June 2023 ALT Magazine

TURNING A MESS INTO A MESSAGE PICKLEBALL / LOCAL WEDDINGS

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From the Publisher...

This month we honor fathers all over the world. Typically we share stories of fathers in our area who have wonderful homes full of love and joy. However, we chose to do something different and share the story of men helping others, who essentially become a “father figure” to help improve other lives. Restoration of Hope is just that.

I first visited Restoration of Hope’s founder, Danny Stone, at Julie’s Deli while having lunch. I was trying to decide which direction to go with this month’s issue, and I believe God placed Danny in my path at the perfect time. After sharing his mission, I was excited. I quickly realized that God places us where He wants us, in front of people we need to speak to, and guides us throughout.

I had such a wonderful afternoon listening to the stories of many of the men involved in Restoration of Hope, seeing the excitement in their eyes and the tears when they spoke about how their lives had been turned around.

I had never put much thought into people having an addiction and truly wanting to overcome it; who would or could help them? This is not something I have dealt with directly; however, I know that addiction abounds in our community and in many families. It is a problem in our society.

I now understand Restoration of Hope’s mission after meeting with this wonderful group of men of all ages. It was an eyeopening experience, one that I will cherish. I must say that our writer, Anne Granado, captured our afternoon better than I ever imagined – which is why she is the writer and not me! LOL! I am so excited to share their story this month, one of hope and love, with the love of Jesus at the center of everything.

Of course, I also needed to include something fun to do this summer. Pickleball has become more and more popular throughout the area. It is no surprise that we now have it here in Texarkana. Check it out, and take your family out to play! Make this summer one to remember!

Have a wonderful start to summer! May God bless you and yours…

Texas High School Gra uates CLASS

OF 2023

in LOCAL , STATE & NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

We wish you the ver y best in your academic career and future endeavors. TISD is proud to have you listed among the many outstanding and distinguished Texas High School Alumni! Innovate .

#RestorationOfHope

Joshua Eldridge, Marquis Ewing, Pat Loe, Danny Stone, & Judy Stone

TURNING A MESS INTO A MESSAGE

By: Anne Granado

This article was truly a divine appointment. God brought Debbie Brower, Owner and Publisher of ALT Magazine, and Danny Stone, Founder and Director of Aftercare at Restoration of Hope, together at a community event. Danny was looking for exposure. Debbie is always looking for a story, and the rest is ALT article history. And God knew what He was doing when he brought these two together because the Restoration of Hope story is worth sharing with others.

Restoration of Hope is a home and a ministry for men who have experienced homelessness, struggled with drug addiction, or reentered society after prison. Right now, they are serving 61 men and do not turn anyone away, no matter how many times they may slide back into destructive behaviors. “Your mistake is not the fall; the fall is not getting back up. We don’t expect these men not to fall, and we are not surprised by it. We’ve all been through it ourselves,” Danny says. “But, you know, there’s a transformation that happens here. The changes we see from when they first come in to when you see them three months later are amazing.”

Restoration of Hope also has a great partnership with law enforcement in Texarkana and Community Healthcore. They are also approved by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) as a transitional living program, or what most people know as halfway houses. “However, we always say that we are not a halfway house; we are an ALL-theway house for Jesus. Restoration of Hope knows that by putting Jesus first daily, He will carry us through any struggles we face in trying to live in a hopeless world," Danny says. "Jesus gives us hope in a hopeless place."

As Debbie and I made our way to Restoration of Hope one sunny afternoon in May for photography and a tour, we were immediately greeted warmly by Danny and other men and volunteers. We took a seat in the front office, a cozy room with big windows, and excitement permeated the air. We met Judy, Danny’s mother and co-founder of Restoration of Hope, along with her dog, Jazzy, and her “chosen” daughter, Pat Loe. We met Marquis. We met John. We met Joshua. Everyone wanted to say “Hi,” and everyone wanted to share their story. The enthusiasm was infectious, and it was clear that getting the word out about this ministry was of considerable importance. So, Danny started from the

beginning, with others commenting and occasionally saying, “Amen.”

It all began with Danny’s father, Ross Stone. Danny’s vision for Restoration of Hope pays homage to his father’s lifelong dream of creating a place that supported men who needed to get back on their feet after homelessness, addiction, or prison. Ross was frustrated at seeing his own sons suffer from drug addiction. Danny’s brother spent over 20 years in prison, and his placement felt like a revolving door. “My dad always felt there should be a place that gave men a better set-up when they leave prison,” Danny says. “No matter how much he supported my brother, he always returned, and my dad believed there had to be a better way.”

Danny’s father saw that when men are released from prison, they are dropped off a bus with a bag in their hand. Many do not have a license or a birth certificate. They do not have a job or a support system. “The prison system is messed up. Many times they have more access to drugs on the inside than they do outside,” Danny says. “Then, what are they supposed to do when they leave? We expect them to be rehabilitated with absolutely no tools, no support, no help, no guidance.”

However, Danny was not ready to help his father’s vision come to life at that time. Unfortunately, Danny became mired in a drug addiction of his own. “I started shooting methamphetamines at 15 years old, and even though I was a Christian, I had a child-like faith, and I didn’t look to God to help me,” Danny says, “I had been hurt in the church when I was younger; I had actually lost my leg when I was 12-years-old. Maybe it was PTSD or anger, but soon, I turned to drugs.”

