Four States Living Magazine February 2022

CONTENTS VOLU M E 2 9 • IS SU E 2 • FEB RUARY 2 02 2

ON THE COVER - FEBRUARY 2022 Newlyweds Sarah and Michael Wacha are so thankful that their relationship stood the test of time, even though much of it was initially rooted in long-distance dating. They have found true love and are thankful for their strong, deep, and meaningful commitment to each other.

(Photo by Samantha Farmer Photography) See “Pitch Perfect Love” on page 8.

INSIDE: FULL OF HEART After undergoing triple bypass heart surgery, Tony McMurry encourages others to be proactive with their health.

FEATURE STORIES Nothing Short of a Miracle

8-12

Full of Heart 14-18 Family = Something to Live For

24-28

Never Too Late To Make Small Changes

34-38

A True Testament of Love

40-44

Las Amigas Social & Civic Club presents its 2021 Fall Debutantes 46-50 She’s Worth More Than a Hole-In-One

52-55

What You Know Could Save Your Life

58-63

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE The Way I See It An op-ed piece from the publisher

6

Events

64

Exquisite Interiors

66-69

The Road Less Traveled

70-71

A Pinch of Salt

73

The Friends List 74

Scene About Town

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Kendal Dockery Photography

photo by PEYTON SIMS

The Way I See It...

PUBLISHER’S LETTER Robin Rogers, Ed.D.

Happy New Year from the animals and me; we make a lot of noise, but really we just want to be fed and loved! And from my daughter, Emily, who is my shadow and my conscience, “If you don’t want to get run over by my wheelchair, be cautious around people in wheelchairs.” And from my daughter who is a teacher, “Read to your kids and give them free time to think and investigate and play outside.” And from my son who is a nursing student, “Stay the course in this war against COVID; it’s not over yet.”

Dang, I just want to be fed and loved. Has it gotten that basic? Yes, I think it has. These last two years have been exhausting. No sugarcoating it. If the emotional energy hasn’t drained you, you must live in a hut with no way to reach the outside world. Then you are just lonely. I have felt lonely since COVID began. The short few months where infection rates dropped and fewer people died felt like the end of the war was near.

And then another variant exploded onto the scene.

So, moving into 2022, let’s be cautiously optimistic.

Optimism equals positive attitude, and good attitudes are part of a balanced diet for this new year. Remember, I’m all about being fed and loved. Part of surviving these days involves finding ways to interact with others and not make bad decisions. Trust me when I say I’m the queen of bad decisions with love and food. I crave both, but maybe I never figured out the balance to be successful with either.

One year, I only ate Subway sandwiches. Full stop.

Yes, I only ate Subway sandwiches, and I didn’t mix them up either; the club was my daily order. Jared must have been doing the commercials that year.

Four States Living 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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Another year, I ate a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Blast from Sonic every single day for lunch. Not Oreo or M&M or Butterfinger. I am a routine girl, with a regular order. If you worked there, I knew your name, and you knew my order. “No whipped cream on top, right?” Right. That stuff is gross. In the last year or so, I have discovered Little Caesars cheese breadsticks and Crazy Sauce. Even my kids won’t eat what I eat.

Without a doubt, the reason my weight has been like Oprah’s back in the ’80s is due to my annual restaurant picks. I will say that the Newk’s chicken salad sandwich is looking like the choice for 2022, and that is for sure a win over cheese bread or ice cream.

I quit making New Year’s resolutions to cook or learn to cook or hire a cook many moons ago. It was just not sustainable for me. I truly despise the idea of raw meat in my fridge, hands, or a pan on my stove. The only way I like it is on a plate. And doing dishes is worse than cleaning toilets. Why do I have this aversion to all things food prep related? Only a good mental health counselor could figure that out, and I am honestly not interested in the answer. Just feed me, for goodness sake. To the friends I know by name at local restaurants who lead, prep, cook, serve, and do dishes, I truly love you all. As long as you guys keep going to work, I feel like I can survive anything.

Except maybe the loneliness part that the pandemic has introduced.

For those of you interested in love, there are so many ways to meet people virtually these days. From Facebook dating to Match.com to Tinder (which I do not do for prudish reasons), you can find pictures and

PUBLISHER Dr. Robin Rogers EDITOR Suzy Turner GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kim McMurry SALES REPRESENTATIVE Victoria Herman FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHER Peyton Sims

FEATURED COLUMNISTS Nichole Holze Donnie Spriggs CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Jordan Lindsey McMillan Vicki Melde Ellen Orr Peyton Sims Amber E. Willman

profiles of any kind of person you desire. My problem is time. The only time I take to virtually match or look at these apps is after I’ve snuggled into bed and taken my Ambien (prescription, amnesiatic, sleeping pill).

The lights are off, and the heating blanket is on, and the dogs are at my feet, and some crazy, subconscious, flirtatious instinct prods me to tap the app. Photos of men in their natural habitat, doing their favorite things, flood my feed. The question for me is “By looking at a man’s name, age, and photo, is he interesting enough to swipe right for?” Does it sound shallow? It is. Is there a better way to meet people in 2022? I don’t think so. Let me know if you want to set me up on a blind date.

Every year, I try to write some resolutions. This year, if a nice guy comes into my dating app, I resolve to not judge him based on the fish or the dead animal he is holding in his profile picture. I promise to give him a second chance if he does not know what an Oxford comma is. I will not ghost him just because he has a 30-year-old child OR a first grader. And, I resolve to make time to actually go on the first dates in real life that are so annoying and awkward. Over the years, I have had some nice dates, but the timing wasn’t right.

Timing truly is everything.

Maybe 2022 is my time (and I think that’s the name of a dating app, too).

Our focus for this issue is “Fresh Starts & Full Hearts.” No matter what else is going on in the world, love and nourishment keep us spinning. Hopeful for lots of both in this new year. Happy 2022 friends, and as always, thanks for reading FSLM.

Four States Living Magazine is published the first business day of every month. © Copyright 2022 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 $36.00 per year. Reader correspondence and editorial submissions are welcome. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material contributed.

Do You Have a Story or a Photo?

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, 4106 Summerhill Square, Texarkana, Texas 75503. Comments are also welcome at our e-mail address: info@fourstatesliving.com

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photo by ELLEN ORR

NOTHING SHORT OF A

Miracle D E S P ITE B EI N G D IAG N O S ED WITH A H E ART CO N D ITI O N D U R I N G H I S FI R ST WEEK O F L I F E , A L M O S T- 5 -Y E A R - O L D F I N N K I M M E L S T I L L L I V E S L I F E T O I T S F U L L E S T

by EL L EN O R R

photo by ELLEN ORR

Finn Kimmel’s birth in March 2017 was nothing short of a miracle. His parents, Wade and Kandice, met in 2004 on a blind date. They fell in love quickly and were married a short year later, when they immediately started trying to expand their family.

After two years of trying with moderate medical intervention, they tried in vitro fertilization. Two embryos were implanted.

At the first ultrasound appointment, they saw one baby—and Kandice was devastated. “I cried and cried and cried on the way home because I just knew there were two babies,” Kandice said.

“Wade was like, ‘You’ve been crying for two years because you couldn’t get pregnant, and now you’re pregnant, and you’re still crying. What are we gonna do?’ I just felt like I’d had a baby that died, which sounds crazy, but I just knew.” A week later, another ultrasound revealed that Kandice was, in fact, pregnant with twins.

At week 27 of her pregnancy, Kandice’s doctors told her she needed to be airlifted to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences hospital. Wade raced home to pack bags and would meet them in Little Rock. “As I pulled up into the driveway, the F E B RUA R Y 2 02 2 . fourstatesliving.com

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helicopter flew right over our house, headed to Little Rock. Kandice and my unborn kids were in that helicopter. It was the most surreal moment of my life,” he said.

After a month at UAMS, via c-section, Cooper Anthony and Olivia Grace entered the world. At eight weeks early, each weighed under five pounds. Cooper was jaundiced and required tube-feeding and oxygenation—a scary situation, but what was to be expected for a two-month-early newborn. Kandice and Wade were allowed to hold him for two hours a day. Olivia, however, was a different story.

“They came to me and told me that Olivia’s little body and lungs were just working too hard, so they had to put her on a vent,” Kandice remembered. “When we saw her, she was on oxygen, she was tubefed, she had IVs in her head, she had a vent, she had a brain bleed, and her feet were purple-black because her circulation was so bad.

Her skin was almost see-through—that not-ready-to-be-born skin.

She was still developing. She was a hot mess, but she was gorgeous to me. It was a week before I could hold her.”

On Christmas Day, Kandice was discharged from the hospital.

Since then, Cooper and Olivia have grown steadily into the healthy, thriving teenagers they are today.

In January of 2016, Kandice and Wade decided to try for one more child. They weren’t willing to do in vitro again due to the price.

Fertility drugs were presented as a more affordable option, but even so, they were still very costly. The specialist recommended the couple try the drugs for three months. Wade and Kandice decided to try for only one month instead, feeling as if they couldn’t potentially throw away that much money, which “could be a fun vacation, or tuition, or something else that our kids needed, rather than a chance that

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During August of 2017, Finn was all hooked up for an EKG at Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.

we might get pregnant again,” Kandice said. “It was too much of a gamble” for them to try for longer than a month.

After a month: no pregnancy. They gave up. “I knew I wasn’t done with babies,” Kandice said. “I figured we would foster one day.” They were at peace with it.

And then, four months later, despite all odds, Kandice found herself looking at a positive pregnancy test.

