By Steve Graf

When I started this article, my intent was to share information and give advice on protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Over the years on my radio program called Hook’N Up & Track’N Down, I’ve always made suggestions on how to dress and protect yourself. I’ve always encouraged people to wear long sleeve shirts with sun hoodies built-in and with fabrics that have SPF 70 protection or better. I’ve always suggested you wear a wide brim hat in order to protect your head, neck, ears and face better, not to mention that I stressed how important sunscreen is. But little did I know after years of making sure everyone else did the right thing, that I would be the main subject of this article.

Yes, I have been diagnosed with Melanoma skin cancer, the worst kind of skin cancer you can get. But at the time I wrote this article, I had just had a biopsy performed on my upper left ear. This spot has been treated off and on for over a year. It was a spot that started as a scratch while I was trimming trees one day. Then over several months, the spot just never really healed. After a visit to my dermatologist, she prescribed a cream regiment over a 6-day period that had a profound effect on the spot as it disappeared.

Then one day in March while getting a haircut by my sister-in-law, she asked me if I had ever had this spot looked at. I was not aware at the time that it was back due to the location of it on the backside of my ear. But this time it was a black spot that did not look good. That’s when my dermatologist decided to try to the cream regiment one more time. One month later the spot was getting worse and at the time of the biopsy had turned a dark purple color.

Once it was sent off to Birmingham, Alabama, for testing, the results came back positive for Melanoma. The wheels are then set in motion for surgical removal of the spot and testing to make sure it has not spread to my lymph-nodes or other parts of my body. Hopefully, by the time you’re reading this article, I will have better news and will have had the surgery needed to take care of this issue.

So, in the future, take as many preventative measures as possible to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Wear the long sleeve, built-in sunscreen protective shirts with the hoodie. There are several to choose from such as Columbia, HUK and Under Armor. Make sure to wear the wide brim hat like the ones made by Stetson, which also have built-in bug repellent and sunscreen. I now have three of these and love all of them! In the future, I’ll keep you up to date with my progress on trying to gain control over this dreaded skin cancer. Till next time good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook!

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Stop by the Stonewall Branch of the DeSoto Parish Library on Friday July 15.  Animals and magic will be the program.

Geebo the Clown’s Magic Show with live animals is the program.  Showtime is 5:00 p.m. today.  This show is for all ages.

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It’s almost time for school to begin.  First Methodist church in Logansport will be giving away school uniforms to those who have need.  

The church asks that you bring your children to insure getting the correct sizes.

The free uniform distribution will be on July 18th  & 19th, from 4:00 to 6:30 pm both nights.

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The 2022 Red River Crusade is scheduled for July 17-20 at Red River High School with evangelist John Stroup and music provided by the Jason Lovins Band.

Additionally, there is a Prayer Walk scheduled for Monday, July 18 beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Prayer Walk will begin at the Red River Parish Courthouse, proceed to the High School then on to the City Hall before returning to the Courthouse.

For more information, please contact Shawn Beard at 318-617-9785.

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“We are looking for a few more students to help film practices and games for the ‘22 Football Season,” said the North DeSoto football team.  They are interested in students at NDHS that may want to work with the team.

For more information, contact Coach Parker via email at matthew.parker@desotopsb.com

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CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System is excited to announce its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Reunion will be celebrated in person this year! Because of COVID-19 restrictions during the pandemic, the celebrations moved to a virtual platform for 2 years replacing the annual event held at CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center.

On Sunday, July 17, the event, themed “Life is Sweet with You”, will take over the West Wing Conference Room from 2 – 4 p.m. to recognize NICU graduates at CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center, the region’s only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

“We are so excited to be able to connect with these families in person again. We have missed hearing their stories, celebrating their accomplishments and seeing these special families. As a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, the NICU is a signature program serving our smallest and most vulnerable patients,” said Christy Bailey, NICU Clinical Director, CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center.“We are so proud to have been a part from each child’s journey from the beginning.”

