Lifestyle

Summer heat may have you seeking comfort from a nearby shade tree. You immediately experience as much as a 15 to 20 degree drop in temperature and enjoy the relief it provides.

Bring this shady relief home by looking for ways to include trees in your landscape. First, monitor patterns of sun and shade on and around your home throughout the day and throughout the year as the angle and position of the sun changes. Observe the impact your home, neighboring homes, sheds and existing plantings have on the sunlight reaching your landscape.

Consider providing welcome shade where needed during the hottest hours of the day and weeks of the year. Look for opportunities to plant trees where you can make a difference in your comfort and money spent cooling your home.

Recently, the Lewis family, which includes former Mansfield City Alderman Mitchell Lewis and NFL Star and Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer Albert Lewis joined their family in Mansfield for a family reunion while honoring their parents, Brad and Vera Lewis, memory. There were seventeen children born to their union.

The following was written by Mattie Lewis Vcelik telling their family’s history.

“Greetings one and all. Thank you for being here, for the pleasure of your attention, and for lending me your ears.

This will not be a traditional review of a family tree with its various member branches and connective histories. What I desire to speak with you about today deals with more of a “legacy”. The tale of two hearts and a legacy forged many years ago, and skillfully molded by the mighty Holy Ghost.

Make plans to attend the DeSoto Parish 4-H Open House on Saturday, August 23, from 2:00 p. m. until 4:00 p. m. at the Dave Means Memorial 4-H Center, located at 10117 Hwy 171 in Grand Cane.

Some of the information that you will find include Shooting Sports Club (9 disciplines), Jr. Livestock Club, Jr. Leadership Club (7th through 12th Grade), Horse Club 1, Horse Club 2 — Intermediate (Limit 12), Cooking Club 1, Cooking Club 2 and Competitive Cooking (Limit 12), Arts and Crafts Club, and 2025–2026 Project Clubs.

Free Street Car Snowballs will be given out when you register for 4-H.

For more information contact Mrs. Ami Altom at 318–872–0533 or email her at AAltom@ agcenter.lsu.edu.

The LSU AgCenter provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. Should you need an ADA accommodation, please contact our office no later than 2 weeks prior to the event.

The Grand Cane Merchants and Business Association is looking for vendors and food trucks for the upcoming Fall Market on September 6. Here is the link for forms to join in the festivities and fun. https://form.jotform. com/251554279515159. You can also go by “By Faith Coffee House” and talk to Alicia Grigg.

New brand aligns with organization’s core mission and state chapters to promote pro-vaccine information and legislation.

On August 4, SAFE Communities Coalition announced it has changed its name to American Families for Vaccines (AFV). The organization was founded in 2020 by volunteer parents and has since launched 11 Families for Vaccines chapters (AZ, CO, LA, ME, MA, MT, NH, OR, SD, TN, WV) working at the grassroots level in their respective states to defeat anti-vaccine policy proposals and pass pro-vaccine laws. The new name more clearly reflects the organization’s mission and is consistent with its state chapter network.

American Families for Vaccines is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to science-based public education, nonpartisan community engagement, and the defense of public health laws through its Pro-Vaccine Legal Alliance. American Families for Vaccines Action Fund is a separate 501(c)(4) organization focused on advocating for strong vaccine policy.

Every gardener has personal reasons for gardening whether it be the hope that their garden brings joy, productivity, beauty, or peace throughout the growing season. Embrace what makes you happy as you tend, view, and enjoy every aspect of your garden.

Weather, busy schedules, and life in general can interfere with the best laid plans for any garden and landscape. Take some time now to evaluate what is working so you can do more of that and decide what needs changing in your garden plantings, designs, and maintenance.

On Thursday, July 31, the DeSoto Parish School Board gave a warm welcome to our newest teachers at the GEAUX DeSoto Teacher Luncheon — a day filled with positive and caring energy, great food, and powerful professional learning!

DPSB is thrilled to have these awesome educators join their staff as they gear up for an amazing 2025-2026 school year. Let’s GEAUX The DeSoto Parish Difference!

Colonel Robert P. Hodges has appointed Major Robert “Bo” Lummus to Lieutenant Colonel as the agency’s Deputy Superintendent of the Bureau of Investigations. The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations is responsible for investigating criminal activity, gathering intelligence, and providing case and technical support across the state. The Bureau includes the Force Investigation Unit, Criminal Investigations Division, Special Investigations Division, and the Gaming Enforcement Division.

Matthew Conger is originally from Baton Rouge where he graduated from Catholic High. He then attended Louisiana Tech University where he played football, earned a degree in Forestry, and most importantly… met his wife, Chelsey McNeely of Stonewall.

After graduating from Louisiana Tech, he worked in the woods for a year before realizing I missed football too much to only watch it on weekends. That’s when he began making plans to pursue a career in education.

In 2016, a Special Education position opened up at Byrd High School in Shreveport and Conger was fortunate to be offered the role. In addition to teaching, he had the opportunity to coach Freshman Football.

Conger said that in 2019, he earned a Master of Arts in Teaching-Special Education from Northwestern State University. That same year, he accepted a position at Logansport High School where he coached the offensive line and taught Special Education.