ALT Magazine June 2015 by ALT Magazine

Vacation 2015

Israel June 2015 | Vol. 9, Issue 6

FATHER KNOWS BEST

Mitchell Glass, Alex Flanagan, Holland Harris, Josh Morriss

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ALT

June2015

CONTENTS

magazine

covering the ark-la-tex

June

2015

Vo l . 9 , I s s u e 6 Publisher Debbie Brower Editor Lindsey Gordon

FEATURES 14 22 30 34

Associate Editor

W r i t e I t O n Yo u r H e a r t Father’s Day Articles Keeping It Homemade 5 D r e a m Tr i p s F o r F a t h e r s

Jaclyn Gooding Sales & Marketing Debbie Brower . 903.278.4444 Lindsey Gordon . 903-824.8648

EVENTS

903.334.9605 Graphic Design

58 S k i l l s U S A : R a n d y S a m s Outreach 60 Hands On 61 Dierksen Senior Day 61 Garden Club Show

Lauren Butler, Lindsey Gordon Photography Debbie Brower, Jaclyn Gooding, Lindsey Gordon, Sylvia Jennings Feature Writers Brooke Ferguson, Anne Fruge, Lindsey Gordon Contributing Writers Mike Brower, Lisa Myers, Dustin

k / On The Cover

W a y l o n L e w a l l e n ’ s Tr i p To The Holy Land

REGULARS 38 40 42 64 69

Financial Focus F i s h Ta l e s Introducing the New BAAS Degree When Choosing a Dog, Choose Wisely Calendar of Events

LETTERS FROM PUBLISHER & EDITOR 8 9

Keeping It Real Chasing Dreams

Special Fashion Spread 6

ALT Magazine

June 2015

Stringer

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ALT Magazine is published the 1st business day of every month. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission of ALT Magazine is strictly prohibited. ALT Magazine is distributed free of charge. Direct mail subscriptions are available for $42.00 per year. Contributions from our readers are welcome. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material.

KEEPING IT REAL From The Publisher

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: He believed in me.” I love June. I love warm weather. I love the sunshine – and by now, I hope we are seeing the sun! I was raised in the south, in Alabama, where the weather is warm all but maybe one month out of the year. I have so many friends who love going to snow ski when all I can think about is going to the beach. It won’t be long and I will be there again this year. My mom lives only a few miles from Orange Beach, Alabama, and that has become our go-to place for vacations over the years. Not only do I get to sink my toes in the sand, but I get to see my mom as well. My dad, who passed away many years ago, encouraged my love of the beach by vacationing there. Although we didn’t go to the Alabama coast, he was from Florida and therefore that’s the beach he chose. I can remember so many times going to the beach, going deep sea fishing, or just spending time in the pool. He would always join us, with my mom watching over all of us. As we grew older, the beach trips with my friends took over, while mom and dad decided to start a new adventure – in an RV with grandkids! At that time, Gulf Shores actually had an RV park right on the beach. It’s not there anymore, but there were lots of great memories for both me and my son, Michael, at that RV park. Daddy was always the life of any party and loved seeing everyone having fun. You see, my dad didn’t have much growing up, but he was determined to do something with his life. He would tell us the story of how he started his career in the paper mill by “sweeping floors” and ended up as the next highest person at the last paper mill he worked for. He was intelligent, a hard worker, and a great strategist. We moved many times when I was a child – sometimes every 6-7 months. Each time we moved, he moved a little bit higher up that ladder. My dad, and my mom, always told me that I could be anything I wanted to be if I set my mind to it and tried hard enough. I have always lived by that. I know if Daddy were here with me today, he would be proud of everything I have accomplished. I am proud to call him my Dad. P.S. The funniest memory I have of my Dad is one I can still see in my head! Daddy had gone to sleep on the couch one afternoon. I was sitting in the living room watching TV – yes, we had TV back then! When he woke up, he sat up for a few seconds and then started to get up to walk. Well, evidently his feet had gone to sleep, too! So when he stood on them, it was like little needles being stuck into his feet! He did what I called a “ballet dance” across the room and fell on the chair beside me! I will never forget him giving me the “evil eye” for laughing hysterically at him before he started laughing with me! I miss you, Daddy.

Publisher 8

ALT Magazine

June 2015

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CHASING DREAMS From The Editor

“I loved her first and I held her first And a place in my heart will always be hers From the first breath she breathed When she first smiled at me I knew the love of a father runs deep” -- Heartland, I Loved Her First

After reading all of the sweet Father’s Day articles this month, I decided to write up a little something about my special

dad, Jimmy Gordon. Not only is he an incredible father, but he has been and always will be my best friend. I know I can always go to him, whether it’s with tears in my eyes from emotional or physical hurt, or just to tell me what shoes to wear, no matter what, he gives the best advice.

I will always cherish each moment we spend together, but my favorites include going to the lake as a kid, teaching

me to hunt and our walks in the park. Growing up, we went to Lake Ouachita for at least a week every summer. My dad would spend hours every day that week driving his bass boat, pulling me behind him in an inner tube, zigging and zagging. As I got older, I decided I wanted to start hunting. Granted, I enjoy the thrill of scoring a big buck each season and getting to see the gleam in my dad’s eye because I know how proud he is of me, but what I really enjoy most, is the alone time we get when we’re sitting in the deer stand. It’s just he and I and the woods. Life is so simple and peaceful, and we are together. I think the simplicity of the times we spend together is what I like most. We take the dogs to walk at the park pretty often, and that’s our time to talk. We talk about the deep stuff, as well as the fun light stuff. We joke, goof off and again, just get that peaceful time together, everything else in the world that may be going wrong, is okay for just that moment we are together. My dad is not only the strongest person I know physically, because let me tell you, he can open or lift just about anything, but he is the strongest person I know emotionally as well. As strong as he is, he has the kindest and gentlest heart. He is a best friend to many and gives his love fully to his family and friends. Anybody that knows him will simply say, “He is truly a good man.” Not only is he a good man, but he is the best man I know, and I am blessed to call him dad.

Everyone make sure to tell your dad how much he

means to you this Father’s Day. I know I am truly thankful for my daddy, I hope that I become even half the wonderful person he is. I love you dad.

Lindsey Gordon Editor

ALT Magazine

June 2015

Write It on Your Heart The Story of Waylon Lewallen’s Trip to The Holy Land

“Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” (Proverbs 7:3) WORDS BY BROOKE FERGUSON

The Holy Land. For a large majority of the general public, there is no doubt that Israel is considered the Holy Land. Waylon Lewallen of Hope, Arkansas is certainly one of the many who consider it to be so. Mr. Lewallen is a secondary educator at Spring Hill High School, at which he teaches the whole gamut of historical and social science classes. Lewallen and his wife, Pam, have two children: a daughter (10) and a son (4). He describes his life as being very “routine” and points out that he will typically be “one of three places: at school, at home, or at the gym.” Lewallen thrives on this routine. Teaching five different subject areas, being an active member of his church, Unity Baptist of Hope, Arkansas, and spending time with his family all seems to go better when he is able to organize his thoughts on the treadmill each morning and plan out his day. He grinned as he explained that even his wife knows the day will be better if all goes as the routine should. One day, his routine was completely changed but in the best possible way. Lewallen had a yearly routine of watching members of his community and church take a trip to Israel. Year after year, the trip would be scheduled for the week before spring break. For a teacher, the week before spring break is typically a no fly zone on taking a week of vacation days. Remember, though, this year would be the year of breaking routine. After a change of dates, this year’s Israel trip was scheduled to take place during spring break. This amazing turn of events directed Lewallen’s path, straight over the Atlantic to Israel. Although this was a holy trip, it was also a whole trip, in that it offered Waylon Lewallen an experience of a lifetime in more than the expected spiritual realm. Lewallen described gleaning educational, political, and spiritual benefits from this opportunity. It would seem that one aspect was no greater than the others; these revelations worked collaboratively to create a complete change in Waylon Lewallen. Every summer, Lewallen takes trips to historical sites for workshops because he realizes that being at those places helps make those events real to him and, in turn, helps make history real to his students. He stood on the Gettysburg battlefield and took photos of his view to show to future students. Putting himself in the vista of where an historic event has taken place, provides a real-world interaction with the content in his classroom that is invaluable to his students. This summer, he will travel to Washington D. C. to study the assassination of President Lincoln. One of the activities is to walk the path of James Wilkes Booth upon shooting the president. He already has plans to photograph the actual path in order to bring the students into the lesson. His recent trip to Israel has turned out to be more educationally rewarding than he could have imagined. When he walked up to the banks of the Jordan River, he was reminded of the multicolored maps that litter his desk as he mentally placed Israel’s neighbors: “there’s Syria, there’s Jordan.” Already since being back, Lewallen has been able to use his personal experiences in Israel to enhance learning in his classroom. He can explain what is actually going on and provide a first hand perspective of the politics and culture. As he cultivates individual relationships with his students in the classroom, their connection to him will be the link to these historic events that are sometimes pushed to the side. Lewallen’s presences at historical sites gives merit and validation to the content by linking the words in the textbook to the photos on the slide show. This personal investment into his students’ connection with history, geography and civics keeps the students engaged with the content, which is when true learning, lasting learning, occurs. By proxy, he offers the students a view of real-world experience with learning. June 2015

