march-april 2012

07 A Thyme to PlantSpringtime in DeSoto Parish means gardening

09 Treasures Among UsIt takes only a short drive to find them

10 A Century in the MakingLocal centenarians celebrate their lives

12 Ribbon Cutting EventThe new landfill is ready for business

14 One Foot at a TimeHorse breeder / trainer has a special touch

16 It’s Down Right Down HomeAn old school hickory taste that always pleases

20 Cover Article: Save the Date and Come Celebrate!Louisiana is turning 200 this Spring—get ready to party!

20 Who is Hadley J. Castille?Authentic South Louisiana cajun fiddle music

28 60 Years of CaringAnother milestone for DeSoto Regional Health System

31 Another first for LouisianaEncana opens natural gas fueling station in DeSoto Parish

33 Fellowship of Christian Athletes

35 New Museum & Learning Center ComingFormer Logansport Rosenwald students form association

02 Publisher

02 Editor’s Letter

37 Subscriptions

27 Photos in and around DeSoto Parish

contentsMarch/April 2012 Vol. 3 #2

The locals’ guide to events, people, and items of interest in and around our area.

DeSoto Life® is published bimonthly (January, March, May, July, September, November)

by Edna Wheless Co., LLCMailing Address: P.O. Box 72

Grand Cane, LA 71032Office Address: 9352 Hwy. 171

Grand Cane, LA 71032

Single edition FREE on newsstands. Annual subscription $16 (6 issues).

Subscription questions or for advertising information

Call: 318.858.3775or 318.471.2661

Fax: 318.858.3776e-mail: [email protected]

DeSoto Life does not accept and is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

We are not responsible for any pictures, articles, or misunderstandings on opinions expressed

or facts supplied by its authors. We respect all points of view and promote free expression. We recognize

all comments, letters, notes, contributions, and the participation of this community

for making this magazine possible.

All rights reserved Printed in U.S.A. © 2012

Enjoythisedition… WehopeyouenjoythechangesandthenewlookofDeSotoLifebeginningwiththisedition. WewelcomeGraceVazquezHardesty,ournewartdirectorforthemagazine,whoistotallyresponsiblefordesigningthisedition.Welookforwardtoworkingwithherandget-tingexcitedalloveragainatwhatcanbeaccomplishedwhenyouhavesomeoneastalentedassheisworkingouttheintricaciesoflayoutdesign. Andthestories!Wow—morethananyothereditionandallthemorereasontojustkeepondoingwhatwe’redoing…pointingoutthegoodfolksthathelpmakeDeSotoParishsuchaterrificplacetoliveandwork. Byallmeans,Save the Date and Come CelebrateinGrandCaneonApril21.Thatwillbeadaytoremember—andifyoucan’tbehereatnoononthatday,whereveryouarehonkyourcarhorns…we’llbehavingfun.Andchurchesareaskedtoringtheirchimessoeveryonewithinhearingwillknowthatwe’recelebratingareallybigbirthdayparty. Enjoythemagazine…andconsiderpurchasinggiftsubscriptionsforfriendsandfamilywhowouldenjoyreadingaboutDeSotoParish. Inmorewaysthanone,thereisnootherplacequitelikeit.Andweloveit.

Enjoy!

EdnaWhelessEditor/Publisher

“Gardening requires lots of water—most of it in the form of perspiration.” ~Lou Erickson

Editor/PublisherEdna Wheless

Layout/Art DirectionGrace V. Hardesty

If you want to be on our distribution list,

please call 318.858.3775or e-mail

[email protected]

LIFE

from the editor

Thankyou,belovedreaders,fortakingusintoourthirdyearofpublicationandcontinuingtomakethismagazinepossible!

DearEditor:

JustwantedtoletyouknowIlikeyourmagazineandIespeciallylikedthearticleyoudidinthelatestissueforJan/FebonHogHunting…verygoodpicturesandgreatarticle.Hopealliswellwithyou,justfromreadingyouropeningarticleIcantellyouenjoywhatyouaredoingalot.

Clay BowlinDeSoto Parish Farm Bureau

2

07 A Thyme to PlantSpringtime in DeSoto Parish means gardening

09 Treasures Among UsIt takes only a short drive to find them

10 A Century in the MakingLocal centenarians celebrate their lives

12 Ribbon Cutting EventThe new landfill is ready for business

14 One Foot at a TimeHorse breeder / trainer has a special touch

16 It’s Down Right Down HomeAn old school hickory taste that always pleases

20 Cover Article: Save the Date and Come Celebrate!Louisiana is turning 200 this Spring—get ready to party!

20 Who is Hadley J. Castille?Authentic South Louisiana cajun fiddle music

28 60 Years of CaringAnother milestone for DeSoto Regional Health System

31 Another first for LouisianaEncana opens natural gas fueling station in DeSoto Parish

33 Fellowship of Christian Athletes

35 New Museum & Learning Center ComingFormer Logansport Rosenwald students form association

02 Publisher

02 Editor’s Letter

37 Subscriptions

27 Photos in and around DeSoto Parish

On the Cover:Louisiana is turning 200! Save the date for the big

celebration in downtown Grand Cane April 21. You won’t want to miss this!

See page 20 for more details!

contents

10

7

14

1633The FCA is involved in the lives of stu-dents in both public & private schools

Local horse trainer finds a better way

Chamomile blooms small, lovely flowers ideal for drying and brewing herbal tea

3

12

20

31

28For 60 years, DeSoto Regional’s commitment to providing the best healthcare has never changed

ARE YOU TIRED OF HIGH ELECTRIC BILLS?

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Very Simple Mint Syrup1 cup sugar*1 cup water2 cups loosely packed fresh mint leaves*

In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high and simmer for one minute, stirring regularly, until all sugar is dissolved and mint leaves are wilted. Strain liquid through a wire mesh strainer into a glass container. Cover and store in refrigerator for up to one month.

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* sugar or mint may be adjusted for taste or syrup thickness.

PlanttoThymea

chamomile

thyme

basil

Springisalreadyintheair(andseemstohavebeensinceJanuary!),andthatmeansthatitistimetoplantourgardens!HereinNorthwestLouisianaweareinHardinessZone8,alsoknownastheLowerSouth.TheaveragedayforthelastfrostinourareaistypicallyinMarch,

sonodoubtlocalfarmersandhorticulturalistsarealreadygettingtheirhandsdirtyplantingwarm-weathercropsandflowersandlookingforwardtothecomingbounty. InrecentyearsI’vebecomequiteinterestedinplantingandharvestingherbs.ThoughIconsidermyselfafairlytalentedcook,Ididn’tinitiallytakeadvantageofwhatthebeautifulplantsgrowinginmyherbbedscouldoffer.ButonceIdid,I’verealizedthepossibilitiesaretrulyendless! ThesedaysInotonlyharvestherbsforcookinginthesameday’smeals,butI’vealso—throughtrialanderror—learnedhowtocollect,dry,andstoremyherbs.Thishasgivenmegreatpleasure,fornowIdon’tfeelthatI’mwastingtheincrediblequantitiesthattheseplantsarecapableofgiving.IhaveaparticularoreganoplantthatseemstogetasbigasmycareachSpringand,nomatterhowmuchspaghettiIcook,Icouldneverusethatplantwithoutmostofitsleaveseventuallywithering,browning,anddying. InmybedsI’veplantedanassortmentofdeliciousandfragrantherbs,somepurchasedfromareastoresandmarkets,somegiventomeascuttingsfromfriendsandfamily,andsomeplantedfromseedlingsharvestedofftheestablishedplantsofthegardensofothers.Thisvarietyhasallowedmetoexperimentwithvariousflavorsandtexturesinmycookingandteamaking. IamamazedthatthechamomileflowersI’veharvestedanddriedactuallybeginsmellingliketeaoncethey’vebeenproperlystoredinappropriatecontainers. Ifyoufindyouarewantingalittlesomethingmorefromyourgardensandflowerbedsthisseason,tryplantingsomeherbs.Theyarehardyplantsandveryeasytomaintain,evenforthosewithoutagreenthumb.Youwillappreciatethebeautyoftheseplants,aswellasfindhappinessintheirvarietyofuses.