Despite his addiction, Danny was able to find financial success. He met a great woman and married her, and the couple had two daughters. However, his addiction was always lurking in the shadows, and when Danny and his wife divorced in 2008, his life spiraled out of control. Ten years later, Danny says he lost everything and was sent to prison because he could not escape his drug addiction. One month into his time behind bars, he lost his dad and could not attend his funeral. “It broke me that I couldn’t be there for my dad even though he was always there for me. It

brought me to my knees, and I finally gave up and surrendered my life to Jesus. I made a promise to my father that night in prison to love as he loved, to give like he gave, to be the father to my kids like he was to me, and to take care of my mother till the day she joined him in heaven,” Danny says. “In the last five years before he died, my dad had given his life to Jesus, and the only comfort I had from his death was knowing where he was going.”

Danny immediately envisioned honoring his father’s memory: returning to Ross’s dream of a men’s ministry and making it come true. Inspired by this thought, Danny sat down and wrote a business plan. Little did he know his mother, Judy, was working on the same vision. “After four months of not seeing each other, Mom was coming to visit me, and I began praying that the Lord would work on her heart to hear my plan,” Danny says. “However, I didn’t know Mom was coming to convince me to help her with the same project. She had actually already found a place in Hope, Arkansas!”

When Judy came in as a visitor at the prison, the mother and son hugged, cried, and greeted each other. Afterward, Judy said, “Danny, I want to talk to you about something,” and Danny said, “Mama, I want to talk to you about something, too.” When the two started talking, they immediately knew that God had placed the same vision in their hearts and was calling them to build this vision together. “The only thing I disagreed with was the location in Hope, Arkansas. I said, ‘Mom, we needed to do this in Texarkana where there is a bigger need,’” Danny says. “However, we kept ‘Hope’ in the name as a nod to that original idea.”

Both Judy and Danny agreed that Restoration of Hope would be different– more focused on ministry, building up the men who walked through the doors, and finding a way to extend God’s grace. “Several places in the state are more centered on recovery, and we have more of a faithbased focus. We believe in the deliverance that comes with building a relationship with Jesus,” Danny says. “We don’t focus on the outcome of the problems such as homelessness, drugs, etc. We focus on the source of the problem, which we believe is sin. This approach has worked for me and many men who have graduated and now work here with us. We believe in true deliverance if we can change our hearts and desires.”

Today, Danny has been set free from his addiction, and his entire life’s mission is to help other men like himself. “I have honored that promise I made to my dad after his death, and

in the three years we’ve been open, we have served over 100 men, and over 30 men have graduated. These men are holding successful jobs, and many of these have been reunited with their children and spouses,” Danny says. “But, none of this could have been done through my talents or works. It’s all been God, and I give Him all the praise and glory.”

Looking back, Danny says that the loss of his leg, his addiction, his divorce, and the loss of his father led him to where he is today. “I could have tried to start Restoration of Hope at age 40, but I wasn’t ready,” Danny says. “I really had to lose everything to be sold out to God and the work He wanted to do in my life.” After Danny was released, he and Judy began looking for a location for Restoration of Hope. They looked at a building on Hazel Street but were not immediately taken with the property. However, they saw a home across the street that had been the original Hazel Street Recovery Center for Juveniles. “I saw it and said, ‘Mom, this is it,’” Danny says.

The building was under foreclosure, and the bank wanted $140,000, which seemed out of reach for the mother and son team, especially for the initial investment. They sat down, prayed about it, and decided to offer the bank a “crazy number,” and miraculously, the bank accepted their offer.

Excited by the procurement of the physical building, Judy and Danny began to have big dreams for the facility. “We thought, ‘Oh, we spent $60,000 on the building, and now we will spend $40,000 getting it set up.’ So, my mom, who is NOT a millionaire, wrote a check from her personal account that was pretty much all she had, and we started a nonprofit, the Stone Foundation,” Danny says. “Unfortunately, the city came in and did a walkthrough, which turned our plans upside down.”

When Danny and Judy purchased the facility, it seemed perfect because it already had small bedrooms, a laundry room, and a kitchen. They thought they could get up and running once the sale was final. However, the city required them to bring the facility up to code. “We thought we could do it all ourselves, but the list of repairs was overwhelming,” Danny says. “We had to put in a sprinkler system, level the floor, expand the kitchen. It took a lot more than we originally thought.”

The next significant setback occurred when Danny and Judy went on a preplanned family cruise for seven days, and when they returned, the building had no heat or hot water. “Mom dropped me off December 26, 2019, and things weren’t working,” Danny says. “We found out that the copper from the building was missing.”

Determined to get up and running, Danny stayed and toughed it out. He went to the restroom at Burger King on Stateline and drove to a truck stop to take showers. He got up at 4:30 a.m. every morning and read his Bible, did

praise and worship, and started cooking on hot plates for breakfast. He began getting repairs done or working on the building himself, and slowly, men started to come.

When a man shows up at Restoration of Hope, whether because of a court mandate, a desperate family member or caregiver, or a desired oasis of air conditioning, they must follow several guidelines. First, if they are coming out of prison, they must commit to a three-month program. If they are homeless, they have to commit to a six-month program. Why the disparity? “If they’ve been in prison, they should have been off drugs for a while,” Danny says. “If they are currently on drugs, we’ve got to spend more time getting them detoxed and cleaned up before they are ready. But, honestly, it’s not about the amount of time in the program; it’s what they do with that time.”

Each participant in the program is added to a large wipeoff board in the front office, where their appointments and medications are tracked. The men are also added to the Life 360 app, monitored by Danny Stone, William Walter (the new Director), and other volunteers and workers. “Some people may worry about being tracked, but the men we are helping welcome more accountability,” Danny says. “Our doors are not magic doors; it takes hard work to truly overcome the things holding you back.”

