ALT September 2014

September 2014 | Vol. 8, Issue 9

2812 Richmond Rd. Richmond Park Center Texarkana TX, 75503 (903)735-2336 Monday-Saturday 10-6

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September2014

CONTENTS September 2014 Vo l . 8 , I s s u e 9

Publisher/Editor Debbie Brower Associate Editor Jaclyn Gooding Sales & Marketing Manager Charlie McMurphy 903.903.5797 Graphic Artists Lindsey Gordon Photography Debbie Brower, Jaclyn Gooding, Lindsey Gordon, Kendal Dockery, Sylvia Jennings Feature Writers / Anne Fruge, Lindsey Gordon Contributing Writers

k / On The Cover

FEATURES 14 26 36 50 78 83 86

S t a c y Ya t e s , 2 0 1 4 Cattle Baron’s Ball Chair

Cattle Baron’s Ball 2014 A Foster Success Horses and Bling Fall Fashion Lend a Paw Pet Photo Contests P e n n y ’ s Tw o R e s c u e s

Te m p l e M e m o r i a l D r a w D o w n TASD Community Breakfast Back to School Little Paws Rescue Back to School Health Beat the Heat Venus Freeze Alzheimer’s Alliance

Best Husband Award Mike Brower

22

info@alt-mag.com 200 Heather Dr. Texarkana, TX 75501 (903) 334-9605

A Foster Success

66 A Degree of Distinction 90 Calendar of Events 68 Financial Focus 42 F i s h Ta l e s 46 Outdoors 88 Second Chances

ALT Magazine

Dustin Stringer

w w w. a l t - m a g . c o m

REGULARS

6

Lisa Myers, Vincent Senatore,

If you have an event you would like to include in our Upcoming Events section, please email us at: info@alt-mag.com.

EVENTS 71 72 73 73 74 75 76

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Mike Brower, Thomas Johnson,

September 2014

ALT Magazine is published the 1st business day of every month.

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission of ALT Magazine is strictly prohibited. ALT Magazine is distributed free of charge. Direct mail subscriptions are available for $42.00 per year. Contributions from our readers are welcome. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material.

©2014 ALT Magazine

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Horses and Bling

For advertising information, call Charlie McMurphy 903.908.5797

DrPettysFootClinic.com G. Gregg Petty DPM

KEEPING IT REAL From The Publisher

I keep dreaming of a future, a future with a long and healthy life, not lived in the shadow of cancer but in the light. ~ Patrick Swayze

Cancer...it is one of the most dreaded words in the English language. No one wants to hear it -- no matter if it pertains

to them or to someone they love. It was not that long ago that I heard that word -- from my mom. Luckily it was found early.

Mom had amazing physicians and nurses who helped her through the worst of chemo treatments and a loving family who was there to help when she needed us. My brother, in particular, was her guardian angel. He lives next door to her and checks on her daily. I am not sure what I would do without him -- and I know Mom would be lost without his constant love and attention.

This month, we are proud to be helping the American Cancer Society in their efforts to raise money through the Cattle

Baron’s Ball. This year’s ball is going to be marvelous! I CAN NOT WAIT! Talking to Christal Prince and Stacy Yates will make you appreciate how important this is and how much fun you will have while helping raise money for a great cause! From the bands, to the food, to the silent auction, to the games -- and oh, what games we will play this year! There is so much excitement that you will not be able to contain it! Make plans to attend, sponsor, volunteer, help! You will not be disappointed!

I am all about volunteering! Unless you are living under a rock, you know that I am involved in helping our animal

shelter. There is so much to do there it is overwhelming. So while you are in a giving mood, consider giving to our local pets who are at the shelter due to no fault of their own. Starting on page 77, you can read about what the needs are, see some of our adoptable pets, and hopefully find it in your heart to give. Whether that is through your time, your money, supplies, expertise -- whatever you have to give, we are appreciative. We are so very excited about the public support we are getting. It makes me believe that people in this community really are good and I am so glad I live here!

Pet overpopulation in our area is seriously out of control. If you own a pet, please make sure it is spayed or neutered.

Every day, it seems, there is at least one litter of puppies or kittens dumped at the shelter. This could all be rectified if everyone who owned a dog or cat would help themselves. It is much more expensive to have a litter of puppies or kittens than it is to have your pet sterilized. It breaks my heart to see so many animals just dumped with no thought as to what will happen to them.

Please take care of your family and your pets. May God bless you and yours.

Publisher

A d o p t | F o s t e r | S p o n s o r | Vo l u n t e e r | D o n a t e | E d u c a t e 8

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September 2014

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Thank you to Jimmy Blackburn for the use of his antique convertible!

words by |

Lindsey Gordon September 2014

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“when the TV show Dallas was first In 2014 alone, The American Cancer stayed till the very end when they had popular,” Christal explains. “It was a Society has estimated 115,730 people to literally push us out the door,” Stacy full-fledged Texas barbecue under the have been diagnosed with cancer in humorously says. When the subject chairmanship of Patti Hunt and Jacque the state of Texas. That comes out to of where they would donate the funds Wynne, who founded the event to raise approximately one in every 228 people. from this years E-Z Mart Jim Yates funds for cancer research through the Roughly 16,520 people in the state of Foundation came up, for Stacy, it was a Arkansas were diagnosed in 2014 -no brainer. “I had so much fun and it was American Cancer Society. More than 500 guests attended the western-themed that’s relatively one in every 179 people for such a wonderful cause, I decided it event in 1974, which who have been diagnosed was held at Toddie Lee with cancer this year. With Wynne’s Star Brand that said, this year the Ranch. Through ticket deaths taken by cancer have sales and the auction, decreased by 20% since 1991 the inaugural event in part thanks to the efforts of raised $56,000,” (http:// the American Cancer Society, www.cattlebaronsball. who help raise funds to com/?nd=about_us). It support cancer research and was such a big hit that to create programs for those the American Cancer battling cancer. These efforts Society started several are only made possible with others in Texas within the help of good Samaritans a few short years like our local director, Christal and now hosts Cattle Prince, and awesome Baron’s Balls all across fundraisers such as the Cattle the United States, Baron’s Ball. “but nobody does it Successful fundraisers are as well as we do it in only achievable with the Texas,” Christal jokingly help of great sponsors, explains. The ball is a like this year’s chairperson relaxed atmosphere of Stacy Yates, of E-Z Mart fun where gentleman Corporation and the E-Z Mart can don their boots, Jim Yates Foundation. jeans and cowboy

Jim Yates, founder hats and the ladies of E-Z Mart Stores, launched dress in anything from his first store in Nashville, sundresses to “blinged” Arkansas, in 1970. Since out jeans and boots. then, E-Z Mart has become The ball includes a one of the leading, privately full dinner made up owned convenience store of gourmet cowboy chains in the United States. cuisine, entertainment, Yates was killed on December games and many 2, 1998, at age 57 when activities fit to please. the plane he was piloting “All of this is great fun, tragically crashed near Lake a different, interactive Gillham, Arkansas. From this type of party,” remarks unfortunate event though, Christal, “but we have came a great service to the to remember, this is a community. The E-Z Mart party with a purpose, Jim Yates Foundation is and that purpose is “dedicated to supporting to fund The American communities which we Cancer Society.” serve by improving the lives Texarkana American Cancer Society Director, Christal Prince, with In the last 40 years of within those communities 2014 Cattle Baron’s Ball chair person, Stacy Yates events, Cattle Baron’s through support of Charitable Ball has raised nearly Organizations that respond would be a great place to put some of $60 million towards the ongoing pursuit to challenges and create positive our foundation money this year,” Yates of a cure for cancer. The American change in the areas of Education, explains. With Yates as Chair and a Cancer Society administers its own Health and Humanities,” (http://e-zmart. great Stampede committee, they are programs and services and uses the com/Community). This year, thanks to hoping for a large crowd and will have money raised at Cattle Baron’s Ball to daughter of Jim Yates, Stacy Yates, plenty of new and old activities, games, help fund these programs and services. the E-Z Mart Jim Yates Foundation is The ACS provides more than 30,000 sponsoring the 2014 Stateline Stampede music and food sure to please.

What exactly is the Cattle services to cancer patients in North Cattle Baron’s Ball.

Baron’s Ball? The American Cancer Texas alone. The programs are made to

Stacy Yates attended the Cattle Society organized the first Cattle Baron’s help those during the cancer process, Baron’s Ball last year with friends and Ball in Dallas, Texas 40 years ago, -- anyone from the patient to family and loved it. “We had a great time and 16

ALT Magazine

September 2014

friends or just someone with questions.

One program ACS has created is the “Look Good Feel Better” program, in which they provide cancer patients with wigs, make-up tips and styling tips when they begin to lose their hair. More than 1,500 wigs were provided free of charge to cancer patients thanks to ACS. “It is comforting for the patients to know they have someone to turn to 24/7 with whatever needs they have,” Christal explains. One of the services ACS provides is giving rides to treatments to those who have no other way. So far, ACS has given more than 7,414 rides to and from treatments in the East Texas area.

Other programs ACS has created and funds are the Hope Lodges. There are Hope Lodges all across the country. We have two new ones in the works in our area, one at M.D. Anderson and hopefully one in the Dallas area soon. These lodges provide free housing accommodations for patients receiving treatment four hours or more from home. They are completely built and administered by donor dollars to ACS. ACS also has our patient navigation system. It is a 24/7 hotline available to anyone dealing with cancer. Patients and family members can call anytime and speak with someone who is trained in how to handle many situations regarding cancer and all those affected by this disease.

The money received also goes to fund ACS research.

“Research is at the heart of our mission. In fact, ACS found the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer and has helped to enact strong state and local smoke-free laws that protect workers and the public from the dangers of secondhand smoke. For more than 65 years, the American Cancer Society has been finding answers that save lives from changes in lifestyle to new approaches in therapies to improving cancer patients’ quality-of-life. ACS has connected

patients with more than 64,000 different treatment options through their Clinical Trials Matching Service. In fact, no single nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization in the US has invested more to find the causes and cures of cancer,” (http:// www.cancer.org/research/index). “That is our goal,” Christal Prince says, “to find the cause and find the cure for cancer.”

After the live auction, there is a Restricted Major Gift that takes place at the Cattle Baron’s Ball. The committee performs a $1000 role call, and the money taken during this is a 100% tax deductible donation to ACS. This year’s restricted gift donation will go strictly to pediatric cancer research.

Last year’s Stateline Stampede Cattle Baron’s Ball raised approximately $83,000. “We hope to exceed that amount this year,” Christal remarks. And with all of the new activities, games and entertainment in store, hopefully they will accomplish that.

The 2014 Cattle Baron’s Ball is going to be held at the same location as last year, Bandana Ranch. Aside from the location, there are lots of new things in store for this year’s ball. The committee is looking at a whole new set –up with new games and activities, among these is a mechanical bull that snorts his nose and flashes his eyes red. Want lifetime memories of the bull riding experience? You’re in luck; this bull comes equipped with two cameras, one in the back of his head to capture the rider’s facial expressions and one on the outside to get a full picture. For the real western experience, there is an interactive western shootout game with five screens. “We think it’s going to be great fun,” Christal Prince says. The guns used in the game are not made of plastic and weigh as much as a real gun so that players get a real life old western experience. They will also still have the Whiskey Bottle Toss game like last year, where players can

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toss rings at a bottle of whiskey for a chance to win a prize. The games and activities are not the only new, exciting things Christal and the Cattle Baron’s committee have in store for this year’s ball.

