Four States Living Magazine January 2024 by fourstatesliving

About six years ago, Scarlett, who is now a registered dietician in Dallas, was THE WAY I SEE IT ... spending the weekend in Texarkana, and we were gaming it up. I remember her telling

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

us that she had been talking to a guy who she thought she was going to meet. Like most couples, they met on a dating app, and I was instantly concerned for her safety Robin Rogers, Ed.D. in meeting some rando at a coffee shop in the metroplex. I imagined Meg Ryan seeing the guy with the cape in the coffee shop instead of Tom Hanks in “You’ve Got Mail.” he couple on the cover had what I But Scarlett assured me that she was meeting him in public and in the daytime, and would call a perfect wedding. I was there she would let us know the location and time. I remember her explaining to me that the in the flesh, and it takes a lot to get me to a dating site she was on was called Coffee Meets Bagel and that Jonathan, her date, was wedding these days. But I’ve been rather fond a rocket scientist. (Seriously, he is a rocket scientist.) of the bride for almost three decades, and she is So, they met and instantly hit it off. Soon enough, she brought him home to meet only 29. Scarlett Stussy Chaidez and my oldest the family and her people. Jonathan fit right in, and pretty soon after we met him, I knew daughter, Ellen, were almost born on the same he was the one. Six years later, they were engaged, and the wedding planning began. day. In fact, Scarlett’s mom and I were in labor For the first few months, I “hinted” to Scarlett that I expected to be a bridesmaid, with our firstborn daughters at the same time; but I think everyone thought that would just be weird. There would be six or seven Scarlett arrived on March 2nd, 1994, and Ellen burst onto the scene a day later. girls in their twenties and thirties, and then some woman old enough to be a grandma Preschool was the start of a lifelong friendship. For the girls’ third birthdays, the (me) would be escorted down the aisle by a guy sporting a man bun? No. That just moms hosted a joint Barbie-themed birthday party, complete with pink Barbie Jeeps wouldn’t look right. Still, I jokingly leaned into the awkward push about being a and a surprise visit from a blonde teenager in a Corvette convertible who answered bridesmaid (even though I have been married and divorced and am certainly not a to, you guessed it, “Barbie.” Somehow, we convinced about ten other moms to let “maid”). Finally, Scarlett asked Ellen if I was serious, because if it was that important to their three-year-old daughters spend the night with us. I remember pallets of precious me, she would relent. I finally let her off the hook. littles spread out randomly on my bedroom floor. Next, I asked to officiate the wedding. Again—married and divorced, but I want Over the years, Scarlett and Ellen have celebrated most of their birthdays to officiate my friends’ wedding? Scarlett, gracious as always, said they were going together. Throughout their youth, there were more slumber parties, swimming to use an actual pastor who was a friend of the groom’s family and who spoke both excursions at Great Wolf Lodge, soccer tournaments, and even dance parties. At 18, English and Spanish, therefore creating an inclusive environment for their mixedthey graduated to birthday trips, going to Florida and California in their late teens language celebration. before cruising to Mexico at 21. College and grad school came and went, yet the girls But when it came to the bachelorette party in New Orleans, guess who got managed to keep up and find each other for a trip or two invited? That’s right, little ol’ knocking-on-retirement me. every year. Just last year, at 28, they met in Spain and did And as much as I like to think I can keep up with a bunch a European excursion like I always imagined doing: just a of pretty girls partying on Bourbon Street, I was first to bed guidebook, a rental car, and a map. and last to rise. Scarlett didn’t mind. She was genuinely glad Both girls (umm, I mean women) love games, and I was there (and not just because I was a reliable designated they are always up for Spades, Canasta, or Scrabble. I driver). don’t know why they let April (Scarlett’s mom) and me Though this issue of FSLM is primarily about weddings, start playing with them, but it began when they were in more broadly, it’s about love and commitment. When we high school. As nerdy as it sounds, many of their Friday asked the brides to tell us about their weddings, so many of and Saturday high school nights were spent around my them spoke of not only their partners but also their parents, dining table playing games. By the time the girls went off grandparents, friends, and even pets, emphasizing that their to college, I missed Scarlett almost as much as I missed the fairytale weddings would not be complete without the one I brought into the world. Occasionally, Scarlett would love and support of so many. Beyond the wedding section, come to Texarkana (without Ellen), and we would play you’ll find the story of Ben Rice, musician extraordinaire games—just the two of us—until the wee hours of the who, through passion and dedication, has found major commercial and artistic success. Keep reading to learn morning. To say I love Scarlett is an understatement; by about Hillary Cloud, new owner of Alley Cats Coffee Bar, the time she was 19 or 20, I considered her one of my best and her devotion to Texarkana. What are these if not stories friends and chosen family. of love and commitment? I know it seems strange that I call someone 24 years Love comes in many forms. I am so thankful that our younger “one of my best friends,” but just like I can covergirl, Scarlett, embraces our unconventional friendship now share everything with my biological daughters, my the way I do. No matter your marital status, I hope your friendship with Scarlett knows no bounds. In the end, Scarlett trusted me to 2024 is filled with lots of love. Enjoy this issue, and as My life grew exponentially when they started trusting give the matron of honor speech. What an honor! me to hang out with them and not embarrass them. always, thanks for reading FSLM.

PUBLISHER Dr. Robin Rogers INTERIM EDITOR Ellen Orr INSPIRE THE PESSIMIST EL E VAT E T H E O PT I M I S T STIR THE MIND EN T ERTA I N T H E S O U L W W W. F O U R S TAT E S L I V I N G .C O M F O U R S TAT E S L I V I N G M AG A Z I N E F O U R S TAT E S L I V I N G

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GRAPHIC DESIGNER Shane Darby SALES REPRESENTATIVE Victoria Herman EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Phoebe Warren CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Aidan E. Photography Eric Ethridge

Phillip Faraone Tiffany Griffin Jayce Keil Photography Kendal Dockery Photography Makayla Jones Photography Molly Kendrick Photography Rachel Alison Photography Madeline Smallwood Stephanie Adcock Photography Timeless Texas CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Madline Smallwood Klark Kent Lisa Thompson Dr. Jenny Walker Phoebe Warren

Four States Living Magazine is published the first business day of every month. © Copyright 2024 by Four States Living Magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. Four States Living Magazine is distributed free of charge. Direct mail subscriptions are $40.00 per year. Reader correspondence and editorial submissions are welcome. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material contributed.

