In 2014, the Three Rivers Edition coverage area experienced both highs and lows, tragedy and triumph. Stories of inspiration and achievement peppered the year in all situations. As 2015 begins, we at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Three Rivers Edition look back at some of our favorite stories from the past year to hopefully bring some joy and perspective as we start another journey around the sun.
Cave City man ‘calls’ his way to ESPN’s Fan Hall of Fame
Published Dec. 26, 2013
We know this story technically was not published in 2014, but Canaan Sandy was formally inducted into the ESPN Fan Hall of Fame in the spring of 2014 as one of the most faithful and enthusiastic
University of Arkansas fans out there. Canaan went to his first football game when he was 2 months old, and more than 30 years later he calls the Hogs every chance he gets.
“He eats, sleeps and breathes Hogs,” said Canaan’s mother, Ginger. “He would buy dirt if it said Razorbacks on it. He doesn’t think anything about us having to drive four hours each way to go to a game, and he has the ultimate
[Razorbacks] collection.”
Ginger filled out the application for her son to be considered for the ESPN Fan Hall of Fame — which included photos and an essay — and within two days she found out he was one of the top 25 candidates. Canaan then got to go to Fayetteville, where staff from the University of Arkansas gave him tours of the facilities and took photos and video to fulfill ESPN requirements.
After the trip, Canaan made it to the top 10 for the Hall of Fame, and then other fans voted for him to be inducted. He got the votes to be one of three to be inducted as the 2013 Fan Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony was this year, and Canaan’s name was engraved above stadium chairs on the lawn of ESPN’s Bristol, Connecticut, campus.
Family moves forward after losing son, home
Published May 29
Tragedy hit central Arkansas in April when an EF-4 tornado tore apart homes and communities, and several families were impacted by the storm. For the Stracener family — who lost their home in the tornado — life was turned upside down again 13 days later when their son and brother, Ben, and his fiancee, Samantha Fowler, died in a motorcycle accident.
The facts of the story are not the making of a good situation, but the support and resilience the Straceners — David Stracener and his wife, Karla Stracener, and their daughter, Tillie Stracener — experienced in the wake of the hardest moments of their lives show how important community is when someone is in need.
Rebuilding a house is not difficult, but you simply cannot replace people. Still, the Straceners have continued to move on since spring, and their friends and family have come to their aid since the storm took their home away.
“The next day, when people started showing up, we had so many people come and help us clean up,” said the Stracener family patriarch. “The response, the support, the love and the care were humbling, and we’re very appreciative of that.”
Habitat for Humanity to open thrift store in Batesville
Published June 5
For several months now, people in and around Batesville have had a new place to shop while supporting Habitat for Humanity.
The Habitat for Humanity of Independence County store was opened this year at 392 Harrison St. in Batesville, selling building supplies, clothes, toys, books and almost anything else.
“We’re a relatively young affiliate compared to some,” said Shalyn Carlile, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Independence County. “The funding is always an issue. I know other affiliates build 10 to 12 houses per year, and I’d love to get to that level here. Hopefully, the store can help with that.”
Since the doors opened, the store has been successful, Carlile said, and Habitat has been able to continue building and renovating homes for families.
Quitman schools hold day of fun for 5-year-old battling cancer
Published Sept. 25
What do you do for a child with cancer who loves the movie Frozen? Make her a princess and have a Frozen-themed day for her, of course. At least, that’s what the Quitman School District did for Emma Mortenson in September.
Emma and her family traveled to Quitman from their home in Oklahoma to attend Emma Day at the schools. Emma had gotten to know one of the teachers from Quitman Elementary School through cancer treatments, and this teacher — Theresa Hawks — wanted to make sure Emma knew she was loved by the students, teachers and staff at the school district.
“I’ve never seen anything but a smile on her face,” Hawks said of the 5-year-old on Emma Day. “Every day. Even during treatments.”
Emma and her family were given the royal treatment throughout the whole school district on Emma Day, and the activities ended with an assembly where Emma learned she and her family would get to go to Walt Disney World in November through the Make-A-Wish organization.
ASU-Heber Springs student to compete in national welding competition
Published Nov. 2
The Arkansas State University-Heber Springs welding program has produced some top-quality welders over the years, and one of them has a shot to gain national — or even international — recognition for his work. Still, that pales in comparison to the chance to provide for his family when they are in need.
Jacob Miller started welding in the 10th grade at West Side High School in Greers Ferry. He graduated high school in May 2014 and enrolled at ASU-Heber Springs for the fall. In November of this year, he competed in the American Welding Society U.S. Invitational Weld Trials in Atlanta, earning a spot in the AWS Society TeamUSA Finals.
Miller’s mother was in a severe car accident when he was a senior in high school, and he has had to find a career so that he can work and take care of the bills for his family. His instructors say he is not just a great welder, but a great young man in all aspects of his life.
“He’s been paying all of the bills,” said Thomas “Tag” Green, instructor of welding at ASU-Heber Springs. “Since [his mother] went to long-term care, he’s had to pay the bills, plus train, plus go to school. Academically, he’s sound. He’s a unique student.”
If Miller does well at the AWS Society TeamUSA Finals in a few months, he will go as the United States representative at the WorldSkills Welding Competition.
Stories compiled by staff writer Angela Spencer, who can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or aspencer@arkansasonline.com.