Often when people cook for the Thanksgiving holiday, there are likely to be plenty of leftovers.
While leftovers can be a great way to extend the meal and save time, it’s crucial to handle them
safely to avoid foodborne illness. To ensure that leftovers are safe to eat, several key practices
must be followed.

Firstly, it’s important that the food is cooked to a safe internal temperature. For example, turkey
should reach an internal temperature of 165°F to kill harmful bacteria. To avoid cross-
contamination, use a food thermometer to check the temperature in the thickest part of the meat.
Once the food is cooked, hot food must be kept at a temperature of at least 140°F or warmer until
it is served. Keeping food at this temperature helps prevent bacteria from growing, which can
multiply quickly at unsafe temperatures.

After the meal is over, the key to safely storing leftovers is refrigerating them promptly.
Leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours of being taken off the heat source, and if the
room temperature is above 90°F (such as at an outdoor gathering), they should be refrigerated
within one hour. Bacteria grow rapidly between the temperatures of 40°F and 140°F, which is
known as the "danger zone." If food is left in this range for too long, harmful bacteria can
multiply to dangerous levels.

The two primary causes of foodborne illness are cooking food at an unsafe temperature and
leaving food out for longer than two hours. Bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins in contaminated
food or beverages can cause foodborne illness. Symptoms of foodborne illness can range from
mild stomach upset to severe conditions requiring medical attention, so it’s important to avoid
the risks by adhering to food safety guidelines.

When storing leftovers, make sure to place them in shallow containers to allow for quick
cooling. The refrigerator should be set at 40°F or lower to ensure the safe storage of perishable
foods. If you plan to keep leftovers for more than a few days, freezing them is another option to
extend their shelf life. Additionally, be sure to reheat leftovers to a safe temperature of 165°F
before consuming them.

Safe handling of leftovers is particularly important in reducing the risk of foodborne illness, not
just during the holiday season but throughout the year. By following these simple
steps—cooking food to the right temperature, refrigerating leftovers promptly, and reheating
them properly—you can help ensure that your Thanksgiving leftovers remain safe to enjoy.

If you need help on Thanksgiving Day, the Meat and Poultry Hotline is available from 8 a.m. to
2 p.m. Eastern Time. You can contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-
MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) to talk to a food safety expert or chat live at  ask.usda.gov from 10
a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

The attached report displays all individuals booked into the DeSoto Detention Center between the dates of NOV. 18 – NOV. 24 (1 week) and includes arrests made by DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO), Mansfield Police Department (MPD), and Louisiana State Police (LSP.) All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Booking photos for each, unless they have bonded out, are readily available from DeSoto Parish Sheriff.

Congratulations to the Logansport Tigers and North DeSoto Griffins on advancing to the Quarterfinals of the LHSAA Football Playoffs. DeSoto Parish football moving full steam ahead.

The Mansfield High School Wolverines Football team gave a season to remember, filled with heart, hard work, and determination. Though the journey ended in the playoffs, they played for so much more this season.

The DeSoto Parish School District cannot wait to see all student athletes back in Washington-Taylor-Rodgers Stadium in 2025.

By Steve Graf

There are a lot of hunters that can look back on Thanksgiving with fond memories. It’s not just about the food and football, but about their hunts as well. While some hunt ducks, quail or squirrels, others head for their favorite deer stand on Thanksgiving morning. Today we’ll go back in time during the early ‘70’s on a hunt I’ll never forget.

Every year as far back as I can remember, my favorite time to go hunting was on Thanksgiving morning. There was just something special about this day and waking up early knowing that three good things were going to happen that day. First, I was going deer hunting looking to shoot a good buck. Next, I knew there would be one heck of a Thanksgiving spread waiting for me after the hunt.

This would be a meal that would include my mom’s tasty cornbread dressing, fresh brown gravy, candied sweet potatoes, green beans, hot butter top rolls, deviled eggs, and either a pan roasted turkey or, every once in a while, she would shake things up with oven baked Cornish hens. To wash all this down you could choose grape Kool-Aid or sweet tea. For dessert, there was a choice between sweet potato or pecan pie, along with mom’s famous fruit salad (which was better after day 3) covered in homemade whip cream topped with walnuts.

As you can see, there was no shortage of food. But the third thing I looked forward to, that Thanksgiving Day would not be complete without, was a Dallas Cowboys victory. Nothing was more satisfying after a great meal than watching the Cowboy’s destroy their opponent.

