Lifestyle

Kellen Cox has been crowned Miss Fashion Global and will be representing Louisiana. in the international Miss Fashion global competition . This is her 4th crown and she also has been doing pageant coaching for the youth here in Mansfield for the Juneteenth pageant. She says that she was so happy to be apart of it all . The ability to be able to impact young girls lives in a positive way was it’s own reward . Kellen is a mother of 3 and is also a nurse , actress, singer, Model , and certified aroma therapist . As a young girl she traveled the world with her family and got to see so much of the world and cam back to Mansfield where her mother is from and She graduated from high school at Mansfield High school Was the first battalion commander of ROTC at Mansfield high . As a mother that realizes the things She does actually effects other little girls because of how they see her . So she says “I have to make strides to be the best example I can be”.

The UM Share School Uniform Ministry, a cooperative ministry of DeSoto Parish United Methodist Churches, offers free school uniforms to all in the parish who have need. Parents are invited to bring their child(ren) to the distribution sites to help pick their favorite style and size. This organized group of Methodist is excited and happy to help those who need a little assistance in getting ready for school.

Logansport and Stanley Schools uniform distribution is Monday, July 18, and Tuesday, July 19th, from 4-6:30PM each day. The distribution will be held at First United Methodist Church, located at 401 Gum Street in Logansport.

Mansfield and North DeSoto Schools uniform distribution is Friday, July 22, from 10AM – Noon and 4 – 6PM, and Saturday, July 23, 10AM – Noon. The distribution will be held at First United Methodist Church, located at 502 Polk Street in Mansfield.

To be called a force of nature means that one is full of energy, unstoppable or unforgettable. The same can be said for Farce of Nature, the laughout-loud farce written by Nicholas Hope, Jessie Jones, and Jamie Wooten. The hilarious romp will soon be playing out at the BackAlley Community Theatre. It takes place inside the lobby of an old fishing and hunting lodge in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas (or Mississippi?) to borrow a common line from the show. What makes Farce of Nature a force is the ensemble cast of six well-known actors and three new actors to the Back Alley stage.

Fourteen-year-old Hollie Stone of Stanley began writing poetry when she was 12 years old. After she began posting her work on social media, relatives and friends encouraged her to write a book containing her writings.

The straight A student at Stanley High School did just that. Hollie has published a book comprised of 30 pages of poetry that she wrote based on her own experiences in life. She titled the book, “Hindsight with Hollie: The Poetic Journal”. As a baby, doctors told her parents, Patricia Taylor Monsour and Larry Stone, that she would never be able to walk or talk, but here she is today doing that and so much more.

She is also a young entrepreneur and owns her own small business called Radiant Relaxation by Hollie. She makes and sells bath salts.

The family of Mattie Durant Cockerham Williams established a memorial scholarship to honor her memory and dedication to education. The inaugural MDCW Memorial Scholarships were $500 each and have been awarded to Mansfield High Students, Emmanuel Falcon, Madison Jones and Ariel Thomas. Congratulations!

The annual state contest known as 4-H University was held June 21-25, 2022. Seven 4-H members represented DeSoto Parish. Sydney Hall competed in the Environmental Conservation Illustrated Talk and placed 5th. Elizabeth Walker competed in Career Preparation/Professional Development and placed 7th. Mason Huey competed virtually in Photography and placed 8th. Lyndzey odom competed in 4-H has Talent and Layla Feazel competed in Child Development. Josie Celichowski and Avery Barber participated in career focused Clover College sessions. Also while 4-H University, Elizabeth Walker and Avery Barber were selected to serve on the Shooting Sports Ambassadors 4-H Leadership Board. All of these youth worked extremely hard and we are proud to have them represent DeSoto Parish!

The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation culminated the opening night of its 100th Annual Convention with Vermilion Parish Farm Bureau capturing the President’s Award for the third straight year.

The President’s Award recognizes the parish Farm Bureau that excels in membership, advocacy and communications over the past year. Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper presented the award to Vermilion Parish Farm Bureau President Bryan Simon Thursday night at the New Orleans Marriott.

On Saturday, May 28, friends and family celebrated the 93rd milestone of “Aunt” Betty Sue Dillard Holder. Her actual birthday is May 31 but in order to have all 15 family members attend, the celebration was held a little early.

At 1:00 p.m. everyone enjoyed smoked brisket, baked beans, potato salda, and Pioneer corn Souffle. Her 12 X 19 birthday cake was especially made by Teresa Wadkins, who is the wife of one of our DeSoto Fire District 9 Firefighters.

“Aunt” Betty grew up in the Sardis Community, which is located between Farmerville and Ruston, and was married for 62 years to John Felix Holder, who is now deceased. The union resulted in two sons, Johnny and David, who also have passed. The Holders were the owners and operators of the popular Mr. Swiss Restaurant for 32 years, which ceased to operate under their ownership when John passed away in 2009.

The State Library of Louisiana is announcing the statewide 2022 Louisiana Summer Reading Program entitled “Oceans of Possibilities,” a theme celebrating aquatic life and its importance to the world. All of Louisiana’s public libraries participate in this program and are planning virtual and inperson literacy and educational programs around this theme for children, teens, and adults, all summer long.

“Libraries continue to play a critical role in providing educational and recreational resources and opportunities for people of all ages all across the state,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “The State Library has been working with libraries to provide an array of virtual and in-person programs to our communities as they recover from a challenging two years during the pandemic and the devastating effects of recent hurricanes and flooding.”

On April 30, Hanna Gamble and her staff celebrated her fourth anniversary in business as Sew Unique Monogramming & Boutique, located at 401 Polk Street in Mansfield. She originally started in a smaller location and soon needed a larger location to expand her inventory of clothing, shoes, accessories, shoes, and home décor.

The store is open Tuesday though Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The boutique offers ladies clothing, girls’ clothing, baby items, shoes, jewelry, accessories, candles, bath bombs and various gift items. She will be happy to assist you in picking out just the right items to make up a one-of-a-kind gift basket, and offers free gift-wrap. Gift certificates are also an option if you are in doubt of what to get for that special someone.