7

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Take the drive and discover a treasure

LilWisby,ownerofTenahaAntiqueMall,andBettyGlaze,manager,inviteyoutocomeandvisitthemall.It’sherethatyou’llfindantiques,shabbychic,vintage

items,giftitems,pottery,furniture,architecturalpieces,birdhousesmadefromreclaimedmaterials,jewelry,castiron,dollsofallkindsandallages,gardenitems,localhoney,homedecor,floralarrangements,collectibles,vintagesigns,homemadeteacakes,andCajuncrackers. The9,000squarefootmallisimpressive;ithouses18dealersandshowcasesthehistoryofthisareainaveryuniqueway. Whatbetterwayto‘gogreen’thantobuyanantiqueandrepurposeit—orusevintagematerialsforgardenartorforyourownpersonaldecoratingstyle.Nooneneedstoberemindedthatarmoiresnowserveaswonderfulstoragespaceinthenewestofbedroomsandbaths,orcanstorecollectionsfrombygonedays.Noyardiscompletewithoutvintagegardenartthatmightincludebirdbaths,signage,andplacestosit.Whilewickermightnotmakeitintheoutdoors,itisathomeintoday’sbathsorbedroomsandisperfectforanyporchinthesouth. Abouttheteacakes:Granny’sTeaCakesarehomemadebyBettyGlaze,themall’smanager.BettycanassistyouwhetheryouarebuyingteacakesforcompanyonaSundayafternoonorlookingforanantiquetoenhanceyourownpersonalstyle.OwnerLilWisbycanalsohandleyourestatesale. TenahaMallislocated13mileswestofLogansportonHwy84;19milessouthofCarthageonHwy59;and11milesnorthofCenteronHwy96.MallhoursareTuesdaythroughSaturday,10:00a.m.‘til5:00p.m.andthere’sadequateparkingforbusesorRV’s.Boothspaceisavailableat$1persquarefootplus5%ofwhatissold. For more information, contact Glaze or Wisby at (936) 248-4218.

Thisyear,N.J.Caraway&Companycelebrates115yearsofdoingbusinessinthesamelocation.ItisapremierantiquestoreandatriptoLogansportwillproveworthwhileifyoujuststepinside

thedoorsofwhatisoneofthearea’sgreatesttreasures. Sinceitsfoundingin1897,thebusinesshaswithstoodmajorwars,thedepression,and,asonearticlewrittenyearsagostates,“ithasbeenpaintedwiththeblood,sweat,andtearsofElijahPrice,N.J.Caraway,andtheirdescendents.”CurrentownerJanetPalmerknowsathingortwoabouttearsduetothedeathofherlatehusband,B.C.Palmer,whowasalongsidehereachdayastheyoperatedthebusinessthathasmeteveryneedofthecommunityinonewayoranothersinceitsearlybeginnings. AtonetimeCaraway’shassoldeverythingfromcotton,furpelts,automobiles,boats,andappliancestohorsedrawnbuggiesfromthissamelocation.Clothingwasalwaystrendyandcoupledwithalargelineofgiftsandappliances.Caraway’swastheplacetoshopforanyoccasionorneed.Itisthesametoday,butnowCaraway’sisfilledwithanamazingdisplayofantiquesandcollectibles.Anenormousdisplayofironpotsofallsizes,hugepotsforcrawfishboils,andservingpiecesgreetsshoppersastheystepinsideabuildingwhichtracesitshistoryto1897withthesamewoodenfloors,thesametallceilings,manyoriginalfurnishings,andremembrancesofdaysgoneby. TakethedrivetoLogansportandfindyourtreasureinsideabus-inessthatisitselfatreasure. For more information, contact Janet Palmer at (318) 697-5540.

From Logansport to Tenaha—No matter which direction you take to get there, take it.

9

CorreaLeeHolmeswillcelebrateher100thbirthdayApril26.Bornin1912,Ms.HolmesisthewidowofColumbusHolmes,Jr.Thecouplewasmarriedforalmost66yearsbeforethepass-

ingofMr.Holmes.Togethertheyhadtwoboys,BobbyandAlfred,andadaughter,Rebecca.Mrs.Holmeshassixgrandchildren,oneofwhomisaministerandanotheralawyerinthedistrictattorney’sofficeinLakeCharles.Sheisalsoblessedtohavetengreat-grandchildren,eachofwhomsheadores. HersmallhouseonRoachStreetinMansfieldisfilledwithphotosdepictingaveryactivefamily.Herlatehusband,custodianforDeSotoHighSchooluntilretiringin1977,diedattheageof90inarehabcenterinShreveport.“Kidsthinktheyhavetohavearidinglawnmowertocutthegrass.Myhusbandkeptthegrasscutonthatschoolcampuswithapushmowerandprosthesis.Hedidn’thavearidingmowerlikefolkshavethesedays,”statedMrs.Holmes. ThememoriesinherheadandhearttodayallowrecollectionsofhavinglivedaboutfiveyearsinLeesvilleandalsoinTexasCity,threeorfouryearsduringtheDepression.Shedidn’trecallhowlongtheylivedthere,butrememberedwhatputthemthere.“Hewasashoe-repair-man,”shesaidofherhusband.Heworkedinashoeshop.He’dlosthisalegandworeaprosthesisfromSnell’supinShreveport.Hecould’vebeenabarber,buthechosetolearnshoe-repairthrougharehabpro-grammadeavailablebythegovernment.” OnreturningtoMansfield,Ms.Holmesbecamethebestneighboranyonecouldwant.Herdaughterrecallssheworkedforvariousfolksasanannyorasahousekeeperandshe’dsitwithpatientsinthehospital.Herfavoritejob?UsheratShilohBaptistChurchwhereshestillsitsatthedoorasagreeter“whenshefeelslikeit.” Butbeing‘neighborly’wasthespecialgiftGodgavetoCorreaLee.Herdaughterrecallsthatshehelpedcareforan80-year-oldblindwomanintheneighborhood. “Mothermadesuretheladyhadfoodtoeat—somethingdecenttoeat.Mamacookedherturnipgreenssheanddaddygrewinthegar-den.Collards,too.Fish,okra,andwhenthey’dkillahog,they’dsharewithher.Mamamadethebestdressing.Daddyraisedducksandsoldthem…sometimessharingwithneighborsorfolkswouldbuythem.” Notasocialbutterfly,CorreaLeefoundactivitiesthatinterestedheroutsideherhomethatwouldenhanceherfamily’slifestyle.ShelearnedtosewattendingHomeDemonstrationmeetings,andsewedbibsandapronsand“manyquilts.”Infact,eachgrandandgreat-grand-childhasaquiltthatMs.CorreaLeemade.“Weneededallthequilts,too,”Rebeccarecalled,“becausetheweatherwassocold,we’dbecovereduptoourneckswiththosequilts.Wedidn’tkeepheatoninthehouselikewedonow.” Ms.CorreaLeeenjoyedsportsinhighschoolandwasanout-standingbaseballplayer.“TheyalwayslikeditwhenIhittheball‘causeIcouldhitthatballlowtothegroundandgettherunnersin,everybodyelsewouldhitballshighintheairandtheycouldcatchthem.Butmine?Minewashitlowtotheground.TheysaidIwasgood,”sherememberedwithasmile.“Icouldhitthatballgood.”

Recollectionssurfacedabouttheiroldneighborhood,sayingitwasa‘mecca’forentrepreneursthatincludedtwofishmarkets,agrocerystore,andadrycleaners. Ms.Correaalsorecalleddiscipliningotherfolkschildrenwhenshesawthemmisbehaving.“Itdidn’tmatterifwemadethekidsactright.Wedidn’thavetogetpermissionfromtheirparentsiftheyweremisbehavingorcuttingupoverhere.We’dspankthemiftheyneededspankingandnobodygotmadaboutitlikethey’ddotoday.” Shetookmonthlytripstothelibraryandalwayswenttochurch.Asayoungster,thekidswalkedorrodeinwagonstochurch. Heroneregretwasthedeathoftheirfirstborn.