This is a special time for reconnecting with other NICU graduates, nurses, physicians and staff who helped families during their time in the unit. Organizers ask families who had a baby in the NICU at CHRISTUS Schumpert through 2014, or at CHRISTUS Highland since 2015 through to today, to make plans to attend.

“We are honored for our ‘miracle babies’ to come for a visit. CHRISTUS has been the first home for so many who have overcome the odds of prematurity,” said Steen Trawick, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer, CHRISTUS Shreveport Bossier Health System. “It doesn’t matter if their NICU stay was one day or 100 days, they’re special to us and a part of our NICU family.”

What: 37th Annual NICU Reunion- Life is Sweet with You

Where: CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center, West Wing Conference Center

When:  Sunday, July 17 from 2 – 4 p.m.

Who: Families who had a baby in the NICU at CHRISTUS Schumpert through 2014, or at CHRISTUS Highland since 2015 through to today.

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By Teddy Allen

Cleveland County, North Carolina doesn’t get a lot of airplay nationwide. You might hear about it in August when they play the 95th American Legion World Series there at its permanent home, Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium, a gorgeous park and setting.

If you’re a member of the medical community, you can even get in free this year, the American Legion’s tribute to you for all your work during the pandemic.

So there’s that. (Oh … Shelby, the county seat and roughly 21,000 strong, also has a Bojangles. The biscuits are killer.)

But other than the mid-August baseball traffic, Cleveland County and Shelby keep a relatively low profile, just being cool and calm and living the good life at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the state’s southern line, there in the western Piedmont.

For a closer perspective, it’s 43 miles west, give or take a soybean field or two, from Charlotte. Just hop on Interstate 85 toward Spartanburg, take a right on Hwy. 74 at Kings Mountain, and pretty soon it’s paydirt.

To me it’s become a kind of home away from home because, for various reasons, it’s been the site of most of our family reunions, the most recent of which was last weekend and which also didn’t get much national attention because people sitting around telling stories no one else would care about and eating fried chicken from Food Lion and watching kids play isn’t big news — unless you’re an Allen or unless, in a weak moment, you married into such a magnificent mess.

I love this little town.

It started in 1990, one year after grandmamma died, so this was the 33rd annual gathering, although we skipped two years ago when the world shut down because of the you-know-what, which we are all literally paying for now. No telling how many chickens have died, how many eggs have been deviled, how many potatoes have been peeled over the past three-plus decades, each a martyr to the Allen Family Reunion cause.

Sometimes I take a baseball. I don’t ask anyone to sign a baseball unless it’s a Very Special Deal, (a “VSD”). Unless it’s been a Little Leaguer, I’ve never asked a ballplayer to sign a baseball. But I’ve asked my Aunt Virginia and my Aunt Sarah. And Amy, who drew a little heart by hers this year. (Extra points for Cousin Amy.) And Dylan, who added a smiley face. And Terry and Matt and Austin and Robin and Judy No. 1, not to be confused with the irreplaceable Judy No. 2 or other Judys that fell by the matrimonial wayside. (I appreciate that the Judys always sign with a Roman numeral I or II. Keepers, that pair.)

I look at the baseball anytime I want during the year, see the names, and remember. It’s a selfish tradition, I know …

We’ve had the reunion, depending on where people were living and who was hosting — been some moving around in 30 years — at New Smyrna Beach, Fl. (looked down the beach and saw the space shuttle launch and felt the sonic boom a minute or so later, a reunion highlight, because nothing much happens at our reunions); at Bowdon, Ga.; at North Myrtle Beach/Cherry Grove, S.C.; even in Swartz, La., which got no points for Things To Do but which didretire the trophy for Hottest Reunion Ever. Seems liked it cooled off to 102 one day.

