Community & Culture

Melanie Tkach

photo by Rhiannon Trask, Lollipop Photography
Melanie Tkach was born and raised in Texarkana and attended Pleasant Grove High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University, a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis, and a PhD in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. Melanie practiced as an occupational therapist for approximately 10 years in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient therapy settings before transitioning to academia. She is an assistant professor of occupational therapy at the University of Missouri–Columbia.
Posted on December 3, 2025 in TXK Roots READ MORE

The Pattern of Giving

photo by Matt Cornelius
The best kind of leadership does not announce itself. It shows up in board meetings that stretch past dinner, in checks written without press releases, and in phone calls returned on Saturday mornings. In Texarkana, that kind of leadership is embodied by Judy Kelley Morgan. … Her fingerprints can be found in nearly every nonprofit institution in Texarkana. Not in headlines or grand gestures, but present in organizations that educate students, heal the sick, nurture creativity, and stand with the vulnerable.
Posted on November 5, 2025 in Community & Culture READ MORE

Taste Buds Turkey Fry

… When most people think of Thanksgiving dinner, the turkey is often front and center, and rightfully so. Now, I wasn’t there, but I assume some sort of turkey was present at the first Thanksgiving between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. So, it has earned its place in the spotlight from a longevity standpoint. … Over the years, I have had turkeys prepared in many ways. There is, of course, roasted, smoked, and our focus for this article, fried turkey!
Posted on November 4, 2025 in Community & Culture READ MORE

Giving Guide 2025

PHILANTHROPIC OPPORTUNITIES … HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE … SCAN TO GIVE … Each nonprofit has its own unique needs. Find one that resonates with you and aligns with your values. Consider how you, your family, or your company can contribute to its success. We’ve made giving more effortless than ever—simply scan the QR code to visit the nonprofit’s website. Choose to make a one-time donation or give regularly. Every contribution makes a meaningful impact.MISSION … Take time to learn about the nonprofit’s work and the impact it creates.
Posted on November 4, 2025 in Giving Guide READ MORE

Jordan Kennedy Evans

photo by Karee Schnoring
Jordan Kennedy Evans, a proud Texarkana native, now calls Sarasota, Florida, home with her husband David and their two daughters, Willa Mae (6) and Abby Jean (2). … Professionally, Jordan serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Native American Advancement Foundation (NAAF). Under her leadership, NAAF has expanded its impact across the Tohono O’odham Nation, securing state and federal funding while cultivating partnerships that are both culturally appropriate and community-centered.
Posted on November 3, 2025 in TXK Roots READ MORE

A Life in Focus

Capitol Reef National Park photo by Don Riddle
Don Riddle, a retired Marine officer and former business owner, now finds his greatest inspiration in the night sky. Photographing the Milky Way above the rugged landscapes of America’s national parks has become his life’s pursuit. For Riddle, photography is about more than creating beautiful images. It is about encouraging others to pause, look up, and recognize that the universe is vast, breathtaking, and that our parks are worth protecting. … Riddle spent his early years serving his country as a Marine officer, a role that taught him both discipline and leadership.
Posted on October 4, 2025 in Community & Culture READ MORE

Living Light

Jay Shinn sculptures in the Barry Whistler Gallery, Dallas, Texas. photo by Allison V. Smith
Jay Shinn was born in the small town of Magnolia, Arkansas, and grew up in a large family. As a young boy, he often accompanied his father to his job, where his dad oversaw the construction sites of new motels. Watching his father work inspired his childhood plans for the future. “For most of my childhood, I thought I would become an architect, because I didn’t see a clear path to being an artist. But I always came back to drawing and painting,” he recalls. … At seven, Shinn enrolled in Marjorie’s House of Artists, a staple of Magnolia.
Posted on October 4, 2025 in Community & Culture READ MORE

Kayla Hamilton

Movement 3—A black and white dance image of Kayla Hamilton, a Black woman, on a city street. She is throwing her head back as her dreads flow with her, and she pushes her arms outward. Her legs are wide and slightly bent. She is wearing jeans and a knee-length cardigan that wraps around her thighs. photo by Travis McGee
Kayla Hamilton is a Texas-born, Bronx, NY-based performance maker, dancer, educator, and consultant. Lauded for her work in the dance, disability arts, education, and access fields. Hamilton has received numerous national awards, recognitions, and fellowships and was recently named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” for 2025. She has performed and shared work at the Whitney Museum, Gibney, Performance Space New York, New York Live Arts, Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, and The Shed in New York City.
Posted on October 3, 2025 in TXK Roots READ MORE

The Wiley 220

photos by Matt Cornelius
In 2009, with no set plan, George Dodson bought an empty city lot in downtown Texarkana. For years, it remained untouched. Then, a vision took shape in Dodson’s mind, what if he built a home there? “I just decided, ‘I think I’m going to live downtown,’” Dodson said, recounting how the project evolved. “So, I put my house on the market and decided if it sold, this is what I’d do.
Posted on September 4, 2025 in Community & Culture READ MORE

Housing Texarkana

Texarkana is poised for future growth. Looking ahead, community leaders are working to ensure that growth happens with intention and planning. As new businesses move in, university enrollment climbs, and infrastructure improves, the pressure is building to provide more housing, particularly affordable homes, for working families and young professionals. … The national housing market has faced considerable challenges over the past few years, and Texarkana has not been immune. Rising interest rates have sidelined potential homebuyers.
Posted on September 4, 2025 in Community & Culture READ MORE
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