Photos by Amanda Hall
Here is the schedule of activities for the Lavaca Public Schools. Plan accordingly to come out and support as many of these events as possible.
This week at Lavaca has all of our school basketball teams back in action. The 7th grade team are excited to get back on the court tonight, December 3rd, vs County Line. Following the 7th grade games the Junior High Ladies will play, followed by the Junior High boys who looks to remain undefeated at 6-0. The 7th grade games will start at 4:30.
Thursday, December 6th, Lavaca Public Schools will have a Spelling Bee in the PAC at 9:30 am.
After some well deserved time off, the High School Golden Arrow basketball teams will take the court Friday, December 7th following the Junior High games as they open Conference play at Mountainburg. The Junior High games will start at 4:00.
Saturday, December 8th, the 7th grade Boys and Girls will close out the week by playing in a Jamboree at Cedarville. Times for the Jamboree are yet to be determined.
This Week in Lavaca.
Hackett Hosts Annual Christmas Parade
By Tammy Moore Teague
The City of Hackett hosted their annual Christmas parade on Saturday, December 1 at 6 p.m.
Taking first place for their float was the Hackett High School FFA. Following the parade the community enjoyed a traditional free chili dinner. Additionally, the kids got the opportunity to visit and take photos with Santa!
A special thanks to the Hackett Special Events Committee, Fire Department, Police Department and all the volunteers who helped with the parade.
Sr High Hornets Place 5th In Classic
By Megan Hecox
The Border Classic has come to an end for the Sr High Hornets. The Lady Hornets faced Flippin, Mount Judea and on Saturday, Green Forest, who they fell short against 38-35. The Hornets played Flippin, Green Forest, and Lead Hill whom they beat 72-43 on Saturday for 5th Place.
The (2-4) Lady Hornets kept pace against the Lady Tigers up one side of the court and down the other. In their final game of the tournament against Green Forest, Taylor Glass led the team with 16 points. Audrie Chaney and Autumn Neal brought in 13 points between the two of them. The girls played phenomenal during their time in the Classic.
The boys stole the 5th Place victory from Lead Hill, ending the game with a 29 point lead. Head Coach, Broc Adams, says of the (2-4) Hornets during their Classic play, “We grew a lot as a team and I saw some things that make me very excited for the rest of the season with this group.” Avery Hester was the top scorer for the Hornets, bringing in 23 points. Brady Hester and Dillon Kats made a total of 29 points in their game against the Lead Hill Tigers.
Up next for the Sr High Hornets is their game on Tuesday, December 4th in Mulberry at 6 pm. Then on Friday, December 7th, they will face Danville at home starting at 5 pm.
Hackett Jr High Strives For Greatness
By Megan Hecox
Its dribble, pass, play time for the Jr High Hornets as they get ready for a new week. The Lady Hornets have made great strides in finding their identity as a team. They have improved greatly on their offense and continue to work hard on the defensive side of the ball. As for the boys, the Hornets are an extremely talented group of young men. They have found a balance in their performance that shows through their work as a team.
The Jr High Hornets will play December 3rd against Pleasant View at 6 pm. On December 6th the 7th/8th grade will play Northridge at 4:30 pm. And on December 7th the Jr High boys will face Danville at 5 pm. All games will be played at home.
Jr Tigers Hit The Net
By Megan Hecox
The Mansfield Jr High Tigers are really starting to find their groove and come together as a team. The Tigers and Lady Tigers faced an incredibly good Lavaca team last Friday night. Both Lady Tiger teams beat the Lady Arrows with the Jr Varsity winning 22-6 and the Varsity closing the game 37-26. The Tigers pushed hard with everything that they had but ended up falling short to the Arrows in both games. The Jr Varsity finished with a score of 36-18 and the Varsity came in at 46-24.
“Against Lavaca, we played with a lot of intensity to earn the win,” said Head Coach for the Lady Tigers, Erica McKay. “As a team, we have to continue to work on being aggressive on defense without getting ourselves into foul trouble early and making the easy shots from the beginning of the game.”
The Tigers and Lady Tigers have a full schedule coming up as both teams will be playing almost every day this week. On Monday, Dec 3rd, the 7th grade, and Jr High will face Charleston at home starting at 4:30 pm. The boys and girls played their first round of the Waldron Jr High Arvest Classic this past Saturday. They will continue on Wednesday, December 5th with Round 2. The girls will play Waldron at 5 pm and the boys will play Waldron at 6:15 pm. Mansfield will finish on Saturday, Dec 8th with the Lady Tigers facing Ozark at 4 pm and the Tigers playing Ozark at 5:15 pm. On December 6th they will play their first conference game at Cedarville starting at 4:30 pm.