It was a smooth pregnancy, and on March 21, 2017, at 8:17 a.m., Finn Alexander was born.

Six days later, at his newborn checkup, the pediatrician found Finn’s heartbeat was so fast she couldn’t count it: 254 beats per minute. They thought he was having a heart attack. He and Kandice were airlifted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Wade, again, was out-of-town for work, this time in court in Fayetteville. Kandice managed to get a message into the presiding judge, who relayed to Wade that he needed to get to Little Rock immediately. “I drove 100 miles an hour the whole way there and beat [the helicopter] to the hospital,” Wade said.

The doctors at Children’s diagnosed Finn with Wolff-ParkinsonWhite Syndrome, a problem with the electrical wiring of the heart.

If the episode Finn experienced at the doctor had gone unnoticed, he likely would have experienced a heart attack. The fact that it had occurred at the pediatrician’s office in his first week of life was nothing short of miraculous. After four days at Children’s, they returned home with medicine and a stethoscope. He would need medicine every six hours and regular monitoring of his heart rate, but the doctors assured Kandice and Wade that he was going to be fine.

During a family vacation in 2020, Finn took a little time to do some fishing in South Fork, Colorado.

Cooper and Olivia play with baby Finn at their home during the spring of 2017.

While on a family camping trip to Jasper, Arkansas, Finn enjoyed swimming in the Buffalo River.

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On the final morning of 2018, 21-month-old Finn would not wake up. He was breathing, but he was weak, lethargic, and largely unresponsive. Kandice rushed him to the closest medical office, where medical professionals did all they could to keep a blue-lipped, heavyeyed Finn conscious while they waited for an ambulance. Both his heart rate and body temperature were extremely low. At the hospital, it was discovered that his glucose level was 12 (the normal range for toddlers is 100 to 180). A doctor from Children’s consulted over the phone, walking a CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System ER doctor through a procedure which involved drilling into Finn’s shin to deliver insulin intraosseously (into bone). Once Finn was stable, an ambulance took them to Little Rock, where, over the course of a few days, he was evaluated by specialists, who concluded that his ketotic hypoglycemia was a rare side effect of his heart medication. “I hadn’t given him his 4 a.m. dose that morning,” Kandice recalled. “I was supposed to, but I didn’t. I wonder, had I given him that dose, if it would have been worse—if he would have died.” The cardiologist ordered that the medicine be stopped immediately; Finn’s heart and blood sugar would have to be monitored carefully until he was old enough for an ablation, a procedure to resolve his WPW. Since his second near-death experience, almost-5-year-old Finn has been healthy, although he did start taking beta blockers last year after a 24-hour heart monitor test revealed that he was experiencing multiple supraventricular tachycardia episodes, meaning his heart rate would soar. The family is hopeful that the ablation will be performed within the next year. “We haven’t received poor health care anywhere we’ve gone,” said Kandice. “All of the doctors and nurses have been wonderful,” added Wade.

The care they’ve received has allowed them to build a storybook life for their family of five. They consider their main values to be family time, which includes family dinner every night; education in a playbased environment, like St. James; and seeing the world. Wade notes that he and Kandice don’t take “adult-only vacations.” “We want our kids to see and experience things,” he said. And, Kandice added, with kids as fun and wanted and miraculous as theirs, it’s no sacrifice to take them along for the ride.

Finn and Kandice at Children’s Hospital in Little Rock in January 2019 when his blood sugar dropped very low.

A typical adventurous little boy, Finn enjoys riding his four-wheeler.

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photo by PEYTON SIMS

AFTER UNDERGOING T R I P L E B Y PA S S H E A R T S U R G E R Y, T O N Y M C M U R R Y EN CO U R AG E S OT H ER S TO B E P R OAC T I V E W I T H T H E I R H E A LT H

full of hea rt

by L I N D S E Y M C M I L L A N

T

ony McMurry is full of heart. He is passionate about his family, job, health, and overall wellbeing. He lives a healthy lifestyle and is very active in martial arts. Even though Tony was perceived as a seemingly healthy 50-year-old, he had to undergo triple bypass cardiovascular surgery in the fall of 2020. Thanks to a thorough screening at Arkansas Heart Hospital’s Keep the Beat Clinic in Little Rock, he was spared a major health crisis. Heart issues are prevalent in Tony’s family such as the body not making enough good cholesterol, and his grandfather, father, and brother have had strokes and/or heart disease.

Tony works out regularly, and having been an amateur boxer, he enjoys the programs at Texarkana Combat Sports. Here, he practices both Mixed Martial Arts and Jiu Jitsu. He has been involved in martial arts for many years and has achieved various belts as well as referee training.

Tony has been employed with Cooper Tire for 33 years and has worked in a variety of settings, some of which were under strenuous circumstances. Due to his size and strength, in the summer of 2020, Tony was working in his position at Cooper in the curing department where he had been for 12 years. This is where the tires are sprayed and inspected. He states how hot it can get in there, often reaching 130-140 degrees. Tony was also participating in martial arts for two hours several days a week.

Tony began experiencing mild chest pains and

On Father’s Day, June 21, 2020, Tony sparred at Texarkana Combat Sports with former Marine, Jake Hannaford. Healthy and active, Tony had no idea that there was anything wrong with his heart until approximately three weeks after this photo was taken when he had the first episode with his heart.

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specifically recalls July 10 when he was taking a break from work.

He was working his usual shift which was 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. He noticed that his back and neck hurt, he had shoulder pain, and his breathing became labored. He was concerned about this and kept an eye on it, requesting that he be put on light duty at work. Here, he was relocated to the Tire Room in stock recovery, where he gathered scrap steel belt and liner ply for discarding and often operated a forklift. He was advised to rest, and even after doing so, the chest pains and hyperventilation continued.

He had hoped to remain at Cooper for a few more years but knew that any physical stress of his job could be contributing to his health. He went to get a stress test at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System after seeing his primary care physician.

He experienced some tightness in his chest and labored breathing during the test but according to the results, his heart function was normal, and there seemed to be no issue. Tony had been on some blood pressure and cholesterol medication but his weight was down due to his healthy diet and working out.

Tony’s wife, Kim, had encouraged him to begin a vegan diet five years ago and for a self-proclaimed “meat and potatoes” guy, Tony admits how much better his numbers were so he could decrease the meds as well as having lost 59 pounds within 11 months of changing his diet. By the next month, he was working, and the chest pains ensued. Even with lighter and more comfortable working conditions and recent stress test, he was very concerned about how he would get out of breath so frequently.

A friend recommended that Tony go to Arkansas Heart Hospital where the Keep the Beat Clinic conducted rigorous screening for

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Tony at Arkansas Heart Hospital, on September 11, 2020, two days after his triple bypass surgery.

heart health. He was able to get an appointment on September 1, 2020, and after tests and scans, he was notified that his assessment number was 579. Anything over 400 was serious so Tony was told he needed to undergo more tests. It was then discovered that he had blockage in three out of four arteries, and triple bypass surgery was needed.

Tony and Kim were surprised to learn this and came back to Texarkana to prepare for surgery the following week. On September 9, his bypass surgery was completed at Arkansas Heart Hospital. Tony did well during the surgery and remembers very little while he was in recovery but notes that his wife had waited a very long time in the waiting room since over 24 hours had passed until he was in a room. He spent four days in the hospital and was told to get up and walk rather quickly. After he was discharged and able to return to Texarkana, he had rehabilitation exercises to do, primarily cardiac and respiratory ones, so that he didn’t develop a pulmonary embolism in his lungs. He did, in fact, develop a blood clot in his right leg shortly after the surgery, and thanks to another friend’s urging, checked that out in time to avoid another potential problem. Tony was off of work and restricted from any strenuous activity for three months.

Tony is grateful for his swift recovery and for the assessment at Keep the Beat Clinic for averting what could have been a deadly heart attack. “This program without a doubt saved my life,” he states. By the start of 2021, Tony was happily back enjoying martial arts and returned to work. He is currently working in the Tire Room in the detread department. He is mindful of his heart

Tony enjoyed spending Christmas 2019 with his daughter, Martti, and son, Logan.

Visiting with his 4-month-old grandson, Luka, this past Christmas definitely put a smile on Tony’s face.

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rate and other issues such as anemia, sleep apnea, and sports-induced asthma for which he uses an inhaler.

Tony enjoys his grown children, three small grandchildren, and is simply eager to enjoy life. He sees his cardiologist every six months for routine visits and feels just great. He says, “I have a shirt that says, ‘Attack Life, It’s gonna kill you anyway!’ That’s the way I choose to live. I will continue to ride my motorcycle, travel, go to concerts, go to fights, and train MMA and Jiu Jitsu at Texarkana Combat Sports. I’m not gonna let a little heart surgery stop me.”

Tony’s message to others who experience any heart-related episodes is to be proactive and get checked out, especially if you have a family history of coronary artery disease. “Don’t think just because you eat healthy, you exercise regularly, that everything is great,” he encourages. “There are too many influences that can affect your health. And medical technology is too good, not to take advantage of, for detection and prevention.”

>>> Tony with daughter, Martti, in 2017 when she received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of Texas in Arlington.

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You Can’t Beat a

Healthy Heart

HeartView

What is a HeartView scan?

Wadley’s HeartView scan is a non-invasive coronary calcium-score screening test using computed tomography (CT) to detect calcium deposits in the coronary arteries of the heart. A higher coronary calcium score could mean that there is a higher chance of significant narrowing in the coronary arteries; thus, a higher risk of heart attack.

How much radiation dose do I get with this scan?

