Four States Living Magazine December 2023

grandchildren yet, but that means I get to pour THE WAY I SEE IT ... all ofI mymaykidnotlovehaveonbiological sweet angel Brooks. Yesterday, when I picked him up from

PUBLISHER’S LETTER Robin Rogers, Ed.D.

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am copping out on Christmas this year. There are currently no “children” in my family. My youngest is 22 and fully employed, and none of my kids have had kids yet. For the last few years, my gifts for all three of my offspring have, in my view, been failures. Last year, in a desperate lastditch effort to get them each something unique, I contracted with an internet astrology guru, to whom I provided my kids’ birthdates, birth times, and birth locations. The result was a reading of who my children are, based on the stars.

They each received a framed print of their birth chart. And though my kids were sweet and grateful, I knew in my heart of hearts that it was a losing gift.

And I know that my fashion sense is lacking, so if I buy them anything to wear, they likely won’t want to wear it. Just recently, I was cleaning out a closet, and there was a Golden Girls t-shirt that I had bought my almost 30-year-old daughter for Christmas last year; sure enough, it was hanging in the coat closet, just begging for someone who had already retired to choose it to wear. In that same coat closet was also a hoodie that I bought for my son last year—a similarly ridiculous piece of apparel, featuring screen-printed skeletons on skateboards.

My son enjoyed skateboarding in high school, but he would have never worn that hoodie in public as a grown adult.

So, after almost 30 years of failing in the gifting department with my own kids, I’m done. This year, I am stealing a tradition from some family friends, called Shopapalooza. What, you may ask, is Shopapalooza? Well, I am allotting each of my kids a dollar amount, and we are going shopping. They will buy their own gifts, and then I will wrap all of those gifts for Christmas morning.

For many years, the act of gifting has seriously stressed me out. I would start shopping early and buy lots of little things, and then a few days before Christmas, I would discover that one kid had more gifts than the other two, or that I had spent more money on one over the others, and so I’d go back to the mall or the boutiques or the shoe store. I have been ridiculous about gifting, and I’m done adding an inordinate amount of pressure on myself.

Now, as I write this, I am literally smiling because I have already been present-shopping for two sweet little boys whom I love. They are both younger than four, and the magic of this special holiday season is just starting to come alive for the oldest, Brooks. The other day, I drove him through a neighborhood that was well-lit with Christmas lights and decorations. Listening to him gasp and watching his eyes widen as we turned every corner was a delight. When you are in the thick of raising a family, the exhaustion of holiday obligations and parties and decorating and shopping can burn out even the most festive parent.

I think that is what happened to me. I was always so tired when my kids were little. Now I wonder why I didn’t enjoy the simpler moments more.

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

preschool, my perfect three-year-old friend wasn’t fussy or hangry, even though the sky had already turned dark. As we drove through neighborhoods adorned with twinkling lights, his eyes twinkled in response. Brooks will always be my first little love in my 50s. His brother, Hayes, is my second little love. Because my kids are grown, and maybe because I have acquired more patience since my own kids were his age, now I will pull over the car to let him pet horses, or buy a watermelon at Target just because he wants one. I will make up silly songs and sing them off-key.

I will take him to Petsmart to talk to the kitty cats and chirp at the parakeets. I will drive him past the new hospital being built so that he can point and marvel at the cranes and other machinery. I’ll do whatever it takes to add a tiny bit of awe to their day.

So, I enthusiastically point out the houses decorated for Christmas, lit elaborately in white, red, and multi-colored bulbs. “Santa Claus looks for the lights in the neighborhoods to help him and the reindeer see,” I say. “RoRo! Look at the candy cane house!” Brooks shouts back as we pass a house adorned in red and white. His eyes shine with joy.

I can’t remember a time when I enjoyed going to look at the lights with my own kids. Is that bah humbug or what? When my kids were little, by the time the adults had gotten off work, fixed dinner, and loaded up the kids, someone was cranky or crying or mad, and I was miserable. Raising kids has always been hard—and these days, there are even more expectations placed on parents than there were 20 years ago. Though I hope that the hours I get to spend with Brooks allow his devoted parents a little bit of respite from the demands of modern-day child-rearing, my motivation for hanging out with him is primarily selfish. Getting to witness the world through his wide-open, innocent eyes is restorative to me in a way I never could have predicted.

Though my three children are now adults, they will always be my babies. I am a believer that our children need their parents for their entire lives, not just until they get to college or graduate or get a job. Life continually throws curve balls, and sometimes you just need a parent to vent to or cry to or ask “Why?”. For years, my three have been telling me that my Christmas gifting has been out of hand, reminding me that they are no longer kids who care if one sibling receives more toys than the others. I don’t know why I have resisted letting go of the madness until now, but I do know that I will always see my now-grown children as the three best gifts I have ever received in this lifetime.

On our cover this month are Mary Lynn and Jeffery Patterson with their newborn, Wynn. Mary Lynn’s first-person account of their struggle with infertility and ultimately successful pregnancy is heart-wrenching and inspiring. In the month when we are all thinking too much of material gifts, I could imagine no more appropriate cover image than that of Mary Lynn and Jeffrey with the ultimate gift: a child to love.

I hope that all of the stories in this issue remind you that the best gifts cannot be purchased or wrapped or arranged under the tree. Happy holidays from our team, and as always, thank you for reading FSLM.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Amber Fenix Photography Eric Ethridge Jenna Lane Photography Kevin Goodman Kayla Brint Photography Samantha Maechler Photography Chloe Sanders Peyton Sims CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ellen Orr Mary Lynn Patterson Madeline Smallwood Suzy Turner Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker Phoebe Warren

Four States Living Magazine is published the first business day of every month. © Copyright 2023 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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CONTENTS VOLU M E 30 • IS SU E 12 • DECEM B ER 2 02 3

ON THE COVER DECEMBER 2023

Mary Lynn and Jeffery Patterson endured numerous pregnancy losses before successfully expanding their family earlier this year. Read about their journey from Mary Lynn’s perspective in But God on page 14.

INSIDE: ROOM AT THE INN Yellowstone actress Dawn Olivieri relocated from Los Angeles to Mena, Arkansas, where she is rescuing horses from gruesome fates. Learn about her equine advocacy on page 20.

TABLE OF CONTENTS But God Room at the Inn When Life Gives You Lemons Devilish Deeds Sisterhood: A Lifetime of Opportunities Texarkana Museums System: A Trilogy of Our Past Happy Anniversary! Texarkana Turns 150

14 20 28 36 44 52 58

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE The Way I See It—An op-ed piece from the publisher FSLM Student Profile: Meet Matthew Delaney Exquisite Interiors Events Ask the Experts Scene About Town 8

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6 42 62 72 74 12, 18, 27, 34, 40, 51, 57, 70

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SCENE ABOUT TOWN O P P O RT U N ITI E S , I N C . H E LD IT S A N N UA L AU T U M N LU N C H EO N , U N D E RW R IT TE N BY D O LLY D U N K LI N M A RTI N GW, AT TH E H O M E O F J E A N I E CO N WAY O N TH U R S DAY, N OV E M B E R 9T H .

