Lifestyle

Joaquin ISD had the pleasure of hosting the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department this week during Fire Prevention Week. The JVFD brought two of their fire trucks and presented a demonstration of how they dress for fighting fires. They spoke to our PreK through 4th grade students about fire safety and not being afraid of the firemen should they ever see them in all of their gear. The JVFD then left fire coloring book packets to share with our students. A fun time was had by all. JISD is thankful for each member of our JVFD and all the other firemen in the community that devote their time. (submitted by Melanie Hughes)

Effective immediately, the North DeSoto High School JROTC will begin a fundraising effort at all home football games at Griffin Stadium. They would love to reach or exceed their goal of $5,000 to help children that are fighting for their lives with some form of cancer. All money generated will be donated to St. Jude’s Research. Watch for JROTC members at all home games and remember, no amount is too small. Please just give what you can.

The Mansfield Garden Club held the first meeting of the 2022-23 year on Wednesday, September 21 at the Chamber of Commerce building. President Stacy Rivers called the meeting to order following refreshments and fellowship. The club discussed plans for the coming year, including future programs and the annual plant sale. Patsy Shadoin presented an update on paw paw trees that have been located in the parish. If you see Zebra Swallowtail Butterflies, you have a pawpaw tree somewhere in the vicinity. Lana Clark brought a young tree from her neighborhood as an example for the club.

Gardeners shared the various fruit trees they have growing in their yards. They include figs, peach, persimmon, satsuma, sloe and mulberry.

Hostesses of the meeting who provided refreshments were Stacy Rivers, Gale Gage, Ott Murphy, Pam Sykes, Velda Neilson, Marilyn Frith, and Jeanie Watson. Door prize winners were Teresa Luka, Patsy Shadoin, Stacy Rivers, and Gale Gage.

Join us at BackAlley Community Theatre this weekend as The Hootens, from Waskom, Texas, entertain us with their powerpacked performance of gospel music, along with a mix of favorite patriotic and country songs. The Hootens will perform on Saturday, September 24 @ 7:00 pm and Sunday, September 25 @ 2:00 pm. This family has been singing together for over ten years. Their passion for southern gospel music, and a touch of country and patriotic, drives this show-stopping family, making The Hootens one of the premier gospel groups in Texas.

Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma greeted new teachers to DeSoto Parish and Central School by giving them a welcome bag filled with various supplies to help with their school year.

Committee members Pam Hesser, Becky Parker, and Melissa Rutherford were helped by fellow members Jan Greer, Becky Lawson, and Wanda Rougeau in packing the bags at the Mansfield Female College.

They then delivered them during the new teacher inservice at the DeSoto Parish Media Center and the teacher inservice at Central School.

The Books and Biscuits Book Club met at Village Cuisine in Grand Cane for our August meeting, where we were treated to a delicious lunch and dessert. We all enjoyed a lively discussion of our book, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Reid. Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life—and what a life it was. This historical fiction about “Old Hollywood” had many of us supposing which Hollywood stars from the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, star Evelyn Hugo may have been speaking.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting nominations for county committee members. Elections will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for members. LAAs are elective areas for FSA committees in a single county or multi-county jurisdiction. This may include LAAs that are focused on an urban or suburban area.

County committee members make important decisions about how Federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2022 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2022.

Join us at BackAlley Community Theatre for our last show of the season, “Farce of Nature.” Enjoy one outrageous day at the Reel ‘Em Inn, the finest fishing and hunting lodge in the Ozarks. D. Gene Wilburn and his wife, Wanelle, play hosts to family, gangsters, cops, and critters who collide in this Southern farce.

New to our BackAlley stage is Patrick Nally, who recently moved from Raleigh, NC, to Grand Cane with his wife, Abby, who is also in this play. Patrick has performed in many stage productions including Rooster in Annie, Lloyd in Noises Off, and Magaldi in Evita. He pursued a Bachelor of Religion at Liberty University in Virginia, where he also led a praise team. Patrick works at Cintas Fire Protection, and enjoys singing, playing guitar, serving at church, and watching a good action movie.

DeSoto Chamber Executive Director Brenda Hall has reported that the DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce will be making some financial changes to keep up with inflation and cost of goods.

As of August 1, 2022, Chamber membership dues will increase fifty dollars ($50.00). The board meeting lunches will increase from $11.00 dollars to $13.00 paid ahead, and $14.00 paid the day of the luncheon. If you RSVP and do not attend, you will be charged $15.00 dollars. Cash App is available to pay ahead at $desotochamber.

Our board luncheon meetings are a way for all of us to keep up on what is happening in DeSoto Parish and our state, as well as networking. It’s an enjoyable hour for all. Please continue to support your Chamber and thank you for your understanding. Please try to attend these important meetings.

On her 103rd Birthday, Mrs. Mabel Taylor celebrated with friends and family with former Mayor John Mayweather and others participating in a birthday parade organized by Annie Peoples.

It seems Mrs. Mabel loved her maiden name so much, which happens to be Taylor, that she decided to look for a mate that wasn’t a relative but shared the same fabulous name. She then became Mable Taylor Taylor, or Mrs. Ben Taylor. They became the proud parents of one daughter, Linda Taylor Woodard.

She was born and raised in the Grove Hill Community that is known locally as Double Churches, and enjoyed her family life in the country.