The musical acts they have lined up are impeccable. V.I.P. ticket holders get a special reception performance by Taylor Heard, a new young country artist from Omaha, Texas. Next in the line up is the lively dance band, 2 Gun Justice, who will perform before and after the headliner to give everyone the chance to shake it out on the dance floor.

This year’s Headliner is Tracy Byrd. “Country recording star Tracy Byrd was born in Vidor, Texas in 1966. He started his career at age 20 singing in local Beaumont bars with Mark Chestnut. Byrd eventually signed a recording contract with MCA records, which produced his first album in 1993. The album entitled Tracy Byrd produced his first #1 smash hit “Holding Heaven.” His second album of The Not So Rich and Famous,’ ‘The entitled No Ordinary Man sold First Step’ and ‘The Keeper of the over 2 million copies and produced four top 5 hits, ‘Watermelon Crawl,’ ‘Lifestyles Stars.’ ‘The Keeper of the Stars’ was

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the 1995 Academy of Country Music song of the year. In 2001, signed with RCA, Byrd produced his second #1 hit ‘Ten Rounds of Jose Cuervo.’ A final album with RCA produced ‘The Truth about Men.’ All in all – 6 million records sold, over 4000 shows in The US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia. Two #1 hits, four top five hits, 15 top ten singles, gives the native Texan an impressive career. He has performed at many Cattle Baron’s Balls but has stated this one is the most important of those performances as his father is currently battling cancer. “He said he has never before been so affected by this dreaded disease,” explains Christal.

There will be a chance drawing, silent auction and live auction happening at the ball as well. The chance drawing is for a men’s Rolex watch and there will be many things to choose from in the silent auction. The live auction will feature great items, such as a one of a kind engraved over and under shotgun, a handmade Bowie knife with antler handle and an antler display stand, Jimmy Fallon tickets

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that include airfare and a hotel for two, and a serenade from Tracy Byrd live on stage.

If all of that is not enough incentive, check out the great deals that come with purchasing a V.I.P. ticket. V.I.P. reception begins at 6 pm with a special performance by Taylor Heard, hors d’oeuvres and premium beverages. You also receive V.I.P. parking and early admission. Oh, and do not forget the V.I.P. Meet and Greet with Tracy Byrd from 6-7, only available to V.I.P. guests. After the reception, everyone joins together for a full gourmet cowboy cuisine dinner, signature drinks in souvenir glasses that are available for purchase and a live dance band, 2 Gun Justice at 7:00 pm.

At 9:30, headliner, Tracy Byrd, is scheduled to perform. V.I.P. guests will have reserved seating. Tracy Byrd will put on a 75-minute performance that is sure to have everyone doing the “Watermelon Crawl.” Then the dance band will return so that everyone can dance the night away.

Outlaw tickets include dinner, the dance band, the headliner performance, auctions, midway games and house beverages.

“Come and have fun with us,” Stacy says. Tickets go on sale September 4th and can be purchased at Crocker’s, Alexander’s, Gray’s, Cavenders, Rocking WH Ranch Feed and Seed in Texarkana and Jaynes Farm and Feed Atlanta, TX. For more information, or to make a donation: Contact Christal Prince at christal.prince@cancer.org or call the ACS 903 278-9680 Visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ StatelineStampede

2014 Cattle Baron’s Committee Pictured on Cover

Stacey Yates, 2014 Chair Amber Billingsley Barbara Walker Bo Slider Brooke Day Marshal Christal Phiffer Prince Cindy Porter Diann Roy Don Riddle Janet Cox Joe Yates Kim Cowan Kim Fowler Kim Landrum Johnston

Kyle Barrett Leitha Herring Linda Lilly Melinda Vammen Mike Ingram Mike Lilly Pam Johnson Randal Hughes Selena Jeffries Simone Culp Tanya Dunlap Terri Giles Willis Johnston

Not Pictured Gina Kelley Richard Weber Lou Ford Sharon Bailey

Tammie Harrelson Twister Ballard Whitney Fuqua

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Texarkana, TX Tickets go on sale September 4th Tickets Include: Entertainment, Full Cowboy Cuisine Meal, Adult Beverages, Midway Games, Live Auction and Silent Auction Tickets can be purchased at Alexander’s Jewelers, Grays Jewelers, Cavender’s, and Crockers Jewelers, Texarkana TX; Rockin WH Ranch Feed Store, Texarkana, AR; Jaynes Farm and Feed, Atlanta TX

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A FOSTER

Success!

WORDS BY ANNE FRUGE

“You foster kids? Oh, I could never do that; I would never want to give them back!” These are just a few of the comments that Angela and Samuel Coston hear when they tell people they are foster parents. The young couple, both teachers at Highland Park Elementary School, have a passion for helping children and have responded to a great need in our community. In fact, on any given day, over 150 children in Bowie County need foster homes, but there are currently only 10 homes. This means that children who have already endured great turmoil in their lives are often sent to available homes far away from the school, family, and friends they know. Now the couple is hoping to raise awareness by telling the story of how they made the life-changing decision to become foster parents.

“When people tell me they could ‘never be a foster parent’ because they could never give that child back, I tell them that it’s because they have the wrong mind-set,” Angela says. “In fact, parents who care that much would make excellent foster parents.

These kids need unconditional love and support during these hard times in their lives.”

Angela and Samuel moved to Texarkana after they were married so that Samuel could attend Texarkana A&M for a degree in education. The couple met through a mutual friend when they attended Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR. Both Angela and Samuel had strong Christian backgrounds and an interest in missions. In

2004, they signed up to take a mission trip to Africa. Though they had come to help with Bible camps for children, one day they took a spur of the moment trip to an orphanage for children whose parents had died from AIDS.

“Before we visited the orphanage, this type of ministry was not on my heart,” Angela says. “Growing up, I was sheltered and naive; I did not realize the great need in our world for people to care for orphans and displaced children, but after that visit, my eyes were opened.”

After the trip, Angela was convinced that she wanted to work in orphanages in other countries. Armed with a minor in Spanish, Angela started to research mission options in Spanish-speaking countries after college graduation. It was actually at this

time Angela and Samuel took a break in their relationship.

“Samuel was not entirely convinced that he wanted to be a missionary and move off to another country, and I understood that,” Angela said. “In our relationship, I’ve always been the one who just jumps into things, and Samuel is definitely more of a planner.

When I signed up to work at an orphanage in Honduras for a year, I did not even know who would pick me up from the airport!”

Throughout that year, Angela taught third and fourth grade and began to fall in love with Honduras and its people. Her two students were brothers, and she keeps up with them to this day.

“I think I really grew up in Honduras,” Angela says. “It was easier there to get caught up in a simpler life; it was easier to get closer to God.”

When the year in Honduras was complete, Angela moved back to Little Rock and reunited with Samuel.

“We both grew up and matured. I’m actually glad we had that time apart to see what we really wanted and to solidify our feelings for each other,” Angela says.

Angela’s plan was to get a master’s degree in social work while teaching school, but an incident in class one day changed her mind. Angela noticed that one of the girls in her class was just copying work because she did not speak any English and did not understand what was going on. It inspired Angela to get her masters in English as a Second Language from Henderson September 2014

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University. Soon after, the couple moved to Texarkana where Angela took a job at Liberty Eylau ISD. After that, she accepted a position in the bilingual program at Nash and then Highland Park, where she and Samuel both teach now.

“At first I was really unhappy with the move,” Angela says, “but I found a job I love, and we also got plugged in with Beech Street First Baptist Church. One day, the pastor approached me about wanting to lead an international mission trip, and because I had experience working with World Gospel Organization, he asked me what I would suggest. I had all these contacts in Honduras, and it worked out well for us to go there. Now, we lead a trip with the church every year.”

Even though the Costons were busy with work and school, Angela kept revisiting the idea of fostering. It would have been easy at that point to say the couple was already doing enough in the community. They both worked at a school teaching kids and attended a church faithfully where they helped lead mission trips, but the couple bought a house with two empty bedrooms, and Angela knew that God was calling them to open their home.

“We both want to live the ‘radical’ life that God has called us to live,” Angela says. “In Mark 1:16-18, Jesus called the disciples and ‘at once they left their nets and followed him.’ In December of 2011, I saw an older woman at church with three young children, who I knew were not her biological kids. This image stayed with me when we left church that day, and I told Samuel that I think we should foster. I mean, there were a million reasons not to: we had never been parents, we were busy with work, it would be hard.

But, I started praying that if it was what God wanted, he would open doors and work on our hearts.”

Shortly after, Samuel started working in a school. One day, he reported online a child showing signs of abuse. He heard the sad truth: if the child is fed, clothed and at school, then he’s doing ok. Samuel was told that there was a shortage of foster homes in Bowie County, and there wasn’t a

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September 2014

place for every child.

“When Samuel came home that night, he said, ‘I think we should do this.’ We Googled ‘how to be foster parents in Texas’ and found an interest meeting that January,” Angela says. “When we went to the interest meeting, we already had our paperwork filled out and ready to go; however, the long process afterwards really taught us patience.”

What happened next was nearly eight months of waiting. Angela and Samuel had a home study and completed parenting classes while waiting to be listed as an open home ready for children.

“At first, I was the total optimist.

I did not even think about the hard stuff,” Angela says. “I thought we would save the

world and save the kids. Why wouldn’t a kid be excited to get to stay with us? We are pretty cool and loving people, and I thought that we would get to be like the cool aunt and uncle for these kids. But, at the parenting classes, the reality finally hit me: these children are suddenly removed from their mommy and daddy. It doesn’t matter how much they have been neglected, or physically abused, or yelled at, or sexually abused, or how many times their parents have done drugs in front of them, or how many times they have seen ‘adult actions’ performed in front of them, or how many times they have had to care for their baby sibling because their parents are too drunk to wake up and get a bottle in the middle of the night. Those people who have been caring

for them are still their mom or dad. In the last two years of being a foster parent, I have done a lot of crying, but no more so than when my heart breaks for these kids and their situations. That is definitely the hardest part of fostering.”

Finally, on September 26, the Coston’s social worker arrived and said that they had been listed as an open home.

Though, normally, it takes a few days, if not weeks to get a placement.

“I think people are the most scared of fostering because they are scared they will get too attached, which is definitely a hard part of it,” Angela says. “But, they taught us in training to think of ourselves as a way to help a family heal. These parents are people just like you and me who have made some mistakes, but unlike us, most of them don’t have a loving, caring support system. Samuel and I try to see ourselves as people who can take care of these kids for a short time while the parents get help for their addictions or obtain stable housing. When you think about it that way, you don’t kill yourself getting attached to every kid who comes into the home. We knew going into this that our goal was not to take kids away from parents; instead we want to be a ‘band-aid’ for families.”

The very next day after being listed as an open home, Angela got a call at work asking if they could take a one-dayold baby.

“God has such a funny sense of humor,” Angela says. “Here I am, running around the school trying to find Samuel to ask him about a one-day-old baby when we were definitely not prepared for a baby. We didn’t know the first things about babies; in fact, we had requested children ages 5-10.

We didn’t own a crib, toys, clothes or have any time off from work. We also did not have a place to keep the baby while we worked. It seemed impossible at first.”