But let’s talk about a Thanksgiving hunt I will remember forever…my first buck at the age of 12. This particular morning the temperature was in the mid 40’s with sunny skies predicted. A great morning for blowing smoke as you sat on your deer stand. But this day had a different feel, a feeling of anticipation because I had already seen the buck I was after the weekend before.

It appeared to be a solid mature eight-point buck that I hoped would make his presence known. But for some odd reason, I decided not to sit in my stand which was in the woods at the top of a hill overlooking a creek. There was also a game trail crossing this creek that deer were using on a regular basis.

So, I set up at the base of a huge pin oak tree just 20 yards off the game trail. It wasn’t long (30 minutes) before I heard the sound of something crashing through the woods headed directly in my direction. As I peered through the dense wood cover, I saw the huge buck crossing the creek and coming straight at me. Then halfway up the hill, the big eight point stopped and locked up as if he knew something wasn’t right.

I knew at this point the deer had probably gotten wind of me. I sat motionless with the buck looking in my direction about 30 feet away pawing at the ground. At one point it was as if we made actual eye contact. While this seemed like an eternity, I don’t think I took a breath for at least two minutes.

Finally, the buck looked back in the direction he came from and that’s when I raised my Remington 308 rifle and fired one shot. The buck jumped in the air and whirled around and headed back across the creek. I thought, “Surely, I didn’t miss that buck!” I mean he was the biggest buck in the county in my eyes! But then I heard him hit the ground confirming that I had made a clean shot.

The man I was hunting with, who was a good friend of the family, heard my shot and came immediately. We slowly walked towards the deer as we crossed the shallow creek and there he was, a really nice mature eight-point buck that I thought was the same deer I had seen the weekend before.

To say this was my favorite Thanksgiving ever would be an understatement! I was so excited and could not wait to show the deer to my family and friends. This is just one story of many that so many hunters get to experience during this time of year.

It’s also another reason for all of us to be thankful, not just for the opportunity to go hunting, but for the time we get to share with each other. Till next time, good luck, good hunting, as I would like to wish each of you a happy Thanksgiving!

By Doug De Graffenried

In some families, Thanksgiving will involve holding hands and praying before the meal. I was thinking about all the tables full of food surrounded by family members, who have gathered for this holiday. I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with love and grace. What are your family traditions around this holiday? Will you share your blessings? Are you a hand-holding family?

Has God given you a hand to hold?

Ronald Greer tells this story:

“I was sitting in the Atlanta airport, waiting at Gate 32 to board a plane. Zones 1 and 2 were called; I stood, picked up my briefcase, and walked toward the line that was forming. As I passed a row of seats, I heard a girl ask her mother, “Do I stand up now?”

Something about the girl’s voice got my attention. She was developmentally disabled. I kept walking, got in line, and boarded the plane.

I took my place in seat 7C. After I settled in, I looked up. There was the girl, coming down the aisle by herself. I was surprised to see that she was a teenager—she was so petite that she appeared almost frail. The seat in front of mine was hers.

Then “Animal House” boarded. A group of college students came down the aisle and took several rows of seats across from us. They were laughing, joking with one another, and having a great time. But above all else, they were cool. Cool, you understand, was imperative.

Finally, the plane was pushed back and began taxiing. Ten minutes later the pilot announced that we were cleared for takeoff. He made the final turn onto the runway.

I looked up and saw that little head with brunette hair lean partway across the aisle. I heard the girl say to the college student across from her, “I get really nervous when we take off. Would you hold my hand?”

My eyes were riveted on the young man to see what he would do. Holding a stranger’s hand is not cool. After a first nervous blush, he began to smile, and halfway across the aisle came that kid’s big ol’ hand. The girl’s tiny fingers grabbed it and squeezed it.

There they held hands across the aisle, as our Delta jet was airborne.

There they held hands as I stared, also in disbelief, and memorized that sacred moment. I knew I was seeing a sacrament.”

Has God given you a hand to hold?

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission wants everyone to have a fine Thanksgiving instead of having to pay a Thanksgiving fine for not wearing a seat belt during the statewide Click It or Ticket campaign.

The campaign, which runs through Saturday, Nov. 30, is a statewide effort by multiple law enforcement partners to encourage people to buckle up. Deputy sheriffs, police officers, and Louisiana State Police will be patrolling roads and highways across Louisiana and giving tickets to drivers and passengers who are not wearing seat belts.

