Columns

There are times when we find time on our hands and are looking for things we can do. When it comes to volunteering, we search for a way we can serve others through the skills we have, and by doing things we already love to do. If gardening is on that list, consider starting a Community Garden.

If there isn’t one already in your community, it may first require a visit to a Town Council meeting, or to an individual who owns a section of land suitable for a Community Garden. Before you submit your request to the Council or individual, scout around for at least 3 places inside and outside the city limits that would be suitable for a Community Garden. If one says no, another may just say yes.

Determine if the land is privately or publicly owned, and whether or not it is already being used or in the planning stages for a specific use. This will help you know who to contact with your idea.

Would You Like Belgium Fries With That?

Mansfield of old would not be recognizable today. The transportation was by horseback, buggy or wagon and people did not travel to Shreveport or other distant places unless it was absolutely necessary. Logansport, 22 miles in distance, was a two-day affair. Many of the people would get up and leave by wagon to pay their taxes in Mansfield, which was the Parish Seat and ladies would shop for dress material, lace, etc. After shopping they would return to a campground just west of Attwood’s on the left side of U.S. 84. Reading one account of the family camping told of Dr. Stribling (built the Milton Baker house now the home of Sue Baker) stopping by for coffee. The campers would cook breakfast and be on the way back to Logansport by six o’clock.

DeSoto Extension Agent

DeSoto Cattlemen’s Assoc. First Quarter

Meeting

The DeSoto Parish Cattlemen’s Association held their 1st quarter meeting at the DeSoto Parish Extension Office on January 10, 2023. A great crowd of local cattlemen and cattlewomen got to hear from several guests. Henry Richardson, DPCA President, welcomed the crowd and introduced the speakers for the night.

Joshua Salley, LSU AgCenter, gave a brief update on future events including a Beginner Cattleman Class and also spoke about DPCA and LCA membership dues. Carla Ethridge, NRCS, spoke to the group on the different cost share programs that are available for producers and land owners. Michael Rister, Rister Farms, talked briefly about the upcoming LA Angus Association Bull Sale.

Money-Stretching Meal Ideas

With everything we have been through lately, we need a few money-stretching ideas for our meal plans. A great way to do that is to create meals that will allow for creative uses of leftovers.

We love ham, almost anyway you can prepare it.

Baked Ham 1 whole Ham 2 cups Water Pineapple rings, if desired Place ham in a baking dish. Add the water. If using pineapple, place them across the surface of the ham, using toothpicks to secure. Cover with foil. Place in a 350-degree oven and bake for one hour. Remove foil and return to the oven to bake for approximately 30 minutes.

Other Ways to Use Ham Sandwiches Ham and Corn Chowder Leftover ham can be cubed and placed into an omelet. Don’t forget to add chopped onion, bell pepper and some grated cheddar cheese for extra deliciousness.

Although we traditionally use sausage, chopped ham can also be used in a Breakfast Casserole.

DeSoto Extension Agent

It’s a new year in the

Happy New Year! It may be your same old garden, but it’s a whole new year, and this a great time to start the planning process of what needs to be done in the landscape. Many people like to tackle new things in the New Year, and the garden is an excellent place to start.

Gardening, by virtue of the natural order of things, is dictated by the growing season. Each season can provide opportunity for new annual plants such as vegetables and seasonal color for the landscape. Trying new varieties can be fun. Additionally, perennials can and will eventually die at some point and require a change. Do your research now during the garden downtime of winter.

As Paul Harvey used to say in his syndicated radio program, “AND now you know the rest of the story!” Most readers of this article know the details of the Battle of Mansfield when Gen. Richard Taylor’s Confederate Army soundly defeated Gen. Nathaniel Banks’ larger Union Army on April 8, 1865. Taylor suffered less than 1000 casualties whereas Banks lost 2200 men. His hasty retreat allowed Taylor to capture 20 cannon, 200 wagons full of supplies and hundreds of rifles. General Kirby Smith, the general over all of the Trans-Mississippi region, was in Shreveport, La. He told Taylor to not engage the Union forces in Mansfield but wait until just south of Shreveport which was the capital of Louisiana at that time. “Too late, Sir”, replied Taylor, “The battle is over and the Yankees are on the run”!

The small towns and communities have contributed so much to DeSoto Parish through the years. As our early settlers moved from the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi looking for good and inexpensive farmland they selected our area. It was a rough life but they were determined to make good communities to raise their families. They encouraged everyone to be a good citizen. The following are a few of these areas but space will not allow all communities nor all family manes to be mentioned but everyone was important to our growth and culture. Some of the smaller towns and communities of the Parish will be discussed in this article.

Some have asked so I thought that I would go into 2023 with an explanation about the title of my column. It’s intended to be upbeat and encouraging (notice the exclamation mark!). Don’t think about the title being ominously uttered as if by your Mom or Dad, “Van, Jr. – let’s talk…” or the dreaded words said by your significant other, “Honey, we need to talk…” (Followed by the sad words, “I love you, but…”). AND, guys, don’t try this yourself because it doesn’t work that way. You’ll say the dreaded words and she’ll just look quizzically at you and tell you that no “we” don’t. This title is more like seeing a friendly face in a crowd at a big party and an old friend yelling, “Hey, Reeeech – Let’s talk!”

A Late Autumn

After work I like to unwind on my back patio looking west into 30 acres of dark green pine woods. Big ole virgin pines that soar 150 foot up reaching into and through the green canopy. What a sense of humble majesty, of strong quiet, of reflection. And as my ole chimenia slowly puffed and caught up one of the boys in my neighborhood came skidding up on his bike to check out the fire. A few months earlier he’d worked in the side yard for me in return for my black mountain bike. His was a small wornout one that we’d patched several times and mine wouldn’t let me ride it. Gravity was not my friend. Since I am too proud to ride with a helmet and knee pads I’d regretfully hung it up on the garage wall as a grim reminder. But the sharp looking bike needed a young boy to ride it.