It’s at Cherry Grove next year around July 10 if you want to come. Love to have you. You might enjoy it since all the old stories we’ve heard time and again will be new to you. And since it’s your first time, we won’t make you peel eggs.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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The quarterly meeting of the DeSoto Parish Cattlemen’s Association will be held at the DeSoto Parish Extension Office on US 171 in Grand Cane.  There will be guest speakers and a meal on Tuesday, July 19^th at 6:00 pm.

Guest speakers will be Chris Koffskey of the Branch Bull “Bull Development Program,” and Dr. Christine Navarre, Extension Veterinarian with the LSU Ag Center speaking on “Deworming and General Herd Health.”

For more information contact Joshua Salley at 318-872-0533 or email jsalley@agcenter.lsu.edu.

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Next month there will be a fundraiser in support of Griffin Football.  Organizers are now looking for donations of prizes and other sponsorships.  See the notice below:

North DeSoto Football needs your support! Join us at the Meet the Players Auction, August 13th! We need donations of prizes for live and silent auction, have sponsor tables available and would love to have you attend to support our Mighty Griffins! Christy Moncrief Bates Yulonda Knott Olivier Amy Guidry Wyatt

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By Brad Dison

Love is complicated.  Truer words have rarely been spoken or written.  And so it was with Carlo and Little Stick.

In 1950, Italian attorney turned film producer Carlo met a beauty pageant contestant whose nickname was “Little Stick” because of her tall, thin frame.  Carlo was 37 years old.  Little Stick was just 15.  Within a short time, Carlo and Little Stick became romantically involved.  Their relationship grew and Carlo and Little Stick decided that they wanted to get married.  They had been dating for a little while and marriage seemed like the next natural step.  The couple had just one problem, Carlo was already married.  In 1946, he had wed Giuliana Fiastri in Italy, when Little Stick was just 11 years old.  Carlo had children too.  He and Giuliana had a daughter in 1951, and a son in 1953.  Carlo and Giuliana separated.  The reason for Carlo and Giuliana’s separation depended on which side of the story you heard.

Divorce was forbidden in Italy.  Working in the film industry required Carlo and Little Stick to travel all over the world, but, due to their not being married, they had to get separate hotel rooms wherever they went.  Carlo’s first marriage remained as a barrier to their ultimate happiness.   

In 1957, after years of searching for a solution, Carlo obtained a divorce in Mexico.  As soon as the divorce was finalized, Carlo and Little Stick were married.     They lived happily ever after.  Well, not so fast.  Remember, love is complicated.

Carlo and Little Stick learned of their marriage in the newspaper gossip columns.  Neither of them was present at the ceremony.  Neither of them was even in Mexico.  As per the instructions of Carlo and Little Stick, as soon as Carlo’s divorce was finalized, the couple was married by proxy.  Two male attorneys, acting on their instructions, stood in for them during what can hardly be called a ceremony.

Their marital bliss lasted only a short time before other complications arose.  Carlo’s divorce and wedding may have been perfectly legal in Mexico, but divorce was illegal in Italy and Italy would not recognize foreign divorces.  Carlo’s actions were also against the Roman Catholic church.  Carlo was charged with bigamy.  He and Little Stick were threatened with excommunication from the Roman Catholic church.

“I wanted to be his wife and have his children,” Little Stick proclaimed.  “We had done the best the law would allow to make it official, but they were calling us public sinners.  We should have been taking a honeymoon, but all I remember is weeping for hours.”

Carlo learned that they would be jailed if they ever returned to their home country of Italy.  The legal system in Italy was stacked against them.  Carlo and Little Stick lived in exile in foreign countries, but they remained Italian citizens.  Another complication – their passports only allowed them to stay in foreign countries for a limited period of time.  Carlo and Little Stick were running out of time on their passports.  With no other option available to them, in 1962, Carlo and Little Stick had their Mexican marriage annulled.