“Oh, Fudge!”
By: Kimberly Boyd
One of the most popular American Christmas deserts that we indulge in is FUDGE! I had never seen the movie “A Christmas Story” when I first got married, but now I can quote many of it’s famous lines! The TBS channel usually always runs the movie several times throughout the Christmas season, however on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, they have a marathon of “The Christmas Story” that plays nonstop!
It didn’t take long for my kids to soon fall in love with this movie too. The family tradition has stayed strong as now our kids are ready to watch it as soon as the Christmas tree is put up! We even have home videos now of our kids when they were babies, and us telling them to, “Eat like a piggie!”
So, in light of the Christmas spirit, I’ve decided to give you seven days of “Oh Fudge!” For the next seven days, Resident Press will post a unique one of a kind Fudge Recipe with one of my many Christmas family memories! These fudge recipes are all delicious and it will be hard for you to pick your favorite one for sure!
Stay tuned, as “Oh, Fudge” will start tomorrow!
Obituary – Russell Forrest (1962 – 2018)
Russell Forrest of Elm Park, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior, Friday, November 30, 2018 in Waldron, Arkansas. Russell was born April 21, 1962 in Bossier City, Louisiana to Elwon W. Forrest and Ada Lee (Tucker) Forrest. He was 56 years, 7 months and 9 days old.
Russell was a young man starting his life when he married the love of his life, Tammy Beshears in May of 1983. Together they raised their family of three children. He was a very family oriented man. Family time was precious and treasured. He was very proud and loved all of his children and grandchildren. Russell will be remembered as for being kind, honest and a very hard worker. He raised chickens for many years and then he worked for the Waldron Public School District for the last 10 years. Most people could recognize Russell by the yellow machine he drove keeping all the grounds well groomed. Russell was also a member of the NWS Volunteer Fire Dept. He had a big contagious smile and he loved life. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, listening to music and working outdoors.
Russell leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 35 years, Tammy Forrest of the home, three children: Angie Forrest of Clarksville, Arkansas, Matthew Steven Forrest of Elm Park and Adam Lee Forrest of the home and his father Elwon Forrest. Pappy will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren: Akira Forrest Mock of Clarksville, Arkansas and Aiden Sean Forrest of Mena, Arkansas. Russell will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including a host of extended family, friends, neighbors and co-workers that were very dear to him.
Russell was preceded in death by his mother, Ada Lee Forrest.
Russell’s life celebration will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Mike Galinato officiating. Interment will follow in the Duncan Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Russell’s pallbearers will be Zackary Oliver, Bobby Cagle, Shane Owens, Gary Clepper, Daniel Stuart and Cody Parks. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of NWScott Fire Dept.
Russell’s visitation will be Monday, December 3, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
You may leave words of comfort and remembrance for Russell’s family by visiting: www.heritagememorialfh.com.
City of Waldron’s Parade: “Kindling the Love of Christmas”
By Tammy Moore Teague
The Waldron community gathered on Saturday evening in anticipation of the annual Christmas parade. This year’s theme was “Kindling the Love of Christmas.”
The talented Waldron High School choir kicked off the event at 5 p.m. that evening. Their voices echoed sweet sentiments that truly warmed the heart. Mayor Neil Cherry spoke briefly, thanking the residents for allowing him to serve the city. Following presentations from the City Clerk/Treasurer, Chamber of Commerce and Daltons Place, the Mayor directed everyone’s attention to the city’s lighting ceremony. This year Doyle Dickens was given the honor of powering the Main Street lighting display.
At 6 p.m., a festive fireworks display kicked off the parade. Leading the parade, Mayor Cherry and Mayor-Elect David Millard. Cherry presented Millard with a ceremonial passing of the gavel. Millard will take office January 1, 2019.
The fun-filled day was special for all ages, old and young. Many thanks to all the participants and volunteers who worked so hard to make this a special day!
Roo Doo’s Wildlife Park owner visits Hackett Elementary School
By: Kimberly Boyd
Roo Doo’s Wild Life Park Owner, JR Wheeler, and his daughter, Kiyah, visited Hackett Elementary on Thursday this week to introduce their new reading program, “Wild About Reading.” Kristen Wheeler, wife of JR and dyslexia coordinator for Arkansas Virtual Academy, has a dream to reach the unreachable students. Their goal with this program is to provide students with their own personal book to take home. Kristen said, “Many of the students never get a chance to have their own book. With this, the kids get to have their very own first book!”