Residents are also required to attend church services regularly. “When guys get mixed up in their habit, they have lasting effects from drugs like methamphetamine that many people do not know how to deal with. Many of our men have been to places like River Ridge, and they leave out with more drugs,” Judy says. “But, when you come in here, you get one main prescription, and that’s the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Once the men have completed their allotted time, they can continue in the aftercare program, which aims to provide another preventive measure before they are entirely on their own. Men who have graduated from the program stay at the aftercare homes to provide another level of support as “house papas” or house leaders. “We are lucky to have acquired several new facilities recently. We have three aftercare homes right now, and we are about to close on a fourth one soon,” Danny says. “Our aftercare homes provide group living for the men as they seek jobs and get back on their feet. We charge the residents $150 a week to stay there and cover everything else. This little bit of rent is how we teach them to start being responsible and budget for their expenses.”

Also, when the men are ready, they seek gainful employment.

Restoration of Hope runs a bus for men who work at Pilgrim’s Pride in Mount Pleasant. Danny and the other Restoration of Hope workers also try to bring out the individual talents of the men who come through their doors.

“When I was in prison, I saw so many men who had all these skills,” Danny says. “They can make devices to do wrong and good; they really have amazing talents, but they just don’t know how to fulfill them because of their addictions.”

Right now, Restoration of Hope runs a construction company, Big Slice’s food truck, and two bays that they can use for mechanic work, painting, detailing, and welding. They also have a lawn service and are opening their resale store on June 1, 2023. “It can be hard for men who have been in prison to find a job, so we want to provide an opportunity for them to create their own job and contribute to the community in a meaningful way,” Danny says. “We need more community support for these men trying to get back on their feet. I hope this article helps get the word out about what we are doing here.”

Big Slice’s food truck, run by Marquis “Big Slice” Ewing, is an excellent example of the transformation Restoration of Hope can bring. Marquis is Restoration of Hope’s first graduate, and now he works at the facility to help other men who share his story. Marquis was a local rapper on a secular music record label called Uncut Records. As Marquis bought into the “lifestyle” he was selling in his music, he started dabbling in drugs. “I went from smoking marijuana and drinking to doing coke; next thing you know, I’m a full-blown addict. I went to about 19 treatment centers before I made my way to Restoration of Hope,” Marquis says. “I know you can’t really get kicked out of AA, but it sure felt like no one wanted to take a chance on me. I got into Haven Homes but got kicked out for doing drugs, and I thought for sure I had used my last chance.”

One hot summer day, Marquis happened upon Restoration of Hope, and he wondered if they had AC. “I’m not going to lie; I didn’t choose God; He chose me. I just wanted to get out of the sun. I had been walking around for eight days,” Marquis says. “But, you know what they say, ‘When the student is ready, the teacher will appear?’ Well, when I was ready, Danny was right in front of me.”

When Danny opened his doors to Marquis, the business was not even “legal” yet, but Danny still gave up his personal bed for Marquis. Danny took the recliner. “I fed him and took care of him,” Danny says. “He was coming off the street and ended up sleeping, tossing, turning, and detoxing for three days.”

But Marquis had no intention of really getting better. “When I first arrived, I was about to embark on Restoration of Hope like I had done every other place. I knew what to say to stay, and then I knew how to get back on the street and fall off real bad,” Marquis says. “I’d stay homeless for a while, go somewhere, use it and suck up the air, and leave again. I was perfectly ok with that.”

The turning point for Marquis stemmed from Danny’s hospitable and sacrificial treatment; it was different from anything Marquis had experienced at other facilities.

“When I was growing up, my mother used to have a guest bedroom with good china and furniture we weren’t allowed to touch, and when family or a special guest came over, she would give them all the best stuff. Stuff we weren’t even allowed to breathe on,” Marquis says. “And that’s what Danny did for me. Most places I had been treated me the way I looked. They were like, ‘Yea, you can have that cot over there,’ but Danny gave me his own bed. He gave me his own clothes. Danny is a great mentor, and he showed me the love of God.”

When Marquis finally got out of detox, he remembers Danny and Judy asking him what his dream was, and he said something vaguely about a food truck or restaurant. “I never even thought about that because it seemed like such a far-fetched thing,” Marquis says. “And then, years later, when I showed myself approved and sought Jesus with everything I had, they helped me get that business going. Now, I have Big Slice’s food truck, but let the truth be told: what happened to me here on the inside could not compare to a million chain restaurants. I didn’t ever foresee myself thinking or acting the way I am now, nor did I want to.”

Danny is also proud of Marquis because of his work to receive full custody of his two children. “Marquis is not a statistic. He’s a chain breaker and a cycle breaker,” Danny says. “He is raising his boys right and teaching them to love God.”

Many of the residents have lost custody of their children, but Danny and the others at Restoration of Hope try to help them reunite with their families and work to restore

those relationships. Although Marquis does not have a relationship with his boy’s mother, who was incarcerated for nine years, Marquis’ experience of changing his life and giving it to God has motivated him to reach out with a helping hand. “I think we’ve been doing a good job of edifying and helping her. We got her a hotel room so she can see the children,” Marquis says. “She seems to be on the right track. She’s been watching what we’ve been doing here at Restoration of Hope, and I think it’s inspired her.”

But, how things are today at Restoration of Hope differs from how it has always been. It has not been an easy journey. When Danny first started, things moved slowly. Danny and Judy had put so much into the organization, but it did not seem to be taking off, and Danny wondered why. “I just remember telling the Lord that we need men for this to grow. We needed more men in the program, but we also needed men who graduated to stay, disciple, and mentor the next group. I saw other programs that seemed to be doing well and kept wondering what I was doing wrong. We would get 16 men and lose 7 men. We would get 17 and lose 4 back to the streets,” Danny says. “But, I just wasn’t ready yet. God kept teaching me and preparing me. Then, we started writing out scriptures on the doorways and praying over the building, and things started exploding.”

