Columns

If you are a faithful reader of this column you will know that one of the main objectives is to keep alive the history and culture of DeSoto Parish. Today’s article is devoted primarily to a historical fact that will be new to some — World War II German Concentration Camps in Mansfield!

With the cold weather, a warm bowl of soup or stew is one of the best ways to warm our bodies and souls. And with every bowl, having a slice of homemade bread or a hot muffin just makes it that much better.

Depending on the soup you make will help you choose the bread. A loaf of French Bread (homemade and straight out of the oven), pairs perfectly with a pot of Gumbo. Cornbread just seems to naturally go well with Vegetable Beef Stew. But some of the lighter soups, such as Cream of Chicken or Tomato need something a little heartier.

When I make these soups, I usually turn to one of my favorites, Paradise Muffins. They are a savory muffin, chock full of bacon and cheddar cheese — perfect to either slather with butter or used to soak up that last bit of soup in the bowl.

Prob ably most individuals that read this column weekly consider themselves as Americans who love our constitution and the freedoms which it insures. Let’s review or consider some of the facts of our constitution and freedoms.

1. What does our constitution do?

It sets up the government, defines the government, and protects the basic rights of Americans. 2. What did the Declaration of Independence do? Announced our independence from Great Britain. 3. What are the Rights in our Constitution?

Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.

4. What is Freedom of Religion?

You can practice any religion or none at all. 5. What is the Rule of Law?

Everyone must follow the law & no one is above the law.

6. What are the Branches of Law?

Congress (Legislative) President (Executive) and the Courts (Judiciary).

7. What keeps one Branch from becoming too powerful?

Checks and Balances and Separation of Power.

Creep Feeding Beef Calves, Is It Worth It?

Proactive beef cattle producers are always on the watch for means to earn a larger profit when it is time to market their calves. One of these means is the process of creep feeding. Creep feeding provides supplemental feed in the form of forage and/or grain to nursing calves. This can be accomplished with the use of creep feeders or creep gates which allows calves of certain sizes to access the feed or forage while keeping mature cattle out.

Those of you that have read this column through the years know my first love in history is for DeSoto Parish but other things are also interesting. History can take many forms and today’s article relates to the January 1946 Roosevelt Dime. Before 1946 the dime carried the image of a female figure wearing a winged cap representing Lady Liberty and mistakenly called a Mercury Dime.

DeSoto Parish has produced many outstanding ladies through the years — some of whom I’ve written about. The lady in this article, Kate Tomkies Beard, is one of those that should be remembered down through the generations.

Kate was the wife of the battle of Mansfield hero, Col. James H. Beard. She was born July 4, 1835 in Lincoln County, North Carolina, the 4th child of John F. and Margaret Hoyle Tomkies. Like many other families the Tomkies started out in Virginia, moved to N. Carolina, then to Alabama and Mississippi and then on to DeSoto Parish. The family arrived in Kingston, La. in the late 1840’s. Mrs. Tomkies was related to C.E. Edwards, one of the wealthiest men in DeSoto Parish.

I’m a planner, that’s my happy place. I get a warm fuzzy feeling when I make a list and check it off. I majored in Accounting at Baylor University, stayed the course, and graduated with a degree exactly four years later. I checked off all my boxes.

Then I had children, and that’s when I discovered I could make as many lists as I wanted. But that didn’t mean my kids would check all the boxes as complete.

I wanted the boys to think and pray about their future careers and make plans for them. Doesn’t every parent? Let’s face it — when you’re the child of a planner you have no choice. My kids would make plans for their future.

Be Patient When it Comes to Dealing with Freeze-Damaged Plants

The snow has come and gone — and so has the excitement that came with such a meteorological rarity in Louisiana. Now, some gardeners are looking outside at a far less enjoyable sight: plants that turned gray, brown and perhaps even mushy in this week’s frigid temperatures.

Tropical and subtropical plants were especially affected by the bitterly cold air that hit the state. Damage may even be visible on azaleas and other woody ornamental plants that are normally hardy.

Don’t panic. While they may not look their prettiest, most plants will do better in the long run if they’re left alone for now, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Jason Stagg.

Let’s get Shakin’ Hope everyone is enjoying those Grand Bal’s, and parades. That’s right it’s Mardi Gras Season here in the south. Over the last few weeks since the twelfth night I have been sharing some of my favorite Mardi Gras Season recipes and this week is a treat for sure.

Love cornbread, of course, you do. Love crab cakes, who doesn’t? Stick with me here and let’s “mix it up” we are going to do them together for an awesome twist on the traditional crab cakes.

Cornbread Crab Cakes Ingredients 1 (8-oz.) container sour cream 2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeños 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 2/3 cup finely diced red bell pepper 1/2 cup sliced green onions 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 garlic clove, minced 1/3 cup mayonnaise (prefer Dukes) 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

It is int e r e s ting to take a few minutes and peruse through the old Mansfield Enterprise Newspapers at the Mansfield Female College Museum. Newspapers from the 1930’s to the 1960’s are available for your inspection. The 1951 issues reveal some items that many of you probably have forgotten. The DeSoto Hospital Fund Drive to add to the original facility was kicked off for the $100,000 expansion in 1950 with J.C. McLauren, Sr. and J.W. Caraway as Co-Chairman and Mrs. B.W. Goss, Vice Chairperson. Roger H. Silver, General Gifts Chairman, built an organization of 77 to serve as Division Chairman. The Big Gifts group was headed up by Oliver H.P. Sample, Claude Roberts, P.E.Dixon and Marshall Calhoun. Team Captains were H.L.Wiggins, Raymond Powell, Ned W. Jenkins and Riemer Calhoun, Sr. Special Gifts group consisted of Hartwell Smith, Floyd Knott, R.U. Johnson, A. N. Latham and Sam Murray.