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We welcome information regarding topics of interest for future publications. If you have a story or photos that in some way depicts living or visiting in the Four States area and would be of interest to our readers, we want to hear from you. Call 903-792‑2262 or write: Editorial Department, Four States Living Magazine, 4104 Summerhill Square, Texarkana, Texas 75503. Comments are also welcome at our e-mail address: info@fourstatesliving.com

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CONTENTS VOLU M E 31 • IS SU E 1 • JAN UARY 2 02 4

ON THE COVER JANUARY 2024

Scarlett Stussy and Jonathan Chaidez are one couple of many whose storybook wedding days are featured in these pages. From Alaskan elopements to hometown blowouts, the celebrations selected are beautiful and inspiring. See our weddings special section on page 21.

INSIDE: ONE MAN’S WISH Grammy-winning musician Ben Rice began his music career in Texarkana at the age of 12. Now a coproducer of Disney’s Wish, he shares the details of his ascent to success in this FSLM exclusive. Read about Ben’s journey on page 12.

TABLE OF CONTENTS One Man’s Wish Tying the Knot: Weddings Special Section Scarlett Stussy and Jonathan Chaidez Natalie Irwin and Bryan Waters Blaire Bledsoe and Wren Williams Sarah Rogers and Coltin Clack Taylor Miller and Blake Callaway Ashlyn Cameron and Eric Ethridge Meghan Patton and Jonathan “JP” Pierce Picture Perfect Rise and Grind

12 22 26 30 34 38 42 44 50 64

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE The Way I See It—An op-ed piece from the publisher FSLM Student Profile: Meet Caleb Hackleman The Daily Planet Events Scene About Town

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6 58 70 74 10, 18, 20, 48, 56, 60, 62, 68, 72

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SCENE ABOUT TOWN TH E 2 5TH A N N UA L B R A M LET T B E A N S & CO R N B R E A D F U N D R A I S E R WA S H E LD AT TH E TE X A R K A N A CO N V E NTI O N C E NT E R O N T H U R S DAY, D EC E M B E R 7T H .

Amy Tankersley, Brooke Marshall, Paula Jeans, James Bramlett, Donny Sparks, Dr. Emily Cutrer, Dr. Robin Rogers, Pam White, and Teresa Akard

Teresa Akard, Pam White, Tiffany McCrary, and Michelle Warren

Dustin Newman, Chief Chris Black, Asst. Chief Chuck Weerts, and Nick Smith

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James and Kathy Bramlett with J.W., Martha, and Trey Bramlett

Laura Spencer, Mary Moore, Rosie Johnson, and Irene Moore

Shawn Maxey, Adam Dalby, and Dusty Henslee

India Lewis and Tessa Briscoe

Kathy Dotson and Cheryl Griffin

Robin Rogers, Victoria Herman, and Phoebe Warren

Christopher Gerber, Dail Keiper, Caleb Orr, Donny and Stephanie Sparks, and Alexander Cisneros

Wendi Knotts, Jada Abner, Mikayla Westbrook, Karrah Magness, and Mary Grace Johnson

Heath Dickerson and Jordan Qualls

Jason Lawrence, Robby Robertson, and Jerry Tittle

Kelly Clark, Wayne Poage, and Ross Cowling

Lakesha Taylor, Sherri Penix, and Brooke Marshall

Aven and Sal Williamson with Jason Day

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ONE MAN’S

WISH

Grammy winner Ben Rice talks Texarkana, Gaga, and co-producing Disney’s Wish by P H O EB E WA R R EN

en Rice has music in his blood. His parents are former music ministers, and his four siblings all share a love of music. Ben fondly recalls listening to his Walkman on family road trips, playing vinyls on his father’s record player, and finding musical inspiration from church, family, and friends. Many musicians are similarly inspired, but few have the opportunities and drive to achieve the success that Ben enjoys. From Texarkana to Hollywood, artistic wishes have paved his path. Ben’s family moved to Texarkana when he was in the first grade. When he was twelve, his parents joined Redwater First Baptist Church as music ministers, where Ben found himself inspired by drummer Dennis Harper, who played in the church band. “I’ll never forget that moment as a young 12-year-old seventh grader,” he said. “I knew right then that I wanted to play the drums. That initial inspiration and mentorship from Dennis started me on a path of falling in love with playing music myself and finding endless ways to enjoy music from the inside out.” In high school, Ben participated in Redwater’s mentorship program, which allows students to shadow professionals in their chosen industries. Ben shadowed Chip Bricker, owner of S.M.A.R.T. Productions, as well as chief engineer Greg White and mastering engineer Frank Pyror. Ben described the experience as instantly addicting. “Once I saw a glimpse of how recording studios operated and how music is recorded and produced, I was immediately and forever hooked,” he said. This experience, he continued, was “the most foundational part” of his music career. He later became an assistant engineer at S.M.A.R.T. and also played drums as a session

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musician during recording sessions. “I was, and always will be, endlessly fascinated with working on ‘both sides of the glass,’” Ben said. “It’s an incredible experience to be on the side of creating and playing music, but [at S.M.A.R.T.] I truly learned the value and the gift that it is to be the one to capture and shape someone else’s musical vision.” While working full-time at S.M.A.R.T. Productions, Ben began pursuing a music degree at Texarkana College, where he became friends with Kelly Carr. Bonding over a passion for music and a bottomless appetite for creativity, Kelly and Ben—along with Micah Dorsey, Jay Budzilowski, and Eric Russell—formed the band Pilotdrift. (John David Blagg later joined the band.) Ben credits his experiences with Pilotdrift as the “blueprint” for everything he does in his career today, as a musician, engineer, producer, songwriter, and collaborator. “The challenges of creating something you love with the people that you love are still the challenges that I embrace and am fulfilled by to this very day in my career,” he explained. Discussing changes and rearrangements with artists can be tricky, and Ben says the key is to lead with building trust and earning respect. “When you have trust and respect, it builds comfortability. When you have that, you can navigate changes, suggestions, and ideas with ease because the environment for collaboration and mutual respect has been established,” he explained. “Music and art are subjective mediums that we all enjoy, and I try to always understand the vision of the artist I’m working with to best help accomplish it. I do my best to bring that vision to life by applying myself in all aspects of my skill set and by always leading with respect and kindness.”

