The Way I See It...
Publisher's Letter
Robin Rogers, Ed.D.
April 2026
Many of you know that my middle daughter, Emily, is my right-hand person. She has a mind like a steel trap, so don’t tell her any of your ugly secrets, because she will never forget them. She is also a whiz with people’s names, which comes in handy on a regular basis. How many times have I seen a person who I am supposed to know and said, “Em, quick! What is that person’s name?” She never lets me down. She also keeps a calendar in her head with everyone’s birthdays. Forever, she will be the family member with the pin numbers, gate codes, and spare keys. She’s got some ridiculous super power that I’ve never had. She can meet you once, and, forevermore, she will know your name, where you work, and who your family members are. She would make a great private investigator because she notices everything that is going on around us. If the neighbors don’t get their trash cans in on the same day that the trash ran, Emily is checking to see if they are out of town or need some help. Her interests include reading the news, scrolling social media, and checking out the obituaries from each of the area funeral homes. If you are friends with Emily, she will make sure you know how special you are, whether she knows you from the drive-thru window at Tacos 4 Life (where she is a regular) or you are her favorite Texarkana mayor (she would playfully say that both are her favorites).
Living in Texarkana is special: great schools, lots of history, wonderful neighbors. For many years, we lived next door to a talented designer, Kyle Barrett. Kyle always had a story to tell, and Emily and I loved to be in his company. Over the years, we watched Kyle buy and sell real estate, transform spaces, and create the most beautiful florals in his business, Sticks & Stones on the Boulevard. In the evenings, when he would pull into his driveway, he always took the time to say hello. When you live near Emily, she’s going to interrogate you about what’s been happening at your house, what you’ve been up to, where you’ve been—but Kyle could take her ribbing because he also knew how to dish it out. This month, we are celebrating Kyle’s success with his global interiors business, Barrett Bergmann Home. He looks the part of president and cofounder, but Emily still calls him her buddy from next door with the dirty boots.
After raising my children and now shamelessly indulging in the lives of my grandchildren, I realize that a city is very much like a family: the growth and development of the next generation depends on the focus and oversight of parental figures. And, just like I had neighbors, friends, grandparents, teachers, and neighbors to keep my kids in line and praise them when they did well, the city has many people and organizations that are change agents for a better Texarkana. As it turns out, just like it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to raise a village. Thankfully, community leaders of all stripes have done a great job raising Texarkana over the last couple of decades. Kudos to all who actually care and show up when there are events and celebrations. Cheers to the organizers of cultural offerings. And, while we are at it, let’s lift a glass to the people who harmoniously run our twin cities in Arkansas and Texas instead of squabbling like siblings; how fortunate are we that our two mayors judge chili contests together, open the fair together, cut ribbons together? Our two cities, joined by a state line, grow better and stronger when the partners work together.
We have amazing recreational opportunities throughout the area. Do you fish? I don’t, but we live in a sportsman’s paradise. Hunt? Play golf? Heaven help us, there are amazing places for both here. Have you been to the Perot Theatre or seen the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra? Our theatre is more beautiful than most on Broadway in New York City. Have you visited the Ace of Clubs House or toured our regional museum? In this issue, Ana Willis, the new executive director of the Texarkana Museums System, shares information about the ongoing Ace of Clubs restoration, as well as her vision for the future of the museums system.
Entrepreneurs, too, play an important role in city-rearing. Do yourself a favor and read the cover story about the family who saw potential in the old Nash School. The owners of The Primary are what I call “dreamers with follow-through.” (I’m just a dreamer.) Where thousands of people saw only an empty building, they envisioned an event venue, a farm-to-table restaurant, a boutique hotel with a pool and a spa and a kids’ play area. The Primary is unlike anything else in Texarkana—or Shreveport, or Little Rock. It’s big thinking, well-orchestrated, perfectly designed, and thoughtfully delivered. When our team met with the owners for a photo shoot, I felt like Kevin Costner had whispered, “If you build it, they will come.” The restaurant is exquisite, and the possibilities for the rest of the campus are limitless. This month we are focusing on progress. All of our stories showcase cool people who are making Texarkana a better place to live, work, dine, shop, and play. Their visions and developments are inspiring; I hope you agree! As always, thanks for reading FSLM.