www.alt-mag.com

With new experiences comes some sense of discomfort, almost nervousness. Lewallen’s first cultural experience of Israel was waking up on the plane to the morning prayers of the Orthodox Jewish travelers. This would not be the last time he would see prayers in public. Seeing these Jewish men rocking back and forth speaking in Hebrew was only the beginning of Waylon Lewallen’s immersion into the highly religious culture of Israel. For Americans, politics and education are (for the most part) separate from religious beliefs. Certainly, a measurement of one’s religion does not seep into the politics of our work environments here in America, but in Israel, it is almost a determining factor. Lewallen, a self-proclaimed “political junkie,” absorbed every part of this new experience that he could. He noticed that while the “85 to 90 percent” of society in Israel (Islamic, Jewish, or Christian) simply wanted to go to work, provide for their families, and live life, the remaining “10 to 15 percent” of society are dogmatic in their beliefs. According to Lewallen, the latter are the members of society with all the money and power. He gave an example of a Muslim fellow who was a classically trained “world class chef” in America who moved back to Israel to be with his family. In Israel, his job is being a janitor and a bus driver. Lewallen concludes that it is because the man is not overtly zealous in his beliefs. The argument is that to work for those who own the businesses, the restaurants, one must say, “I accept” and adopt the orthodox or radical beliefs of those in power. Upon hearing this example, I began to wonder how a trip to such a highly religious and politically charged country would affect someone. The guides warned Lewallen

ALT Magazine

June 2015

and the other tourists that they may see conflict and instructed them not to draw attention to themselves and try not to appear nervous. While he did not directly witness any conflict within the Gaza strip in a way that we see on the news, he did observe the tense nature of behavior at the Dome of the Rock on the grounds of the Temple Mount in the Old City section of Jerusalem. Orthodox Jews walked around with military escorts, and believers of Islam would read loudly from the Koran as they walked past. Lewallen described this moment as a juxtapositioning of fervent believers of religions based on following certain laws. Both religions teach forgiveness and understanding, but they offer none to each other. The grounds of the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock stand together in proximity, but the followers of these meccas could not be further apart. Lewallen visited the museum of the Temple Institute where he saw ornate garments and a golden menorah secured in glass boxes for when the Jews build their new temple on the Temple Mount. This construction would symbolize a victory for Judaism. Since the trip was a guided tour, Lewallen never felt that he was in serious danger, but, while walking through the Old City, he did notice how it was segregated into three sections: Jewish, Christian, and Islamic. The tourists were encouraged to walk far around the Islamic section. This acted as a physical reminder of the tensions surrounding the area, especially in light of Israel’s recent concern (among others) over talks of Iran having nuclear capabilities. One cannot help but think about our own nation’s stance on this issue. For Lewallen, the experience only acted to solidify “the fact that we, as a nation, need to stand with [Israel].”

John Quincy Adams said,“In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.” Lewallen echoes Adams’ sentiments in that he feels that our nation’s precarious status with Israel is more than international alignment; he sees it as a manifestation of our nation’s moral decline. As a Christian, Waylon Lewallen feels loyal to Israel and its people. Upon returning from his trip, many people in his community would ask him to describe what it was like to visit such a holy place. As much as he would like to offer listeners an accurate description of his experiences, he finds it impossible to articulate the gravity of seeing the dirt in the Nativity Church upon which Jesus was born to this earth or touching the ground where Jesus sweat tears of blood. He was in the tomb where Jesus’ body lay, after being crucified. All of these religious sites offer profound experiences to Christians, but some places in Israel also exhibit a juxtaposition of these Christian symbols against those of Islam. For example, Golgatha, also known as Calvary, is the hill upon which Christ was crucified. When Lewallen gazed upon the hill of Calvary, a mosque stood high and directly adjacent to it because it is not on Israeli controlled land. This is a physical manifestation of the ongoing push and pull between the major religions in Israel. It is also symbolic of the seemingly endless battle of the spirit versus the flesh. In this place, Lewallen explained, you have “Christians on a pilgrimage, essentially,” Orthodox Jews trying to maintain control of their land, and Muslims trying to protect their holiest of places. Proverbs 7:3 says of God’s words, “ Bind them on your fingers; write

ALT Magazine

June 2015

them on the tablet of your heart.” Seeing these places, for Lewallen, solidified his faith by putting his beliefs into perspective. Seeing the sites of such miraculous events and spiritual implications made Lewallen’s faith tangible, therefore providing him with real-world experience to support his beliefs. In effect, visiting the Holy Land took the velvet picture of the Last Supper off of the wall of the Sunday school room and became a real source of validation for the words he already had written on his heart. This is essentially the same concept he takes to the classroom. Again, a real-world connection engages the student; therefore, a real-world experience with his own faith engaged his heart in a way that he had never experienced before. When we go on trips, vacations, we tend to think of them as an opportunity to shut off and relax. This trip broke routine once again by lighting an educational, a political, and a spiritual fire in Waylon Lewallen’s heart. It revived his teaching methods, his political resolve, and his relationship with God. The trip “completely changed [him],” and truly, how could it not? In so many ways he was exposed to this marriage of the old and the new: the history and the spiritual revival. He was supremely grateful for the opportunity to take on this endeavor, and he encourages anyone who is interested to seize the opportunity to take the trip next year. For further information on next year’s trip, please contact Dr. Neal Clark at nealclarkcem@yahoo.com. Lewallen reports that the initial price may seem steep, but it includes airfare, lodging, and two meals a day. Once you get there “all but lunch and souvenirs” is paid for. Waylon Lewallen feels the investment in this trip has already paid dividends in his personal life and his career. The pleasant surprises would not end in Israel, however; Lewallen has only recently discovered that he “was awarded Teacher of the Year for Springhill and is now a candidate for Arkansas Teacher of the Year.”

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Dad

Fishing on a beautiful lake, talking about life over breakfast, hunting in the chill mornings, and building a special project together are all memories that our special interviewees this month share with their dads. Anne Geddes once said, “Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.” In each of these lives, a father’s willful pouring of love into their children’s lives has had a profound and irrevocable effect. Their wise teachings and careful actions have impacted how their children lead their lives, run their businesses, and teach their own children. These fathers and countless more in our community deserve more than one day of recognition for their love, devotion and sacrifice for their families. WORDS BY ANNE FRUGE

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Mitchell, Rivers, Judah & Bear Glass

The three sons of pediatric dentist, Mitchell Glass, love to spend time with their father. Rivers (5), Judah (4) and Bear (2) enjoy “sitting with him, fishing, hugging on him, snuggling with him and riding buses with him.” Their honest and sweet answers below prove how influential any father can be on growing children. What do you believe is your father’s best quality? “Because he smiles at me and I like him,” Judah says. “He is sweet and his parents taught him to do great things,” Rivers says. What is the greatest lesson your father ever taught you? “He taught me how to ride my bike and love others,” Rivers says. How was your father’s teaching or example contributed to who you are today? “I want to be like him when I get big,” Judah says. “Dada is good,” Bear says.