In radiology, our guiding principle is called ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable). We always use the lowest dose possible to produce an image without compromising image quality. The dose an individual will receive is solely based on their body size.

Our heart scan can vary from 0.7 – 10.5 mSv.

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Do the benefits of this scan outweigh the radiation exposure risk?

I believe that if you are in the age range and have at least one of the risks, the benefit absolutely outweighs the risk. The dose is very small compared to the wealth of information we get about the condition of the coronary arteries.

What are the criteria to be eligible for a HeartView scan?

Ages 40-65 for males, 45-70 for females. The patient must also have one of the following risk factors: Diabetes Current Smoker Obesity Family history of heart disease Cholesterol level greater than 160/LDL Blood pressure greater than 140/90

Exclusions for the scan include known coronary artery disease, open heart/ bypass surgery, heart valve replacement, pacemaker, prior stent placement.

Patients who have had these procedures have different anatomies or items that create metal artifacts, which will keep us from getting an accurate coronary calcium score.

How long does the scan take?

The scan itself takes about 10-15 minutes. The patient will also have to register prior to the scan, allow for time for the technologist to score the exam and possibly have a short consultation with a nurse. All together, the patient should expect to spend 45 minutes to an hour at the hospital.

What is the cost?

For this screening study, we charge a cash rate of $75. It cannot be filed to insurance.

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SCENE ABOUT TOWN H OS PI CE O F TE X AR K ANA , I N C . CELEB R ATES J U D G E J OS H MORRISS, III A plaque was presented to Judge Josh Morriss, III, outgoing president of the Hospice of Texarkana, Inc. board of directors, during the board’s annual meeting on January 18.

Executive Director Cindy Marsh commended Judge Morriss for his diligence leading the board during the past two years. Patrick Flannery was also welcomed and introduced as the incoming board president.

Judge Josh Morriss, III, Patrick Flannery and Cindy Marsh

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photo by PEYTON SIMS

FAMILY

=

Something to Live For S I N C E H AV I N G A H E A R T AT TA C K I N M A R C H 2 0 2 1 , L I N D A M AT T H E W S VA L U E S E V E R Y M O M E N T I N L I F E A N D TA K E S T I M E TO E N J OY E AC H O N E

by A M B ER E . W I L L M A N On March 17, 2021, Linda Matthews awoke from sleep with pain in her chest. Thinking it was indigestion, she tried to get comfortable until it subsided. The next morning the pain returned, and it seemed determined to stay. Linda was having a heart attack, an experience she hopes to never repeat.

Heart disease is a leading cause of death for women. The symptoms can present differently than they do for men. For this reason, women often wait too long to request medical attention.

A breast cancer survivor and diabetic, Linda was already a high risk for heart attack or stroke. By 10 a.m., Linda knew something was wrong. She describes the pain as feeling like someone had her heart in a vise. Fortunately, her daughter was on spring break and F E B RUA R Y 2 02 2 . fourstatesliving.com

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On December 19, 2021, Linda and her family held their third annual “Shock-n-Claus” event where they all go out to eat before Christmas, pool their money, pay the ticket, and give the waitress the remainder of the money. From back are her son, Clifton; great niece, Nora; Linda; granddaughter, Autumn; Clifton’s wife, Lori; niece, Charla; granddaughter, Brittan; and daughter, Heather.

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One of Linda’s family’s favorite pastimes is watching her granddaughter, Olivia, play ball.

rushed her to Wadley Regional Medical Center.

Wadley was the closest location and upon arrival, they wasted no time treating Linda. They called in their cardio team who met Linda as she was being wheeled through the doors. Their team descended on the patient, inserting IVs, asking questions, and providing reassurance.

Linda’s diagnosis was “sudden clots.” According to the cardiologist, blood was pumping through her system as normal, and suddenly, clots formed. They put two stents in immediately, and Linda returned in May to have additional stents put in.

Linda was lucky. She was only in the ICU for one day, and she was released from the hospital in time for her granddaughter’s softball game, which she attended under the watchful eyes of her family and a fellow softball mom who was also an ICU nurse. Linda’s granddaughter works in cardio rehabilitation at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System. She requested a transfer, promising to “crack the whip” if necessary. Linda did the work and completed the program.

Other than a few weeks off following the stent procedure, Linda returned to her job as the Executive Assistant to the Texarkana Arkansas City Manager. For over 40 years, Linda worked as a legal secretary. When the last of the city attorneys for whom she worked retired, the City Manager asked her to work for him. She has been there ever since. “I’ve always seen my job, even with the attorneys, as helping to keep my bosses organized and to make their jobs easier in any way I can,” Linda says.

Linda’s coworkers return the favor. They are almost as fussy as her family is. Her job is mostly sedentary which keeps her from overexertion. The job can get hectic, but usually isn’t stressful. Her coworkers are quick to step in if they think she shouldn’t be doing something. And it’s probably a good thing that she has them watching her back, because in September, Linda tested positive for coronavirus.

With her medical history, she was already high risk. It has taken the last few months to regain her strength and energy. Like many government offices, business firms, and medical clinics, Linda’s office was quick to retrofit the office to protect its employees. Shields were installed on desks to separate employees from pedestrian traffic.

Employees wear masks, keep hand sanitizer at their desks, and practice social distancing. “On a personal level, I take the supplements that experts say help strengthen your immune system, and I’ve returned to wearing a mask when I’m in places where I cannot control how close people get to me,” Linda explains.

Linda admits that she has not made as many changes as she should have to take care of herself. While she has learned to slow down a bit and not worry about little things, Linda has not kept up with the work she needs to do to remain healthy. She has made a 2022 goal to

During May 2021, Linda attended her youngest granddaughter’s dance recital with her daughter’s family of girls. With her are granddaughter, Autumn Huckabee; granddaughter, Olivia Huckabee; daughter, Heather Phillips; great-granddaughter, Peyton; and granddaughter, Brittan.

After finishing chemo and radiation, Linda and her family took a trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama, in July 2016. With her are her daughter, Heather, and granddaughter, Autumn.

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start exercising again. Her granddaughter is threatening the whip again, but Linda admits to needing that kind of motivation sometimes. She knows that regular exercise and better eating habits will help her heart health and diabetes management. “That’s two things I would share with everyone. Find something you can enjoy while getting some exercise and watch all the food you’re feeding your body. It could save your life.”

Linda never had a “you only live once” attitude, but she didn’t take her situation seriously. She knows that she can do better, and she will do better. “Yes, we all only live once but shouldn’t we want that to be as healthy and as long a life as we can have?” Linda asks.

Many years ago, Linda prayed that she would live long enough to see her great-grandchildren. God has honored her request. Linda is blessed with three children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. “My grandchildren—one grandson and four granddaughters— and my niece’s three girls have brought tremendous amounts of joy to my life,” Linda says. “A picture I’m including shows all the girls with shirts that say, ‘I get my ATTITUDE from … well, pretty much all of the women I am related to.’”

Linda’s family has been watchful since her heart attack.

She says they are starting to relax some now. None of them expected this cardiac event, so it scared them. But they have learned from the experience, especially Linda.

She doesn’t worry about things that don’t get done today.

There is no point in stressing over it or feeling like she has failed. There’s always tomorrow.

“The things that really matter to me—family and friends—are much more important than some of the things I previously worried about,” she says. Linda tries to enjoy her life more; she strives for fun and laughter. “And most of all, I am more aware of the small moments in life and take time to enjoy them. They’re usually the ones that really matter. I would advise other people to do the same.”

Linda comes from a family of girls, most of whom have grown into strong women. Two words stand out. Family and strong. Family gives Linda something to live for, but the strength … that comes from character.

Taken four years ago, this photo shows all the strong ladies in Linda’s family. Their shirts read, “I get my ATTITUDE from . . . well, pretty much all of the women I am related to.”

Linda and her daughter, Heather, at great-granddaughter Peyton’s birthday party in January 2019.

A breast cancer survivor Linda and her granddaughter, Olivia, and one of Olivia’s friends, painted this artwork for the Breast Cancer Survivor Art Wall during October 2020.

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SCENE ABOUT TOWN LITER ACY CO U N CI L O F M I LLER AN D B OWI E CO U NTI ES R ECEIVED G R ANT FRO M TE X AR K ANA ROTARY CLU B S The Texarkana Rotary Clubs recently granted $10,000 to the Literacy Council of Miller and Bowie Counties. The monies will be used for the Literacy Council’s “Save the Children Program” to increase literacy rates in rural communities through research-based early learning initiatives.

Matt Fry – Wilbur Smith Rotary, Bess Gamble-Williams – Texarkana Rotary International, Jenny Walker – Literacy Council President, Mark Luckett – Oaklawn Rotary and Landon Forbes – Sunrise Rotary

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photo by PEYTON SIMS

NEVER TOO LATE To Make Small Changes V E LV E T C O O L F E E L S T H A N K F U L FO R R ECO G N I ZI N G SY M PTO M S A N D S E E K I N G T R E AT M E N T Q U I C K LY A F T E R H E R H E A R T AT TA C K

by A M B ER E . W I L L M A N

C

ardiovascular disease steals a life every 37 seconds in the United States.

That is over 2,300 losses per day. Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke. The rate of death in stroke victims is every four minutes or 400 deaths per day. These statistics from the American Heart Association are especially gruesome in the current climate as pandemic deaths continue to reach all-time highs. It would be easy to despair, which is why it is so important to celebrate the wins. Statistics focus on the deaths, but it’s much more encouraging to focus on the survivors.