Two area women celebrate100years

10

ThesmallcottageVeraMaeRegistercallshomeintheBethelCommunityeastofLogansporthasbeenherhomefor73years.ShewasoneofsixtograduatefromBethelSchool,thelocation

ofwhichisknowntoveryfewnow…butsheknowsexactlywhereitwas.Sherecallsoccasionallyridinga‘hoodlumwagon’toschool. Aftergraduation,she‘lefthome’toworkinnearbytownsasasitterandnanny,thenreturnedhomeandmarriedJamesHusonRegisterin1934.ShehaslivedintheBethelCommunityandattendedchurchattheBethelMethodistChurchallofhergrownlife.Shewasthecleaningladyforthechurchfor43years—beginningpaywas$6permonth—inordertopayforpianolessonsforheryoungestdaughter. “I’venotdonemuchinmylife,exceptliveitonedayatatime,”shesaid.Butlisteningtohowshe’s“livedherlife”isinspiring.Whatregretscouldtherebeforaladywhohasraisedafamily,helpedherhusbandprovidealifeduring‘hardtimes,’andraisedfourchildren.Herguide?TheBible.Herdevotiontofamilywasherstrength. EachchildattendedLogansportschools;twowenttocollege,gettingdegrees.Eachmarriedandtheresultofthosemarriagesare15grandchildren. Followingthedeathin1973ofherhusband,shebecametheownerofhispickuptruck,a1962blueChevrolet.Shedroveittotown,tochurch,tovisit,andtoshopuntil2002whenshestoppeddriving.TothefolkslivingintheBethelCommunity,seeingMs.VeraMaedriv-ingtotowninthatpickuptruckwearingasunbonnetwasnormal;toanyonenotknowingher,comical.Anditmadeforagoodstory.ShewasfeaturedonKTBSChannel3whennewsreporterRickRowetoldtheworldaboutMs.VeraMaeandtheblueChevrolettruck. Becauseshewasadevotedwife,grandmother,andgreat-grand-mother,thekidsandgrandkidshavecreatedmanymemoriesforthem-selvesbycoming‘home’toMs.VeraMae’shouseeverySaturdaymorn-

ingforbreakfastwithherforatleast15years.“ImadethembiscuitsinthisbowljustlikeI’ddoneeverydayoftheworld.Thebowlwasagifttomefrommyfather-in-lawwhenwegotmarried,andI’vemademany-abiscuit.I’dtakeaboutapoundofflour,cutinsomelardandsomesalt,andpoursweet-milkina‘hole’intheflourandhandmakethebiscuits.Ididn’tcut’emout.I’dpullawadofdoughoff,pinchtheseamunderthebottomofthewadandput’eminthepantocook.Andfruitcakes.Imadealotofreallybigfruitcakesinthisbowl.” Sheheldthebowlinherlapasshetalked.Herson,Sonny,anddaughter,Janet,attesttohermakingthebestandbiggestfruitcakesthey’deverseen.“Afterthecakewasbaked,mama’dwrapitinacleanwhiteclothandpouralittlewhiskeyoverittogiveitmoreflavor,”Sonnysaid.“He’sright,”hismothersmiled.“Idid.”Shealsomadethebestpoundcakesevertakentoachurchsupper. Ms.VeraMaesharedthepoignantstoryofthelossofher16-year-oldgrandsonseveralyearsago.“Seethispicture?”sheasked,pointingtoapencildrawingofherbelovedTight.“Hedrewthat.Freehanded.Hewasrealartistic.Mademethingsoutoftwigsandgavetome.”Thepencilrenderingisframedwiththephotographofhisgranddaddy. “Istillmisshim,”shesaidsoftly. Memoriessharedfromaheartthathasbeenbeatingforahundredyears..notonedetailforgotten...notonespecialmomentforgotten.Shetiresofsittingmomentarily,slidestheblueplaidblankettooneside,andstandstomaneuveraboutonawalker.Sheliftsherrighthand,gentlybrushesthedrawingofTight,andtakesthewoodenbowlbacktothekitchen.

Members of Vera Mae Register’s graduating class were Hazel Champion, Modist Bazer, Nina Curry, Lester Williams, and Josie Johnson.

Meet Ms. Correa Lee Holmes and Ms. Vera Mae Register

11

The that Lays the

Thursday,February2wasabig—thoughperhapslittlenoted—dayinDeSotoParish.OpeningceremonieswereheldfortheimprovedfacilitiesatMundyLandfillonUSHwy84.Theproj-

ecttoupgradetheoveralllandfill/collectionsiteoperationparish-wideincludedmorethanthenewofficebuildingandenlargedpublicparkingareaatthelandfill.Itincludedrelocationofscalesandimplementationofneededsafetyfeaturesatthelandfill,newfueltanksandawning,newdriveway,andupgradestoabouthalfthecollectionsitesintheparish.AlsonewisalargerandmoresafelyaccessiblecollectionsiteatFrierson. Thoughattimesovertheyearsoperatingthelandfillbroughtitsownuniqueheadachesandproblems,thelandfillhasproventobeamoney-makingmachinewithmultiplebenefits.Inmanyways,itisDeSoto’sgoosethatkeepslayingthegoldenegg.WhereafewyearsagoitwasoneofthebiggestheadachesthePolicyJuryhadtodealwith,inrecentyears,withbettermanagement,manyproblemsareresolved. Littledidtaxpayersrealizewhentheypassedataxtofundalandfillintheearly1980sithadthepotentialforbecomingareallybigmoney-maker.Too,RedRiverParishhelpedmakethelandfillarealitybecausetheyneededsomewheretodeliverwaste.Throughauniquearrange-ment,theynotonlyhelpedpayforit,buttheyalsopaidforthewastetheyputintoit. OnJanuary27,1986,thefirsttruckloadofwastewasdeliveredtothelandfill.Andthetruckshaven’tstoppedrollingsince.Withdevelop-mentoftheHaynesvilleShale,thelandfill’scapabilitytoprovidecellspacesufficienttoaccommodatetheensuinggrowthhasbroughtmil-lionsofdollarstoparishcoffers.

Howevertheroadtofinancialstabilitywasnotalwayssmoothandwasnevershort.OperationofMundyisoverseenbytheSolidWasteCommittee.Theendresultofpropermanagementhasresultedin$1millionannuallybeingmovedfromtheLandfillAccounttotheRoadDepartmentdedicatedtoroadmaterials.However,themoneymovedonlycomesfromtippingfees;otherincomeisintheformofadedicatedtaxforoperatingthelandfill. Overtime,superintendentshavecomeandgone.AfterthedeathofformersuperintendentBillyO’Neal,theJuryhiredWardellBowie. DriveouttoMundyandadmiretheupgrades.Thescaleshavebeenmovedfurtherbackfromthehighwaytoensuregreatersafetyoftrucksenteringandexiting,theofficecomplexnowhasenoughequipmenttodothejobrequired,andagreateramountofspacehasbeenallowedforpublicparking.Asalways,constructionofnewcellsisaconstantconcern,giventhefactthatittakesaboutayeartogetokaysforchangesand/ortomeetstateregulations. AccomplishmentsatMundyLandfillin2011includeanewofficebuilding,budgetedinwithcostofcollectionsiteimprovementstotaling$1,350,000,thoughtheactualcostat95%completewas$1,374,175.65;thenewcellwasbudgetedat$1,600,000andcompletedunderbudgetat$995,933.87;tarpsforroll-offtrucksbudgetedat$70,000cameinat$47,250;jurorsbudgeted$60,000forawatertruckforthelandfillandexpectedtohavetopaythefullamountbutluckedintofindingausedtruckstillingoodrepairforonly$2,000;newandusedAljoncompac-torscameinat$673,536;ahaultruckcost$115,000;newdieselfueltankscameinat$48,496.62;andanawningbuiltoverthefueltankscost$28,795.00. Litterremainsaproblemthroughouttheparishduetononstoptraffic,amind-setofcarelessness,andadon’t-careattitude.However,thelandfillitselfispristineandwell-maintainedonallcounts.

Golden EggGoose

for DeSoto Parish

…Mundy Landfill comes of age

12

The site:Theparishpaid$56,000for80acres(lessUS84ROW)purchasedfromInternationalPaperCompany10/31/84;62.007acresofpurchasedacreage(lyingnorthofUS84)wasdesignatedforuseasaSanitaryLandfillbythePoliceJuryin1984.14.954acrespurchasedonwestsideoflandfill1/24/86fromMartinTimberCompanyfor$12,710.90.Adjacent147acrespurchasedfromShermanKnowles4/16/90for$132,300.00.Totallandinactivelandfill:223.96acres

The landfill:opened1/27/86;firstloaddeliveredbyCityofMansfield.Itisoperatedby1/15thofa1-centparish-widesalestaxapproved5/16/81and$5millionpropertytaxapproved4/20/96.

The income:Salestaxdedicated/usedforpurposeofconstructing,acquir-ing,extending,improving,operating,and/ormaintaininggarbageandsolidwastecollectionanddisposalfacilities,togetherwithallnecessaryland,equipment,andfurnishings.ThepropertytaxwasdedicatedtoCollectingandDisposingSolidWaste,includingoperatingandmain-tainingtheLandfillfacilitiesandequipment.TheLandfillgeneratedmorethan$1.7millionintippingfeesin2011.

