Columns

to think of how one’s mind operates when thinking of topics of historical significance week after week. Of all things the name Virginia Dare came to mind for this week — But who is Virginia Dare?

Early in the colonization of America a colony led by Sir Walter Raleigh was brought to Roanoke Island just off the coast of present day North Carolina. The first group or attempt was in 1584 but it only lasted a year before the weary, half-starved settlers returned to England. Three years later Raleigh sent a second expedition of 117 men, women and children under the leadership of John White. On August 18, 1587 shortly after reaching Roanoke, Governor White’s daughter, Eleanor White Dare gave birth to a daughter who was the first Caucasian child to be born in American. The child was christened Virginia Dare. How interesting that this writer should remember such a small bit of information from his sixth grade in school.

Seven Bridges … Bridge

To paraphrase that famous Eagles song of the South from their ‘Live’ album in 1980. Written by Steve Young about an actual road of bridges out of Montgomery, Ala. The Eagles acapella version is the most famous and Don Henly once said, “When we open with it the crowd goes wild! But it is really only a song about a road and a girl although now I think there is almost something mythical about it”.

AND, let me unpack that a little to make sense of it all. I just got back from a short trip down to South Louisiana to introduce Susan to my best friends Butch and Charmaine Golsan and my Son Van (Three) and his girlfriend Rachel.

In battle against Italian ryegrass, cover crops add to arsenal of control options Many farmers already know cover crops provide a range of benefits. Planted in between cash crop growing seasons when fields would otherwise sit empty, cover crops help reduce erosion, enrich the soil nutrient profile and break up compacted areas.

Now, an LSU AgCenter researcher is exploring another use for these off-season crops: competing with difficult-to-control weeds to keep them at bay.

Donnie Miller, a weed scientist at the AgCenter Northeast Research Station near St. Joseph, has found success in suppressing notoriously unruly Italian ryegrass with a combination of a fall residual herbicide and a planting of cereal rye, a common cover crop. He spoke about his work at a recent field day at the station.

Italian ryegrass has been a growing concern in Louisiana agriculture circles in recent years.

While serving as First Vice-President of the North Louisiana Historical Society on April 4, 1964 this writer submitted the following article on the Ole Log Courthouse Bell. This article slightly condenses and updates that original.

Hardly had DeSoto Parish been organized when the Police Jury saw the need for a bell to summon people into court. In 1843 a bell was ordered from Philadelphis to be placed in front of the newly constructed log courthouse at the corner of Washington Ave. and Franklin St. The courthouse square was left vacant because a larger Courthouse would be needed in the near future. The Bell did service for many years and if it could speak it would reveal the history of DeSoto Parish. It would tell of the trials, debates and elections that became history here.

One of the best ways to stay cool in the summer is to stay inside curled up with a good book. But if you have kids, it can be difficult to encourage them to come inside out of the heat.

To help encourage reading more during the summer, it helps to have a dedicated space — or a Reading Nook, if you will. For kids, you can find a corner of their bedroom and place a comfortable chair — or even a bean bag. You may have an established rule about ‘No food or drinks in the bedroom’, but you may want to amend it slightly if you place their reading nook in there. Sometimes it’s more fun to enjoy a snack while reading, and if handled well, it may even encourage those who don’t enjoy reading to discover it’s actually an enjoyable past time. Place a small table next to the chair and allow them to have a snack and a drink. At the end of the designated reading time, help them to establish the habit of bringing the plate and glass to the kitchen.

Taco Mac & Cheese

Si, Senor Maccarones con Queso e Taco — suena muy bien! Pam Bello has this great sounding dish on “My Recipes” this week and I was flirting around with trying it but the cheese sauce part sounded a little daunting to me. Yes, I am sauce challenged. I’ve tried and tried to do scratch sauces and gravies but it just doesn’t happen for me, I mean even when I do my big Thanksgiving spread I always buy 2 cans of turkey gravy.

Between the heat and humidity, forget frying an egg on the sidewalk. We can probably cook our entire meal in the middle of the road!

Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and regulate your body temperature. Avoid caffeinated drinks, as they Use Fans: Place fans strategically around your home to circulate air. Ceiling fans can be particularly effective.

Take Cold Showers: Cool down quickly by taking cold showers or baths.

Wear Lightweight Clothing: Opt for loose-fitting, lightweight, and breathable clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton or linen.

Close Blinds and Curtains: Keep blinds and curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day to block out sunlight and heat.

Most DeSoto Parish residents should they ever hear of Wallace Lake would not consider it an important part of our history. Wallace is a portion of DeSoto Parish’s northern boundary with Caddo Parish. In the early part of the 1800’s the Red River was blocked by a massive log jam flooding a large part of northwest Louisiana resulting in Bayou Pierre becoming the route for water transportation for the settlement of Natchitoches to points north.

Diamonds!

Returning from a weekend trip to Hot Springs, Ark., actually Hot Springs Village, I had plenty to time to remember other family vacations I’d been on. Several were of summer vacations to the Alabama beaches south of Mobil, Ala., one to Six Flags Over Texas when it first opened, and others to Texas and Arkansas. I’m sure you, too, could rattle off a few of your favorites. In fact, take a minute right now to close your eyes and let that warm pleasant memory just wash all the negativity right out of you. Aaaaah!

This trip was centered around Susan’s Step-Daughters’, Shannon & Sommer, birthday — 40 years old times two. With the start of Shark Week on cable and a menacing looking shark piñata and lots of BBQ planned we were all excited. Who knows the boys may catch enough fish for a big fish fry before we left! Well, that didn’t happen but we all had fun with the fish we did catch.

A huge thanks to Mr. Mike Weaver with Fellowship of Christian Farmers for making the drive down from Illinois to deliver fence materials. These materials will be donated to those livestock owners in DeSoto Parish most affected by the July 8th tornadoes.