Carlo and Little Stick were heartbroken but were more determined than ever to remain together.  They spent the next four years searching for a legal way to marry.  They tried to apply for Swiss citizenship in order to marry but learned that they would have to reside in Switzerland for 10 to 12 years before they could apply.  There was no guarantee their applications would be approved.  Under Swiss law, the couple could not obtain a divorce in Switzerland if the laws of their home country did not permit divorce.  It was another dead end.  In 1966, Carlo and Little Stick applied to become citizens of France.  Their applications were personally approved and signed by French President Georges Pompidou.  In that same year, Carlo and Little Stick married again, this time in Paris.

Carlo and Little Stick remained together for the rest of his life.  Carlo died in 2007 at the age of 94.  Despite the many obstacles their relationship experienced, love somehow found a way.  That chance meeting at a beauty pageant had far-reaching effects for Little Stick.  Carlo got Little Stick small parts in Italian movies, but her career failed to take off.  Carlo thought that Little Stick needed a new image and name to make her more appealing to universal audiences.  Carlo was right.  In 1953, Little Stick began landing leading roles.  In 1961, Little Stick won the Academy Award for best actress for her performance in Two Women.  She has won numerous other awards for her acting including but certainly not limited to a Bafta Award, a Laurel Award, a Grammy Award, and an Academy Honorary Award for lifetime achievements in the film industry.  Little Stick was born Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone, but, thanks to Carlo Ponti, the world knows her as… Sophia Loren.                    

Sources:

1. The Herald-Sun (Durham, North Carolina), April 15, 1957, p.14.
2. Panama City News-Herald (Panama City, Florida), July 15, 1957, p.1.
3. Chillicothe Gazette (Chillicothe, Ohio), April 21, 1979, p.4.
4. Associated Press, “Carlo Ponti, Husband to Sophia Loren, Dead at 94,” January 10, 2007, accessed July 7, 2022, foxnews.com/story/0,2933,242764,00.html.

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The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a surface trough of low pressure that is developing in the northern Gulf of Mexico from a decaying frontal boundary currently

located over the southeastern United States. Any development of this system is expected to be slow to occur while it drifts just offshore of the northern Gulf of Mexico coastline.

Regardless of development, heavy rains will be possible along portions of the northern Gulf coastline from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.  Locally there is a 30 percent chance of some rainfall over the next several days.  Here is the local forecast:

Wednesday – A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Heat index values as high as 110. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night – A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday – A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.

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If you have not made the trip to Pelican, La, to the Clara Springs Camp, on the fourth Friday evening in the month, you have missed a treat.  Your opportunity for redemption comes next Friday, July 22^nd.

Volunteers from First Baptist Church in Coushatta will be cooking and serving delicious fried catfish with all the trimmings.  And there will be homemade ice cream and bread pudding for dessert.

Admission is just $15 for all you care to eat!  Kids eat for $10 and the younger boys and girls (under 9 years old) eat free.

Clara Springs Camp is located in the hills near Pelican on La Hwy 177.  Meal service begins at 5:00 pm and runs until 7:30.

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Qualification to be a candidate for the fall election cycle begins next Wednesday, July 20^th and runs through July 22nd.  Qualifying will be conducted at the Clerk of Court’s office in the Courthouse.

There are several local elections to be held this fall in DeSoto Parish.  All seats on the DeSoto Parish School Board will be up for re-election. 

The Grand Cane Mayor and Aldermen will be up for re-election.  So will be the Mayor and Councilmen of Keachi.

Also, on the Primary election ballot on Tuesday November 8^th will be a spot on the state Court of Appeal, U.S. Representative (the seat is currently held by Mike Johnson).  Also one of the two U.S. Senators from Louisiana will be up for re-election.

If needed runoffs will be held on December 10^th.

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Marjorie Hart

October 27, 1934 to July 10, 2022

View full obituary here:

https://desotoparishjournal.com/2022/07/12/marjorie-hart/

Gerel “Gerrie” Louise Shrader Miller

December 15, 1930 to July 9, 2022

View full obituary here:

https://desotoparishjournal.com/2022/07/11/gerel-gerrie-louise-shrader-miller/

Richard T. Patrick

July 19, 1973 to July 6, 2022

View full obituary here:

https://desotoparishjournal.com/2022/07/08/richard-t-patrick/

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SWEPCO is hosting an open house at the DeSoto Parish’s Substation in Stonewall on Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.  Swepco will present plans for upgrading electric service for Stonewall.