Corie Woodman, Sherry Watkins, and Judy Morgan

Holland Meador, Lyndsey Craig, and Whitney Fuqua

Julia Carpenter, Char Crane, and Melinda Vammen

Dr. Susan Keaney and Judge Sherry Hawkins

Joyce Watson, Claire Hardy, and Robin Garrett

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(back) Devona Cowling, Vara Hart, and Betty Rateliff (front) Irene Johnson, Wanda Ingram, Greta Alexander, and Ruby Old

Nancy Robbins, Cindy Simmons, and Yulin Brewer

Malorie Looney, Morgan Bennett, and Joan Maxwell

Taylor Harvey, Corie Woodman, Julia Carpenter, Sherry Watkins, and Megan Schroeder

Barbara Wilson-Whitney and DeAnn Goins

Laura McQueen, Vicki Orr, Carolyn Allen, and Dr. Jo Kahler

Danielle Patterson, Lacy White, and Melanie Dowd

Jolly Woosley, LaNita Colley, Martha Norton, and Julie Tidwell

Barbara Miner, Ruth Bell, Barbara McWilliams, and Kristi Chaffin

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photo by KAYLA BRINT

BUT GOD

MARY LYNN AND JEFFERY PATTERSON HAVE BEEN ON A CHALLENGING JOURNEY WITH HEARTBREAK AND LOSS, BUT ULTIMATELY A BEAUTIFUL MIRACLE ARRIVES

by M A RY LY N N PAT T ER S O N

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or much of my adult life, I’ve been in the “waiting room.”

Throughout my twenties, I prayed fervently for Mr. Right. One day, in a sweet revelation, I realized Jesus fulfilled every character trait on my list.

However, I still desired a husband.

Fast forward to choir practice in 2011. Visitor Jeffery Patterson sat right by my dad. Then, I heard him sing for the first time, sounding as smooth as butter. I wished to marry a musical man due to my family background. That March, we started dating. A year later, he proposed, and we married in November 2013.

We decided not to wait to start a family, and in October 2014, we received the joyful news of my pregnancy. However, it turned into heartbreak when we lost our first baby to miscarriage. BUT GOD ministered to me with songs that provided comfort. These songs became my anthems, helping me endure the uncertainty and grief.

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Three years passed with no pregnancy. In April 2017, after a dear lady prayed over us, we saw a positive, only for the pregnancy to end in another early miscarriage. My OB-GYN suggested Clomid treatment. After three months of pills, progesterone, and another pregnancy in October 2018, we faced the heartbreak of losing our third baby. After four more months, my OB-GYN recommended seeing a fertility specialist, but we weren’t ready.

I decided to try another OB-GYN to see if he could do more for us.

When a procedure revealed a blocked fallopian tube, he also recommended a specialist. So, in March 2020, when the world was shutting down, we were visiting a fertility clinic in Allen, Texas. The appointments were filled with tests and procedures, which led us toward IUI or IVF. It was overwhelming and disappointing, and we still weren’t ready; instead, we pursued a holistic approach. So, when many people were baking

photos by KAYLA BRINT

submitted photo

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and gaining, we were slimming up with Susana, a Chinese medicine practitioner from California. I drank celery juice, embraced a plant-based diet, and cleaned up my cleaning regimen and makeup bag. In February 2021, I began acupuncture treatment, continuing to eat plant-based in a town catering to barbecue and burgers. On a spring break trip, I suspected I might be pregnant; sure enough, a test proved me right. However, we lost that baby before hearing a heartbeat.

Happy New Year 2022! No New Year’s baby, but we were ready to see a specialist again. I also joined Moms in the Making, a Christian-based organization for women experiencing loss and infertility. It was a lifeline, connecting me with others who truly “got it.” There were women from all over the country, and surprisingly, there was a girl from Mineola, Texas. We also chose a new fertility specialist, Dr. Ku, with Dallas IVF, began initial testing, and decided to start with IUI or intrauterine insemination.

In April of 2022, Jeffery and I launched a fundraiser to assist with the cost of our fertility treatments and travel expenses. We chose the title “He is Able” for our T-shirt campaign based on one of my favorite Bible verses, “Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20). BUT GOD used our step of faith and overwhelmed us with support, encouragement, and optimism. We were also blessed with the connection to Dixie, a dear friend and mother/mother-in-law of a couple in our Sunday school class at First Baptist Texarkana. If you aren’t involved in a local church, I highly encourage you to find one! We couldn’t have endured this journey without our church family! Dixie opened her home to us in the DFW area. Did I mention she is also a sonographer

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in the OB-GYN field who became a wealth of knowledge after every appointment? Her home and hospitality photos by KAYLA BRINT became a respite for us during our Dallas trips.

BUT GOD! During this time, I felt impressed to “raise my Ebenezer.” An Ebenezer, biblically, means “stone of help.” It is a reminder of God’s faithfulness. I took a rock from Dixie’s backyard and recorded the prayers and blessings we’d received with a Sharpie.

After three attempts at IUI treatments and no successful pregnancy, we ended summer 2022 on a Sunday morning where I ugly cried as we prayed with our church counselors seeking guidance.

BUT GOD—that very same weekend, a friend introduced us to a couple who offered to donate embryos. Remember the girl from Mineola? She was also on an embryo adoption journey, and Jeffery had become familiar with embryo adoption through an article written by a former colleague-turned-writer. The colleague chose embryo adoption due to pro-life reasons. An estimated one million frozen embryos are waiting in storage in the United States. Embryo adoption offers embryos the potential of life. These divine details opened our hearts to pursue this unexpected path. The couple generously donated three embryos, conveniently stored in our fertility clinic. There are 19 fertility clinics with 31 locations in the DFW area, BUT GOD orchestrated our embryos to be in our clinic!

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Adoption paperwork was completed by the end of 2022, by the same attorney that assisted my Mineola friend, and three precious embryos became ours. On February 21, 2023, we completed our first frozen embryo transfer, resulting in our fifth positive pregnancy test.

We did have a tremendous scare, where a faulty HCG test revealed another miscarriage. Our fertility clinic had us discontinue my medication to wait for my body to pass the pregnancy. BUT GOD ended that horrible week with an accurate HCG test revealing soaring hormone levels and our very first ultrasound with a healthy heartbeat.

We continued to meet milestones in this pregnancy.

God continued to minister and move, quieting my heart and giving us good news at every doctor’s appointment.

At nine weeks, we completed a gender test and discovered we were expecting a baby boy, and on Mother’s Day, a day that had been bittersweet for nine years, we announced our pregnancy publicly.

On October 30th, 2023, my water broke, and on October 31st, our son, Wynn Allen, was born. The name “Wynn” means “joy,” and “Allen” means “God’s love.”

He is the embodiment of both for us. His original due date was the day before our 10-year anniversary, another crazy BUT GOD detail. However, he was born in the month of October—the same month we lost two babies.

I believe God redeemed that month for us in His way.

Happy Hallo-Wynn!

I hope I have highlighted enough of the intricate details of our story for you to recognize they are not coincidental. We fully believe God exceedingly, abundantly orchestrated every step, working to create a story beyond our wildest imagination. He is truly able!

Our journey may have been long and challenging, marked by moments of heartbreak and loss, but ultimately, it led us to our beautiful miracle. While we may never fully understand why we had to endure so much waiting and pain, we believe it was all part of His divine plan to prepare us for one of the greatest blessings of all—our son.

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SCENE ABOUT TOWN T H E J U N I O R LE AG U E O F TE X A R K A N A H E LD IT S A N N UA L J I N G LE & M I N G LE AT TH E H O LI DAY I N N TE X A R K A N A CO N V E NTI O N C E NTE R O N TH U R S DAY, N OV E M B E R 9TH .

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Holly Dickeson and Mandy Cater

Sherelle Flenory

Jade Harris and Lori Willard

Reagan McDaniel and Ambree Anderle

Tiffany Studebaker, Lesa Hill, and Stacy Lewis

Mia Ray and Meghan Akin

Taylor Callaway, Samantha Stokes, Mia Ray, and Staci Brown

Jill Whittington and Dani Hamblett

Nancy King and Claudia Snow

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ROOM at the

INN Yellowstone actress Dawn Olivieri rescues mares and foals from kill pens

a r t i c l e by P H O EB E WA R R EN p h o to s by S A M A N T H A M A EC H L ER

ou probably know Dawn Olivieri from her work in the hit television show Yellowstone and related miniseries 1883. However, during the SAG/AFTRA strike of 2023, Dawn stopped telling neo-Western stories and started living one. She traded working with horses on-set to rescuing horses facing slaughter.