Suddenly, Danny would get men into the program, and when they lost four, another four would take their places. “The spirit of God started changing these men. They wanted to be a part of what we were doing, and now, they won’t leave. We would have to kick them out, and we aren’t going to do that. They can stay as long as they want,” Danny says. “We call these men ‘lifers.’

They are the ones that want to stay and disciple others in a fellowship of men, which is why our program is so successful.”

Recently, a resident made it through the allotted time period and started aftercare. However, after only one week in aftercare, he relapsed. He took fentanyl and ended up in the hospital, where he almost died. “One thing we don’t do is give up on them. Many places would kick him out, but we know that there is a process in a recovery program. It’s been a battle,” Danny says. “But, I see so many situations from my life that I see in these men, and I want to help them because I understand. None of us want to get high, but we always go to get high.”

Danny, Marquis, William, Judy, Pat, and all the other workers at Restoration of Hope must have a lot of patience, but it is worth it in the long run. Another resident, John, was also recently reunited with his children after a long road to recovery. In 2019, he was kicked out of Haven Homes for doing drugs, and while Danny was on the cruise with his family, they paid for John to have a place to stay for a week until they could return and get the place up and running. But John, knowing the place was empty, had a little party while they were gone. “The place was trashed when we got home, but we did not kick him out. He left and lived on the street for three years. We would see him, give him food, and say, ‘John, come on! Aren’t you tired of this?’ He had a girlfriend named Amber, who was run over by a

car. Then, he was even worse off,” Danny says. “But, we finally got him to come over here. We prayed over him, and here he is now. He’s a ‘lifer’ now, and we have many other success stories like these.”

Another example of the grace Restoration of Hope shows its residents occurred when a 33-year-old resident got his driver’s license and bought his first car, a Camaro, after getting on his feet. However, before he could make his first payment, he relapsed. “He was staying out at the lake and didn’t want to show up. But he was still on Life 360. I called him and said, ‘Come in and quit worrying about what you did. You will start over, but quit being ashamed of what you did,’” Danny says. “And we’ve paid his car note while he started at the beginning for a third time. Not many places would help him keep that car, but because of what we do and how we do it, we can help them. We aren’t going to give up on them.”

So, how do the staff and volunteers keep extending grace and mercy to the men who relapse? How do they cope with the extreme highs and lows of helping men in recovery?

“We understand it because we’ve been through it,” Joshua says.

“And the love of Jesus Christ,” Marquis says.

“It’s hard to understand until you’ve been through an addiction,” Joshua says.

“We aren’t offering sympathy, but we’ve got empathy because we know what it’s like. I’ve been to 19 treatment centers,” Marquis says.

“I don’t focus on the ones we lose. I focus on the ones we gain,” Danny says. “And we are gaining more and more. It’s getting really exciting.”

Restoration of Hope continues to grow. The organization recently purchased the old Biker Church, and the new church building will provide a place for 30 more beds, increasing their capacity to 90 men. However, Danny’s vision for the future includes a lot more than that. “We hope to have a facility in Arkansas as well as grow our current and future businesses run by Restoration of Hope graduates, but we need community support,” Danny says. “We need people to help us in our mission to ‘turn a mess into a message’ just like what happened in my life.”

Danny says that the Texarkana community can support the ministry of Restoration of Hope in many ways. People can donate clothing and other items at their new resale store (1618 Seventh Street). In addition, people can hire Restoration of Hope Construction, which specializes in painting and flooring, but they also do remodeling, repairs, and electrical work and can service HVAC systems. In

addition, Restoration of Hope has a place to work on lawnmowers, welding, and cars.

Danny knows Restoration of Hope needs community support to truly live out their mission and vision. “Texarkana is a great community, and so many people would love to help. We need help financially, mentors, donations of food and clothing, and people to hire us and put us to work. Our guys truly work for food!” Danny says. “I also want to thank Jeni Eldridge and her staff from Haven Homes. We work well together, and they have been very generous with donations of food and drinks. I’m proud to say that we are a team helping the community and not competing with each other.”

Danny believes in the military catchphrase, “No man left behind,” and he sees honor in that sentiment. However, he feels that he left many men behind when battling addiction and spending time in prison. “I found the Living Water that delivered me, and until Jesus calls me home, I’m going back to share that Living Water with all the men I left behind,” Danny says. “We are like the infantry in the Marines on the front lines as soldiers for Christ. The same determination we had serving our life of sin is the same determination we have to bring others out of their sin. We are going to win the lost souls at any cost.”

If you want to know more about Restoration of Hope, please visit their website, their Facebook page, or call Danny at (870)-833-3488.

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#Pickleball

Pickleball : A game for all Ages

Though still relatively unknown, the game of pickleball is quickly gaining popularity, which Jarrod and Rebecca New, pickleball coaches in Texarkana, attribute mainly to the pandemic. “During the coronavirus outbreak, many people were looking for ways to occupy their time in outdoor venues,” Jarrod says. “Many pickleball facilities consist of outdoor courts, so large numbers of people started playing during 2020.”

Another factor in pickleball’s surge of fame can also be attributed to the media. “It has become more accessible over the past few years. Many people still have not heard about pickleball, but it is gaining notoriety because professional pickleball is now

By: Anne Granado

being televised on some major sports networks,” Jarrod says. “There is a thriving pickleball community in Texarkana, and it is growing steadily.”

According to the USA Pickleball Association website, pickleball is a lot like tennis but has a few modifications, such as a smaller court and solid wood or composite paddles to hit a plastic ball over a net. It combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. The USA Pickleball Association says that pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, where “three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited for creating the game.” Then, during the spring of 1976,

the first known pickleball tournament in the world was held at South Center Athletic Club in Tukwila, Washington. In 1984, the United States Amateur Pickleball Association (U.S.A.P.A.) was organized, and the first rule book was published.