On social media a citizen complimented the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office.  Steve Wilkinson posted, “Y’all are on point!  Sorry for my false alarm tonight,  but I really appreciate y’all responding so quickly!  Absolutely amazing!  Thank you!  (Again, I apologize).    The Sheriff’s Office responded, “Well Mr. Wilkinson, haven’t had my coffee yet this morning, and I’m not sure what we did overnight, but none-the-less we are glad you are happy and safe!  Thank you for the feedback and have a great weekend!”

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Funeral services celebrating the life of Marjorie Hart will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Hunter-Magnolia Baptist Church. Rev. Amador Santos and Rev. Ken Norton will be officiating the service. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Stanley, Louisiana.

Marjorie, 87, of Mansfield, Louisiana entered into rest on Sunday, July 10, 2022. She was born October 27, 1934, in Conroe, Texas to Alvin and Myrtle Powell. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Scarlett Crawford, Ruby Glover, and her husband, Ray Dean; grandson, Adam Weaver; and great-granddaughter, Cheyenne Weaver. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Charles Hart; her parents; grandson, Jonathan Price; her brother, and her sister.

Honoring Marjorie as pallbearers will be Severn Doughty, Alvin Powell, Adam Weaver, Adam Ramsey, George Glover, and Huel Jones.

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“Due to high demand and lack of water in the storage tanks, the pumps at the station shut off to prevent damage, we have since switched to a back up supply to allow the storage tanks to refill. Once the tanks reach operational levels we will switch back to our own supply. A boil advisory is in effect until further notice. We ask everyone to please be mindful of excessive use during the current drought and extreme temperatures.

Areas/ Streets affected are : Cathey Acres, Dalton Rd, Shady Lake Subdivision, Hall road, Bishop road, McCune private drive, Twin Corner’s RV Park, Doc’s private drive, Church road, Goldsby, Stonewall-Preston road, Old Jefferson, Mary street, Burford road, Lee ln, Brian David road, Nelson road, Storey, Rambin road, Middleton road, Cherri ln,  Old Hickory Subdivision (Ramsey private drive),HWY 3276 from Dalton road headed east to HWY 171, and Hwy 171 from Rambin road headed north to parish line.”

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On July 10, 2022, just before 11:00 p.m., Troopers assigned to Louisiana State Police Troop G began investigating a one-vehicle fatality crash involving a (UTV) utility terrain vehicle on LA Hwy 5 at the intersection of Bates Road. The crash claimed the life of 30-year-old Jaquentin Brokenberry.

The initial investigation revealed that a 2016 Can-Am UTV, driven by a Brokenberry, was traveling north on LA Hwy 5. As he attempted to turn onto Bates Road, he ran off the road, overturned, and was ejected.

Brokenberry was not wearing a seat belt or a DOT-approved helmet.  He was transported to Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, where he was pronounced dead. 

Troopers would like to stress the importance of utilizing proper safety equipment such as approved helmets and seat belts when operating any off-road vehicle. Additionally, it is dangerous and illegal to operate off-road vehicles (i.e., three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and other all-terrain vehicles) on any public roadway in this state. 

In 2022, Troop G has investigated 21 fatal crashes, resulting in 22 deaths.

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A graveside service honoring the life of Gerel Louise Shrader Miller will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at St. Anne’s Cemetery in Stonewall, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be her grandson, Reverend J. Klay Harrison.