Wanting to be surrounded by greenery during her time without work, she moved onto land she owned in Mena, Arkansas. Always an animal lover, she intended to enjoy the quiet of farm life, taking care of her own horses and other animals in “The Natural State.” How, then, did the actress stumble into the world of horse rescue?

“It was not a planned thing, to rescue horses,” Dawn explained, “especially being out of work because of the actors’ strike. I certainly could not afford to take in more horses while not working.” However, when Dawn saw a post on Instagram about a kill pen full of mares and foals, she knew she had to try to save at least some of the animals.

Kill pens are the cramped, loud, and unhygienic pens where horses are held before being auctioned off for slaughter; horse meat is profitably exported to countries in Europe and Asia. Unwanted horses facing slaughter experience unimaginably horrific conditions and treatment, living their final moments in terror and pain. When Dawn posted on her social media, imploring her followers to help her save just a few horses from this fate, she had no idea what she was getting into.

“Suddenly, I found myself raising enough donations for roughly 50 horses, thanks to an army of amazing people through Instagram,” she said. “And it hasn’t stopped.

Now, in two crazy months, we have officially become a 501(c)(3) [organization] in Arkansas, where the horses have a safe place to be nursed back to health, fed, and loved until we find them their forever homes.”

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Dawn’s operation in Mena is called Moon Mountain Sanctuary and Rescue. Here, she and others currently care for roughly 45 horses, two thirds of which are foals, saved from kill pens in Colorado and Texas. Dawn is not a hands-off rescuer; in fact, her current daily schedule is perhaps just as busy as it was in her days of acting. “[Each day] starts with feeding chickens, goats, geese, dogs, cats, a fox, and a partridge in a pear tree,” she laughed. “Then the horses get fed, and medications are given as needed. We are building structures, cleaning pens, handling babies, halter training, and just basic ranching. I try to do a live [video broadcast] almost daily on Instagram to keep the community engaged and show the

During the SAG/AFTRA strike, Yellowstone actress Dawn Olivieri founded a horse rescue in Mena, Arkansas. Moon Mountain Sanctuary and Rescue saves horses, primarily mares and foals, from being slaughtered. In 2022, just under 20,000 American horses were shipped to Mexico and Canada to be killed for meat.

progress of the horses. Then, the same ranch chores and feed schedules begin for the evening.”

Along for the ride is Michael Lares, from Flying L Ranch in British Columbia, Canada, who has become a mentor to Dawn in this journey.

Together, Lares and Olivieri have shared transport resources with a group called Soul Horse Rescue, and they recently partnered the Texas-based rescue All Seated in a Barn to save horses from a Bowie County kill pen.

The challenges of running this horse sanctuary are substantial.

The entire operation relies on donations, and ensuring that the money doesn’t run out to feed and treat the animals is no small task. Aside from financial concerns, keeping the horses healthy is also an ongoing struggle.

Most of the horses coming to Moon Mountain Sanctuary and Rescue have been exposed to pathogens that compromise the animals’ immune systems. Thankfully, Dawn has successfully rallied the community of Mena—and countless people and companies all over the world—to help her save the lives of these animals. She expressed deep gratitude for the community and all the generosity that has been shown to her cause.

“The community in Mena in particular has been incredible,” she said. “From cowboys, friends, neighbors, vets, the feed store, and Mena Co-op, to volunteers bringing hay, feed, and just coming to clean stalls.

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The community at-large on social media has gone above and beyond, sending gifts, making donations, and spreading the word. Families have literally shown up to build gates. Tractor Supply has generously given incredible amounts of supplies, Purina has shown up and become our official feed sponsor for the rescues, and Tartar has donated over 60 corral panels.”

Dawn’s journey can be followed via her Instagram accounts, @dawnolivieri and @moon_mountain_sanctuary. Sharing her story is a small but meaningful way to help her gain momentum in this movement. Concerned readers can also visit safe-act.org to learn about the SAFE (Save America’s Forgotten Equines) Act, which is a bill that will permanently ban horse slaughter in the United States and prohibit the exportation of horses for slaughter.

Moon Mountain Sanctuary and Rescue will have their horses ready for adoption soon, and adoption applications are available on their website: moonmountainsanctuaryandrescue.com.

Even though the work involved in saving these horses and finding forever homes for them is grueling, Dawn still finds reasons to keep going.

The most rewarding part, she said, is “saving lives and giving second chances to beautiful, innocent animals who deserve a good life.”

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Felicia Kelly and Stan Askew

Amelia Carnley and Crystal Carnley

Lisa Barr and Vickie Thomas

Betty Maxwell and Precious Trimble

Jeana Brassett and Jessica McDonald

Shawanna Henry and Keylan Nash

Gary and Linda East

Castula Rodriguez and Jose Martinez

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FE GIVES Y I L N OU HE

LEMONS Seven-year-old cancer survivor Emma Cooley gives back to St. Jude

by EL L EN O R R

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When Emma’s pediatrician, Dr. Cindy Porter, called Chelsea after the appointment, she told the family to head directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis; Emma had tested positive for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The Cooleys lived in Memphis for the next three months, while Emma underwent her first phase of cancer treatment. Mere weeks into their stay, Chelsea, who was pregnant at the time, had a miscarriage. Due to COVID restrictions, as well as Emma’s diminished immune system, the Cooleys could have no visitors. Chelsea and Dustin were away from their home, friends, and family, grieving the loss of a pregnancy and watching their small child withstand cancer and the effects of the aggressive treatment required.

Fortunately, Emma’s team at St. Jude was phenomenal, quickly getting Emma into remission and providing the entire family with the support they needed. She received Total Therapy 17, the first treatment protocol for leukemia patients guided primarily by DNA analysis. The genomes of leukemic and host cells were sequenced so that treatment could be tailored specifically to Emma’s body, ensuring that the cancer was eradicated.

“At St. Jude, it’s all about the kid,” Dustin said. “They are all one big team.”

“And I think, because of COVID, it was a different experience,” Chelsea continued. “We weren’t able to be around our family, so we had to rely on [the staff at St. Jude], and they became like family.”

After returning to Hope at the end of the summer, Emma continued to undergo treatment, going weekly either to Memphis or the St. Jude affiliate clinic in Shreveport. For 30 months, she took chemo by mouth daily, as well as antibiotics and steroids. One of the chemo drugs, vincristine, caused painful photo by JENNA LANE PHOTOGRAPHY

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mma Cooley is a curly-haired, spirited seven-year-old from Hope, Arkansas. She loves dancing, building Lego kits, making her parents laugh, and playing with her little sister, Elizabeth. Enrolled in the first grade at Spring Hill Elementary, she is an eager student and was even named Student of the Month in September.

Though Emma’s life now seems quite normal, this is not a reality that any of the Cooleys take for granted. Only 11 months ago, after two and a half years of treatment, Emma completed her final round of chemotherapy.

Emma’s cancer story began in May 2020, near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cooleys—then a family of three—were in a small social bubble, keeping any and all viruses at bay, which made three-year-old Emma’s minor illnesses somewhat alarming.

“She had sporadically thrown up here and there, was getting bruises, and had a temperature,” Emma’s mom, Chelsea, recalled. The doctor assumed that Emma had contracted a minor virus, despite the family’s precautions. When Emma suffered a minor tumble and fractured her elbow, her parents were perplexed; “It wasn’t an epic fall or anything,” Chelsea said. But they chalked it up to a fluke and moved on.