Velvet Hall, 52, has lived in Texarkana her entire life. A 1987 Arkansas High graduate, Velvet works for a family-owned land surveying company; she has three children and nine grandchildren. Velvet volunteers for the Literacy Council, a local nonprofit organization which focuses on teaching reading, math, and other basic literacy skills to those in the community who may be seeking their GED, learning English as a second language, or just need a boost with their skill sets.

Because of her work with the Council, a friend, Helen Mobley, suggested that Velvet join the board of directors for the Texarkana Museums System, which is comprised of four museums: Ace of Clubs House, Museum of Regional History, Discovery Place Children’s Museum, and P.J. Ahern House.

As president of the board, Velvet oversees the entire museum system, but the Museum of Regional History is her favorite. “I am not what one would call a traditional historian. I enjoy the individual stories that speak to my heart,” she says.

Last fall, Velvet served as a judge for a monthly calendar contest. The Ace of

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Clubs hosted the photo shoots, and the calendar promoted healthy living for individuals over the age of 60. For some, this would have been an omen. But Velvet was living her life, working her job, and serving her community. Velvet could be any one of us, which is what makes her story extraordinary.

On October 7, 2021, Velvet went to dinner with friends. It had been one month since her best friend unexpectedly passed away. She and her friends laughed and shared memories of their dear friend.

Around 9:30 p.m., Velvet started feeling bad. She thought she had a case of heartburn and went home. By three o’clock that morning, the pain hadn’t subsided. She called her son and told him she needed to go to the emergency room. “I kept having flashbacks to my aunt, Bobby Haywood, always telling me how a heart attack in a woman might mean your shoulders hurt, and you feel like you have to burp or vomit ... all things I was feeling,” Velvet explains.

At the Wadley Regional Medial Center emergency room, Velvet was given nitroglycerin while the medical team ran tests. It took three rounds of nitro to stop the chest pain. They kept Velvet overnight and the next morning, a doctor confirmed that Velvet had experienced a heart attack. They also wanted to discuss her diabetes, which was a revelation. Until that moment, Velvet was not aware that she was diabetic.

Fortunately, Velvet’s condition did not require bypass surgery. They were able to go in through her wrist and put in a stent. The worst part of the ordeal was the post-traumatic stress. Physically, she was tired.

Emotionally, she dealt with sleep anxiety and was afraid to drive for several weeks. “I was worried I’d have another heart attack and die in my sleep. I would worry that I’d have a heart attack while driving.

My symptoms were so slight, and I worried I wouldn’t know if it

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Enjoying lunch together at Hopkins Icehouse in 2020 are Velvet, her daughter, Alyssa, and granddaughter, Olivia.

happened again or that I’d again wait and wait and wait to go to the hospital, and it might be too late,” Velvet explains.

Velvet attributes her cardiac episode to stress. Upon evaluation, her number was over 700. The human body typically shows signs of stress at around 300. Last summer, Velvet spent a week at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System suffering from COVID. She very nearly went on a ventilator. Her doctor explained that medical professionals are seeing lots of heart problems and diabetes in former COVID patients. Although Velvet was more susceptible due to higher risk factors, she was also under a great deal of emotional stress grieving the loss of her friend.

Now that it has been a few months, Velvet can honestly say that she feels better since her heart attack than she did in the months prior. Her outlook has become more spiritual. She believes she had a guardian angel looking out for her.

The experience was traumatic for Velvet and her family. Her children have closed ranks. They bring food, help around the house, and call more often. “I think my dad actually worries the deepest though. As a parent, I know I would,” she says.

Velvet encourages everyone to learn the signs of a heart attack. It’s never too late to make even small changes that might help prevent an experience like hers. She recommends finding a good doctor and following their advice which includes being compliant with medications and scheduling regular checkups.

Velvet and her daughter, Ariel, at their home in 1991.

Ten-year-old Velvet while opening Christmas gifts at her grandparent’s home in Texarkana, Arkansas.

In 1994, Velvet snuggles with her son, Hastings Hoover.

Velvet (right) with her mother, Pat, friend, Eric, and cousin, Stacey During Easter 1979, Velvet gets her basket prepared for an Easter in 1978 at her grandmother’s house in the Rose Hill Community. egg hunt.

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Velvet was living her life and minding her business when heart disease struck. She could have been a statistic as so many are, but she wasn’t. She recognized the symptoms and sought treatment. The only way to change the depressing statistics is to educate ourselves and make healthy decisions. We change the status quo by surviving. Velvet lived to tell her story. Velvet is victorious.

Velvet and friends, Steve Moore and John Rich, doing some porch sitting in 2019.

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photo by PEYTON SIMS

A True Testament

of Love

by J EN N I FER J O R DA N

T

DR. JEFF DEHA AN IS A LIVING M I R AC LE AF TER SUFFERING A MAJOR HEART AT TA C K W H I L E ON A VIKING RIVER CRUISE FIVE YE AR S AG O

o paraphrase John Lennon and Paul McCartney, at one time or another we all “get by with a little help from our friends.” These words ring especially true for local orthopedic surgeon, Jeff DeHaan.

After suffering a major heart attack overseas at age 62 in 2017, Jeff is alive today thanks to God, doctors at various hospitals, his wife, Jamye, and most definitely, his friends.

In August 2017, Jeff, Jamye, and a group of friends embarked on a Viking river cruise sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The DeHaans and their friends began the trip in Paris, enjoying four days there and at Normandy before they joined the river cruise on the Danube River.

The boat would dock at ports along the Danube, on its way to Vienna. One day, after returning to the boat, “we were visiting, waiting at the back of the boat, when Jeff decided to walk to our room,” Jamye explains. “He did not mention anything, and he was not feeling any symptoms. I was tired, so I followed Jeff to the room.” Jeff went to bed, while Jamye texted nieces and nephews. All of a sudden, “I heard a loud snore, and I looked over, but not really at Jeff. I heard another loud snore. Jeff’s face was red, and immediately I knew that something was wrong.” The DeHaans kept nitroglycerin by the bed, as Jeff had suffered a previous heart attack. “I put it under his tongue and started CPR. I had learned it years before.”

Jamye began compressions, yelling for help. She opened

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the door for other passengers to hear her. People started coming to help, immediately their friend Mel Walsh, and then others, including friends Melissa Keil and Lisa and Bobby Howell. Jamye further states, “It was a miracle that a nurse anesthetist, Brian Neal, was in his room next door. He took over the compressions. I learned that I was not doing them hard enough. Jeff was practically popping up off the bed with each compression Brian did.” I hit my knees and started praying,” Their friends met in the Howells’ room, where they all prayed. “He was dead. He really was,” Lisa adds.

The riverboat docked in a new port, and Melissa explained that a car and ambulance met them to take Jeff to a hospital. Until then, Brian Neal continued CPR, telling Jamye that he needed to keep Jeff’s blood flowing. “He didn’t stop for 35 minutes,” Jamye says.

“There was no doctor or medical staff onboard the boat. The AED instructions were not written in English, but Brian said that we did everything right. God was in control. We had never met Brian before. It was a God thing that he was there.” Melissa adds, “Jamye

really thought that Jeff was gone.”

At the hospital, Jeff was hooked up to heart monitors, which indicated a heartbeat. “I was bawling,” Jamye recalls. “I never took my hands off of Jeff. Melissa told me to straighten up. ‘I don’t want Jeff hearing you,’ she said.” Jamye grabbed Jeff’s hand, and he responded. “He squeezed my hand.” “This is when I knew that Jeff would be alright,” Melissa remarks. At this point, Melissa left the hospital to resume the cruise, and the Howells stayed with Jamye, along with friends, Mel and Ray Walsh.

“A female doctor told Jamye that Jeff needed surgery,” Lisa explains.

Surgeons put four stents in Jeff, and he made it through. However, Jeff had not woken up yet. “We realized we were in for a long haul,” Lisa says, as the doctor told Jamye that they need to go to another hospital for a scan. Jeff’s chances of survival were at 30% at this point. He was in renal failure and needed dialysis, which the second hospital did not provide.

Lisa stayed with Jamye while Bobby and the Walshes returned to the United States. Jamye had been in touch with Jeff’s local cardiologist, Dr. Hurley, who had said that it was not uncommon for Jeff’s kidneys to fail

Melissa Keil, pilot Jay Miller, Jeff and Jamye as they were leaving Cleveland Clinic and heading home.

Jamye and Jeff cohosted the Heart Ball in 2018, the year after Jeff’s heart attack in Austria.

Pictured with them is Brian Neal, the one who performed CPR on Jeff and saved his life.

Friends Lana Carmeli, Ray Walsh, Lisa Howell, Mel Walsh, Amy Warren, Lloyd Champion, Bobby Howell, Bobby and Bertha Shipp met Jeff and Jamye at the airport to welcome them home after Jeff’s ordeal.

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after a heart attack. “This hospital did not have dialysis. We were in a place where we weren’t getting help. The female doctor was very kind. I hadn’t been sleeping, and she let me sleep in the doctor’s lounge, sharing food with me. Lisa stayed all night, holding Jeff’s hand,” Jamye states. The next morning, Jeff’s numbers were looking better, and Lisa and Jamye loaded in an ambulance with Jeff. “Everyone was crying as we left, even the doctor,” Jamye said.

After a long drive, the DeHaans and Lisa arrived at the third hospital, St. Polten University Hospital in Austria. Jeff’s daughters, Brittany and Karlee, flew over to visit him. “We weren’t sure if Jeff would make it,” Jamye says. Jeff started dialysis but given that they were not communicating well with the hospital due to language barriers, they considered flying back to America. “Bobby told us to err on the safe side and come,” Lisa explains. “We had a group in Texarkana who were willing to help us. Jim Bunch had a plane if we needed it. We were at our wit’s end with the communication,” Jamye states.