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One of the greatest lessons Alex’s father, Danny Flanagan, Owner of Fitwell Upholstery, has taught her is not to find her wealth in money. Though he’s never said the words directly, Alex can see them lived out in all of her father’s actions. “When looking at my father, you see the hard work that goes into a successful business, but more than that, you see he finds his wealth in all that he does,” Alex says. “Whether it is traveling with his family, golfing, or just fishing at the lake, Dad is going to make the most out of any situation he is in and make sure whoever is with him does the same. His generosity comes so easily for him.” Alex has been able to apply this lesson to her life while building her own business. “Sometimes, it is hard not to chase the dollar sign, but when I look at my father’s success it reminds me of the path I need to follow,” Alex says. “I strive daily to be more like him.” What is the best memory you have of you and your father together? “Some of my fondest memories with my father take place in our deer woods in McNab, AR. One memory always comes to mind and that is killing my first deer. On one of the last weekends of deer

Family Shenanigans

OWNER FLANAGAN’S SHENANIGANS APPAREL & GIFTS

season in December, Dad and I went hunting to try to bag a deer before season’s end. I was 10 years old and finally hunting with a big kid’s gun (a Ruger .243). As the sun began to set, we watched a spike play around the end of the food plot. I could hardly sit still, thinking I finally had my chance to kill my first deer. Dad patiently explained to me, that was not the right deer for me to shoot, and we needed to pass him up so he could grow. With my hot temper (yes, I had it back then too), I sulled up and sat back in my chair. After about 30 minutes, it was starting to get dusky dark. I happened to look to my left and up on the hill about 100 yards was a monster buck just standing there. I still get chills thinking about it! I nudged Dad’s shoulder as I was grabbing my gun. He gave me the nod to go ahead and shoot. I did, and the buck ran off. So anxious I could hardly stand it, I was ready to go track it to see if I had actually hit it. The deer ran about 20 yards where we found it with ease. There laid the biggest deer I had ever laid eyes on. It was a non-typical 10 point buck. I killed my age, which is something that doesn’t happen often. My dad jokingly said later on, if he knew it was that big he would have shot it himself, but we all know he is too selfless to do that. A smile just appears on my face every time I think about that story.” What do you believe is your father’s best quality? “One of Dad’s best qualities is his selflessness. I could go on and on about all he does for his family, friends, church, and his own business but I will just give a few examples. He is always just a phone call away for anyone that needs his 24

ALT Magazine

June 2015

Danny Flanagan Alex Flanagan help. A prime example happened just last month. I had some shelving that broke and was telling my mother about it. That evening Dad showed up with all his tools ready to fix it. I had had a long day and several errands still to run, and he told me to go ahead, and take care of my things and he could lock up. Also not to mention, his truck is always readily available for hauling fixtures, signs, or anything else crazy I might pull out of my sleeve. These little selfless things he does truly mean the world to me, and definitely do not go unappreciated.” How has your father’s teaching or example contributed to who you are today? “My father’s business has been in the family for over 60 years. Also great work ethic is something I see in my father, which was instilled in him by my grandfather, and he has instilled that within me. Dad always says any job worth doing is worth doing with all your effort. With custom upholstery work, which Fitwell’s does, this is a very important virtue in running a business. I also feel this is important in my line of business, whether it be finding that perfect outfit for a customer or gift for that special person. I remember a few years ago while planning on moving back to Texarkana and opening Flanagan’s Shenanigans, Dad was my go-to guy for any start-up questions I had. Still today, I can depend on him for an honest, ethical answer on anything from employees to customers. I know I can trust him to give me answers that are right for any situation. I am truly blessed to have him as a role-model for not only as a small-business owner, but also in life completely.”

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When Holland Harris thinks back to the best memory she has of her father, she thinks about breakfast time before school each day. Her dad, David Lee Hickerson, worked at Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative, but every morning, he would make sure that the table was set for time together before they both rushed out to their busy lives. “It wasn’t until I went to college that I learned that those 20 minutes each morning were moments I would later learn to cherish for the rest of my life,” Holland says. “If that breakfast table could talk, it would share stories of laughter, sadness, encouragement, discipline, but most importantly, it would share the amount of love that went into each meeting at that table.” Even when Holland went away to college, her father would make the time to come and have lunch with her at least once every two weeks, if not weekly. “My best memory of my dad is his continued presence throughout my life,” Holland says. “My dad wasn’t just my dad, he was and has always been my best friend!” What do you believe is your father’s best quality? “He is a man of great character, resilience, encouragement, and respect, but most of all, he has always loved unconditionally. I believe that it’s my dad’s heart and willingness to do for others, and love so deeply, that makes him all the things I mention above. For example, my dad lived out of town until about five years ago. Shortly after my dad moved back to Texarkana, he lost his brother, someone he looked up to all his life. When my uncle Mike passed, my dad assumed the responsibility of making sure the needs of my grandmother are taken care of. I have witnessed and strongly believe that if you watch how a man treats his mother, you will know the character of that man. If you watch my dad with his mom, his kids and his grandkids, you will know that this man has a heart of gold! My dad continues to leave the legacy of the Hickerson family, in that he is a man of God, a man of his word, and a man of great character!” What is the greatest lesson your father ever taught you? “I have learned so much from my dad over the years, but the greatest lesson he has taught me is that “The wealth of a man or woman should not be judged solely on their bank account, but rather the wealth of their heart.” My dad has always taught my brother and I that the greatest gift you can give someone is the ability to LOVE them unconditionally. I feel that his constant love and support throughout my life, has molded me into the person I am today. Growing up, I might not of had the nicest car, the biggest house, name brand clothes, etc, but what I did and do have is countless memories with my family, which are priceless. Both my parents knew that the greatest work they would ever do would be within the walls of our home. He taught me to make my God and my family the biggest priority, to listen and pay attention to everything they say, even at the youngest of age. Although owning your own business can be hectic, time consuming and stressful at times, he taught me to always remember my greatest work is my kids.” 26

ALT Magazine

June 2015

Around the Table

David Hickerson Holland Harris

How has your father’s teaching or example contributed to who you are today? “My dad wasn’t much of a teacher, but he was a leader. He knew we were watching, and we were following in his footsteps! My dad has always been supportive of both my brother and I. Even when he had to practice tough love, discipline or even scold us, it was in those moments he also showed us the right path. My dad taught us to love the Lord and lean on him in times of struggle. He taught us that we are guaranteed to fall and fail but that it’s how we handle or rise from it that truly matters. His showed us that life was not handed out on a silver platter and that we must strive and work hard for the things that we want and that we must appreciate the things we have. When opening Express Care in 2010, I had a newborn baby and step-daughter who was in 5th grade. We knew that we wanted to provide a better lifestyle for the kids, and we wanted to be a part of their journey. Although, like my dad, we have had to make several sacrifices to get where we are today, I truly believe that my dad’s support, guidance, love and presence in my life, contributes to so much of our success. My accomplishments in life are contributed to my family for all their love and support, and the only hope I have for my future is that when my kids grow up, they too will look at me and say, ‘My mom was always present, and she gave us the greatest gift: she loved us abundantly.’”

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Powerfully Engineered. Proven to Perform.

We are Kubota.

$3,899

LIST $4,355

Air-cooled Kawasaki FR engine – 21.5 HP We •are Kubota.