Every person traveling in a motor vehicle –– including those in a back seat –– must be properly restrained by a seat belt or a child safety seat, according to Louisiana law. A first-offense citation costs $50, and subsequent offenses are $75.

“Louisiana is at an all-time high seat belt usage rate of 88.4%,” LHSC Executive Director Lisa Freeman said, referring to the 2024 Louisiana seat belt observational survey results. “That also means that almost 12% of the people in our state still refuse to buckle up, so we have to work harder to reach those people.”

Wearing a seat belt is the best action drivers and passengers can take to protect themselves from serious injury or death in a motor vehicle crash. In 2023, at least 56.5% of drivers and passengers who died in motor vehicle crashes in Louisiana were not properly using a seat belt or child safety seat, according to the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU.

“Since 2019, 54 people in Louisiana have died in crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday,” Freeman said. “While we cannot know with certainty if any of them would be with us this Thanksgiving had they worn their seat belts, we do know the odds would have been in their favor.”

In 2023, 454 people were injured on Louisiana roads during the Thanksgiving holiday period, according to CARTS. Some of those people may have escaped with less serious injuries or no injuries if they had worn a seat belt, Freeman said.

“Once you get in the habit of always using your seat belt, it becomes automatic,” Freeman said. “Our hope is that Click It or Ticket is the start of a great habit for the 12% of unbuckled drivers and passengers.”

By Brad Dison

Most of Tom’s life was spent in incarceration, but now he was sentenced to death by guillotine. The date of his execution was set for November 19. As he sat on death row, he could do nothing but wait. From his jail cell, he could see others awaiting a similar fate. Tom knew nothing of their reasons for being there, whether they were innocent or guilty, but Tom was absolutely innocent. As the old saying goes, “everyone on death row is innocent.” One by one he watched as they were led away never to return. Shortly after their cells were vacated, other prisoners took their place in a seemingly never-ending cycle. Finally, his day had come. He spoke not a word as he was led out of his jail cell and onto the platform. The only thing that could save Tom now would be a last-minute reprieve, but it had never happened to someone under Tom’s circumstances. There was little hope.

Tom’s time had come. From the platform which had been set up in such a way as to give the public a good view, Tom looked out at the crowd as they looked back at him. Rather than a somber occasion, the crowd was relaxed and seemed almost cheerful. The crowd knew something that Tom did not. A man stood next to Tom and begin to speak to the crowd. Like the crowd, the speaker was smiling and cheerful as he spoke. Tom watched the crowd in silence. During his speech, the man told the crowd that he was commuting Tom’s death sentence to life in prison. Tom was saved from the guillotine. After some brief remarks, a quick photo, and a few questions from reporters, the speaker gave the sign and John was whisked away from the podium. He was transported back to his cell at the Keithley McPherrin turkey breeding farms in Sunnymead, California. Tom, a white 55-pound turkey, was the first turkey in history to receive a pardon from the President of the United States.

Although other presidents had saved various turkeys from dinner tables throughout the years, the pardoning of a Thanksgiving turkey did not become an annual tradition until Thanksgiving 1989 when George H.W. Bush said at a Thanksgiving Day Proclamation ceremony, while animal rights activists picketed nearby, “let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy—he’s presented a Presidential pardon as of right now—and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here.”

As we gather together with family and friends this Thanksgiving, we should remember to be thankful for everything and, more importantly, everyone we have. We should be thankful for every moment we have on this earth because none of us know how much time we have. You see, the first turkey to receive a presidential pardon was by President John F. Kennedy. Kenndy planned to spend that Thanksgiving with his family in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, but first he had to do a short political tour. On November 22, 1963, three days after pardoning Tom, John F. Kennedy was riding in a convertible in Dallas…

Sources:

1. The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky), November 20, 1963, p.12.

2. The Post-Star (Glens Falls, New York) , November 18, 1989, p.4.

3. Betty C. Monkman, “Pardoning the Thanksgiving Turkey,” The White House Historical Association, accessed November 23, 2024, .whitehousehistory.org/pardoning-the-thanksgiving-turkey.

On November 27, meat lovers across the country celebrate National Craft Jerky Day, a day dedicated to the art of crafting premium, small-batch jerky. This tasty snack has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a method of preserving meat, evolving into a gourmet treat that showcases unique flavors and artisan techniques.

