This month, Four States Living Magazine spoke with Ana Willis, the new executive director for the Texarkana Museums System, to find out the latest news and future projects from TMS. 

“Texarkana needs a nice, upscale place to get a drink.” When Chris Fuller uttered these words to his wife, Melissa, a magic spell of manifestation took place. This was back in the fall of 2023, and the Fullers ruminated on the idea until inspiration struck and the plan slowly unveiled itself. 

For the past century, families across Texarkana have turned to Twitty Nursery for everything from backyard gardens to full landscape transformations. What began in 1925 as a small nursery founded by R.S. Twitty has grown into one of the region’s most beloved garden centers. Today, the nursery remains a family legacy, now entering its fourth generation of ownership.

As spring gets closer, many athletes get ready to start their seasons. One of these athletes is Aniya Arnold, the team captain and shortstop of Arkansas High’s softball team. Already committed to the University of Memphis, she has the drive to lead the Razorbacks to victory. 

“I’m . . . the encourager, and I make sure we stay on the right path during practice,” Aniya said. Being the team captain has given Aniya a lot of responsibilities, but she seems to be well prepared for them. “I double check to make sure everything’s cleaned up and just help our coaches out in the best way that I can,” she explained. It’s clear that she takes her role very seriously, which is necessary for the observation and extra time that being a team captain requires.

When I hear the word “business,” my first thought is: “none of mine!” That is to say, business is none of my business. 

I’m not exactly what you might consider a money-minded fellow. While I imagine that most people’s checking and savings account balances all graphed out look like gently rising slopes—as one might imagine snow-covered, ascending in a chairlift—my bank accounts more closely resemble the rise and fall of the stock market on a bad day: lots of jagged lines, with peaks and valleys. If it were the graph of an echocardiogram, a doctor would have me wheeled into the cath lab faster than I could spend a hundred bucks on Amazon.

Spring in Texarkana means it’s time once again for the highly anticipated Texarkana Home & Garden Show. Hosted by the Texarkana Home Builders Association, this year’s event will take place on Saturday, March 21st, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Crossties Event Venue, located at 324 E. Broad St. in downtown Texarkana, Arkansas.

For 774 days, Naomi Elizabeth Berry was a ward of the state of Arkansas. She entered foster care at just 2 weeks old, born into circumstances she did not choose. But on January 29th, 2026, surrounded by the family who had already loved her as their own, Naomi was legally made the daughter of Sarah and Bradley Berry and the sister of four older siblings.

Local businessman and philanthropist Tony Langford’s character has been shaped by years of commitment to his work, as well as time spent serving others in and around the community. As the owner of Tony Langford Roofing, he tries to use his job as a way to connect to people and lend a helping hand.

Harli White didn’t stumble into racing. She was raised inside the track. Long before she ever strapped into a car, she was in the shop with her dad, learning what most kids never see—how machines come apart, how they go back together, and how a race weekend is built on equal parts discipline and obsession.

As the first light of dawn breaks though the horizon, local homesteader Robin Proctor is already outside and ready for another day of hard work. She has had her morning coffee on the back porch, tucked her overalls into her red Muck boots, and set off across her property.

Even though I now live in Fort Worth, I love telling people about my time growing up in Texarkana: the post office in the middle of State Line, the cross-town high school football rivalry, the difference in sales tax that will make a Sonic drink on the Arkansas side more expensive than the Texas side. “Twice as Nice” ends up being pretty quirky, right? And I’ve always jokingly thought that I embodied Texarkana because I was born in the capital city of Arkansas on Texas Independence Day (which is March 2nd, in case anyone wants to celebrate). 

Maggie Tinajero’s love for horses developed the day her grandmother placed her, age 5, on a horse named Topper. “I remember [my grandmother’s] face as she begged us to slow down,” Maggie said. “My passion for horses never left.”

In a world where cities are constantly growing, it can be hard to remember how important agriculture is, but Texas High School junior Jenna Tyler has no such trouble. As a member of FFA, she goes to leadership events and career development events to test her knowledge on agriculture. Her love for the farms of America is contagious, and she makes it easy to remember how much farmers do for the country.

Fitness didn’t just strengthen Valerie Solomon’s body and mind: it also opened doors that she never imagined and allowed her to create the life she has always desired, all in her hometown of Texarkana.

On any given morning at Oasis Beauty, there’s a quiet hum before the first brush ever touches skin. It’s the rhythm of two women who know each other well, moving easily through their space, trading glances, and finishing each other’s thoughts. Years of shared work have turned collaboration into instinct.

Their love story began as so many do: at a three-day silent meditation retreat in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. She was a just-retired music/arts teacher and mother of two grown children, who was grieving the recent death of her own mother; he was a 65-year-old ordained minister and spiritual counselor with four grown children and one child at home.

Careers are rarely built in a straight line. For Siera Nelson, every unexpected curve in her path played a role in leading her exactly where she was meant to be. Now the owner and operator of TXK Elite Crossfit, Siera’s journey was shaped not only by resilience but also a willingness to listen when her purpose called her in a different direction. 

Most couples build lives together. Drs. Janée and Jeff Atkinson have built both their lives and careers together, sharing a common desire to serve others in the field of dentistry. 

“It’s been really fun building careers in the same profession while building a life together,” Janée said. “Sharing the same field made it easy to grow together and enjoy the journey along the way.”

Finding a specific passion can be hard to do, but it hasn’t been a problem for 9th grader Maddison Franklin. Maddison has been involved in dance since she was 3 years old, and she doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon. She’s working hard as a Pleasant Grove Showstopper and colorguard performer to keep growing her skills.

For nearly 50 years, Sue & Carol’s has been serving more than home-cooked meals on State Line Avenue. The restaurant has also served dependability and comfort through familiar faces and the quiet assurance that some things—like peach pie and friendly conversation—can still be counted on.

But, unbeknownst to many patrons of this Texarkana staple, the family behind the counter was fighting a battle that had nothing to do with recipes or restaurant hours, and everything to do with survival.