Lifestyle

Kansas City Southern (KCS) recently announced the first return to the rails of the KCS Holiday Express train since the start of the pandemic in 2020. In addition, the KCS Holiday Express project continues the tradition of charitable giving to The Salvation Army. To date this year, the project has raised almost $150,000 for this cause. KCS is now issuing a challenge grant to raise even more.

“On this Giving Tuesday, I am proud to announce that KCS will donate $2 for every $1 raised by the Holiday Express project, up to an additional $100,000, between November 29 and December 16, 2022,” said KCS president and CEO Patrick J. Ottensmeyer. “Please consider a gift to help The Salvation Army help families in need.”

The funds raised will support The Salvation Army in the 20 communities in eight states where the 2022 KCS Holiday Express train will stop. See the full schedule here.

As Christmas approaches, we would like to ask that you keep Project Celebration, Inc. in your holiday plans. While preparing for the joyous holiday celebrations with your friends and family, it’s important to stop and reflect on the joy and blessings in our own life while also being aware that not all families are that fortunate. While shopping for gifts and gathering with loved ones, please consider setting aside a gift or donation to support the work that Project Celebration, Inc. does for the community.

PCI is seeking the support of our wonderful community to help these families in need any way we can whether it be food for their pantries, gifts for Christmas. or just providing basic supplies for women and children in need.

Every year PCI gears up to provide needs for the clients we serve.

When I first saw these older gentlemen gathered across from the Courthouse Square, I thought they were about to pick up a long forgotten tradition of playing checkers or dominoes at one of the old gathering spots for coffee, fun and fellowship. I was fooled by the DeSoto Parish Tax Assessor’s office employees who enjoyed dressing up for the Halloween holiday making things a little more fun and interesting. See if you can figure out who is who! Thanks for making us laugh!

Joaquin ISD had the pleasure of hosting the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department this week during Fire Prevention Week. The JVFD brought two of their fire trucks and presented a demonstration of how they dress for fighting fires. They spoke to our PreK through 4th grade students about fire safety and not being afraid of the firemen should they ever see them in all of their gear. The JVFD then left fire coloring book packets to share with our students. A fun time was had by all. JISD is thankful for each member of our JVFD and all the other firemen in the community that devote their time. (submitted by Melanie Hughes)

Effective immediately, the North DeSoto High School JROTC will begin a fundraising effort at all home football games at Griffin Stadium. They would love to reach or exceed their goal of $5,000 to help children that are fighting for their lives with some form of cancer. All money generated will be donated to St. Jude’s Research. Watch for JROTC members at all home games and remember, no amount is too small. Please just give what you can.

The Mansfield Garden Club held the first meeting of the 2022-23 year on Wednesday, September 21 at the Chamber of Commerce building. President Stacy Rivers called the meeting to order following refreshments and fellowship. The club discussed plans for the coming year, including future programs and the annual plant sale. Patsy Shadoin presented an update on paw paw trees that have been located in the parish. If you see Zebra Swallowtail Butterflies, you have a pawpaw tree somewhere in the vicinity. Lana Clark brought a young tree from her neighborhood as an example for the club.

Gardeners shared the various fruit trees they have growing in their yards. They include figs, peach, persimmon, satsuma, sloe and mulberry.

Hostesses of the meeting who provided refreshments were Stacy Rivers, Gale Gage, Ott Murphy, Pam Sykes, Velda Neilson, Marilyn Frith, and Jeanie Watson. Door prize winners were Teresa Luka, Patsy Shadoin, Stacy Rivers, and Gale Gage.

Join us at BackAlley Community Theatre this weekend as The Hootens, from Waskom, Texas, entertain us with their powerpacked performance of gospel music, along with a mix of favorite patriotic and country songs. The Hootens will perform on Saturday, September 24 @ 7:00 pm and Sunday, September 25 @ 2:00 pm. This family has been singing together for over ten years. Their passion for southern gospel music, and a touch of country and patriotic, drives this show-stopping family, making The Hootens one of the premier gospel groups in Texas.

Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma greeted new teachers to DeSoto Parish and Central School by giving them a welcome bag filled with various supplies to help with their school year.

Committee members Pam Hesser, Becky Parker, and Melissa Rutherford were helped by fellow members Jan Greer, Becky Lawson, and Wanda Rougeau in packing the bags at the Mansfield Female College.

They then delivered them during the new teacher inservice at the DeSoto Parish Media Center and the teacher inservice at Central School.

The Books and Biscuits Book Club met at Village Cuisine in Grand Cane for our August meeting, where we were treated to a delicious lunch and dessert. We all enjoyed a lively discussion of our book, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Reid. Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life—and what a life it was. This historical fiction about “Old Hollywood” had many of us supposing which Hollywood stars from the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, star Evelyn Hugo may have been speaking.