Lifestyle

DeSoto Parish 4-H loaded up twelve Jr. Leaders on June 16th and made the trip to LSU to compete at 4-H University. While four members attended Clover College educational sessions, eight competed in contests offered throughout the week of June 16-20th.The large contests are offered at the state level and are comprised of 4-H members from 64 parishes.

DeSoto Parish is proud to have six blue ribbon award winners returning to our parish. Medal winners include Joslyn Petersen and Reese Sanders, 6th in Team Stem Demonstration, Joslyn Petersen, 9th in Stem Illustrated Talk, Clay Usrey, 6th in Stem Illustrated Talk, Audrey Norton, 9th in Healthy Living Illustrated Talk, and Sydney Hall, 10th in the Child Development contest. Caden Boggs also placed 2nd in his Ag Mechanization Clover College class. This is a rigorous week packed full of educational assemblies and learning opportunities geared to prepare youth for their future.

Allison McAllen, of Stonewall was named to the University of Mississippi’s Spring 2025 Honor Roll lists.

McAllen, majoring in Real Estate, was named to the Dean’s Honor Roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.50-3.74.

To be eligible for honor roll designation, a student must have completed at least 12 graded hours for the semester and may not be on academic probation during the semester.

The teams of the DeSoto Acceptance League had their last game of the season last night and what a wonderful time it has been bringing this all inclusive league to DeSoto Parish. The teams are comprised of children of various ages that might not be able to participate in regular Little League games due to physical or mental challenges.

So many thank yous to come for all of our sponsors and volunteers that made this happen! If you were apart of this in anyway, please share any pictures you have in the comments!

We have plans to expand this league even further and add more opportunities for ALL of our kids and their families. This means we will need even more community support, more funds, and more volunteers. Please reach out to us if this organization is something you or your business would like to support

Grab your dancing boots and get ready to pop your fans with singer of viral song, “Boots on the Ground” 803 Fresh. It’s countdown to Juneteenth 2025! Don’t miss your chance to be part of the 12th Mansfield Annual Juneteenth Festival happening June 26 through 29 with ticket sales moving fast! The gates will open at 6:00 p.m.

Here’s what you don’t want to miss! On June 27, #803fewah, Boots on the Ground. On Saturday night, June 28 headliner Frank Johnson will perform numerous favorites including his hot single, “Don’t Hate on Me”.

starts with Also, on Saturday Night, the Mansfield “Boots, Hats, and Fans” Street Dance, featuring B-Cam will take place. Also performing will be Bodacious and Breeze Mrdotoomuch comprising music ready to party to on stage throughout the weekend. The annual music vibes provide a family reunion feel full of unforgettable live music.

On June 8, the DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony in historic Grand Cane for the grand opening of Grand Cane Trading Post, located at 8362 Old Hwy 171 in Grand Cane. The new business is a combination vendor mall, flea market, thrift, collectibles, antiques and consignment shop with each booth helping to build the charm and character to this new establishment. The main idea of the Trading Post is to bring local small businesses and artists together under one roof.

Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic Learning and Global Education will present Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People on Tuesday, June 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The class will be taught via Zoom and is for those 13 and up. The fee is $85.

In just a few hours, those in the class can learn enough secrets of the trade to provide years of musical enjoyment. Participants will learn to play piano the way professionals do using chords. Since this class is being held online with Zoom, students will be able to sit at their piano or keyboard at home and take this course with no pressure at all. And since this course includes an online book and online follow-up video lessons, those in the class will be able to continue practice and study on their own. An optional periodic online question and answer session and recording of the class is also included.

Join us for our final weekend of The Sound of Music as the hills come alive at BackAlley Community Theatre in Grand Cane . Audiences of all ages will be captivated by the unforgettable melodies and the uplifting story that has enchanted generations since its Broadway premiere in 1969. BackAlley’s production will feature a talented cast and crew, bringing fresh energy to this timeless classic.

This beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical will run Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7 @ 7:00 pm, and Sunday, June 8 @ 2:00 pm. Tickets may be purchased at backalleygrandcane. com. If you need assistance, call our box office at 318-461-0202. Whether you are a longtime fan or discovering the story for the first time, this production promises to leave you humming and hopeful.

The LSU AgCenter is excited to announce its inaugural Hay Day event, scheduled for Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Dodson Ranch in Coushatta, Louisiana. This educational field day will focus on forage and hay production, providing valuable insights and demonstrations for producers across the region.

The morning session will feature expert presentations on a range of topics, including: Armyworm control strategies Bermudagrass varieties and sprigging techniques Herbicide options for effective weed control During the lunch break, attendees will have the opportunity to observe drone sprayer demonstrations, showcasing the latest technology in precision agriculture.

Following lunch, participants will head to the field for live equipment demonstrations. Hay equipment from various manufacturers will be tested under identical field conditions, allowing producers to evaluate performance and make informed purchasing decisions.

Event Schedule: Registration begins: 8:00 AM

Books and Biscuits Book Club met Tuesday, May 6 at Village Cuisine Catering and Cafe in Grand Cane where we enjoyed a delicious meal, discussion, and laughter. The book for our May review was “The Lost Bookshop” by Evie Woods. Sallie Speights provided a thorough review of the book, and everyone gave both serious and humorous insights into the book.

“The Lost Bookshop” follows three characters across two timelines: Opaline in 1921 Paris, Martha in present-day Dublin, and Henry, a scholar also in present- day Dublin. Opaline escapes an arranged marriage, finds work at a bookshop, and discovers a lost bookshop with magical properties. In the present, Martha and Henry investigate a disappearing bookshop and its secrets, connecting their lives to Opaline’s past through the lost bookshop and its enigmatic power.

The Central Christian Academy Senior 4-H club recently traveled to the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank in Shreveport. This was part of their community service project. For over 2 hours the group helped to pack 280 boxes. They helped in all parts of the process from putting food in the boxes, taping the boxes, and breaking the used boxes down. 4-H members were able to realize the importance of giving and helping others in the community.