By Tammy Moore Teague
Buckner Park in Witcherville will undergo some new and exciting changes this summer. This announcement comes as the Sebastian County Parks and Recreation Department begins focusing on the restoration of Massard Prairie lands.
The project is expected to take up to two years to complete. A portion of the park will ultimately be converted back to its native grasses and wildflowers. “It may be a little ugly in the process,” stated Park President, Theresa Whiley. “But it will become a wonderful site for educational tours and will be good for our ecosystem.”
Ben Geren in Fort Smith has already seen the benefits of its park restoration. In total, more than 80 acres have been restored, and native wildflowers are attracting butterflies and various other pollinators.
Throughout the remainer of the summer, park attendants will begin killing off existing grass before seeding this fall. “I’m excited,” concluded Whiley. “It also means less mowing!”
Buckner Park Begins Nature Resoration Project
Junior Tigers Show Improvements At Camp
By Megan Hecox
The junior high Mansfield Tigers headed to Greenwood Tuesday morning and took to the field for round two of football camp.
The Mansfield Tigers along with Trinity junior high and Greenwood junior high continue to prove to themselves and their coaches that they have what it takes to work hard and get the job done.
The Tigers will sweat it out for a final round of football camp next week. Giving his thoughts about the teams progress, Coach Cothran stated “Our coaching staff challenged our players last week and they certainly responded accordingly today. We were very much improved this week. This group has lots of potential to do some exciting things this year.”
Sebastian County 4-H Delegates Compete at State Level
Pictured back row from left, Jayson McGaugh and AJ Russell. Middle row, from left Emily Dunn and Jenna Frederick. Front row, Mary Dunn.
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By Tammy Moore Teague
Over 400 adults and young people were in attendance at the 2018 Arkansas 4-H Shooting Sports Range Events held in Ferndale, near Little Rock. Sebastian County delegates Jayson McGaugh, AJ Russell, Emily Dunn, Jenna Frederick and Mary Dunn all participated in various events. Those include disciplines such as a written hunting skills test, shotgun- shooting clay targets, air pistols, air rifle, muzzle loader, archery, .22 rifle, and .22 pistols. During the opening ceremony of competition, Jesse Bocksnick, 4-H Outdoor Skills Coordinator, noted that “this was the largest gathering in the state of 4-H kids.”
The contest was open to teams of 3-4 members, as well as individuals. In the statewide competition, Frederick placed third individually in air pistol and McGaugh took second individually in .22 pistol.
Sebastian County 4-H Shooting Sports Club Leader, Martha Traylor, attended the event and served as a volunteer. Additional volunteers included Ann Russell, the Dayton 4H Club leader and shotgun Range Officer, Doug Russell. Parents, Julie Dunn and Beth Frederick also attended and served as junior and senior coaches.
The program is designed to “enhance self-confidence, personal development, discipline, responsibility, and sponsorship.” Also to “create an appreciation and understanding of natural resources, provide volunteer instructors safe and proper instructional techniques and methods to teach youth, give youth thorough, safe instruction and training in the use of firearms and teach conservation principles.” Lastly, to “be fun and safe for all participants.”
Bocksnick concluded “I Always enjoy seeing them show off all of their hard work, make new friends, and catch up with old ones. I get the opportunity to work with the best volunteers and Co-workers a person could ask for.“
Hartford Council Approves Youth Activity Center
By Tammy Moore Teague
The Hartford City Council met on Monday night and unanimously approved the proposal by newly elected Mayor, Mary Radley, to allow city hall to be utilized as an activity center for area youth.
Radley’s proposal called for a two night reservation of the facility dedicated to entertaining and promoting young people in the Hartford area. Citizens, Danny Hancock, Roy Shankle and Judy Adair generously loaned and donated the games and equipment. The equipment and games include a pool table, foosball, air hockey and ping pong. These, according to Adair are only a start. There are plans to offer popcorn and soft drinks for sale, but indicated that everything else will be free.