Wheeler not only stressed the importance of reading but he also brought a furry friend to meet the kids. Walter, the albino wallaby, was happy to show off for the students as he explored the library. Students learned about Walter’s habitat, the things he likes to eat, and how he moves around and survives in his environment. The kids were amazed at Walter’s kangaroo like features. After learning about Walter and having time to ask lots of questions, students lined up at the door and Kiyah gave each student their free book.
Roo Doo’s Wild Life Park is projected to open at the end of 2019. The 150 acre area plans to house over 300 species of animals in natural habitats that stimulates growth, health reproduction and natural behavior. Their goal is to “strive to have a wildlife park (zoo) that will bring opportunities and experiences to our area that have never before been available. We want to combine the joy of family togetherness with the value of educational opportunities for everyone,” Wheeler said.
Roo Doo’s has had a delay on the initial projected opening date due to unforeseen circumstances. In May of 2017, owner’s wife, Kristen, went in for a simple doctor’s appointment for back pain; however, she, within hours, was life-flighted to UAMS due to an immediate diagnosis of stage IV breast cancer and collapsed vertebrae. This was something as a family they never thought they would ever have to endure. In the past year, Kristen has been in and out of hospitals, clinics, and surgeries. JR said,
“I’ve cried more in one year than I have in a lifetime. I’ve learned what family really means. I’ve learned what being a dad really means. I’ve learned what being a husband and wife really mean and I’ve learned what it’s like to talk about death with the person you thought death wouldn’t be talked about for what seems like forever away. I’ve learned what it’s like to have your dream career of operating a zoo be months away from happening and then the desire vanish with a few words from a doctor’s mouth and then gain it back with the grace and patience of God.”
Recently, the Wheelers were told by the doctor that Kristen’s cancer counts are lower than they have ever been, and they believe that God is healing her more and more each day. Kristen has struggled the last month with a lot of fluid building up on her lungs and trouble walking and sleeping due to the extra fluid. Therefore, more trips to the doctors have been added for the Wheelers as they face another obstacle. However, they are not giving up, and Kristen is still fighting her cancer battle. When visiting with Kristen, you soon realize that she is one of the strongest and most positive people you will ever meet. The Wheelers appreciate all the prayers, kind words, and support as they have gone through and continue this journey. They are excited to see Kristen completely healed.
The next stop for Roo Doo’s “Wild About Reading Program” will be Waldron Elementary. If you are interested in being a sponsor for this program, please get in contact with Roo Doo’s Wildlife Park through their Facebook page. According to Wheeler, “It only takes $1 to sponsor a child for their book, and for some kids this may be the first book they have ever owned.”
For more information and to continue to following Kristen’s updates as well as exciting things happening at the zoo, please follow Roo Doo’s Wildlife Park Facebook page!
There’s No Place Like Home-Mansfield’s Christmas Parade
By Tammy Moore Teague
City, Community and School, it’s Mansfield Mayor Mike Gipson’s motto. On Saturday, December 1, there was a great coming together of all three with the town’s annual Christmas parade. This year’s theme, “There’s No Place Like Home.”
That hometown spirit filled the air as friends and neighbors reunited in downtown Mansfield. It was a heartwarming scene, folks hugging, the sound of laughter and the feeling of love. It’s a reminder of what this time of year is about.
“It was a great day,” said Gipson. “I love our town and I love parade day.” City employees, and volunteers worked hard to ensure that the day was a success. Area merchants and churches also contributed to the event.
Serving as this year’s grand marshals were Francie and Alex Cunningham. Husband and father, Jim Cunningham, passed away earlier this year. He was a mainstay of the town’s parade and it was an honor to have his family there in his memory. His wife said, “we knew Jim was well loved in our community, but it really did our hearts good to have him honored in this way.”
The days festivities began at 11 a.m. with beans and cornbread. Things wrapped up following the 2 p.m. parade with a turkey and ham give away and a visit from Santa Claus.
The awards for floats were:
Float division-
First place: Boy and Girl Scouts
Second place: Bost
Third place: Methodist Church
Non-float division-
First place: Donald Williams
Second place: Charlie Cross
Third place: Tractor Club