Jerky’s history dates back to ancient times when cultures worldwide dried and cured meat to extend its shelf life. However, the rise of craft jerky has elevated this simple snack into a culinary experience. Artisan producers focus on quality, often using grass-fed beef, free-range poultry, or exotic meats like venison, elk, and even bison. Small-batch production allows for precise flavoring and attention to detail, creating a jerky that’s as much about taste as it is about nutrition.

The explosion of creative flavor profiles has been a key factor in jerky’s resurgence. Sweet and savory classics like teriyaki and hickory-smoked remain staples, but modern artisans are pushing boundaries. Spicy options such as sriracha-infused jerky and ghost pepper varieties cater to heat lovers, while experimental blends like coffee-rubbed or maple bourbon jerky offer bold, unexpected tastes. Vegan jerky made from mushrooms or jackfruit has even entered the market, appealing to plant-based eaters.

Beyond flavor, craft jerky appeals to health-conscious consumers seeking high-protein, low-sugar snacks. Many producers emphasize all-natural ingredients, avoiding preservatives or artificial additives.

National Craft Jerky Day is a time to savor the creativity and care behind this age-old snack. Whether you’re a fan of spicy, sweet, or smoky, there’s an artisan jerky to match your palate. This day serves as a reminder of how far jerky has come—from survival food to a gourmet indulgence.

None

As the investigation progressed, Investigators identified 28-year-old Quindon Thomas from Shreveport in connection with the stolen MFD credit card, which ultimately led to the arrest of former MFD fireman Donald Anthony Jr. Investigators learned that Thomas, who has no affiliation with MFD, also engaged in numerous illegal transactions using the stolen credit card.

As a result, an arrest warrant was obtained through the 42nd JDC, charging Thomas with felony access device fraud and felony identity theft. On November 18, 2024, the Bossier City Police Department arrested Thomas for this warrant. Thomas was booked into the Bossier Parish Maximum Security Jail and will be transferred to the DeSoto Parish Detention Center at a later date.

See below for the initial news release.

In July 2024, the Mansfield Police Department contacted the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations/Bossier Field Office to investigate a stolen credit card belonging to the Mansfield Fire Department (MFD).

The preliminary investigation revealed that the MFD credit card was used in over 180 unauthorized transactions, resulting in illegal purchases totaling more than $14,000 for gas. These transactions occurred between February 2024 through July 2024 at gas stations in Louisiana and Texas.

Investigators learned that 22-year-old former MFD Fireman Donald Anthony Jr. of Mansfield stole the MFD credit card following his termination from MFD in February 2024. Thereafter, he engaged in numerous unauthorized transactions using the stolen credit card.

As a result of the investigation and information obtained, an arrest warrant was obtained through the 42nd JDC, charging Anthony with felony access device fraud and felony identity theft. Anthony turned himself in to authorities this morning and was booked into the DeSoto Parish Detention Center on the above charges. This investigation remains active and ongoing.

To report suspicious or criminal activity in your community, the Louisiana State Police online reporting system is available to the public through a convenient, anonymous, and secure reporting form that is submitted to the appropriate investigators. The form can be accessed by visiting lsp.org and clicking the Report Suspicious or Criminal Activity.

DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson reports that three more arrests were made last week involving the illegal distribution or possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS), among other related crimes. In an ongoing effort to keep dangerous drugs off of our streets, DeSoto Sheriff teams of SWAT, SLIU (Street Level Interdiction Unit), Narcotics Agents, and K9 Units are constantly active in their investigative methods to bring justice to those aiming harm to our community. The following are just the recent string of narcotics arrests, with more to follow in the coming days:

On 10/19/2024, Triston L. Hanegan, a 24yo white male of Bossier City was taken into custody by DeSoto SLIU on charges of Possession of Schedule II (Meth), Possession of Schedule I (Marijuana), Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of CDS, Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Violation of Protective Orders while in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of Domestic Battery, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

On 10/23/2024, JaQuiryon D ONeal, a 21yo black male of Shreveport was taken into custody by DeSoto SLIU and Narcotics Agents on charges of Simple Escape, Possession of Schedule I (Marijuana), Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of CDS, and Speeding.

On 11/02/2024, Howard J. Granger, a 60yo white male of Lake Charles was taken into custody by DeSoto SLIU on charges of Expired Registration, Possession of Schedule II (Meth), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

All photos and information are also available in the DeSoto Sheriff App under the Inmates section.

A traffic stop investigation has led to the arrest of a Natchitoches woman on felony charges which resulted in the recovery of a stolen trailer valued over $10,000 according to Sheriff Stuart Wright.

