In recent months Texarkana, Arkansas city officials have voted on putting an entertainment district in a 14-block area of downtown. The timing of a state law allowing open container and the recent push for renewing downtown could not be more perfect.
The entertainment district will allow for adult beverages to be consumed outside of a business as well as allow for roads to be closed for events.
The Arkansas state legislature approved bill 492. A bill that encourages hospitality and tourism. It will cause growth and support to already established local businesses. This boost will make an impact on not only the downtown area, but our city as a whole.
Before this will come into effect, four workshops and a hearing were necessary to cover details and concerns. One concern that was addressed was one of how trash would be handled. Public works agreed to handle the trash and cleanliness of ther area. Another concern was what the beverage containers would be and red solo cups were agreed upon.
In less than thirty days the entertainment district will be allowed. Open containers will be allowed 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday.
As I finish up my junior year here at Texas A&M University- Texarkana I have been counting down the days until my ring ceremony where I will receive my own class ring. While counting down the days I have also been finishing finals… i.e.: this blog post. As I sat to write about something, anything, I couldn’t stop thinking about class rings and how differently our small campus celebrates the tradition vs. the TAMU- College Station campus. I decided to investigate TAMUT traditions and why the campuses celebrate so differently.
My grandfather, both my parents, and all three of my older siblings graduated from TAMU. When my parents attended TAMU, class of ’84 and ’85, class rings weren’t a big deal but they ordered them anyways. Proof they attended “the best university in the world.” By the time my older siblings ordered their ring, class of ’11, ’15, and ’16, Aggie Ring Day had become a weekend long event with family reunions and parties. However, TAMUT holds a small ring ceremony the day before graduation with little to no celebration outside of the ceremony. What’s different from TAMU and TAMUT class rings, why does one student body seem to value and celebrate their class ring so much more than the other?
Quickly after I began my research, I found my answer. TAMUT doesn’t value the class ring any less, but it is such a small and young campus it hasn’t had time to form traditions around the milestone. We have a little over 2,000 undergrads and only 60-80 rings are purchased per year at our small campus. However, TAMU has over 53,000 undergrads and about 94% of those students order a class ring (Whitlock, 2018).
While I was investigating ring traditions I saw a quote from the executive director of alumni relations at Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi, Russel Wagon, regarding class rings; “of course it symbolizes achievement in education, but it means a little something different to everyone” (Whitlock, 2018). I was stunned at this comment for a second, how could a class ring mean something other than when and where you graduated? Then, another second went by and I completely understood. For as long as I can remember I’ve looked at my parent’s hands and seen an antiqued gold ring on their right hand; as I got older my siblings earned their identical rings one by one. I wanted one. Well, tomorrow, May 16th, I’ll get my own ring. Mine is a little different than my family members and there won’t be a weekend long celebration like there would be in College Station, but it doesn’t have any less value. In fact, mine will probably be prettier.
If you’re anything like me, you have always enjoyed seeing how things work. It isn’t enough just to see the outside of things, you need to crack them open and see the moving parts. You like finding out what makes things tick. It is the desire to satisfy this curiosity that lead me to discover one of my favorite activities: working backstage on theatrical productions. I have been working with the Texarkana Repertory Company (TexRep) for five years, which is where I discovered my love of working backstage crew.
While I enjoy working in the lighting booth, my favorite crew position is that of Stage Manager. Maybe you have heard that term before, and maybe you haven’t. Essentially, a Stage Manager is the person in charge of everything that happens backstage. A Stage Manager has many responsibilities. This includes, but is not limited to, assisting the director, keeping time, running book (keeping up in the script, making sure that the actors are saying their lines correctly and giving them lines if they need them), moving set pieces and scenery, setting props, helping actors with quick costume changes, directing other stage crew members, and more. In a nutshell, your job is to ensure that the play runs as smoothly as possible. This is both very exciting and slightly nerve-wracking.
As a Stage Manager, you need to be patient, proficient at taking and giving directions, good at listening and communicating, and polite yet firm. You also need good time management and organizational skills, and you mustn’t be easily distracted or frustrated. Besides those skills, you will need actual tools to help you be successful. I have found that it is very helpful to make checklists, and check everything on those lists at least twice. I also make myself a Stage Manager’s kit for every show. This may include bandages, pain medication, multiple small flashlights, cough drops, mints, breath freshening strips, a lint roller, tissues, writing utensils, Post-It notes, and anything else that I think might be useful to myself or my actors. If I had to offer advice, I would say that making sure your actors and fellow crew members like and respect you is key. Nobody wants to be stuck backstage with someone they cannot stand. Though it is a theatrical production, it is best that there is very little drama involved. In the words of creative director Michael Cooper, “Keep the drama on the stage”.