When Memorial Day weekend arrived, Chelsea’s parents took Emma to the lake, and Chelsea and her husband, Dustin, planned to meet them there the next morning. Before they made it out of town, however, Chelsea’s mother called: Emma had a fever of 104 degrees. The concerned grandmother, who happened to be an RN, urged her daughter to get Emma tested for leukemia, out of an abundance of caution. Chelsea heeded the advice.

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back spasms and weakened her leg muscles to such an extent that Emma lost the ability to stand or walk on her own; with the use of a walker and the guidance of a physical therapist, Emma had to relearn how to walk. Additionally, the steroids affected her emotions, causing extreme irritability, in addition to a voracious appetite. When her doctors detected a blood clot in her heart, Emma had to receive injections in her belly for four months. Virtually without an immune system, Emma suffered from various bacterial and viral infections, despite her parents’ best efforts. Every fever required a trip to the emergency room and typically resulted in a five-day stay.

Through this incredible hardship, Emma and the family persevered. Chelsea became pregnant again and gave birth to Her prognosis Elizabeth, who is now two years is good. Now old. Emma, who was not able to remain in preschool through she gets to her treatments, attended be a normal kindergarten last year. Despite accruing many absences due to child. sickness and treatment, she was named top girl in her class. In January 2023, she completed her final cancer treatment. She will have biannual checkups at St. Jude until she reaches adulthood, one of which occurs around the winter holidays. This appointment is extra special for Emma, who uses the occasion to deliver Lego kits to the hospital.

“When they’re in the hospital, [kids with cancer] don’t have a lot of energy to get up and do a lot of stuff,” Chelsea explained.

“So they have a little table, and they sit and build. That’s what Emma did all the time.”

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submitted photos

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Emma holds a Barbie doll sporting a matching bald head.

Painful muscle spasms, a side effect of the chemotherapy, took Emma’s ability to walk.

She redeveloped the skill with a walker.

In January 2023, Emma finished chemotherapy and rang the bell at St. Jude.

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“I wanted to do fundraising,” Emma recalled, “and Daddy said, ‘Let’s do Lego fundraising!’”

“It was a good, fun thing to build in the hospital,” Dustin continued, “so we figured it might be a good idea [to hold a Lego drive].”

The 2022 drive, which Chelsea and Dustin advertised online, resulted in over 300 Lego kits, which Emma was able to deliver to the hospital. At the time of writing, the 2023 drive is underway.

In addition to the Lego drive, Emma has also given back to St. Jude through a lemonade stand, inspired by another of her favorite treatment-time pastimes.

“I had a little cardboard box that I would pretend was a lemonade stand, and I would sell lemonade and cheeseand-grape skewers,” Emma said. “I would have my fake cash register and do all of it.”

Emma would tell Chelsea, “You have to get all the customers, Mom!” So, Chelsea would call neighbors and grandparents and ask them to come visit Emma’s frontporch operation. Emma loved it. So, when September 2023 rolled around, and the family wanted to do something to commemorate Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a public lemonade stand was a natural choice. They borrowed a wooden stand from photographer Heather Clements and set it up at The Hub in downtown Hope. The Texarkana Chick-Fil-A donated the lemonade, and Emma’s neighbors Westin and Kip—once her customers—helped her sell to passersby. The kids raised over $1,400 for St. Jude.

“It was awesome,” Emma enthused. “We had lots of customers, and two people gave us $100. It was amazing.”

The Cooleys continue to be thankful for the support and prayers offered by their family, friends, church, and larger community.

Though she intends to continue her cancer philanthropy, Emma’s cancer is essentially in the rearview. “Her prognosis is good,” Chelsea explained. “Now she gets to be a normal child.” She is enrolled in dance, completed a season of t-ball earlier this year, and even goes bow hunting with her dad. “During treatment, she wasn’t allowed to play in the dirt, and she had all of these food restrictions—just so many [restrictions] you wouldn’t even think of. Getting to see her experience all of that now is just awesome.”

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SCENE ABOUT TOWN TH E 3 R D A N N UA L K ATI N A R . LE V I N G STO N TO U G H KO O K I E B R E A ST CA N C E R R U N / WA LK WA S H E LD O N TH E TE X A S A& M -TE X A R K A N A CA M P U S O C TO B E R 2 1 ST.

Roxann Collins and Cynthia Henderson

(front) Callie Dyer, Acelyn Mills, and Cori Lang, (back ) Lillian Risinger and Katina Levingston

Billie Pritchett, Amanda McGuire, Tiffannee Watson, and Kita Mooneyham

Rachel Harris, Amber Hunt, Jennifer Smith, Kendra Eliand, and Courtney Harris

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FINDING the PHANTOM Texarkana native Peyton Sims’ podcast, Devilish Deeds, explores the 1946 Texarkana Moonlight Murders

a r t i c l e by D R . J EN N Y M c CO R M AC K WA L K ER p h o to s by P E Y TO N S I M S

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exarkana native Peyton Sims became interested in the region’s most famous crime as a teenager when she wrote an article about Texarkana’s Moonlight Murders for the Texas High School student newspaper. Peyton, who is now 20, ultimately took her investigative reporting skills—and her fascination with this story—with her to The University of Texas at Austin, where she studied journalism. A casual conversation with a professor gave her a chance to use a new platform to explore an old case.

“I was in my first semester of college at UT, and I was looking for an internship,” Peyton said. “I was very eager, and my professor was looking for new podcast ideas for The Drag [a UT podcast channel].

We had coffee, and when he found out I was from Texarkana, he asked if I had heard of the Phantom Killer. I told him I had actually written an article about it for my high school newspaper, and ultimately, it led to me getting hired as a podcast host.”

The Drag Audio Production House is a podcast channel created

by UT’s Moody College of Communication and provides hands-on experience for students. Peyton’s work can be heard in season two of The Drag’s Devilish Deeds podcast. There are five episodes covering the murders, which were committed by the person known as the Phantom Killer and involved the deaths of five Texarkana residents over a 10-week span. Three other victims were attacked and survived.

The case has remained unsolved since the 1940s.

“I feel like this case is intriguing because of its complexity,” Peyton said. “I’ve had so many questions about what actually happened.

When a crime like this happens in the town you grew up in, it’s only natural to be curious. Even though this happened more than 70 years ago, things will slip through the cracks, and new details will emerge.”

She has put in a lot of work to produce a quality production and make her hometown proud.

“Texarkana will always be home for me, and I miss it more than I thought I would,” Peyton said. “I have put my whole heart into this project, and it’s really about trying to get the story right.”

Like any good reporter, she has done her due diligence to do just that. Peyton has spent endless hours researching newspaper articles and combing through previous interviews. She read Dr. James Presley’s book, The Phantom Killer: Unlocking the Mystery of the Texarkana Serial Murders, and she interviewed him about his research. She spoke with former law enforcement officers and web sleuths. She also interviewed family members of the victims, who she said were the main inspiration for her work.

“The purpose of this podcast was to shine light on the innocent victims,” Peyton said. “Oftentimes, the victims’ names are lost to history.”

Those victims were Richard Griffin, Polly Ann Moore, Paul Martin, Betty Jo Booker, and Virgil Starks, all Texarkana residents whose lives ended tragically at the hand of the Phantom Killer.

Peyton Sims

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Dr. James Presley was instrumental in Peyton’s research for the podcast.

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“You hear so much about the different attacks or different murders, but I wanted to highlight the people whose lives were lost,” Peyton said. “I don’t think that’s been done before.”

