Lifestyle

Freshmen FFA students competed at the FFA District Leadership Events on November 20th. James Caston and Chance Robertson competed in the FFA Creed Speaking event, while Emma Houston competed in Extemporaneous Speaking Events James Caston placed 4th in his event and will advance to the Area 2 FFA Leadership Events at Northwestern State University on December 12th.

Congratulations, students!

The Stanley High School’s Fishing Team visited both nursing homes in Mansfield on December 1, 2024. They delivered Christmas socks to all the residents. The students pictured as they played Santa include Kameron Smith, Kayson Smith, James Caston, Willie Woods, Tucker Davis, Easton Adams, and Emma Davis. Adult sponsors pictured are Steven Bissell, Stephanie Smith, and Chad Bowen.

Mark your calendars! The 2024 Special Olympics will be held at Logansport High School on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 with opening ceremonies beginning at 9:30. We invite all to join us on this day to cheer on our student athletes!

The Veterans Memorial Wall in Logansport is located on the South end of the park, on a hill, very near the Sabine River Bridge. After much talk and many prayers the Town of Logansport and the Gordon Cohen American Legion Post 157/ Logansport Veteran’ Club of Logansport made a commitment to honor all of our military men and women. This was done with a standing memorial in the Town’s park so that all of our people could see the names of the many veterans that have served our country so faithfully. The wall was dedicated during a ceremony at the site on July 4th, 1998. The late Mayor Dennis Freeman was the Master of Ceremony. The guest speaker for the ceremonies was the late Lieutenant General Orren R. “Cotton” Whiddon, a native of Joaquin, Texas. General Whiddon was Commanding General of the Second United States Army at the time of his retirement in 1990. Many other dignitaries too numerous to mention here, were present to honor our veterans.

DeSoto Parish EMS were treated with baskets of “goodies” by Bon Chasse Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, as a thanks for all they do for the residents of our parish. We may be partial, but we think we have the best group of EMTs and Paramedics in the state.

The Mansfield garden Club met at the Mansfield Battle Park on September 27 for a donation ribbon cutting ceremony. A three seat aluminum bench with tabs from the Corner Collection on Line and a plaque from Signarama on Barksdale Boulevard. These were donated as permanent gifts to the off of State Parks.

A donation will be made to the Battle Park for the purchase of flowers, scrubs, etc. to enhance a future planned butterfly garden on the nature trail located at the park. Be sure and check this out.

The last regular meeting of the Mansfield Garden Club was in March 2024. The club was established in 1947, cancelled its activities and will no longer be a Garden Club. This was due to members’ age; health issues and other commitments limited the attendance in participation in club activities.

Do you have too much “stuff” in your house and you would like a chance to get rid of it while making a little extra cash? The Ninth Annual Fifty Mile Trail of Treasure, which is always the second Saturday in October, will be held on October 12 with a rain date of October 19. The path of the continuous yard sale begins with vendors setting up on Hwy 171 in Stonewall, where they will continue through Mansfield. Pickers and treasure seekers will then find their way down Hwy 84 through Stanley and Logansport, cross over the bridge into Texas with Haslam and Joaquin completing the journey. Or, you can reverse the trail and begin in Texas, according to your preference. There are some booths such as Kickapoo Winery, plus a few more, highway 5 from Kickapoo to Logansport.

New beginnings!! DeSoto Parish takes great pride in developing LEADership capacity in all that exercise our Mission Statement and Core Values. Our aspiring Operation LEAD process pairs our current administration with those that desire to serve as a future administrator. The first training this week focused on Attendance, Engagement, and Discipline (level of leadership). Thank you for your collaboration and commitment that will LEAD to growth for all staff and students served.

Northwestern State University’s Department of Mathematics held the inaugural Math 4 Fun event Sept. 21 bringing together 27 teachers from Natchitoches, Sabine, Red River, DeSoto, Bossier and Caddo parishes as well as the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts, NSU and East Texas Baptist University.

Dr. Judith Covington, director of Math 4 Fun, said it’s exciting to see such interest from the local teachers. Math 4 Fun is a local organization with plans to offer similar events in the upcoming months. Serving with Covington on the leadership team are Dr. Leigh Ann Myers, NSU; Randy Key, LSMSA, and Zenda Owens, Natchitoches Central High School.

Come join in 2 paint projects in one fun filled day (canvas and ceramics) on Saturday, September 14 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Logansport Community Center, located at 113 S. Third Street in Logansport. To preregister call 318-471-5958. There are only 24 spots that will fill on first come first serve basis.