Lifestyle

By  Robert Powell

The Mansfield Lions Club welcomed Steve Brown as its special guest speaker for the January 10th meeting. Steve is the DeSoto Parish Administrator for the Police Jury. He provided the Lions Club with a "State of the Union" for DeSoto Parish for the past year as well as for 2017. Steve shared some of the many items that DeSoto Parish residents should be proud of from their Police Jury including: Assets of approximately $280 million with NO debt, and a $32 million budget for 2017 that includes road projects that will include mandated replacement of all stop signs, maintenance of all parish facilities including the DeSoto Parish Court House and all parish assets, and employment for the 100 full time Parish employees along with all the vehicles and equipment. The maintenance of the 800 miles of parish roads is a continuing challenge especially after the rains and flooding of 2016. There are 150 projects relating to the flooding of 2016

By  Carole Canfield

BackAlley Theatre has been transformed into Truvy’s Beauty Spot as some veteran actresses and a newbie ready the Robert Harling play “Steel Magnolias” for its February 9-18th run. The play runs for two weekends Thursday- Saturday with a 7:00 pm curtain. Reservations can be made at the box office number 461-0202 or at the email address: batboxoffice@gmail.com

The Krewe of Demeter, which is headquartered in Mansfield but has members throughout the area, has announced plans for their Second Annual Mardi Grand Bal, which is to be held on Saturday, January 28 at 6:30 PM. This year’s venue, the Dave B. Means, Jr. Memorial 4-H Building, will be magically transformed to fit the 2016-17 theme, “Under the Big Top”. Tickets are currently on sale for $75.00 each, or $125.00 per couple, and will include entertainment, food and a memorable time. Captain Demeter II Crystal Simone Hults stated that the event is Black Tie formal attire, with tuxes and gowns required to gain admittance.

C. J. Kittle received his High School Equivalency Diploma on December 8, 2016 at the Clista Calhoun Center. He attended the Northwest Louisiana Technical College – Mansfield Campus Adult Education Hiset preparation classes for several months before taking his test. At NWLTC Mansfield Campus, he worked on an individualized program addressing his needs in math, reading, language arts, science, and social studies. Because he was a self-motivated student, he completed his classes quickly. C. J scored "college-level ready" on all parts of the Hiset test and has been accepted into the computer technology program at Bossier Parish Community College where he will pursue a degree in computer programming. While at the Mansfield campus, C. J.