• 4.5" deep, fully welded durable 42" mower deck • Patented steering system design for superior handling Weare are Kubota. Kubota. We • Air-cooled engine – 21.5 HP and maneuverability in Kawasaki confinedFRareas 4.5" deep, fully welded durable 42"lights mower available deck • Grass catcher,• mulching, hitch and LED •kit Air-cooled Kawasaki FR engine – 21.5 HP

* $3,899 899 $3$3 ,899

5483 Summerhill Road | Texarkana, TX 75503 903.223.5931 | myexpresscare@aol.com

List $4,355

• Air-cooled Kawasaki FR engine – 21.5 HP • Patented steering system design for superior handling

4.5" deep, fully welded durable 42" mower deck * •in• •Grass ,and maneuverability conﬁdeep, ned areas 4.5" fully welded durable catcher, mulching, hitch kit and 42" mower de

LEDhitch lights • Grass catcher, mulching, kitavailable and LED lights available • Grass catcher, mulching, hitch kit and

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48 Months 0 Down

89/Month includes sales tax 0% APR © Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2015

www.kubota.com *$0 Down, 0% A.P.R. for 48 months on new Kubota Equipment (excluding T, GR, G, F, Z100, ZG100 & VS Series): $0 down, 0% A.P.R. financing for up to 48 months on www.kubota.com forfrom specifi c Z100 model purchases of new Kubota equipment (excluding T, GR, G, F, Z100, ZG100 & VS Series) is available *See to qualifi ed purchasers participating dealers’ in-stock inventory information and applicable limited time promotional through 6/30/2015. Example: A 48-month monthly installment repayment term at 0% A.P.R. requirespricing. 48 payments $20.83 per $1,000 financed. 0% A.P.R. interest Optionalofequipment may be shown. is available to customers if no dealer documentation preparation fee is charged. Dealer charge for document preparation fee shall be in accordance with state laws. © Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2015 Inclusion of ineligible equipment may result in a higher blended A.P.R. Not available for Rental, National Accounts or Governmental customers. 0% A.P.R. and www.kubota.com low rate financing may not be available with customer instant rebate offers. Financing is 7478 availableHampton through Kubota Corporation, Rd.Credit | Nash, TX U.S.A., 3401 Del www.kubota.com *See www.kubota.com forapply. specifiOffer c Z100 model information Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions expires 6/30/2015. Seeand us for details on these and other low-rate *See www.kubota.com for specific Z100 model applicable time promotional pricing. Optional equipment options or golimited to www.kubota.com for more information. information and applicable limited time promotional may be shown. © Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2015 pricing.texarkanatractor.com Optional equipment may be shown. © Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2015

903-838-4377

Cass Hope Cass County County Tractor Equipment Equipment Company

Hope Tractor Company

808 HWY 59 | Queen City, TX

808 HWY 59 Queen City, TX

903.796.9594

321 HWY 29 N. | Hope, AR

870.777.3401

7478 Hampton Rd. 321 HWY 29 N. hopetractor.com casscountykubota.com Nash, TX Hope, AR

903.796.9594 870.777.3401 903.838.4377 casscountykubota.com

*$0 Down, 0% A.P.R. for 48 months on new Kubota Equipment (excluding T, GR, G, F, Z100, ZG100 & VS Series): $0 down, 0% A.P.R. fi nancing for up to 48 months on purchases of new Kubota equipment (excluding T, GR, G, F, Z100, ZG100 & VS Series) is available to qualifi ed purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 6/30/2015. Example: A 48-month monthly installment repayment term at 0% A.P.R. requires 48 payments of $20.83 per $1,000 fi nanced. 0% A.P.R. interest is available to customers if no dealer documentation preparation fee is charged. Dealer charge for document preparation fee shall be in accordance with state laws. Inclusion of ineligible equipment may result in a higher blended A.P.R. Not available for Rental, National Accounts or Governmental customers. 0% A.P.R. and low rate fi nancing may not be available with customer instant rebate offers. Financing is available through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Offer expires 6/30/2015. See us for details on these and other low-rate Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Offer expires 6/30/2015. See us for details on these and other low-rate options or go to www.kubota.com for more information.

hopetractor.com

texarkanatractor.com

June 2015

www.alt-mag.com

A Truly Kind Man

Josh Morriss Jr. Josh Morriss III Chief Justice, Texas Sixth Court of Appeals (Texarkana) Josh Morriss believes that his father’s best quality is his kindness. He says that his dad, Josh R. Morriss, Jr., retired Managing Partner of Offenhauser Insurance Agency, takes the saying “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all” as a daily commitment. “I do not remember him ever saying an unkind thing about anyone, even folks who called him names---though those have been few, because he has always been almost universally highly regarded,” Josh says. “He also has always seemed to have an uncanny knack of focusing on someone that might be uncomfortable in a situation and asking inoffensive questions to them, genuinely interested in them and their answers as if they were the most important person in the room. A truly kind man! I imagine that in many dictionaries his picture is given as an example of the word ‘gentleman.’” What is the best memory you have of you and your father together? “On three projects, Dad took time and used his expertise to work with me to build: a workbench, a ham radio receiver, and a sailboat. I remember loving the process of building and being grateful that he spent the time and used every bit of patience he could muster (which was considerable) to put up with my short attention span and poor work ethic.” What is the greatest lesson your father ever taught you? How have you applied it to your life? “I’d say the greatest lesson is to always do the right thing, even if it hurts you at the moment. It will keep you an honorable person and allow people to trust you. There have been those times when I was tempted to 28

ALT Magazine

June 2015

run from a responsibility, from facing a mistake I made. But remembering his teaching helped me to face the embarrassment and, yes, do the right thing, even when it was hard.” How has your father’s teaching or example contributed to who you are today? “While I don’t believe I could ever measure up to his sterling example in so many ways, his excellence keeps me striving. His kindness reminds me to try to be kind, even to people I don’t respect or don’t like and to try to love the unlovable. His industry reminds me to work hard for the goals that are before me. His generosity reminds me to aspire to be generous. His love for our community and large works inspires me to attempt large things for Texarkana. His consistency reminds me to keep plugging away, day by day. His sterling character helps me keep short accounts with God. His statesmanship and gentlemanly behavior toward all people reminds me to look for the good will in everyone I encounter, even the extremely difficult. I owe him more than I can ever say.”

LEGE N D A R Y F irearms INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE - CLASS 3 DEALER

903.336.6139

101 SLATON DR., NASH, TX NASH BUSINESS PARK OFF HWY 82.

OPEN TUES-SAT: 10:00-7:00, SUN: 1:00-6:00

June 2015

www.alt-mag.com

Taste & See KEEPING IT HOMEMADE Brock Brewer

What is Taste & See’s specialty? Gourmet Chocolates Such As Truffles. Truffles are a smooth chocolate with a ganache center and thin chocolate shell. Our truffles come in milk, dark and white chocolate, or you can get a combination. We create authentic Italian style ice cream called Gelato. Gelato is different from American style ice cream in that is has less air and overall, 65% less fat. Homemade Candies Such As Caramels And English Toffee. Our caramel is home style and soft, but not sticky. English Toffee was the first candy we made and we have kept the recipe the same since my grandmother created it over 40 years ago. Our toffee remains tried and true, broken up and packaged by hand. Specialty Fudge. Our fudge is made in seasonal flavors that change throughout the year. Gourmet Coffee Shop. Our coffee beans are hand picked which you can buy fresh here in store, as well as espresso drinks, frappes, lattes, mochas and blended coffees. All of our expertise is combined to create great gifts you can’t get anywhere else. What is your greatest professional accomplishment? Opening The Texarkana Location. We moved from a 350 square foot shop in Ashdown to this location where we are able to create 3 times the gelato we were making before. All of our recipe’s are created through experiments and taste testing and are all original, which is extremely important to us. What is the mission of Taste & See? We Are A Christian Based Company. Not only do we treat people to something sweet and good, but we strive to be a positive example to the community. It is important as a business that as we grow, we still keep our core values. What is the best advice you would give others striving to start a successful local business? Don’t Lose Sight Of Your Creativity. If it is your passion and something you want, seize the moment, don’t be afraid to take risks.

ALT Magazine

June 2015

What sets Taste & See apart as a business? We Don’t Fall Into Just One Category. We offer a variety of sweet treats and are always trying new things. We also believe our customer service sets us apart. We want our customers to always feel welcome. What is the most important standard set for Taste & See? Consistency and Efficiency. Both with how we create our sweets and coffees and with how we treat our customers. We hold ourselves to a high standard as far as customer service is concerned and make it our priority to please our customers. What is the best advice you have received thus far as a business owner? Stay Positive. There are going to be highs and lows, but there is always something to learn. Use that to your advantage. What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced with a local business? Creating The Gelato From Scratch. Not only making an original creation, but making it correctly has definitely been the hardest adventure. Having no training, yet striving to be the best has created some obstacles. Certain recipes just would not turn out, so I would use feedback to make them the best I could. Marketing and staying up-to-date within the community is also a difficulty, because it can change so regularly. It is important to stay in contact with the community and give them what they want. What are some charities Taste & See gives back to? We Do As Much As We Can For Local Charities. We have participated in Harvest Texarkana, Phantom Ball and several others. It’s tough being a small business, because sometimes you can’t give as much as you wish, but we try to always give back all that we can. I remember one time, we were asked to donate a raffle item for a child needing a kidney transplant. We were spent, but we couldn’t turn them away. What should the community of Texarkana know about Taste & See? We Want Everyone In The Community To Know We Appreciate How Much They Are Willing To Support A Local Business. It’s not always easy trying to start something new, but the way Texarkana backs us, makes it all worthwhile.

