Texarkana Independent School District honored five Texas High Alumni during the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Breakfast held on Friday, October 14.
The breakfast was held at 7 a.m. at the Dan Haskins Student Center at Texas High School. The alumni being honored included June Williams-Davis (1969), Curtis D. Ferguson (1983), Chief Justice Josh R. Morriss III (1968), Scott Rozzell (1967), and Dr. Matt Young (1986).
“Rockin’ That Extra Chromosome” was the theme of the Texarkana Down Syndrome Society’s Awareness Walk on October 8. The walk took place in Downtown Texarkana and featured a full day of music, activities, and fun.
Photos by Bryant Allen.
On September 24, Church on the Rock hosted a Community Health Fair. Free screenings and health care information was distributed to attendees regarding the mind, body, soul, and spirit.
Oktoberfest on the Line Was Held Downtown on October 15.
Fan Fare Boutique & Gifts held its Ghouls’ Night Out on October 18 for their loyal customers.
On September 22, Texarkana Resources hosted its “Under the Harvest Moon” Drawdown Dinner at Ramage Farms. A silent auction was held, and prizes were given away. Chef on the Run Jeff Loving catered the event, while Sam Martinez served as emcee.
Photos by Dee Jones Photography
On October 9, HealthCARE Express hosted a Fall Market at The Silvermoon on Broad. Vendors showcased art, jewelry, clothing, food, décor, and more. Light refreshments were served, and prizes were given away. Proceeds from the event benefitted CASA for Children Texarkana.
The Women of Hope & Courage recently held a Champagne Soiree at Northridge Country Club benefitting CASA for Children and the Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center. The event was a celebration of CASA Volunteer Advocates who advocate on behalf of children in the child welfare system. In 2021, CASA for Children and the Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center collectively served 1,340 children.
Opportunities, Inc. held its 33rd Annual Invitational Golf Pre-Party and Golf Tournament on September 11-12 at Texarkana Country Club. The events featured celebrity World Long Drive Champion, Dan Boever, as the guest speaker. This tournament has raised over $2.5 million over the years. This year’s turnout was great with 112 golfers and 65 sponsors.
On Saturday, September 10, Friends for a Cause held its fourth annual Kickball Tournament at Karrh Park in Texarkana, Texas. Businesses, organizations and individuals entered the tournament in hopes of winning money for the charity of their choice.
HealthCARE Express took home the gold, winning $1,200 for the Alzheimer’s Alliance. Second place went to The Rancher’s Wife; they won $500 for CASA. Third place winner was a local team called the Texarkana Toe Jammers; they won $250 for the Alzheimer’s Alliance.
Friends For a Cause is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports causes in the community by creating awareness where it needs attention, volunteering their time and services to those in need, and connecting people so that they can add value to one another.
On July 23, the Literacy Council of Bowie and Miller Counties held its annual Spelling Bee in the Truman Arnold Center on the Texarkana College campus. Winners included: first place – Texarkana College; second place – the Children’s Advocacy Center; and third place – Fab/Co and Texarkana Parent Magazine. Other awards were given for: Best Dressed – Fab/Co and Texarkana Parent Magazine; Most Facebook Likes – Children’s Advocacy Center; Silent Auction Sales – The Literacy Council Tutors; Most Spirited Audience – Kiwanis; and Buzz Out Award – Friends for a Cause.
United Way of Greater Texarkana held it 2022-2023 Campaign Kickoff on September 9 at the Texarkana Convention Center.
This year’s campaign chair is David Mims, Farmers Insurance agent, and the campaign goal is $900,000.
On August 4, Temple Memorial Pediatric Center hosted its Drawdown and Casino Night at Crossties. The evening consisted of games, food catered by Pop’s Place, drinks, auctions, and a chance to win $5,000. The event was dedicated to the late Pete Kaburick. Always the life of the party, Pete was a former Temple board member who enjoyed attending the Drawdown and provided entertainment during the event. Temple’s Kid of the Year, Chance Saulsbury, was introduced, along with his family.