Solid Waste Superintendents:JimmyStephens–1985;EmersonBishop–1986-1988;O.H.“Bubba”Jones–1989-1992;JerryThornton–1992-2001;LeasedtoMundyLandfillLLC–1998-July1999;PeteChreene–2001-2005;BillyO’Neal–2006-2010;WardellBowie–2010-present

Compactor Sites:Siteupgradesfor2011atHunter,Longstreet,Lo-gansport,Kickapoo,GrandCane,SouthMansfield,andStonewall.Cost:$1,078,557.81;ContractfornewFriersonlocation:$416,652.34.2012ProposedSiteImprovements:Benson,Evelyn,Pelican,SloanRoad,Lula,andMundy.Budgeted:$1.6millionEmployees:16full-timeemployeesatLandfill,30part-timeemploy-eesatcompactorsites.OfficeSupervisor,ChristiBallard;ScaleClerk,BridgetTillman;AssistantSuperintendent,ShermanYoungblood

Revenue for four years:PropertyTax:$7.2million;SalesTax:$11mil-lion;DisposalFees:$5.15million;Oil&GasLease:$1.65million;Interest,SaleofAssets,etc.:$250k.Total:$25.25million

Annual Payroll:2011Landfill/CompactorSiteemployeesincludingbenefits:$1,128,947.00;LandfillEmployees–Salaries:$587,167;CompactorSiteEmployees–Salaries:$285,382.87

Did you know?

Right: And the walls came crumbling down! Employees were excited when the former office facility at Mundy Landfill was recently demol-

ished. In the driver’s seat to make it all happen was Malisa Lafitte, who began her career with the Police Jury at Mundy. Well...she made the first

strike, then relinquished the seat to a more experienced operator.

13

TIMEone foot

at a

TheDiamondDiggerwatchedherownerwalktowardherwithherfavoritething—herbrush.Sheeasedovertowhere

shethoughthewouldhaveabetterangletostrokeherside.

RobertlaughedandwalkedaroundtoDiamond’sright.

DiamondDiggerturnedagain,readyforhimtogetonwithit.

She’sayoungfillyandcan’twaituntilhershaggyhairallfallsout,

givingwaytoabeautifulcoatjustlikehermother’s.Nowshe

wasready—readyforherfavoriteten-year-oldtohop

onandtakeherforaride.

RobertVazquez,38-year-oldlifelongresidentofDeSoto

Parishand1991MansfieldHighSchoolgraduate,joinedhis

fatherintheconstructionbusinessimmediatelyfollowinggraduationfromhighschool.Laterhebecameforemanofacrewofcarpentersandbythetime

hewas30,he’dstartedhisownbusiness…RobertVazquezFrameandTrim,

acompanyspecializinginnewconstruction,mostlyintheShreveportarea.

Thenhestartedanotherbusiness—VazquezSpeed-GaitedHorseFarm,

locatednearKeatchie,Louisiana.

14

About the Breed TherearetwothingsthatarespecialtoVazquezaboutVSGFarm:1)theSingle-Footingbreedand2)thetrainingmethodsheemploys. Thesingle-footinghorsehasonlybecomearegistrywithinthelastfifteenyearsorso.Itisa‘performancebasedregistry’sothereareactu-allyindividualhorsesfromdifferentbreedsthatcanqualifyforSHOBA(Single-FootingHorseOwners’andBreeders’Association)registrationiftheyperformthecorrectgaitwithaboveaveragespeed,includingindividualsfromalmostanyofthe‘gaited’breeds—TennesseeWalk-ingHorse,RackingHorse,RockyMountainSaddleHorse,Icelandic,Largo-BredPasoFinos,MissouriFoxTrotter,SpottedSaddleHorse,StandardbredPacer,andStandardbredTrotterorcrossesofanyofthesebreeds.“Inmyopinion,”statesVazquez,“thebestsingle-footinghorsesgenerallycomefromcrossbreds.” “WhenIwasinthesecondgradeIgotmyfirsthorse,acoun-trycrossbred‘saddlehorse’marethatmydadboughtfromuparoundKeatchie.Shehadafastsingle-footgaitandwouldhavequalifiedforSHOBAregistrationifthere’dbeensucharegistryatthetime,”Vazquezsaid.About the Training VSGFarmbreeds,onaverage,twooftheirownmaresannually.“Weaimformaintaininga3/4StandardbredcrossbecauseIbelieveagenerousdoseofStandardbredbloodisneededtoaddthespeedtothegait.Wehavethepopular‘FalconRowdy,’‘TheVirginiaUndertaker,’and‘TheBoogieMan’bloodlinesfromVirginiaaswellasbloodlinesthathavebeenrighthereinDeSotoParishfor30yearsorbetter.” Sadly,Vazquezsaysthatgaitedhorseshavebeensubjectedtoabusiveandeventorturousmethodsto“bringout”or“enhance”theirgait.“Somuchsothatmanypeoplefalselybelievethatnogaitedhorseis‘natural’anditisonlybyartificialmeans,i.e.torturedevices,thatahorseperforms‘gait.’Thisstillgoesonintheshowringdespitefederalbans onthepracticeof‘soring’ahorse.Italsogoesonoutsidethe showring.”ButVazquez’smethodisaltogetherdifferent. HismethodsaredevelopedandusedatVSGFarmand involveabsolutelynosoringandnoaddingofchainsor weightstothehorses’legsinordermakethemgait. Thecalmdispositionoftheanimalisenhaced—or maintained—throughthenaturalhorsmanship trainingmethod.

Accordingtothisman—onewhoknowsathingortwoabouthorses—asmoothfour-beatgaitis,infact,innatetothe‘gaited’breeds.ItismuchliketheIcelandicssay,“ItisagiftfromGod,butitdoesn’tfallfromthesky.” Ifsoring,weights,andchainsarenotanoption,andgaitdoesn’t“fallfromthesky,”thenhowisitdevelopedinahorse?Throughcondi-tioningandphysicalfitness. “It’snotreallyanydifferentthanconditioningabarrelhorse,aropinghorse,oraThoroughbredracehorse,forthatmatter,”Vazquezexplains.“Thestrongerthehorsebecomesandthemorecooperativethehorsebecomes(inotherwords,calmandcomfortablearounditstrainer),thenthehorsebeginstoofferitsinnatefour-beatgait.Weacceptthe‘offer’fromthehorse,rewardit,andthenbuilduponit.Thetrainingmethodsweusearewhathasbeencalled‘naturalhorsemanship’andyes,somecallit‘horsewhispering.’” Bothofthese,however,aresomewhatmisleadingormisunderstoodterms.Youdon’tseenaturalhorsesinthewildbornwiththeirownsaddleandbridle.Nohorsemanshipisnatural. “Horsewhispering”isaphrasecoinedbysomeonewhodidnotunderstandthe‘dialogue’betweenatrainerandahorse;inthiscasethetrainerwasTomDorrance. AccordingtoVazquez,horsescommunicatethroughverysubtlebodylanguageandtoanuninformedobserver,itwouldseemthetraineris“whispering”becausethereisnotmuch,ifany,verbalcommunicationtakingplace.Dorrancereallydidnotliketheterm“horsewhispering”andcamelaternottoliketheterm“naturalhorsemanship”withitsmisunderstoodconnotation. VazquezwasprivilegedtohavebeencoachedinhorsemanshipbyDr.DebBennettPh.D.whoherselflearnedfromTomDorrance. Tothisowner,VSGFarmisalittlebitspecialbecause“naturalhorsemanship”and“horsewhispering,”assomecallit,arenothorsetrainingmethodscommonlyusedbythegaited-horsecommunityatlarge.“Iknowofonlyasmallhandfulinthecountrythatusenaturalhorsemanshipmethodsintraininggaitedhorses,”Vazquezsaid.“Anyhorse,gaitedornot,ishappierandmorewillingandcooperativewhenthesemethodsareusedcorrectly.” VSGFarmofferscoltsand,occasionally,full-grown,ready-to-ride,single-footinghorsesforsale.Thefarmalsooffershorsetrainingservices,ridereducationservices,studservices,andfarrierservices.“Ourpassionisgaitedhorses,butwecanhelpwithanybreedordiscipline.”