Go Ahead, Reward Yourself. Everyone takes great pleasure in enjoying a scoop of Gelato, that is why it is our passion to not only bring you great tasting Italian Gelato, but to combine those great flavors in our gourmet espresso drinks. So why not reward yourself with our loyalty program. Enter the Keyword Junebonus into the free LoyalTree app and get bonus points! Offer valid through 6/30/15.

2838 Richmond Rd. Suite B, Texarkana, TX

903.792.1468 | Open: Monday - Saturday 10am - 9pm June 2015

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ALT Magazine

June 2015

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2 LAKE OUACHITA &

HOT SPRINGS

Since 1875, cool clear water has been luring people to an area in the Ouachita Mountains about 10 miles northwest of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Fishing, skiing, pleasure boating, swimming, sailing, houseboating, parasailing and scuba diving are popular lake activities, while attractions such as the Oaklawn thoroughbred racetrack, Magic Springs’ theme and water parks, Hot Springs National Park, the Mid-America Science Museum, a nationally renowned arts community, live music and magic shows and a host of other family-oriented attractions have made the area one of Arkansas’s top tourist destinations. For more information, visit: www.arkansas.com.

4 ARLINGTON, TEXAS

Rangers Ballpark in Arlington is the home field for the MLB’s Texas Rangers, seating nearly 50,000 fans for the team’s exhilarating games. The ballpark also contains the Legends of the Game Museum and Learning Center, which gives a look into the sport’s dynamic past through authentic baseball memorabilia, photos and hands-on exhibits. The ballpark is located on the northeast side of town, near Richard Greene Linear Park. The flagship amusement park of the world’s largest regional theme park company, and home of “America’s Coaster,” Six Flags Over Texas offers 200 acres filled with more than 50 rides. The park is located in Arlington, right across the street from Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, the largest water park in the Southwest. For more information, visit: arlington.texas.com.

1 PETIT JEAN STATE PARK Celebrate National Trails Day, June 6, 2015, and enjoy Petit Jean’s 20-plus miles of trails! This day will be filled with hikes and hiking related programs for all ages. Contact the park for a schedule. This event corresponds with American Hiking Society programs nationwide. Located in the River Valley of Morrilton, Arkansas. For more information, visit: www.petitjeanstatepark.com.

3 HISTORIC SAN ANTONIO One of the most popular attractions in the city, the San Antonio River Walk runs along the river in the downtown area, passing many top attractions, restaurants and shops. Sites of interest along the path include the Alamo, the Blue Star Arts Complex, the Institute of Texan Cultures and the Spanish Governor’s Palace. The path’s cobblestone walkways wind throughout much of the city’s downtown area, running as far east as the interstate. For more information, visit: sanantonio. texas.com.

5BROKEN BOW, OKLAHOMA

Team up in a canoe, go it alone in a kayak or gather the whole family for a leisurely raft float, whatever you prefer, the clear mountain-fed waters around Beavers Bend can accommodate any trip down the river. The Mountain Fork River is famed in the region as a fly fishing destination, but its cool rushing waters are also an ideal passage for canoeing, kayaking and floating. The river features Class I and II rapids, with waterfall drops as high as four feet in some places. The more experienced paddler will want to seek out the secluded Glover River, Oklahoma’s only “untamed” waterway, with no dams blocking its course through the terrain. The river provides a thrilling ride for veteran floaters not opposed to navigating unpredictable waters. For more information, visit: visitmccurtaincounty.com

NEW BOSTON BRANCH

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ALT Magazine

June 2015

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ALT Magazine

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

Retiring Like Your Parents Paul was a comfortably retired dad with a financially strapped son, whose own retirement prospects appeared dim. But grown sons too often don’t listen to their fathers. That’s why Paul called in his advisor to help his offspring, John. Certainly, Paul knew John’s situation wasn’t entirely the younger man’s fault. For John’s generation (he’s 40), economic changes make retirement planning a harder task than it was for Paul. “Please help my son,” the worried dad asked his financial advisor, Todd Black. “Family is what really matters in most financial planning discussions,” said Black, an advisor at Dogwood Capital Management in Cumming, Ga. Paul retired a few years ago, the old-fashioned way. After working for more than 35 years at a pharmaceutical company, he has a great pension and healthy savings. He provided a comfortable life for his wife and two sons. Now, he lives in a beautiful lake side house in a nice suburb of Atlanta, spending spare time sailing on his boat. But while he is set, he worries about his children. His sons, like most others of their generation, have a less certain future in retirement, with traditional definedbenefit pension plans (which usually calculate payouts according to final salary and years of service) disappearing and the possibility of outliving their savings increasing. Paul’s primary concern was about the financial health of his youngest son, John, who recently quit his job and moved back to Atlanta from Michigan. He never

liked the cold winter in the north. John sold his house there, which ended up losing money. Paul fretted about the setbacks frustrating his son. An old-school father who did not express much emotion to his children, Paul figured that his advisor, Black, as a neutral third party, was better suited to take care of John’s financial matters. “I’m concerned about my son,” Paul said. “He seemed discouraged.” “I’ll talk to him,” said Black, reassuring Paul that he would give John encouragement and advice. He then gave John a call and offered to handle his finances. Picturing a comfortable retirement like his father’s, John readily put his faith in Black. The father-son relationship was a good one, but “it’s still easier for John to call me when he has questions,” Black said. John started a new job at an insurance company in Atlanta, so Black made sure that he took full advantage of his new retirement plan, plus health and life insurance programs. The advisor also updated his old retirement accounts. He analyzed John’s 401(k)s, rebalanced his investments and used target-date funds (which shift their asset mix to more conservative securities as investors grow older) to create a diversified portfolio appropriate for his age group. Black made John save more aggressively by advising him against his bachelor-style spending habits, such as wanting to own a nice car. Although he grew up with his father driving a BMW, “it doesn’t mean you need one,” Black told John, who took the advisor’s suggestions and saw his savings grow. “I’m proud of him,” Paul said to Black in another phone call. They believed that at this rate, John had a significant chance to replicate his father’s successful example, which gave Paul a lot more carefree boating time. *AdviceIQ delivers quality personal finance articles by both financial advisors and AdviceIQ editors. It ranks advisors in your area by specialty, including small businesses, doctors and clients of modest means, for example. Those with the biggest number of clients in a given specialty rank the highest. AdviceIQ also vets ranked advisors so only those with pristine regulatory histories can participate. AdviceIQ was launched Jan. 9, 2012, by veteran Wall Street executives, editors and technologists. Right now, investors may see many advisor rankings, although in some areas only a few are ranked. Check back often as thousands of advisors are undergoing AdviceIQ screening. New advisors appear in rankings daily. The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. *Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC.

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food - best dressed pet contest - music June 2015

www.alt-mag.com

by Mike Brower

Thoughts From the Shallow End of the Gene Pool With the sale of two of the most popular boat companies, I have been trying to get some idea of the future of the boats in question. Bass Cat sold to a Florida company that makes ski boats. This begs the question, “What do they know about bass boats and will they move the plant from Arkansas?” The company in question manufactures Nautique ski boats and they are a high end boat, so it makes sense that they will keep the quality standards in place. But will they overdesign and take the fishing functionality out? I would think that no real changes are coming to the Bass Cat brand but you never can tell.

ALT Magazine

June 2015

The other sale of a boat company involves Ranger selling to Bass Pro. This one has me concerned as Bass Pro is more likely to take a top line boat and cheapen it. Bass Pro has the Nitro boat line and it is an alright boat that they want top money for. Most of the components of a Nitro are 1980’s and they want a 2010’s price. I fear that they will try to increase profits over quality, which Ranger is known for. That would be an exit point for me, as I have owned Rangers for the last 25 years. Even though they are slower than other boats, they tend to be of more quality and innovation and you can’t beat the ride. If Ranger is changed for the worse I will be looking for another company.

