Publisher's Letter
My youngest son, George, has entered a new era—his first season of tackle football. He has been waiting for this moment for what feels like forever, and to be honest, my husband Fred and I are just as excited. Until now, Fred has been the go-to coach for all the boys’ activities, which meant our lives were packed with two weeknight practices after long days at work and games every Saturday. We were all in, and I loved that season of life, but let’s be honest, it was exhausting. So, in this season, we have happily handed over all that extra responsibility to the real coaches, letting them guide George on this adventure he has been dreaming of.
These days, when George has to be at school by 6:15 a.m. three mornings a week, we are not complaining one bit because we have earned our Saturdays back! Late nights after Thursday games? No problem! We are just grateful for the coaches who are putting in the hard work. Plus, some of my closest friends also have kids on the team. No more splitting time between different games, watching them compete against each other. I get to spend this season with my crew—sweating it out in the stands, waving our homemade Fatheads, and cheering enthusiastically (sometimes maybe a little too enthusiastically). The boys might cringe, but they know by now it’s what we do. Here is to hoping that cooler October weather shows up soon to save us from melting!
Speaking of exciting seasons, this month’s issue is packed with all kinds of goodness. We are debuting a new special section highlighting Texarkana’s Industry Influencers, spotlighting some of the incredible businesses in our community. Trust me, you will want to check them out. I also have to give a shout-out to our photographer, Matt Cornelius, for doing a great job taking all the photos for this section. And don’t miss the local coffee shop guide with our very own Taste Buds. They could not sip from every single cup in town (because we have that many cool spots), but they rounded up some of the city’s best places to grab a brew, whether you are in a hurry or looking to relax
Just like our family is in the thick of a new football season, Tammie Flanagan Luthringer is kicking off an incredible new season of her own. After years in pharmaceutical sales, staying home with her kids, and working alongside a friend, she’s finally stepping into her dream of running her own business. It’s been a long time coming, and we are thrilled to share her journey.
This issue is full of gems, so do not miss out. As always, we hope you enjoy everything we have poured into this issue. And don’t forget to shop and eat local—after all, we are all in this together.