By Tammy Moore Teague
The Mansfield Chamber of Commerce met on Thursday afternoon and discussed plans for the upcoming Christmas Parade. The date is set for December 1, the first Saturday of the month.
Chamber members are discussing a change up in the annual tradition. Mayor Mike Gipson suggested adding a tree lighting ceremony, with businesses and churches sponsoring the event. Initial plans are to begin the festivities around 3 p.m., continue the beans and cornbread tradition, invite vendors and have a tree lighting ceremony to kick off the parade. However, details have yet to be finalized.
Another topic of discussion was the parade itself. One member suggested a parade after dark, and after discussing some of the logistics, it was decided to seek the opinion of the community. A definitive decision will be made at the meeting in October.
So, what’s your opinion?
What’s YOUR Opinion: Mansfield Christmas Parade
The Boys of Fall
by Joe Hall | Photos courtesy of Amanda Hall
Lavaca Golden Arrows took the field last last Friday led by 13 seniors. This will be a special season for a very special group of young men. Most of these guys have been playing together since 2nd or 3rd grade. The bonds that they have are strong to say the least. The ties that bind them together go far beyond that of a teammate, it’s much more than that. They have rallied around each other through injuries, adversity, and even great loss.
Trevon (T-Man) Moore lost his father last year to pancreatic cancer. His father, Wes, was a staple in the stands and this season will be the first season he won’t be seen at the games. But make no mistake he will be there. T-Man wears spats over his cleats in a personal memorial of his father, and the rest of the team decided to honor him by wearing a helmet decal that displays the initials WM with a purple ribbon as a team memorial of a great friend and father. The decals were presented at last Friday’s pep rally, much to the surprise of the Moore family.
Bailey Vann, number 64, underwent surgery on August 27th to remove a tumor between his heart and lung. He is home now recovering but will have to miss his senior football season. But again his teammates honored him in their own way. Tyler Armistead carried Bailey’s Jersey out of the tunnel to lead the Arrows on to the field. His Jersey was then prominently displayed on the sidelines for all of the home crowd to see. Bailey, himself, may not have been able to attend the game but he is very much a big part of this team and his presence was noticeable. Please pray for continued recovery for this young man.
Team Captains for the in Inaugural Game of the 2018 season were Jimmy Hall, number 11 and Trey Werner, number 6. Both Seniors and both out due to injuries. Jimmy is recovering from a torn Meniscus and looks to be back game for game 3 against Two Rivers. Trey will be out 6 to 8 Weeks having broke his shoulder in multiple places. He hopes to be back in time for the playoffs. Both these young men are starters on this Golden Arrow team. It’s quite an honor to be selected as captains when you can’t take the field.
The parents, coaches, and community should be proud of this team. The character of this team is without question their most impressive attribute. This is a very good team, make no mistake, and they will go on to win a lot of games this year…but there are things that are more important than that. This team, this group of seniors will go on in life to accomplish great things because they have already learned what makes a man great. Greatness is not measured in ones wins and losses but in the impact one makes in others.
Go Arrows!! Arrow Pride!!
Volunteers Needed for Foster Grandparent Program
By Tammy Moore Teague
The Foster Grandparent program pairs seniors, 55 and over, with kindergarten-high school children. Foster grandparents are needed in Scott and Sebastian Counties.
“We have had grandparents in Albert Pike, Cedarville, Hackett, Lavaca, Waldron and Mansfield but currently we don’t have anyone in any of those schools,” stated Foster Grandparent Program Director, Terri Williams.
Grandparents work one-on-one with children in the classroom, during school hours. Eligibility is open to men and women ages 55 and up, in good health and free to work 15-30 hours throughout the school day. ”It is a great program where the senior adult tutors the student. It helps the student, but it also gives many seniors something to do when they might be feeling left out,” added Williams.
Benefits include a small stipend of $2.65 an hour, which doesn’t interfere with social security benefits. Additionally a free school lunch is provided and mileage to and from the school is reimbursed. “It’s considered a volunteer program,” concluded Williams.
For more information on the program or to apply, contact Williams at DeQueen Mena Educational Cooperative, 870-386-2251.
Scott County Fair Queen Crowned
Kicking off the Scott County Fair this week in Waldron, the Scott County Fair Pageant was held Saturday night. There were four other divisions ranging from 0-12 ages with six contestants crowned in their respected divisions.
Over 40 contestants in all competing in this years pageant. Madison Patrick (Left) was crowned Miss Scott County, and Allie Sparks (Right) won Teen Miss Scout County. Both Madison, and Allie will compete at the State Fair Pageant in Little Rock in October.