June 2015

www.alt-mag.com

Introducing the New BAAS Degree at A&M-Texarkana WORDS BY LISA MYERS It’s that time of year again. Students with their families in tow are celebrating the milestone of earning a college degree and once again, you’re wondering if there’s still time to go back to school yourself. The definitive answer to that question is a solid YES. If you have a minimum of 65 hours (it doesn’t matter how old the hours are), and you have completed your core curriculum (those lower-division basic courses everyone has to take), you could be finished with your bachelor’s degree in just 11 classes. Here is how it works… 65 hours: These hours are a combination of basic academic courses like Composition I and II, U.S. History I and II, etc. and any other courses you’ve taken at the college level – including any technical or workforce hours you’ve taken. Core complete: There are several ways to become core complete. (1) Complete any regionally accredited Texas postsecondary school’s core requirements. (2) Complete A&MTexarkana’s core requirements. (3) Utilize transferable courses from other state regionally accredited institutions (4) Combine options 1-3 to meet A&M-Texarkana’s core requirements, which total 14 courses (minimum 42 hours). • 2 Courses in Composition • 2 Courses in Government • 2 Courses in U. S. History • 2 Courses in Natural Science • 1 Course in Public Speaking • 1 Course in College-level Math • 1 Course in Creative Arts • 1 Course in Social and Behavioral Sciences • 1 Course in Language, Philosophy and Culture • 1 Course in Additional Component Area Options Class 1: University Foundations (IS 1100) Class 2: Prior Learning Assessment Theory and Practice (AAS 1301) 42

ALT Magazine

June 2015

Class 3: Advanced Expository Writing (ENG 340) or Technical Writing (ENG 350) Class 4: Psychology of Work (AAS 390) Class 5: Upper Division Course in Declared Concentration Class 6: Upper Division Course in Declared Concentration Class 7: Upper Division Course in Declared Concentration Class 8: Upper Division Course in Declared Concentration Class 9: Upper Division Course in Declared Concentration Class 10: Upper Division Course in Declared Concentration Class 11: Strategies in Action Research (AAS 490) The BAAS offers 10 areas of concentration called complements. Students select and take 6 classes in their complement area, and those who select Instructional Technology and Organizational Leadership may complete their degrees totally online. Other complements offer some, but not all, online options. • •

Behavior Sciences Computer Technology

• Criminal Justice • English • Instructional Technology – ONLINE • Liberal Arts • Mass Communications • Organizational Leadership - ONLINE • Political Science • Sociology

The BAAS program can offer this expedited path to a degree because it utilizes Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), a method of accrediting college-level learning attained outside of the traditional classroom. This type of learning is called experiential learning, and it is recognized in academic circles as valid and worthy of credentialing when it is articulated into tangible products, that is, portfolios. Students learn to create portfolios in AAS 1301, a course

taken at the beginning of the program, and each portfolio is eligible to earn 3 hours of credit. Students can earn up to 24 hours in portfolio credit, and unlike the former portfolio model, this model allows students to earn hours for actual courses. For example, if you have extensive experience in business, desktop publishing, team leadership, technology, photography, creative arts, or any other area of content that would be included in courses offered at the college level, you could earn credit for those courses through portfolio development rather than having to take courses covering what you already know. Many students have recently utilized this new portfolio model and have earned credit for courses such as Introduction to Business, Team Leadership, Marketing, Business Communication, and Public Speaking. This is only the surface of what is available to BAAS students utilizing this new PLA model. In short, if a course is offered by any of the following Texas A&M University System schools, that course is eligible for portfolio credit: • • • • • • • • • • •

Texas A&M University Prairie View A&M University Tarleton State University Texas A&M International University Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Texas A&M University-Kingsville West Texas A&M University Texas A&M University-Commerce Texas A&M University-Texarkana Texas A&M University-Central Texas Texas A&M University-San Antonio

This new expansion of opportunity means we are more equipped than ever to match your specific experiential learning to specific college courses offered by the prestigious Texas A&M University System. There’s never been a better time to complete your degree - really.

Why am I getting my

BAAS

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For more information, contact the BAAS office at BAAS@tamut.edu or 903-334-6675 for more information.

7101 University Ave. • Texarkana, Texas 75503 • www.tamut.edu/baas

COOPERSERVICE Automotive Center

Contact us today and set up a time to discuss your personal journey toward completing the BAAS at A&M-Texarkana. Or if you prefer to get started now, follow the easy steps below, and you’ll be a couple of steps ahead of the game! THREE STEPS to GETTING STARTED Step 1: Apply for admission at https://go.tamut.edu/application/.

Apply for a 90-Day Same-As-Cash Cooper Tires Credit Card

Step 2: Contact your former colleges/universities and arrange for them to send official transcripts to Texas A&M UniversityTexarkana. Step 3: Contact the BAAS office and make an appointment to customize your degree plan.

All Major Credit Cards Accepted

We’re looking forward to visiting with you, and we will be glad to discuss your personal degree plan in person, over the phone, or by email, whichever works best for you. You can reach us at 903-334-6675 or baas@tamut.edu. Mon-Fri 7:30 am - 5:00 pm Saturday 7:30 am to Noon

870.772.6971

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Texarkana, TX 75501 903.223.8135 | Tues-Sat: 10-6

The Open Window

Flanagan’s Shenanigans

3317 Richmond Rd., Texarkana, TX 903) 276-8168 Mon - Fri: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Sat: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

June 2015

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Something

Flanagan’s Shenanigans

Borrowed...

The Cracked Pearl

Gayle’s & Abby Gayles

O.M.G. Lulu 52

ALT Magazine

June 2015

The Cracked Pearl

Something

Your Bridal Gift-Giving Headquarters!

Blue...

3721 Mall Drive, Texarkana, TX | (903) 223- 3768 | Mon. - Fri. 10 - 6; Sat. 10 - 4

Gayle’s & Abby Gayles Racquet & Jog

Flanagan’s Shenanigans

3110 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.794.9910 June 2015

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Knuckleheads n Prissy Tails

Little Shenanigans

Mini Pearl Knuckleheads n Prissy Tails

Blue Jean

Baby

Oh Baby

Knuckleheads n Prissy Tails Knuckleheads n Prissy Tails

A Total Change Little Shenanigans

Knuckleheads n Prissy Tails

Little Shenanigans

Salon Visage’

903.794.4007

Esthetique face & body salon GET BACK TO

THE REAL YOU GET THE

NERIUM EXPERIENCE Real Science. Real Results. Anti-aging • Facials • French Wax Hair Removal Glycolic & Salicylic Acid Exfoliators • Non-Surgical Facelifts Medical Grade Diamond Fusion Microdermabrasion Aruba Air Brushing Tanning • Body Wraps 4506 Summerhill, Texarkana,TX

Tuesday-Friday: 10am-6pm

Owner/Esthetician, Mary Ann Pavey

A Total Change

for girls and boys 2838A Richmond Rd

(903) 794-7515

Oh Baby

Exploring the world is most exciting when you do it with the people you love in clothes made for wandering. June 2015