However, one of Angela and Samuel’s friends, Laura, who had gotten CPR certified with them in case she ever needed to babysit, said that since she was a stay-at-home mom, she would keep the baby.

“Without Laura, we never would

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have been able to take the baby,” Angela says. “Honestly, without the support of our co-workers, family, and friends, none of this would have been possible. We agreed to take the baby, and by the next day, coworkers brought Samuel clothes, a crib, and supplies we needed to get started.

Everyone really stepped up. I have to admit that before that, I was starting to feel discouraged. When you are passionate about something, you want everyone to be passionate about it, and I felt like no one was really helping with this great need in our community. But, when I saw all the support that people gave us, I knew that people would help however they could.”

On September 28, Angela took the day off and two women from CPS brought the baby boy to her house.

“That is the strangest phenomenon I have ever been a part of. Two ladies showed up at my house with a tiny baby. I signed some papers, received discharge orders from the hospital, and they left. I had this baby all by myself,” Angela says. “I had no idea the journey that we were starting on in that moment. God’s plan was so much different than ours, and I can’t even begin to explain how much greater His plan is than ours was.”

Over the next several months, Angela and Samuel watched the baby, Trent,

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September 2014

grow and change. Sadly, Trent’s biological mom lost her visitation rights, and the Coston’s case worker asked them if they would consider adopting Trent.

“It’s amazing, looking back, how God was working when we took Trent into our home. Samuel and I were planning to only foster, but we got certified to foster and adopt just in case we ever got a newborn, just in case we had that baby for a long time, and just in case the parents’ rights were terminated; God laughed at our “just in case’s,” Angela says. “Our case worker listed us as an open foster home before coming to our house on September 26 at 4:00 p.m. It just so happens that a sweet little baby boy was born at around 2:30 p.m. on September 26 and would need a home. Finally, if things had worked out according to our timing, we would have been licensed foster parents at the end of May and would have probably already had a full house by the time September 26 rolled around. Through this whole process we learned that God’s timing is ALWAYS better than ours.”

Eventually, Trent’s biological mom’s parental rights were also terminated.

“Samuel and I cried over that even though we loved him and wanted to keep him,” Angela says. “Those rights being terminated means that someone else’s life was beyond repair. God’s plan is for these families to be together. Most people say that they could never ‘give a child back’ but knowing that child is never going home is heartbreaking.

Those people are still their mom and dad, and one day, that child will know that they have been abandoned.”

Samuel and Angela started the adoption process for Trent, but nearly gave up hope when a relative said that they were petitioning for custody.

“Even though we knew that we were just a band-aid for this family, we were attached, and it was so hard to think of letting him go,” Angela says. “However, we kept loving and caring for this growing baby boy. We knew that no matter if he ended up with the relative or his parents or with us, God is and always will be in control.”

After some time, it was decided that the relative could not provide a stable home for Trent, and on January 10, the Costons officially adopted him. They are also continuing to foster and have been home to a fourteen-month-old, a seven-year-old and a thirteen-year-old.

“The best part about being a foster parent is seeing these kids grow and improve,”Angela says. “When one of our placements first came to us, he really did not want to go to church. He was the last one out of the car on Sundays, but now he’s out the door before we can park. He went on his first youth camp this summer, and though he hated us pushing him to do his homework, he told Samuel and I that this was the first summer he didn’t have to go to summer school. Little things like that make it all worth it.”

Two days after this interview, the Coston’s seven-year-old foster was moved closer to his family.

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“Even in all our heartbreak over the past two years, all of our crying, Samuel and I are adults, and we can handle heartbreak,” Angela says. “Though we might feel some pain at saying ‘goodbye,’ we would much rather take that burden from these innocent children who have already been through so much at such a young age.”

Spreading the word about foster care is now the couple’s passion. Samuel is president of the Foster Parent Association in Bowie County, and the couple has just recently helped launch a new ministry at Beech Street First Baptist Church called For the Sake of One. “This has been a dream of mine for two years, and I had to get over my own fear of starting something,” Angela says. “I’ve said it before; I’m not a planner. I’m a dreamer. I’m not good with details, but I have a really great team that is working with me on For the Sake of One. God is using that group to make this a reality.”

Last month the ministry launched its first program to provide backpacks filled with school supplies for foster kids. There were over 20 backpacks, and by the second church service, they were all claimed. These 20 backpacks cover ever kid placed in Bowie County.

“I don’t think people realized the depth of this need in our community,” Angela says. “But, when we started to spread the word, I was so amazed at the response we got. The Texarkana community is a great one, and I know that people will want to help when they see an opportunity.”

For the Sake of One will include several ministries. First, they want to provide a resource room at Beech Street for foster families that would supply free clothing, books, toys and basic items.

“I think fostering has gotten a bad reputation in the media,” Angela says. “We always see those stories of people who foster for the money. Unfortunately, there are people out there that abuse

every system, but the truth of the matter is in Bowie County most foster families only receive a minimal amount of money each day to take care of these kids, and in Miller County, it’s even less. Not only that, but it takes a month to get any aid, so these families need something to help them get started when they get a call that a child is coming to them.”

The ministry will also include a mentorship program for biological parents whose children are placed in foster care to help with rehabilitation, a foster family support group that will plan outings to give families a chance to bond, and an Adopt a Caseworker Program.

“These employees are overworked and underpaid.

They are always on call and have to deal with a lot of hard, heavy things,” Angela says. “Our goal is to build a relationship with them and let them know that someone cares about them and supports them.”

Finally, the ministry hopes to recruit at least 10 more foster homes in Bowie County in the next three years.

“This ministry is really a culmination of everything that Samuel and I have experienced throughout the process of becoming foster parents,” Angela says. “I know that God will use it to do great things in our community. Throughout this whole experience, Samuel and I have learned to trust in God and not make our own plans. If you trust in Him, even though it may not happen the way you thought it would, God’s plan is always better and bigger than our own. He will work out all the details.”

For more information about how to foster in Texas, please call Erica Stephenson (903-791-3277) or email her at erica.stephenson@dfps. state.tx.us.

For more information about how to get involved in For the Sake of One, please email forthesakeofonetexarkana@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/forthesakeofonetexarkana

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With a love for horses, it’s no wonder that Destinee Brown is the 2014 Miss Four States Fair and Rodeo Queen. But don’t think this beautiful young lady is all beauty and no brain! After graduating from Redwater High School, Destinee obtained her RN from Texarkana College and is now working full time in nursing resources at CHRISTUS St. Michael’s hospital. She is also preparing to attend Texas A&M in the fall to finish up her bachelor’s degree.

Even with a full time job and pursuing her bachelor’s degree, Destinee, 22, still finds time to do what she loves. In her spare time, you will find her at the Boots and Saddles riding her horse, or practicing for barrel racing. It’s hard to believe, that even with such a busy schedule, this hardworking, modern-day cowgirl/college student holds down a second, somewhat more glamorous job as a rodeo queen.

Growing up, Destinee was not immediately introduced to horses.

“Nobody in my family rides, but I was the typical kid and I wanted a horse,” Destinee recalls. She remembers begging her mom, Vicki Brown, regularly to put her in riding lessons, and more importantly, to buy her a horse. Her mom always responded that it was too big a responsibility for such a young girl. After much

convincing, Destinee’s mom gave in.

She told her if she did good in school and saved up her money, that she would help her buy a horse. Destinee did just that. At age 12, she got her first horse, a horse she still has, Amera Bella.

It was not long after purchasing her first horse that Destinee got involved in barrel racing and in 2010 entered and won her first rodeo pageant. “I liked the bling, in fact I still do,” Destinee explains, “this way I get the best of both worlds; I get to ride and wear the flashy uniform.”

At 22, Destinee already has many Rodeo Queen titles under her belt.

In 2010 she won both Naples and New Boston Rodeo Queen, Little River Rodeo Queen in 2011, in 2012 she won the title of Mount Pleasant Rodeo Queen and the United Pro Rodeo Association Queen in 2013.

It was now time for Destinee to try for a hometown title, “I really wanted to represent my hometown of Texarkana,” she says.

“Growing up, I always dreamed of being Four States Rodeo Queen but never really thought that I would ever get the honor of promoting my hometown rodeo association,” Destinee recalls. Even when preparing for the pageant, she says, “It was a toss up whether I would win or not.” Destinee’s best friend was September 2014

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37

also competing in the Four States Fair and Rodeo Pageant. In a way, it made for a much more fun experience for Destinee, “I got to compete with one of my friends who held the United Pro Rodeo Association title as well,” she explains. “She was great and I knew it was going to be a close contest, but going into it, I also knew it would be fun with her alongside,” she says. The final night of the rodeo, they crowned the new Four States Rodeo Queen, and in front of everybody, they called Destinee’s name out into the spotlight. “It was exciting and overwhelming. Everything happened so fast,” Destinee recalls. The feeling that she had finally achieved the title she had wanted since she was a kid was exhilarating. “All of the stress, hairspray and rhinestones paid off,” Destinee jokes.

As rodeo queen, Destinee has had the opportunity to travel more than 4,700 miles all across Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma meeting new people and seeing new places. This year alone she has represented her title at over 30 events including attending the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Fort Worth. She has definitely received great

Destinee (center), with your new 2015 Miss Four States Fair & Rodeo Queen Shelby Lowe (right) and your Teen Queen Caroline Macha (left)! Congrats, ladies!

experiences at such a young age, and most importantly, “I have made exciting memories and great friendships along the way,” Destinee says. “I encourage everyone to give it a shot, whatever they are hoping to achieve in life,” she explains. “If you want to do something, no matter what may be holding you back, go for it, work hard and it will pay off.”

Unfortunately Destinee had to give up her title August 16th to the new 2014 Miss Four States Fair and Rodeo Queen, but she will still get to ride in the 2014 rodeo September 17th through the 20th. She also had the opportunity to make a rodeo queen appearance at the Gala August 15th. “I enjoyed getting to experiencing this year’s gala as a queen,” she explains. The gala included a style show by Boot Barn, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. All money received from the gala went to the scholarship fund for the new queen. Commercial National Bank sponsors the contest. If interested in knowing more about the Four States Fair and Rodeo Queen Pageant Contest or finding out how to enter for next years contest, you can visit their Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/fourstatesrodeoqueen or their website at http://www. fourstatesfair.com.

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Be Cool It’s funny that here we are in late summer, we have only had a couple of days of temps over 100 degrees and I’m not sure the fish have gotten into a normal summertime pattern. I don’t think the water temps around here have reached 90 degrees and for sure the bass have not moved into the pads, moss, eel grass or pond weed like they normally do. Sure, there are some bass in the vegetation, but it seems to be kind of hit or miss and you can’t rely on a hit or miss pattern in a tournament or even just fun fishing.

As we know the type of vegetation mentioned produces oxygen on sunny days and that makes the water in and around it more desirable to both predator and prey

42

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September 2014

because of the increased oxygen levels, which helps us pinpoint places that are likely to produce fish. Vegetation with wind blowing on it can be a real bonus. When you find those conditions, a spinnerbait, frog or a topwater are the baits of choice, with a lizard or tube as backups.

In my opinion pads, etc., are much more productive after the water temps go above 85 degrees. This is because warmer water holds less oxygen than cooler water, so bass will move to the more optimum conditions, with the first and most important being oxygen. But with the mild summer we have had, this pattern has not set up everywhere and we may have to wait till next year.

