were sharpshooters. Elkins stayed outside of Mansfield’s defense shooting from the perimeter for most of the game. Amber Elmore led the team with 10 points followed closely by Maggie Strunk who had 9 points. Makayla Strutton, Mikayla Harrison, and Macy Davis combined for 11 points. Makayla Strutton also came up with 6 steals, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Coach Joshua Bryan said “I was pleased with our girls’ willingness to get on the floor after the ball and crash the boards in order to get rebounds. The girls had a defensive rebounding percentage of 84%, which speaks volumes about their hard work in the game. We drove the lane more this game, which helps develop some of our offensive schemes and led to some solid scoring opportunities. Our preparation for Greenland is to build on what goals we accomplished in the Elkins game and reflect that success against the Lady Pirates. We plan to exploit some minor weaknesses in their defense for some easy points and build up some momentum going into the Christmas break.”
The Jr High and Sr High Tigers will play at home tonight against Greenland starting at 4 pm.
Bill Frye Classic Tournament Brackets Announced
It’s reaching that time of year. When Christmas dinner is done, presents are played out, and bowl games become boring; it’s time for some classic basketball action in abundance at the Mansfield High School gymnasium.
Starting on Thursday, December 27th the Bill Frye Classic, a high school basketball tournament, will tip-off at Mansfield High School. The 3 day, 20 games schedule will run through to the finals on Saturday, December 29.
The Frye tournament has been a holiday classic since legendary coach George W. Frye hung up his whistle with 400 basketball victories several seasons ago. The 38 year coaching veteran retired as Mansfield’s winningest basketball and baseball coach in 2015. Even before that retirement date, the large scale basketball tournament has honored Frye by carrying his name.
To accommodate team travel, tournament directors Keith Dake and Josh Bryan arranged the bracket so that visiting men’s and women’s teams from the same school could travel together for at least the first round.
Booneville and Arkoma open play on December 27th with the 9:00 AM (for girls) and 10:30 AM (for boys) contests. Waldron and Hackett square off next with games 3 and 4 scheduled for noon and 1:30 PM. Vian verse Magazine set the stage for the early evening contests at 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM. Host Mansfield welcomes Mulberry/PV for the two night cap games starting at 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM.
Day 2 action resumes on Friday, December 28th with another 8 game slate also beginning at 9:00 AM.
The last day, Saturday, December 29th will begin with consolation games for third and fourth place at 10:00 AM. The championship rounds will begin at 1:00 PM for the women and conclude with the men’s finals at 3:30 PM.
