Lifestyle

Come along with us for an action-packed weekend retreat at Ozark Mountain’s Reel ‘Em Inn! BackAlley Community Theatre in Grand Cane is the setting for our Southern-fried romp in the finest little fishing lodge in the Ozarks. D. Gene is looking forward to a peaceful weekend on the lake. But there are only two chances of that happening: slim and none. Along with his comical assortment of guests visiting the lodge over a stormy weekend, he’s got a gaggle of nuns who have converged on the Inn, wanting to experience a nature retreat. The play is a whirlwind of absurd situations, mistaken identities, and over-the-top humor.

Books and Biscuits Book Club is thrilled to host local author, Jennifer Moorhead, for our March meeting to review her book, “Broken Bayou.” A child psychologist, Willa, retreats to Broken Bayou, her hometown in South Louisiana, after a career crisis. Willa’s hopes for a respite are quickly crushed, not only by what she finds in the attic, but also by what’s been found in the bayou. We will meet Tuesday, March 3, 11:30 am, at Village Cuisine Catering and Cafe in Grand Cane, and enjoy a delicious lunch and hear an enlightening discussion from the author, Jennifer Moorhead. Please call Village Cuisine @ 318–858–3200 to reserve a meal or call Debbie @ 318–208–2122 for any questions.

Most of us love our communities and want the best for all of DeSoto Parish. It’s our home. It’s where we live, work, learn, play, and raise our families. And yet, it’s easy to go about our daily lives without ever stopping to think, Ask your self…What can I do to make my community better?

I get it. We are all busy. And it’s easy to assume that someone else will do what needs doing. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my work with communities across our area, it’s this: We are all owners. We don’t need an official title. We don’t have to be assigned a task. We don’t have to be wealthy. We all have gifts to share and the ability to make a difference in the lives of others.

What Black History month means to me is to recognize our ancestors’ trials, tribulations and accomplishments in order to appreciate the richness of our culture. These experiences are what shape our destiny by providing records or guidance for a better tomorrow.

Last week, 3rd graders at Central Christian Academy got the opportunity to learn about the water cycle and how rain is formed through evaporation, transpiration, and condensation. We also discussed why rain is crucial for sustaining life and it’s importance in agriculture. The students learned how to read a rain gauge and the significance of the U.S. Drought Monitor. We performed a cool experiment by making rain in a jar, then we left the classroom and headed outside where everyone earned their PHD (Post Hole Digger) by installing their very own official rain gauge. This class will now be an official precipitation reporting station for the CoCoRhas network. Thanks CCA for inviting our office out!

Tonight we enjoyed a special milestone in the life of the Body of Christ.

Dan Rogers has been called and ordained to become a part of the deacon body along with his wife Regina Rogers as a supportive cominister.

Pictured is the current deacon body, wives and honored Pastor Delman Rogers, honored deacon and his wife and Pastor Santos and Sister Willma Santos.

In the heart of the DeSoto Occupation/ Vocation Educational (DOVE) Program, there is a storyteller whose voice doesn’t echo through the room in the traditional sense — yet it fills the space with clarity, humor, and uncommon courage. Her name is Morgan, and she is reshaping what it means to communicate, to lead, and to be truly seen.

Most people notice the wheelchair first. Morgan’s teachers will tell you, gently but firmly, that those people don’t know her yet. “She is so much more than that,” said Morgan’s paraprofessional, Sonya Dearman. “She is very observant and has an unbelievable memory. She keeps this all inside and then will type a detailed description of what happened.”

What Morgan holds inside — and brings forward with the help of her speech-generating device (SGD)—has become the heartbeat of the DOVE classroom.

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I always do. A New Year always brings with it promise and uncertainty, but this coming year brings with it a greater foreboding than we have experienced in the past. The Chinese have a saying: “May you live in interesting times.” But their definition means dangerous or turbulent. We in Louisiana and throughout America certainly live in “interesting” times today.

One resolution I make each year is to maintain my curiosity. It doesn’t matter how limited your perspective or how narrow the scope of your surroundings, there is (or should be) something to whet your interest and strike your fancy. I discovered early on that there are two kinds of people — those who are curious about the world around them, and those whose shallow attentions are generally limited to those things that pertain to their own personal well-being. I just hope all those I care about fall into the former category.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful suggests 10 resolutions aimed at litter prevention and removal Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser ask Louisianans in all 64 parishes to stop littering in 2025. Adopt one, or all 10, of KLB’s proposed New Year’s resolutions to help clean up our Sportsman’s Paradise. ”Litter hurts our economy, our environment, and our quality of life,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “By adopting one or all of these resolutions, you are doing your part to prevent litter and helping to let Louisiana shine.” “Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s 2023 litter study revealed Louisiana is spending an estimated $91.4 million each year on litter abatement,” said Susan Russell, KLB Executive Director. “We also found that 92% of Louisiana citizens believe that litter is a problem. It’s time to work together to address our state’s litter problem.” In 2025, I resolve to: Bag my trash, tie the bag tight, and put a lid on my outdoor trash can.

If you ever worked at the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, you knew the sound of Mr. Rick Pharris’ deep voice echoing down the hallway. And when you heard it, you didn’t stay seated — you stood up to go say hello… if he didn’t beat you to it first with a handshake and a smile. That was Mr. Rick. Warm, genuine, and respected by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Last week, we lost a true servant of the public and a 30-year retiree of the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office. Throughout his career, Rick proudly served our community in many roles, including Courtroom Bailiff, Senior Bailiff, Patrol, S.W.A.T., EMT, and Probation and Parole Officer among other titles. No matter the assignment, Rick brought professionalism, integrity, and a willingness to help wherever he was needed. Rick officially retired from DPSO on February 18, 2019.