2018 Scott County Fair Pageant winners included Baby Miss Scott County – Emma Rose Vatsana, Little Miss Scott County – Jacey Davis, Petite Miss Scott County – McKenna Williams, and Junior Miss Scott County – Emily Kluthe.
Over $1,500 in scholarships and prizes were awarded in this years pageant.
“No words can express the support and gratitude that this community has shown this pageant. I am beyond excited to send our very first Teen and Queen to compete at the Arkansas State Fair Pageant in October. I’m also excited to see how well our new queens represent Scott County this year. I know Madison and Allie are going to represent our County very well this year” added Pageant Director, Kristen Atchley.
Miss Scott County, Madison Patrick briefly describes her experience.
What was your first thought when your name was called? Once my name was called I am pretty sure I was smiling from ear to ear. I’ve worked hard and I feel honored to represent my hometown and Scott County this year.
How are you feeling about your upcoming year? This year is already getting busy. I have my first appearance Thursday where I will be handing out ribbons for the livestock judging. I’m so excited for what is to come this year!
How are you going to prepare yourself for the state pageant? Preparing for the state fair pageant has already began. My head shots and paperwork is currently in transit to the state fair. Interview and stage presence takes a lot of perfecting and I couldn’t have a better pageant director, Kristen Atchley, to help me and Allie prepare for State.
Volunteers Needed for Foster Grandparent Program
By Tammy Moore Teague
The Foster Grandparent program pairs seniors, 55 and over, with kindergarten-high school children. Foster grandparents are needed in Scott and Sebastian Counties.
“We have had grandparents in Albert Pike, Cedarville, Hackett, Lavaca, Waldron and Mansfield but currently we don’t have anyone in any of those schools,” stated Foster Grandparent Program Director, Terri Williams.
Grandparents work one-on-one with children in the classroom, during school hours. Eligibility is open to men and women ages 55 and up, in good health and free to work 15-30 hours throughout the school day.
”It is a great program where the senior adult tutors the student. It helps the student, but it also gives many seniors something to do when they might be feeling left out,” added Williams.
Benefits include a small stipend of $2.65 an hour, which doesn’t interfere with social security benefits. Additionally a free school lunch is provided and mileage to and from the school is reimbursed. “It’s considered a volunteer program,” concluded Williams.
For more information on the program or to apply, contact Williams at DeQueen Mena Educational Cooperative, 870-386-2251.
Walker Featured in Hometown Highlight
By Tammy Moore Teague
If you have ever conducted any city business, then more likely than not you’ve spoken to her. Her name is Becky Walker and she is Mansfield’s City Recorder/Treasurer. Not only does she manage a great deal of the city’s business, but she also calls Mansfield her beloved hometown.
Walker, daughter of Joe Fred “Sonny” Fry and the late Patsy Repass Fry, grew up in Mansfield and graduated in 1980. She and her husband Robert have two children, Kyle Walker and Mallory Bordelon; son-in-law Scottie Bordelon and three grand-puppies, Sunny, D Mac and Henry.
The 56 year-old Mansfield native began working for the city in 2000. “I was serving on the city council at the time,” Walker noted. Adding that the clerk and mayor’s office needed help. Later, she worked as water clerk for 12 years before running for the office she holds now. “I ran for City Recorder/Treasurer in 2012 and took office on January 1, 2013.”
She added that she loves the challenges that the job brings and that there is always something that needs to be done. Time away from family and demands of the job are perhaps one of the toughest aspects of her work. Walker credits her family, particularly her husband, on being her biggest supporter. “My husband is at every meeting and he comes by and checks in on me. He has been very understanding.”
Walker said the best part of her job is “being a servant to the citizens and being close to home.” She went on to add that “these are people I know and love. I have great childhood memories of this town.” A few of those memories include going into Barnes Grocery Store with her granny, passing by the old laundromat and visiting Jep Tyler, who had a barber shop in town. “He would trim my bangs,” recalled Walker.
Perhaps one of her fondest childhood memories was helping her father mow lawns. “When I turned 11, I helped daddy mow lawns and I saved my money to buy Christmas presents. The store let me put it on layaway. I just have so many childhood memories and it saddens me to see all the changes that have taken place.” Those changes include vacant buildings where businesses once boomed, loved ones and townspeople who are no longer living and an observance of the Sabbath day. “I remember when stores were closed on Sundays,” she added.
Her job is only a small part of who she really is. Walker and her husband are both bluegrass fans. “We started playing music in 2011,” noted Walker, adding that the notion struck her after seeking a hobby to occupy her time after her daughter left for college. Returning to her musical roots seemed natural as Walker recalled playing and singing with her granny. “My granny had an old upright piano that I beat around on and played by ear some. My Granny Fry played by ear and we loved to play and sing together.”
