Lifestyle

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.

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