The Kiwanis Club of Texarkana hosted its annual awards banquet on July 22 at the Hilton Garden Inn and Convention Center on Cowhorn Creek Road. Thirty grant awards, seven local scholarships, and numerous other awards were given out.
On August 6, the Randy Sams’ Invitational Bag Toss/Cornhole Tournament was held at Crossties Event Venue. First place team was Ledwell’s Trey Gist and Kaylee Upton; second place was Ledwell’s Cliff Harvin and Ruger Green; and third place was Fay J Packaging’s Randy and Monica Haltom. All proceeds from the tournament support the Randy Sams’ Outreach Shelter by helping provide food, temporary shelter, job training, and more.
The Friends for a Cause Foundation held one of its quarterly Bunco Tournaments on June 21 at Sling Blades. Attendees enjoyed a Hawaiian themed night full of prizes, treats, and great food. The tournament raised $3,000 and benefitted two local foster families to help them with expenses associated with fostering children and welcoming them into their homes.
Friends for a Cause holds these tournaments to raise money for various causes in the community. To get involved with the group, contact: ffacfoundation2014@gmail.com.
On Friday, July 15, Collom & Carney Clinic Association held a celebration in honor of its 75th anniversary. The event took place behind the clinic, and lunch was served.
Collom & Carney Clinic is a multi-specialty physician group practice whose physicians and staff are committed to providing quality healthcare services to patients and their families in the Four States Area.
The Lifetime Razorback Award was created to recognize an outstanding individual and fellow Razorback who exemplifies the true spirit of being a Razorback through relentless dedication, lifetime support, and unwavering service to TASD. The 2022 Lifetime Razorback Award recipient, Nedra Turney, has spent her life upholding the Razorback traditions, striving for Razorback success, and has reached milestones with selfless contributions in support of Razorback schools and students.
Nedra is a 1958 graduate of Arkansas High School, which recently donated their remaining class funds to purchase benches for the Arkansas High School Razorback Garden. For several years, she worked with the Arkansas Women for Education and helped select scholarships for AHS graduates. In addition to volunteering her time with the Texarkana Arkansas School District, Nedra volunteered with the North Heights Alumni Association which donated benches to North Heights Community School and the Miller County Conservation District which awarded $1,000 to Trice Elementary to construct a greenhouse.
Nedra became the executive director of the Texarkana Area Chapter American Red Cross in 1984 and retired in June 2006. During her Red Cross tenure, she served on numerous committees and served two terms as chair of the American Red Cross Retiree Board. She served as the office manager for the Miller County Conservation District, a member of their board of directors since 1986, and as chairperson since 1997. Additionally, Nedra has served on the Texas A&M University Nursing Advisory Board, Texarkana Arkansas Adult Education Advisory Board, Miller County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, Texarkana Arkansas City Beautiful Commission, and many other boards and committees. Her pride and dedication to Miller County and the Texarkana community is evident in her many awards and honors. Among them are: Susan B. Anthony Award for Outstanding Community Leadership, University of Arkansas Leadership Arkansas Class (LeadAR), just to name a few. Nedra has been married to Jerry Turney for 62 years. They have three children, two sons-in-law, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
From July 11-16, the All Pro Tour and the Women’s All Pro Tour held its Texarkana Children Charities Open at Texarkana Country Club and Northridge Country Club. Proceeds from the tournament benefitted Runnin’ WJ Ranch. Additionally, on Tuesday, July 12, the golf pros held a golf clinic at Northridge Country Club for special needs friends of Runnin’ WJ Ranch.
Twin City Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. held its 12th annual Nonagenarian Celebration during a brunch on June 25 at the TISD Service Center. This event recognized Ms. Willie B. Mitchell, Mr. Willie Elijah, and Ms. Catherine S. Thomas who are 90 years old or older, for their contributions to their family and community. Members of Top Teens of America were also in attendance. Honorees and guests were entertained by Rosie Daughtery (pianist and soloist) and Cameron Smith (saxophonist).