After 10 days at St. Polten, Jeff was making gradual progress and growing stronger. With the aid of Chris Karam, Jeff was able to move to Cleveland Clinic. Although he does not remember most of the events, Jeff recalls flying in an air ambulance “on a gurney, from Vienna to Iceland to America.” Lisa flew to Cleveland with all of their luggage, and Melissa joined them there to help return Jeff to Texarkana. “Jeff was throwing a fit to get out of Cleveland,” Melissa comments. Jamye adds, “The Cleveland doctors all came in to look at him, as a special case. ‘He shouldn’t be alive, and he should not be communicating as well as he was,’ they said.”

According to the DeHaans, Jeff could be released from Cleveland Clinic if he passed a neurological test. “I told them to bring it on,” Jeff says. “My

two little buddies (Jamye and Melissa) took it with me, and who came in first?” he quips. “He was cranky and fussy,” Lisa comments. Thanks to Jim Bunch and other friends, they were able to secure a plane and get home to Texarkana.

Four and a half years later, Jeff is doing well. He has not had any heart-related issues since the trip, and he has made some changes to his diet. “Jamye takes good care of him,” Melissa comments. “That’s why he’s

Jamye with Jeff’s daughters, Brittany and Karlee, visiting with him while he was a patient at St. Paiten Hospital in Austria.

Bobby and Lisa Howell, Mel and Ray Walsh, and Jamye and Jeff at The Palace of Versailles.

This group of friends visited Paris for several days before meeting friends in Austria for the Danube River cruise.

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ticking and working,” Lisa chimes in.

Jeff resumed his orthopedic practice, performing surgery three months after his heart attack, although he has since reduced his work hours. As advice to others traveling with health conditions, Jeff recommends that people stay on top of their checkups and listen to their bodies. Jeff and Jamye suggest that people with heart issues travel with a portable AED, if possible, and they both encourage more people to learn CPR. As Jamye says, “Brian Neal is really something. It was a God thing, all the way.” She also recalls, “My mom and my sister called every church to pray for Jeff. The power of prayer is a real thing. Jeff was dead. He is a living miracle.”

Thanks to the help of his friends, Jeff DeHaan is more than getting by. He is testament to the love and support of Jamye and good friends, the care of doctors, and of course, the hands of God.

Melissa Keil, Pat Somerville, Jamye and Jeff, Bertha and Bobby Shipp, Amy Warren, and Bobby and Lisa Howell enjoying a Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performance while in Austria.

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Because Jamye hadn’t had any sleep since Jeff’s heart attack, Lisa Howell insisted that she would stay in the hospital with Jeff while Jamye got some rest. Lisa held his hand all night while gripping a cross that she always carries with her. The next morning, Jeff showed some positive signs.

To this day, Jamye still tears up seeing this photo. She knows that God put everyone in the right place at the right time during this trip.

LAS AMIGAS SOCIAL & CIVIC CLUB

PRESENTS

its

2021

FALL DEBUTANTES The Las Amigas Social & Civic Club premiered the 2021 Fall Virtual Debutante Presentation on January 22. During the club’s 49th Debutante presentation, 14 beautiful and talented young ladies made their debut to society accompanied by their parents and club sponsors.

Greetings were extended by Dr. Sandra Dodd-Young, club president. Mary Warren gave a brief history of the club. Iwona Rockwell presented a memorial in remembrance of the late Dr. Pauline Haynes, a past member of The Las Amigas Club. Karen Brown, Alonza Mitchell, Dr. Sandra Dodd-Young, and Barbara Larry introduced each young lady as they made their debut. The Las Amigas Club would have presented these young ladies during their annual Debutante Ball held in December; however, because of the COVID pandemic, it was necessary to change to a virtual format. Cassandra Rhone serves as chairperson for the presentation, and Barbara Larry served as general chairperson for the debutante season. The presentation can be viewed on YouTube at JayDMullens, #LAdebFall21.

Officers of The Las Amigas Social & Civic Club are Dr. Sandra Dodd Young, president; Mary Warren, vice president; Kimberly Perry, secretary; and Rita Williams, treasurer. Members include: Karen Brown, Franshicka Banks-Brown, Maxine Crittenden, Essie Dodd, Shelia Dukes, Melva Flowers, Leatrice Haskins, Barbara Larry, Alonza Mitchell, Cassandra Rhone, Iwona Rockwell, Denise Thomas, Shirley Tubbs, Johnnie Wallace, and Lillie Young.

Photos by John Mullens and Trina Ivery

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Daniyah Anderson

Brianna Block

JMiah Carson

Tiona Chatmon

Kalea Edmonds

Lauren Featherson

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Taylor Garrett

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Talisha Golston

Imani Hodge

Kaydence Hunter

Ariel Keener

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Kenayah Larry

Ebonee Roquemore

Crishe Stevenson

&

Victoria Brooks Shawn Owens September 6, 2020 - simms, TX tree haven photographer - makayla jones

A R K A N SA S M I D D L E S C H O O L TO O FFER A N I D E A L E D U C AT I O N A L E N V I R O N M E N T F O R 6T H - T O 8 T H - G R A D E S T U D E N T S

photo by PEYTON SIMS

She’s worth more than a

HOLE-IN-ONE AFTER GOLFING FOR 4 3 YE ARS , FR I EDA SI M S HA S N O P L A N S TO S LOW D OW N

by P E Y TO N S I M S

S

eventy-nine-year-old Frieda Sims steps up to the tee box with her driver and a golf ball in hand. She doesn’t even bother doing a practice swing – she doesn’t need to. Based on the impressive numbers written on her scorecard and the amount of trophies displayed throughout Northridge Country Club that have her name engraved in them, you’d likely assume she was born a natural. However, Frieda didn’t grow up dreaming of being a golfer. Before she moved to Texarkana, Texas, in 1974, she had never even heard of the sport “golf.”

The same woman who was once oblivious to the sport now holds the record for the most Club Championship wins at Northridge Country Club, she’s played in state tournaments across Texas while also being a state board member, she ran a junior golf program at Northridge for nine years, and she’s made a total of six hole-in-ones.

Frieda might make swinging a club look easy, but her success didn’t come to her without hard work. When she finds something she’s passionate about, she pours her whole heart into what she loves – and it shows. “If I’m given a tournament, then I’m going to play,” Frieda said. “If I’m not out playing golf, it’s likely that I’m not doing anything else, except maybe mowing the yard.”

After receiving yet another Northridge Club Championship in 1995, Frieda proudly showed off her trophy.

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Frieda and her children, Rebecca and Jack, with professional golfer Guy Cullins posing with trophies the kids won in one of Northridge’s end of the year tournaments in 1985.

Frieda was 36 years old when she picked up a golf club for the first time. Considering that her husband and two kids had been playing golf out at Northridge every day, she patiently waited until she could afford her own set of clubs.

If it wasn’t for her children, Jack and Rebecca, it’s likely none of the family would be playing golf in the first place. Just across the street, professional golfer Bill Rogers would occasionally stop by and visit with some friends. When the kids would find out that he was in town, they’d run across the street to talk with Bill, where they too began dreaming about pursuing a golfing career.

With a full house of kids to tend to, Frieda struggled to find time to improve her own golf game. It wasn’t until Jack and Rebecca both went off to college on golf scholarships that she found time to begin practicing herself. “Every once in a while, Bill Rogers would come out and watch me practice,” Frieda said. “Whenever he came though, he would make me so nervous.”

Every afternoon, Bill Rogers’ original teaching professional, Jerry Robinson, would give Frieda lessons at Northridge for hours. Thanks to Robinson, she was finally gaining confidence in her swing as the years went on. “He stayed out at the club after he retired, so he would come practice with me,” Frieda said. “He always made it fun. He’d get us to do something new every day. For example, he’d put my ball behind a bush and make me get a club to hit it over. He was always such a great teacher who made each day enjoyable.”

In 1991, she won her first Club Championship at Northridge. Then in 2021, she won for the 20th time – no individual had won more than six Northridge Club Championships before Frieda came along.

Through all of her success and celebration, Frieda’s age would try to take the best of her.

What started with one foot surgery steadily turned into her undergoing three back surgeries and two knee replacements all over the course of seven years. “I played in the State Championship until I had a stress fracture in my foot,” Frieda said. “Every year, it seemed like I was having to have surgery to get ready for the next golf season, but I planned it that way. I would bear the pain until the golf season was over, and then I’d have my surgeries so I’d be ready for the spring. I got a nerve implant put in which has helped. I still have pain, but I can make it.”

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Frieda and daughter, Rebecca, while golfing at Northridge Country Club.

Rebecca attended college at A&M College Station and studied golf.

Frieda practices her swing at Northridge Country Club.

While at Texarkana Country Club, Frieda posed with her trophy for winning the Tournament of the Champions. She has won this tournament a total of two times.

Frieda joined the state board for about five years after competing in state tournaments across Texas.

Rebecca and Frieda stand with their golf instructor, Jerry Robinson, who was professional golfer Bill Rogers’ original teaching pro.

Despite her age and a few minor setbacks, nothing can keep Frieda from doing what she loves. Even if she wakes up in the morning with a slight ache or pain, she’ll still pull her golfing attire out from her closet, load her clubs in the car, and then head out to the course.