Fast forward to 2023, and the USA Pickleball Association website says that “membership numbers reached the 70,000 mark in February of 2023, after a nearly 30 percent increase in membership growth in 2022. In its 2023 Topline Participation Report, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) named pickleball the fastest-growing sport in America for the third year in a row. According to the report, pickleball is now up to a total of 8.9 million players in the United States over the age of six years old, an increase from 4.8 million in 2022. In March, USA Pickleball and the Professional Pickleball Association announced that the 2023 USA Pickleball National Championships, presented by the PPA Tour, will be held in Dallas this November.”

Jarrod and Rebecca fell in love with pickleball in 2021 while on vacation with their four sons in Hot Springs, Arkansas. “We found a nearby pickleball court and picked up some cheap paddles and pickleballs. We learned how to play by Googling the basics of gameplay,” Rebecca says. “By the end of our first pickleball experience, we were hooked!”

The couple has always lived an active lifestyle. Jarrod played tennis, ping pong, softball, and flag football through intramural sports at his college, and Rebecca played volleyball in high school and college. “Because of our love for sports and our desire to stay physically active, we have tried to find activities that are fun for our whole family,” Jarrod says.

Today, Jarrod works as a web developer/computer programmer for CitiBank and serves as the Director of Children’s Ministries at Northern Hills Baptist Church. Rebecca has been a stay-at-home homeschool mom since 2003. She is very active in children’s ministry and music ministry at their church and is a high school, college, and club volleyball official. Jarrod has lived in Texarkana since the age of four, and Rebecca moved here after they were married in 1996. They are parents to four boys: Evan, 25; Mathan, 22; Braden, 20; and Joshua, 16. When the boys were younger, Jarrod and Rebecca would take them on neighborhood walks, bike rides, and trips to the park. “We would also take the boys

to amusement parks and museums. In town, we played volleyball and church softball,” Rebecca says. “In recent years, we have begun going on trips in our camper and trying to find activities in the area of our campsites, such as hiking, sightseeing, playing disc golf, attempting escape rooms, and, of course, playing pickleball.”

After their first experience in Hot Springs, the New family continued researching rules, strategies, and tips for improvement. “We eventually painted pickleball lines on our driveway and put up a net so we could play to our hearts’ content,” Jarrod says. “I was approached in the fall of 2021 about teaching a beginner pickleball class at Texarkana College, and I taught my first pickleball lessons in November of 2021. I have taught various classes and one-day workshops ever since.”

Because of their growing love for pickleball and desire to grow the pickleball community in Texarkana, Jarrod and Rebecca began online training for potential instructors in early 2023. “We attended an in-person workshop in Dallas in April of 2023, took an exam, and earned our certifications to be instructors through PPR, Professional Pickleball Registry,” Rebecca says. “We are also members of the USA Pickleball Association.” Jarrod is a certified pickleball coach, and Rebecca is a certified associate coach.”

According to Jarrod and Rebecca, pickleball is fun because it is easy to learn to play in one day, and new players can improve drastically over a short period of time. “Whenever we go to a pickleball

facility, one thing that stands out is that everyone is smiling and having a good time,” Jarrod says. “Another reason it is fun is because of the social aspect. People of all ages and stages of learning can show up at a pickleball location during open play, get on the courts, and have a blast with people they have just met. “

Anytime the News go out of town, they always find a pickleball facility and go during open play. “We have played people who were beginners to near experts, but it is always fun and invigorating, and we have met many interesting people,” Rebecca says. “It truly is just good, plain fun!”

Another inviting aspect of the sport is that pickleball can be played by all ages and activity levels. “According to the USA Pickleball Association, the age demographic for playing pickleball is very diverse, with the largest percentage of pickleball players (approximately 52%) being 55 years or older,” Jarrod says. “It really is a sport for all ages. Pickleball is an excellent form of exercise, but is not as strenuous as similar sports, such as tennis and racquetball.”

If Texarkana citizens want to start playing, only four places are known to Rebecca and Jarrod. Pinkerton Center at Texarkana College has indoor courts that are available to its members

by reservation; Southwest Center has three indoor courts that are available on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and Friday evenings; First Baptist Moores Lane has three indoor courts that are available Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons; and First Lutheran has outdoor courts available on Sunday afternoons. “Both Pinkerton Center and Southwest Center are in the process of converting some outdoor tennis courts to pickleball courts,” Rebecca says. “There is a pickleball Facebook page called Texarkana Pickle, where information is given about local pickleball happenings!”

This summer, the News have several upcoming workshops that they will be conducting through Texarkana College throughout the summer. Rebecca teaches pickleball for kids during Kids’ College at TC in June, and Jarrod and Rebecca offer private and group lessons for beginner to intermediate players. “We know that pickleball is catching on throughout the country, and we would like to see it gain more attention in Texarkana,” Jarrod says. “Our ultimate dream is to open our own family-run pickleball facility that will be open six days a week to accommodate the schedules of a broader range of the Texarkana community.”

Michael and FreemanAshley

Our love story is a tale of fate, one that reminds us of the power of timing and destiny. I had spent over eight years in New York City attending NYU and starting my career, but when COVID struck, I decided to head back home to Louisiana to work remotely during the lockdown. It was an unexpected move, but it was a blessing in disguise.

Little did I know that this decision would bring me face-to-face with my soulmate, Michael. Our families had been close friends for over three decades, having met as Air Force recruits in 1989. In fact, Michael’s mother was even present at my birth! Over the years, we often joked about the possibility of us ending up together, but I never took it seriously.