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Oh Baby

A Total Change Little Shenanigans

A Total Change

Mini Pearl Little Shenanigans Oh Baby

Little Shenanigans

Nothinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; but

Blue Skies

All Gowns Available at

Bridal Castle

June 2015

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Special Thanks to

Persnickety Too

for the Bridal Bouquets

SKILLS USA RANDY SAMS OUTREACH SHELTER • 5/1/15 11 1

15 2

15 4

ALT Magazine

June 2015

On May 1st 2015, Texarkana Arkansas Career and Technological Center/Arkansas High - Criminal Justice’ s SkillsUSA team practiced community service at Randy Sam’s Outreach Center. 1. Jennifer Laurent and LaRhonda Hamilton 2. (front row) Deavoyne Walker and Tatyana Sanders. (Back row) Ashia Bradley, Nautika Harris, Matthew Foreback 3. LaRhonda Hamilton, Armani Coatney, Matthew Foreback, Ashia Bradley, Deavyone Walker, Danielle Griffin, Kaitlyn Fillmore, Tatyana Sanders, and Nautika Harris 4. Deavoyne Walker, Danielle Griffin, Hazellen MattlockPierce, Kaitlyn Fillmore, Tatyana Sanders 5. James Leroy, Helen Diggs and LaRhonda Hamilton

ooding G decorative concrete

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

903.277.0307 www.goodingdc.com

HANDSON TEXARKANA VOLUNTEER SERVICE BANQUET TEXARKANA CONVENTION CENTER - TEXARKANA, TX • 4/30/15

The HandsOn Texarkana Volunteer Service Banquet was held Thursday, April 30th at the Texarkana Convention Center. HandsOn Texarkana provides service to the community through volunteerism and . To volunteer, find more information at handsontexarkana.org. 1. Jennifer Lockman, Jennifer Laurent 2. Joy Jordan, Donna Stewart 3. Kathy Graves, Ruth Penny Bell 4. Laura Spencer 5. Bob and Carol Nelson 6. Versie Hooker, James Roberts, Felichia Gains 7. Carol and Roy Pitt, Ron Collin 8. Pam Dennington 9. Allison Lee, Sarah White, Angie Andrews 10. Landry Gyton, Ann Nicholas 11. Diane and Billy Jones 12. Anna Claire Timmons, Tonya Dunphy, D.T Huntley 13. Sylvia and John Ulmer 14. Mary and Dennis Washington 15. Joe Morriss, Marty Carder 16. Steve, Joe, and Mary Lou Morriss, Mary O’Farrell Photo: Darla Clement

Quality

Call us today for a free consultation.

With us, is something you can count on.

Remodeling Services Include:

www.johnharrisconstruction.com Professional Associations:

Member BBB Texarkana Home Builders Association National Home Builders Association 60

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June 2015

Phone:

903.490.6161

Fax: 903.792.4301

• Custom Homes • Room Additions • Gourmet Kitchens • Luxury Baths • Roofing • Siding, Hardie & Vinyl • Painting • Custom Cabinetry

LEGE N D A R Y F irearms INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE

101 SLATON DR., NASH, TX NASH BUSINESS PARK OFF HWY 82.

OPEN TUES-SAT: 10:00-7:00, SUN: 1:00-6:00

GARDEN CLUB SHOW

DIERKSEN SENIOR DAY SPRING LAKE PARK, TEXARKANA •

903.336.6139

GIFT CERTIFICATES PRIVATE LESSONS CONCEALED HANDGUN CLASS RENTAL GUNS AVAILABLE

WALNUT CHURCH OF CHRIST • 5/5/15

5/7/15

The Annual Dierksen Senior Day hosted by Dierksen hospice was held May 7th at Spring Lake Park in Texarkana, TX. 1. Shay Matthews, Jennifer Hart, & Jerri Ford 2. Donna Jo Carter (Dierksen TX side Volunteer Coordinator ) & Scarlett Leeper – Mrs. Texarkana Twin Rivers Outstanding Teen 3. Mike Powell 4. Edgewood Manor Winners of Volleyball Tournament 5. Grant Brown & Mandy Vaughn 6. Dierks Health & Rehab Center 7 . Chaplain Larry Moore & the Cornerstone Line Dancers 8. Shaun Dierksen ( regional director of Dierksen ) & the Dierksen Hospice volunteers 9. Lindsay Payne & Tiffany Ford

Bluebonnet, Daisy and Village Garden clubs held a flower show titled, “An Afternoon at the Movies,” at Walnut Church of Christ, 2720 Moores Lane. 1. Carol Boswell, Yulin Brewer 2. Nancy Eatman 3. Joyce Nantze, Raymond McClung, Daniel Titus 4. Emma Kitchen, Helen Perea 5. Lesley Morriss, Melinda McCoy McLaughlin 6. Claudia Bright, Kathy England, Sandra Tipton June 2015

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

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

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

B Y A P P O I N T M E N T O N LY ! NO MINIMUM GROUP SIZE ON WEEKENDS!

903.336.6139 925 Brower Lane, Texarkana, TX 75501 info@legendaryshootingsports.com www.legendarypaintball.com

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

I don’t always lounge • around Landscapethe yard. • But Outdoor Living when I do, it’s because • Vanderhoof Tree Service already • Lawn Service care of it. • took Custom Gunite Pools

Landscape • Outdoor Living • Tree Service • Lawn Service • Custom Gunite Pools

vanderhoofgarden.com 8002 Hampton Road

Texarkana, Texas

903.838.7000

Monday - Friday: 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

WHEN CHOOSING A DOG, CHOOSE WISELY WORDS FOR TEXARKANA ANIMAL LEAGUE BY NOMI BERGER

Truer words were never spoken, because being an informed owner truly means being that dog’s true, best friend. An alarming number of dogs are abandoned, surrendered, and euthanized each year in this country. The reasons are many, but one of the greatest contributing factors is the failure of too many potential owners to educate themselves fully BEFORE acquiring a dog. The educated ones would know to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the breed they’re considering, including the breed’s physical description and personality, trainability and exercise requirements, health issues, and general care and grooming. They would know there’s no such thing as TOO much information. The more informed they are, the more informed their decision. They would know to choose a breed that fits in with their particular lifestyle, needs and expectations. Examples. No high shedding dogs in a home of allergy sufferers. No hyperactive or high energy dogs in a small apartment. No dogs who can’t get along with cats or any other family pets. No dogs in need of constant companionship if there is no one at home during the day. They would know that, whatever the breed, raising a dog from puppyhood is, like raising a child, not a hobby or a sometime thing but a full time, fully committed responsibility. They would know that puppies must be housetrained promptly and socialized early in order for them to develop into well-behaved and friendly dogs with good bite inhibition. They would know to always be consistent, that discipline does 64

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June 2015

NOT mean punishment, and that love, in and of itself, does NOT conquer all. They would also know that certified trainers and supervised puppy classes can be of crucial help to them in raising calm and balanced dogs if they’re unable to manage on their own. On the flip side are the uninformed and uneducated owners. The ones who, ruled by their hearts and not their heads, choose poorly from the start. The ones who, sadly and all too frequently, raise untrained, ill-mannered and often dangerous dogs. These are the dogs who, over time, will prove too much for their ill-equipped and increasingly frustrated owners. These are the dogs who will eventually be abandoned in empty lots or left by the side of the road. These are the dogs who will be deposited outside a local pound or shelter or, if they’re lucky, surrendered to a rescue organization. These are the dogs who will be adopted – and probably returned – by unsuspecting people intent on doing the right thing by not buying from a pet store or an unscrupulous breeder. These are the dogs who, more than likely, will be euthanized due to overcrowded facilities or because of their own people-biting or dog-aggressive behaviors. These are the unfortunate innocents who will pay with their lives for their owners’ unfortunate ignorance. Thereby perpetuating an all-too-familiar and vicious cycle. And the only way to break this cycle is to turn every potential dog owner into an informed and educated dog owner. Remember that the dog YOU ultimately choose is counting on you.

EveryAnimalISSUPER,andtheyneeda

HERO LIKE YOU.