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CHUCK SANDERSON

Outdoors

by Chuck Sanderson chuckoutdoors@gmail.com

T

hat magical day is upon us again. For those who love the outdoors already know that September 1st is a special day. It marks the first open season of the year and our first chance to put on camo to hunt again.

stay locally. The temperatures while warm have not gotten over 100, forcing the doves further north. In addition the wet spring and summer has meant a boon for nesting pairs as well. The green grasses and weeds have produced plenty of seeds to feed on and raise their brood.

Most hunters chasing the speedy fliers would do well with a little practice with their favorite dove gun and load. In the early season most hunters head out with 7 1/2 shot loads. In the later seasons around Christmas, I have found it necessary and advisable to switch to size 6 shot. The new late season doves moving south are the much larger cousins to our locally raised doves. Several times we have hunted ducks until they quit flying and then change shells and go hunt some late season doves during the Christmas seasons with great success. An added plus is you don’t sweat as much in December as you will in September.

While the Texas and Arkansas season openers are different dates, this week marks the opener for both states. Texas gets off the starting block with the traditional September 1st opening day. Last year Texas dove hunters led the nation with more than 250,000 hunters chasing the elusive little fliers. They harvested over 5 million doves, also the leading harvest nationally. While the North and Central Zones of Texas have the The use of motion decoys for ducks Sept 1st opener, the South and Special White can create an argument rather quickly as Wing Zones open two weekends later. The to their effectiveness. This does not hold Texas North and Central zones are divided true for dove hunting. I don’t know if the locally by Interstate 30. smaller brain or the desire for friends is higher in a dove. The bottom line is that the Arkansas always opens their season on motion decoys work and work very well. the first Saturday of September. This year While every dove hunter owns a few clip-on that Sat is the 6th. decoys for the branches around their set up, For those who want to hunt early you need I highly recommend a Mojo Dove or similar to be aware that hunting the Red River before spinning wing decoy or two. I have seen these motorized spinners draw doves from the Saturday, September 6th opener is not across fields looking like they are on a rope. legal. The dividing line between Texas and Frequently they will land faster than you can Arkansas is the southern brush line of the get a shot. river. That means that if you hunt before the 6th of September you cannot hunt anything past the southern brush line of the river, period, because you are in Arkansas. This is always an easy and very expensive ticket that can be handed out by the Arkansas Game Wardens. Don’t give your money away. Just wait until Saturday.

Locally the dove numbers are at their highest in years. The weather this year has allowed for high numbers of nesting pairs to 46

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September 2014

Now it is time to ruffle some feathers. To camo or not to camo, that is the question. I have always been in the camp that you wear full camo to include a face mask and gloves.

I have seen all too many times doves flair at the first movement of someone without good camo or with missing gloves and mask.

Doves are hard enough to hit on a good day. If you give them a chance to begin their darting, dropping and accelerations your chances decrease drastically. The lack of camo, especially in the face really accelerates

their escape maneuvers.

Let’s continue stirring the pot. A baseball cap is almost always counterproductive to dove hunting. I know lots of you are required to wear your favorite ball cap while hunting.

But just listen and see if this rings true. I took an elderly gentleman on a dove hunt a few years back. He was in our local gun club and was a crack shot at trap and skeet. His son lived in Houston and couldn’t take him out dove hunting locally. On our first morning hunt we sat over a newly mowed field. Doves were flying the field edge from left to right pretty consistently. He missed seeing every dove for the first 30 minutes due to his ball cap. He missed seeing them due to the brim limiting his visibility. One caveat is if you are looking into the sun and the cap is a must. But even then you will miss seeing birds overhead.

Dove season here locally technically lasts over 7 weeks. Those who hunt know that the first night near the mid-fifty degree range sends most local doves scurrying south rather quickly. If ever there was an animal to hunt opening weekend or week, this is it. Normally our dove season with good local numbers lasts 10-14 days before our temps drop. Then we are dependent on the doves up north dropping down and stopping for a rest.

A word on baiting. As doves are considered a migratory bird, they are protected by the State and Federal Game Wardens. Since my name is on top of this page I won’t say anything too harsh other than the Federal Game Wardens are pretty picky and hand out much more severe fines for violations of migratory birds. Bait is considered to be salt, grain or other feed, directly or indirectly placed, exposed, deposited, distributed or scattered, that could serve as a lure or attraction for migratory birds to, on or over any areas where hunters are attempting to take them. A baited area is any area on which bait has been placed, exposed, deposited, distributed or scattered so as to serve as a lure or attraction for migratory game birds to, on or over areas where hunters are attempting to take them.

Hunting Seasons

Any such area will remain a baited area for ten days following the complete removal of all bait.

ARKANSAS

So now that you are all read up on the dictionary definitions, here is where you get in trouble. Your buddy planted winter wheat last week on his field. Instead of the 50-100 pounds of wheat per acre, he top coated his field with 300 pounds per acre and didn’t drag it in.

The relatively new gotcha to the rules is that even if you didn’t bait the site or even if you say you didn’t know it was baited you are guilty.

Be careful here. Since they migrate and are covered under Federal Migratory Bird jurisdictions, you can lose more than money here.

Guns and gear disappear pretty fast when you get tagged.

Dove

Sep 06-Oct 25, Dec 20- Jan 08 Deer Zones 14-15 Archery Sep 27-Feb 28 Muzzleloader Oct 18-26, Dec 13-15 Youth Nov 01-02, Jan 03-04 Gun Nov 08-Dec 07 Christmas Dec 26-28

This next story broke my heart. A guy who I have known for years caught me in mid-September a few years back. He had just returned from a dove hunt to South-Central Texas with his grandkid. He was bragging how he and his grandson had taken 74 doves the first day and 89 the second day. I know he knew the rules as he was in the hunting business. But he passed this on to his grandson as a normal practice. The daily bag limit locally is 15 dove per day. After the second day of the season you may possess 3 daily limits. The exception is the Eurasian Collared Dove. You can shoot as many of these as you can as they are an invasive species. Look online and make sure you know what you are shooting at.

Teal

Sep 13-28

TEXAS Dove

North and Central Zone Sep 01-Oct 20, Dec 19-Jan 07 South Zone Sep 19-Oct 20, Dec 19-Jan 25 Special White Wing Sep 19-Oct 20, Dec 19-Jan 21

Here is to you having a fun and safe hunt. Take a kid with you.

Dove hunting is great for kids as you don’t need to be super still or quiet and there is generally a lot of action. Even if they cannot shoot or shoot well someone can let them claim a bird or two that they got close to. Plus they make great bird fetchers when they get bored hunting.

Teal

Sep 13-28

Deer

Archery Sep 27-Oct 31 Youth Oct 25-26, Jan 05-18 General North Zone Nov 01-Jan 04 Muzzleloader Jan 05-18

Chuck Sanderson hunts and fishes just about every animal with bow, rifle and muzzleloader. He has been an Outdoor writer and columnist for 12 years and has hosted an Outdoors show on ESPN for nearly 6 years.

Squirrel Oct 01-Feb 22

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O.M.G. Lulu

O.M.G. Lulu

Southern Glamour

Fall means Football in the South...

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Weekend Getaway Gayle’s

Southern Glamour

Purple Amulet

We proudly carry boots by , Salon and Boutique 930 N Mccoy Blvd Suite 6 New Boston, Texas 75570 (903) 628-6135 facebook.com/ATotalChange

SameSpirit Jewelry & SureShot Jewelry.

F.R.O.G. Fully Relying On God

Fan Fare September 2014

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903.336.6167 3006

Open Window

Richmond Road

Texarkana, Tx

Never let anyone dull your sparkle.

Summer to Fall Abby Gayle’s

Flanagan’s Shenanigans

Gayle’s

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Southern Glamour Open Window 3003 Richmond Rd Ste C, Texarkana, TX | (903) 838-0019

Flanagan’s Shenanigans

For the love of Vintage

A Total Change September 2014

www.alt-mag.com

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Cozy Chic

Tryst

Abby Gayle’s

Abby Gayle’s 60

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Knuckleheads and Prissy Tails LK’s Closet LK’s Closet

O.M.G. Lulu

Knuckleheads and Prissy Tails

Back to School

Blues

Sassy Seconds

Get your knuckleheads & Prissy Tails Game Day Glammed with custom jerseys and all our football favs!

2011 Mall Drive, Suite C, Texarkana, TX | (903) 276-3669 September 2014

www.alt-mag.com

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SASSY SECONDS

LK’s Closet

Resale & Consignment Boutique 3003 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 903-223-5586

Visit Us On Facebook: Gina Case

Knuckleheads and Prissy Tails

Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner...

Oh Baby 62

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Knuckleheads and Prissy Tails

O.M.G. Lulu

212 south main Hope, Arkansas (870) 729-9432 visit us on facebook

LK’s Closet

www.facebook.com/pages/ LKS-Closet

Oh Baby

F A L Oh Baby

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LK’s Closet

Special thanks to the Hilton Garden Inn and Texarkana Convention Center for a wonderful venue for our fall fashion shoot!

September 2014

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Fall into Fashion

Monday mornings are frantic battles of packing a lunch, getting the kids ready for school, getting dressed for work and hustling out the door. This routine carries throughout the week for many, then Friday night rolls around. Fall in the south means football. Once the work week and school week are over, it’s tailgate time; it is all about rooting for a favorite high school, college or NFL team and of course, for any Southern Belle, dressing the part is very important. The chilling breeze carries the sounds of fans cheering on their favorite teams and smell of hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill stream through the air. It is time to kick off the office and classroom attire and doll up in your team colors. Whether your looking to transition from summer to fall, the classroom to the office or tailgates to football games, these boutiques have you covered.

Thank you to all our boutiques who participated!

Abby Gayle’s

Oh Baby!

The Cracked Pearl

OMG Lulu

Prepare to fall in love with Abby Gayle’s first day approved jewelry and apparel, fit for a true southern belle. This women’s boutique proudly carries sought after brands like Judith March, Free People, Karlie, Kendra Scott, 7 For All Mankind and many more. This store’s passion for fashion is evident through its vast collection of styles and classic trends to help you get through any school day or work week.

Simple. Edgy. Southern. Chic. This boutique has it all. TCP specializes in filling its shelves with on trend merchandise for ladies of all ages at a price suitable for all budgets. You can’t help but fall head over heels (or should we say, boots) for the exclusive lines carried at this southern fashion house. If you’re looking to standout at your next tailgate, they have the perfect outfit paired with any of their exclusive Bodacious Boots.

This ladies and tweens boutique has a fashion sense larger than the state of Texas! Their racks boast brands such as Miss Me, Big Star, Corral Boots, ATX Mafia and the list goes on. The patriotism and power behind their clothing will make every woman, teen and girl be able to strut down the halls, into the office or to the football game with confidence.

Purple Amulet

Fan Fare

E-mails, meetings and deadlines can be hectic, but dressing your best shouldn’t be! Get a great office look at Fan Fare. Fan Fare carries a wide variety of gifts, with brands available from Vera Bradley, Pandora Jewelry, Brighton and Arthur Court. Oh, and as Southern women, we all know the rule. Monogram everything. Fan Fare can monogram or engrave your selection for premiere personalization! Get the kids back to school ready with monogrammed back packs, lunch boxes and more at Fan Fare.