However, fate intervened on a warm and sunny day in August 2020. Our families decided to take a boating trip together, and Michael and I hit it off immediately – we were older now, and the timing was finally right. We both felt an instant connection, and it was clear that we were meant to be together. All those years of laughter and jokes about us being a perfect match suddenly became a reality.

After that magical day, I knew I didn’t want to return to New York. I had found my true home with Michael, and six months later, he proposed at the Old Mill in North Little Rock. Our love story is a testament to the fact that fate can bring two people together when the time is right. I feel incredibly lucky to have found my soulmate and to be able to share my life with him.

Parents of the Bride: Mark & Syndie Rider; Dwayne & Leasa Self

Parents of the Groom: Michael & Marguerite Freeman

Matron/Maid of Honor: Madison Moore

Bridesmaids: Michelle Freeman, Emma Self, Madison

Self, Sydney Grusd, and Courtney Campbell

Best Man: TJ Lampe

Groomsmen: Logan Surdam, Tyler Maples, and John Moore

Flower Girls: Essie Maples and Oaklynn Wald

Pastor / Officiant: Rev. Chad Mills

Flowers: Brianna Belton Design

Hair: Delainea Hubbard

Make-Up: Kimberly Bearden Beauty

Venue: Garrison Gardens

Wedding Coordinator: Karen Guilbert

Cake: Graham Slam Bakery

Caterer: Garrison Gardens Catering

DJ: Chuck Guilbert

Rentals: Brianna Belton Design

Photographer: Helms Creative / Savanna Helms / Megan Brunner

Videographer: Bri London Duron

Wedding Invitations: Bride

Wedding Dress: Abella Bride / Low’s Bridal

Wedding Jewelry: Effy

Tuxedos: Jos. A Bank

Our wedding day was a truly special and unforgettable celebration of the powerful forces of fate that brought Michael and me together. It was a day filled with love, joy, and gratitude for all the twists and turns of life that led us to each other. We were surrounded by our families and closest friends from across the country, and it was clear that every person in attendance was there to celebrate our love and support our journey together.

Choosing to have our wedding in Texarkana, a physical representation of the three states that played a significant role in our story, added such a sentimental touch to the day. It felt like we were coming full circle, making the day even more meaningful.

Overall, our wedding day was a celebration of love, fate, and the people who have supported us throughout our lives. It was a day we will look back on with fondness and cherish for years.

John and Lawrence

We first met at a softball game eight years ago when I played on the same team as his sister. We have known each other for a while and always kept in touch until we decided to make it official a little over a year ago. It was difficult because he traveled for his job, but it made us miss each other more. One day when we were out to eat with my Dad for my birthday, John asked my father for his blessing and then took me to Target (my favorite store). That night we were at my house, and he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him because he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.

Parents of the Bride: Lance Love and Shelly McHargue

Parents of the Groom: Charles Lawrence and Mila Green

Matron/Maid of Honor: Makenzie Hofert

Bridesmaids: Rylee Love, Tara Lawrence, and Lizette Hernandez

Best Man: Hunter McGilberry

Groomsmen: Jacob Rigdon, Ethan Cowart, and Seth Moten

Flower Girl: Delilah Smith

Ring Bearer: Colby Engle

Pastor / Officiant: Jeff Hart

Flowers: Hope Floral

Hair & Make-Up: Amber Haynes

Venue: Garrison Gardens

Wedding Coordinator: Karen Guilbert

Cake: Robin Hamnett

Caterer: Raegan Rice

DJ: Chuck Guilbert

Photographer: Jim Davis

Videographer: Jim Davis

Wedding Invitations: Shutterfly

Wedding Dress: JJ’s House

Wedding Jewelry: Zales Jewelry

Tuxedos: GEB Menswear

John said, “It meant a lot to me to hear our personal vows by the waterfall. We exchanged our vows after the ceremony because we completely forgot; however, it was perfect. I also enjoyed the first look because that was the first time I saw her in her dress, and I was in awe.”

“What made it special for me was hearing my friends’ and families’ speeches and stories of our lives and how much everyone loves John and me. Walking down the aisle with my Daddy is also something I will never forget, as well as seeing John tear up at the end of the aisle. I loved every second of it even though I was so scared things would go wrong, but everything ran smoothly,” says Mela.

Tyler Smith and Katelyn Park

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Park of Texarkana, Texas, announce the engagement of their daughter, Katelyn Park, to Tyler Smith, son of Alan and Patti Smith, and Liz Smith of Texarkana, Texas.

Katelyn is a graduate of Pleasant Grove High School, Texarkana College (Associate Degree in Nursing), the University of Texas at Arlington in 2017 (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), and again in 2019 (Master of Science in Nursing). She is currently employed as a Registered Nurse.

Tyler is also a Pleasant Grove High School graduate and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Texas A&M UniversityTexarkana. He is currently employed as a Universal Banker with Commercial National Bank.

The couple will exchange their vows at Four Fifteen Estates on January 6, 2024, with Bro. Steve Reeves officiating the ceremony. After, they plan to visit Sandals Grande St. Lucian for their honeymoon.

How it happened…

Tyler and Katelyn were in Katelyn’s living room with her parents on Christmas Day, 2022. They had just finished opening gifts, and Katelyn was showing a gift to her mother. When she turned around from putting the gift away, Tyler stood, preparing to get down on one knee. Tyler asked Katelyn to marry her, and she excitedly said yes! All the while, Tyler and Katelyn’s dog Daisy excitedly looked up at her mom and dad!

Photos by: Captured by Kelsi

Drug Take Back Initiative Operation Medicine Cabinet

•It is important to know that law enforcement is only interested in the removal of unused and/or outdated medications from the homes of our citizens.

•It matters not whose name is on the prescription, by whom it was prescribed, where it was prescribed, or where you reside.