Reference: www.NorthwestLouisianaSingleFooters.com

We raise and train our horses by helping them bring out their natural gait15

Smokehousesdatetomedievaltimes,infact,allthewaybackto1465—andpossibly

farther—duetomankind’sdevotiontomeatinourdiets.Inmorerecent

history,smokehouseswerefoundinbackyardsofwealthyplanta-tionownersandsharecroppersalike.Havingasmokehousewas,tothem,likehavingmoneyinthebankistous.Havingasmoke-houseofferedthepossibleguaranteethattherewouldbehamontheChristmastable.Smokedsausagewasastapleonmany“eatin’tables”asfamiliesraisedandkilledtheirownhogs,groundandblendedtheirownsausage,andhungroundsofsausageto‘smoke’inthesmokehouse. Smokehousesarerarelyseenthesedays,butwhentheyaretheyevokefondmemoriesofasimplertime.However,onedoesnotneedtopracticemethodsfromamuch-earliereratohavesausageorbacononthe“eatin’table”nowadays.There’samuchsimplerwaytogetsmokedmeatsthatbringbackmemoriesofold-schoolsmoking.BuytheDownHomebrandatyourareamarkets,fortheyaremeatsthatareslowlysmokedwithrealhickorywoodovercastironsmokers—verysimilartothosebygoneeras. ThelateownerofDownHomeMeats,HaroldChamberlain,whopassedawayabouttwoyearsago,madeithisgoaltoreproducethetasteofwhathetermed“oldschool”smokingprocedures.And,overtime,therecipehasnotchanged.Chamberlaindidnotusethe‘wholehog’whenmakingsausageandneitherdoeshisfollower,SalesManagerDavidTerry.“Whywouldyouwantawholehog?”Davidasked.“Idon’twantawholehoginmysausage.Iwantthebestofthehogandthat’swhatwebuy.Andwewantthefreshestseasoningswithoutfillers.Theseasoningsweusearenotblendeduntilthedaythey’reordered.Ourprocessturnsout50,000poundsofmeateveryweek,with20employeeswhoarehappytoworkhereandhappytobeapartofaninstitution.Wedoabouttenorelevenlittlestepsthatmakeabigstatement.” WhenyoutastethedifferenceinDownHome’srind-onsmokedbacon,you’llunderstandwhatTerrymeanswhenhesaystheydonotcompromisewithlesserqualitymeatorseasonings.Theyalsousenaturalhogcasingstoholdthesausage.“Whenyoustartwithgood,youendwith

good.Thisistheaboutsameprocessthatwas150yearsago.Oursausageismadebyhand,stuffedbyhand,loopedontotreesbyhand,andputintothesmokehousesbyhand.Itissmokedatacontrolledtemperatureforfourhours,chilled,thenpackagedforshipment.” Today,theycontinuetousetheprocessperfectedbyCham-berlain,whobuiltthebusinessinStonewall.Infact,Chamber-lain’sson,Carney,isthecurrentowner.“He’sbeenheresincethebeginning,”Terrysays,“andplaysabigpartintheproductionandquality-controlprocess.Weallwearmanyhats,sotospeak,andyou’dneverguesshewastheowner.Nochest-beatinghere.You’llfindhimcleaningsmokehousesandmakingdeliveriesorwaitingoncustomers,whateverisneededatthetime.Thatiswhatmakesthisplace‘oldschool.’” “Onelittledetailyoumightnotthinkaboutiswemakeourownboxes,”Davidadded.“Wecouldbuyboxesalreadyputtogetherbutthisissomeone’sjobhere.”Shipmentsaremadefromthefacilityandgointomarketsacrosstheentiresouth. ThecompanyusestheUSDAstandard.Everythingabouttheprocessofhandlingfreshmeatisdoneunderthemostsanitaryofconditions. “It ’soldschoolsmokedmeatthatbringsbackmemories,”Da-vidsays.Andhe’sright,someold-timeywaysshouldneverchange.Anditwon’tatDownHome.MakingsausagethewayHaroldChamberlainthoughtitshouldbemadehasbroughtwideacclaimtoDownHomeMeats,celebratingits30thyearinoperationin2012.Theirsuccessisatestamentthatsomethingsarejustbettermadetheoldfashionedway. FYI:TwoemployeeshavebeenwithDownHomesinceopen-ing;AnnetteWrenandBobbyBaileyhavealmostthirtyyearsofservice.Severalothershavetentofifteenyearsofservice.DownHomeMeatswasfeaturedontheFood Network TelevisionshowBBQ America with Rick Brownein2006.

Down Home. . . Done RightThe Secret? Hickory Smoked Flavor!

Town of Stonewall

P.O. Box 92

Stonewall, Louisiana 71078-0092

website: thetownofstonewall.com

[email protected]

16

Town of Stonewall

P.O. Box 92

Stonewall, Louisiana 71078-0092

website: thetownofstonewall.com

[email protected]

Congratulations to Down Home Meats

for being part of our business community

in DeSoto Parish and Stonewall for 30

years. Thanks for all the support you’ve

given to everyone during that time and for

providing jobs for local residents.

Charles Waldon, Mayor

and Members of the Town Council

Stonewall, Louisiana

4 o’Clock Sundown BandHadley J. Castille & Sharecropper Band

Cajun FoodChildren’s Activities

Louisiana ArtCrafts Vendors

MuCH More!

4 o’Clock Sundown BandHadley J. Castille & Sharecropper Band

Cajun FoodChildren’s Activities

Louisiana ArtCrafts Vendors

MuCH More!

A Full Day of exciting Activitiesin the Grand Cane Park!

Family Style entertainment • Admission is FreePark in Historic Village of Grand Cane

April 21, 2012Sponsored by the DeSoto Parish Tourist Bureau and the DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce

HadleyJ.CastilleisoneofthefinestexponentsofauthenticsouthLouisiana Cajunfiddlemusic.Hisincrediblegiftofexpressionandmusicalinterpretationsof turn-of-the-centurysongs,alongwithaswing-influencedsound,capturesbothheart

andsoul,andcreatesanintoxicatingblendofboththetraditionalandcontemporary. Withrhythm-driventwo-steps,oldtimewaltzes,andaward-winningoriginalcompositionswrittenbyhimandhisson,Blake,thismusicalgumbocaptivatesandelectrifiesaudiencesworldwide. HadleyhasappearedontheCBSEarlyShowwitholdfriend,chefPaulPrudhomme,andwasheardtheworldoverwheninterviewedbyVoiceofAmericaRadio.AculturalandmusicalambassadorofLouisiana’sgreatheritage,hisrepresentationattheCongresMondial(WorldAcadianCongress)atOakAlleyandaperformanceattheclosingconcert,CrideBayou,backedbyoneofCanada’spremierFrenchAcadianbands,Suroit,wasattendedbyover7,500Cajunmusicfans. AlongwithZacharyRichardandActionAcadian,HadleyhelpedintroduceFrenchimmersion classesintoSt.LandryParishschoolsandin1992washonoredbytheCajunFrenchMusic Associationwithit ’sannualHeritageAward,forhissong,“200Lines:IMustNot SpeakFrench,”anautobiographicalaccountofbeingpunishedasachildfor speakingFrenchontheschoolgrounds. In2001,hewasinductedintotheorderofTheLivingLegends(TheAcadian MuseumofErath)andreceivedLeCajun’s‘AwardofExcellence’bytheCFMA. HislatestCD“refait,”isaretrospectiverecordingfeaturing20ofhismost popularsongs,digitallyre-recordedwithhisSharecroppersbandandrecently releasedbySwallow. AcharismaticportraitofwhatthecountryembracesasCajun,Hadleydraws theaudienceinwithpersonalanecdotes,makinghisperformanceseemlesslike aconcertandmorelikeafriendlybackporchget-togetheronasultry Louisianaevening.

HISTORICVILLAGE-113yearsafterGrandCanebecameanincorporatedVillageinDeSotoParish,itwillservetohostacelebrationcommemoratingthe200th

birthdayoftheStateofLouisiana. OnApril21,whileotherparishesarecelebratingthestate’sbirthdayintheiruniqueway,folksinDeSotoParishareinvitedtocelebratethestate’sbirthdayintheVillageParkinGrandCane. Andyes,there’llbedancinginthestreetstomusicprovidedbyDeSoto’sverypopular4o’ClockSundownBandfollowedbytrueCajun-stylemusicprovidedbyHadleyJ.CastilleandhisShare-croppersBand…atruelegendwhereCajun-stylemusiciscon-cerned… AndwhatgoesreallywellwithCajunmusic?Cajunfood…andthere’llbeallkindsprovidedbyareavendors,includinggumbo,jambalaya,crawfish,shrimp,meatpies…fartoomanytolistthemall,butthey’llalltasterealgood. ThiseventissponsoredjointlybytheDeSotoArtsCouncil,theHistoricGrandCaneAssociation,theDeSotoChamberofCommerce,andtheDeSotoTouristBureau. Theideabehindthemusicandthefood,theartandthecrafts,is“AllThingsLouisiana”—andwellitshouldbeforthisis,afterall,anoccasiontomarkanotherofLouisiana’sbirthdaysandevery-thingprovidedthroughtheday-longentertainmentwillbefocusedonthediversityofthestate. The4o’ClockSundownBandwillbeginitsconcertat10:00a.m.followedbyCajun-stylefoodandCajunmusicuntilaroundmid-afternoon. RobertMiller,anartistfromCoushatta,willpresenthisart-work—whichissimilarincontextandstyletotheworkofthelateClementineHunter.MillerhaspaintedthestainedglasswindowsoftheFirstUnitedMethodistChurchinthepastandisfamiliarwiththemanydelightfulofferingsinDeSotoParish. OtheractivitiestobeprovidedbytheDeSotoArtsCouncilincludetwomajoreventsduringArtFestonthesamedate:there’llbetheKids’“ArtExperience”Tentwherekidscancompletea

hands-onartprojecttotakehomewiththem.Thenthere’llbeaYoungPeople’sArtExhibit—ajuriedartshowforaspiringyoungartistsfrom5yearsandunderto18years.Theshowwillbeexhib-itedintheDeSotoArtCouncilArtGallerywithawardsandBestofShowselection. Areallybigbirthdaycakewillbecutatnoonandhopesarethatchurchbellsthroughouttheparishwillchimeatnoon.Anyoneandeveryonewhomightbedrivingavehicleintheparishatnoononthatdaywill,wehope,honktheircarhornsincelebrationoftheoccasion. Andthere’llbecelebritiesintheparktosignautographs.OnhandtodelighteveryonewillbeDeSoto’sowncelebrities…theGeraldDowdenfamily,nowtelevisioncelebritiesonCMT’sBayouBillionaires. Asifthat’snotenough,therewillbewagonridesaroundtheparkforthechildren. ShoulditrainApril21,allactivitiesexceptforthebandsandwagonrideswillmovetotheGrandCaneBaptistChurchFamilyLifeCenter.ThebandswillperforminBackAlleyTheatre. Formoreinformation,pleasecalltheDeSotoParishTouristBureauat318-872-1177.