Flanagan’s Shenanigans

Did someone say tailgate? Flanagan’s Shenanigans is sure to have just what you need to for the perfect gameday look! From school bus to party bus, student’s, teachers, conferences and girl’s night out, this boutique is sure to have you dressed up to the T. From maxis and wedges to cut offs and boots, you will definitely be able to find just what you need at this trendy boutique.

Gayle’s

This women’s boutique has the total package of class and sass. The sophisticated style shining through its doors has just what every woman needs for a great office look or weekend getaway. From PTA to office meetings and tailgates to cocktail parties, Gayle’s has you just the thing to suit your look. Gayle’s carries world renowned brands such as Joseph Ribkoff, Laundry, Brighton and Kendra Scott to keep you looking fashionable and feeling fabulous.

Teens and woman can dress to impress at Purple Amulet boutique. Their style gets an A+ and will have any girl ready for the classroom or conference room.

With fashions from designers such as Desigual, Mavi and Ryan Richard, The Purple Amulet has just what you need for back to school.

Sassy Seconds

Want “name brand” clothes, shoes and accessories but don’t want to pay “designer” prices? This boutique is perfect for you. With brands like Vera Bradley, Miss Me and Louis Vuitton, they are sure to have perfect back to school items at a price you can’t pass up.

Southern Glamour

Fall in the South is Southern Glamour’s speciality. Get ready to be the belle of the tailgate with their trendy looks. From clay jewelry and sequins to game day favs and lace, this boutique has something for every southern lady.

The Open Window

Freedom and opportunity blow through this boutique and seem to seep into its fashion. Their styles reflect an old soul, a ‘Free Bird’ even. A perfect combination of bohemian babe and country chic, The Open Window generates a style that no other can replicate. From classroom to stadium, their fall fashions are sure to rock every moment.

A Total Change

Knucklehead’s n Prissy Tails

This kid-friendly boutique is not only fun to shop in, but the tween styles available at this shop are perfect to get your fashionista ready for the science lab or art class. Comfort meets sass at this boutique. Their styles are light-hearted and carefree, just as kids should be.

LK’s Closet

Shopping for a baby gift should be as inspiring and exciting as receiving one.

Because having incredible taste should never be sacrificed. Because creating a cozy, chic and baby-friendly environment is your most important job. And football fans, don’t fret, they carry the perfect backpacks, carry-alls, and many more mommy approved Petunia Pickle Bottom totes for all your tailgate and gameday needs.

We couldn’t resist fun outfits for girls, boys, and tweens from LK’s Closet! This boutique is your go-to for high-quality children’s clothing. Their clothes are hip, unique, fashion forward and ultra-trendy. With styles like this the kids will be in a ready to hit the books or the field! Also be sure to check out the many gifts and accessories from bows to back packs to send your little one back to school in style!

Looking for that perfect combination of rocker and glam? A Total Change is your place! With brands such as Lane boots, Minnetonka and Dusty Rocker, they are sure to have something for the rockstar and the cowgirl and everyone in between! Whether it’s back to school, ball game or night on the town, this boutique has just what you need.

Tryst

This upscale boutique caters to both men and women, offering the most up and coming fashions with lines you won’t be able to find anywhere else. Their fun, free-spirited style is down to Earth and impossible to resist. Whether you are searching for the perfect Hudson tailgate jeans, sassy Doncaster office attire or just a great summer to fall transition staple from Sanctuary Clothing or Michael Lauren, Tryst is the place to find that special something.

Thanks to all of our wonderful models for their participation:

Kelsi Ayers, Debbie Brower, Eva Dennis, Kendal Dockery, Madison Dudley, Emma Case, Haley Franks, Skylar Huddleston, Hayley Hughes, Katie Johns, Jace Johnson, Klancy Johnson, Miranda Johnson, Michaelyn Liles, Alex Miller, Logan Morehead, Jennifer Tyree, Leah Tyree, Livi Tyree, Lexi Weaver, Christi Whitlock, Graham Whitlock, Grayson Whitlock and Lynnley Whitlock.

64 ALT Magazine September 2014

REAL LIFE LEARNING COUNTS AT A&M TEXARKANA WORDS BY LISA MYERS

The knowledge that you have gained outside the classroom is extremely valuable.

At A&M-Texarkana, we have a process for turning this learning from professional experience into academic credit. You can save time and money on earning your degree and discover the importance of your life and job experience while doing so.

There are many types of learning that can be evaluated: • Work experience and job skills •

Employer training programs

•

Military service

•

Independent study

•

Volunteer or community service

•

Open source courseware study

•

Other training or skills

Beginning this fall, A&M-Texarkana will be partnering with LearningCounts©, an online program managed by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), to improve and extend our adult-focused Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) program.

In the past, we have provided students with the guidance and structure needed to prepare Learning Portfolios that reflect the knowledge and expertise learned outside of the classroom.

These portfolios enabled adult students to earn up to 24 hours of course credit, but the credit was general, elective credit. Now, by partnering with CAEL, we will be able to offer students coursespecific credit for upper and lower division courses. This means if you have a firm grasp of a particular course’s content, you now may develop a portfolio demonstrating that knowledge and receive credit for that specific course. The course will be listed on your transcript, the credit is transferable, and you still save time and money in completing your degree.

So if you are…

• an accomplished adult needing to complete your degree so you can advance in your career field 66

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• a former college student who wants to finish what you started but do not want to start over • a member of the military interested in converting your military training into college credit • a skilled person who wants to earn credentials for what you already know • an adult learner looking for a degree that works with the demands of adulthood • a mature adult who has worked in fields involving higher-level, complex interactions and operations • a leader of volunteer service work who has gained college-level skills and knowledge through the process • a qualified technician who has acquired certification/credit from industry/public service training programs • a recipient of an associate’s degree who is ready to earn a bachelor’s degree A&M-Texarkana’s BAAS program is just what you’ve been looking for.

Why This Program?

In the BAAS program, you get to learn alongside people just like you. People who didn’t go to college right out of high school. People who attend college part-time. People who work full-time and raise families. People who are raising children on their own while attending school. In fact, people like you – they call them non-traditionals – make up 73% of all undergraduates! In other words, you’re not going to stick out at A&M-Texarkana. You’ll be right at home.

There’s also the matter of maximizing learning in areas that interest you while minimizing cost and time. Each student who enters the BAAS program receives a customized degree plan suited to his/her career interests. Also, because the program recognizes prior learning,

the number of classes required to obtain a degree are significantly reduced, resulting in less time and money spent on earning your degree.

Not convinced, yet? With the BAAS program, you can increase your career advancement prospects. In fact, non-traditional programs like the BAAS have catapulted people into high ranking, influential positions in their career fields. While doing so, you also escalate your ability to make a significantly higher salary. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people who have a bachelor’s degree earn 50% more than the annual salary of someone with just a high school diploma.

While advancing your own prospects, you’ll be working with a faculty who understand your needs. BAAS faculty are skilled adult educators, and we realize and appreciate the learning you bring to the classroom. We’ll help you build a flexible learning plan that accommodates your life and schedule, a plan that works with your life, not against it. Evening, weekend and online courses go a long way in helping us accomplish this.

The most important aspect of the BAAS program, however, is that it provides a path for personal achievement. Earning your bachelor’s degree brings a sense of fulfillment and confidence that transforms you into a person who is empowered to accomplish hopes, dreams, and goals.

College credit for what you already know, flexible scheduling, accommodating faculty, increased salary potential, career advancement, and personal achievement - all in a customized plan that saves you time and money. That kind of opportunity, in anybody’s book, is called a win-win!

Please check out our webpage at tamut.edu/Adult.html for more information, and don’t miss out on a great opportunity to earn college credit for what you have already accomplished and know.

Lisa Myers is a clinical faculty member at A&M-Texarkana and the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) Program Coordinator.

She may be reached at lisa.myers@tamut.edu or 903-223-3133. For more information about the program, please visit tamut.edu/Adult.html

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Medical Grade Diamond Fusion Microdermabrasion Aruba Air Brushing Tanning

Tuesday-Friday: 10am-6pm September 2014

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Find us on

Submitted by Dustin Stringer Stringer Wealth Management LPL Financial www.stringerwealthmanagement.net

Failure to Launch: Get your kids out of your 401(c)!

Mary Stewart and her husband refer to themselves as “under protective” parents. They taught their kids to be financially independent but their daughter Abbie landed back home after finishing school. After a month of watching TV all day, Mary gave Abbie an ultimatum to “get a job, go to school or find a new place to live.” A month later, her daughter was employed.

The Stewarts’ mix of support and tough love isn’t the norm. When grown kids struggle to launch, some anxious, middle-aged mothers and fathers may fall into the parent trap—overextending themselves and ravaging their 401(k)s.

The recession upped the number of boomerang children returning home because they either lost their jobs or couldn’t find one after graduating, said the U.S. Department of Education in a January 2014 study. An online survey by the National Endowment for Financial Education in 2011 found that almost 60 percent of parents provided some form of financial support to their children once they finished school. The price can be high. About 25 percent—one in four parents—said they’d taken on additional debt, 13 percent put off a major life events such as buying a house or taking a vacation and 7 percent were forced to delay their retirement.

How can you avoid the parent trap? Here are five ways to help the kids without depleting your savings.

1. Determine your own retirement needs—then calculate how much is left for college or kick-starting a child’s launch In her legal practice, Mary Stewart has witnessed what happens when parents ignore this financial planning fundamental, observing in some cases, “When they retire, they’re destitute, and their kids don’t help.”

to contribute to a Roth IRA and, if you can afford it, consider matching their contributions.

60% of parents provide financial support to their grown children.

Source: National Endowment for Financial Education survey This approach allowed the Stewarts’ children to land on their feet. But their mother admits she would have done one thing differently: no free room and board. “Once they get a job, they ramp up their lifestyle since they’re not paying for things and don’t feel they can move out,” she says. Instead, charge some rent and consider surprising them by returning it in the end. Even better—subsidize rent elsewhere, phasing it out as they become financially independent. Once kids learn to live within a budget, parents will be better positioned to ramp up their retirement savings.

It’s never too early to get financial advice. Contact your financial advisor to help you and your children get back on track. *This is not an actual client or client experience. This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your individual circumstances and results may vary.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

To determine which course of action may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor.

2. Avoid overextending yourself Students can take out loans if you’re unable to pay for all or part of college. They’ll have skin in the game and start establishing credit.

This material has been prepared by LPL Financial. A registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC. To the extent you are receiving investment advice from a separately registered independent investment advisor, please note that LPL Financial is not an affiliate of and makes no representation with respect to such entity.

3. Set clear limits When an adult child moves back in, spell out how long they can stay and what’s expected such as paying rent or chipping in for groceries and utilities.

Not FDIC or NCUA/NCUSIF Insured | No Bank or Credit Union Guarantee | May Lose Value Not Guaranteed by any Government Agency | Not a Bank/Credit Union Deposit

4. Provide a set amount of money It’s one way for kids to learn budgeting while covering necessities such as health and car insurance.

5. Foster the habit of saving When kids start working, encourage them 68

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September 2014

This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax or legal advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor.

Jim Sparks, Associate Financial Advisor, Stacey Martin, Branch Office Manager, and Dustin Stringer, AAMS, CEO

© 2014 LPL Financial LLC. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein has been prepared by and is proprietary to LPL Financial. It may be shared via social media in the exact form provided, in its entirety, with this copyright notice.