If you are not interested in Stage Managment, there are plenty of other volunteer opportunities available. TexRep is always looking for lighting or sound board operators, stage crew, ushers for performances, and people who are interested in set construction. If you would prefer to be on stage, auditions are always open to everyone (within the casting requirements for the play). Experience in these areas is welcome, but generally not required.
Some people might say that peeking behind the curtain ruins the magic, but to me, it only heightens it. Not only do you get to see the play as the audience sees it, you also get to see everything that they can’t. It’s like watching a live behind-the-scenes featurette and gag reel unfold in front of you. I also enjoy being a part of every step of the theatrical process. It is incredibly satisfying to see a show go off without a hitch, or see the actors nail a scene they had trouble with at the beginning. There’s no greater feeling than a job well done. I would highly recommend this activity to anyone, but especially to those who have an interest in theatre.
For more information on our season or volunteer opportunities, please visit TexRep online or on Facebook. You can also follow us on Instagram.
As set designer Chris Polson always says, “See you at the theatre!”
College could be a tough time for new students as they make a transition from high-school. At Texas A&M University-Texarkana it is our duty as students and faculty to make sure everyone is in a safe environment. In order to fulfill that goal, the Step-UP! Program was enacted.
“Step UP! is a prosocial behavior and bystander intervention program that educates students to be proactive in helping others. It received a NASPA Gold award and recently was identified as a ‘Best Practice’ by the NCAA Sports Science Institute of national and international scholars,” according to the organization’s Website. The goals of Step UP! are to raise awareness of helping behaviors, increase students’ motivation to help, developing their skills and confidence when responding to problems or concerns, and to ensure the safety and well-being of self and others.
The Step-UP coordinator will work with the counseling services team to raise awareness on important topics such as sexual assault, drug and alcohol awareness, leadership, goal setting, mental health, and motivation. The counseling services staff at Texas A&M University-Texarkana include: Mr. Corey Robinson, Mrs. Brianna Taylor, and Mrs. Courtney Thomas. The Counseling Services team will be hosting various events and tables at the University to give students the resources they need so that they are educated and prepared if they need to STEP UP in any situation. “It allows our students to be educated and well equipped to manage anything that comes their way. We just want the absolute BEST for our students,” counselor Corey Robinson said.
Most problematic behaviors on college campuses involve bystanders. The Step UP! program provides a framework explaining the bystander effect, reviews relevant research and teaches skills for intervening successfully using the 5 Decision Making Steps, and the S.E.E. Model (Safe; Early; Effective). Students are encountering multiple situations where bystander intervention would be appropriate including, among other things, alcohol abuse, hazing, eating disorders, sexual assault and discrimination.
In reality, most unfortunate results are preventable. It is our utmost passion to help students learn strategies and techniques to intervene directly or indirectly in both emergency and non-emergency situations. At Texas A&M University-Texarkana, the counseling staff just want the best for their students and they will do whatever it takes to keep them safe.
Check out the video below to get a glimpse of Step UP! in your community:
Does a two day trip to Oklahoma with over forty of Texas A&M Texarkana’s soccer players sound like a good time? There’s WiFi on the chartered bus. There are plug outlets every other row of seats. There’s even a bathroom in the back, a nice little closet with a toilet that does not flush located right behind the men’s team! If you’ve never been on one of these away-game-trips, buckle up. You’re on one now.
Walters carries the ball up the field against SCU. Photo by: Suzanna Summerlin
Madison Walters began her journey at TAMUT in August of 2016 at her first preseason training camp for the Women’s Soccer team. Since then, she’s grown as a student athlete and been named team captain. We’ll be following Walters on her last preseason away trip of her career to play against Southwestern Christian University and Oklahoma City University.
Rise and shine! It’s 5:30 A.M. and it’s time to get moving. Walters is on the chartered bus surrounded by her teammates by 6 A.M. Everyone quickly dozes off to sleep after the team prayer and the 6 hour drive began. “My whole body hurts,” Walters commented during the pit stop the bus took at the halfway point of the journey as she stretched her legs. The bus made a brief stop for lunch before heading to the field so the women’s team could begin to warm up.