Save the date and come celebrate!

So who is Hadley J. Castille?

April 21, 2012 ~ Happy Birthday, Louisiana!

Other FUN EventsOther FUN EventsVendors wanted! Call for Information: 318.858.9939 or 318.465.6345

E-mail: [email protected]$15 Booth Space Fee • $7 extra for water • $7 extra for electricity

bESt OF All we will have our very own DeSoto Parishcelebrities signing autographs throughout the day!!!

Horse- & Mule-drawn wagon rides for children!Balloon Release at noon!

20

The RavenBookstoreHicks Richardson Building • Grand Cane, La.

318-858-2010 • theravenbookstore.com

All GenresAll Ages

Special Orders Welcome

Rare Book Searches

Hours Tues. - Sat. 10am - 5pm

Happy Birthday Louisiana

Celebrate Louisiana’s 200th

Birthday.....Collect

Louisiana Books

Birthday Ad 2

Enjoy Louisiana’s Birthday Party in

Grand CaneApril 21st

22

The Town of Logansport Valda Barry and Linda VidlerTexaco Country Showdown

Event Coordinators

Helen Matthews

Logansport Truck StopSabine River Restaurant

Watch for Our Grand Opening!

Lee’s Auto & Diesel Repair

HappyBirthday!Happy

Birthday!

TIReDof looking at that

sagging crown moulding, horrible ugly door, or

unpainted rotting wood?Call me to make it right again!

• Handyman Services• Repair work

AaronHardesty,

Owner

24

This page sponsored by DeSoto Life.

25

PeoplesState.com

1017 Washington Street 318.872.5800

Th e Peoples State Bank

There are so many reasons to choose Peoples State Bank for your personal and business financial needs.

YEARS OF BANKING FOR THE PEOPLE99

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26

DeSoto Life Full page ad • 7.5” wide by 10” high • Color PDF 27

By Raymond Powell

DeSoto Parish and Mansfield have been blessed from their 1843 beginning with good doctors and later with four clinics. Dr. Garland and Dr. Sandifer had small four room clinics in Logansport and Dr. Hewitt and Dr. Curtis had twelve and fourteen room minimal care clinics in Mansfield. After W.W. II, on October 1, 1949, Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Nabors challenged the citizens of the area to build an up-to date hospital by matching his contribution dollar for dollar, up to $500,000, without the government contribut-ing one dollar. On December 1, 1949, a large group assembled and appointed seven charter Board of Directors; Hal Burgess, Marshall Calhoun, L.E. “Jack” Colvin, E.A. Laffitte Sr., Green Rives Jr., Oliver Sample and Harvey Samu-els Sr. At the organizational meeting of the Hospital Association, and under the presidency of Jack Colvin, Finance Committee Chairman Riemer Calhoun Sr. was selected to lead the fund raising committee to match the Nabors’ pledge. In a short period, through contributions and pledges, there was sufficient capital to commence further plans which included employing Annan and Gilmer Architects (June 1950) to draw hospital plans for the newly acquired property on Jefferson Street. Reggie R. Bufkin was authorized to proceed as the general contractor. As progress proceeded and the new hospital took shape the Board appointed Claude Roberts, Oliver Sample, Roy Richardson, J.W. Caraway, and Ned Walter Jenkins to direct a campaign to raise funds to purchase equipment. Hartwell Smith explained the progress of the hospital to the DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce, that interest was extremely high and funds were forth coming. The first milestone for the DeSoto General Hospital was February 17, 1952 when the Directors and Associa-tion held an open house for the soon-to-be-opened facility. E.B. Egbert, Administrator, and the nucleus of an operat-ing staff welcomed the citizens to inspect the new hospital. On March 4, 1952, Betty Hall was the first patient admitted to the new hospital. Dr. Glenn Johnson, assisted by Dr. Bland, performed an appendectomy on Mrs. Hall. She recalls the hospital and staff gave excellent attention (especially since she was the only patient). The DeSoto General Hospital Association soon afterward increased the Board to nine by electing Hartwell Smith and G.I. Bazemore of Keatchie, the first Board member living outside Mansfield. The Association member-ship was increased to a possible 150. Not until February 2006 were the By-Laws changed to include Association members from the service territory. Donnie Sistrunk Sr., from Converse, was the first member from Sabine Parish, which is a very important part of our client area. In 1996 DeSoto General Hospital changed its name to DeSoto Regional Health System to better reflect the mission and the area served. At the same time the motto “A Better Life-A Better Way” was adopted. In June 1997 DeSoto Regional truly fulfilled its regional name by opening a satellite facility in Zwolle. Since that time a larger building has been constructed with modern equipment. Soon afterward a need for health services was determined for Logansport. As a result, a modern clinic has been provided and plans for a larger clinic in a new location are well underway. Growth and improvement has been a constant goal for DeSoto General. In the early 1980’s Chairman G.B. “Sonny” Hall, CEO Chris Barnett, and Johnny Sly, Chairman of the Finance Committee challenged the citizens of DeSoto Parish to build an addition that was badly needed. The finance drive was met with the usual enthusiasm. Additional patient rooms and examination rooms were soon completed.

A History of DeSoto Regional Health System

28

Again in the 2000’s the Board, under the leadership of Chairman Alfred Flanders, CEO Bud Barrow and Building Chairman L.C. “Gus” Hall completed a large construction program. Included in this construction were new emergency, laboratory, and radiology departments, new surgical suites, a main entrance with waiting area and an outpatient clinic. A significant addition to DeSoto Regional has been the DRHS Foundation, started in January of 1994. Under the capable leadership of Terrie Baker, Director, and Debra Dees, Chairman, the Billy Ray Bedsole Family provided the Cancer Center which brought to our area, the latest in facilities and equipment for cancer treatment. Through the Foundation efforts, Jackie and Joyce Bedsole have provided a digital mammography machine which is the latest in breast cancer screening technology. The energetic Foundation is looking forward to a new Nurses and Doctors Center (Medical Hub Project) in the very near future. Through the years DeSoto Regional has been recognized with national and state honors. In 2005 it was recognized as one of the Top 100 Hospitals in the nation. Two CEOs, Chris Barnett in 1983-84 and Robert Taylor in 1993-94 were elected President of the Louisiana Hospital Association. DeSoto Regional Health System is a not-for-profit 38 bed acute care facility with a highly qualified profes-sional staff and modern state-of-the-art equipment. DeSoto Regional Family Medicine clinic, located directly across the street from the hospital, is staffed with doctors and a nurse practitioner. Industrial Medicine is in the Grindle building and the Outpatient Therapy Clinic and the well-equipped DeSoto Regional Wellness Center are located in the McLaurin building in Mansfield. DeSoto Regional Health System is licensed by the State of Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and is certified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for participation in Medicare. It is also desig-nated as a Rural Hospital and certified for U.S. Rural Health Care. With the dedication of our recent doctors; Dr. Grindle, Dr. Taylor and Dr. Day, our current doctors; Dr. Kamberov, Dr. Leggio, Dr. Dillard, Dr. Evans and Dr. Hatfield; our nurse practitioners; Melissa Richardson and Lori Eubanks, our physician assistant; Tony Paul, our visiting medical specialists, nurses and the many other competent employees, DeSoto Regional looks to the future with great optimism. Under the leadership of the Board of Directors with John Garmany, Chairman, Douglas Efferson CEO, and our skilled healthcare team, the future is bright and with the motto “A Better Life-A Better Way” many more years of compassionate, personal care are assured.