•We stress that it makes no difference if you live in Texas or Arkansas.

•We take back all medications, no questions asked. You can remove the label if you desire but it’s not necessary.

•We ask that you do not deposit needles (sharps), inhalers, medication from businesses or clinics, ointments, lotions, liquids, aerosol cans, hydrogen peroxide, or thermometers.

One box has been placed behind the Bi State Justice Building at 100 N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, Arkansas and another outside the Texarkana Emergency Center, 4646 Cowhorn Creek Rd., Texarkana, Texas. These boxes are regularly checked and the contents are immediately packaged for destruction. If you would like to personally drop your medications off to law enforcement, you can at the Miller County Sheriff’s Office on East Street and Bi State Justice Building in Texarkana.

You can learn more about this program by visiting www.artakeback.org or on Facebook by searching Arkansas Take Back or Arkansas Drug take Back.

The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department is proud to partner with Texarkana Emergency Center in an effort to remove unused and out of date prescription medicines from your homes. 4646 Cowhorn Creek | Texarkana, TX 75503 | 903.838.8000

WHEN MARKETS ARE DOWN, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO ABOUT RMDS?

RETIREMENT & LONGEVITY

Keep these strategies and considerations in mind.

To ensure that tax liabilities aren’t deferred indefinitely, investors are obligated by the IRS to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from most retirement accounts. As part of the SECURE Act 2.0, the RMD start age has increased to 73 for those born between 1951 and 1959. It will increase again to age 75 for those born in 1960 and later.

Volatile markets add a layer of complexity to taking these distributions. As the RMD amount is determined by the retirement account’s value at prior year-end as well as your life expectancy, a quick downturn in the stock market at the beginning of the year can cause a lot of stress for individuals who are then required to take a distribution – and who face a missed RMD penalty if they don’t.

It’s not a simple topic. However, there are a few considerations and strategies to bear in mind when thinking about your RMDs amid volatile market conditions.

If this is your first RMD, you have the option to delay

Normally, RMDs must be taken by December 31. However, your first RMD can be delayed until April 1 of the year after you reach the RMD start age. Those extra months can provide a bit of flexibility in timing, allowing for market conditions to potentially stabilize or improve before you take a withdrawal from the account in question.

However, keep in mind that if you delay your first RMD into the year after reaching your age trigger, you’ll still need to satisfy that second year’s RMD before December 31 – meaning you’ll be taking two distributions within the same calendar year. This means more taxable income, which may push you into a higher

marginal tax bracket or increase certain costs, such as Medicare premiums.

Bottom line: A bit of flexibility in timing can be a positive, but be sure you’ve thought through the tax implications.

If you’re still working, you may have the option to delay

If you’ve reached the age of taking RMDs but are still working, you may be able to defer taking the RMD from your current employer’s retirement account. The IRS generally allows your first RMD from an employer’s retirement plan – such as a 401(k), 403(b) or profit-sharing plan – to be taken by April 1 in the year after you retire, provided that your company allows you to delay past normal RMD age and you are not a 5% business owner of that company’s plan.

Much like the first RMD-delay option noted above, you’ll want to think through how taking two RMDs in the next calendar year might affect your tax situation.

Different accounts have different rules

If you are the owner of multiple IRAs, you have the option to withdraw the total RMD amount owed for all of your IRAs from one or more of them, rather than taking out each RMD from its specific account. A similar rule applies to 403(b) accounts. However, RMDs from other types of retirement plans like 401(k) and 457(b) plans have to be taken separately from each account. Furthermore, RMDs from beneficiary IRAs must be taken separately. Talk to your financial professional to determine where you have location flexibility and where you don’t.

Use cash, if available

If you’re already holding cash in an account you have to withdraw from, take advantage of

it. Instead of selling investments at reduced values, simply request the cash out of the account to satisfy the RMD.

If there’s not enough cash, sell thoughtfully

Hopefully, you have an appropriate asset allocation that has a mix of asset types – including stocks and bonds – tailored to your individual risk tolerance. If that’s the case, you and your financial advisor can discuss which assets would be best to sell to satisfy the RMD amount, hopefully avoiding locking in losses on positions that have suffered the worst.

For the charitably minded, QCDs are an option

If you don’t need the income and have a cause close to your heart, you can take a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), which allows you to donate up to $100,000 to a qualified charity from your IRA and have it count toward your RMD. This strategy can help with taxes, as the gift won’t be included in your taxable income (even though it fulfills your RMD).

If you don’t need the income, consider an in-kind distribution

Another option if you don’t need the cash flow – an “in-kind distribution.” This involves requesting that securities in your IRA be transferred to your after-tax brokerage account – which is particularly beneficial if you’re holding a position you don’t want to sell. This strategy doesn’t avoid taxes on the RMD, but it can help during down markets if you think the stock will make a comeback going forward. Bear in mind that an in-kind IRA distribution will affect the cost basis of your holding.

Remember, you can reinvest

Regardless of which strategy you decide to use, keep in mind that you can choose to reinvest any money you withdrew to satisfy RMDs by moving it to an after-tax brokerage account. This can help provide an opportunity for that money to grow if markets recover. If you’re already happy with your specific holdings, however, consider the in-kind distribution strategy mentioned above.

Turn to a professional for tailored guidance

Everyone’s situation is unique, and there are nuanced strategies for satisfying RMDs that go beyond the approaches covered here. Your tax professional and financial advisor are the best sources for information that’s personalized to your specific situation and future goals.

Please note, changes in tax laws may occur at any time and could have a substantial impact on each person’s situation. RMDs are generally subject to federal income tax and may be subject to state taxes. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax advice. You should discuss any tax matters with the appropriate professional

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Suzie TK SnippeTS

By: Suzie Tyler

Ain’t Technology Grand?

