Lifestyle

Darrick Mosley is a 2002 graduate of Mansfield High School and a 2006 graduate of Grambling State University where he received his BA degree in speech and theatre. He resides in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he performs frequently in theaters such as Penumbra, Guthrie, Mixed Blood, Freshwater, History, and the Springer Opera House, plus others.

Some of his credits include The Ballad of Emmett Teal, The Highwayman, Deprivation, Benevolence, A Raisin in the Sun, Choirboy, Fences and Jitney.

Mosley also does voiceovers and commercials for Best Buy, H & R Block and other busi-Mosley nesses. (submitted)

Join us at BackAlley Community Theatre in Grand Cane, LA, as we present Chapter Two by Neil Simon. George and Jennie are in love, utterly perfect for each other, and are getting married. There are just a few problems – They’ve only been dating for two weeks, George’s beloved wife of twelve years just passed away, and Jennie has gone through five years of counseling. George’s brother, Leo, and Jennie’s friend, Faye, don’t have it any easier.

Show times are Friday and Saturday, February 9, 10, and 16, 17 @ 7 pm, and matinees on Sunday, February 11 and Saturday, February 17 @ 2 pm. Purchase your tickets or reserve your season ticket seat at backalleygrandcane. com. For questions, call our box office at 318-4610202.

Ken Murphy, Leo, performed in last season’s Rumors and Anybody Out There?

Allison McAllen, of Stonewall, LA, was named to the University of Mississippi’s Fall 2023 Honor Roll lists.

McAllen, majoring in Real Estate, was named to the Chancellor’s Honor Roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.75-4.00.

“The remarkable students achieving Chancellor’s Honor Roll are among the best and brightest at the University of Mississippi,” said Chancellor Glenn Boyce. “I commend them for their hard work and dedication resulting in their outstanding academic achievements and this well-deserved recognition.”

In order to be eligible for honor roll designation, a student must have completed at least 12 graded hours for the semester and may not be on academic probation during the semester.

BackAlley Community Theatre in Grand Cane, LA, is excited to present Chapter Two by Neil Simon. A successful writer mourning the recent loss of his beloved wife fears he will never love again. But then, a grudging five-minute meeting with an actress blooms into a passionate romance and he feels the spark of life again. This very funny but poignant play is based around four characters: George, a recently widowed spy novelist; Jenny, a level- headed actress; Leo, George’s garrulous but loving younger brother; and Fay, Jenny’s utterly clueless but enchanting friend.

Show times are Friday and Saturday, February 9, 10, and 16, 17 @ 7 pm, and matinees on Sunday, February 11 and Saturday, February 17 @ 2 pm. Purchase your tickets or reserve your season ticket seat at backalleygrandcane. com. For questions, call our box office at 318-4610202.

Various members of the Krewe of Aquarius gather for a group photo

Past Krewe of Aquarius Kings gather around 2024 King Kevin Magee (seated center).

2024 King Kevin Magee and Queen Kandi Magee – Krewe of Aquarius

Past Krewe of Aquarius Queens gather around 2024 Queen Kandi Magee (seated center).

On Monday, January 8, officers and members of the DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed Kim’s Cute Tees with a Ribbon Cutting at the Grand Opening of the new business, located at 168 Lake Road in Mansfield (inside the old NAPA building).

Bill and Kim Permenter Britt invite you to stop by their new shop to see what all they can do for you, your school, or your businesses. The are custom printers that specialize in tees, DFT, HTV, and sublimation transfers, custom hats, school spirit items, embroidery, vinyl stickers and yard signs. Their attractive store is arranged for you to browse throughout the building and pickup a few items for yourself or as gifts.

Their phone number is 318-461-4061 and you can find them on Facebook.

Ashley Marshall of Mansfield is proud to announce to family and friends that she made the President’s List for both the Spring and Fall 2023 semesters. Ashley also was nominated for the 2023 National Society of Leadership and Success.

She has been accepted in the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 Honor Dorm Steeple Glen at Grambling State University. You must maintain at least a 3.5 GPA.

Ashley is a Junior majoring in Elementary Education. May God continue to bless her on her various successes and her life’s journey. She is the daughter of Patrick and Donza Marshall of Mansfield.

The Mansfield Garden Club hosted its annual Christmas party on December 13, at the home of Jackie Smith. The festive gathering brought together members of the club to celebrate the joyous spirit of the holiday season. Members contributed an array of Christmas dishes, creating a feast that showcased the culinary talents within the clubs. Laughter filled the air as attendees enjoyed the warmth of each other’s company against the backdrop of the holiday decorations.

A creative touch was added to the festivities with the display of not only a handmade Christmas stocking but also uniquely crafted Christmas sweaters. Each sweater and stocking showcased the artistic flair of its creator, adding an extra layer of charm to the celebration. Gail Gage took hoe the title of “Best Christmas Stocking” for her outstanding creation, while three other participants’ Christmas sweaters took first, second and third place.

In 1818, a roving band of actors was performing in towns throughout the Austrian Alps. On December 23 they arrived at Oberndorf, a village near Salzburg where they were to re-enact the story of Christ’s birth in the small Church of St. Nicholas.?

Unfortunately, the St. Nicholas’ church organ wasn’t working and would not be repaired before Christmas. Because the church organ was out of commission, whether is was due to mice or rust, the actors presented their Christmas drama in a private home.

That Christmas presentation of the events in the first chapters of Matthew and Luke put assistant pastor Josef Mohr in a meditative mood. Instead of walking straight to his house that night, Mohr took a longer way home. The longer path took him up over a hill overlooking the village.

I was 16 the year I drove my mother and I to the live nativity at church. It had been a hard year. In a span of five months, my grandfather went from roofing the garage to dying from cancer. The night we went to the nativity, our grief was still fresh and angry, and grief is always hard. That and the fact that I was 16-with-attitude are my only explanations for how what should have been a lovely evening had turned into an ugly argument about what time we should leave.

I was sure the nativity started at 6:30. Mother said 7:00. We fussed about the time and my driving on the way to the church until I turned up the radio so loud that we couldn’t hear each other to fuss. I knew we were going to be late, but as I squealed into the parking lot at 6:35, I discovered we were alone. Almost alone. There was also an empty stable and some livestock.