Doing things that have never been done before seems to be Peyton’s style. In high school, she was a stand-out journalism student, and when she graduated in 2021, she held the title as the most award-winning photographer to come out of the THS program.

Her former teacher, Clint Smith, said Peyton was exceptional.

“The big thing about Peyton is that she never gave up,” Smith said. “She started to show her chops as a sophomore, and by her senior year, she became a very potent young student journalist.”

That tenacity allowed her to take the lead as the editor-in-chief of the Tiger Times, and when Smith knew she was researching the Phantom Killer, he even offered a personal connection.

“When I was a kid growing up, I was always told that my grandfather’s house was one of the places where one of the victims was shot,” Smith said. “I put her in contact with my great-uncle, and he gave her some information.”

Building on the solid foundation offered by the journalism program at Texas High, Peyton said she was able to develop new technical skills through her work with the podcast.

“This is the first time I have done anything with audio,” Peyton said. “I learned how to operate audio equipment, record in the studio, and set up mics. Now I can interview people with confidence. I am very grateful for that.”

Peyton finished her bachelor’s degree in journalism in August and is currently living in Austin until she decides where the next chapter will open for her. Wherever it leads, Smith has no doubt big things are ahead.

“She has something that not a lot of students possess these days,” Smith said. “She will push through anything to reach her goals. A lot of kids will freeze when faced with challenges, but she learned to move past them, and it has served her extremely well.”

Those interested in listening to Peyton’s podcast about the Phantom Killer can search for Devilish Deeds through any podcasting platform.

Scan the QR code to the left to listen to Peyton’s podcast, Devilish Deeds.

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Tammi Drewery, Nancy Whittemore, Morgan Chance, Olivia Poulton, and Sarah Thrash

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FSLM STUDENT PROFILE

MEET

MATTHEW

DELANEY

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

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submitted photo

submitted photo

t is April 29th, 2023.

The Texas A&M–Texarkana Eagles baseball team is playing at Spring Lake Park; they’re in the fifth inning. Freshman player Matthew Delaney is excited to have a break from his normal “freshman” gameday responsibilities. “I normally have to ‘write the books,’ which [means to write down] calls, strikes, and outs,” he explained.

“It was the one day of the year I didn’t have to write the books.”

Standing in the left-field bullpen, Matthew throws a football with one of his teammates, and then— Bang.

He hits the ground.

“I go down, and I can’t feel my legs. Then I see everybody rushing towards me, and I’m thinking—that wasn’t a baseball.

I hear gunshots, and I think, ‘Okay, I probably got shot,’” Matthew recalled.

The stray bullet, shot from a nearby neighborhood, traveled over 400 yards and struck Matthew in the back.

Matthew was immediately rushed to the ER and underwent emergency surgery, which included a chest tube.

“At first, I was told I was completely paralyzed, and then later only partially, so there was hope I would be able to walk and do a lot of things,” he said.

Luckily, Matthew had a very involved support system, from his family in Princeton, Texas, to his teammates and coaches in Texarkana. “My family, my girlfriend, and every single one of the team and coaches—they helped me a lot,” he reflected. “I would say that I’m a super positive guy. I look at the glass half-full all the time. I have a great family, great friends, so they all helped me throughout everything. But I’ll be honest, I just kept strong because I knew if I got down, my mom would get even worse. So I just stayed strong,” Matthew admitted.

This testament of perseverance has taught Matthew many things. “I realized that you can’t have regrets because you never know what will happen,” he said. “You never know what God’s going to show you. I think God put me through

photo by SHANE DARBY

I

this because I was drinking a little too much and didn’t have all my priorities straight. It was just his way to put me back on track.”

Although Matthew has a self-proclaimed positive outlook on life, he has experienced his fair share of disappointment throughout this journey. “Just being unable to walk for the first month was very frustrating. I could move my right toes and slowly my left, and then I could feel my knees. Not being able to do the stuff I used to was just hard,” he said.

This freak accident still affects Matthew today and will for the rest of his life. “I can kind of laugh at the situation now, so there’s nothing mentally wrong, but physically, I have hip and

back problems now. I have constant hip and back pain, which I’m not sure will ever go away,” he said. “I can’t do all the athletic, cool things just yet—I’m still working on it—but I’m able to walk and jog now, which is good.”

As Matthew continues the hard work of recovery, he wastes no time on “what if ”s or self-pity. Instead, he strives to grow and learn from the event.

“Just because something happened to you doesn’t mean you can’t overcome it,” he said. “Don’t look at [the experience] in a bad way. Look at it like this: ‘Alright, I’m stuck with this [hardship], but now I want to get to this [outcome]. Set goals.

Asking myself what I wanted to do in life really helped me. I told myself every day that I would walk again, no matter what it took.”

Matthew is diligently working on his studies with plans to graduate as scheduled and get back to sports.

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.

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photo by SHANE DARBY

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SISTERHOOD:

A LIFETIME OF OPPORTUNITIES Sisters Sherry Watkins and Karen Hall are champions of living large, independent lives

by EL L EN O R R

S

submitted photos

Karen and her boyfriend, Jeffrey, met at Opportunities and are celebrating their fourth Christmas together this year.

<<

isters Sherry Watkins (née Hall) and Karen Hall are, in some ways, stark opposites. Sherry is a type-A introvert who loves quiet nights at home, sharing takeout with her husband before an early bedtime. Karen, meanwhile, is the life of the party. Along with her boyfriend of four years, Jeffrey, she loves attending concerts throughout the Ark-La-Tex, meeting new people, swing dancing at the Elks Lodge, and staying out into the wee hours of the morning.

If you’re thinking that this information is unremarkable, you’re right. While Sherry and Karen individually are exemplary citizens, their relationship is like most healthy sibling relationships: sometimes bristly, always loving, interdependent, typical. This is surprising to many, who expect that Karen’s disability radically changes the women’s dynamic. This misperception is heightened by Sherry’s role as executive director and CEO of Opportunities, Inc., a local nonprofit which provides various services to developmentally disabled children and adults. But, that is not the case.

“Everybody has strengths and weaknesses,” Sherry said, “and Karen has a lot of strengths that I don’t have. She’s much more thoughtful than I am, remembering birthdays and all those things and sending cards. When I’m sick, the first thing she asks is what she can do for me. She is also a much better cook; there’s no way I could make the big thing of chicken and dressing she makes for Thanksgiving, and she does the ham, and she bakes a special cake that my grandmother always made.”

Karen first learned to cook by watching her mother. She further developed her skills when she moved to Dallas to live in a group home after high school.

“It was my decision [to move to the group home in Dallas],” she explained. “I thought it would be good for me to see different places, meet new people, and make new friends.”

Like most young adults moving away from home, Karen’s early 20s were spent learning life skills: cleaning, budgeting, and working.

Karen worked at an eyeglasses company in Dallas for 14 years before a round of layoffs prompted her to move back to her hometown in 2010.

<< Sherry and her sons, Chris and John, are Aggie fans and love attending Texas A&M football games.

Understanding that her parents were aging, Karen moved in with them, enjoying their company and helping her mother around the house. With the help of Texas Rehabilitation and Goodwill, she got a job at a nursing home, where she stayed until pivoting to a career in customer service. In 2013, she was hired at Walgreens, where she recently earned her ten-year pin. She also received the 2022 Corporate Social Responsibility Award for her store’s district, as part of the Walgreens Champion of Champions program.

Karen loves working with customers. Through her work at Walgreens, she said, she has grown to value patience more highly—and has developed more patience herself.

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Karen with the Australian rock band, Newsboys.