Enjoy

Resort Style Pools & Spas

Learn More on Facebook! www.bluecanyonpools.com

AT HOME

Serving all of the Ark-La-Tex and surrounding areas, including: Texarkana, Magnolia, Broken Bow, Mt. Pleasant, Longview and Tyler.

903.276.9999 jason@bluecanyonpools.com

TEMPLE MEMORIAL DRAW DOWN FOUR STATES FAIRGROUNDS

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1. Linda Williams, Jeaninne Walker and Lisa Dupree 2. Judie and Danny Rackley with Donna Burnett 3. Jennifer Young and Mark Townsend 4. Jessica Wright and Ann Bland 5. Alen and Ruth Segal 6. Johnston, Easton and Alexandra Webb 7. Robert and Linda Rankin 8. Anita Carver and Sandy Varner 9. Dan

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and Shirley Daniels 10. Mike and Lynn Murrah 11. Mike and Debbie Brower, Anita Carver 12. John and Lisa Dupree 13. Derrick and Gay Durrant 14.

Christopher Allen and Linda Smith 15. Tricia and Sans Wilson 16. Keith and Susan Culberson 17. Pam and Rick Lindsey 18. Brent and Jana Haltom 19.

Claire and Drew Wilson, William Wright 20. Kendal Dockery and Debbie Brower September 2014

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TASD COMMUNITY BREAKFAST HONORING LIFETIME RAZORBACK AWARD RECIPIENT ARKANSAS HIGH SCHOOL

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1. George Bell and Lifetime Razorback Award Recipient Kathleen Bell and grandchildren 2. Eva Nato and Carol Miller 3. Marguerite Hillier and Kimberly Bursey-Reece 4. Robin Hickerson, Leroy James and J.R. Arnold 5.

Jessie Buchanan, Jimmy Hickey, Shelby Brown and Vickie Lacy 6. Marvin Williams, Jennifer Lockman, Theresa Harper and Alfred Harper 7. Kathleen Bell and Robin Stover 8. Linda Gordon and Becky Kesler 9. Sarah Spears and Mikki Gaines 10. Skyla Thomas, Lori Hensley, Hanna Campbell, Lifetime Razorback Award Recipient Kathleen Bell, Kim Collins, Lindsey Gordon, Megan Meador and Holly Collins

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BACK TO SCHOOL THE COSMETOLOGY ACADEMY TEXARKANA PROVIDED FREE HAIRCUTS AND MANICURES FOR ALL THE CHILDREN ATTENDING THE SALVATION ARMY’S BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

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LITTLE PAWS RESCUE WORK DAY THANK YOU TO DARRAUGH CO., JOHN HARRIS CONSTRUCTION, MIKE BROWER, GOODING DECORATIVE CONCRETE AND ALT MAGAZINE FOR YOUR DONATIONS!

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1. Jaclyn Gooding and Amy Steed 2. Marshall Gooding 3. Jason and Karen Goodwin 4. Newly moved and cleaned up kennels 5.

David Melson and Marshall Gooding hard at work 6. David Melson September 2014

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BACK TO SCHOOL HEALTH FAIR FAITH ASSEMBLY OF GOD

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1. Smiles of Arkansas Dental Center 2. Fountain Therapeutic Center 3. Alma Gray, Brenda Kelley, Patricia Keener, Cecelia Jackson 4. Ruby Hildreth, Pastor Brian McDonald, Dianne Martin 5. Cice Summers, Trina Johnson, Patrice Phillips 6. Alma Gray, Patricia Keener, Michelle Walton, Cice Summers, Patrice Phillips, Melva Flowers, Dianne Martin, Carmelya Vaughn, Brenda Kelley, Cecelia Jackson; Seated – Trina Johnson and Ruby Hildreth 7. Recruiters for Texarkana College 8. Miller County Sheriff 9. Cecilia Satterwhite and grandson 10. Dr. Brad McAlister - Memorial Medical Clinic, Ashdown 11.

Dr. Katrina Do – AHEC, Texarkana AR 12-14. CC’s cosmetology, Becky Smith and Dude Watkins giving haircuts 15. Hard Hats for Kids – Texas Physicians Association sponsors this program to provide bicycle helmets to small children 16. Gideons – provided 600 bibles to Health Fair participants 17. Texarkana Fire Department 18. Arkansas Game and Fish – Robert Tibbit 19. Health Care Express 20-21.

Backpacks given out 22. Physicals: Teresa Bethel from Faith Assembly 23. Physicals: Teresa Mitchell, College Hill Elementary school nurse 24. Pam McDonald with some very happy and appreciative Health Fair participants 25. Pastor McDonald visiting in the haircutting line 26. Activities for the kids 27. Bible stories in the Kids Chapel 28. Bonnie Bennett, Marguerite Hillier and Alethea Doud

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BEAT THE HEAT, VENUS FREEZE EVENT BEAUTY AND WELLNESS CENTER

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1. Amy Yancey and Texarkana Outstanding Teen, Katey Santifer 2. David and Susan Whitten 3. Michelle May and Ashley Williams 4.

Janet Byram, Debbie Day and Jane Alford 5. Rhonda and Brooke Morrow 6. Tressa Garrett and Shelly Baber 7. Stacy Tidwell, James Solley, David and Susan Whitten 8. Susan Whitten, Gina Thomason and Janet Mosier 9. Sharron Parker 10. Diana Melton and Janet Mosier 11. Stacy Tidwell and Ashley Alexander 12. Kaitlyn and Kirk Keller, Kelli O’Neil and David Whitten

Eastex Dental Academy

“the building blocks needed for a quality dental assisting education”

90-95% Hands-On Training

4220 Texas Blvd. Texarkana, TX

Phone: 903.506.2136

www.eastexdentalacademy.com September 2014

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NEW SIGNATURE EVENT BENEFITTING THE ALZHEIMER’S ALLIANCE RED ROAD WINERY

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1. Cathy Van Herpen and John Ross 2. Diane McKinnon, Jeff Harlow, Lauren Romero and Gayle Wright 3. Lisa Davis and Terri Arnold 4. Food catered by Albert’s Meat Company 5. Lisa Thompson, Shirley Jaster - Exec. Dir. of Community & Public Works for City of Texarkana, Texas and John Whitson - City Manager 6. Signature Event: A Date To Remember - May 2, 2015 - Twice as Fine Texarkana Wine Festival; John Ross - President of Alzheimer’s Alliance 7. Jeff Carlow and Texarkana, Texas Mayor Bob Bruggeman 8. Blaze Lewis and JJ Vinci

Home of the Brave Littles Paw e Rescu

Give Sassy the furever home she’s been bravely waiting for.

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903.280.3083 | Karen Goodwin littlepawsrescue2013@gmail.com

assy S t e e M

donate. adopt. help save.

WE RESCUED

MEET LUCY

Katie first saw Lucy’s photo on Facebook and immediately contacted Little Paws Rescue; I (Beth) soon went to go meet Lucy in person. Lucy had been spayed that same morning and was brought to me wrapped in a blanket. She was so tiny and looked at Beth with pleading eyes. I took video of Lucy and sent to Katie. She was hooked! When Katie went to pick her up at the vet, it was the first time she’d seen her in person.

When the worker brought Lucy from the back, Lucy immediately grabbed Katie’s arm with her two front paws and would not let go. Once home, Lucy would keep her head on Katie’s shoulder, just like a newborn baby. In the beginning, Lucy would cower and walk with a tucked tail.

When she was put down, Lucy would hide under the bed and we could not get her out. Now, the only time she goes under the bed is when she thinks she’s in trouble. Within about three days, that tail was up in the air, wagging. Lucy was heartworm positive when she came to live with us and has successfully undergone treatment. We worried about her during the treatment and kept her as calm as we could. Thankfully, all of that is behind her now and we would do it all over again in a heartbeat! Lucy is such a joy to have in our home; she’s a cuddler and my fatherin-law loves to wrap her in a blanket and take a nap with her. We know she’s a happy girl as she smiles every day. There are also a lot of smiles from us as she constantly makes us happy too. Thank you to Little Paws Rescue for saving our sweet girl!September -Beth and2014 Katie Pesek www.alt-mag.com 77

Paw

Lend a

ADOPT A PET SEARCH ONLINE OR COME FOR A VISIT GIVE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE: MONEY, FOOD, ETC. DONATE VOLUNTEER COME GET INVOLVED: PLAY, WALK, LOVE OPEN YOUR HEART AND HOME: FOSTER AN ANIMAL FOSTER 78

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Current Shelter Needs: New Air Conditioning System Painting of Entire Shelter Bowls that attach to cages. www.amazon.com/ProSelect-Stainless-Steel-Cage-26-Ounce Kuranda Beds -- http://kuranda.com.

Bath Towels - New or used clean Wash Clothes - New or used clean Labor & equipment needed to Bush Hog back lot (less then 1/2 acre.)

Plumber to install sink.

Handyman to fix a few doors and some odds and ends.

6

Ongoing Needs: Laundry Detergent - Stronger the better Bleach - Can never have enough bleach Fans Flea & Tick shampoos - Adams preferred Baby shampoo. Tearless. Will use on head and faces of dogs with lots of hair.

Dog/Cat/Puppy/Kitten Food -- order from North Forty or Three Chicks Feed & Seed 8

September 2014

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LEGE N D A R Y The best birthday parties in town!

Welcoming church groups, businesses, families, friends, birthday parties and individuals!

Fun for everyone!

Of ferin Splatm g JT for age aster Group s 8-12! availab rates le f ages! or all

B Y A P P O I N T M E N T O N LY !

NO MINIMUM GROUP SIZE ON WEEKENDS!

9 0 3 . 2 7 7. 5 3 2 2

925 Brower Lane, Texarkana, TX 75501 info@legendaryshootingsports.com www.legendarypaintball.com 80 ALT Magazine September 2014

4 Playing Fields Fully Netted & Insured Gun Speed Tested Experienced Refs Shaded Picnic Area Private Parties Available

Spay & Neuter Whether you’ve recently adopted a pet or you’re considering it, one of the most important health decisions you’ll make is to spay or neuter your cat or dog.

Spaying—removing the ovaries and uterus of a female pet—is a veterinary procedure that requires minimal hospitalization and offers lifelong health benefits.

Neutering—removing the testicles of your male dog or cat—will vastly improve your pet’s behavior and keep him close to home.

Top 10 Reasons to Spay & Neuter Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.

Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life.

It is highly cost-effective.

Neutering provides major health benefits for your male.

Spaying and neutering your pet is good for the community.

Your pet doesn’t need to have a litter for your children to learn about the miracle of birth.

Your spayed female won’t go into heat.

Your male dog won’t want to roam away from home.

Your neutered male will be much better behaved.

Spaying and neutering helps fight pet overpopulation.

September 2014

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Summertime in the ArkLaTex Photo Contest 1.

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1. Stripes is the pet of Kevin and Lynette Long (but being held in the pic by Kalen Long) 2. Henry Lee Green is the son of Amanda Green 3. JoAna Dew Lamon 4. Pet of Chris Lamon 5. Socks is the pet of Ashley, Jason and (sitting on top of him in picture) Abigail 6. Little D is the puppy baby of Becky Ford, napping with Shelby Jo

Billiard Maintenance

Marshall Gooding - 903.277.0307

Over a Decade of Experience.