The investigation began on Friday morning, Nov. 15, at approximately 1:33 am, when deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau stopped a sports utility vehicle pulling a trailer on Hwy. 3191 near Natchitoches for a traffic violation.

Deputies identified two occupants in the vehicle.

Deputies learned while running the trailer license plate through the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, the license plate, was canceled and belonged on another vehicle.

While speaking with the occupants of the vehicle, deputies learned they allegedly borrowed the trailer to move furniture items from a person identified as Fallon Davis of Natchitoches.

A back-up unit responded to assist.

Deputies suspected criminal activity.

Deputies then obtained the VIN# on the 2020 Bandera, 12-foot flatbed trailer to run it through NLETS.

They learned the trailer had been reported stolen to DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Contact was made with Fallon Davis to come to the scene concerning the trailer.

When she arrived on scene, deputies asked her if she owned the trailer in which she responded “yes”. She also stated she allowed the two to borrow the trailer.

Deputies arrested Davis without incident at the scene.

As a result:
Fallon L. Davis, 39, of Natchitoches was transported and booked into Lasalle Corrections Center in Natchitoches charged with Illegal Possession of Stolen Things valued over $10,000.

The trailer confirmed stolen through DeSoto Parish was recovered and stored at a secured area until the owner could make arrangements to pick it up.

The case remains active and ongoing with assistance from the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau.

Involved in the investigation and arrest were: Sgt. D. Halliburton and Cpl. C. Olliff.

The DeSoto 911 Communications District recently hosted the “Young at Heart” group from Salem Baptist Church. In attendance were Sheriff Jayson Richardson, Capt. Phillip Daniels and Lt. Tabitha Tucker along with members of Salem Baptist. Lunch was also provided for everyone. A brief presentation about DeSoto Emergency Communications was given on the dispatch floor and everyone was able to see how a 911 call is processed from start to finish.

DeSoto Parish is celebrating BIG wins in the first round of the LHSAA Football Playoffs. The Mansfield Wolverines dominated with a 58-14 victory over Avoyelles. The North DeSoto Griffins shut out Woodlawn with a stellar 44-0 win. The Logansport Tigers roared to a commanding 61-0 triumph over Varnado.

DeSoto Parish Schools are proud of these student athletes’ hard work, determination, and team spirit. On to the next round—let’s keep the momentum going!

By Steve Graf

Now that we southern folks are slowly headed for what we call “winter” fishing, it’s a reminder of one FLW event I fished back in the early 2000’s. There’s nothing worse than fishing in the freezing cold unless it’s a wet freezing cold. This tournament took place on the Tombigbee Waterway in Tennessee and today we’ll look back at just how cold and difficult this tournament was, and the lesson learned.

Let’s set the stage… it’s early March and a major cold front had made its way into the deep south. Several days of sleet, snow and freezing rain prior to this tournament, made it a test of one’s will and determination. It wasn’t about winning or getting a check, it was truly about surviving the brutal conditions.

For me personally, keeping my hands warm has always been the difficult part of a cold day on the water, especially after they’ve gotten wet. Some guys can wear gloves, but I’ve never been able to do that because I have no feel for making a cast. In this event, even the eyes on your fishing rod would freeze up, forcing you to dip your rod into the water frequently to thaw them out.

Now for all FLW Tour events at this time, as a co-angler you could bring your own boat and pre-fish on your own, get to the tournament early and pre-fish with one of the pros, or just show up and fish once the tournament started. Call me a soft Suzy, but due to the extreme weather conditions, I decided to forgo the pre-fishing and just be ready when the tournament started. Just getting to this tournament was a challenge with the road closures across the south.

The night before the tournament, I was paired up with my day 1 pro partner from Granbury, Texas. As we sat and talked at the pre-tournament meeting, he told me how tough the fishing had been. He said he only had one bite in three days of pre-fishing!

Now this is not what you want to hear from your pro the day before the tournament starts, but I tried to stay positive and just fish the conditions. My mindset was to fish slow and to get three bites because all I needed as a co-angler was a three fish limit.

Day 1 rolled around and even though the sleet and snow had stopped, temperatures for the day were in the low 20’s with a wind chill factor of 15 degrees. One thing I learned very early in my fishing career is that if you dress in layers, you can stay warm and get through the day.

Finally, it was time to fish, and my pro partner made the comment that we were going to start on the only spot he had a bite during his three days of practice. It was a 30-yard stretch off a backwater point. On this point there were three underwater stumps about 15 yards apart.