<< Karen took a

helicopter ride while in Hawaii.

submitted photos

something, and I feel that they need to be patient, even with people who don’t have a disability, and with older people, because they’re gonna be in that spot one day,” Karen said. She admitted that she occasionally gets frustrated with people who are moving at a slower pace—for example, when out shopping and dealing with an inefficient cashier—but she now thinks to herself, “One of these days, that’ll be you.”

“Or, that could be you checking them out,” Sherry added, to which Karen nodded. “You know how it feels to be checking someone out and for them to get impatient with you.”

Karen now lives independently in an apartment community facilitated by Opportunities. When she’s not taking road trips with Jeff or attending concerts, she can be found spending time with her neighbors, dancing at the Elks Lodge, or playing bingo with Opportunities’ senior residents. “I enjoy doing everything with everybody,” Karen said.

Sherry, too, enjoys spending time with others, though, as an introvert, her social battery needs to recharge after her workday.

“Karen will text me and say, ‘We didn’t get home until 2 a.m.’ You go girl; I was in bed at 10!” Sherry laughed.

Sherry began her career as a special education teacher at Pleasant Grove. As a child, she was curious about Karen’s needs, and this curiosity is what directed her educational and career paths. “I always wanted to know more,” she said.

After nine years in the classroom, she pursued further education to become an educational diagnostician before getting hired as the district’s director of special programs. In addition to her 22 total years working at PG, Sherry also served as special programs director at Texarkana Arkansas School District for three years, until her mother’s death turned her world upside down.

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As executive director of Opportunities, Sherry serves preschool-aged clients as well as adults.

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“I needed some time off of work,” she explained. “Because [my mother’s death] was unexpected, we weren’t prepared. And I had been in Houston with her for two months, away from my boys and Karen.

So, I took some time to get everybody settled.”

Sherry emphasized how thankful she is that her parents prepared for Karen’s future, financially and otherwise. Especially for family members who require higher levels of support, preparing for the future is key to ensuring that needs are met.

“I always knew that, one day, it would just be me and Karen,” Sherry said. “That’s a commitment I made. And my boys know that, if something happens to me tomorrow, Karen may need their help from time to time— although, really, the only things Karen really needs my help with these days are things like taxes and insurance. We all have to depend on each other.

That’s family.”

When Sherry was ready to return to work in May 2017, she was hired as Opportunities’ executive director and CEO. “I had all the experience from the public schools, and while the nonprofit world is different, the mission [of Opportunities] falls right in line with what I’ve always done and what I’ve always wanted to do,” she explained.

Beyond professional expertise and experience, Sherry brings a philosophy of inclusion to her role as director. “My goal is to help our clients be as independent and included in the community as possible, whether that is through early intervention and getting our preschool-aged kiddos ready for public school, or helping our adult clients to develop the skills necessary to work and live in the Texarkana community,” she said.

Adults who live in Opportunities housing like Karen are afforded all of the independence and agency to which they are entitled, like any adult.

Whereas Karen’s group home in Dallas discouraged dating and disallowed residents from having their own vehicles, adults who rely on Opportunities for services are encouraged to live their fullest lives. Staff members are available to varying degrees, depending on individual residents’ needs, but they are there as support, not as authorities. Safety is vital, but so is agency.

“Karen texted me one day and said, ‘Hey, Jeff and I are going to Magic Springs to go to this concert, and I made hotel reservations here, and I got our tickets online, and we got VIP passes,” Sherry recalled. “I was just like, ‘Wow! Let me know when you get there safely!’ I’m just so proud of her for doing that and for being so independent.”

Sherry and Karen don’t see each other as often as they would like, primarily due to Karen’s busy work and social schedules. “We try to get together and at least go out to eat every few weeks,” Sherry said, “but regardless, we keep close tabs on each other.”

During the holiday season, like most families, Sherry and Karen make more of an effort to spend time with one another. Sherry will set an out-ofoffice auto reply on her work emails. Karen will put away her dancing shoes and don an apron before making her mother’s famous chicken and dressing.

The fiercely independent sisters will come together as family to celebrate Christmas, just like everybody else.

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Steven and Jennifer Studdard

Sarah Wright and Dr. Cindy Porter

Sheree Potter, Suki O’Neal, and Brittney Haynes

Deana Draper, TJ McAlexander, and Denise Goodwin

Jerl and Kim Palmore

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TEXARKANA MUSEUMS SYSTEM:

A TRILOGY OF OUR PAST

by P H O EB E WA R R EN

“If you want to understand today you have to search yesterday.”

Pearl S. Buck, American novelist (1892–1973)

W

ith Texarkana’s sesquicentennial year quickly concluding, it feels appropriate to take a moment to appreciate the rich history of our twin cities. Perhaps the best way to visit the past is to do so quite literally—by walking by and through the structures that have stood in Texarkana the longest. Three such structures, which form the Texarkana Museums System, reflect and preserve our town’s history: the Museum of Regional History, the P.J. Ahern House, and the Ace of Clubs House.

The Museum of Regional History

The Museum of Regional History is the first and oldest museum in the Texarkana metropolitan area. It was established in 1971 and is located in the original Offenhauser Insurance building—the oldest brick building in the city.

This museum consists of exhibits that tell of Texarkana’s rich history, telling stories of agriculture, civil rights, World War II, and more. Visitors can view pottery created by the Caddo people and learn about early Spanish and French explorers. The most prominent collection describes the region’s musical history, spotlighting Scott Joplin (widely recognized as the “Father of Ragtime”), Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter, and Conlon Nancarrow. The museum also houses an exhibit on Texas Congressman Wright Patman, artifacts from the historic Grim Hotel, and the Wilbur Smith Research Library and Archives.

The museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m; and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Entry costs $5 for non-members and $3 for children. The building is located at 219 N State Line Avenue in Texarkana, Texas.

The museum holds a piano that belonged to the “Father of Ragtime,” Scott Joplin.

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The P.J. Ahern Home

One of the oldest houses in Texarkana, the P.J. Ahern Home offers a glimpse into the past. Patrick J. Ahern, an Irish immigrant who became a prominent Texarkana businessman at the turn of the century, built the home in 1906. The historic building now functions as a museum and community gathering place. It retains its original fixtures, gas and electric combination chandeliers, and Italian tile fireplaces. The P. J. Ahern Home boasts a beautiful central hall, music room, parlor, library, dining room, kitchen, and butler’s pantry. On the second floor, there are four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a nursery, and even a sleeping porch. The house is a beloved example of Classical Revival architecture, designed by the Burdsal Company. Tours happen every day at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:25 p.m.

The P.J. Ahern House is available to book for events such as weddings, receptions, and reunions. The number for booking is 903793-4831. This historic gem is also the site of various monthly events, including bird-watching, novelist workshops, and Victorian parlor games. The home is located at 403 Laurel Street, on the Arkansas side of Texarkana.

The Ace of Clubs House

According to local lore, early Texarkana mayor James Draughon won $10,000 in a game of poker with the ace of clubs. To commemorate his win, in 1885, he used the money from his victory to build a home in the shape of a club. The iconic house changed owners only twice before being deeded to the museums system in 1985 by its final private owner, Olivia Moore. Today, this unique structure is known as the Ace of Clubs House (though sometimes referred to as the Draughon-Moore House). The unusual, 22-sided building boasts an unusual floor plan of octagonal rooms, a 20-foot tower, and a spiral staircase. Refurbished in 1987, each room has been restored to represent a different time period in the history of the house, spanning from the 1880s to 1940s.

The Texarkana Museums System has long offered guided tours of the Ace of Clubs House and hosted special events there, such workshops, lectures, and lawn activities. However, the 138-year-old building is currently closed due to extensive wear and tear. Currently surrounded by extensive scaffolding, the structure is registered as a national historic site, restoration must be completed at the highest standards, costing more than one might imagine. Looking to business and community members to help with these costs, the Texarkana Museums System is actively working with businesses and individuals to raise the funds necessary to repair this iconic Texarkana landmark.