. Leveling . Felt Replacement . Cushion Replacement . Generic Repair . Moving September 2014

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ALT Cutest Pet Contest 1.

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1. Lilly is the daughter of Kimberly Williams 2. Merlin is the son of Sue Ellen Hall 3. Georgia Smith is the son of Terry and Cathy Smith 4. Da Bunny is the son of Jane Portis 5. Shooter is the son of Terri and Terry Tussey 6. Bruiser Barkley Reyenga is the son of Cynthia and Ricky Reyenga 7. Sophie is the daughter of Kayden Belanger 8. Bailey is the daughter of Jenny Rodriguez 9. Daisy May is the daughter of Sarah Wall 10. Winston is the son of Matthew Malaby 11. Franco is the son of Randy Kirschstein 12. Dusty is the son of Ginger Turpen 13.

Bella and Tank are the puppy kids, along with daughter Adisynn Vivion, of Chaz and Laura Vivion 84

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PENNY’S

TWO RESCUES WORDS BY DIANNE HAND, TEXARKANA ANIMAL LEAGUE

On August 23, 2013, my husband, Jim, and I went to the Mt. Pleasant, Texas, shelter to pick up two little dogs for PASSION FOR POOCHES Rescue who had been owner surrendered. One was a schnauzer mix and the other, a little 14 pound Doxie/Papillon mix that I later named Penny. When we arrived the other one had already been adopted and Penny was all alone. She was hiding in the back of a small cage and scared to death. I was warned that Penny was very fearful and that she might be aggressive and because of this, she was on the euthanasia list for later that day. I reached in, wrapped my arm around her and pulled her out. She immediately clung to me for dear life. We took her home and began to evaluate her. She definitely had trust issues with people and who could blame her? She had just been “dumped” by the person she knew and trusted her whole life. We got her vetted and spayed and immediately began trying to teach her to trust people again. For the first two weeks she wouldn’t eat and was very scared if anyone approached her, but finally she began eating, playing, running around with my other foster dogs and became very loving towards Jim and I. When we thought she was ready, we took her to several adoption events but she remained fearful, always staying back behind the other dogs. Months passed and Penny grew closer and closer to us, and I fell head over heels in love with her. When her two little foster buddies got adopted she seemed 86

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it frustrated him that she dug holes faster than he could cover them up, so I continued looking for her forever home.

sad being alone so I let her start sleeping in bed with us. Gradually she worked her way up to my pillow and that’s where she slept every night. The thought of adopting Penny out was killing me. I didn’t know how I could ever give her up. Jim and I talked about the prospect of us adopting her ourselves but even though I knew Jim loved her, Penny was a “digger” and Jim just couldn’t get past that. He had spent a lot of time and money on maintaining our yard and

As sweet as Penny was, she still had issues with trusting adults except for the two of us, so I made the heart-wrenching decision to let her go to one of our foster moms that has children. Penny loves kids and I thought this might be the answer to her problem.

When we took her there on January 18, she seemed relaxed and I felt like it was going to be a good experience. The next evening, as the children were coming in the front door, Penny darted out. She ran like crazy across a very busy street and disappeared, never looking back.

When I got the call, Jim and I jumped in the car to go search for her. It was dark and there was no sign of her anywhere. We gave up the search for the night, vowing to start again early the next morning. At home, I starting posting on Facebook that she was

missing and asking for everyone to be on the lookout for her. My heart was so heavy and I could barely type through the tears. I knew Penny would not take food from anyone or let anyone catch her and with the nighttime temperatures being in the teens, I feared that she would starve or freeze to death.

We had so many people helping us search. My Facebook posts were shared over and over and 500 fliers were hung and handed out. People that we didn’t even know would drive around and search and offer to help.

There was a reward offered for her safe return or for information that led to her return.

We had numerous reported sightings but none of them panned out. The people that saw her said she ran away from them quickly and was out of sight in seconds. We decided to set up a live trap near the library downtown where most of the sightings were reported. I would get up in the middle of the

night to check the trap because we were afraid if trapped she would freeze before morning. We tried everything we knew to try which included laying articles of my personal clothing out where she might recognize the scent and stay nearby. We even tried setting up a grill in that area and cooking bacon in hopes that the smell would coax her out.

We were determined not to give up on her even though I felt defeated each night as we returned home without her.

On January 30, we got the call that we had been praying for. Penny had been spotted by a young man staying at the homeless shelter and he still had her in sight. Jim rushed downtown to see if it was really her.

When he got there he sent me a text simply saying, IT’S HER! I immediately left work and headed downtown to see if I could get her to come to me and I called Carri Blackwood, another

dog foster, to see if she could meet me there and help. Before I got there the chase was on as she ran down the railroad track, into a ditch, and swam across a creek. Carri spotted her as she came out of the creek and managed to catch her as she darted under a parked car. She immediately called me and said “I HAVE HER!” I asked her to repeat what she said because I wasn’t sure I had just heard those words. I told her where I was and she brought Penny to me.

When she drove up and I saw her holding my Penny, I couldn’t believe my eyes. When she put her in my arms it was like a dream, a wonderful dream that I didn’t want to wake up from. Jim got in the car with me and I handed Penny over to him. Without either of us having to say a word, we knew that Penny was ours, then and forever! She had truly found her forever home. And believe it or not, Penny hardly digs at all anymore!

We are so thankful to all of the people that were instrumental in helping us find Penny.

The saying “it takes a village” is so true! The thoughts, the prayers, the hours of searching and the support from so many are what ultimately brought Penny home. A very special thanks goes to my sweet husband, who gave me the strength to keep going through it all, and spent every one of those eleven days doing everything he could to bring her home to me.

If you happen to be unfortunate and lose your pet, don’t give up! There’s ALWAYS hope!

Little Paws Rescue donate. adopt. help save.

Angel Eyes

903.280.3083 | Karen Goodwin littlepawsrescue2013@gmail.com September 2014

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WHO ELSE CAN HELP? ARKLATEX COCKER SPANIEL RESCUE www.facebook.com/ArklatexCockerSpanielRescue ARTEX ANIMAL WELFARE, INC. (mostly horses) - 903.824.1990

BOXER RESCUE OF TEXARKANA www.facebook.com/BoxerRescueOfTexarkana

Texarkana Humane Society

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1. CASPER is a handsome little Pom born in February, 2013 that was rescued from our local shelter. He is neutered, current on shots, heartworm negative and on preventive. He weighs a whopping 13 pounds and is housetrained, uses a doggie door, rides in car and gets along with other dogs. This little fella would be a great addition to your family. For more info call Sherrie at 903-838-6334.

2. DOBBY is a Chihuaha-mix born around February, 2013. He weighs 11 pounds, is neutered, fully vetted

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JEFF TARPLEY RESCUE (mostly Dachshunds) JeffTarpleyRescue.Petfinder.com on Facebook MUTTLEY CREW RESCUE (mostly German Shepherds)

ATLANTA ANIMAL LEAGUE www.facebook.com/AtlantaAnimalLeague

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FAITHFUL FRIENDS RESCUE www.facebook.com/FaithfulFriendsTXK

www.facebook.com/MuttleyCrewRescue POODLE PATCH www.facebook.com/ThePoodlePatch PASSION FOR POOCHES (mostly small dogs) www.facebook.com/passionforpooches

TEXARKANA ANIMAL LEAGUE www.facebook.com/TexarkanaAnimalLeague TEXARKANA REPTILE & AMPHIBIAN RESCUE www.facebook.com/TkReptileRescue TOBY’S TALES (mostly wildlife) www.facebook.com/Tobysname STRAY CAT ALLIANCE - TEXARKANA www.facebook.com/TexarkanaStrayCats

The Texarkana Humane Society is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to re-homing orphaned animals, promoting the human-animal bond, preventing animal cruelty, educating children and adults about responsible pet ownership and preventing pet overpopulation.

In order to reduce the number of unwanted animals and the euthanization of them at the shelter people need to spay/neuter their pets. The Texarkana Humane Society has a program to help individuals do this and urge everyone to get involved and tell your neighbor, family, and friends to be responsible and do their part in putting a stop to this problem here in our city. Have them contact us regarding our program. Call 903 838-6334 and we will be glad to help you.

For more information, contact Sherrie Thompson, President, at 903.838.6334, or go to www.texarkanahumanesociety.com. We’re also on Facebook!

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and microchipped. This little cutie gets along great with other dogs, cats and is housetrained. A fenced yard is required. For more info call Amanda at 419-466-4962.

3. Yes I am pretty! HONEY is a beautiful terrier mix and she is a year old. She is spayed, chipped and current on shots and is heartworm negative. This little lady weighs around 50 pounds. She rides great in the car, leash trained, gets along with other dogs and is house trained. Honey has been in obedience school and is passing with flying colors. For more info please call

Rebekkah at 903-838-3847. Fenced yard only.

4. Yes I can hear very well! This cute little fella weighs 8 pounds and is a ton of fun. ROMEO has had a rough start. When he came into rescue he was covered in fleas, ticks and was heartworm positive. Now he has 5 been treated for the heartworms, neutered, current on shots and microchipped. This little guy is house trained, great with dogs and cats and would be a great addition. For info call Amanda at 419-466-4962. Fenced yard required.

5. SASHA is a cute little Dachshund/Basset mix.

She was born in January, 2013, is spayed, current on shots, and microchipped. Sasha gets along great with kids and other dogs, rides well in the car and she is housetrained. She would be a great addition to any family. A FENCED YARD is required. For more info call Sherrie at 903-838-6334

AMMO

CEASAR

GARFUNKEL

PEACE

“We’re featuring some very sweet babies that desperately need good homes.

They are all VERY sweet. Please help!!!”

-Miss Bertha, Animal Care & Adoption Center

GUNNER

CANDY

You may have heard that there are some big changes taking place at the Animal Care and Adoption Center! Please stop by and see us!

The mission of the Animal Care & Adoption Center of Texarkana, Arkansas is to be a technologically advanced, self sustaining, human and animal friendly facility that specializes in personal customer service from a team of knowledgeable, caring individuals who endeavor to achieve rapid placement of all adoptable animals.

LOUIE

CASSIE

We are always in need of caring, capable volunteers to assist in with duties at the center, adoption events, fund-raising activities and more. If you would like to volunteer or find out more ways you can help please join our volunteer Facebook page: Volunteers for Texarkana Animal Shelter.

Your tax-deductible donation will help care for and assist in the adoption of loving animals to good homes! Please contact our Friends of the Shelter group to find out how you can help! www.facebook.com/friendsoftheshelter

Check out our facebook page to see who is waiting for the forever home: www.facebook. com/AnimalCareAdoptionTXK

VISION

BOBBY

The Animal Care & Adoption Center of Texarkana, Arkansas is located at 203 Harrison, Texarkana, AR, 71854. For more information, call 870.773.6388, or visit www.animalcareadoptioncenter.org.

We’re open Monday-Saturday from 10:00 - 5:00. (But, check our facebook pages for updates! Our hours will soon be extended to provide more time for adoptions!)

Please note, all dogs adopted from this shelter MUST be spayed or neutered. Spays cost $89$104, neuters are $76-$92 depending on the weight of the dog.