photo by TIFFANY GRIFFIN

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Following these principles has enabled Ben to work with truly extraordinary artists, including Lady Gaga. Ben started working at the esteemed Record Plant Studios in Hollywood in 2012, and in 2013, he was assigned to the Lady Gaga sessions as a staff engineer. Six months later, he was invited to join Gaga’s team as her engineer. “I have been extremely fortunate to have spent many years working side by side with [Lady Gaga],” Ben said. “I will never forget attending the Grammys for the first time with her and winning my first Grammy because of the work we did together on A Star Is Born. My friendship and years of experience working with Gaga—specifically on A Star Is Born, Chromatica [album by Lady Gaga], and most recently in coproducing ‘Hold My Hand’ for Top Gun: Maverick—have been the most defining and rewarding times of my personal and professional life. I greatly admire not only her incredible talent as a singer, musician, and writer, but also her honesty, kindness, respect, and empathy for others.” In 2020, Ben began the most exciting and challenging journey of his career yet: partnering with multi-platinum, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Julia Michaels to create the soundtrack for Disney’s new film, Wish. Released in theaters on November 22nd, 2023, this musical film marks 100 years of Disney Studios and was designed to pay tribute to Disney’s storied history and look ahead to the next 100 years. “I was, and still am, overjoyed that Julia called me to join her in this pursuit as her partner,” Ben said. “We first started [working on Wish] in 2020 and have spent the last three years working with the filmmakers to write and produce all of the songs for the film. It has been the most intimidating

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Blood Pop, Lady Gaga, Ben Rice, and Rami Yacoub during the making of Gaga’s Chromatica album. submitted photo

Ben with Julia Michaels.

Ben and Kacey at the Grammys.

photo by PHILLIP FARAONE (GETTY IMAGES)

submitted photo

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“

”

Kacey is the love of my life, and our children are the best things that have ever happened to us.

Ben with his wife, Kacey.

photo by TIFFANY GRIFFIN

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Ben working in his home studio. submitted photo

and fulfilling opportunity of my career. I think the biggest challenge was fighting the fear of failure in tackling such a daunting task. I am indescribably honored and grateful to have been Julia’s partner in writing and producing the songs for Wish, which is a film we both love and believe in so very much and will be forever proud of.” While the debut of such a significant project is certainly a cause for celebration, Ben, who lives in Los Angeles, said that the most special part of 2023 was getting to spend more time with his family. While working on Wish, he was able to do a considerable amount of work from his home studio and thus spend more time with his wife, Kacey, and their two children, Maddox and Veda. “So much of my career has required years of personal sacrifice and time spent away from them, and it has been very challenging balancing work and family,” Ben said. “Kacey is the love of my life, and our children are the best things that have ever happened to us.” Though Ben and Kacey love living in LA, the Rice family makes annual trips back to Texarkana. “The things that I miss most [about Texarkana] are my closest friends, my bandmates, and the proximity to my family and Kacey’s family,” Ben said. “We have made Los Angeles our home, but we always miss the feeling of home that Texarkana and our friends and families have provided.” Though Ben is now thousands of miles from his childhood home, he has retained the humility and optimism of his early years. “I’ve questioned myself and my abilities at every step, and I’ve learned that that’s a necessary ingredient to growth,” he said. He advises those interested in music production to “walk through each door that opens itself to you,” to “be a sponge,” and to cherish “each step of progress, no matter how difficult it may be.” Ben’s ultimate piece of advice applies to everyone with a wish, musical or otherwise: “Always do your very best,” he said, “and good things will come.” JA N UA RY 2 0 2 4 . fourstatesliving.com

SCENE ABOUT TOWN F I R ST BA P TI ST C H U R C H H O ST E D IT S U N S U N G H E R O E S LU N C H EO N I N TH E I R GY M N A S I U M O N SAT U R DAY, D EC E M B E R 8T H .

Jan Whitehorn, Catherine Woods, Annette Estes, and Harriette Tidwell

Gary Treadway and Matt Cashatt

Terry Spivey, Keith McCloud, Ron Morrow, Lonnie Binnicker, Ricky Herrington, and Olen Adams Dean Barry and Mayor Allen Brown

Judy Kicks and Cyndi Sharp

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Pastor Jeff Schreve and Mark Damron

Mary George and Wayne Hartley

Dez Matthews and Joe Tyree

Robert Hammonds and Penny Walls

Dena Gennings and Barbara Baker

Chris and Rochelle Schroeder

Floyd Hayes and Darrell Banks

Payton Jones, Peyton Waldrop, and Eric MCasland

Brad Smith and John Taylor

Ian McCarthy, Aaron Graves, and Carmen House

Carson Rich, Wayne Raschke, and Greg Aucoin

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SCENE ABOUT TOWN T R A H C H E LD IT S 1 5TH A N N UA L H O LI DAY A RT S M A R K ET AT TH E R EG I O N A L A RT S C E NT E R O N F R I DAY A N D SAT U R DAY, D EC E M B E R 1 ST & 2 N D.

Nina Cork and Chris Thomas

Kim Fowler and Jeanne Harrel

Gabriell and Christopher Bachers

Joel and Sarah Wright

Khrista Atchison and Ann Nicholas

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photo by AIDEN E. PHOTOGRAPHY

TYING THE KNOT E

very year in January, Four States Living Magazine presents some of the most beautiful and exclusive weddings of people hailing from the Texarkana area. In the following spreads, we proudly showcase happy couples’ most anticipated days through photos they have shared with us. Each bride has also written several sentimental or noteworthy aspects about their wedding, and the words printed in each spread belong to the brides. We hope you enjoy.

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family tradition SCARLETT STUSSY AND JONATHAN CHAIDEZ APRIL 22nd, 2023

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIMELESS TEXAS

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ENCIRCLED IN LOVE.

Jonathan’s parents are from Mexico, and one of their traditions is to encircle the bride and groom in a lasso. We were so surprised when Jonathan‘s parents made a lasso for us that contained part of the lasso from their wedding 33 years ago. It was the perfect way to carry on the tradition.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! Jonathan’s cousin Isai surprised us by making a documentary-style video from our rehearsal dinner, wedding day, and reception. He interviewed our family members and friends, asking them to give us guidance as newlyweds. We loved seeing the silly remarks and sometimes conflicting pieces of advice. JA N UA RY 2 0 2 4 . fourstatesliving.com

NAME THAT TUNE! I love surprises, so songs were secretly chosen for important moments throughout the day. For our reception entrance, I chose “I’ll Be There for You” by the Rembrandts (the theme song of my favorite television show, “Friends”). My dad chose “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan for the father/daughter dance. And Jonathan chose “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young for the first dance. It was a fun challenge to practice our first dance without the song!