With an estimated cost of just under $1 million, the Ace of Clubs renovation will require community-wide support.

The board, led by Executive Director Emily Tarr, is searching for creative solutions to raise funds to renovate the Ace of Clubs House. To

The Ace of Clubs House is currently closed while undergoing renovations.

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P.J. Ahern Home

start, they recently used this location to host a vintage and collectibles sale.

Other fundraising efforts are in the works, information about which can be found on the museums system website. Donations can always be made to the organization by calling 903-793-4831 or going to texarkanamuseums. org/donate.

These three one-of-a-kind museums have provided invaluable educational opportunities to visitors for over 50 years. If they are to continue their services for generations to come, they will need our help. As the 150th year of Texarkana comes to an end, consider donating to the museums—in an effort to appreciate our past and preserve it for the future.

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Miranda Baugh And Samantha Harris

Hadley Hickerson, Holly Hickerson, and Shawn Lee

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Teara Lindholm and Lisa Norton

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

photo by ERIC ETHRIDGE

“Celebrate Texarkana” is the best gift to give yourself this season

D

December 8th will present ecember 8th, 2023, numerous opportunities for the marks the 150th anniversary of community to celebrate together. the sale of the first Texarkana First, at 4 p.m., the next time capsule city lots. This milestone (to be unearthed in 50 years, on “birthday” deserves a December 8th, 2073) will be buried celebration, and to that end, at Photographer’s Island. The airtight volunteers from the twin container, generously donated by East cities have been anticipating Funeral Home, will be filled with and planning a huge event treasures provided by citizens and In a photo nearly as old as Texarkana itself, W.H. Hakes is shown for years. in the doorway of his newly built Bank of Texarkana in 1879. will straddle the state line for the next The TXK150 committee, Photo provided by the TMS Wilbur Smith Research Archive. half-century. composed of people selected After the time capsule is buried, by both Texarkana city councils in 2021, has worked to provide different activities to celebrate the U.S. Post Office and Federal Courthouse will be lit up in a display beyond the sesquicentennial throughout this year. In April, we all watched your wildest imagination. This celebratory lighting sculpture, the product of the excavation of the time capsule buried by the city’s centennial grant-writing done by community engagements and parks project manager, committee 50 years ago, before enjoying the Founders’ Day Keith Beason, will be a permanent fixture and landmark, bringing more Festival; in July, the glamorous Sesquicentennial Ball was held; and people to visit downtown Texarkana. Internationally recognized public this fall, an art exhibition, showcasing local artists’ reimaginings of artist Bill FitzGibbons (whose works have appeared on The Alamo and other Texarkana images from throughout our history, was held at the various international landmarks) has designed this special lighting sculpture Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council (TRAHC). All to be unveiled at dusk.

After the lighting sculpture is revealed, head to the Perot Theatre of these community events have been leading up to December 8th, 2023, the exact birthday of this unique place in the middle of for a once-in-a-lifetime multimedia production. “Celebrate Texarkana: Experience Your Story” truly has something for everyone. the country called Texarkana.

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Lineup: 4:00 p.m.

Burial of the Time Capsule at Photographer’s Island

5:30 p.m.

Lighting of the U.S. Post Office and Federal Courthouse

7:30 p.m.

photo by KEVIN GOODMAN

“Celebrating Texarkana: Experience Your Story” at the Perot Theatre

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Music aficionados and casual listeners alike will delight in hearing the exceptionally talented Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, Two Pianos (Josh Lawrence and Dr. Paul Whitt), and jazz vocalist Candace Taylor perform the songs of the unofficial Texarkana soundtrack: Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer,” Eddy Arnold’s “Texarkana Baby,” and even Elvis and Johnny Cash songs from their days performing at the Municipal Auditorium (among others). Plus, a symphonic piece by Clint Needham (a composer whose work has been described as “wildly entertaining” and “stunning, brilliantly orchestrated” by The New York Times), commissioned specifically for this jubilee, will be revealed—a truly historic event.

Whether you’re a lifelong resident of Texarkana or a newcomer to the area, you have likely wondered about how Texarkana got its name, or who the Caddo people were/are in our story, or how we became two counties in two cities in two states with one name. These stories and more are told in this unique production’s incredible script, written by Judge Josh Morriss and historian Jamie Simmons; they managed to craft something that is historically accurate, educational, and wildly entertaining. Two beloved local actors—Dr. Richard Hornok and Anna-Jo Briggs—will portray citizens who were instrumental in the story of our city’s origins.

This production will only occur once and is for everybody who feels a sense of pride about this quirky little place—the city that raised Corrine Griffith, Otis Williams, Michael Wacha, Ross Perot, and countless other extraordinary people. Secure your tickets now by scanning the QR code below or calling the Perot Theatre at 903-792-4992.

December 8th is THE DAY to celebrate 150 years of Texarkana.

Convene with your fellow community members for a momentous, historical day of celebrating the city that is “twice as nice.” A day like this will never happen again; don’t miss it!

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Scan this QR code to get your tickets for the big night!

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EXQUISITE

INTERIORS M E R RY. J OY F UL . WO ND R O US.

a r t i c l e by S UZ Y T U R N ER

D

p h o to s by D R . R O B I N R O G ER S

uring this most wondrous time of year, seasonal cheer greets everyone who visits Meredith and Jared Witten’s festive farmhouse. On the neutral backdrop of their muted year-round decor, splashes of red and green interspersed throughout the home transform this home into a cheerful Christmassy retreat.

The Wittens’ home is located in a Red Lick addition off of Akin Road, a quiet neighborhood perfect for raising their children, Lane and Maddux. Built in 2021 by Rogers Construction for the Witten family, the four-bedroom, 4.5-bath home is situated on a little over an acre with a long driveway and a big front yard. Meredith and Jared were intentional with the architecture and landscaping.

“My parents have built several houses, and I’ve watched and learned with each one they have built,” Meredith explained. “I wanted to build a house that had zero wasted space and kept everyone in mind. I wanted a home that is welcoming: one where everyone feels at home when they walk through the doors.” Although the home is comfortable and cozy year-round, it really comes alive during the Christmas season.

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Meredith and her mother, along with Ginger Junction owner Maresha Cupp, have added sparkly and colorful touches throughout the home. Open and airy, the living room has 18-foot vaulted ceilings and a floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace, complete with appliqued stockings on the mantel. Custom cabinets flank both sides of the fireplace, featuring photos of the Witten kids, a Christmas village, and other holiday decorations.

Stainless steel appliances, a gas stove, a double oven, a black farmhouse sink, and durable granite countertops provide functionality to the modern kitchen. The sprawling 11-foot pewter green island serves many purposes, including as a wrapping station during the holidays. “One of my favorite things about our home is the island,” Meredith said. “It is perfect for our get-togethers, and we love gathering around it daily to do homework, play games, and just talk about our day.”

The dining room tablescape features a woodland scene with a vintage Santa and two wooden reindeer. The wooden table and

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wooden chargers further the farmhouse vibe. White dinner plates, Christmas tree cloth napkins, and holiday salad plates sit beneath a suspended wrought iron candelabra chandelier.

Natural light illuminates the modern primary bedroom.

A walnut sleigh bed is situated between two windows. In the corner, a sitting area offers a comfortable place to sit while drinking coffee in the mornings or reading a good book in the evenings.

The primary bedroom conveniently connects to the walk-in closet, laundry room, and primary bathroom suite.