Additionally, Adair, Michael Fildes, James Fildes are donating a new basketball goal for the park. During the meeting, Larry Turgeon, Zina Rosso, and Melba Martin donated the funds needed to purchase a new rim for the existing backboard, two chain nets, and the materials for a wider version of the waterslide, which was on hand at the Independence Day Celebration. Mayor Radley indicated she wanted to see the waterslide set up on a regular basis for the kids to enjoy.
Finalized dates and times are in the works. Volunteers are needed, however, to oversee these activities. If you are interested in helping out, you can contact Adair or Mayor Radley at City Hall, 479-639-2219. Adair extended a special thanks to the donors, volunteers as well as the mayor and council for taking action to support area youth.
Campers GO WILD at Roo Doo’s Summer Camp
By Kimberly Boyd
Roo Doo’s Wildlife Park held its first day of summer camp with over 20 kids in attendance.
Upon arrival and check-in, each student received a backpack filled with wildlife activity books that they will use throughout the week, a Roo Doo’s t-shirt, a nature journal, and a bug catcher.
Owners, JR and Kristen Wheeler, kept the kids engaged in many educational wildlife activities. The children took a nature scavenger hunt and later made amazing creations with their found treasures.
Mr. Wheeler introduced them to Pixie, a North American Porcupine, and kids learned about the animal’s habitat, diet, and defense mechanisms.
Mrs. Wheeler said, “Our plans are to host another camp over spring break. I’m hoping to give kids something to do that will not be traveling.”
Next week, Roo Doo’s Wildlife Park will host another summer camp for ages 9-12. They have limited spots still available. However, if you would like more information for a late registration, please contact the Wheelers through their Facebook page,
For more information about this local resource, please visit https://www.facebook.com/roodoos/
Local Man Looking for Crowning Moment in Checkers Tournament
Pictured from left to right: Albert Tucker, George Stallsworth, John Post-Arkansas State Champion, Johnny Barham-District 8 Champion, Joe McDaniel and Quint Hodges.
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By Tammy Moore Teague
Most everyone has a memory of playing a hot game of checkers with a family member or friend. For some it brings back a host of childhood memories. But for some, it means competition–tough competition! That competition is what local resident Quint Hodges is set for at an upcoming checkers tournament.
Hodges has competed in the tournament before and is looking forward to doing it again this year. The state tournament is set to take place on August 24-25 in Fort Smith. Contenders will gather at the Guesthouse off Hwy. 71 S., across from Planters. “These men don’t play checkers like we did as a child,” said Hodges. “They get serious and are very hard to beat.”
At last years tournament, players competed for $450 in prize money. First place took home $154, second place $133, third place $77, fourth place $51, fifth place $39 and last place $26. Participants came from three other states to compete. Three from Arkansas including Hodges, one from Louisiana, one from Oklahoma and one from Missouri.
The competition this year promises to be equally substantial with the Arkansas State Champion John Post, and District Champion Johnny Barham, who is also from Arkansas, participating. The district winner took overall in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Kansas.
The prize money for this year’s tournament is already at $500. “Joe McDaniel from Tulsa, Oklahoma donates money to checker tournaments all over the United States, said Hodges. “This year he is donating $500 dollars to the Arkansas tournament.”
This years national tournament will take place in Las Vegas. Players will compete at three levels for a combined total of $25,000 in prize money.
If you are interested in participating in the state tournament, you can sign up that day. The registration fee is $25. Players must be a member of the American Checkers Federation. Additionally, Hodges is planning to organize a local group of players. You can contact him at 479-806-6321 for more information.
Mansfield Athletic Passes Available Soon
Mansfield Tiger sports fans will soon be available to purchase Athletic Passes for the 2018-2019 school year.