Gerel Louise Shrader Miller, surrounded by her family, departed this earth at peace on Saturday, July 9, 2022. She was welcomed into God’s kingdom by her late son, Buddy, her husband, Bobby, and her mom, Silvia, who passed away when she was 6 years of age. Gerrie, as she was known by, always said – “They must of thought I was a boy and didn’t bother to change my name.” She was born on December 15,1930 in Little Rock, Arkansas. She attended the University of Arkansas until she decided adventure was waiting for her in the friendly skies. She became an airline stewardess for Pan Am and Delta Airlines. On one of her flights into Shreveport, she met a young and handsome Shreveport police officer named Bobby Miller. She then decided to clip her wings for love.

At 4’11″, she always had the presence of a giant. All who knew her understand that statement. She had a dry wit which she passed onto her children. She taught her children to be strong and independent individuals. She instilled in us a legacy of service to others. It is evident in the jobs she chose. She served as a patient advocate at a local hospital. She also enjoyed her job at Volunteers of America teaching expectant moms how to properly care for their babies.

She was a knight in shining armor (a life size knight stood in the family home for 35 years) while substitute teaching continuously at Woodlawn High School. She loved the Red Line Drill Team and all the kids she taught. She was so proud when her baby daughter became the youngest mascot for the cheer squad ever. She was an avid LSU fan and loved pulling for her Tigers, as well as cussing like a sailor when they lost due to stupid plays and mostly bad calls. She had a love for rock music and met too many rockers to name when her late son was in the business. She was Cheap Tricks biggest fan and appreciated how they honored his memory at local shows for the past 40 years. By far, her greatest achievement were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She relished in the chaos of the large get togethers, where she will be missed and remembered forever more.

Gerrie is preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, Bobby Phillip Miller, Sr.; and oldest son, Bobby Phillip Miller, Jr. “Buddy”.

Mourning her death are her children, Dodie Horton and husband, Gary, Melinda Kent and husband, Fred, Glenn Miller, Leisa Harrison and husband, Keith and Shaun Hollier and husband, Henry; grandchildren, Mandie Bruyninckx, Misty Horton, Courtney Stephens, Elyse Kent, Dr. Rhett Kent, Colby Miller, Cameron Miller, Reverend Klay Harrison, Jay Harrison, Kyle LaCroix, Dr. Erika LaCroix, Andrew Hollier and Vanessa Dotie; great-grandchildren, Brody Bruyninckx, Maddox Hibner, Emily Stephens, Ella Stephens, Chloe Kent, Sheppard Miller, Liam Suter, J’den Harrison, Judah Harrison, Landon Harrison, and Devyn Dotie; and special friends, Tammie Carlisle, Keith David and Cille Dykes.

Honoring Gerrie as pallbearers will be her grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be her sons-in law.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the loving caretakers at Garden Park Nursing Home, Lifepath Hospice caretakers & the many physicians who cared for Gerrie over the years

The family suggests any memorials may be made to the Volunteers of America, 1660 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Rock on in heaven mom.

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The National Weather Service office in Shreveport has issued a Heat Advisory in Effect for our area through 7:00 pm Saturday.  Take proper precautions.  See the text of the advisory below:

* WHAT…Heat index values of 105 to 110 degrees.

* WHERE…All of north central and northwest Louisiana,

  southeast Oklahoma, south central and southwest Arkansas and

  east and northeast Texas.

* WHEN…Until 7 PM CDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS…Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat

  illnesses to occur.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

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Funeral services honoring the life of Richard T. Patrick will be held on at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, July 9, 2022, at Old Pisgah Baptist Church in Marthaville, Louisiana with Rev. Dean Johnson and Rev. Wayne Salley officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Pleasant Hill, Louisiana. A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. on Friday, July 8, 2022, at Old Pisgah Baptist Church.

Richard Truitt Patrick was born July 19, 1973, in Shreveport, Louisiana to John Patrick and Linda Welborn. He entered into rest on July 6, 2022, in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana.

Richard had a love for Saddle Bronc Riding and Team Roping when he was in high school and a little later in life, he roped with his dad. For 11 years Richard also had a love for protecting and serving Sabine Parish as an Officer of the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. But his greatest love was his children.