Sliding barn doors lead to the bathroom, complete with a freestanding tub and enclosed glass shower. Tiled floors and walls were the inspiration for the Wittens’ bathroom design. “I fell in love with the tile and wanted to build the bathroom around it,” Meredith explained.

In their bedrooms, visions of sugarplums dance in Maddux and Lane’s

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heads. A Barbie-themed Christmas tree with glass ornaments sits in front of a window in Maddux’s room, bringing the holiday spirit into her typical “girly” room. Pink- and white-striped bedding accentuates her bronze daybed. Lane’s Christmas tree, in contrast, displays glass ornaments in shades of blue, interspersed with train, tractor, and fish ornaments. On his twin sleigh bed, a red and white throw pillow complements his green- and white-striped bedding.

Outside, the main entry doors are flanked by lighted wicker Christmas trees and presents. Planters situated on each side of the double doors contain berries, silver sprigs, and winter greenery. Glistening white lights accent the home’s façade, illuminating its many angles and gables. The Christmas lights were installed by The Light Guys Installers, a company that Meredith owns with her two business partners. These warm bulbs add curb appeal to this beautiful home and make even the darkest winter night seem merry and bright.

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SCENE ABOUT TOWN E N CO M PA S S H E A LTH R E H A B I LITA I O N H O S P ITA L O F TE X A R K A N A H E LD A “ D O G G O N E S P O O K Y ” CO ST U M E CO NTE ST O N F R I DAY, N OV E M B E R 3 R D.

Amanda McGuire and Todd Wallace

“Ellie Mae” and Tiffannee Watson

Megan Knight and “Gunner”

“Lucy” and Tamera Chafin

Morgan Pritchett with “Ranger” and Billie Pritchett with “Gunner”

Kim Jones and “C.J.”

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Krystal Scott and “Holly”

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Kita Mooneyham and “Lucy”

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EVENTS | CALENDAR

DECEMBER 2023 DECEMBER 2

Farmers Bank and Trust Live United Bowl The 10th Annual Live United Bowl, presented by Farmers Bank and Trust, will be played at noon on Saturday, December 2nd, at the Arkansas High School’s Razorback Stadium and will see SAU paired with Missouri Western State University in this Division II bowl game. Tailgating begins at 8 a.m.

DECEMBER 1-2

Holiday Arts Market TRAHC’s 15th annual Holiday Arts Market will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. This festive holiday shopping experience will be set up in the Regional Arts Center, located at 321 W. 4th Street in Texarkana, Texas.

DECEMBER 1–3

first two weekends in December. Four lavishly decorated historic homes will be available to be toured for the holiday season. Tickets can be purchased online at jeffersoncandlelight.com.

DECEMBER 3

2023 Christmas Memorial Service Chapelwood Funeral Home will host its 2023 Christmas Memorial Service at 2 p.m. at 4801 Parkway Drive in Texarkana, Arkansas. For more information, call 870-774-1200.

Williams Memorial United Methodist Church: Hanging of the Greens Williams Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 4000 Moores Lane in Texarkana, Texas, will host its Hanging of the Greens from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Call 903-832-8663 for more information.

The Nutcracker Ballet The Community Ballet of Texarkana will present its annual Nutcracker production at the Perot Theatre. The show will run from Friday, December 1st, to Sunday, December 3rd. Tickets and showtimes are available at perottheatre.org.

DECEMBER 4

DECEMBER 1–2 AND DECEMBER 7–9

Bramlett Beans & Cornbread The 25th annual Bramlett Beans & Cornbread, started by former Texarkana Texas Mayor James Bramlett, is a community effort to provide holiday food

Jefferson Candlelight Tour of Homes The 41st annual Jefferson Texas Candlelight Tour of Homes will be held the

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Main Street Texarkana’s Christmas Parade The 39th annual Christmas parade will start at 7 p.m. in downtown Texarkana.

For more information, go to mainstreettexarkana.org.

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EVENTS | CALENDAR (continued)

baskets to over 100 families in need at Christmas. Bramlett serves beans, cornbread, tea, and dessert for a cash donation or six non-perishable food items between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Texarkana Convention Center. For information, call 903-798-3978.

“The Muses: Voices of Angels” TRAHC will present “The Muses: Voices of Angels” during a 7 p.m. performance in the Regional Arts Center. Call 903-792-4992 for tickets or visit trahc.org.

DECEMBER 8

Unsung Heroes Luncheon First Baptist Church Texarkana is hosting an “Unsung Heroes Luncheon” in their gymnasium. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event honors those who provide services to the community, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, school maintenance workers, postal workers, crossing guards, and city officials. For more information, contact Kasey Nine at 903-831-6000.

Time Capsule Ceremony and Lighting Sculpture Reveal A time capsule full of treasures, letters, photos, and historical documents donated by the public will be buried in front of the U.S. Federal Courthouse and Post Office on State Line Avenue. Afterwards, community members are encouraged to stay for the unveiling of a permanent light sculpture, created by international artist Bill FitzGibbons. The lighting of the courthouse will happen at dusk, or around 5:30 p.m.

“Celebrating Texarkana: Experience Your Story” Celebrate Texarkana’s 150th birthday at the Perot Theatre with a dynamic multimedia experience anchored by the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra.

The show, complete with hundreds of vintage Texarkana images, will also feature the vocals of Candace Taylor, music from Two Pianos, live narration, and cameo actors. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the historic Perot Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at perottheatre.org.

DECEMBER 9

Christmas & Candlelight at Historic Washington State Park Don’t miss the 37th annual Christmas & Candlelight event from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Old Washington, Arkansas. The meeting place will be the 1874 Courthouse Visitor Center. The homes of yesterday are adorned with historic period decorations, and thousands of luminaries will light the streets throughout the town. Tour venues will open at 1 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m. Luminary lighting and music programs will begin at 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the 1874 Courthouse or at historicwashingtonstatepark.com.

DECEMBER 10

TSO’s “Christmas at the Perot” The Texarkana Symphony Orchestra will perform their traditional Christmas concert in the historic Perot Theatre, starting at 4 p.m. The winner of the annual Celebrity Conductor Competition will also be announced. Tickets can be purchased at perottheatre.org.

DECEMBER 16

ASK THE EXPERTS D esiree D e D e J efferson

Director of Marketing, MRC Cornerstone Retirement Community

Learning to Grieve while Celebrating this Holiday Season Loneliness in older adults during the holidays can be a common and challenging experience. The holidays invoke a natural sense of nostalgia which can be both encouraging and discouraging, depending on each person’s unique experience, and sometimes it can be a bit of both. Remember, older adults have endured a great deal of loss at this stage of their life. They may have lost a spouse or family member that leaves an empty seat at the dinner table. Or it could be as simple as seeing the holiday norms shift as the family grows to include additional members and embracing the traditions they bring into the family. Any of these circumstances can lead to feelings of aloneness. It is essential to make an extra effort to include, engage, and honor the ways older adults may need to grieve as well as celebrate during this special season. Consider having meaningful discussions about their holiday memories and prepare to honor whatever emotions come with these remembrances. Making room to grieve and celebrate, all at once, is important to allow the older adults in our lives to feel included in all this season has to offer.

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I Am A Hero Jingle Jog 5K Run/Walk We Are Washington presents the I Am A Hero Jingle Jog, a 5K run/walk, at Spring Lake Park. Registration is $35. The race will begin at 9 a.m. More information can be found on the “We Are Washington” Facebook page.

Christmas on Main The Perot Theatre presents a whole day of Christmas celebration, including movies, food trucks, crafts, and ice skating. The following movies will be presented: Frozen at 10 a.m., The Grinch at 2 p.m., and It’s a Wonderful Life at 7 p.m. The ice skating rink will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are available at perottheatre.com.