DETAILS OF THE DAY VENUE FOR WEDDING: Montclair Wedding and Event Venue (Colleyville, Texas) VENUE FOR RECEPTION: Montclair Wedding and Event Venue (Colleyville, Texas) CAKE DESIGNER: Sam’s Club FLORIST: Wendy Rosember CATERER: CN Catering PHOTOGRAPHER: Timeless Texas BAND/DJ: Bulbo Houston and Mariachi Real de Texas JEWELER: Jared HONEYMOON: St. Lucia

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SOMETHING BLUE NATALIE IRWIN AND BRYAN WATERS APRIL 15th, 2023

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AIDAN E. PHOTOGRAPHY

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FAMILY HEIRLOOM.

When I started planning the wedding and realized I wanted to use primarily light blue as a color accent, I immediately thought about my great grandmother’s beautiful blue jewelry. These pieces of jewelry have always been special to my mom and our family. The bracelet I ended up wearing couldn’t have matched the wedding or my dress better. The bracelet also served as my something borrowed and something blue. My great-grandmother was such a special person, and I loved that I was able to incorporate her into my wedding.

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BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE.

Pretty early in the planning process, I came across a seating chart design that I fell in love with. It was a large white board with flower boxes attached. The boxes had beautiful blooms coming out and garden picks with each guest’s seat assignment. I quickly realized executing this design was way out of my construction abilities, but when my dad found out how much I wanted to include this, he offered to build it for the wedding. It took him months, but he didn’t stop until it was perfect. It turned out beautiful and made such a statement at the reception.

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DETAILS OF THE DAY VENUE FOR WEDDING: The Rosemary Barn (McKinney, Texas) VENUE FOR RECEPTION: The Rosemary Barn (McKinney, Texas) CAKE DESIGNER: Butterfly Cakery FLORIST: Haute Poppies Floral CATERER: La Colina Catering PHOTOGRAPHER: Aidan E. Photography RENTALS: A-1 Wedding & Rentals BAND/DJ: DQB Entertainment JEWELER: Lyles DeGrazier Jewelers HONEYMOON: St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda INVITATIONS: Ellis Paige Calligraphy & Design

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wonderful tonight BLAIRE BLEDSOE AND WREN WILLIAMS JANUARY 14th, 2023

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE ADCOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

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PARTY PEOPLE!

One of the things that made our wedding day so memorable was the friends and family we had in our wedding party. Some of these individuals we have grown up with, while others we met during college. Each and every member of our wedding party holds a special place in both of our hearts. We could not have imagined our day without them right by our side.

EVERLASTING LOVE.

My grandfather, Danny Williams, passed away in 2011 and was never able to meet Wren. The two are very similar, and I know they would have been very close with one another. Towards the beginning of our engagement, my grandmother gave us my grandfather’s wedding band. We were able to have it melted down and turned into Wren’s own wedding band. This was very special to us because, even though Poppa was not able to meet Wren or physically be present on our wedding day, he will always be with us.

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FIRST DANCE. Wren and I surprised my parents by dancing to the same song they had their first dance to: “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton. Growing up, my parents would always dance to that song whenever it was played, so it makes my heart so happy to get to do the same thing with my husband. Sharing the same first dance song with them is such a special memory for all of us.

DETAILS OF THE DAY VENUE FOR WEDDING: Four Fifteen Estates VENUE FOR RECEPTION: Four Fifteen Estates CAKE DESIGNER: The Cake Ladies FLORIST: The Flowerroom Florist and Gifts CATERER: Chef on the Run PHOTOGRAPHER: Stephanie Adcock Photography VIDEOGRAPHER: Blue Box Studios (editing by Mark Peyton and Matt Peyton) RENTALS: Dot’s Rentals and Smile on the Line BAND/DJ: Wes Spicer JEWELER: Gray’s Jewelers HONEYMOON: Nassau, Bahamas BEVERAGE CART: Bubbles and Brews Dallas HOT CHOCOLATE BAR: Cactus Cones FIREWORKS: Epperson Fireworks DRESS: Gracyn Elizabeth Bride TUXEDOS: GEB Men HAIR: Cortney Boyd and Hope Taylor MAKEUP: Cortney Boyd WEDDING INVITATIONS: Hobart Print Studio COORDINATOR: Bella Roo Events (Erica Ramage) 32

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blooms & burros SARAH ROGERS AND COLTIN CLACK MAY 27th, 2023

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KENDAL DOCKERY

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BEER BEARERS.

One of our favorite surprises Coltin and I had were our donkeys. As guests arrived at our reception, they were greeted by beer burros. It was such a fun surprise, and they were the biggest hit.

FOLLOWING IN FAMILY FOOTSTEPS.

Our wedding venues were so special to us because my parents got married at First United Methodist Church 31 years ago. They also had their reception at Texarkana Country Club. JA N UA RY 2 0 2 4 . fourstatesliving.com

FLORAL FAVORITE. We chose blue and white hydrangeas as our main wedding flower because, all throughout our dating years, Coltin would always bring me these flowers—and to this day, he still does!

DETAILS OF THE DAY VENUE FOR WEDDING: First United Methodist Church VENUE FOR RECEPTION: Texarkana Country Club CAKE DESIGNER: Heavenly Sweets FLORIST: Friend of the family CATERER: Chef Pam Elliot and Texarkana Country Club PHOTOGRAPHER: Kendal Dockery VIDEOGRAPHER: Clean Visuals by Ronald Makaramba RENTALS: Dot’s Rentals, GEB Menswear, and Alpha-Lit TXK DJ: DJ EPIC (Memphis, Tennessee) JEWELER: Micah’s Jewelers HONEYMOON: Punta Sam, Mexico

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simply sophisticated TAYLOR MILLER AND BLAKE CALLAWAY NOVEMBER 4th, 2023

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MOLLY KENDRICK PHOTOGRAPHY & RACHEL ALISON PHOTOGRAPHY

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SET THE MOOD. The music playing as guests arrived was a 2.5hour playlist we chose, made up of songs that were super important in our relationship.

HOME SWEET HOME. The wedding being at Blake’s parents house was very special to us. It made the evening more intimate and memorable. JA N UA RY 2 0 2 4 . fourstatesliving.com

DETAILS OF THE DAY VENUE FOR WEDDING AND RECEPTION: The home of Rebecca and William Witchart (Blake’s parents) CAKE DESIGNER: Sugar Mama’s Cakery FLORIST: Bryan Callaway CATERER: Underground Pizza Co. and Old Tex BBQ PHOTOGRAPHER: Molly Kendrick Photography and Rachel Alison Photography RENTALS: Dot’s Rentals and Texarkana Party People BAND/DJ: Chasing Rita JEWELER: Alexander’s Jewelers HONEYMOON: A 2024 surprise!

