Lifestyle

The DeSoto Parish Schools family recently had the privilege of celebrating our incredible retired teachers during a celebration in March. These dedicated educators shaped generations of students, and today, they got a special glimpse into the exciting things happening in our schools.

From reconnecting with former students to learning about the latest in DeSoto Parish Schools, it was a day filled with gratitude, joy, and shared memories. Their lasting impact is a testament to our positive and caring culture and the difference they continue to make in our community!

Thank you to all our retired teachers for your years of service and unwavering commitment to DeSoto Parish Schools!

About 50 miles from Natchitoches is the center of the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb, an Indigenous community which, over the centuries, created a unique culture as Native people gathered at the Spanish mission at Los Adaes and later welcomed Indigenous refugees from several tribes, incorporating ancestral cultures and Spanish influences into a distinct tribal community centered in what is now Sabine Parish since the 1700s. The community took care of its members and lived off the land. The strength of the community kept it together even when a large part of its homeland was flooded in the 1960s to create the Toledo Bend Reservoir, abruptly changing the community’s relationship to the land and sending members into the surrounding towns.

Often, its story has been told by outsiders, however well-meaning. In contrast, the Choctaw-Apache Voices book series edited by two tribal members, Dr. Robert B. Caldwell Jr. and Thomas Parrie, prioritizes community voices.

Holy Smoke! Our Desoto 4-H Muzzleloader Team packed a BIG PUNCH last week. Eli Smith and Keith Ward are headed to NATIONALS!

Congratulations Team, well deserved!

Overall Results include Eli Smith -3rd, Keith Ward-4th, Beaux Holtzclaw-5th, Jacob Berry-7th, Emma Houston- 10th, and Marshall Howell-11th. Congratulations!

20,000+ volunteers will clean up and beautify Louisiana from April 5–13, 2025 Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser kicked off the 4th Annual Love the Boot Week this morning with a reception and news conference at Capitol Park Museum, followed by a litter cleanup at the former Louisiana Municipal Building on North 10th Street. Love the Boot Week is Louisiana’s largest litter removal and beautification event, stretching from April 5–13, with more than 1,050 events taking place in all 64 parishes involving over 20,000 volunteers pitching in to clean up our state.

“Love the Boot Week brings everyone together to clean up litter, but more importantly, it’s a vehicle for promoting awareness and engagement with the goal of litter prevention. I encourage every person in every parish to participate,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.

On Wednesday, March 12th the DeSoto Parish 4-H, “Menu Masters” traveled to Alexandria, La to compete in the LSU AgCenter’s 2025 State Food Challenge competition. The competition hosted fifty-eight teams from across Louisiana competing in three age divisions. Each round of the competition the teams were given a secret ingredient and 40 minutes to build a choreographed dish and construct a presentation to the judges which included a dish description, cost analysis, my plate and serving size components, nutritional knowledge, and food and kitchen safety. The “Menu Masters,” consisting of Copper Hatcher, Cooper Boyd, Cash Wheless, and Riker Rohrer, won 3rd place in Division 1 and brought the winning banner home to DeSoto Parish. This was the first time DeSoto 4-H had entered the demanding competition and after the first round the team progressed to the finals with six other teams coming away with the 3rd place victory.

Sheriff Jayson Richardson and the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office have teamed up once again with the BFF of DeSoto Animal Services for a Slumber-“ Pawty” Fundraiser! All funds donated will remain in DeSoto Parish, and will go toward the spay/neuter program to prevent overpopulation in our area. We ask that you please consider joining us in donating to this wonderful cause! We will be sharing more in the coming days to keep you updated on what our own staff are doing to assist with this ongoing fundraiser!

“Things of That Nature: From Shame to Confidence” — A Journey of Empowerment

Join award-winning author Lakrisha Wilcott Gee for an exclusive Book Signing & Meet-and-Greet celebrating her powerful book, Things of That Nature: From Shame to Confidence! This special event will take place on March 28, 2025 at Barnes and Noble from 5pm-7pm, providing readers with the opportunity to connect with the author, hear the inspiration behind the book, and have their copies personally signed.

Things of That Nature is more than just a book — it’s a movement that helps readers, especially young women, overcome fear, shame, and self-doubt while embracing confidence and selfworth. Through personal experiences and heartfelt storytelling, Lakrisha empowers her audience to navigate life’s challenges and step boldly into their purpose.

Event Highlights: Book Signing: Get your copy of Things of That Nature signed by the author.

BackAlley Community Theatre in Grand Cane is excited to present Southern Fried Nuptials written by J. Dietz Osborne & Nate Eppler, and produced by Playscripts. Show dates are Friday and Saturday, April 4, 5, 11, and 12 @ 7 pm and Sunday, April 6 and 13 @ 2 pm. Tickets may be purchased at backalleygrandcane. com. If you need assistance, call our box office at 318-461-0202.

Harlene Frye is going to marry her childhood sweetheart this weekend... assuming the typical Frye family hijinks don’t derail the wedding! Harlene and Attie’s future together is threatened when the bride-to-be’s ex-flame shows up with news no one needs to know. And Harlene’s not the only one keeping secrets. Will the Fryes be able to get Harlene down the aisle in one piece? Join us for this big-hearted comedy about family — Southern style!

The dates for DeSoto Regional Health Fairs for 2025 have been set for March 7th in Mansfield at the First United Methodist Church, September 12 in Zwolle at St. Joseph Catholic Church, and July 11 in Logansport at the Logansport High School Gymnasium. All three will be held from 6:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

The fees remain the same as last year with the female panel costing $30.00, which will include CBC (complete blood count), CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel), Lipid Panel (for cholesterol levels), Thyroid Profile, Vitamin D panel, and HGB A1C (Hemoglobin) The male panel fee is $35.00 and will include the entire previously mentioned test, along with a PSA (prostate specific antigen). Be sure to remember to fast after midnight the night before the fair if you are going to do blood work. No appointments are needed to be tested at the location of your choice. Be sure to fast after midnight if you plan to have lab work done.

Books and Biscuits Book Club met Tuesday, February 4, at Village Cuisine Catering and Cafe in Grand Cane where we enjoyed a delicious meal with a Texmex flair. Joyce Smiley led an interesting and thought-provoking discussion of “The Pact” by Jodi Picoult.

This novel is a contemporary story of love, betrayal, and a suicide pact between teenage neighbors Emily Gold and Chris Harte. The novel opens with Emily’s death and Chris’s subsequent murder charge. As the story unfolds, it explores the complicated dynamics of their lifelong friendship and the impact of the pact on both families.

Books and Biscuits will meet again at Village Cuisine on Tuesday, March 4, at 11:30 am. This is our “book choice” month when we will choose our books for the upcoming six to eight months. Everyone is encouraged to bring one or two titles and summaries to be considered for our upcoming months. Please call Village Cuisine at (318) 858-3200 by Sunday evening, March 2, to reserve your seat.