Lifestyle

It was pumpkin decorating judging at Central today and these kiddos made it TOUGH! Talk about some creative 4-H’ers, they had a little bit of everything, and I loved it! Congratulations to all the winners and thank you all for participating! This is always a super fun contest and puts money back into our agriculture market! WIN,WIN!

President — Adilee Register Vice Presidents- Madisyn Bennett and Lillee Averett Secretary — Brooklyn Opatz Treasurer — Heidi Waters Reporter — Zoe Seekford Photographer — Bryson Hesser Community Service Representatives — Elizabeth Culotti, Mason Burns, and Shelbi Lee

Our final weekend of The Play That Goes Wrong at BackAlley. Come see the insanity ensue! Get ready for an evening of side-splitting chaos as The Play That Goes Wrong makes its uproarious final weekend at BackAlley Community Theatre in Grand Cane. Show times are Friday and Saturday, November 7 & 8 at 7 pm, and Sunday, November 9 at 2 pm.

ThisTonyAward-winning farce transforms the stage into a battlefield of botched lines, crumbling sets, and uproarious mishaps — prov- ing that sometimes, the show must go wrong to go right. For theater lovers in DeSoto Parish and beyond, it’s the perfect blend of slapstick genius and community spirit. This award-winning comedy promises an unforgettable night of laughter for audiences of all ages. Tickets are on sale now at www.backalleygrandcane. com. For questions, call our box office at 318-461-0202.

These incredible educators and staff members are true difference makers — inspiring excellence, empowering students, and living out the DeSoto Difference every single day.

Elementary Teacher of the Year: Hillary Severin — North Desoto Upper Elementary Middle School Teacher of the Year: Dixie Pierce — Stanley High School — La High School Teacher of the Year: Grace Lewis — Mansfield High School New Teacher of the Year: Artishaylyn Ford — Mansfield Elementary School Support Staff of the Year: Abby La-Cour — North DeSoto Middle School Each of these honorees represents the heart of our mission — creating classrooms where students feel valued, challenged, and supported.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding individuals for their dedication, passion, and impact on the lives of our students and communities!

The Play That Goes Wrong is Opening This Weekend: Come see the insanity ensue!

Grand Cane’s Back-Alley Theatre isn’t just a stage; it’s a launchpad for joy, creativity, and the occasional happy accident. Get ready for an evening of side-splitting chaos as The Play That Goes Wrong makes its uproarious debut. Show times are Saturday, November 1, and Friday and Saturday, November 7 & 8 at 7 pm, and Sunday, November 2 and 9 at 2 pm. This award-winning comedy, known for its perfect blend of mishaps, mayhem, and mischief, promises an unforgettable night of laughter for audiences of all ages. Tickets are on sale now at www. backalleygrandcane. com.

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.

Thank you all for making our Quilt a show a success. We thank Emmanuel Baptist Church for graciously renting to us the use of your fellowship hall. This building provides a Christ filled safety space for our group every week and for the Quilt Show, we are so appreciative to you. We thank Mansfield High School Coaches and the Freshmen Football Team for helping us with the heavy lifting and set up of our show. You were a big help.

We thank our husbands for helping put up the show and taking it down, and for all the times they had to scrounge around for meals and clean clothes and such when we were a bit busy in our sewing rooms!

Thank you to Sheriff Jason Richardson and Charlotte Knotuk representing the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism office for judging the quilts for ribbons.

The Pelican Branch Library is holding a “Big Buck Contest” from October 1 until the end of deer season on January 31, 2026. No pre-registration is required and there is no fee to enter. If you would like to enter your trophy buck, simply bring a photo with your name and phone number by the Pelican Library, 145 Jackson Street Pelican, LA 71063 during our business hours Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; email photo to ljackson@state.lib. la.us, post it to our Facebook page: DeSoto Parish Library (while you are there, click like!) or text a photo to 318–464–6425.

We would love to know the story of your harvest! Tell us what you used to take your buck down, whether it be bow, primitive firearm, etc., if it dropped in an instant or if it took some time to track it. We would love to know the details. The largest buck taken will win $100!

To kick off the autumn season with a celebration that only Grand Cane can do, owners Jann and John Franklin were welcomed to the business community of the Village with the Great Commission Coffee House. The Franklins, along with their manager Maggie Harris are ready to serve you amazing coffee in a shop built on the idea of The Great Commission. The Franklins state that their real mission is to create a space where people feel welcome with love, warmth, and faith. Every cup is brewed with care and every guest I welcomed like family. Whether you visit them for a quiet moment of reflection, good conversation or just a great cup of coffee, you’ll find a seat waiting for you.

The Franklins welcome you to The Great Commission Coffee Shop where the business is a place to connect, be uplifted and inspired. Grab a friend or two and join us at one of the festively decorated tables to get you in the mood for fall!

Northwestern State University has named 22 students to its 2025 Homecoming Honor Court. Members of the court were selected by a vote of the student body. The court will be presented at halftime of the Homecoming football game against East Texas A&M on Saturday, Oct. 4. Peyton Fuller of Deville will be queen of the court and Logan Chadwick of Stanley will be king.

Chadwick is a senior communication major and is the son of April Chadwick Vandagriff and Charles Benton. He is a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He is active in the Baptist Collegiate Ministry and was a freshman orientation leader. He is a member of Order of Omega Honor Society and National Society of Leadership and Success.