After a 3-1 win against SCU, Walters was exhausted, playing the full 90 minutes. She changed into clean, dry, clothes and sat with her team to watch the TAMUT men’s team win 2-1 in overtime. The bus smelled of sweaty trash as both stinky teams piled onboard to head to the hotel. Walters was dead asleep by 10 P.M. after the teams ate a feast at Golden Corral.
The next morning the hotel lobby was packed with soccer players as they ate breakfast before loading the bus at 10:30 A.M. The teams were eager to play as they arrived to the OCU field around noon. Walters was frustrated after the women lost 2-1 in overtime. She led the team towards the locker rooms to shower off before watching the men’s team battle it out on the field.
Photo by: Suzanna Summerlin
After two frustrating loses against OCU, the bus loaded up with freshly showered athletes and began the 6 hour trek home. A hectic pit stop at Chick-fil-a was made for dinner– restaurants usually struggle to handle the soccer program and their large appetites. “I want to be home already,” Walters said as she opened up her laptop to begin a Kinesiology test; putting in earphones to drown out the noisey men’s team. The bus arrived safely to campus around 1 A.M. and the bus unloaded quietly as everyone headed their separate ways.
Just like that, Walters’ last preseason away trip was over. “Next week is going to be brutal,” Walters sighed as she looked over the soccer schedule. The women’s team has a week off from games before conference play starts and they’ll put in work until it’s time to load the bus again.
Exciting changes occurred earlier this year at the Wal-Mart Supercenter. The Wal-Mart Corporation specified that every store is to be remodeled every five to seven years, so the store on New Boston Road in Texarkana, TX began remodeling during the last week of May. The store underwent changes in the design and placement of several departments. The remodeling lasted fourteen weeks with a grand reopening on August 30th. The changes made were for the convenience of the customers.
An announcement was made at the beginning of May to hire extra employees to help during the remodeling process. An estimated fifty-five personnel were hired for various jobs, from building and restocking shelves, moving departments, and helping customers find things. Assistant store manager Jeff Epps said, “We hired local people from our community. Some people quit after the first week due to the demand for the work required. Those that stayed until the end were given a job at the store.” He estimated twenty-five people stayed.
There were a lot of changes made. Some departments were expanded, while some were combined with others, making them smaller. Some departments were moved while others stayed in the same place. The biggest change occurred in Sporting Goods, Hardware, and the Tire and Lube Center. The departments were combined with a shared counter in the middle. Housewares and Domestics have combined as well. Another big change occurred in the Pet Department. The live fish tanks have been removed and replaced with tack and feed for livestock. The Pet Department has also been combined with the Chemicals Department. The Electronic Department has expanded with a wider counter.
Other changes have occurred in the store. New floors have been laid, new lights in the Produce Department have been installed. The Money Order Center has moved to the middle of the registers. The area where the Money Order Center was is now up for rent for businesses to come to the store. The most noticeable change is the huge tower located on the grocery side. This tower is for customers to pick up their online general merchandise orders conveniently using their phones.
Mr. Epps explained how the changes and remodeling affected the department managers the most. Departments being moved and aisles being relocated frustrated the department managers, as they felt lost while trying to help their customers. The overall morale was good among the department managers as they focused on customer service above all else. This helped to ease the frustration among the customers shopping in the newly rearranged departments.
The overall changes appear to be satisfying to both the customers and the employees. The floors and bright lights are especially the favorites among the changes. Less frustration and complaints occurred as customers started to find their way around the newly designed store with help from the employees. Customers will be happy to know a new change in the online grocery pickup is in the future. Customers will be able to extend their orders instead of being limited to how much goods they are allowed to purchase.
As with any business, there are other future plans in the works for the Texarkana Wal-Mart Supercenter. Customers can be assured their needs will be top priority whatever changes occur in the future.
Sparkling lights, thrilling rides, and deep fried Oreos. Texarkana’s annual Four States Fair and Rodeo is back in town September 13-22. Once a year our small city hosts a fair and rodeo for Texarkana and the surrounding areas.
The fair has a lot of events to offer, like the Demolition Derby, a rodeo, and a place for Future Farmers of America students to show their animals. The rodeo also encourages people from surrounding areas to be involved. For example, Allison Gill is from Fouke, AR and goes to school in Magnolia at Southern Arkansas University. In recent years she has participated in the Miss Four States Fair and Rodeo. Allison enjoys being a part of this for the opportunities it presents to her to get to serve and know Texarkana better.