Richard is proceeded in death by his father, John Richard Patrick; stepmother, Nancy Lee Patrick; grandparents, Dewitt and Joyce Patrick; and stepbrother, Jimmy Patrick. Left to cherish his memory include his daughter, MaKenzi Lindsey Patrick; son, Cullen Gauge Patrick; brother, Nolan Dewitt Patrick; mother, Linda Welborn Bozyone; stepsister, Michelle Bozyone Roberts; and stepbrother, Toby Bozyone.

With sincere gratitude, Cullen and Makenzi would like to express their heartfelt thanks to all of Richard’s friends, family, and coworkers, for all the sympathy, love, and support that has been extended to them and their family during their time of loss.

Honoring Richard as pallbearers will be Robert Burleson, Josiah Steinke, Jason Rivers, Shane Graves, Trent Yarbrough, Jimmy Ray Brown, Jeff Harris, and Lil’ Ray Parker. Honorary pallbearers will be Nolan Patrick, John Adair, Billy Wayne Peacock, Michael Frankell, Sinclair Jackson, Dustin Cartinez, Dwane Poteet, Mark Walker, and Keith Durr.

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From the DeSoto Sheriff’s Office

Well folks, a new month is upon us and you know what that means?  Another charitable donation from our bearded staff here at DPSO!  This month will make a grand total of $8,000 that has been donated to local charities in our Parish since this fun little program began back in December.  While our deputies have enjoyed getting to grow out their whiskers for the first time in decades, the ultimate goal is to give back to our community and highlight some of the amazing non-profits we have in DeSoto Parish.  Each participating deputy donates $20 per month in exchange for getting to grow out their beard, which is then donated to a local charity of the Sheriff’s choosing.  This month Sheriff Jayson Richardson has selected the Fire District 9 Ladies Auxiliary of Frierson, La!

Over 20 years ago, the Ladies Auxiliary in District #9 was organized to assist the volunteer firefighters in any way they can.  Their efforts include, but not limited to, fund raising through fish fries, rummage sales, bake sales, and other projects.  Their work is intended to ensure that their firefighters have all the equipment they need to do their job such as radios, batteries, shirts, hats, among many other things.  The Auxiliary is made up of a group of women who live in the neighborhood and have a desire to help!  They’ve been known to also host the Frierson Political Forum to allow those running for office to speak their agenda and answer questions directly from the public. The Ladies Auxiliary of Fire District 9 is always searching for new faces to join their ranks and be a blessing to their community.  If you are interested in becoming a member, you can contact Mrs. Synda Dillard at 318-773-3669. 

Pictured are Mrs. Synda Dillard (President of Ladies Auxiliary) receiving a check from Sheriff Jayson Richardson, surrounded by many ladies from the Fire District #9 Auxiliary and a few bearded wonders sprinkled in the mix.  (It is also worth noting that Deputy Dispatcher Bill does indeed have a goatee, you just have to zoom in really close to see it.)

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By LaBetha Casey

Stonewall welcomed a new business July 5, 2022, at the ribbon cutting of Cardinal Music Company.  Steve and Paula Wilkinson and their two sons, Landry and Cardis, are the family owners.

Music has been a part of their family for a number of years.  More than a dozen years ago, Steve and his sons started a musical band named Landry and Company.  At the time, Landry was only 12 years of age and bass player, Cardis, was only 7.  They have played for a number of venues since.

Steve shared that the origin of their store name is a tribute to a number of musicians and their family members, especially Paula’s brother, Randy Lambert, who were lost to death in recent years.  Cardinals represent deceased loved ones, who are watching over you, according to superstition.

The store offers a selection of drums, guitars and accessories such as guitar strings and picks.  Landry is their tech person who installs sound systems.  Paula was sporting some cardinal earrings that she made.  After having brain surgery, she began making jewelry as therapy, so a selection of her hand-made jewelry is also for sale.

Well-wishers had the opportunity to submit an entry for an acoustic guitar pack.  The lucky door prize winner for the noon drawing was Caleb Robison of Gloster.

