Lifestyle

Local author, Barbara Walsworth, donated her book, “The Red Dirt Road,” to the Mansfield Main Library.

“The Red Dirt Road” is a dramatic portrayal of a family’s struggle to overcome poverty, loss and grief. In the summer of 1962, 14-year-old Partheny Preiste’s abusive, alcoholic father moved his family from southwest Texas to the backwoods of northwest Louisiana and then immediately abandons them. While struggling for the basic necessities, they discover someone is watching from the surrounding woods. And, even more disturbing, they learn of the recent murder of a small black child found in the swamp behind their shanty. What this evil wants and takes almost destroys this family. They battle to keep their faith and stay strong in the face of a heartbreaking tragedy and bring a murderer to justice.

Northwest Louisiana Technical College (NWLTC) at Sabine Valley and Mansfield will host the 2017 Red Stick Robotics Summer Camp. Red Stick Robotics camp targets youth in grades sixth-12th. The camp provides meaningful workshops to students that relate vital STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts to real-life learning.

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Join us Saturday, June 3rd, 2017 for a day of historic and contemporary festival activities at Fort Jesup State Historic Site and the Fort Jesup Nazarene Camp Grounds from 10am – 10pm.

There will be a lot of activities for all ages including Living History Demonstrations, historic weapons, frontier games, artifact displays, military camps, drills, and campfire cooking.

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The Books & Biscuits Book Club met at Village Cuisine in Grand Cane, LA on May 2, 2017, to discuss The Red Dirt Road and welcomed Barbara Walsworth as Guest Author. The book is “a dramatic portrayal of a family’s struggle to overcome poverty, loss and grief. In the summer of 1962, fourteen year old Partheny Preiste’s abusive, alcoholic father moved his family from southwest Texas to the backwoods of northwest Louisiana…and then, immediately abandons them. While struggling for the basic necessities, they discover someone is watching them from the surrounding woods. And, even more disturbing, they learn of the recent murder of a small black child found in the swamp behind their shanty. What this evil wants and takes almost destroys this family. They battle to keep their faith and stay strong in the face of a heartbreaking tragedy and bring a murderer to justice.” Barbara P. Walsworth lives in Shreveport, Louisiana with her husband, Tim.

A select group of students from Bethel Christian Academy in Southern DeSoto Parish were rewarded with a trip to the Pelican Branch Library on May 2. This group had no tardies or other detention write-ups, and were able to attend the school's last trip to the library for the year.

After selecting their various books and DVD's, Children's Librarian Julie Morris asked the group if they were familiar with May Day and May Baskets. Mrs. Morris explained how May Baskets were traditionally made by children as surprise treats for their adult friends, relatives and neighbors on May 1. They could contain flowers, candy and/or other small treats. The child would then hang or place the basket of their chosen recipient on the door handle or porch, ring the doorbell and run! The person would then open their door and see their surprise anonymous gift, while the giver peeked around the corner to see the delight on the person's face.

The Mansfield Garden Club met April 19, 2017 with President Gail Gage presiding. The Garden Prayer and Conservation Pledge was led by Stacy Rivers. Members answered the roll call by naming their favorite blooming plant. Naming a favorite plant was a difficult task because there are so many to choose,however members choose a good variety. Secretary Velda Neilson read the minutes and Ott Murphy gave the treasurer’s report. Both were approved as read.

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THE FOREIGNER opens this week at Back Alley Theatre in Grand Cane and promises to be one of the funniest plays done so far at the local theater. It runs two weekends in May: May 4, 5, 6 and 11, 12, 13 and tickets are $10 for the 7pm show. Reservations may be made by calling 461-0202 or emailing reservations to:batboxoffice@gmailcom.

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Back Alley Theatre in Grand Canewill present THE FOREIGNER a comedy by Larry Shue on two weekends: May 4, 5, 6 and 11, 12,13

With some of its best comedic actors. The curtain is 7 pm and box office is 461-0202 or email your reservations to batboxoffice@gmail.com.

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Going, going, gone… this pile of rubble is all that is left of the depot that once saw the daily excitement of people coming and going. If itʼs walls could talk, they stress that it would have been able to tell of the many historic and day to day happenings that it saw.

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On Monday, April 10, 2017, DeSoto Council on Aging had the drawing for the Super-Sized Easter Basket they had up for raffle. Congratulations to Miss Ally Vanzant of Natchitoches. Ally was one of almost 350 entries to win this Easter basket! Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket, all funds raised will go towards the Senior Center in Mansfield.

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