Over my many years of tournament fishing, I’ve developed major confidence in one bait, a Black Emerald Zoom Trick worm rigged with a 3/16 oz. slip sinker. This turned out to be the perfect lure with the water being very muddy and cold. I prayed the dark colored low-profile worm would be the answer to me getting the bites I needed to be competitive.

Well, my prayers were answered, as it was only 10 minutes into the tournament when I made a pitch to the first stump I saw and set the hook on a four-pound largemouth bass. My pro was so excited and going nuts over what I had just caught! He made the comment that I just might lead the co-angler side of the event with just that one fish!

With a good fish in the live well and my chest sticking out, three minutes later I pitched my favorite worm onto the next stump and set the hook on a three-pound largemouth bass! Less than fifteen minutes into this event, I had over 7 pounds of fish with just two fish. My pro was speechless and could not believe what he was seeing!

It only got better when ten minutes later, I made a cast on the third and final stump on this stretch and caught another four-pound bass! At the end of the day, just as my pro predicted, I was leading the tournament on the co-angler side after day 1. To be clear, that was the only three bites I got all day!

To wrap this up, I caught one fish on day 2, but it was good enough to make the Top 10 on the third and final day as I went on to finish 4th overall.

Turns out, fishing in this tournament was extremely difficult as there were 90 pro anglers out of 150 that did not catch a single fish the entire tournament. But the lessoned learned was that even in the most extreme weather conditions, bass will still bite. You just need to figure out exactly what they want, and how they want it.

Till next time, good luck, good fishing, and make sure to wear your life jacket especially when the big motor is running.

By Doug De Graffenried

One of our staff stopped in my office the other day.

She said, “I’m here for chocolate.” Years ago, I started stocking my office with
candy. I discovered that adults would stop by for chocolates and would often feel comfortable enough to tell me what is really on their minds. It happened that day.

The staff person said, “I am angry that this morning my electric toothbrush did not work. I had to brush my teeth the old-fashioned way.” I could relate to that. An electric toothbrush is a luxury that I also share. She waxed poetic about the virtues of an electric toothbrush compared to the old-fashioned kind. Another bite of chocolate and a deep breath later, she said, “You know we forget our blessings. We should remember all the blessings we have in our life.”

An important Old Testament word is “remember.” The Hebrews were challenged
to remember how God delivered them from Egypt. They were to remember the
Commandments and the Law. They were to remember to treat the orphans, widows, and strangers with compassion. They were to remember to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Remember is no memory test but a line of thought that causes one to live
differently. When we remember to be thankful for what we have and the source of those blessings we are less likely to be upset when our blessings break.

Your electric toothbrush broke. That is an inconvenience. You have the blessings of an extra toothbrush, right? What about a quick review?

The Egyptians and Babylonians invented the earliest known form of a toothbrush, referred to as a “chew stick.” This rudimentary tool consisted of a twig fashioned with a frayed end, which was used to scrub the teeth clean. The chew stick was an effective tool, albeit crude when compared to the more sophisticated designs that would appear in later centuries.

Meanwhile, in the East, the Chinese were developing their version of the
toothbrush. Around 1498 AD, they created a tool that bore a closer resemblance to the modern toothbrush we are familiar with today. This toothbrush featured bristles sourced from the necks of pigs, known for their toughness and durability.

Compared to a chew stick or pigs necks an old-fashioned toothbrush is a real
blessing. Have you remembered your blessings? Do you live with gratitude as a theme for your day? Do you thank the source of all your blessings?

While there is currently no place for families to stay for free when their child is hospitalized in Shreveport, construction has begun on the Ronald McDonald House Shreveport-Bossier. Funds are still being raised to support this program, and with the community’s help it will begin serving families in August 2025.

This House will serve tens of thousands of families of critically ill children receiving life-saving care at any Shreveport hospital. Families will be referred by hospital social workers and all services will be provided free, removing immense financial burdens during an already stressful time. By keeping families together and close to their hospitalized child, they can focus on their child’s care without worrying where they will sleep or what they will eat.

In addition to 20 private rooms where families will stay overnight, the Ronald McDonald House will be available for day use. They will be able to retreat from the stress of the hospital, have meals, snacks, activities, play spaces, and other comforts of home. Most importantly, families will connect, creating a community of support that uniquely understands the impact of a child’s critical diagnosis.

