Lifestyle

Those that know the Hults family are aware of Harley’s diagnosis of the rare blood disorder, Hemopagocytic Lymphohisticytosis. It usually occurs in infants and children, but can appear in adults as well. Children usually inherit the disease.

If you have HLH, your body’s defense system, called your immune system, does not work normally. Certain white blood cells, histiocytes and lymphocytes, attack your other blood cells. These abnormal blood cells collect in your spleen and liver, causing these organs to enlarge.

Ashley Magnolia Marshall is proud to announce to family and friends that she made a 4.0 GPS, which qualify her for making the President’s List for the 2021 Fall Semester at Grambling State University. Ashley is the daughter of Patrick and Donza of Mansfield.. (submitted)

Santa aka Farmer Skelly will ride again this Christmas Eve on his trusty Allis Chalmer’s tractor to deliver gifts to all little boys and girls. Hohoho!!! Photo courtesy of Dianne Mason

Pictures by Shootin’ on Faith Photography

Mansfield Elementary Principal Amanda LaFollette, along with recent retiree of MES Cathy Hosey and MES instructor Amy Haire, worked together for the school children to be a part of the Shoe Box Project. Earlier in the week other ladies had organized and set up everything for packing.

Ms. Hosey and Ms. Haire greeted the classes of children as they arrived. They in turn were given a clipboard of a list of items that they should put in each shoebox. The children worked in teams of 3 or 4 to fill the boxes.

Photographer Diane Deas said that it was fun to watch as the children chose specific items that they thought “their child” would like to receive. Upon completion, the children doubled checked and reviewed their lists and made sure that they had included everything in their shoebox. Deas added that it has been a wonderful time of learning and sharing for the students as they completed their global service project.

The 13th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Multicultural Christmas Concert will be held on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at the Treen Auditorium at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts. The concert is a benefit for Cabe River Children’s Services and donations will be accepted.

Concert organizers are seeking participants to help celebrate the diversity and cheer of Christmas. They are seeking singers, musicians, dancers or readers to celebrate this time of the year with the community. All songs, reading and instrumental performances, sacred or secular, which address Christmas or the Christmas season are welcome. Participants will perform without monetary compensation.

Those interested in performing should contact the Louisiana Folklife Center at NSU by Wednesday, Nov. 17 at (318) 357-4332 or at folklife@nsula.edu.

Mansfield High School’s Class of 1965 had a recent get-together and reunion as they celebrated the 56th Anniversary of their graduation. Pictured l-r on front are Sharon Porter Burford, Mary Adams Weir, Sandra Breeland Dickens, Susie McCullough Powell, Helen Kay Smith Hunter, Cheryl Watson Sparger, Frances Welch Derrick, Marilyn Segura Joiner, Hope Phillips, Jean Calvert, and Sandra Adams Jamison. Back row l-r are Ray Ryan, Jackie Price, John McLaurin, Joe Craig Fleniken, and Terry Phillips. (photo courtesy of Robert Powell).

Nov. 7 (Sun) at 10:00 a.m.: Jackson Baptist Church in Joaquin will be honoring veterans during the morning service, with a covered dish luncheon following. Joaquin VFD’s Veterans tribute truck “The Patriot” will be on site for any veterans who haven’t signed it to sign.

Nov. 9 (Tues.) at 10:00 a.m.: Logansport High School will host their annual Veteran’s Day program in the Elementary gymnasium on the right side of the campus when you enter the school property.

Nov. 10 (Wed.) at 8:30 a.m.: Mansfield Elementary will serve breakfast to all area Veterans. The program will immediately follow in the Multipurpose Room.

Nov. 10 (Wed.) at 9:00 a.m. (Optional Brunch) 10:00 a.m.: North DeSoto High and Middle School will host an optional Brunch in the Cafeteria followed by their Veteran’s Day Program at the Football Stadium.

Each year on October 31st, people from all over celebrate Halloween. A favorite of children and those who like to tap into their “inner child”, Halloween is a day to dress up in costume, hand out candy (usually to children), and try to frighten each other and ourselves with spooky stories.

Like many holidays that are celebrated today, Halloween did not start off being celebrated in this manner – its origins have a history that started many centuries ago. The actual word Halloween is correctly known as Hallowe’en or All Hallows’ Eve, the day before All Saints Day on November 1 and All Souls Day on November 2. “All Saints Day” is when we recognize the Saints that were canonized by the Catholic Church, or traditional saints, and “All Souls Day” is when we remember our ancestors, friends and loved ones that have passed.

Books and Biscuits Book Club met in October at Village Cuisine Catering and Cafe. We enjoyed a delicious meal of chicken wraps, fruit, and dessert. Afterwards, we all had a lively discussion as we chose our books for the upcoming months.

Each member brought one or two book recommendations, and we all agreed on the following: November - Peyton Place by Grace Metalious, December - Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink, January - Lady in the Attic by Tara Randel, February - The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris, March - Look

Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe, April - Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng, May - The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, June - The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth, July - Book Selection Month, and August - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.