The Way I See It...

Publisher's Letter 

Robin Rogers, Ed.D.

July 2026

Thursday afternoons are sacred around here. My daughter Emily (also known as Auntie Pickles), my mom (also known as Honey), and I start looking forward to them long before they arrive. Thursday is our day to pick up the boys from Williams School. Brooks turns 6 this month. Hayes is 3. And if I have my way, their baby sister (1) will soon be joining our Thursday adventures too.

Our routine is simple, but it feels magical.

We head to Honey’s house, where she is always prepared with fruit, cheese, crackers, and—without fail—a pot of Kraft Mac & Cheese. Before we ever pull into the driveway, the boys are already scanning the yard to see what wildlife might be waiting for us. The neighborhood cats are regulars, but thanks to Honey’s generous heart and backyard buffet, we’ve also spotted raccoons, opossums, deer, and all sorts of curious visitors.

Along the way, we pass Bringle Park, the university, and the construction at the new sports complex. Behind University Drive sits an old airstrip and hangar, and when the nearby fields are cut and baled, I’ll drive to the back of my mom’s property so the boys can watch the tractors, heavy equipment, and giant round hay bales. It never ceases to amaze me how much little children absorb.

They are so smart. They are so curious. And, they are so paying attention.

And on Thursdays, they get the full attention of three generations. If they want to read books, we read books. If they want to play cards or Yahtzee, toss corn for the deer, pick vegetables, or run through sprinklers, we do it. Somewhere in those ordinary moments is a kind of love that is difficult to explain but impossible to miss.

I remember what it was like being a mom and raising young children. There were jobs, school projects, homework, activities, volunteer commitments, and community events. Thanks to this wonderful career of mine, my children were dragged to more community functions than they probably cared to attend. If something was happening in Texarkana, chances are we were there.

And when I was running on empty, grandparents stepped in. My children were blessed with amazing grandparents who filled the gaps in all the right ways.

Recently, I saw a grandmother on social media asking for ideas because her granddaughter was coming to stay with her in Texarkana for the summer. What surprised me was the number of people who responded by saying there was “nothing to do” in Texarkana.

Nothing to do?

I nearly fell out of my chair.

There is something happening here every single day.

For decades, I’ve spent much of my professional life attending events, meeting people, and exploring every corner of our community. I could easily give you one hundred ideas for things to do without ever leaving city limits. The truth is, people who say there is nothing to do usually aren’t looking very hard.

Texarkana is rich with history, creativity, culture, and opportunity.

I believe deeply in education, recreation, and involvement. Children learn by being exposed to the world around them. I was the mother who took toddlers to museums, Broadway shows, art exhibits, and concerts. We read books. We sang songs. We made art. My children took classes as soon as someone would let them.

Did they remember every experience? Probably not. But exposure matters.

As parents and grandparents, we have the incredible privilege of introducing young minds to beautiful things. The arts. History. Music. Nature. Community service. Literature. New foods. New ideas.

None of that requires enormous wealth. It simply requires intention.

When people tell me they don’t have time, I often wonder how many hours disappear into phones, televisions, and social media. The memories children treasure most rarely come from things. They come from experiences.

Years from now, they may not remember the latest gadget or toy. But they will remember “the time we all went to . . . ” Fill in the blank.

That is where memories live.

And fortunately for us, Texarkana offers countless opportunities to fill in those blanks.

Organizations like the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council continue to enrich our community through exhibits, performances, educational programs, and creative spaces. The Regional Arts Center is one of my favorite places downtown. Have you ever noticed the mosaic sidewalk, the art wall, or the “Dancing Man” sculpture standing outside? Have you stepped inside to experience one of the many free exhibits? Their new maker space on Pine Street invites people of all ages to create, learn, and imagine.

The Texarkana Symphony Orchestra provides world-class musical experiences right here at home. Silvermoon Children’s Theatre introduces young people to the joy of performance. The Perot Theatre continues to bring remarkable productions to our stage.

Creativity is alive here.

Culture is thriving here.

Community is flourishing here.

Last month, the Texarkana Arts and Historic District unveiled its beautifully restored trolley, another reminder that downtown’s resurgence is creating something special. My friend Brooke Stone played an important role in bringing that project to life, making her the perfect person to share its story and grace this month’s cover.

The people who dream, volunteer, build, create, preserve, and inspire are the heartbeat of Texarkana. They always have been.

As you enjoy this month’s issue celebrating creativity, culture, and community, I hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunities all around us. Visit a museum. Attend a concert. Explore downtown. Support a nonprofit. Take a child to experience something new.

And if you need ideas? Call me: my cell is 903-244-2918. Just be prepared—I might keep you on the phone for a while. As always, thank you for reading Four States Living.