“I never would have imagined that 43 years later, I’d be where I am now,” Frieda said. “This year, my goal for myself is to shoot my age in a golf tournament – 79. It’s relaxing for me to golf outside with my friends. It’s a challenge at times, but I still enjoy it. As long as I can swing a club, I’m going to play. Why wouldn’t I?” F E B RUA R Y 2 02 2 . fourstatesliving.com

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SCENE ABOUT TOWN 2 0 2 2 B R I DAL FAI R Townsquare Media Texarkana and Dot’s Rentals & Sales presented the 2022 Bridal Fair on January 22 at the Texarkana Texas Convention Center. Vendors during the event included floral shops, catering businesses, bridal and formal attire shops, honeymoon destinations, wedding venues, and more.

DeMita Torrans and Claire Wade

Leenetta Tyler

Jalissa Leaks and Tammy Baker

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Bri Flanagan, Aaron Murray and Tucker Douglass

Brenda Medina and Lindsey Lambert

Kari Serrano and Kelsi Brinkmyer

Chloe’ Young, Kayla Teague, Ashley Carlow, Briannah Hall and Trinity Tutolo

Lori Owen and Vicki McDowell

Deidre Mainhart and Kayla Moore

Jakie Arellano and Haleigh Alexander

Emily Graham

Kellie Flanagan-Sasser, Skyler Hight and Rachel Hurt

Shanna Medford and Amy Lemley

Whitney Michaelis and Kerry Nienkamp

Kacie Kirkland and Haley Crocker

Clarissa Wilson and Justice Vera

Shelby Stephens

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photo by PEYTON SIMS

What You Know Could Save Your Life Heart Care Guidance

by V I C K I M EL D E With February being American Heart Month and Heart Health Awareness Month, there is a greater focus on heart care. Regardless of age, everyone should arm themselves with information about preventing heart disease and the symptoms of heart attack. Frequently there are warning signs leading up to a heart attack that people often ignore. Approximately 50% of people have symptoms within the two weeks preceding a heart attack. Through early recognition of symptoms and controlling risk factors, heart attacks can be prevented, so it is important to recognize ALL the signs and call 911!

Sher enjoys sharing her knowledge by teaching children how to recognize the symptoms of heart attack and stroke.

Nurse Practitioner Sher Fomby, MSN, NP-C, serves as Cardiovascular Program Director and manages the Stroke and Chest Pain Program at Wadley Regional Medical Center. Sher has dedicated her career to the prevention and treatment of matters of the heart. As a wife and mother of a daughter who is a nurse at Wadley, Sher is committed to educating citizens regarding steps they can take to improve their heart health and, hopefully, prevent a heart attack. She provided the following invaluable information that could very well save a life.

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What Can You Do to Prevent a Heart Attack?

Around 80% of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, can be prevented through changing or treating your personal risk factors; thereby making yourself healthier. Risk factors that can be changed or treated include: • • • • • • • •

High Blood Pressure Cigarette Smoking High Cholesterol Diabetes Obesity Sedentary (Inactive) Lifestyle Excessive Alcohol Poor Diet

Sher advised that our community and region will benefit greatly from a new heart care service soon. “On February 1, Wadley will introduce a new offering that takes cardiovascular preventive care to the next level,” she stated. “We are proud to be able to offer the HeartView Scan to our citizens – a new tool in detecting heart issues in time to provide proactive cardiac care.”

Sher and Dr. Khalid Malik during the groundbreaking ceremony for Wadley Regional Medical Center’s new state-of-the-art facility held last September.

Cardiac Screening: HeartView Scan This simple, painless, non-invasive test can help your doctors diagnose heart disease before you have symptoms. A calcium scoring scan is a 10-minute CT scan that requires no needles, prep or recovery time. The scan can detect heart disease early enough to take action to reduce the risk of a heart attack.

What does your Coronary Calcium Score show?

Research has shown that calcification of the coronary arteries is a marker for the presence of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.

If calcification of a coronary artery is detected by the scan, this indicates the presence of atherosclerotic plaque in the vessel. When coronary artery plaque calcifies–or hardens–it reduces the artery’s size and the amount of blood that flows to the heart. The CT scan sees the calcified plaque in the heart’s arteries to assess risk for a heart attack. These types of calcifications commonly appear long before a person develops symptoms of heart disease. The Wadley Regional Medical Center Cardiovascular Care Team uses a 64-sliced CT scanner to determine coronary calcium score.

“Along with screening, it is vital for individuals to recognize all of the signs of a heart attack – especially the subtle ones,” Sher noted. “We often see people with relatively minor symptoms in the weeks prior to a heart attack which enables us to intervene before a heart attack, thus preserving heart muscle.”

Heart Attack Symptoms • Chest pain, pressure, squeezing, or burning • Arm pain • Neck pain • Back pain • Jaw pain Sweating • • Nausea & vomiting • Shortness of Breath • Anxiety • Feeling of fullness • Excessive fatigue, passing out, or nearly passing out

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Sher stressed the importance of women taking symptoms seriously.

“Women often experience symptoms that are different than those of men leading up to and during a cardiac event,” she explained. “Too often, women pass off their symptoms as ‘just natural’ to be overly tired or a bit dizzy. Ladies, take any of the following symptoms as your warning call to see your doctor.”

Symptoms Commonly Seen in Women • Right sided chest or arm pain • Abdominal pain • Extreme fatigue • Increasing shortness of breath • Dizziness • Nausea/vomiting • Upper back pain that travels to jaw • May describe their symptoms as feeling like the “flu” When providing community outreach and education, Sher often finds that citizens are quite intimidated by the thought of using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). “Many people have never even seen an AED,” she noted. “I do my best to reassure them that an AED is not something to fear – it is an easy to use, life-saving tool. The device will verbally walk them thru exactly what to do.”

Hands Only CPR Instructions and Facts When an adult patient goes into cardiac arrest, most of the time it is because their heart goes into an abnormal chaotic heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation, which prevents the heart from pumping blood to the vital organs. In most cases, CPR will not stop this arrhythmia, but helps to push blood and oxygen to the vital organs until help arrives.

Use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is used to stop the abnormal rhythm.

Sher, Grant Adams and Taylor Stephenson working in the Intensive Care Unit at Wadley.

Every minute CPR is delayed, the victim’s chance of survival decreases by 10%. About 90% of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest die; however, immediate CPR can double or even triple victims’ survival rates.

3 Steps to Save a Life If a teen or adult suddenly collapses with no signs of life:

Step 1 Call 911.

Step 2

If there is an AED in the area, get it, turn it on and attach the pads to the victim’s chest (the package shows how to place the pads).

Don’t be afraid to use the AED. Once you turn it on and attach the pads, the device provides verbal instructions.

Step 3

Push hard and fast in the center of the chest. Press hard enough to compress about two inches deep and provide at least 100-120 compressions per minute. Continue compressions until help arrives. If using an AED, follow instructions until help arrives.

Since graduating from nursing school Sher’s daugher, Allanna Fomby, has worked on the Step Down Unit at Wadley.

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Sher and Dr Scott Black, Interventional Cardiologist and Chest Pain Center Medical Director in the Intensive Care Unit

During the snowstorm last year, Sher and Katie Robison braved the elements so they could help take care of patients.

Sher was quick to stress the value and importance of a Chest Pain Center to our community. “Wadley was the first accredited Chest Pain Center in Texarkana – having earned this designation in 2018. Our goal is to provide the same clinically proven care, every time to every patient.

When you are accredited it drives you daily with data to ensure your patients don’t get variations in care. This is our community and we want to be our best for them when they come to us for care. “ What is the purpose of a Chest Pain Center?

Chest Pain Centers are designed to quickly diagnose and treat patients who present with signs and symptoms of heart attack, thereby saving heart muscle and improving patient outcomes. A key part of being an accredited center is a responsibility to collect, analyze, improve and report data on vital indicators in the care of a patient with symptoms of heart attack.

What does it take to become a Chest Pain Center?

Chest Pain Centers are required to develop improved methods and strategies of caring for patients experiencing signs and symptoms of a heart attack. This includes standardizing processes, adhering to the current evidence-based guidelines and best practices in the care of these patients.

Staff must have extensive training in the recognition and treatment of heart attack.

To become an Accredited Chest Pain Center, hospitals go through a rigorous evaluation by the American College of Cardiology, and are accredited based on their ability to assess, diagnose, and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. Hospitals who achieve Chest Pain Accreditation meet or exceed more than 150 care standards set forth by the American College of Cardiology and must have an organized 62

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approach to the care of the chest pain patient. Wadley received initial accreditation in 2018 through the American College of Cardiology, which is considered Gold Standard for Chest Pain Centers, and is due for re-certification this year.

In addition to the overall care of the chest pain patient, there is great focus on community health. The American College of Cardiology devoted an entire chapter of standards of care to Community Health that chest pain centers must meet. Community wellness education on reducing cardiovascular risk factors, as well as education on the importance of early heart attack care, calling 911, bystander CPR and increasing the use of Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are key standards of care that must be met. Wadley partners with local and area businesses, churches and schools to provide community health education and screenings to decrease the incidence and mortality from heart attack in the area.

Being knowledgeable regarding heart care is the first step – but working to reduce or eliminate preventable risk factors is truly the key. “I feel very passionate about educating the community that cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke are largely preventable through controlling risk factors,” Sher advised. “Cardiac screenings such as the HeartView Scan can provide vital information early enough to take positive steps to lessen the risk of a heart attack. And knowing how to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack and what action to take can, literally, save your life… or the life of someone you love … with all your heart.”