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NORTHERN EXPOSURE ASHLYN CAMERON & ERIC ETHRIDGE SEPTEMBER 2nd, 2023

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC ETHRIDGE

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FULL-SERVICE PILOT.

After getting engaged in Kauai, we felt like we needed to do something to top that experience for our wedding. Eric is a wedding videographer, so we also wanted to do something different that didn’t remind him of work. Our helicopter pilot was our officiant, which made the process very convenient. Eric did all the photography and videography of the wedding with his camera and a tripod.

LANGUAGE OF LOVE.

One of my favorite details of our elopement was who I chose for my hair and makeup. Her name is Olha Korol, and she is a Ukrainian refugee. I was incredibly captivated by her story and the way that she was able to pick up her life in Ukraine after a terrible tragedy and flourish in a whole new country. She had only been in America for five months at the time of our wedding, so there was a language barrier. However, we were still able to hold a conversation. The work that she provides is unmatched, and it is truly an honor to have had such a talented artist take care of my beauty needs on my big day.

A HAPPY ACCIDENT. As Eric and I were choosing our wedding date, we originally chose September 1st. The helicopter company that we were using ended up being fully booked for that day, so we decided to go with September 2nd. Unbeknownst to us, it turns out that was his grandparents’ wedding anniversary, so we knew it was meant to be. We did so many fun things on our elopement trip (ice climbing, iceberg kayaking, and jet skiing to a tidewater glacier) that really made me fall in love with Alaska.

DETAILS OF THE DAY VENUE FOR WEDDING: Knik Glacier, Alaska FLORIST: Yarrow & Co. PHOTOGRAPHER: Eric Ethridge (groom) VIDEOGRAPHER: Eric’s Xtreme Video (groom) HONEYMOON: Ice climbing, iceberg kayaking, and glacier jet skiing in Alaska JA N UA RY 2 0 2 4 . fourstatesliving.com

perfect in pearls MEGHAN PATTON AND JONATHAN “J.P.” PIERCE SEPTEMBER 9th, 2023

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAKAYLA JONES PHOTOGRAPHY

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HE LOVED HER FIRST.

My dad and I have a super close relationship, and I would say I’m somewhat a daddy’s girl. He used to sing earlier in life, so I always thought he would sing at my wedding, but every time it was brought up, everyone would shoot it down like it wasn’t going to happen. At one point at the reception, I looked up and saw my dad standing at the top of the stairs in his cowboy hat, and I just knew. I think I immediately started bawling. He gave a little speech and then sang “I Loved Her First” by Heartland. It was such a special moment—something I will definitely never forget.

STRING OF SUCCESS.

My grandfather gifted my grandmother pearls one year, and my mom and her sisters all wore those exact pearls on their wedding days. They all have been married for 20 or more years, and my grandparents for over 60 years. The pearls were something my grandma insisted on me wearing, and I’m so glad I did. They are not only beautiful but also have a track record of lifelong marriages, so I feel very grateful to be the first grandchild to get to wear them on my wedding day.

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CANINE COCKTAILS.

We are 100% dog people and love our pups like they are children. Sadly, they couldn’t be there on the big day, but of course we had to incorporate our fur babies somehow. Our signature drinks were named after them, and we also had little figurines of them on our cake. It turned out absolutely perfect. It wouldn’t have been the same without our babies there with us somehow.

DETAILS OF THE DAY VENUE FOR WEDDING: Tree Haven (Simms, Texas) VENUE FOR RECEPTION: Tree Haven (Simms, Texas) CAKE DESIGNER: Sugar Mill Bakery FLORIST: The Flowerroom Florist and Gifts CATERER: Gert with TISD PHOTOGRAPHER: Makayla Jones Photography VIDEOGRAPHER: Anointed Media RENTALS: Alpha-Lit TXK and Dot’s Rentals BAND/DJ: Tejano to the Bone JEWELER(S): Jewelmasters (Hattiesburg, Mississippi) and Micah’s Jewelers HONEYMOON: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

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SCENE ABOUT TOWN T W I N C IT Y TITLE H E LD IT S A N N UA L C H R I STM A S PA RT Y O N F R I DAY, D EC E M B E R 7TH . Lauree Tyson and Carla Ward

Chint Murdock, Kobey Mabry, Crystal Rose, and Natalie Copeland

Jayme DeHaan with Mike and Sylvia Ingram

Morgan Pritchett and Amber Adams

Madeline Robbins and Stephanie Campbell-Bolt

Lauree Tyson and Brent Langdon

Christen Durham, Teresa Liepman, Heather Thompson, and Manju Pokhrel

Tony and Lesa Asbille

Brianne Harris, Shar Manning, and Tierra Manglona

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Yulin and Jerry Brewer

Brianna Baird, Braxton Langdon, and Chris Baca

Christal Prince and Christopher Allen

Karyn and Billy Norton

Daniel and Dianne Martin

Richard Reynolds and Pam Hollingsworth

Stephanie Maddox and Suzanne Rochelle

Pam Beck with Jon Robert and Michala Beck

Cindi Young and Kennedy Frix

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PICTURE PERFECT Texarkana native Jayce Keil and husband Brian O’Reilly document luxury weddings all over the world by J EN N Y M c CO R M AC K WA L K ER

ayce Keil and Brian O’Reilly are luxury destination wedding photographers who have traveled the world helping couples document the happiest days of their lives. They invest a lot of time studying wedding trends and finding ways to infuse cultural influences into their work. While they shine as they cover posh ceremonies abroad in Ireland, France, Amsterdam, and the UK, their own romance has been a beautiful and sometimes messy adventure. They wouldn’t have it any other way. Jayce, a Texarkana native, met Brian while she was working as a ski instructor in Telluride, Colorado. Brian was a river guide from Ireland who had been in West Virginia for a river festival. Just before he was set to return home, a last-minute impromptu trip to Colorado with a friend changed the course of his life.

“I had three days left on my visa, and my friend had worked in Telluride before,” Brian said. “He said we should go, and I wanted to make the most of my time. I went, and that’s where I met Jayce.” In those three days, Jayce taught Brian to ski, but snow was not the only thing that was falling. They kept in touch, and the adventurous duo soon made exciting plans to get to know each other in a big way: by backpacking together across Southeast Asia. “It was challenging,” Brian laughed. “We almost broke up several times, but we made it through. We found out that I was better at booking the hotels, and she took care of me when the ATM ate my debit card. It all worked out.” Alongside their love, Jayce found herself enamored by another new passion on that trip as well: photography.