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By Royal Alexander

Included in the historic and dizzying litany of U.S. Supreme Court decisions the last ten days are rulings on 2nd Amendment rights and free exercise of religion.

These decisions, when analyzed in conjunction with landmark pro-democracy decisions defending the rights ‘of the people’ through their elected representatives to choose to protect pre-born human life and requiring that the U.S. Congress determine major environmental policy—not unelected bureaucrats unaccountable to the people—the Supreme Court has returned “We the People” to a constitutional republic and a ‘government by consent of the governed.’

Let’s begin with the 2nd Amendment case.

The Supreme Court held that New York’s handgun licensing regime was unconstitutional.  Why?  Because NY was forcing its citizens who wished to apply for and receive a permit to carry a handgun to prove that they had “proper cause” to carry the handgun and that the applicant had demonstrated a “special need for self-defense.” 

The Supreme Court flatly said “no.”  What was the Court’s reasoning?

The Court refused to leave in the hands of NY state bureaucrats the discretion to determine to grant or disallow a citizen’s 2nd Amendment right ‘to keep and bear arms’ based on what the bureaucrat deems to qualify as a “special need” for self-defense. 

The Court held that “the Second and Fourteenth Amendments protect an individual’s right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home.”  The Court underscored this point adding that “individual self-defense is the central component of the Second Amendment right.”

Why is this important? At a time when the Lunatic Left are defunding and disrespecting the police, and police coverage and response times are negatively impacted; when bail to keep dangerous criminals off the streets is being reduced and ended in many jurisdictions; and prisons are being emptied of lethal threats to society; this Supreme Court decision reaffirms the principle that the right to keep and bear arms is an individual right.

The cry for “gun control” after these mass shootings (and these shootings are primarily a heart problem not a gun problem) is an easy solution for politicians with a desire to “do something,” but it is deeply misplaced.  What we need is criminal control.

Law-abiding gun owners everywhere already obey our gun laws but criminals—by their nature—are never going to comply.  The result is that the good guys are disarmed while the bad guys are, free and unopposed, able to inflict their violence and death on the innocent.  This is societal insanity.

The second important Supreme Court decision I address today is one involving free exercise of religion and the “praying football coach.”

What are the facts? Coach Joseph Kennedy was fired from his job as a high school football coach in the Bremerton School District after he knelt at midfield after games to offer a quiet, personal prayer of thanks.  The high school is a public high school—making him a government employee—in Washington state.

The Bremerton School District argued that as an employee at work Coach Kennedy’s prayer was “state speech” and thereby violated the Constitution’s promise of no government “establishment of religion.”   However, the Supreme Court held that in firing Coach Kennedy it had unconstitutionally punished him “for engaging in a brief, quiet, personal religious observance” after each game. 

The Court held that Coach Kennedy’s ritual after football games is private conduct.   The Court noted that Coach Kennedy never attempted to pressure or coerce his players or spectators to join him.  He had also never offered his prayers while acting within the scope of his duties as a coach or conditioned playing time based upon participation in his prayer.  He merely engaged, for approximately 3o seconds after each game, in his own brief and personal religious observance.

The Court reasoned that finding this private conduct unconstitutional would be to discriminate against religion.  That’s right, of course, because as any fair reading of American history makes clear, what the Framers of our Constitution were concerned about was the establishment of a state religion of the kind they fled when the Pilgrims came to America in the first place.  That is why the Framers would not recognize the hostility to religion that is so common in America today.

For citizen patriots loyal to our Constitution, these last 10 days have marked a thrilling return to constitutional principles, to the rubric that the responsibility of a Supreme Court Justice is to interpret the law, not make it.

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There is nothing worse than ragged flags at a public place.  Pictured is the Stonewall Compactor Station. 

A civic minded citizen donated two new flags.  The operators were very thankful.  And the Stonewall Compactor Station now proudly flies the new flags.

Information submitted by a Journal reader.

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