Lifestyle

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.

Virginia Knight’s eighth grade class at Central Christian Academy culminated their study of Louisiana history with a trip to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The class was able to tour the Louisiana State Capitol Building. Larry Bagley, state representative, invited the group to sit in on a committee meeting while at the state capitol and the class of Central Christian Academy was recognized as sitting in on the committee meeting. While there the class was able to learn about the history of the building such as when and why it was built and Huey Long’s involvement. Other historic sites they visited included the Old State Capitol and the Old Governor’s Mansion. Both places had wonderful guides and informative programs which gave the class insight on the lives of former governors.

Melrose, LA - The 51st Annual Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival is set to take place on May 3 and 4, 2025, at Melrose On The Cane. This highly anticipated event will feature vendors selling their hand-crafted goods, food vendors, and music.

The Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival has been a staple of the community for nearly half a century, and continues to draw thousands of visitors from across the region. This year's festival has an impressive lineup of talented artists, craftsmen, and food vendors.

'We're thrilled to once again host the Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival, and we're looking forward to welcoming visitors from near and far,' said Executive Director, Leah Dunn Witman. 'This year's festival promises to be a truly unforgettable experience, with something for everyone to enjoy.'

In addition to the numerous vendors selling handmade jewelry, pottery, woodworking, and other crafts, visitors can also enjoy delicious food from a variety of local vendors.

The 28th Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival is set for May 9-10 on the Downtown Riverbank.

This year’s festival is headlined by multiplatinum- selling country music superstar, Gretchen Wilson.The festival has adopted one of Wilson’s hit songs as its catch-phrase, “We’re Here for the Party…and the Music!”

The fun begins on Friday with “Tribute to Legends Night” featuring two tribute acts. The first is Bad Medicine – Iconic Bon Jovi Tribute Band at 7 p.m.

The following act, at 9 p.m., will be a Taylor Swift tribute, “Lover: An Eras Tour Experience” that recreates a portion of Swift’s Eras Tour Concert.

Saturday’s lineup includes Memphis Funk and R&B pioneers, The Bar-Kays.

The music on the Main Stage begins at 1 p.m. with Gerard Delafose and the Zydeco Gators; followed by Sonny Gullage and the Blues Groovers of New Orleans; and Natchitoches’ own star and the festival emcee, Louisiana Music Hall of Famer Trini Triggs.

Books and Biscuits Book Club met Tuesday, March 4, at Village Cuisine Catering and Cafe in Grand Cane where we enjoyed a delicious meal, discussion, and laughter. The book for our March review was “Hillbilly Elegy” by J. D. Vance.

Genie Wanamaker led an interesting and lively discussion of “Hillbilly Elegy.” J. D. Vance’s book is both an autobiography and a description of hillbilly culture, the culture of his family. Vance was raised mostly by his grandparents, who he called Papaw and Mamaw. Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy” became a national bestseller for its raw, emotional portrait of growing up in and eventually out of a poor rural community riddled by drug addiction and instability. Vance’s account anecdotally confirmed the book’s conclusion that family stability is essential to upward mobility.