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Ask

the

Experts

CARRIE TRUSTY Director of Marketing, MRC Cornerstone Retirement Community

How does aging in a senior living community help combat loneliness?

According to the Harvard Gazette, loneliness has been shown to be as dangerous as smoking and alcoholism. In addition, loneliness also increases a person’s risk of dementia by 40%.

Studies have proven that older adults can live longer and be happier and healthier as part of a community and surrounded by friends.

Living in a community like MRC Cornerstone, can not only bring a sense of purpose and more joy, but it also helps seniors live a more enriched life full of activities, friends and new experiences.

EVENTS | CALENDAR

903-417-0326 | 4100 Moores Lane | Texarkana, TX | mrccornerstone.org

FEBRUARY 2022

FEBRUARY 5

The Texarkana Symphony Orchestra will present “Masterworks: Exotic Inspirations” during a 7:30 p.m. performance in the historic Perot Theatre. Jazz guitarist Ted Ludwig will be featured. Visit: www.texarkanasymphony. org for ticket information or call 870-773-3401.

College. Tickets are $8 each. Funds from the event will be used to purchase a new DAV van to transport local veterans to the VA Medical Center in Shreveport and to assist local veterans and their families. Call 903-5561613, 210-859-6827 or 903-203-1329 for more information.

FEBRUARY 19

The Glenn Miller Orchestra will perform at Hempstead Hall, located on the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Hope Campus.

For tickets visit: www.hempsteadhall.com or call 870-722-8565.

Katina R. Levingston and Tough Kookie will present a Mardi Masquerade Ball fundraiser for breast cancer and childhood cancer from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight at Crossties. Fabienne Thrash will be the deejay. Tickets are $50 per person. Call 903-293-7093 for more information.

FEBRUARY 10

FEBRUARY 26

FEBRUARY 10

Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center and CASA, along with the Women of Hope and Courage will host an Annual Membership Celebration from 4-6 p.m. while they Shop ’Til We Drop at J Brown for the Home and Joel Wright Art Gallery.

For more information, call 903-792-1030.

FEBRUARY 17 Emmanuel Collective will host its Grand Opening Celebration at 4:30 p.m. The salon is located at 5822 Richmond Road.

FEBRUARY 18

The Texarkana Area Veterans Council will host its annual Chili Cook-Off from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Truman Arnold Center at Texarkana 64

TRAHC will present “Cirque Zuma Zuma” at the historic Perot Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the Perot Theatre Box Office, located at 221 Main Street. For more information, visit: www.trahc.org or call 903792-4992.

FEBRUARY 26

Bogard Press will present “The Mighty God,” a VBS Publisher’s Seminar from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. The seminar will be held in person at Northern Hills Baptist Church located at 6000 Sammy Lane in Texarkana, Arkansas, and online on the Bogard Press Facebook page.

For more information, or to pre-register a group, visit: www.bogardpress.org.

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FEBRUARY 26

“Fairytales on Ice: Pirates & The Little Mermaid” will be presented at Hempstead Hall, located on the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Hope Campus. For tickets visit: www. hempsteadhall.com or call 870-722-8565.

during a 7:30 p.m. performance in the historic Perot Theatre. Award-winning vocalists Tony DeSare and Capathia Jenkins will perform songbook classics, along with the TSO. Visit: www.texarkanasymphony.org for ticket information or call 870-773-3401.

FEBRUARY 27

MARCH 6

The Junior League of Texarkana will present Toss for a Cause Cornhole Tournament beginning at 2 p.m. at Crossties Event Venue.

For more details or to register, visit: www. jltexarkana.org.

MARCH 2021 MARCH 5

Texarkana Arkansas School District will host its Kindergarten Enrollment Event from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Arkansas Middle School. Register online at the magnet school of your choice, or the TASD Administration building starting March 7.

MARCH 5

Temple Memorial Pediatric Center will host “Dancing with Our Stars” at 6 p.m. at Northridge Country Club. The annual event benefits the children who receive therapy at Temple. Call 903-794-2705 or visit: www. templememorialpediatric.com to purchase tickets.

MARCH 5

The Texarkana Symphony Orchestra will present “Pops: Tony and Capathia Together”

The Texarkana Regional Chorale will present “Carnival of Mardi Gras: Back in New Orleans!” during a 6 p.m. performance at Sacred Heart Parish Center. Activities will include music, food, and auctions. The Texarkana Jazz Orchestra will also be a part of this fun event.

Email: txkregionalchorale@gmail.com for additional information and latest updates.

MARCH 22

Pleasant Grove ISD will host Kindergarten Registration from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Margaret Fischer Davis Elementary School. Contact 903-838-0528 or visit: www.pgisd.net for more information.

MARCH 23

Open registration will take place at Williams School for Mother’s Day Out preschool, and Bridge to Kindergarten programs. Call 903838-9517 or visit: www.williamsumc.org.

MARCH 26

The Texarkana Home Builders Association will present its 2022 Texarkana Home & Garden Show from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Crossties Event Venue. Crossties is located at 324 East Broad in downtown Texarkana, Arkansas. Email: txk.hba@gmail.com for more information.

Exquisite INTERIORS S PA C I O U S .

PRISTINE.

by SU ZY TU R N E R

FUNCTIONAL.

p h o t o s b y K I M M C M U R RY

Modern, traditional, and farmhouse styles blend together seamlessly in this stylish yet simple Red Lick home. Debbie and Kevin Ashford built their functional and practical home in 2020, along with the help of contractor, Arnold Bryant. Clean lines, open spaces, and personal touches are seen throughout this 3 bedroom, 2 bath beauty which also boasts an upstairs bonus room.

Driving up to this 2,225 square foot home, one immediately senses that it is the perfect refuge for its owners. Oversized porches, board and batten siding with strategically placed brick, rustic wood columns, and metal light fixtures add to the farmhouse aesthetic that the Ashfords desired. Inside, nostalgic charm takes center stage as guests see evidence of vintage décor and pieces passed down through the generations all throughout the home. Debbie’s knack for decorating came in handy as she added personal flair to the entire home. After spending many hours perusing Pinterest for inspiration and browsing Olive Street Vintiques and flea markets for awesome finds, Debbie’s creativeness soared. “I love shopping for things that pull people back in time ... it is really like a treasure hunt for me and Kevin,” she explains.

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point. Pendant lights strategically hang overhead, allowing the perfect amount of light on the quartzite island. The natural stone used on the island’s countertop resembles a beautiful grainy wood and was purchased from Stone Studio. Debbie chose to incorporate two ovens, one gas and one electric, into her kitchen design so she never had to worry about food prep when her family gathers for special occasions. The gas range pairs well with the rustic yet classy venthood which is supported by functional corbels also used as design elements. Leathered granite countertops add a splash of color while the white subway tile backsplash from The Lighthouse gives depth to the surface.

The deep farmhouse sink serves as the perfect addition to this sleek space. Extended storage cabinets streamline the farmhouse look while glass front cabinets at the top help showcase family heirlooms, like Kevin’s mother’s Pyrex collection. Black stainless appliances complement the white cabinets perfectly. A spice drawer and built-in paper towel holder are just two innovative ways the Ashfords have added their personal touches throughout this space.

A textured glass door leads into the neatly organized walk-in pantry. Every small appliance has its own space while vintage knickknacks are displayed atop the open shelving. A replica of

an old-fashioned scale sits in one corner, adding a reminder of yesteryear. Many pieces of Debbie’s charming Mud Pie collection add a fun flair to this otherwise neutral space.

Timeless furnishings and accessories make up the dining room while wooden beams on the ceiling separate this space from the other common areas. A wrought iron sphere chandelier from Logan Electric hangs above the wooden whitewashed dining table which was made in the early 1900s and belonged to Kevin’s great-grandmother. Black and white striped chair cushions bring comfort and style to the table. A heartwarming saying on the wall, illuminated by a barn style light, states, “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.”

Plenty of natural light invades the Ashfords’ tranquil living area. Modern furnishings provide plenty of comfortable seating options for guests. A windmill fan adds a unique design element to the refined space. A whitewashed brick fireplace with stained wood mantle and shiplap trim brings some contrast to the cozy farmhouse retreat.

A custom five panel barn door leads into the hallway. A subdued turquoise quilt is layered over the bedding on the durable metal bed in the guest bedroom. Although the décor is minimalistic, it is anything but boring. Accent pieces and family photographs give the room personality, while patterned throw pillows add texture and dimension.

Organized and tidy, Debbie’s craft room allows her to work custom designs for her side hustle, Delightfully Made TX. A pale seafoam green accent wall brings a coastal vibe into the working space. Debbie’s inventory, including T-shirts and vinyl materials, is neatly arranged in the room’s walk-in closet. For fun, Debbie periodically hosts friends over to her home for a time of fellowship and crafting.

Old and new mix together harmoniously in the master bedroom. A coffered ceiling with inset wood planks adds a rustic feel while the black wooden platform bed brings in a contemporary feel. A vintage heirloom clock sits on the dresser, once belonging to Kevin’s great-grandparents. A whitewashed barn door leads into the adjoining bath. White and gray are the dominant colors in this spa retreat. A sunken soaking tub is tucked into an enclosed area across from his and her vanities. A piece of driftwood from a family vacation to Gulf Shores rests on one side of the tub. Porcelain vessel sinks are situated beneath large mirrors trimmed in black. The massive walk-in shower mixes subway tiles with granite, and a built-in bench seat offers a sense of comfort and safety.