In 2012, the band “Just Us” formed with original band members Art Beaty, Bobby Shepherd, Harley Vinsant, Johnny Loftin, Robert and Becky Walker. The group has played innumerable venues including churches, festivals, retirement homes and fundraisers. In fact, Walker helps organize and aids the city in hosting the Mansfield Bluegrass Festival, which is slated to take place on September 29.
Current band members include the Walkers, Bobby Shepherd, Joe Manes, David Heydenreich and fill-in Bill Campbell. Walker jokingly commented that she suffers from an occasional “bluegrass hangover,” the result of late night picking and grinning sessions at the family’s meeting place-the cabin.
In addition to her many years of volunteer work with the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce, Walker has also served on the Western Arkansas Mountain Frontier (WAMF) board as a representative for Scott County and also for the Sebastian Retired Citizens Association, Inc (SRCA). Most recently, Walker has begun serving as the 2018-2019 treasurer for the Arkansas City Clerks Recorder Treasurers Association (ACCRTA). Lastly, Walker and her husband are active members of Fellowship Baptist Church in Witcherville.
Walker said she remains uncertain about what the future holds for her. “I don’t know the future, but I know Who holds it,” she added. But, her hopes for the city are that others become more involved. Her love and dedication for the city runs deep. As she put it, “I love the mountains, the lake, I love the schools. I love Mansfield!”
If you would like to contact Walker about scheduling “Just Us” to play at an event, you can call 479-461-4723. If you would like to nominate someone to be featured in our Hometown Highlight, you can email us here.
Lady Arrows Taking Care of Business
by Joe Hall | Photos courtesy of Amanda Hall
Both LJH and LHS Lady Arrows hit the court today against NWA Spartans. Both the Lady Arrow teams showed off a lot of muscle winning in straight sets.
The Lady Arrows made short work of the Spartans. In fact, during the high school match all 9 of Lavaca’s players scored at least one Ace, most had several.
After the match, Head Coach Mark Headley stated, “I am very proud of our girls. That puts us at 4-0 in conference. We have a huge match with Hackett at home on Thursday.”
Come out and support these ladies. Juniors start at 4:30 and High school immediately after.
As always. Go Arrows!!!
MMS Students Combine Escape Room and Learning
Middle School Literacy teachers Mrs. Francie Stell and Mrs. Becky Vanelli created “The Parts of Speech” Escape Room edition. Students were put into groups and had to solve the riddles and question in order to escape the Literacy classroom.
The students were engaged throughout the lesson and were excited at competing against their peers to escape the room. Students engaged in three different class periods allowing three different winners from the Escape Room. Each class period had a group that escaped first.
Misused City Service in Jeopardy
By Tammy Moore Teague
“It’s getting out of hand,” summed Mansfield’s Mayor Mike Gipson. Mattresses, old swing sets, shingles, and other items that simply do not belong are littering the area the city has designated as a brush pile.
“It’s a free service to the residents and if it continues to be a problem we would have to close it down,” remarked Gipson. Most rural towns have quit offering the service for similar reasons. Not only are the unwanted items unsightly, they are also time consuming to city employees who have to remove and dispose of the items.
Simply put, people need to adhere to the “brush only” sign. Gipson added that “most who do use it, do so responsibly.” Noting that “it is a great help, not only to the townspeople, but also to the community and school.”
Huntington Woman Arrested on Assault Charges
By Tammy Moore Teague
A West Browntown Road resident from Huntington was arrested on Sunday after allegedly admitting to pointing a gun at a group of four boys at East Hills Middle School in Greenwood. Jacqueline Oaks, 36, is charged with two felonies, aggravated assault and possession of a handgun on school grounds.
The boys were, according to the police report, walking across the parking lot of the school after playing football. Allegedly, that is when Oaks sped past the boys, pointing her gun at them.
The incident, which happened at approximately 6:30 p.m., was reported to authorities by a mother of one of the boys. The group of boys, ages 12 and 13, were able to provide a description of the vehicle and the suspect. With that description, police were able to locate Oaks’ vehicle and the Glock 42 handgun inside.
Greenwood PD Investigation Division Commander, Nic Driscoll, stated that “Oaks was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of her arrest.” Additionally, “that the department did an excellent job in quickly locating the suspect.” He noted that Oaks was located within 45 minutes after the report was made, and within an hour and a half she had been arrested. “This tells you how serious the department takes the safety and security of it’s citizens,” concluded Driscoll.
It is unknown why Oaks committed the act, but during an interview she reportedly claimed the boys had “cussed at her.” Ultimately Oaks did confess. At that time her concealed carry permit was seized and she was placed under arrest. Oaks is currently being held at the Sebastian County Detention Center without bond.