Technology is great when it works, but when it doesn’t, it’s chaos. In the 50s and 60s, we did not have computers, cell phones, or the Internet. Today, we old people have to learn something about changing technology every day, but it builds new brain cells!

I’ve always had a curiosity about things. My little Mamaw would tell me that “curiosity killed the cat,” but they had nine, so I wasn’t deterred! I have gotten an education in the past few weeks on Microsoft. In January, I had an automatic update. My computer life has not been the same since.

I’ve been rewriting one of my books. I had it completed but had a hard copy. I saved it to my desktop. Not smart, I found out from my personal NYC geek squad member. The update wiped out all documents on my desktop. Not to fear, I had a printed copy and a partial file in my trash bin. I rebuilt my document, then three weeks ago, guess what! Another Update!

I was not a happy camper. It took me two weeks to find where the update saved it! A good thing my thoughts are secret because I have not had nice thoughts about the owner of Microsoft.

Now I know why people have changed to Apple!

Have a good month, and remember, “learn something new every day.”

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and my Amazon Authors Page.

Fish Tales with Mike Brower

The Unicorn

I have been fortunate to have caught many species and subspecies of fish, bass, bream, walleye, and trout in freshwater, and shark, barracuda, flounder, marlin, and redfish in salt water, to name a few. However, I do have a couple of rare fish on my radar that I wish I could catch.

The first is a “Tiger Trout,” and the second is a “Golden Trout.” These fish are kind of like a Mean Mouth or a Golden Largemouth as they are pretty rare to catch, and even though they can be bred via a hatchery, they are rare in the wild.

I have caught Rainbow, Brook, Brown, Lake Trout, and even Dolly Varden, but I have never even hooked one of my Unicorns. I have seen a Golden in a stream in Montana but couldn’t get it to even look at any fly I sent by it. It could have been because they are more intelligent than I am, or I’m just not versed in catching one. Either way, it is still on the wish list.

There are some wild native Tigers in Montana and a few Goldens. When someone catches one, it’s a BIG deal since both are rare and from interspecies breeding. Of course, I may never catch one, but it won’t be because I didn’t try. I haven’t caught a Permit yet, either. I was guided to a school of about 200, but they would not get into casting range, so the hunt continues.

june events

9TH • RUNNIN’ WJ BENEFIT 16TH ANNUAL BARREL RACE 5D

The 16th Annual Runnin WJ Benefit Barrel Race 5D. $12,000 Added. June 9th, Friday Open starts at 9am, and Saturday and Sunday Open starts at 8am. Entry fee for Open is $50 per day/horse and $10 office charge per day or $25 for all three days. Incentives of $200 are added per day, Youth 12 & under, Adults 13-59, and GG’s 60 & over, Fee is $25 per day/horse. June 10th, Saturday FUTURE FORTUNES INC. 4D $50K Added for FF horses. Future Fortunes has a link on its website to enter the race and submit papers. Contact Patti Moore 903-244-2306 or email pattimoore0419@gmail.com.

15TH • OZARK HIGHLANDS HOG TOURING RALLY

When it comes to great motorcycle touring destinations, few can rival the beautiful scenery and endless number of twisty roads than the Ozark region of Arkansas, Missouri, and northeast Texas. This area is known for some of America’s best motorcycle roads. We start in northeast Texas, a vast area noted for its lakes and thick bottomland, alternating between forests and farmland. We then transition into the hills on The Ozark Highlands H.O.G.® Touring Rally. This touring rally offers several days of exceptional and diverse riding culminating in a fantastic, optional stationary rally called Mid America H.O.G.® Rally in St Charles, Missouri. Come for the ride and stay for the party! Visit www.hog.com/rallies

16TH • DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE 2023

This is Mission Texarkana’s 5th annual Daddy Daughter Dance. You can expect an evening full of food, music, and dancing. This year’s theme is “How sweet it is to be loved by You,” so join us as we celebrate that sweet relationship between Father and Daughter. Tickets may be purchased online for $40/couple and $5/additional daughter. The event is held at Crossties.

20TH-22ND • MERMAID CAMP

JUNE 20, 21, 22 | 10A-12P

Join us for three days of non-stop fun and creativity as we explore the magic of dance! With engaging games, imaginative storytelling, and upbeat dance routines, your child will have a blast as they develop confidence, imagination, and performance skills.

INCLUDES: snacks, crafts, and a show-off for friends and family on the last day of camp.

TUITION: $125 per dancer

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/yuvnexdt

24TH • INTERMEDIATE PICKLEBALL COURSE

This course will be for intermediate pickleball students. The student will need to know how to play the game already and be able to keep score. Doubles experience is also recommended because the class will focus on doubles strategies and techniques. This class will feature drills and exercises designed to take a 2.0+ level player to a 3.0+ level.

The class will highlight: Dinking Drills, Ball Placement, Player Positioning, and 3rd Shot Options/Strategies.

Instructor: Jarrod New, 2023 Certified Coach with the Professional Pickleball Registry Class will meet one Saturday, June 24th from 8a-12pm.

Register here: https://cbe.texarkanacollege.edu/register/intermediate-pickleball-2/

New Subdivision lake lots Available Eagle way North and South

What a place to be...waking up in the mornings, overlooking the lake on SW Arkansas best kept secret, Beautiful Lake Erling. Privacy, seclusion, and serenity, all while watching the deer, turkey, and other wildlife in your own back yard. You are steps away from some of the South’s best fishing. These beautiful lots with lake frontage are limited and are beginning to sell quickly. This is a gated subdivision with limited access. Lakefront property is extremely hard to find and availability is very limited on this lake. B.A.S.S. ranked Lake Erling the top 100 lakes in the United States.