When asked about their favorite part of their home, Kevin and Debbie answer in unison – “the porches.” Although the majority of their backyard is fenced, the Ashfords left a portion of the yard open so they have a front row seat to view nature from their oversized bed swing. A sign behind the swing reads: “The Porch Bucket List: visit with family & friends, watch the wildlife, relax for awhile, make memories, enjoy life.” And that is exactly what Debbie and Kevin aspire to do from their outdoor oasis.

Although the Ashfords have only lived in their new home for a little over a year, they know that this farmhouse will serve as their “forever” home. They have customized every nook to fit their wants and needs, always paying close attention to details.

Everywhere you look, you will see cherished family treasures, encouraging sayings, and personal mementoes that are indicative of their individual personalities. They have created a simple, but beautiful sanctuary where they can make memories for many years to come with all who gather here.

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THE less ROAD Tra veled

BY NI C H O L E H O L ZE Coastal Mississippi is known as the “secret coast” for a good reason. It’s far from the high rises and hustle of Destin and more well-known Gulf Coast vacation destinations. Recently, after a quick visit to New Orleans, we took a detour for a little getaway to my favorite coastal Mississippi town: Pass Christian.

This quaint town is located a seven-hour drive from Texarkana, and about an hour east of New Orleans. Our only pit stop along the way was a quick detour to check out the Saturn V Rocket that I spotted from I-10. It’s housed at the Infinity Science Museum, in Pearlington, Mississippi, and is also where you turn off of I-10 to head to the coast. It’s worth a stop, especially if you have children.

We arrived in Pass Christian, and much to my delighted surprise, we found a coffee shop and bookstore right on the beach boulevard! Our hotel, Hotel Whiskey, an 11 room, boutique hotel sits on the same street, along with plenty of shopping and restaurants. After parking, we used the key code I was given upon digital check-in, and we entered our room to drop off our things.

The hotel thought of everything, and we were greeted with a complimentary snack basket and all the information we needed about local restaurants and amenities. Our room was on the second floor and had a sliding door to the second floor porch that is shared between the three upstairs, street facing, rooms. It’s a completely charming hotel, that also boasts a restaurant, Whiskey Prime, on the main floor.

Never afraid of a long drive, Nichole is a homeschooling mom to two and wife to Ryan. Coffee, always, and black please. You can probably find her scheming up their next road trip while hiking in the woods. Experience-based learning and good books abound in their homeschool, as they chase the spark of curiosity where it wanders on the road less traveled.

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Hitting the beach was our next priority, and after I grabbed a coffee at Cat Island Coffee, we headed for the sand. There are public beaches all along Beach Boulevard, and every spot is wonderful. We had the beach to ourselves all afternoon and evening. After hours of swimming and playing, we were met with a spectacular sunset, and I was finally able to convince my kids that we should go eat dinner before things closed. We ate outside on the patio at Shaggy’s on the Harbor and saw the most magnificent moon rise. A tip: the kids’ meals come on frisbees that they can keep! For one last surprise, we strolled down the street from our hotel, and I bought my kids some frozen yogurt from The Pass Fro-Yo and Daiquiri shop.

The next morning, we got breakfast and browsed the books once more at Cat Island Coffeehouse, then made one last stop at the beach. It happened to be low tide, and we had so much fun observing all the hermit crabs that hung out on the old piers along the beach.

If you’re looking for a relaxing, romantic getaway, or even a low key vacation with kids, Pass Christian is the perfect spot to spend some time on the beach. Be sure to also checkout the surrounding towns of Bay Saint Louis and Longbeach for more secret coast fun.

A Pinch of Salt

by D o n n ie Sp riggs

2 cups fresh basil (optional) 1 lb. of any meat you’d like (I love meaty pizzas so you may want to use just ½ lb.)

So, is it just me, or does it feel like this month zoomed by? I completely forgot about my article up until the day it was due. I know some of my older teachers and college professors are thinking, “I see nothing has changed.” Well guess what? YOU ARE RIGHT! I don’t typically wait this long to come up with something, but like every person who likes to cook, we always have a magic cooking card up our sleeves.

I’m sure you’re expecting the perfect dish for Valentine’s Day but if you are, I’m sorry!

You’ll need to just google something. We are doing food for the single people this year; we are doing food for the groups of friends that will be hanging out with each other before going to the bar and enjoying one too many cocktails.

So, let’s get started. Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE pizza (I even have a pizza tattoo).

I wish I had a brick oven pizza at my house so I could just make pizza all the time but sadly I do not, so I must make it this way which is just as good. I promise!

INGREDIENTS 4 cups bread flour 2½ tablespoons kosher salt 1 tablespoon sugar 2 cups warm water 1½ teaspoons active dry yeast 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 28 ozs. whole tomatoes, San Marzano or other good quality tomatoes 4 cloves garlic 1 lb. fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced ½-inch thick

PREPARATION 1. In a large bowl combine flour, 1½ tablespoons salt, and sugar.

2. In a medium bowl, combine water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Stir well, and let rest for 2 minutes.

3. Add yeast mixture to flour mixture and combine using your hands or a stand mixer with a dough hook, at least two minutes. Let dough rest for 20 minutes, uncovered, at room temperature.

4. On a floured work surface, separate dough into four even portions. Work each into a circular ball, then place the balls onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Cover with a damp towel and rest, refrigerated, for at least 4 hours.

5. In a blender or food processor, combine tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of salt, and garlic. Process until smooth.

6. Preheat oven to 550°. Place a pizza stone or large cast-iron griddle on the center rack. Heat for at least 45 minutes.

7. On a floured work surface, use your fingertips to create a ring around the outside (your crust) of one of the risen balls of dough. Using the pads of your fingers, gently flatten out the dough inside the ring.

8. Gently lift the dough and let it hang off your knuckles, stretching itself out with its own weight. Slowly rotate the circle of dough, continuing to let it stretch off your knuckles. Go all the way around the circle once, taking care not to let it hang too long in one place and stretch too thin.

9. Using a large spoon, spread a thin layer of sauce across the dough, leaving room for the crust. Add your meat or meats of choice.

10. Evenly place three slices of mozzarella on top of the sauce, then sprinkle a handful of torn basil leaves evenly over your pizza. Or top with whatever you desire: sausage, peppers, onions … just about anything can be a pizza topping!

11. Carefully slide the pizza onto a floured sheet and place on top of your stone or griddle in the oven. Cook for 7-10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly, and the top of the crust is just beginning to blacken.

12. Remove from oven and let cool for 3-4 minutes before slicing.

13. Open a nice bottle of Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc.

14. Then devour it all!

Follow me on Instagram @ pinch_of_salt20

Donnie Spriggs is a longtime resident of Texarkana, Texas. He has been in the restaurant industry since he was 16 and has been with Silver Star Smokehouse since 2014. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M-Texarkana during the spring of 2021. He loves people but likes food even more, mainly because food makes people happy!

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the FR IE N DS list

Each month, Four States Living will choose two people who have “liked” our Facebook page to be featured in The Friend List.

Chosen randomly, these two “friends” will answer questions we provide so our readers can get to know them better.

The bonus question (the last question) will be related to the theme of each month’s issue.

ASHLEY WASHINGTON age: 37 Occupation: Technology Specialist at Texas High School

VASHIL FERNANDEZ age: 30 Occupation: Interim Director of Planning and Community Development for Texarkana, Texas

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time?

When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time?

If you were allowed to have one wish granted, what would it be?

If you were allowed to have one wish granted, what would it be?

At what business could you max out a credit card?

At what business could you max out a credit card?

I would tithe first, but next I would quit my job.

Tithe, pay off all my debts, and invest.

Sit down and scroll The Gram for about 5 minutes before I feel unproductive so I put the phone down and get busy.

My wish would be for good health for my family so that we can spend many more years together.

I’m pretty frugal, but I love to travel, so American Airlines for airfare and vacations.

I read devotionals, books, or articles or catch up with friends via text or social media.

Unselfish LOVE for everyone. If people truly love each other a lot, the problems wouldn’t exist in the world. No one would be in need.

I am not sure. I don’t like to shop, and I do not like owning a credit card. But if I had a set amount of money to spend, I would say wherever I can get clothes and shoes that fit.

Choose a movie title for the story of your life.

Choose a movie title for the story of your life.

What are you currently watching on Netflix?

What are you currently watching on Netflix?

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

“Born Under a Lucky Star” which is what my sister always says about me. It’s funny, because we are twins.

“Maid.”

“Overcomer” by the Kendrick Brothers. Being involved in sports helped to change my life and relations.

I don’t have Netflix but I enjoy listening to “Crucial Conversations” by Kerry Patterson on Hoopla. (I was also watching “The Good Doctor” on Hulu.)

Reykjavik, Iceland, to see the aurora borealis.

Australia and Antarctica, just to say that I have traveled to every continent.

If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, which would you pick?

If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, which would you pick?

What’s your favorite sport to watch, and which team do you root for?

What’s your favorite sport to watch, and which team do you root for?

Target. Instagram. Peloton.

NCAA football is my favorite sport to watch. I cheer for my alma mater, the Hogs, even though they put my emotions on a roller coaster every season.

YouVersion. Messages. Calling.

I enjoy watching basketball – Spurs and Nets for the NBA, Valpo and Baylor for college.

“ H E A RT O F T H E M AT T E R”

W H AT I S T H E O N E T H I N G I N Y O U R L I F E T H AT M AT T E R S T O Y O U T H E M O S T ?

My relationship with Jesus Christ. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

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My FAITH and TRUST in God, because it is what directs my life ... the husband I am, the father, friend, family coworker, boss, and minister I am. It guides my work ethic, my boldness, how social I am and my willingness to learn and develop.