29

Introducing Encana Natural Gas Inc.’s fi rst Liquefi ed Natural Gas (LNG) Fueling Station open in DeSoto Parish at The Relay Station, 6797 Louisiana Hwy 175, Frierson, LA 71027. This station, open to the public, will service hundreds of heavy-duty LNG fueled trucks hauling shipments within and through the Ark-La-Tex, making fuel more affordable while growing the economy. As we strive to expand theuse of natural gas fuel solutions, Encana supports the Louisiana economy, communities and environment. Please note you must complete safety training and get a customer number before fueling.

For more information on fueling with natural gas at our DeSoto Station or Red River Station in Coushatta, email [email protected] or call 866.251.0032.

www.encana.comFollow us on twitter.com/encanacorpLike us on facebook.com/encanaWatch us on youtube.com/encana

ENC12605_DesotaAd_8.5x11.indd 1 2/28/12 4:50 PM

EncanaNaturalGasInc.(Encana),asubsidiaryofEncanaCorpo-ration(TSX,NYSE:ECA),oneofNorthAmerica’slargestnat-uralgasproducers,openedthefirstliquefiednaturalgas(LNG)

fuelingstationinLouisianalastFriday.LocatedatTheRelayStationinFrierson,thestationwillservethefuelingneedsofheavydutytruckfleetsisopenforpublicuse(tothosewithaLNGvehicleandpropersafetytraining)andwillbeacceptingallmajorcreditcards.ThestationiscurrentlybeingutilizedbyHeckmannWaterResources(HWR),anEncanapartnerinwatersustainabilityinthenaturalgasindustry. “IamexcitedtoseethefirstLNGfacilityinthestateopenuprighthereinDeSotoParishandintheheartoftheHaynesvilleShale,”District7StateRepresentativeRichardBurfordsaid.“WehavebeenblessedwithanabundanceofnaturalgashereandIamgladtoseeitbeingusedwisely.Myhopeistoseemorefacilitiesopenedandmorevehiclesontheroadthatareusingournaturalgas.” EchoingsentimentsofprideinLouisianahavingthefirstlique-fiednaturalgasfuelingstationinLouisianawasStateSenatorSherriBuffington. “DeSotoParishcontinuestobealeaderinthe naturalgasindustry.Theopeningofthefirstlique- fiednaturalgasfuelingstationinLouisianathatis alsothefirstpublicLNGstationinthenationisa significantmilestone.CongratulationstoEnCana NaturalGasInc.andtheRelaystationformaking thislower-costand“greener”fuelavailable.” HWRrecentlyordered200newLNGbig-rigtrucks,50ofwhichhavebeendeployedtodate.California-basedHeckmannCorporation(NYSE:HEK),parentcompanytoHWR,provideswatermanagementservicestoEncanaandotherproducersintheHaynesvilleresourceplay.EncanaisproudtoofferthisdynamicproducttocompanieslikeHeck-mannandthispartnershipopensthedoorformorenaturalgasfueluseinthelargefreightvehicleindustry. EncanaalsorecentlysecuredacontractwithPivotalLNG,asub-sidiaryofAGLResourcesInc.(NYSE:GAS),whichownsandoperatesamajorliquefactionfacility.ThiscontractenablesEncanatoprovideLNGtoconsumersandwillcreatefurtheropportunitiesfornaturalgasinthetransportationsector. “WeareverypleasedtobepartofaninnovativeCanadianandAmericansolutiontoexpandtheuseofLNG.Thisnewstationisamajorsteptowardsencouragingcompaniestoconvertvehiclestorunonaffordable,environmentally-responsiblenaturalgas,”saidEricMarsh,ExecutiveVice-President,EncanaCorporationandSeniorVice-Presi-dent,USADivision. Encanaworkswithsupplychainpartnersandotherexternalheavydutyfleetsbyofferingfuelingsolutionstohelpthembettermanagefuelusageandrealizethecostsavingsofnaturalgas.Encanaisquicklygrowinginitseffortstocommerciallydevelopnaturalgasfortranspor-tation.Additionally,EncanaownsandoperatesfourmobileLNGfuel-ingstations(twoinLouisiana)andsixcompressednaturalgas(CNG)stations.Inleadingbyexample,EncanahasconvertednearlyhalfoftheirfleetfieldvehiclesinLouisianaoperationstoutilizeCNG.Theyhavealsoretrofitteddrillingrigenginestorunonnaturalgasintheir

U.S.operations,fourofwhichrunonLNG. NaturalgaspoweredcarsandtrucksarefueledwithCNGorLNGandoperatesimilarlytogasolineordiesel-poweredvehiclesandgenerallyhavealongeroperatinglifeduetothecleanercombustion.Convertingfreighttrucksandcommercialvehicleshasanimmediateimpactonsavingfuelcostsandreducingcarbonemissions.Convertingone18-wheelerfromdieseltoLNGisequivalenttoremovingtheemis-sionsofabout325carsfromtheroad.Encana Corporation EncanaisaleadingNorthAmericanenergyproducerthatisfo-cusedongrowingitsstrongportfolioofdiverseresourceplaysproducingnaturalgas,oil,andnaturalgasliquids.Bypartneringwithemployees,communityorganizations,andotherbusinesses,Encanacontributestothestrengthandsustainabilityofthecommunitieswhereitoper-ates.EncanacommonsharestradeontheTorontoandNewYorkstockexchangesunderthesymbolECA. FurtherinformationonEncanaCorporationisavailableonthecompany’swebsite,www.encana.com.Heckmann Corporation HeckmannCorporation(NYSE:HEK)wascreatedtobuyandbuildcompaniesinthewatersector.In2011,theCompanycontinuedtheacquisitionofadditionaldisposalassetsincludingexpansionintotheEagleFordShaleareainsouthTexas.Inearly2010,theCompanycompletedits50-milewaterdisposalpipelineintheHaynesvilleShale,andbeganexpandingthelinein2011tohandleadditionalproducedwaterandfreshwatertransportation.InFebruary2010,theCompanyannounceditsjointventurewithEnergyTransferPartners(NYSE:ETP)toprovideturnkeypipelinetransportationsolutionsforcomplexwaterflowsintheMarcellusandHaynesvilleoilandnaturalgasfields.TheacquisitionofanoilfieldproducedwaterdisposalandtransportcompanyinNovember2010,recentlyrenamedHeckmannWaterResources,makestheCompanyoneofthelargesthandlersofproducedwaterinNorthAmerica.www.heckmanncorp.comAGL Resources AGLResources(NYSE:GAS),anAtlanta-basedenergyservicescompany,servesapproximately2.3millioncustomersinsixstates.ThecompanyalsoownsHouston-basedSequentEnergyManagement,anassetmanagerservingnaturalgaswholesalecustomersthroughoutNorthAmerica.Asan85-percentownerintheSouthStarpartnership,AGLResourcesmarketsnaturalgastoconsumersinGeorgiaundertheGeorgiaNaturalGasbrand.Thecompanyalsoownsandoperatestwohigh-deliverabilitynaturalgasstoragefacilities:JeffersonIslandStorage&HubneartheHenryHubinLouisianaandGoldenTriangleStorageinTexas.Formoreinformation,visitwww.aglresources.com.

Encana opens first liquefied natural gasfueling station in Louisiana

Converting one 18-wheeler from diesel to LNG is equivalent to removing the emissions of about 325 cars from the road.

31

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TheFellowshipofChristianAthletes(FCA)hasbeeninvolvedinthelivesofstudentsinpublicandprivateschoolsforyears,ac-cordingtoTerrySlack,NorthwestLouisianaandStateDirector