Adult passes are $60 each. Upon presentation at the gate, card holders will be admitted free to all Mansfield regular season athletic home contests for grades 7-12 for the current sports calendar. Free admission will be limited to regular season football, volleyball, cross country, basketball, baseball, softball, and track contests. Per AAA and conference bylaws MHS athletic passes will not be honored at benefit games, conference, regional, or state competitions hosted by Mansfield. Passes will soon be available for purchase at the high school office during regular business hours beginning August 6.
Current Mansfield Public School students (K-12th grade) may purchase a Student Discount Card to attend regular season home games for $15. Presentation of this personalized photo ID card at the gate of any regular season contest will allow the cardholder $1 admission. Student discount cards must be ordered with payment by August 31, 2018. Students will be issued a temporary card until a date for producing photo cards is established. Student discount passes will not be honored at benefit games, conference, regional, or state competitions hosted by Mansfield. There will be sign up sheets at each open house and in each of the three schools main offices beginning August 6th. Payment is due upon sign up.
Questions can be answered by contacting the high school office at (479)-928-1105.
Boyd Receives Scholarship
The Mary Lou Young Memorial Scholarship from Alpha Gamma Conclave of Kappa Kappa lota was awarded to Oliviannea Kaylee Boyd of Huntington.
Oliviannea received the scholarship from member Amy Weaver. The scholarship is named for Amy’s mother, Mary Lou Young, who was a lifetime member of Alpha Gamma.
Oliviannea is a 2018 graduate of Mansfield High School and will be attending Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.
She will be majoring in Elementary Education, and is the daughter of Kimberly and Tommy Jay Boyd.
Tiger Football Week in Review
By Megan Hecox
Following a mandated two week “dead period,” the Mansfield Tigers resumed their summer workout sessions in preparation for their upcoming season. Both groups attended padded team camps with the junior high traveling to Greenwood on Tuesday and the senior high traveling to Charleston on Wednesday.
Coaching staff had this to say about how they felt both junior high and senior high Tigers fared at their camps.
Junior High Quote:
“ We return a lot of experience with our Junior High which is unique. Most of our starters this year were also starters last year as 8th graders so we expect to see a big jump from last year to this year. They have worked hard and had a good camp. They got better as the day went on after somewhat of a slow start. The biggest thing with them is getting them all here consistently and on time so that they don’t miss any opportunities to get better and develop. We are excited for the upcoming season.”
Senior High Quote:
“Schematically, we are the farthest along at this point than we have ever been in my time here. Our guys know and understand what we want to do on both sides of the ball. So now it’s on us to go out and execute. The Charleston camp showed us some key areas we need to focus on improving. A lot of the mistakes that were made are correctable. We have a lot of experience returning but we are still young and learning. We don’t ever have to worry about how hard this group works. Their biggest obstacle is overcoming the slow start. We will take the next three weeks to improve on those things and really dive headfirst back into the weight room.”
The Tigers will be back and ready for action as they attend both camps again next week.
Dribbling for Donations
Article By Megan Hecox
Bobby Polk and Christian Hutchins are two ordinary guys who selflessly set out to help their community by hosting basketball tournaments for local causes. The duo own and operate Top Dog Tournaments, where 100% of the proceeds made gets donated.
On June 9, a 3 on 3 basketball tournament was held at the Mansfield Middle School gym and ended up raking in over $600. The donation was given to Coach Keith Dake and the basketball program. The idea was to purchase team basketball shoes and in return, hopefully relieving some of the stress associated with fundraising from the coaching staff, parents, and students in the program.
When asked his thoughts about this generous donation, Dake replied “Individuals and acts such as this are what truly make any program, school or community successful. When you have community members willing to step up and help in such a way, the kids see that support and it makes them work that much harder to not disappoint those same people for their hard work and sacrifice. We honestly can’t thank them enough for everything they have done.”
Polk and Hutchins can be found on their Facebook page, Top Dog Tournaments. Their hopes are to increase sponsors and continue to grow participation numbers for many years to come.