Above: Brian and Jayce at Luttrellstown Castle in Durblin, Ireland during a wedding shoot. 50

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photos by JAYCE KEIL PHOTOGRAPHY

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When they left Asia, Jayce and Brian began to explore Australia until COVID quickly sent them both back to their home countries. They continued their long-distance relationship, and Jayce used that time to take classes online to develop her skills as a photographer. When she and Brian married two years later, she convinced him to join her for a new adventure: shooting weddings across the globe. “At first, he was a pack mule carrying my stuff for me,” Jayce said. “Then he started working as a second photographer, but later we realized that he could really offer a lot as a videographer.” Jayce and Brian strive to go beyond providing the standard wedding shots; instead, they aim to build relationships with their clients, which enables them to create more personal and intimate photos and videos. “Each wedding is different,” Jayce said. “We try to craft a story for each couple. We become their friends and get to know them. We follow them on social media and talk to them a lot leading up to the wedding. We really become friends with the bride and groom, and that makes all the difference in the way we are able to really capture and tell their story.” Jayce and Brian also stay current on wedding trends, cultural perspectives, and even fashion photography in order to give their clients the best service. “I want every bride to feel her most beautiful and know she is worth celebrating,” Jayce said. “So that means we have to be the best at what we do. We are constantly learning new things.”

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Brian in Tuscany, Italy during a wedding he and Jayce shot together.

Jayce on a shoot at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.

Jayce in Florence, Italy.

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Brian during the ceremony day of a 3-day wedding in Tuscany. Jayce and Brian with their pet corgi, Mae, in Hot Springs, Arkansas when they were married.

Jayce in Paris for a photo shoot.

While they are committed to keeping up with the most up-to-date photography methods, the couple also respects and appreciates classic photography standards. In fact, they now shoot not only with digital cameras but also occasionally on film. “I love shooting with film,” Jayce said. “I’m really excited that we are bringing it back for some of our work.” Jayce and Brian want their business to make a difference for the couples they serve, but they also want to make a difference in the environment. To that end, they have committed to using clean energy and environmentally friendly products. Further, they donate a portion of proceeds from each shoot to clean water charities. Weddings are their specialty, but Jayce and Brian also take portraits, family photos, and senior pictures when they are in Texarkana. You can find them online at jaycekeil.com and on Instagram @jaycekeil. 54

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Brian at the Cliffs of Moher.

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SCENE ABOUT TOWN HOSPICE OF TE X A R K A N A H E LD IT S A N N UA L C H R I STM A S PA RT Y AT T H E TE X A R K A N A CO N V E N TI O N C E N TE R O N T U E S DAY, D EC E M B E R 5TH .

Tracy Graf and Kristy Simpson

Leigh Davis and Caroline Woodward

Stephen and Madeline Robbins

Vee and Ron Collins

Brandy McMillion and Danielle Anderson

Pamela Davis and Shontrell Jones

April Dayton and Hampton Fonteno

Mario Garcia and Andi Darby

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Brandon O’Neal and Brent Stewart

Sharon North and Taylor Wright

Sean and Jamie Rommel

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FSLM STUDENT PROFILE

MEET

CALEB

HACKLEMAN by M A D EL I N E S M A L LWO O D

photo by MADELINE SMALLWOOD

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photo by MADELINE SMALLWOOD

t’s the week after Christmas break. Students mill around and fill the desks at Pleasant Grove High School. But one desk remains empty. It belongs to Caleb Hackleman. While his lifelong classmates are gearing up for their final semester of high school, Caleb is beginning his freshman year of college at Oklahoma State University. He graduated a semester early to attend football spring training at OSU in late January. “[Spring training] kind of gives you a head start. It increases your strength level and puts you ahead of other freshmen that would be coming [in the fall],” Caleb said. Football has been a big part of Caleb’s life. “Several members of my family played [when I was] growing up,” he shared. “As soon as I got to high school, the first thing I wanted to do was join the football team.” Caleb was a three-year member of Pleasant Grove High School’s varsity football team. “The [Pleasant Grove] coaching staff have really helped me grow,” he said. Choosing OSU was a no-brainer. “I went on a visit there in June, and I really liked the atmosphere. [Stillwater] is kind of like a small-town deal. I actually decided I wanted to go there on the last day of my visit. Everything felt right,” Caleb recalled. Although cutting your high school career short might seem bittersweet to some, Caleb doesn’t view it this way. “I am going to miss my friends and family, but leaving is just bettering me and my future,” he said. Graduating early was not as challenging as Caleb had expected. “[Students graduating early] have to take an online class, and we have extra work, but it’s not that hard,” he said. He is only taking online classes during his first semester at OSU, so he anticipates a smooth transition. This venture would make any teenager nervous, but Caleb feels mostly gratitude for the people who have helped him take this step. “My mom and dad are great,” he said. “They’ve paid for a lot of extra training and stuff. They’ve always been there and have never missed one of my games.” Throughout his time in high school, Caleb earned many titles. “The Texas High School Coaches Association awarded

me Academic All-State Second Team my senior year, as well as District Co-MVP for Offensive Line by all the coaches in the district,” he proudly shared. He has managed all of this while maintaining a 3.8 GPA. Caleb is unsure if he’ll be able to attend his high school graduation ceremony due to his spring training schedule. But whether he is able to walk across the stage or not, there is no doubt that his community is cheering him on. Madeline Smallwood is a junior at Pleasant Grove High School. She is a writer for The Edge newspaper and a staff photographer. She can always be found s h o o t i ng Fr i d a y n igh t lights and hanging with her friends at Raising Cane’s after the game.

“

I actually decided I wanted to go [to OSU] on the last day of my visit. Everything felt right.

photo by SHANE DARBY

”

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SCENE ABOUT TOWN FA R M E R S BA N K & TR U ST S P O N S O R E D T H E 1 0T H A N N UA L LI V E U N ITE D B OW L AT A R K A N SA S H I G H S C H O O L STA D I U M O N SAT U R DAY, D EC E M B E R 2 N D.