Little Paws Rescue

Little Paws Rescue is a small breed rescue, specializing in Chihuahuas, Poodles and Schnauzers. We accept owner surrenders and abandoned strays, as well as dogs from area animal shelters.

All dogs available for adoption from Little Paws Rescue have been vaccinated, spayed/neutered, have begun flea/tick and heartworm preventative, and have received medical care for any prevailing health condition.

For more information, contact Karen Goodwin: 903-280-3083; karengoodwin2004@msn.com; LittlePawsRescue2013@gmail.com; www.littlepaws-rescue. org; www.facebook.com/LittlePawsRescueTexarkana September 2014

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September Calendar of Events SEPTEMBER 6

SEPTEMBER 1

Turbo Day (ages 8-14) at Silvermoon on Broad. This is a ONE day ‘workshop’ from 9:30am - 3:00pm in which kids will brainstorm different ideas and characters that go along with our daily theme. They will create their own skit/song/scene as well as a costume piece and will perform for parents when they pick them up at the end of the day. This is a day full of fun and laughter all while getting ‘life training in disguise’ through theatre arts.

Cost is $40.

SEPTEMBER 5-14

Tex*Rep, You Community’s Theatre, presents the Tony Award winning 33 VARIATIONS, by Moises Kaufman.

The play parallels the lives of a modern day woman with ALS and the historic Ludwig van Beethoven as he composes the ‘33 Variations,’ his longest work for solo piano. Her quest to discover the reasons he spent so much time writing Variations on a small waltz by Anton Diabelli as she struggles with her illness, along with Beethoven’s quest to finish his work as he descends into madness and deafness will eventually unite the two very different periods in time. It is a beautiful and moving story with live accompaniment by Texarkana College’s own concert pianist, Mary Scott Goode. Beethoven will be played by Artist Director Michael Cooper. Other veterans of the stage and some newcomers will be a part of this unique production. Maggie Eldred will be playing the lead. Maggie was a part of Tex*Rep’s beginnings and played “Katherine” in the New Orleans production of 33 Variations which earned her a nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Drama for the New Orleans Big Easy Awards. Our very own Michael Cooper was also nominated for Best Director for a Drama and Chris Polson won the Big Easy Award for Best Set Designer. Tex*Rep is thrilled to bring this play to our very own stage here in Texarkana to share this story with our community. In the lobby before the show in the Stilwell Theatre, the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra and its conductor candidates for this year will have tables to promote their season and Tex*Rep has accepted the ICE BUCKET Challenge raising funds for ALS! Before each show, we will have a local celebrity get dunked! Show times are September 5th and 6th, 12th and 13th at 7:30 (Lobby activities start at 6:30) and Sunday matinees, September 7th and 14th start at 2:00 (Lobby activities start at 1:00).

SEPTEMBER 6

Texarkana Public Library welcomes Brannon Perkison back to East Texas to reveal his debut novel THE DO NOTHING. After a family dispute turns violent, seventeen-year-old John Sharpe flees, convinced he just murdered his own father. Wounded in his ill-fated police getaway, John disappears into the East Texas backwoods, hoping to evade the law and his own guilt. A finalist in the Unified Literary Contest and quarter-finalist for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, Brannon Perkison’s debut novel is an exciting, provocative road trip with reconciliation—or murder—at journey’s end.

Brannon Perkison was born in Hawaii in 1969, the Navy-brat son of an intelligence officer. He was brought up in the piney woods of East Texas and has also lived in Germany and Ohio before moving to Dallas, Texas in 1998. For twenty years he worked in the software and telecommunications industries, teaching tennis on the side and also helping his wife build her architecture business. Teens and adults will find much of interest in The Do Nothing. [342 pages, Rabbitboy Books, 2014, 978-0615980232] Available for advance purchase via Amazon.com. Also available for purchase at Texarkana Public Library during the book signing. 2:00pm to 4:00pm. For more information, 903-798-2149.

The Operation Christmas Child kick off rally will be held at Crossview Baptist Church, located at 3268 Fm-2148 N, Texarkana, TX 75503, at 6:00pm. For information call Billy and Carolyn Sparkman at 903-908-5585 or Gregg Boldebuck at 903-293-6318.

SEPTEMBER 12-21

Four States Fair and Rodeo.

SEPTEMBER 13

2nd Annual Amanda Fussell Woodman Memorial CASA Colorful 5K and Family Fun Run at Trinity Baptist Church Cross Country Trail. Registration for the run will begin at 8:00am. There will be an expanded children’s area this year, including bounce houses, rock wall climbing, cotton candy machine, face painting, etc. Also breakfast will be available for purchase. For more information, 903-792-1030.

SEPTEMBER 13

The Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation invites you to join us for our Passenger Pigeon Day from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. 2014 marks the centenary of the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon, which was once the most abundant bird in North America. The Welder Wildlife Foundation has developed Passenger Pigeon lessons that will mark this anniversary and promote the conservation of species and habitat. Our goal is to strengthen the relationship between people and nature, and foster the sustainable use of natural resources. Activities will include Passenger Pigeon education and hands-on activities, WWF museum and specimen collection tours and the opportunity to view our passenger pigeon specimens. Location: Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation, Sinton, TX – HWY 77 N. Fee: $5 per adult and Children entry fee is FREE. RSVP Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2014. For more information, 361-364-2643.

SEPTEMBER 18

Opera Classics by The Muses Gala Opera Troupe

at the Texarkana Regional Arts Center, Great Cabe Hall. The Muses will celebrate fall’s arrival with the first “Opera Classics,” concert as part of its Four Seasons in Art and Song Subscription Series. This concert marks the beginning of “The Muses Opera Week” that travels the state of Arkansas. “Opera Classics” will feature The Muses Gala Performance Troupe, eight talented professional singers and musicians from around the country performing some of their favorite arias, duets, and ensemble pieces from some of the world’s greatest operas: Carmen, La Traviata, La Boheme, Rigoletto, The Merry Widow, and of course, “Much Mozart” including The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni and Magic Flute. You don’t have to be an opera lover to enjoy this fast paced and entertaining presentation!

This concert, and these fantastic young performers, have been credited with creating full blown “opera fans” from audience members with no previous opera experience (or inclination to ever have any). And it is guaranteed, as well, to thrill the aficionado who lives for the next spinning high note, and graceful cadenza.

Strong handsome baritones, virile young tenors, striking sopranos, and gifted pianists take the stage to share their talents and passions with you. For more information, 903-792-8681.

SEPTEMBER 20

Pancake breakfast at Applebee’s to benefit the Animal Care and Adoption Center.

SEPTEMBER 20

Second Annual Matthew Gaines Suicide Walk of Texarkana at Bobby Ferguson Park. Registration at

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9:00am. Walk at 10:00am. Registration is free, and free bottled water and bread to feed the ducks will be provided as well. All ages welcome! We will have live entertainment

by Psychedelic Radio. Participants are welcome to bring a photo of loved ones for our memory wall, and also their own balloon to release. FB page for the walk is www.facebook.com/SuicidePreventionWalkTexarkana.

Sponsored by Walgreens

SEPTEMBER 20

Four States Auto Museum’s Cruise Nights. 4:00PM8:00PM. Free - open to the public! 3rd and Hazel, Texarkana, AR. Door Prizes, music, 50/50 drawing, concessions. All vehicles welcome! Family fun! For more info, 903-824-2722.

SEPTEMBER 21

Annual Younglife Sporting Clays Tournament, presented

by Guaranty Bank & Trust. Visit www.texarkana.younglife. org to register. 4 Person Teams ($400). Registration: 1:00pm. Start: 2:00pm. If interested in being a station sponsor or volunteering please contact Trish Reed at 903255-1331. For more information, 903-280-8781.

SEPTEMBER 26

T-Town Reunion Cruise at Cooper Service, 5320 N. StateLine, Texarkana, Ar., from 6:00 to 8:30pm. Free event open to all Antique, Classics, Muscle Cars & Street Rods. Features oldies music, door prizes and lots of family fun. For more information, (870)779-1655 or email Lcook33940@aol.com

SEPTEMBER 27

2014 Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech at Oak Park - Lake Wright Patman. Check in at 8:00am, walk at 9:00am. Register online at secure.apraxia-kids.org/ texarkanawalk. Walk-up registration at the event is always welcome. Pre-registration fees: Adults $20; Kids $10.

Day of the event: Adults $25, Kids $12. Prizes awarded to those who make the most money! For more information contact Carla Wood at carlap.wood@icloud.com or 903733-3323.

SEPTEMBER 27

DeKalb Oktoberfest is held the first Saturday in October of each year and in conjunction with Oktoberfest we have a “day in the park” which is held the last Saturday in September. This festival is put together by volunteers from the community and ALL of the funds from the two days are given back to the community. Last year we were able to donate over $23,000. Community recipients include the DeKalb Volunteer Fire Department, the Williams House Museum, the State Theatre, the Old DeKalb Cemetery, and DeKalb Hope as well as many other worthy organizations. For more information about the events and activities see our web site: www.dekalbtexasoktoberfest. com or visit our Facebook page: De Kalb Oktoberfest; and the race page: De Kalb Oktoberfest 5K Colorfest 2014.

SEPTEMBER 27

Karen’s Kause Foundation 4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament for the benefit of Bob Lundberg, Rebecca Duritsky and Patricia Crossno. Shotgun start 1:00pm. New Haven Golf Course. Four-Person 18 Hole Scramble. $100 per person. Steak dinner. Door prizes and awards. Live entertainment. For more information please contact us at karenskausefoundation@gmail.com or 903-733-4402.

OCTOBER 4

Pink U - Girl Scouts are teaming up with Susan G. Komen to host a health and wellness fair at Minton’s Sportsplex from 9:00am-12:30pm. Girls of all ages are encouraged to attend. Join us for zumba, healthy snacks and give-aways as we learn how to stay fit. Cost is $4/person. Call Emily at (870) 773-2151 for more information.

ooding G decorative concrete

See some of our recent work at the Vapor Spot at Stateline and 35th St.

Custom Pergolas Wood and Trex Decking Counter Tops Pet Feeders Custom Furniture Pressure Washing Acid Stains and Scoring Indoor/Outdoor Overlays

903.277.0307 www.goodingdc.com

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SPRING INTO A GREAT RATE! If you’re thinking of buying a home, call me first to learn how much you might be qualified to borrow. Knowing the amount you can afford can put you in a stronger position when you negotiate your purchase contract.

Even if another lender has provided a quote, call me. We’ll perform an apples-to-apples comparison to ensure you are receiving the best financing for your situation. This is a complimentary service so there’s nothing to lose—and the straight facts to gain.

Call today to find out how much you can afford.

Jason Cree Branch Manager NMLS #209270 AR #17523 903-223-5632 office 903-277-2726 mobile jcree@SWBC.com www.jasoncree.com

Ask for your complimentary home buying booklet today. © 2014. SWBC. All rights reserved. 8540-4742 0314. Loans are subject to credit and property approval. Certain restrictions may apply. Programs and guidelines are subject to change without notice. Rates are subject to change daily. SWBC Mortgage Corporation.

NMLS #9741. Corporate ofiice located at 9311 San Pedro, SUite 100, San Antonio, TX 78216.

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Providing exceptional service to Texarkana and surrounding area borrowers for more than 15 years.

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Home is in the Heart of it all

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Jan Williams Realtor 903-277-5771

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Karyn Baucum Realtor 903-278-3836

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