“We are so close to reaching the goal to build the House – $8 million has already been donated by the community, and we need gifts of all sizes to reach the $10 million goal. Every gift will help provide valuable resources to families,” said Janell Mason, CEO.

By Brad Dison

From an early age, Angie struggled with mental illness. She was from a broken home. Her parents’ marriage fell apart when she was an infant. When Angie was six years old, she, her brother, her mother, and her mother’s boyfriend moved from Los Angeles, California to Palisades, New York. A few years later, they moved back to Los Angeles where they enrolled Angie in the posh Beverly Hills High School. Angie was teased constantly by her wealthy classmates because she wore glasses and braces. By comparison, she was the poor, homely kid in a school full of rich, entitled students. When her mother transferred her to Moreno High School, Angie transformed her image. She dressed in all black to look “goth,” had a fascination for “knife play,” and took correspondence courses on human embalming with the intent to eventually become a funeral director. She developed eating and sleeping disorders. She began to practice self-harm and to self-medicate with alcohol and drugs, which only exacerbated her depression. Angie and her father’s relationship broke down because of her substance abuse. At the age of 19, her depression grew so powerful that she planned to take her own life. Unavailable at the time was the 988 Suicide and Crisis hotline, where a person in need can call or text 988 for immediate help. As dark thoughts filled her mind, she began to think of how it would devastate her loved ones. Angie knew that her mother would think she had not done enough as a parent to help. 19-year-old Angie ultimately changed her mind, but the thoughts of it remained. For three years, she worked on a plan.

By the time Angie was 22 years old, Angie had returned to New York where she worked sporadically. Her drug and alcohol use continued to fuel her depression. To lessen her guilt and to ease the burden on her family, Angie decided on a way to end her suffering. Angie decided to hire a hitman to murder her. “They’re not that hard to find in New York,” she said. Angie made small withdrawals over time to build up enough cash to pay the hitman. This way no one would become suspicious. No one would ever know.

Angie met up with the contract killer. She explained the whole plan in detail. Finally, after listening intently, the hitman asked Angie something that she had not anticipated. He asked if she “could think about it and call him again in two months.” Angie had thought long and hard on her plan, but she agreed to wait the two months. Within that short time frame, Angie recalled that “something changed in my life and I figured I’d stick it out.” She has never revealed what changed her mind.

Had that hitman, whom she referred to as a “decent enough person,” not persuaded her to take time to reconsider, Angie would no longer be walking among us. Had the contract killer taken her money and fulfilled her initial request, Angie’s family would have been devastated. Had the estranged daughter of famous movie star John Voight been murdered, Angie would not have lived long enough to become prominently involved in numerous international charity projects. Angie, the girl once teased as being poor and homely, has often appeared on “most beautiful women” lists. Angie lived to become an Academy Award-winning actress. Had Angie chosen suicide, the world would never have enjoyed the talent of Angelina Jolie.

Depression is a serious illness, but help is waiting. If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988. All life is precious.

Sources:

1. Rhiannon Ingle, “Surprising question hitman asked Angelina Jolie that saved her life after she hired him to kill her,” Tyla.com, August 13, 2024, accessed November 17, 2024, .tyla.com/entertainment/celebrity/angelina-jolie-hitman-question-celebrity-news-205826-20240813.

2. Eve Buckland, “Angelina Jolie once hired hitman to plan her own murder aged 22 – but assassin had surprising response to her grisly plan,” DailyMail.co.uk, July 28, 2024, accessed November 17, 2024, .dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13673495/Angelina-Jolie-hired-hitman-plan-murder-aged-22.html.

3. Joe Taysom, FarOutMagazine.co.uk, June 4, 2021, accessed November 17, 2024, https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/angelina-jolie-hired-hitman/.
4. “Angelina Jolie,” IMDb.com, accessed November 17, 2024, .imdb.com/name/nm0001401/.

Every year on November 20, the world comes together to observe Universal Children’s Day, a day dedicated to promoting the rights and welfare of children worldwide. Established by the United Nations in 1954, this significant day serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting children’s well-being and ensuring they grow up in environments that nurture their potential.

The date holds historical significance as it marks two milestones in the fight for children’s rights. On November 20, 1959, the United Nations adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, a landmark document recognizing children’s inherent rights to safety, education, and freedom from exploitation. Thirty years later, on the same day in 1989, the UN adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), a legally binding treaty that remains the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history.

Universal Children’s Day highlights ongoing efforts to address the challenges faced by millions of children, including poverty, lack of access to education, and child labor. In 2023, over 244 million children were still out of school globally, and an estimated 160 million were engaged in child labor, according to UNICEF.