ofFCA,andLynnMitchell,RepresentativeandDevelopmentDirectorforFCAforNorthwestLouisiana.EachspokerecentlyattheDeSotoParishChamberofCommerceLuncheon. MitchellsharedapersonaltestimonyofhowFCAhelpedhimmatureasaChristianandhelpedhimthrougha“lowtime”inhislifein1972.“Godreallyusedthattohelpmegetmylifebackontrack.ThedividendsforstudentsinvolvedinFCAaregreat.Thisisaprogramthattrulyinvestsinourkids’lives.” TerrySlackspokeabouttheprogramanditseffectivenessinpublicschools,butalsoposedthisquestion:“Who’scoachingthecoaches?”TheFCAdoes.“Itreachestheheartsbehindthejerseys.” FCAenrichesthelivesofstudentsinvolvedinschoolathleticprogramsthroughvariousprograms.OnewayFCAencouragesstudentstochangetheircultureisthroughaprogramkickedoffin2011calledFieldsofFaith.Itchallengesstudentsto“GetintheGame,GetintheBook,GetInvolved,andGetStarted.”Manyotherpro-gramsareavailabletoyouththroughFCA,in-cludinghowstudentscangetpluggedintoasolidyouthprogramatalocalchurchandencouragingthemtoparticipateintheFCAHuddlesattheirschools.FCAprovidesa30-dayBibleReadingPlan,remindingstudentsthatalthoughtheBiblewaswrittenthousandsofyearsago,theycanstillfindguidanceforallkindsofproblemstheyfacetoday.FCAisanaliveandgrowingcampusmin-istry,butifyou’veeverwonderedifitisatrulyeffectiveministry,askthecoachesandstudents. CoachMartyWilliamsatNorthDeSotoMiddleSchoolsaysabout125studentsattendweeklyHuddlemeetings.“It’sablessingtoseedifferentstudentleaderssharewiththeirpeerswhattheLordisdoingintheirlives.We’vehadseveralstudentsandstudentathletesacceptChristastheirpersonalLordandSaviorthroughourHuddlemeetings.GodhasreallyblessedourmiddleschoolwithgreatChristianleaders.” JulieMills,FCASponsorandEnglishteacheratCentralSchool,agreesthatFCAisahugesuccessatCentralSchoolthisyear.“We’vehadexcellentstudentparticipationwith54activeFCAmembersfromgrades6-12.Monthlymeet-ingsareorganizedandledbyourofficers,AustinEakin,Senior(Captain);MeghanGray,Junior(Co-Captain);MeganJones,Freshman(Secretary/Treasurer);andKaraHooper,Freshman(PromotionsCoordinator).SofarthisyearourFCAsponsoreda‘SeeYouatthePoleRally’(78attended),participatedinthe‘FieldsofFaithRally’heldatNDHS(12attended),andonestudentat-tendedtheIndependenceBowlBreakfast.StudentathletesfromLSUSspoketoourstudentsandprovidedabasketballdemonstration.Justthis

monthwegatheredtowatchavideoabouthowTimTebowshareshisfaithduringfootballgamesanddiscussedhowwecandothesame.FCAhasgivenourstudentstheopportunitytostandupfortheirfaith,sharetheirtestimonieswithfellowstudents,andbebolderwitnessesforChrist.We’rethankfultobeapartofsuchawonderfulorganiza-tion,”statedJulie.

StudentssayFCAhelpsthemcopewithpersonalsituations.NorthDeSotoMiddleSchoolstudentsJalaHall,a13-year-oldbas-ketballandtrackstudent,andDelmonteHall,a12-year-oldstudentinvolvedinbaseball,football,andtrack,saytheweeklymeetingsaregoodexperiences. JalasayslessonslearnedinFCA“helpsushandlesituationswhenweare‘putdown’byotherstudents;theyteachusto‘keepthefaith’andprayaboutthings.Igiveitathumbs-up.”Delmontesaiditteacheshimhowtobeabetterpersonandit’sworthhistimetoattendthemeetings.“Ialwaysgetsomethingoutofit.WhatIlearnfromFCAhelpsmeathomebecauseIdon’ttalkbacktomymother;Iobeyher.” CentralSchoolstudentsapplaudFCA.MeganJones,a14-year-oldfromRedRiverPar-ishsaysit’sgreat.“Ithinkit’sgreatforustogettogether,toworshiptogether,andbandtogether.Wearealldifferent.” MeghanGray,a17-year-oldinvolvedinbaseball,softball,andhighschoolrodeo,sayshavingFCAintheschool“reallyopensuptheschoolandbringsustogetherintoughtimes.Itgivesusallachancetocometogetherandtoforgetthewaysoftheworld.” AustinEakin,a17-year-oldbasketballandbaseballathlete,believesstudentsattendingpublicschoolsarethereforhopeandarealwayslookingforsomethingelse;studentsinprivateschoolsarelookingforanswersandwanttobecomeleaders.ChristiansarehappierandtheyfindthathappinessthroughFCA.” KaraHooper,a15-year-oldsoftballandtrackparticipant,thinksFCAisagreatoppor-tunitytogettoknowwhoyouareassistersandbrothersinChrist.“Wecanmakeastandforwhatwebelieveinandhavetheopportunitytoworshipfreely.” JulieMills,FCAsponsorandEnglishteacheratCentral,believesFCAgivesthestudentsopportunitiestosharetheirfaithataChristianschool.“IamproudtowitnesstoandsharewithkidswhoarenotChristians.”

NorthDeSotoHighFCAsponsorJacobAmbrosesaysthebestthingabouttheprogramishowGodusesstudentstoencourageeachother.“ThispastWednesdayastudentspokefrompersonalexperienceabouthowonlyJesuscanmendheartachefromrelationships,parents’divorce,andmanyotherthingsinthislife.Godspokethroughherinanincredibleway…onethatIwillsurelynotforgetforalongtime.”

FCA: Christian Ministry that “coaches the coaches”and reaches the hearts behind the jerseys

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Linda VidLerWeb Services & More

Web Editor: www.townoflogansport.com

[email protected]

318-918-0111We do Web Sites & Content editing

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2806 Main St., Logansport 318.697.15816am-2pm Mon-Thu6am-8pm Fri & Sat, Closed SunFeaturing Sandwiches, Burgers, FriesDinners Fri & Sat: Fish, Chicken Fried Steak, Hamburger Steak, or Chicken Strips, all served with French Fries and Texas ToastTea: $129-$179 • Fountain Drinks: $149-$199 Coffee: 99¢-$199 • FRee ReFiLLS

34

There’sanewfaceinDeSotoParish,andalthoughheseemstobefocusinginrightnowoncreatingamuseumforgraduatesofLogansportRosenwaldHighSchool(LRHS),CharlesR.

Adamshasanotherideaortwothatcouldeasilybenefittheyouthoftheparish. AdamsisagraduateofLRHSandspokebrieflytotheDeSotoParishPoliceJuryregardingtheavailabilityofasiteforthemuseum.MeetingshavebeenheldtoformanLRHSAlumniAssociationwiththefirstmeetingheldinmid-February.“AllgraduatesandpersonswhoattendedLRHSfrom1952to1979wereinvitedtoattend,”Adamssaid.Thereasonforthatmeetingwastodevelopaconstitutionandbylawsalongwithoperatingproceduresbywhichtogoverntheassociationanddevelopacalendarofeventsfortheassociation. Ifyouwouldliketoparticipateinthisendeavor,youmaydosobybecomingachartermember;membershipsare$25foroneyearor$100for5years,andallchecksshouldbemadepayableto:

LRHS Alumni Association, PO Box 501, Logansport, LA 71049.DeadlineformembershipisJune1,2012. Adamshasanothergoalinmind,however,andthatishelpingyouthwhomayaspiretoplaymusicalinstrumentstobecomeinvolvedinMotivationPlus+,aprogramthatactuallyprovidesmusicalinstru-mentstoyouthsatnocharge,providedyouthssignanagreementformthattheywillneversellortradetheinstrumentbutwilllearntomasteritwithalloftheskillsandtalentavailabletothem.Adamssaysvolunteerswillserveasteachersandthatthisprogramisavailabletolowincome,sociallydisadvantagedstudents,grades1thru12,whohaveboththeinterestandaptitudeformusic. instruments will be made available to students once the LRHS Alumni Association acquires a building to house a museum and learning center. instruments will be free and volunteer music instructors are encouraged to send their names, instruments they teach lessons on and time availability.

Former student seeks site for museum and learning center…

Students of LogansportRosenwald High School form association

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Each issue of DeSoto Life magazine tells the true and always interesting stories of the parish and its residents. If you love DeSoto Parish, you’ll love the magazines!

Subscribe today!

DeSoto Life is published six times per year. A subscription is $16.00, payable by cash or check.

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WE LIVE WHERE YOU LIVE.WE SHARE THE SAME DREAMS.

State Farm Insurance Companies Home Office: Bloomington, Illinois

38

Right: Ms. Icefene Thomas, 109-year-old Logansport resi-dent, recently honored at Union Vine Church in Logansport

where she was made an honorary member. Many paid tribute to the centenarian and listened as she spoke of a century

of life lessons. Sitting beside Ms. Thomas is lifetime friend Charles Adams who helped arrange the morning’s tribute.

Below and Right: The 7th annual Wild Game Dinner at Frierson Baptist Church was again a huge success.

346 folks attended, making this one of the largest—if not the largest—group to attend the community-wide

outreach event of the church.

Above & Right: The Wonderettes getting ready for and entertaining in their final musical of the year

at The Back Alley Theatre in Grand Cane.

Wonderettesthe

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The locals’ guide to events, people, and items of interest in and around our area.

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EXCO Resources, Inc.8457 Hwy 175 • Grand Cane, Louisiana 71032

Office: (318) 671-6600 • Fax: (318) 671-6700

march-april 2012

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