Let the Texarkana Animal League schedule a visit to your organization and show how we foster hundreds of local pets, provide ďŹ nancial assistance for them to be spayed/neutered, as well as donate thousands of vaccines to the local Animal Care & Adoption Center each year.

texarkanaanimalleague.org

WHO ELSE CAN HELP? ARKLATEX COCKER SPANIEL RESCUE www.facebook.com/ArklatexCockerSpanielRescue

FAITHFUL FRIENDS RESCUE www.facebook.com/FaithfulFriendsTXK

PASSION FOR POOCHES (mostly small dogs) www.facebook.com/passionforpooches

ARTEX ANIMAL WELFARE, INC. (mostly horses) - 903.824.1990

KITTIES PAD RESCUE https://www.facebook.com/thekittiespad

TEXARKANA ANIMAL LEAGUE www.facebook.com/TexarkanaAnimalLeague

ATLANTA ANIMAL LEAGUE www.facebook.com/AtlantaAnimalLeague

LITTLE PAWS RESCUE www.facebook.com/LittlePawsRescueTexarkana

TEXARKANA REPTILE & AMPHIBIAN RESCUE www.facebook.com/TkReptileRescue TOBY’S TALES (mostly wildlife) www.facebook.com/Tobysname

MUTTLEY CREW RESCUE (mostly German Shepherds)

BOXER RESCUE OF TEXARKANA www.facebook.com/BoxerRescueOfTexarkana

www.facebook.com/MuttleyCrewRescue POODLE PATCH www.facebook.com/ThePoodlePatch

STRAY CAT ALLIANCE - TEXARKANA www.facebook.com/TexarkanaStrayCats

The Texarkana Humane Society is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to re-homing orphaned animals, promoting the human-animal bond, preventing animal cruelty, educating children and adults about responsible pet ownership and preventing pet overpopulation. In order to reduce the number of unwanted animals and the euthanization of them at the shelter people need to spay/neuter their pets. The Texarkana Humane Society has a program to help individuals do this and urge everyone to get involved and tell your neighbor, family, and friends to be responsible and do their part in putting a stop to this problem here in our city. Have them contact us regarding our program. Call 903 838-6334 and we will be glad to help you. For more information, contact Sherrie Thompson, President, at 903.838.6334, or go to www.texarkanahumanesociety.com. We’re also on Facebook!

1. MIKA is a precious girl around 8 months old. She is a very smart pup! She is fully vetted, heartworm negative, house and crate trained plus she rides great in the car! She would be a great addition to your family. For more information, call Casey at 903-293-4994. A fenced yard is required. Mika’s adoption fee is $125. 2. PETE is a handsome Staffordshire Terrier. He is obedience trained, housetrained, and good with other dogs. Pete is fully vetted, microchipped, and heartworm negative. He is great with older kids and would be a great family pet. A fenced yard only. There is a required adoption application along with an $85 adoption fee. For more information, please call Rebecca at (903) 838-3647. 3. MAX is a an Aussie mix born April 2014. He is fully vetted, microchipped, and heartworm negative. Max gets along with other dogs and is super with kids! Give Casey a call at 903-293-4994 for more information about Max.

ALT Magazine

June 2015

Please remember that an adoption application and a fenced yard is required! His adoption fee is $85 4-7. GATOR, REMI, KELLAR & CHEVY Look at these precious babies. They are siblings, around 4 months old. They have 2 sets of shots behind them and they are doing great on their potty training. They are a terrier mix and will not be large dogs. Their adoption fee includes them being altered, microchipped and 3rd set of shots when they are old enough. Fenced yard required For more info call Cases at 903-293-4994. For more info call Casey at 903 293-4994. Fenced yard required. 8. SADIE is a little Chihuahua mix and is around a year. She was struck by a car, fracturing d her pelvis. The driver never stopped and no one ever claimed her. She has recovered from her injuries and is ready now for her forever home. She weighs 10.5 pounds, spayed, chipped and she is housetrained. This little girl loves to cuddle and

would be a great addition to any family. A fenced yard is required and her adoption is $125.00. For more info call (903) 824-8117. 9. MISS HARVEY is looking for her forever home...Is it your home? This pretty little lady is 10 months old, spayed, and current on all vaccinations. She gets along with other cats, small/calm dogs, kids, and adults. She’s a sweet girl who needs a sweet family to call all her own! Give Erin a call at (903) 293-2488. There is a $50 adoption fee along with the required adoption application. 10. Are you looking for laughs? Are you looking for unconditional love? How about both? We’d like to introduce OZZIE, a 10 month old gray tabby. Ozzie is neutered, all shots are current, and he gets along with other cats, dogs, kids, and adults. If he’s caught your eye, give Erin a call at (903) 293-2488. A required adoption application and a $50 adoption fee is required.

MAX

JULIUS

SIDNEY

CODY

JACKSON

DANNY

BONNEY

JYNX

BROOKE

GAMBIT

ASHLEY

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

We are always in need of caring, capable volunteers to assist in with duties at the center, adoption events, fund-raising activities and more.

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

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

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

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

TOBY

MEME

We’re open Monday-Saturday from 10:00 - 5:00. Please note, all dogs adopted from this shelter MUST be spayed or neutered. Spays cost $89-$104, neuters are $76-$92 depending on the weight of the dog. We also have SPONSORED dogs and cats! This means someone has already paid for their vetting! Come see who’s waiting!

Congratulations to Poodle Patch Rescue on your 10 year anniversary! Over 3,000 lives saved and more to come! GERMAN SHEPHERD MIX PUPP IES Muttley Crew Rescue

AMY Kitties Pad Rescue

RYDER Passion for Pooches

HANSEL Faithful Friends

REGGIE er Spaniel Arklatex Cock Rescue

MILLER ue Little Paws Resc June 2015

OLLIE Poodle Patch Rescue

HARLIE Boxer R escue o f TXK www.alt-mag.com

PURCHASE

•

CONVENTIONAL

•

FHA

•

JUMBO

•

REFINANCE

•

RURAL DEVELOPMENT

•

INVESTMENT PROPERTY

SPRING INTO A GREAT RATE! If you’re thinking of buying a home, call me first to learn how much you might be qualified to borrow. Knowing the amount you can afford can put you in a stronger position when you negotiate your purchase contract. Even if another lender has provided a quote, call me. We’ll perform an apples-to-apples comparison to ensure you are receiving the best financing for your situation. This is a complimentary service so there’s nothing to lose—and the straight facts to gain.

Call today to find out how much you can afford.

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

Ask for your complimentary home buying booklet today. © 2014. SWBC. All rights reserved. 8540-4742 0314. Loans are subject to credit and property approval. Certain restrictions may apply. Programs and guidelines are subject to change without notice. Rates are subject to change daily. SWBC Mortgage Corporation. NMLS #9741. Corporate ofiice located at 9311 San Pedro, SUite 100, San Antonio, TX 78216.

ALT Magazine

June 2015

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

3101 Kennedy Lane Ste. 200 Texarkana, TX 75503

June

Calendar of Events

JUNE 5 Come out to the ultimate Community Garage Sale benefiting Angel Fund Foundation. All proceeds will benefit the Angel Fund Foundation to directly pay for medical expenses for cancer patients that qualify. Angel Fund Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization developed to help meet the financial needs of cancer patients in the Texarkana area. Friday, June 5th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, June 6th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. No sales before 8 a.m. 722 Sixth Street at the corner of Sixth and Hickory, Texarkana, Ark.

JUNE 12 The Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present the 2nd Annual Family-Friendly Classic Car Cruise-Night and Homemade Ice Cream Contest. Individuals or Teams of 2-3 (commercial or nonprofits) may enter. CONTENT DETAILS: Stop by the Chamber of Commerce M-F 9-4 to enter in ONE of the following categories: Fresh Fruit, Chocolate Variety, Vanilla Variety or Specialty Flavored. Free to Enter. A 4-quart or larger Ice Cream Machine is recommended but not required. A one-pint container must be prepared separately for judging. Ice Creams should be made ahead and arrive already frozen. The Chamber of Commerce will provide tables and chairs for contestants to sit and serve the public. The Chamber will be selling tasting cups as a fundraiser. Just give samples and collect compliments until you’re all out! AWARDS: Individual and Team Awards will be given for each Flavor Category as well as an overall People’s Choice Award. And of course bragging rights are included! For more information, (903) 796-3296.

JUNE 18 At 8:00 pm The Perot Theater will host MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is the new smash-hit musical inspired by the famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons ELVIS PRESLEY, JOHNNY CASH, JERRY LEE LEWIS, and CARL PERKINS for the first and only time. It features a score of rock hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “That’s All Right,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound Dog” and more. Contact the Perot Theatre Box Office for tickets at (903) 792-4992.

JUNE 20 The 2nd Annual Texarkana Pirate’s Ball fundraiser benefiting the Texarkana Renaissance Faire, will be held at New Haven Golf Club’s Platinum Bar & Grill - 2321 Line Ferry Rd., Texarkana, AR 71854. Enjoy $10 admission, cash bar and grill, costume contest, silent auction, live music, belly dancers and much more! For more information visit www.texarkanarenfaire. blogspot.com

Courtesy of Hollie Ramsey

JUNE 21

FATHER’S DAY

June 2015