Celebrations and advocacy events on this day aim to amplify the voices of children and encourage communities to prioritize their rights. Schools, governments, and organizations worldwide often host discussions, campaigns, and activities to promote awareness and solidarity.

“Children are not just the future; they are the present,” says a UNICEF spokesperson. “Investing in their rights today ensures a brighter tomorrow for everyone.”

As the world marks Universal Children’s Day, it’s a call to action for individuals and nations alike: to safeguard the rights of every child and build a world where they can thrive.

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A federal judge ruled that a Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms is unconstitutional. Judge John W. deGravelles stated that the law has an “overtly religious” purpose and rejected claims that the display is solely historical. The ruling blocks the state and specific school boards from enforcing the mandate and requires them to notify all Louisiana school boards of its unconstitutionality. 

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed the “Dream Big” Education Plan into Law on June 19, 2024. HB 71 required all school districts in the state to display the Ten Commandments in each classroom in each school.

“I signed into law HB 71 making Louisiana the first state to require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in the classroom,” Landry said on social media on June 26. “I believe this is a step in the right direction to restore morals and values for current and future generations in Louisiana.”

Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill announced plans to appeal.

The attached report displays all individuals booked into the DeSoto Detention Center between the dates of Nov. 4-10 and includes arrests made by DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO), Mansfield Police Department (MPD), and Louisiana State Police (LSP.) All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Booking photos for each, unless they have bonded out, are readily available in the DeSoto Parish Sheriff App on iPhone or Android.

Students, staff, and volunteers filled the day with warmth and encouragement, creating a positive, caring environment where every participant felt like a star. The joy on the athletes’ faces and the pride in the supporters reflected the very spirit of DeSoto Parish – where everyone uplifts each other, celebrates their neighbors, and honors traditions that make everyone a family.

By Doug De Graffenried

I have a file of pending articles. I keep the file for the weeks when the well is running dry or nothing notable happened. The thing about this file is that these are small reminders of ideas for articles. They are never fully formed articles. If I have not used the article ideas, I tend to forget the deep insight I was having. I simply have a Post-it-note with a few words on it. More than once, I have looked at the words on the Post-it note and wondered, “What was I thinking?” The note then goes in file thirteen.

I thought that sharing the Post-it note-file in brief fashion might be fun. I want to share these before I forget what they mean.

Here we go.

Recently, I heard a couple of members of Trinity talking in the hallway. One said to the other, “I went for a walk the other day and when I got back home, I saw that the leaves were stuck to the bottom of my shoe.”

I had to stop and ponder why that was such a bad thing. Then I had a moment of revelation. The only way that leaves would stick to the bottom of your shoe is if your shoe had passed through a substance that caused the bottom of the shoe to become sticky. The two prime offenders would be gum and another substance which falls from the back end of four-legged animals. It was this second substance that caused the leaves to stick to the bottom of the shoe. The New Testament word for this substance is skubala. The word is used once in the writings of Paul, and it means the stuff that sticks to the bottom of your shoe.

Spiritual insight number one, sometimes we step in stuff. There is no reason to be surprised by stuff, just make sure you don’t track it into your emotional house.

The other day I was out visiting. I asked the fellow, “Are you staying out of trouble?” It is my question. It is just a glib question. I am not asking in judgment, nor do I seek confession as a result of the innocent inquiry. His response was grand. He said, “Mother nature and Father Time are keeping me out of trouble.”

I instantly related to his deep insight.

Spiritual insight two, live fully in the time you are in. If you are young and Mother Nature and Father Time have not taken their toll, then be careful, but enjoy. If you are a victim of Father Time and Mother Nature, then enjoy and relish this time in your life too.

Today is great, because it is a gift from God.

I was reading this week, and the author of the article made an interesting statement. His line was this; “an eye for an eye” leaves everyone blind. He was writing about Lex Talionis. The law of retaliation was laid out in the Old Testament. The idea in the Old Testament is that retaliation and revenge have limits. Jesus told His disciples; don’t you dare get started in that direction.

Spiritual insight three; an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth aren’t satisfying ways of dealing with conflict. We will be left blind and hungry.

I think I will stop there. Because insight four was about hugging your tombstone. I will save tombstone hugging for another day. The quick lesson there is live each day fully because you ain’t going to live forever.

Thank you for allowing me to clean out the Post-it note file!