Shelby and Mayor Allen Brown with their grandchildren Sutton, Manning, and Cash

Mayor James Bramlett presenting the Live United Bowl trophy to the victorious Southern Arkansas University Muleriders

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Brittney Outlaw and Megan Brown

The Texarkana Noon Lions Club served up burgers for the players at the Live United Bowl

Julie and Eric Sixbey, and Kim Mennie

Anna Brown, Chris Eckert, and Renee Watkins

Sid Flanagan, Matt Tucker, and Terry Sloan

Jill McMahon and Leigh Ann Naul

Mayor Allen Brown and Mark Luckett

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SCENE ABOUT TOWN T E X A S FA R M B U R E AU H O STE D TH E T E X A R K A N A C H A M B E R O F CO M M E R C E B U S I N E S S A F T E R H O U R S E V E N T AT TH E TE X A R K A N A CO N V E NTI O N C E NT E R O N TH U R S DAY, D EC E M B E R 1 4T H .

Clayton Wisdom, Braxton Langdon, Chris Baca, and Brad Davis

Kim Drewry and Katie Drewry

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Zoe Terral and Natalie Copeland

Mary Cyrus, Robbin Bass, Allison Wright, and Kennedi Baird

Lauren Brooks, Amber Keith, and Brianna Baird Jasmine King, Courtney McCray, Brandy Upchurch, and Gloria DeBaro

Cylas and Braxton Langdon with Lilly Langdon

Sydney Elmore and Alex Smith

Summer Hammonds and Hannah Smith

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RISE AND

GRIND LOCAL HILLARY CLOUD IS THE NEW OWNER OF ALLEY CATS COFFEE BAR by L I S A T H O M PS O N

illary Cloud is a former soccer player and coach. She’s a mom to two young children. She’s a manager of a youth sports league for kids with disabilities. She’s also the co-owner of a business in downtown Texarkana. All of those things require guts, and thankfully, Hillary Cloud has no shortage of those. Hillary was born and raised in Texarkana—on Olive Street, in the historic district. “In a lot of ways, downtown has always felt like home,” Hillary said. “I grew up here. I went to church at St. James Episcopal.” After graduating from Texas High School, Hillary attended Mississippi College to play soccer. Upon graduating, she moved to Austin, Texas, with her now-husband, Austin, before they returned to Mississippi so that Hillary could coach at Belhaven University. In 2018, she returned to her hometown to coach the Texas High School girls soccer team. In 2018 she also became a mother; her daughter, Fowler, is now five. She also has a son, William, who is two. In 2022, Hillary stepped away from coaching and worked a year for Leadership Texarkana, where she “drank the goTXK kool-aid,” she said. GoTXK is a Leadership Texarkana initiative to celebrate Texarkana. Hillary ended up not only supporting the mission but also becoming a co-owner of one of Texarkana’s great assets in fairly short order. Hillary entered Pitch It Texarkana, a local entrepreneur competition, where she shared her dream to own a mixeddevelopment space in downtown Texarkana. “I’ve always been interested in the development of downtown,” she said. Although she did not win Pitch It, she was determined not to give up. “I told myself that I would chase this rabbit until it didn’t make sense anymore,” Hillary said. “The rabbit stopped at the bank, because the financing piece of a mixed-use development space in downtown just didn’t make sense at the time. However, Alley Cats Coffee Bar was in need of someone to run it, and when this opportunity came along, it was one [Austin and I] decided 64

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photos by SHANE DARBY

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“

I am just really passionate about loving where you live.

”

to take. I felt like God was giving me a chance to take one step closer in achieving my goal.” Alley Cats is set in a refurbished 1940s railcar on Front Street in downtown Texarkana, Arkansas. The colorful decor inside exists in stark contrast to the industrial rail setting of the exterior. Alley Cats is steadily offering new and exciting events and menu items, giving patrons Local art is available for purchase at Alley Cats. even more reasons to visit downtown. “The thing that is different about what we’re doing is that we are locally sourced and farm-to-table when it makes sense,” she said. “We have so many partners that make this thing work. From our sourdough that comes from VESTA Homestead, to our sausage sourced from Sullifarm and Kitchen, and the scones from Sconed, we choose menu items that are as local as possible to offer our customers something different.” Hillary is also supporting artists in the coffee bar, showcasing and selling pieces from several local artists including Chris Thomas, Kadi Burns, and Kristin McCaslin. Alley Cats recently obtained their license to sell beer and wine, and they work to stay stocked with locally sourced adult beverages. They also sell whole-bean and ground coffee from Onyx Coffee Lab, an Arkansas roaster. It’s clear that when Hillary talks about Alley Cats she is describing a labor of love. “I am just really passionate about loving where you live,” she said. “It’s easy to go to a bigger city on the weekends and spend money and entertain our families, but the harder thing is to invest in our own city and to make it somewhere worth loving and worthwhile to live.” The nicest surprise of owning Alley Cats has been the community of businesses in the downtown area, Hillary said. “I didn’t know everything about going into business down here,” she reflected, “but I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the community of business owners that are already here, and we’re really giving people a reason to come downtown. There’s a yoga studio, and a gym, and the coolest antique shop, and retail, retail, retail—and of course, there’s coffee.”

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SCENE ABOUT TOWN I A M A H E R O H E LD W E A R E WA S H I N GTO N ’ S J I N G LE J O G 5 K R U N AT S P R I N G L A K E PA R K O N SAT U R DAY, D EC E M B E R 1 6T H . Lucas Wacha

Jaiden and Amy Denney

Jason Haak with Katina and Joe Levingston Jr.

Sage Stussy, Catie Loomis, Gracie Gibbs, and Elizabeth Sharp

Tara Capeheart, Jay Bruce, Allison Michaelis, and Rylee Keys

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Samantha Hemby, Mechelle Kvarda, and Coraline Looney

Tara Capeheart, Jay Bruce, Jetticia Gulley, Corey McElroy Jr, and Corey McElroy

Jana Ford, Susan Addison, Carley Anderson, and Liz Carter

Jackie Gonzales, Stephanie Thomas, Tye Shelton, Robert Napier, and Katey and Aubrey Neal

Victoria and James Erwin

Cade Haak and Walt Coker

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THE DAILY PLANET by KLARK KENT

ew year, new you? Not so fast. Although weight management is an aspiring goal of many after the holiday “beasting” is over, people are often met with disappointing results come mid-March. Let’s take a dive into the cold, hard facts that you DO NOT want to hear. Eighty percent of people will have “failed” at their weight-loss resolution goals by the ides of March. Et tu, Brutus? Ouch! Therefore, I’m not here to motivate you into becoming mentally tough or force you against your decadent desires. No, I’m here to discuss with you the newest “Lazy American” medicine solution to help you with your pudgegut woes. I’m sure you’ve already heard or even attempted one of the new wonder drugs: Ozempic/ Wegovy (Semaglutide) or Mounjaro/Zepbound (Tirzepatide). Both of these relatively new drugs have taken the pharmaceutical industry by storm over the past couple years.