Many local businesses and restaurants come together to serve and share, giving everyone an opportunity to get to know their town better.
You do not necessarily have to go just to ride a ride, but maybe go to support our community by coming together simply to indulge in tasty treats and stop by the booths put on by local organizations.
Growing up, my family’s routine was to avoid the fair all week until the very end due to the costs. We would buy tickets for the rodeo and we would gain free entry into the fair once the rodeo was over. If we were really lucky, I could convince a friend to take us during the week.
As for costs, the fair offers multiple chances for cheaper alternatives, such as a weekly pass and family fun day. All details on prices and dates can be found right here.
** IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, REFER TO THE A&M TEXARKANA WEBSITE OR CONTACT CORRINE HINTON AT CHINTON@TAMUT.EDU **
A&M-Texarkana will be hosing a worship for poets, aspiring authors, and lovers of literature! Both the workshop and reading will take place on Thursday, May 9th. The workshop will be at 5:30-7 p.m. in University Center room 230, followed by a reading from 7:30-9 p.m. in UC 217.
Joy Ladin is an American poet and the David and Ruth Gottesman Chair in English at Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University. She is the first openly transgender professor at an Orthodox Jewish institution. Joy Ladin is an American poet and the David and Ruth Gottesman Chair in English at Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University. She is the first openly transgender professor at an Orthodox Jewish institution.
In 2013, Ladin published a series of poems formed entirely from words and phrases found in popular women’s magazines. These poems, such as “Ready To Know,” link both trans women and cis women’s experiences of gender to the “commodity capitalist engine of the production of femininity.” This work emerged when Ladin gave herself a “writing assignment” to creatively engage with the “how-to” rhetoric of mainstream femininity.
“I am a teacher, widely published essayist and poet, literary scholar, and nationally known speaker on transgender issues” Ladin says. Ladin has given invited talks and readings at many universities and colleges such as Harvard and Smith College. After this Thursday, A&M University of Texarkana can be added to the list.
For twenty two years I have daily heard the phrase, “There is nothing to do in Texarkana.” This statement could not be further from the truth. Let me tell you why.
I have recently made it my mission to find something to do in Texarkana, and what I have found is golden. Last week my brother and I decided to take a stroll through downtown Texarkana. We saw three new murals done by Texarkana residents, walked through an art gallery, and had the opportunity to tour the Landmark building with the owner himself, another Texarkana native. I realized in this moment the only reason people believe there is nothing to do in Texarkana is because they do not do anything.
Within just this past week I was involved in a dodgeball tournament that raised donations for local charities, I have taken a hike through Bringle Lake, I have played shuffleboard at Hopkins, and I plan on attending the wine festival for a second time this Saturday. This just happens to be one week of Texarkana events, but imagine there is a whole year of events going on. With groups like GoTXK, Greater Texarkana Young Professionals, and so many more, there is an endless amount of things to do in Texarkana. It only takes you going out and doing them.
I had the privilege of living on both sides of the line and I can truly say that Texarkana is actually twice as nice.
Horror films are great, but it’s never fun to find out the film is based on a true story. The people of Texarkana might be interested in learning about a horror film based on an event that took place in their very own hometown. The film, The Town That Dreaded Sundown, premiered in 1976, followed by a sequel. The world premiere was held in Texarkana on Dec. 17, 1976, before it was released in theaters on Dec. 24. These films are loosely based on the horrific moonlight murders of the Phantom Killer.
The attacks occurred in the spring of 1946, from late February to early May. The murderer attacked young and middle-aged couples. The first two victims, Jimmy Hollis and Mary Larey, survived an attack that occurred on February 22, 1946. The second attack occurred four weeks later, ending the lives of Richard Griffin and Polly Ann Moore. Three weeks after that, the Phantom Killer struck again, this time taking the lives of Paul Martin and Betty Jo Booker. Three weeks later, on May 3, 1946, Virgil Starks was shot and killed in his home by the Phantom Killer, and Straks’ wife Katie was left severely wounded.
As in the films, the real Phantom Killer was never identified. However, the prime suspect in the case was Youell Swinney, who was never convicted of the murders. The case remains unsolved, which has left the town of Texarkana in suspense.
For more information on the murders click here or here.