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As a consumer, you’re probably inquisitive but also slightly concerned about the promise of significant weight loss. After all, you’ve been promised this before on many late-night infomercials. But, being Homo sapiens, when that sketchy guy promises you he has a real Louis Vuitton for only $15 at Canton in the back of his ‘93 Chevrolet kidnapper van, you’re still very tempted to bite, although deep down you already know this just sounds too good to be true. Well, great news: at this point in medical literature, the aforementioned drugs (a class of drugs called GLP-1 RAs) honestly do seem “too good to be true.” Yes, it’s true that the average weight loss is nearly 15 percent body-weight loss. I currently have over 200 patients on the drug class, and besides the initial common side effects of nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomach, I’ve had fewer than five patients discontinue it due to ongoing issues. By and large, almost all of my patients have had significant weight loss and improved HA1C control. The effects of weight loss have helped improve all of the other comorbid conditions affecting this patient group. I can say that, clinically speaking, I’ve been very impressed with these drugs and how effective they have been at reducing weight. Although I’ve seen a few cases of GLP-1 RA-induced colitis working at the ER, almost all of these cases were induced from starting at too-high of a dose or a situation where the patient had been off the injection for many months and then started back at a high dose. Generally, if you stick to the recommended dosing schedule, side effects are mild to minimal. But I’m a skeptic by nature, I suppose. Let’s think back to 1996 when the newest weight loss drug, Redux, was flying off the shelves. This drug was considered “hotter than a $2 pistol” for about a year on the weight loss scene . . . until it wasn’t. A significant percentage of patients were developing abnormal heart valve issues from the popular “fen-phen” med. Within two years, that blockbuster drug was paying out billions in death settlements. To be frank, I’ll never trust the pharmaceutical industry. I trust science but

not the financially incentivized conglomerates who will always put vested stakeholder financial gain over patient altruism. Although the FDA is designed to be a very efficient barrier in protecting Americans from adverse drug complications, they are far from perfect and have inherent flaws. I’m not saying that everyone taking these meds will be walking around with artificial pancreases in 20 years. I’m just saying that, personally, I think it’s wise to be a skeptic and take a risk-versus-reward approach in your decision making. Remember back to high school, when you learned about Newton’s Third Law, which states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The issue with new medicine is that, much like your 1990s haircut, it often takes the slow hands of Father Time to show just how bad of a reaction occurred before we realized what we had done. Until next time, be wise, be kind to all persons, and read a book. Peace out, Klark Kent PA-C, MSBS MBA

Originally from Tom, Oklahoma, Klark Kent earned his master’s of science in engineering at Louisiana Tech University and his PA at The University of Toledo Medical Center. He currently works as a physician assistant (PA-C FM/D) at Texarkana Care Clinic. Husband to Alex and father to Keller and Kix, Klark cherishes his family and enjoys writing (often humorously) about his personal experiences, life, and medicine.

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SCENE ABOUT TOWN T H E P E R OT TH E ATR E H E LD IT S C H R I ST M A S O N M A I N C E LE B R ATI O N O N SAT U R DAY, D EC E M B E R 1 6T H .

Kelly Burkell, Kay Thomas, and Megan Griffin

Drew Clark, Caroline Clark, and Preston Clark with Santa (Mark Reed)

Kadi Burns and Willow Burns

LaJuana L Dibrell and June Applewhite

Kaylee Hunt, Lily Linnett, Susannah Linnett, and Kaylynn Sharp

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Alannah Pannell and Amanda Nicks

Randi Stafford and Nora Stafford

Deanne Jones and Sara Hervey

Matt and Danielle Bracey

Kaitlyn Smith

John Smith

Carrie Lyle

Kadi Burns and Santa (Mark Reed)

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EVENTS | CALENDAR

JANUARY 2024 JANUARY 6 Meet The Scholars Luncheon The 2024 Meet The Scholars Luncheon will be held in the Patterson Student Center at Texas A&M University–Texarkana at 1 p.m. This event is to introduce the newest members of The Scholars and celebrate the accomplishments of these young entrepreneurs and leaders. Tickets for the event are $30, and sponsorship opportunities are available. All proceeds directly benefit The Scholars Mentorship Program. For more information, please call 903-276-8813 or 903-826-8884.

JANUARY 13 Sarah Berry 10 Year Firm Anniversary Sarah Berry CPA, PLLC, is celebrating 10 years of business. Join the celebration for an afternoon of food, family, and fun at Crossties Event Venue in downtown Texarkana. There will be door prizes and family friendly activities. The event runs from noon to 4:30 p.m. For more information, check out the event “10 Year Firm Anniversary at Crossties” on Facebook. 30th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Prayer Breakfast Presented by the Ozan-Inghram Iron Mountain Neighborhood Development Corporation, the MLK prayer breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. at We Are Washington. Tickets are $8. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact LaShundra Bradley at 903-244-9562.

JANUARY 14 20th Annual Martin Luther King Gala Presented by the Ozan-Inghram Iron Mountain Neighborhood Development Corporation, this year’s MLK gala will occur at the Truman Arnold Center at Texarkana College. Tickets cost $60. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Sandra Warren at 903-244-0996.

JANUARY 15 8th Annual MLK Celebration Parade Sponsored by Bridging the Gaps of Arkansas, the 2024 MLK Day Parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Front Street in downtown. In addition to the parade, food vendors and music will fill the area. For more information, call 903-417-2342 or 903-908-9754.

JANUARY 19 The Temptations Concert The Temptations, often referred to as American music royalty, are worldrenowned superstars of entertainment. While the group has evolved over the years, Texarkana native Dr. Otis Williams has continued to lead the group and carry the torch forward for the next generation of Temptations fans. They will be performing at the Perot Theatre, beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at perottheatre.org.

JANUARY 29 TRAHC Presents Theatre for Young Audiences: Giraffes Can’t Dance Based on the internationally bestselling book, this musical follows a giraffe who can’t find his rhythm and dance, unlike the other animals. However, with the help of the wise cricket, the giraffe finds his own song and dance. There will be two opportunities to enjoy this children’s show, at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., at the Perot Theatre. For tickets and more information, call the Regional Arts Center at 903-792-8681. 74

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